Well here in the studio, at least. New fall merchandise has been arriving at a rapid pace for the last month. We’ve been styling and snapping and cropping like crazy to get it all up on the site, which means that we’ve been staring at all our new goodies for hours on end. It’s truly not glamorous, but it sure is fun to play with a bunch of amazing clothes every day!!! Some of my favorites so far…

First, 3 of my favorites all in 1 outfit! The dress makes me feel… well, ethereal is the word that comes to mind. And the booties are so light that I’ve even been wearing them during our incredibly humid weather. But the leather shirt. The leather shirt just makes me crazy. So soft, so versatile and just so freaking cool. LOVE it. 

SFRD leather shirt vest, Gary Graham pintuck dress, Rachel Comey Memo booties

The Ruse dress from Rachel Comey. I ordered this, but it doesn’t fit SOOO disappointed. 

I am always on the lookout for a great pair of pants, and these Vanessa Bruno Athe pants are just the best pair EVER. I wasn’t supposed to own these, but fate — and my dog, Kuma — lent a hand. Arlene and I were trying them on when they first landed and were in the process of telling ourselves and each other that they weren’t for us and that we needed to save them for our customers when over walks Kuma (he doesn’t like to be left out). He looks up at me and then gives me a giant lick on the leg (he’s a black lab, so his licks are pretty big), leaving a giant stain on the — now mine — pants. BAD dog.

Vanessa Bruno Athe soft trouser, Gar-de leather jacket, Sophomore tee, Loeffler Randall pumps

And the coup de grace, the Navy faux fur from SONIA by Sonia Rykiel. Knocks me out, it’s so good. Arlene and I actually both bought this, which might be a problem since we do everything and go everywhere together. We’ve had matching outerwear before, but nothing like this. But how could we resist? It feels so delicious when you’re all wrapped up (and you don’t even have to worry about those pesky animal activists!) And it’s navy. I mean, come on. How many times in your life do you come across a great navy fur??? 

SONIA by Sonia Rykiel faux fur, stripe tee and zipper leggings, Prairies de Paris pumps

So many other amazing things, but if I list them all here I won’t have time to actually do my work! We’ll be back, I promise.

There is a fine line when dressing down, I mean down and comfy like weekend-wear-down.  It can easily spill into down & sloppy, but sometimes that’s all you want to do is throw on a tee and/or sweatshirt.  For all those times, you should pick up any/all of the fun and ridiculously soft tees & sweatshirts from Sophomore.  Designer/owner Chrissie Miller knows just the right balance of retro & edge. Her tees are particularly fun on the weekends…so much fun you might carry them right into your week under some great cardi’s or blazers.  It’s been known to happen.  We have a few left in The Shop now and will have plenty more to choose from come fall.  Keep checking back!

Brandon has a lot of favorites, but this one is her favorite, favorite :)

C'mon...how cute is this sweatshirt for hanging out?!

VC Andrews?!! Flowers in The Attic is a must-have!

Oooh....she sure did go there!

images via Sophomore NYC….thank you Leah!

Let’s face it, there’s really not much more that Arlene and I love than easy fashion. Pieces that can be easily worked into your wardrobe, basics with an edge, things we can easily layer, dress up, dress down. That’s us in a nutshell. When we discovered Chrissie Miller’s line, Sophomore, last Spring, we knew we had stumbled upon something pretty great — something that would transition seamlessly both into our individual wardrobes and into our shop. Sophomore celebrates downtown New York, rebel without a cause, bad-ass easy style. Chrissie Miller and designer Madeline von Froomer know that easy, effortless dressing never goes out of style.

“Lower East Side style of the ’70s and Lower East Side style of today look almost the same — people never stray from the basics.”

“In a one-dimensional world of basics, SOPHOMORE brings a fashion twist, soft washed fabrics, perfect fits and a New York vibe that will make the line a clothing staple for years to come.”

True to the label’s sensibility, Chrissie does things her way. With friend and frequent collaborator Cass Bird, Miller presented her Spring10 line in an entirely new way — as a short film that premiered at Sundance. The film features a  bunch of New York hipsters talking about getting arrested, busted, grounded and generally thumbing their noses at authority. Filmed on the boardwalk at Coney Island and complete with fashion, fireworks and beer, she’s created quite an innovative way to showcase her wares.

Sophomore Spring 2010 from SophomoreNYC on Vimeo.

Pieces from the film will be available in our shop later this month. In the meantime, it’s not too late to grab some of the looks from her Fall09 collection.

all images via sophomorenyc.com

Still looking for that perfect Halloween costume?  It’s challenging and daunting, right?  Unless you want to let it all hang out…there’s not much out there, huh?  Well, we can help  We want to help! We have a few ideas…

How about….CONVICT CUTIE (Brandon’s sold!  This is her costume!!)

jumpsuit, Mason - email us!  Just a couple of sizes left, not up on the site.

classic stilletos, April by Loeffler Randall

leather cuffs, Wendy Nicol

stick on numbers - Ace Hardware Store

cap - Party City

OR a mesmerizing magician….

quilted dress, Opening Ceremony - email us!  Not up on site yet.

red ornament pump, Belinda by Loeffler Randall

sleevless tux shirt, Notify - stylist own

red tights - American Apparel

hat, gloves & bowtie - Hollywood Mirror

cane - stylist own

The first lady of Halloween, Morticia Addams

long ribbed dress, Opening Ceremony

banded sandal, Opening Ceremony

ooooo…how about roller derby girl for all you roller skate fans, here’s your chance to roller skate all night!

NY tee, Sophomore

shorts & socks - American Apparel

sequined baseball cap - Hollywood Mirror

hot pink fishnets - stylist own

skates & pads - Sports Authority

Miss Kitty….

double breasted blazer, Opening Ceremony - email us!  (one fantastic blazer!)

shorts, Mayle - stylist own

flats, Theodora by Loeffler Randall

tights & kitty ears - Party City

ring, Sam Goldberg

AND last but not least…Van Gogh, bloody ear and all

flannel peplum shirt, Opening Ceremony - email us!

boyfriend jeans - stylist own

channel buckle booties, Rihanna by Loeffler Randall

arm warmers - stylist own

Shumura Campbell, photographer

Michelle Hicks, model - Ford Models

Gayle Ong, model - Ford Models

Jackie Gleason, hair stylist 

Julia, makeup artist

Styled by Arlene & Brandon