Wednesday, May 19, 2010

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

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

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!