Super Bowl Update

"After."

Dear Friends,

Accessorizing with a belt can flatter your figure, keep things in place, and add polish to any outfit. Here are a few before-and-after photos that demonstrate the power of adding a belt to an outfit.

"Before."

In a recent post, I recommended Suzi Roher belts. We received stunning new additions to our collection at Renee's yesterday.

Before.

After.

Suzi's belts, made in Toronto, Canada, incorporate elastic on every style, creating versatility, adjustability, and comfort.

Before.

After.

Before.

Hip hugging belts do wonders for tunics, casual shift dresses, trendy low-rise jeans, and boho skirts.

After.

These belts can be worn on the waist or pulled down to the hip. They fit all body shapes.

Julie is modeling a new line called "Chalet."

Chalet dress, leggings, reversible vest, and Suzi Roher belt.

Belts add a ring of color and a finishing touch of flair and personality to complete a look. Here are some close-ups of our most recent additions.

Anthracite leather and stretch fabric is mixed with black nickel hardware on this belt. Suzi herself called this the "mouse to house" belt because it is expandable.

Hammered antique gold metal paired with Italian gold washed lamb leather makes this a stunning belt.

This textured brown elephant leather, paired with black nickel hardware, just gets more beautiful over time.

With anthracite leather and stretch fabric between the hardware, this belt sits flat on the body.

Adjustable, expandable parachute belt with classic silver hook and hardware.

Our cleanest belt is comprised of black leather, stretch fabric, and a big square pewter buckle.

Accessorizing with a belt can make a big difference in your look. Come on in and experiment. Project radiant confidence just by adding a Suzi Roher belt to your outfit.

With love,

Renee

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!

Black Halo Jackie O dress

Dear Reader,
I love documenting "our" New York visit. And I especially enjoy hearing from you! Your feedback about which pieces and brands resonate with you will influence my final buying decisions. Thank you! Keep up the wonderful, inspiring comments!

Over the years I have heard many of you say that you don't like to shop. That's why you visit Renee's. I put a lot of time, care and thought into every item you eventually see at Renee's, from lines chosen to colors and sizes selected. Every piece at Renee's was hand chosen for you. I am your personal shopper!

There is not much play time here in New York when I'm on a buying trip. After I spend the day at the show, in the evenings I review and organize my notes, pore over photos and study the information. I rarely turn in an order right when I see a line. I edit my choices and pick the best of what I've seen. I will start writing my orders on the flight back to Seattle. After that, I'll spend a few more days filling in my budget, asking questions, and finally, turning in orders.

I have one more shopping day here in the big city. In the meantime, I've posted photos and information from my favorite lines I saw yesterday. Which lines and items are your favorites?

Sending love,
Renee

Black Halo booth

Black Halo models

Black Halo for spring.

Suzi Roher herself helps me choose your belts!

Belt discussion with Suzi Roher and her daughter.

Choosing your LillaP knit tops.

LillaP top

Raw Earth Wild Sky rep demonstrates a top that ties.

Putting together your Liebeskind bag collection

Lots of decisions to be made, with help from the experts.

Peace of Cloth pants. New line, fabulous fit, quality fabric and easy style. This pant collection will become a favorite.

Peace of Cloth