15 New Outfit Ideas

Baby, it's cold outside!
With this wintry weather comes a whole host of goodies to try and ease the pain of the bitter cold, things like hot cocoa, crackling fires, and woolly puppy sweaters, but nothing defines the season like the bundled up, hyper-layered looks that can be found on this city's streets.  

Wear tights

If you're looking for some fresh ideas beyond the standard puffy coat, warm yourself up with these outfit ideas.

• Wear tights to extend the life of your closet.
• An alternative to the military-inspired wool trench coats of last fall  is the quilted hunting jacket.
• Toughen up the school girl look made popular by hit series Gossip Girl with serious navy layers.  Hey, Blair Waldorf would approve.
• The quickest way to spruce up your winter coat is with jewel-tone scarf.
• Be fashion-forward with your prints.  Springs prints are pushing the fashionable envelope; paired with killer knee-high heeled boots, you won't go unrecognized.

Channel Little Red Riding Hood

• Channel Little Red Riding Hood.  No one will be able to miss you in a tailored wool coat with a fire-engine red lining.
• Cuten-up your afternoon errands with a demure houndstooth coat and comfy on-the-go shoes.
• Belt-up your favorite tailored, a-line jacket, and you'll be the belle no matter what the weather.
• Look snugly cute in a fuzzy wool knit cap, and feel romantic even when it's freezing out.
• Play with texture to spiff up a closet full of dark, drab colors -- just remember to keep everything in the same color family to avoid the crazy lady look.

Rule in Red

• Rule in Red.  Use extra details, like tulip sleeves or a bow at the collar, and you'll be the cherry on top of a perfect winter day!
• Incorporate color into your look.  When the weather gets you down, add a pop of color to your outfit, and instantly put a smile back on your face.
• Borrow from the boys.  Sometimes menswear can be the sexiest look... on a woman.  Balance out the tomboy in you with a ladylike handbag.
• On the prowl.  Been flirting with the ideal of adding an animal print to your outfit?  Go ahead.  Take a walk on the wild side.
• Leather riding boots are a fabulous alternative to your rain boots, especially when there's some dark denim jeans tucked inside.

Red Carpet Looks to Copy Now

Red Carpet Looks to Copy Now

Here are 8 celebrity-inspired spring trends fresh off the red carpet that are ready to be worn now, 4 NYC shopping hot spots, and 4 recommendations from parker+paige where you can score looks to copy your favorite trend today.  Cute dresses, instant glamor accessories, sexy shoes – I've got it all!  And I’m here to help you navigate your way through.

1. Tuxedo look, Jennifer Aniston.

Have a closet full of dresses, and in desperate need of a new look?  Try ditching the cocktail dress tonight, in favor of a menswear-inspired look.  Invest in a fitted tuxedo blazer, and then swap in short shorts or a sexy black miniskirt to ramp up the outfit’s flirt factor.

From the East Village, I recommend the Province Shorts by Quail, available at Cry Wolf.

Cry Wolf, 111 St. Marks Place, New York, NY 10009.

212.995.9653. info@crywolfny.com

2.  RED, Taylor Swift.

Pair siren red heels with your can't miss it dress, so often seen on Taylor Swift on almost every red carpet she walked in 2010.  Bonus points if you have strawberry blonde, or ginger colored hair!

For a red frock from one of our collections, try the Maia by LK ($630) for your cocktail parties and the red jersey number pictured below from Suzanne Lay's Holiday Collection for a fun night out on the town.
parker+paige, http://www.facebook.com/parkerandpaige
504.875.1544. info@parkerandpaige.com

3.       Instant glamor accessories, Freida Pinto.

Have some time on your hands, and craving a DIY (do-it-yourself) project?  Try taking your favorite LBD (Little Black Dress), and adding a touch of metallic tones.  Cinch any black dress with a beaded belt, add on a gilded accessory here or there, and you’ve got instant DIY success.

For glamourized accessories in the East Village, I recommend checking out the Phillip Crangi collection at Pas de Deux.

Pas de Deux, 328 East 11^th Street, New York, NY 10003.

212.475.0075. info@pasdedeuxny.com

4.  Sequins, Heather Morris.

If you have some fancy events to kick in the new year, I can certainly understand; winter does bring gala season.  My advice?  Go all out -- with your wardrobe that is.  For a black-tie affair, wow your peers with a gown that glitters from head to toe.

For a custom made piece by one of our Project Runway designers, I recommend the Coraline from J by J (by Jerell Scott), or the Dumbfound from The Exquisite Corpse by Michael Drummond.

parker+paige, http://www.facebook.com/parkerandpaige
504.875.1544. info@parkerandpaige.com

5.  Winter whites, Ginnifer Goodwin.

Want a wardrobe rule that’s finally cool to break?  Wearing white after Labor Day.  I say break the rules, and wear some cool, creamy hues to your next charity gala.  Set-off this white, hot look with black accessories to winterize your look.

For a winter white sheath from your favorite local haunt, check out the Spring Collection from Cloak & Dagger.

Cloak & Dagger, 441 East 9^th Street, New York, NY 10009.

212.673.0500. phone 718.858.6650. fax

6. Unexpected lace look, Lea Michele.

While I agree that a little too much lace can look a little too lingerie to leave the house in, we've got some surprisingly sexy pieces with the perfect hint of lace that you'll never have to worry about crossing that boundary in.

To add a hint of lace to your wardrobe this spring, I recommend the Becca by Nire` ($152), or this fancy top from Suzanne Lay's Holiday Collection.
parker+paige, http://www.facebook.com/parkerandpaige
504.875.1544. info@parkerandpaige.com

7.  Serious blazer, Jada Pinkett Smith.

Got a young professional’s happy hour coming up?  There’s nothing trickier than tackling that office to after-hours party outfit.  A crisp blazer – serious, boyfriend, or otherwise – paired with pants during the day, and a fun & festive skirt at night, is the go-to solution for every working girl in the city.

For fancy coats to pair with your most fabulous frocks, I’d try An Ren in the East Village first; a Critics’ Pick by NY Magazine for their “flashy, feminine, whimsical women’s coats”.

An Ren, 315 East 9^th Street, New York, NY 10002.

212.388.9486.

8. Sweater dresses, Nicole Richie.

A long sleeve sweater dress is the perfect add-on to your current winter wardrobe.  Perfect for house parties, family dinners, and other low-key gatherings, it's cute without being too fussy.

For a simple, new sweater dress that won't break the bank, I'd try one from the new collection of snuggly, sweater-inspired pieces from Evil Kitty, like the Siamese (pictured here) for only $78.

parker+paige, http://www.facebook.com/parkerandpaige

504.875.1544. info@parkerandpaige.com

TOMS teams up with Charity Water

TOMS teams up with Charity Water

Blizzard Approved Apparel

8 Blizzard Approved Must-Have Accessories, and the 8 parker+paige pieces they’ll compliment best for the next time you get snowed in…

For those of you who weathered through the conditions of “Blizzard 2010”, feeling a tad-bit under-prepared, here are 4 new ways to layer the warmth this winter – All from parker+paige!  And the 4 must-have accessory picks from Refinery29 for the snowy days ahead.  All to ensure you won’t get caught in the cold again.

1.  Barley Trench by Nire` with the Faux Fur Trap Hat

Ignite Faux Fur Trapper Hat — If it's good enough for the coldest climes in the world, it's good enough for us. Get topped off in a furry trapper hat that'll shelter your noggin and keep your ears toasty, too.

Ignite Faux Fur Trapper Hat, $56.89.  available at ASOS.

Try pairing it with the Barley Trench from Nire's Fall 2010 Collection, just $396. available at facebook.com/parkerandpaige.

This double breasted short trench coat features 10 vintage buttons & ties at each sleeve. Comes with belt that self-ties at the waist.

2.  Olga by Red Doll with Rag & Bone Mittens

Rag & Bone Grayling Fair Isle Mittens — Because nothing brings us back to childhood like a snow day, we love these classic mittens from Rag & Bone.

Rag & Bone Grayling Fairisle Mittens, $136.50.  available at Rag & Bone.

Try pairing younger looking mittens reminiscent of your youth with a more casual coat, like the Ingrid by Red Doll for just $125.  available at facebook.com/parkerandpaige.

This super soft, long sleeve jacket features a high collar to help block out the cold & peplum skirt giving it a very flattering, Victorian touch. Jacket & skirt are trimmed in black with a matching black waistband. Button closure. Professionally surged.

3.  The Petrova by Red Doll with a Down Ice Scraper Mitt

Eddie Bauer Down Ice Scraper Mitt — Funny and functional! This clever tool mixes a down glove with an ice scraper for clearing off your car from under that drift.

Eddie Bauer Down Ice Scraper Mitt, $9.99.  available at Eddie Bauer.

With this type of mitt, try a coat with a bit more.... flaire.  Take this merino wool coat from Red Doll, the Petrova ($245) -- wouldn't it's red lining compliment the red plaid of this mitt perfectly?  available at parkerandpaige.storenvy.com.  

This gorgeous wool coat features an extra long collar, giving you the flexibility to twist the neckline for a cowl neck whenever that's the look you want to sport, and a peplum skirt. Leather buckle front closure.

4.  Mischa by Red Doll with L.L. Bean Signature Boots

L.L. Bean Signature Boots—Classic Bean Boots get a modern upgrade. These gems are waterproof, shearling lined, have great traction, and are roomy enough for thick, cozy wool socks.

L.L. Bean Signature Boots, $299.  available at L.L. Bean.

The perfect pairing with knee-high throwbacks on the classic "duck boot" we all grew up with is definitely the Mischa by Red Doll ($325).  available at facebook.com/parkerandpaige.

This wool petticoat features a big, floppy hood outlined in ruffles, and small puffed sleeves on either shoulder. Fully lined. Leather buckle closure. Front side pockets.

2010 Favorites: Best Memories of 2010

Our best memories from the year 2010 was a hard list to compile, because it being our first year in business, there were a lot of "firsts" to get excited about: ordering our first set of business stationary, meeting with our first group of emerging designers, hosting our first pop-up shop, etc.

Jerell Scott

• Michael Drummond making the cast of Season 8 on Project Runway on Lifetime  

• Seeing a fan photo from one of our first sales last spring

• Jerell Scott a Contestant on Season 5 of Project Runway, deigning a capsule collection: J by J, exclusively for parker+paige

• making our first online sale, and making our first in-person sale at our 1st pop-up shop

• Our Founder appearing on KPLR News Channel 11 in St. Louis to promote Pink Friday in a news segment covering local Black Friday shopping

1st photo shoot

• hosting our 1st professional photo shoot

• Debra Bass, Fashion Editor, St. Louis Post-Dispatch attending the Big Tag Sale on Cherokee and tweeting us later about the sneak peak of our in-store clothing line: p2 spring collection

• being invited to participate in Indie Bazaar 3 in San Fransisco, CA

• being offered future partnership with Uniform Project in NYC, and intern swapping with Fashion Fights Poverty (FFP) in Washington, DC

• receiving an email from Jessica Posner, founder of Shining Hope for Communities & Kiberia School for Girls in Kenya, confirming that they will be the recipient of parker+paige's 2010 donations

Spring 2011: Color Trends

Spring 2011: Color Trends

From Christene Barberich & Piera Gelardi (2 of the hottest fashion editors at Refinery29), we've got the latest on what spring hues will be hottest this year.  And while the girls from Refinery29 have given you examples from the runway, we thought we'd show you the best of what parker+paige has to offer in this year's trendiest colors.  Below are 6 of the season's hottest shades, and a double douse of parker+paige's most vibrant pieces.  So, check it out and buy your favorite color of the season from parker+paige!

Pink

"But not just any pink! Honeysuckle pink (a bright, almost reddish hue) was voted the color of the year by Pantone, and, as far as fashion goes, it showed up on miles of spring 2011 runways, from Jil Sander to Valentino to DKNY. This signature pink also loved to pair up with other brights like aqua and orange or offering some bold contrast to more neutral tones like khaki and sand."

 Orange

"The fashion Universe loves orange, and this spring 2011, it sprung up in a bushel of juicy hues like this mouth-watering persimmon shade, which we can't get enough of."

Yellow

"Yellow is often a tough shade for many women to pull off, but given the extremes it went to for spring, we're willing to go there, despite the risks. Here, it ranged from a warm, buttery tone at Chanel to the palest, prettiest shades of chartreuse at Jason Wu and Proenza. In the spirit of the '70s, modern shades of mustard emerged on the runways, too."

Blue

"Truth be told, nothing gets more classic than blue, especially this spring's offerings. Think a vibrant aqua, a dusty sky blue, and the richest navy (obsessed!) lead the trend pack. Surprise blue move of the moment: Sky blue was often paired with bright orange and rust to gorgeous effect...who knew?"

Earth Tones

"In a sharp contrast to all the spicier hues of spring, the season also welcomed a cool breeze of soothing, wearable earth-colored tones, from sand to a Santa Fe rusty red."

White

"Yes, white is pretty much always a big color for spring and summer. But guess what? This spring 2011, it's like the shade (or, non-shade!) of the moment. Going well beyond your go-to white trousers and bundle of white tank-tops, crisp, head-to-toe white, jackets, and gowns were all a major designer favorite. And we're on board...totally."

So shop your heart out this spring, knowing that no matter which piece you pick from parker+paige you will be up-to-date on this year's trendiest seasonal palette!
XO XO, the team @parkerandpaige