What better way to show off your independent style this holiday than by indulging in a Mod shopping spree!  We’ve set a Sale in the spirit of the Fourth of July in which you’ll find items from the Sweethearts Top in Blueberry (to go with that delicious pie you’re bringing to the cookout), a pair of picnic-inspired Shenendoah Shorts, to the Up Owl Night Locket whose wide eyes are great for watching fireworks!  So go ahead and take a look at the Sale Homepage, where you’ll find even more stylish goodies…  Chances are you’ll come across something you may have wanted or can’t live without, and now is your chance to get them at a discount.  Don’t hesitate, this sale will be gone in a flash!

Sale begins Thursday July 2nd at 10 AM and ends Sunday July 5th at 12 Midnight.

The Veronica Bathing Suit

This week, my pick for favorite new item was clear. After all, the 4th of July is right around the corner - wouldn’t this swimsuit be absolutely perfect for a pool party?

What’s your favorite new item this week?

(Image above: taken from the fashion blog of DEE LAR SEN)

I love black. You love black. Everyone looks good in black. Unfortunately, there’s a common misconception that you can’t wear it during the summertime. That’s why today’s style inspiration comes from San Francisco-based fashion design student, Dee Larsen. Here she’s broken down the anti-black clothing barrier by wearing it from head to toe; but she does so in a way that’s breezy and cool by tucking a black  cotton V-neck tee into a black cotton skirt with pleats flowing from a high waistband. As a finishing touch, Dee has stepped into a pair of booties to complete a look that is simultaneously boho and Soho.

To achieve a similarly subtle summer look that allows you to maintain a sense of dusky mystery difficult to achieve with the bright, bold colors and prints typical of this season, try pairing a Victorian Tank in Anne Bronte with the airy linen of the Better Than Basic Skirt in Black. Add to these a pair of Battallion Boots for a Saturday afternoon of kicking around the city, or the Night on the Town Booties for, well, a night on the town!

Who: Hannah Rothstein, Writer

What: 1970’s Grecian-style draped dress and “vest’ in seafoam teal

Where: An estate sale in Watkins Glen, NY

How Much: $10.00

When I use it: Although the dress is a bit on the ritzier side, I like to wear it as an “everyday” type of item.  It adds a little pizazz to any occasion or lack of occasion.  In the photo here, I wore the dress to work for kicks and giggles.

Shopping Tips: Follow those country roads, a la John Denver, and venture out into the boonies.  If you stray a bit from the city, you’ll likely find better prices, less picked-over merchandise and more unusual items.

Attention Blog Readers! - We know you guys are the most clever and most stylish bunch on the web, and we’d love to feature you on future Favorite Find Posts! Please email us (favfinds@modcloth.com) a picture of you with one of your favorite shopping finds (a piece of furniture, a hard-to-find record, the perfect vintage boots, or any other treasure) and answer the questions: Who, What, Where, How Much, When I Use It, and Shopping Tips. We can’t wait to see all the cool items you’ve discovered!

(Image above: taken from the Flickr account of dissonantobjective)

Anyone who knows me knows of my love for western inspired clothing. I was excited, then, to come across this photo today while perusing the Wardrobe Remix pool on Flickr.com. This outfit combines the rugged utilitarian look of a cowboy shirt and juxtaposes it with the simple elegance of a pencil skirt for a feminine twist on a garment that’s traditionally found in men’s closets. To gussy it up just a touch more, she’s gone and added a chunky necklace that appears to be composed of wooden beads.  This is a simple and chic look combining two very classic pieces that are likely already staples in your wardrobe stable (even if it means you had to raid your boyfriend’s closet). If not, though, you can giddy up and get a similar menswear-inspired look by tucking the Scout Finch Top into the sleek Teacher’s Pet Skirt in Slate, then fitting your neck with the horseshoe pendant of the Winner’s Circle Necklace or lassoing yourself with a Boho Bolo to finish the look.

(Image above: Faux-Pas image from http://rachelelaine.wordpress.com)

I think it’s great how these peace-loving hippies are expressing their own sense of style in this photo, but you can wear tie-dye without looking like a hippie. I like the Grey-Ful Dead Pants because, although they’re tie-dyed, they’re a bit understated with their muted gray and white colors. I’ve paired the pants with the Ooh-La-La Tunic, because the burnout pattern adds texture to the outfit. The Night on the Town Booties add a little edge to the look that is anything but hippie, and the Gelato Sunglasses and The Scarlet O’Handbag add a splash of color to the ensemble. The United by Nature Bracelet is the finishing touch. Do you wear tie-dye? How do you style it?

[The designers behind Dainty June are: Erica Daking, Jen Johnson, and Jennifer Daking]

Dainty June is a group of friends who have combined forces to create a new line, and we’re one of the few stores carrying their first season! It’s colorful, cheerful and perfect for summer.

Read about the girls’ inspirations from childhood and how Dainty June came to be:

(more…)

This week’s fashion dictionary post goes out to our ModLovers in the southern hemisphere (and anyone else who is still enjoying crisp, cool nights)! A dressmaker coat is a relatively general term, but my closet is full of whimsical examples nonetheless. By definition, a dressmaker coat is is a woman’s coat designed with softer lines and “special” details not often found in standard outerwear; thus, it’s styled more like a dress. Our Carmen Trench features a beautiful bow at the back, full “skirt”, and 3/4 length sleeves, making it quite a bit more special than your average trench.

What do you look for in your perfect cool weather attire? Let me know! Thanks for reading, and happy shopping!

(Image above: taken from the Flickr account of chrissylenguyen)

It’s summer, and chances are that we’re all a bit more active this time of year. But what are fashionistas supposed to sweat in? It’s not always easy to look good while working hard, so that’s why I’ve chosen this outfit from Flickr user chrissylenguyen. She’s done a great job here of maintaining on-trend style for her hike through the Hollywood Hills by wearing a tie-dye  tank top with her yoga pants and accessorizing with neon sunglasses. Not only does she have a sense of style, but she also shows a sense of environmental awareness by carrying an aluminum water bottle. If you’d like to achieve a look that’s both comfortable and current, try on some  Grey-ful Dead Pants with their elasticized waist and top them off with a Brick Wall Tank. To finish, protect your eyes with the retro-yet-futuristic Back to the Futuristic Sunglasses and sip your water from one of several eco-friendly bottles, such as the Talented Mr. Apple Bottle or the Fawn in the Forest Bottle.

Do you recall where you were June 20th at 5:30 A.M.?  Sleeping perhaps?  If you were myself, or one of the other 599 motivated outdoor/eco-enthusiasts registered for the full Rachel Carson Trail Challenge, you were about to embark on a 34 mile, one day hiking extravaganza!

Before there was an environmental movement, there was Rachel Carson, ecologist and author, best known for her book Silent Spring (1962).   Silent Spring warned the public of the dangers of pesticides and herbicides and other chemicals, in particular, DDT. (rachelcarsontrails.org/about) Named by Time magazine as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century, Carson was also an active hiker, bird watcher, and outdoors explorer.  Her legacy lives on through her nonprofit organization and a beautiful (challenging!) trail that runs through northeast Pittsburgh.

As seen in the photo above, hundreds are lined up before the crack of dawn to undertake the Carson Trail!  Over ten years ago, in 1997, 77 registered with only a total of 24 finishing by the cut-off time.  This year, 600 people registered to participate in the full 34-mile one day hiking challenge with a total of 425 who finished!  Its popularity has surely skyrocketed in recent years by both word of mouth and growing concern for the environment.  Proceeds from registering hikers go to the Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy whose goals include raising awareness of the benefits of community trails, getting more people interested in physical activities, getting more people to experience the beauty of our region and the natural world, and helping people see our region as active and vibrant. (rachelcarsontrails.org/about)

If you’re not ready to take on a physical challenge of this nature, register to volunteer at your own local events!  This volunteer-based challenge wouldn’t run if people weren’t willing to donate their own time and effort for the greater good.  At ModCloth, we like to remain active in the environment and events that promote wellness for ourselves and the earth!  You can even find eco-goods on our site!  Check out our proactive book, Change The World for Ten Bucks, sip out of a stainless steel water bottle, or tote around a re-purposed leather bag, such as the New South or Perfect Palate Bag.   Are there any green feats or challenges that you have taken recently, or plan to participate in the future?

The Rachel Carson Trails Conservancy, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), volunteer-based organization dedicated to the development, protection, and promotion of hiking, biking, and walking trails throughout western Pennsylvania. (rachel carsontrails.org)