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    The IT-It: Paper Bag Pants

    Pants are the most difficult item of clothing for which to shop. Practically speaking, they are even more difficult than swimsuits. We are all looking for that perfect pant that will show off our, ahem, best ass-et.

    This season, paper bag style pants are making a huge rustling in the slacks department. The pants are absolutely not made of brown paper grocery bags. The style is the result of an oversized high-waisted pant that’s belted tightly enough to cause a rippling paper bag–like effect. We especially love this style coming out of the Summer season. It’s a casual look but still dressed up enough for urban life. Look for a pair in a light cotton or linen for warmer September days.

    Our favorite paper bag pants are the Natalie from Milly, which are also very affordable at $395 and look great  in just about any environment.   There is also this light denim blue color that’s on sale for under $200. We also like this style for Fall from Proenza Schouler ($990) and here are slacks from Sally LaPointe that are a wool winter white and look heavenly ($950). Here is a pant in red from Smarteez that’s $395.

    I like to pair mine with a loose fitting sleeveless blouse or a bodysuit. Rather than use a standard belt, try wrapping a long scarf around your natural waistline to add a bit of your unique style flare. We just warn you to be careful with three-quarter length styles, unless you’re wearing them with heels or are exceedingly tall. Basically, the cropped styles only look good on models.

    Opening Ceremony Goes 75% Off

    Opening Ceremony just wrapped up a crazy sample sale. Prices were outrageously discounted but lines extended for hours. The scene inside was total mayhem. No matter the markdown, that’s not how we would ever consider spending the last days of Summer.

    Not all is lost if you’re looking to snag some of Opening Ceremony’s Downtown-cool style for deep discounts. Right now, you can head to the store’s website and save up to 75% off. Over this way, we found this varsity style dress for $68 from $225, this babydoll cut bomber jacket is $238n from $600, and this Vivian Westwood top (or dress) is $300 from $740.

    Most of the sale assortment consists of the house brand but we love that it’s so reasonably priced. It’s even more affordable when it’s on sale (obviously). Opening Ceremony is also a great brand to buy for stylish teens because of the price points. Bonus points, you can share!

    MatchesFashion: New Markdowns

    A leading article from the Business of Fashion declared that consumers are “seeking out Instagrammable outfits for travelling,” which presents a year-round opportunity for fashion brands and retailers.

    We are completely on board with this all-year-round Summer shopping because we are always happy to add more Summer to our lives. It’s a good thing that MatchesFashion just filled their sale section with an abundant assortment of wear-now or travel-with-later wardrobe options.

    Some of our favorite sale picks include this dramatic beach robe that’s $721 from $1358,  a Mara Hoffman dress is $270 from $550 and a bikini from Haight is $108 from $216. Here are shell earrings, which we love, for $136 from $272 and Le Specs metal frame glasses are $62 from $90.

    An industry insider says that vacation packing isn’t just about buying bikinis and coverups. She suggests that your vacation purchases should follow three underlining notions: “can it be worn from the beach to the bar to dinner; how easy is it to pack; and does this style transcend seasons and can the look be built into next season.”

    We agree with all these pointers. If only someone could make the ‘real’ Summer last another two weeks.

    Bergdorf Goodman Pre-Fall Markdowns

    We got an alert that Bergdorf Goodman was offering the first markdown on all new merchandise. It’s hard to understand how to categorize this markdown. We think it’s pre-Fall????? Truthfully, it’s hard to know but we gave it a browse and were actually surprised by what we found.

    We headed over to do some magic sorting. We found this Alice & Olivia midi dress that’s just $117 from $395, a DVF wrap top in Fall 2018 shade of yellow is $150 from $300, an Off-White ‘For Display Only’ tote is half-off or $600 from $1200 and this Alexis dress with ruffles is $190 from $381.

    You can also find a lot of bathing suits in the mix, which makes us think that this sale might just be late Summer deliverables. Who can tell any more? Bottom line, it’s a markdown and there’s some cute stuff. The end.

    Farfetch Discounts Top 70% Off

    This morning, Farfetch took the first steps towards IPO with the filing of an F-1 with the US Securities and Exchange Commision. The Italian e-commerce platform had been rumored to be taking steps to become a public company for over a year. As financial investments, we aren’t too keen on luxury retail stocks. They tend to fluctuate vastly according to retail trends. Discarding a trendy shoe is one thing but nobody enjoys a stock that goes out of style.

    While the broker-dealers grapple with the pricing of the Farfetch IPO, we figured we would dive into the site and see what deals could be found within the site. We were surprised to find a lot of Off-White discounted 70%. Here is a grey sweatshirt that’s $213 from $720 or this floral one for $200, a bomber jacket is $431 from over $1400 and here is a white Binder bag reduced 30% off.

    Other sale highlights include these Golden Goose jeans at 80% off or $90 from $445, an MSGM dress with ruffles is $159 from $516 and a Prada tiger print coat with PVC topping is $762 from over $2500. (I think I’m in love!)

    Shoes and bags are on the pricey side and could be found for less in many other destinations. Another thing that we’ve noticed is that some sizes are priced higher than others. That’s because the merchandise is coming from various boutiques and not all stores discount the same amount. We wonder if those types of disparities will make it harder for analysts to forecast stock prices. Wall Street isn’t known for its tolerance of the unknown.

    The IT-it: Cowboy Boots

    As much as we hate to see Summer winding down, it’s always smart to stay ahead of fashion’s biggest trends. We are excited to bring on the browns, the layering sweaters, and slip on a pair of boots– cowboy boots, that is. Nope, it’s not just for South of Mississippi.

    These boots will always be a signature style for country singers and ‘western’ style culture but they have also made a comeback for Fall 2018. The current rendition of this trend isn’t necessarily a jeans and teeshirt look but they can be outfitted with a mini skirt and long trench or go a little rock n’ roll and pair them with leather.

    Raf Simon’s regeneration of Calvin Klein includes one of the most popular cowboy-style boots of the season (($1995). If these are your jam, we suggest you act quickly because some retailers have already sold out and Barneys is running low in sizes too. Fendi also offers a great updated Western style boot with a wedge heel. You can opt for Zucca print ($1190) or go for the more basic style. We also like the heel on the Isabel Marent boot ($1350). These Golden Goose high boots are a surprise hit too ($1050).

    For men, our favorite style is from Amiri ($1390). Here is one option in brown suede or basic black. This Calvin Klein men’s boot  ($1122) is also attracting lots of attention. We just aren’t sure how much we love the toe but you can decide for yourself.

    Bergdorf Goodman: Inside Final Markdowns

    Most department stores have removed their Summer merchandise and shipped it out to discount stores. Bergdorf Goodman is one remaining store that still has a scattering of top style summer merchandise. The current markdown is 75% off clothing and 50% off shoes. No sale handbags remain.

    Reduced Summer clothing can currently be found on the 6th floor. Inside we found a Rosie Assoulin pleated top that we’ve been stalking all season. It’s now about $400 from $1600 or it can also be found at Moda Operandi for $430. From Jacquemus, we found a La Bamba skirt reduced to $200 but there aren’t enough closures to keep the slit closed and keep your ‘a-hem’ covered. We also found the skirt on Shopbop for $135 but, remember, it will need some tailoring for extra closures and it runs big. There was also the iconic Off-White Princess Di tee reduced all the way down to $50. The closest we can find it elsewhere is on Farfetch for $166. (You can click over this way for pictures.)

    Shoes are only reduced 50% off, which isn’t exactly what we call a bargain this late in the season. What remains are lots of Valentino styles with white Rockstuds, No. 21 style mules in various prints and numerous Gianvito Rossi styles. We have pictures over here.

    There are no additional discount promotions scheduled through September and we don’t think this merchandise will last in stores for much longer. We suggest you take a pass through the store/online or just take a pass.

    Stylebop: 70% Off Delpozo, Versace & Balenciaga

    On a whim, we went surfing through Stylebop’s most reduced merchandise not expecting to find anything remotely current. We couldn’t believe the how much great fashion could be still found and it’s all reduced 70% off and even more.

    Over this way, there’s a Versace blouse with a classic print that’s discounted to $340 from $1410. (There’s an extra 10% off for the last size IT42/US6.) There is a great assortment of Delpozo, like this strapless dress that’s $910 from over $3000 or this peplum top that’s $315 from $1050. A less expensive option is this high-fashion looking Tibi skirt that’s just $158 from $530 or Paul Andrew heels that are $275 from $919.

    Browsing along we couldn’t really find anything that would be a bad purchase. The selection is really progressive and most items look like they will seamlessly transition from Summer to Fall to next Summer, again. Just try to divert your eyes from the new fashion if you want to avoid full-price temptation. It can be hard to resist.