Last Days of Summer SALE

Charlotte Ronson high-waisted pencil skirt, Mociun tank, Rachel Comey Lorimer

Markdowns galore.

And Then There Was One: Charlotte Ronson Origami Neck Dress

We have one, maybe two, left!

Happy Thanksgiving

I'm engaging in my usual lazy packing blues. In a few hours, we depart to Los Angeles for Thanksgiving festivities, where, among family and friends, I will happily over-satiate myself on my mother's and my grandmother's cooking.

Today, Joseph said to me, "The weather is horrible. It is raining--absolutely pouring--in LA. Bring a rain jacket and comfy clothes." Me afraid of the rain? I think not. What to pack? Despite Californian gripes about the "bad" weather, a few raindrops will not deter me from taking advantage of wearing less layers than I will probably be required to wear within the next 5 months in Portland. Plus, I do not own a rainslicker or rain jacket. Please.

What to pack? I think it is time I wore this Charlotte Ronson skirt. Sans tights. With booties. A leather jacket. A comfy T-shirt or equivalent top. à la Karla (below):

source: Karla's Closet

My Charlotte Ronson hi-waist skirt:

We wish you all a lovely Thanksgiving holiday. Make sure you visit us for our Black Friday sale! (Hint: check your email.)

Glamour Puss

Thank you to fashion writer Joanna Goddard, of A CUP OF JO fame and newly helmed author of Glamour mag blog SMITTEN, for her write up on our boutique and her two cents on what SOTTO boutique wares to wear for dates.

My pick? I like the black high-waist pencil skirt by Charlotte Ronson, which is flattering and easily dressed up (but not too dressed up and not too contrived)--like, oh, you just threw it on and effortlessly look fabulous.

DO check out her other picks and chime in with your ideas here.

A Printed Matter

Part of the lure of designers like Rachel Comey and Mociun are their beautiful prints. This season, I'm a little more than overwhelmed by all the beautiful prints at hand. I can hardly decide what to keep for myself, and, much to my chagrin, many of you have beat me to it.

Here, a few of my favorite prints in stock--there are more to come, including printed dresses by Caitlin Mociun.

(Click on images to enlarge.)

Rachel Comey. Eye on You.

It is futile to resist a witty print on an equally clever silk dress. With pockets, cuffed dolman sleeves, and a reversible cut (as shown below), this dress is effortlessly chic with tights and flat boots as it is bare with heels. A fitted turtleneck underneath would also work for chillier days. Hits above the knee.

We have only one left in a size X-Small.

UPDATE: We are officially SOLD OUT of this dress.

Worn "backwards," it shows off a beautiful neckline.

True to form, we paired it with our newest Rachel Comey belt.

Eskell. Fleur Print.

Rather than make a decision about which variation of this print I should get, I bought most of them. Also in silk and available in a dress or top, Eskell's fleur print is more subtle than the Rachel Comey print, but no less gorgeous--nor versatile.

I'm taken with all the details of this dress--the gathered bust, elastic empire waist (that nips in just at the right place), puffed sleeves, ruffle neckline, keyhole back, and button closure sleeves. I like it both with the fabric belt or with a more substantial substitute, like the Rachel Comey belt in whiskey. I imagine I'll wear this with a thick cardigan, tights, and a pair of Rachel Comey clog oxfords. Hits above the knee.

The top version of the dress, also in white fleur print, shares some of the same dramatic details, although slightly varied: high neck with a slight ruffle, elastic empire waist, 3/4 sleeves. It looks amazing tucked into a pair of high-waisted slouchy trousers.

With its button down front, tie waist, folded edge neckline, and backpleats, the Shauna silk blouse, in the black fleur print, has all the markings of a timeless blouse you'll tuck away in your closet for "special" occasions, but the ease of something you'd literally throw on during weekends of leisure.

Charlotte Ronson. Floral.

Charlotte Ronson makes another beautiful silk dress--mini, this time--with an origami neckline, pockets, and a nipped in waist.

Blogcation Eye Candy

source: Style

The folks at SOTTO are taking a little "blogcation" for the next week or so. Don't worry. You can still get a hold of us. And, of course, your orders will still be processed as usual.

In the meantime, and to get you aptly excited for FW08 (as you no doubt should be!), we're posting this little Charlotte Ronson campaign video, which stars the designer's half-sibling Annabelle Dexter-Jones and the Virgins' lead singer Donald Cummings ... and is adorable.

Enjoy.

Until we meet again,

SOTTO

Summer Arrivals: Charlotte Ronson and Eskell

Father's Day did, in fact, usher in summer. Finally.

Here, a few shots of a few summer dress faves:

The Charlotte Ronson sailor dress screams "summer" to me. With its white hot skirt (adorned with buttons in the back - adorable) and striped shirt top, it is a perfect easy piece in which to lounge on BBQ days such as this.






Okay, while this isn't a new arrival, this Charlotte Ronson knit dress lends itself well to Portland's capricious weather. Here, I've paired it with our last Ashley Watson bag, the structured Plover, and (surprise, surpise) my Rachel Comey belt.


These shots of the Eskell dress don't quite do it justice. It is a blue pinstripe material with bright yellow and orange accents in front.

Anticipated Spring Frolic

We just unpacked our first spring shipment for Charlotte Ronson. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Charlotte Ronson Blouson Top (belt not included)
Personally, we like it belted with one of our many vintage belts.

Charlotte Ronson Lapel Cardi
This is definitely one of the cuter cardigans we've seen lately.

Charlotte Ronson Lola Mini Dress

SPRING PREVIEW: Charlotte Ronson

Here's a sampling of the Charlotte Ronson stock we'll receive soon.

Blouson Top with Neckline Details - $194

High-Waisted Skirt - $195; Sleeveless Blouse with Panel Detail - $136

Lola Mini Crochet Dress - $194