Featured Item: Graham & Spencer Leather Leggings

Hi Everyone! Happy December!

This just in: Graham and Spencer leather leggings in the softest lambskin...it's so good. Unlike traditional leather pants, the back of these leggings are cotton--making them comfy and sexy all at the same time! Pair it with your favorite Lauren Moshi or Torn t-shirt, some sky-high stilettos and you're ready for a rockin' night on the town.


Graham & Spencer Leggings, $348 at Olive & Bette's

But wait! Who is this Graham and Spencer, you say? Why, it's the good folks at Velvet--one of your Olive & Bette's favorites! They've started up a luxury collection featuring (among other delicious fabrics) leather and the softest modal cotton, all mashed up into a beautiful mix.

THE Skinny Jean: Citizens of Humanity Avedon

Comfortable skinny jeans?! It sounds too good to be true. For me, putting on my skinnies usually requires a complicated series of calisthenics: squats, side-kicks and back-kicks, followed by an angry plop on my bed for the final zip-up. It's a veritable work-out which often results in sweatiness and blistered fingers.

You know what I'm talking about. It’s not a pretty sight.

So when we got in our new shipment in of the Citizens of Humanity Avedon skinny jeans in their new “slick” denim, I was hesitant to try on a pair. After all, jean shopping is probably one of the more dreaded types of shopping excursions (second only to having to shop because you’ve gained weight and nothing fits). Luckily, I was already wearing leggings, which heavily factored into my decision to go into the dressing room. If I was wearing a pair of skinnies—forget it! Going to the bathroom is already a difficult endeavor, let alone peeling them off to put on a new, un-stretched out pair. So I pull on the Avedons. No side-kicks. No squats. No problems zipping up. I even go down a size! The only downside is that I might have to get another pair…

Rachel Bilson knows the deal--she's been photographed in Avedon every wash they offer (pictured in the Star wash).

Get them while they’re still in stock at Olive & Bette’s (158 Spring Street @ West Broadway)—we sold out within a week for our last shipment. Too busy? Buy them over the phone (646-613-8772) or e-mail me at marian@oliveandbettes.com. I can even special order you a pair in an alternate denim wash if you find you can't live without the entire catalog! :)

Love,

Soho Shopgirl

Focus: Outerwear

Hello, world! Oh, how I've missed you!

I'm back from my Italian hiatus and ready (apparently) for a New York winter season! When/how did it get this cold?! So with that in mind, I've decided to devote today's post to outerwear!

I am so obsessed with coats and blazers right now. My absolute favorite jacket in the stores right now is the Rebecca Taylor "Don't Cheetah Me" wool blazer with the puff sleeves. It goes with EVERYTHING. Dress it up for a night out with textured black tights and a sequined mini dress, make it casual and comfy with a long cashmere sweater dress and leggings (or jeans or better yet, legging jeans!) and wear it to work with trousers and a camisole. Leopard is a great neutral and goes well with bright bursts of color, like our favorite, hot pink.


Rebecca Taylor "Don't Cheetah Me" blazer, $405 shown with Vince Mini Sequin Mini, $252 and Rosegold Ankle Stud Booties $290

In addition to the great leathers we blogged about before, we also got in another Joie jacket in the softest leather...just perfect for the fall! We've paired it with the new Nanette Lepore leopard dress and would wear it with tights and boots and a bright scarf.

Joie Elianna leather jacket, $740 and Nanette Lepore Oh L'amour dress, $328

I also love the details on the clothes this season. Look at the zipper details on this Freya Lab jacket, which is great for layering over long sleeves or as an accent over a sequined top.

Freya Lab Zipper Jacket, $98 and Zoa Wave Sequin Tank, $162


Cute, right? But when it's 40 degrees and only October, a little jacket just won't cut it on its own, no matter how cute. That's when we need to break out the heavy stuff. Like this Beth Bowley coat in a bright pink, which is sure to stand out against all the gray and black New York uniforms.

Beth Bowley Tab Front Coat, $386

Or, this adorable little Liquid coat in coral plaid.

Liquid Girly Girly coat, $408

With any of these pieces, you'll be sure to look amazing during the fall season.

Stay warm!

Soho Shopgirl

Featured Trend: Embellished Necklines

Hi Friends! We've been getting the store ready for fall and one great trend we've been seeing is the embellished neckline. Now that we all have to make our wardrobes last a little bit longer, an embellished neckline is a great way to be accessorized, without actually having to buy a necklace! Here are a couple of my favorites:

Qi Cashmere black studded dress, $304

This dress is the yummiest cashmere, the perfect finishing layer to a winter wardrobe! Pair it with some leggings or hosiery and a Splendid long-sleeve shirt and a San Diego Hat Company beret! Another favorite is the Bailey 44 chain dress. Anyone who has ever worn Bailey 44 knows how amazingly soft their cotton is and the drape on this dress is so flattering! It's sure to be a go-to for both day and night dressing.

Bailey 44 chain dress, $215

Race for the Cure

Hey Everyone!

Just wanted to let everyone know that Olive & Bette's will be participating in this Sunday's Race for the Cure 5k run in Central Park. Come out to support us and everyone running/walking to find a cure! The race will be at 9AM this Sunday, September 13th. This year, Stephen Colbert, Cyndi Lauper, Judge Judy Sheindlin and Uma Thurman will be hosting the race. It's a great feeling seeing so many New Yorkers coming together for such a great cause! You HAVE to experience it!

Make your donations, get info or just read up on the Susan G. Komen foundation at: http://www.komennyc.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=1170

Or, buy one of these absolutely adorable Jimeale tote bags from Olive & Bette's for $18. 100% of the proceeds go to breast cancer research. Stop by your friendly neighborhood Olive & Bette's to see our hand-made shirts on display this Sunday, September 13th.



Love,
Soho Shopgirl

Twittering and Tweeting Fashion Week

Woo! Day 1 of Fashion Week is completed. Did everyone get to go to Fashion's Night Out???

This shopgirl is exhausted from roaming Soho last night and eating delicious freebies like cupcakes and cookies at all the stores for Fashion's Night Out. And how great was the Rapture last night at Prada? Crazy. I would say that last night was a huge success, judging by all the folks lined up and down the streets of Soho, West Village and Meatpacking. Good luck to all our friends who participated in the Olive and Bette's Bleecker Street raffle last night!

It's another rainy day in New York today--it's really starting to feel like fall! Time to break out the boots and jackets. I'll be toting around my Felix Rey umbrella and wearing my Nomad peace sign rainboots which are all available at Olive & Bette's Soho! ;)

So, yesterday we received a big shipment of Autumn Cashmere. I'm going crazy over the super duper soft cashmere cowl neck sweater, which would be so perfect with our new AG Stilts in the 10 Year wash that we just got in.

+ = my new favorite cozy fall outfit

Autumn Cashmere cowlneck sweater ($348) and AG Premium Denim Stilt jeans in 10 Year wash ($250)

Perfect for a rainy day like today!

Fashion's Night Out

Hey All!

Just wanted to let you know that Olive & Bette's will be participating in Vogue Magazine's Fashion's Night Out at our Bleecker Street store (you know, the one next to Magnolia Bakery! Mmmmm...). Get more info at www.fashionsnightout.com for a full list of participating stores and come out to our Bleecker location and say, "Howdy!" to our friends at Bleecker and Perry in the West Village and join in the festivities! Word on the street is that yummy goodies and fun events are scheduled at each of the stores involved and at Olive & Bette's, we'll be displaying one-of-a-kind shopping bags by a variety of designers and having a raffle! The proceeds will go to Dress for Success, an amazing non-profit organization that helps disenfranchised women find jobs and dress accordingly for interviews and work! Find out more at www.dressforsuccess.org.

Hope to see you there!

Love,
Soho Shopgirl

SAMPLE SALE!!!!!!

We're doing it again.

All you Olive & Bette's gals know and love it; it's time again for our annual SAMPLE SALE. I mean, where else can you get Nanette Lepore and Rebecca Taylor for 75% off or stock up on basics like Michael Stars and Splendid tees for under $20??? It's just too crazy for words!

I'll be there--come visit me! But words of wisdom and warning: it tends to get very, very, very crowded up there and the dressing room situation can be dicey. Wear some comfy clothing or something you can slip stuff over and you'll be good to go.

Sunday, September 27th at the Columbus Avenue Olive & Bette's from 10AM-7PM:
252 Columbus Ave @ 72nd Street
New York, NY 10023

E-mail me if you have any questions about the sale! marian@oliveandbettes.com

Featured Designer: Joie

Hi Friends! Hope everyone had a great Labor Day! Ready for Fall yet? ;) Well, we sure are!

Here at Olive & Bette's, we're always trying out new designers and trends, but Joie has been a constant favorite for us due to their luxe-boho take on dresses and blouses in their signature cotton/silk blend fabric, as well as cashmere, chiffons and silks. This season, we received a fantastic double-breasted leather military jacket that can be converted into a blazer with lapels--the perfect addition to any outfit. A leather jacket is a great way to transition your summer maxi dresses into fall and winter with flat boots, and a great piece to add to any outfit for intstant and understated chic. We love the contrast of light-weight, gauzy fabrics against the texture of leather.

Here are a few of our favorite new Joie pieces:


Joie cashmere hooded drape vest ($322) shown with silk plaid Alicia racerback tank ($128), Free People spandex skirt ($78), HOBO Intl studded belt ($95) and Alexia Crawford multi-chain necklace ($48).


Joie plaid ruffle shirt ($178), the perfect with jeans, corduroys and your favorite boots.

Joie silk georgette long-sleeve shirt ($258)

Joie leather military jacket ($686), with convertible lapels to go from double-breasted to blazer with lapels.

Joie Alicia plaid racer-back tank top ($128)

We're really excited about all the cute, new merchandise we're getting in for fall! Come by and check out all our other stuff at the Soho store or call us!

Love,
Soho Shopgirl

Like what you see? Want it? Too lazy or busy to come in? CALL US! 646-613-8772
Or, e-mail the Soho Shopgirl at marian@oliveandbettes.com and I'll answer any questions or comments you have.

Hello, world!

Welcome to Olive & Bette's Soho! Come here for all the latest trends, updates on store merchandise and lots of fun! We'll be tweeting as well, so follow us on www.twitter.com/olivebettessoho!!!! We're really excited to be up and running, so follow us! Or come visit us in New York City in the famed shopping heaven of Soho located on 158 Spring Street between West Broadway and Wooster Street!

Hope to see you soon!

Love,
Soho Shopgirl

p.s. Call me! ;) 646.613.8772