Mia Farrow in the 1974 rendition of The Great Gatsby.

In 1974, Mia Farrow, already a fashion icon, turned heads opposite Robert Redford in the film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. In layers of silk, pearls, and breezy dresses she quietly, and ever-so-cooly played our hero’s love interest, Daisy Buchanan. And it wasn’t long before drop waists, fur hats and beaded headbands started appearing alongside bell-bottom jeans and fringy vests. Who knew two such different decades would marry so well.

Carrie Mulligan with The Great Gatsby co-stars Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Carey Mulligan in full flapper costume on the set of The Great Gatsby.

Their long and happy marriage is revived this year as Hollywood readies itself for a new Gatsby film. This time, Carrie Mulligan will own the flapper look as Daisy. Gauzy silks, delicate pleats, beaded details and whimsical feathers perfect Mulligan’s wardrobe. While the film isn’t due out until December, we’re already seeing its influence on the catwalk, the red carpet, and at Crush.

Gatsby style pleats at Chloe, Lanvin, Akris and Dior.

Beading and fringe perfect the flapper vibe at Alberta Ferretti, Etro, Roberto Cavalli and Gucci.

Our favorite Daisy Buchanan-inspired pieces d’jour?

1. The Alice + Olivia Lydia Feather Skirt Dress in Nude. This silky flapper dress with a light feathery skirt and embellished drop waist is the perfect way to dress to the nines, or rather the twenties, for summer cocktail parties. Pair it with nude patent pumps and statement studs for a super authentic vibe, or turn it up a notch with layered House of Harlow 1960 necklaces and red patent pumps.

Alice Olivia Lydia Feather Skirt Tank Dress Nude

House of Harlow 1960 14KT Gold-Plated Sunburst Pendant Necklace With Khaki Leather

2. The Alice + Olivia Cora Double Layer Tank Dress in White. Soft, flirty pleats and a midi cut make this simple tank dress feel fresh and inventive. Brides and grads alike are flocking to it, and we like it best with a lose chignon and an oversized day-time clutch.

Alice + Olivia Cora Double Layer Tank Dress White

3. The Joe’s Collection Erica Long Jacket. Open lapels, a metallic brocade finish and a blush colored lining give a simple cut the necessary twenties flare. Rebecca chose to give hers a Studio 54 spin by adding House of Harlow 1960 Julie Sunglasses and Frye boots.

Rebecca models the Joe's Collection Erica Long Jacket.

Lucky Magazine post by Jenna Gotlieb

We love how Lucky Magazine’s Jenna Gotlieb styled designer Daphne Javitch for an “I love my: White Blazer” post.  Says Javitch, “My thing is recontexualized nostaligia, and a white blazer is just that: a fresh, youthful take on a classic staple.”

Ashley models the Shoshanna Strapless Tulip Dress in lilac with a white blazer by Aryn K. Her pop of color comes from a quilted Urban Expressions clutch.

Today, Ashley, whose style is similar to Javitch’s, pulled together Crush’s own version of the look. Over a lilac strapless Shoshanna dress, this Aryn K. blazer is casual, but smart. The bright blue Urban Expressions clutch keeps the look playful enough for day-to-night wear.

The perfect Spring ensemble dresses up or down depending on the shoes. We love it with nude pumps or leopard print flats!

- Brianne

The Wink NYC Tess Dress in Lilac is the perfect transitional piece for Spring.

This year, we’ve been fortunate enough to have a rather mild winter here in Boston. The lack of snow storms and sub-zero temperatures have kept our boots well cared for and our noses warm. Still, this isn’t Hawaii and transitioning into spring clothing does require some skill.

I love layering, so a chunky cardigan with a breezy silk dress and boots outfits me from March to April. On more casual days, jeans, a t-shirt, ballet flats and a scarf keep things cozy, but polished. Or at least, this is how it’s always been. This year though, designers have done us all a favor with their Spring Collections by offering long sleeve dresses in any all of our favorite fabrics.

Parker, Torn and Wink NYC have taken Crush by storm with long sleeve stunners that will turn heads, and your arms warm.

Wink NYC’s Tess Dress in lilac has lace shoulder details, a detachable waist belt, a faux wrap styling and long fluttery, peasant sleeves. Booties and a fur vest keep the look seasonal until the flowers bloom, and then, sandals and a daytime clutch will take you through Boston’s sunnier seasons.

- Brianne

My grandmother, in her younger years, kept a closet full of navy “slacks”, sweaters, coats and hats. Navy is, to quote one of her favorite fashion words, “sharp.”

Shoshanna Caroline Marinere Pullover Sweater

I couldn’t help but think that my sharp-dresser granny would have swooned over this sweet-as-pie Shoshanna sweater that arrived last week. The Caroline Marinere Pullover in Tomato Stripe pairs well with black skinnies and camel boots now, for a classic look with a downtown edge. Later though, denim cut-offs will make it perfect for running about town or heading to the shore. Of course, summer is the season of showers though, and white pants and cork wedges or red pumps will have you rocking the retro look my grandmother so loved: smart, classic, and perfectly 70s. This look of the day is a look to reinvent every day.

Brianne

Girls love clothes.

Girls get attached to clothes.

Girls own clothes they forget they have.

Girls want new clothes.

Girls buy new clothes.

Girls can rekindle a romance with clothes easily.

Girls sometimes don’t recognize when it’s time to let clothes go.

Girls don’t always like purging clothes.

Girls do love to purge if it means they get new clothes.

I doubt any of you, girls especially, will find fault with the above factoids. A self-proclaimed expert on this matter, I feel pretty strongly that I’ve depicted the relationships girls have with their apparel. Relationships. What a great way to look at it. In the above factoids, we could swap out “clothes” for friends or boys, actually candy also works, pretty easily. We girls are always the first to point out the best friends, and boyfriends, are those who make you the best version of you. So, shouldn’t our relationships with all those clothes be the same?

Rebecca and I recently did a closet cleanse for Julie.

Julie has it all, great apartment, best friends who she raves about, Martha-Stewart-level ability to put together a cheese and bread plate, and a nice boyfriend. Oh, yeah, and a closet FULL of clothes. I mean full. Imelda Marcos is said to be the woman with the most shoes. I actually think Julie may be the runner-up. Imelda though, can’t possibly have more clothes than Julie. Rebecca and I work in fashion, Julie has more clothes than us combined.

Julie’s closet though? It was a hot mess.

Because she’s so fabulous, Julie decided to start 2012 with a super-serious (actually we laughed the whole time), mega, bigger than ever closet cleanse.

For four hours, Rebecca and I played dress up, and clean up with Julie.

She modeled most of her closet for us. We played “Toss or Try” — my favorite part of the closet cleanse, where the client tells us whether she needs to model something for us or just toss it because she doesn’t actually wear it. We put together new outfits. We determined what jeans she should keep and what jeans were taking up space. Most importantly, we turned the scariest, most chock full closet I’ve ever seen, and turned it into Julie’s dream closet. Changing out the hangers, organizing it by dresses, tops and bottoms, getting rid of two trash bags full of clothes she doesn’t wear, and re-folding denim, work -out clothes and about 30 white camisoles made Julie’s overflowing closet look like a magazine ad. On top of the styling and re-organizing, we told Julie what she doesn’t need more of– jeans, white camisoles, and suiting pieces–, and what she could use to invest in– this dress lover could use some more tops for work and play.

Pair a blazer with ripped jeans to take an edgy look down a notch.

Add a belt to a white shirt to reinvent a look.

Tuck a blousy silk top or a unique one shoulder into a pencil skirt for a look that's smart, but playful. Bonus: it looks like a great cocktail dress!

In the end, this was the most challenging, and most exciting closet cleanse either Rebecca or I had ever done, and for Julie, 2012 will start off with a fresh outlook on getting dressed every day.

Julie e-mailed us this weekend to tell us how she was coordinating some old favorites, who had been lost in the back of her closet, into her work, weekend and going-out wardrobes. We’ve never been more proud.

These are some of the great looks we put together using the pieces she already possessed… We hope she’ll be donning those out and about soon!

- Brianne

Parker Sequin Racer-Back Combo Dress in Navajo

New Year’s Eve is the most sparkly night of the year.

It’s a time for sequin dresses, sky-high heels, bubbly champagne, pretending it’s warm enough to skip tights, and kissing your crush!  While I don’t know who you’ll be smooching come midnight, I do know an awful lot about crushes of another type… the kind you on the racks of cute boutiques!

Whatever your plans, all new years require new outfits, and so I’ve compiled a list (in no particular order) of Crush party frocks to help you count down to 2012 in style:

Parker Sequin Racerback Combo Dress in Navajo. A blouson silk top and fitted sequin Navajo print skirt are all it takes to turn heads, even before midnight.

Alice + Olivia Kristen Ruched Tube Dress in Navy and Black. A fitted, body con dress with a mesh and banded back. Need I say more?

Alice + Olivia Kristen Ruched Tube Dress

French Connection Quarry Falls Dress. Mesh long sleeves covered in sequins and a deep v-neckline make this edgy style sophisticated enough for dinner and drinks, but we expect you’ll sparkle in it on the dance floor as well.

French Connection Quarry Falls Dress

Wink NYC Lola Dress in Dusk. You’ll be just too sweet in this pleated skirt dress, Party Girl.

Parker Pleat Combo Dress in Pale Leopard. Pleats are perfect for spinning on the dance floor. Leopard print makes a splash at every party. A pop of red lipstick completes the look.

Parker Pleat Combo Dress in Pale Leopard

Alice + Olivia Cowl Neck Metallic Jersey Dress in Wine. Sparkly and sophisticated, but comfortably chic, this cowl neck jersey dress will make stealing the spotlight on the dance floor a breeze.

Alice + Olivia Cowl Neck Metallic Jersey Dress in Wine

Wink Dorian Dress in Moonlight Dot. This swiss dot one shoulder dress has a peek-a-boo back, pockets and a flattering tulip skirt. Bonus feature: It goes from New Year’s Eve to summer cocktail party with a change of the shoes.

Wink Dorian Dress in Moonlight Dot

Shoshanna Draped Strapless Dress in Arctic Floral. A corset bodice, back zip closure and pockets add function to this flirty leopard print style. No need to loose your camera, or your dress, this year.

Shoshanna Draped Strapless Dress in Arctic Floral

Alice + Olivia Soleil Dress in Pink. Banded hot pink silk in a body contoured cut. In a sea of black sheaths, color always wins.

Alice + Olivia Soleil Dress in Pink

Cheers to happy and healthy 2012!

Our New Store - Opening Soon!

Each year at this time, talk show hosts, Facebook apps and magazine articles highlight the best of the year. They discuss trends in fashion, travel and restaurants, new television series and the political figures who have had the most impact. Historically, I’ve found myself discussing my favorite styles from the year. I’ve blogged about the dresses I loved, the new lines we picked up or what I was wearing on New Years Eve as I bid adieu to the previous year. This December, though, I can’t help but look forward to 2012 with doe eyes and a giddy smile.

By now you’ve heard rumblings, and they’re true! After what seemed like eons of searching for the right neighborhood and the right space, Crush Boutique will open our second location in February 2012.

Our sister-store-to-be is located at 264 Newbury Street in Boston’s Back Bay and will offer the same friendly, one-on-one customer service and enthusiastic Boston boutique atmosphere that shoppers have come to expect from Crush. We’ll also stay true to Crush form by offering a variety of price points and a mix of cocktail and casual attire.

Beacon Hill and online shoppers will recognize a lot of the same lines at the Newbury Street store, including Alice + Olivia, Whitney Eve, Wink NYC, Shoshanna, Madison Marcus, Dolce Vita, RomyGold and Rory Beca. The shop will also be home to Rebecca Taylor, Lucca Couture, Goldhawk, Riley, Velvet and Ella Moss. And because we’re always scouting new talent, we’re excited to be the first to bring Boulee, House of Harlow 1960 handbags, Brandy Melville and Sam & Lavi to Boston when our Newbury Street store opens.

We don’t want to give away all the surprises up front though, so stay tuned for updates as we ring in the New Year with a new store.

Oh, and fear not, I’ll definitely be blogging about New Year’s Eve dresses in the days to come— Spoiler: mine is a sequined Parker number—until then, get inspired by visiting our Dresses page.

- Brianne

J Brand Jeans in Divine

Paige Premium Denim Verdugo Legging

Always a denim lover, I can’t help but be thrilled and inspired by the number of people I’ve wrapped up designer jeans for this year. Many of us put on our jeans as often as we comb our hair, and to my fellow jean junkies, I raise a toast – of cotton and elastane, of course.

J Brand, Joe’s, Paige, and Red Engine are just some of the many Crush denim brands appearing under trees and on doorsteps this season, and so it seems crucial to offer up our favorite pairs of each.

1. J Brand Jeans  811 Mid-Rise Skinny Jean in Divine. Fitted from hip to hem, these dark wash skinnies hit just above the ankle and are the vice of our favorite royal, Dutchess Kate.
2. Joe’s Jeans The Skinny Jean in Blair. Real live jeans. Their true denim feel and bright blue coloration are sure to turn heads.
3. Paige Premium Denim Verdugo Legging in Olympia. Looks like a jean, feels like a legging. Slides into boots like butter.
4. Red Engine Jeans Cayenne Skinny Jean in Emerald. Bold color lovers unite! This jewel tone jean has a skinny fit, and a hue that will carry you from boots and chunky knits to silk tops and spring-y ballet flats.

Joe's Jeans The Skinny Jean

Red Engine Cayenne Skinny Jean

Enjoy your holidays. Enjoy your jeans.

There’s something so bold and outdoorsy about faux fur vests that makes us city girls a little weak in the knees.

My current favorite?

The Blu Moon No Fur California Fox Vest in Brown Fox.

Drapey and soft, it’s ideal for winter layering, but it’s fashion icon status will keep it in the limelight through early Spring.

Buy The Blu Moon No Fur California Fox Vest in Brown Fox Now at Our Online Store!