Four Styling Tips from Fashion Week Spring 2011

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Photo Credit: Style.com

1. Transform neutrals from staid to stunning with a splash of color, as at Ports 1961.
For the second season in a row, neutrals were the big color story.  But how do you keep your look interesting when your closet is full of beiges and greys?  Add a pop of color.  Brights look especially fresh against this neutral palette.  If you want to go easy, try a shoe or handbag in an eye popping color.  But if you want to up your style game a bit more, go bold and try a brightly colored pair of shorts or a skirt.  Just remember to pair warm neutrals with other warm hues, and colder neutrals with other colder hues.

2. How to mix and match prints? Do as Peter Som does and try wildly different prints in the same color combination.
We’ve said time and time again that the secret to mixing and matching prints is to keep one element between the prints the same - be it the type of pattern (e.g. stripes with stripes, checks with checks) or the size of the repeat (e.g. small with small, large with large).  But these two design details aren’t the only ones you can vary.  Do as Peter Som did and keep the color combination of the print the same - and you can vary both the pattern type and the size of the repeat.  Pretty snazzy.

3.  Long belt?  Follow Derek Lam’s lead and fold it over, boyfriend belt style.
The Boyfriend Belt, so named because it’s uber-long, as your boyfriend’s belt would be, made a stunning appearance on the style set for Spring/Summer 2010.  If the runways of Spring/Summer 2011 are any indication, these boyfriend belts will still look posh next year.  How to get the style right?  Choose a belt that’s extra long in length, buckle it as usual, and then fold the end down under the belt and up and over, tucking the fold into the pocket created by the first fold.

4.  Rock out with a statement necklace, taking inspiration from Proenza Schouler.
The statement necklace is here to stay for another season.  Pendants, chains, bows, and other embellishments make these necklaces stand out.  They’re a great conversation piece - and can add a bit of spice to an otherwise plain outfit.  We love wearing statement necklaces with basics - a blazer, tee and skinny jeans look rather plain by themselves, but when you add a statement necklace, the look feels much more pulled together.  But you don’t have to keep your look plain to pull off a statement necklace.  Just make sure your top is plain to provide a blank canvas for these necklaces to shine.

Posted by Trisha on September 24th, 2010 in Runway to Reality, Trend, Women | 2 comments

Ecote Surplus Anorak

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The anorak is one of the key coat styles for Fall 2010 - and we have a fabulous one for you for under $100. The best part about this anorak is that it doesn’t add visual bulk; you can layer it on top of your fall clothes while looking long and lean.

$98  at Urban Outfitters.

Posted by Trisha on September 23rd, 2010 in Shopping Guide, Women |

APC Caban Maille Navy Knit Peacoat

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Okay, so it’s not inexpensive, but this knit peacoat is a casual take on a cool weather classic. And classics are worth the investment. We adore the contrast ribbed knit detailing at the shawl collar - just the kind of detail you’d expect from Parisian based APC.

$515  at Need Supply.

Posted by Trisha on September 21st, 2010 in Men, Shopping Guide |

You Said: No to Man Bags

omiru-poll-result-man-bag_092010

downtown-messenger-bag_092010We asked: Would you carry a Man Bag?

You said:  No to Man Bags, with a 53-47 split in votes.

Style tip? The vote was pretty well split on man bags - with a slight majority voting No.  We see the utility of the man bag for men living in metro areas - the need to carry your stuff with you when you’re living in a city begets the need for bags like these.  But for guys living in the suburbs, these man bags are less of a necessity. For a sleeker look, try a smaller bag, like the single buckle messenger pictured.  But for a more rugged look, go for a bag with more hardware - like the double buckle version of the Lacoste messenger.

Next question: Round sunglasses have been growing in popularity under the radar, but they’re coming into their own thanks to their prevalence at New York Fashion Week. But what do you think?  Tell us, would you wear round sunglasses?  Cast your vote on the sidebar!

Pictured: Lacoste Downtown Messenger Bag | $195 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Posted by Trisha on September 20th, 2010 in Men, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out | 5 comments

Spring 2011 Fashion Week Trend: Prep School Style

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Photo Credit: Style.com
Prep School Style at Thakoon, Calvin Klein, and Peter Som.


Style tip?  School is back in session, and designers are following suit with new takes on school day classics.  The prep look took the runways in both classic forms (as per Calvin Klein’s simple white day dress, reminiscent of dress whites) and fun takes on prep school staples.  Thakoon dolled up a designer take on a schoolgirl uniform with a metallic jacket and punky shades.  And Peter Som modified a tweedy bomber with a more streamlined silhouette, pushing up the sleeves for effect.  How to wear prep school style?  Sparingly - if you’re not in school anymore, best practice is to limit yourself to a single piece per outfit.

What do you think?  How would you wear prep school style?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on September 20th, 2010 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women |

Spring 2011 Fashion Week Trend: Collarless Coats

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Photo Credit: Style.com
Collarless Coats at Proenza Schouler, Vena Cava, and Oscar de la Renta.


Style tip?  While the Boyfriend Blazer is still king, you’ll look perfectly on trend if you switch out your long blazer for a collarless coat.  In tailored and looser fitting versions, the collarless coat somehow feels more elegant, as compared to the boyfriend blazer’s casual sophistication.  When wearing a collarless jacket, we like to keep it simple - pair it with a top with a standard neckline (rounded ones provide visual continuity).  But we love piling on the jewelry.  Now’s the time to break out your statement necklaces!

What do you think?  How would you wear collarless coats?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on September 20th, 2010 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women |

Spring 2011 Fashion Week Trend: Sheer Textures

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Photo Credit: Style.com
Sheer Textures at Proenza Schouler, Doo Ri, and Marc Jacobs.


Style tip?  Texture as a design element can be extremely powerful.  Especially in a season characterized by neutrals and monochromatic looks, mixing textures and weights of fabric is key to keeping fashion visually interesting.  Sheer fabrics made a stunning appearance on the runway, in both matte and shiny forms.  We appreciated the diaphanous nature of Marc Jacobs’ ombre burgundy dress - especially how it fluttered as the model took the runway.  Lacy textures struck gold at Proenza Schouler, while the look at Doo Ri was decidedly ladylike.  Mix things up with your sheers - the look of sheers layered with solids, especially in monochromatic forms, will be right on trend for Spring 2011.

What do you think?  How would you wear sheer textures?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on September 20th, 2010 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women |

Spring 2011 Fashion Week Trend: Top Handle Handbags

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Photo Credit: Style.com
Top Handle Handbags at Ralph Lauren, Marc by Marc Jacobs, and Diane von Furstenberg.


Style tip?  The clutch may have been all the rage for the past few seasons, but for Spring 2011, a more sizable bag is on the horizon.  A logical progression from summer and fall’s obsession with the satchel bag, the top-handle handbag took the runways by storm.  In both structured and unstructured form factors, this bag gives you a bit more space for your essentials.  We adore the structured versions of the top-handle handbag, as they add a sophisticated touch to even the most casual of looks.  If you’re feeling bold, try one in an unusual color - else, you’ll be right on the neutral trend with a nice brown bag.

What do you think?  How would you wear the top-handle handbag?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on September 20th, 2010 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 1 comment

Spring 2011 Fashion Week Trend: Boxy Blouses

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Photo Credit: Style.com
Boxy Blouses at Diane von Furstenberg and Doo Ri.


Style tip?  A warm weather take on Fall 2010’s emphasis on tailoring, the boxy blouse is a key silhouette for Spring/Summer 2011.  We’ve seen the boxy blouse long - but the cropped silhouette has been catching our eye.  Wear this loosely fitting blouse with skinny pants or a fitted skirt for a classic big-over-small look.  Or if you want the opposite, try a draped pant or skirt on the bottom with a cropped boxy blouse up top.

What do you think?  How would you wear the boxy blouse?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on September 20th, 2010 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women |

Spring 2011 Fashion Week Trend: Return of the 1970s

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Photo Credit: Style.com
1970s fashion at Derek Lam, Marc Jacobs, and Marc by Marc Jacobs.


Style tip?  We may be looking at 2011, but the 1970s are back in full force.  The sartorial vibe was decidedly vintage 1970s, with high waisted pantsuits (paired with turtlenecks, no less!), bright Southern California chic stripes, and maxi-length dresses. To modernize the look, designers updated materials (fashion’s love affair with denim made itself apparent at Derek Lam) and accessories - note the sneaker heels at Marc by Marc Jacobs - tres sportif!

What do you think?  How would you wear 1970s fashion?  Share your thoughts in the comments!

Posted by Trisha on September 20th, 2010 in Runway Reviews, Runway Reviews, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 1 comment

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