Must Have: The Spring Leather Short

 

I have been slowly but surely getting back into caring about fashion and clothes.  I have been exhausted these last couple of months with new demands of my job (hence the lack of posts) and just haven't been inspired by anything fashion related.  Then I came across these leather shorts over on BCBG website.  I absolutely have to have these.  I must find a way to justify this purchase as they are a whopping $448.00. 

Shop The Trends: Leather Luxe

1.  213 Industry Jessica Blocked Skirt

2.  Tinley Road Faux Leather Peplum Top

3. Free People Vegan Leather Skirt

4.  213 Industry Vegan Leather Sleeve Mini Dress

Transitioning: Fall Booties

 Sam Edelman Petty Bootie

DV by Dolce Vita Folly Bootie

Ladies we are entering fall season so you know what that means.  It is time to start transitioning the wardrobes and what better way than to add a couple of statement booties.  It looks like animal prints are still trending in the footwear department and you have to love the options that are available.  Check below for more fall styles from these designers.  

Street Style: Cap Toe Pumps

photo via

Found this photo over at Stockholm Street Style and it reminded me that cap toed pumps/shoes are  having a major moment this season.  I think the silhouette of a pointy toed pump is forever classic but this little minor update just really does it for me.  I have yet to see one that I don't like.  From Louis Vuitton to Stuart Weitzman.  Just remember wherever there is a trendy high end version, Zara/Asos/H&M has its more affordable version.  

What's The Trend: Sportswear

Another trend we can look forward to this SS'12 season is women's sports wear.  This look is one of my favorites because it is the most flexible.  Think luxe casual.  Casual pieces like cropped trousers, hooded pullovers/outerwear in structured shapes and cotton pants as seen in Alexander Wang SS'12 and denim in crazy prints a la Isabel Marant.   Style Tip: I have seen this trend worn in different ways.  Some people go complete sportswear with sneakers and baseball caps while others choose to balance the look with more feminine dressy pieces i.e. sandals/pumps and sophisticated bags.  Whatever you do make sure that the look has clean lines with pieces made with quality materials.   Shop the Trend: 1.  Isabel Marant Nea Top (similar) 2. Alexander Wang Croc Ryan Clutch (similar in white and black) 3. Alexander Wang Chloe Leather Sandals and here 4. Isabel Marant Leo Trouser (similar)

What's The Trend: Peplum

 

Top: Alexander McQueen Silk Peplum Jacket (similar) ; Bottom: Elie Saab Leather Peplum Jacket

           

Peplum appears to be here to stay!!  Designers used the silhouette in fall ready to wear collections last year in the form of a skirt and has brought it back this upcoming spring for tops and outerwear.  I wasn't a fan of the Peplum skirt/dresses but I am loving it on tops and cropped jackets.  

STYLE TIP:  Remember watch your proportions and pair with skinny jeans/trousers, pencil skirts and if you are feeling bold try a wide leg trouser a la Celine SS'12 Ready to Wear.  What do you guys think of this trend? Will you be incorporating it into your spring wardrobes?

Street Style: Monochromatic Blues

Photo Credit: Carolines Mode

Caroline of Stockholm Street Style is always on trend and she doesn't miss a beat here with this A/W monochromatic look.  I like how she made the trend her own and didn't go too matchy matchy, which is what this trend calls for.  She broke the monochromatic look up with gray details like the shoes and purse.  I also like the use of differing textures in knit, leather and suede.  This monochromatic trend was huge on the runways this A/W season so stay tuned for a 'What's the Trend' post dedicated to how to pull this look off.

Street Style: Envelope Clutch

Shop this look here

All photos via Google image search

'Mad' About Styling: Layered Maxi

 I was inspired by Vogue's June editorial 'America the Beautiful' where the model wore a beautiful Mulberry floral wrap dress layered over a Riccardo Tisci lilac skirt worn as a slip.  I decided to try my hand at stylizing this layered look with a white maxi dress over a green pleated sheer maxi skirt with a high slit.  The look is ultra feminine so I chose tough accessories like the Jefferey Campbell lace up platform ankle boot. 

I love this idea, it allows you to play around with the silhouette.  What do you think of the layered maxi look? 

To create a similar look:
Try these maxi dresses 


All Saints Goldie Maxi Dress
Asos Midi Dress in Colour Block
Rust Cowl Belted Midi Dress
Asos Sheer Maxi Beach Skirt


Style Tip: Try asymmetrical maxi/midi dresses with sheer for layering

Shop the Trend: Crochet+Maxi

I have previously discussed the crochet and maxi dress trends on numerous occasions and I found a perfect hybrid of the two. 

You can shop this look here

Street Style: Crochet

Street Style: The Oversized Clutch

What's The Trend: Denim

I have been noticing this trend for awhile now but wasn't quite sure how I felt about it.  I am going to step outside of my comfort zone with this one and actually try it out.  I have three particular ways in which I think I want to incorporate denim into my wardrobe.  Hopefully I can maintain my own personal style aesthetic and create some classic pieces that I can have in my wardrobe for years to come.

Denim Jacket- I am not the biggest fan of denim jackets and I don't have any in my wardrobe to speak of.  My reasoning behind this is denim tends to be a very gaudy material and fits boxy on me. 

How to wear it: This can be worn a number of ways but I plan to wear it much like I do my blazer's as outwear with just about any and everything.  I have a few floral dresses that I want to incorporate this look with.

Denim Shirt: This is another item that I do not possess in my wardrobe for the same reasons I don't own a jean jacket.  To wear a denim shirt for me goes against my style mantra of wearing comfortable clothing.  I couldn't imagine wearing this for an entire day against my skin.


How to wear it:  Depending on the feel of the fabric I plan on trying to incorporate this look the same way one would the classic men's white button up shirt.  Also oversized versions can be worn as outerwear much like a cardigan.

Denim Skirt/Dress: This look has always been one of those fleeting trendy styles that I try my best to stay away from which is why I never incorporated it into my wardrobe.

How to wear it:  For most of my dresses and skirts I try to stick to a slimming silhouette or an A-line style.  I like the idea of mixing prints and textures and trying out different accessories with this look.

What do you guys think, will you be trying this new trend out and how do you plan on wearing it?

What's The Trend: Pleats

How versatile is this trend.  You can pair a long pleated skirt with just about anything and make a fashion statement.  I prefer neat pleats (smaller) than the larger ones.  Either way I have to add this look to my wardrobe as a statement piece.  I am not the trendiest dresser I prefer classic pieces, but whose to say you can't make a trendy piece classic??






American Apparel

 

Chloe



Clothes by Ruki







What's The Trend: Summer Shoes "Wedge Espadrilles"

Ladies you want to be on the look out for the Wedge Espadrille shoe this summer.  It is a versatile shoe that can be worn with the new long silhoutte whether it be a high waist bell bottom or a maxi sundress.  Also don't just think casual you can wear these with a nice dress pant or pencil skirt at work.  Either way the Wedge Espadrille should be your shoe for the summer!! 



What's The Trend: Nautical Stripes

Here is a trend you guys should embrace for the up and coming spring/summer season, Nautical Stripes.  I absolutely love this trend.  There is so much you can do with this trend and personalize it to make it your own.  You can dress it up as well as dress it down.  Here are a few examples of how to work this trend!!

1.)  Stick to the classical look with navy and white as the major color palette.  You can also work some other colors like red and black as well.  This is a basic trend, you don't want to overdo it with the color palette because it is more about the styling with this look.  Also remember when shopping this trend to go for dominant stripes (large stripes). 

2.)  Also work this trend with the newer longer silhoutte.  Long trousers or bellbottoms are a perfect fit with this look.  Also you can try a high waisted pant or shorts with this look just make sure you find a way to tuck the shirt in so that you are elongating the silhoutte. 

3.)  Finally I am a big fan of mixing prints and textures so make sure, if you dare try it, incorporate some floral prints and non dominant stripes.  Non dominant stripes are the smaller stripes as seen in the example.  I love this look because it is so different and trust me not too many people are comfortable with mixing prints so you are sure to stand out with this look. 

What's The Trend: The Jumpsuit

This is a trend that has been popping up at all of the Spring runway shows but I really think we can get started a little early on trying em out.  Some of these will look great with a nice blazer and some banging wedges or stiletto pumps.  I am liking this trend what about you guys??

Gucci

Louis Vuitton

Marc Jacobs

Marchesa

Trussardi

Yves Saint Laurent

Hot Bags for the Spring Season

A couple of my favorite bags for this upcoming spring season.  Remember the miniature bag is in folks, so put away those over sized totes and get in with this trend.  

Valentino

Jill Sander

Lanvin

Louis Vuitton

What's The Trend: The Minaudiere aka The Clutch

I am loving the new twist that designers are putting on the clutch.  These versions of the strapless bags are really small and can literally fit in the palm of your hand (well maybe not mine because I am tiny.)  I have seen a lot of them but I am loving Louis Vuitton's Minaudiere Berlingot.

What's The Trend: Boots

I was asked to do a blog about what kind of boots are trending this fall/winter and I was more than happy to oblige.  I have been keeping my eye out for what is trending as far as boots are concerned and it looks like this fall is all about military and the knee high/above the knee boot.  There is also a new trend with the hybrid of the boot/peep toe bootie, and don't be surprised to see the reemergence of fur and the wedged heel.  Either way shoe junkies should be very happy with what this fall has in store for us in the way of boots!!  Check below for pics.

Sidenote: Refer to my What's The Trend: It's All About Socks post.  As you can see this trend can be rocked with boots more readily than with heels.