Leather

Leather isn't just for boots and bikers this season, so how can a material with such a tough skin be soft and feminine?  According to InStyle,

"Though it's easy to play toughie, skins boast a newfound suppleness that gives you versatility.  Treated more like a fabric than ever before, leather appears feminine, even practical, and wearable by all."

Clothing courtesy of Instyle

By using more flattering silhouettes and shapes, leather transforms full skirts and blazers, but can still make a bold statement with a coat or studded dress. Keep your leather pieces neutral or choose a rich color like burgundy. With this trend you can embrace your inner bad girl and still be a lady!

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

The cool down has begun, which means we are that much closer to sweater season!!! Cable knits, cardigans, and cashmere are all awaiting their big debut as fall creeps closer!  Not sure you can wait that long?  There are ways to wear light-weight knits starting now that will transition well into fall!

The Cure:

Layering is the key to pulling of an early sweater look, perfect for an air-conditioned office, but maybe not great for an afternoon stroll through the park.  Choose a light-weight knit cardigan, layer over a tank or short sleeved blouse and pair with shorts.  The look here is casual, but these same rules can easily be used to create a more dressy look as well.  As always, accessorize appropriately, I would add sandals or flats to this look, but a pair of platforms would be foolproof for a more formal look!

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

Have you been saving all summer so you can make an early season splurge? Have you been waiting patiently for that one special item to come along so you can treat yourself? Well I have a treat for you! Feast your eyes on the Manolo Blahnik Contun.  This strappy, sandal can add just the right amount of flare to any ensemble, casual or formal.  They are a serious splurge at $895, one that may have you thinking, "that one pair of shoes is the equivalent of multiple car payments".

Manolo Blahnik

If you aren't ready to take the plunge perhaps I can tempt you with a similarly snazzy splurge that may be more in your price range.  This strappy sandal from Butter is yet again a great way to add that little something extra to your outfit.  This pair is only (yes I'm using the word only to describe a still expensive pair of shoes) $284, but compared to the $895 sticker of the previous pair I think the Butter's are a much more reasonable splurge.

Butter

Florid Florals

It's August, which means September issues have officially hit the shelves, which means tons of new fall trends to explore!!! First up, florals, Mary, Mary quite contrary how does your garden grow?  According to InStyle,

"Spring florals are all daises and Day-Glo, teas roses, and sun showers.  But fall's flowers blossom against a dark and moody sky, full of blooms made to be seen by candle-,fire-, and moonlight".

Translation, fall's florals are dark, dense, and rich which a hint of mystery and romanticism.  Because of these characteristics you'll want to keep you outfits simple, think clean lines, free of unnecessary layers and shine.

Time To Vote!!!

It's that time again. City Paper's Best Of polls are now open, so click through and cast your vote for Poppy and Stella Best Shoe Store!  Shop local, eat local, VOTE local! We truly appreciate all of your support!

Readers Poll - Baltimore City Paper

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

So many things can easily transition from summer to fall, but typically they are classic pieces that never go out of style.  Can you transition the trends? For example, this past season mid-drift baring cropped tops were tops, who wouldn't want to show off the abs they worked so hard for all winter, but can you transition such a piece to fall?

The Cure: Transition Trends

Bare mid-drifts certainly won't fly this fall, but you can still crop things off.  Consider pairing that crop top with a high-waisted pencil skirt or trousers.  You are essentially creating the same lines as something empire waisted with two pieces.  Sleek and chic, but without the skin.

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

Animal print is ever present in today's fashion world and my favorite way to incorporate it is with a leopard print shoe! I just about died when I found the Manolo Blahnik "Shariffiac"!  The leopard print, pony hair, tapered toe loafer is perfect for jeans, skirts, trousers, you name it! Sadly the price is not so perfect at $745.

Manolo Blahnik

Which is why I just about died again when I found the Sam Edelman "Alvin".  What are the odds of finding another leopard print, tapered toe loafer? And what are the odds that they are only $148?  Obviously good odds at Poppy and Stella! Welcome these into your wardrobe today!

Sam Edelman

"Best Expansion Party"

Fall Shoe Trends

With Fall fashion creeping its way into stores and boutiques you will want to keep you eyes peeled for the plethora of shoe trends to follow!  Of course you can always swing by our store and find just what you need!

Color blocking, patterns, and colorful reptile will give you a walk on the wild side kind of look.  The shoe boot, or shootie as I like to call it combines a heel and boot look below the ankle.  T-straps, and ankle straps are making a comeback, as is the menswear trend, which has always been popular but a little bit of a sleeper in years past.  Finally the ever classic pointy toe, one of the best leg lengtheners when combined with a great heel! Find just the right fit for your look!

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

You bought so many dresses to play in over the summer and now you are facing the reality that fall is around the corner and it's time to pack them away.  Not so!!! A majority of dresses are very easy to transition into cooler temperatures with the right layering.

The Cure: Season Shifter

Take for example the graphic shift you bought, it is still probably that you can throw this on with a killer pair of heels and hit the town, but you don't want to give it up when it becomes too cold.  Try layering a light-weight, crew-neck sweater over top to give the illusion you are wearing a skirt, possibly tame the heels a bit, and continue to layer as it gets colder with a wool coat.  Now you have a dress you can wear all year long!

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

Occasionally you may find yourself looking for a shoe that is simple and elegant but also has that little something special that sets it apart from a plain black pump.  Gianvito Rossi has a shoe that does just that.  This winged pump have an extended back and sides that frame your foot in a sexy black suede.  They are like a hybrid pump/boot, almost like a shootie but not quite, classic but modern, all melded together with just the right balance.  Of course I wouldn't want to balance my check book after buying these, they will set you back $635.

Gianvito Rossi

If you are still looking for that shoe with a certain something and not ready to shell out so much cash, consider the "Red Alert" by Poetic Licence.  You have similar framing with the extended sides, but this one also gives you a little glitz and glam with a jeweled broach adorning the toe.  Best of all they are only $120.  They are the perfect pair to give your look a little je ne sais quoi.

Poetic Licence

Fall Collection: Frye

If there is one this you must have in your closet this fall it has to be a pair of Frye's.  Their classic, timeless look, and superb craftsmanship stand the test of time and their versatility makes them the quintessential go to shoe.

Fall Trends: Boho Prints

The runway has offered us quite a few hints as to what to expect this fall in terms of fashion.  One thing that drew the designers inspiration was boho print. 

Worn alone or paired with "tailored boxy jackets or shrunken motorcycle outerwear", this look takes boho to the luxe level.

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

You've noticed this past week that your work wardrobe is a little, well, blah.  It's all blacks, greys, beiges, and, quite frankly, boring.  Need a work week pick me up in terms of fashion?

The Cure: Work Week Chic

There is no reason you can't bring color to the office.  Are you going to wear that sexy little red dress you have saved away, no, but red is a power color and can be quite appropriate when you've got a major meeting or presentation, when worn tastefully of course.  Take for example this fab color block skirt, pencil fit with red, black, and blue, both cut and color are just the thing to brighten your look.  As always pair with power pumps and a crisp white button down and your are primped and prime to be the  boss!

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

Are you on the hunt for a powerful animal print pump? Giuseppe Zanotti has a pair that I've been stalking for some time.  This animal print, peep-toe, slingback with neutrals contrasted by red-orange is a shoe I would go after in a heartbeat.  Well, with one exception, the $795 price could make my heart stop.

Guiseppe Zanotti

Thank goodness for Sam Edelman's Penelope. While lined with black instead of red-orange, the platform, peep-toe, animal print, slingback pump is more than suitable to meet the standards of a sexy and sassy shoe! As for the price, $120 suits the budget much more comfortably!

Sam Edelman

Fall Collection: Poetic Licence

Poetic Licence typically pushes the boundaries with fun and funky color combos and accents of gems and feathers! This season check out their take on the classic oxford, "shootie", and pumps full of pizazz!

Jewely Jade

I can't avoid it any longer, as much as I would love to extend the summer season, fall fashion in making its presence known.  Your first glimpse? Rich jade.  According to InStyle,

"Vibrant and fresh, this color makes the perfect transition between spring's flora-inspired pastels and fall's more opulent, jewel-like shades".

 A color like this looks fab on every skin tone, so if you're looking to add color this is a go to shade.  It is easily paired with cool neutrals like navy and chalk, eggplant compliments it as well.  For an edgier match "clash" it with a blue-green teal.

Fashion Rx: Your weekly dose of what to wear!

I'm very excited to start showing off our new fall collection, but I've got one more transition look to take you from summer to fall in a breeze.  Speaking of breeze, wouldn't you want to make your breezy bohemian chic blouse last another season? Here's how.

The Cure: Boho bonus

Blouses like these are perfect for summer with their light airy flow, but add a few layers and it's fit for fall! For now topping those high-waisted cutoffs and adding a great pair of sandals is perfect for your favorite late summer music fest, but if you're thinking about ahead, layering can probably make a lot of your pieces last longer.  In this case grab a pair of black leggings and your favorite Frye's and you have extended the life of your wardrobe!

Fantasy Fashion Becomes Reality

I know you are probably wondering where are all the fall shoes, but give me this last full week of July to still enjoy summer, I promise I won't disappoint.  With fall in mind you might be wondering what in your summer shoe collection can transition with ease.  An any season must have is a great flat and Lanvin is certainly a go to choice. This contrast, capped toe flat is a great neutral for summer and fall with just a pop of color. Of course pop goes your wallet with a $550 sticker price.

Lanvin

So of course my alternative for you is a contrast, capped toe flat from Libby Edelman. Same neutral, same pop of color, plus a bonus chain accent. These will only run you $74, except that are summer sale is going strong so knock off 50% and you have a great transition shoe!

Libby Edelman

NeOn

Summer sales are in full force as Fall fashion starts to make its debut in a store near you, but I'm not ready to say goodbye to Summer styles just yet, so let's go out with a bang.  Have you tried NEON this season?

I realize what you might be thinking, didn't neon die with the 80s, yes it certainly did, but there is a method to my madness, neon can be modern!  Just a hint of these bright hues can highlight your fashion savvy and is a great way to celebrate the Summer season. There bold and brights and the perfect compliment to navy and neutrals. If you're hesitant, choose a piece that has a neon accent like and orange cuff, or a pink belt. Whether big or small, any bit of neon is sure to make an impact!