As much as we hate to see Summer go, it’s always smart to stay ahead of fashion’s biggest trends. We are excited to bring on the browns, the layering sweaters, boots and tweed. Yes, tweed. It’s not just for grannies any more.

As a matter of fact, tweed happens to look wonderful on women of most any age. Take this beautifully tailored tweed jacket from Alexander Wang. We love everything about it: the unfinished edges,  the leather accents and peplum waist. Over this way is a tweed asymmetrical jacket from Proenza Schouler that is anything but old and stayed. One might go as far as to call it avant-garde. I can practically smell fall just from looking at this cropped tweed jacket from Jason Wu.

Tweed is very tactile and it usually pairs together with other items that have texture. (You just have to be sure not to go overboard.) We would love to see blue tweeds matched with these crystal embellished pumps or something fuzzy and furry like this Fendi slides. (Too much? Nah!) You might want to even take it as far to pair your tweed with cousin plaid. We love these Lauren Lorraine plaid pumps that are just $98.

As always, online shoppers should take advantage of Nordstrom’s great customer service, which features free shipping and free returns. If only all stores were as easy to shop as Nordstrom.

Farfetch is known for bringing the world’s most popular fashion boutiques, local and emerging designers and brands to a single website. It almost makes us sad that we can shop our favorite Italian boutiques right here in New York. Some might say it takes away the adventure but it’s realistic to think that anyone can hop on a plane several times a year.

One of the other great things about Farfetch is that it makes markdowns available globally. Right now, the site is offering discounts of up to 75% off. We are told this is the last week to take advantage of these steep discounts.

Here’s a Thomas Wylde top that’s that’s 75% off and comes to $172 from $685. Then there is this Delpozo dress that’s $525 from $1750. Here’s a Givenchy Rick Owens shirt dress that’s $260 from $865.

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 many American brands are more expensive when sold from foreign stores. We suppose that’s what happens when you pay duty twice. Speaking of which, all prices include duty and returns are free for 14 days after your purchase is received.

The term couture may be more overused than the word literally. It ‘literally’ makes me cringe. There is nothing at H&M or Juicy Couture that resembles anything couture. Haute couture is truly the art of fashion. Every aspect of the garment is created by hand. Many of these garments are commissioned directly with the fashion house and cost upwards of $100,000.

For this reason, we were truly shocked to stumble upon Valentino couture tucked away in the tiny suburb of Long Island. Wearhouse is a massive retail space that is essentially an designer outlet with all the furnishings of a high-end boutique. There are helpful sales people and even a tailor on premises.

Starting Sunday, Wearhouse is hosting an end-of-season clearance sale where Valentino couture will be discounted 80% off. The multi-brand luxury discount store also includes a variety of other gorgeous items from Missoni, Chloe, Marchesa and Naeem Khan that will be reduced 70% from retail. Accessories, bags and shoes from Anya Hindmarch, Stuart Weitzman and Piazza Sempione will also be discounted 70%.

If you’re driving back to there city from the Hamptons, this is the perfect pit stop. Couture can make you forget even the worst traffic.

Wearhouse Sale
Sunday, August 13 through Thursday, August 17
Sunday 10am-5pm & Monday to Thurs 9:30am-6pm
8 Hicks Lane
Great Neck, NY
516-466-5959