Item: Bright Fall Clothing
Seller: Multiple Etsy Sellers

I was recently looking at In Style Magazine’s website and they had a great list of trends for Fall 2011. The first one was called “Bright Lights” and it stuck out to me as something I would like to incorporate into my fall wardrobe.  Here’s what the magazine had to say about the trend:

WHY WE LOVE IT

“It’s as if everyone realized that spring’s smashing hues were such a hit, there was no reason to tone them down,” the website reads.  ”The difference now is that there’s less focus on color blocking. Clothes and accessories in the same palette are fall’s newest BFFs. Invest in one intense shade—whether it be emerald, fuchsia, scarlet, or canary—and then work it as hard as a thief with an alibi. Don’t hold back.”

If you’re like me (read: all black everything), you may be wondering the best way to wear this trend.  Here’s what In Style says:

HOW TO WEAR IT

“Ignore the old finger-wagging for going matchy-matchy,” the magazine advises.  ”To safeguard against overkill, reveal a hint of skin: It could be a bare shoulder (see Prabal Gurung’s romantic one-shoulder dress) or legs sheathed with black sheers (rather than opaque tights). Resist pairing with neutrals like gray or beige (too safe and too ’90s). And punctuate your glow with a poppy-red lip.”

I had a feeling I could skip the Versace, Prabal Gurung, and Blumarine looks they showed in the image at the top of this feature.  I searched Etsy.com for some awesome handmade alternatives!

Here’s what I found:

“Bright Sky Back Bow Sun Dress” ($75.00) from Etsy seller vivatveritas7 (Tokyo, Japan).  I really liked this one because it’s such a cute dress to wear for the rest of the summer, as well as early fall.  Loving the detail in the back too!

“Emma Coat” ($287.00) from Etsy seller LittleHouses (Vancouver, Canada).  I have featured LittleHouses before, and I have to say — I love this seller’s selection of jackets and coats!  This shop is a must-see!

“Purple Silk Backless Mini Dress” ($144.00) from Etsy Seller elishasewell (Atlanta, Georgia).  Another great thing about shopping on Etsy is that many of the clothing sellers will customize items for you.  I love this lovely purple color, and it also comes in a cobalt blue!

- Jackie

Item:  Grey Deep V Top
Seller:  AndyVeEirn

I saw that Etsy seller AndyVeEirn was featured today on the home page of Etsy.com and was excited to read more about this seller.  Yael Scharaby, the seller behind this awesome handmade clothing shop on Etsy, has some really cool designs listed.  I especially love this deep V shirt!

“I live in Tel Aviv, Israel,” Yael said in her feature on Etsy.  ”I recently married my high school sweetheart in a beautiful outdoor ceremony. Our newlywed existence would be pretty calm if we didn’t have a charming and hyperactive dog. I graduated from Shenkar College of Design a year ago and immediately began to work on my own textile brand. Most of my clothes are hand-knitted on a manual machine, as I enjoy overseeing the entire process — from the manufacturing of the fabric to the final piece.”

The peeps over at Etsy always have interesting questions for the sellers.  My favorite question is usually “what would be the title of your memoir?” because I always think about what mine would be!  Here’s what Yael had to say:

“Hard Work Pays Off. I truly believe in that phrase as a way of life, and implement it every day,” she said.  ”I work very hard in all aspects of my life, and I feel confident results will come.”

I also think “what does handmade mean to you?” is an interesting question, and I always look forward to hearing what handmade sellers say!

“Handmade to me is taking my dream, my vision of how a piece is meant to look, and turning raw material into a beautiful product with passion and hard work. The final piece makes me happy and proud, and is designed to make the wearer happy and beautiful,” Yael said.

When asked where she would be in the next 10 year, Yael’s answer made me excited to see her creations at that time!

“I hope to be a successful and well-known designer, still as excited about each garment I create. I would also like to expand my business and create a full textile lifestyle collection — menswear, bedding and stationery,” she said. “In my private life, I look forward to having children, and I am sure they will be an endless source of satisfaction and creation.”

I know I will be checking back to see all these new developments in her Etsy shop!

There were tons of questions Yael answered in her Etsy interview that I left out of this feature, so be sure to read the whole thing here!

Also, here are some other favorite fall items of mine from her Etsy shop AndyVeEirn:

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Item: Chocolate Cream Ganache Tutu
Seller:  TutusChic

I don’t own any tutus but I really wish I did!

I saw this item on Etsy, and fell in love.  How awesome is this chocolate cream canache tutu selling for $145.00?  It’s one of those items that I would dream about having in my closet!

“You will feel special wearing this six layer classic ballerina skirt as it rustles and swirls on the dance floor,” the seller writes in the Etsy item description. “It is a unique garment and you will not find one in a store! The bridal satin ivory circle skirt serves as a luxe lining and closes with a ribboned waist and secure hook.”

If you love handmade tutus, be sure to peep this entire Etsy shop.  Just click the shop name (TutusChic) at the top of this feature to check out all the loveliness!

- Jackie

Item: Polar Fleece Fingerless Warmers
Seller: twochixremix

Meet Karen and Terra, a fifth and sixth generation Central Florida mom and daughter team who love to create!

“I have season tickets to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and can never find cute different womens clothes to wear to the games, so the she shirt was born!” Terra told me.

My favorite item in this shop are these darling (and probably very warm!) polar fleece fingerless arm/hand warmers.  If you click on the shop name (twochixremix) at the top of this feature, you can see all the darling “she shirts” this duo is selling!

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