We here at the ModOffices can’t seem to get enough of the Pin-up Dress. It’s classically chic, easy-to-wear, and its flattering cut earns it a rightful spot in the front of our closets. It’s also a perfect example of this week’s term – a set-in waist!

A fitted horizontal panel of fabric is sewn into the waistline of the dress, creating two seams (one above the natural waist, and one below) and one traffic-stopping look!

What is your favorite style of dress?

Hello ModLovers! Get out the mittens and gather around the campfire – it’s time for Fashion Dictionary! This week, I’m discussing a warm and cozy term that will be close to my heart (and neck, and head, and hands) all winter long – the cable knit!

Cable Knit is a knit stitch that is extra-thick, warm, and produces a look that resembles two cords (or cables) wrapping around each other.  Our Simply Snug Neck Warmer features this timeless knit pattern! It’s a beacon of warmth in any winter wonderland. Just take a look at your cool weather favorites – I’m sure you’ll find cable knit a-plenty!

What are your favorite fashion terms? Let me know! Thanks for reading, and happy shopping.

Greetings ModLovers, and welcome to this week’s edition of fashion dictionary! I took this opportunity to talk a little bit more about my new favorite shirt – The Dove Tail Blouse! Now, besides being simple with a retro flare, not to mention easy-to- match with everything, this sweet little number features this week’s term – bishop sleeves!

A bishop sleeve is characterized by a full sleeve, set into a standard-sized arm hole, and gathered into a banded cuff at the wrist. The look was first made popular in the 1850’s (talk about vintage!), and can also be called a “full bishop”. I love the vintage-inspired-secretary feeling it gives to almost any skirt.

What are your new fall favorites? Let me know! Thanks for reading, and as always, happy shopping!

Hello ModLovers! In the spirit of fashion dictionary, I’ve decided to feature some of the finer details of the garments that we call our wardrobe! This week, we’ll discuss the welt (or besom, by tailors) pocket. The welt pocket is an inset pocket with a lipped finish, and a small, stand-up welt that is typically between 3/8′ and 1 inch wide.

Typically found on suit coats, namely on the breast, our Meadowlark Jacket defies convention by added them to the waist of an adorable little jean number!

We all know that blazers are in-style in a big way this fall – does yours feature a welt pocket?

Let me know if you have a fashion term you’d like brought to light! Thanks for reading, and happy shopping.

Greetings fashion fanatics! Its Tuesday, and you know what that means – Fashion Dictionary! This week, Cloche is the word. If you troll as many street style sites as I do, I’m sure you’ve noticed that hats are back! And as the style slave that I am, vintage-inspired hats have taken over my shopping cart.

French for “bell”, a cloche hat is characterized by a deep crown, with a narrow brim or no brim at all, and fits the head closely. It was first made popular in the 1920s and is usually worn with the brim below the eyebrows, almost over the eyes. Our Changeling Hat is a fun, fall-ready way to get the look.

Are you a fan of the hat revoloution? How do you wear them? Thanks for reading ModLovers, and happy shopping!

Greetings ModLovers! With the last hurrah of summer being celebrated with the picnics and moonlight hangouts on Labor Day, I thought it would be appropriate to choose this week’s term with warm memories in mind. Enter the bubble hem! Introduced in 1959 as part of the original “bubble dress,” the bubble hem is characterized by a skirt flaring out at the hips and tapering in at the hem – creating a bubble-like effect. Our Pump Up the Volume Dress features not one, but two tiers of bubble-hemmed goodness! It’s great with colored leggings and a cardigan to take your late summer look to cool fall nights.

Is your wardrobe bursting with bubble hems? What are you looking forward to wearing this fall? Let me know! As always, thanks for reading, and happy shopping!

Hello ModLovers! After a two week delay for trade-show travel, fashion dictionary is back in full effect! I must admit, this week’s term was a little selfish on my part, as it is one of my favorite new trends – the bib necklace.

I’m sure you can deduce what a bib necklace is from the name, but who knew it was an actual, bona-fide fashion term? Generally fitting close to the base of the neck, the fringe, chain links, fringe, or beads are arranged in a shape that looks like a triangular scarf or a child’s bib, creating a statement-making look with low-cut vintage dresses or over your favorite simple tee. Our Jigsaw Necklace is a perfect example of this eye-catching trend! Check out our Psychadelia Jewelry Set, Margherita of Savoy Necklace, and our Hollywood Haberdashery Necklace for more ways to get the look.

Have a term you’d like brought to light? Let me know! Thanks for reading, and happy shopping.

Hello ModLovers! This week, I’m taking a cue from Lisa to discuss the difference between a shift and a sheath-cut dress (thanks for the suggestion!). Both made popular in the late 1950’s, these classic cuts are vintage-inspired perfection. We’ll start with the sheath (pictured above).

Read on to learn more about these two ultra-retro styles!

Read the rest of this entry »

After a short hiatus to shop around Berlin for fun, fresh styles to grace our site next Spring (details to come!), Fashion Dictionary is back! This week, I’m reading up on peplum. The peplum cut is characterized by an extention of the bodice of a garment below the waistline to create a shaping ruffle (that can be pleated, draped, or flared) that is oh-so-chic. Blouses, coats, and dresses (such as our soon-to-be-iconic Raspberritini Dress) can all feature a peplum waist, and varying cuts and styles of the ruffle have stolen the fashion spotlight for decades (as early as the 1860s!). It’s an instant hourglass figure for nights when you want to show off what you’ve got! What do you think? Have a term you’d like brought to light? Let me know! Thanks for reading, and happy shopping.

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!