StreetStyleChi
by Alex Moresco
Lululemon: Artistry In Motion Chicago
Posted on December 14, 2016
On Sarah: Nike Air Force 1 | Fendi bag (on sale!!) | On Alex: Rag & Bone dress (Out of season but similar here) | Adidas Stan Smith Sneakers also love these “winterized” version |
I was always a weird duck in college. I started out at DePaul as an accounting major (WOW was that a mistake- eventually switched to PR/AD) and was looking for a little bit of a creative outlet- this was how my first blog, StreetStyleChi, was born. Starting StreetStyleChi gave me insight into marketing to the college age girl and I wound up working with Nike on Nike Training Club, a new concept store in Chicago at the time. Being submersed into the sportswear world made me value the technology and time that go into designing everything from the top you wear to the socks you hit the gym in.
Lululemon recently put on “Artistry in Motion” throughout major cities in the United States. I attended the Chicago event with my friend Sarah, where they took us through the craftsmanship techniques in each product and previewed their fall and winter collection. For a sneaker and sportswear geek like myself, this was the perfect night to learn about a brand that I have always loved. Lulu put this on at Lacuna Artist Lofts. My friend Sarah and I wandered the old factory style building for part of the night checking out the art that covers every floor and the neon signs that are tucked around every corner.
Lululemon sent every guest home with a “Chicago Illinois” Apolis bag with the little reminder “choose a life you love.” The goal of Artistry in Motion was not just to promote a product, but genuinely bring the community closer together. I loved the hometown tie in by using local Chicago farms and distillers. I know that Nordstrom and Art Effect both carry Apolis bags in Chicago!
Lulu just came out with some fun new pieces for the holidays and clearly I want everything, but my favorites are this multi-colored top, the Vinyasa Wrap that is basically just a cozy blanket, and these splatter reflective tights that would look just as cool on the street as in the gym.
<3 Al
Make sure to follow me on Instagram @AliTMoresco. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Photos from the night were taken by @Multimarz for Lululemon.
Kicking It In The City: New Balance Brings The Heat For Spring
Posted on March 2, 2015
A few years ago, I would walk around in a dress and sneakers and people would look at me like I was crazy. If you threw on sneakers with your outfit, no matter the brand, observers assumed you were lazy and couldn’t be bothered with proper footwear.
Take it back to Fall of 2014 and fashionistas running between fashion shows in New York were photographed in bright kicks and clean New Balance slip-ons. Suddenly, it became the “it” trend and was the new norm. While a sneaker has always been an essential part of my everyday rotation, I am happy to see people embracing how great a classic sneaker in the right colorway can be.
This spring will be no different for me. While Chicago seems to be stuck in the dog days of winter, the light at the end of the tunnel is near. New Balance makes the perfect classic shoe, with clean colorways to add an effortless pop to any outfit. Grey is my personal favorite color for Spring and it pairs nicely with everything which is great for transitioning from winter’s dark tones to spring’s bright colors and pastel hues.
Many times, I have trouble finding a colorway I want in the women’s sizing. I usually wind up taking home a men’s shoe. You can find out what size you are in men’s shoes, here.
How do you like to style your sneakers?
Photos: Kohl Murdock for StreetStyleChi.com.
This post was sponsored by Finish Line and New Balance.
Where’d You Get Those?
Posted on December 26, 2014
2003 marked the year Where’d You Get Those? was released, detailing the sneaker culture of New York City from 1960 to 1987. Bobbito Garcia is well respected for many things, including bringing unknown, unsigned, hip-hop artists to light through his shows Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show (Jay-z, Nas, Busta Rhymes…etc.) Garcia chronicles 400 pairs of ground breaking sneakers that have come and gone, but remain classics.
The book is currently available again in a anniversary addition, that includes an updated forward and new sneakers.
You can pick it up through Amazon.
My Five: Zaul Zamora
Posted on June 2, 2014
Zaul Zamora has the job we all wish we could get. He is a jack of all trades in the media and fashion industry. Building himself up as a recognized stylist, he continues to style, and is also a merchandiser and social media master for Nice Kicks. Zamora is showing us his favorite spots in Austin, Texas.
Austin is a young city and is all about going out and being social, that’s why people talk so well about the city. We love to socialize and enjoy our happy hours, good friends, and being outdoors whether it’s taking in a concert or checking out a new restaurant.
Social: Evening
1. Volstead/Hotel Vegas (Dance party hot boxin)
With the growing popularity of East 6 street, you have more & more choices of great spots to check out in this area. You can find some of the best dance parties here featuring local DJ’s to help you sweat the alcohol out. With a great outdoor seating area located in the rear that connects the two bars, it’s the perfect spot to cool off and enjoy a summer night with friends. Connected to Hotel Vegas, you have the choice of atmospheres with more of a relax spot with billiards tables great for groups of friends.
Social: Daytime
1.Yellow Jacket Social Club http://www.yellowjacketsocialclub.com/
A gem on the East side you can easily spend your whole day here with great drinks and food. Hosting everything from Sunday brunch, mechanical bull contests to an annual petting zoo on Easter, YJ feels like you’re hanging out at a friend’s backyard.
Shopping: Austin is more of a vintage town when it comes to fashion choosing to hit up the local thrift shops instead of malls.
1.Stag- http://www.stagaustin.com/ Located on South Congress, Stag is a classic take on clothes that are upscale casual & rugged with a subtle vintage inspiration. With a nice selection of high-end denim and cut & sew pieces from Double RL, Pendleton & Saturday Surf NYC, it’s easy to get lost in here.
2. By George http://www.bygeorgeaustin.com/ A stock list that rivals some of the best in the world, I’ve been shopping there for years and love the quality of garments & service. Top of the line in every category from clothing, shoes to accessories, with two locations, each store has its own identity catering to each consumer style & personality. If I had a girlfriend best believe we’d go shopping here. APC, Rag & Bone & Common Projects are some of my favorite lines carried here.
3.Nice Kicks www.nicekicks.com Cmon?! Where else would you go for cool sneakers than the source of it all! Great staff with the knowledge of every shoe just about ever made, the boys are battle tested! Even if kicks aren’t your thing, they house some of the best streetwear brands in the industry.
4.No Comply (Local Skateshop)http://www.nocomplyatx.com/ Skate owned Skate operated, these guys have created the skate culture in Austin for years. Owned by former pro skater Elias Bingham, the shop caters to core skate kid with brands like Palace, Fucking Awesome and others only found in top tier accounts. Recently expanded the shop not only added more square feet of goods, but a partnership with local coffee shop Flat Track to house a remote location
Food: This is tricky since Austin’s food scene has grown so much over the past couple years. There is always a new place or trailer “YOU MUST TRY” that’s recommended by friends.
1. Parkside- (Dinner/HH) http://parkside-austin.com/ This is my go-to spot in Austin, located right on 6 St. you are in the heart of downtown. The menu has great options form their raw bar & a constantly rotating menu lets you choose depending on your mood. A great date spot or a quick pop in for a drink and some apps, voted one of the best Mac & Cheese’s in the country, it’s hard to not eat here with that reputation.
2. Veracruz Taco House (Trailer) http://www.yelp.com/biz/veracruz-all-natural-austin The best taco stand in Town hands down. Using all natural ingredients and voted one of the best taco spots by Rachel Ray, this place is worth the trip.
3.Uchiko http://uchiaustin.com/uchiko If I had the money, I would eat here every day! The quality of sushi is amazing, using only the best, you leave in a euphoric state. No matter what you order, whether you’re familiar with the dish or not, you will not regret it. Half the items I can’t pronounce but know will blow me away.
Hangout:
1.Barton Springs Pool- On any given sunny day no matter what time of day it is, you can find this spot full of sun seekers & pool loungers. The water is cold year round even when its 110 degrees out which makes it the perfect spot to cool off, relax and people watch.
2. Alamo Draft house- Moives Food & Booze…Need I say more. Alamo Draft house is the only place to watch a movie in town and will make you never go back to a big cinema. Limited seating and strict rules makes this place a gem for a movie experience.
3. Houndstooth Coffee http://www.houndstoothcoffee.com/ Best baristas in town when it comes to beans. They have educated me in the way of coffees for months now & can be very intimidating at times. Located under the Frost Tower in the heart of downtown you can forget you’re in the middle of the city with the natural wood décor and warm music & lighting.
Boosting My Weekend Wardrobe
Posted on April 15, 2014
Chic comfort is the name of the game, and lately, I am all about it. During the week, I pack as much into every single day as possible, and the night usually ends with an event. While I love my fast paced life, I use the weekends to slow down and take a step back. This also means giving my feet a break from my beloved wedges and strappy Jimmy Choo sandals that I never seem to take off. My weekend style is casual, but never sloppy. I layer to the extreme, throw on zippered sweats, and a great pair of sneakers to run to brunch, or the farmers market, a meeting…wherever the day takes me. Wearing head to toe black is a no-brainer for me. However, Spring is just starting to peak its head around the corner, so out come the pops of color. My personal favorite right now is a bright solar blue pair by Adidas, called the Energy Boost 2.0., which you can easily pick up for yourself at Finish Line. They happen to match my favorite spring jacket, which makes it that much sweeter.
Photos: Kohl Murdock
Energy Boost 2.0, c/o Adidas and Finish Line.
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