Color theory: How trends are made

For all you conspiracy theorists out there, here’s a good read on the fascinating world of color trend forecasters: the powers that be that tell designers who style everything from cars to cardigans what the hot hues will be years from now. As the story explains, the color of your next trendy suit or sweater is influenced by everything from politics (red and blue are strong in election years) and social issues (renewed interest in the environment has led to a resurgence in green.) As for me, I’ll still wear any color of the rainbow except for peach, coral or pastels.

Arden B: not just for clubbing

Last night I tripped on over to Arden B on Oak Street in search of the perfect dress for my upcoming bachelorette party in Vegas. I did find a sparkly gold number for $38, but I was also pleasantly surprised by the office-friendly wear this Wet Seal sister company offers.

Though most of the store is too 80’s-tastic for my taste (picture a sea of fuchsia and black) and geared solely for the club, I found several perfectly professional items, such as this boiled wool jacket with layered sleeve detail and this darling but spendy plaid coat. The quality is a step above Bebe, with stretch silks and rich wools dominating, and though it's not exactly a discount boutique, you can catch excellent promotions (right now: spend $150 and get a free item up to $75) and rock-bottom clearances.

The staff is friendly but spacey: Only six items are allowed in the dressing room; the staff takes the rest of your choices with them to the center of the store, then pulls a disappearing act.

How to wear a tee shirt and jeans to the office

Many of America’s lucky office drones have today off in honor of Labor Day weekend. For those of you stuck at work with me, I hope you’re comfortable and relaxed. In that spirit, here’s how to wear jeans and a tee shirt to the office without sending ripples through HR:

• Keep it fitted: Those vintage tees from Urban Outfitters with the sardonic sayings are perfect as a start (provided you avoid the ones with sexual overtures or obvious drug references.) Avoid anything baggy, saggy or resembling a Coleman tent.
• Choose dark denim: Pick jeans in a dark indigo wash and a trouser style with a center crease down the front. Both attributes class up the entire ensemble.
• Blaze away: A jacket with a collar is a good way to make the tee-and-jeans combo office appropriate. Choose something tailored and in a substantial fabric such as wool herringbone or tweed.
• Accessorize wisely: When the rest of your outfit is casual, your accessories should be more polished for balance. Try a structured patent leather handbag, sleek pumps (flats are a bit too casual for this look) and glamorous jewelry.
  

Urbn.com's hot new shoe collection

Proving that it’s more than just a mecca for hipsters seeking leg warmers and sardonic tee shirts, Urban Outfitter’s newest fall lineup of shoes is outstanding for professionals with an edge. These stacked heel pumps hit upon the patent leather trend perfectly for $48, and these suede mocs are available in three jewel-tone colors.

If you’re looking for a truly unique yet office-friendly shoe, check out these color-blocked flats, which, at $48, mimic the feel of Report’s $179 sky-high pair.

Review: K. Amato sample sale

I usually avoid sample sales and their associated mayhem with a vengeance, but I made an exception for local Chicago jewelry designer Kristen Amato’s sale at the Omni Hotel August 16. Though K. Amato filigree earrings and nature-inspired necklaces are huge in Chicago, they’re a bit under the radar nationally and mostly available in boutiques and via her website. Kristen’s designs typically run $60 for necklaces and $34 for earrings, but at the sample sale I snagged these dangly gems for $4 and this vintage-style pendent necklace for $5. What I especially love about her pieces are their versatility: her jewelry can spice up the drabbest corporate wear and pair with your most chic evening gown. Sign up for her mailing list for future sales here.

Trend alert: Tie-neck blouses for fall

Remember the movie Conspiracy Theory with Mel Gibson? Every time he sees The Catcher in the Rye in a store, he has to buy a copy. He has hundreds at home. Similarly, I have my own twisted collection of compulsion-driven purchases in my closet, in the form of tie-neck blouses. Ever since that day in 2003 when I looked at my corporate headshot and realized men’s-style shirts made my shoulders look broader than Michigan Avenue, I switched to blouses with a tie at the neck instead of a collar. Every time I find one that fits reasonably well, I have to get it. I have them in every color, fabric and pattern imaginable. Purple silk that appears to be stolen from Prince's backstage dressing room, pink chiffon that could double as a window treatment, drapey white cotton resembling a sail at half-mast. You name it - if it has a tie, I own it.

Fortunately (and unfortunately for me), the 70’s are back this fall, according to Marie Claire, and, therefore, so are my favorite fashion staple. As the season progresses, I predict you’ll be able to find more of these tops, but for now, check out Esprit’s $39.50 interpretation, or these pricey-but-dramatic tops from Victoria’s Secret, here and especially here. Do take into account the fashion-forwardness of your office; however: Wear too major a bow and people will mistake you for an early Christmas gift.

Posh military jackets at Nordstrom Rack

It never fails: The minute fall fashions hit those glossy magazine pages, headlines scream, “Military style is back!” Please – it never goes anywhere. Round brass buttons, epaulettes and stand collars have transcended trend and gone straight to fall fashion staple.

This autumn appears to be no exception. Jonsing to put a little corporal in the corporate world? Check out this velveteen jacket from Tulle at Nordstrom Rack. Available in cream or indigo, its expertly fitted, not boxy like many cheap military-style jackets. Tulle isn’t expensive to begin with, but at $34.95, this jacket is an all-out coup.

Nine West debuts new fall clothing line

Nine West is selling clothes on its website – again. It seems that every couple years it gives apparel a try on ninewest.com, and this fall’s selection is on-trend and perfect for work. Then again, their full line of clothing is readily available in nearly every moderate-to-upscale department store in America. Check out the new fall line, which is sleek and perfect if you live in New York and wear black with black and black every day to work.

This plaid pencil dress, clearly inspired by Gwen Stefani’s LAMB line, is a winner, though I would replace the cheap self-belt with a wide patent leather one. Or how about this “swouse” (a cross between a sweater and blouse), which is inspired by the Trina Turk version from 2006?

Get ready for the clones

Meet the shoes I predict to be one of the most popular, and most knocked-off pairs of the upcoming fall season: The Tory Burch Maddie pumps, with their sturdy stacked heels, signature medallions and $295 price tag are likely to be coveted by many but actually purchased by a select, (pun alert) well-heeled few.

Can’t stomach the price tag? Neither can I. But my crystal ball says that if the Tory Burch Reva flat from this summer is any indication (this ballet flat was copied by everyone from Jeffrey Campbell to Nine West for as little as $25), you’ll be able to scoop up a close approximation of shoes and still make your rent/mortgage payment.

Beta Boutique monster sale Aug. 11-12

It’s baaaack: The Beta Boutique semi-annual Stacked Racks sale is Aug. 11 and 12 in a special loft location in Chicago's Wicker Park (their regular outpost will be closed that weekend.) Check out the sale for deep discounts on local designer samples and boutique overstocks.

Proper finds for work online

As any die-hard TJ Maxx shopper will attest, sometimes you just have to dig to turn up a treasure. Who hasn’t spent the better half of a Saturday afternoon entrenched in a sale rack, hangers full of merchandise draped over both arms and a pair of pants on their head? (Maybe I’m confusing that last bit with a Saturday night.) Bostonproper.com is the online equivalent of a retail treasure hunt: full of great bargains if you’re willing to rummage.

You won’t find many deals in the regular-priced merchandise; indeed, BP is fairly expensive, asking $139 for a simple jersey dress. (though this Russian-inspired jacket is darling.) The real gems are hidden in the burgeoning sale section, where deals abound: a unique shawl-collar cardigan for $19.99; a pleated seersucker skirt for $39.99.)

The site features a somewhat random hodgepodge of Boston Proper’s in house brands, plus other names you’ve probably seen: RJ Graziano, Van Eli, Three Dots and Muse. Occasionally BP’s own brand “reinterprets” items from other manufacturers, such as this silk top that I recognize from the spring 2006 BCBG collection, for less than half of the original price. The return policy is liberal, but clearance items tend to have limited sizes available.