Fashion
Summer and Fall Fashion Fuse
The end of summer is near, but fashion fun has just begun. Summer clothes begin to mix with fall fashion and fun trends start to sprout. Think fall feather headbands mixed with bold bangles, bright colors, and crazy footwear. Then imagine the colors of fall pieced in with gorgeous earth tones of greens, yellows, and browns.
Not only are the earth tone colors going to be wonderful for fall, but eco-fashion is totally in. Designers like Stella McCartney are beginning to come out with fun, inventive, eco-friendly clothing (it’s about time that designers caught on to the biggest trend).
If you are looking for an eco-chick style, try brands like Good Society, which carries a great fair-trade 100% organic cotton jean line. Then there’s Elezar, which carries adorable clutches with sleek accents and biodegradable pleather details. And we can’t forget Eco-Ganik which has a huge celebrity following, with cute super soft clothing like their woven-bamboo blouse. For men there are also great new eco brands such as Eco Tobi, and Nau, which make super soft everyday T-shirts.
Tom’s, which most of you have heard of, is a great place to buy eco-friendly shoes for men and women. Tom’s has been celebrated for giving children in need a free pair of sneakers for every pair sold, and Tom’s shoes are 100% vegan!
What else is new? Accessories like bangles and feathers can uplift an otherwise boring outfit and make it fantastic. There is no easier way to dress up a simple outfit or even add more flair to the whimsical. Try a hair tie or headband with peacock feathers, or a chunky yellow bracelet.
Not only should jewelry and hair accessories stand out, but your shoes need to take a bold step forward as well. Now is the time to wear any shoes you want. Think of the rock and roll edge, or those heels that are just a little too much to wear out, hiding in the back of your closet so you can peek at them every once in awhile.
Crazy footwear is enormously in at the moment with stars like Beyonce and Lady Gaga setting our stage. Embellished gladiators and funky heels are showing up all over the runways. Yves Saint Laurent just came out with some metallic cage boots, and then there are the tribal stilettos from the Louis Vuitton collection, just some of the wild and crazy walkers in Beyonce’s compilation. Even stars like actress Gwyneth Paltrow enjoy the edge, mixing an effortless gray dress with a pair of bondage-inspired Christian Louboutin ankle boots.
Some of the other funky styles popping up this season are Harlem pants and jumpsuits. I know what your thinking: isn’t this a little excessive? Sure it’s intense, shocking, and maybe even disturbing, but it’s true. Harlem pants have been seen everywhere from the runway to many fashion shows on television.
Katy Perry and Fergie both sported jumpsuits recently while performing on American Idol. The jumpsuit has sprung up on runways everywhere this season and the Diesel runway is no exception. Chunky wood jewelry and clunky heels complete this off-beat look. Get down with your funky self.
/By Michelle Wislon
This Season’s Style Splendor
This season in the fashion world there are a number of innovative trends. Some of the leading up and coming trends include: bright colors, stripes and shapes, funky jewelry, ethnic inspiration, blouses with a bow at the collar, and leather vests and jackets. Also, the 80's rock style is making a comeback (think Rihanna).
Some of the seasons must haves for every woman includes the black cocktail dress. Every girl should have her little black dress. This season, make it a little black lace dress that is oh so Prada. It will be your go anywhere dress. The black dress has a surplus of uses, whether it’s worn at a dinner date, a wedding (black is actually worn to weddings now), a party or for any occasion when you want to dress up.
Also, don’t forget about boots. Boots are totally in. You can make a cute summer dress bohemian by adding a pair of cowboy boots. These not only look cool, they keep your feet and your legs warm. Try anything from cowboy boots to round toe.
A print top or blouse is also a must have this season. Anna Sui’s fall 2008/ winter 2009 ready to wear collection features stunning printed tops. Some were motivated by Native American designs, while others have a Victorian feel. Either way, prints are flourishing.
So what should we think about abandoning this season? Lose the fake designer handbags, skinny jeans (unless your 16 and under), high waisted jeans, Uggs and Crocs, sorry ladies. These styles are on the out which is superb to know ahead of time so you can rid your closet of them.
The biggest fashion faux pas this season, and one we should all stay away from, is the “jeans and dress” look. We can’t stand it when a girl puts on a great dress, nice shoes and then… jeans. Jeans + dresses = weird and sloppy. Jeans are cute with a long shirt, but there is a difference between a long shirt and a dress. If it goes past mid to upper thigh do not wear jeans, however leggings or tights are acceptable.
Some of the designers that we love this season include: Trina Turk, Rubber Ducky, BCBG, ANAC, Free People, Odille, Alice + Olivia, Nanette Lepore, and Miss Sixty.
/By Michelle Wilson