Style Fix

The Purse Store, which actually sells designer handbags, shoes, belts, denim, and more, is closing its virtual doors for good. To thank their customers, and liquidate their remaining stock, all of the goods are 50 to 70 percent off. Plus, by entering code “thanks” you can save an additional 20 percent on shoes, belts, and denim.

Check it out!

I’ve always said that when I have the money to spend on designer goods, my first purchase will be a Kate Spade purse (in addition to some Stella McCartney clothes, of course).

If only I had done my taxes on time, I’d be indulging in the For Your Eyes Only online Kate Spade sale right now. But, alas, I have not yet received my governmental mad money and must continue to wait.

Check out the For Your Eyes Only sale where you can find purses, diaper bags, shoes, wallets, and even a few notebooks by summery designer Kate Spade. It’s a quick sale - lasting from today, June 17, through Friday, June 20 only. But with prices up to 60 percent below retail, it’s worth a expedient look.

Top Button, a virtual fashion meeting grounds, is nearly useless to those of us that don’t live in New York City, Los Angeles, or San Francisco. Although there are a few online offers for free shipping codes, and a fashion-inspired blog, the site’s main bragging rights is that it announces dozens of sample sales each week - but only in these three cities.

Now, to keep up with the online market, sample sales are starting to move to the Internet, and Top Button is attempting to keep up. The community Web site has just launched The Top Secret - an exclusive (albeit incredibly slow) online place to gain access to bargains and steals that even Jane Smith in Arkansas can partake in.

Don’t worry about the site boasting an invite-only membership; for a limited time, register at Top Button, and you will receive access to The Top Secret. Or maybe if you ask real nice, I’ll invite you!

Affordable shoe have DSW is rising in a time when other mid-market stores are dropping.

Recent reports have proven that high-end retailers continue to flourish regardless of the economy (i.e. the rich are still rich), and discount brands are doing well; but, those that fall in the middle have been cutting corporate jobs, closing stores, and seeing sale decreases.

Whatever DSW is doing seems to be working, though. Easily classified as one of these middle ground retail stores that is above Wal-Mart, but below Saks Fifth Avenue, DSW is undergoing rapid growth.

In 2007, 37 new stores were opened; 30 is the nearly fulfilled goal for 2008. Plus, the company was undergoing all of this growth without even targeting customers online … until now.

DSW just opened their first online venture - DSW.com - featuring hundreds of sandals, great sales and clearances, easy trend viewing, and a worthwhile reward program (also available in store).

I may have found my favorite new fashion-based Web site: I Saw It In. The site is a collection of who wore what in which movie.

Here’s how I just used the site:

The second I saw Katherine Heigl’s 27 Dresses, I thought, “I have to have that dress that she wears to the club!” But I had no idea what brand or designer made it. Today, I browsed over to I Saw It In, clicked on 27 Dresses, and skimmed through the dozen or so screen shots to find the dress that had me drooling.

Voila!

It’s a Temperley London dress and is currently on sale for half of the original price, making it … darn … it’s still a $630 dress. But at least now I can scope out their other designs, linger in the clearance section, and gather inspiration to make my own.

(In the movie, it was a jade color. This shade shown here is the only color left.)

Bloomingdale’s was given the worldwide honor of being named the 2008 “Department
Store of the Year” at the Global Department Store Summit.

Bloomie’s was chosen as the top honor from department store CEOs’ nominations based on meeting the criteria: “an enviable profile through branding, differentiated positioning and powerful messaging; successful developments and executions of product, store and service innovation strategies; delivery of an extraordinary in-store experience; offers of excellent customer service; and strong financial performance.”

Gap is offering an online discount right now, until Sunday, June 8. Just enter the code PWNLXCXW4ZM8 when you are checking out and receive $20 off of any purchase totaling at least $100.

That’s $100 worth of goods for only $80!

I am less enthralled with the unique, new Spinlash mascara wand today than I was two days ago. I don’t know whether to blame Spinlash or CVS, but I can’t find it anywhere. The product was supposed to be in stores spring 2008; I would certainly consider the end of May to be spring.

So where is my Spinlash?! CVS? Akasha? Anyone? When and where can I buy (besides online) this crazy, rotating, eye makeup phenomenon?

Have you seen it in your store?

UPDATE: Spinlash people say: “SPINLASH is actually not yet available at CVS - it will be there in about a month. You can however find SPINLASH at any Target store nationwide. … It is also now available at drugstore.com if you don’t want to purchase it from our website.”

Super! So it’s off to Target for me …

I love polka dots. I love ’50s style fashions. Hence, I crazy love this vintage, 1950s, red-and-white polka-dotted dress.

The dress was found by Candy Says, a vintage, British boutique that began such ventures online.

This specific dress is sold - boo! - but Candy Says posts good finds regularly. Just remember, if you’re not from the U.K., do the exchange rate math before buying!

I can still clearly remember the day when the reality of how many clothing stores are owned and run by the same company. I was in middle school, and had no concept yet of major corporations. I naively thought all businesses were small businesses.

But since they’re not, and since Banana Republic, GAP, Old Navy, and the new Piperlime are all essentially the same business, it’s about time they just admit it and offer collaborative deals and savings.

And here they are! Now, you can shop from all four of these stores online at once, and thus save on shipping charges. Piperlime always has free shipping, but for the rest of this week - until May 31 - you can get free shipping when you take advantage of this 4-in-1 online shopping experience: just enter “1checkout” as the promo key.

Fashion logic is the reverse of high school mentality. Growing up you want to do what everyone else is doing; it’s cool if the masses say it’s cool. But when it comes to fashion - it’s only cool if it’s exclusive. That’s the logic behind the new, hot, online shopping destination Rue La La.

Rue La La sets up two to three day designer boutiques that feature premier brands at private sales of 30 to 80 percent off cost. And when most online sales are offering you last year’s goods, Rue La La brings you this season’s threads. The catch is that you either have to be invited by a current member, or wait out your time on the wannabe list. But once you get your invite, membership is free.

Will you make the fashion club cut? Put your name on the waiting list today!

It’s not just rare, it’s probably the first time ever that the two media networks that I keep up with - animal issues and fashion - are in agreement.

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 is currently up for discussion - commonly referred to as the Farm Bill, or the $300 billion Farm Bill. It was passed in the House yesterday and received more than two-thirds pro votes, which is what they will need to maintain the bill if President Bush were to veto it.

Now, I’m not up on laws or farm speak, but both fashionistas and animal / vegan advocates are showng support for this act that sets to defend farmers and the environment (though neither side is 100 percent for everything currently on the bill).

For the fashion side: Women’s Wear Daily says that this “could potentially help retailers and apparel brands save millions of dollars.”

For the veggie side: There are food safety and labeling issues addressed, with country of origin becoming a mandatory label. Nutritional programs would get more funding and support. There would be tax deductions for farmers using renewable energy sources. There are positive implications for organic food, rural preservation, and general conservation of resources, too.

To read more, the House Committee on Agriculture has put together a one-page factsheet about the bill as a whole. Plus, there is a page dedicated to the bill where you can read a factsheet on each section, follow the legislative proceedings, and read statements from involved people.

Dear J.Crew:

I’m impressed with the number of concepts that you have added lately - wedding dresses, yoga gear - but I just have question:

Can you use this super cute, orange and white, doodled fabric to make me a dress? If not, could you just send me some of the fabric so that I can make myself one?

Thanks.

The worst part about not living in New York City: missing tons of great deals through momentary-notice designer sample sales.

The best part about the Internet: designers are now offering the same speedy, cheap sample sales!

Google “online sample sale” and you will get a plethora of different designers and sites, changing constantly.

Dear Piperlime:

You get an A+ for catching my attention with this spring-loaded ad, featuring gorgeous, super-fun high heels.

How did you know that I have been hunting down artist-inspired fashions?

Thank you!