UNDERCOVER 411: April 2015

Thursday, April 30, 2015

FASHION FORWARD FITNESS: PART 2

What happens if you do not have fabulous shopping in your area for fitness attire, or if you simply want to shop from the privacy of your own home? When I am shopping online for workout wear, there are three online sites where I just can't miss. They carry a few of the same brands, but for the most part, they each offer a very different shopping experience.

If you read Undercover411 regularly, you know I am a fan of Net a Porter. But have you heard of Net a Sporter? Net a Sporter is a branch of Net a Porter that carries not just clothing, but accessories too. Net a Sporter carries a wide variety of sportswear. On Net a Sporter, you will find tennis attire and tennis racquet covers, clothing and accessories for golf, equestrian apparel such as jodhpurs, riding boots and chaps. You can also find unbelievable snow ski and après ski outfits ( Fendi and Pucci ski jackets). But because I do none of the those sports, I am going to show you the pieces I would have a use for from Net a Sporter. Although, I would like a pair of the old fashion Tretorns they carry, to wear to baseball and soccer games this summer.

SPANX makes leggings and capris. SPANX Leggings: $62

(I would love to hear from anyone who has tried them!)

Net a Sporter carries both Addidas Original and Addidas by Stella McCartney.

ADDIDAS ORIGINAL Menire Print Shorts: $45

I love the Menire Shorts for a jog or walk with the dogs.

Orlebar Brown partnered with old PUCCI patterns to create board shorts and rash guard shirts.

How great would the board shorts look with a solid bikini top?

Board Shorts:$315

Rash Guard Shirt: $315

Bodyism: I Am Heavenly cropped print leggings :$120

I need a rain jacket for everyday wear.

HUNTER: Original Clear Smock Rubber Hooded Jacket-$225

Other brands worth noting on Net a Sporter are, Eres, Norma Kamali, Isabel Marant, and Theory +.

Yes, Theory has its own brand of workout and lounging attire. To get to Net a Sporter, log on to Net a Porter www.netaporter.com At the top, there is a black bar with eleven categories. One of the categories is SPORT, click and you have arrived!

If you are looking for basic work out clothes to wear everyday for yoga, running, spinning, weight lifting and walking, head to www.sandiegofit.com

San Diego Fit carries over 30 different brands. Of course I have not tried them all, but my favorites are:

BIA BRAZIL

BLUEFISH SPORT

MARGARITA

Bia Brazil calls its capri the best on the market and I agree! I wear these daily for whatever exercise I am doing. There are 19 different colors, and one size fits all. I have seen many different size and shape women in these; they look good on most anyone.

BIA BRAZIL CAPRI TIGHT REAR POCKET CAPRI: $71.95

They are made of very thick Brazilian Dupont Supplex Lycra( which means they really hold you in!)

Be carful, though some of the more neon colors are just that!

Other favorites from San Diego Fit are:

ZARA TEREZ CHERRY BLOSSOM CAPRIS: $72.95

GLYDER PAISLEY PRINTMANTRA CAPRI: $55.95

BLUEFISH TUXEDO GO FOR IT CAPRI: $76.95

MARGARITA BLACK CRUSH CAPRI: $82.95

The third site you need to visit is:

www.carbon38.com

MICHI CHAMELON TANK: $110

THE UPSIDE: RUN SHORT $108

KORAL ACTIVEWEAR: ANGLE TENNIS SKORT $145

Also on Carbon 38, you can find old school Le Sport Sac backpacks and travel sets.

I have never finished a workout and said, " I am so sorry I did that!"

Fitness and fashion are an important part of my life. Make them a part of yours too.

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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

FASHION FORWARD FITNESS

Let's face it, its not always easy to make working out a top priority. However, you are much more likely to arrive at the studio or hit the pavement hard when you wear a fashion forward outfit designed for performance.
Fitness attire is a quickly growing segment of the fashion world. The days of baggy sweatpants and your husband's XXXL t-shirt at the gym are long gone. We live in a time when performance and fashion need to be one.

In Atlanta, we are lucky to have DEKA, the "mini Barneys for fitness fashion", says wellandgood.com. In fact, DEKA was so successfully transforming workout and post workout wear for casual, yet sophisticated, Atlanta ladies on the run, Jim Whitlow, the brains and owner behind DEKA, has opened two more successfully stores. One in Chicago - 900 North Michigan Ave, (3rd floor) and another in New York City- 5 Mercer St. Soho. Word on the street is, a fourth location may open in the Los Angeles area.

Considering Jim's qualifications, I am not sure he could do wrong. When you leave your job of 16 years as manager of Jeffery Atlanta, you have a lot of well earned experience. Walk into DEKA and you immediately get the sense of Jim's love of fitness and fashion. Whether I am at Blast on the treadmill, or Flywheel on the bike, I am likely to have Jim as a classmate.

Jim and I talked about some of his best sellers so far this spring. He said the Splits 59 Floral Mesh Tights are a big seller. The mesh is great for letting air flow through, and if you have been to any gym or studio recently, you know the wilder the tights and capris, the better.

Lucas Hugh, a designer from London, has a high end selection of workout wear for the woman that is not willing to compromise style for performance. She has been so popular and functional, that she was asked to design clothing for the Hunger Games Franchise.

Lucas Hugh

Stella McCartney has been a rising star in fashion forward fitness, since the day she started designing for Addidas.

The best sellers from Addidas by Stella McCartney at DEKA have been the floral jackets:

STUDIO FLORAL JACKET $250

RUN JACKET $200

RUN FLORAL PRINT JACKET: $260

In case you are wondering my favorite pieces by Stella this spring are,

MARBLE TANK

LOW WAIST HOODIE

(All images courtesy of Stella McCartney)

And finally, Jim says the Golden Goose High Tops are very exclusive and have been a great seller.

Golden Goose is fashion forward, British designed pieces. Hillary Duff likes to pair her camo high tops with her Goyard.

(photos courtesy of becauseiamfamous.com)

I realize many readers don't live in Atlanta, Chicago, or New York, so next time on Undercover 411, I will tell you about my favorite workout apparel and favorite online shopping site for workout wear.. Stay tuned... to be continued.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

I Like White Shoes, and I Can Not Lie

When you think of white shoes, do you think of brides, nurses and old men with dark socks and white loafers? Recently I was persuaded to try white shoes. I must admit, I was practically forced to put them on and take them home, but once I did, I realized they work with so many things already in my closet, particularly dresses and white jeans.
Whether they are platform heels, strappy sandals, or flat thongs, you can find most any shoe today in a white or cream. Especially in the summer, white looks more modern and not as heavy as a black shoe.
When asked about white shoes, Tamara Mellon, cofounder of Jimmy Choo says," simple or strappy styles, either a delicate flat or sandal are best for white."
White shoes should not look shocking, or take away from the rest of your outfit.

( Above, top and skirt Spring/Summer 14, KENZO, and shoes are SAINT LAURENT, Bianca leather bow sandal)

Below are some white shoes I found online from Neiman Marcus and ShopBop. Through Tuesday, April 27th, Neiman Marcus www.neimanmarcus.com is having a special, if you spend $200, you get $50 off, if you spend $400, you get $100 off. Use the Promo code:SPRING

STUART WEITZMAN, Nudistsong Metallic Ankle Strap:$398 (plus $50 off)

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN, Iriza Red Sole Half d' Orsay Pump white $675

ALEXANDRE BIRMAN, Naked Napa Knot Ankle Tie Sandal $595 ( plus $100 off)

JOIE, Bastia Knot Thong Sandal, White $135

PRADA, Leather Thong Flat Sandal, Bianco $450

All of the above shoes available at www.neimanmarcus.com

including my Saint Laurent Bow Sandal (It is included in the promo)

If you want to go with a shoe that is white, but not all white, click on

www.shopbop.com

and look for these two variations of a white shoe.

VINCE, Antonia, Mid Heel Sandal, $395

ULLA JOHNSON, Kiki d'OrsayHeels, $450

I love the contrast and minimalism of both of the ShopBop shoes.

And finally, if I have not convinced you yet that white shoes are chic...

(photo courtesy of Red Caret fashion Awards)

Reese Whiterspoon in white Christian Louboutin.

Friday, April 24, 2015

PARISIAN FLAIRE

I discovered Carven a few years ago. I recently took those first few pieces I bought to the resale store. Even after the years and many wears, it was hard to say goodbye. I only hope someone gets as much enjoyment and as many wears from them as I did!

Carven started in Paris in 1945, with the aim of creating assessable luxury. Today, Carven is headed by Givenchy alum, Alexis Martial and Adrian Caillaudaud. I found a fabulous selection of Carven on, www.farfetch.com see below.
Other places to buy Carven online and in stores are, Barneys, Shopbop, Net a Porter, and Saks.

To make up for those pieces I am selling, I recently bought this dress at Jeffery Atlanta New York. I like the mid- length.

Take a look at a few of favorites from Carven's Spring Summer 15 collection:

How great would the tee look with some white jeans and yellow strappy stilettos?

Noir Crepe Mousse Polo Dress

(Photo courtesy of Main Look)

Ecru Crepe Modern Dress

(Photo courtesy of Main Look)

A great selection of Carven is on www.farfetch.com

Carven at Farfetch, Snakeskin Print Cami: $346.00

Farfetch Snakeskin Print Paneled Dress $583.00

Farfetch Layered Shirt Dress $450.00

*** I am thinking after this post, I do not need to do the post I was thinking about of how snake print is big for Spring /Summer 15!***

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

IMPORTANT SALES

THERE ARE FEW GREAT SALES CURRENTLY AND YOU NEED TO KNOW!

1- SAKS FRIENDS AND FAMILY:www.saksfifthavenue.com

30% off everything and 20% off jewelry with the code: FRNFAM

This is online and in stores too. It runs through April 27th.

Of course designer exclusions do apply, which happen to be some of my favorites!!

2- J CREW: www.jcrew.com

30% with code: TIMETOSHOP

It Runs through April 26th.

3- PIPERLIME: www.piperlime.com

I told you about this awhile ago, and you have about one more week, depending on what is left!

Extra 40% sale price with code: SALEONSALE

use by April 23rd. All sales final.

Circles are in!

Sun glasses have been big on the runways this year, and round sunglasses are definitely it for Spring/Summer 15. They introduce a very retro feel; to update your look even more, oversize them giving a Jackie O vibe or get some colored lense.

Below are a few of my favorites:

ULTRA LIGHT ACETATE ROUND SUNGLASSES, GUCCI. $395

I love these! They will be available on the Gucci website April 27th.www.gucci.com
Shown above are the gold frame with orange tortoise shell acetate rims. They are also available with transparent dark gray acetate rims.