Cutout dresses, off-kilter hems, and tattered jean skirts. There you have it: three of my favorite wear-to-the-bar trends. But polish them up a bit? You’d be surprised – they’re more than ready to take on all the workday has in store.

Our Tibi Boutique opens Tuesday, May 21, at 11AM ET.

By Julia Ivins, Staff Writer

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Confession: I don’t own an iron.

Yes, I know – as a person who gets giddy over the simple idea of a new piece of clothing, this is odd. But let’s be clear. It’s not my fault. A long-ago roommate owned a steamer. It was a glorious, mightily powerful contraption, an absolute guarantee that my office wear was Betty Draper–polished. I adored it. Was spoiled by it. And no iron has ever (I mean ever) lived up to its glory.

But life goes on. Behold, five ways to banish wrinkles without that go-to smoother: proof that, as scary as it may seem, you can look utterly flawless after the iron (or steamer, or whatnot) has been laid to rest… or, less dramatically – forgotten.

No blow-dryer, wrinkle releaser, flat iron, shower, or dryer in sight? Relax. You can also spray your garment with water and simply slap the wrinkles out – an aggressive, elbow-greasy approach (don’t say I didn’t warn you). Yet still, a means to the same smooth end.

By Joanna Berliner, Editor

Like this week’s post? Check our The Fitting Room column every Monday. 

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Go anywhere in the summer and you’re likely to see at least three pairs of Jack Rogers strutting around. But how did they get so popular (and completely beloved)? This is where it all began.

1. In the early 60s, the label was born on the streets of Capri.

2. After Jackie O fell in love with them while vacationing in Italy, the Navajo sandal gained instant fame.

3. That same sandal is still made by hand in Palm Beach, Florida.

4. Jack Rogers opened its first storefront on NYC’s Madison Avenue in 2011.

5. The brand was recently recognized by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it was inducted into The Costume Institute.

Our Jack Rogers Boutique opens Sunday, May 19, at 11AM ET.

By Brianna Lapolla, Staff Writer

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What’s the first thing you do in the morning? Chances are, you wake up and take a nice long stretch – and it feels like the best thing in the world (since froyo).

So rather than stopping there, slip into your yoga best and extend that stretch into these six easy poses. Not only will you wake your muscles slowly and have more energy, but you’ll notice that ten minutes is all it takes to get in a little relaxation and exercise. All before having that morning latte.

The Outfit

The Moves

1. Detox Breath in Goddess Pose
Lie on your back, bend your knees and place your feet together, and breathe ten slow, deep breaths.

2. Happy Baby
Pull your knees up to your sides and grab your big toe, outside of the foot, or behind your knees, ensuring your seat doesn’t lift off the ground. Hold for five to ten breaths.

3. Supported Shoulder Stand
Place a pillow under your hips and extend your legs as straight as possible, stretching your arms out on either side for balance. (Make sure your hips and legs are higher than your heart, so add more pillows if needed.) Hold for ten breaths.

4. Seated Eagle
Roll onto your side and sit up slowly into a cross-legged position. Wrap your arms in front of you, right elbow over left, and touch palms. Keep fingers straight to the sky and breathe for five to ten breaths. Swap arms and repeat.

5. Seated Twist
Release arms and place your left arm on your right knee. Leading with your right arm, twist your right arm, chest, and head to the right, landing with your right arm behind you. Hold for five to ten breaths, then repeat on the other side.

6. Forward Bend with Fists
Slowly stand with bent knees. Make fists and place them in the opposing elbows, then fold over your bent knees and relax your back, shoulders, and head. Breathe in this position for one minute. Roll up and reach your arms over your head for a full body stretch.

Our Style Salutation: Chic & Comfy Yoga Gear Boutique opens Saturday, May 18, at 11AM ET.

By Abigail Kuzia, Editor

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At Rue, we’re pretty much all Rachel Zoe fan girls (seriously, we die). Her effortlessly chic boho style? Perfection. So when her new collection came through, you can bet we all scoured the racks in hopes of channeling her flawless hippie-chic look. Here, the three pieces we’ve deemed must-haves to pull it off.

1. The Jumpsuit. This one-piece-wonder can be dressed up or down. Just make sure to add turquoise jewelry for instant boho appeal.
2. Flared Jeans. The best part about flares? When worn with a killer pair of wedges, your legs instantly look longer.
3. Prints, Prints, & More Prints. Paisley, tie-dye, florals, or ikat all work. Extra points if they’re scattered across flowy chiffon or cool silk (like above).
4. Wavy Hair. Okay, this isn’t a piece of clothing, but still, it’s essential for every free spirit. Simply take a curling iron and wrap your hair around the barrel sans clamp, and voilà! Waves that look effortless.

 
Our Rachel Zoe Boutique opens Thursday, May 16, at 11AM ET.

By Keriann Coffey, Associate Blog Editor

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Indigo, ink, turquoise, royal – whichever you prefer, blue is the hue this summer. From shadows to maxi skirts to beach bags, this of-the-moment color is fresh, saturated, and cool.

Now, how to mix it into that summer wardrobe? Pair sapphire blues with other jewel tones like deep purples and reds. Mix brighter shades like turquoise and electric blue with complementary canary yellows and corals.

Or, layer it on by switching up shades and fabrics. Think dark and milky blues for work, silky brights for hitting the town, and contrasting dark and bright blues for evening.

Our Color Crush: The Many Shades of Blue Boutique opens Wednesday, May 15, at 11AM ET.

By Julia Ivins, Staff Writer

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A seersucker piece is a timeless classic in any wardrobe – but what exactly makes this sunny fabric a summertime staple?

Seersucker is cotton with a slightly subdued stripe design. It’s woven in a way that puckers the material and elevates it away from the skin. The shirred effect gives seersucker breathability and makes it a practical pick for warm-weather months. The best part? No ironing required.

Up until air-conditioning became standard in the 1950s, the seersucker suit was a mainstay in the wardrobe of the Southern gentleman. Politicians observed Seersucker Thursdays in the summer once it was introduced on the floor of the Senate. Seersucker isn’t just for suits, though – Lilly Pulitzer, with her perfectly preppy designs, masters the seersucker shift dress almost annually.

Today there is still something so very special – almost nostalgic – about seersucker. Politicians and preps alike don it from the Kentucky Derby straight through Labor Day.

By Jillian Hudon, Staff Writer

Want the lowdown on fabrics and more? Follow our What Are You (Really) Wearing? column every Tuesday.

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With cool mornings, warm afternoons, and in-between evenings, dressing for the entire day can be a bit tricky. But learn the fine art of layering, and you’ll be comfortable in any temperature (even the office’s arctic A/C). To avoid looking bulky, use these tips to mix and match pieces for the most flattering shape. Bonus: you’ll create new looks you never even knew you had hiding in your closet.

1. Keep the underlayer (like a body-hugging tank or dress) fitted for the ideal outfit foundation.
2. Throw something loose on top (think: a flowy tee, button-down chambray shirt, or both).
3. Don’t let your shape get lost – add a belt to cinch your waist.
4. Tie on a summer scarf to finish the look. It will come in handy for the breeziest times of day.

 
And remember these two things when picking your layering pieces:

1. Be mindful of proportion and keep the bottom half of your outfit slim.
2. Pair long pieces with short, and short with long. If everything is one length, no one will be able to see your mix-and-match genius.

 
Our American Apparel Women & American Apparel Men Boutiques open Monday, May 13, at 11AM ET.

With a gleaming rosy hue (its name is no mistake) and understated elegance, rose gold has made its way to the forefront of the metallic trend. Not quite gold and not quite silver, this sunny-hued metal has been heating up everything from clothing and accessories to nail polish and makeup. But what exactly is rose gold?

Translation: Whether solid or plated, rose gold is a mix of gold and copper that’s usually 75% gold and 25% copper. The more copper, the stronger the rosy hue. Who knew?

Now that you know what it is, scoop up a watch in our Switch Up Your Look: The Rose Gold Watch Boutique, opening Sunday, May 12, at 11AM ET.

Big, chunky necklaces – in any size, shape, or color variation – are hands-down my favorite way to accessorize. Who doesn’t love a one-step addition that instantly takes plain T-shirts from 0 to 60 on the style scale? Exactly.

Even though there seem to be no hard-and-fast rules about which type of statement necklace should be worn with each neckline, I’ve found that these pairings always work (and are pretty much guaranteed to garner a handful of I-want-your-necklace compliments).

The Statement Necklace: An Instant Outfit-Maker Boutique opens Saturday, May 11, at 11AM ET.

By Abigail Kuzia, Editor

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