Window Watching

It's already November, big box stores have Christmas merchandise lining the aisles, and local malls have had their decor up for a few weeks now. One of my favorite things about the (commercial) holiday season has to be the elaborate window displays! Saks, Barney's, Printemps, Le Bon Marche, Macy's, Bloomingdales, and Neiman Marcus never seem to disappoint. New York is the place to be if you want to see some serious holiday windows.

Saks glamour girls (are these dresses for sale?)

Saks on Fifth Avenue, adorned with their signature snowflakes

Bergdorf Goodman and their interpretation of the 4 seasons (p.s. they have 5 store front windows, so they made up a 5th season...why not?)

Barney's window by Simon Doonan. "Have a Foodie Holiday" theme. All made of Illycaffe espresso tins.

If your local here to the Triangle area, you can get your fix on a smaller scale in Cameron Village. Every year the shopping center has a store window contest, causing all retailers to bring their "A" game when making their windows. It's our own mini 5th Avenue!

What is the best holiday window you've ever seen?

Denim Days are Here!

James Twiggy Jegging

The weather is changing, leaves are are starting to fall, and it's time to start living in your jeans!

We love denim being our staple for Fall. There are so many different washes, styles, and even denim alternatives to choose from! Here's a run down of some of the best of the best for Fall denim!

1.) Jeggings- A new term (look it up in the dictionary, it's there!), a combination of "denim" and "leggings". This supersoft material with the classic 5 pocket denim look is perfect with flats, and tucks into boot seamlessly, with no fuss! James Jeans Twiggy and Citizens of Humanity Avedons are some of our favorites. They come in tons of colors, too!

2.) Trouser- Casual Friday can be hip and sophisticated! Trouser cut denim is popular, especially in a dark wash like the Ginger from Seven or the Hutton from Citizens of Humanity. Pair with a button up shirt, or make throw on a fur vest and some sky high heels! These are a good alternative to dress pants.

3.) Skinny/Straight- The new classic, the ones no fashion conscious individual can live without (boys too, these days!). Tuck them into boots, wear with an oversized sweater. This make for an oversized look on top, and a sleek look on the bottom. Great proportions can make an outfit! Our favorites include 12" Skinny from J Brand in Ink and Seven Straight Leg in Dark Vintage. Choose from grey, to black, to indigo blue, it's up to you!

4.) Denim Alternatives- Jeans have evolved. Your favorite brands are now offering ponte and cargo styles. With the trusted denim fit, it's the perfect way to jazz up your fall wardrobe. Try skinny fit cargos from Seven and James. The Gweneviere from Seven in black Ponte is a great basic to wear back with boots.

Resin denim is a new arrival to Uniquities. Their forward fit and deep dyed mechanic inspired washes are a fresh new take. True Religion still there with a tried and true bootcut with their signature pocket and basting stitching.

Of course, we want to know how you are wearing your denim! Are you pairing it with a cozy sweater, or a dolman tee? Or are you jacket obsessed and pair your denim accordingly?

Lessons in Lacquer...

Nail color and polishes have come a long way. No longer are the options limited to red, pink, purple, and clear.

Fashion has taken nail color under it's wing and is now considered a viable accessory. Everyone from Chanel, YSL, and new comers Essie and Butter of London have made nail polish chic again.

This season, picking out your polish is almost as important as picking out your clothes! Here's a few of our favorite trends in polish this Fall:

Browns and Nudes

We are loving this Little Brown Dress from Essie. The whole fall collection is a great mix of subdued tones.

Mink Muffs from Essie is a carryover color from last year that look good on everyone! It's a great way to update your nail color without being too outrageous.

Metallics

Heavy metals are more sophisticated these days, try one as a top coat over a regualr color for a little shimmer. Dior in Black Sequins is a favorite! YSL gets into the game too, with gold shimmer and a lacquered plum.

Have fun this season with fashion's newest accessory!

What's the color you can't live without this season? We'd love to hear!

We're off to Coterie!

It's that time of year and we are off to market in New York! We're really excited about this buying trip, and can't wait to get some last minute things, as well as preview Spring 2011 (yes, spring...).

Preview posts of our buying trip coming soon on our Facebook page...

Blogs vs. Mags

street style shot from The Sartorialist

How we get our fashion and style information has certainly changed in the past 5 years. Blogs beat out the magazines with their multi posts per day, where as the magazines only get their one issue a month to bombard you with colorful ads, editorials, and well, FASHION. Want to see the Prada Spring 2011 ad campaign? You don't have to wait a month for Vogue to pop up in your mailbox, log on to any style blog and see for yourself, instantly!

There are arguments that magazines will be the media dinosaurs of the 21st century. While blogs are great, and an easy way to get fashion inspiration, magazines still employ some of the best writers around to bring you stories that bloggers could never convey so eloquently. There are no bloggers that will be able give you a 10 page editorial spread with the supermodel of the moment in McQueen.

While blogs are the new kids on the block, fashion magazines will still be a fashion lovers go-to for vibrant colors and page turning stories. Curling up with the new issue of Harpers Bazaar sounds a little more appealing than curling up with your computer....at least to some.

I must say, I am a huge fan of blogs, especially street style blogs. There is no better way to find your fashion inspiration than to log on and see what the NYU kids are wearing, or what coveted outfits those fashion editors are donning as they leave the fashion shows (mere MINUTES after they leave the shows). Next time you are in New York, Milan, Paris, or LA, dress your best, you never know, you could get snapped by a style blogger!

Here are a few of my favorites:

http://www.thesartorialist.com/

http://jakandjil.com/blog/

http://facehunter.blogspot.com/

Please let us know what some of your favorite style blogs are!

Perfection to a T

T-LA is a favorite of ours here at Uniquities. Fall has just shipped and they have once again not let us down. It can stay warm here in NC for the first part of Fall (let's face it, sometimes ALL of Fall). And while we can't bundle up in our coziest wool pieces just yet, T-LA gives us pieces that will work now and right into the heart of Fall. Being based in Laguna Beach, CA, where it's always summer, they've got their cotton and silk blends down to a T(-LA, pun)!

Here's a peek of some of our fav slub tees, you'll have to feel them to understand how buttery soft they are!

Novel pieces that we love:

We can't wait to wrap up in that sweater!

Trend Report: Clogs

Thanks to Chanel's Spring runway collection, clogs are back! Not in a bell bottom, hippie kind of way. Think skinny jeans and flowy tops, or with dresses and skirts for Fall. Here are our fav picks:

Diane Von Furstenberg Octavia Clog $295 Sleek and Chic!!

Steve Madden Carnee Clog $130

Fun and Functional? Yes, please!

Sometimes you just need a good pair of ballet flats. Those days when your in heels, and realize about an hour into the day that maybe you can't do 8 hours in 4 inch stilettos....we've been there, blisters and all. Enter: Yosi Samra ballet flats. Throw them in your bag, for those days where you feet need an interval rest from pumps. (Forgetting where you parked and searching for your car in platforms is not a comfortable situation)!

TONS OF COLORS! They come in skins, suedes, metallics, cracked pattern, and solids. Only $55!! We're personal fans of the rose gold, grey suede, and tan! These are awesome for the airport, long terminal treks and security check points included... Super lightweight, and rubber soled bottoms, cushy on the inside. Ideal for gifting, they come in a cute silk dustbag!

Hooray for style and comfort!

Cameron Village Trunk Show!

Cargos!

Uniquities is the newest stop in the 2nd Friday ArtWalk!

Uniquites is proud to announce that we are the latest stop on the 2nd Friday ArtWalk in Chapel Hill! We are very excited about the opportunity to be involved with the ArtWalk and encourage the Chapel Hill community to be involved in the arts!

Beginning tomorrow, May 14, the second Friday of each month we will feature a local fashion or accessories designer from the Raleigh/Chapel Hill area. The designer will display their latest works and be in the store to meet-and-great customers and browsers!

This month we will feature our own Chapel Hill Assistant Manager, Katy Robb! She will be featuring work from two recent Raleigh fashion shows, Threads and Redress Raleigh. All of her work is created using recycled fabrics, mainly vinyl, suede and denim.

Come by between 5 and 9pm and check out Katy's work and our new arrivals! We've gotten in a lot of great new styles from Ella Moss, Splendid, True Religion, James Jeans, Market and Patterson J. Kincaid. We also have pieces from the Halston Heritage line designed for Sex and the City 2 by Sarah Jessica Parker! Refreshments will be served!!

We look forward to seeing everyone here on Friday!!

love you -

Katy, Melissa, Lauren, Gen and Stephanie!

Exclusive Moon and Lola Trunk Show at Uniquities!

Kelly Shatat will be here with her amazing jewelry line Moon and Lola for an exclusive Uniquities Trunk show! She's been featured in countless magazines (In Style, Life and Style, US Weekly, etc) and celebs love her dainty necklaces and ornate earrings! She will have all this and more at our Chapel Hill location on Friday May 7th.

All kinds of baubles available for immediate sale, and as a mothers day and graduation special, Kelly will be here with her vintage monogram charms and make you a custom necklace! Choose your chain, choose your initials, and it's made while you wait. Here's some great monogram necklace ideas:

for Mom: mom's initial with children/grandchilder
for friends: your friend's initials, or you and a friend (or significant other)

for yourself!
We know for a fact we are getting Mom and some of our recent grads this gift, it's personalized and unique.

We hope to see you there!

Charmed Forces

Charm necklaces are an easy yet personal way to add some character to your look. Unique charms stand out, showing a little bit of your personality, without even saying a word! Marissa from Accentuality makes some tongue-in-cheek charm necklaces that we can't get enough of...
Each comes with it's own card, explaining the kitschy charm!

Choose from:
Queen Bee, Feather, Believe Unicorn, Hot Chick, Dry Spell, Gold Digger, Cougar, Suck It, Screw It, Knockem Dead Gun, 4 Leaf Clover (a staff and customer favorite!), Good Luck Wishbone and Happy Birthday Crown!

At only $43, give it and gift it, and keep one for yourself!

Denim and Fashion Fix Thursdays

Denim has to be one of the most versatile items in our wardrobe these days. It's like the ice cream of fashion, pick your flavor! Denim comes in a variety of weights, as light as 7oz; making it a perfect weight for us here in the south during these spring months. Distressed denim has made a huge comeback, complete with tears, rips, holes, abrasions. Customize your own pair with a razor blade or sandpaper (if you dare!). Tried and true skinnies and straight legs, you just can't go wrong.

Fashion Fix Thursday is here, and it comes with a denim deal too good to pass up! Buy any pair of denim, get the second pair for 50% off!

With brands like Citizens of Humanity, J Brand, Seven, James, and Joe's Jeans, you can't go wrong!

Herve Chapelier is here again!

The coveted French nylon tote bags are back at Uniquities. We have tons of colors including Carolina Blue, Hot Pink, Moka, Marine Navy, Army Green, and Geranium. A direct import from France come get them while they last.

à bientôt!