Pantone's Palette for SPRING 2016. We are excited.

Influenced by the world of art and the desire to disconnect from technology and unwind, designers this season have gravitated toward a very calming palette. Designers were also inspired by the contrast of urban design and lush vegetation, leading to unexpected color combinations and collections reminiscent of architecture, travel and nostalgia. By creating looks that truly represent the world we live in, both constructed and organic, designers sought to awaken a sense of reflection, followed by playful escapism. Artists, many of whom are known for bold color usage and strong shapes and lines, played an influential role in this season's styles – from Matisse, Picasso and Frank Stella to Esther Stewart and Sam Falls. With Cuba and other destinations south of the border top of mind, designers are playing with courageous color statements that aren't afraid to be vibrant but at the same time are combined with quieting, classic and more natural tones. "Colors this season transport us to a happier, sunnier place where we feel free to express a wittier version of our real selves," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. "With our culture still surrounded by so much uncertainty, we are continuing to yearn for those softer shades that offer a sense of calm and relaxation."

Glitz and Glamour

   

New Year's Eve is a chance to get all dolled up. 

Grab your gold or silver or sequins or velvet! 

It's THE time for glitz and glamour! 

More Last Minute Tips

Be sure to Accessorize! Wear BIG fabulous earrings. Add glitz and glamour with a bangle or two! Make sure your headband or headpiece is festive for the occasion. And, don't forget about adding just the right bag and shoes. It's all about the little details!

And plan ahead! Grab a little wrap to keep with you - especially if you're opting for a strapless, one-shoulder, sleeveless outfit. You don't want to be cold...but you still need to look fabulous!

Let's Talk Neckline

Choose an interesting neckline. Feeling a little flirtatious or sexy? Why not choose a strapless top or dress? Or, if strapless is out of your comfort zone, go for the flattering v-neck or sweetheart neckline! Or, if you like something more modest in front, perphaps a backless dress would be perfect!  There are so many options and so many ways to look special!

When Choosing Your Outfit for New Years Eve (or ANY OTHER Occasion) It's Important to Be Comfortable!

If you're wearing a skirt, choose a length that works for you. Short skirts are really popular for New Year’s Eve, but if you're not comfortable showing that much skin, stick with a skirt that hits closer to the knee. Bottom line, you need to select the length that makes you look and feel your best, regardless of tradition. 

Are You Ready for New Years Eve?

Do you have plans for New Years Eve? Does your celebration include a house party or something larger? Or does your tradition include a romantic dinner at a great restaurant? Regardless of how you spend your night, you need to know how to dress for the occasion, right? Most parties, even those at the homes of friends, are quite festive and give folks a chance to dress up. The type and location of your party will dictate how you dress. Should you choose a daring, glitzy outfit, or will you be more casual?  Do you need a little inspiration about what you should wear on New Year’s Eve? Well, some of the tips over the next days might help...and the Willow Tree associates are always available to help you out!

There IS an Art to Gift Giving

What is a thoughtful gift? Well, the first and most important step in choosing a truly thoughtful gift for someone special is that you make it PERSONAL. Show them that you really know who they are. Make sure it “speaks to them”. Then, make sure it’s meaningful to that person. (It could even mean a used item.....such as re-gifting of a family heirloom.)

Sometimes our customers tell us it’s hard to choose a meaningful and personal gift. We always help them and show them just how easy it is by just asking questions.

We tell them to really stop and think about the person they're buying for. What makes them unique? Is it a relative, a co-worker or a close friend? A child? A new romantic partner? What stage of life are they in right now? What do they need? What do they do for fun? What makes them happy? What are their hobbies? These are just some of the simple questions that will lead that “A-Ha” moment.  From there, it's easy. We might even know that person, her favorite brands, colors and items from her wish list!  We're here to make sure that she's thrilled with your thoughtful and meaningful gift!

Holiday Survival Skills Number 2

A huge tip in surviving the holiday season is to take care of yourself! How can you do that? A good place to start is to make sure that you “don’t sweat the small stuff”. Don’t create your own stress.  Believe me, no one is going to care if your gifts are wrapped as perfect as a professional would wrap them. No one is going to be upset if you didn’t make all of your cookies from scratch. They really won’t! 

Another skill that you need to have or develop is time management! It’s such a busy time of year – so make lists…by day or week or category. Plan ahead and break your tasks down into smaller manageable chunks. Start early enough in the season so you have plenty of time to enjoy the process!

Finally, remember to pamper yourself! Take a nice long bubble bath with a cup of tea or glass of wine. Listen to some music. Get enough sleep! Grab a few moments of alone time before everyone else gets up in the morning. Sitting at the window watching the sun come up while enjoying a cup of coffee and some peace and quiet can be a perfect way to start a hectic day.

Holiday Survival Guide - Part I

The most important "survival skill" for the holiday season is to avoid stress. The holiday season is supposed to be a time to enjoy and appreciate your family and friends. Storming the doors, grabbing the last door buster (or having it grabbed from you), waiting in long lines, experiencing cranky people -- and all the hassle are just not necessary. There are alternatives to the madness...and we're happy to be one of them! 

Willow Tree offers a civilied, relaxed and personal place to shop. We'll give you a sip of wine...wrap your gifts and even help you get your packages to the car!

Come in and experience the warm and wonderful Willow Tree

Today is Small Business Saturday - Remember to Shop Small and Local!

Small Business Saturday is a counterpart to black Friday and Cyber Monday, which feature national chains, "big box" and e-commerce stores. By contrast, Small Business Saturday encourages holiday shoppers to patronize "mainstreet" shopping districts, "mom and pop" shops, the small and local independents businesses that are the fabric of any community...like Wyandotte. Small Business Saturday was started by American Express in 2010.

It was such a fantastic way to introduce the importance of shopping local to the masses. There is even a Twitter hashtag #SmallBusinessSaturday that continues to be used to promote small businesses on any and all Saturdays -- NOT just the Saturday after Black Friday. Willow Tree and Chelsea are proud to have been on board with this great National campaign since the first year and to be leaders in the "Shop Local" philosophy and movement in our community. 

Plaid Friday - It's an "Indie" Thing!

For about 5 or 6 years now, there has been a growing backlash against a well-known shopping day called Black Friday. It’s touted as the “first official day” of Christmas shopping and has always been held the day after Thanksgiving....today.

This day has become a frenzied “free-for-all”. Massive crowds of early-bird shoppers get up before the sun and wait in long lines to storm the doors to get in for advertised specials. They fight each other for items. They yell and scream at one another. They are demanding and hostile toward the unfortunate employees that had to be in so early. And sadly, the crazy tradition keeps getting earlier and earlier with some stores opening up on Thanksgiving! We don’t like it and won’t do it. We value our staff far too much. We also don't like to think that those behaviors are a good way to start what is supposed to be a giving season.

We actually prefer our own version of that 1^st Official Shopping Day and call it Plaid Friday. It’s the opposite of Black Friday. It’s nifty, fun, stress-free, low key and friendly. It’s honest and personal. We offer a civilized and small town alternative to the madness. We serve refreshments. We listen to great music. We have specials...honest ones at that.

According to the founder of the movement, “From the beginning, the event has framed itself as the antithesis of the post-Thanksgiving shopping madness.” Plaid Friday is a day where people can sleep in a bit, get up and enjoy a cup of coffee, get brunch out -- and then discover all the unique and wonderful stuff that’s going on in their own neighborhood shops. Coffee houses, restaurants and pubs participate right along with local retailers, too. It's fantastic!

It’s a grassroots thing, but we love it and are happy to have adopted it in 2009!

A Warm and Wonderful Palette for Fall 2015

Looking forward to the cooler months? Well start to plan your color palettes accordingly and choose from the shades destined to be the most popular.  Pantone, the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring you the season's most important color trends. Check out the new shades you'll be wearing from your everyday sweater essentials, to the pots in your eyeshadow palettes.

Desert Sage - This a cool and soothing greenish-gray. Desert Sage speaks to the feeling of naturally inspired colors.

Stormy Weather - This hue is dependable, cool and, above all, constant. Implying quality and luxury, it is a powerful blue-gray that is strong, protective and enduring.

Oak Buff - This is a mellow, comforting and warming shade that brings good feelings. One of nature's many illustrious shades, this golden-yellow acts to nurture and comfort. 

Dried Herb - Closely related to nature, Dried Herb is an organic shade embodying nature's earthy fragrances.

Marsala - Rich and robust, Marsala incorporates warmth and richness. Its grounding red-brown roots point to a sophisticated, natural earthiness.

Biscay Bay - This shade splashes up against more heated tones with its cool touch, combining the qualities of serene blue with the invigorating aspects of green.

Cadmium Orange - Both playful and sophisticated in its appeal, cadmium orange is a warm, welcoming and subtly dramatic hue that is striking enough to stand on its own or act as a bold contrast.

Cashmere Rose -  This is a tactile and soft pink hue. Cashmere Rose displays a gently persuasive and composed pink that is more upscale than downtown. 

Reflecting Pond - This color is a cooling blue that adds dimension and intrigue to the Top 10. Reflecting Pond is described as a serious shade.

Amethyst Orchid - Intriguing, vibrant and somewhat sensual, this enigmatic shade is an extraordinary hue that is unique, bold, creative and exciting.

It's Pantone Color Change Time

According to Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, "Juxtaposition of color from opposite sides of the spectrum emphasizes poise and confidence on the runway. The Fall 2015 palette is rooted in multi-faceted, androgynous colors that can be worn to portray effortless sophistication across men’s and women’s fashion; it is the first time we are seeing a truly unisex color palette." 

We're excited to see our store transform from Spring/Summer to Fall/Winter! Aren't the colors just gorgeous!

Elastane, Lycra, Spandex - What's it All About?

Spandex is a synthetic fiber that is known for exceptional elasticity. It's a long chain of polymer (polyurethane) and is known for its elasticity. It is stronger and more durable than natural rubber. Other names for this fabric are Lycra or Elastane. It's well known for it's ability to revert back to its original shape after being stretched. It is known as a "wonder fiber" because it can stretch more than 100% and snap right back into shape. It's estimated that about 80 percent of today's garments have a bit of spandex in them. For clothing, spandex is usually mixed with cotton/rayon/polyester or nylon.

A word of caution: Spandex can be easily damaged by heat so requires different care. Recommendations include hand washing or use of the gentle/hand wash cycle in your machine. Use mild detergent. No bleach or chlorine. No fabric softener. Don't rub the fabric together. Don't wring. No ironing. No dry cleaning.

What is Viscose?

Viscose is a type of rayon. It is a fiber made of regenerated cellulose...from green plants. It's structurally similar to cotton but is be produced from a variety of plants such as soy, bamboo, and sugar cane. 

It's been called a contradictory beast because as a manufactured fiber, it's neither truly natural like cotton, wool or silk nor truly synthetic like nylon or polyester. It's somewhere "in between".

Viscose became popular for a few reasons. The first is that it has a luxurious look and feel at an affordable price. It blends easily with other fibers. It is easy to dye and retains vivid colors very well. It's got a silk-like luster, nice drape and is softer than cotton.

It's often blended with other fabrics - like polyester.

Let's Talk About Polyester!

Polyester has a bad reputation, but really shouldn't!  Current polyester fabrics have a very nice feel. It's used a lot because it's extremely strong, durable, resilient, and resistant to creasing -keeping its shape really well. It's resistant to chemical damage. It's wrinkle, mildew and abrasion resistant, doesn't stretch or shrink and is easy to wear and care for.

Polyester is very often blended with other fibers. Garments that are 100% polyester are usually soft and smooth, almost satiny and have a little "give" to them. 

Polyester is machine washable and can be dried on the low-heat setting in your dryer. We recommend using a touch of fabric softener when washing and then drying for just a few minutes to tumble out any wrinkles - and hanging to dry. It's a quick drying fabric.

Polyester doesn't always require ironing, but you can iron on a warm (NOT HOT) setting if needed.

Menswear Chic - Oh Yes, It's Here

Menswear met Lady Chic and it was a marriage made in heaven. That's right, menswear with a sexy slant is "tres glam" this season. Think lady loafers and oxfords. Picture vests, boyfriend blazers, over-sized coats and white collared shirts. Such a great sleek take on boyfriend staples. Come in to Willow Tree in Downtown Wyandotte to put your own look together. Our fashion consultants are so happy to help you create the look that works perfectly for your taste and style and slant on any trend!

 

Can You Mix Your Animal & Reptile Prints?

   

Our answer is yes! Why limit yourself to just one when you can wear two or even three?  But it's got to be done right. One idea is to start with a pair of jeans and a simple t-shirt. Then add one or two chic accessories to complete the look. A great scarf, clutch, jacket, or boots will look great now and keep working straight through to Fall. 

Now Trending: Downriver, MI

In the world of fashion, people can be put on a bell curve and described in one of five ways: fashion innovators, fashion leaders, the masses, late adopters, and fashion laggards. Their names are exactly as they sound. The fashion innovators are the first to start a trend, and its no surprise that they would live in the trendiest cites: New York, LA, Paris, Milan, London. Next come the fashion leaders, followed by mass adoption from the general population, and then the late adaptors and laggards. There are a variety of factors that tie into where one falls on the bell curve, including their demographic location, age, and most importantly their interest in fashion. The Midwest is notorious for falling in the middle of the curve. Here in Michigan, we are typically regarded as average when it comes to fashion. But something important in last few years has started to happen: Detroit is trending.

            

Dubbed as “The New Brooklyn”, the Detroit brand is growing and Downriver, MI has a prime spot right outside the city. Companies like The Detroit Garment Group have brought fashion to Michigan through their annual Fashionspeak conference, industrial sewing certification program, and current efforts in building a fashion incubator for young designers. Companies like Shinola have made Detroit a national luxury brand and capitalized on the city’s history. Downriver native, and world famous fashion designer, John Varvatos has supported the city by bringing his brand to Woodward Ave. And then of course there are the loyal and trendy boutiques that occupy the city and surrounding areas, like The Willow Tree and Chelsea.

Nothing brings out creativity like difficult times, and Detroit has had its fair share. The city is in a period of rebirth, and Downriver is along for the ride.  

Written by our "Guest Blogger" Ms. Jamie Campbell of Central Michigan University's Fashion Merchandising and Design Program. She's also a Summer Intern at Willow Tree. 

Want Your Wardrobe to Bloom and Grow?

Do you need to know how to get your wardrobe to flourish? It's so easy and you need not look any further than WILLOW TREE in Wyandotte. 
Their buyers have seen "flower power" all over the runways and showrooms when planning for Spring 2015. Floral patterns were everywhere....and now they're HERE. Blossoms, muted florets, colorful blooms and mixed prints!  You'll see florals everywhere. From bright printed canvas shorts to dainty florals on a chiffon blouse -- to the super-cute cabbage rose print on footwear, Willow Tree has plenty of options to "plant in your closet" now.

Come play dress up with us!