Summer 2010
Designer Spotlight: Stella McCartney
Aug 31st
Stella McCartney is one of my favorite designers. She makes clothing, shoes, bags and accessories that are timeless and trendless, yet always extremely fashionable. Her designs are – in essence – very simple. They have few embellishments, adornments or superfluous details. But, the fit, the shape and the proportion are unmatched in my eyes. They truly could be worn forever, no matter the ebb or flow of the style tide. In addition to her eponymous line, McCartney has also made numerous fashion collaborations. Adidas by Stella McCartney has been going strong since 2005 and her lines for LeSportsac, H&M and GapKids were extremely successful, often selling out in record time.
Aside from her work, I also love her for her personality. She is calm and quiet, never hogging the spotlight or making a fuss. In fact, she made a name for herself entirely on her own, never once relying on the fame of her parents – Beatle Paul McCartney and his first wife, model Linda Eastman. Also, she is friends with many celebrities – most notably Liv Tyler, Kate Moss and Kate Hudson – but is never seen out-and-about partying hard or making a fool of herself. Furthermore, she has refused to let her personal beliefs be sacrificed for her work. As a vegetarian, she use neither leather nor fur in the creation of her garments and accessories and all items are cruelty-free – a true rarity in the fashion world. It is clear that she takes both her work and her personal life – she is married with three small children – very seriously.
I have been lucky enough to snag a few fabulous Stella McCartney items at Second Time Around, and I am always keeping my eyes peeled for more. Have a favorite designer of your own? Hit up your local Second Time Around on a regular basis or get on one of the store’s wish-lists and you will be sure to find some treasures too.
Happy Shopping!
~Marisa, Director of Styling, Second Time Around
SPOTLIGHT ON: RICHARD AVEDON
Aug 27th
Entrance to Exhibition
~ Boston Museum of Fine Arts, “Avedon Fashion: 1944-2000″ ~
For almost sixty years, Richard Avedon (1923-2004) brought fashion to life via his artful camera. His photos mayhave started out as advertisement for Dior, Chanel, or Versace, but they ended up as events. The Boston Museum of Fine Arts is currently hosting the traveling exhibit “Avedon Fashion: 1944-2000″, which is the first comprehensive survey of Avedon’s fashion photography since 1978. Avedon has been heralded in the fashion industry as a pioneer, one who revolutionized the work of fashion photographers. Using a photojournalist’s approach, Avedon replaced formal, mannequin-like studio poses with dynamic images of models who are full of expression, often on location, and always in motion.
Suzy Parker with Robin Tattersall, dress by Dior, Place de la Concorde, Paris, August 1956
Images are grouped by decades and presented to show his
progression as a photographer and artist. Avedon’s volume of work was huge — the exhibition highlig
hts about 140 objects. Original prints, negatives, and notebooks are displayed alongside Bazaar issues from the 1940’s. Separated into three galleries chronicling the periods 1944-1949, 1950-1959, and 1960-2000, we follow along as Avedon’s technique (not to mention the direction of fashion itself) evolves.
Richard Avedon was only 21 when he sold his first photo for $7.50 and was soon working for Harper’s Bazaar. They sent him to Paris, where he made his reputation, reconstructing the pre-war glamour of the city. By the late ’50s Avedon was arguably the most famous photographer in the world. The 1960s brought a youthquake of mod culture and Avedon certainly captured the tenor of the times. He was the first prominent photographer to use multi-racial models, turning Donyale Luna into the first major African-American high-fashion model in U.S. fashion magazines.
The 1970s saw Avedon continuing to reflect the energy and liberated styles of the times, photographing models in mini dresses and menswear-inspired clothing. By the 1980s, until his departure from the magazine in 1988, Avedon shot nearly every cover for Vogue; after 1990, Avedon worked exclusively on ad campaigns and catalogues for Gianni Versace. In 1992, he became the first staff photographer for The New Yorker, where he contributed several fashion essays. Avedon continued to dominate the photographic world until his death in 2004.
“Avedon Fashion: 1944-2000″ will continue to be on display through January 17th, 2011 — trust us fashioniSTAs when we say it is a highly recommended addition to your itinerary. Check out this display while you can!
~ Kim, Manager Harvard Square, Second Time Around
Jade Parfitt & Esther De Jong In Art Deco ensembles by Galliano, New York City, March 26, 1998
Donyale Luna, dress by Paco Rabanne, New York, December 1966
MIDNIGHT MADNESS! STA 70% off sale!
Aug 24th
FashioniSTAs! Our biggest sale of the year kicks off tomorrow and you don’t want to miss it!
Here are the details!
70% off all summer merchandise
10% off all fall merchandise
10% off all fall merchandise
This Wednesday, August 25th and Thursday, August 26th
Most stores are open until midnight!
See below for store sale dates and complete details!
Wednesday, August 25th
Harvard Square, MA
Atrium Mall**, MA
Needham*, MA
Newton*, MA
Wellesley*, MA
Westport*, CT
Thursday, August 26th
176 Newbury Street, Boston, MA
219 Newbury Street, Boston, MA
324 Newbury Street, Boston, MA
Charles Street*, Boston, MA
Burlington Mall**, MA
Thayer Street, Providence, RI
Portsmouth, NH
Portland*, ME
Burlington, VT
Greenwich*, CT
Georgetown, DC
Mott Street, NYC
Lexington Avenue, NYC
Thompson St, NYC
Chicago*, IL
Philadelphia, PA
*Store Open Until 10pm
**Store open mall hours only
SEE YOU THERE!!
~Jeanne, Director of Marketing, Second Time Around
I Get By With a Little Help From My Friendship Bracelets
Aug 20th
Friendship bracelets are making a comeback and I love it! Wrists layered with brightly-colored strands of thread bring up such fond memories of hours spent weaving with friends on the porch or on long car rides to my grandparent’s house.
I first spotted the trend while on my trip to Madrid, Spain. My sister and I got matching friendship bracelets in El Buen Retiro, Madrid’s Central Park, and I got a red and yellow one from a souvenir shop in La Plaza Mayor in order to cheer on the Spanish World Cup team and commemorate our trip.
Since I have been home, I have spotted them being sold by a street vendor at the corner of Boylston and Dartmouth Streets, a kiosk in the Prudential Center Mall and both Madewell and Stel’s on the last block of Newbury St.
Friendship bracelets look best in brightly-colored groups. When worn this way, not only do they stand out better, but they are also more apt to have a color in them to coordinate with your outfit. Also, the addition of another texture or material can add further visual interest. Look for friendship bracelets with charms, metal chains or links – Madewell and Stel’s both carried examples of this. Finally, if you can find friendship bracelets made of leather, then you have officially hit the jackpot. You’ve got the look, plus the durability or leather. And if you do, please let me know. I passed up some in Spain and I seriously regret it…
~Marisa, Director of Styling, Second Time Around
Smells Like Teen Style
Aug 16th
Disney stars solve mysteries in style
I happen to have been in the room recently when the Nickelodeon show “iCarly” was on, and what I saw made me do a double-take. Yes, iCarly was walking around her middle school hallways wearing Rock & Republic jeans. Before I go into the logic of how a 14-year-old could possibly have had a spare couple hundred bucks lying around to buy them, it hits me that I was never that fashionable at that age. Then it hits me even harder: I’m not that fashionable now. While it’s tempting to start a turf war with these under-agers for showing up my style, I figured that maybe I can learn something from these teen stars.
I’m not afraid to admit that I’m in my twenties and I now have a minor obsession with what certain teens are wearing. While some trends cannot be universally applied – think blond wigs with bangs and multi-colored knee socks – some of these teen stars can provide great inspiration. Here are some things we can learn from our younger fashionistas:
Brights
The one thing you’ll probably never see a teen star wearing is an all-black 
ensemble (unless this child star has been cast as a lonely outsider and the network needs to make a statement). On the red carpet or on-screen, these teen superstars go for bright colors, whether it’s a mini-dress or a casual ensemble with jeans. It’s no secret that the younger you are, the more closely your wardrobe relates to a box of crayons. But this new generation has taken brights from primary colors-only to an eclectic mix of prints and textures. Their way of approaching clothing like a true reflection of their lifestyle creates a style that exudes energy and makes fashion more than just a singular look. Take a page from their book and go for a bright yellow minidress for your next party, or try to see if you can go a whole week without wearing a black top. Even in the wintertime, these young stylistas can piece together colorful, yet weather appropriate, outfits. Go for bright colors in unexpected places, whether it’s a pair of boots or a belt, it makes it look like you are excited about what you’re wearing.
In addition to pops of bright colors, these girls also embrace their youth with fun, feminine clothes. If you’ve ever looked at a dress and said that you loved it but you were afraid it was “too much,” look to the teen generation for inspiration. Every eveningwear piece is a party dress to them, and it makes them stand out. And when was the last time you were unhappy that people noticed you looked great?
Casual Style
I’m the first person to advocate the sweatpants movement, but I figured after iCarly went prancing around her 8th grade halls in premium denim, I couldn’t exactly justify my 24/7 yoga pants style. Infusing your wardrobe with
iCarly keeps young casual looking cool
brightly-colored clothing items is a great start to turning your casual style from boring to youthful. To take it a step further, look to the characters these young ladies play. Alex Russo (Wizards of Waverly Place) wears motorcycle boots on a daily basis, yet her girly and fresh makeup paired with her bright ensembles make her more individualist-chic without making her look like a biker hobo. Miley Stewart (Hannah Montana) prances around in converses with colored denim and simple tanks, never looking over-the-top like her famous counterpart. They use fun accessories, always switching it up from the usual subtle pendants, and they aren’t afraid to experiment with studs or big belts. These girls create a style that looks like they had fun getting dressed, definitely a lesson the working crowd can learn from. And if you ever need a tutorial on how to mix prints, I still think teen tv characters make this trend more workable than the runways ever did.
Hair Risks
I don’t know if younger people’s hair grows at an alarmingly faster rate than adults’ hair does, but these kids are constantly experimenting with their hair. Maybe because they can’t rebel in other ways, they take it out on their hair stylists, but either way, the adult fashionista population can take something away from this carefree nature. Selena Gomez (right) goes from long to bob to bangs all in one season of Wizards of Waverly Place, and even her sidekick on the show is kicking her hairstyle up a notch. It’s easy to get into a permanent routine with your hair, but changing it up is a great way to spice up your entire wardrobe without buying a single item of clothing. Don’t be afraid to look to these young ladies for inspiration (of course, you’re also taking advice from someone who walked into a piercing parlor with a picture of Ashlee Simpson, but it did all work out for me). Go for blunt bangs or a youthful, shoulder-length bob with fresh, bright highlights, and remember that if it doesn’t work out, you can always change it. No one is ever too old to try out something new, you never know, it could be the best hairstyle you’ve ever had. There’s a hair risk that everyone wants to take, take a cue from these younger ladies and go for it!
Until I really looked, I never knew how many times I would say, “I want that” during a teen show and not be referring to the junk food they were eating. They have a certain carefree nature with their style where they have fun with fashion without trying to accomplish a goal. When did fashion get to be so serious? You can only wear so many blazers before you start to feel like a corporate lawyer.
~Ashley, fashioniSTA, Second Time Around
Define Your Brows at Home
Aug 5th
I don’t know about you ladies, but I’m clinically obsessed with my eyebrows. I tweeze my eyebrows every other day and I wax religiously every two weeks – fair warning: don’t get into my habit. You can achieve great eyebrows without even doing any of that nitty gritty stuff. Eyebrows can give your face a definitive look and bring light to your face. I’ve become an expert on achieving a great brow and I’ll show you how with five easy steps, and soon you’ll be on your way to great looking eyebrows.
Revlon Colorstay
1. Have an idea as to how you want your eyebrows to look, you can’t go into it without at least knowing what you’re getting into, because it can turn into a disaster. Riffle through some magazines and see what you find. Look for models or celebrities with your face shape who have similar features to you, and find the type of shape that you like.
2. Once you know which eyebrows you would like to model yours after, you can focus on shading. Look at the color of your eyebrows and determine what shade you need to achieve a natural look, try to get as close as your natural eyebrow color. Blondes; depending on how light your eyebrows already are, your best option is only one shade darker.
3. Decide if you want to do eye shadowing or eye penciling. They both give an eye brow a definitive look but there is a difference. Eye shadowing gives a natural look; eye penciling can give a clean but stern look. It’s important to keep in mind that with eye shadowing you must use a small soft brush and lightly coat and not douse the eye brow. Using a brow pencil entails precision, a steady hand and a firm approach. Remember when applying pencil, do not press hard on the pencil this will cause it to look fake and matted, press lightly it doesn’t take much to get a result from an eye brow pencil. It’s a great way to get a very edgy look.
4. When applying either shadow or pencil always start in the middle and work your way to the tip then back again to the beginning. This helps you fill in the spaces that need shading.
5. Q-tips are your best friends. If your eyebrows are too dark you can dab the Q-tip on your eyebrows and fix the shaping as you go.
You don’t have to be a celebrity to get traffic-stopping brows!
~Leslie, fashioniSTA, Second Time Around
How to Shop Your Own Closet: Volume I
Jul 30th
As a stylist, I am elbow-deep in clients’ closets on a regular basis. I help clients edit their wardrobes, educate them about the fits and cuts of clothes that work best for them and I build outfits that help the client utilize their attire and accessories to the fullest extent. Often, this closet analysis is followed by a shopping trip to help fill the gaps, but sometimes it is just enough to jumpstart the clients’ new fashion life. Since I know how successful this can be, I have put together a four-part blog with some tips for doing it yourself. Here’s the first installment:
1. Get rid of anything that you haven’t worn in 1 year.
If it’s gross, trash it. If it is a really basic or a really casual piece (i.e. extra t-shirts) but still in good condition, donate it. If it is a more valuable piece, consign it. For information on consigning at Second Time Around, please click here!
Addenudum: If there is an item of clothing or an accessory that you do not use, but which holds sentimental value, you may keep it. However, please remove it from your closet and store it elsewhere.
Staring at a closet full of clothing and accessories that you don’t use can cause confusion and can cause you to overlook items and outfits that you may actually want to wear. If the offending items are removed – or, at least, relocated – the confusion will be kept at a minimum and outfits will more easily appear.
Keep an eye out for the next edition….there are three more on the way!
~Marisa, Director of Styling, Second Time Around
Spotlight On: Dharma Imports
Jul 26th
Oh, summer! We never thought it was possible to have such a love / hate relationship with anything other than pop music or ridiculously high heels … but year after year you prove us wrong. Hidden scenic colors are highlighted by an otherwise scorching sun; the joy of discarding our layers becomes trumped by blankets of humidity. This season may well be the most difficult time of year, fashionably speaking. How on earth is a gal supposed to feel fresh yet remain fashionable?
Portrait 1
Lucky for us all, Second Time Around houses a unique and independent summer fashion line — Dharma Imports! Dresses, tanks, skirts… you name it, Dharma Imports provides it, and it can be found exclusively at select Second Time Around locations!
Ralph Davis, the man behind Dharma Imports, visits India and Thailand annually to scout new designs and textiles for use each season. Beginning in 1987, Davis’ team of tailors worked out of their homes, using their own sewing machines, to create the showcased designs. As the years passed and demand for Dharma Imports grew, the seamstress operation evolved into a series of small factories that now employ up to fifty people per location!
Based out of Portland, ME, Dharma Imports first appeared on the racks of Second Time Around in 2005 after Davis staked a vending tent at one of Harvard Square’s May Fair block parties. A chance purchase by a staff member of Cambridge’s Second Time Around led to a consignment relationship that has since blossomed to encompass ten stores across the East Coast! Each summer, Dharma Imports can be found at our locations in Burlington (VT), Burlington Mall (Burlington, MA), 219 & 324 Newbury St. (Boston, MA), Harvard Square (Cambridge, MA), Georgetown (Washington DC), Portsmouth (NH), Providence (RI), Portland (ME), and Philadelphia (PA).
If you’re in need of a fabulous frock this summer to help you stay cool (both in temperature and in tailoring!), look no further. Help yourself to a little style for your soul, while you’re at it — by shopping both STA and Dharma Imports, you’re supporting local fashion and independent international economy!
Check out the looks created by the fashioniSTAs over at the shop where it all began, Harvard Square!
~Kim, Manager, Harvard Square
Portrait #1: Strapless Dharma Imports Dress — $36 / Sofia Tartufoli Sandals — $42 / Oscar de la Renta Sunglasses — $78
Portrait #2: Embroidered Dharma Imports Tank — $18 / Theory Skirt — $38 / Kenneth Cole Reaction Sandal — $24 / Cole Haan Sunglasses — $40 / Hattie Carnegie Vintage Bag — $52
Portrait #3: Halter Dharma Imports Dress — $38 / Cole Haan Sandals — $42 / HOBO International Bag — $52 / Jade Necklace — $12
Portrait 2
Portrait 3
Get That Summer Glow, No Sun Required!
Jul 23rd
You don't need UV rays to get a tan like this
As the palest person this side of Iceland, I have become an expert at sunless tanning. If you are like me and your skin will never bronze past an unflattering shade of red, sunless tanning products are going to be your new best friends this summer. From a subtle glow to an all-around tan, there are a multitude of methods you can take to make sure that your faux glow is fabulous (and non-orange).
If you are a tanning newbie, don’t fear. I was once fair and unaware 24/7 (instead of just the days I’m lazy and put zero effort into not looking like a member of the undead). My advice would be to go all out your first time to see if you like yourself with a tan, which I’m willing to bet money that you will be. The safest bet to your first tan is with a custom airbrush, which generally runs between $25 and $65. Not every tanning salon does this, so call in advance to ask about their services. Airbrushing is not the same as a spray tan booth. This is when a trained professional takes an airbrush machine and sprays it on you. This is the first class version of tanning. The most expensive option, but it is definitely worth it, especially for a special event. The professional will talk you through the process and make sure that your tan is even and natural looking. If you get lucky, the airbrusher might also spray your tan on to contour your abs or make your legs look thinner. So count the extra cost of the airbrush against the money you’ll be saving on dieting.
Another option is a Mystic Tan booth, which generally costs $20-$30 a session. Instead of a person airbrushing you, you will stand in a booth while it mists you with tanner. On your first time, one of the tanning salon employees will walk you through the process, but the most important thing to remember is the barrier cream lesson. The salon will provide you with a thick lotion – known as a barrier cream – that you will put on your hands, feet and nails to prevent them from tanning. Apply thickly to your nails and palms, and then put a thin layer on the back of your hands and on your heels (or any other dry area, such as your elbows or knees).
Clarins "Delicious" Tanning Cream
If leaving your house isn’t high on your priority list – and with the multiple heat waves, I don’t blame you – there are great at home options as well. The best one, in my humble and sun-kissed opinion, is Clarins “Delicious” Self Tanning Cream. It has a small amount of bronzer in the cream which allows you to apply it more evenly because you can actually see where you have already applied. Tanning gels and mousses usually go on clear, which makes it difficult to apply evenly. There are also drugstore brands that you can use, just make sure you rub them in completely in a circular motion to ensure a no streak tan. Also, after any of these products, you need to scrub the palms of your hands with a wet washcloth so you don’t look like you were finger-painting with just the orange paint.
After any sunless tanning, you need to wait for the tanner to sink in. This will generally take around 6 hours, but I leave it on overnight for the best and most even tan. The most important steps in any sunless tanning method: exfoliate and moisturize. Before any sunless tanning, exfoliate your entire body and apply a water-based moisturizer where needed. Once you shower, moisturize religiously, it will extend the life of your tan significantly. At any tanning salon, you can buy a lotion designed to help you maintain your tan. This lotion is the best option for maximum results, but any moisturizer will do.
Finally, if going gradual is your M.O., you can always go with a lotion that offers a hint of self tanner. Word to the wise: choose a lotion for skin one shade darker than your natural color. For example, although you might be considered “Fair,” go for the “Medium” lotion. It won’t look unnatural and your glow will be a little more noticeable. You will still have to apply once or twice a day for a continuous period of time to maintain a subtle glow, but with a lighter shade you might not even notice a difference. I also like to use L’Oreal’s gradual lotion because it has a hint of sparkle in it, but maybe you’re not as drawn to glitter as I am, in which case any drugstore brand – like Neutrogena – is a great pick. For a quick fix on your arms or legs, apply an airbrush tanner like from Sally Hansen, it’s a great pick when you’re in a rush.
Remember, nothing completes a summer outfit like a summer tan!
~Ashley, fashioniSTA, Second Time Around
The Most Stylish Bag is a Reusable One
Jul 21st
Anya Hindmarch's Reusable Tote
Re-usable bags are everywhere – as they should be! In fact, their use has become so prevalent that even high-end designers are creating them.
The first high-end reusable bag came from London-based designer Anya Hindmarch. The canvas totes that she created, emblazoned with the words “I’m not a plastic bag” in 3-D appliqué script, sold out at participating grocery stores in mere seconds and re-sold on Ebay for upwards of $200 in some cases. The buzz created by these bags most certainly helped to start the re-usable bag trend.
Marc Jacobs sells numerous reusable bag options ranging from nylon to canvas in a variety of price points. All are colorful and useful and even showcase some of the famous tongue-in-cheek Marc Jacobs humor. A few read “Jacobs by Marc Jacobs for Marc by Marc Jacobs in collaboration with Marc Jacobs for Marc by Marc Jacobs,” poking fun at their designer status and others showcase Marc’s loveable cartoon mascot “Miss Marc.”
Prada recently came out with their take on a reusable tote. The bags are simple, useful and come in their trademark, easy-to-wash, lightweight, foldable nylon. And the prints are to-die-for. My favorites are the sunshine yellow bag with cartoon boat and the kaleidoscope orange floral on purple background. Gorg!
Shop in style with Hermes
Finally, no conversation about high-end merchandise would be complete without talking about Hermes. Eternally stylish and well…expensive, Hermes does not disappoint even when reusable bags are concerned. Their “Silky Pop” bags are made of a silk-like fabric, resemble the fashion house’s famous scarves and fold down into their own pebbled leather case. Truly fab, but I doubt you won’t see too many at the grocery store since they go for roughly a $1000 a pop. Yikes!
Stay tuned for STA’s own reusable bag! We hope to debut them shortly along with some great bag-related discount and bonuses… 
See you soon!
~Marisa, Director of Styling, Second Time Around