Archive for Trends
August 15, 2008 at 3:55 pm · Filed under Trends
Few things make us giddy for Fall quite like the arrival of a new collection of boots to pine over. This year is no exception, with suede styles showing to be a definitive trend that transcends looks from Bohemian to city-chic. These boots will keep your toes toasty warm as the weather cools, and we chose styles with either a flat or wedge heel so they will last you the whole day through…. dare we say it, these boots were made for walking!
The over-the-knee flat boot, one of the most coveted boots from last season thanks to appearances on Gossip Girl and star Blake Lively, is making a return this fall. The near-flat heel and extended shaft on the Chinese Laundry Turbo Boots in Suede Chocolate ($129, top left) and Chinese Laundry Tahoe Boots in Suede Black ($99, bottom left) makes them oh-so practical, and at around $100 - enter code CL10P for an extra 10% off everything at ChineseLaundry.com - we plan on grabbing multiple pairs!
For a toned-down alternative to over-the-knee that’s still high on style, try the J Crew Long Glenbrae Suede Flat Boots in Root ($298, top right). The exposed zipper and steel-gray hue strike the perfect cord with the soft, suede finish. Try these paired with skinny jeans and a long striped scarf or a flirty dress and tights for a look that takes you seamlessly from day to night. Toned-gam gals rejoice: these also available in extended calf!
If having a bit of heel is a must, we love the Nine West Yoursocute Boots in Cognac ($169, bottom right) for a bit of a boost that won’t compromise comfort. Try these with a voluminous top or sleek wrap dress and hobo bag for a super-chic look.
January 8, 2008 at 11:15 pm · Filed under Celebrity Style, Trends
Pyramid studs are no longer reserved for punk rock devotees and your precious Fido. Sarah Jessica Parker (inset), Diane Kruger, and Sienna Miller have all been spotted sporting pyramid studs on everything from shoes to handbags, also a key trend in Burberry Prorsum’s Fall line. Pairing a studded accessory with a feminine ensemble amps up your look with an unexpected rocker edge, and provides a unique twist on a traditionally super-tough staple. And don’t think you have to blow next month’s rent on the Burberry Nella Studded Satchel (top left, $2,995, Neimanmarcus.com). A great way to steal the look is with a studded belt, a la SJP. The key is to opt for one that sits at the waist, and don it with a dress that’s fitted at the middle or with draped jersey top. Try the Mossimo Pyramid Studs Belt (bottom left, $19.99, Target.com) for a bold version, or the Miss Tina Pyramid Studded Belt (bottom right, on sale for $14.99, hsn.com) for a milder, one-row option. The studded belt got you shaking in your boots? Then look for the trend on a piece of jewelry like grommeted earrings - the gold vermeil finish on Jessica Elliot’s Spiked Hoops make them a bit dressier (top right, $115, Jessicaelliot.com) - or a pyramid bracelet, like the Pyramid Stud Cuff by Made Her Think (middle right, on sale for $112, shopmht.com) or Girlprops’ simple Stud Bangle (center, $3.99, Girlprops.com). This jewelry can be paired with almost any outfit to give an element of edge, and is versatile enough to go from day to night. The trend is best paired with brights or white - avoid an overdose of black - and a feminine silhouette. As always, the key is to wear your look with confidence… a bit of that punk attitude won’t hurt either. Rock on!
January 5, 2008 at 8:58 pm · Filed under Celebrity Style, Trends
Now that the Holidays have come and gone it’s time to work off those extra calories - hello treadmill, goodbye Aunt Mary’s sugar cookies - while dreaming of all the fabulous styles we’ll be modelling as the weather warms. And what better way to greet the Spring than to go for the glow in a freshly tailored satin trenchcoat. The sleek topcoat will add instant glam to any outfit while still providing some warmth on a crisp eve. The trend looks classicly chic and oh-so Audrey Hepburn paired with ankle-length cigarette pants, or don it over a cocktail-length dress and tights for an evening out on the town. When working with a shiny fabric like satin, finding a piece that fits properly is imperative to pulling off the look. That means check that sleeves are the proper length (and take it to a seamstress if they’re not), ensure there’s no pulling at the shoulders, and make sure to go for one with a belted waist to give the coat a feminine, hourglass shape - and don’t hesitate to swap in a belt from your own closet if you’re not thrilled with the one it came with. For an ultra-sleek (and work appropriate) look stick with basic black, like Marciano’s Chantelle Trench (top left, $328, Marciano.com) or the Black Satin Trench Coat at Tabloidstyle.com (bottom left, $74). To really make a statement, go with a bold color like red (a la Katie Holmes), bright blue - try the Burberry London Double Breasted Mikado Trench Coat (bottom middle, $1,495, Nordstrom.com), or magenta, like the DKNY Belted Metallic Satin Trench Coat (top right, $168, Nordstrom.com). To turn on the glitz for an evening out, look for the trench in a metallic like nickel, gold or bronze - we love the MICHAEL Michael Kors Satin Trench Coat ($199, Nordstrom.com) and Banana Republic’s Satin Metallic Trenchcoat (bottom right, on sale for $99.99, Bananarepublic.com). The black and bold color trenches can be worn from day to night, but reserve the metallic versions for evening to avoid looking garish. Burberry may be the gold standard in style when in comes to trenchcoats - and for good reason! - but don’t think you have to spend a fortune to capture this trend. Many affordable collections have an interpretation of this look for under $200. And if you’re really strapped for cash, Mossimo for Target has a version of the satin trench in black, maroon, navy, and ivory for only $39.99, just be prepared to sacrifice a bit in fit and quality. Have fun with this look (think big earrings and flirty heels), and you’ll be ready to greet the Spring showers while looking hot.
December 30, 2007 at 11:04 pm · Filed under Celebrity Style, Trends
Escher-inspired geometric print dresses have been popping up all over the red carpet on the likes of Gwen Stefani (inset), Blake Lively, and Mischa Barton. The contrast of a structured print on a feminine shape gives your look an avant-garde edge while still being wearable. A-line shifts in the print - we love the Karta Stripe Shift Dress (bottom left, on sale for $141, Revolveclothing.com - use code “JT” for 15% off) and the Mango Crazy Dress (bottom center, on sale for $33.99, Mangoshop.com) - look great over tights and boots for day, or with heels and oversized earrings for a night out. Printed wrap dresses flatter a curvy figure (try the Diane von Furstenburg Tiger Cashmere Wrap Dress, bottom right, $565, Standardstyle.com - use code “TOUTIE3″ for 25% off), and opting for a smaller print - like the Banana Republic Silk/Cotton Print Faux Wrap Dress (top center, $128, Bananarepublic.com) - will further the slimming effect. To really make a statement, go for a print in a bold color like cobalt blue (we love the Diane von Furstenburg Aretha Dress, top right, $326, Shopbop.com) or deep red (try the Karta 3/4 Sleeve Shift Dress in Grid Print, top left, $306, Shopbop.com). While it may be tempting to match your shoes and bag to the hue of your dress, we recommend going for accessories in a neutral or metallic palette to avoid looking costumey. The most important thing to remember when sporting a bold look like this? Wear it with confidence, and
December 28, 2007 at 9:06 pm · Filed under Celebrity Style, Trends
Embellished scarves have become a must-have accessory for this Winter season, gracing the necks of established style stars like Sarah Jessica Parker, to the ranks of the Hollywood nouveau-chic, including Jessica Alba, Ashley Olsen, and Lindsay Lohan. Neckwear is no longer a necessary evil linked to frigid breezes and the loss of our summer tans, and has been reinvented as a whimsical final touch for almost any ensemble. For day, try a geometric knit pattern, we love the Missoni-esque chevron motif of the Look Sharp Scarf (bottom left) at a fraction of the cost of the real thing (Anthropologie.com, on sale for $40.60). Looking for the perfect jeans-and-tee topper? Try one with an intricate ethnic print or edgy skull print - we love the Sir Alistair Rai Long Warp Scarf (top left) and Skull Scarf (top right), $95 and $90 (Shopintuition.com for both). To play up your evening look, try a scarf with intricate folds or pleats, we love the cascading origami-inspired folds of the Tidal Waves Scarf (bottom right) at Anthropologie.com (on sale for $68.60). With these delicious scarves, a decidedly-functional accessory can be a style statement, too. And now is the best time to shop and hit all those post-Christmas sales!
December 23, 2007 at 5:52 pm · Filed under Trends
We all know that throwing on a pair of glasses ups other’s perception of your intelligence, but with these cute Geek-Chic frames you can boost your style IQ, too. Thick plastic frames are no longer reserved for the chess club, and have been popping up everywhere on the most stylish of faces (Ashley Olsen, Cate Blanchett, and Heidi Klum). Buddy Holly-esque eyewear can lend to the boho-chic trend (a la Ashley), or go with a sleeker version to add an air of sophistication as you channel a be-spectacled femme fatale (try pairing with your favorite LBD and an upswept chignon). The key to nailing this trend is to avoid going overboard, if you’re going for a pair with a funky twist then keep the shape basic, or try a more retro shape in basic black. Our favorites are (clockwise, from top left) Ray-Ban 5069 Frames in Black ($159.95, Lenscrafters.com), Betsey’s Readers ($14, Urbanoutfitters.com), Dolce & Gabbana 3004 Frames in Black ($300, Lenscrafters.com), Chanel 3119H Frames in Black/Linen ($300, Contactsandspecs.com), Burberry 2007 Frames in Black ($210, Lenscrafters.com), and Chanel 3107B Frames in Black ($325, Contactsandspecs.com). These frames are available across the price spectrum - you can even try browsing your local Salvation Army or consignment boutique for a vintage pair - and if you have a valid Rx then your insurance should cover a portion of it, even if they’re just reading glasses. Finally, the perfect excuse to take a break from your contacts!
December 18, 2007 at 11:20 pm · Filed under Celebrity Style, Trends
Leopard print accents are a chic way to add interest to a monotone outfit, and can be worn for day or evening when done right. Leopard print scarves have graced the shoulders of Sarah Jessica Parker (here on December 13 in Louis Vuitton) Kate Moss, Sienna Miller, and Ashley Olsen (try Fendi’s version, $219 at Forzieri.com). You can create a similar effect by pairing a leopard print airy blouse (we like the Sweet Pea Leopard Mesh Tie Short Sleeve Top, on sale for $49.50 at Bluefly.com, and Charlotte Tarantola’s Leopard Print Silk Camisole, on sale for $38.90 at Nordstrom.com) with a curve-hugging pencil skirt or black skinny jeans (our favorite our Siwy Jeans Rose Drainpipe in Jet, available at Revolveclothing.com for $198 - use coupon code “JT” for 15% off your purchase). For a toned-down version of the trend, try a an animal print enamel bangle, like the 1 1/2″ Ocelot Bangle by Coach ($148, also available in 3/4″ for $98). When wearing the trend on an article or clothing, remember to keep the pattern small and avoid colorful washes of the print. Although SJP tops off her look with a splash of color from her Christian Louboutin heels, we suggest keeping the rest of your look neutral (think grays, tans, and of course black).
December 14, 2007 at 10:34 pm · Filed under Trends
Forget Winter White, brights are a great way to liven up this season’s wardrobe. To really make a statement, go with a jewel toned dress or top, and make sure to choose a fabric with some sheen to avoid looking like a 4th grader. We love Banana Republic’s Silk Asymmetric Dress ($148) - it comes in a fun turquoise color, too - and Alexander Wang’s Pebbled Silk Tank ($202, Shopbop.com). Finish off your ensemble with this season’s neutrals, or for the more daring go for some metallic accents (think gold linen flats, or a silver woven wrap). To capture a toned-down version of the trend, try adding a few colorful enamel accessories to your look, or some bright flats with an interesting texture. Our favorites are the Coach Large Hoop Earrings ($128, Coach.com) and J Crew’s Croc Ballet Flats ($495, JCrew.com), and the Bright Diver Watch from Urban Outfitters in day-glo yellow is a bargain at only $38! And it’s okay to mix different shades, just remember to keep it in the same color family (think emerad green with cobalt blue, or ruby red with deep pink) to avoid looking like Rainbow Brite.
December 11, 2007 at 9:28 pm · Filed under Trends
After a summer of skinny jeans (can we breathe please?) the wide leg denim trouser is such a welcome trend. To elongate the leg line go with a pair that’s not super low-cut, but steer clear of the overly high-rise styles to avoid looking too retro. They look best paired with a top with a bit of volume or draping that still defines the waist. We love them with ruffled blouses or heavy-knit sweaters with a patent or metallic belt around the waist. An added bonus of the wider cut? You can easily toss on a pair of tights for added warmth without risking looking bulky.
December 10, 2007 at 11:12 pm · Filed under Trends
This sequined dress look is the perfect way to add some sparkle and beat the winter blues. The trend looks great paired with black opaque tights and some attention grabbing heels (try black patent Mary Janes or metallic pumps), or for those lucky girls in warmer climate go for the bare-legged look with some great metallic strappy sandals. Just remember to keep the rest of your accessories understated, we love a small clutch bag with a chain strap and some sparkley drop earrings. For a toned-down version of this trend, try a sequined blousson tank paired witt black slim-fit trousers or dark tailored jeans. And as always, don’t forget the fab heels!
Next entries »
