It seems Merra-Lee is associated with fond memories for customers as well as for those of us who’ve worked here.  I know Halloween just won’t be the same to me without Clifford in our alcove terrorizing…I mean handing out candy to adorable Trick-or-Treaters.

We always had such fun partying with our customers at special events, like the NAOT V.I.P. Royal-Tea party,  and being serenaded by the Merry Carolers throughout the shops during Christmas walk—they’ll be back this year!

We’d love for you to share your fondest Merra-Lee memories with us in the comments below.  If you’ve got pictures or would like to have your story put up as it’s own post, just e-mail me at bev@merralee.com and I’ll set you up.  (And hey, we’ll be happy to hear about new memories you make with fabulous deals at our Going Out of Business Sale, starting tomorrow—doors open at 9am.)

All Geneva Diva scarves are 100% wool with felting and feature unique details, like vintage buttons.

After washing and shrinking the sweaters, the designer cuts them into strips and lays them all out so she can see her full collection of colors and patterns.  Then the fun begins as she matches up a variety of pieces and cuts them into interesting and attractive designs.

Each Scarf Diva creation is a truly one-of-a-kind piece, and our customers are having a lot of fun finding the one that’s just right for them.

]]> http://www.merralee.com/blog/2011/11/the-scarf-diva-comes-to-the-meeting-place/feed/ 0 http://www.merralee.com/blog/2011/09/feminine-fashions-go-wild-in-fall-2011/ http://www.merralee.com/blog/2011/09/feminine-fashions-go-wild-in-fall-2011/#comments Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:02:36 +0000 Bev http://www.merralee.com/blog/?p=2442 Our buyers have done it again!  They’ve scoured the fashion markets and brought the best fashion trends for fall and winter 2011 to Geneva, IL.   Now that the temperatures have finally dropped, putting us in the mood for sweaters, jackets, and jeans, come stroll Merra-Lee, Boutique 15, and The Meeting Place boutiques to find something fabulous to bring your fall wardrobe up to speed.

Here’s a peek at 8 trends for Fall/Winter 2011:

Fur - Fashions have gone wild!  Mixed animal prints are as strong as ever and now fur has joined the safari

Velvet - Crushed velvets with a gentle sheen add an interesting texture and touch of elegance to casual dressing

Graphic Print – Fun, with a touch of drama

Capes and Ponchos – A cozy trend this fall and winter in all sorts of fabrications and colors

Sheer Shoulders – Tease ‘em just a little bit with peek-through lace at the shoulders

Peplum - A feminine flounce at the waist to show off that girlish figure

Lace - As accents or across whole garments, modern lace designs are a must this season

Ruffles - On sweaters, coats, everywhere!

Real Simple Magazine recently posted an excellent series of articles on how to flatter specific body types through fashion—what to wear and what not to wear. Here’s a quick and dirty summary from our buyers—study up and then come into Merra-Lee, The Meeting Place, and Boutique 15 and let our new summer fashions work their magic!  The principles below also apply to formal styles at The East Room.

Apple Shape:  Tends to carry the most weight around the midsection.

Apple shapes should wear:

• Angular lines
• Wrap tops
• Anything with a corset-style structure
• Pleating and gathering under the bust
• Deep v-necks and scoop necks
• Straight-leg bottoms
• Higher-waisted pants and pants with a bit of stretch to hold stomach in

Apple shapes shouldn’t  wear:

• Extreme A-lines, or anything too blousy that lacks shape
• Busy details like pocketing on top half
• Patterns that don’t match overall size (e.g. don’t wear small prints on a bigger frame)

Pear Shape:  Smaller on top/bigger on bottom

Pear Shapes should wear:

• Darker colored pants with stiff or stretch fabric
• Seams that run down the front of the leg
• Fluted skirts
• Lower and thicker waistbands
• Tops that are slightly A-line
• Low-slung tunic tops
• ¾-length jackets and tops

Pear Shapes shouldn’t wear:

• Fading on your denim, which highlights trouble areas
• Too-tight tops
• Attention-grabbing pocket details on the hips and thighs

Hourglass Shape: Curvy around bust and hips with smaller waist

Hourglass Shapes should wear:

• Simple, solid shapes
• Thick belts
• Pencil skirts
• Volume around the shoulder
• Wrap tops, scooped and boatneck necklines
• Bootcut or flare pants

Hourglass shapes shouldn’t wear:

• Ruffles
• Frills
• Lapels
• Busy patterns
• Straight, boxy shapes

Boy Shape:  Straight up and down

Boy shapes should wear:

• Details at the bust such as ruffles, wraps and rouching
• Sleeveless tops and halters
• High-waisted skirts
• Bootcut pants and jeans, with a lower rise

Boy shapes shouldn’t wear:

• Menswear-inspired styles
• Straight cuts
• “Boyfriend” jeans

Cut Loose clothing is for women who aren’t willing to sacrifice fashion for comfort and visa versa—that’s why it’s become one of the most popular designers at The Meeting Place.  Cut Loose began out of a box on San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, when two enterprising expatriates decided to bring European flair to California and sold dyed cotton T-shirts and drawstring pants to passers by.  Because there were no dressing rooms on the wharf, sizes had to be forgiving, and that tradition continues today but with a much wider variety of styles, which can be dressed up or down, in an array of soothing and fun colors.

Color is an important factor this spring and summer, as well as geometric shapes, particularly circles.    Warmer colors are appearing in metals, such as copper tones, antiqued silver, and tri-colored necklaces and earrings.  We’re also seeing an emphasis on eco-friendly materials such as wood and bone. The Meeting Place has an interesting collection of rings made from replenishable Tagua Nuts.

Strands will start to get thinner and more graceful as we move into the summer season. But simple doesn’t have to be bland. Charms and vintage elements are going to be very big in costume jewelry this year, but on thinner chains and spread out more so each charm can be appreciated.  Also, semi-precious gemstones are still popular, like this collection of rings by Anne Koplick.

For bracelets, look for edgy antiqued metal cuffs and leather embellished cuffs, as well as multi-layered bangles.

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Shark tail: Don’t worry, the “mermaid” look isn’t back…yet, anyhow. But we’re still going under the sea this spring with shark tail points accenting the bottoms of tees and other tops.

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Slouch pockets: Or drape pockets.  Cut to match the laid-back feel of Spring 2011, these over-sized pockets casually drape, or slouch, at the bottom of tops and dresses this season.

Slub knits: a lightweight knit with short horizontal lines of texture running throughout. It has nice stretch and drape, so it’s perfect for tops, T shirts and cardigans.

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Tresses: Tunic + Dress.  These multi-purpose tops or dresses are stronger than ever and work well over slim pants and leggings/jeggings. Jegging (jeans + legging) is another fairly new term, first gaining in widespread use last fall.  Jeggings continue to be a fashion staple this spring.

Although her style has evolved with the changing times, it’s always maintained Marjorie’s original design concept.  Each pair of earrings, necklace, ring, and bracelet is a unique, handcrafted artisan piece of jewelry.  Posts are titanium, wires are brass plated with silver and gold, and clips are brass.  Materials used in the jewelry design are: brass, copper, sterling silver, glass, wood and plastic.  All Marjorie Baer jewelry is designed and made in the U.S.A.

“I think my jewelry reflects both my love of art and my training in design.”

“Each piece is made to last and resonate the enduring values that inspire me.”

- Marjorie Baer

Design isn’t all that’s important to Marjorie.  Over the past several years all departments at her company, from jewelry making to packing and shipping to office and catalog,  has evaluated its procedures and applied the principles of Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle:

Brand new spring fashions are arriving at our stores, and it’s time to refresh those wardrobes.  We know keeping up with the latest trends can be confusing and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.   Many of the items currently hanging in your closet are still trending, so all you need to do is add a few key pieces to keep your look easily and affordably up-to-snuff.

Our buyers are out at the markets talking to industry experts and top designers to learn what’s going to be hot this summer.  There’s a lot to know, so we’re going to break down this coming season’s fashion tips into a series of posts, or “classes” so stop back regularly for:

Spring Fashion 2011 101!

To start out, here’s a quick peek at Spring 2011:

Something Old: Sleeveless tops and dresses are still strong, as are slim pants and jeggings.

Something New: Skirts are getting longer, going to knee and tea lengths.  Stripes are hot. Other new styles: slub knits, shark tails, slouch pockets, and tresses (don’t know what these are?  Neither did I. Tune in to the next post).

Something Borrowed: The fashion world is borrowing heavily from the military this upcoming season, with lots of khaki’s and utilitarian-wear.

Something Blue: …and coral and lime green and khaki!  Khakis and other military-inspired neutrals are strong, but at the same time so are bright colors and floral prints.  Mixing colors and styles will be HUGE in Spring 2011.

Our next lesson will be a tutorial on Spring 2011 Fashion Vocabulary, in which we learn what in the heck a Slub Knit is and why you want it.

We know many of our customers value American made clothing. At our shops, we purchase women’s apparel from the best designers around the globe, so our clothing and jewelry collections are international; however, because  quality is just as important to our buyers as style, a natural result is that many of our women’s fashion lines are made right here in the U.S.A.

In our stores, you’ll find “Made in the U.S.A.” labels in women’s designer tops, pants, dresses and T shirts, including fashions by:

Carol Tomkins; Cut Loose; Fenini; Hanky Panky; Hodges; Jenny B; Nally & Millie;
Staples

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Several pieces in our unique  jewelry collection are also American made,  including designer pieces by:

Anne Koplic

Kelsey Lynn Kreations

Marjorie Baer