Spring Trends!!

We're all dreaming of Spring, but is your wardrobe prepared for it? Do you know what the trends are for this Spring? Don't worry, as always, Our Friends' Closet is here to help keep you looking fashionable! 

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Diane Von Furstenberg Tunic ~ Size 8~ $59

Lilly Pulitzer Skirt ~ Size 6 ~ $28
Turquoise necklace~ $39

Pastels

Most people automatically associate pastels with spring, but this year, expect them to be even more common, and probably to last even past Easter! Pastels were seen all over the Spring runways, in an array of fabrics and cuts. Here at OFC were keeping it traditional in everyone's favorite Spring lady, Lilly Pulitzer! Add on a Diane Von Furstenberg top and you can't go wrong! So light and airy!

NEW Talbots coat ~ size 12 ~ $49
Jennie and Marlis top ~ size L ~ $9
Talbots denim Capris ~ Size 14 ~ $20
J crew Necklace ~ $30

Collarless Coat

Our second trend is the collarless coat! This coat can be dressed up, dressed down, and worn anywhere this Spring! This one happens to be a very sophisticated style, but if your a little more on the wild side, pair it with funkier prints! 

Candies blazer ~ SOLD
Ya Los Angeles Tank ~ SOLD
Sara Campbell Skirt ~ size 6 ~ $16

Chicos Bangles ~ $12

Black and White and Stripes

Unlike pastels, black and white are not usually thought of as Spring colors. However, for the last few years they have been huge for Spring! 2014 is no exception! Keep this look trendy by only wearing black and white, pops of color are great, but this look is all about black and white. We decided to double up on the trends with this look, because again, stripes are big for spring! This year its a little different though; we are seeing different size stripes mixed as well as wearing two striped pieces with different orientations! 

Edme & Esyllte top ~ size small~ $24
Audra pants ~ Size 2p~ $16
Necklace ~ $12

Wide Leg Pants

Are you a person who feels they can't pull off skinny jeans? Well good news, wide leg pants are back! Wear them higher on the waist and extending straight down (no flare!). This will give you an elongated look to the leg and hey, who doesn't want longer legs? 

Talbots top ~ size Xs~ $17
Ann Taylor Skirt ~ size 4~ $16

Anchor Earrings ~ $7

Boxy Silhouette

Another big trend this season is boxy! The boxy silhouette is being seen everywhere from crop tops to jackets! The key to this look is to get your normal size. The designers have cut the fabric so that it will be just boxy enough on your frame. Going to large means you'll be swimming (and will look too large). Trying to go smaller to make it more fitted will just give you an awkward look, as the design is not cut to be fitted. Likewise, don't try to get a fitted top in larger size for this trend, it will just look too big. 

A couple of bonus trends for you:

 Nautical

we have many anchor earrings as picture above in many sizes and styles

Tea Length skirts-

 They hit just above the ankle and look very lady like

Pointed Toe Flats

Especially d'orsay flats (the back of the shoe resembles a d'orsay fin)

**For all you Anthropologie lovers: We're all anxiously awaiting the new North Hills location, but did you know that you can buy Anthropologie brands at up to 1/3 of retail!? You can also consign your old Anthropologie brands and get credit to buy new ones! Interested in finding out more? Simply click the link below for all the information!

Modern Vintage Resale Event

Valentine's Day Outfits

Valentine's day is just around the corner and if your still looking for your perfect outfit, look no further than Our Friends' Closet!

 

Whether it be causal, dressy, or sexy your looking for, we have it!

 

Casual

 

Max Studio top- Small- $12

New Express Pants -4- $26 (20% off)

Premier Designs Necklace

 

Red pants throw a fun spin on traditional Valentine's Day wear.

 

Cable and Gauge Sweater - Large- $14
NEW skirt- size 12- $26 (60% off!!)

 

Or wear a fun flirty skirt!

 

 

Dressy

Ann Taylor Silk Dress- 14 - $79 (20% off)

American Eagle Blazer- XL- $15 (20% off)

 

A strapless dress and blazer always look polished.

 

 

 

Jones New York  Dress- size 8-

Real Pearl Necklace $$169

 

This body hugging number is dressy and sexy!

 

 

Sexy

 

NEW Express Dress- Size Small- $29
Belt- $6 (40% off!!)

Jones New York Necklace $12

 

This simple dress may not look too sexy from the front, but it has cut outs in the front, back and on the sleeves (plus, its super short!). Belt it to show off your waist!

 

 

Talbots Jacket- 12 Petite- $24

White House Black Market Corset- size 12- $18 (20% off!)
Collections for Le Suit Pants- Size 10- $16 (60% off!)

 

This outfit also may not look too sexy at first either, but under the velour blazer is an ultra sexy black corset! Switch out the slacks for a skirt for an even sexier look!

 

 

 

Only one week left to get the perfect outfit for that special date!!

Easy Outfits FEATURING Designer Denim!!

We all have mornings where we are running close on time and don't have time to think about what we are going to wear for the day. I had that morning today, and that spurred the inspiration for this blog post!

Every woman should have a fall back outfit. Something that you can wear when your not feeling your best, or when you just don't have time to actually put something together. 

One common thread for this post is the Designer Denim we have in the store. buying high end denim may not seem like it's worth it, but if your a denim lover, its totally worth it. High end denim will normally be a higher quality denim and will also be cut better to better fit you. Of course finding the perfect brand of high end denim that fits your body is important. All brands will have different styles that will fit differently, but most brands stick to the same cutting and fitting methods.

My personal favorite quick outfit is a basic top, a great pair of jeans and a scarf. 

 

Talbots top ~ Size Large Petite ~ $14
Silver Jeans ~ 31/12 ~ $59
Scarf ~ $15
Earrings ~ $6

 

Putting on a scarf instantly makes me feel put together. When wearing a scarf, not many other accessories are necessary. I always wear earrings (as taught by my mother) and usually a simple watch or bracelet. 

 

Coldwater Creek Cardigan ~ Size Small ~$18
NEW Max  Studio Tank ~ Size Small ~ $18
Paige Jeans ~ Size 26/2 ~ $59 (20% off!)

 

Another favorite of mine is wearing something with sequins. Sequins lift my mood and make me feel dressier than I really am. No worries, wearing sequins casually is totally acceptable! 

Levi's Shirt ~ Size Medium ~ $14
7 for all mankind Jeans ~ size 30/10~ $59 (60% off!)

Button downs are a trend for this Spring. Grab one and your favorite pair of jeans, add a simple necklace and your done! If you want to be even more trendy, pop open a few extra buttons and be a little risky!

 

Talbots Sweater ~ Size P ~ $20
True Religion Jeans $59

 

These True Religion jeans are a standout on their own! True Religion is known for their extra bold, contrast stitching. With such detailed jeans, pair it with a simple top. Tuck in just a little bit of the front of the sweater to be ultra trendy.

 

 Chicos Zenergy top ~ Size 0 ~ $16
Ea rnest Sewn Jeans ~ size 28/6 ~ $59 (60% off!)
Nine West Shoes ~ Size 6.~ $26

If your like me and your not into the skinny jean craze, go the opposite and try a pair of boyfriend jeans. They may be slouchy, but that doesn't mean they can't be chic. Balance the slouch with a fitted Tee. Cuff the bottoms of the jeans and throw on a pair of colorful heels. Instantly chic!

 

 

JEANS 101:

When you pay a lot for your denim (and even when you don't) you want to take care of them so they last!

 

TIP 1: Only wash them when you HAVE too. There is no need to wash your jeans after every wear unless there are visible stains, or if they have lost their shape. Some believe that putting jeans in the freezer will kill the bacteria (odor) and give them back their original shape.

 

TIP 2: Wash in cold water on the gentlest cycle. If jeans are new, and have excess dye in them, this dye can transfer to other things like purse and shoes. To get rid of this, wash your jeans in a mixture of cold water, white vinegar and salt. Soak first.

 

TIP 3: NEVER DRY JEANS IN THE DRYER! Most jeans now have spandex or lycra in them which gives them their comfortable stretch. The heat from the dryer will break down the spandex in the jeans causing them to stretch out and lose shape quickly.  Hang or lay flat to dry. Don't worry if they feel stiff after air drying, once you have them on you won't even notice it.

 

If only do one thing to save your jeans, keep them out of the dryer!

 

Winter Blues

Are you suffering from the winter blues? The calendar might have just recently turned to winter, but we've been wearing winter clothes since October. Wearing the same tired outfits over and over makes winter even more depressing! Come to Our Friends' Closet to pick up some new winter items! 

Vince Camuto Tank~ Size Small~ $21 (40% off)

 

An electric blue tank is sure to lift your mood, and this white hot blazer is sure to keep you warm!

 

Anne Fontaine shirt~Size 10~$100
Sangria Dress~Size 4~ $22

Belt~S/M~$9

Break out of your winter blues by breaking out of your comfort zone! Take a simple cocktail dress, add a button down shirt, inspired by the menswear trend, and top it off with a belt! 

Leifsdottir Cardigan~size XS~ $42
Merona Tank~Size S~$5 (40%  off)

 

This sweater is unique all on it's own! Pair it with a plain top underneath (a wine color would look great!) so the details of the sweater stand out on their own! Burgundy/wine colored corduroys would be a great match to this sweater.

The Limited Pants~size 6~$12 (40% off)
Pink Tartan Sweater~size Large~$89

Keep the fall/winter trends going with these blue jacquard pants! Tuck them into your knee high boots with a  cream sweater for a simple yet trendy look!

Liquid Wool Coat~size 2~$129 (60% off!)

 

This beautiful wool coat will go great with anything that's already in your wardrobe! Its sure to keep you warm and keep you looking great all winter long!

 

The Chanel Look

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel began her design career in the 1920s, but her style and influence will live on forever. Every woman has something in her closet reminiscent of Chanel even if it doesn't have those famous C's.

 

This is because Chanel designed for eternity, not for a season. Bettina Ballard, former Vogue editor, said of Chanel, "She will certainly go down in history as the only couturier who spanned the taste space of almost half a century without ever changing her basic conception of clothes."

 

Little did Ballard know that almost a full century later, we would still be wearing items inspired and conceptualized by Chanel.

 

If you own one piece of costume jewelry, or a "little black dress", you own a piece of Chanel's legacy. If you don't own a little black dress, Our Friends' Closet is here to help fill the gap in your wardrobe!

 

The little black dress, or now known as the LBD, is a staple piece every woman should have. If you buy the right LBD it can be used in a variety of ways. Black is known to have slimming capabilities, so throwing on a simple LBD on a day your not feeling so hot will instantly rev up your self confidence.

 

Contrary to popular belief the little in little black dress does not mean short. It was called little due to it's simplistic nature. A simple black dress can be worn casually for an everyday look, or can be dressed up for a night on the town. Or you can purchase a simple black dress for day, and an extra special black dress to wear for more dressy occasions.

 

Loft Dress size L $16

 

This Loft number has enough sparkle and a deep enough cut that it is ultra sexy for a night out. But throw a cami underneath, and maybe a cardigan over top, and it's instantly appropriate for day! Wearing a longer necklace brings the attention to your chest, better keep that for date nights.

 

Andrew Marc size 12 $39 (50% off!)

 

This dress may be simple in cut, but the details of the dress make it a knock out! The sheer black netting at the shoulders, and buttons from collar to waist give an air of mystery to this dress. Too much black for your taste? Throw on some colored jewelry and it will POP! against the all black background of the dress!

 

Ann Taylor skinny belt $12 (25% off)

Jacqueline Conoir Blazer size 4 $89 (50% off)

Dress size 10 $49

 

A satin dress may not sound like a dress that would work for day time, but when it's toned down with a colored blazer, and a oh so trendy skinny belt, this look is perfect for the office! Have a date after work? No problem. Remove the jacket to show off your shoulders, add some sparkly jewelry, and a sky high pair of strappy sandals. If the silhouette of the dress is too blousy for you, keep the skinny belt on all night long to show off your trimmed waist.

 

NEW The Limited dress size 10 $29 (25% off)
Necklace $10 (25% off)

 

Another dress that is perfect for day or night! Add the faux pearls to make it a true Chanel look! (Chanel is cited as the first to openly admit to wearing fake pearls, and is therefore credited with the "invention" of costume jewelry.)

 

Odille Dress size 6 $39 (50% off)

 

This strapless number is an LBD better left to those fancy occasions. While the fabric may be simple, but the cut of this dress is meant for a lavish night out. With bows in contrasting fabric, this LBD is anything but simple.

 

Silpada 3 strand necklace $129
Freshwater pearl necklace
Long Pearl Necklace $10 (25% off!)

 

 

If your going for a true Chanel look, don't be afraid to pile on the necklaces.

Gabrielle Coco Chanel

1883-1971

Still a fashion icon!

"These colors are impossible. These women, I'm bloody well going to dress them in black! So I imposed black...Black wipes out everything else around it."
-Coco Chanel

Pantone's Color Of The Year At Our Friends' Closet!

All the presents have been unwrapped, and a new year is on the horizon! 

The new year brings with it a fresh start, new opportunities, and of course Pantone's color of the year!!

Pantone is the authority on color! Ever wonder how Tiffany & Co or Christian Louboutin can have a copyright on a certain color? Pantone makes it easy! For every color you can imagine (and some you would never think of), Pantone has a system to match that color EXACTLY through printing. They do it by telling printers how much of each color (cyan, magenta, yellow, black) to apply to achieve the desired color. 

For some time now, Pantone has held a super secret meeting of various color standards companies to determine the color of the year for the following year. Sometimes they choose colors based on how the outlook on the world is. For example in 2011 honeysuckle(a bright pink) was chosen because, "In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits." This color is then presented to fashion designers, interior designers, florists, etc in order to guide them in their planning for the following year. 

For 2014 Pantone has chosen the color Radiant Orchid. According to Pantone, "Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health. "Rea

Get a head of the game, and start wearing this purple hue today!!

Merona Cardigan (NWT) size XS $11 (40% off)
Loft Top size Small Petite $13 (40% off)

Two colors that pair exceptionally well with Radiant Orchid is a dark green and gray. Here we utilized all three colors, but because the green and the gray are the same tone, it doesn't overpower the look. Having the two darker colors makes the purple pop. The top has bead work around the neck of it so to avoid conflict, don't wear a necklace with this top. 

Wearing earrings that mimic the sequin detailing in the shirt really help to set off the outfit. No one will notice your not wearing a necklace. 

Bandolino Blazer Size 4 $16 (20% off)
Rafaella skirt Size 8 $13 (20% off)
Pamela Tank size small $8 (20% off)

Another great pairing with green! If the thought of wearing purple and green together scares you, add a neutral colored jacket or blazer to break up the color!

Loft Sweater
Express Sweater vest size Small $13 (20% off)

You don't have to match Radiant Orchid exactly to be on trend, wearing variations of the color is also trendy. You can also create a slight optical illusion by wearing colors that if mixed, would create Radiant Orchid. That's what we have done in this outfit. We paired a lighter purple sweater with a hot pink sweater vest to give the illusion of a brighter purple. Don't be afraid of color! This outfit is designed to be a standout outfit. That's why we paired a great statement necklace with it. When trying to make a statement, its important to make it look intentional.

Banana Republic Blazer size 6 $49 (20% off)
J Crew Skirt Size 2 $26 (40% off)
Sweater- Boden Size 6-8 $29 (40% off)
Necklace- Stella & Dot $79 (20% off)

Radiant Orchid also pairs beautifully with blue! This outfit is perfect for the office. Gone are the days of stuffy black suits. Wearing color helps make the work day more enjoyable, and is sure to put you in a better mood! If the skirt seems to short for the office, throw on some opaque black tights. Again, this gives the optical illusion of the skirt being longer, and gives more coverage. 

Stella and Dot necklace $79

Can you tell we LOVE this Stella and Dot statement necklace? Statement necklaces are named that for a reason, the whole point is for them to make a statement. Contrary to popular belief, this necklace can be worn anywhere. Throwing on a statement necklace with a tee shirt and jeans (with a nice pair of flats/heels) will make it look like you put more effort into your outfit than you really did. 

Magaschoni Blazer size 8 $129
Anne Klein Tank (NWT) size Large $19
More & More Pants size 6 $24

New Year's hasn't even arrived yet, but we all know that Valentine's day is right around the corner! Radiant Orchid pairs beautifully with a deep red, making the perfect Valentine's day outfit. Don't forget, it will still be cold in February so add this velvet blazer for extra warmth and luxury!

Coach $159

Grab this Coach bag in Radiant Orchid, and then you can carry this beautiful hue everyday! There is almost nothing this color doesn't match so be fearless and wear it everywhere!

d Press Release

The Scarf

We hear from our customers all the time that they don't know how to wear scarves. Scarves are my personal favorite accessory, and they're easier to wear than you think!

The good news is it's almost impossible to go wrong with a scarf. They are the perfect accessory because they not only make your outfit more interesting, they also offer the added bonus of keeping you warm!


There are the fool proof ways of wearing a scarf, such as simply looped around the neck as shown below.

 

However, with a few simple tricks you can turn your scarf into a work of art.

 

 

This felt scarf is interesting on its own with the flower detail, but it's also a little harder to wear than a traditional scarf because it is shorter and more detailed. A great way to wear this scarf is to hold it together with a brooch. The brooch used in the above photo mimics the flower detail in the scarf making it a perfect match.

 

 

If you prefer a longer scarf, simply pull one end longer and pin close to the neck to hold the scarf in place. This gives the scarf a more traditional look, and if done well, you can make people believe the scarf is longer than it actually is.

 

 

A simple twist also creates interest in a striped winter scarf.

 

When you twist both ends and pin them together, it creates a dramatic infinity type heavy scarf.
(* Hint: any scarf can be an infinity scarf as long as you can tie the ends together)

 

 

We also have a collection of pashminas at the store than can be worn in a variety of ways. Traditionally a pashmina is worn more as a wrap (as shown above) than a scarf, but they also make beautiful scarves.

 

Again a simple twist creates a beautiful effect!

 

 To create the effect, start with the scarf simply hung around your neck and tie a simple knot as if you were tying your shoes.

Then take one side of the scarf and twist. You can choose to make it a smooth twist or a rougher one. I prefer a smoother twist.

Once you have one end fully twisted, simply wrap the twist around one side of the circle around your neck. The twist should end with the end of the scarf on the underside so as not to be seen. Simply pin the end in place with a safety pin, and go out and impress your friends with your scarf!

 

Another fun, and even more simple, way to wear your scarf is to again utilize the simple twist! For this look start with the simple scarf look as shown in the first picture. Have the loop as close to the neck as your comfortable with. I pulled the loop flush with the neck so that the ends of my scarf would be longer. Next you simply twist the loose ends around the loop at your neck. If you wish, you could add a brooch to add a little bit of sparkle.

 

You can also do less twists, and end with the ends of the scarf on the underside of the loop, rather than on top of it. When done this way, your scarf acts as a necklace. You could also add a necklace along the loop to give it more sparkle.

 

If you love these simple yet beautiful scarf looks, visit Scarves.net. They have a master list of scarf knots that can be made with a variety of different scarf types.

Be sure to come in to Our Friends' Closet and show us your beautiful scarves, and teach us how to make your favorite knot!

-Erica