Vintage Necklaces :: How to Make a Statement

If you're having one of those days where you are too lazy to think of ways to mix-and-match your closet. Try something simple yet trendy, by pairing your lazy white t and jeans look with a vintage and bold necklace.

A piece like this vintage Japanese Necklace can elevate your otherwise mundane look.

Look into your grandmother's jewelry box and you'll be surprised at all the treasure you can find! An alternative, visit your local vintage shop.

Karen Kwok

Blog Editor

Shoetube Guest Blogs :: Vintage and Vamps

A couple of weeks back, BARE Magazine was honored to guest blog for our friends at Shoetube, sharing with readers Berkeley's summer trends. Today, the lovely Shoetube's Blog Editor Wendy Toth, who I'd like to call an eBay guru, manages the eBay Addict section of Shoetube and is here with BARE to share with us some of her new finds.

Photo from truebloodwiki.hbo.com

My personal start-of-summer ritual always begins with a really pulpy paperback and ends with a light new pair of kicks. But after devouring the Twilight series in the spring, I was afraid nothing could top the vamp-induced trance I wanted to recreate on the beach. Enter Sookie Stackhouse, telepathic waitress, vampire-lover, and my fictional summertime muse.

Sure tons of people picked up Dead Until Dark, the first in a series of supernatural books set in sweaty Louisiana, ages ago, but I think now is the perfect time. True Blood, the HBO show based on the hot novels, is in the beginning of it's second season, giving me the perfect excuse to immerse myself in page-turners, season one episodes and season two spoilers. I'm all about Sookie.

It doesn't hurt that the adorable Anna Paquin plays her character, a petite blond with a penchant for short summer dresses paired with platform sandals, sling-back kitten heels and girly sneakers. All her styles are summer-y, sexy, and timeless, perfect for a gal with a civil war- era boyfriend. And well, perfect for another gal in search of summer shoes to take me through every situation of the season on a very tight budget.

With Sookie's style on my mind I turned to a funky vintage eBay boutique with plenty of southern charm, Elvis Really Rocks. My top picks from this aptly-named store:

Bone peep-toe sling backs with a heel low enough for strolling but high enough to get some attention:

Sale Link

Red hot canvas Keds with a pebbled sole and braided trim:

Sale Link

Prim navy Hopsack tennis shoes with thick jute soles:

Sale Link

Rope and leather braided sandals with wooden heels:

Sale Link

Now I'm not so sure Sookie would go for these chunky, laid-back, 70s suede cut-out sandals. But they seem like sweet shoes for summer reading.

Sale Link

Many Thanks to,

Wendy Toth

Shoetube Blog Editor

Sale Alert :: Aritzia San Francisco

There is an awesome sale going on at Aritzia right now. Aritzia, born out of Vancouver, brings all the latest styles in one place: from boyfriend blazers and jumpers to neon tanks and capri skinnies. One of my favorite lines that Aritzia carries exclusively is Wilfred, well known for their use of silk fabrics in a range of tops.

Wilfred's silk low armhole tank, petal print shorts and linen boyfriend blazer, sold exclusively at Aritzia: a perfect transition from Summer to Fall.

Visit the San Francisco branch located at the Westfield Mall today to get special deals on the latest spring/summer styles before sizes run out.

Karen Kwok

Blog Editor

Summer Internship Opportunity!

If you haven't already found a job / internship this summer, a great internship opportunity has opened up at Ruder Finn PR Firm's San Francisco branch. Although it is unpaid, Ruder Finn is a large global firm and you may get credits for your work.

If you're interested, please contact Cassandra at sooc@rudefinn.com

Vancouver Street Style

BARE Magazine was in downtown Vancouver (which is also where the 2010 Olympics will be held) enjoying the nice summer weather and scouting for nicely dressed Canadians today. Here are a few individuals that caught our eye with their confidence and well put-together looks. 

Tanya, a hair stylist at Holt Renfrew's Salon, completes her white outfit with neutral toned belt and moccasins.

Caroline pairs a plaid dress with blue flats and a white chain bag.

Chris' look is simple, but the two-toned wayfarers add edge to the whole look.

Nicky looks like she's ready to hop onto a yacht and go sailing with her nautical-inspired look and classic orange leather bag. 

Alex & Jen pair their cute summer dresses with nice espadrille sandals, perfect for the fun summer party that will be happening at Earls Yaletown on June 18th.

Heidi Lee- NYU Guest Blogger

Karen Kwok- Blog Editor

Botanical Garden Green Gala :: Garden Party Fundraiser

For the fashion-conscious as well as environmentally-aware among us, the UC Berkeley Botanical Garden is hosting a Green Gala Garden Party. The event hosted on June 28th from 2pm - 5 pm at the Redwood Grove Amphitheeatre in the Botanical Gardens will include a fashion show. 

The fashion show will showcase green designs by local designers and there will be displays of plants that give natural dyes. Besides fundraising, the garden wishes to promote "sustainable fashion, local organic food, biodynamic wine... in a greenest setting -- a botanical garden". Tickets for the gala are $95 and $115 at the door, and spaces are limited. So visit the Garden on the day to show your support!

For pre-ordering, call the garden at 510-643-7265

A Fun Accessory

Photo from Refinery29

Denise Julie Reytan's latest t1mepiece bracelet collection is perfect for those of us who don't usually wear a watch but would like to accessorize with a fun accessory. In gold, silver, and bronze, the collection features bracelets that are structured similar to a vintage Timex. 

A More Neutral Trend

Photo from The Satorialist

Lately we have been seeing more neutral, khaki pieces. Although at first glance it reminded me of my school uniform back when I was a child, with its bad cutting and huge pockets, this century's khaki has been modernized and fresh new khaki-inspired looks have been worn by fashionistas around the world.

Photo from Chictopia

With a balanced use of khaki, our very own, Connie Wang shows off a casual, professional yet chic look.

Photo from NYMag

Alexander Wang, Vena Cava, and Albertus Swanepoel design inspiring khaki pieces for this year's Gap's Design Editions series. My favorite use of khaki is Vena Cava's khaki dresses with the fun black details.

Karen Kwok

Blog Editor

What can't Karl Lagerfeld do?

Karl & Chanel Fall 2009 RTW, photo from NYMag

Karl Lagerfeld will be the voice for the villian, Fabu, in the French animated movie Totally Spies, which will be coming out in July. Unfortunately, this movie will be distributed worldwide to countless countries, yet our beloved US is not on the list. 

Will this be Karl's stepping stone into the movie business? For the full story, visit Hollywood Report.

Karen Kwok

Blog Editor

"The White Tee Project"

Being a student on a budget, I have definitely grown to love designer collaborations with big affordable retailers. Thanks to this recession, I think we will be seeing a lot more of them in the near future. I stumbled upon a collaboration today is perfect for summer: white t-shirts. 

Designed by Phillip Lim, photo from Topman

Topman, the male counterpart of Topshop, created "The White Tee Project" and recruited well-known fashion designers to design their interpretation of a white t-shirt. Richard Chai, Phillip Lim, and Henry Holland are just a few of the participants who create fashion-forward alternatives to a plain white t-shirt from Target or American Apparel. Check out the newly devoted page at Topman.com

Jordan Silver

BARE Reporter

Designers Model for Their Own Clothes

Photo from The Cut blog

This year's CFDA Journal has a distinct way of showing the works of this year's nominees. Envisioned by photographer Craig McDean and stylist Karl Templer, each designer posed in their own pieces. Jason Wu in a long silk dress and Marc Jacobs with Vuitton ears. Other designers up for nominations include Alexander Wang and the Mulleavy sisters for Rodarte.

For more photos visit WWD

BARE i5 on Magcloud!

If you still don't have a copy of BARE Magazine's i5, get your very own paper copy now on Magcloud. As well, if you never got a chance to see our February issue (i4), prices for the issue are now at $4.80. Get your copies now!

BARE Staffers' Summer Street Styles

Spotted: BARE photographer, Albert Treat, on Maryland's Chesapeake Bay in a simple AE Brown Tee and Fossil Aviators. Perfect look for cruising. 

Me in a Wilfred neon silk tank, Dita sunglasses and studded gladiators. Perfect look for a brunch by the beach.

Send me your summer look to karen@baremagazine.org!

Karen Kwok

Blog Editor

One Blazer, Three Looks

We all know that this season is all about the boyfriend blazer. But, how do you find the perfect blazer with the perfect shoulder pads, the perfect length that just covers half of your bum, and the perfect pocket? That is an answer that you have to find for yourself by trying it on yourself. It may take one try or ten, but one thing is for certain, when you do find the perfect fit, don't let it go!

Once you do find that perfect blazer, here are some ideas of how to wear it, day and night.

Try pairing it with a pair of denim shorts that are just a little longer than the blazer, adding a nice detailed trim to the look. 

Need something for an afternoon lunch. Try pairing it with a soft flowing skirt.

Ready for a dinner party or a night out with the girls, pair with a simple dress and heels.

How would you wear your boyfriend blazer?

Karen Kwok

Blog Editor

BARE Guest blogs for Shoetube

Dear BARE Readers,

Our blog today has guest posted for our friends at Shoetube. Check it out to learn more about Berkeley summer trends! As well, make sure to keep on the look out for more future collaboration.

Karen Kwok

Blog Editor