A NATTY NUGGET: Something to be Thankful For

After you've stuffed your bellies with a Thanksgiving Feast - it's time to stuff your bags with holiday deals...or so says the retail industry.  Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year, and consequently one of the most nightmare-ish times to do any shopping.  However, lots of online sites offer deals without the hassle of battling crowds - and THAT's something to be thankful for.

If you must shop during this time of madness - and do decide to brave the brick and mortars this weekend, do your research beforehand so you don't waste any energy fighting through the crowds for nothing.  Here's a list of a few worthwhile sales on the street, and online...

BILLION DOLLAR BABES: Online gift shop begins Friday - choose from hundreds of lux gift-able items, all at discount prices

TOBI: 25% off all regular priced items with the code CHEERFUL25, now through Sunday

COUTURE CANDY: 20% off ALL regular priced AND sale merchandise with the code SHOP20, now through Sunday

HAUTE LOOK: Shipping for only $4.95 on ANY order, now through Sunday

ZOE: 30% off fall sale starts Thursday online, Friday in store.

ONE KINGS LANE: Enjoy a $10 credit just for signing up - now through December 1st.  Plus $25 for any friends you recommend!

NOS BOUTIQUE:  Fall sale begins Friday - up to 40% off shoes and other merchandise

HELIANTHUS BOUTIQUE: Up to 40% off select new arrivals!  30-70% off other fall merchandise.

HOMESLICE BOUTIQUE:  If you're willing to make the trip Hoboken, this place is divine - all shoes and boots are 30% off now through Sunday with the password "I Love Monty" and their selection of jewelry and home decor is worth every penny - even at full price.

JCREW: Extra 20% off all sale items using code EXTRA20.  PLUS FREE SHIPPING on orders over $150.  Online Only, now through Sunday.

BANANA REPUBLIC: 30% off all sweaters and outerwear - online only, now through Sunday.

GAP: Buy one GET ONE FREE sweaters and children's outerwear - in stores through Sunday, 50% off online, now through Sunday.

-Natty

LUST LIST: Turkey and Dressing

With Thanksgiving only 2 days away, there's more to plan besides the menu.  A perfect Thanksgiving day outfit should not only make you presentable to guests, but should also be comfortable enough to allow for second helpings.  Check out the lustworthy yet attainable options below - eat your heart out:

CHIC AND COMFORTABLE

This look is effortless yet dressy.  A generous cut leaves you plenty of room for an extra slice of pie.

Haute Hippie Dress - $255

+

JCrew Bracelet - $78

JCrew Bracelet - $58

FEMININE AND FUN

Leggings are comfortable when indulging in Thanksgiving treats, and the chiffon blouse is dressy enough for a holiday celebration.  

Project Alabama Tunic - $88

+

JCrew Necklace - $98

JCrew Bracelet - $88

SIMPLE AND SLEEK

Great for a family get together, and easy to accessorize with a bib necklace, or layered bracelets and a great pair of boots.

BDG DRESS - $58

+

JCrew Bracelet - $98

JCrew Bracelet - $98

OR

JCrew Necklace - $250

-Natty

BACK TO BASICS: Slouchy Tees

Ba·sic (bsk) adj.

1. An essential, fundamental element or entity

2. (Usually plural) a necessary commodity for which demand is constant

Slouchy Tees: they're comfortable, AND sexy...what could be better? The perfect tee will cling to curves in just the right spots, and drape easily over shoulders and take you seamlessly from day to night. The perfect tee reads effortlessly cool, carelessly chic, and elegantly edgy. The perfect tee is...essential.

Add a fashion forward edge and dress down any look by pairing it with a slouchy tee: Rock it tucked into a micro-miniskirt or high waisted pants, toss it on with a pair of shredded jeans and heels, or layer it under a blazer and a bunch of necklaces. Throw it on over leggings with a hot pair of boots - just make sure it's long enough to cover most of your tush and the "ahem" other side...nobody wants to a sneak peak at your goodies.

The key to keeping the look sexy not sloppy is to choose a style with a low neckline (deep-v or off the shoulder styles are great) and keep the bottom and/or other elements of the outfit sleek. And always go for a super thin fabric that will be slinky on your skin.

Everybody and their mother has their own version of the perfect slouchy tee, from Kain to Alexander Wang, The Row to Haute Hippie. But who wants to blow a bunch of cash on such a simple basic? Here are a few options that you can actually stock up on:

MADWELL - $24

AMERICAN APPAREL - $34

JCREW - $14.99-$29.99

URBAN OUTFITTERS - $16

Psst: STYLE TIP: Sometimes sizing up will take a top from moderate to modern - try a size larger than you would normally wear to add slouch to an otherwise more fitted T.

-Natty

NATTY NEWS: CFDA/Vogue's Fashion Fund Awards 09

Congratulations to designer Sophie Theallet, winner of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award for 2009!  The 6th annual event, held Monday night at Skylight Studios in Manhattan - celebrates new talent in fashion, and awards one lucky winner $200,000 and one year of mentoring from industry professionals.  Previous winners include Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Trovata and Doo-Ri Chung; many of which have since become household names.

This year's nominees included a host of talented designers including Ohne Titel and Wayne, but it was Theallet's Brooklyn based, Gaultier and Alaia trained designs that ultimately won over the judges.  It may have also helped that the fashion industry's favorite political and fashion icon, Michelle Obama has favored Theallet's designs recently.  In her 3rd year of designing, Sophie will undoubtably benefit from this covetable scholarship, particularly in a time of such turmoil for the fashion industry.

FASHION FAVORITES from the event:

Jessica Stam in Yiga Azrouël

Coco Rocha in Diane von Furstenberg 

(jewelry from Topshop!)

Anne Vyalitsyna in Costello Tagliapietra

(the sky-high, nude mary-janes make the outfit)

Meredith Melling Burke in Christian Cota dress

and Rick Owens jacket

Alexa Chung in (and with) Jason Wu

(with ballet flats!)

-Natty

A NATTY NUGGET: Save Fashion!

Who knew that Fashion was endangered?  Well apparently that's the case...or so says Refinery29, creators of New York's periodical SAVE FASHION event.  Today began the second installation of the collaborative pop-up Sample Sale in Soho.  The event will last through the 22nd, and features deeply discounted duds from brands like Earnest Sewn, Band of Outfitters and Acne.  Here's a sneak peak of what to expect:

VENA CAVA dresses: were $495, now $125

SOPHMORE T-shirts: were $75, now $30 

SUNSHINE & SHADOW dresses: were $348, now $80  

STEVEN ALLEN (men's) button-down shirts: were $168, now $68  

URBAN OUTFITTERS blazers: were $88, now $52 

SAMANTHA PLEET dresses, were $308, now $140  

And they're refreshing stock daily, so don't worry that all the goodies will be gone on weekend one - stop by anytime before the 22nd, hours are as follows:

FRIDAY 11/13

7am-9pm

SATURDAY-SATURDAY 11/14-11/21

10am-9pm

SUNDAY 11/22

10am-5pm

Here's where to go:

INVEN.TORY
237 Lafayette Street
at the corner of Spring Street

VIEW MAP

Happy Shopping!


-Natty

A NATTY NUGGET: Sample Sale Secrets

Everyone knows that New York is a shopping mecca.  Dozens of designer flagship stores line the cobblestone streets of Soho, the West Villiage and bustling Fifth Ave; while the towering department stores of the Upper East Side bring every category and brand of fashion favorites under one roof.  Tourists flock to the city day in and day out, loading their arms with shiny shopping bags full of exclusive wearables and fashion finds.

What visitors don't realize, is that one of the greatest secrets to New York's abundant retail industry - is the Sample Sale.

A Sample Sale thrives on the fact that so many designers are housed here in NYC, and therefore so is their excess stock.  Anything that's over-shipped, under-sold or often never produced - arrives at a temporary sample sale hosted by the fashion house or brand, at a grossly reduced price.  Nearly everyone hosts their own sample sale: from contemporary brands like Elizabeth and James, Inhabit, Rebecca Taylor and even JCrew; to the most elite fashion houses like YSL, Prada and Dolce & Gabbana.  A few are extremely exclusive and by invitation only (such as Christian Louboutin or Chanel) however - the vast majority are open to the public, if you know where to look...

Wanna be in the know?  Check out the following sites which list upcoming local sample sales, and sign up for mailing lists to ensure that you don't miss a thing.  Trust me, your wardrobe AND wallet, will thank you!  Happy shopping...

SAVVY

CLOTHINGLINE

METROPOLITAN PAVILLION

BILLION DOLLAR BABES

FASHIONISTA

DAILY CANDY

THE BUDGET FASHIONISTA

-Natty