For Hop Sing Lover's Only!!!

Hi sweet Hop Singers!! I'm happy to announce that this weekend and this weekend only you are invited to a special birthday celebration! First up is Hop Sing's birthday. It's the third year it has been here in the wonderful Prescott, AZ. I'm so thankful that Hop Sing is here! 

More importantly, it is the most amazing "Hop Singer" ever's birthday. Miss Lauren! My favorite part about going into Hop Sing is seeing Lauren's beautiful face. She is so precious, so helpful and encouraging and so fun to talk to. She runs an amazing store, but more importantly she connects with women and helps them feel beautiful and more confident in who they are in their own skin! 

So come and celebrate with us! 

Saturday from 1-6:30 for cupcakes, bubbly, great music, and of course LOTS of amazing fashion! 

There may even be some prizes and giveaways...

Also, special guest, Isabella from DeLovely Cosmetics will be on-hand with amazing gifts with purchase and exciting goodies to get you Holiday ready and looking gorgeous. 

But what...there's more!

BONUS BONUS BONUS

When you buy 2 items* we'll give you the 3rd item F R E E!! Yep, you read that right. This offer is good ALL WEEKEND LONG! So it's pretty much a Hoppy Birthday to you too :)! 

*Buy 2 get one free offer excludes sale merchandise. 

xo

Emily

Top Fall Trends

Hi everyone! It's Emily here. Really missing everyone in Prescott! Really missing the Hop. And of course Lauren. School is going good but really slow and I haven't been too motivated. I'm working at Anthropologie now, which is great, but I do miss Hop Sing lots! You ladies in Prescott are lucky to have Hop Sing. Trust me, I live in LA, but I still am saving my money to go to Hop Sing for the Holidays. I can't wait to see what Lauren brings in... I'm thinkin some Odd Molly and some cozy Free Peep sweaters. Yay!!

But for now, I'm going to focus this post on some of the top trends for fall that I see lots in LA. So here you go.

These next few photos are some I did for my new website. If those of you who don't know, I'm at Biola University studying photography. I'm trying to go into fashion so I'm working towards building my portfolio and these are a part of that! If you're interested, my fashion website is emilygoswick.com

And I was pleasantly surprised to find out the way I styled my model for this shoot is right on target with the fall trends! Check it out. She's wearing the skirt, the boots, military jacket, and headpiece. I think I got it down ;). 

That's all for tonight! Have a good week everyone! 

xo

Em

Odd Molly Looking for some Chilly Weather

Hello readers. As you can tell by the title, some of our Odd Molly pieces are begging for some cool fall/winter weather? Is it too soon to ask? 

We were just too anxious here in Hop Sing to not do a post on these new arrivals. Gorgeous Odd Molly pieces (what else do you expect from the Molly?) ranging from hats, hand-warmers, and sweaters, OTBT shoes, Free People socks, Hop Sing's got it all. You can start to build your own fall wardrobe, continue to collect gorgeous pieces, or buy a gift for a friend! The Holiday season is coming soon! And Hop Sing's has got you covered.

Till next time. Have a good week Hop Singers! 

Decorate yourself!

I received yet another email from a customer this week “frustrated” with her closet, and seeking help!

She felt “lost” and had “given up” on fashion...This is not a unique sentiment in my line of work, but I can’t help but wonder where along the way fashion stopped being fun for these women...

I always suggest that you play with your combinations. Write down the ones that work, and revisit those. Remember the items that you’re most complimented on- they’re usually something a little outside of your comfort zone. Take chances and enjoy your clothing. Most of all, keep evolving! Stagnancy is never fun.

All too often I hear from women who feel intimidated by clothing, shopping, and putting new outfits together. Want to know the very best fashion advice I ever got? Fashion should be fun. That’s it! Simple. It means, take it in stride, have fun with it! Clothes are ORNAMENTS, you are the Christmas tree! Remember how fun it was to decorate the tree? That’s what getting dressed every morning should be. CLOTHES are the CAR, you are the driver! Your clothes should be vying for a chance to be taken out for a spin.

And remember, nothing’s permanent in fashion. At the end of the day, it all comes off anyway. :)

Young at Heart?

What is your inner child?

The aspect of one's psyche that is believed to retain feelings as they were experienced in childhood. The aspect of your consciousness that is naturally innocent, playful, uncomplicated, and whose approach to life is simple and straightforward.

When it comes to fashion often woman are afraid to be fun. By "afraid" I am referring to color and easy, relaxed styles!!! I'm not suggesting you dress like the mannequin in the window at Gap Kids- but you don't need to dress like "Betty from Sun~City Arizona" either... Polyester slacks and a Polo shirt, or ill-fitting jeans with your Labrador Retriever sweatshirt are not "age appropriate". Ever.

Playing, imagining and curiosity served you well in childhood and can again be renewed to enhance your quality of life, well-being and, ultimately, your happiness as an adult. Including fun, colorful, unique and (dare I say) quirky fashions can elevate your mood, add a sassy little sway to your hips, a little pep in your step, a smile on your face... the kind of smile that starts in your eyes and works it's way to every muscle in your face.

A natural facelift!

If you are in doubt about embracing your inner kid. You need to spend some time remembering what it felt like to play, discover, feel and explore without fear and concern. Learn more about what fresh styles will work for you, and make you feel young again with out looking like the mannequin in the window at Gap Kids... and then welcome that brave little girl back into your life.

"We are intended to remain in many ways- childlike," anthropologist Ashley Montagu once wrote. "We were never intended to grow up into the kind of adults most of us have become. We are designed to grow and develop in ways that emphasize rather than minimize childlike traits." We are all born with the gifts of creativity, imagination, play, exploration and curiosity. Children act on these valuable attributes freely, discovering happiness, belonging, connection and community through them.

Do you use the phrase "I'm too old" to avoid trying new and different activities?

I hear this phrase all too often in our boutique, uttered by women who look like they’ve surrendered to the fashion grim reaper- only they are younger than my own mother, who at 70 years young... is youthful, tasteful, in great physical shape and feels great about herself! And guess what?! She’s not medicated for anything, because a joyful heart full of childish enthusiasm is the fountain of youth!

Frequently asked question..."why so expensive?"

Love at first.... fit!!!

Adriano Goldschmied has killed my old jeans!

Here's what I know about... AG Jeans!

I love jeans. They're by far the most versatile item in my closet, and my personal favorite too. Shhh... don't tell the shoes! But my AG Jeans have blown every other pair out of the water. I could list the dozen or so brands left pouting on the shelf since the AG's moved in, but I'll save them the embarrassment. AG has everything I'm after... fit, lift, comfort, and they are without a doubt, the softest, most beautifully flattering denim I've ever owned. Unless it's a serious crisis-of-a-laundry-day, I don't see myself wearing any other brand any time soon.

But that's just scratching the surface of these amazing jeans and the company behind them. I can feel good in them for so many reasons, not least of which is the moral and ecological commitment I'm making just by wearing them.

There’s always something new in Las Vegas, and the apparel industry is doing its part to make sure that adage holds true for the upcoming apparel market. Next week this time I will be in Fashion-o-rama land! I love it! But just for fun I thought I'd share an insider's perspective... About 3 years ago my daughter wrote the article below for a publication... and it's an interesting read...

(yes... she is a fashion snob, and proud of it)

"So a friend of mine recently asked about my work, and specifically how she could get into it too. At first I thought, oh yeah... it's nice. As much as I complain- it certainly has its perks; Great clothes, cool people, a little travel... But when I really start thinking about it, it's much more than that. Good and bad, it's much more. Women love clothes, and young women especially tend to think of the fashion industry as glamourous, and beautiful and I don't know what... so when I tell people I'm a buyer for women's clothing, the immediate response is usually: "Wow!" "Awesome!" "Lucky..." or "Fun". Oftentimes I wonder what they're imagining my work to be... I try to think about it from an outside perspective and wonder, what would I imagine a "buyer" does all day? I can't. I've been up to my eyeballs in this business since I was 14 years old, working as a gopher and retail slave -girl for two years before wriggling my way into "Buyer's Assistant" at 16 (which, cool job title aside, was exactly the same job). It's impossible for me, therefore, to have any remotely unbiased views of this life or to relate at all to the countless girls that seek it out. Am I jaded? Not unless I started out that way. My opinions of, and interest in fashion are so deeply ingrained, they're hard-wired. My mother sourced and sold vintage couture. I grew up reading "W", "Vogue", and French "Elle" like they were nursery rhymes. I understood the nuances of "cuts" and "lines" while most girls my age were still dressing their Barbies in poly-blend. This may seem smug, but it's really the opposite of that. I didn't know any better. I had no idea that it was any big deal until I was helping squeeze Salma Hayek into a Norma Kamali boneless corset dress at 15 and said: "Well, it's all in the structure- her couture is influenced by architecture and swimwear of the 1940's, so it's really structured, without being restrictive. Flattering without being overt, you know? She sews you in and holds you there with these incredible dual-purpose fabrics, so you don't need the boning!" Salma looked at me like I was possessed, and then she bought the nearly $4,000 gown. My imminent promotion followed soon after. This was my "Oh, I'm not normal"-moment. The thing is, I knew so much about fashion by the time I went to college, that I couldn't have cared less if I ever went near the industry again. I lusted after the cuts and lines of industrial architectects rather than the cuts and lines of couturiers. Fashion was family, and home, and fall-back, and meh... it wasn't going anywhere. Inevitably I went back to it, simply because it came easily, it was what I knew and I knew it well. I went from gopher, to assistant, to buyer, to store owner and I can tell you- there's not a ton of differences between the four other than money; who's making it, who's spending it, and who's paying it out. Of all those little hats, the one that fit me best was buyer. I make my own hours, I work alone, and the better I buy- the more I earn. The best part is, as I get older, I buy better, I buy smarter and it just gets easier and easier. The worst part is, I'm not challenged, except by my own morals. You see, there is a new breed of consumer- someone who grew up on Claire's, Forever 21, and polyester prom dresses. They want more and more for less and less, and they don't care where it's made or how- so long as it's cheap and trendy. What's more disheartening is the fact that we (in the industry) are kow-towing to this woman. We're supporting disposable trends, and unethical manufacturing simply to meet the demands of debt-ridden consumers whom either don't know any better, or don't care. But it's cute? That dress you're purchasing at a bargain price was made of cheap, synthetic fabric, dyed with hazardous chemicals and some (illegal in this country) pesticides thrown in for good shipment. But it looks okay to you? It was probably sewn in a filthy sweatshop by a worker paid an unfair wage. There is nothing to be proud of in that prom photo, dear. Your dress is shit and it will fall apart on you. In fact, it's likely something will go wrong with it by the end of the night. Got a deal on your bridesmaid's dresses? Bad manufacturing doesn't bode well for the chicken dance, sister. You're better off having just one bridesmaid and buying her a decent ensemble. Better yet, buy vintage. The fabrics and tailoring are incomparable. Try the touch test. Vintage satin vs. today's cheap but oh-so-shiny and wrinkle-free impostor-satin... I mention the satin, in particular because I'm fresh off of buying for prom season and to my shock, I found the most incredible silk satin dresses by Joseph Walker. These feel like the vintage couture I know and love. These are the real deal- or as close to the real deal as you're likely to find for the price. Retailing for around $200 they blow the competition out of the water (*ahem* Jessica McClintock *cough,cough*). Even his palette is inspired and tasteful. There is nothing of the garish brights and neo-neons that pop up in nearly every showroom, nearly every Spring. Particularly, his pinks and greens... A subdued, and slightly greyed pink that just looks grown-up and beautiful and an absolutely sumptuous jade green; something universally flattering but oft overlooked. Furthermore, consumers, you're not actually saving on anything- here's a little fashion industry secret... YOU'RE BEING SWINDLED BY BARGAIN PRICED CRAP! Retailers know what prices you're used to, what prices you're immune to, and what you consider a "deal". The less they pay for the goods, the more they make off of you. Think they're passing savings onto you? Absolutely not. The "savings" are built into their profit margins, not passed on to the consumer. In other words, the less they pay, the more they profit. Is there a trendy little shop in your town that seems to ALWAYS have a sale going on? They actually don't... they're simply buying a dress for $10 pricing it at a 5.0 margin (WELL above industry standards). They then mark the dress at 50% off and you're thinking "Wow, I'm getting such a great deal", when in reality, they're profiting off of your trust and making more than they would on a higher priced, quality garment sold at full MSRP (a 2.3 margin). There is no bargain, my friends. The sale price was a farce and that damn dress will fall apart in a few months. Which just opens up a whole other can of worms... false economy, consumer culture, mass waste, etc. On this topic, the moral is this- hang on to your mother's and your grandmother's clothing; these are the items worth their salt, these are the items worth keeping and handing down to your daughters. Expect to pay more for items made ethically and appreciate quality craftsmanship. Have we forgotten what this is? With Levi's now made of varying materials in varying countries, two identical pairs of style 501 you've worn forever (and in the exact same size) will now vary by up to 3 inches in length and 2.5 inches in the waist. The washes and finishes will have no consistency and the cut and feel will most likely be unrecognizable. Inevitably, potential buyers think that this job is about style, trends, and getting clothing at cost. On style... Of course style is a key factor in maintaining relevance, moving merchandise and longevity in this job. I'm not sure if this factor is innate, it's a bit of an x-factor- but it's also about influence, and inspiration. On trends... This aspect of my job is really the science part of it, and again a bit of x-factor for good measure. Trends are about picking up on little clues and subtle cues in the collective consciousness. They are about understanding the motion and force of fashion from Asia, to Europe to America's East coast, to California, and back to Asia again. It's about the trickle-down effect of Haute couture to Prêt-à-Porter to up-market, to mass production. And once you understand all that, it's about timing. Computer-generated analysis of markets and retail analysts offer some help and take a bit of guesswork out of which departments and categories are moving well, but ultimately it comes down to your innate ability to time a given marketplace. Knowing months in advance what trends will hit at what moment and where. Will your consumers be ready? I can't tell you how many times my own timing has been off. Often as a buyer, having access to upcoming colors, collections, and designs- you're so far ahead of the collective curve that you overestimate your own clock. I've had to store away entire deliveries for months at a time, until such time as the trend hit and the consumer was ready for it. But more and more my job is really about protecting consumers and the marketplace from bad investments, it's about shielding stores from bad reputations, and finding a happy medium between style and substance, whilst maintaining a fair price-point for desirable apparel. And clothes at cost? Yes, it's a perk. If you're interested in being a buyer, you're likely something of a clothes-horse anyway, so you'll appreciate this aspect of it. I keep waiting for the stuffed-to-the-gills closet thing to get old (it hasn't yet)."

Hot & Ready... Yoga Apparel by Hard Tail

Hot Yoga anyone?...

Hop Sing is expecting a
Hard Tail shipment on Monday, December 12th!

Just in time to ask your Santa Baby to put you on his "Naughty or Nice" List!


If you want to get a fresh pick from this limited supply of really special pieces... because...(fyi, it takes 6 to 8 weeks for these orders to be produced) then don't delay!


UPS will deliver this order by 12:00 noon on Monday.

Let's have a box opening party!

I Admit It!

I... admit... it!!! I L-O-V-E fringe!!!!

My store reflects this obsession... Fringed purses, fringed ponchos, fringe dresses & fringed Victorian or piano style wraps and jackets... They separate the plain Jane from the stylish Jane, in my opinion... They transcend age as they're often coveted by both the young trend seeking ladies and sophisticated conservatively dressed women. Almost anyone with just a hint of artistic flair can wear one!!!

Ladies, you can achieve tasteful bohemian style and look fabulous without evoking any signs of a sloppy hippie vibe. If you're new to bohemian fashions and don't know where or how to start, Hop Sing is the place to experiment in Prescott.

To change up the scantily clad looks pictured here... (only because we just received an awesome new shipment of Burnout-Velvet pieces!!!! Such loveliness!!!) You can style your own look combined in a myriad of ways including... with your favorite jeans and boots (because, baby it's cold outside!)

Or for the more conservative approach to the upcoming holiday events, you can wear one of these artful pieces over your favorite-go-to-LBD, (little-black-dress), and guess what... nobody's gonna know it's last years model!

It's a fashionable word, bohemian..."

Wikipedia say's "A bohemian is a person who lives an artistic lifestyle, placing freedom of self-expression above all other desires, including wealth, social conformity and status". The term originated in France during the 19th century due to the influx of gypsies believed to be traveling from Czech Republic’s, Bohemia. The term quickly became generalized, however, indicative of a lifestyle rather than a nationality.

In the United States, the Beat generation of the 1950s and the hippies of the ‘60s reflected the bohemian subculture in many ways.

Bohemian fashion is an artistic style of dress that many people enjoy wearing. The style varies from ethnic trends to vintage fashion, and can even include traditional hippie-style clothing. An element that most bohemian fashion wearers share is a desire to express themselves aesthetically.



The contemporary bohemian woman has been reinterpreted, restyled and reinvented. Today we visit a few Bohemian inspired looks currently available in Hop Sing!



This style is often typified by certain particular looks, such as flowing dresses, loose garments that accentuate the wearer’s figure while still providing comfort, and striking uses of color. The style is often seen as more than just one particular fashion trend, and has been popular among a number of people for over 100 years.



Many of todays top runway designers such as Anna Sui, Roberto Cavalli and Ralph Lauren feature varied interpretations of this free-spirited trend, pushing the envelope in color, cut and texture. We believe you can capture the spirit of the look for less with our beautiful pieces shown here by FreePeople, Ruby Love Joy, Cordelia, and many, many more in our current summer offerings.



Whether you’re a true-blue gypsy or merely a hippie at heart, there are countless ways to channel your inner wild spirit this season. Temper vibrant prints and slouchy silhouettes with structured, neutral pieces and transform yourself into the new bohemian!



"I`m a girl from a good family who was very well brought up. One day I turned my back on it all and became a bohemian. Brigitte Bardot"