shefinds» Coats and Jackets

Deal Of The Day: Take 50% Off Chic Outerwear From Old Navy

SheFindsBlythe — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:00:36 +0000

Button up that pea coat and tie your cashmere scarf on tight, as much as we’ve tried to fight it in our fall blazers and cardigans, cold weather is really here. So, rather than pout, we suggest you embrace the frosty weather and invest in one of these marked down coats from Old Navy.

This regal tab-waist coat ($45 from 90) is fit to be worn over a silky frock, but it’ll look just as nice warming you up in skinny jeans and a tee.

Old Navy’s Frost Free Coat ($40 from $80) makes the puffer chic again with its trendy faux fur trimmed hood and a waist-defining belt.

Jazz up the stylish military trend with this wool blend “cadet” jacket ($35 from $70) in standout red. If you’re a little less adventurous, it comes in a classic navy as well.

No matter how cold it is outside, you can always shop beside the warmth of your laptop, so don’t forget to browse our guides to the best in coat trends and leather jackets.

More Sales and Deals:

Bloomingdale’s: Take 20% off your purchase with the code BFRIEND at checkout

deLiA*s: Save $20 when you spend $50 for a limited time only

BeltOutlet.com: Up to 50% off pashmina and cashmere wraps and scarves

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The Ladies Of Mad Men Watch History Unfold In Style

SheFindsBlythe — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:00:16 +0000

The brilliant writers behind Mad Men did an excellent job of recounting the Kennedy assassination on last night’s rather melancholy episode. But of course, in true Mad-fashion, even a national crisis couldn’t stop the ladies and gents of Sterling Cooper from partying in their finest attire. Always glamorous, Betty wore a jacket with a luxurious white fur collar to the chic wedding of Roger Sterling’s daughter.

For a modern take on Draper’s fancy look, try DKNY’s fur trimmed jacket in an of-the-moment plaid or Bebe’s cropped style for dressier occasions.

In search of more fall to winter outerwear? Check out our guides to the best in faux fur and coat trends.

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Runway Recap: Rebecca Romijn Is One Hot Mama

SheFindsJenn — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 18:07:30 +0000

Project Runway got straight down to business in Episode 2. The designers had a celebrity client to design for: supermodel and actress Rebecca Romijn, who is pregnant with twins. Curveball!

Remember Mitchell from last week? He of the see-through dress with the great collar? As one of the few designers that had actually created maternity wear before, he decided to create a separates outfit with shorts, a t-shirt and sweater.

Great concept, bad execution (that almost sent him home).

Malvin, the conceptual ingenue, tried to create a mother hen-inspired outfit, complete with oatmeal sling and feather top. It wasn’t a bad idea, but as Nina pointed out, slings are usually reserved for after the baby is born. It was just slightly worse than Ra’Mon-Lawrence’s “bowling ball bag” formal dress, which practically screamed, I’m pregnant!

Thus, we said good-bye to Marvin.

Among the judges’ favorites was Althea’s jersey dress with the slimming criss-cross straps in back. However, her design was overshadowed by Shirin’s winning burgundy casual dress and coat. It both celebrated pregnancy curves without looking obvious.

While we’re not going to recommend a maternity dress for fall (unless you plan on seeking out one of those stomach pillows from the workroom), we do love this blousy flutter-sleeve tunic ($40) that looks great belted now, or flowy and loose if a little surprise comes your way in the future.

Check out MomFinds for mom and kid finds, and catch up on recent Project Runway recaps to prep for the rest of the season.

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Rachel McAdams’ Coats Stand the Test of Time

SheFindsJenn — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:00:32 +0000

There are sure to be heated discussions on the movie version of The Time Traveler’s Wife, centered around whether it was faithful enough to the book. Having never read the bestseller by Audrey Niffenegger, the film seemed perfectly entertaining if lacking in tension. The same can also be said about Rachel McAdams’ bohemian wardrobe in her role as the titular wife.

As an artist, you’d expect her clothing to be a little funky – maybe mixing pieces and eras to create something unique. Yes, there were some prairie skirts and flutter blouses early in the film, but as much of the action takes place in Chicago, the weather lends itself to coats and long sweater jackets. She wears them well, but I just expected more from a successful, creative woman than a standard white sweater. The cowl neck/convertible hoodie on the Alice + Olivia Wool Pom-Pom Poncho ($367) would have been a more fashionable choice for a chilly winter evening.

Where she did go right was the long winter coat topped by a Mongolian (or Persian or Tibetan) lamb fur collar. Sitting in the heat and humidity makes this sound downright treacherous, but if you’ve never experienced a Chicago winter, count yourself lucky. It’s perhaps a little early for coat shopping, but to get a similar look, your best bet is going the vintage route or trying a faux version like the Michael Kors Faux-Fur Collar Cardigan ($249.50).

For more top picks to keep you clad like Rachel McAdams in The Time Traveler’s Wife, check out our guides to cardigans. And for more fashionable movie reviews, take a look at The September Issue and 500 Days of Summer.

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The Fashion Show Recap: Robots, Cowboys, And Pleats Take Over Cipriani

SheFindsJenn — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:00:36 +0000

The final four designers put it all out on the runway at Cipriani Wall Street for part one of the finale of Bravo’s The Fashion Show. The twist was that only three of the four would make it to the final viewer’s choice vote, which by the time you read this, will be closed.

Next week, the winner is crowned during a reunion show.

Daniella’s “soft robot” collection was a combination of leather, epaulets, and femininity that judges described as fashionable. The medieval androgyny she was aiming for would have worked if the construction was better – her only real criticism from the panel.

James Paul’s collection was equally abstract, with his inspiration coming from western wear. None on the pieces were really reminiscent of cowboy couture, but in usual JP fashion, his muted color palette and textures won raves from Isaac and co.

The circle skirt jacket from Reco was just one of the bright, glam pieces in his Aztec goddess-inspired collection. He did everything from separates to a wedding gown, but the absence of detailed designs pushed him out of the final four.

Anna, however, was the crowd favorite. While knocked as being the least cohesive, her collection was bright and wearable, incorporating her successful pleating as well as a floral palette that won raves in previous episodes.

Although Kelly Rowland rarely delivers any sage fashion advice, she did point out that knee-length dresses are a staple of any burgeoning wardrobe. J. Crew’s strapless floral Lorelei dress ($250) is an ode to Anna’s bright, floral prints. And for a more office-appropriate look, this Donna Morgan Jersey Dress ($79 from $118) can be jazzed up with a statement belt.

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Ruffles Expand Beyond Kindergarten And Bridesmaid Dresses

SheFindsJenn — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:00:51 +0000

Girly girls rejoice. One of the latest design trends to appear, well, practically everywhere, is the innocent, flirty ruffled looks of youth. Except these ruffle styles are all grown up and rife with tailored details.

A pretty little summer cotton smock, the Anthropologie Terasina dress ($118) combines a tiered voile skirt with a sweet ruffled keyhole neckline.

A top similar to this Banana Republic Puff-sleeve ruffle blouse ($59.50) was what actually inspired this post. Tucked into a pair of ivory slim fitting pants, I wanted to stop the woman on the street to tell her how much I liked her outfit.

I just can’t say enough about this William Rast Ruffle Leather Jacket ($598). It’s slightly cropped and has shoulder epaulettes for an edgier look, but the soft, layered ruffles are a unique detail I haven’t seen a lot with leather jackets.

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The Fashion Show Recap: Wait, We Have To Design Clothes For Real Women? The Horror!

Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:00:20 +0000

Episode 5 of The Fashion Show opened with some mini-challenge trickery where designers had to create a sketch from memory. After staring at one of Isaac's Fall 2009 pieces hanging on a dress form, Kelly walked in and out of the room before the challenge began. Only, the challenge was Kelly (so tricky, Bravo!). The group had to sketch what Kelly wore.

After complaining that she barely saw anything, Daniella won the challenge and the chance to choose one designer that would be in the bottom three. Merlin was shaking in his red mini boots.

The elimination challenge gave every designer a real woman (aka, not a size zero model) and the task of creating an outfit that would highlight her assets while improving on her perceived problem areas. This really hit home when we saw the designers padding their dress forms with hips, butts, bellies, and breasts.

James-Paul was beside himself at having to design for someone with body fat. His actual quote was, “It's like asking Jesus Christ to work with Satan.” A bit dramatic, but he wasn't alone in his dismay.

Daniella burst into tears at how stuck she was in her design. When she complained that she had never designed for big women (her real model was a size 14), Isaac called her sizeist. Ouch! Still, she managed to put out a flattering navy and black jacket/dress combo that got raves from the fashion show audience (buy it here, $325).

And the bottom three pick? Angel. Bad tailoring got her there, but Keith's boring prom dress design was much worse than a messy hem and caused him to be sent home.

Daniella's outfit worked because of the belt. (And, she's not alone. Five other designers used belts or waist contrast to create a silhouette.) This Ann Taylor Cotton Twill Tuck Dress ($60, was $130) uses tucks at the waist and a big elastic belt to draw attention to the smallest part of the waist.

Browse our Belts Guide for the key belts that will spice up any wardrobe.

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The Fashion Show Recap: Isaac Says, Go, Go Gadget Coat

SheFindsJenn — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 +0000

What’s that you say? It’s Amelia Earhart Week on The Fashion Show? Alas, no. The cast of Night at The Museum 2 has not infiltrated Isaac’s lair just yet. Rather, I wanted to point out Reco’s coat/jumpsuit/hidden blanket design from this week’s runway show challenge where designers had to create coats for each season that must also include some sort of functionality. But, let’s back up just a step.

The mini challenge this episode involved teams having repair garments in a certain amount of time. There was nothing too interesting about this except how apparent it became that most of the contestants lack polished sewing skills. Did we mention this is a show about fashion designers?

Anna, who I’m convinced got robbed last week for her high-waisted skirt, delivered another great design for the runway with her tweed bubble coat that had zippered pockets near the wrists. Guest judge Norma Kamali commented that it was well made and looked ready to wear off the catwalk.

However, Andrew’s convertible trench, which extends into a full-length rain coat in case of showers, took the top prize with the audience and judges (buy it here, $249). Poor Markus, the London fashion grad with lots of design aesthetic and zero sewing skills got the boot.

Getting more than one look out of an item is a great way to stretch your closet and your dollar. An extention of the Paul & Joe line, this cotton Paul & Joe Sister Removable Sleeves Poker Jacket ($206) can be worn with the sleeves down, tied up safari style, or completely off. The three-in-one makes it a good choice for in-between seasons, or when the weather’s just acting like it.

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Tracy Feith For Target: Bright And Short With Only A Few What Was He Thinkings

SheFindsJenn — Mon, 18 May 2009 00:00:00 +0000

If my Target is any indication, then Tracy Feith’s new offering for the GO International line is already a huge hit. Sitting next to full racks of Mossimo and Converse spring staples, the TF racks were decimated, with just a few items left. Feith, a surfer dude with an eye for bold floral prints and flirty silhouettes, kept his aesthetic rolling for the budget experiment, and the results were mostly good with one or two missteps.

Overall, a cute collection that definitely caters to the younger crowd, or at least to those who are young at heart with a great set of gams.

The Hooded Pullover ($25) makes a perfect beach cover-up in lightweight linen – plus it has a hood for extra sun protection. The flowing, A-line skirt on the black Strapless Dress ($45) gives it a dress up/dress down versatility. I also like the heart-shaped bodice, which lends a sweetness to the neckline.

The oversized flowers and color combos of the Canvas Print Skirt in Hawaiian Floral ($30) reminded me of a 70s muumuu at first glance, but this piece was actually adorable in person. The skirt has a nice weight, and a back zip with a bling-worthy TF pull. Paired with a white tank and gold sandals, this would be a great summer outfit.

Remember those missteps? I stared for a long time at the black Bloomer Shorts ($30), wondering who would be wearing these. Elastic around the thigh area is always dodgy even for the thinnest legs. Quality was my main issue with the Nylon Ripstop Jacket ($40). It looked intriguing from a distance – bright colors, fun hoodie – but as I got closer, it sort of morphed into a shoddy windbreaker that had shrunk in the dryer.

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