A Little Bit Country, A Little Bit Barbershop Quartet

A couple of weeks ago I spent a few days in Music City for the Barbershop Harmony Society’s International Convention. While the convention demographic skewed a little older and the fashion skewed to sequined vests and matching zoot suits (and penguin costumes!), the style on the streets of Nashville reflected an updated honky-tonk sensibility.

Worn-in western boots were ubiquitous and, in the sticky heat of mid-afternoon CD shopping at Ernest Tubb's and eating too much barbeque at Jack’s, best paired with a light dress like the Magical Mini Dress and the Happy Mini Dress from Daughters of the Revolution, or the Placed Print Easy Dress from Juicy. Best bets for boots? Bronx, N.D.C., Golden Goose, and Frye all offer a western-style riding boot.

When the sun goes down, the shorts come out. Siwy Denim, William Rast, and True Religion showcase the favored distressed, frayed style. Summer tops like Mason’s Racer Detail Tank, LaROK’s Navajo Chain Top, and Rachel Pally’s Double Bow Top show off some skin (and the also-ubiquitous, slightly-faded tattoo) and add a chic sex appeal to dressed-down denim and boots. Add a long necklace or a couple of bangles, and the look is perfect for bar-hopping with a Country and Western twang.

Whether you’re trying to channel Mother Maybelle, Patsy Cline, or Carrie Underwood, shopbop has what you’re looking for.

Denim 101: The Holy Grail of Online Denim Shopping

Boy oh boy, do I know what an undertaking finding a pair of jeans online is! And just because I work at SB, does not make me immune. We have such an incredible variety of denim, that to single-handedly find the perfect pair I would have have to confine myself to a dressing room for a month to really see the extent of our selection. I know I don’t have that kind of time. And I'm pretty sure you guys don’t either!

The innumerable obstacles we all face when shopping for denim online are daunting, but the largest one? Not being able to try anything on!

So what are the options? Buy 10 pairs, and send back 9? Get stuck with a pair that are just okay? Argh! The frustration! I want to fall madly in love with my denim. I want to hug and squeeze it and take it on a date. Is that too much to ask?

In the quest to solve the 'Greatest Mystery of Online Shopping', I've banded together with our stylists, buyers, and oh-so-savvy Customer Service department.

Our buyers are so brilliantly on point when it comes to what's hot - and of course what's classic - in denim. The stylists are always looking for new ways to wear, tear, dress up, and dress down their jeans, and Customer Service are the true soldiers in the denim trenches, fighting side by side with you guys to let us know what really works…and more importantly, what doesn’t!

It's the Dream Team. We have wefted and warped our way through more twill than the gold rushers in '49 to bring you THE most comprehensive guide out there: DENIM 101. It covers how to shop for jeans on our site, what you NEED to know about fit, and what styles and washes look best on what body types. We cover quite a few of our most popular brands, from Seven for All Mankind to William Rast, J Brand, Citizens of Humanity, and more.

It also happens to be our first video EVER, so I am super psyched!

To me, it's like the light at the end of the tunnel. And I really hope you like it.

-Morgan Wendelborn

First Fashion: The Best of What’s New

Countless examples of modern chic arrive at shopbop every day, and we’d be doing you a disservice if we didn’t tell you we find a few eye-catching standouts to covet each and every one of those days. That’s why we’re bringing you First Fashion, your morning look at our favorites in What’s New. Have some style with your coffee.

I’m a sucker for a sharp wit and I will tell you, Elizabeth and James’ unexpectedly punk Feather James Blazer had an immediate effect on the size of my pupils. A quality, tailored blazer with four (yes, four!) buttons at the cuffs and an outrageous feather trim, all in a non-committal, nod-to-formal coal made my heart pitter-patter.

The girly-girl eyelet lace and fraying edges make Joie’s Parker Top perfect for a carefree, romantic summer evening at the lake. Feet in the water, stars in the sky…when’s my vacation?

I literally cannot keep my skinnies in my closet. Besides the fact that I’m a slob in denial, the reason for this is that if I could, I would wear skinny denim every day of the week. Thank you, William Rast, for with your just-distressed-enough Kristin Ultra Skinny Ankle Jean you have given me what I desire. Springtime heaven is ankle-length denim.