double take

you know something is a trend when two-thirds of your staff shows up wearing the same style to work. today is all about chambray. worn as a shirtdress (left) or menswear-inspired (right), we recommend going with an oversized fit for best results. opt for colorful accessories or funky shoes to make the look all your own. here are some more examples of the chambray shirt for outfit inspiration:

feathered friends

style.com

style.com

isabel marant wowed us on the fall runway with her funky feathers, but not everyone can pull off the look without eliciting wild stares from the commonfolk. for those of us eager to take flight with this trend of the season, poole shop dug up a few alternatives that will have you flying high:

small fortune

celebrate today's autumnal equinox with a small fortune courtesy of lizzie fortunato jewels, which just happened to arrive at poole shop this afternoon. last year's sell-out friendship bracelet has been updated with a double strand, and the new three-band elastic cuff has us channeling wonder woman (they're best worn in twos with one on each wrist).

school spirit

we're overjoyed that one of our favorite television shows returns tonight (hint: it does not involve the situation, bristol palin or jennifer grey). it's GLEE! to celebrate the show that celebrates the inner outcast in us all, we'd like to highlight one of fall's sharpest trends--the school girl.

the quintessential school girl:
lea michele (aka "rachel" on glee)

oh baby, baby: move over britney spears, the edgy school girl of fall 2010 puts pigtails to shame. a blend of urban sophistication gives this look staying power, and it works for everyone--those of us celebrating our 20-year reunions and those of us waiting for a learner's permit.

 

mad about plaid

it  may be a bit redundant, but we're happy to see that plaid is a fall trend once again because 1) we don't have to get rid of everything from last year's closet and 2) it adds a little kick to fall's otherwise neutral pallette. as opposed to the "lumberjack" plaids we saw last year, this year's play off the military trend with greens and greys taking center stage. here's a look at some of our favorites currently available at poole shop: 

great greys: steven alan has become a master plaidsman. just when we thought we'd seen all the plaids there are to offer, a new one emerges. we're digging the soft side of plaid with this top (above) and tunic (below) that are fall daywear essentials.

playing with plaid: this top from bensoni shrugs away traditional plaids in favor of a look that can be dressed down with jeans or dressed up with a classic black skirt. from the playground to the office to a night out, this shirt will be a staple in your fall wardrobe.



boys rule: a little bit prep school, a little bit grandpa at the country club circa 1960's, this blazer from rag & bone has classic tailoring in a shrunken fit that's perfect for putting the finishing touches on a tee shirt and jeans look or worn over a casual dress as outerwear in the early days of fall.

hat attack

the hat is back! our sources in NYC say the big hat is a big hit on spring 2011 runways, and it all started with marc jacobs having what appears to be a faye dunaway moment. we have to admit that we love the look in a rich-girl-sitting-on-a-yacht-drinking-cocktails kind of way. if only we could live the vision...

faye dunaway

organic by john patrick
photo: style.com

marc jacbos
photo: the sartorialist

marc jacobs
photo: style.com

from the front lines...

straight from the runway at new york fashion week: snapshots of rag & bone spring 2011. we're loving the ethereal neutrals and pops of metallic.

movin on up

when two become one, sometimes the combination is so great that you don't really remember life before the two got together. here's a look at some great twosomes throughout history:

hydrogen + oxygen

peanut butter + chocolate

hall + oates

the next great thing?

in case you missed the memo, poole shop and its sister store (CAPITOL) are now one. the merger took place this past weekend, and we're expecting great things now that two of your favorite stores are finally one. stop in and check out the new poole shop at 4010 sharon road in charlotte--you'll find all your favorite jeans, tee shirts, sweaters and casual daytime wear upstairs.

fashionable friday

it's fashion week in new york city, which means everyone who's anyone in the fashion industry is gathering around the tents at lincoln center (fashion week's new home this year) to tell us what to wear next spring. here's a sneak peek inside the world of anna wintour, rachel zoe, mary kate and ashley, et al:

stay tuned for more news from our favorite designers to discover the silhouettes, colors, hairstyles and shoes we'll be dying for in six months.

six items or less

now that summer is (unofficially) over, it's time to focus on fall and all the new things you're coveting for your closet this year. while you may be tempted to go out and spend, spend, spend (there's something about a new season that brings out our inner shopaholic) we challenge you to take part in a phenomenon that is sweeping the country--wear six items or less for 30 days in a row. the rules are simple: choose six items from your closet; wear only those items for 30 days (accessories, shoes and undergarments don't count as part of your six, phew!). here are our suggestions for six items that will get you through:

dakota fanning

it's all about the current/elliott legging with its blend of comfort, style and adaptability.  go with a classic dark blue-grey or jump on the season's trend with a pair in army green (you could even sleep in them if you wanted to take the challenge to the extreme).

the grandpa cardigan is back for fall! pick one in a neutral color and wear it open, buttoned-up or belted. the possibilities are endless.

jennifer aniston

a closet classic--the little black dress. chose a dress in a classic shape that you can dress up for evening or down for daytime (hint: throw a grandpa cardigan over it and pair with distressed knee-high boots).

organic by john patrick

items 4 and 5: organic by john patrick long sleeve tunic and fitted tee shirt. choose basic colors like black, white or grey so you won't be sick of it by day 5 (you'll be sick of everything by day 30 anyway).

finally, embrace a great fall trend--the bubble skirt--so you still feel on-trend. it's another easy piece to dress up or down; remember accessorizing is key to not losing your mind during this little test in self-restraint. good luck!

lady like

mad men won big once again at the primetime emmy awards this year, and 50's mad men style is a winning trend for fall. check it out (images from style.com):