I didn’t initially latch on to this trend when Ralph Lauren first showed harem pants for Spring - but something just clicked this week and it’s all I’ve been shopping for. Harem pants have a Middle Eastern origin of course - but this isn’t the first time they’ve seen the catwalk. In the teens and 20’s, Paul Poiret was the first designer to utilize the vast source of inspiration that is the Middle East - and is infamous for his caftans, turbans and of course - harem pants. There’s a lot of hesitation to jump on this bandwagon because most gal’s just don’t think it’s feminine or attractive. I can see that - but at the end of the day it’s how you carry yourself. Pair it with a fitted top, gold bangles, a killer gladiator - and a lightweight knit or silk pant will flow and fall against your silhouette giving your look movement it wouldn’t usually have. I guess that’s the Marni in me though - who dresses for men?
Top Shop $20, originally $90
ASOS $38
Forever 21 $15.80
A bralette is technically a bra, gasp! If you go shopping around online for one - rarely will you find a detailed, more conservative version that you’ll need to achieve the bralette look. I first recognized this piece back in FIT, I had to do some sort of presentation on Prada and it must have been circa 2001 shows that I went back to - where she showed the high waisted circle skirts and midriff baring coordinating tops. Some also might recognize the look from the Sex and the City episode where Carrie gets stood up at Il Cantinori for her birthday. The actual aesthetic stems from the 50’s with the high waists again, but instead of bra tops - think knotted shirts, very Beach Boys - showing just a sliver of skin. I love this look for the daring - pair it under an open front or low cut top for evening - or have it peak through a boyfriend cardigan on the weekend. If that’s still too much - layer on some heavy chains or a sweet neck scarf to complete the look and downplay the bust. My goal is to cut up some old H&M bustier type bralettes that I used to throw under wrap dresses - and instead tie a boyish collared shirt over it with some tailored shorts for the present. Peggy Sue who?
Urban Outfitters contrast stitch $12.99
Top Shop denim $36
ASOS color block $25
Neon, due in large part to the huge wave of 80’s influence in fashion recently (Sprouse, Marc Jacobs, LV) – is in high demand. These shades are not for the light of heart – and are especially hard colors to pull off depending on skin tone. For darker skin tones, hot pink looks gorgeous from torso up – think hot pink hoops, scarves, and flowing tops. I like to stay away from a lot of structure with these colors, it makes it a little too futuristic, too dated – and fabrications like chiffon and lawn help to ease the color penetration and appear more ethereal than in your face. For lighter skin tones – you can go with the neon yellow, and lighter shades of neon green that will compliment rather than contrast. For everyone – a burst of color jean is also a great alternative if you don’t want to fully commit – paired with a clean top neon bottoms are very resort. If you’re going to pair anything with neon, go with white – you’ll look modern chic rather than early 90’s. Now that spring/summer is right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to start picking up pieces here and there to ease yourself into this fresh, and seemingly nostalgic trend. Kind of makes you want to put on a slap bracelet!
Asos $25
Forever 21 Tank $11.80
Go Jane $19.40
Girl Props $1.99
Urban Outfitters $29.99
This belt is so easy to pull off - and so cheap! Everyone is already of the mentality of cinching their waist, so this is the perfect compliment to what’s already in your closet. If you really want to try to embody the look, pick up some paper bag pants and wear it with a pair of flesh colored heels and a structured, but bare top. I’m placing an order tonight for the Alexander Wang twinsies from the post “Twinsies - Alexander Wang Cropped Trousers” - and because I’m a complete pack rat, I already have a bow belt stashed in my belt drawer (nutso, I know - ask my beau he has no space for clothes). I didn’t think I would fall so hard for this menswear bottom movement, and to some it might be a hard look to achieve - but the girly & fun vibe of the bow belt help to balance the dichotomy and keep it real.
Asos $8
Hannah MacGibbon showed her first collection as Chloé’s lead designer for Spring 09 - and I fell completely in love with the oversized scallop-edge detailing, especially on the shorts. Unfortunately - the real things are hard to find and even once found, are definitely unattainable. So, luckily I was able to find some cute alternatives until the fast fashion cycle catches up.
Urban Outfitters $48
Asos $30
I will also openly admit that I love Heidi Montag! She’s like a living Barbie doll - I kind of love that she ran with it unapologetically. AND the girl does have undeniable style that LC should (and probably does) envy.
Celeb images taken from People.com
How’s that for alliteration? I grew up in a very small town (cows) - and the only way to suppress my desire to leave was by expressing myself through dress (men’s ties as headbands, thick glasses) . I remember being asked junior year what I wanted to go to college for, and so said fashion - nothing but crickets. Then when I did go, my AP (thank you) English teacher actually asked why on earth I did such a thing. Thus the reason why I shun public schools. So much for supportive educators, but thank god for New York! I’m sure you can feel the teenage angst in my tone - the clothes just bring it back! I don’t think I’ll ever let go of the punky aesthetic, I’m a cynical New Yorker at heart and I can’t resist a dangerous looking pyramid stud for the life of me.
Punk chic connoisseur Burberry has really reinvented itself over the past several years - and in doing so has become a modern represenatation of the British punk movement, as well as a huge motivator for mass to translate it in a forward & feminine way. Christopher Bailey (of Burberry) has paved the way in reinterpreting how the tartan, motorcycle jacket, and stud read. Vivienne Westwood as well, the original curator of underground punk dress (she dressed the Sex Pistols) - brought safety pins and shredded garments to the likes of Bergdorf’s & Henri Bendel.
Forget the fishnets, mohawks, and Hot Topic - updated punk is Blondie chic. Think black jeweled heavy bib necklaces, backless dresses, skinny leather, and metal hardware. Heavily embellished accessories paired with a streamlined silhouette, or tartan/animal print/striped pieces with a metallic shoe or bag are easy ways to interpret punk without losing your femininity. And when I say femininity - I do mean looking completely bad ass.
Forever 21 studded tote $34.80
Newport News studded boot $39.00
Asos tulip skirt $35
Alex & Chloe Le Crane necklace $48
American Apparel latex legging $42
Even after complete immersion, it still baffles me how the most random things can create entire movements in fashion. Tuxedos have been around forever, and YSL really brought the aesthetic to the forefront of women’s wear. Forget Annie Hall, forget Dandy - the modern interpretation of the tuxedo is sexy & strong, with no grey area.
This trend is happening now and it’s happening in a gorgeous way. I’ve been seeing tuxedo pants – straight leg, ankle Audrey style pants with satin trim along the side seam – pop up everywhere, and even in denim. Not only bottoms - tuxedo jackets, boyish or even cropped – as well as feminine bib blouse interpretations and a bevy of bows.
About three years ago when I couldn’t find anything to buy that didn’t have a sparkle of some sort sewn onto it – I went into complete opposition mode and would only wear huge men’s sweaters and dress shirts with tights, a cinched waist belt, and a thick black headband (Prada played a big part). As much as I try not to regret my fashion choices – you’ve gotta live in the moment – this is not how I would do opposite sex dressing these days. Now it’s all about the same silhouettes you would usually rock - feminine & fitted - but with menswear inspired detailing (peaked lapels, bibs, french cuffs). Oddly enough - sometimes it takes dressing like a man to put a little swagger in your step - spitting and vulgarity aside.
Asos Jacket $85
Forever 21 Vest $22.80
Urban Outfitters dress $88
Victoria’s Secret pant $39.50
Newport News shoe $34.00
Once again, can’t get enough of Blair’s pretty little Upper East side princess style. I often fight with my best friend about which one of us is Blair and which is Serena. It’s like Mary and Rhoda circa Romy & Michelle’s High School Reunion. You would think somebody would want to be the blonde bombshell - but nope, we both argue why we’re more like Blair. Luckily I won by default - I lived on the Upper East! Beyond the gorgeous ruffles, dainty bows, and prim styling - I think she just has the best writer.
Asos $70
A’Gaci (San Antonio based) $32.50
Express $49.99
Jumpsuits are so ghetto fab, I feel like putting my “Peace” doorknockers on and hopping on the train to… (wait - there is no subway and I actually have no idea where I would go for that scene in Austin). Anyway - if in my normal habitat I would trek it to Queens for some Quinceanera crashing (no lie it has been done) and pretend I was in Grand Theft Auto.
What’s so non-ghetto fab is that Stella McCartney is the reason why fast fashion chains have been re-interpreting satin one pieces for the masses. Maggie Gyllenhal and Gwyneth Paltrow are avid fans - and of course have the statuesque figures to pull it off. Stella has surprisingly sultry styling in her pieces, thigh high boots, super interesting hardware - my best friend slash designer extraordinaire would die for Stella, so pretty much every conversation we have revolves around said designer.I’m only 5 ft 4 in,so If I had my dream hybrid Escalade and was cruising - I would definitely go for the cropped version - very cute, very sexy - and definitely pair it with those Fall 07 Balenciaga Timberland-esque booties & multiple bangles.
There is a really freakin’ fine line though when choosing your jumpsuit - you don’t want to look like you’re on Flavor of Love or belong on the West Side Highway. There has to be some element of bloussant in it - whether it’s a fuller bottom or top, it just can’t be allllll skin tight. This isn’t the easiest, but I think it’s the most bad ass and you can style it any way you choose (below girly ghetto fab). If you can roll into a room pulling this off, you deserve a night of dancing.
Asos $100 (originally $800!!)
Bangle $2.99 Girl Props
Shoe $39 Newport News
It’s really taking everything in me right now to not post red, white and blue fur - eeek! However, it is now November - and I’m already planning my winter-esque purchases for my visit back home to Philadelphia (PA for Obama!). I’ve never lived in the south, barely visited - so my life is extremely novel now (I have a vintage mink hat I’ve been dying to wear since August, and it just keeps sitting, sitting, sitting in my closet)!
(Faux) Fur is so glam - you instantly revert to a 30’s starlet, so Katherine Hepburn. The great thing about fall is that it’s so in between, so temperate - you can get away with a 60’s shift dress and fur jacket, (bangs optional) without any other distractions. Although I know I’m going to miss snow and the strangely nostalgic feeling of being reared in upstate New York (below 0 temperatures) - it’s going to be wonderful to wear a cheetah chubby out for New Years - sans scarf + earmuffs + 2 cardigans underneath.
ASOS $70
Urban Outfitters $28
Catbird.com $60 Leg Warmers
(Sherpa) Close Enough - $74 Newport-News.com
