This was an outfit I threw on to go visit my aunt for my monthly massage. I slept over and met up with Lydia at Clinton Crossing the next day for our Fall Fashion Preview. Luckily she decided she wanted to do two sets of outfit pictures otherwise this never would have made it on the blog and I actually REALLY like it.

Camisole: eight sixty, Jeans: IRO c/o Wikibuy, Velvet Floral Embroidered Mules: Zigi Soho (T.J. Maxx), Amethyst Necklace: BubuRuby (etsy), Aviator Sunglasses: Gucci, Eyeglasses chain: Tinksky (Amazon), Bag: Chloé Faye (eBay)

A few weeks ago I was invited to check out a super cool and unique shopping site, HauteTrader. To put it simply, HauteTrader is a way to trade your gently worn designer clothes with other women and also earn points that you can use to purchase pieces. Currently, if you add three items within 24 hours, you'll receive 100 Haute-Points to start you off!

I've found myself checking the site a few times a day to see if there are any new pieces I want to trade for. If you don't want to go through the hassle of selling pieces and making sure you get what they're worth, why not trade for an item(s) of equal value!? The site is so easy and painless to use - read on below my outfit for a breakdown of the process.

Here's an outfit featuring the first piece I acquired through the site, a Diane von Furstenberg dress! It's such a unique piece and I remember liking it when I saw it in passing online when it was readily available. The mix of prints is super fun, I always love a bit of zebra. About a week later someone sent me a trade offer for my ruched Burberry dress and I accepted! You'll see that piece on the blog soon, it's a Missoni dress!

What do you think? Is HauteTrader a site you would use as an alternative to consignment stores and/or eBay? I will definitely be using it in the future when I have designer pieces I no longer love.  Also, just for reading this post, use code TradeWMegan for a free trade!

Dress: Diane von Furstenberg 'Fanny' (HauteTrader), Suede Prism Pumps: Nicholas Kirkwood (NET-A-PORTER)


Let's walk through the process, shall we?! First, you'll need to add to your closet. It's super easy to do. Just take photos of your piece, name it, write a description, and fill in other necessary information (size, condition, etc.) Your items will then go through the approval process. Once they are accepted you can begin making trade offers.

Every accepted label has a Tier value of (1-4). The Tier number shows you the trade value and Haute-Point value of your listing. Tier 1 is 100 Haute-Points while Tier 4 is 400. When you trade a Tier 2 item, you'll receive 200 Haute-Points in addition to the item(s) you traded for!

(I cut out the photos section of this screenshot to save space)

Completed Listing

I chose to add a few pieces that I rarely wear but was holding on to for no other reason than the fact that I spent a good amount of money on them and didn't want to sell them for less than what I paid. What's great about HauteTrader is that you are able to accept or decline any offers for your piece. It made me feel a lot better about parting with pieces when I knew I would get an equally great item, that I would wear more often, in exchange for my unloved pieces.

My Closet as of September 8th

Making offers is very simple! All you have to do is find an item you like, click "Make a Trade-Offer" and then choose up to three options for a trade. You can offer multiple items as part of your trade. The tradee can then choose which option she prefers or deny your trade. Fortunately for me, my first trade request went through without a hitch and was accepted within the 24 hour time limit!

The only thing I think is missing from this site is the ability to private message users. You'll have to write a comment on their profile or the specific item if you need to chat about something.

Once your offer is accepted you'll receive an email letting you know and asking you to pay the trade fee. HauteTrader charges $25 for Standard items and $50 for Premium items which includes signature confirmation shipping and handling. Just for reading this post, use code TradeWMegan for a free trade!

After both you and the person you've traded with have made your payments HauteTrader will send you a pre-paid shipping label so you can send your item to your new friend!

This past Sunday Lydia and I attended a Fall Fashion Preview at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets. This event was a bit different from the past, we did a scavenger hunt for the latest trends, which Clinton Crossing has laid out in their Fall Trend Cheat Sheet which will be available at the outlet for free! Read on after my outfit to see what trends we found!

When you shop at Simon Premium Outlets, be sure to sign up for the Simon Savings Passport. You'll get access to coupons through the web, your phone OR their app! I didn't buy anything since we were mostly browsing for the trends BUT I will definitely be back to spend the $50 gift card Simon Premium Outlets graciously gifted us! (And I have $10 left on another gift card.)

Here's what I wore while we shopped til we dropped! (Confession: I changed into sandals after a while) I decided to bring my Proenza Schouler shorts into Fall by wearing them with a sweater. Next time I'll try them with black tights so I can wear them when it's even cooler!

Cashmere Double V-Neck Sweater: Calypso St. Barth (Gilt Groupe), Tweed Colorblock Shorts: Proenza Schouler (Roundabout), Suede Mules: BCBGeneration 'Beverly' (Saks Off Fifth at Clinton Crossing), Bag: Chloé Faye (eBay)

And on to the scavenger hunt! We were looking for trends for men and women as we shopped through the outlets and were pretty successful with everything on our list! The stores are only beginning to get in Fall items so I'm sure in the coming weeks there will be TONS of options for your Fall wardrobe update.

(Photo by Clinton Crossing)

Timberland was having a try on event for their new Tiltson boot. I tried the burgundy and Lydia went for the black suede! Left photo by Clinton Crossing right by Lydia

Each of the boots also had a matching hobo bag!

A major Fall trend is velvet booties, this pair from American Eagle was super cute (Photo by Clinton Crossing)

Another shot of the American Eagle velvet booties

Banana Republic has working girls covered with cute printed pencil skirts and fitted blazers.

We can't forget the guys. I'm pondering these sporty suits (Photo by Clinton Crossing)

Leave it to me to find the one non-printed piece at Vera Bradley. Fell in love with this bright pink backpack!

Vera Bradley also had some really cute animal print/textured bags

If I had a Fall wedding to attend I would go full on sequin with this mini dress by Parker, found at Saks Off 5th! I wanted this Sandro dress, but it was a little too expensive to justify since I don't go to many evening events.

We ended our day with brunch at Chow Food & Beverage Co.  Lydia and I shared their AMAZINGGGG BBQ Meatballs. They’re smoked pork and beef meatballs wrapped in bacon with a pineapple chipotle glaze topped with picked red onions. I had the Chicken & Waffles and Lydia chose pulled pork tacos.

I'm assuming that I wore this outfit with a coat and not just this sweater since this look is from January. But it works perfectly for these early Fall days with no extra layers. Only 2 original pieces in this look today, but I do still have the flats. I'm wearing two new pieces. I changed into velvet mules I bought on the way home and my new Everlane jeans that were delivered!

Sweater: American Eagle, Tee: Everlane, Jeans: Everlane "The High-Rise Skinny Jean" in Mid-Blue, Velvet Floral Embroidered Mules: Zigi Soho (T.J. Maxx), Bag: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Net-a-Porter)



The Original:

I decided to go blue on blue on blue with a hint of purple and leopard print for a lunch and shopping date with friends. You can never have too much monochrome, right?

Tee: Everlane, Corduroys: Abercrombie, Leopard Loafers c/o Joie 'Dylan', Necklace: House of Harlow 1960 'Station' c/o South Moon Under, Sunglasses: Gucci, Eyeglasses chain: Tinksky (Amazon), Bag: Chloé Faye (eBay)