'90s flashback: The Sleeveless Button-down

I am not sure how I feel about this. I remember when this shirt was the core of my summer wardrobe. It feels so....dated and not in a great way. I do respect that this girl looks very cute in her Madewell sleeveless chambray tee. I am just not sure I can do this again.

And I did try it out. Steven Alan finally (FINALLY) opened a store in Portland and of course I was there opening day to check it out. I instantly gravitated toward a cobalt blue silk top that I honestly did not realize was a sleeveless button-down till it stared back at me in the fitting room mirror. I took it off pretty quickly right after. (Similar shirt, pictured below).

I also quite acutely remember the pit stains that can appear on this type of shirt on a hot summer day. Now that's a negative memory, if ever there was one.  I do believe this shirt "back in the day" existed almost exclusively in white in a breezy, cotton lawn fabric. I think I have to keep mulling this over.  Portland is hip, but I think I might feel a little bit too old to being going back in time...I don't know.  Might have to wait and find out what Kim France thinks.

PS - update on Sweden trip and shopping to come shortly.

Piedmont rain boots by Rachel Comey

So on this very rainy day in the Pacific Northwest and on the heels of  Sandy the "superstorm" (this tag is laughable, by the way. thank you Weather Channel), here are some great all rubber rain boots by Rachel Comey. I have been admiring them for a while. They are a fresh update to the ubiquitous tall Hunter-esque ones that have become so humdrum.

Rachel Comey introduced this lace-up rain boot style last season as the Baxter boot but they had a functioning buckle at the ankle over the laces that I can only imagine is quite annoying unless you have a spare 10 minutes to put on your boots. The Baxter is cheaper (only $196) and it is still available in limited sizes from Totokaelo.

the Baxter boot from last year

There is a laceless version called the Colfax, also by Rachel Comey, that is shorter and for sure easier to get on and off.  Color-wise, both the black/brown with hunter green sole and the black/navy with cream sole are nice. The green accent is much more earthy and would look great with black skinny jeans and a flannel shirt. I like the black/navy though the cream sole will get dirty; it's true but it is a more fresh color combination to have black and navy together with off-white.

The Piedmont and the Colfax are both $230. The Piedmont in black/cream is available at Totokaelo and Rachel Comey. The Piedmont in black/green is available at Totokaelo, Bird, and Steven Alan. The Colfax can be found at Totokaelo.

The Colfax boot - slip on version of the Piedmont

Steven Alan Kids

While trolling my usual sites this morning, I saw that Steven Alan has added more sizes to their simple and lovely kids' line. I bought an adorable blue check dress for my daughter when she was 1.5 but she has long since outgrown it. The Breaker dress is a simple yoke dress with flap sleeves that is available in the same beautiful prints and lush cotton fabrics as the adult-wear. The reverse seam shirt is the other style they are offering, also in several great plaids, print and in classic denim. I for one love the cut of this shirt, as I recently purchased one for myself in the grey chambray!

Both are very affordable for high-end children's clothes, considering they are made in the USA. The Breaker dress is $68 and the Reverse Seam shirt is $58. And they start from size 18 months and go up to a size 6 years. Available on their website.

Steven Alan handbags

it's hard not to lust after these... simple. and affordable. and VERY similar to that Sofia Coppola by LV bag that is so completely not affordable.

The Camilla bag is a doctor-style bag with a strap that is extendable. It is $425 and comes in black, tan and a great olive green with black trim.

The Adelaide bag is sort of like two small clutches together. I don't love the style but in the black/green combo with tan straps, it's nice. it's $395.

 The iPhone sling, as it's called, is only $85 and holds your phone plus some cash, cards and maybe keys. I really like how utilitarian it is.

steven alan summer dresses

sometimes i find Steven Alan stuff a little too boring or maybe because in NYC it's so ubiquitous, a veritable uniform for some. i have a few pieces but have never been a big fan. well for summer there are quite a few fun, flirty dresses on their site that are rather affordable compared with everything else I've have my eye on (uh, like Isabel Marant).

Petiole Dress - $195

I'm obsessed with navy right now. anything in navy looks so fresh, especially worn with black. The petiole dress would look great with a simple black cardigan and black Worishofer slingbacks.

Fairchild Dress - $248

This print is amazing. Busy and colorful without being too much. The silhouette comes in solid colors also and doesn't look nearly as good as in this fun paisley.

Gaby Dress - $248

Loving the one-shoulder, especially because EVERYONE is doing stripes. And yeah they are great but it's nice to see them refreshed.

Spring Vivian Dress - $298

I love the scoopneck on this dress and the print that looks like it belongs on a tie. The vivian dress also comes in a bright orange, which with the right accessories (and right skin tone) could look amazing.