Like I said – I had no idea I would fall so hard for this menswear movement! Now that my job here in Austin requires a bit more subtlety in terms of dress – (i.e. straight men, not the garment district, etc) I plan on LIVING in these types of bottoms for the next year. To me, this is half of the new power suit – and the beauty of the balance is that the pant is the anchor, you can go with a feminine or basic top depending on the occasion - and the pant still looks effortlessly chic and pulls it all together, and so on trend with the shows. As much as I miss running around Polo in a bubble skirt, towering heels, and endless baubles - I just can’t walk around the new office sticking out like a sore thumb anymore. The first time I tried this pant in my new environment – it was for a huge presentation (which, I nailed) – and I wore black ankle Audrey pants (like the UO pair below) with a black fitted collar shirt (tucked in, sleeves rolled) & a pair of strappy and complicated sky-high gladiators. I felt on top of the world! There’s definitely something to be said for dressing the part – just don’t call it business casual.
Victoria’s Secret $69.50
Urban Outfitters $58
JCrew $79.50
At two different, ridiculously cheap price points this time! Really, it comes down to whether you’d like two layers of fringe or one - or if you want to stick to the replica brown suede, or head in an evergreen, berry, or black direction (available in both twinsies). Booties like these go well with not only tights and a boho dress, but a pair of Levi’s skinny jeans & a skimpy top - I’m talking rocker skinny, where it’s essentially a legging in denim form. I can’t stand where the jean starts to get baggy around the knee - when it’s tight around the knee that’s when it looks Baby Shambles - esque. And when wearing below fringe booties - this is all the fringe you need. I often have to choose between my fringe bag and shoes when putting together an outfit, and no matter how difficult it is to choose which to highlight, they should always be kept separate to avoid that Stevie Nicks aesthetic. Totally unfortunate. What’s also unfortunate is that I’ve been seeing various forms of this studded fringe ankle bootie even before the Fall 08 Gucci show. I love the looks and it was a huge movement for Fall, but this is definitely a trend that moved from the streets to the tents, which a lot of designers have really been identifying with (i.e. Marc Jacobs and Murakami, Stephen Sprouse). So - at least we can all think we have a little bit of an impact on the world of fashion by just being ourselves.
Shop Forever 21 bootie $36.80 & Ami Clubwear bootie $19.99
Here’s to the best fashion moments that changed the way we dressed in 08.
Spring 2008 RTW
John Galliano
Alexander Wang
Ralph Lauren
Pre Fall 2008
Donna Karan
Fall 2008 RTW
Givenchy
Sonia Rykiel
Gucci
Resort 2008
Miu Miu
Click the designer link to view the complete collection from Style.com
Gucci recently unveiled their new tattoo collection to benefit Unicef - who girl of the moment Rhianna is the face of. Is it just me or this too Ed Hardy for one’s gag reflexes? This movement needs to be kept out of the luxury market - there is only so much the non-Housewives of Orange County of the world can handle!
