A dash of yellow brings out the life in neutral colors. True to form, the mustard yellow on this sailor-inspired sundress perks up the brown undertones of this look. Complete the look with a pair of brown heels and a petite side slung purse.
$67.99 at Ruche.
Posted by Trisha on May 19th, 2010 in Shopping Guide, Women |
Pictured: Point-collar Dress Shirt in Baltic Stripe | $55 at J Crew with Floral Tie | $11.84 at ASOS, Button Down Dress Shirt in Shadow Tattersall | $69.50 at J Crew with Hackett Madras Tie | $93 at ASOS.
The dress shirt and tie is one of the most foundation combinations for men, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Sure, you can mix your solid colored ties with solid colored dress shirts - or even your striped tie with the colored dress shirt - but you needn’t limit yourself to a single print or pattern. We love the look of mixing and matching patterns with shirts and ties, especially now that mixing and matching different prints in the same outfit is no longer reserved for the fashion forward.
But when you’re mixing and matching different prints, how do you make sure they work together? The key is to tie the prints together with a motif - be it size, pattern, and/or color.
Size: If you have two different prints, they’ll work together if the scale of the print is similar. Two small prints will complement one another, as will two oversized prints.
Pattern: If you have two patterns of the same style, such as two plaids, you’ll do best by mixing up the scale of the print. A small plaid with a large one, for example, will create visual interest. Otherwise, the look can come out feeling too matchy-matchy.
Color: Sometimes all you need is a shared color to make two wildly different prints work together. Color can work its magic to synchronize even multiple prints in an outfit; it’s the motif of choice to leverage when you’re combining three or more patterns in a single look.
How will you match your dress shirt and tie? Share your style with us in the comments!
With all of the summer sundresses we’re collecting, we’re feeling the need for some sundress-worthy shoes. The beauty of these heels is that their neutral color goes with just about everything. Plus, don’t you adore the perforated design details?
$67.64 at ASOS.
Posted by Trisha on May 17th, 2010 in Shopping Guide, Women | 2 comments
We asked: Would you wear Short Shorts?
You said: No to Short Shorts, with a 65% to 35% vote.
Style tip? While shorts are a summer staple, short shorts tend to cause a bit more controversy than your garden variety short. Proponents of the short short cite its ability to visually lengthen your leg, while opponents point out the difficulty in wearing short shorts if you have less-than-perfect legs. We’d recommend a slim cut short short for younger women who are tall and slender. If you’re more petite, however, you can still wear short shorts, extending the illusion of longer legs with a heeled shoe. Summer’s wedge espadrilles look especially fresh with short shorts.
Next question: Conversational Prints, featuring motifs like plants, animals, and other ephemera, do just that - start a conversation. But they can be too much, especially in large doses. What do you think? Tell us, would you wear conversational prints? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: BDG 5 Pocket Short Shorts | $39 at Urban Outfitters.
Posted by Trisha on May 16th, 2010 in Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 6 comments
It may be almost summer, but springtime florals are still in full bloom. These florals range from graphic to literal, oversized to micro sized - what connects them is a flirty, feminine attitude. Paired with statement hats (or headbands), cardigan sweaters, and espadrilles, these garden party worthy dresses will gracefully breathe life into your neutral-heavy summer wardrobe. Here’s six garden party floral dresses worth a look:
1. Floral Print Cowlneck Dress | $98 at Banana Republic
2. Flowers in the Fountain Dress | $74.99 at ModCloth
3. Make Arrangements Dress | $53.99 at ModCloth
4. Print Dress with Beaded Necklace | $89.50 at LOFT
5. Kimchi Blue Lace-Up Strapless Linen Dress | $58 at Urban Outfitters
6. Pins and Needles Puff Sleeve Chiffon Dress | $68 at Urban Outfitters
What will you wear with garden party florals? Share your style with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on May 13th, 2010 in Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 2 comments
Gossip Girl’s Blair Waldorf heralded the return of the headband, but you don’t have to be a Park Avenue Princess to wear one. We love the bohemian feel of this beaded applique headwrap - which looks just as lovely for day as it does for evening.
$24 at Urban Outfitters.
Posted by Trisha on May 12th, 2010 in Shopping Guide, Women |
Pictured, from left to right: Jean Jacket | $440 at Patrik Ervell, Cardigan | $330 at Patrik Ervell, Unstructured Blazer | $640 at Patrik Ervell.
Patrik Ervell isn’t one to sit still. His penchant for innovation extends past his fabric choices (he’s been known to use unfamiliar fabrics, such as latex rubber and parachute fabrics). Now that he’s joined the ecommerce club, Ervell is pushing the boundaries of what’s traditional in online retailing. Instead of seeing static imagery, Ervell’s website features rows upon rows of models primping - adjusting collars and fiddling with their hair. But Ervell’s ability to push the boundaries - online, and in making menswear familiar-yet-new - isn’t the only reason to scope out his collection. Ervell knows that menswear is all about the details, and he gets them right.
Shop Patrik Ervell’s full collection at http://www.patrikervell.com.
Posted by Trisha on May 11th, 2010 in Men, Shopping Guide | 2 comments
Florals are huge for Spring 2010 - from garden party prints to abstract floral designs. We’re digging the small floral print on this wildflower dress - feminine, but not too girly. Wear it with a long cardigan (belt optional) and wedge heels for a perfectly casual weekend look.
$49.99 at Modcloth.
Posted by Trisha on May 11th, 2010 in Shopping Guide, Women | 1 comment
We asked: Would you wear Pattern on Pattern?
You said: Yes to Pattern on Pattern, with a 64% to 36% vote.
Style tip? Wearing pattern on pattern may not be covered in Style 101, but it’s not as hard as you might imagine. What are the rules for wearing two different patterns? To effectively combine two different patterns, make sure that the two patterns "speak" to one another. This may be through a shared color, motif, or even pattern size (e.g. pairing micropatterns with other micropatterns). Case in point - the heart blouse and jacket pictured at left. Notice how the shared heart motif - and the grey color - brings these two pieces together.
Next question: Summer is just around the corner, which means hot days - and a sea of shorts for weekend wear. And one of the most popular styles this season is hotpants (aka short shorts). But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear short shorts? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Confetti Heart Print Polo Crop | $32 at Topshop and Heart Print Biker Jacket | $80 at Topshop.
Posted by Trisha on May 9th, 2010 in Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 1 comment
Spring/Summer 2010 is in love with sweats - in pants form for women, and in heathered grey sweatshirts for men - so we’re taking another look at jersey knits. Paired with the right items, jersey knit can work for work - and keep you super comfortable to boot. We paired an olive knit jersey with a chambray-like shawl collar tunic and a pair of high waisted sailor pants. (Yes, please tuck in that tunic for best effect.) Finishing off the outfit are a pair of oxford peep toe booties and a rich, chocolatey bucket bag to tote your notebooks - or perhaps your new iPad.
Here’s how to wear jersey knits to work:
Jersey Boyfriend Blazer | $110 at Topshop
Lightweight Cotton Tunic Top | $59.50 at J Crew
Wide Leg Trousers | $70 at Topshop
Seychelles Perforated Peep-Toe Oxford | $128 at Urban Outfitters
Deux Lux Tassel Bucket Bag | $68 at Urban Outfitters
How would you wear jersey knits to work? Share your style with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on May 6th, 2010 in Ready Made Outfits, Women |
