Sale Shoes and Boots. Come and Get 'Em Now!

Dear friends,

Need new shoes from Renee's but only want to buy them on sale? Here's your chance! Pictured are only a few of the 15 styles we have in stock. All of them are at least 20% off now. Brands include Fidji, Naot, Aquatalia and Chocolate. Stop in soon for best selection!

With love,
Renee

Top Fashion Trends: Who Needs 'Em?

Number one trend for fall? Burgundy coats. Hmmm...

Dear friends,

Coming to you from a buying trip in New York City, I got to thinking about fashion trends. (Imagine that!)

I regularly hear questions like this from you: What is the latest trend? What is the color of the season? What is the go-to style in pants?

Let's just go ahead and get this out of the way right at the beginning. According to Glamour mag (and it IS a different list depending on who you ask), the five top trends this fall are:

1. Wine color. Okay, I will concede this one. You can pull it off with class and style. And we did.

Aquatalia pumps. Wine-colored waterproof suede. In stock at Renee's now. Model: Vickie.

2. Harness belts. Really? Looks time consuming, confusing, and constricting to me.

How did she get that harness on? And why?

Looks just awfully uncomfortable. Reminds me of an old
mental hospital contraption. Or worse. Nuff said!

3. Head to toe floral, including shoes. Again, really? I would feel like I was wearing a costume. Oh, I forgot. Maybe that's the point. For some people. How 'bout you?

Floral costumes, head to toe. Really, who makes these lists????

4. Horse print tops. Goes along with harness belts. I would classify these as "Worst Sweater Wednesday" sweaters.

Horse head sweaters.

5. Contrast collars. In my humble opinion this belongs in the "meh" list in the New York Times magazine. "Not hot, not not, just meh."

Here's a contrast collar for you. Let this be your only one. Please.

I suppose I'm a tiny bit skeptical when it comes to what's "hot." I will also admit I'm reserved and prefer the understated.

Truth be told, sometimes I think the media creates hype to get us to spend our money. Fashion magazines need you to support their advertisers so they in turn keep supporting the publication.

We are smarter than that, though, in Everett, Washington. Right?

A designer may create a few outlandish items to draw attention. He wants you to buy his line, so he *creates* a trend. He is climbing the ladder of fame and fortune. To get to the top, he needs a lot of buzz.

My hackles immediately raise up when a rep tells me that the item they are showing me is the "it" thing for next season. I hear scare tactics: if I don’t order it, you will go somewhere else. (Will you?)

Therefore, I don't really adopt new trends and styles quickly. These come and go. I am too practical. My personal value is "Buy good things, own them a long time."

In keeping with the "top 5" list above, I've decided to make my own list. For those of us who don't care about the latest trends, what's our good stuff? That's easy.

1. Suzi Roher belts. In-store now. These make you look and feel great. Ask some customers who wear them. Maybe they'll comment on this post. I'll give you their contact info (with their permission) if you call me. Made in Canada.

Suzi's daughter helped me place an order yesterday.

Here she is modeling one of her mom's belts.

2. Olbrish handbags. In store by September 30. A stunning product of art and engineering. Each bag architecturally designed and made by hand in Berlin.

Can't wait for you to see this line!

3. Graf and Lantz handbags. In store now. Worth every penny. Satisfaction guaranteed for years to come. Made in the USA.

Co-owner Daniel Lantz's design ideals are based in the marriage of understated luxury and traditional techniques.

4. Tees by Tina. In store now. Perfect layering tops. Great colors. Versatile. Practical. Made in the USA.

Yesterday Tina herself helped me put together a new order.

5. Jianhui jewelry. In store by September 30. Special. Different. Fun. Made in London.

I met Jianhui on Wednesday.

6. Sympli. In store now. GrEaT for travel! Slimming. Comfortable. Rich color. Made in Vancouver, Canada.

I love working with Kathy from Sympli .

7. Amy Brill sweaters. In store now. Each sweater made by one person in upstate New York.

Creator and owner Amy Brill herself tells me all about her design philosophy.

9. Susans. In store spring 2013. Casual, artistic collection that fits real women. Made in Berkeley, California.

Susan lives in Berkely. She has family in Bellevue, Washington.

Also: Majestic tops, Prairie Cotton collection, Stehmann pants, most of the lines you find at Renee's, really. I have met and talked with the owners and designers (usually one and the same) of these companies. These are real people who care about what they are doing. Just like I do. And just like you do.

So, do we really need to care about trends? The media likes to pontificate on fashion. Many of us are intrigued. I'd rather not. A new color here and there suits me fine.

I could be mistaken. What are your thoughts? Seriously, are you more interested in fashion and trends than I'm allowing? Perhaps I'm in the wrong line of work. I've been thinking about writing a book about owning a clothing store... I have lots and lots of stories I could tell...

Missing you all and sending love,

Renee

p.s. I've been laughing out loud as I write... I'm like a crazy person! I think it's time to get back to the real world.... I miss my swimming!

Hit the Ground Running!

Renee's is carrying classic, cool Pendleton this fall!

"Hit it!" That's what you yell when you are ready! ...for the boat to pull you up on water skis, or to get the band to play... And I'm shouting that from the store today, where I'm back after some enjoyable summer time off. We are ready for the fall season at Renee's. Here are some photos to whet your appetite.

Bodil plaid gauze smock.

Aquatalia wine-colored suede pumps.

 

Sympli wrap top and skirt, color currant.

Baabaazuzu jacket. One of a kind.

Baabaazuzu vest. One of a kind.

Graf and Lantz waxed canvas bag, Raw Earth Wild Sky top, Asian Eye scarf.

Nic and Zoe collection.

Nomadic Traders fuschia boiled wool vest and mock neck sweater.

Nomadic Traders turquoise boiled wool vest and mock neck sweater with Asian Eye scarf.

Mark your calendar. Our Asian Eye scarf show will be back just in time for the holidays on Nov. 30 and Dec. first.


Please stop by soon and get a taste of fall at Renee's. We look forward to reconnecting with you soon.

With love,

Renee

New York Finds, Day One

I found some fantastic, exciting new apparel, shoes and accessories for you yesterday, my first market day in New York City.

First on the list, colorful felt and leather bags by Graf and Lantz. Here one of the owners is telling me all about his bags. Felted wool (embossed or not) or canvas (waxed or not) and leather. Stunning!

One of my selections of canvas bags, above, will arrive in May.

This colorful group of felted wool and leather (above) will arrive in-store in August, along with the waxed canvas bags below.

Next up, Aquatalia shoes.

Wow! I hope you love these Aquatalia shoes as much as I do. I think I'm getting bolder. I ordered red shoes! These will dress up a pair of jeans, and look great when you wear all black. Aquatalia is not only functional luxury, but their suede is waterproof. This property is "built in" when the leather is tanned. Finally, technology catches up with shoes!

While I am in the Aquatalia show booth (above), I learn all I can about the product from the experts.

I love these colorful new coats above by Danish designer Ilse Jacobsen!! And she has rubber rain boots to match! These will arrive in May.

The most innovative, creative find of the day? Walleska Ecochicc, apparel, handbags and accessories handcrafted from recycled aluminum can tabs (above). I did not order this line. :)

The rep above explains all the features of her line, Bed-Stu. My selection of these rugged, urban canvas and leather bags sits on the floor behind her. These bags will arrive next month (March).

More shopping, this time at Mystree (above). You would not believe all the choices I make on your behalf! Fortunately, I am decisive. I have to make decisions as quickly as I can since there is so much to see.

One of the pleasures of going to market is meeting the artisans and designers. Here I am (above) with Teresa Goodall, designer of her own jewelry line. She and her husband live in Minneapolis. The jewelry I ordered from her will arrive next month.

Designer Amy Leiner and I work to put together a new selection of her jewelry for you, which will also arrive next month.

Buying a new legging line, Lysee leggings (above) and with the owner (below).

Talking with the owner of a new line called "Chalet," below.

New prints (above and below) from a favorite dress line, Elana Kattan.

I am always impressed by the creativity I see when I shop for you. There is so much to learn about all the lines, too. I wish I could bring all of you with me! I can't wait for you to see all of the wonderful finds I discovered yesterday.

And now I'm off and running on my second day in the city. Stay tuned for more finds...

Sending my love from across the country,
Renee