Designer Spotlight: Loco Lindo

Now that it’s the 21^st century, 50’s styles are back in fashion. Loco Lindo, one of By Hand’s mainstay brands for almost 15 years, is one designer that captures the retro spirit with a modern flair.

A far cry from “vintage” of the faded sort, Loco Lindo’s founder Linda Marrone built the brand on an aesthetic that is “easy western style + California casual chic.”  Designed and sewn in L.A. since 1992, Loco Lindo has a core group of signature styles with ever-changing exclusive prints each season. Their eco-friendly, pre-washed rayon viscose crepes are great for travel and breathe easily when soaking up sun or swing dancing.

For fall, the shaped shirt or mandarin top will look great with a circle skirt you have, and the Enchanted Forest, Birds Nest, or Graphite Saffron fabrics will be a hit at any party. Of course, check out the Petals and Vines, Tippi Birds, Spruce Dots, and Flutter prints while you’re at it! When spring 2013 rolls around, make a mental note to stop in By Hand for camp shirts and teatime tops to greet the new season.

Fall Loco Lindo styles will start arriving in late August! 

Are You Vacation-Ready? Summer Sale Starting July 14!

Independence Day is usually the beginning of summer vacation galore. You look around for breathable fabrics to take to the sweltering Southeast (or, really, any part of the country outside the Bay), a hat that’s SPF 50, and comfy pants that won’t wrinkle as you destination hop. Maybe you come up empty-handed. Maybe you don’t even know what fabrics you should bring, only that your favorite cotton t-shirt has lost so much shape the crew neck is now a revealing number.

If this feels like you (and even if it doesn’t!), stop in By Hand starting Saturday, July 14 to make our Annual Summer Sale work for your vacation needs.

In search of good travel fabrics? Be on the lookout for natural fiber fabrics like linen, rayon, cotton, and sometimes silk – they breathe easier than synthetics and will be a boon in weather that begs for sweet iced tea. Spritz linen with a spray bottle and shake – the wrinkles will fall out easily. Hang rayon fabrics (such as Tencel) in a steamy bathroom as you shower to make your clothes look fresh again. Anything with a bit of spandex or Lycra will be comfortable to wear and will release wrinkles with ease.

Knitted fabrics will be your best friend as you travel. You can always tell a knit with three tests: first, the fabric will look like tiny rows of braids (as if someone actually knit it!); second, the fabric will easily stretch width-wise and a little lengthwise; and third, after balling up a knit fabric, it will spring back to its original shape with few wrinkles. (The only woven fabric that travels well is linen – it breathes like a dream and de-wrinkles with water.)

We have all the above fabrics in an abundance of tops and bottoms, and we’re more than happy to help you meet your travel-wear needs. After you find your perfect rayon pants, linen shirt, and floppy hat, you can buy a reusable EnviroSak for your haul. When you get home, roll up the EnviroSak, button it, and toss it in your suitcase.

Happy vacationing!

Summer Sale: Starts July 14.   Lasts until …

Closed on 4th of July....Spring & Summer Clearance Sale Starting Soon

We will be closed on Wednesday, July 4th

Hope your Independence Day is filled with fun, friends, family, food and fireworks

See you on Saturday July 14th for the beginning of our

Spring & Summer Clearance Sale

25% off spring and summer clothing

(sorry, no price adjustments)