clothes comfort

she's your mom's younger (baby) sister, but she's always been a mentor to you. she's the life of the party and the one who can talk her way out of any sticky situation. her style is minimal and cool, so what should you get your aunt for christmas this year? just in at poole shop: this cute, comfortable yet stylish sweatshirt tunic (or is it a dress?) from organic. she can wear it solo with boots in the spring or layer it up this winter with leggings, a cardigan and a funky scarf. let her go wild by taking something simple and making it all her own.

what are the kids wearing these days?

you want to show your kid brother that you're still cool and know what's happenin' (does saying what's happenin' age you?), so you've made a pact with yourself to get his girlfriend the perfect gift this year. the only problem is, you're not sure what is the perfect gift for today's teenagers. relax. poole shop can help. check out this little number from organic:

part tee shirt, part sweatshirt, a little cropped and a lot of style (plus the organic factor!) make this the perfect little gift for your brother's gal. it says you know what's going on but you're not trying too hard to show it.

high time

just in at poole shop: organic by john patrick high-waist, wide-leg black pant. a great silhouette for fall, this year's pant has been updated with a chicer, shorter hemline so you can wear them with all your adorable flats. the ease of the pant allows you to wear the look dressed up or down and will carry you throughout the season.

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

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!

poole's pick (#3)

everybody loves a tee shirt, but no one wants a closet full of boring basics. when you're looking for something reliable yet stylish, look to poole's pick of the day--this cozy, comfy tunic from organic by john patrick. the top has been a hit during lolla-POOLE-ooza in a variety of neutral hues perfect for fall: black, white, navy, khaki and eggplant. come in and stock up before they're gone!

lolla-POOLE-ooza

if you were around last august, perhaps you remember poole shop's busiest trunk show ever featuring current/elliott and meredith wendell. this year we decided to up the ante and bring you lolla-POOLE-ooza: a 4-day nonstop trunk show event featuring current/elliott, meredith wendell, organic by john patrick and a.l.c. whether you're getting the kids ready for school or going back to school yourself or just ready for a change in season, all your fall basics will be covered in this one-stop shopping bonanza!

the trunk show officially begins tuesday, august 24th, but if you're reading this we hear shipments have already started arriving at poole shop. stop in early for the best selection...you don't want to be left standing outside the fitting rooms.

the skinny on the skinny

for all of you ready to free your ankles from the bondage of skinny pants, look no further than fall 10 where designers began showing some relief for our delicate little tarsuses. john patrick of organic (below) and phillip lim (bottom) both welcomed a wide leg on the runway, so be prepared to pack away your skinnies and open your mind to a new cut.

photos from style.com

the john patrick show

photo from vogue.com

exciting news for poole shop and charlotte! our buyer recently received a phone call from the president of organic who broke the news that organic's designer, john patrick, has been given his own show on discovery planet's green channel. the show, entitled the john patrick show, will give viewers an inside look into what it takes to create an eco-friendly and sustainable collection. covering all stages of design--from his studio in albany to fashion week in new york city--the show is scheduled to air early next year.

so how is this exciting for poole shop? john patrick will be traveling through north carolina in the next few weeks and is hoping to make an appearance at poole shop during a trunk show that will be filmed by discovery planet's green channel for the upcoming series. stay tuned for more...

LWD

the south will rise again: temperatures are hovering around 80 degrees for the next seven days, and it's time to replace that little black dress in your wardrobe with the little white dress. luckily, we've found the perfect LWD from organic--it's simple, sophisticated and works well on all body types. the color is a warm white that will ease the transition into spring for those of us not ready to break out the stark white of summertime.

we've recently seen copycat versions on julia roberts and jennifer garner (below), so we know the style will be a hit. pair the dress with a neutral summer wedge or up the ante with a bright turquoise or orange sandal to show off your wild side. think of it as a blank canvas to express your creative genius.

good design

congratulations to john patrick, designer of organic, who beat out 25 other semi-finalists and was crowned the winner of the ecco domani 2010 sustainable design award. as someone dedicated to sustainable design throughout his career, patrick has developed a direct relationship with organic farm collectives in peru, and he traveled the county extensively in his early career to learn more about the production of cotton and hand spun alpaca wool. in addition, he has helped increased the use of botanical dyes, recycled fabrics and organic wool yarns.

poole shop is proud to have carried organic over the past three years--we love the depth of patrick's line, which has seen everything from tee shirts to leather shorts. to see how important styling is to organic, click on style.com to view the latest collection (and see that a tee shirt is not merely a tee shirt). we're so excited about our pre-spring shipment that just arrived with this adorable skirt available only at poole shop and barney's. stop in to see it before it's gone, and check out the rest of the collection in person.

goodbye to white?

the great thing about fashion is that you don't have to follow the rules, so go ahead and embrace white after labor day...with a little restraint, of course. keep in mind that fabric is key when bringing white into the cooler seasons. your white linen pants may be adorable in july but would look downright silly in october. fabrics that work well in winter white are wool, cotton and silk. whether paired with contrasting black or done monochromatic, winter white is classic and undoubtedly chic. if you're not sure how to work white into your winter wardrobe, think of adding a great statement piece like a coat or bag. a winter white coat is the ultimate accent piece to your wardrobe, and a winter white handbag is the perfect neutral to pop in a sea of dark. if you're looking for something less bold, poole shop has the perfect winter white cardigan from organic that will instantly update your look and keep it fresh for winter.

runaway with this look!

kristen stewart channels her inner joan jett for her latest film the runaways, and we have to admit that we love her effortless style: a little disheveled; a little rock n' roll.

to make this style your own, all you need is a pair of skinny jeans, a worn-in plaid shirt and little bit of attitude...converse optional.

try the organic plaid shirtdress, $195.00 at poole shop, paired with current/elliott zipper leggings, $216.00, for a look that's comfortable chic.