Autumn...already. All ready?

We're not ready to relinquish summer's pleasures anymore than you are...river swimming, sundresses, ginger limeade...but fashion never waits for the leaves to fall. Our fall selections have started to arrive! And yes, we're excited. You know how designers create "mood boards" to illustrate their vision for a particular project? Well, here's ours for FALL 2006: Anglomania, British punk, tomboy rebel, that pretty pale goth girl who wrote poetry in her notebook in the back of class, tartan kilts on misty moors, gilt and scrolls and sealing wax and tarnished silver and antique lace and a splash of claret with a good, good book. Not ready for all that coziness just yet?
Luckily, these early-Fall dresses--by Development and Mint--are sleek enough to take you from this month's sweltering outdoor wedding to next month's chill-in-the-air First Thursday. Happy hunting...

P.S. The English Dept. Summer Sale is still on! There's even a $25 dollar bin. Now's your chance to enjoy some English Dept. spoils without the guilt. Seriously, our prices don't get much better than this. $25 bin. Seriously.

Que Sarah Sera

We've just received a dear little delivery of pieces from local emerging designer, Sarah Weick. She produced her first-ever fashion show this spring, and we're pleased as punch to feature our favorites from the collection at The English Dept. Featuring nautical details and lush (but not fussy) silks, they're the perfect pieces for high summer. There are only two of each piece (one of the sailor skirts and yellow dresses have already been snatched up), so hurry--just like Sarah, these designs are going places.

This is what it's really all about.

You know, when we decided to carry Special Occasion dresses (I kind of hate that term), we really didn't know what we were getting into. Bridal is high stakes, let me tell you. There are days when it's pretty challenging- like when someone needs a dress for next weekend. And we're all on pins and needles the week a dress is scheduled to arrive. However, nothing feels better than hearing from a bride AFTER the wedding to tell us how good she felt. Here's a pic of one of our very first brides on her special day. She said she felt beautiful, and we'd have to agree.

Wimbledon Weekend Sale July 7, 8, 9

Yes, we're pouting because Agassi's out (can't help loving that rascal--remember the Wimbledon where he was sent home to change because his tennis "whites" were too loaded with sponsor logos?). On the other hand, we're cheering from the cheap seats because almost EVERYTHING is on sale at The English Dept. Save 20 to 70% on spring and summer merch--we must make room for the gobstoppingly gorgeous fall gear we've got coming. Come see us--it's on all weekend.

Past Perfect

There's really nothing more modern than using your computer, especially to read a blog. What's funny, though, is that I spend most of my time on the internet looking for vintage goods. As I while away the time on my laptop, I'm actually longing for the days of old. Back in college, instead of studying for my Shakespeare exams, I would spend all my time at the library looking through old Good Housekeeping magazines. I may be deficient in my knowledge of iambic pentameter, but I know an awful lot about what to wear when cleaning out my garage! I just love vintage fashion articles.

I found the greatest website the other day:
www.oldmagazinearticles.com. Click here to check it out. If you type in "fashion" (or any other topic you fancy) you'll be presented with articles from the first half of the 20th century with titles like "Paris Grows a Bit More Gay" (by that they mean festive), published in 1915! I could spend my entire day reading through the articles, but I do have my future to think about. It's back to work for me.