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Simply Fab: Google Designer Homepage

FabSugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 03:00:33 -0700

We all use Google, so why not make our search engine as fabulous as we are? iGoogle has introduced artistic homepage themes and the ones us Fabionistas will appreciate are those designed by Dolce & Gabbana, Oscar de la Renta (mine, below), Diane von Furstenberg, and Tory Burch. I played around and first picked the leopard Dolce & Gabbana background, but later decided Oscar de la Renta's colorful Ikat designs from his Spring '08 show are more fun. It only takes a minute so get on it!

On Our Radar: iGoogle's Latest Fashion Theme Collection

FabSugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 06:00:22 -0700

Last time it was Diane, Oscar, and Dolce & Gabbana. Now, Google has unveiled a new batch of designers participating in iGoogle's fashion theme collection. Stella McCartney (pictured), Hervé Léger, Michael Kors, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, and Vera Wang are just some of the ones making Google a more fashionable space. Also, Betsey Johnson offers up ripe red cherries; BCBG uses its Fall '08 ads; and Sergio Rossi serves up sexy shoes. Find your favorite and deck your Google out in style. It won't speed up the search engine, but it will make it prettier.

To see more iGoogle fashion theme options, read more.

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The Pros and Cons of Buying Topshop Online

Fab Community — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:00:22 -0800

Check out what Emily EMS has to say about her online Topshop experience in our 24/7 Go-To Fashion Guide group.

I always knew they existed - I have seen their chic dresses, sexy heels and cool tops. I am talking about Topshop. I got even more excited when I found out they opened a store in NYC, although I live in Denver, Colorado. I must say, things come around a lot slower around here, and don't get me wrong, there are nice stores here, but it's not to the point where they satisfy my fashion cravings.

This is when the beauty of online shopping comes in handy. My friend Sophie loves to shop online. She says that it's the best because she can buy things anytime, even at two in the morning, not have to worry about driving to the mall, (and not finding anything at the mall!), and in most cases, there's no sales tax, a small shipping fee, and usually, the return and exchanges are easy.

I must say, I was never comfortable with buying clothes online. Shoes and bags, I'm OK with. With clothes, things are different simply because every brand has slightly different sizing and all. Topshop was no exception. It's from the UK, and I know sometimes the equivalent of those sizes can be confusing - look at H&M!

One day, as I was looking through tons of pictures as always - new trends, jackets and coats for Fall and Winter. And there it was. I fell in love with this striped knit jacket from Topshop. I looked at the price, and fell in love with it even more - it's only $80!

I had to go to the store - but wait, there is no Topshop here in Denver! As I envied those folks in NYC, I went online. I quickly navigated myself to look for the jacket and there it was! I want, I want! Pause. What is my size?

Suddenly, I was lost. I usually wear a 2 or 4, depending on the brand. I also have jackets and tops that run rather small or large. While all those thoughts kept going around my head, I looked up on the sizing chart. Hmm . . . I think I am 4, but I don't want it to be too tight since it's a knit jacket . . . oh well, let's just order 6 in case, and if it didn't fit, I'd just exchange it. Before placing an order, it suddenly dawned on me that in case this size didn't work out, I better check on the return policy. Just in case. I'm not sure if that was a sign of something, but I looked. And I discovered many things I did not know. At first, I did not know Topshop's merchandise all ship out from UK. Thus, $15 shipping charge makes sense. Then I realized another thing. What if I wanted to return or exchange something? Sure, you can either return it in person at their stores but that is not my option. According to their website, if you wanted to return or exchange an item, you have to ship it back to their UK warehouse at your own expense. Hmmm . . .

Now I'm determined to make my purchase more "oops wrong size" free. I certainly don't want to go through with shipping the item back and forth till I get it right. It's not only time consuming, but also could end up being costly. I carefully studied the sizing chart, I realized, I needed some real people's opinions. Of course, the chart gives you the idea to narrow down which size you could possibly be, but just in case, to double check it, I did my own research.

I googled the "Topshop sizing review" and voilà! There were a few out there, but one forum was particularly helpful - Facebook. People with the same problems come together and discuss the sizing. Some argue Topshop's sizing runs smaller. Others disagree.

In the end, I ended up getting a 6 - I figured if it's bigger rather than smaller, I could live with it. I haven't gotten the jacket just yet, because I just ordered yesterday, but I'll keep you posted on the sizing. I must say the forum, like the one Facebook, did help me tremendously, sometimes a sizing chart won't do justice. Real people's opinions really do count.

So will I shop online again? Yeah, sure. But do some research beforehand, and read the fine print in case you don't like it, or it's too small or too big, or it's not what I thought it would be, or whatever the reason may be. As for me, for now, I'm waiting and hoping that all the research and reading will pay off.

There are already a bunch of groups you can join and explore, and please - start some new ones! Here's a helpful guide to creating in case you need some clarification.

iGoogle Fashion Theme Collection

FabSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:50:42 -0700

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Friday Fab News Roundup!

FabSugar — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 10:00:08 -0700

Adam Lippes, Mara Hoffman, Rebecca Taylor, Tracy Reese, and Phillip Lim's favorite shops - TimeOut NY
The duck that laid the golden egg - IHT
YSL capsule collection at Net-a-Porter - Vogue UK
J.Crew partners with Liya Kebede to carry her handmade children's collection - FWD
New York store gives away goods for free - Guardian UK
Two words for Fall: Toughen up - New York Times
Marc Jacobs and Lorenzo Martone find a love nest - Page Six
Robo model is a fashion flop - Guardian UK
Louis Vuitton takes Google to court - Vogue UK
Celine Fall '09: Wherefore art thou, Phoebe Philo? - Nylon

Fashion Recession: Fab's Guide to Savvy Shopping, Part III

FabSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:00:22 -0800

By now, you've already given yourself a monthly shopping allowance and reintroduced yourself to your closet. Let's move forth.

Tip #6: There is no better time to hit the sale racks than now. My Online Sale Alerts can help, as can SaleHabit.com, a.k.a. the Google for fashion sales. Be careful not to buy more just because the items you're finding are so cheap. There's no use in discount shopping if you're going to spend frivolously.

To hear more, read more.

Other bargain online retailers to check out are eBay (and our eBay Find of the Week), Etsy, and pretty much every online retailer's sale section. Don't overlook your local thrift shops; they're bound to have great deals.

Tip #7: Many of you already do this, but if you don't, start selling your unwanted goods on eBay and at your local consignment store. It may seem like a hassle - and at times it is - but it will feel great when the dough starts raking in. Designer brands tend to attract more customers, so dust off that Louis Vuitton you haven't carried in years and sell it to someone who will give it more love. Here are some tips for listing your items on eBay:

Sell items that are on trend, that people are currently lusting over. This will increase your selling chances.
Put yourself in the customer's shoes; what search words would you input in order to find your desired item? Use those words in the description headline.
To determine your starting amount, research eBay to find out what your competition has done. If possible, sell your item for a little less.
Though posting one picture is free, I say spend a few more dollars and take several photos of your item. It helps customers see every angle of your piece.
If you don't mind showing your face on the Internet, I recommend taking a picture of you in the item. It's more desirable than if it's sitting on your bed.

Source

Guess the Fabulous Fashion Insider

FabSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:00:22 -0700

You all did a wonderful job matching the fabulous fashion editor to her fashion bible. I'm impressed! Now I've dug deeper into the fashion world and have found fashion insiders that may or may not look remotely familiar to you. If they do, awesome, and if not, it will be a learning experience. Let's get started. Oh, and no Googling names!

Question 1 of 5

The always impeccably dressed Kate Lanphear is style director for which publication?

Link Time!!!

FabSugar — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:30:22 -0700

Vanessa Hudgens talks fashion with Glamour - Off the Rack
Google-ing in style - My Fashion Life
Bottega Veneta retrospective - Bag Snob
26 Spring bags - Refinery29
The art of traveling - Purse Blog
How to accessorize a little black dress - Omiru
American Eagle grows up - The it Lists
SJP's denim stalker revealed - Fashionista
Get Stella McCartney's floral dress look for a lot less - Catwalk Queen
Fab Flash: Gwyneth Boosts Heel Sales - FabSugar UK
Wedding Planning Polls: Democratic or Dumb? - Jezebel
Knotty girl - Coutorture
Project Runway loses producers - BuzzSugar

Fab Site: Ksubi.com

FabSugar — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:00:22 -0700

Ksubi has launched its first-ever e-commerce site, and it doesn't look like any other site out there! Well, it does look like one site: Google. The search engine? Yup! If you don't believe me, check it out for yourself. It's a no-fuss way to get what you want . . . so go get it!

Fab Gift Guide: The Young Professional

FabSugar — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 14:00:22 -0800

Smart, suave, and in control. At least that's how The Young Professional wants to be perceived. Although, he's shaking in his boots! Yes, he's a newbie, but he's taking the world by storm - got to give the guy credit for trying. So while he's harvesting the next Google, he can't worry about what to wear. Black always says professional and chic, so start there. Then, thrown in some rainbow-colored fun stuff to keep him down to earth.

Be sure to peruse all of our Gift Guides and download our Fab Gift Guide worksheet to help keep you organized!

Mini Travel Notebooks ($100)	Jack Spade Canvas Day Bag ($115)
Paul Smith Side-Striped Handkerchief ($35)	Leather Travel Accessory Kit Kenneth Cole ($55)
Theory Jayden Repel Jacket, Harbour ($365)	Burberry Credit Card Case (originally $135, on sale for $95)	Banana Republic Leather snap-wrist glove ($68)