Plumes of Red Licorice Ruffles

The fashion world is buzzing with excitement as NY Fashion Week continues this upcoming week. This is a year of new beginnings as Mercedes Benz Fashion Week is now being held in Lincoln Center, rather than the old location of Bryant Park. Designers are showcasing their creations for Spring 2011 and though fall has just begun, there is no shortage of sheer and skimpy pieces on the runway. After flipping through some pictures from the shows on Thursday and Friday I am already seeing some very apparent trends for next year. The sheer, flowy fabrics and minimalist looks are staying strong as they also persevered on this fall's runways. Many of the designers color palettes consist of creams and nudes with pops of refreshing color, which is also something we have seen on the runway in recent seasons. A trend that is faring well on the recent runways is the bohemian traveler look. Tribal prints, long skirts, safari inspired looks. It is all so exciting!

On a more detailed note, Christian Siriano presented his collection on Thursday and maintained the wow-factor that his clothing has always possessed. Incorporating many of the trends in a single collection, he managed to create a collection that was very wearable, yet unique. Being his flamboyant self, he also threw a few over-the-top looks in there too, one of my favorites being this red dress. How spectacular is this, seriously?! This piece better show up in one of Vogue or Elle's spreads this fall because I just can't get over how great it is. The color, the texture....I just want to curl up in a little ball and take a nap inside the ruffles of this dress! I will now leave you to feast your eyes on the gorgeousness of this museum-worthy dress.
'Til next time friends

Autumn is in the air

No, I have not fallen off the face of the earth, but yes, I have been a complete fail when it comes to blogging recently. Summer is quickly coming to a close :( Then again, maybe it's not so bad because that means we get to go back to school to learn new things and see old friends, and best of all...we get to go back to school shopping :) I have gotten some new things recently that I can't wait to work into my wardrobe this fall! I am excited to get dressed every morning and actually have somewhere to go. Speaking of back to school, here are some trends for the fall 2010 season.
Fur: Real, fake, overstated, understated. Fur was seen all over the runways in many different forms. I understand that it is not realistic to think you are going to walk down the street in a full length fur coat, but you can still incorporate this trend into your wardrobe in small ways. Think accessories, such as small cross strap bags, clutches, or even a fur cowl to pair with your favorite knit sweater or feminine dress if you are feeling daring.
Military Inspiration: Release your inner drill sargent with army green fatigues and rugged backpacks and messenger bags. The simplest way to wear this trend is the new and fabulous skinny cargo pant. You can find them everywhere from Macy's to Saks and they are a great, versatile pant to have in your wardrobe. Another item to consider is a military inspired jacket. Try one in a knit material with a bit of shoulder padding and two nice, neat rows of buttons running up both sides of the front.
Minimalism: Clean cut and sleek as ever. Think Calvin Klein woman. Go for pieces with clean tailoring and no embellishment. Buy something in a neutral or nude tone and be a true minimalist, or try something in bold jewel tone or even metallic shade for a bit more pop. Remember that you can still steal the spotlight in a well cut, unique minimalist piece. Note: if you are a glam girl, this may not be the trend for you ;)
Sheer: Models on the runway exposed a lot of skin in the fall 2010 shows, as many designers exemplified the trend of incorporating lingerie into day wear. Go for a less scandy version of this trend by opting for shirts in sheer fabrics and layering them over a simple cami. By doing this, you can still look fashion forward without revealing too much skin.

Well friends, this is definitely not the whole lot of trends for fall, but it is a few to get you thinking and excited about the fall months to come. If I don't post again before your school starts, have a great first day of school! And I have to give a shout out to my well-loved, soon-to-be college freshman that are part of the blogging community and are all leaving soon :( I love you Molly, Dani, and Cecilie...you guys will be missed! Well, that's all for now folks. 'Til next time!

Online Shopping Heaven

I have recently discovered a slew of online shopping websites that offer designer goods for a fabulously discounted price. I have noticed numerous articles and youtube videos mentioning these websites so I am sensing that they will soon become the big craze in the online merchandise world. In order to access these websites you have to sign up, but the registration is very simple and they are free to join. note: you will need to give out your email address, but if you are really paranoid about giving out your full name you can just make it up or abbreviate it...that's what I did ;) These websites are filled with designer brands such as marc jacobs, tibi, juicy couture, seven for all mankind, D&G, and much more. They even have some room wares and the occasional beauty line such as tarte cosmetics. Now, the mention of these names may seem tantalizing, but I am sure you are also currently wondering how you could ever afford all this goodness. Well here is the beauty of these websites...everything they carry is discounted. That's right, all this designer deliciousness is now sitting at your fingertips just waiting to be bitten at. Another nice thing about these websites is that they cycle their merchandise every few days, so new brands are constantly appearing on the website. Whoever came up with this idea is simply genius...the Einstein of the the online shopping world.
Check out these websites:
ruelala.com
hautelook.com
gilt.com

Dior's Beautiful Blooms

I have been meaning to blog about this for a while now, so here I am, offering some slightly tardy, yet worthy recognition for the Christian Dior fall winter 2010/2011 Haute Couture show. This show is breathtakingly beautiful and every element is flawless. The dresses are like blossoming clouds of perfection, the makeup is to the t, the shoes are to die for, the set is immaculate, and the music beautifully rounds out the experience. What more can a person ask for?! The show begins with more wearable pieces, progresses to evening wear, and concludes with a few gowns that are indescribably amazing. It is awfully hard to choose favorites when almost every piece in the show makes you weak at the knees. John Galliano has showcased the mastery his art form yet again and I would love to share the blissful experience of watching this show with you all. Here are the URLs to watch it:
part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29zzJ1g3do0&feature=related
part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cQZtUEr_H8&feature=related
Enjoy!

Show Off That Pedicure!

Summer is in the air and warm weather means pedicure-baring sandals are taking center stage! Yes, it has been warm and sunny for quite some time now, but with the recent death of my favorite pair of gladiators, sandals have been on my mind. And guess what?! There are plenty of summer days left to enjoy so why not adorn your feet in the most spectacular of footwear. An added bonus is that most summer clothing and footwear is going on sale now because stores are starting to make room for their shipments of fall apparel (crazy, I know...summer has only just begun). For all you savvy shoppers out there, remember that after the 4th of July summer clothing and accessories will start hitting the sale racks, so this is the perfect time to replace that washed out bikini or worn out pair of wedges.

If you are in the market for a new pair of sandals, consider checking out the newest gladiators. They continue to be a trendy and functional footwear option. Gladiators are great to wear around town, at the beach, or even for a nicer event. For a dressier look try a metallic gladiator sandal with a small wedge and possibly even some bejeweled accents. Gladiators are great because their strappy nature makes them easy to walk in and they come in a range of styles so you can find them in a simple t-strap form or in a hot-off-the-runways, tons of detailing design. Release you inner Cleopatra and rock those gladiators!

Another hot style of footwear this summer is the wedge. Great for those summer evening outings or an afternoon of shopping downtown, wedges have the leg lengthening benefit of a heel, but without all the wobbling. Wedges are available in a wide range of heel heights and their sturdy base makes them a very practical option when looking for a heeled sandal. If you aren't ready to brave the wedge, try a colorful or embellished sandal for a summertime switch-up. A bold sandal can make an outfit shift from blah to beautiful, so be daring and try something new this summer! And what have you got to lose...they're all on sale now anyway ;)

Need....fresh air

I have finally returned from a week of thespian mayhem in Lincoln, Nebraska! It was a fun festival filled with workshops, shows, and costumed dances, but it is nice to be back in the routine of summer. We stayed at the University of Nebraska and I have gone to summer camps where I stayed in a dorm before, but this trip got me especially excited for college. It was so nice to be away and to experience new people and places! It made me realize how ready I am to get out of high school. I mean don't get me wrong, high school has been great, but I am ready to venture to new places and follow my dream. I especially loved being in a place where there was a diversity of people who all had different ways of dressing. It got me thinking about how blah high school is and how ready I am to experience something new. Even last night, I was at Target and I saw a college aged girl dressed like she was just pulled off the streets of NYC, working the edgy boyfriend look. Now, this is a rare occurrence to see at a place like Target in a stingy suburb, but it was such a breath of fresh air. I feel myself gasping for air in this stereotypical wealthy suburb where I reside...I need change!

Dress to Express

I have recently discovered the show Glee and I confess that I have spent a good number of hours watching every episode I could get my hands on this past week. I now understand why everyone was raving about it so much...it is genius television! The plot is enticing and there are plenty of plot twists to keep the viewer engaged, the characters have strong personalities that represent the widespread demographic of teens at a high school, and every episode is filled with catchy tunes sung in a new way...what is there not to love! One thing that I still fail to understand though, is why the latest Glee cast songs manage to consume nearly 85 of the top 100 spots on the itunes top 100 list. Wouldn't you rather just buy the original song?! Anyway, I am sure you are wondering why I am gushing over Glee on a fashion blog...what does any of this have to do with fashion???

Well, in episode 20, titled "theatricality", the theme of dressing to express yourself serves as the central message. This got me thinking about how fashion is such an excellent way to express yourself. Your outfits can fluctuate with your mood and no one is harmed by what you choose to wear in the morning. Most of us have a general style that we evoke through our apparel, but I think it is wrong for us to pinhole ourselves into one particular subgroup of dressing. Everyone is multifaceted and one's clothing should be given the opportunity to show that. Many people find that a simple pair of jeans and a t shirt are right for their lifestyle and that is completely fine, but for all you fashionistas out there remember that switching it up once in awhile isn't a bad thing. Dare to be different and show a new side of yourself. Your usual style may be "bohemian", but that doesn't mean you can't wear an oxford and khaki shorts for a more "preppy" look one day. You can even try mixing styles. I find that some of the most uniquely special outfits are created when you don't try to look a certain way. You simply select clothing and accessories based on what you are feeling. Life is fun, so live it to the fullest and allow your wardrobe to show the many great sides of you!