OUR GILT-Y PLEASURE: Gilt Groupe has grown into a bit of an internet phenomenon, sparking up a dozen or so "invitation/memebers only" shopping websites over the past year, and has turned our lunch breaks into virtual fights to the death over last season's Zac Posen frocks, marked down 70% or more. Unfortunately, sometimes the pickings are slim and we just don't know if we can get excited enough to obsessively reload our browser for that $2k Carolina Herrera gown more than once a month. And while they've expanded to men, children, and housewares, Gilt still saw our need for them to hit a lower price point with the same stellar deeply discounted selection. (Think Bloomingdale's, not Bergdorf.) The answer to our prayers, Gilt Fuse, will launch today (Wednesday, August 12) at noon, featuring seven department store favorites, including Modern Amusement, Kova & T, and CC Skye in their first rounds of sales. Gilt Groupe members have auto-access, while newbies can e-mail membership@gilt.com to sign up.
CHLOE REDUX: See by Chloe, like Marc by Marc Jacobs, has a new handbag line that slightly mirrors their older counterparts, but with quirky charm for added measure. While we are loving the SbC collection for Fall, we can't help but note the Rise and Shine tote ($650) and the Backstage Crossbody ($470) that look like a mix between the shape and style of the perforated Kerala tote and hardware and scuff-ready leather of the Edith. And while we may never find Kerala and Edith at a price that strikes our fancy, the SbC bags are calling out our names at Plaza Too in New Canaan (203-972-1800).
CANADIAN TUXEDO: While we recently picked on A. Olsen for her recent love affair with clogs, we have to give her props for opting to pair her chambray shirts with a darker shade of skinny jeans on multiple occasions, sparking the interest of fashion bloggers everywhere. J. Crew and Alexander Wang both featured restructured chambray button-up's this past season, and this fall, Madewell, is offering a rusty denim workshirt ($88) readily wrinkled and waiting to be layered under flannel and tucked into summer's slim-cut boyfriend jeans. Doll up the dust bowl look, as they did, by adding feminine touches like heeled stable boots and a silk floral handkerchief. Visit Madewell in Farmington (860-561-2368).
