Fall Forward

Hi everyone!

With the successful launch of the new store helping to celebrate the end of the summer season, Olive and Bette’s is starting to look forward to Fall and one of NYC’s most fashionable month: September. With Fashion’s Night Out and the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week (in Lincoln Center this year, not Bryant Park!) coming up, we’re starting to get really excited about the change in weather and the new upcoming fashion trends, looks, and styles.

In particular, we’re looking forward to our favorite staples done a little differently: those plaid blouses that you thought were only making a comeback for one season have actually come back again, with a little more girly frill and flounce than before; the cargo denims we’ve been selling and raving about this whole summer are carrying through to the fall in skinny cuts and autumnal colors; and one of the best go-to fall/winter fashion elements—boots—are being revamped with a great twist: wooden clog platforms. Check out the pieces in one of our favorite outfits for this coming fall:

Rebecca Taylor Fab Fur Vest

Joie Channing Plaid Top

Paige Layne Cargo Pants

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Wiley Clog Booties

Talk about brilliant! If you want to see it put together in person, this collection of fabulous pieces is in the display window of our new Third Avenue store. Come visit us and check it out, along with other on-trend looks for this fall. Like always, we’ll be sure to help you with all your fashion needs.

xoxOB

When One Door Closes...

Hi everyone!

As most of you may know, Olive and Bette’s just closed its Bleecker Street store two days ago—on August 10, 2010—after six years and its first-ever two day sale. Yesterday, Olive and Bette’s opened its third uptown location at 72nd and Third Avenue – bringing the total back to four Olive and Bette’s stores, including our stores in SoHo, the Upper West Side, and our recently expanded Madison Avenue store.

Olive and Bette's first-ever sale


our Third Avenue store is finally open!

Though we loved having our store on Bleecker Street, we expect that the new store on Third Avenue will be just as great; it’s going to have the same upbeat, girly interior as our other stores—with zebra-patterned dressing rooms, white-washed furniture, and pink, pink, pink!—as well as the same fun vibe that the other stores have. We’re already off to a good start, considering how The New York Times has already written about our new store in today's article, "The Shopping Urge Can Hit Anytime." Plus, as Stacey Pecor (O&B’s founder) has pointed out, “our customers already live in the neighborhood and they’re serious about fashion, so [we’re] happy to keep them shopping where they live.”

So, if you’re in the neighborhood, or a fan of Olive and Bette's, and want to get a first-look at the new store, stop by at 1249 Third Avenue.

We're looking forward to seeing you!

xoxOB

Coming Up: (Hot) White Nights

With Memorial Day just around the corner and the sun finally starting to peek through, I’m beginning to think it’s time to transition out of the jeans-and-blazer springtime uniform and into the skirts-and-jackets attire more appropriate to warmer weather. Maybe it’s because I want to convince myself that it’s going to be summer soon—or maybe it’s because I want to convince the weather that it’s actually going to be summer (I don’t understand this cold front!)—but I would like to reintegrate those lovely, feminine frocks into my daily wear.

Like most New Yorkers, most of my wardrobe—especially for winter—consists of the colors black, grey, navy, and (surprise, surprise) more black. White factors in occasionally, but more often than not it factors into my closets in its darker variations of off-white, beige, cream, and taupe. When my skin has lost all glow and color, and I’ve hidden the majority of it in layers of warm clothing, true white just doesn’t seem like a real option—rather, more like a bad idea. For whatever reason, black is the default color for winter.

However—now that summer is just around the bend—I can finally start to embrace the other half of the gradient spectrum with standout white-hot pieces. Personally, I don’t think that there’s a whole lot more elegant than an all-black ensemble during the wintertime in the City, but in the summer I think white pieces scream “fashion” with a fun sophistication that black can’t seem to accomplish.

Check out one of our best sellers right now, for instance: remember the New Year’s resolution to get a good leather? This to-die-for Vince asymmetrical leather jacket in “Vanilla” is a fabulous way to start bringing white into my wardrobe while gaining style points a simple black leather jacket couldn’t (bonus points: this jacket will still carry through to the Fall!).

Another thing we’re all vying after? These bestselling AG “Stilt” Jeans in bright, bright white. If you already own a pair (or several) of AG jeans, you know how amazing they are. Getting them in white is a necessity for your go-to cooler summer outfits.

These two items are selling fast, so come check out our stores soon before they sell out! We also have other great white pieces—from beautiful summer dresses and shorts to your favorite Splendid and James Perse tank basics—that will carry you from this unusual weather all the way through to this fall.

Have a lovely holiday, everyone, and let us know what you’re doing for the long weekend—we love to hear from you!

xoxo

Featured: Some Necessities

Hi everyone!

If you’re anything like me, then you usually put off shopping for seasonal clothing like shorts until they’re a necessity and the streets are hot and sunny. Right now, I can still fall back on my carry-through pieces—especially since we’ve had such cold weather recently. But, summer is just around the corner, and that means vacations, weekend trips, and some seriously hot weather.

Thinking about summer has made me realize that I have a few necessities that I should try to get now. I don’t know if you have this problem, but I’ve had some moments when I’ve realized that I was planning on going to the beach, but my swimwear just wasn’t cutting it. Those moments would sometimes lead to my running out to go grab a new, decent (but not thought-out) purchase just in time for my plans, but usually they'd lead to my going to the beach in last-year's swimwear and woefully uncomfortable.

I promised myself to not have another swimwear fashion fiasco this year, and—because we have such great swimwear this year—I think I have a good reason to fix the problem now before it’s too late. Normally, I wear variations on the black bikini, but I’m thinking I want to be daring this summer and grab one of our bestsellers: the pink Shoshanna Ruffle Bikini. It’s a little Barbie and a little girly, but it's a lot of a fashion statement.

Another option that I’m considering is this multicolored Trina Turk Bandeau Bikini. Straying away from my generic black halter bikini, this is a great, updated take on the classic and feminine bandeau style. The best part is, it's accessorized with its own special detailing – look at the multiple textured, hammered gold rings!

The best part about beachwear shopping preparations? I've scoped out a fallback cover-up in my standby-color! Check out this beautiful cover-up dress (also by Trina Turk)—which can multitask for both the beach and for running errands on hot City streets.

I love that it’s an empire bandeau with supporting straps; I think the beaded-halter detailing makes it one of those versatile dresses that’s casual, but isn’t necessarily too casual. You can wear it with flip-flops, flat sandals, or heeled wedges and it’d look good in every case. Plus, the shape is really flattering, so if you’re in the need of a beach fashion pick-me-up, put it on and you’re made in the shade.

Like these, or want to see other suits and cover-ups? For a full selection, come visit us at our Olive and Bette’s locations at 252 Columbus Avenue at 72nd Street or 1070 Madison Avenue at 81st Street. Too busy but you like these options? Send us an email at marian@oliveandbettes.com and we'll get you suited up for summer on your schedule!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Hope you all started 2010 off with a bang! We've been busy, busy, busy here with all the holiday madness. But despite the craziness of New Year in New York, we've managed to come up with some of our own shopping resolutions for this year.

Top 10 in 2010

1. Wear more color.
This one's a difficult one, being a New Yorker and all, but looking at the spring line sheets just makes me crave the yummy, bright colors that Shoshanna, Trina Turk and Tracy Reese have in their 2010 collections. Look for these deliveries coming in at Olive & Bette's starting early January!


Trina Turk Spring 2010

Tracy Reese Spring 2010

2. Ditch the leggings.
Ok, I know this one will be the death of me because they are just soooooooo darn comfy, but I need to step away my daily uniform of leggings and start wearing more jeans and trousers. I just bought a pair of Citizens of Humanity legging jeans in the Star (black) wash, so that’s a start! And I’m not talking about going cold turkey here, I just want to mix it up a little bit!

3. Invest in a pretty coat.
I know. It’s 1° with wind-chill so pretty isn’t really on everyone’s minds right now. But it doesn’t mean that a gal can’t be fashionable (in maybe 40° weather) because hey, it really can’t be this cold forever, right? I like this Tracy Reese Princess Coat, which is both warm and beautiful.


Tracy Reese

4. Step away from the sacks.
Personally, I tend to wear really baggy or amorphous tops and dresses that my friends affectionately refer to as my, “sacks.” And I love them. But in the spirit of branching out for the new year and being less lazy about my wardrobe, I am planning on getting myself a few dresses that actually show off my shape a bit more. I love this Rebecca Taylor dress in navy with the blue ribbon detail and this adorably subtle leopard print with the drape front.



Images: Rebecca Taylor Spring 2010 Show

5. Cinch it.
Since I don’t have the budget to get rid of all my beloved sacks, I’m on a mission for a couple cute, versatile belts to give shape to the aforementioned dresses. There are a few Linea Pelle and Brave Networks belts I’ve had my eye on at the store. And maybe one bold patent leather belt in an eye-popping shade to break up the monotony of the requisite black I’ll be sure to wear from time to time. 

6. Buy (and use) good stationery.
In this electronic age, it’s sort of amazing to get snail mail, isn’t it? I’m not just making a shopping resolution to buy more cards, I’m making a resolution to use them. Thank You notes, Happy Birthdays and written expressions of appreciation need to come back into vogue. I like the cute ones from Seltzer. They’re fun and well-designed and really funny. A cute pick-me-up for both the sender and the recipient.

7. Save up for a good leather.
Fact: leather is expensive. And since it’s become something of a trend, there are a lot of “leatherette” options at lower prices. But I’m going to hold out for a nice leather piece that, with care, will last forever. I’m in love with this Vince asymmetrical leather jacket with the beautiful drape. Now, the hard part: to save up for it! Which is related to another on-going New Year resolution of mine which somehow never gets accomplished but here’s to hoping!


Vince asymmetrical leather drape jacket

8. Buy an amazingly fabulous and glittery party dress, even if I don’t have a party to attend.
Just because you never know! ;)

9. Buy a cute workout outfit and actually work out.
I’m thinking Nation Ltd sweats, Splendid tanks and James Perse tees…which can double as great basics if I end up just couching it.

10. Forego the It bag and just get a great bag.
Mid-sized. Black leather. Functional. Amazing. The possibilities are endless.

What are your fashion resolutions?

Come by and tell us at the stores or let us help you fulfill them! Remember, we do consignment shopping services and personal styling FOR FREE! E-mail me at marian@oliveandbettes.com for more info. AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! I just know it’s going to be a great one.