LOTC: Marni for H&M - European Bohemian meets the masses

Fashionistas, mark your calendars for March 8 because that is the day Marni for H&M hits stores.

  

{Source: H&M Press}

This Luxing it on the Cheap (LOTC) collaboration definitely bring a label with a different aesthetic to the masses.  This label is usually well known by the well-dressed and well-financed set and makes clothing that is more loved by women than men - think billowy, well-tailored (but not necessarily very fitted) silhouettes.  Bold, but necessarily bright hues (think blues, yellows, blacks, and whites) are a trademark of Marni, as are vintage and African prints; these really create a European Bohemian feel.

I wasn't sure I loved this collection at first, but the quirky, yet refined prints are growing on me as are the reports of well-made construction.  The prices are about $60-$80 for most pieces as well (including coats!) so it is also a great buy.

Will you be checking out this collection?  Oh and when, oh when, will hm.com have online shopping available?!

Check out the video as well of the launch party in LA - isn't Drew Barrymore so cute!

LOTC: Versace for H&M lookbook and US pricing

Nov. 17 is V day (the day Versace for H&M launches) and one of the ultimate Luxing it on the Cheap collaborations.  As expected, this collection is not for the faint of heart.  Skin is in, tight fits are expected, and embellishment and electric prints are mandatory.  It definitely conjures and recreates the essence of the house of Versace at a much more manageable price point (everything is under $299).  While I'm not quite daring to wear some of the pieces (red floral pants are gorgeous, but I would need Cameron Diaz's legs), I do love the fun studded patterns on some pieces and the edgy cutout detail on a staple like the little black dress.
Many of the pieces also feel like resort wear to me - perfect for a night out in Bali or a piece that you throw on for a great summer party.

I've included a few of my favorite (and for me, most wearable) looks below along with the price list.  The belt, black dress, and skirt are practically work worthy as well!

{Source}

What do you think of this collection?  Are there any pieces that belong in your closet?

Jimmy Choo for H&M - Worth the wait (and sleeping on the street in the rain)? Part 1 of 2

Jimmy Choo for H&M launched this past Saturday to hordes of anxious shoppers.  I am lucky enough to live in Central London (aka we pay a lot to live in a studio the size of your pantry) so I was within walking distance of a H&M store.  I had distinct plans to wake up at 6 am only to fall back asleep in my warm, oh-so-comfortable bed.  I finally got up and out and was in line a bit before 8 am (the store opened at 9 am).  At first I saw the line and thought "Whoa, is this really worth it?"

I mean, this looks kinda scary at 8 am right?

But I decided to brave it because I was already up right?  I also decided to stay because the H&M people told me I was among the first 160 people to arrive so I would definitely get in (whether I would get what I want was of course a different story).
They gave out this flier listing our shopping procedure and I got the blue wristband so about 100 people were in front of me.

The flier lists the times each color band was allowed to go in the store.  You could only shop for 10 minutes and get 1 of each style.  So it somewhat baffled me when I heard staff saying that someone started lining up at 5 pm the day BEFORE to be the first in line.  I talked to the 10th person in line and she said she was there at about 3 am.  It was raining in London that night and the morning of the launch.  Hmm, I just like my bed and my husband too much to sleep on the streets.

So how was my first possible mass-hysteria hyped up shopping launch experience?  Pretty good actually.  I was impressed by how orderly H&M ran the process.  The 10 minute shopping rule and abundance of staff (80 were working in that small branch that day to accommodate the crowds) really kept things moving along quickly.  They even gave out free umbrellas when it started raining in the morning.  A lovely Swedish girl covered me before I got an umbrella.  The bonding is also another funny thing I didn't expect.  People in line were pretty friendly .  The teenage boy behind me was there to get his mom a pair of shoes.  She bribed him with a new Macbook.  Nice.

Why yes, that is a Macbook plated in GOLD.  Chic indeed.

After we got our bracelets, we also took turns taking a break from the line and quite a few sweet people offered to get me coffee as well.  Instead I  went back home and snuggled with my husband for 10 minutes.  When I went back to the line, we were up next and all the girls around me welcome me back and said they were worried I'd missed it!

We were let in a little early (at 10:35 am) and raced up the stairs.  Of course a lot of the good shoes like the gladiators and boots were gone.  I got a pair of shoes I ended up returning and a few accessories.  Overall I was able to get some things, but the selection wasn't awesome.

Up next my tips for the Jimmy Choo for H&M shopping and a lookbook!