Archive for April, 2010
Cuff the jeans you have - or buy a pair of jeans that’s pre-cropped.
Boy Fit Crop Jean | $39.50 at American Eagle
How do you make your jeans feel fresh in three seconds flat? Cuff them.
Here’s how to get the look of cuffed jeans right:
(1) For best results, try a pair of straight leg jeans for cuffing. Don’t try this with jeans with a flared hem. Slightly skinny (but not skintight) jeans can also work, as can boyfriend-cut (read: relaxed fit) jeans.
(2) You can turn up the cuff or roll your jeans up to past your ankle - but don’t go further than mid-calf.
(3) What to wear with your cuffed jeans? Ballet flats or embellished sandals look fresh this season, as do wedge heels (especially for shorter women, as cuffing your jeans visually cuts your height).
How will you wear cropped jeans? Share your style with us in the comments!
April 30th, 2010
Gladiator Sandals aren’t anything new on the trend front, but they’re versatile (especially in crisp metallic shades) and supremely chic. Update your sandal wardrobe with this architectural pair of gladiator sandals for a summer of style.
$50 at Topshop.
April 29th, 2010
April, with its incessant showers, may be almost over, but we’re not letting the wet weather dampen our spirits. In the face of dreary weather, we dare you to wear color! We present to you a few choice pieces that exemplify classic American fashion but still manage to push the boundaries on color.
1. Velour Ethan Bellow Pocket Jacket | $210 at Steven Alan
2. Tea Stained Scarf | $24.50 at Gap
3. Brandon Plaid Shirt | $49.50 at Gap
4. BDG Blocked Pocket V-Neck | $20 at Urban Outfitters
5. Short Sleeve Chambray Shirt | $39.50 at Gap
6. Vans Authentic Sneaker | $45 at Urban Outfitters
What will you be wearing? Share your style with us in the comments.
April 27th, 2010
Two trends collide in this adorable knit romper. Now you can have your one-piece and have your nautical too. What’s extra attractive about this romper is its supersoft fabric (super comfy) and the practical pockets. We love this romper with a pair of espadrilles and a cute, bright red tote.
$42.99 at Modcloth.
April 26th, 2010
We asked: Would you wear Clogs?
You said: No to Clogs, with a 67% to 33% vote.
Style tip? Clogs are one of those fashion trends, like harem pants, that are immediately dismissed as hard to wear. But thanks to blessings from Chanel, Alexander Wang, and Alexa Chung, they’re making a comeback in a big way for S/S 2010. How to wear these clunky heeled shoes? Counterbalance the heavy weight of the shoe with something stunning up top - a statement jacket, necklace, or top. The key is to wear clogs in a way that counteracts their prudish vibe. Try a bohemian top - or a minidress - for a thoroughly modern take on the clog.
Next question: Sweatpants are traditionally athletic clothes, but they’re making their way out of the gym and onto the streets, paired with statement jackets and sky high stilettos. These comfy pants are starting to go more mainstream, so says the Wall Street Journal. But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear sweatpants and heels around town? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Seychelles Slip on Clog | $128 at Urban Outfitters.
April 26th, 2010
The goal of figure flattery is to create the visual illusion of a more hourglass-like shape from your figure. Essentially, it’s making the most of what you’ve got - and it makes you look taller and thinner. Whatever your personal architecture, you have a good deal of control over how you look in a swimsuit, especially given how little fabric you’re working with. How do you flatter your body in a swimsuit? It’s all in the details.
If you have a tummy…
Jersey Lomellina Retro Bandeau Tank | $115 at J Crew
Look for ruching at the belly - and a high cut leg and/or a low cut top to look your leanest. Avoid shiny suits, which accentuate figure flaws.
If you have a small bust…
Pindot Underwire Top | $52 at J Crew
Pindot Bikini | $44 at J Crew
Look for suits with underwire for extra definition. Also, ruffles, ruching, and other textured fabric treatments help create visual volume.
If you have a big bust…
Coco Reef Swimsuit | $114 at Macy’s
Look for suits that have enough support, and avoid necklines that are too high (you’ll only look bigger) or too low (not enough support). (PS: While the model pictured doesn’t fit the silhouette type, the swimsuit does indeed work well for women with a larger bust.)
If you’re pear shaped…
Becca ‘Color Code’ Halter Top & Bikini Bottoms | $78+ at Nordstrom
Look for swimsuits that draw attention upward. Also look for higher cut swimsuit bottoms, which visually elongate your leg.
If you’re curvy…
Miraclesuit Sanibel One Piece | $148 at Nordstrom
Look for wrap styles and vertical-type patterns to make you look longer and leaner. Avoid too-high necklines, which will create the illusion of "uniboob."
April 23rd, 2010
Go retro with a fantastically feminine fedora hat, featuring a ribbon trim and satin rosette. It’s the perfect hat to pair with a garden party outfit - or a 20s style dropped waist dress.
$10.80 at Forever 21.
April 21st, 2010
Perfectly lightweight and effortlessly chic, cotton madras fabrics feel quintessentially summery, as befits their Indian roots. (The name "madras" comes from the old British name for Chennai, the Indian city that popularized the fabric.) In shirts, shorts - and even jackets and pants, madras fabrics are found in plaid-type patterns - some crisply plaid, with others featuring colors that softly bleed into one another.
Style tip? Because madras fabrics are so breathable and lightweight, they’re the perfect summer fabric - and as such, should be worn only when temperatures permit. Stock up now, and break your madras out once the temperature hits the mid-70s.
With fashion’s obsession with all things prep, they haven’t felt quite this fresh since the 1980s. Since madras fabrics never really go out of style, we’d recommend picking up a few pieces now for seasons to come. Here’s five madras pieces worth a look (#2 and #5 courtesy of Gary):
1. Gitman Vintage Purple Madras Shirt | $156 at Oak
2. Plantation Madras Plaid Shirt | $69.50 at J Crew
3. Thompson Madras Plaid Shirt | $79.50 at Rugby
4. Narrow Indian Madras Gold Tie | $85 at Polo Ralph Lauren
5. Button Down Shirt in Hillside Madras | $69.50 at J Crew
How will you wear madras? Share your style with us in the comments!
April 20th, 2010
Fashion’s nostalgia for Americana finds no better textile expression than in the beauty of a chambray shirt. We’ve collected (and featured) chambray shirts in assorted shades of blue. But we encourage you to go beyond basic blue chambray and explore other hues, like this fetching red on this rinsed chambray shirt. How to wear red chambray? We love the red chambray shirt worn with a nod to its workman roots - paired with dark denim and a pair of (desert) boots.
$49.50 at Gap.
April 19th, 2010
We asked: Would you wear Tie-Dye?
You said: No to Tie-Dye, with a 53% to 47% vote.
Style tip? Tie-Dye feels unabashedly 80s in vibe, but it’s coming back in a big way for S/S 2010. You can go bold with the sunburst tie dye patterns, but you can rock this trend just as well with dip-dye patterns. We’ve always been huge fans of ombre, so this dip dyeing is our tie-dye pattern of choice. As for what to wear with tie-dye, you can’t go wrong with white bottoms and metallic sandals for a beachy vibe. Or dress tie-dye up with a skinny blazer, jeans, and heels.
Next question: Clogs have traditionally read as hard-to-wear, clunky shoes to us. But they’re making a comeback for S/S 2010 - and even some clog holdouts are getting converted to this trend. But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear clogs? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Dip Dyed Tank | $29.50 at Martin and Osa.
April 18th, 2010
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