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Oh my! Stop Staring dresses are so culled from the past, it’s like a trip back to a bygone era. Original, retro-chic in a multitude of allover flattering styles, there’s no shorter route to timeless, classic glamour. Take the black Carmen Dress with its vogue detailing: a slim-fitting pencil skirt with satin accented kickpleats, 40s era cap sleeves, a skinny black belt, and a sweet, flirty bodice that gathers at the bust. One of the highlights of the Stop Staring store, it’s also a potential prize for a Shopflick newsletter signup. Buzz-worthy fashion updates, a stunning cocktail-meets-little-black-dress, or both? (Psst: choose “both.” You can’t lose!) Lucky for you, the inevitable Stop Staring splurge is softened by a store-wide discount of 15%. Choose from the pink Bombshell dress, a favorite of Paris Hilton and Eva Mendes, the Million Dollar Baby dress, the Lana dress (after 40s siren Lana Turner, of course), the Glamour Blush dress, or the Summer Bell dress. Just, please, stop staring already!

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Baby blankets aren’t what they used to be. They’re better. Why settle for a plain, soon-to-be-tattered square of blue or pink when you could comfortably settle your baby into a Bundle Up Joy, a luxury wearable baby blanket that is. “Luxury” and “Wearable” are the two key differentiators, and a “bundle[d] up joy” the key result. Think of all of the benefits of the standard “blankie”: nostalgia, tradition, easy gift; but, this time, add everything the baby blanket lacks, especially to the overburdened parent: seat buckle and stroller functionality, oh-so-soft and oh-so-cute design with chenille lining and a multitude of showy fabrics, convenient wrap-around zipper for quick and effortless diaper changes, machine washable material, and open-flat capability to double as a cleaning pad for on-the-go baby care. And that applies only to the Cotton Baby Sleepsack and the Sleeveless Wearable Blanket. The cold-weather ready Long-Sleeved Bundle Up Joy boasts extra perks (and a 50% discount): an attached, protective hood and pull-back mittens. All else you’ll need is a couple onesies and the wardrobe is complete. They’re only for babies 0-6 months, but a piece so gorgeous will undeniably be a darling keepsake. You can bet Nicole Richie will one day tell a not-so-little Harlow what a budding fashionista she was at 2 months. What evidence will she use? Her Bundle Up Joy, of course.

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Why be obsessed with Ric Rac Clothing? The two self-proclaimed “fashion pirates” & “thrift store junkies” behind the line, Christina Wheeler and Jarred Garza, will excitedly tell you, well, “just because!” but I have better reasons. A ric rac is a zigzag ribbon used in trimming, a detail occasionally found in the line’s collection of flirty dresses, but a ric rac also captures, in sound and definition, the sense of fun and spontaneity that runs through both the pieces and the designers’ videos. With warm prints, hop scotch colors, feminine silhouettes, and impeccable tailoring, these are vintage-inspired dresses that have been updated & modernized, sometimes literally. The stylistic difference between Ric Rac Clothing and true vintage is that Wheeler and Garza have isolated those pretty embellishments and playful cuts that make vintage so eye-worthy and built their designs around them. The result is that nothing is amiss. Your effort to find the perfect dress for any stand-out occasion (because you wouldn’t want to hide behind one of these) will start & end here.

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What could be more versatile and feminine than scarves? They are the stuff of memorable anniversary presents and invaluable mother-daughter heirlooms; and who hasn’t heard of the (very imitable) French twist, that singular trick to freshen up an outfit (and personal appeal) through the addition of a little colorful detail around the neck. Shopflick favorite Candice Held takes scarf adoration to a whole new level, crafting a bevy of beautiful and unique scarf dresses that keep her runway shows punctuated by near-constant noisy adulation. She designs not only the dresses, seamless conglomerates of different scarves combined with unexpected twists and ties and wraparounds, but also the scarves themselves, creating prints that range from the pretty to the whimsical. A-list celebrities Halle Berry, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, and others have all been reliable devotees of Candice Held stylized casual elegance, but anybody who enjoys studies in sweet, bohemian beauty will relish her one-of-a-kind stock of the accessory-inspired: mini dresses, halter dresses, bandeau dresses, floral ponchos, silk pocket squares, and vintage scarves, the last free with the purchase of any item from her store. Double the scarf, double that “je ne sais quoi.”

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KidViskous designer Tiffany Lee has her finger on the pulse of cult imagery, and the rare genius to translate it into broadly wearable pieces. Case in point: PAPER Magazine Publisher and Editor Kim Hastreiter ordered a custom red “spex” (top left) to match her signature red shades. It’s no wonder, because with jewelry that is both futuristic and retro, KidViskous demystifies pop-culture symbols with youthful and stylish irreverence. This is jewelry with a humorous flair, but the line, Collection 03, is just too memorable to not be taken seriously: geometric outlines of diamonds in gold or silver; mirrored cranes; vintage-inspired locks that feature bears and deer in cork; also guns, eagles, and beer cap pendants; not to mention the collection’s trademark necklaces with neon and lucite cutouts of “blinders,” a particular style of nu-rave eye wear that is here worn ironically like your grandfather’s chained spectacles. The only prerequisite is a love of fun fashion. Many items, like the Silver F-15 Fighter Jet Necklace, are now on sale, but others, like the Neon Pink Bubblegum Suicide Pistol Necklace, merge flash and satire too impressively to pass up.

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The Battalion Eco Couture embodies green construction, mainstream appeal, and couture design, the stand-out trio of elements that defines up-and-coming (or already-here) status for any clothing manufacturer that wants to make a lasting dent in the market. We’re talking the natural (and necessary) evolution of clothes, and Battalion is on the front-lines. The brand’s aesthetic is trend-setting elegance, with eco-conscious quality guaranteed by the sole use of organic bamboo and organic fabrics and a production process that defines sustainability. Take the Jacklyn Legging Pants: skinnies with triangulated and rounded seams for an unexpected, flattering cut (though the peel-on-and-off tightness can’t be discounted in that regard). Or the Ali Cape, a 70s stylized caped coat that drapes like a stand-in for effortless grace. Through the end of January, revelers in green style with an edge (like celebrity aficionados of the brand Maggie Gyllenhal and Ashley Olson) will rejoice: the Battalion is offering 15% off all of their clothes.

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There isn’t a more accurate moniker for design collective FORM. Comprised of an architect, a stylist, a business executive, and founder and designer Jerry Tram, the guiding principle of the team is that clothes should be “free of excess embellishment and unnecessary gimmicks.” The more arty of the usually hyper-enthusiastic press roundups use architectural descriptives like “modular constructivism” and reference futurism. The clothes are simple, but innovative. FORM works with a minimalist color palette that alternates from black to white (with forays into aubergine or cream) from season to season; and true to, yes, form, the collective’s line of tops all feature modern structural elements that give the basics a couture expression. Available online exclusively on Shopflick, FORM is doubling the luxury by slipping in an additional piece worth $125 with every purchase. You won’t know what it is until you receive it, but most likely you’ll be as captivated as the press.

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No one wants to wear boned corsets or oversized mutton sleeves, but many (myself included) are attracted to the pretty embellishments of Victorian dress. Ornate ruffled blouses with embroidered or lace trim, feathered hair accessories, waist-accentuating dresses and skirts, queenly brooches, and the occasional bow or tie. The fashion of the early 20th century saw the first tailored suits, the start of ladies professional wear, but it was dominated by the most feminine of feminine details. Luckily for those of us with a liking for pretty vintage-inspired fashion, it still is, especially as available throughout Shopflick. After making a thorough search, I found a handful of perfect finds: blouses by Naven that are curve-hugging and elegantly made with flirty neck ties; granny boots with updated heels and hardware; KidViskous frame necklaces featuring a cork portrait of deers, bears, and mustangs; a beautiful Grey Antics bolero-like jacket with a floral motif; and, instead of an wide brim hat with lavish toppings, colorful feathered headbands. Best yet, there’s much more to be found for the determined and uniquely stylish.

The post-punk fashion of today is easily recognizable but tough to single out from the spectrum of similar rock-influenced styles of the past. There’s the undeniable foundation in punk with black everything, hand cutouts, metallic embellishments, and subversive shout-outs. But that’s hardly it: also present is a dose of 80s new wave style with brash colors, spandex, and otherwise oversized fits; a little mod appeal in solid hues and the ever-recurring mini; and a bit of disco with unapologetic glitz. The result is counter-intuitive: a surprising mix of clean lines, black with contrast brights, and that one rebellious detail, be it lace tights, sassy booties, barely there hemlines, or ironic jewelry. British post-punk revival fashion may be a long-winded coinage (and yes, a tad pretentious to spell out), but it is the style of now, edgy and streamlined. Check out these Shopflick culled picks for some, you guessed it, rockin’ inspiration.

Sweatshirts have long been resigned to exercising, lazy Sundays, and cold nights in, but the epitome of comfort style can also be fresh, upscale, and tongue-in-cheek feminine. The evidence? Buddy by Valen Valen, a line of fitted sweatshirts with big, ol’ teddy bears, mishmash contrast stitching, and wild, retro prints. I’ve been dreaming about getting a signature Violet Valen sweatshirt as soon as I saw the cutesy teddy face popping out of a camouflaged pocket. How often is complete adorableness at home in brazen design? The answer: in every one of the twenty-two variations of awesome sweatshirts available in the Violet Valen store, all crafted from vintage teddy bears and recycled fabrics. Plus, offered free with every purchase is a white tee featuring a print of Teddy hanging out (and looking a little glum, I admit) in (what else?) a pocket. Watch the video to see how Violet works her stuffed-animal-to-reimagined-sweatshirt magic.

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Bold, ageless, vivid, and colorful: who else but Shopflick favorite Petro Zillia? The designer who admits it is hard for her to separate her life from fashion offers a little slice of her retro-lovin’, whimsical mind with a selection of wares for Shopflick from her rainbow-bright House of Petro Zillia. Established in 1996, the store is an unexpected and heady mishmash of Petro’s high regard for fearless vintage trends, flirty feminine designs, and modern innovation, all slow-cooking into a fresh take on high fashion for the woman who thrives on bold, fearless statements.

Take the Ankle Boots from Parisian designer Martine Sitbon. They’re the granny boots of yesteryear (think: 1870), revived briefly in the 60s, and now reappearing to the buoyed joy of that particular breed of fashionista that delights in raiding grandmother’s closet. But, now, they’re in a deeply saturated olive green, with buckled straps for that added pomp, and sexily streamlined wood heels. Or consider the Martine Sitbon Suede Boots in rich forest green: shiny patent leather mary janes transformed into a knee-high boot with wrap around suede. Now 25% off. Isn’t it clear why Petro would approve?

The Denim Jumpsuit from Brazilian designer Colcci is another lesson in Petro Zillia fundamentals. The jumpsuit, that one-piece get-up of skyline astronauts and ground-level tradesmen, has occasionally graced runways since the 60s but has never approached mainstay status, even in the clutches of the 80s. This jumpsuit is different, though, because it’s sexy. Full denim coverage, but with an allover skinny fit, sun-friendly tube top, and over-sized button closures. Daringly retro but flirtatiously updated: only Petro Zillia.

Just entering REVOLVEclothing feels like you’re about to participate in a glam-rock showdown. Leggings that go on for miles in retro combinations of bright hues and metallic stars and stripes, sequined tuxedo tops and shirt dresses and mini blazers that playfully suggest you take your party attire to work, and suede mini skirts with studs in geometric patterns that marry prep-school mischeviousness, 60s go-go dancer, and rock-chic. Not to mention the hot wool cocktail dresses in cool white, eye-popping gold lame everything, understated flannel tunics with cinched waists, tropical print dresses with oversized beads bordering the collar, and smatterings of fringe on dresses and biker vests. You get it. REVOLVEclothing goes for broke, both in the clothes they carry and the parties they host. Last Saturday, the Costume Dept. unveiled 6 new styles of leggings exclusive to the store; and in celebration, there were complimentary drinks, a custom scarf-making booth, a snow-cone stand, and two DJs who balanced jungle grooves with slightly inebriated sips of champagne. The message of the evening seemed to be: leggings are here to stay, but wackier versions are center stage. Consider it an audition for your next glam-rock gig. The louder the singing and the more outrageous the clothing, the likelier you are to cause a stir.

Last Tuesday night, herald of Hollywood “It-girl” trends, Intuition, hosted—guess it!—a book signing. Between the cutesy stalls filled with billowy, bright smocks and leather riding boots were tables stacked with the debut copies of photographer Nicole Maloney’s RARE. With a foreword by Cindy Crawford and a preface featuring the Alice Walker poem “In Everything I Do,” the aim of the collection of photographs was to uncover some unknown facet of a public or symbolic figure—politician, glitterati, or, say, New York firefighter—by juxtaposing the portrait with an animal. Half an attempt to celebrate personal beauty, especially of the unexpected sort, the other intention of the project was to enlist the aid of recognizable faces on behalf of humanitarian initiatives. All of the royalties from sales of RARE will be donated to the International Rescue Committee. On the night of the book signing, Intuition owner Jaye Hersh chipped in by also donating 25% of the proceeds from all smock and boot purchases to the IRC. A book signing, a charitable cause, and some shopping all in one evening? I don’t see a reason why not.

In recent weeks, Shopflick has been the beneficiary of heaps of e-love. Style chronicler FabSugar.com highlighted us in their regular lineup of Fab Sites, honing in on Shopflick’s reputation as an end-of-year oasis for unique gifts:

“Just in time for the holidays is a fun site called Shopflick.com… sure to help you find that special gift for your loved ones… Unlike most retailers, this site is community driven and features some of the best emerging talent I’ve ever seen.”

Women’s Wear Daily, that little bible of fashion, wrote an article about the special mission of Shopflick.com to bring independent designers to the forefront:

“Shopflick, which uses video to help emerging designers connect with customers, reached… more than 100,000 visitors last month.”

With emerging designers on Shopflick pitching the perfect deal—Candice Held offering free, vintage scarves, Violet Valen throwing in Buddy tees and free shipping, and Raquel Allegra rounding out the generous donations with free leather headbands—it’s no wonder! Shopflick is also proud to be mentioned on Stylephile.com, Variety Magazine’s much beloved online fashion accompaniment, in the final week before their unexpected discontinuation. To us, it’s e-fashion history; to them, just a little slice of bandwidth appreciation for Raquel Allegra’s high-end freebies.

Thanks FabSugar, WWD, and Stylephile!

The trends of Spring 2009 will be volatile: hedge fund short hemlines, color and print mergers, international acquisitions that suggest supply shortage, a newfound appreciation of transparency, and international trading of African tribal and traditional Asian prints. The stuttering economy was the theme of Fashion Group International’s “Fashion 101, Spring 2009” trend report, and for good reason: off the runway, there is no better indicator of what will seize the public spirit.

The fashionistas or, rather, recessionistas, arrived at Saks Fifth Avenue last Thursday night in droves. An assembly of fashion majors and stylist wannabes from FIDM, clothing designers from LA’s fashion district, and industry folks like yours truly nibbled on fashion tidbits the size of the single serving shrimp cocktails and flutes of champagne that circulated. Braving rush hour traffic in Beverly Hills, the most stalwart of the Shopflick crew finished our annual pilgrimage to the oracle of the New York, Milan, London and Paris runways.

What were we told? Here’s the condensed version: to jumpstart the economy, you’ll need–what else?–a jumpsuit, like the Petro Zillia Colcci Denim Jumpsuit. Buckle down on your finances during the on-and-off again peekaboo economy recovery with the Double Buckle Cutout Boots. Just remember there are fringe benefits to a recession, like a sale on this Suede Fringe Passport Bag; and to ensure future financial transparency, become intimate with see-through undergarments like the Elle Macpherson Sheer Contour Underwire Bra and Elle Macpherson Intimates Sheer Ribbons Bikini. Finally, if money worries still have you distressed, it doesn’t hurt to don a cape, but forget the dramatics and go with Raquel Allegra’s Sheer Cape Dress. Spring 2009, Shopflick has you covered.