Posts filed under 'Trendscape'
African prints aren’t the only textile trend hitting stores. Ikat prints, which are woven from relief-dyed threads, are extending the ethnic print style into new dimensions. Presenting Omiru’s seven favorite picks for Ikat prints:
Our $ Picks:
Fire Ikat Print Tank Top | $24 (sale) at MacysTwo of our favorite trends–purple and ethnic prints–collide in this summery shirt.
Color Block Tank Dress | $34.50 at Old Navy
Hundreds of dollars worth of style for only $34.50. And isn’t the pattern gorgeous?
Embroidered Ikat Cami | $36 (approx) at Topshop
Pair this ikat camisole with a white pencil skirt for a look that bridges ethnic and elegant.
Boho Ikat Longline Camisole | $49 (approx) at Topshop
Exude breezy chic with this boldly printed camisole.
Our $$ Pick:
Michael Kors Ikat Jacket | $169.50 at Nordstrom
A beautiful color and style. Bonus? It’s available in plus sizes!
Our $$$ Picks:
Milly Ikat Floral Ruffle Halter Dress| $335 at Nordstrom
Go bold with this halter dress with a full-length ikat print.
Vince Women’s Ikat Maxi Printed Dress | $375 at Bloomingdales
We love the elegant U-shape of the neckline and the gorgeous floor length print.
June 6th, 2008
Lions, Zebras, and Giraffes–oh my! Fashion is turning its head south–far south–to Africa this season. Look for wild animal prints, bold patterns, and safari-style jackets and shorts. Here’s seven of Omiru’s favorite safari looks:
Our $ Picks:
Safari Shorts | $19.90 at Heritage 1981Dare to bare your legs in this uber-short safari short.
Safari Drawstring Jacket | $24.80 at Forever 21
Pintucking, side pockets, and a drawstring hem make this anything but your ordinary safari jacket.
Rogan for Target Zebra Miniskirt | $34.99 at Target
Take a walk on the wild side with this zebra print miniskirt.
Our $$ Picks:
MICHAEL Michael Kors Babydoll Top | $59.50 at Nordstrom
Bold pattern is what this smocked tunic is all about.
Puff Sleeve Giraffe Print Blouse | $69 at Banana Republic
Marry the wild safari with structure in this puff sleeve giraffe print blouse.
Our $$$ Picks:
Casbah Print Mia Dress | $150 at J Crew
Embrace the spirit of North Africa with this aptly named Casbah print.
Marc by Marc Jacobs Drill Safari Cotton Jacket | $328 at Nordstrom
Love the neatly tailored safari-style pockets and the clean cut elbow length of the sleeves.
May 29th, 2008
Celebrate the warm weather with floral prints! This season’s floral prints run the gamut–from graphic to tropical to abstract to oversized–and we just can’t get enough. Presenting five of our favorite floral print dresses:
Our $ Picks:
Trixxi ‘Emma’ Floral Print Dress | $58 at NordstromThe bold pink floral border really makes this dress Pop!
Tropical Linen Shift | $59.50 at Gap
These tropical flowers aren’t your ordinary floral print.
Our $$ Pick:
Silk Floral Print Halter Dress | $150 at Banana Republic
Don’t you love how the giant floral print makes such a powerful style statement?
Our $$$ Picks:
Tory Burch ‘Hollie’ Dress | $395 at Nordstrom
We love how the florals on this dress appear in a non-traditional blue color. The perfect complement for a classic shift dress.
Sea Glass Gown | $575 at J Crew
Drape yourself in color with this allover abstract graphic print.
May 23rd, 2008
High end designer horizontal stripes. Clockwise from top: Michael Bastian Striped Sweater | $995 at Saks Fifth Avenue, Michael Kors Seersucker Shorts | $195 at Saks Fifth Avenue, Junya Watanabe Saint James Peacoat | $1,765 at Saks Fifth Avenue.Horizontal stripe patterns have emerged as a fresh-looking casual trend for both men and women this Spring. From Burberry to John Varvatos, from American Apparel to Built by Wendy, this trend has manifested itself everywhere from high end fashion houses (hello Michael Bastian and Junya Watanabe) to accessible, affordable chain stores. Here are a few pieces that do the horizontal stripe pattern well:
Our $$$ Picks:
Adam Kimmel Black and White Sweatshirt | $275 at JakeAs always, an Adam Kimmel piece with a distinct American feel.
Bureau Long Sleeve Henley | $158 at Oak
Slim Fit Striped Polo | $125 at Burberry
I especially like it in white and washed gray, available at Bloomingdales.
Chimala Border Print Tee | $110 at Oak
Our $$ Picks:
Converse by John Varvatos Trim Crew in Metal Grey | $57 at Revolve Clothing
Be sure to also check out a cream/washed grey long sleeve piece by John Varvatos (not the same as Converse by John Varvatos). You can get it at Saks Fifth Avenue.
Mount Marshall Polo in Grey Stripe | $49.50 at Abercrombie and Fitch
Our $ Picks:
Slub Cotton Stripe Fitted Crew Tee | $39.50 at Banana Republic
Men’s Sailor Tee | $36 (sale) at Built by Wendy
I think serves better as a layering piece.
Poly Cotton Stripe Crew Neck | $22 at American Apparel
Textured Henley Striped Shirt | $11.99 (sale) at Gap
April 23rd, 2008
Light Blue and Spring Green
Light blue and spring green combine for a soothing, natural look. Simply gorgeous.
Feeling the love for this set? Here’s more information about it.
Lilac Purple and Navy Blue
Men, take note–your navy blue suit looks positively dashing with a pressed lilac shirt.
Feeling the love for this set? Here’s more information about it.
Bright Yellow and Orange
Warm up an outfit with this bright color combination. We love it paired with navy blue–or dark rinse jeans.
Feeling the love for this set? Here’s more information about it.
April 22nd, 2008
Plaid became trendy again this past fall/winter, and it looks like it’s here to stay for one more season. Here are five of the best summer plaids for men:
Engineered Garments Plaid Woven Shirt | $144 at Bloomingdales (in store only)
Engineered Garments got their name from a pattern maker who claimed that the clothes were not designed but rather engineered due to the amount of detail put into each article of clothing. Translation: these clothes are fantastically constructed. This piece was adapted from last season’s long-sleeve version of the same shirt.
How to wear it? Plaids can be “intense,†so follow a simple layering tip and wear something monochromatic over it. By physically hiding part of the shirt under, say, a black or charcoal peacoat, the shirt serves as a colorful, bold accent, and it isn’t overwhelming.
A.P.C. “Plaid Shirt†and “Plaid Belt†| $140, $100 at A.P.C.
A.P.C. offers a shirt and belt with the same plaid pattern on it. While I like them individually, I don’t like them worn together, even though the model does it. It looks too calculated when you have an outfit that has parts that match exactly. To complete the outfit, I would recommend wearing brown pants like these Mason’s chinos because it picks up the peach in the plaid shirt. The plaid shirt and the chinos combine for a great casual summer look. Note that A.P.C. runs a tad small, but this is a summer shirt, so the fit is more classic (read: looser). As a point of reference, I wear a 40†jacket and I buy a large in A.P.C.
Mike and Chris Hyperion Gingham Shirt | $121 (sale) at Tobi
Part of the allure of plaid is its boldness, right? Mike and Chris prove that you can do plaid in a subtle – but not too subtle – way. This piece features a large gingham pattern in faded grey and white. Style tip? This white/washed grey is a growing trend, especially featured as a horizontally striped pattern, for both men and women.
Gant has been pushing strong in its comeback and is really rising in the ranks. What I love about this tie is that the pattern and width makes it versatile enough to travel from the office to a night out in New York.
YMC Gingham Plimsoles | $89 from OakNYC
That’s right: the plaid trend has even hit shoes. These shoes, by You Must Create, or YMC, aren’t for everyone. But then again, plaid isn’t either.
Want more plaid inspiration? We’re loving these men’s and women’s plaid outfits from the Sartorialist.
April 9th, 2008
At once refreshing and energizing, cobalt blue is one of our favorite colors. And we’re absolutely loving it on dresses this spring, especially when paired with a chic orange clutch. So go on, put a spring in your step with one of our favorite Cobalt Blue Dresses:
BR Monogram Scroll Print Dress | $150 at Banana RepublicA regal-looking print makes this minidress simply elegant.
Velvet Torch Double V-Neck Dress | $68 at Nordstrom
An empire waistline is flattering for women with a long torso.
Pleated Tie Waist Dress | $39.99 (sale) at Gap
Especially flattering for women with a small bust, thanks to the pleated top.
Vero Knit Dress | $19.80 at Forever 21
We’re digging the tie-neck front of this breezily blousy dress.
April 4th, 2008
Keep a scarf stashed in your handbag. You never know when it’ll come in handy. Scarves are great for punching up a ho-hum outfit, giving you a bit of extra color, and keeping you warm from overzealous air conditioning. Often, they do all three.
How do you wear a scarf (in three easy steps)? (1) Fold it in half lengthwise, (2) Wrap it around your neck, and (3) Tuck the loose ends through the folded end. Presenting our five favorite scarves to sweep you through Spring:
Cashmere Wrap | $68 at Banana Republic
Simply elegant, and that purple color is lovely.
Sheer Striped Scarf | $17.50 at American Eagle
Bright colors and stripes…what more can we ask for?
Tie Dye Scarf | $30 (approx) at Topshop
There’s nothing quite like tie dye to liven up an outfit.
Crinkled Cotton Scarf | $34 at Martin & Osa
Love the elegance of this casual-yet-sophisticated crinkled cotton scarf.
Tight Square Weave Scarf | $30 (approx) at Topshop
Add some texture to your outfit with this open square weave scarf.
March 27th, 2008
There’s no better way to perk up a dreary day outfit (and stay warm) than a brightly colored sweater. It’ll brighten your outfit–and it’ll lift your mood. Here’s to cheery cloudy days–and the best of the Bright Sweaters out there:
Our $$ Picks:
Cotton Cashmere Primrose Cardigan | $98 at J Crew
The cotton lawn flowers adorning the front placket take this sweater from average to amazing.
Egyptian Cotton Short Sleeve Cardigan | $65 at J Crew
Isn’t this royal blue color to die for? Goes great with neutrals…and a splash of orange.
Ruched Sleeve Shawl Wrap Sweater | $57 (approx) at Topshop
We just can’t get enough of this gorgeous teal color.
Our $ Picks:
Elbow Sleeved Waffle Cardigan | $39.50 at Gap
The elbow sleeves on this cardigan let your button-down shirts shine for a perfect business casual ensemble.
Sweater Knit Drawstring Hoodie | $24.50 at Old Navy
Layer this hoodie over a striped shirt for a playful look.
March 19th, 2008
Spring is around the corner, so welcome it in style with these seven investment-worthy wardrobe upgrades.
The Tom Ford Inspired Shirt
Tom Ford Suit and Shirt, photo courtesy of Men.Style.com.
It’s an understatement to say that Tom Ford does everything bold. (Have you seen his ads? And the ones in US magazines are the “toned down†ones; check out the UK GQ for the real deal) So it shouldn’t be a big surprise that his spring collection is particularly eye-catching. Unfortunately, not all of us can a) afford Mr. Ford’s clothing or b) pull it off. We love the shirt in this suit set. Wear it under a solid colored blazer, such as charcoal, grey—or white, if you have that certain je ne sais quoi. Two more affordable options: the Secret Wash Point Collar Shirt in Large Gingham ($64.50 at J Crew), and a shirt with the same pattern (albeit of a lower quality) for a little less than $100 at Club Monaco (not available online).
The Slim Fit Polo Shirt
Michael Kors Striped Polo | $175 at Neiman Marcus
Polos are a staple of any gentleman’s casually cool spring summer wardrobe. Some designers to watch: Ralph Lauren’s spring line always resonates with color, and their rugby pieces have been recently increasing in popularity. Lacoste is celebrating its 75th anniversary by putting an oversized alligator on their classic polo shirts. Burberry has done two things we’ve loved over the last couple of seasons: (1) they came out with a slim-fit line of shirts, and (2) they’ve toned down the pretentiousness factor (i.e. they’ve gotten rid of that signature Burberry check on the front button placket on some shirts).
Bloomingdales sells a great rugby-striped, slim-fit, ultra-soft cotton polo by Burberry, which unfortunately isn’t available online. If you find it in store, check it out in the white/gray colorway. But similar to this Burberry shirt is the Michael Kors shirt pictured above.
The Perfect Chino Pant
Mason’s Chinos, photo courtesy of Men.Style.com.
As it gets hotter, jeans become a little too heavy to wear. Instead, try these chinos from Mason’s. They’re slim, rich in color and are sans pleats and cuffs. Perfect for any event not held at a country club.
The Lightweight Blazer
Soft Blazer | $165 at Oak
When it gets chilly at night—or you need to dress up for that dinner date, you’ll want to wear a blazer. If you’re looking for a new one, we recommend this blazer by OakNYC, as it’s a great lightweight summer choice. Style tip? The trick to instantly casualizing anything, especially coats (even trenchcoats) or blazers, is to push up the sleeves. Note that pushing is not the same as rolling– rolling up the sleeves will wreak havoc on finer jackets.
The Low Top White Leather Sneaker
Common Projects Sneakers | $264 at Revolve Clothing
The perfect casual summer shoe is a low top white leather sneaker. I recommend a slip on by Common Projects (a style that is in fashion at the moment, but not in stores yet). The pictured sneaker, a low-top lace up, is a close substitution. Well made and comfortable, Common Projects shoes bear no logos. Instead, each shoe is individually numbered in subtle gold writing. Style tip? When wearing white sneakers and dark denim, beware: dark denim is often dark because of a powder coating. This powder will rub off onto your shoes (and shirt, for that matter).
The Trenchcoat
Modern Glen Plaid Straight Trenchcoat | $198 at Banana Republic
Springtime welcomes warmer weather—but it also brings rain. When storms hit, you’ll need to keep dry. This single breasted trench by Banana Republic will do that for you. Note the glen plaid design, which keeps things interesting.
Even though its spring, it can still get chilly at night. You’ll want to have a casual, lightweight jacket like this reasonably priced one by Banana Republic. It’s only available online in black - the picture doesn’t quite do it justice - but we suggest looking at the cream color, which you can see but not buy online.
March 12th, 2008
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