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.
Posted by Trisha on April 21st, 2010 in Shopping Guide, Women | 3 comments
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!
Posted by Trisha on April 20th, 2010 in Men, Shopping Guide, Trendscape | 5 comments
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.
Posted by Trisha on April 19th, 2010 in Men, Shopping Guide | 4 comments
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.
Posted by Trisha on April 18th, 2010 in Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 3 comments
Pictured: Sequined Starland Tank | $138 at J Crew, Pleat Tapered Trousers | $70 at Topshop, AE Classic Denim Jacket | $39.95 (sale) at American Eagle, Worn Large Leatherette Tote | $32.80 at Forever 21, Seychelles Teardrop T-Strap Heel | $88 at Urban Outfitters.
Sequins used to be creatures of the night, but they’re increasingly accepted for daytime wear. If you decide to sequin up your daytime look, you have two options: (1) go glam and essentially wear cocktail type attire during the daytime, or (2) mix your sequins into more utilitarian pieces for a sophisticated daytime look. We put together a springy outfit that shows you how to do the latter:
1. Start with a sequinned tank top, and pair it with a pair of casual trousers. We like how the pleats and the slightly rolled cuffs bring these trousers down to earth.
2. Add another touch of utilitywear to this outfit with the jacket of the moment - a close fitting denim jacket.
3. Finish off the look with a set of accessories that mash up feminine and utility - a pair of fetching t-strap heels in aqua and a sturdy holdall bag.
How would you wear sequins during the day? Share your style with us in the comments!
Posted by Trisha on April 15th, 2010 in Ready Made Outfits, Women | 4 comments
What do you pair with your everyday trousers to make them new again? A gorgeous drapey blouse, of course! We love the delicate watercolor print on this chiffon blouse. But we do recommend an undershirt so as to not reveal your underthings.
$58 at Urban Outfitters.
Posted by Trisha on April 15th, 2010 in Shopping Guide, Women | 2 comments
Quality fabrics, designer collaborations, and a keen sense of styling has transformed J Crew from a catalog retailer into a definitive force in menswear. So it’s no surprise that we’ve got our eye on J Crew as we suss out key pieces to add to our wardrobes for spring. Spring 2010 at J Crew is about the easy classics - the chambray shirt, inventive takes on gingham, chinos, madras shorts, slim cut denim, glen plaid - and of course, the trilby hat. Here’s five of our favorite J Crew picks for Spring 2010:
1. Seagrass Trilby Hat | $40 at J Crew
2. Pinpoint Oxford Shirt in Shadow Gingham | $59.50 at J Crew
3. Quoddy Grizzly Boots | $360 at J Crew
4. Mini Glen Plaid Ludlow Sportcoat | $148 at J Crew
5. Broken in Chino in Regular Fit | $59.50 at J Crew
PS: If you’re interested in a preview of J Crew’s Fall 2010 collection, A Continuous Lean has the scoop.
Posted by Trisha on April 13th, 2010 in Men, Shopping Guide | 7 comments
Harem trousers aren’t for everyone, but if you’re willing to venture into new territory for spring, you’ll find these linen harem pants to be quite fetching. They look lovely paired with a simple drapey white blouse and espadrilles - with a brightly colored handbag for a splash of color.
$60 at Topshop.
Posted by Trisha on April 12th, 2010 in Shopping Guide, Women | 2 comments
We asked: Would you wear One-Piece Jumpers?
You said: No to One-Piece Jumpers, with a 77% to 23% vote.
Style tip? Jumpers - or rompers, as they’re also known - are not the most intuitive fashion choice for spring. But what’s undeniable is how fast they’re flying off the racks. Jumpers definitely feel like a (slightly more accessible) Spring 2010 version of the Harem Pant - or the Sweatpants/Stiletto trend - something that fashionistas love, but definitely not mainstream. If you dare to wear a romper, try them with a pair of low heels. Too high heels are a bit too much, especially for daytime, with the short shorts that inevitably accompany the romper. Or, if you want to go for a higher heel, add a bit of edge to your feminine romper with a boyfriend blazer.
Next question: Tie Dye is reminiscent of (questionable) 80s style. But Proenza Schouler’s Spring 2010 collection made us see psychedelic tie-dye in a whole new light. But what do you think? Tell us, would you wear tie-dye? Cast your vote on the sidebar!
Pictured: Pins and Needles Piped Sailor Romper | $58 at Urban Outfitters.
Posted by Trisha on April 11th, 2010 in Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 5 comments
It’s official - Spring has arrived. And with Spring comes a much-awaited wardrobe update as befits the longer days and rising temperatures. What’s on deck for April 2010? While winter was all about hard blacks tempered by greys, spring is embracing neutral colors and pastels, accompanied by pops of bright color. We’re outfitting ourselves in creamy whites, dusty khakis, army olives, and navy blues. Sartorially, we’re femininizing for Spring as well - with drapey knits and ruffles - all perfect pairings for the season’s military influence. Here’s our top picks for April 2010:
1. Deena & Ozzy Perimeter Oxford | $38 at Urban Outfitters
2. Knitted Drape Waistcoat | $60 at Topshop
3. Linen Trousers | $69.50 at Loft
4. Lucca Couture New Safari Jumper | $58 at Urban Outfitters
5. City Safari Pant | $69.50 at J Crew
6. Multi Seamed Mesh Slip Cami | $50 at Topshop
7. Ribbon Straw Box Bag | $60 at Topshop
8. Milly Ruffle Jacket | $416 at Piperlime
9. Millie Canvas Boots | $70 at Topshop
Posted by Trisha on April 8th, 2010 in Shopping Guide, Trend, Trend Predictives, Trendscape, Trendscape, What's In and What's Out, Women | 5 comments
