InStyle Essentials TrioFit Shirt + Giveaway

We live in the world of standardized sizing. A world where Small, Medium and Large has become the norm. But women's bodies don't come in just on size, shape or form. Do you ever find yourself annoyed at something that is supposed to be a wardrobe staple? I know countless women who struggle with the white button down with no avail. Shirts will be either too snug across the chest or too loose everywhere else. So to address these issues that women face, InStyle magazine has partnered with the  designers and TrioFit co-founders Rebecca Matchett and Drew Palub to launch a line of shirts that actually take into account a woman's bust size and band size. Genius right?

I personally think that it's awesome and have had the opportunity to test drive the bow blouse which is super chic and ever so office friendly (full disclosure: I received a free shirt to try out).  My husband actually told me he thought that I looked super cute in it. Anyways check out more on TrioFit below and for contest details below.

The shirts are available in an incredible size range. 30 to be exact, ranging from 32B – 40H in classic button-front, weekend tunic, and the bow blouse. I had a chance to sit down with Rebecca and Lisa Arbetter of InStyle Magazine and discuss the new line of shirts that just debuted in InStyle Magazine's September issue. This weekend they set up a temporary pop-up trailer in the Meatpacking district.

SRC: How did you come up with the concept for the Trio-Fit method? Was it something you personally struggled with?
Rebecca Matchett: It was something that I heard a lot of women around me complain about so we sat down and tried to come up with a method that would be the easiest for the average woman to understand. That is when we came up with using the bra size as the point of difference. We kept it to three of the most basic styles so that women could understand the differences with fit and get used to the concept of sizing without thinking too much about the styling.

SRC: Has it been a challenge to create such a variety of sizes?
RM: We had to work very closely with our overseas factories. The tolerances for each style had to be extremely low because the difference between sizes is so minimal.

SRC: How did the partnership with InStyle Magazine come about?
Lisa Arbetter: InStyle Essentials was inspired by our readers. Being in the magazine world we hear a lot about what real women struggle with and we were compelled to find a solution—one that reached beyond our magazine and website. It was a natural partnership. A lot of women actually think that they have a problem with their body but we want to tell them that it's not their body it's the clothes.

SRC: That is such a refreshing statement that I think women need to hear more often. How has the reaction from women been?
LA: It's been great! Women have been so receptive.
RM:  The reaction I've been hearing is "Finally! A shirt that fits!"

Is there a plan to introduce more styles eventually?
RM: Yes, for Holiday we have a tuxedo shirt planned and we have plans to roll out dresses in the future.

Contest details:
Like us on Facebook, like the post and leave us a note on our wall about which style of  #InStyleEssentials #PerfectWhiteShirt you would wear and why.

or

Follow us on Twitter and tweet at us why you need this shirt for Fall with the hatchtags  #InStyleEssentials #SRCGiveaway
"@SugrRockCatwalk I need an @ISEssentials because...(you fill in the blank)"

The winner will be announced September 30, 2013. The giveaway is open to residents of the US or those with a US mailing address only. Good luck!

HP x Project Runway Party

Last week I went to the Style Coalition lounge for an HP x Project Runway viewing party. The party theme was color-blocking. Being a lover of color, this was a fun challenge and I found some blue pieces in my closet and made them pop with yellow tights and necklace.  I have to admit it was fun to see color again, and the perfect start to my Easter weekend.

The reason for the theme was based on a Project Runway challenge, where contestants created a look inspired by mid-century art at The Guggenheim.


We got to actually compete against other attendees to create the best design as well with this premise by draping fabric on a dress form. The winning design by Jenny from I-Spy-DIY won the latest HP ENVY X2! It's a PC that transforms into a Tablet for life on-the-go. To be perfectly honest, maybe I now have a little bit of envy. The convertible factor has me a bit awed plus it's the same PC that contestants use on the show.

Project Runway contestant Carol Hannah attended the party to watch this season's competitors send their designs down the runway. You can see all the designs here.


After our competition we sat down to watch the show while snacking on some delicious treats and Pomegranate / St. Germain cocktails. As bloggers always do, there was plenty of witty commentary throughout the show as we tweeted the night away. Thanks to Style Coalition and HP for a colorful lift to my week.

Red Carpet Green Dress Contest

Thanks to a contest launched 3 years ago by Suzy Amis Cameron – environmental maven and wife of actor James Cameron - you can have the the chance to win a trip to the Oscars and have your dress worn on the red carpet by a yet-to-be-named surprise actress. The challenge is to create an Oscar worthy dress made entirely of sustainable materials.  The selected winner will be paired with an established designer to help you get your dress ready for the occasion.

Pictured here is the winning design from 2 years ago by Jillian Granz that was worn on the red carpet by Suzy Amis Cameron.  Be inspired and happy sketching :)

What: There is a $65 to enter but each designer can enter up to 5 designs.
When: Contest closes January 16, 2012. Winner will be announced on January 20, 2012.
Where: Click here for more info and to enter.

Mulberry: Win Your Wish Contest!

British lux label Mulberry is holding a Holiday contest this year - where you have the chance to win up to $8,000 in merchandise.  So if you covet pieces like the Alexa, Evelina Hobo, or Brynmore, why not give it a shot! Just add the items to your wishlist and tell them why you wish/want/need them. Click here to get started!  Contest closes on December 14, 2011.

HP x Style Coalition’s Project Runway Premiere Party

A couple weeks ago in honor of the season premiere of Project Runway, Style Coalition decided to host a truly fabulous party with HP at the Style Coalition Lounge.  Seriously being surrounded by some of my favorite fashion loving ladies with white sangria, macarons, pineapple ice pops, and appetizers after an intense 11 hour work day was just what the doctor ordered. 

All of the above images are courtesy of Ana Schechter Photo

Call me a tech dork but after saying some hello's I ran to play with the HP TouchSmart 610 not even realizing they were part of Style Coalition's own mini Project Runway challenge and began sketching up a storm.  At first I didn't have a sense of the program I was using, but soon enough I got the hang of it and was having a blast.  I previously tried out the TouchSmart TM2 laptop/tablet, but with an even larger work area I had the freedom to create art projects with ease.  I soon started using the back side of a pencil in combination with my finger for precision details and also fluid movement.  I had so much fun that I could use it all day.  I have always been a fan of mixed media, but in my NYC life, don't actually have the room to have too many art supplies.  So I love that the TouchSmart offers a huge variety of tools at your fingertips.  You can jump between pencil, air brush, glitter, crayon and so much more with ease.  Plus there is no need to cleanup tools and forget erasers because with an undo button, you can pretend mistakes or unfortunate lines never even happened.  What do you think of my sketches above?

Here are just some of the sketches that we all created!  Later on in the evening we printed out best work and were judged on our creations.

Check out Jordana of Clutch 22’s fun rendition of Wonder Woman – she won our Project Runway inspired competition for the evening and a great little camcorder to boot!

Between hilarious commentary and tweets we narrowed down our new fave contestants to root for this season.  I couldn't help but cringe at Anya Ayoung-Chee’s lack of sewing skills, be pleasantly surprised at the success of Bert Keeter’s boxer dress and burst out in laughter at Rafael Cox’s unwillingness to part with his do rag.

Thanks HP & Style Coalition for a super fun evening that has me lusting for a TouchSmart of my very own.

PS. HP is currently running a competition to be judged by former Project Runway contestant Mondo Guerra that let’s you put your sketching skills to the test and win your very own HP TouchSmart 610! Four finalists will win an EliteBook Tablet PC - just like the one that the contestant’s use on the show.  What are you waiting for? Get sketching!

'50s Fun: Mad Men Casting Call

AMC's hit show Mad Men and Banana Republic are doing the cutest contest - a chance to win a walk-on role! To enter, you need to visit a Banana Republic store for an entry code, submit a photo and ask your friends to vote.

Thanks to my friend Erica for telling me about this contest. We were half-joking about the role women of color had back in the 50s (maids, womp womp). Jokes aside, I snapped her photo the other day, and check it out! And perhaps show her some love with a vote?

For contest details or to enter go to madmencastingcall.amctv.com. If you have an entry, please link us. We'd love to see your nifty fifties style!

My-Wardrobe Birthday Contest

For those of you suffering from bitter TheOutnet.com disappointment perhaps you will find a cure today with My-Wardrobe.com's 4th Birthday event! They will be giving away £400 every hour on the hour from 9am-5pm...Perhaps they would rather have you shopping than working ;)! Just make sure you Like them on Facebook and post on their wall how you would spend your £400 and it could be yours! I haven't seen any rules for non-UK residents and they ship internationally!!! I've got my eye on some Day Birger et Mikkelsen, Shakuhachi and See by Chloe for now but still looking!

PS Don't enter early because those entries don't count but I suggest you pre-shop if possible!

Private Phoenix Show in NYC - Enter to Win

Phoenix is performing a private show in NYC on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 7pm. This show is by invite only, so enter now at iheartradio.com. They'll ask for your email address at the bottom of the first page, then zip code and such on the following page. Good luck!

Christopher Kane for Topshop: Top 5 + Contest

BLACK EYELET LACE DRESS $310, CROC T-SHIRT DRESS $125

Are you excited for the Christopher Kane for Topshop collection that is launching tomorrow, September 18th. The collection includes plenty of gromets, sheer fabrics and sexy cut out details. Here are 5 of my fave looks. I especially think the Croc T-Shirt dress is fun as it's reminiscent of Kane's Baboon Print Tee that retails for at least 3 times the price. To see a full lookbook click here.

BLACK MESH EYELET LEGGINGS $160, NAVY BUST CUP DRESS $260

BLACK MESH SANDAL $260

Also in case you're interested, Topshop is giving away 14 Christopher Kane for Topshop leather eyelet pouch bags via Facebook and Twitter this week. For full details please visit: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=135779447442&index=1

I Won a Bike From Topshop & Chictopia!

OMG, I won! Last month, I entered the photo above into the Topshop/Chictopia bicycle club contest, and holy... I actually won!

Vintage romper + Lani styling + Steven Chu photography = win!

For the past two years, I've been without a bike because I couldn't commit financially (other priorities like rent, food, um... clothes), so to score a bike, so perfect! I was ecstatic when I found out I won. I was at work, and I definitely jumped out of my seat.

I got the bike last week and took it for a few rides through Brooklyn and Queens over the weekend. I'm not ready to deal with Manhattan traffic or the big bridges just yet, and plus the bike is too heavy to carry onto the train.

It's a blue cruiser, a little dinged up because it was one of the bikes they had at the store, but I'm not complaining. I'm so thankful to have a bike! And Topshop was so sweet. They also gave me a helmet, basket and bicycle lock - very thoughtful! Thank you, Topshop, and thank you, Chictopia! I will be putting this bike to good use.

Fashion Night Out Sweepstakes and DIY Contest

As part of Fashion's Night Out the global initiative to promote retail, restore consumer confidence, and celebrate fashion, Vogue the CFDA and NYC & Company are hosting a sweepstakes in collaboration with select retailers the chance to win a $5000 Shopping spree with Fashion Night Out! 8 Winners total...Click Here for your chance to enter. No purchase necessary! I've got my fingers crossed ;)
Or if you'd rather do your own thing and have a chance to win tickets to a NYC runway show, Teen Vogue and Fashion's Night Out is having a DIY contest! You must used the limited-edition T-shirt and customize to show off your personal style and post your pics online. Two winners will be selected who will each win a pair of tickets to a New York City runway show! Visit FashionsNightOut.com to see where you can purchase your T-shirt. Full details and to enter click here.

Daffy's Designer Deals & Apt Steal

For those of you who don't live in New York, Daffy's is a chain discount retailer similar to TJ Maxx or Loehmann's. Their stores have a lot of good deals; you just have to be patient and willing to dig. I don't have too much Daffy's shopping experience, but I heard good things about the pop-up shop so I decided to check it out.
The inventory was stock you could find at a regular Daffy's, but edited to include cocktail and dress pieces from bigger names like Love Moschino, Jean Paul Gaultier and Tracy Reese. Prices were what you would expect from Daffy's, at least 40% percent off retail. Even at deeply discount prices, some pieces were still $1,000+. The dresses that caught my attention were mainly in the $200 range, but not in my size, no luckily no temptation there - though they are updating their inventory every other day, so I will probably be back before the store wraps up.

If I remember correctly, there were about 3-4 racks of women's wear plus two walls of shoes and bags, and there was a rack of apparel and wall of shoes for the men.
My favorite part of the store was the store display in front - Jeffrey Campbell, whad up! There were a couple Chinese Laundry pairs in there, but it was all about the Jeffrey Campbells. I've been following that line for years; I remember when they didn't even have a website.

If you're still looking for a pair of summer sandals or just want a funky pair of flats, the Daffy's pop up store is definitely worth checking out. All the shoes on that table were all $30 or less! I was this close to buying the orange flats, but decided they were just a little too big.

Oh, and one last note, the staff is super friendly and helpful!

Who: Daffy's Pop-Up Store
What: Discounted men's and women's wear, cocktail dresses, shoes and handbags - inventory updated every other day!
Where: One 7th Ave South near Carmine, 212-337-9967
When: Mon-Sat 11AM - 8PM & Sunday 12noon - 7PM
And in case you haven't heard already, Daffy's is doing a crazy marketing promotion - Enter to win a one-year lease on a fully furnished $7,000-a-month apartment in West Village on 7th Ave at $700 a month. Oh what?! Can I win that please?

To enter, just show up at select Daffy's locations to create a 30-second video explaining why you deserve the apartment. Daffy's will post the best videos online for people to vote, and the winner will be announcer August 16th. For details and locations, visit daffys.com.

Hermes Tie Design Contest

Luxury house Hermès is holding a design competition for Neckties design, 'les cravates par Hermès'. The winning entries will not only be produced but have the chance at royalty based contracts and cash prizes!
-first prize € 3000 euro
-second prize € 2000 euro
-third prize € 1000 euro

Design keeping in mind Hermès core values of fine craftsmanship, masterful design and timeless style.

The guidelines:
Create a new pattern or a re-interpretation of the Hermes classic patterns (equestrian -, sport -, marine theme, whimsical animal motifs, geometric variations including stripes, plant and flower designs and the H delicately imprinted across the surface of the tie) or something completely different, that could be used for the silk-screen printing - or weaving technique. Here is the template for entry.

Contest ends August 1, 2009. Full details here.

Topshop Bicycle Club Contest

Ever since I went on a bike ride during last years free rentals at Governor's Island I've been wanting a bike! I had so much fun cause I guess you never really forget how to ride a bike :)

Well if you're like me and in want of a bike, Topshop and Chictopia have partnered up to create a contest that rewards stylish girls who like to ride bikes! All you have to do is submit a photo to Chictopia in your best cycling outfit. It's the last week to enter but a total of 5 winners (4 by Chictopia & 1 by TopShop) are selected per week and each one of them will receive a special TopShop-designed bike.

If you don't have a bike and can get to Topshop in Soho, there will be a bike available to pose with. The deadline for the last photo submission is July 17, 2009.

Here's a picture of a previous winner above! Click here for full details and to enter.

Beauty and The Beach: Hayden-Harnett & Tarte

Summer time is here and can't think of a better combo than Beauty and the Beach, either can Brooklyn based Hayden-Harnett and Tarte cosmetics! They have a contest right now for the chance to win both!

Grand Prize?
A tote bag, swimsuit, sandals plus all the cosmetics like lip stain, self tanner and other goodies! Basically everything you need to take you from the city to the beach!

Enter online now! Contest ends June 10, 2009.

Special Thank You

Dear Readers,
We just wanted to say thank you so much for all your support with the Dress Up contest through the IFB. With your support Lani and I were able to take home second and third prize! Click here to see all the winners. Although, we had our eye on the amazing Vivienne Tam Laptop, I am the proud new owner of an HTC s740 Smartphone! I just received it in the mail yesterday and I'm still figuring out how to use it, but I am soo happy because I was using a ghetto phone that I bought 2 years ago when I first moved to NYC full of uncertainty and wasn't sure if I could stay. I bought the cheapest phone imaginable with no contract, I guess it served it's purpose well? Hope it will help me with my blogging on the go!
And Lani will soon be sporting a brand new and most awesome top from Montreal based (Yay! Canada) Complex Geometries! I can't wait to see all the ways that this top can transform and be worn!

Special thanks to Jennine for putting together the contest! HTC and Complex Geometries for the wonderful prizes! And most of all thank you readers for making it happen xoxo.