FUR – Whether you choose real or faux, fur is a great way to glamorize your wardrobe. Wear a little as trim on a sweater or jacket, or wear a lot in a fur coat, vest or poncho. Anything can be trimmed in fur so have fun with it! And fur isn’t just for clothing either. We’re seeing it on shoes and handbags too!

LEATHER – Fabric mixed with leather is everywhere this season! Faux leathers are more prevalent and the quality has really increased so don’t be afraid to try them. The most updated styles are washed, distressed or cracked, but high-polished looks are sleek and sophisticated.  Instead of jeans or basic black pants, why not try a pair of leather pants this year?

PANTS AND JEANS – We love that pant and jean styles are all over the map this season! Love your skinnies? They’re in! Prefer a simple boot-cut? You’re still fashionable! But one of the most updated looks this season is the high-waisted, wide-leg silhouette. Proportion is key here and the wider leg means wearing heels in order to avoid looking silly. The great thing about a wide-leg pant or jean is that the look will elongate the leg and create a leaner, taller figure. And who doesn’t love that?!

DRESSES – Don Draper would approve of the popularity of dresses. Celebrate your figure by looking for a style cut a little closer to the body. Whether you like girly or sexy, a dress is an easy way to look polished and put together. While we’ll always love a LBD (that’s Little Black Dress) jewel tones are flattering and fresh in a sea of darks. Look for a lovely plum, turquoise or wine for your next party dress.

SKIRTS – If you prefer separates, then try a skirt this season. A pencil skirt is always in style, but hemlines are going down and maxi skirts are back! It’s a nod to 70s fashions, but keep the look from being costume-y with heeled boots, updated accessories and sleek knits. A maxi skirt, thin turtleneck, boots and wide belt looks fresh and new this year.

The bottom line is to celebrate the season and look for ways to update your wardrobe! Next time you’re out shopping (at The Harem, of course) try on something you might not normally wear. You just never know what you’ll discover that looks terrific on you!

And the colors! Tangerine, poppy, graphite, lemon, royal and wintergreen signal the end of a dark winter and the beginning of spring. The addition of modern florals and graphic prints add flair to the entire collection. This is one event that needs to be experienced to be fully appreciated!

Join us now through Saturday, October 8th for this special event.

I thought I’d share some of the hot trends of the season. These are very wearable for any woman of any age, and we’re excited to offer so many stylish options. Spring 2011 is all about celebrating being a woman. Many silhouettes are soft and feminine, but very cutting-edge at the same time. So here’s what you’ll see this year:

Jackets: We love a great jacket! Investing in a few classic styles is always a good way to spend your fashion dollars. You’ll notice that many styles are cut closer to the body and are made of funky fabrics. Look for details of ruffles, zippers, grommets, buckles and pockets to make simple styles more special. Chanel-influenced tweeds are very popular and look great in feminine, pastel colors with white jeans or pants. Put away your boyfriend jacket and update with a fitted tuxedo style or shrunken blazer. Safari looks are still strong as well.

Pants: Skinny jeans and crop pants are still going strong, but one of the most current looks is the wide-leg styles from the 70s. Pant rises are on the rise (pun intended) with many jeans going from a 5″ rise to over 10″! Keep the look fresh by choosing your fit carefully and keeping the proportion in check. Wide leg pants look great when paired with close-fit tops or blouses that are tucked in and belted. Platform shoes add height and keep the look lean. Cargo pants are also popular once again, but the silhouette is slim. Make sure pockets lie flat. And pleats have returned (even if we’re not ready for them!). Pleated styles are tricky, but look very contemporary. Make sure the pleats lie flat and the pant is slim. At the other end of the pant spectrum is the paperbag waist. It’s huge, tied and anchored with a belt. A slim-fit tee pairs perfectly with this look. While not for everyone, die-hard fashionistas will love the look!

Dresses: Thank you, Mad Men, for bringing back the dress! Women are celebrating their femininity and dresses are key to looking polished, professional and modern. Shirt dresses in crisp cotton or linen are perfect for the office or a casual weekend with just a change of shoes and accessories. The soft, jersey wrap dress is still popular and flatters almost every figure. Look for updated retro silhouettes of a slim top and full skirt with a belt or short jacket to round out your dress wardrobe. Watercolor prints and bright solids make dresses special every day of the week.

Skirts: Spend all your time in pants and separates? Why not update your look with one simple piece: a skirt. This season, anything goes when it comes to skirts. From mini to maxi, you’ll find the perfect skirt to suit your figure and lifestyle. A simple a-line skirt that falls just above or below the knee is a great start. Branch out by adding a pleated or full skirt in a soft print or bright solid. Celebrate the 70s with a soft maxi skirt in a jersey knit or silk.

The bottom line is to enjoy the season and take a few chances when it comes to your wardrobe. Naturally, you’ll want to make Harem and Company your first stop on your shopping trip. Come in and play!

1. Boy Meets Girl. Suits are everywhere and tweeds, plaids, tartans and pinstripes can be found on women of all ages. The key to keeping the look feminine is to pair it with lace, a ruffled blouse or a draped, sexy top.

2. Military. Attention! Fashionistas will salute this season’s military-inspired colors and silhouettes. Look for jackets featuring grommets, studs, lacing and buckles. Cargo pocket detail can be found on skirts, handbags and pants. Zippers and excess pockets are all the rage. Military colors of green and khaki create a neutral basis for our favorite color, black, but can also be punched up with orange, mustard and magenta.

3. Show Some Skin. Leather, whether real or faux, is everywhere! Look for it in coats, jackets, pants, leggings, dresses and trims. Leather/fabric combos are very current. From motorcycle to ladylike, this is the season to invest in a new leather jacket.

4. Fur Sure. Fur will dominate this season and the biggest news is the latest faux varieties. Updated faux furs rival the real thing in texture and color but not in price. You’ll find fur in ponchos, vests and coats and also in handbags and boots. Add some lace or velvet for a real “wow” factor.

5. Color Me Cool. While we all love our favorite four-season color, black, this fall we’ll see gorgeous jewel tones to complement the basics. Purple is hot again as is almost any shade of red. Look for rich navy to give black a run for its money too. Brown, ranging from chocolate to taupe, looks great when paired with gold jewelry. Creams and whites look as fresh as newly-fallen snow in a sea of black.

6. Add Some Embellishment. Forget plain clothing because embellishments make all the difference! Whether you like the hard rock look of studs and zippers, or you like the sparkle of rhinestones, this season is all about pumping up the volume. Why wear one brooch when three look so great? Pair a sequined tee with skinny jeans and a blazer and you’re ready for a night on the town. Regardless of your taste, embellishments add a personal touch to any wardrobe.

We didn’t know what to expect on our first market trip, but it turned out to be all we could have imagined and more! The Fashion Industry Gallery (F.I.G.) building, filled to capacity with scrumptious fall lines, has a bright, contemporary, upbeat atmosphere that really excited us. The first line we saw was a funky jewelry line with chunky chains and pearls – perfect to layer and wrap! What fun to wear with this season’s skinny jeans, loose tops and cropped military jackets.

We were on a mission to find the best lines for Company 4333 and the trip didn’t disappoint. Jeans were at the top of our list and we discovered a few new denim lines perfect for our Denim Bar. Skinny is in, girls, so make sure your closet has at least one pair. On the opposite end of the denim spectrum is flare. Remember those elephant bells of the 70s? Neither do we, but they are making a huge comeback. And think dark. Denim washes are all about darkness, which we love because it always makes us look thinner!

So what to wear on top? We found great colorful loose tops, fitted jackets and long tunics. Embellishment is the key to making these silhouettes refreshing and exciting. And the fitted jackets range from military to lady-like.  Plain tops are great to pair with chunky chains and layers and layers of pearls. It’s an updated twist on Madonna circa 1984. Fun, romantic, flirty and always a little edgy!

Stay tuned for more Company 4333 news. We’ll be getting new merchandise in weekly so you’ll want to stop in and see us.

Kathi