vive la femme

We are ignoring the current Roman calendar and making up our own this week at vive la femme! Welcome to the lovely month of FROCKTOBER, where dresses of all cuts and colors are a daily occurrence!

Our first round of dresses is a glorious partnership of color and cut! Amanda models our newest range of fun frocks from igigi. We got flowers! We got polka dots! We got colorblocking! Perfect for day weddings, any fancy brunch, or summer travel, these dresses are easy seasonal styles with lots of pop, fun, and sass. Three of the dresses have a nicely structured sleeve, and the sleeveless piece comes with oh-so-bra-friendly straps.

How about some vintage-inspired looks? Check out our most recent delivery of sundresses in lightweight cotton. We have a great range of little black dresses for alfresco cocktail soirees and a few floral options for more causal affairs. Very unique with lots of moxie and flair, these pieces are adorable with classic jewelry such as pearls and clutches for a sleek homage to ladylike retro-metro appeal.

Oooooh, a few more snuck in…how cute is this bandana-print babydoll as modeled by the always-adorable Stephanie 2.0? The range of colors is such to please any preferred color palette and what could be more summary that this picnic-table print? This piece is just too cute. Too cute, I tell you! We also unpacked a few empire-waisted/a-line dresses in throwback florals with ruffled sleeves and a longer hemline. And to top it off here’s a fabulous maxidress with a bandeau top that is doing really well on gals with smaller busts and fuller booties.

We’re not done yet! vive la femme just brought in the first range of Gayla Bentley’s new diffusion line, one of her Traditional Wrap blouses perfect for the workplace! The turquoise/gold would be very smart with any dark denim bottom or brown skirt, and the black/white is wonderfully crisp and clean with any clean black trouser. These blouses are running full and really are working for gals with full shoulders and bustlines.

A few more details…the Kathryn Kerrigan Shoe Boutique is open this weekend on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday! I am now the owner of a shoe store exclusively carrying the Kathryn Kerrigan line of handmade footwear, so come check out our range of shoes in sizes 9 and up! We have a ton more ballet flats in all sorts of darling colors, including a shimmery pink, bright green, and deep lapis blue. These flats are FLYING as they are truly some of the most comfortable footwear you will ever have the pleasure of wearing!

We also just brought in a superpremium sandal, the Maribelle. The Kathryn Kerrigan Maribelle is a hip, California-cool boho thong sandal. The butterscotch camel suede brings this shoe to life! Cuffed collar and cut-out detail around heel is funky and stylish, and the slightly angled sole is the epitome of summer chic. We also have a slew of year-round flats in brown, black, and a magnificent sapphire blue, the Melinda comes in either a kitten hell or menswear-inspired flat.

Finally, we are having a TWO THREE FOUR! sale…we are closing out sizes 20-28 with a major progressive promotion…your first items is 20% off, your next item is 30% off…all the way through to 90%! Tons of marquee labels are on the sale rack…Zen Knits, Kiyonna, and Comfy, to name a few. Tanks, tops, dresses, skirts are all included so if you or someone you know wears this size range, please send them our way for all sorts of steals and deals!

Well hello. I bet you are wondering about the Kathryn Kerrigan shoe boutique that we are opening? Here’s the latest…rumor has it the first round of shoes will be here next week and if all goes well, we will be open on Memorial Day weekend! More information to come…when it comes.

Meanwhile, check out these darling shipments at vive la femme!

I have utterly fallen in love with this yellow frock from igigi! It’s so retro, so ladylike, and, even better, so COMFORTABLE! Made from a silky viscose and fully lined, this wrappy frock is all about the beach party, casual wedding, or fancy brunch! A dusty gold popped with a purple, orange, and white floral print, this piece is looking best on taller gals with a balanced frame (or, as Amanda once described me, those having a "long ass"). Currently we have this design in 0x-3x, and it is running true. I am totally going to find a white flower for my hair!

Next up is a dead sexy stretch denim dress from Maggy London! Fabulous, foxy, and fierce, the open neckline is trimmed with badass zipper. Yes, ZIPPERS. Very The Runaways-meets-Mad Men, and what’s wrong with that? Definitely a piece for those with maximum style wattage and a killer collection of shoes and purses! If this is YOU, then call or email. Sizes are 16-22 and running fitted.

Finally, hello handmade flower power! Amanda models her own design now available at vive la femme in this fleur-tastic white/ red/ purple pattern! Paired perfectly with one of our chic-n-cheap cardigans for a polished and professional pop of color, this skirt also works with a white tank or tee and a jean jacket for even more street chic style mileage. Made right here at vive la femme, we currently have these limited edition skirts in 0x to 2x.

The spring shipment fairy once again blessed us with her magic and we’re finally done unpacking a series of new seasonal styles just for the vive la femme shopper!

Just in from Karen Kane, a fantastic story of stunning silk shirts and gorgeous spring tees! Behold the series of silk blouses in wonderful florals, happy colors, and beautiful cuts. All of them are shown with simple swish black pants for an easy and breeze ensemble with lots of style mileage for seasonal events such as showers, brunches, and vacations.

We also received a range and soft and sassy tees in a curve-friendly tulip cut, as modeled here in a fun and sunny yellow! This tee also comes in a gorgeous lavender and of course basic black.

A range of gorgeous print dresses have rolled in and they are fantastic for work and play! Our newest staffer, Maggie, rocks the new igigi dress in a wonderful muted print with a versatile self-tie belt and a slyly come-hither neckline. An easy option for work with a brown tank underneath, this dress can also be work with a strategic bra and gorgeous gold shoes for more, er, social activities.

And here’s Kiyonna’s latest range of awesome patterns and dress silhouettes! We have one is a classic Kiyonna vneck/ structured waist and the bitchin’ new open neckline with spot-on bra-strap coverage. And finally, here are two more cotton print dresses in adorable retro prints that are perfect for the mah-jongg game or garden party.

And, to wrap it up, here’s a range of foxy tops! Check out the tunic top from igigi in two rich and cream colors, orchid and aqua. This is a great piece for pear shapes and gals with torso a-plenty.Finally, here is a cotton top with polka dots and ruffles. I have nothing specifically cute to say about it, because, really, what else is there to say.

No time for foofy pleasantries and airy politesse! Here are the facts. We have tons of new clothes and we’re having a sale. Let’s explore.

First things first: You want sale? You got a sale! SKIRT FLIRT, BETTER SWEATER, AND JACKET RACKET! All long skirts, handknit sweaters, and a ton of medium-weight jackets are now on a progressive sale at vive la femme, starting with 40% off all the way to 90% off! Labels include Comfy, Zen Knits, and Pure Handknit. Let the games begin!

Lots of great daywear and workwear and here and ready to rock and roll. Gunning for that promotion or off to a crucial interview? Then check out these new long cardigans from igigi perfect to punch up simple trousers and a clean tank. This piece comes in rich chocolate brown, sleek authoritative black, and bold purple. Pair with the new trousers from Comfy, also in this image, for a fabulous look that conveys an undeniable dose of curvaceous confidence. Also, check this 50’s shirtdress out! A classic design in a timeless silhouette, this dress is made from a wonderful stretch material that conforms to curves to really show contour and shape. Can’t you just see this with some pearls and kitten heels? VERY Mrs. Cunningham, this.

Need some weekend options that are both stylish and ultra-comfortable? Look no further than this structured hooded jacket from vive la femme favorite, Comfy USA. Popped with a darling hoodie detail, the belted design and rich fabric impart this piece with an upscale sense of weekend chic. We also unpacked a round of our awesome crinkle tanks and tunic hoodies, both if which feel like
pajamas and travel like a dream. Colorways include periwinkle, olive, and black for the hoodie, and apple green and periwinkle for the tank.

Denim, denim…come and GET ‘EM! Enjoy two new styles from NYDJ, a dressy deep indigo trouser cut and an ultratrendy bootcut in a soft, lightweight spring denim. The deep blue features a nigh waist to fit fuller bellies, while the gray pair is more of a midrise to accommodate smaller waists and womanly hips. Gorgeous! We were really excited to see these and Amanda took the gray pair but immediately.

Finally, we have some new “cheap-n-chic” options from LA-based label, Mai Tai! The staff-fave “flippy skirt” is available once again, and here is a new babydoll dress in a fresh purpley-blue. Happy and swishy, the neckline and bodice offer girly detailing and the length can translate to a dress for shorter gals and a versatile tunic for those with longer legs. This piece also comes in a neutral taupe and of course basic black.

Mark your calendars! vive la femme is pleased to welcome a new line of fabulous plus-size clothing, Lotis! Designed to effortlessly translate from work to weekend, this cosmopolitan line represents the epitome of sleek, chic, and sophisticated. Please join the owners and designers of Lotis Clothing on March 18th from 6p to 8p as we celebrate their new Spring Collection 2010, arriving at vive la femme in May. Samples of the line will be available for preview and pre-order. Delightful nibblies and swanky cocktails will be served, and as usual friends and family are welcome!  www.lotisclothing.com.