Post #106: It's All In The Details - Store Curiosities

            Today I did some last minute shopping with my parents before I leave for Paris. Yet again, I was unable to resist going into Forever 21 (and scored exactly what I was looking for: an across the chest shoulder-strap bag for my everyday wanderings while abroad...pictures to come). Yet again, I left carrying one of their bright yellow shopping bags. Having noticed the fact that the bottom of the bags say "John 3:16" on multiple occasions, I decided to finally look it up. The sixth verse of  Chapter Three of the Gospel of John in the New Testament states: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Makes sense with the name, but curious that a major clothing chain would choose to incorporate any facet of a specific religion into its daily functioning/products; especially something as visible and widespread as the shopping bags.

            I looked it up to see if there was any significance with the creators/owners of the store and discovered that it started out in Los Angeles and originally sold clothing targeted at middle-aged women. Much of the clothing was South Korean influenced and was meant for the Korean American community in LA. Clearly much has changed, but this blogger is still left curious as to the origin of and reasoning behind Forever 21's Bible-quoting bags.

Post #105: The Mannequin's Summer Picks - Let's Get Some Shoes

            Summer is probably the time of year when the range of shoe options is largest. Yes, there's typical flip-flops or embellished sandals, but there are also those days where you may need heels, wellies, boat shoes, or a pedicure to dress up your bare feet. In honor of this variety, The Mannequin is dishing out its most recent top shoe picks for summer. 

            In the event that you have an internship or a job where you need to look the business part, look no further than Ivanka Trump. Finally someone has come out with heels that aren't sky-high, but that still look good. After all, when you're on your feet all day (coffee-runs or commuting, anyone?) do you really want to be thinking about the searing bloody pain in your feet? I think not. The Indico Leather Low-Heel Pump comes in black leather and its Patent counterpart comes in Washed It Red, Luxe Pink, and Malted Milk. Heel height: 2 3/4 inches. 

The Indico Leather Low-Heel Pump in Black ($120):

Image/Buy From: http://shop.ivankatrump.com/shoes/indico-low-heel-pump/

The Indico Patent Low-Heel Pump in Malted Milk ($120):

Image/Buy From: http://shop.ivankatrump.com/product/indico-patent-low-heel-pump/

            Looking for something a little more fun and daring? Love feeling like an Amazonian goddess with super-human height (or maybe need a little boost?)? My favorite daring heels of the season are by Halogen and Vince Camuto. The Halogen 'Asher' Wedge is edgy in a very street-chic kind of way. Referencing the sneaker, but with 4 1/2 inches of height (1 1/2 inch platform), this combination of canvas, laces, and rubber-soling is best paired with jeans or pants. I prefer them in Taupe, but they're also offered in Navy. 

The Halogen 'Asher' Wedge ($119.95):

Image/Buy From: http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/halogen-asher-wedge/3252939

            Color-blocking hasn't died yet and it's particularly well done with Vince Camuto's Venize Chocolate Mousse Heels. The straps are soft leather, the platform is braided rope (the perfect detail), and the colors work surprisingly well with each other. Heel height: 4.2 inches with a .7 inch platform. 

The Venize Chocolate Mousse Sandal/Heel ($118):

Image/Buy From: http://www.vincecamuto.com/Shoes/High-Heels/VENIZE-CHOCOLATE-MOUSSE.html

            If you're not a fan of heels or need a shoe that's good for summer adventures and athleticism, you can't go wrong with Sperrys. After about the first wear/break-in they never cease to be comfortable. My favorite this season is the Women's Angelfish Slip-On Boat Shoe in Pewter metallic Leather. Oh, and they look better in person. 

The Sperry Top-Sider Women's Angelfish Slip-On Boat Shoe ($90):

Image/Buy From: http://www.sperrytopsider.com/store/SiteController/sperry/productdetails?productId=7-134400&stockNumber=9102385

Congrats on finishing finals Colgate students and happy Hilton Head fun to all of the seniors. For all of the rest of you still in finals or school, you can do it!

Post #104: The Mannequin's Summer Picks - LWD

            It's beginning to look a lot like summer as exam week starts up (or ends for yours truly). The smell is in the air, the temperature's rising here in Hamilton, and the promise of summer vacations to exotic and beach locales is close on the horizon. So what will you wear? Let me make a suggestion.

            The yang to the "little black dress's" yin is upon us. While the classic LBD is still a sexy year-round staple, the LWD is perfect for standing out in the daytime. Go soft for an ethereal look or skin-tight for Hamptons sex appeal (Gossip Girl Season 2 "White Party" anyone?), but whatever you do, get one in your closet. Stat!

Image From

            Upon finally giving in and clicking on the Nasty Gal ad that kept popping up on the side of my Facebook, I quickly became obsessed. So here are The Mannequin's LWD picks courtesy of Nasty Gal (and one from Urban Outfitters for good measure):

The Lara Lace Dress:


The "Blairest" of them all, this cotton/nylon/spandex blend sells for $58. While the design is unique in itself based on the lined sweet-heart cut with the lace neckline, one of the best aspects of this LWD is that it's form-flattering while still classy. Need to go to tea with the parents? You can wear it. Want to go on a hot date? You can also wear it. Perfection. 

Image/Buy From: http://www.nastygal.com/clothes%2Ddresses/lara%2Dlace%2Ddress%2Divory

 The Strapped in Dress (Nasty Gal):

This is one of those ensembles that just screams "sex on a stick." Wear when you're dressed to impress...the opposite sex, that is. It also sells for $58 (polyester/spandex blend).

Image/Buy From: http://www.nastygal.com/clothes%2Ddresses/strapped%2Din%2Ddress

The Lucca Couture Chiffon Tie Top Baby Doll Dress ($69 at Urban Outfitters):

Whether you're making pancakes on Sunday morning or floating around Central Park, this dress is ethereal, girly, and fun. While it seems like a basic variation on the babydoll theme, the back gives it an unexpected edge that makes it much more wearable in the real world.

Image/Buy From: http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=23972771

3 Days Until The End of Finals. Hang in there. 

Post #103: The Mannequin's Summer Picks - Tote Around

            Whether you're walking the streets of Paris, toting books and a towel to the beach, or shopping with your friends, a brightly colored bag is a quintessential staple for the upcoming season. Whether solid or print, a pop of eye-catching color can boost your summer neutrals or keep your color-blocking lively. 

            For the classy lady who loves pink, Michael Kors' "Jet Set" collection holds the key to success. The Medium Travel Tote ($278) in lacquered pink is a win for anyone in their late-teens through the middle-age years. While my one qualm is the questionable texture of the bag (while I've never touched it in person, the lacquered pink saffiano leather does not appear smooth to the touch if you zoom in on the photograph...although it does tone the neon-quality down a notch), the shape and dimensions are perfect. Not a fan, but love the concept? Kors also designed a chain-shouldered version ($268). And while it has slightly smaller dimensions, this one's looking smooth. 

Image/Buy From: http://www.michaelkors.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod16000031&parentId=cat41703&masterId=cat26702&index=6&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_term=&utm_content=MothersDay2012&utm_campaign=MKZFacebookMothersDay2012&ecid=MKBZOEDSBrand

Image/Buy From: http://www.michaelkors.com/p/MICHAEL-Michael-Kors-MICHAEL-Michael-Kors-Jet-Set-Chain-Shoulder-Tote-10/prod16000029___/?eItemId=prod16000029&cmCat=search&searchType=MAIN&icid=&rte=%252Fsearch.jhtml%253FN%253D0%2526Ntt%253D10%2526_requestid%253D35340

            For the person who doesn't like leather or has a quirkier fashion sense, Juicy Couture has recently dabbled in neoprene (yes, the material that wetsuits are made of). I must say that if you're near a beach location, this Nora Large Tote might actually be my go-to suggestion. It has large dimensions and simple edging that pulls the look of the bag together. At $178, it falls at a lower price point than the work of Mr. Kors, but packs just as much of a stylistic punch. Not a fan of pink? I suggest getting this one in Heliconia Red.         

Image/Buy From: http://www.juicycouture.com/nora-large-tote/YHRU2825,default,pd.html?dwvar_YHRU2825_color=952&start=2&cgid=handbags-neoprene-bags

            Sick of the solids and in a sorority? Love living the preppy life? Lilly Pulitzer's Sorority collection offers great totes at a relatively low price. I've seen some fellow sisters of Colgate's Delta Delta Delta chapter carrying this around and let me tell you, it's even cuter in person. If "everything's in the details," then the subtle "Delta Delta Delta" in script, actual Deltas, and other components of the crest make this bag have it all. In honor of the other sororities on Colgate's campus, I went looking for Kappa Kappa Gamma and Gamma Phi Beta version. Unfortunately, Lilly Pulitzer has yet to develop a GPhi print, but Kappa's version of the tote is also posted below. Gotta love the keys and colors. 

Image/Buy From: http://www.lillypulitzer.com/product/The-Original-Tote-Delta-Delta-Delta/2310.uts

Image/Buy From: http://www.lillypulitzer.com/product/The-Original-Tote-Kappa-Kappa-Gamma/2336.uts

9 days until the end of finals. Remember you deserve a break. 

Post #102: The Mannequin's Summer Picks - Out of the Box Shorts

Shorts for summer...groundbreaking. Well, these Cropped Shorts in Multi-Box Print actually are. They're made by Alice & Olivia and retail for $176. They're eye-catching without being obnoxious and look like they belong walking through the rooms of the Museum of Modern Art. 

Image From: http://www.aliceandolivia.com/cropped-short-2.html

Paired with a bright top as shown on the website, you'd definitely catch every eye in the room (or the yacht club). You could also pair them with something as simple as a white cami and still make a statement. Worried about their use value? Wear them in the fall with a chunky black sweater. Whatever you do though, make your move quickly. According to the website, only sizes 4-10 are left. 

10 days until the end of finals. Happy online shopping. 

Post #101: The Mannequin's Summer Picks

            As the week before finals starts to get into full swing here at Colgate, The Mannequin will be posting its favorite picks for clothing and accessories as a form of motivation. Here's to making it through the final push to freedom, shopping, and summer. 

            While paying attention during discussion in my American School class this morning, the circular desk set-up placed red Tory Burch Miller Sandals in my line of sight...and it took a great deal of effort to look away. The sandals in question are the following:

Image from: http://www.cheaptoryburchshoesoutlet.com/PicImages/Flip%20Flops%20Tory%20Burch%20Outlet/Cheap%20Tory%20Burch%20Miller%20Deep%20Red%20Thong%20Sandal%2003C/Cheap%20Tory%20Burch%20Miller%20Deep%20Red%20Thong%20Sandal%2003C(1).

            Perfect for adding that pop of color during the summer months (imagine pairing them with white capris and a horizontally striped sailor-inspired top) or for fitting the theme at a Fourth of July barbeque, these sandals are gorgeous and foot-flattering. 

            Unfortunately, the Tory Burch website no longer sells the Miller Sandal in all red. Meaning, you can either find it for sale on another site (type it into Google and you'll find plenty) or you can try it in a different color. My favorite alternate is the Leather Miller Sandal in Sunset Orange (retails for $195):

Image from: http://www.toryburch.com/TUMBLED-LEATHER-MILLER-SANDAL/51118208,default,pd.html?dwvar_51118208_color=260&start=1&cgid=shoes-sandals

            However, if you truly cannot resist the red, the miller 2 Sandal exists (for $225). The only difference between this one and the original Miller is that instead of having a red Tory Burch center, the logo exists on a bronze plate. Could be cold on the foot, but it looks fairly interesting:

Image from: http://www.toryburch.com/MILLER-2-SANDAL/51118209,default,pd.html?dwvar_51118209_color=626&start=1&q=miller%202

11 days until the end of finals. Happy procrastinating.