Feel Fresh Fridays: Lady in Leather

This week's fall trend that we will highlight is the leather trend. A popular textile in fall apparel, leather is perfect for staying warm as the weather cools down, and can be dressed up and down for work or leisure. The great thing about this trend is there are limitless ways to wear it;  from classic leather jackets, skirts, and dresses, to leather trimmed apparel and accessories. If you're bold, try a leather skirt or dress with a dainty fabric like lace for a feminine look with edge. If you're not so bold, pair a simple leather jacket or accessory with dark jeans & a white tee; it will give depth to casual staples and elevate your basics from boring to city chic. Here are a few of Renewal's pieces to help you achieve this look:

                                           Top: Express, sz.Small; Skirt: Ralph Lauren, sz. 4;
                                          Booties: Michael Kors, sz. 8; Clutch: Tommy Hilfiger

Jacket: Kenneth Cole, sz. Medium; Top: J. crew; sz. Small 

Jeans: Express, sz. 4; Flats: Tory Burch, sz. 8.5

                             Dress: Kardashians for Bebe, sz. Med.; Heels: Steve Madden, sz. 9.5

Feel Fresh Fridays: Modern Military

One of the biggest (and my favorite) trends this fall is the Military trend. The runway was filled with military-inspired ensambles from designers including Jason Wu, Salvatore Ferragamo, and Derek Lam amongst others. Fall is the perfect time for this trend as it plays up one of the best pieces for fall- jackets. Think jackets with sharp shoulders and military-like details. The great things about this trend are how easy it is to blend with your current wardrobe, and how comfortable, yet stylish, it can be. All you need are a good pair of jeans and a couple of coats to nail this look. Here are some Renewal pieces to get you started.

                Jacket: Armani Exchange, sz. Med; Jeans: Hermosa, sz. 0; Boots: Bucco, sz. 8.5

                         Jacket: Hang Ten, sz. Large; Jeans: Delia's, sz. 0; Boots: Easy Spirit, sz. 5

                    Jacket: Claude Vernet, sz. 2; Jeans: Ce Toi Jeans, sz. 1; Boots: Dolce Vita, sz. 8.5

Back to School Checklist!

As September quickly approaches, I'm sure everyone is running around in a hurry to get back-to-school shopping done.  It may feel overwhelming when you have more than one child in different grades and schools.  Here's a Back-to-school Checklist to help you get all of your shopping done in one stop!

The key to maximizing your back-to-school clothing is to get a variety of each of the style listed.

This year you'll need:

4 Pairs of pants

10 Short-sleeve shirts

3 Long-sleeve shirts

3 Cardigans/hoodies

3 Pairs of shoes

2 Jackets

Girls: 4-6

4 pairs of basic pants

10 short sleeved shirts perfect for layering and mixing and matching!

A few long sleeved shirts to begin to gear up for cold winter days

3 cardigans or sweaters to layer on those chilly September mornings

2 jackets to prepare for gloomy days

3 pairs of shoes - a dressy shoe, a boot and a sneaker is a great variety!

Girls: 8-10

4 pairs of basic pants

10 short sleeved shirts perfect for layering and mixing and matching!

A few long sleeved shirts to begin to gear up for cold winter days

3 cardigans or sweaters to layer on those chilly September mornings

2 jackets to prepare for gloomy days

3 pairs of shoes - a dressy shoe, a boot and a sneaker is a great variety!

Boys: 4-6

4 pairs of basic pants

10 short sleeved shirts perfect for layering and mixing and matching!

A few long sleeved shirts to begin to gear up for cold winter days

3 hoodies to layer on those chilly September mornings

3 pairs of shoes -  boots and a sneakers are a great variety!

2 jackets to prepare for gloomy days

Boys: 8-10

4 pairs of basic pants

10 short sleeved shirts perfect for layering and mixing and matching!

A few long sleeved shirts to begin to gear up for cold winter days

3 hoodies to layer on those chilly September mornings

3 pairs of shoes - boys at this age love sneakers!

2 jackets to prepare for gloomy days

Secret Sale!

Feel Fresh Fridays: The Great Outdoors

      Even if you're not the woodsy type, plan on putting a new spin on your regular city-chic style with outdoors inspired pieces this fall. Channeling the spirit of the "The Great Outdoors", designers such as Michael Kors, Alexander Wang, and Ralph Lauren among others utilized the beauty in the natural colors and elements fall has to offer.  Think rusty reds, burnt oranges and, an array of browns and greens.  This is a trend everyone can easily incorporate into their wardrobe, no matter what your style.  Here are some Renewal pieces to get you started:

Top: Michael Kors, sz. 2; Skirt: Anthropologie, sz. 12; Boots: Colin Stewart, sz. 7.5 

                                                                                                                               

Jacket: Tulle, sz. XS; Jeans: BDG, sz. 4; Boots: Minnetonka, sz. 6; Purse: Albi

Sweater: Lux, sz. Large; Pants: Hei Hei, sz. 0; Shoes: Birkenstock, sz. 5

Feel Fresh Fridays: Granny Chic

          One of the biggest (and comfiest) trends this fall is "Granny Chic"; and being someone that's constantly complaining about the cold whenever the temperature falls below 70°, I'm excited to stock up on heavy wool sweaters and shalls. The Fall '12 runway shows featured all of the classic pieces your grandmother wears from knee-length pencil skirts to tweed blazers. You can easily accomplish this look by raiding your grandmother's closet, or shopping Renewal for a more modern way to rock this trend. Here's some of Renewal's pieces to get you started.

                            Dress: Marquis, sz. Small;  Heels: Anne Klein, sz. 6.5; Purse: Gucci

Jacket: Forever 21, sz. Med; Dress: Jones NY, sz.8; Shoes: Chinese Laundry, sz. 10; Purse: Kate Spade

 Blouse: Banana Republic, sz. Small; Skirt: Loft, sz. 6; Shoes: Colin Stewart, sz. 10; Purse: Furla; Wool scarf; Brooch: Fendi

For those of you that arent trying to look just like your grandmother, here are a few additional pieces that will blend more easily into your wardrobe and still help you rock the trend    
                                         
                                                                    Jacket: Gap, sz. Small

                                     
                                                              Cardigan: Free People, sz. XS

   

                                                        Sweater: Free People, sz. Medium

  

Jacket: Emma James, sz. Small

Feel Fresh Fridays: Fall 2012 Trend Analysis

     Although it's only the beginning of August, all of the stores are gearing up for fall. It almost makes me sick to even look at a sweater, but I cant help but be slightly excited to build a wardrobe for a whole new season. This years Fall 2012 runway was a fantastic mixture of comfy knits and slick leather.  Here's a breakdown of the seasons hottest trends.

Grandma Chic:

Marc Jacobs

Oscar de la Renta

 With an almost grandma-like fashion, designers focused on a retro-mix of florals and lace, knit tweeds, and shawls. Think big comfy sweaters and exaggerated accessories.


The Great Outdoors:

Michael Kors

Marc by Marc Jacobs

American heritage brands stood out this year on the fall runways as high-fashion channels the great outdoors. A mixture of tweeds and knits in hunting-gear reds and oranges, as well as earth tones, will you keep you stylish while exploring the wilderness this fall.

Modern Military:

Derek Lam

Altuzarra

The military takes on fashion as uniform details are prominent in many lines across the runway this year. Being one of the strongest trends this fall, you can expect to see jackets with sharp-shoulder styles and large gold buttons.

Lady in Leather:

Derek Lam

DKNY

            Leather isn't just for bags and boots this fall as many designers paraded leather skirts and jackets down the runway. The great thing about this trend is the edginess leather can add to a more feminine outfit. If rocking a leather pencil skirt or jacket isnt your thing, scope out one of the many more subtle, leather-accented pieces such as a dress with leather trim or pockets.


Burgundy is the new Black:

Peter Som

Nanette Lepore

Burgundy is the new black this year with an array of rustic, wine shades coming down the runway at a number of designer's shows. The great thing about this trend is that burgundy looks good on almost every complexion and blends easily into wardrobes, pairing nicely with black and even burnt oranges or cobalt blues. If you're not as bold to pair it with bright colors, olive green and camel colors also compliment the color nicely.