WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW
With so much fashion information out there, it is hard to know where to begin.
So, let us do the hard work for you.
Check here weekly to see what is happening in fashion.
We will be here to tell you our thoughts on each subject...good or bad.
XOXO, Hampden
August.21.2010
What shade are we wearing? Audace by Chanel.
.jpg)
Get it now! Chunky Sweater, Wedge Bootie, Shade of the Moment
-Haley Spees, Stylist
August.13.2010
W h a t W e L o v e : A.L.C.
And apparently, Style.com does
too!

Andrea Lieberman is a name to know. Stylist to the stars and designer of A.L.C. (Andrea Lieberman Collection), she was recently featured on Style.com's Fall 2010 Shopping List.

She was selected as 1 of 23 influential stylists, designers, models, & fashion bloggers to name what's topping their fall shopping lists. "The only trouble?" asks Style.com. "You'll want it all." Trust us...you will.

What's on her list? This A.L.C. Raglan Tee. From her own collection, Andrea says this top is "the skeleton key to my wardrobe. When all else fails, it's always the right answer."
Shop her collection online or come in the store and try some of her amazing pieces on.

Here is Hampden Clothing's very own Haley Spees playing dress up! Love her look? We have it! A.L.C.'s Elastic Skirt, Coco Moto Jacket, and Leather Collar Sleeveless Top.
-Erin Engebritson, Stylist
August.6.2010
C h u n k y K n i t s
NOW & LATER
You're Getting Warmer...
CHUNKY KNITS COZY UP DITRESSED DENIM CUTOFFS NOW AND FALL'S MUST-HAVE LEATHER LEGGINGS LATER.
.jpg)
Want to Wear it Now?
Try this oversized sweater by Cacharel paired with Current/Elliott boyfriend jean shorts.

Want to Wear it Later?
Style the same Cacharel sweater with these leather detail leggings by Ian.
Complete both looks with stylish sunnies by Selima Optique, black lace up wedge booties by Opening Ceremony, & of course Hampden's favorite, the Alexander Wang Rocco bag.
-Erin Engebritson, Stylist
July.30.2010
O n e W a y O r A n o t h e r
Celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of yet another wonderful season the Hampden way...Start with our mantra during this transitional time:
Buy Now; Wear Now. And Later!
You know how the Hampden Girl shops sale, but whatever does she do with the pre-fall and fall collections arriving in this lingering heat? She works it to her advantage, of course! The Hampden Girl knows how to discern her way through the parting waters, buying a great dress to wear now with sandals and later with tights and a bootie.
As she scans the racks and the site, the Hampden Girl's wheels are a'turning. She thinks ahead to the day when the sight of chunky knits and fabulous leather jackets are nauseating no more. To a day when having pre-stocked her fall wardrobe was the best choice she could have made because she knows the best stuff ships early. Her creative spirit tells her that she will wear her latest 'fall' purchase Now And Later!



Shop The Now Look: Mara Hoffman Dress, Loeffler Randall Pump, Dannijo Cuff
Shop The Later Look: Mara Hoffman Dress, Helmut Lang Jacket, Acne Bootie, Alexander Wang Velvet Rocco
-Haley Spees, Stylist
July.26.2010
Hampden How-To: A Guide To Shopping Sale
Some shoppers buy it exclusively while others run from red letters and
slashed prices. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, everyone can use
the following tips to make SALE worthwhile and a little less scary!
1. Make an Investment: Spend Less, Get More 
Score a classic piece at a discount and feel good about it for years to come. Hint: Look for leather!
2. Try It On!
Sometimes the messiest piece on the hanger ends up being the most beautiful on the body. Even if something isn't your size on the label doesn't mean it won't fit.
3. Take your Time 
It can be tough, but try not to look at a sale rack as a sea of color. Start at the beginning & look at each piece individually because with often only one item left in a style you might just miss the best piece in the store.
4. Blend the Seasons
Sale makes transitioning a breeze. Update what you already have with a few fun sale pieces to bridge the gap between seasons. Wear this dress now with pumps or sandals---Wear later with tights, booties & a leather jacket.
5. Take a Risk
Buying something trendy or outside of the box is even more fun when it is on sale!
-Haley Spees, Stylist
July.16.2010
B A C K G R O U N D C H E C K
It’s time to get to know us…A website is just a website unless you know who is running it! So here’s the deal at Hampden—we run a tight ship and we are a close-knit group. All of our buying is handled by owner and founder, Stacy Smallwood. She travels to the big NYC with assistant buyer Marisa Deitrich and bebops from showroom to showroom on a quest to provide perfectly edited collections for the one and only y-o-u. The website is run in-house by Katie Seamon; she is in charge of web design and maintenance. Your online orders go through Ms. Katie, and are promptly packaged by stylists, Erin Engebritson and Haley Spees. Inside of your shipment, you will find a handwritten thank you note from one of us. But before you place an order, feel free to call the store for more information on sizing and for our opinions! We try every item of clothing, every shoe, every handbag, every piece of jewelry because we love this stuff, and we want you to love it just as much. Happy Shopping!
-Haley Spees, Stylist
July.10.2010
Our Favorite Places in Charleston and Beyond…
In honor of Hampden Clothing’s feature in Vogue.com’s Summer Escapes: Charleston, a guide to our beloved city, the girls at Hampden have decided to come up with a list of our own.
This week’s guide features “Where to Eat in Charleston.” We are lucky enough to live in a city that has endless options, so creating a list was a little bit of a challenge! We’ve covered all the bases though and will lead you in the right direction for morning, noon, and night!
Sunday Brunch: Hands down Red Drum in Mt. Pleasant. A favorite of Hampden’s resident Mt. Pleasant girls, Stacy and Marisa can be spotted here at least one Sunday out of every month. They rave over the “Take me back to Texas” Huevos Rancheros and Breakfast Tacos. Did we mention the bottomless Mimosas and Bellini’s? Quite possibly the best part…
Lunch: Cru Café. Just blocks from the Market, Cru Café is the best lunch spot in Downtown Charleston. Located in an old renovated home on Pinckney Street, this little gem is worth venturing off the beaten path for the atmosphere alone. What tops our favorites list? The Asian Chicken Salad, the Shrimp BLT, and of course the out-of-this-world Mac & Cheese.
Dinner: FIG. A favorite of locals and tourists alike, FIG holds a special place in Hampden’s heart. With a menu reprinted daily, a love for all things local, and a nightly bar scene worthy of praise on its own, this neighborhood bistro features the freshest ingredients around and serves amazing dishes that are truly farm to table.
Drinks: Bin 152. Part wine and cheese bar, part antiques store, part art gallery, it’s hard to go wrong at Bin 152. Serving under-appreciated wines, Bin 152 will become your local favorite. Owned by husband-and-wife duo Patrick and Fanny, you may even catch a glimpse of their adorable Pug, Armando.
Dessert: Whether your sweet tooth kicks in early or late, The Macaroon Boutique is sure to satisfy your strongest craving and will even make you want to bring some home. Located on John Street, this Southern shop with a French flare is the best place to go in Charleston for a sweet snack. Try the Pan au Chocolat…trust us, it’s good!
Now it’s your turn! Where is your favorite place to eat in Charleston? Get in on the “Best of Charleston” fun and post your answer to Hampden Clothing’s Facebook page!
www.facebook.com/hampdenclothing
- Erin Engebritson, Stylist
July.1.2010
S A L E. . .D O N E R I G H T
With the wonderous pre-fall collections in our midst, we cannot forget what fabulous summer items are left to be had. There are deals to be made and shopping to be done...Here is how the Hampden girl shops and styles S A L E !
-Haley Spees, Stylist
June.23.2010
An Ode to the Alexander Wang Rocco Bag
It comes as no surprise that Alexander Wang took home the Swarovski Award for Accessory Designer at the 2010 CFDA Awards. Wang has single handedly resurrected the “It-bag” phenomenon with the Rocco bag and has created an irresistible buzz.
Each bag is made from the highest quality leather and treated in unconventional ways like this season’s velvet leather and of course, the tried and true pebbled leather that Wang has been creating since the get-go. And where do we even begin with the hardware? From big brass studs to chunky zippers and even a removable messenger strap, Wang has designed a bag that can do no wrong in our eyes.
Here at Hampden, the Rocco definitely tops our most-wanted list. Join us, and the army of stylish fashionistas and off-duty models alike coveting this bag.
Let the Rocco be your statement piece and carry it while it carries you effortlessly through summer, fall, and years to come. Don’t just take our word for it, come and see the infamous bag for yourself at Hampden Clothing. No time to shop? We’ve done the leg work for you. Shop the looks below at Hampden Clothing and check out the Rocco online! www.hampdenclothing.com

-Erin Engebritson, Stylist
June.19.2010
P A C K L I K E A P R O
Jetsetters and staycationers alike can pair down to an arsenal of multifunctional pieces for a stylishly cool summer. There’s no better way to arm your wardrobe than with a few key looks that will take you from day to night, work to play, and everywhere in between! Mix and Match the following selection of Hampden Favorites at home, in the city, out on the town, or overseas! Without further adieu…
THE ESSENTIALS
1. The Blix Dress by Rodebjer
2. Cropped Jacket in Black by Elizabeth & James
3. Shireen Stud Flat in Black by Loeffler Randall
4. Everett Tank in Citrine by Rag & Bone
5. The Skinny in White Stud by Current/Elliott
6. Tee with Leather Strap in Black by Logan Neitzel
7. Drawstring Pant with Cuff in Black by Ian
8. The Esther Pump in Black by Loeffler Randall
BY THE NUMBERS FOR DAYTIME
BY THE NUMBERS FOR NIGHT
-Haley Spees, Stylist