SHOP2 Blog

It is FINALLY the last day of 2012, and we can hardly believe it! How are you going to ring in the New Year? And more importantly,  what are you going to wear?  

We have been posting our favorite party numbers from SHOP2 to inspire that perfect NYE look for her. We know that the evening requires sparkles, bubbles, and dancing. What fabulous party will you attend?   

Regardless of where you are going, who you are with or what you are doing, remember these things. 

Feeling glamorous is being glamorous

Hydrate (water will serve you in the evening AND in the morning!)

It's the moments, not the materials, that will make 2013 unbelievable; start collecting moments tonight

Can you guess what it is? If there was one thing that is best bought online for women, what do you think it would be?

Now that Christmas is over (and returns are being made of shirts that don't fit or that are in the wrong color), we may want to think of what items are best purchased online and for what reasons-- especially since New Years Eve and Valentines Day are just around the corner. 

Holli Rogers, the Fashion Director of Net-A-Porter says that jewlery is best purchased online. And we can think of a few reasons why!

Black on Brass by Realia by Jen

First, woman love jewelry. Also, what you see is what you get-- there is a small margin of error when it comes to sizing (with the exception of rings, which we would recommend that you know her size!). Jewelry is also that thing that women rarely purchase for themselves so you can be certain that your gift will be original.

Mikimoto 'Baroque' Black South Sea Pearl Diamond Earrings

Whether it's black pearl earrings or a huge embellished gold cuff, it's almost always more special when it's given as a gift, which pretty much makes it fail-proof. 

It's finally here-- the very last weekend before Christmas. Which means that holiday parties, travels and last minute shopping will be what takes up most of our time, energy and resources this weekend. We thought we’d offer you a simple list of three SHOP2 Survival Tips so that you make it through the weekend and holiday season in perfect fashion.

1. Pick the Perfect Date

Everyone needs a partner in crime. Whether its your significant other, a family member, your best friend or someone you’re getting to know, it is important to attend holiday festivities with a person that elevates you and encourages you to be your best self. That voice of reason when you are about to make a crazy purchase, that person who will grab you another glass of mulled wine when your glass is low-- what ever the occasion, they are they for you. It totally helps if they are photogenic and great at schmoozing.

  2. Remembering your Fabulous Festive Finishing Touches

Trees, staircases and storefronts are not the only things allowed to be decorated this season with lights, garland and holiday cheer. It’s pretty common sense to wear your holiday best out for those pictures for next year’s holiday card…but people often fail to concern themselves with the little things. What makes you feel the cheeriest? What is going to set you apart? A little extra bling on the ring finger or another reason to kiss your sweetie? Don’t forget to pack your mistletoe, that red lipstick or show up ready with your festive manicure. Guys, you can get your mani on, too. People will notice (in a good way!).

  3. ‘Tis the Season to Rest!

It is a holiday, after all. And those should be relaxing, and you should look relaxed. Seriously, do you really want puffy eyes to ruin your holiday look? The amazing thing is that you don’t need to rely on fancy eye cream or expensive spa treatments for that fresh face holiday glow on the red carpet—just get some sleep and don’t over do it (on the sugar and alcohol). Rest will give you more energy to be your fabulous, festive-self. 

Shopping for that perfect gift can be tricky, especially for the style-minded and budget-conscious individual. We created a SHOP2 gift guide of our top 20 choices to make gift giving for your him or her easier this season. All items can be found on SHOP2-- happy holidays and happy shopping!

FOR HIM

Eternity Scarf| Silk Bow Tie| Wool Neck Tie| Leather Belt| Wooden Watch

Backpack| Macbook Air Case| Toms| Wine Holder| iPhone Case

FOR HER

Wooden Chalk Board| Recipe Book| Sparkle Clutch| Toms| Seafoam Watch

OK, so Lenny Kravitz has been wearing skinny pants for years, Lil Wayne performs shows in them, Russell Brand has been spotted pairing them with combat boots and Justin Bieber recently wore them to the American Music Awards. Are they another skinny pant? A long john worn ironically? A running tight worn outside of the gym? Nope! They are called meggings. Actual leggings. For men.

We have been paying attention to the trending fashion subject of the week-- and between said trending subject and 12.12.12, more than a few may have thought the end of the world had arrived... or was near.

We thought it might be useful to offer another perspective to what some are feeling about this new trend that is  expected to follow follow the "skinny jeans" trend for men.  

Celebrities are always ones to progress runway fashions no matter how ridiculous. Once a Paris runway joke, meggings are extremely popular in sartorial circles. Stores like Barneys, Nordstroms and even Uniqlo are selling them for the everyday guy that is a lover of skinny jeans but wants and needs more stretch. When you think about it, perhaps it is a natural progression for men? Football players and athletes alike have been wearing tights for decades, so why not move in this direction?

Patrick Jones, a Uniqlo rep, shares his enlightening response to the confusion of this trend: ‘Guys have been wearing slimmer and slimmer pants in the last few years, so the natural progression is to move the man leggings.’ Uniqlo offers their own brand of a ‘made for all’ megging. While the company techinically lists the megging as a long john (designed to wear under pants), we know that fashion-forward men who are bold in their fashion choices will wear them alone. 

Ever listen to track one on The National's Boxer Album? Fake Empire is one of those songs that makes you want to curl up in a cozy plaid blanket (or person), not do anything too taxing but still remain romantic and whimsical.

There is something extremely haunting about Matt Berninger's voice. That combined with the mysteriously evasive lyrics typical of The National are the source of inspiration for this F/W12 indie-chic collage.

  This Fake Empire look is based on a dark pallet mixed with gold accents in jewelry (inspired by the album art below). The look also mixes fabrics-- suede with the indierock go-to fabric (plaid). Imagine a weekend where you are feeling off the grid but want to sneak out for low-key dinner or a burbon nightcap.

A little about the band: Prior to being the brooding baritone singer of The National, Matt Berninger used to be a graphic designer. This would definitely explain the clean design of the album covers by New York-based artist Mark Fox. His sculptures and these album covers certainly resemble the  trending honeycomb pattern for accessories.

For that girl who works from home--er, we mean that cute corner cafe-- we have the perfect ensamble for you. An easy, effortless look that will take you from the cafe, to your next lunch meeting to dinner with your friends. We know you know her; you spotted her sipping a latte and her outfit was impeccable. We had to know what she was wearing and we had to share her look!

SHOP THIS LOOK

SHOP2 Brands we love are Baldwin Denim, J.Crew, MadeWell, Zara and RedWing

HIM:

So meet Andrew. He recently moved from the East Village to the Mission where he spent his time writing for some obscure online publication and utilized his creativity for small, private DJ gigs. Ridiculously tall and handsome, he had a hard time finding love in New York City, so he took a job as an Editor at a financial journalism startup in SOMA. It was a great move for many reasons. Andrew loves his fixed gear bike and eating vegan when it’s convenient and has had his bouts of brewing his own beer. He just needed something more laid back…and he also missed the ocean and West Coast life (Andrew is originally from Santa Cruz). Wednesday, A went to Habberdash dressed in Baldwin Denim rolled over a beautiful pair of Red Wing boots. A paired the denim with John Molloy™ shawl-collar cardigan worn over a Wallace & Barnes buffalo check CPO shirt. He met up with his gal Emily for drinks beforehand at Rye.

HER:

Meet Emily, Andrew's other half. They literally met at a wine bar in the Marina weeks after Andrew started his new job. She, of course, is a blogger and has killer style. She studied fashion journalism at FIDM and has now found a way to monetize on all the things she loves in life. And people actually care what she has to say! What could be better than spending days taking photos of beautiful people and clothes and having people be influenced by her personal style?

She lives in Hayes Valley with her dog Charlotte, a sassy, white pomeranian. Emily loves getting her Blue Bottle Coffee in the morning, then heading to work at her shared workspace in Hayes Valley, just a few doors down from her studio apartment. She frequents SF fashion events as often as they occur and sometimes Charlotte is her date, if Andrew has to work late. She is a self proclaimed foody but refuses to make her blog a fashion and food blog. She and Andrew's favorite spot in the city is Foreign Cinema, which is conveniently located just a few blocks from where Andrew lives. On their most recent impromptu date, Emily wore an adorable polk-a-dotted dress from our favorite MadeWell. She threw on a Red Zara Double Breasted Coat since SF nights are chilly. Always with tights and oxfords-- it's just a casual look made sophisticated. She aways brings her (ironically, not ironic) prescription red-framed-glasses incase she wants to read the menu and order for herself. 

Normally on our Shop2 blog, we love to indulge ourselves in what women are wearing or where they wore it to. But since it is November  the month of Movember, we thought we would pay tribute to the other half of the population!

On Wednesday, November 7, 2012, menswear and male models were the focal point of  The Haberdash Fashion event--which if you didn’t know--is geared specifically towards men’s fashion.  Launched in 2010, The Haberdash is a fashion event which pays tribute to the San Francisco’s many men's looks. This year's event raised funds and awareness for Movember, which explained the varying ‘staches and interesting facial hair. Movember is the men's health campaign supporting prostate and testicular cancer initiatives, which totally makes the. Movember and it’s mustaches really deserve a post of their own. Find out more and get involved before the month is over!

  Here is what we learned: Men in San Francisco wear clothing with a particular point-of-view and this event was confirmation, if anyone had any doubts. SF Men are rarely content with the sartorial status quo, which ultimately means its imperative to stay true to school. By deconstructing traditional looks and adding unique vintage finds, the SF guy generally is the perfect combination of chill, cool and desirable.  

Paying specific homage to traditionalism and in smaller doses to the lumberjacks, metros, yupsters, yacht rockers, and prepsters alike, everyone involved in Haberdash were all working their skinny pant cuffs off, their Movember mustaches  and (ironically non prescription) specs. 

Even though the event was sponsored by the high esteemed Bold Italic, the venue place for this fashion was at Great American Music Hall. Normally a space for indierock shows, this Wednesday SF’s most interesting (and attractive) guys were wearing an assortment of San Francisco looks down the runway for my viewing pleasure. So manyexcellent brands and local boutiques including the Artful Gentleman, Department Seventeen, Self Edge, Bonobos, D Structure, Freeman’s Sporting Club, and others preseted looks down the runway. In addition, the event had some good old-fashioned revelry and an unexpected musical performance by Los Angeles-based Wildcat! Wildcat! They were pretty adorable too. 

By Samantha Cook

Australia must be pulling the heartstrings of stores all around the world, first Topshop, now ASOS.

That's right, ASOS has released a line exclusive to Australia!

The In Your World exclusive collection is the first ever region specific range from the hugely popular UK based online store. The Spring Summer 2013 collection will only be available to shoppers logging on in Australia (in your face England!).

ASOS have produced some summer goodies for guys and girls that will take you from the beach to the bar, no sweat!

From colour blocking, crazy prints, platforms and double denim, we've collected our favourite pieces here! Make your own Aussie ASOS collection on Shop2 so you don't miss out on this world first!

ASOS Denim Boyfriend Shirt With Roll Sleeve

ASOS Dolly Skater Dress in Paisley

ASOS Sweatshirt With Ice Cream Print

ASOS Swim Shorts With Shapes

By Samantha Cook

So the new iPhone has been released (and yes you can collect it on Shop2, if you can't afford it just yet!)

At Shop2, we're all deciding whether to iPhone yes or iPhone no.

So if you're thinking of sticking with the "old" iPhone then here's some new accessories, that even iWood buy. (...sorry we couldn't resist!). Or if you're not, we also found the best iPhone 5 accessories available right now. 

Check out some of the refined products in the Woodn’t it be Nice collection and start making your own ultimate tech accessory collections now

How bout you branch out from your typical silicone or plastic gadget trimmings with a wooden case or timber accessory? 

By Samantha Cook

NEON BRIGHTS

A regular feature throughout many collections these past few seasons, the trend shone through again at LFW. Popping pieces were featured by Thomas Tait, who highlighted neon yellow and electric blue. Osman combined neon pink with electric blue and Simone Rocha also added a few standout looks to her collection, showing neon yellow dresses (which had Alexa Chung going berserk!). Fashionista Kelly Osbourne looked stunning in her take on the trend, in a perfect magenta hue. HOW TO WEAR IT This trend is easy to adapt in everyday wear. Add one standout colour to be the focus of your look, or if you're feeling outrageous colour block two (or three!) contrasting colours.

Structured blazers look great in a bright hue, as do tailored shirts.

SHOP THE TREND 

By Samantha Cook

Confectionary Colours

You've got to love a gelato inspired colour scheme to put us in our happy place.

Floaty fabrics in pastel hues of pink, blue, mint and lemon were served up on the runway at London Fashion Week. We are also loving the mango colour (or flavour!), shown at Mulberry.  

Christopher Kane, Temperley and Erdem all had us in a sugar coma looking at their highly feminine collections.   Erdem's long-sleeved top and high-waisted long skirt in pastel blue and white floral print especially made us swoon!

SHOP THE TREND

Check our our confectionary inspired collection on Shop2 celebrating this lolly inspired look

By Samantha Cook

London Fashion Week has wrapped up after producing a whirlwind of colours and looks for next Spring. Don't want to wait that long? Our three part trend trend report will have you wearing the London Look asap!

MICRO TREND 1: PRINT CLASH

A look that has been trending for a while now, we have seen a kaleidoscope of prints during LFW. Peter Pilotto was our top pick, who teamed printed peplum tops with skinny printed pants for a totally wearable statement outfit.

Swirls and flourishes in bright statement colours were added to the mix by Mary Katranzou. Her prints had us signed, sealed and delivered with oversized postage stamps and foreign currency.

SHOP THE TREND

Here's our take on it without the wallet pain:

By Samantha Cook

IT'S FRIDAY! (Friday, gotta get down on friday...sorry) and we made it past 3:30pm without too much damage.

Do you suffer from this weekend-mania too? Do you suffer from three-thirty-itis?

We get pretty excited counting the days, minutes and seconds till the end of the working week! 

We collected the coolest clocks on Shop2 for you- from pizza to lego and pixel clocks. There's a timepiece for every room here. 

By Nataly Kab

SydStart is 2 days away. It's Sunday night, our developers haven't stopped coding and our amazing interns, Beck and Sam, have their eyes glued to our twitter, facebook and instagram (@shop2). 

We're buzzed on caffeine, high on adrenaline and living everything it means to be a start-up.

In between giving our home page a make over and introducing new features before Monday, we decided to have a bit of a fun with our shop2 collection feature:

From the music choice to the "start-up" Sydney comic of the moment, each item has been lovingly selected after speaking with our founder, Taylor, developers Mark and Khoa as well as other start-ups around Sydney. 

Best of all, we are going to give one lucky listener to our pitch at SydStart the chance to win a prize from our friends at Curicon based on this collection - but you'll have to be at our pitch at approx 5:00pm @ SydStart.

Want to make your own? Then grab your invite here so that you can start your own collection curated with the best stuff you want and might like to own - some day.

Happy Shop2'ing!

By Rebecca Warden

Like Dorothy said whilst clicking her ruby slippers (which we’d love a pair of, just quietly), there really is no place like home. 

Our living space is where all the magic happens and sometimes we can find ourselves doing life in a space that’s drab and uninspiring.

One word: BORING. 

Not to fear, we’ve managed to collect the quirkiest pieces from Urban Outfitters to deck out your place. And the best part? They’re all under $100! So you can afford the coffee table books.. and the vinyls.. and the mugs.. and...you get the idea.