Chic Athens

Welcome to my country

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 19:47:00 +0000

It's finally getting cold in Georgia which means time for sweaters ... thick, wool sweaters that is. This season Stella McCartney, Richard Chai, Burberry and Fendi have set the stage with woven knits.

The sweaters seen on the runway this season are complimented by feminine, ruffled blouses and long, cashmere scarves. The European countryside-inspired clothing of this winter encompasses all the rich history and culture of its roots. From the thick wool sweaters to the ruffled chiffon dresses, the elegance of European country is seen on the fashion runway and on the streets.

Brands to look for:

This chunky,rib-knit shawl cardigan is only $36.50 at Old Navy.

These are two pieces from the Erin Fetherston line for Target. The chiffon with velvet trim dress is $44.99 and the wool,long coat in Oxford creme is $89.99.

These two pieces come from the line Zero by Maria Cornejo. Everything from this line is a combination of English countryside and avante-garde chic.

The Anais dress is $598.
The layer shirt is $552.

The pink silk and chiffon shirt-dress by Juicy Couture is the perfect feminine, flirty dress. The hooded cardigan sweater by Marc Jacobs embodies the perfect luxe-slouchy style.

Dress: $258
Cardigan Sweater: $368

Cha ching ... Great gifts for under $50

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 02:54:00 +0000

Browsing through racks with my mom over the Thanksgiving break, I found two things to be true: great fashion and unreasonable prices.

In my opinion, fashion is better than it ever has been in my 21 years of living. With the ruffled blouses of the 60s, the statement coats of the 70s and the bright colors of the 80s, it seems history is repeating itself all at the same time this season. The only drawback is that the prices on these items aren't what they once were.

Here are some quick, fashionable gift ideas for under $50.

This gray sweater is only $39.50 at your local Delia's stores.

This brown purse is only $44 at fredflare.com.

This statement coat is only $34.80 at forever21.com.

She wears the boots with the furrrr ...

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 05:16:00 +0000

Like Flo-rida sings in his new hit song of the quintessential fahsionista, the boots with the fur are making a sensational debut this winter season. Eskimo-inspired clothing with a Native American twist have never been so hot.

From big, turquoise-gemmed jewelry to shaggy parkas, bright and bold colors are appearing on all different textures and threads. You will find thick wool sweaters and thin lace borders on neutral background tones recreating the essence of Native American couture.

Free People is the essence of outdoor, weathered clothing of the "free people" and nomads of the world embraced by cultures worldwide. Other brands such as T.O.C. Legends and Ralph Lauren Blue Label incorporate the rugged look into their couture as well.

Why so gray?

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 01:15:00 +0000

This fall and winter there's a new neutral to take the place of the classic black: gray. No matter which shade you choose, from dark gray to light gray, the not-so-cheerful tone is a sure, fashionable way to accentuate your look.

From over-sized sweaters to short mini dresses, gray ensembles will make you an instant fashion hit this fall.

Dress it up like this gray evening dress by Alessandro Dell'Acqua that I absolutely love, and pay attention to the matching gray booties. Or, dress it down like the gray sweater and black skinny jeans by Kenneth Cole. No matter which way you decide to wear it, remember gray is the new black.

Haute Look

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 04:49:00 +0000

I think Kate Walsh looked absolutely amazing at the Country Music Awards in a skirt-bustier combo with t-strap Loubs.

Where to find a similar look:
Bustier: $41.99
Bustier: $48
Pencil skirt: $118

Blinded by the shirt

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 13:51:00 +0000

Any fashion magazine you read this Fall and Winter displays an array of bright, bold colors. From golden yellow to hot fushia, the bold statement this season should be worn on the outside.

If anyone else is like me, I love bold colors on other people, but not so much on me. I want to stay in touch with the newest trends, without looking totally out of place in Athens, Ga. Style.com explained, "The look of the season: a single saturated block color contrasted against blacks or grays." I think I can do that!

Like this Stella McCartney red coat/dress in her Fall runway show and Diane von Furstenberg Graciela top, there are amazing bright buys all over the place.

No matter how bright your color of choice, settling the tone down with gray or black will make it a little more bearable to wear, even in the smallest southern town.

Other places to check out are Shopbop and Forever 21!

Classics you'll wear forever

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 02:01:00 +0000

InStyle's October issue featured an article on 10 new classics that you'll wear forever. Their list included the following items:

a retro, simple, sophisticated dress
a fur coat
plain gold-hoop earrings
a nautical-themed blazer
a leopard print clutch
a Cartier watch
a black trench coat
a gold necklace of interlocking circles
a gold clutch/bag
candy-apple red, rounded-toe heels

If it were up to me, my 10 classics that I'll wear forever are:

a black pea coat
a pair of good-fitting jeans
a classic, tailored suit
the perfect little black dress
a strand of pearls
black, rounded-toe heels
a colored cashmere scarf
a fitted white tee
gold/silver dangle earrings
a creme turtleneck

It seems like picking the top 10 items that you would wear forever would be easy, but if you really think about it's very hard to pick only 10 must haves. Try naming the things you just couldn't live without, you'll really surprise yourself.

The fashionable tree hugger

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 22:58:00 +0000

When you think of a recycle bin, the last place you would look to find one is in your closet. In an age where preserving the environment is a major concern, why not make the new fad recyclable products from vintage stores or your trash can.

I was reading an article in the Red & Black, our newspaper here at UGA, about the surprising new add-ons to outfits. Whether flat-billed hats from the 1980s or monstrous sunglasses, it seems that recycled products are the perfect addition to spice up a bland outfit.

In Style magazine noted Victoria Beckham's vintage military ensemble. You can find Victoria's thrifty hat at local Target stores and her jacket in a nearby army store.

Hillary Magazine also recently reviewed a small recycled product company called Little Earth on their unforgettable handbags made of recycled toasters, soda cans, inner tubes and other plethoras of junk.

It's time to think and live ethically. Long live fashion and the environment!

Cheap fashion in the city

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 22:23:00 +0000

As I was getting my hair cut my hair dresser was telling me about Sarah Jessica Parker's new clothing line, Bitten. Her new clothing line does not contain anything over $19.95, including hounds tooth coats.

Inspired by a deprived childhood of hand-me-down clothes, Sarah Jessica teamed up with Steve & Barry's clothing stores who also believe in the philosophy of affordable clothes, only their stores have predominately been geared toward athletics.

You can find all clothes from the Bitten clothing line at any Steve & Barry's stores worldwide in over 200 locations.

It's about a philosophy of living fashionably with little money in which Sarah Jessica expresses in her manifesto. "It's every woman's inalienable right to have a pulled-together stylish, confident wardrobe with money left over to live. GET BITTEN."

*In the picture: Hounds tooth coat ($19.95) and skinny jeans ($14.95).
This picture was taken on the Oprah Winfrey Show.

Beauty relies on Truth, Wear your Truth: Sir Alistar Rai

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:40:00 +0000

After reading a recent blog on the New York Post Web site about a dress Hayden Panettiere wore out shopping one day, I realized how much I was in love with the Sir Alistar Rai collection.

His collection is perfect for college students, which is right up my alley. With a line full of chic cotton dresses and easy-to-wear clothes, Sir Alistar Rai mixes simplicity with an indian twist, leaving you to compile the accessories.

Whether a night on the town or an 8 a.m. class, these comfy dresses and clothes will leave you looking star-studded. Just add as many accessories to the outfit and you'll be sure to find the outfit you're looking for!

Printed to Perfection

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 03:35:00 +0000

Prints make for the perfect summer dress. Not only do they speak for themselves but they always look perfect. Whether you are going out on the town for a day of shopping, on a date or out for a fun night with the girls, you can never go wrong with a simple, patterned dress.

In this photo: Dress, Fortson's Clothier of Athens

Other brands to look for: T Bags and AKA New York

Boutique of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 02:08:00 +0000

Heery's is the largest boutique in Athens. With designer brands from wall to wall, there is no other place to find such exquisite clothes.

Brands to find: Tracy Reese, Milly, BCBG, Nicole Miller, Tibi, Lilly Pullitzer, Choye Toi, and Nanette Lepore.

Address: 195 College Ave
Athens, GA 30601

Phone: (706) 543-0702

Find a map here!

Deal of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 01:50:00 +0000

Mi favorita: Marc Jacobs top for $46.90!

Tibi Tibi

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 23:05:00 +0000

Most people haven't heard of the name Amy Smilovic, but most have heard of Tibi. Tibi is a brand of clothing designed by Amy Smilovic. Her clothes are those must-have pieces that mix sleek and simple with a trendy twist. The mixture of the different styles combine to make a classic look that can never go wrong. Depending on your accessories, Tibi can go either way: all the way classic or fabulously trendy.

In the picture:

Dress: Tibi
Shoes: Nine West
Leggings: Fortson's clothier, Athens

Deal of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:01:00 +0000

This pleated dress is fabulous and is only $19.80!

Deal of the Day

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 02:22:00 +0000

Silk top

Embroidered in a Tee

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:10:00 +0000

In this photo:

Pants: True Religion jeans
Top: Inner Child t-shirt

In the 60s, hippies were everywhere and in 2002 the hippie look returned. Since its return, there have been many advances to repopularize the look. The looks range from loosely-hanging scarves, wide-legged pants, overbearing sunglasses and embroidered shirts. Urban outfitters has a line of clothing called urban renewal which encompasses the hippie look through its revival of old, vintage clothing. The hippie look can be as simple or extravagant as you would like it to be by adding accesories or scarves or settling with an embroidered shirt and jeans.

Thinking RETROspectively

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:15:00 +0000

Retro is a noun for a fashion reminiscent of the past. However, retro clothes appear everywhere, in magazines and on the streets, which leaves me to wonder: are retro clothes really a thing of the past?

It seems no matter what fashion Web site or online clothing store you explore, you are bound to see retro clothing. One of my favorite Web site stops is shopbop.com, where you can shop by trend or category. There is a modern flapper category where you can find subcategories devoted to deco prints, jazz age dresses and decadent details. Shopbop is premiere, discounted designer fashions in which you will find Tibi, Juicy Couture and Rebecca Taylor to name a few of the best designers for retro fashion.

Famous designers aren't the only ones with phat retro clothing, shops such as Target and Pop Boutique carry a variety of different retro clothes.

Paige Galbraith, a senior here at UGA, poses below in a dress from Loehmann's, a designer discount store in Atlanta, and shoes from Target. So it is possible to get the latest retro look for an affordable price!

Although retro technically means a clothing style of the past, it is clear that retro is a current trend and does not seem to be going anywhere.

Street Walkers have the best fashion...

noreply@blogger.com (Alicia) — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 22:23:00 +0000

I am definately no fashion expert, but absolutely love looking at fashion and keeping up with the times. One of the best things about UGA is downtown Athens, not only for fun late nights, but also for the shopping!!

Walking down Clayton Street around 12:30 p.m. on a Thursday night, you are bound to see some of the trendiest clothes out there right now. Surprising...huh? It does seem out of place that you see clothes featured on a New York runway in a small college town in Georgia, but Athens has a variety of different designer clothes with a vintage twist.

There's also a variety of different styles. From grungy vintage to spunky punk mixed with a bohemian flare and of course the southern classics. It's amazing to walk down the street and see Nicole Miller cocktail dresses, Marc Jacobs shirts and t-bags long dresses. And lets not forget about handbags...WOW. From Prada spybags to Gucci duffles, Athens has it all.

I hope to capture some of the best fashion moments in Athens for all to see as well as team up with the fashion design school to see the next designers coming out of Athens. I hope you'll jump on the fashion bus and see EVERYTHING Athens has to offer to the world..of fashion that is!