CoCo Couture

DeClutter and Organize Your Closet

2009-08-05T10:45:00.000-07:00

Everyone has at least one closet that needs some serious help. Here are a few tips to clearing out, cleaning up and getting your clothes closet organized.

1. Remove EVERYTHING from the closet.

Once your closet can again see the light of day, scrub it down.

2. Separate the items you removed. Divide items into three bins: Keep Bin, Throw Away Bin, Donate & Sell Bin. Get rid of everything but the Keep Bin.

3. Divide Remaining Items. As you’re sorting, divide your items into four categories: Season, Type, Use and What’s This?

Season Category – Sort your clothes into Summer, Winter, Spring/Autumn

Type Category – Sort by Business Wear, Special Occasion Outfits and Casual stuff.

Use Category - Now look at your neat piles and decide how often you wear each piece. Take your three piles of clothing and divide each pile into common-wear and infrequent-wear clothing.

What’s This? Category – After following all these steps you’re now left with a pile of odds and ends that don’t belong anywhere. Let’s call these items “accessories.” (Chances are these items are a mixture of shoes, belts and scarves.)

4. Use Closet Organizers – These simple and inexpensive items will make organizing your closet a snap. There are three main types of organizers that can fit any closet, no matter its size: shelves, specialty clothes hangers and shoe racks.

That’s it. Pretty simple. Of course, there is clutter that overwhelms even the most capable do-it-yourselfer. In this case, there are plenty of professional home organizers out there just waiting to get their hooks into your closets!

Splurge-worthy Summer Trends

2009-08-05T10:40:00.000-07:00

By Jennifer Patrick

Dressed to the Maxi

Maxi dresses cinched with a wide belt in gauzy materials or lightweight cotton knits. In solids and prints this is a comfy and cool look. Throw on you fabulous flat sandals and you’re ready for summer.

Tibi Monarch Grove Long Dress $405

Splendid Gauze Maxi Dress $153

Old Navy Tiered Maxi Tube Dress $30

Shakespearean Chic

Gorgeous one shouldered Roman dresses and tops paired with gladiator sandals…of course! Gold accents and cool belts add some richness to this Toga style done right.

L.A.M.B. One Shoulder Dress $245

T-Bags One Shoulder Rope Dress $198

Ella Moss “Odessa” One Shouldered Top $87

Damsels in Distressed

Baggy ripped jeans worn loose at the ankles or rolled up just below the knee look modern when paired with black studded platforms. Ripped shorts with a crisp blazer mix preppy with punk. How about some ripped leggings peeking out under a cool tunic or mindress? Oh so 80’s!!

Current/Elliott The Boyfriend Jeans $248

David Lerner Half Ripped Leggings $99

Forever 21 Holly Frayed Skinny Jean $30

Park Avenue Preppy

Blazers with Silk Tie Piping, big Crests, and baggy Boyfriend styles with the sleeves rolled up are the key to this look. Or you can just throw on a Cardigan with pearls or regal brooches & voila! Watch out Gossip Girls-this look isn’t just for rich prepsters anymore!

Ralph Lauren Knit Cotton Blazer w/ Crest $345

Conspicuous Piped Stretch Twill Blazer $249

Necessary Objects Boyfriend Blazer $58

Patriotic Princess

Add some fireworks to your closet with some fabulous red white and blue/ Nautical looks always look great with blue and white stripes, anchors, and plenty of touches of red.

Anchors away!

Ralph Lauren Crested Cricket Jacket $698

Plastic Island Navy Hamptons Cardigan $147

Plastic Island Red Stripe Ribbon Shirt $66

Glorious Gardens

Pretty and feminine Floral Prints make us appreciate all those April (and May) showers. To make this look modern, mix and match flowy and feminine with tailored and edgy pieces. Butterflies and dragonflies add a nice touch too.

Elizabeth and James Floral Gathered Skirt $295

Walter Floral Shift Dress $188

BB Dakota Dusty Pink Blake Dress $65

Steals on Fashionista Faves

2009-08-05T10:34:00.000-07:00

By Jennifer Patrick, Owner, The Couture Exchange in Shrewsbury

Everybody's wearing it and you want it but without the hefty price tag. Don't suffer from label lust! The season's hottest styles aren't just for celebrity trendsetters. They're available within every budget if you know where to look.

Metallic Madness

The craze is sleek and more subtle

Elliott Lucca "Siren" bag in shimmery gunmetal $198

Maxx NY Silver Quilted Bowling Bag $245

Sondra Roberts Squared Metallic Clutch $85

Saddle Up

Horsebits, Saddlery, & Equestrian accents are everywhere

Gucci "Pelham" bag with braided handles and horsebit detail $729

Horsebit Necklaces & Earrings $25-$39

Louis Vuitton St Cloud “Saddlebags” $449-$499

Lucky Clover

Easier to find and more affordable than their high end cousins

LV pre-loved & vintage handbags in classic monogram - all shapes & sizes! $299-$825

Classic and elegant jewelry pieces inspired by Van Cleef & Arpels Alhambra collection $25-$75

How Clutch

The big handheld is practical and chic for both day and evening

Elliott Lucca oversized "Socialite" woven patent leather clutch $98

Sondra Roberts Squared “snakeskin” flap clutch $45

Latico vintage framed clutch with clip $75

Punk Princess

Glamour plus punk equals one street chic fashionista!

Ed Hardy brand new handbags featuring skulls, tattoos, and bling! A must! $99-$199

Handcuff necklace, leather “Rock Star” cuff bracelets, chain bracelets and studded bracelets $24-$39

Hardcore Dior clutch in black patent leather $475

THE “RECESSIONISTA” -- How to Stay Fashionable in a Recession

2009-08-05T10:29:00.000-07:00

By Jennifer Patrick, The Couture Exchange

I know times are tough for us couture addicts. Money is tight and all the new fall bags are hitting the stores - at a price tag well over $1000-$2000 in most cases. And all the fabulous shoes are starting at $500 and going up from there! The dollar is weak and prices are rising, and in this economy we are now forced to shop cautiously.

What is a stylish girl to do?

Here are some suggestions...

• Now is the time to part with all the handbags, shoes, and accessories in your closet that you no longer "LOVE". What better way to make some well needed cash to shop with?

• We must now employ the "LOVE" rule to everything. If you don't "LOVE" it, don't buy it and if you no longer "LOVE" it, now is the time to part with it.

• Wear your classic clothes this year and punch them up with new accessories to update your look!!

• Invest only in a few pieces that are timeless and that you love - no pleather leggings - PLEASE! A plain black dress with a fabulous handbag, a pricey belt and fabulous boots-what could be better?

• Shop creatively and be a thrifty fashionista - never pay FULL PRICE!!

• Pick some of your favorite pieces and take them to your tailor to update their look. Change buttons, hemlines, even silhouettes! For a small price you can turn an old favorite into a new one!

• Break out the vintage pieces you love or buy some at a resale boutique! What better time to flex your individuality?

• Buy trendy funky fill-in pieces at H&M, TopShop, Bebe, Urban Outfitters, etc. Mix your fabulous couture with fun inexpensive tops, scarves, sweaters, jewelry, etc… to look fresh!

Couture Handbags: Obsession… or investment?

2009-08-05T10:26:00.000-07:00

By Jennifer Patrick, Owner, The Couture Exchange

Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Fendi, Chanel….just the mention of these iconoclastic luxury brands makes many a fashion-focused female drool with envy. If you own a couture handbag from one of these makers, you can appreciate the obsession, and you are well aware that luxury at this level comes with a price, and often a hefty one. But there is some consolation which may make your next couture handbag purchase a bit more palatable...and maybe even profitable. Did you ever think that your handbag obsession could become an investment like art or jewelry?

This summer I was reading an article citing that the price of couture handbags has risen over 25% in the last three years. Since I am in the business of Couture Resale I decided to do some additional investigating of my own. A basic Louis Vuitton tote sold for approximately $420 in 2000.

Today, that same exact handbag sells for $790! That’s an 88% appreciation in 5 years. I did the same experiment for a basic Gucci, Fendi, and Chanel bag to see what would happen. Gucci & Fendi had seen an approximate rise of about 70% during that same time period and Chanel had risen about 36%. The national CPI for that same time period rose less than 15%!

Well, ladies (and gentlemen if you’re reading this) it looks like handbags may not just be for fun anymore—they could actually be an investment!

SHOES TO GET BEFORE YOU DIE -- 5 Most Coveted Shoes of All Time

2009-08-05T10:20:00.000-07:00

By Jennifer Patrick, The Couture Exchange, Shrewsbury

1. Manolo Blahnik “Campari” Mary Janes $625

Manolo’s pointed toe black patent leather is currently the most popular. Also offered in many colors, leathers, skins, pony hair, and most recently camo!

2. Christian Louboutin Simple 100 Round Toe Pumps $550

Known for his shiny red soles, Louboutin is spotted on practically every celeb…even Oprah!

The Super 100 Round Toe Pump is his most basic style with a manageable heel. Most have 4” and higher and are much more expensive.

3. Chanel Classic Cap Toe Pump $595 - $650

Possibly the most classic of all shoes, this Chanel is typically a pump or sling-back style in black leather with a black patent cap toe or beige with a black cap toe. Coco’s first stab at shoes – who could resist? These were my first Chanel shoes!

4. Lanvin Ballet Flats $495 - $800

These chic ballet flats can be seen on celebrity and “street” feet alike. Lanvin flats come in a variety of different colors and materials. Leather, satin, patent and even python!

5. Rene Caovilla Evening Shoes $650 - $1580

With the highest end evening shoes available, Rene Caovilla evolved in the fifties, forging the link with art and fashion.

BAGS TO GET BEFORE YOU DIE -- 5 Most Coveted Bags of All Time

2009-08-05T10:06:00.000-07:00

By Jennifer Patrick, The Couture Exchange, Shrewsbury

1. Hermes Birkin $7,500 - $35,000

The elusive Birkin bag made by Hermes is so sought after as a status symbol by women worldwide that the French fashion house has a two year waiting list.

2. Chanel Classic Flap Bag $1,295 - $2,695

Chanel’s Classic Flap Bag comes in two types of leather – caviar and lambskin with gold or silver leather entwined chain handles. Available in four different sizes.

3. Fendi Baguette $795 - $5,000

The Fendi Baguette comes in all different patterns, materials and leathers. The classic Fendi pattern is called “Zucca”. The Artist Baguette – Create Your Own was made available this spring.

4. Judith Leiber Minaudiere $1,495 - $5,000

Minaudières actually date back to the roaring twenties fashion scene, but it wasn't until 1963 when Judith Leiber affixed thousands of crystals onto a tarnished metal frame when they really took off.

5. Louis Vuitton Speedy Bag $660 - $1,270

Introduced in the 1930s, the Louis Vuitton Speedy bag is available in classic monogram, multicolore, damier, denim, and priceless collectible styles.