Accessory Friday - LanLan Design

LanLan Design is a jewelry boutique that has great prices. If you don't want to spend a lot on pretty pieces, this is a good site to consider. According to the website:

Her designs are primarily inspired by the qualities and characteristics of elements of nature, such as trees, blossoms, water, and other flora and fauna. Each piece of jewelry is a a complex configuration of genuine crystals and gemstones meshed with precious metals, then handcrafted.

Our top picks are the Olivine Zircon Earrings, the Fish Clustered Necklace, and the Another Love Bracelet.

Serenade Top by Joie

The Serenade Top by Joie is a romantic blouse with an edge. It has embroidered lace overlay at the bodice, shadow stripes throughout, three buttons at the front, ruching at the bust and back, a square back, cap sleeves, and is semi-sheer. It's available in admiral and porcelain.

$12 Sale on 12 Tees at Busted Tees

Busted Tees is having a $12 sale on 12 different tees that were pertinent to the past year. If there were important events in the past year that you want to commemorate in a tee, such as Dramatic Chipmunk, get over there and buy up before the sale is over or they are gone!

Girlie Top by B With G

The Girlie Top by B With G is the perfect choice if you want a white blouse that isn't a button down. There's a single button at the mandarin collar with a small peak-a-boo hole right beneath, ruffles and elastic banding at the short sleeves and waist, ruching and the bust and shoulders, and is semi-sheer.

Bebel Top by Catherine Malandrino

We are a bit on the fence over this next blouse, the Bebel Top by Catherine Malandrino. It's a little frilly with the ruffles at the front. However, we really like the metallic jacquard pattern throughout, so we thought we'd show it to you all. It also has a V-neck, racer back, hidden back zipper, thick straps, and is lined.

Baby Doll Chain Halter Top by Milly

If you want edgy cashmere, the Baby Doll Chain Halter Top by Milly is perfect for you! This top has a chain halter strap that clasps behind the neck. There's also a ribbed body, ruching at the neck, scalloped edge at the bottom hem, and a lining at the bodice.

Lace Pointelle Top by Burning Torch

If you'd like a top that is warm without being heavy, the Lace Pointelle Top by Burning Torch is one to consider. It's made from a wool and silk blend but is still a thinner material. This blouse also has lace and ribbon detail on the front, a deep V-neck, and banding at the cuffs on the long sleeves.

College Flavor

Here is another tee company that we cannot believe we haven't written about before. College Flavor, as the name implies, is for the college crowd, or those who like that type of t-shirt. They started out making posters, and after the success of quite a few of them, they moved into the t-shirt business. Their designs are sold at a bunch of stores, so you may have seen them before. Some of our favorite designs include One Fifth, For Goodness Sake, and Monopoly.

Syl Top by YAYA AFLALO

If you like open backs like the Zora Top we featured a couple of days ago, you may like the Syl Top by YAYA AFLALO too. This strapless top has an elastic band at the open back, is lined at the bust, is ribbed throughout, and is semi-sheer.

Halter Top by Graham & Spencer

The Halter Top by Graham & Spencer is perfect when you want to be a little more conservative. It has a V-neck that isn't too deep or show off too much skin, banding at the waist with an extra long tie that can be tied at he front or back, and slight ruching down the front. Can be worn with a skirt, jeans, or anything in between.

Crafted Wrap Camisole Top by Burning Torch

What makes the Crafted Wrap Camisole Top by Burning Torch special is the mauve flowers and stitching accenting the blouse. It's a pretty color to contrast with the grey silk of the body of the top. It also has a removable tie at the stretchy waist, a crossover V-neck and V-back, and banding at the neck and back.

Spectral Apparel

Spectral Apparel is a new t-shirt company that has some pretty neat graphics. They were started by a graphic designer out of Raleigh as a fun outlet for his creativity. Right now there are four designs for women, and they are very creative, artsy, and colorful. We like them all. Definitely go and check them out!

Celeste Top by C&C California

We really like the neck on the Celeste Top by C&C California . There is tonal stitching detail and ruching at the scoop neck which is simple yet pretty and rather flattering to the neck area. There's also elastic banding at the cuffs and 3/4 length puff sleeves. It's available in canary, marine (almost out at the time of writing this), and navy.

Grey Stripe Silk Chiffon Top by Wendy Katlen

Every time we look at the Grey Stripe Silk Chiffon Top by Wendy Katlen, the word pretty pops into our heads. It really is a handsome looking blouse! There are folded sleeves, pintucking at the arm holes, a V-neck, a removable grey tie belt, and it is lined. It's a great top to wear when you want to stand out in a crowd without bold prints or colors. No one would miss you in this attractive blouse.

Short Sleeve Sweater by IRO

While you may not be able to see it from this picture, the Short Sleeve Sweater by IRO is interesting because of its highly textured knit pattern. It also has a cable going down both the front and the back, a scoop neck, short sleeves, welt pockets at the front, ribbed banding at the bottom hem, and is 100% merino wool.

Zora Top by YAYA AFLALO

We are fond of the Zora Top by YAYA AFLALO because it's a fun mix of glamor and dressiness. This tank is 100% silk with sequin detail at the deep V-neck, an open back, unfinished bottom hem, and seam detail throughout.

Customized Girl

The Shirt Snob had never heard of Customized Girl until they were kind enough to advertise on our blog, and that is a shame because they are a cute company. The basic premise is that you choose your item of clothing (besides tops, there are also bottoms, hoodies, and more), add art, text, or upload your own image, and then you can buy it, send it to your friends, or add the design to their gallery. If you are creative and want to design your own tees but don't know where to start, this is a good place to go. Or you can just shop in the gallery if you'd rather not design your own top. They also have clothing items for men and children.

New Tees at Threadless

Threadless has new tees out today. We like Penguins on Holiday, Wayfaring Waltz, Candy-Coated Assassin, Ad Noctum, I Love Coffee, and the reprints Strange Birds and I Listen to Bands. The $10 sale is still going on too!

Ginger Sleeveless Top by Burning Torch

The Ginger Sleeveless Top by Burning Torch is a pretty unique top. It is made of a chocolate brown silk and has contrasting ivory crochet trimming the top. There's also a cinched waist with ruching, a V-neck, and a large tie at the back. It's interesting how it looks like two shirts that are layered instead of one, a style that we really enjoy.

Clay Janice Snake Ring Halter by Sky

The Clay Janice Snake Ring Halter by Sky is similar to many other tops by Sky. It's sexy and shows off a lot of skin. But we really like this particular top a lot because we're all about snake accessories, and the ring at the bust is a two headed snake. This halter also has a chain that goes around the neck with a clasp behind the neck and ruching throughout the bodice.

Holiday Designs at Busted Tees

There are two new holiday designs out at Busted Tees, X-Mas and Happy Festivus. We also like their holiday classic Don't Stop Believin. There are 12 new hoodies available too.

Deconstructing T-Shirt Books

The Shirt Snob has recently realized that there are a lot of books available for people who want to take their t-shirts and play with them. If you want to reconstruct, deconstruct, or transform your tees, you should look at these books. There are more that cover a wider range of clothing options, but here are the ones that center around tees. These books would also make great gifts for your creative t-shirt wearing friends!

Generation T: 108 Ways to Transform a T-Shirt

99 Ways to Cut, Sew, Trim, and Tie Your T-Shirt into Something Special

Tease: Inspired T-shirt Transformations by Superstars of Art, Craft, & Design

T-Shirt Makeovers: 20 Transformations for Fabulous Fashions

Shirt Snob Holiday Shopping Guide

This year seemed to have flown by, but now is the time to start thinking about the holidays. More specifically, what you are going to buy everyone! The Shirt Snob hasn't come up with a shopping guide in the past because we believe that every person is quite unique in what they like or dislike in a shirt. Also, tops don't stay around for too long. They usually sell out and that is it! However, the one big exception to this is t-shirts. So our shopping guide is going to be all about tees! Most of these companies also offer tees in men's sizes too. And don't forget to check out our archives as well. There are tons of other great companies that we've written about in the past.

Favorite Designs

Busted Tees

RetroRags

Snorg Tees

Threadless

Artistic Tees

Blue Platypus

Dirty Coast

Hardboiled Inc.

Otsu Tree

Red Prairie

Supermaggie!

Taylor Made Clothes

Tee Party

Funny Tees

Amorphia Apparel

Cotton Factory

Crooked Monkey

Dusty Brand Clothing

Glarkware

Noisebot

Palmer Cash

Shivtees

Unicorn Burger

If you would like to buy a designer top for someone, we personally recommend gift certificates so they can choose themselves what work best. However, if you would like to buy one anyway, our favorites shops include Shop Bop, Pink Mascara, Couture Candy, Bluefly, Max Studio, Free People, Tobi, Maneater Threads and Rebe. Happy shopping!

Back Tie Long Zip Hoodie by Juicy Couture

With the colder weather coming in, it can sometimes be a struggle to not thrown on a tee and hoodie every time you leave the house. If this is a habit you easily fall into, make sure you at least get a nice hoodie! We really love the Back Tie Long Zip Hoodie by Juicy Couture. What makes this one a little more special than others is the cute tie at the back. There's also a zipper closure down the front with a J pull, a drawstring at the neck, an oversized hood, vertical welt pockets at the hip, elbow length sleeves, and ribbed banding at the bottom hem and cuffs. It's also available in heather.

Christmas at Snorg Tees

There's Christmas designs on sale over at Snorg Tees in time for the holidays including one favorite holiday design from last year, Making Spirits Bright. There's also a funny new tee that is not holiday related, Suck it Trebek. Perfect for the Saturday Night Live fans on your shopping list!

Ask Myself Tank by Joie

We see a lot of smocked banding in the summer, but not so much this time of year. So the Shirt Snob was excited to find the Ask Myself Tank by Joie which works well in the winter because of the dark colors. This print tank has smocked elastic banding at the bodice as well as ruching at the empire waist, a surged edge at the top hem, thick straps, and is sheer. Also available in admiral.

Accessory Friday - Julie Lake

Julie Lake is a jewelry designer on Etsy that has a lot of beautiful and unique pieces that we are quite fond of. Like last week, they aren't gold so we personally won't buy them as that's all we wear, but if you like silver jewelry, you need to check this site out. Some of our favorites include the Floret Necklace, the Blossom Vines Earrings, the Caviar Ring, and the Dragee Ring Pair.

Single Flower Top by Milly

Normally we aren't a big fan of flower detailing that is 3D. Detailing is one thing, but anything that stick out we often have a hard time with. This isn't true of the Single Flower Top by Milly however. Maybe it's because the entire top is black so it's a little less in your face than other similar adornments. This tank is 100% silk, lined, has a scoop neck and back, ruching at the empire waist, and a hidden side zipper. The floral paillette detail is at the center at the bust.

Crooked Monkey Relaunch

Crooked Monkey has totally redone their site, and it looks great. We really think you should go check it out. They have new designs that have come out since the last time we wrote about them too. And the Shirt Snob should also be getting a tee to review in the mail shortly, so stay on the look out for that!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We are taking today off to celebrate the holiday with our friends and family. We hope all our readers have a fabulous Thanksgiving!

Tie Neck Top by Generra

The Tie Neck Top by Generra is good if you want a little more sparkle in your closet. This metallic jersey top has banding at the cowl neck, pleating at the front, a V-back with a tie, and ruching and seam detail at the lower back.

Leather Trim Top by Paper Denim & Cloth

The Leather Trim Top by Paper Denim & Cloth would be a good top to wear with your favorite pair of jeans. It has a leather scoop neck, a snap closure at the left side of the neck, and a loose bodice. The leather gives it a nice bit of edginess that sets it apart from other tanks.

Silk Tank Top by Fremont

We think the flirty schoolgirl look of the Silk Tank Top by Fremont is a fun and unique top for your wardrobe. Made of 100% silk, it has an oversized Peter Pan collar with a contrasting black button and black ribbon dangling from the center, a back tie, and four button closures at the back.

Vanessa Hoodie and Mallory Hoodie by C&C California

We've discovered two hoodies by C&C California that we really like. First up is the Vanessa Hoodie. This French terry hoodie has a crossover V-neck, ruching and elastic banding at the empire waist, long sleeves, and ribbed banding at the cuffs. It's available in navy and white.

Then there's the Mallory Hoodie. This one is semi-sheer with a deep V-neck, elastic banding at the bottom hem, a fine knit yoke and hood, slight ruching at the bust and back, and long sleeves. It's available in black and white.

Romilda Top by Theory

When we first saw the Romilda Top by Theory, we were surprised to see a yellow top and white bottoms. Is it summer already? But then we realized that vacation clothes were already coming out. It seems a little early to us, but since we really like this tank, we'll show it to you anyway! It has three buttons at the front, ruching and banding at the neck and arm openings, and one inch straps. It's also available in harbor and white.

One-Shoulder Jersey Top by Kai Milla

We recently showed you a one shoulder strap top for the first time in many months here at Shirt Snob. Well, we've found another that we like. The One-Shoulder Jersey Top by Kai Milla has a beautiful amethyst studded rope strap, a knotted waist, and some ruching at the neck and at the knot. Also now through the end of the year, 10% of the sale will go to the Name Campaign which raises awareness of the Northern Uganda conflict. So you can feel like you are helping when you buy this beautiful top.

Sales at Shop Bop and Pink Mascara

Many sales will start on Cyber Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving), but a few are starting early that we wanted to point out to you. First up at Shop Bop, spend $150 and get $25 off, spend $300 and get $50 off, spend $500 and get $100 off, and spend $1000+ and get $250 off with the code "GETAJUMP" until 11/26.

Also, save $20 with purchases of $150 or more with the code "SAVE20", $50 off orders of $250 with the code "SAVE50" and $115 off orders of $500 or more with the code "SAVE115" at Pink Mascara this week only.

Don't forget that we post all sales in our left hand side bar and will continue to update it through the holiday season!

New Tees at Threadless Plus a Sale

There's another sale at Threadless just in time for the holidays. Get their tees for only $10. There are a bunch of designs that were just released, including some older "classic" designs. The Shirt Snob's picks are Splatter in D Minor, Boy in the Weeds, Tragedy Struck, Three Plus...One, Paper Cranes, In Case of Fire, and Summer Wind.