Archive for February, 2007
Key Takeaways: Has Betsey Johnson grown up? If the
answer lies in her Fall 2007 collection, then the answer is a resounding yes! Betsey is known for
her flirty, flamboyant and oh-so-girly dresses, but this time around, she toned it
down—way down—and went the menswear-as-womenswear route. Key pieces seen on her
brooding runway included high-waisted shorts, men’s socks worn with loafers and
voluminous coats.
Color Palette: So unlike Betsey, but the majority of the
colors in this collection were dark: navy blue, black, grey, brown, green, and dark purple. White, gold, and light pink did their part to lighten the palette.
Silhouette: Betsey usually either does hideously voluminous
or suffocatingly tight. But this time around, her silhouettes were airy but in a wearable way. We spotted puff sleeves, high-waisted shorts, Betty Page-esque high cut
shorts, button-down silk shirts, knit skirts, ruffles, babydoll dresses,
tie-front blouses, and high-waisted trousers.
Accessories Report: Short white gloves, men’s socks,
loafers, white and black opaque tights, white square mod sunglasses, thin
belts, cloche hats.
What’s Wearable: Besides the French maid outfits at the
beginning, most pieces in Betsey’s collection were surprisingly wearable. Especially
translatable to the streets was the brown crew neck long-sleeve knit dress and the tie-front
blouses.
What’s Not Wearable: Unless it’s your Halloween costume,
stay away from the French maid costume. Don’t try the multi-colored
striped boatneck dress, lest you aspire to be a walking piñata. And the
Betty Page short shorts are better suited for professional Burlesque dancers.
February 7th, 2007
A throwback to the 60s, sure, but is your vintage clock made of sustainably harvested bamboo?
$69 at re:modern.
February 7th, 2007
Key Takeaways: Unlike his Fall 2006 collection, which featured heavy layering, Marc Jacobs’ Gatsby-esque Fall 2007 collection featured long and lean silhouettes plucked out of the 1920s. Key trends included: menswear as womenswear, slim, boyish silhouettes, high-waisted silhouettes, colorblocking, colorful accessories, and metallic shine.
Color Palette: Traditional fall: orange, navy blue, grey, mustard yellow, maroon, eggplant purple, metallic silver, and shades of white and black. Colorblocking featured prominently.
Silhouette: Nothing Marc showed was too tight or too voluminous–the silhouette was slim, but workable for Real People. Menswear as womenswear featured prominently, with tuxedo-style suits complete with vests, skinny ties, and shrunken jackets. Calling an end to the skinny-jeans-fad, Marc cut his trousers bootcut. Loosely pleated skirts and wide-legged shorts were paired with long sweaters, always belted at the waist. Boatneck styles hinted at the nautical, along with crisp white pants and navy buttoned jackets. Detailing to note: pointed collars, the tiered, tailored ruffling, oversized collars, and bows.
Accessories Report: Wide-brimmed and cloche hats adorned the models’ heads. Belts were key in nearly every outfit, delicately hinting at boyish figures. Oversized clutches and gloves–both wrist length and elbow length–added ladylike drama to daytime attire.
What’s Wearable: Unusually, almost every piece in Marc’s collection can be translated onto the streets. The cocktail dresses are perfect for gals who want to be a bit eclectic, while the suit combinations will work well for business-savvy women who want that intellligently chic look.
What’s Not Wearable: Keep the flying-saucer hats on the runway…or to where you want to make a fashion Statement.
February 6th, 2007
Key Takeaways: A real departure from Carolina Herrera’s typical sweetly light collections. Dresses and separates maintained the designer’s signature elegance, but overlaid a sense of darkness and mystery. Key trends included: high-waisted silhouettes, geometric patterns, bows, open knit fabric, plaid fabric, ruffles, and fur.
Color Palette: Heavy on dark colors–blacks and greys. Brooding browns and regal lilacs were lightened with shades of white, splashes of red, and metallic silver. Both fur and geometric patterns–most notably plaid and dots–featured prominently.
Silhouettes: Generally high-waisted, with an emphasis on the natural waistline. Garment volume felt measured and made to flatter the body. Sleek dresses were complemented by swingy frocks, paired with patterned leggings. High-waisted skirts and trousers were paired with open knit tops, sweaterjackets, and semi-voluminous jackets.
Accessories Report: Black elbow-length gloves and patterned tights emphasized the dark, yet ladylike feel of the collection. Wide belts drew emphasis to the waistline. Bug-eyed sunglasses completed the chicly mysterious looks.
What’s Wearable: Carolina Herrera knows how to flatter a woman’s body–try the sleek dresses, the subtly voluminous skirts, the swingy oversized jackets, and the high-waisted trousers. The sleeved dresses are perfect for women with thick upper arms.
What’s Not Wearable: Fur played a large part in the collection–both as jackets and as cuffs, but we prefer to leave fur on our animal friends. Horizontal "striping" through fabric detailing visually widens the body–beware.
February 6th, 2007
Key Takeaways: As the first designer from Mainland China to present at New York Fashion Week, Mr. Cabbeen shows us just how funky, modern and colorful Chinese fashion has become. Wearable everyday bombers in twill and nylon were paired with carefree trousers and jeans and laid-back black trainers with painted or embroidered embellishment. Fabric choices ranged from plaid to chevron to pinstripe.
Color Palette: A rainbow of colors ranging from the requisite grey, navy and black to pale yellow, maroon and army green. Colorblocking and plaid fabrics featured prominently in the collection.
Silhouette: Relaxed on top with long and lean hoodies and tanks paired under comfy jackets and casually fitted pants and jeans.
Accessories Report: Scarves and striped ties adorned the necks of most models. Most also sported black trainers or roll-top ankle boots in neutral colors.
What’s Wearable: For the guy with a bit of fashion-funk, we recommend the robin’s egg blue jacket with cherry blossom embroidery to catch the eye of any lucky lady (or lad).
What’s Not Wearable: If it’s over 20 degrees where you live and the sun is shining, steer clear of the oil-slick inspired puffer jackets so as not to blind innocent bystanders.
February 6th, 2007
Form meets function in this Orla Kiely sling bag. With 3 accessory compartments, a zippered pocket, a key fisher, and an exterior compartment, this canvas bag will take you from meetings to the mall.
$199.99 (sale) at Flight 001.
February 6th, 2007
Key Takeaways: Creative director John Crocco showed a group of clean looks featuring horizontal stripes and cozy wool, thermal and leather pieces that have us dreaming of hot cocoa by the ski lodge fire. Thick knits featured chevrons and other geometric patterns. Rugged models where snuggled under warm winter beanies and sported a "just-in-from-the-cold" makeup scheme of blushed faces and rosy red lips. Key trends included: neutral colors, patterned knit fabric (e.g. cable knit), horizontal stripes, plaid, the sweaterjacket, pocket detailing (on pants and jackets), and high waisted pants.
Color Palette: Classic shades: creamy winter whites, simple blacks and greys were complemented by several tones of steel blue-grey.
Silhouettes: Thick cream cable knits were paired with slim (but not tapered) high-waisted dress pants in strong shades of blue. Suits were cut slim, but not tight, and included vests in contrast fabric. Detailing included leather strips, fur cuffs, and on pants–extra pockets. Bare-chested muscular men in long white underwear reminded us that thermals can be both playful and practical.
Accessories Report: Scarves! This friendly little neck warmer comes in many shapes and sizes, as Crocco cleared showed with several long and short loops of cashmere/wool warmth in oatmeal-type colors. Several large totes in various wool and brown leather were carried down the runway–perfect for the man who has everything–-and needs to carry it on the go. Feet were kept cozy in glossy styles and snug pale blue suede shoes. Hands were covered in sleek black or dark brown leather gloves.
What’s Wearable: V-neck cardigans and tailored dress pants are stylishly safe for the elegant contemporary man. We love the stylish 3/4 length coats–and the sweaterjackets–to keep you warm for Fall. The pocket-as-embellishment detailing on pants and jackets is a quiet, but effective way to stand out in a crowd.
What’s Not Wearable: We’re not a fan of the plaid pants–they’re more pajamas than real pants.
February 5th, 2007
Key Takeaways: An extremely wearable collection of dresses and playfully elegant looks in simple shapes. Key trends included: colorblocking, high-waisted looks, sweaterjackets, ruffles, bows (on blouses and dresses), and dots.
Color Palette: Black and red dominated the collection, along with grey and turquoise.
Silhouettes: Dresses, dresses, dresses. Diane von Furstenberg’s wrap dresses were accompanied by sweaterdresses, tent dresses, kimono sleeved dresses, and bubble dresses. Both big over small and small over big silhouettes were seen on the runway. Loose, breezy jackets accompanied more form fitting dresses.
Accessories Report: Pure elegance–heels with a high vamp, wrist-length gloves, long chain necklaces with jewels, and the oversized bag.
What’s Wearable: Sleeved dresses help camoflauge heavy upper arms, and Diane von Furstenberg’s signature wrap dresses perfectly complement curvy women. We like the emphasis on print–both the dots and the black and white lacelike prints. Though they might not be warm enough for Fall, we like the sweaterjacket and dress combination for Spring.
What’s Not Wearable: The coat with horizonal ruffles, though shown in black, still manages to visually widen the torso. Big over big silhouettes work on the runway–but not on real people.
February 5th, 2007
Spread the love this Valentine’s Day with this sticky Love Tape!
$5 at Fred Flare.
February 5th, 2007
Key Takeaways: Steven Cox and Daniel Silver of Duckie Brown cheekily juxtaposed streetwear with suits for Fall 2007. Key trends included: colorblocking, skinny pants, wide pants, plaid patterns, colored gloves, and the pointed beanie.
Color Palette: Dark; blacks and browns were accented by touches of bright orange, green, turquoise and yellow. Plaid patterned tops were featured with dark colored trousers.
Silhouette: Blazers were cut exclusively with two buttons. Loose fitting coats and jackets were paired with skinny pants for a big-over-small look. Two other garment classifications of note: the vest and the shrunken blazer.
Accessories Report: Colorful gloves and bright (pointed) beanie hats.
What’s Wearable: We’re all over Duckie Brown’s brightly colored accessories, which make wearing bright colors more accessible to men. For more adventurous types, we recommend Duckie Brown’s green overcoat, paired with grey and muted denim. Style tip from Duckie Brown? Push up the sleeves on a long sleeve shirt–but keep the cuffs showing.
What’s Not Wearable: As we noted at Buckler, underwear as outerwear is just not a good idea. A turtleneck and beanie combo needs a pair of pants to make it complete.
February 5th, 2007
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