Alex's Must Have: TDM Bamboo Scarf!

A Trocadero staple, TDM Scarves are definitely a seasonal favorite. I was so excited for this shipment because I love to layer clothing and add a scarf on for an extra pop of color or texture. I know with the warm weather approaching, adding a scarf sounds like a sweaty mess, but these scarves are created from 100% organic Bamboo fiber (we also have a scarf in cotton) and are a breathable weight. They are in rich colors and organic patterns that will go with nearly any outfit, and will definitely add that "extra something."

Not only are these scarves super fun, they are economically and environmentally conscious. The scarves are hand made/dyed by Women in Nepal from natural materials, eco-friendly and azo-free dyes. A portion of the TDM profits go to help support health care and education for the women and children of Nepal. Not only will you be loving the look your scarf adds to your summer wardrobe, you will be helping out women and children in need! Bamboo Scarves available in Sea Green, and Bright Orange ($95) Cotton Scarf available in Patriot Blue ($55).

Trocadero Shops Your Closet: Get Rachel's Look

I've had Rachel Bilson and her amazing style on my mind since I did the summer scarves post a few days ago. When I worked at Trocadero on Sunday, I saw that we'd received a selection of gorgeous tie-dyed scarves since my last shift. (Read more about them in this week's Trocadero Tidbits newsletter, which comes out mid-week.) In the meantime, I found a photo of Rachel sporting a version of the scarves in the store now, created by TDM Designs. It's on the right.

Her look is perfect for the weather we've been having as of late, and its one that's easy to recreate. Most of us probably have a rocker tee, a pair of skinny jeans, a pair of flats with fun detail and a colorful bag in our closets already. In this case, it's all about how you put simple pieces together for a casual but pulled together finish.

I turned to Polyvore to help me with some options to get Rachel's look. The three vintage rock and roll t-shirts are something you can buy at a chain store, like Forever 21, or scour your local thrift or vintage shop for the real thing. Ramones shirts, in my opinion, are always cool. The three scarves are very close to ones Trocadero's got in store now: solid scarves in midori green and cream, and dark blue tie-dye like Rachel's. All the jeans featured below are by J. Brand; they're sort of the quintessential skinny jeans, no? Going with black or indigo for this look is more flattering, though I can also see it working with this summer's white jeans, too. Finally, I chose three casual chic accessories from Trocadero's stock: a Kara by Kara Ross anaconda bracelet in a gorgeous magenta, the Botkier "James" tote in a vibrant purple and our newest Marc by Marc Jacobs striped Miss Marc flats.

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Photo of Rachel courtesy TFS.

Summer scarves, part two

In the new issue of InStyle, which came in my mailbox last week (a new fashion magazine in the mail always excites me) the editors debuted a new feature, Ask Rachel, where actress Rachel Bilson tackles readers style queries. Bilson is one of my favorites to watch, style wise, and apparently I'm not the only one that likes her look. At the front of the issue, InStyle cites a reader survey it conducts on what celebrity has the best personal style and Bilson regularly comes out on top. I think its incredibly cool that Bilson took on this challenge, and I am looking forward to reading her answers to different questions each month.

This month, though, she mentions one of her favorite style accessories, the summer scarf. As I've blogged about before, I simply love scarves. Here's the question and Rachel's answer from the magazine.

Q: What are some tips for wearing scarves in warm weather?

A: My favorite accessory! A lightweight blend, like cashmere-silk, is one you can use year-round. I tend to go for longer ones because you can do more. Fringe is kind of over, in my opinion. Matta makes scarves edged with pom poms, which are a cool alternative to fringe.

Rachel is pictured at left wearing a very cool summer scarf in a sunny yellow, along with some simple basics: black skinnies, a black leather jacket and a white t-shirt. If you're in the market for a summer scarf of your own, stop by Trocadero. We have a number of options: Mai Cashmere, TDM Designs and Yarnz scarves, which come in Bilson's recommended silk-cashmere blends as well as some eco-friendly versions made of bamboo.

Photo courtesy of The Fashion Spot