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August 9, 2012
Meet our new style muse: Solange
No one pulls off a great style mix quite like Solange. The key to putting together your own style mix? It’s all about how you pair it—and make it your own.
Watch the behind-the-scenes video from our campaign shoot and read our exclusive Style Q&A with Solange below.
Describe your personal style in three words.
I. Can’t. Describe.
How about in a song title?
“Extraordinary Machine” by Fiona Apple.
You’re fearless when it comes to mixing and matching. Any advice on how to do it well?
It’s all about experimenting and instinct. Believe me, every once in a while, I might change clothes four times before I leave the house. You gotta play around until you can say, “OK, this works for me.” But you’ll never know until you try!
Do any past outfits make you say, “What was I thinking?”
I’ve worked some pretty outrageous things in the past—just Google “Fashion Rocks Solange.” But, hey, at least I went for it. Isn’t that what being in your ’20s is all about?
Top style icons?
“Queen Ross” (also known as Diana Ross), Erykah Badu, Fela Kuti’s queens, Björk, Lauryn Hill.
You have five minutes to get dressed. What do you throw on?
A white silk blouse (my saving grace—I own eight or so), a comfy colorful skirt and a simple nude sandal.
What’s your favorite style of jean?
Baggy boyfriend jeans rolled up on the bottom. Comfy, easy and playful!
Did you have an imaginary friend as a child?
I actually had an entire imaginary family named the Pintos. In my mind, they owned the best everything, so whenever my mother wouldn’t give me what I wanted, I’d tell her the Pintos let their daughter have it. I was guilt-tripping on a whole other level!
What recent books and films have you been loving?
For movies: Bernie, Being Elmo, Tomboy, Pariah and Beast of the Southern Wild. And books: Freedom by Jonathan Franzen, Little Bee by Chris Cleave and Zelda by Nancy Milford.
August 8, 2012
The fantastic floats of Mardi Gras World
by Sarah Z. Wexler (Portland)
The warehouse is filled with heads of the likes of Princess Jasmine, Medusa and Salvador Dalí.
I’ve never been too interested in going to Mardi Gras, but I’ve always wanted to see the floats in person—in all their glorious artistry and weirdness. So when I visited New Orleans recently, I knew I had to check out Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World, the vast warehouse where nearly every parade float has been designed, constructed and stored by the Kern family since 1947.
How it works: Kern’s artists spend an entire year sculpting the figures out of fiberglass and Styrofoam, re-purposing pieces from floats past, while tourists (like me) get to watch the process. The warehouse (which spans more than a dozen football fields!) is the coolest, most eccentric place I’ve ever been. Plus, they hand out slices of traditional New Orleans King Cake—and you can’t argue with a museum that provides free dessert, can you?
August 7, 2012
How to play with color
Here, a few ways we love to brighten up.
SILK COLORBLOCK BOYSHIRT
worn with…
Skinny Skinny Ankle Cords
Han Kjobenhavn™ Paul Senior Sunglasses
The Manuscript Mini Wedge
SKINNY SKINNY ANKLE CORDS
worn with…
Silk Doublet Top
Colorblock Cornershop Cardigan
Academy Blazer
G.H. Bass® & Company Weejuns
HONEYCOMB SWEATER
worn with…
Silk Boyshirt
Silk Tap Shorts
Arrowstack Necklace
BAG’n’NOUN Canvas Toolbag
STRIPED SWEATSHIRT TEE
worn with…
Colortread Midline Skirt
Artdot Blazer
Faraway Beads Bracelet
G.H. Bass® & Company Weejuns
For more color play, head over to madewell.com.
August 2, 2012
Happy Socks, happy feet
by Emily Hsieh (S.F.)
I’d been searching for weeks for some colorful, not-too-tall, not-too-thick socks to wear with boots in the summer and finally found the perfect ones. These, by the aptly named label Happy Socks®, are soft, superlightweight and come in the best combinations of colors and prints. They hit at just the right spot above the ankle, so if you pair them with, say, biker boots and an easygoing dress, they’ll add a charming hint of whimsy to your look.
July 20, 2012
Blue looks we love
From jeans to chambray shirts, we can’t get enough of all things blue. Here, a few ways to wear our favorites.
CHAMBRAY SONGBIRD DRESS
worn with…
Pencilstripe Pullover
Wheelspoke Pendant Necklace
The Chronicle Bag
The Barnwood Boot
SILK WAVEFORM CAMI DRESS
worn with…
Long-Sleeve Indigo Ink Tee
Han Kjobenhavn™ Timeless Eyeglasses
Happy Socks® x Madewell Trouser Socks
PERFECT CHAMBRAY SHIRT
worn with…
[BlankNYC] Printed Denim Jeans
Trinket Weave Chain
For even more looks we love, pop over to madewell.com.
July 2, 2012
One band, three color combos
See how Alpha, Ashley and June of the emerging NYC rock band Widow wear summer’s coolest pairings—then vote for your favorite on our Facebook page.
COLOR COMBO #1: THE BLUES
Shop Alpha’s look (left) | Shop Ashley’s look (center) | Shop June’s look (right)
COLOR COMBO #2: PRETTY PASTELS
Shop Alpha’s look | Shop Ashley’s look | Shop June’s look
COLOR COMBO #3: BLACK AND WHITE
June 29, 2012
Best Etsy bet: colorful iPhone cases
by Emily Hsieh (S.F.)
Poking around on Etsy the other day, I discovered BlissfulCASE, a shop that
specializes in the most thoroughly fashion-y array of iPhone cases I’ve ever seen. You can choose from super-on-trend florals, color blocking, jewel tones and even pastel leopard prints. Basically, there’s something (graphic and amazing) for everyone. And since they all ring in at a wallet-friendly $15, I think I might have to start re-accessorizing my phone seasonally.
June 26, 2012
How to stay cool…
…on summer’s hottest days? Try these breezy dresses on for size.
BOBBIN SHIFT DRESS
worn with…
Super™ Ciccio Sunglasses
Leather Wrap Bracelet
Braided Friendship Bracelet
Feather Cuff
SILK CHEVRON TANKDRESS
TUNIC DRESS
worn with…
The Contrast Caravan Mailbag
bed|stü™ Aunt Ruth Loafers
For even more, head over to madewell.com.
June 22, 2012
What to sip this summer
by Tina Jeffers (Portland, OR)
Portland-based food blogger extraordinaire Tina Jeffers (of Scaling Back) whips up a delicious summer recipe just for us and—get this—chooses a Madewell ensemble that matches in color and spirit.
Cool down a hot summer day with this refreshing sippable drink made with simple syrup, fresh herbs and lemon. It’s supereasy and quick but sure to impress even the pickiest of party guests.
Lemon Thyme Cucumber Cooler
Ingredients:
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup thyme sprigs
1/2 lemon
1 large cucumber, thinly sliced crosswise
6 cups soda water, divided
Stir together the sugar, 3/4 cup water, thyme and lemon in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, reduce the temperature to low and cook for 5 minutes. Add the cucumber and let steep for 30 minutes until cool. Strain the syrup into a container. Keeps up to a week chilled.
To assemble the soda, add 2 tablespoons of the syrup and top with soda water. Stir to combine. Garnish with cucumber slices, lemon and sprigs of thyme.
And here’s my recipe for a summer look that’s just as refreshing!
1. Biltmore® Straw Fedora
2. Slipstitch Sweater-Tank
3. Drifter Shades
4. Bungalow Stripe Panorama Shorts
5. The Bridgewalk Sandal
6. The Marketplace Day Bag
June 14, 2012
How to play the pattern game
Discover our favorite way to mix it up this summer.
SHAPESKETCH SILK SHORTS
worn with…
Serenade Tank
The Marketplace Clutch
[BLANKNYC®] PRINTED DENIM JEANS
worn with…
Coneflower Pullover
SILK BRUSHFLOWER SHIRTDRESS
worn with…
The Marketplace Day Bag
CHEVRON TYPSET TROUSERS
worn with…
Wave Ropemaker Tank
The Crisscross Boardwalk Sandal
ARROWSHIFT LINEN TEE
worn with…
[BlankNYC®] Moroccan High Tiled-Up Jeans
The Dotted Caravan Mailbag
The Whistlestop Sandal
SLIPSTITCH SWEATER-TANK
worn with…
Daybreaker Dress
Braided Hammock Belt
The Basket Weave Sandal
For even more (including summer style tips from our head designer, Kin), head over to madewell.com.
