Fall Menswear trend: spotlight on your lower half

(Image courtesy of www.Macys.com)

 

Sometimes it seems as if menswear styles don’t change much when it comes to slacks. But this fall, nothing is further from the truth! Banana Republic, J. Crew and Gap have both come up with a line of slim fitting, well-tailored bottoms in a range of colors, real colors.

 

A friend of mine recently sported a pair of pumpkin colored Banana Republic chinos and received compliments all night from men and women. To create this modern style, don’t be afraid of color on the bottom, make sure they are slim fitting and add a great leather shoe.  Combine that with denim on the top and you’ve got an edgy look that will take you anywhere you need to go this fall.

 

 

A few of our favorite things...

Consignors take note: our shoppers noted these kinds of items as their favorite items. It's not surprise they were our top selling categories last week. Want specifics? Use the "contact us" form on our website to sign up for our email list. Make sure to note that you're a consignor (or a potential consignor) so we add you to the consignor email list.

Fall Menswear Trends: Bow Ties

Being a part of the fashion industry, I keep up with current trends.

There are 7 fall menswear trends and I’ll share them one at a time.

The first trend is in neckwear….but it’s not traditional ties. Bow ties are the rage right now, as are pocket squares in a variety of fabrics, not necessarily silk. And you can wear a square without the bow tie or vice versa. Bow ties can be already tied for you or the kind you have to tie yourself. Not sure if you can tie one, try this video, it makes it super easy! http://vimeo.com/51962571

Some of the nicest bow ties I’ve seen have come from Brooks Brothers, but you can expect to pay upwards of $50 or more. My husband has a good friend in California that has started a luxury bow tie company and sells them for as much as $2000 each and Californians are buying them! We have a crafter who hand makes bow ties for our menswear store. Need something specific? Let us know and we will tell her what you need.

This is a trend that is catching on quick. Go ahead, tie one on!

 

Scarves: Bringing a bit of Europe to the USA

Recent travels to both Italy and Holland educated me on Europe’s love affair with the scarf. In Italy, kiosks full of scarves are as common as gelato carts and popular with both men and women.  Italian men sported scarves, sun glasses and fabulous shoes as they trekked around town. Scarves for sale were unisex patterns and worn by all.

 

The Dutch are just as addicted to their scarves! I marveled at both women and men, dressed for work with fashion scarves and fabulous shoes, pedaling their way to work on bicycles. Though not in sidewalk kiosks, scarves were for sale at every clothing shop I visited and worn by many.

 

I purchased scarves in both countries and wear them often mostly to remind myself of European women and men, who really know how to dress well, mix trendy with classic, and add scarves to complete the outfit. In Europe, the scarf is the “IT” accessory.

 

So I searched for and found a source for fabulous scarves for Finders Keepers, with very modern and European designs. The summer scarves have been popular and the fall scarves have begun arriving. A current trend for this accessory is the infinity scarf, which is easy to manage and fun to wear. Stop by and try one on.

 

So far I have just found women’s fashion scarves but I am searching for the male counterpart, even though I’m not sure if our American men are ready for a “fashion” scarf. What do you think?

 

 

From Bonnie's Desk: Dog Rescue was not on my to-do list today!

Traveling the back way from the furniture store to meeting today, I saw a large dog and 4 puppies running loose along the sidewalk. At first glance, it looked like a mama and her puppies had escaped from a back yard. I stopped and rolled my window down to get a better look and it didn’t look good. The pups looked to be about 8 weeks old and their ribs were clearly visible. Mama dog was very friendly and turned out not to be mama but a male dog looking after these 4 boxer mix puppies. I was dressed for a meeting and short on time but quickly decided that the least I could do was go get them some food. 

 

I went to the house and grabbed the dog food and some water. When I got back to the spot, another person had stopped to see about them and was happy to see me and the food.  Soon, 3 other cars stopped and together we watched them devour the food. The hungry male dog let the puppies push him away from the food bowl so I had to give him food in a separate bowl so he could eat. I was amazed. Phone calls were made to rescue groups, friends, vets and photos were taken. Eventually one of us offered to keep them in his fenced area until they could be officially rescued. I’ll check on them tomorrow. They are super cute, and the adult male dog? A great disposition….and parent!

 

Meet the Finders Keepers Management Team

Want to learn a little bit about the movers and shakers at Finders Keepers Consignment stores? Here's a list of our management team, the stores they oversee, and our fearless leader, Bonnie Kallenberg.

Finders Keepers Consignment Stores

Bonnie Kallenberg

Owner: Bonnie Kallenberg
An Atlanta native, Bonnie purchased Finders Keepers in 1990 as a single, small storefront. She has grown that little shop into one of the most recognized consignment names in Atlanta. She has been named Skirt's Entrepreneur of the Year and was elected President of the National Association of Resale and Thrift Stores in 2012. When she's not in one of her stores, she's lending her hand for several local non-profits, including Refugee Resettlement and Immigration Services of Atlanta, or she's playing with her grand daughter, Marin. Email her directly: Bonnie.Kallenberg@fkconsign.com.

Finders Keepers Fashions - 404.296.0285

Jessica Ross

Manager: Jessica Ross
Jessica has been a member of the Finders Keepers team since 2000.  She thrives in the fast-paced environment of the Fashions store and loves the constant interaction with her customers.  She enjoys the simple things in life and spends most of her spare time playing with her son or watching sci-fi shows with her husband. Email her directly: Jessica.Ross@fkconsign.com


Cassandra Rayburn

Senior Assistant Manager:
Cassandra Rayburn
A lifelong Georgia native (and Georgia Bulldog fan) Cassandra joined the Finders Keepers family in 2010. Experienced in textiles and fashion, she never fails to have the answer to all of your fabric questions! There is a lot to see and do in the world, so Cassandra tries to fit in as many cultural experiences as she can in her spare time. Some of her favorite things include working and volunteering at music festivals, mid-century modern design aesthetics, and Zula, her lovable Chihuahua. .

Finders Keepers Furnishings - 404.377.1944





Manager: Betsy Johns
Betsy joined the Finders Keepers team in 1990. She's really (really) good at decorating and staging, and is even sought after by real estate professionals for her talent making a house more appealing for potential buyers. The other loves of her life: her fabulous grandchildren, Ayden and Violet, ruby slippers, and statement jewelry. Email her directly: Betsy.Johns@fkconsign.com.

Vickie Bracewell

Assistant Manager: Vickie Bracewell
 Long time Finders Keepers fan, Vickie Bracewell, joined the FK team in 2010.  When she is not hopping from the Furniture store to the Boutique, she sells real estate with the team of Marshall Berch and Associates.  Her background with staging homes makes her a natural fit with the furnishings team but you will also see her at her first love, the Boutique.  She dreams of the day she can manage Finders Keepers Beachside.

Finders Keepers Boutique and Menswear - 404.634.6995

 

Darla Svich

Manager: Darla Svich
Darla Svich has been a member of the Finders Keepers team since 2011. She moved to Decatur after completing her Masters degree in Management from UGA's Institute of Nonprofits. Fashion is one of her favorite forms of artistic expression, as well as cooking, yoga, and up-cycling. Come chat with Darla for honest style advice, organizational tips, and superior customer service. Email her directly: boutique.finderskeepers@gmail.com.

Brands Guidelines for Finders Keepers Fashions

 

Want to know what brands we love to take at Finders Keepers Fashions? Here's a list of some of our favorites! We've also provided a second list below for brands we are not accepting at this time.

 

 

Aasics                                 Adidas                        Adriana Pappell                       Adrienne Vittadini

Aerosoles                          Aigner                         Alfani                                         Ann Taylor

Ann Taylor Loft                Anne Klein                  Anthropologie Brands            Apostrophe

Apt. 9                                 Arcteryx                      Armani Exchange                    Ashley Stewart

ASOS                                  Athena                        Avenue                                      Banana Republic

Bass                                    BCBG                           Boden                                        Born

Brighton                            Brooks Brothers         Cabi                                           Cable & Gauge

Calvin Klein                       Carlos                           Chaps                                        Chico’s

Choices                              Clarks                           Club Monaco                          Club Room

Coach                                 Coldwater Creek        Cole Haan                                Columbia

Converse                            Croft & Barrow          Cynthia Rowley                      Cynthia Steffe

Dana Buckman                  Dansko                        Denim & Co.                            Diesel

DKNY                                   Dockers                       Dooney & Bourke                   Eddie Bauer

Eileen Fisher                      Elementz                     Ellen Tracy                               Etcetera

Express                                Flax                              Fossil                                        Free People

 French Connection          Gap                              Giani Bernini                           Gianni Bini

Guess                                  INC                               Izod                                           J. Crew

J. Peterman                       Jessica Howard          Jessica Simpson                       Johnston & Murphy

Jones                                  Jones New York         Jos. A. Bank                              Just Taylor…

Karen Kane                       Kasper                          Keen                                         Kenzie

 

L.L.Bean                             Lacoste                        Lane Bryant                             Lauren

Levi’s                                  Limited                        Lucky Brand                             Lululemon

Merrell                              Moda                           Mountain Hardware              New York & Company

Nike                                   Nine West                   North Face                               Oilily

Patagonia                         Polo                              Ralph Lauren                           Ruby Rd.

Sak                                     Simply Vera                Steve Madden                         Style&Co

Tahari                                Talbots                        Tommy Hilfiger                       Vera Bradley

White House/Black Market                                Willi Smith                                Worthington

XCVI                                  Yellow Box                   Zara

 

 

 

 

Here is a list of labels we are not interested in accepting for consignment at this time:

 

 

A Byer                              Abercrombie + Fitch                           Aeropostale

American Eagle               Basic                                                    Charlotte Russe

Claire’s                            Delia’s                                                  Dots

Eyeshadow                      Faded Glory                                         Hurley

My Michelle                    No Boundaries                                     OP

Payless Brands                Quiksilver                                             Rainbow Brands

Rampage                          Roxy                                                    Volcom

Wet Seal                          Xhileration                                           XOXO

Zani-Di