Top Shop Gets Me Everytime

Honestly my Top Shop addiction is insane. When I saw they had the sale online, but most of what I wanted was out of stock in my size I decided to head down Friday night. Smart move. Shoes galore on sale! I was able to pick up a pair of Safari shoes in Leopard -- so comfy, and hot!

Never trust a 10 yr old to take your pic, why I look preggers at 90 or so lbs is crazy!

I then had to try on the pair I've been drooling over: Pendulum. They have lacing, buckles and zippers, super high heels, and a great covered platform. They searched all over the store to find my size and Voila! Mine all mine! If you are interested in this style, be warned that they run tiny. I wear between a 35.5 EU and 36 EU and the 36 was so uncomfortable.

My only disappointment was that the Amber high heeled desert boots in grey were completely out of stock. ): Also that the Punk Glam Princess was being her usual dramatic self and saying how she felt faint and wouldn't let me peruse the racks and racks of sale clothing. But regardless, I'm so very happy with what I was able to get.

Again, don't trust a kid to edit the setting! Ah well, she's learning and enjoys it so much! Note my fuzzy pink slippers! And the little bit of Halloween decor I started on the mantel.

I must also mention that the sale people once again have gone over an above with customer service and remember me every time I visit. Makes shopping so much more pleasurable knowing you'll be waited on with a smile, and they'll try their hardest to find your size. Unlike high end shops that treat you as second rate (which rarely happens to me, but lately has me sour grapes on a few of them.)

Oh and BTW, I did order the "Amber" boots online. I may need some kind of 12 step program. Not that I'll actually go, it would mean no more shoes!

Cheers!

Christopher Kane for Top Shop Arrival!

Yesterday my Christopher Kane order arrived from Top Shop! I'm absolutely thrilled with the two pieces I chose: the Crocodile Dress, and Embellished Leggings. Top Shop also included some fun crocodile stickers (which my Punk Glam Princess has already laid claim to!)

The dress (as seen in my previous post on Top Shop's FNO) fits perfectly and gives me a lovely lean look. Being petite, sometimes length is a problem, but not this time, its perfect! And I actually prefer the cut to the higher priced simian versions.

Christopher Kane Embellished Leggings, click to purchase at Top Shop (photo courtesy of Top Shop)

After I placed my order I started getting a little worried about my choice of the leggings, not sure I could pull them off. My worries were completely unfounded, as the fit is just right, and they are really very special. The mesh fabric is the same fabric I used to use when I designed lingerie, essentially its girdle fabric -- the same fabric you will find on the sides of bras and in modern bustiers and corsets. Back then I had made myself a pair of leggings as well as a waspie corset (essentially a waist cincher) entirely out of this fabric (without any embellishment) because I loved the look of the mesh especially over something either textured or of a different colour. The beauty of these is that they really do act like a very fancy pair of super-duper Spanx! Every single bulge is smoothed and sucked in, and even the Punk Glam Princess commented on how trim they make me look! I'll wear them as a layering piece, like tights under a skirt or dress. The embellishments are lovely and are reinforced and very sturdy (another concern as grommets do have a way of popping when stressed.) Honestly they weigh a good 2 or 3 pounds from all the hardware! The asymmetrical design created with the mirrors and grommets makes a very flattering silhouette. I'm so glad I didn't drop them from my cart in a panic over whether I could wear them or not. The past few days have turned hot again, so the last thing I want to do is play with layering but as soon as it cools down again, they are definitely going to get some heavy wear! Since it is so warm I can start wearing my crocodile dress right away, I adore my new goodies!

Cheers!

Exclusive: Top Shop's Fashion Night Out!

A very blurry pic of Top Shop's exterior on FNO.

Top Shop's fab greeter's at the door.

The one Fashion's Night Out event I was supposed to cover fell through, so I wasn't really expecting to attend anything else. I was a bit on the fence as far as FNO went, the concept was nice, but people honestly don't have money to fling around due to cutbacks and job loss. (Still I suppose it was nice to get some freebies from shops that have been charging over-inflated prices for years when we could afford to shop.) Then at the last minute and with my magic pixie working overtime on my behalf (you know who you are!) I got word that I would be able to attend Top Shop's FNO, and had full clearance to take photos and wander as I pleased! This was definitely more my style and budget, and I was really looking forward to attending!



As you entered Top Shop, there were makeup artists from Sephora doing free makeovers.


DJ Lissie Trullie was spinning killer tunes from the first floor mezzanine.


However, first stop for me was shopping business which when it comes to me and Top Shop generally means up to the top floor shoe salon. Lo and behold the shoes I'd been lusting after, had missed out on online, and had my husband checking for at least three times a week, were in stock! The Ashish Zebra wedges to be precise! They had just arrived the day before, and I was luckily able to find my size.

Anthony Archer and Samantha Tonge holding my gorgeous hot new Ashish Zebra Wedges!

The fabulous service by Anthony and Samantha couldn't be topped. These guys know their shoes, Anthony even remembered the name of the shoes I was wearing that I purchased when they first opened way back in the spring! I will definitely be calling on them in the future to get my shoe fixes -- one of the best things about Top Shop shoes is that no matter the height, I find them to be the most comfortable around!

Next stop the second floor "Vogue's Edit Shop" to see the Vogue editors do their thing, discussing key Top Shop trends for A/W.

Vogue Editors, Top Shop Senior Style Advisor. (Note Christopher Kane dress to the right.)

Behind the editors was a display of key trends including... a Christopher Kane crocodile dress. I happen to be of the mind that these animal prints are going to be somewhat of an iconic Christopher Kane look owing to the previous (much more expensive, I might add) incarnations, and wouldn't be surprised if this is not the last of them (actually I do hope it isn't, I love them!) I was thrilled to see it in person, a week previous to the launch.

Close-up of Christopher Kane Crocodile dress and Grommet handbag. Looks like the croc is eating the handbag!

There were also free cookies from Eleni (and they were so incredibly delicious -- this being said from a woman who goes for savoury over sweet any day), and free Fiji water passed out by the lovelies pictured above.

This was also where you could pick up your Fashion's Night Out Tee. 40% of the retail proceeds went to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.




Something many of you many not realize is that Top Shop's Style Advisor service is free, and well worth it if you are looking to add some key pieces to your wardrobe. Make an appointment by asking in store on the 3rd floor, or going to topshop.com/styleadvisor

The Vogue Editors Car and Driver parked outside.

Senior Style Advisor (on left) and Top Shop PR (on right)

On the third floor the gals from Dermologica were doing free "face mapping" and handing out samples of Dermologica's skin care line.


In all, although I was covering the event I still had a great time! Thank so much to my magic pixie who made this happen, as well as the gracious Top Shop PR department!

Cheers!

I caved.

I've been searching for some comfy white sandals to no avail. I loved those Gap three strap sandals, but they don't come small enough for me. Plus I resent paying $98 for Gap anything. When I went to Top Shop when they first opened I purchased the most comfy shoes ever. Here's a pic:Honestly I've been wearing them non-stop they are so comfortable. May even spring for them in a different colour -- they are that comfortable. A petite gal like me needs some height and the 5.25 heel does the trick nicely! I also love that they aren't super patenty shiny, and have a subtle snake print. I even wound up bringing a friend who also marveled at the comfort and wound up getting a pair.


I had spotted a pair of cute white espadrilles on their site, but no luck with them in-store yet (at least in Top Shop Soho), as well as a cute Union Jack silk tank. So today, after thinking I would make another trek to Soho, I just bit the bullet and ordered online.

I love that they are leather and not canvas, as usually canvas start to fray quite easily. They look so comfy, so fingers crossed.


The top is a sort of stylized version of the Union Jack, and I have a fixation with Union Jacks as a design (my Mini Cooper even has Union Jack mirror caps!) I especially love when designers use different colours to create the Union Jack, makes it even more interesting IMO. I liked the easy, loose style that I think will be perfect in our horrifically hot NY summers.

As a perk, they gave me a free Union Jack Crown Tee! Plus a whopping $1 off (hey every bit helps, so no complaints there!) My only gripe is that all the discount codes are for the UK site -- US Top Shop get with it -- shipping was $15!! Although it saved me time, gas, and ultimately money to do my ordering whilst still in my jammies!

So of course now I am anxiously awaiting my new goodies... and I just placed the order!

Word to the wise: Top Shop is mid-range prices in the UK and I always manage to pick up something fashionable with the addition of their quality being quite good. But I have no idea why -- especially since the dollar exchange is much better -- they decided to double their UK prices making most items ridiculously expensive. I can only hope that they wise up fast, I seriously don't think savvy NY shoppers are going to go for those insane prices (a bracelet for $60 that you could pick up at Claire's or F21 for under $20? Um no.) Although I will be in the UK this summer, and hopefully be able to find some goodies, maybe even on sale!

Cheers and Happy Shopping!
Suzanne

Top Shop Anticipation...

Ever since Top Shop announced they were opening their first US shop in Soho, I've been dying of anticipation! First the opening was supposed to be in November '08, then it got moved to this month, now we finally have a definite opening day of 2 April. I have been a long time lover of Top Shop, and its always at the top of my list when I visit London. Unfortunately last trip was such a whirlwind that I barely had a look around as we were so pressed for time and didn't get to purchase anything ): So you can bet I will be at the opening as I'm completely jonesing for a Top Shop fix! I've always got some shoes I'm drooling over and one of the things I've noticed is the typical incorrect sizing for shoes in European sizes. I wear a European 36, American 6, UK 4. But on their UK site, they have 36 listed as a UK 3 which would be a US 5. So I've missed out on so many pretty shoes when I've checked the US site because I'm confused on the sizing. Being able to try them on will be my only way of knowing for sure. I'm completely in love with three styles (click on the links to take you directly to purchase at Top Shop):

Safari VooDoo Inspired Sandal $145




Latice Caged Sandal $145




Pyramid High Sandal Boot $190

One of these babies will be mine.... I just can't decide! The Pyramid High Sandal and Voodoo Inspired Sandal are very similar, but those Latice Caged Sandals are oh so YSL (which I can't afford ): ) Which do you think I should get?

There are also a few handbags I really like:




Leather Tassel Shoulder Bag $160





Suede Stud Handle Bag $145
I just don't have any suede bags as I think they usually get worn looking really quickly, so I'm apprehensive.




Leather Trim Slouch Bag $100
The colour is really appealing to me, but its also a bit out of character for me. Plus, again its suede.





Stud Detail Holdall Bag $160
Grey might be different for a change, I'm just not sure I'll adore grey in a year or so.

They also had a cute bucket style, but it seems now its only in stock online in white, which would be completely ruined in a day around my kid. I don't recall if I've ever purchased handbags from Top Shop. Does anyone know what the quality is like?

I'm so excited that they'll be debuting the newest Kate Moss collection as well. She collaborated with Liberty on this one, and I have some gorgeous vintage Liberty prints, so I'm really looking forward to seeing what she did. I'm also happy that last month they started a blog, called Inside Out. According to the blog, they'll have a van driving around the city giving out goodie bags starting on the 23rd, so look out for them and maybe you'll get lucky! Racked has had a countdown with pictures of the progress if you are interested in having a sneak peek.

Anyone planning on going opening day?

Cheers!
Suzanne