Thrifty is the new Chic

Fendi & Prada just in! Gift Cards: The perfect size and color.

Oh how things evolve.

Chic Envy upgraded from our cute, kitchy paper gift certificates to the plastic kind that fit in your wallet with the total handy for you at a toll free number and a website. As we say in facebook land…..LIKES IT! Check out our Chic Envy facebook and become a fan of ours. We do facebook specials spontaneously and frequently for our fans. Why? Because we like you alot!

What’s almost better than good Italian food is good Italian leather. Especially when that leather is a handbag designed by Fendi or Prada. These two Italian fashion houses, that create handbags and such all over the world, formed early in the last century. With their 100 year birthdays sneaking up on them (as birthdays always do) a designer handbag from Fendi or Prada gives the person holding it a sweet feel of complete chicness. Yes, it is amazing how a handbag can do this. It is magic. Let me tell you, it isn’t everyday I go out in sweats. I heed the written words of Nina Garcia that even on a plane flight, a woman should never wear sweats out in public (sorry Juicy Couture). But on the chance that I do, I look out for Nina! I carry my black Prada handbag, and I feel redeemed. Ladies and Gentleman….adorn yourselves with Fendi and Prada. These just in at Chic Envy:

These pictured are among my favorites. There are so many more fun handbags at Chic Envy. All authentic! Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Coach, Brighton, TODs, and Louis Vuitton are also waiting for new homes. The prices are incredible and the condition on each handbag is superb.

These will make great holiday gifts as well. Remember, gift cards also make super gifts throughout the year, whatever the occasion. May your December be joyous!

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Hermes, the Classy Look or the Rock Chic Look

The fashion house of Hermes (pronounced “Air-Mez”) is duly noted  for the Birkin bag that many chic ladies around the world covet and impatiently wait for on lists.  Also coveted is the Kelly bag, named after Princess Grace Kelly. Speaking of Princesses…Queens, movies starlets, wives of Presidents, CEOs all the way through to city girls wear the Hermes silk scarves with style and grace that create instant chicness to their wardrobes. Wearing a scarf around the neck is predictable until you discover new ways of tying that scarf and then it becomes noticed even more. Search the Internet for ways of wearing scarves and you will find many. See this picture and notice the Hermes scarf worn as a chic halter top. Add a leather jacket around it with jeans and transform it to a Rock Chic style (think Cindy Crawford), add a trench coat and with trousers and kitten heel pumps or flats you have the Classic America look – think Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” or wear this with some wide leg gauzy trousers and transform the scarf halter into a Boho Chic look (think Nicole Richie.)

To create an Hermes scarf halter top:

1. Place wrong side of a shawl facing up. Tie a knot close to top side, in a couple inches.
2. Turn the shawl over and bring it up to you. Tie a tight knot behind your neck with two ends close to top side.
3. Hold the other two ends around your waist and tie a tight knot at your back.
4. Wear a tub top or a low back halter bra. This will protect you just in case that silk tie gets undone. You shouldn’t stick safety pins in your Hermes scarf.

Now, as  for Chic Envy…Chic Envy has a large inventory of Hermes Scarves. They are sold for at least $75 to $100 off the new price. Some go on markdown, where in every 30 days if that item has not sold, it will be reduced in price. Because we are a consignment boutique, we give our consignors the right to choose whether she would like her Hermes scarf to go on markdown. So, as a shopper, you will either get a really good deal or a really, really good deal on an authentic Hermes scarf. (We not sell fakes because it is illegal for one an because we don’t want to for two.)

Here are some pictures of the scarves in our current inventory. Please call for prices 703-268-5228 or come in our boutique located at 11895 Grand Commons Ave., Fairfax, VA 22030. We are in the chic shopping center of Fairfax Corner.  (I recommend Ozzie’s Italian Restaurant, across the street, for lunch or dinner!)

Princess Grace once wore a scarf as a sling. I love that! It cracks me up when I think about it. That has got to be the ultimate sign of true chicness. “I have to wear a sling, therefore it must be an Hermes scarf or nothing!”

Jackie O. “I am going for a walk in Central Park, but not without my Hermes scarf and big sunglasses.”

Queen Elizabeth. “I am going to wear an Hermes scarf in lieu of the crown jewels today.”

Of course, I am translating their actions into my own words.

Princess Grace with an Hermes sling and around her hair.

The Queen of England wearing Hermes

Some other options for Hermes scarves are to frame them, to create pillows out of them, and other idea is to have them sewn into jackets. (No one would really see them that way unless you take your jacket off and casually carry it with the lining facing out. Be sure to do that nonchalantly as not to show the pretentiousness. Part of the fun of fashion is it’s pretentiousness, however. To play that down is a true skill like that of the women pictured above. Tres chic!!

Check out Chic Envy on Facebook. That gets updated more often than the blog. New items come in daily and several are selected for Facebook posting. Also, Chic Envy holds Facebook specials more often than via coupons or mailers. Chic Envy, our consignors and customers make a great team!!

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St. John Caviar, Couture, Yellow Label, Evening and Sport

St. John has some very snazzy designs for today’s chic woman. The timeless St. John knits are so well-known, but did you know that the styles are even more hip and chic today crossing the generation gaps?!  True.  At Chic Envy, you can find gently used and in superb condition current St. John jackets, dresses, blazers, skirts and jewelry for a third of the retail price.  A jacket like this (below) purchased for $950 a year ago is for sale at Chic Envy for $350 now. On Aug 13th the price on this leopard jacket will drop to $297.13….. if it is still here. Don’t forget to join us on Facebook because Chic Envy will have Facebook sales for our fans.

St. John Leopard Jacket Size Small $350

Exquisite beading on this St. John dress coat

Full picture of the St. John dress coat

 This amazing St. John beaded jacket is rich and sophisticated. The lady who wears this will turn heads! I know it is a million degrees outside, but picture an elegant occasion in air condition. Imagine that in a couple months we will actually be chilly again. Imagine you want to wear something at that time and feel like…”Oh yeah… I am so awesome and gorgeous!!” Okay great! Now can you see yourself wearing a jacket?? How about this one? It is a size 6 which means in St. John sizes it will fit a 4 through a 10. If you need some minor alterations, I have a great St. John tailor I can recommend.

St. John jacket with beading and pearl zipper

Full picture of the beaded St. John jacket

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dooney & Bourke plaid purse and Ferragamo shoes

 

 It is okay to match up designers. But we all know that. The new trendy term for that is being a “Mixtress.” The secret to successful shopping is knowing what article of clothing will go with what. I am not ashamed to say that I am a mannequin shopper. I see the outfit on the mannequin and I want the whole ensemble. That works out well when you are in a department store, but what about a consignment store? That article of clothing may not be in your size and chances are that is the only one we have. Here is a tip….when shopping at Chic Envy go to the rounders and racks and look not only in your size, but the size below and above. Many sizes vary with designers. If you see something you like, hold on to it. As you work from rounder to rounder, you can match (let’s say) your top with a jacket, a pair of pants, a skirt, and some shoes. And if one of our helpful sales associates comes to you and says, “Would you like me to put that in a fitting room? “You can say something like, “Thank you sunshine, but I am trying to match this with other things.” Please, by all means, if you need assistance, let us know. Every guy and girl that works in our store has a good idea of what we have in stock. All of our items are on the sales floor. We hold nothing in the back except for expired items going home to their mommies or items we are waiting for pricing that just came in. You can be assured that nothing is hiding from you. We want to sell, sell, sell, make YOU happy and keep our consignors happy.  If everyone is happy, we are too. And the world goes round and round.

Thank you for reading! Please come shop with us at Chic Envy!

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NEW Chanel and Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Prada at Chic Envy! Style watch…Gregory Parkinson

What happens when you go away for a week? You come back to find so many gorgeous new items at Chic Envy. Seriously….I have a shopping bag full of new finds. One from a funky designer (Jon), one from a hot LA-NYC designer (Gregory Parkinson), a Lilly Pulitzer dress that I know I will wear a hundred times, a pair of Manolo Blahniks that I had to have because they’ve been calling my name and those precious little things waited for mommy to come home to buy them! Okay, there are a few more things in my bag. I certainly didn’t buy everything. Come in to find CHANEL, LOUIS VUITTON, fun new designer clothes from all over the world, and a bracelet from David Yurman that I want badly but I just spent my paycheck. There is a great, leopard Henri Bendel scarf that is new and awesome.

Chanel belt/necklace w/ Coco charm

Dior

Chanel vest

At Chic Envy, new items come in daily. Since we are in such a multi cultural community, items come in from all over the world. Our selection gives us our chic flare and shopping here is nothing less than fun.  Chic Envy is a fabulous, kitshy, clean, and fun boutique filled with consignments that make the chic and wisest shoppers thrilled with their savings. There is a brand new champagne colored, quitled Chanel for $2900 with the cards and box! Go to Chanel and buy one for at least $800 more. That is a great savings. I would take that $800 and get a couple pair of barely used Manolo Blahniks that retail for over $600 a piece but are at Chic Envy for $295. That increases the savings.

Lux Bohemian chic designer, Gregory Parkinson, designs his clothing with such gorgeous silk twill and tie dyed pieces. The few items of his that are at Chic Envy have received such great accolades. The lady who buys these items will surely set herself apart from the status quo.

Tunic by Gregory Parkinson

 

Sheer black and leather top by Vivienne Tam

Vivienne Tam skirt

Gary Graham trench (NY Boutique)

Note that the trench above is not buttoned all the way, but it does have all of its buttons. There is also a belt with the trench. Oh So Chic!

Lilly Pulitzer has its own section

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Upscale Consignment Shopping at it’s Best!

Tiffany at Chic Envy

Thanks to those of you who voted for Chic Envy as Northern Virginia’s Best Consignment store as polled by Northern Virginia Magazine. To hear that Chic Envy won is a huge honor for us. Of course, we pass our thanks on to our consignors and shoppers. YOU are the best and we are grateful to be in business with you. Chic Envy will soon get our banner and I will post that on the blog and facebook and put it on our door next to our banner from Google. (We were in the top 1% of businesses googled last year!)  SHOP with us at Chic Envy. We have great brands from “J. Crew up to Chanel and Louis Vuitton!” There are a lot of great brands in between that spectrum. Here are some pictures of what you will see at Chic Envy. But remember, we bring in new consignments each day and because of the variation, if you see something you like…..get it! Note that our prices drop every thirty days on most of the inventory. Enjoy the thrill of the hunt for chic items at incredible prices.

Lilly Pulitzer for women and little ladies

  

Chic Envy's unique shoe console and wall of dresses

Sophisticated Business wear and Rock Chic jackets

Chic Envy's Manolo Blahnik stock

 

Chic Envy Louis Vuitton sneakers

 

Designer Wallets at Chic Envy

Chic Envy's Jimmy Choo clutch

Chic Envy: My Flat in London handbags

Chic Envy's current trendy handbags

Chic Envy Versace

Leopard is the new Black

  It truly is incredible! The selection of the designer handbags at Chic Envy are authentic and priced at 1/5 to  1/3 of the original price or less! Pictured on the purse shelf are Burberry, Versace, Christian Dior, Gucci, Michael Kors, and Cole Haan. This is a picture of only two of the eight Chic Envy purse shelves. Look on the top shelf.  Do you see the bottom of a cream leather handbag? That is a special edition Coach and it is so soft and chic…you will feel like a movie star when it is around your shoulder! 

Chic Envy Handbags

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Bon Chic Bon Genre, BCBGMaxAzria throughout Chic Envy

There are many favorite top designers, but recently we see stylish shoppers wearing BCBGMaxazria and diffusions of that brand, BCBGirls and BCBGeneration. The prices of BCBGMaxazria designer clothing are high. I’ve said this before, you are paying for top quality and insane research that went  into the trend and fabric of that outfit. A BCBG dress that cost $450 can be found at Chic Envy for prices between $60 and $175, some even have the tags on them still. You can get top quality clothing from the tippiest-top designers for so much less at upscale consignment boutiques.

Bon Chic Bon Genre is the slogan that Max Azria came up with to define his brand. Translation? Good Style Good Attitude.

Let’s face it. When we get dressed up for a formal event, we act differently. All of the sudden our postures are better and our chins are up a little higher. Put on a rockin’ leather jacket and jeans with some boots and we are rock stars. Don a Lilly Pulitzer dress and we are simply precious. If I may offer my translation of Max Azria’s line it is the same thing…..the good style that you wear will give you a good attitude. Let’s face it, we all know how we feel in sweats and old sneakers! NOT bon chic at all.

At Chic Envy, there are so many things for sale that are super chic and so affordable. Why pay full price for clothes? People try on clothes at retail stores, so in a sense….they are pre-worn. I hope I didn’t burst any bubbles here, but who asks a sales girl to go in the back and get an outfit that no one else has tried on? And since I am on the subject, karma washes out at the dry cleaners and in your washing machine. We buy pre-owned homes, don’t we? Obviously, I am addressing those who are afraid on taking on karma form pre-owned clothing. Maybe I can turn you around here. Saving money is always good, recycling makes sense, and the thrill of the hunt can be very satisfying. Hunt at Chic Envy for Bon Chic and get some awesome Bon Genre.

Max Azria

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Meeting up with the famous! A lot of Lilly Pulitzer, BCBGMax, Anthropologie, St. John

Taylor Momsen with her Chic Envy Dior bracelet and shopping bag. Taylor Momsen Little Black Dress

Taylor Momsen met up with Chic Envy’s very own Joseph and Leani. The Gossip Girl sports her Chic Envy Christian Dior Zebra bangel bracelet and her shopping bag with her new Rock Chic look. (Yes, she really is a sweetie.)

Meeting Snooki was something else. Joseph works Chic Envy PR and voila! Snooki has a Versace t-shirt from Chic Envy!

Snooki

This Sunday, March 27th from 1-4, visit the Ritz Carlton in Tysons. There is a major fundraiser for the Boys & Girls Club of America. I will get to meet one of my most favorite business icons and that is George Ross from The Apprentice. I have seen every episode since day 1. Yes, I saw Bill Ransic win. George is at Donald Trump’s side as his mentor. George’s wisdom and advice that he has given just makes me go “WOW.” I’m a big fan of smart and savvy business! I had the pleasure of meeting George’s lovely daughter and son-in-law at Chic Envy and they invited me up to meet Mr. Ross. This event is open to the public!! There is a $5 cover charge for the fundraiser event. This will be so exciting for me!!! (I promise I won’t get all starstruck and geeky!)

When I was in college, my dream was to be a big NY businesswoman. Rock the City! Of course my path had changed after I graduated. Being a business owner now gives me that “dream come true” feeling and it didn’t have to be in NYC after all. Life is full of learning and I am open to it. I am looking forward to meeting George Ross, having him sign my copy of his book…..and okay…get a little geeky!

Here is a picture of Mr. Ross and Carolyn Kepcher who were in the first sessions of The Apprentice. When I first saw Carolyn Kepcher, I was at a fundraiser event at the Blythedale Children’s Hospital in Valhalla, NY with my dearest friend Maggie. Carolyn liked my outfit that I was wearing. (It was a black chenile turtleneck with a gray plaid  kilt and boots…..conservative with a little “Oops I did it again.”) I can’t tell you how that made me smile. It is always fun when someone likes what you are wearing. (Or maybe she hated it, but at least I was noticed!)

Carolyn Kepcher & George Ross

Springtime and Summertime dresses coming in Chic Envy! You will see our big transition starting NOW! The color of Lilly Pulitzer, the sexiness of BCBG, the very sultry and sweet style of Anthropologie (like the dress Carolyn is wearing in the pic above,) and the sophistication of St. John without the big expensive price tag!

Chic Envy’s first Last Monday Last Call is coming up this Monday the 28th. The rest of the furs and shearlings are going back to their Mommies and we are bringing out 3 racks of items that have recently retired. Each piece is at the bottom price and each piece is another 20% off….yes that is correct! This will happy each month on the Last Monday! First come, first served!

Chic Envy is located at 11895 Grand Commons Ave., Fairfax, VA 22030 in the Fairfax Corner shopping plaza. We give consignment appointments on the 25th of each month. (See the last post for why we do it that way….smiley face insert!) Shop for amazing items and crazy great prices!

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Rock & Republic, True Religion, Citizens of Humanity, Paige jeans, jeans and more jeans.

Jeans are amazing. To me, they are the most comfortable, stylish pants. They have come a long way since the mid 1800s. Now, we see them everywhere from the fanciest of restaurants to the chicest of fashion shows, on super models and movie stars, teens as well as moms, and professionals.  In my opinion,  jeans are so American… right up there with apple pie and baseball. When I lived in Europe in the early 90s, neighboring countries wanted true blue USA jeans in exchange for lacquer boxes, stacking dolls, and crystal. That was a fun trade. Today, even designer jeans are everywhere thanks to a global economy. But what on earth happened to those prices?? Ouch! We can spend $200 on a pair of jeans and that is normal? What?

Oh how I LOVE the jean rack at Chic Envy Consignment. Some jeans are new from  local boutiques that need to change inventory frequently. Some are pre-owned, current styles, clean, and sold for sometimes $40-$60 at Chic Envy. You will consistantly find the top brands at Chic Envy;  Paige, Joe’s Jeans, Tory Burch, Citizens of Humanity, and my two favs…Rock & Republic and True Religon, are amoung some of those top brands. Cry because you will get such a crazy great deal!

Here are some pictures of Nicole Richie in Paige jeans. (May I get off tangent here and say that… I loved watching Lionel Richie discover part of his family tree in the TV show “Who Do You Think You Are”, but I was waiting for Nicole to pop out and say hi because I am such a celebrity stalker, because I want to see what they are wearing, and, because I get so excited and type run-on sentences!!)

Here is Rachel Bilson also in Paige jeans…

Zoe Saldana (Avatar):

Zoe Saldana in J Brand

Be Yourself! But it is always fun to see how others are wearing outfits. Look at Gwen Stefani in a pair of dark denim tucked in rainboots. With the rainy season upon us…April Showers…get a fun pair of wellies and tuck in those jeans. How to keep those jeans in? Well, look at this picture for a fun idea…big socks with jeans tucked in will keep them from riding up. Gwen is my favorite celebrity and I always talk about her, I know. I just love that she loves her own style and is like…”So there! I am going to wear it my way with bright red lipstick and rock it!”

Jeans in wellies

What is happening at Chic Envy? We located to a new spot in Fairfax Corner back in November. Find us across from Ozzie’s Italian Restaurant. Now: Winter Coats are on clearance! Many are at the final price plus a 20% discount! Yes, the leathers and furs are included in that sale. You may be saying, “I am so done with winter.” You are not alone. As you know, you grab the best bargains off season. Imagine the great coats you can get now and save them for 6 months. You will thank yourself. May I add that leather coats are so cool and all season?! I just had to add it.

Just a reminder about consignment appointments and a further explanation of why we do it our special way…

Each month, our books open on the 25th for appointments during the next month. You can call us (703-268-5228) or come in to make an appointment on this day. Throughout the month, if we have cancelations, we work with a waiting list to fill those spots. Truly, the amount of consignors can out-number the amount shoppers if we didn’t limit appointments. At Chic Envy, we don’t think it is fair to give someone an appointment two months out, so we don’t. I know that other shops have open appointments and drop offs, but we work personally with each of our consignors. We also don’t charge you a fee. At the appointment, we review each item and set prices on the spot. Later that day, the items are tagged and out for sale. We do not have storage for items in the back. That wouldn’t be fair for a consignor to bring in an item and then it sits in the back until we have room to display it. The only items we have in the back are expired. We keep an item for 90 days max and want to give the consignor 100% of that time for a chance to sell each of her items.

We wish to stay organized and balanced in all fairness to our customers and consignors. Don’t give up so fast! On the 25th, if you cannot get through the phone line (we have one!) feel free to come in that day to make your appointment. Tell your friends about Chic Envy. More shoppers mean more consignment appointments. See our web site www.ChicEnvy.com and click on “contract” for the specifics.

Stay tuned for our Last Monday Last Call sale each month when those expired items go on sale before they go back to their mommies. Facebook fans get the word first……become a fan today!

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On the News, Best of NoVa, Lilly Pulitzer

It is always fun to be on the news!! Here is the link for the Chic Envy channel 9 clip  http://search.wusa9.com/default.aspx?ct=r&q=chic%20envy I hope that link works for you. If not, you can go to wusa9.com and search for Chic Envy. We are a new business so all the features we get are very exciting to us.

When you have a chance, The Northern Virginia Magazine has opened the polls for the Best of NoVa. Visit their web site http://www.northernvirginiamag.com and log in. Click on Vote for the Best of NoVa and select your favorite places and things to do in the Northern Virginia area. Chic Envy is hoping to win in the Best Consignment Store category. (Okay, really that means Rhianna and I hope to win. Our great team also hopes to win. My Mom & Dad hope I win. You get the picture.) That would be soooo cool. It is a fun ballot to fill out. Just thinking about your favorite places will make you want to go shopping and go out to eat! Have fun.

Coats on Sale

SALE TIME: At Chic Envy, the Sweaters, Coats and Boots are 15% off for the month of February. Come in for the best selection now and a chance to wear your items before the Spring. The sale includes the furs, faux furs and great leather jackets! And, I’m sorry, but hello…..you can sooo wear a leather jacket any time of the year, missy!

LOOK at the dates on the Chic Envy price tags as our prices go down every 30 days while an item remains at the store. Take the 15% off of the already marked down prices and you will be getting some PRETTY AWESOME DEALS. Children’s coats and boots are included in this 15% off sale!

A bit about Lilly Pulitzer…

Fun and Chic in Lilly Pulitzer

Lilly Pulitzer wear is always at Chic Envy. Right now, there is an amazing wool pea coat with a pink plaid interior on the coat rack and a matching pink plaid skirt on the skirt rack.

“Is this Black or Navy?” That is the biggest question in the store. When it is my wardrobe and I ask myself if it is black or navy….I end up saying, “Who Cares?” Really, black and navy both match with every other color. If I have to look that hard, so does everyone else. The excellent Lilly Pulitzer pea coat at Chic Envy is a size 4 and it is NAVY. ( I mean Dark Blue…..GO ARMY!)  The fun, bright colors and patterns indicative of Lilly Pulitzer are making their way into Chic Envy’s Spring line already.

Elisabeth Hasselbeck in Lilly Pulitzer

There are several things Christina Crawford (that’s me) has in common with Lilly Pulitzer. We each have two sisters, our birthdays are 2 days apart (and 33 years), and we both went to college in New York. We love color and cotton. We each have three children.  And, we were both digging the preppy look in the 80′s. Isn’t it fun what you can find out from Wikipedia? If nothing else, this time, I’ve bonded with the famous Lilly Pulitzer. I love that her clothing is so popular in Fairfax County. Her style brings a bit of Palm Beach up to Virginia….and we wear it well. Come in continually throughout the Springtime and Summertime to discover what fun “Lilly” items we have in stock.

Thanks for reading the blog today. Enjoy a blessed day!

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Rock ‘n Roll Chic: Versace, Alexander McQueen, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior

Isn’t it fun to dress Rock Chic? Don’t you feel sassy and like you are ready to have everyone look at you and be just a little intimidated? Please say yes! Okay, maybe you have a “friend” that feels that way. Nothing beats a great pair of jeans, some rockin’ boots, a leather jacket with a chic satiny shirt underneath…and hey…a few frillies can still be Rock Chic. At Chic Envy, we have a “watch-out-for-me” pair of worn-once Alexander McQueen boots with silver toes and a button up side reminiscent of the 20′s Suffragettes. (The sassy ladies of their time!) (Thank goodness for them!) Boots are selling fast…’tis the season for boots! Vince Camuto, UGG, J. Crew, Fendi, Diego di Lucca, Lucky, Cole Haan, Stuart Weitzman, Frye…are some of the designers. Check out the ankle boots too. They are fun to wear with opaque stockings (does anyone call these leotards?), leggings, jeggings, or skinny jeans.

Alexander McQueen boots 7 $750 (retails for $1215.00)

Should you choose to carry a white Fendi purse or a black, quilted Channel long strap purse….you can rock the look. Very classy! Here are some more handbags currently at Chic Envy. Please call us if you see a handbag that you like for more information. 703-268-5228. You can put it on hold or order it over the phone. We will ship it to you free. However, all sales are final. You can feel good that each are authentic!

Jimmy Choo

Louis Vuitton, LTD Edition

Versace Trio

Large Versace handbag

Christian Dior

Christian Dior Lady Dior

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