Trends: Summer Leather

Celine Spring 2010, Yves Saint Laurent Spring 2010

For Spring 2010, leather was allover the runway. While leather never really goes out of style, it seems to have evolved into new forms of casual dress.

Hermes Spring 2010, Balenciaga Spring 2010

Thanks to Phoebe Philo's Spring 2010 Celine collection, I have never wanted a leather t-shirt so bad. Clean lines in a slick unexpected material look so perfectly modern and minimalist. At Balenciaga, leather thrown into school girl kilts looked perfectly good girl gone bad. And while leather shorts are nothing new, the way it's been paired with neutral tone basics makes leather look day wear acceptable, light and summery.

While leather is now tissue thin and somewhat breathable, I still have a difficult time taking the plunge as something to wear now. I've seen adorable leather t-shirts at Theory, Lani's loving pleather shorts at Rachel Rachel Roy, Timo Weiland had amazing perforated leather tanks, and Veda has a variety of leather tank & short options.

No doubt the look is adorable but in New York City this summer has seen weeks on end where the asphalt hit 100+ degrees Farenheit (or 37+ degrees Celsius) and humidity makes a girl find ways to sweat while standing still, I've had difficulty wearing anything but the sheerest jerseys or cottons.

As more and more summer leather hits the shelves, the question remains, would you wear summer leather?

Chloé Spring 2010, Michael Kors Spring 2010

UPDATED Sample Sales This Week NYC: May 31-June 6, 2010

Who: Boutique on 57
What: Up to 75% off new Spring/Summer arrivals of women's ready to wear, designer handbags, shoes, and jewelry from Prada, Lacroix, Missoni, Chloe and many more. All up to 75% off. Sizes 0-14.
When: June 2-4, 2010. Wed-Fri 10am-7pm
Where: 12 West 57 Street (b/n 5th & 6th Ave) Suite 807. 212.247.2229

Who: Theory Men's Sample Sale
What: Up to 60% off on smart separates. Suits are $349, outerwear is $199, and pants are $89.
When: June 3-7, 2010. Thurs 8am-8pm, Fri 8am-6pm, Sun-Mon 10am-6pm
Where: 139 5th Ave(nr 21st St) 5th floor

Who: Luca Luca
What: Up to 80% off on Spring/summer dresses, gowns, and sportswear
When: June 2-3, 2010. Wed-Thurs 9am-6pm
Where: 19 West 36th St (b/n 5th & 6th Ave)

Who: Alice + Olivia Sample Sale
What: Up to 70% Off Feminine frocks and separates.
When: June 3-7, 2010. Thurs, Fri, Mon 8am-8pm. Sat-Sun 11am-6pm
Where: 80 West 40th street (b/n 5th & 6th Ave)

Who: Theory Women's Sample Sale
What: Deep discounts on well-cut separates. Dresses $109 (was $285), jackets $159 (was $395), pants $99 (was $245)
When: June 4-9, 2010. Fri 10am-7pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm, Mon-Wed 11am-7pm
Where: Clothingline, 261 W 36th Street (between 7th & 8th Ave) 2nd Floor

Upcoming Sales:
Who: La Perla Lingerie Sale
What: Up to 80% off on Bras, panties, sleepwear, ready-to-wear. New merchandise arriving daily.
When: June 6-9, 2010. Sun 1pm-5pm, Mon-Wed 10am-6pm
Where: 4 West 58th St (nr 5th Ave) 4th Floor. 212-920-1212

Who: DVF Sample Sale
What: Up to 75% off on
When: June 8-11, 2010. Tues 9am-6:30pm, Wed 10am-8pm, Thurs 10am-7pm, Fri 9am-3pm
Where: 260 5th Avenue (b/n 28th and 29th St)

UPDATED: A Few More Sales This Week

If all these sales weren't enough here are a few more for your shopping leisure! Let us know what sales you hit up and what you liked!

Who: The News Sample Sale
What: Band of Outsiders, BOY by Band of Outsiders, Clu, Cheap Monday, Sacai, Common Projects, Shipley & Halmos, KZO, Wayne, R13, Creative Growth for Everybody.
When: May 20-22, 2010. Thurs-Sat 10am-6pm
Where: 495 Broadway @ Broome, 5th Floor (212) 925-9700

Who: Alain Mikli International Sample Sale
What: Over 2200 frames on sale (glasses and sunglasses) priced to sell at $60-95 (was $200-700). Btw Lani is a huge fan!
When: May 18-21, 2010. Tues-Thurs 9am-6:45pm, Fri 9am-5pm
Where: 28 Wooster Street(Corner of Wooster & Grand Streets)

Who: Derek Lam
What: The star-printed silk blouse $295 (was $450), the shell-print silk tank-dress $695 (was $1,190), and the stretch cotton trouser $295 (was $490)
When: May 20-21, 2010. Thurs-Fri 10am-6pm
Where: 601 West 26th St (nr 11th Ave) 17th Floor. Suite 1730

Who: Fred Flare Sample Sale
What: Clothing and shoes are $10, books and toys are $5, and sunglasses are $5. 25% off New arrivals.
When: May 23, 2010. Sun 11am-5pm
Where: 131 Meserole Ave (at Leonard St) Greenpoint, Brooklyn. (718-349-1257)

Who: Carlos Campos Sample Sale
What: Up to 90% off Men and Womens spring/summer dresses, tops, cropped blazers, suits, tailored jackets, and more. Not sure what this means, but they say early birds can enjoy complimentary Prosecco!
When: May 19-21, 2010. Wed-Fri 10am-7pm
Where: 248 West 35th St, 9th floor (nr. 8th Ave) (212-244-2377)

Who: Boutique on 57 Sale
What: Up to 75% off on Chloe, Marni and Gucci
When: May 19-21, 2010. Wed-Fri 10am-7pm
Where:12 West 57 Street (b/n 5-6 Avenues) Suite 807 (212.247.2229)

Who: Elizabeth & James Sample Sale
What: Olsen twin’s Elizabeth & James line is marking down select clothing for both men and women from Spring 2010 stock as well as past season.
When: May 19-21, 2010. Wed-Fri 10am-6pm
Where: 250 West 39th Street, Suite 1701 (b/n 7th and 8th avenues) 212-382-1780

Who: J.Lindeberg and William Rast Sample Sale
What: Classic menswear, denim, and ready-to-wear at deep discounts.
When: May 18-20, 2010. Tues-Thurs 10am-7pm.
Where: 57 East 11th Street, 8th floor (b/n Broadway and University Place)

Who: Lyell Closing Sale
What: Cult brand Lyell is closing shop. Grab some Spring 2010 and other remaining stock at up to 60% off.
When: Now through stock runs out or May 31, 2010.
Where: 173 Elizabeth Street (at Spring Street) 212-966-8484.

Who: W29 Showroom Sample Sale
What: Designer sale on Ashish, Rodebjer, Dagmar, Margarita Saplala, The Local Firm, Fin, and Alexander Koutny.
When: May 21-24. Fri 10am-6pm, Sat-Sun noon-4pm, Mon 10am-6pm
Where: 208 West 29th Street, Suite 201, (b/n 7th and 8th avenues) 212-563-0163.

Who: 3.1 Phillip Lim
What: Up to 50% Off clothing and accessories for women, men and children.
When: May 19-20, 2009. Tues-Wed 10am-5pm
Where: 260 W 39th St b/n 7th & 8th Ave, 17th floor

Trend: Take a Bow

Perhaps another Gossip Girl inspired fashion moment? Bows are nothing new, but they have been coming back to runways since Fall 2008 on both the Sportmax and Luella Runways. From oversize to tiny, stylized to soft/floppy bows look like they're here to stay. Satins, grosgrain, velvets and patent are the major materials. This look could be altered for different women: feminine and sweet like at Luella; prim and proper at Chanel; or dangerous and sexy at Christian Lacroix.

Looks for Luella Spring 2009. Notice floppy bows on hair accessories as well as apparel.

At Chloé Spring 2009, bows were both large and dramatic or small and perky.

At Chanel Spring 2009, A soft bow was used at the neck while more structured bows were used for shoes.

Christian Lacroix Spring 2009 used bows alongside contrasting materials and textures for shoes and body. I love the juxtaposition of the metal ankle chain with the plushness of multiple velvet bows.