Chambray & The Chicago Sun-Times

Want to hear something pretty schmancy?

For Fall, Bow Ties

Rugby

 You may know this by now, but I'm kind of a cross dresser.  I mean not a serious one, but I definitely love and will fully embrace the androgonous look for fall. I'm thinking Annie Hall meets The Great Gatsby meets the Ivy League.  Oh yea.

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What makes me particularly happy is that mens accessories are being styled these days on women.  Think brands like The Brooklyn Circus that are menswear labels styling women in their clothes. Love. It.

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The way I'll be keeping it boyish but refined is with bowties throughout the fall.  You may just see some special little additions to The Co-Op as well.

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So what's your favorite gender bending style statement?

For Fall, Pt. 1: Women

New York Fashion Week is in full force, and while we're looking at Spring looks by all the designers, the reality of it all is that we are still thoroughly in summer weather in many parts of the country, and need to focus on the cooling temperatures for our more immediate purposes.  

So let's talk fall in a very need-to-know way. No fluff, just pretty pictures.

TopShop

Maxi lengths

Forever 21

Menswear accessories

J. Crew

Texture on texture

TopShop

Capes

Opening Ceremony

Cold weather cropped tops

A Discussion on Co-Creation

It's high time we've had a discussion on co-creation and mass customization.  If you're hip to nerdy things like retail research trends, stats, and blogs, you've seen a good amount of chatter already about this emerging form of retailing.  If you've seen the promo video for The Style Cooperative, you'll know that we are thoroughly in the thick of this concept.

The basic idea behind co-creation and mass customization is that retailers (anything from apparel to chocolate) allowing buyers to customize their products in such a way that they are able to help design/create something that is unique to individual taste and style.  Unlike just going to a tailor and building something from the ground up, you are guided through a structured and defined process, so it's not too intense for the typical user and for the company to keep up with.  Long story short: you get what you want.

There are a handful of companies like Blank Label (mens dress shirting), 1154 Lill (Chicago-made handbags), Chocri (chocolate), and the upcoming Open Runway (shoes) that all operate under a similar model.  The list seems to be growing daily!

So here's my point: I'm developing The Style Cooperative because of my really strong beliefs in the idea of personal style and building contemporary wear that you actually want.  We are all about lifestyle and substance, so when I speak about building something that is going to change the way people think about shopping, buying, and even wearing clothes- I mean it. 

Clothes should make you feel good, and say what you want and need to say (cue the John Mayer hook).  The Style Cooperative is the brand that I've been dreaming into existence for a couple years now, and I want it to be special for you too.  The new site with full customization is literally right around the corner.

So let's get to the co-creating and let me know what you want to see next from us! Now we're cooperating... stylishly.

Spotted in the City: Spandex

I've been away from New York too long, so it was thoroughly refreshing to get back to this city and see what crazy style concoctions people are coming up with these days.  One look I saw a few times that stuck out in my mind was the use of spandex shorts under tunics. Not in the 80s dancer kind of way- this was more downtown-chic.

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They function as bottoms of sorts, under tunics and longer tops.  I assume it allows these girls to feel like this excuses the increasingly rising hemline on the streets.  But I must admit, styled well, it looks amazing.

I'm Thinking About It: Thigh High Socks

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Not all trends are created as equal opportunities, this I will admit.  But I really, REALLY want to like and wear thigh high socks.  It's just like one of those moments where I was obsessing over the idea of wearing socks and sky high heels for summer.  This time, I'm not sure it'll be a good idea for me and all my short glory to go for the fashion kill.

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When it comes to trends that will understandably be short-lived and only for the sartorially strong at heart, I feel like I need to take chances. It seems like this will be a great way to transition from the steam stickiness that is this summer to the cooler months just around the corner. Yep, we're talking fall already!

A Little Shoe Indulgence

I'm always really hesitant to buy anything that is too trendy, as I like to think of my closet as a collection of pieces that I'll wear forever. Then there's shoes. Usually I'll allow myself one indulgent, on trend and probably-will-not-ever-be-worn-past-the-season pair every few months or so.

It's because of this, I get really intense and spend too much time researching to know I'm getting what I'll love the most.  Style nerd, yes. That's me.

Right now, I've been consistently impressed with the looks that Jeffrey Campbell has out for summer (and they're reasonably priced!).  I'm looking for a sky high platform wedge with lots of straps, embellishments, and whatever other kind of crap they can put on it. I'm talking over the top, but with some versatile sensibility and charm.  I plan on wearing them to toughen up pretty little summer numbers.

I've got quite the list of requirements for a single shoe I suppose. The compulsive shoe research continues!

Women's Spring Picks

How was your weekend?  Mine was great- had my hand at draping & drafting a pattern from scratch all day yesterday.  I never went to fashion school or anything like that, so the jury is still out on whether or not it was a success.  If it's not a totally shameful disaster, I'll share with you kind folks.

Alright, onto my Spring Picks for Women.  This spring, I'm looking forward to very feminine meets very masculine pieces.  You know, juxtaposition makes the world go round.

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Floral Pattern Mixing

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Little White Dresses

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Alternative Pant Shapes

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Spring Fedoras

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Bloomers

I Believe in a Thing Called Sleeves

I love dresses. I love warmth. If I can have it all, we've got a mini dress with long sleeves and tights. And just as luck has it, they are just about everywhere (and by everywhere, I mean you still have to search for decent versions and for realistic prices... ahem, Temperley).

Here's my round-up:

1. Ingwa Melero 2. vintage 3. vintage 4. T-Bags 5. American Apparel 6. Temperely 7. Karina Grimaldi

In classic Rachel form, I tire of what's out there, so I am fashioning my own at home this week. I'll be sure to post the end results when I'm finished. It's going to be teal and lovely.

Can'twaituntilit'sdonesoIcanshamelesslywearitallthetime.

Trends: Cropped Tops

Spring brought on a new wave of people adventurously rocking a look that I thought was gone forever- the cropped top. I'll admit that when I first saw girls on the blog scene showing their digs cropped, I was a bit skeptical. I realize a lot of people still are. However, I am here to proclaim with conviction: They aren't so bad after all.

Images via OakNYC

Think cropped shirts were strictly for reserved for the angst-filled halls of West Beverly High circa 1992? I shamelessly scoured Lookbook for some girls get it right. What I came up with? Her, her, and her.

What do they have in common that makes them work? Looser fit, length that minimizes skin showing, higher waistlines for bottoms.

A Trend For the People: Oxford Shoes

While walking around Chicago on Tuesday, I noticed that number of people were wearing oxfords in the most interesting and unexpected ways. Hipsters, label whores, students, suits, waitresses, you name it. One girl (that I awkwardly creeped on from across the street) paired her canary yellow oxfords with a bright, floral maxi dress. I know, I know, it sounds a like only a certain kind of person can pull it off. But this girl, she made me a believer in the look.

Oxfords have been on the rise in the past year or so, but the upcoming season will be their time to shine for both men and women.

I've already picked these lovelies up while in Italy to be worn with skinny jeans and a top that is over sized and/or luxuriously drapey. Maybe even a well tailored skirt or two as well.

Those of the heeled bootie variety will be versatile enough to go to the office and do overtime during an evening out.

1.Pour La Victoire 2.Frye 3.Kate Spade 4.Ginita 5.Tory Burch

And a few more that have caught my eye:
1. Frye 2.Joy & Alexandre Herchcovitch 3.Gaspard Yurkievich 4.PLV by Pour La Victoire 5.Jonathan Kelsey 6.Elizabeth and James