Alternative Apparel Blog

Nice 'n' Easy

With Thanksgiving just one week away, that annual cloud of holiday-induced stress is starting to roll in. Between holiday travel, frantic gift buying, surly family members and countless other deadlines, you need a break, kid. To take the edge off this season, try slipping into some slub. This loosely knit, super-soft fabric is so comfortable, you’ll feel like you’re sitting on your couch, watching old movies and eating bon bons…well, almost.

But just because slub feels like your favorite jammies, doesn’t mean it looks like them. This popular second-skin cotton takes the form of a plethora of fashion-forward styles like Alternative’s Palm Springs Slub Throwover (also part of our new Holiday Gift Guide!). Chances are, you’ve probably seen slub, but if you’re not familiar with it, here’s the rundown: slub is a stretchy, versatile fabric made with unrefined cotton yarns which give it vintage-inspired striations.

For more info, check out this video from our very own Chief Creative Officer, Greg Alterman.

For more of Atlernative’s bestselling slub styles, try The Roomy Slub Tee for women, The Unisex Dean Slub Crew and The Unisex Joey Long-Sleeve Slub Crew—all brand new styles this season.

Josie Maran is Changing the World One Lipstick Tube at a Time

 
Josie Maran is just a slip of a person, but she’s trying to turn the beauty behemoth around. The former Maybelline spokesmodel is pioneering a planet-friendly way of looking good, making her three-year-old company, Josie Maran Cosmetics, a proving ground for toxin-free color and skin care products. Here, she tells us about her beauty business makeover.

How did  you get interested in sustainability?

I come from a family that’s always been very aware in terms of taking care of the planet. My dad grew up very socially conscious—a whole clan of protesters, trying to change things for the better—and the way he chose to give back was by building in an eco-conscious way. You know, putting up houses that get as much energy as possible from the sun, and are made from wood from sustainable forests, and so on. And on my mom’s side, she came from a really big family, with twelve brothers and sisters, so she always emphasized the need to be creative with our resources. Her approach was, how do we find a way to reuse this? Long story short, I honestly can’t remember a time when those "green values" weren’t a part of my life.

What inspired you to launch your company?

The epiphany happened around the time I got pregnant. I mean, as much as those sustainable ideals are floating around your head, it just hits you on a deeper level when you’re about to have a kid. And from a purely business perspective, I saw an opening. Sustainability wasn’t really on the cosmetics industry radar, yet. There was room for something new.

Read more about Josie after the jump.

Love is El Perro del Mar

On our music player this week, we've got new music from Sarah Assbring, a.k.a. El Perro del Mar.  The song is titled "Change of Heart" and it's the most charming song I've heard in some time. It's very pleasant; it's sweet and smooth... and yeah, I have to say again that it's just really quite charming. The song comes from the album Love Is Not Pop, out last mont. We were lucky enough to get some chat time with Sarah, to talk about herself as an artist and about the album. This, too, was super charming, as you'll read below...

Shortly after having finished touring with my second album, I started writing new songs. For some reason all the songs were about love and in particular that of the doomed kind. Unconsciously I think I knew what I was trying to tell myself. I'd spent some bad times in New York and some good times in Paris and both these cities have made a great imprint on this album and my current outlook on love. I decided to call [the album] Love Is Not Pop - the songs on the album are all pop songs and they are all about love. But naturally, it is not all as simple as that. As much as pop can be love and vice versa - I'd like to believe that love goes so much deeper than a pop song.

You say that most of the album is about the doomed kind of love, and you mention some bad times in New York, but you also mention some happy times in Paris. What would you say are the more positive or more uplifting aspects of the album?
I guess what is uplifting about it is realizing that though love can come to an end, it never really dies. People change but the deeper feelings of love and care for someone you've been close to are always going to be there. You can grieve the death and loss of it but the memory of its beauty, no one's ever going to take away.

What’s the one thing that everyone should know about this album?
That it's the perfect soundtrack for autumn 2009.

What’s the one thing everyone should know about El Perro del Mar?
That today I started believing in love again.

And so for all of our faithful blog readers who have become new fans of El Perro del Mar today, we've got presents! For four lucky people, we're gonna send you a copy of the album Love Is Not Pop featuring the single "Change of Heart" PLUS a free item of your choice made from our (also charming) slub material - we've got a variety of different styles and lots of colors!

How do you enter to win? Just leave a comment on this post by Sunday, 11/29 - we'll announce winners on Monday, 11/30. Best of luck!

'Tis the Season to Party

 
That’s right, ladies and gentlemen; holiday party season has officially begun—and with it, the anxiety of planning the perfect party ensemble. If you’re sick of staring at a closet full of nothing to wear, here are some tips to help you create a head-turning holiday look.

Most importantly, consider the crowd. Remember, your office holiday party is not the same as your friend’s cocktail party. You don’t necessarily need to dress like a nun, but this is not the time or place to sport serious cleavage. Instead, go with a classic dress and a stylish wrap. Add some peep toe pumps or high-heeled boots and voila, you've got a look that’s both professional and chic. For guys, a v-neck sweater worn over your favorite polo or button-down is always a sure bet. Throw on a blazer or jacket for good measure. And one last note: do not, under any circumstances, wear sneakers.

Don't be afraid to do things a little different this year. You don’t always have to go for your trusty little black dress. Why not mix things up a little and add some color? Jewel-toned dresses, skirts and tops in amethyst, emerald and cobalt are perfect for holiday soirees and right on trend this season. Or, you can add a pop of color with your accessories and opt for a pair of bold heels, brightly colored belt, or bejeweled clutch. This tip is not just for ladies; you gents can look festive and fashionable with a colorful scarf.

Whatever you decide on for your holiday party, comfort is key. Here are some our top picks for holiday party pieces.

For Women

• The Modal Silk Cowl Neck Tunic
• The Audrey Sleeveless Tunic
• The Tiffany T-Shirt Dress

For Men

• The British Coat
• The Shawl Collar Pullover
• The Button-Up Vest

Ashley Greene and Alternative on the Cover of Maxim

Ashley Green (who plays Alice Cullen in the Twilight film series) graces the cover of Maxim in our Heather Burnout Tank.  Enough said.

Style Icons: The Beatles

Note from the Editor: We are super happy to have Roxana Altamirano from NerdBoyfriend.com as a guest blogger!  If you haven't seen her website yet, I can guarantee it's the coolest blog you've seen in a minute, especially for men's fashion and style.  We are looking forward to more style reports from Roxana in the future, and maybe we'll get lucky and she'll even work on some women's fashion!  -Jarod