Get $50 and a Pair of Tickets to Mat Kearney at The House of Blues!

Premium Cashmere Sweater

Wool Hunting Jacket

Aged Leather Double Buckle Belt

CONGRATULATIONS TO J9 FOR WINNING THE MAT KEARNEY TIX AND $50 GIFT CARD TO SHOP LANDS END!


Dear Fashionistas,

Lands End Canvas in Chicago is ready to kick-off the holiday season with shopping and top tier entertainment. Not only do they offer a winning combination of fashion and flair but Lands End want's to put you in the holiday spirit by giving you a chance to rock with Mat Kearney at the House of Blues next Thursday, November 17th!

One lucky Fashionista Chicago winner will win a pair of tickets and a $50 Gift Card to dance your night away in Lands End Canvas well-crafted clothing that reinterprets authentic American sportswear!  It's the perfect duo to get you in the mood to spread some holiday cheer.  Don't you love our faves above?   These classic pieces are must-have items in our closet.  They will never go out of style and can be mixed and matched with just about anything.

Simply comment on this post and you will be autommaticlly entered into a drawing to win the pair of tickets and the $50 Gift Card.

We will draw the winning name next Monday, November 14th.  So keep your Thursday open as you might just be the lucky winner!

Ta Ta,

Nicki

4 Must-Have Chicago Designer Accessories this Winter

Anastasia Chatzka

C/Fan

Lara Miller

Shannon Carney

Dear Fashionistas, 

What makes a cake is the icing and the same goes for putting together the ultimate ensemble. The accessory is the key piece for a well dressed woman. So we at Fashionista Chicago thought it would be a great idea to showcase a few of our favorite local designer pieces, we simply can't live without.

1. Anastasia Chatzka- $22 Print silk from Italy created into soft beautiful scarves.  No need for heavy wool, silk is the second warmest fiber next to wool.  We love the scarves for a pop of color and no bulk!  The scarves are only available in Anastasia's boutique 1740 W. Division, Chicago, IL.
2. C/Fan-$120 The Adele Rabbit Beanie is one of our faves.  A stylish shape with super chic rabbit fur in three different shades.  This is definitely a F/W must.  Available at Cityblue.
3. Lara Miller- $176 Our Eco-Friendly darling has hand-loomed  accessories just in time for the chilled elements to come.  We love the Aldo socks to keep our pedicured feet protected from our boots.  They feel like pure heaven. Perfect over your skinny's!
4. Shannon Carney -$1760 Our splurge for the day!  These little hand painted discs creates a wonderful waterfall appearance and brings life to any Chicago uniform!  Which in case you didn't know is basic black .

These are wonderful accessories for you or for someone you think of fondly.

Ta Ta,

Nicki

5 Essentials of Style From A Man's Perspective

Dear Fashionistas,
A preppy aesthetic is certainly my forte, and I’m constantly being asked where I shop, what brands I wear and what inspires me. I felt honored when Nicki proprietor of Fashionista Chicago asked me to contribute both about men’s wear and about fashion in general from a man’s perspective.  When I was asked to consider my five essential pieces for men this Autumn/Winter I decided everything was going to be accessible to men in Chicago and that items wouldn’t be priced too outrageously.

Harris Tweed Jacket $350 -You can find Harris Tweed wool included in virtually every men’s wear collection this year. You pay a premium for it at any level, but at any pricepoint you can plan on wearing it season after season. Harris Tweed can be found at TopMan, Brooks Brothers & multiple brands at Syd Jerome.

Signature Tartan Wool Tie $125 -Plaid ties were all the rage in ties for this fall. A lot of people might veer towards something silk since it’s easier to tie, but if I’m going A/W plaid – I’m going wool! Personally I love this tie from Brooks Brothers Black Fleece Collection. It’s perfect dressed up with a suit or paired with jeans on the weekend with a heavy sweater. H&M and TopMan also have skinny plaid tie options.

Signature L.L. Bean Boot $149 - Last year I was looking for a killer pair of boots to deal with the snow and rain in Chicago.  I decided to go with something that was guaranteed for life and had a great price point. The L.L Bean black leather 8-eyelet boot was exactly what I was looking for. The boot comes in many different heights, colors and styles. Ironically enough, this style boot is everywhere for A/W 2011; however it’s best to stick with the original and go L.L. Bean! Order online or run up to Barrington or Old Orchard to try them on in-person.

Timex Intelligent Quartz Flyback Chronograph $150 - I’m a big watch guy, and I saved my pennies for a Bell & Ross a couple years ago. However, a lot of mid-priced watch companies have really upped their aesthetic recently and brought some amazing new designs to market at a fraction of the price of a luxury watch brands. Personally, this watch is on my wish list for early November when it becomes available. If you go looking for this, it might appear to be hard to find. However any dealer that carries Timex can order this watch when it becomes available.

Outlier 4-Season OG Pant $188 - I appreciate brands that manufacture in the US; Outlier is made in Brooklyn and is founded on the principle of being made to go from ‘bike to boardroom’. Outlier’s range of clothing is growing year-to-year and was only available via their website and on a trip to  NYC. However, good news Chicago - Connect Chicago on Milwaukee Ave is now carrying the line.

Fashionista Chicago Contributor

Sean Moran

Want Cash Fast? Cityblue Denim is Giving it Away!

C/Fan

Aiko

Congratulations To Marla Walker.  Winner Of Cityblue Gift Card!

Dear Fashionistas,

Cityblue Denim and Apparel is much more than denim.  It is your revolutionary road for fresh fall takes on pumped-up coats, bold geometric shapes and sensational luxe fur by Christina Fan, Aiko and Joie.
Still being true to their brand, Cityblue stays true to their denim roots offering top denim brands such as 7 For  All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, L.A.M.B, Scott James and Georgie.
They literally rock with their "rock-and-roll" edginess and fashion-forward collections.  It's a mix of Chicago, New York and LA wrapped-up in one sweet boutique right here in Chicago.

Fashionista Chicago and Cityblue Denim and Apparel have come together to offer you a $25 Gift Card to help get you ready for the Windy City elements.  Simply comment below or tweet the hash tag to #FCGift what you love about Chicago shopping.

We will announce the winner Friday night 10/28/11 at 5:00PM, just in time to shop Cityblue Denim and Apparel this weekend.  In case you were wondering, we are gushing over the C/Fan Racoon Scarf.  It would be an amazing accessory to compliment any ensemble all year around.  Lovin it!

Ta Ta,
Nicki

Dress Up Boutique Updates The Puffy

Dear Fashionistas,

Dress Up Boutique, 1934 North Damen Ave. in Bucktown provides some of the best designer fashions with unbeatable prices to match.  This chic boutique is filled with trendy dresses, sweaters, pants, skirts and now fall/winter outerwear.  

With the cold weather approaching, we're looking for a new coat. 

We know Chicagoen's like to bundle up in their puffy's,  so Fashionista Chicago has found a fab updated puffy to get you through the winters without looking like the Michelin man.

This puffy by Qi, not only shows off your shape but the silk sheen look gives it a fashion-forward kick.  We love the knit high neck and exposed zipper for an extra stylish feature.

Now only $196.00. Click here to purchase.

Ta Ta,

Nicki

Polo and Fashion at the Beach!

Dear Fashionistas,

Polo and fashion do compliment each other and quite well if we at Fashionista Chicago may say so ourselves.  

Last Saturday, October 1st, Chicago went international by hosting the Beach Polo World Cup. The two day event was held at North Avenue Beach, which was transformed into a polo field that offered spectators a front row seat. Grey Goose offered complimentary cocktails and Union Sushi + Barbeque Bar, and Fogo de Chao, kept all the fashionable spectators full with their tasty offerings.

Among the horses, the polo players and fans, a super chic fashion show was presented with ease through the sand and wind. This hip show featured f/w 2011 clothing for men and women from Cityblue Apparel and Denim located in Old Town. The models were styled by none other than Mallory Ulaszek, owner of City Blue.  Two fashion forward local designers were also presenting their collection including , C/FAN Designs and jules. (modern unique jewelry), alongside national brands such as L.A.M.B., AIKO, and Joie. 

If you missed the fashion show, all you had to do was look around and realized that the spectators demanded the attention with their Über fashion sense wearing floppy hats (one of fall’s biggest trends) and touches of fur (another trend) from the glamourous eras before.

Polo may be considered the game of royalty, but Chicago definitely reigned in style!!! Even Miss Illinois USA came out for all the fun, fashion and action.

Mary Lee

Contributor Style Journalist for Fashionista Chicago