Fashion's Finest

Being closed on Monday provided me the perfect opportunity to sneak down to NYC to attend the Independent Fashion Blogger "Evolving Influence" conference. There were many difference types of bloggers and more best dressed contenders in one room than I could count. I really enjoyed listening to Clark Hoyt (Public Editor, New York Times), Imran from The Business of Fashion, and Jessica from What I Wore discuss the ethics of blogging, each had such an interesting perspective, this is serious stuff folks!

But of course, fashion school is also a lot of fun: The most entertaining part of the day brought the girls from Fashionista.com, a most charming Bryanboy, precocious Tavi (who is a Style Rookie no more after so many front row seats at NYFW), Susie Bubble, and Street Peeper together (in the middle of fashion week) for a conversation on the future of blogging. It's no surprise that their online personalities translate so effortlessly into real life, they are authentic individuals who bring a unique voice to fashion.

Shop Calico took a cute picture of us! Amy (wearing Haberdash Vintage), me in a black dress (big surprise) and Lei Ann in a Glamourai necklace. To see so many of the people whose blogs I read, in one room, was surreal.

Classy Castoffs

Although The Closet has been in business in Boston for 32+ years, it happily remains under the radar. Tucked away at garden level, one must look carefully past the ivy covered brick building and into a small window display to spot the treasures inside.

There is nothing we like more than being called a hidden gem, and recently launched local site, My Secret Boston (where yours truly writes the Shop Secret blog) has included a spot on writeup about The Closet, which no, I did not write myself. Check it out!

Strike a Pose

As Lauren says "you're never too old to get dressed up!"

Amy of Punkystyle, Thais from Two-Way Monologue, Lauren aka The Closet, Melissa of Shoestring, and moi

We had a ball, Upstairs on the Square was the perfect host, and everyone really turned it out. Artifaktori has some lovely photos on their blog as well...I really want a turban now (preferably Prada)

Boston Fashion Blogger Mixer

This past Saturday, Punky Style, JenLovesKev, and New Brahmin hosted a supremely stylish blogger meetup at Luna Boston.

Amy and I were feeling shoulders:

Photo by Adam Towner

It was fashion blogger heaven and there wasn't a cat fight all afternoon, although I didn't make it on the Newbury Street shopping tour, this was a friendly fashion flock. I think the most technically difficult outfit of the day was Julie of Orchid Grey. She combined pale pink, stripes, and leopard print, and it turned out totally one of a kind.

Photo by Adam Towner

Of course it was a Saturday which meant an eventual return to the store, but we had a stream of visitors all afternoon, like Brazilian beauties Thais (who thoroughly enjoyed checking out our selection of Chanel) and Amanda with their matching red pouts.

Photo by Adam Towner

Chloe of FashionisArtbutLife won a $100 gift certificate and snatched up a classic Sonia Rykiel confection of hearts and dangly gold coins as well as a pair of brand new French Connection pirate boots, score!

Photo by Adam Towner

Lei Ann aka Give Me Platforms was teetering on sky high ankle boots and Amanda of Red Bird Vintage snatched up a few feathered headpieces. Miriam, I'm in love with your hand jewelry, Artifaktori Amanda do you know what I'm talking about?! See picture below...

I was glad to meet Ashley of Pretty Innovative (the best name for a fashion/tech blog!) as well as Anna of Haute Boston, Sarah from Small Town Chic and of course see a lot of familiar faces from around town.

I hope if you haven't already, that you will check out all of these lovely ladies, their blogs, and lots more pics from the event. I'm sure you will be inspired and definitely want to go shopping, so you can look half as good as them. Cheers!

Rare Bird of Fashion

Have you been to see the Iris Apfel show at the Peabody Essex Museum? If not, you MUST go (the exhibit runs until February.) Lauren and I took the train to Salem Friday night and were so glad to run into charming blogger duo Jen and Julie as well as a few other Closet friends.

Everyone was DRESSED which was a pleasure to see, I was amazed that people get more decked out on the North Shore than they do in the city! It was very inspiring to be surrounded by so much style, and I couldn't even choose a favorite outfit, there were SO many. Below is Kelly from Poor Little Rich Girl

Iris Apfel's wardrobe is one I can only dream of; imagine vintage Lanvin, Bill Blass, Geoffrey Beene, and early Galliano, plus some smashing furs.) Iris is not afraid to take a fashion risk, and she is all about dressing to express your personal style. The fact that she mixes haute couture with flea market finds makes Iris my fashion idol.

Iris herself took the stage in black and white, with a pair of fuzzy dice around her neck, which she totally pulled off! (Her husband had forgotten her luggage at home!) The evening featured a chat with Iris and designer Michael Volbracht, during which my favorite Apfel quote was "If you're paying $15,000 for a dress, I think you're entitled to a pair of sleeves!" we enjoyed an Iris-themed fashion show from Modern Millie and of course a trip through the gift shop.

Best souvenir of the night: we were lucky enough to get Iris to pose for a photo with us on her way out, she LOVED Lauren's feather headband, found at The Closet!

Champagne. Champagne

I only drink champagne! (A festive display at Marcoz Antiques, our Newbury Street neighbor)

Fashion Show Fun

The Closet girls had a fabulous time at the Sam Mendoza show last night! The evening started off in a pedicab en route to Madewell (4 blocks is just too far to walk in heels) where Lucky Magazine was hosting a denim event. The store was packed and it was great to see so many stylish girls out shopping.

Next it was on to the Liberty...where the city's fashionistas were out in full force. I failed in the photo department, but I'm pretty sure Punkystyle (who was rocking a Balmain-esque sequin jacket) and fellow consignment comrade Flaunt got some good shots, thanks for the excellent seats Janine!

The models looked gorgeous in shades of silver gray, plum, and cobalt blue, but Lauren and I both agreed that our favorite part of the show (which was most excellently styled by Liana) was the shoes, provided Newbury Street neighbors Luna Boston.
All in all it was nice to be reminded how stylish a city we can be. Happy Fashion Week Boston!

Fashion Fanatic

Be sure to check out the Boston Globe today for a piece on travelling vintage shop Haberdash.


Amy aka Punky Style even includes a clutch from The Closet in her top 10 vintage fashion finds!

Hot Splurge: The Closet

"For newer designs, head to The Closet where you'll find high-end threads and accessories (usually not more than two years old) by the likes of Pucci, Louis Vuitton, and 3.1 Phillip Lim."

Along with our fellow Newbury Street neighbor Poor Little Rich Girl, Stuff Magazine named The Closet a place where "we can have our Prada and wear it too" in it's annual Hot 100 issue, be sure to check it out!

Boston's Best Vintage Shopping

My first introduction to vintage occurred while playing in the dress up trunk my sisters and I had inherited from a great aunt. The images of a rose hued tulle ballgown and beaded cocktail sheath haunt me to this day (where are they now?!)

Part of the reason I love both consignment and vintage is the nature of the hunt involved in finding that treasure, of which there is ONLY one. Just like at The Closet, the dress either fits or it doesn't. It's also nice to see that not all of the fashion world has turned into a giant conglomerate run corporate machine. Upon meeting the refreshing and inspiring folks at the South Street Block Party I was pleasantly reminded that an independent vintage/secondhand culture is alive and well in Boston. You really must pay them all a visit!

Vintage Shopping Block Party Fun

You might think we would tire of shopping after being surrounded by fashion five days a week, but lucky for us, we're always on the hunt. Whether it's a new store or a new dress, Boston continues to please sartorially. We are super excited to visit JP this Sunday for a spot of vintage shopping at both Dame and Haberdash as well as Forty South St and Salamagundi (awesome hats) hope to see you there!

Cheap & Chic: The Closet is on the tv!

Be sure to check your Comcast On Demand "Get Local" channel for a special peek inside shop. You can find the spot (featuring Sara Edwards) under the life & style section. Take a look...and then come shopping!

Happy 4th of July!

We hope everyone has a relaxing, fun, and hopefully sunny holiday weekend. The Closet will be closed Saturday July 4th thru Monday July 6th. Back open Tuesday. See you then!

Resale in the Sun

The Closet is off to Scottsdale for a resale conference (and warmer weather.) We hope to meet some fellow shop owners, be inspired, and of course do a bit of shopping. Stay tuned...also not to worry, shop will be open as usual.

In Style

The New York Times Thursday Styles section was particularly stellar today (I actually read the newspaper!) Articles included a review of Eva Gentry, a too-die-for shop in Brooklyn and her accompanying consignment store, as well as a piece about parenting and spending, which was most interesting. I most enjoyed "The All American Back From Japan" It was nice to hear the story of Engineered Garments (The Closet usually has a small selection) and all the other old school brands we receive. The preppy Americana look is de rigueur in Japan (oh they are so stylish). Lucky for us, we have some pretty stylish consignors ourselves, so if that's the look you're going for, you are sure to find something here!

Dress for Less

Did anyone get a chance to check out the special Gap Design Editions collection in collaboration with the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund?! The pieces were designed by Alexander Wang, Vena Cava ($88 for a dress that would cost $400+ at Barneys, yes please!), and Albertus Swanepoel. I think they are pretty awesome for basics with a twist (especially since I've never been the biggest fan of boring old khaki.) If you order online keep in mind the Vena Cava dresses run very small. Happy Shopping!

Local Love

The Design Hive in Cambridge is hosting a Vintage Glam Day on Sunday, looks like fun! This is the perfect excuse to break out your favorite fifties frock!

News

Sorry for the lack of posts lately...we have received so much amazing merchandise and are busy stuffing the racks for you...Come take a peek!

Happy Mother's Day!

The Closet will be closed Sunday May 10th. Back open Tuesday!

Best Dressed at The Met

The glamour level at the Costume Institute's Annual Gala is comparable to that of the Academy Awards. The gowns were breathtaking, from mini and metallic to floor length elegance. I couldn't tear my eyes away from the bags and shoes either. For the fashion industry it is the biggest event of the year, and the theme of "Model as Muse" brought out some of our favorite designers, starlets, and of course, models. Here are our choices for Best Dressed:

Oh Hi

Stay Cool

Here is a fun little video from www.dereklovesshopping.com featuring The Closet and this gorgeous Chloe bag...Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Closet Blog!

In honor of The Closet Blog's 1st Birthday here is a fashion-filled collage of some of our favorite pieces from the past year. It's kind of amazing to think you can build a wardrobe of this calibre at a consignment shop, and don't forget how much money is being saved! It's pretty much my dream closet...Enjoy!

Le Couturier

Finding the right tailor can be quite a task, but once you do you're set for life. Le Couturier is my choice for alterations in the Boston area.

I was first introduced to Dick Robasson (tailor to Ralph Lauren, Gucci, & Loro Piana among others) when he was located near The Closet on Newbury Street. He has moved his business to Central Square, but let me tell you, it is worth the trek. 

There is a reason he was voted Best of Boston last year by Boston Magazine. I recently went in for a special project, the remaking a vintage dress, and although I will have to wait a week, I have no doubt it is in the right hands, and will fit me like a glove when finished.

Happy Spring!

As you may know, The Closet has been accepting spring merchandise for a few weeks, however now that Daylights Savings has come, the snow melted, and it's a beautiful St. Patrick's Day, AT LAST it feels like the seasons are changing, so it's time to think about switching YOUR closet around too. We would love to have you set up an appointment to bring in your gently worn garments. Please call us at 617.536.1919!

Stay Stylish & Connected

A piece of fashion advice: Latex leggings should only be worn by Lady Gaga and supermodels...not on the red line with big white sneakers and a sweatshirt.

ALSO The Closet is now on Twitter, so be sure to follow us here and receive up to the moment tweets on the newest arrivals and most amazing deals, some of which we might not always have a chance to post about here.

Happy Spring!

So What Do You Do

There's a nice long interview with Sally Singer, News/Features Director at Vogue on Mediabistro. See, Anna Wintour is not that bad! And, as is the case with most stylish people, Sally shops secondhand. Enjoy!

Lots on Sale!

We have sooo much merchandise on sale...almost the entire store is 50% off! Now is the time to find all the goodies that everyone else missed. Come on in!

Happy New Years!

The Closet will be closed:

Monday December 29th through Thursday January 1st.

Hope you are doing something fabulous!

Thank you for making 2008 a great year for The Closet.

Next up: Spring 2009!!!

The Closet in the News

There is a nice piece about consignment stores in the Boston Globe today! It's titled Thrifty and Nifty and is a great description of the shop.

Toast of the Town

Hooray Mad Men won the Emmy for Best Drama! I think it is the best show on television right now, so if you are not watching it yet, you had better catch up. The main reason I find it so appealing is the authenticity and attention to detail that makes me feel like I am going back in time. Of course the flawless costumes only add further validity to the talented ensemble cast. Just look at this example from Vanity Fair. One of my favorite characters is sultry office manager Joan Holloway (dressed in emerald green above) and played impeccably by Christina Hendricks. I think she would look stunning in this marigold chiffon evening dress from Neiman Marcus and vintage-inspired Coach purple satin coat (new with tags, originally $1500!) Time for cocktails!

Look...

The Closet is so cool...cause we had that EXACT same Missoni sweater, but we sold it months ago! I wonder if it's the same one?! Anyway it's always fun to see a piece from the past. It's also nice to know that even fancy famous people wear things that are more than a season old (and I have to say it looks much more chic than some of the ensembles she has been sporting recently!) Please no more peg-leg jeans!

LA LA Land

I made my first trip to the West Coast this past weekend, it was awesome! The hotel where I stayed in West Hollywood (the Chamberlain, sooo nice) was within walking distance of the only two shops I was really hoping to visit. At Decades (8214 Melrose) I bragged to Cameron Silver upstairs in the vintage section about The Closet (couldn't resist, and yes, he had heard of us) and later I took my time perusing the perfectly edited consignment boutique below. Further down the block at Resurrection Vintage (8006 Melrose) I tried a beautiful YSL printed linen frock, but it didn't quite zip. They also had a gorgeous Zandra Rhodes purple and aqua chiffon gown that was very tempting. It is always fun to see the different types of resale shops that exist, but I still think The Closet is the best one.

The Closet blog is going on one last summer getaway, we will be back Wednesday. Store hours as usual...hope to see you soon!

Give me Givenchy

Fall is here! The Closet is now accepting transitional & fall merchandise. As you know we get our best pieces early, so now is the time to look through your closet as well. We are starting to receive cashmere sweaters from Lainey and Loro Piana as well as some perfect coats by Daryl K, Givenchy (see above), Isabel Marant, and many more. Hope to see you soon!

Duffy!

We saw Duffy at the Wilbur last night! She put on a great show and seemed to really like Boston, or at least just saying "Boston" in her sweet Welsh accent. She rocked a polka dot romper and a pair of fiery patent pumps. I must say Duffy is quite the pinup, but all I want to know is where she got her heels!

One of the things that makes The Closet such a unique place is the fact that you can find a cute H&M jacket for $10 hanging next to a piece by Yohji Yamamoto for $185. I am consistently amazed by the quality and variety of labels that can be found here. Although we are not a thrift shop, you can find many items at thrift shop prices. You can also find Chanel, Etro, and Missoni. The Closet has the best of both worlds and you just never know what you might find!

Fall Consignment Reminder

Just wanted to let everyone know that The Closet will start accepting fall merchandise in August. Can you believe it?! Fall clothes are way better anyway! So if you have designer items (think labels from Barneys, Saks, high end boutiques, etc) in good condition, and preferably no more than 1 or 2 years old, we would love to hear from you. It is really helpful to call ahead and set up an appointment. We can be reached at 617.536.1919.

To the beach...

with my Phillip Lim tote and a cute Japanese dress! Happy 4th of July! The Closet will be closed Friday for the holiday and reopen Saturday the 5th at 10am. We will also be open Sunday, however the blog will be going on vacation until Thursday. Cheers!

Consignment is chic!

The NY Times talks about consignment in today's Fashion & Style section! Also, we have LOTS of nice Rogan for the boys.

Jelly shoes!

This summer I decided that I am not going to wear flip flops. I hear they are actually a terrible form of footwear, and I hate how dirty my feet become. Perhaps I will bring a pair down to the Cape, but they really don't belong in the city.





These fun plastic jellies ($20 at Aldo) were recommended to me by a trusted shoe connoisseur and friend of The Closet, one who happens to have the best collection of flats that I know. I was a little unsure at first, but my friend was right. They took me from a day wandering the Harbor Islands to dinner back in the city, and I can report that I am blister free and had clean feet when I got home!

Should have bought it...when I saw it!

This is a good rule, especially if you are shopping in a consignment store, where what you see is what you get. Part of the charm of The Closet is that we have only one of each item/only one size, so it is either meant for you or it isn't. This is one reason we choose not to ship. It is also important for shoppers to be able to examine an item in person, since our merchandise has been 'gently worn'. We like to keep it simple! Although online shopping is an increasingly popular method of treasure hunting, there is no substitute for the feeling one gets upon finding a piece that can be enjoyed immediately. Who wants to wait!

YSL 1936-2008

I was sad to hear of the death of Mr. Yves Saint Laurent. He was a supremely talented designer who revolutionized the way women dress. His ideas continue to influence the fashion world today. I have to say I was very amused as I listened to a program on NPR earlier today during which Kate Betts is asked something along the lines of whether Mr. Laurent would have taken the Project Runway show seriously...I guess the interviewer didn't know that Mr. Laurent first made his name by winning a design competition in Paris when he was 18! I recommend The Beautiful Fall by Alicia Drake to those who would like to be entertained and inspired by his amazing creative genius. He is a legend.

Best of Boston

My most favorite fashion site, Fashionista,  just mentioned The Closet Blog! They linked  to us yippee  Now we just need them to start consigning! 

A True Consignment Shop

There always seems to be a bit of confusion surrounding the characteristics of a true consignment shop. Please consider that The Closet is the most authentic shop in Boston, mainly because we don't purchase ANY of our merchandise outright and have only one of everything. This is the defining factor of a resale shop, because really, picking up leftovers from a boutique (who couldn't sell them in the first place) is just not the same as hunting for a unique garment, that has already been chosen for you by another talented fashionista. 

We are really not a thrift shop either, which is important to understand. Although we do have a handy markdown system, the majority of items we carry are more pricey, high end designer brands that hold there value very well, as they are rarely marked down at the original point of sale. 

Since we are consignment, all of our sales are split 50/50 with the consignor. Therefore, we price items to sell, while attempting to garner the consignor a fair share. If you ever have any questions about consigning or shopping, please give us a call at 617.536.1919. 

The Closet in Elle Magazine

It isn't often that The Closet gets a mention in the media, let alone in one of the most major fashion publications around, but here we are! (Thanks to Noe for letting us know!) It is nice to be included in a piece about such stylish destinations as the ICA and Bodega! As you all know, The Closet itself is reason enough to take a trip up to Boston, and enjoy a little culture as well.