Shift dresses are back in a big way this season. The once 1960s retro mod chic staple has re-emerged as a summer necessity. Just add a pair of platforms, and you’ll instantly transport back to forty plus years ago. Want to upgrade your look to 2012? Cinch your waist with a solid black leather belt and add flat gladiator sandals. Simple. Easy to wear. Gorgeous. Check out these gorgeous shift dresses you’ll want to wear this season!

Shift One by shopinchic featuring flat heels

Look 2 by shopinchic featuring a polka dot dress

Shift Look 3 by shopinchic featuring leather clutches

Denim is….casual, smart, sexy, fresh, comfortable, feminine, etc etc. A good pair of jeans is perhaps one of the most versatile items you’ll ever own because you can take almost any one pair of denim and instantly create different looks just by switching around tops, shoes, and accessories. Need a few examples? Check out four very different but equally stylish denim looks I created through Polyvore and let me know what you think.

Hipster Cool by shopinchic featuring vintage sunglasses

Summer Casual by shopinchic featuring south sea pearl rings

Everyday Denim by shopinchic featuring a cross body shoulder bag

Dressy Denim by shopinchic featuring black handbags

Want to talk more denim? Check out my new fashion forum or join SIC’s community on Facebook!

images courtesy from Macy’s

If you love shopping for cosmetics and scoring freebies along in the process, you will love Beauty Week at Macy’s! Here is a small list of the special offers and free gifts you will find during the event.

Get 3 free fragrance samples with purchase of select fragrances of $65 or more. You’ll get three small vials of Nine West Love Fury, Givenchy Very Irresistible, and Alien by Thierry Mugler. No code needed. Samples will be applied automatically to purchase.

Get free Estee Lauder Wear Makeup Lesson How-to DVD with qualifying purchase. Offer good on select purchase of Estee Lauder fragrances and beauty products. This offer is also good on other beauty product purchases as well.

Get free Tote Bag with any beauty purchase of $75 or more. Just in time for spring, this pretty printed blue tote features a zip top closure and faux leather handles. No code needed. Free gift will be applied automatically to purchase.

Get free 8-piece Gift Set with any Elizabeth Arden purchase of $27.50 or more.

Get free 10-day supply of Advanced Night Repair with any Estee Lauder purchase of $35 or more.

Get free 3-piece gift set with Lancome purchase of $60 or more.

You’ll find even more deals on Macy’s website. These deals are valid for online purchases only.

Help! The Christmas season is almost upon us and I’m already stressed about what to get. I’m on a tight budget right now but I really want to purchase some wonderful gifts for all my fashionable friends. Do you have any savvy insight or ideas?

I’m glad to know that I’m not the only one who is already thinking about Christmas and the holidays! I say its never to early to shop for gifts, especially when you find incredible gifts at even more incredible prices. Assuming that you’re like the rest of us and have yet to get a leg up in your holiday shopping adventures, I’d say you should start a budget first. Make a list of people you want to buy gifts for and how much you’re willing to spend per person. Next, you need to decide what to get everyone on your list. If you can’t or don’t want to ask your friends and family what they want for a gift, let their personal taste and lifestyle generate ideas for you. Which celebrity fashion icon does she admire the most? What are her hobbies and passions? Ask yourself before you make any purchase, “would she really love to find this under her tree?”.

Still stumped and need some fabulous gift ideas? Here are a few things I would love to find under my tree!

Philosophy ‘oh twinkling night’ Duo, $15.00 at Nordstrom

Dooney & Bourke Shiny It Lucy Bag $195.00 at Dooney & Bourke

Vivre Silhouette Heart Cuff by Jessica Kagan Cushman $110.00 at Vivre

Have any shopping or beauty related questions for Shop In Chic? Email her at shopinchic 1983 at aol dot com.

If you are heading out to the beach or pool this summer, you won’t want to be without these amazing essentials!

The Beach Tote:Color-Block Straw Tote Bag $29.00 at Spiegel

This pretty color-block straw tote features full-lining inside with a slip pocket and metal silver handles. I love this bag’s colorful look and beachy vibe and I think  that its the cutest beach bag I’ve seen all season!

The Sunscreen:Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion SPF 60 $39.00 at Bergdorf Goodman

Get the highest rate of sun protection there is with this SPF 60 sunscreen. This PABA-free formula is also water-proof and sweat-proof.

The Lip Balm:Neutrogena Norweigian Formula Lip Moisturizer SPF 15 $3.49 at Drugstore.com

Protect your lips with a nourishing lip balm that also has the standard SPF 15.

The Shades:Gucci Large Round Frame Sunglasses $325.00 at Gucci

These sleek and sexy sunglasses feature a grey-gradient lens and offer 100% UVA/UVB protection. Never buy shades without sun protection otherwise that defeats the whole purpose of wearing them.

The Sandals:Scott Hawaii Lanui Tan Flip Flops $42.00 at Zappos

A pair of flat sandals like these will keep your feet protected and comfy when you are lounging in the sand.

Ladylike is in this season and so is this gorgeous faux leather handbag with top zip closure, flat handles, faux rose, and logo medallion. So chic!

Red my Marc Ecko Rose Satchel $49.95 at DSW

Clothes are the garments you just wear. Fashion is how you style the garments. Once you know the difference between clothes and fashion, the easier it becomes to actually enjoy style. One single garment or accessory can be worn in at least a dozen ways if you get really creative.  Need a little inspiration? Here it is!

A casual shirtdress can look sexy or smart depending on how you style it. Try cinching the waist of the dress with a belt and pair it with booties for a slightly edgy style.  If the dress is short enough like the one shown here, you can pair it with skinny jeans and heels. You could also wear this dress with a cute denim jacket or blazer for something that looks much more polished and put-together.

Look  1- Xhilaration Smock Detail Dress $21.99 at Target, Studded Skinny Belt $38 at Ann Taylor, J Brand Jersey Jeans Leggings $451.60 at Luisaviaroma.com, Sergio Rossi Stamped Leather Studded Cage Sandal $1,350.00 at IntermixOnline.com, Croft & Barrow Rhonda Ankle Boots $24.99 at Kohl’s, Madeline Tailed Jacket $108.00 at Guess?

The Piece: Classic Black Dress Pants

A simple pair of black pants like this pair literally goes with everything! Pair it up with a sexy lace blouse for a hot date, with a tee and fun printed sweater for weekend shopping trips, or pair it with a nautical stripe top for warm spring days.

Look 2- Marc Jacobs Black Wool Flare Leg Flat Front Pants $149.00 at Bluefly, Lace V-Neck Tank $39.50 at Victoria’s Secret, Graphic V-Neck Cardigan $59.90 at Express, Rhinestone Bow Flats $22.50 at Forever 21, Jetton Flat Sandals $38.49 at Aldo, Striped Zip Front Top $19.50 at Charlotte Russe

What is it with us fashionistas and all things French? We love the culture, the art, the lifestyle, and of course the clothes!  Unfortunately, most of us don’t have the time or money to fly all the way to France to spend a week or more shopping for a brand new wardrobe. Luckily for us, Charlotte Russe recently debuted a hip line of fresh French-inspired clothes and accessories for  S/S 2011. Here it is! Click on images to enlarge.

Ponte Heart Print Tiered Dress $29.50, Tube Denim Front Romper $26, Extreme Flare Jeans $25

Polk-A-Dot Ruffle Top $24.50, Bow Front Tank $22.50, Coral Striped Front Pocket Skirt $26.50

Bodacious Bodycon Dress $29.50, Cowl Neck A-Line Polka-Dot Knit Dress $24.50, Pleated Flare Trousers $34.50

Striped Canvas Tote with Polka-Dot Bows, Canvas Cross Front Slingback Espadrille Wedges $33.50, Pork Chop Pocket Denim Shorts $24.50

I love so many things about this line from the preppy stripes, bold polka-dots, vivid colors, and cool denim.  Check out the entire line at Charlotte Russe while supplies last.

Here is a hot look that almost any fashionista can emulate! Its fresh, youthful, and sophisticated. Blake Lively’s alter ego Serena Van Woodsen plays up her style by pairing a classic blue sheath dress with a boyfriend blazer in white, then pairing off the entire look with a large faux croc bag. Get her look with these three key pieces!

Power Shoulder Pleat Detail Pencil Dress $50.55 at ASOS Aryn K White One-Button Slit Back Blazer $58.99 at Bluefly Dolce & Gabbana Python Doctor Bag $3.875 at Neiman Marcus

image courtesy of PicApp

Now that the days are significantly shorter and colder, we start to long for things that keep us warm both inside and out! We reach for thick cozy sweaters(in cashmere), trendy embellished booties(in rich leather), abundant accessories like leggings or scarves, and so much more! Whats in this season? Plaid, large shopping bags, peep-toe pumps, textured leggings, and layered necklaces. Here is a sneak preview of what Shop In Chic thinks is hot right now!

Michael Kors ‘Ganesvoort’ Large Tote $328 at Nordstrom– Revamp up your entire work wardrobe with a chic black tote bag!

CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion $12.22 at Amazon–When the days get colder, you’ll need a restorative lotion. I love this!

Sonia Kashuk Eye Shadow Quad in For Your Eyes Only $12.99 at Target– Four fabulous eyeshadows in wearable colors.

Velvet Zip Hem Leggings £18 Next

Liking Fashionable Facebook Pages: Keep up with your favorite brands, stores, blogs, and more on Facebook. A few of our favorite pages include CHANEL, Allure magazine, Maybelline New York, Jimmy Choo, and of course Shop In Chic