Please note: The winner was selected for the Marius Jacket giveaway. Subscribe to the Neesh by DAR newsletter on their site for updates and special promotions!
In August, I met Denise and Shira from Neesh by DAR, a Chicago women-owned fashion label that has been on the scene, but below the radar, for the last 20 years! As a reminder, Denise was a textiles professor teaching knitwear design at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. On the side, she knitted a few chenille sweaters that had unique, vintage inspired adornments. She made one for a friend. That friend kept getting asked where she got it. Then another friend had her knit a few for a Newbury Street boutique and those were purchased as soon as they left the box. And so on and so on… Before she knew it, she had sold $100,000 dollars worth of sweaters. In 2002, she launched Neesh by DAR and has been delivering “whimsical clothing for ‘grown up’ girls” ever since.
Denise offered to share some fall styling tips and dressed me to show them to you! It was so fun AND educational. I asked her a few questions in advance:
- Are there any must have or must avoid trends you have seen for fall?
- Is there an age at which women should avoid trends and stick with classics?
- What is the piece for fall that you recommend splurging on because it will be a staple/classic piece? What piece do you recommend looking for a bargain or copy?
- What look is a good work to evening look this fall?
- What look is a good yoga/gym-to-daytime look for fall?
- What is your favorite Neesh by DAR piece is your fall collection?
We started with what to invest in versus what to buy on the cheap.
Denise’s recommended investment – a nice jacket or sweater that can be worn with multiple looks. From Neesh by DAR, she recommends (and I second) the Javert Jacket. Why? It gives the illusion of expensive leather, but it is as comfortable to wear as a sweater. It can also be worn with a variety of looks: skirt, jeans, over a dress, etc. It is very flattering. I agree!
And this season’s “bargain” is baggy, long sleeve T-shirt tops. While her “Madame T” (available in boutiques only) has lovely embellishments like chiffon around the collar and a really nice, soft material, she suggests that you can get some great T-shirts for less and invest in other layers.
Bottom: in the Marius jacket and striped T
That t-shirt led me to ask, “The Ts that are in style now are pretty long and a bit full, how can I wear that without feeling super ‘hippy’?” The answer: Wear skinny jeans or skinny pants or crops. Don’t wear long tops/long pants or long tops/full pants. If you want to wear a flowy long tunic top, don’t wear long flowy pants -” unless you are built like Heidi Klum.” In terms of shoes, Denise thinks skinny jeans with chunky shoes or wedge sandals and a flowy top is definitely going to be something we see all over. I told Denise and Shira that I have a phobia of skinny jeans, because of my “athletic” legs. They grabbed me a pair of their Gavroche pants in black denim which are pretty skinny. And lo and behold, I loved them and they were so comfy. I loved the tunic with the Gavroche pants and with the Javert jacket, too. I would have never put these pieces together myself.
I had also asked, “What look is a good yoga/gym to daytime look for fall?” That is when they had me try the Marius jacket with a striped light sweather (Sybil’s top) over the Gavroche pants. This is an “urban whimsy” piece. It is a perfect top to throw on over yoga pants or gym clothes and works all day through. The zipper can be unzipped from the top or bottom and is on an angle. It also has some really nice embellishments at the collar. Oh and, it was also so comfortable, I can imagine wearing it every day! This is similar to some pieces at Lululemon, but Neesh by DAR has been making these “for years”! The Marius jacket comes in three colors: Black, Charcoal and Plum. (Why am I telling you this? Because Neesh by Dar is giving one lucky reader a Marius jacket in her choice of color and size! See the Rafflecopter below!)
I asked, “When are you too old to follow trends?” Denise suggested women should become “less trendy” as they age. Women in their 50s should consider choosing wisely and wearing only one trendy piece and make the rest classic. She suggests that this is “French style”. She referred me to Ines de la Fressange’s Parisian Chic. I smiled when she suggested a woman in her late forties+ in head to toe Neesh by DAR (“all Neeshed out”) would look “more than a little eccentic.”
I asked, “What would be a good work-to-going out look?” A dress with the Javert jacket – change the shoes and accessories. They also paired a cute A-line Stars skirt with a white, O’Brien’s blouse and the Scrumptious sweater. I love the skirt and the blouse, too. I think I would be more likely to wear a fitted T or turtle neck under this cute fitted sweater with this skirt. The skirt and sweater are both classic pieces that I would imagine I would have for a long time.
Last question: “What is your favorite piece in this collection?” She loves the Heavenly Adaptable sweater, because it is classic, you can wear it several ways and with a variety of pieces. It is an urban piece that has new silouettes and details. They describe it best on their website, “The Heavenly Adaptable Sweater is so interesting and different but totally wearable for every day – you will live in it! Long and swing shaped with a high neckline this sweater is made of a soft baby alpaca/wool/nylon blend. Earthy buttons line the center frontbut there is also one on the side seem so you can wrap up your sweater in an asymmetrical way.”
I had SO much fun being dressed by Denise and Shira and loved the fact that one of my “can’t wear” fears was squashed. I loved the skinny Gavroche pants! I think this advice is also right on. Don’t you?
And now the really fun part! One lucky person will get a Marius jacket ($264 retail value!) Please enter with the Rafflecopter below. One winner will be selected and notified on September 23rd. No purchase necessary to enter. Winner must be a US resident and over 18 years of age. Void where prohibited by law. If you already like or follow Neesh by DAR or Erica Finds, don’t forget to click the green button on the Rafflecopter to get credit.
Please note: I was not compensated for this post. The Marius jacket ($264 retail value) for giveaway is being supplied and delivered by Neesh by DAR. All opinions and comments are my own.