This season’s hottest trend, the tunic, shown here from A to Z.
A sheer tee below, by maven Michael Stars.
Michael Stars Sheer Caftan in Blue | $54 at
Amazon
Crisp white for seaside strolls.
Metallic Thread Embroidered Tunic | $58 at
J.Crew
Encrusted with beads, this saffron number
evokes images of sipping spiked lemonade poolside.
Beaded Tunic in Curry | $69 at
Liz Claiborne
For someone who wants more
than a mere trend, this simple tunic is timeless.
Short Tunic with Contrasting Stitching | $178 at
Tory by TRB
Love comes to mind here with the lilac
georgette, cinched detailing and ruched sleeves.
Vivienne Tam Lilac Chiffon Cinched Tunic | $145 at
Bluefly
Nothing could be as unique as this top
with silk-trimmed French lace inserts.
Ilana Moses Marrakesh Long Sleeve Blouse | $220 at
RavinStyle
Overflowing with images of crystal-clear waters.
Ascension Caftan in Aqua | $97.99 at
Blush
Zealous about this year’s tunic trend? Nothing spells pure
luxury like this exquisitely adorned Tory by TRB number.
Tory Linen Tunic with Mirrors in Brown | $598 at
Tory by TRB
July 19th, 2005
First spotted on the border between France and Spain, espadrilles have been a mainstay of casual chic for centuries and have made a huge comeback this summer. While traditional espadrilles are made with a canvas or cotton upper with a sole made of hemp or rope (like Steve Madden’s Espana, below), there are some great updated versions out there in leather. Particularly trendy this season are wedges, which have been seen on everybody from Gwyneth Paltrow to Jennifer Lopez.
Some of my favorites:
Nail It Espadrille Sandal in Bronze | $98 at
bebe
Dr. Scholl’s Twine Espadrille in Natural | $65.95 at
Zappos
Tommy Girl Holly Espadrille in Ice Purple | $65.95 at
Zappos
July 7th, 2005
It’s raining in Northern California, which means….more time for Shopping!
Not to overload on A&F, my current guilty pleasure, but I spotted two great sweaters there…versatile and stylish, And on Sale! I’m a big fan of these two, having bought them over a month ago on covert trips to the mall post-work. I can honestly say that both made it to Wardrobe Foundation status, at least for this Spring!
The Sasha Shrunken Cable Cardigan is soft as can be, as it’s made of silk and angora. Its cropped length fits in perfectly with the silhouette of the season–think cropped blazers and voluminous pants and skirts a la my "It Items" post. The thin cable knit also gives an outfit wonderful texture. The only downside? Like any cute, fluffy animal, this sweater sheds. Not a lot, but just enough to be annoying.
Sasha Shrunken Cable Cardigan | Courtesy of
A&FAs for the Ramona Full-Zip Sweater, it’s a semi-chunky sweater that does double duty, as it is perfectly functional and fashionable on both cold and warm days. The chunkiness is of enough texture and enough weight to be fashionable, yet it does not go overboard into the "this makes you look wider than you are" realm.
Appreciated:
- The versatile collar: you can leave it standing, or you can roll it down for a more casual look,
- The two-way zipper: allows for the ultimate in adjustments, as you can zip up or down as much as you please, from both the top and the bottom,
- The tiny front pockets: just a nice touch, and it adds visual interest to what might otherwise be a nondescript sweater, and
- The contrast rib side panels: the larger rib allows for both textural interest and extra Stretch–which translates into a more accurate fit for you!
Ramona Full-Zip Sweater | Courtesy of
A&F March 27th, 2005
Many fashion editors publish lists of It Items…just check Lucky, InStyle and the like. What makes this one different, and why is this one worth your time?
I like to recognize that while some fashion obsessions come and go, other trends have more longevity. I present to you my four picks of the season. These are carefully selected items that I believe will last you beyond the warm days of this Spring and Summer. Stuff that you can wear for the foreseeable future without people thinking/saying, “that’s So Last Season.†Clothes that you can incorporate into your wardrobe and bring out next year, and the year after, guilt free!
So without further ado, I present to you…
The Cropped Jacket: I love cropped jackets in blazer form, bomber form, and motorcycle jacket form. And that’s not just because I’m petite and the cropped jacket flatters my proportions. Cropped jackets are Versatile. And I adore versatility. The cropped jacket works nicely with a full skirt (see below), for a modern take on the Dior New Look. It also looks great with a thin-cut cropped pant. However, the difference in volume proportions also makes the pairing of a cropped jacket with baggy pants visually appealing. However, unless you’re shaped like a model, be careful to not take the proportion play too far.
What I like most about the cropped jacket, however, is its inherent affinity towards layering. You don’t have to pair the cropped jacket with a similarly proportioned top—it’s ok to have the shirt show from underneath this jacket. In fact, it’s more visually interesting. Think of this as a more sophisticated form of the tee shirt and tank top layering that Everybody and their Mother has been doing for the last year.
The White Tank: By itself, or layered, the white tank is a wardrobe staple that will be getting a lot more play this season. For a layered look that’s less Summer 04 and more Right Now, try layering tanks of different textures. I call this Layering, version 2.0. To get a more sophisticated look, for example, try pairing your plain jersey or baby rib tank from last summer with a new one that is more transparent and gauzy. Also remember that the cut of the tank is key—pick ones that flatter your neckline. Gently sloping scoopnecks are generally flattering, as are racerback tanks that show off your shoulderblades. Exaggerated racerback silhouettes are on my hotlist (coming soon to a sidebar near you!).
Narciso Rodriguez Spring 05* | Courtesy of Style.com
The Full Skirt: I just can’t get enough. Loved the full skirt last year, and still Love them now. They can camouflage heavy upper thighs, make your waist appear smaller (yay), and some will even skim over wide hips. My word of caution to you, however, lies in the length of the skirt. Have you ever noticed that some skirts make you look fabulous, and others make you look awkward—even if they’re of the same or a similar style and cut? Chances are, the difference lies in the skirt length.
Marc Jacobs Spring 05 | Courtesy of
Style.com
For most people, a skirt that ends at or right above the knee is of the most flattering length. Generally, if you can, avoid skirt lengths that hit mid calf—this tends to be more unflattering. To find Your Ideal Skirt Length, put on a long skirt that goes to your ankles. Standing in front of a full-length mirror, slowly raise the hemline of the skirt until you find the length that makes you think, “that looks great on me!†At that point, your legs will appear slimmer, and you’ll look and feel better proportioned. After this discovery, go out and hem your skirts of unflattering lengths to this Ideal Length. You’ll be glad you did it.
The Baggy Pant: The key here is to not go overboard. When I say baggy pants, I’m not talking about the pants a “cool†teenaged boy from the late 90s wore as he walked down the street with his pants sagging and boxers showing. Aigh. I’m talking about a more boyish, looser cut in a classic pant style. A nice wide legged pant is a clean interpretation of this trend, and one that is quite flattering—especially on women with a larger posterior. To mix things up a bit, you can even toss on some utility pockets. A rich, sophisticated cargo pant is not only Very of the Moment, but it also has wardrobe staple potential. But for the record, despite my affinity for baggy pants, I am not a fan of pleats. I feel that the traditional front pleats on pants are an unflattering way of allowing volume for movement in the pant. Let’s just leave it at that.
Balenciaga Spring 05 | Courtesy of
Style.com
*I’m a great fan of Narciso Rodriguez’s work. I was actually in New York during Fashion Week last September for the Spring shows. Tried to get into Rodriguez’s show, but alas, it was packed full, standing room only for even invited guests. At least I made it into the tents.
March 23rd, 2005
