Wearable Fashion Trends 8: Minidresses

This season marks the return of the minidress. It seems that every fabric, colour, cut and style of minidress were made with hemlines creeping up and up - some barely-there - for the warmer weather perhaps.

Runway: The skirts are so short on some of the minis and babydolls that they barely cover the model's bottom.

Reality Shorter may be better for shorts, dresses and skirts, but this is definitely a youthful trend. Get the same leggy look with a bit more coverage by adding a minidress with black tights or by putting a minidress over skinny cropped jeans.

Just for fun, I looked for pics of celebrities in their minidresses and here's what I found in Second City Style. Who looks prettier? Who Wore It Better?

Lindsay Lohan vs. Lily Allen in a tweed-rimmed dress by Chanel

Stacy Keibler vs. Kelly Clarkson in a Castle Starr minidress



Nicky Hilton vs. Hilary Duff in a Petro Zillia jumper



Paris Hilton vs. Serena Williams in an Alice + Olivia sequined shift

Wearable Fashion Trends 7: Metallics

Maybe you're seeing lots of metallics all around you. Such colors as gold, silver and bronze become the new neutrals suitable not only for night but also for day. Reflect the rising mercury with day-to-night metallics.

Runway: Designers add glitz to both daytime and evengwearwith sequins, lurex and metallic lace.

Reality: You might have metallic overdose because it's been around for so many seasons, but this time try metallics in apparel pieces instead of just accessories. Soft gold or silver lurex or lace pieces have just the right touch of shine for daytime. Mix daytime pieces with white for a fresh, warm-weather look. For after-five, the more subdued metallics work, but you can also up the gleam factor with big gold and silver spangles and beaded short dresses.

Photo Source: 1, 2

NYC Sample Sale City!

Holy crap are there a TON of sample sales going on right about now.

Here they are, laydeez!

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG:
June 5 - 8
Tues, 9 - 6
Weds & Thurs, 10 - 7
Fri, 9 - 3
260 5th Ave, between 28 and 29

NIKKA NEW YORK
May 30 - June 2
Wed - Fri, 11 - 8
Sat, 11am - 6pm
214 W. 39th St, between 7th & 8th Aves., Suite #805
(212) 302-4284

TAHARI & ELIE TAHARI
May 31 - June 3 2007
Thurs, 2 - 7
Fri & Sat, 10 - 7
Sun, 11 - 7
72 Greene St., between Spring & Broome
(212) 239-7272

ELIJAH
May 30 & 31
Weds & Thurs, 10 - 6
The Globe Showroom
263 W. 38th St., between 7th and 8th Aves), 11th floor
(212) 221-6523
Cash and credit

LOTTA STENSON
Find Outlets
Thurs - Sun, 12 - 7
361 W. 17th Street, between 8th and 9th Aves.

And

229 Mott Street, between Prince and Spring


MARA HOFFMAN
May 31 - June 3
Thurs - Sat, 11 - 7
Sun, 12 - 6
70 Greene St., between Spring & Broome
(212) 505-3020

Um, part of me is VERY relieved I'm out of town this weekend! Now go forth and SAMPLE!

Marc Jacobs: Great Shoes, Questionable Tat

Um, so apparently Marc Jacobs has a "real" MySpace page and, far more disturbingly, he apparently also has a tattoo of an M&M. Like the cartoony ones in the commercials. WTF?


(Photo from his MySpace page)

Weird, right? Anyone got any insight into the ink? Oh well. I like these:



($189, Marc Jacobs, Gothamcityonline.com)


And these:

($297, Marc Jacobs, Bloomingdale's)


And this... but...

($172, Marc Jacobs, Diabro.net)
I like the detailing on this top, but, um, does it have deodorant marks on it??? Eeps! And are those sorta Mom jeans?


Also, I discovered this while looking through Diabro.net:

($520, Alexander McQueen, Diabro.net)
Um, a 3/4-length Alexander McQueen Italian leather jacket for $500??? Five hundred AMERICAN dollars (not pounds??) Wows. I could actually justify that. It's gorgeous. Any takers? Better yet, my birthday's in barely two months!

Wearable Fashion Trends 6: Patent

Let it Shine with Patent Leather!

This high-gloss, waterproof material is most commonly used for shoes. Originally worn to complement warm weather looks, black patent leather in particular has emerged as a year-round fashion statement. It returns to its warm weather roots this season by showing up in a variety of warm weather colors and trims. Red patent peek-a-boo flats are being shown with black and white Capri-style pants, and oversized white patent totes replace heavier black leather bags for the fashion-conscious crowd. Oversized patent leather belts are also a great way to create waist interest over long summer cardigan sweaters and tunics. Many trench coats this season have also taken on a patent-like shine. Of course, the key to wearing these shiny new looks well is to treat them as accents.

Runway: Normally tame accessories like wide belts and pumps take on shine with patent.

Reality: Black patent -- either in a wide belt or clutch bag -- is the easiest to wear. Bright patent pieces add plenty of pop -- orange, bright blue, red -- so pair them with something equally strong like graphic black and white outfits.

Photo Source

Wicker Is For Patio Furniture...

... Not your feet, okay? Same goes for rattan, jute, straw and raffia. Actually, ESPECIALLY for raffia. That shit is itchy and scratchy, and really, like cockroaches, do either really serve ANY purpose except to be annoying? Yet still, Stella (Ms. McCartney if yer nasty) insists upon basketweaving them into footwear, and the well-heeled set (or those who consider themselves so) drink it up with a straw.

Really? These??



($575, Stella McCartney, Barneys)
Hideous, unflattering, and may God help you should you go within 40 feet of a fired-up grill. And is there anything worse than witnessing a girl (usually overly fake tanned by about six or seven shades) in a dangerously short babydoll dress hobbling over a subway grate in 6-inch-high wicker walkers, desperately trying to maintain balance while avoiding a "Seven-Year Itch" moment? Seriously, one of the worst of all summer fashion cliches.



($575, Stella McCartney, Bergdorf Goodman)
Nope. Still terrible!



($495, VPL)
Is this someone's idea of a cruel joke?



($640, Fendi, Barneys)
They're not wicker or whatever, but close enough, as they ARE hateful. Glakdfjl;asdjfsl;aj!



($34, Connie, Shoes.com)
Avert your eyes!



($520, Fendi, Barneys)
Fendi's high-heel version of a five-car-pileup. It's as though the ankle strap is the freaking jaws of life, desperately attempting to free the helpless victim (in this case, your foot) from its captor (in this case, this God awful excuse for a shoe).



($615, Manolo Blahnik, Bergdorf Goodman)
What's that old adage about money not buying taste?



(Apprx $35 USD, Dorothy Perkins)
If you absolutely MUST, these aren't bad, though I'm rarely a huge fan of the T-bar.



($29, SM New York, Shop.com)
Finally, a pair of raffia shoes that don't make me want to gouge my eyes out. BTW, loks like SM New York is Steve Madden's lower-rent label. I always thought Steve Madden shoes were unreasonably priced, so yay for this.



($521, Hollywould, Ilovehollywould.com)
Apparently what we have here is one of the season's "it bags," though that's not saying much considering another "it bag" is an obnoxious send-off of a bag poor people keep their earthly belongs in. Anyway, what's so special about this clutch? Sure it's cute, especially if you're going to the Kentucky Derby, (which is SOOOOOOO two weeks ago), but you can find a straw clutch in any half-way decent vintage shop. And I'll hazard a guess that they're well below $500 bucks and that the above clutch ain't worth 5 Benjamins.



($225, Isabella Fiore, Bergdorf Goodman)
If you're still jonesing for an expensive straw clutch, this is pretty cute and half the price of Hollywould's. I like the white version too.



($108, Franchi, Zappos.com)
Much better.



($68, Mad Imports)
Juicy and delish colors, and no hideous ornamentation!!! THANK you!

I'm also feeling some of their other "all-natural" products that don't make me want to toss my recycling in the trash in protest of aesthetic bastardization:


($110, Mad Imports)



($98, Mad Imports)

K, bye!

Wearable Fashion Trends 5: Fun Florals

There is a summer romance blossoming and it’s blooming in your closet! Well put that romantic floral frock on and skip down the street. Look for overgrown prints and and rosette embellishments to add life to your wardrobe. Sweet daisies and gorgeous bouquets give great silhouettes with ultimate girly touch. And with so many flowers to pick, you will be sure to grow the perfect fashion garden.

Runway: Blooms are a perennial spring fave, but this season they come in fun sizes and colors.

Reality: To look modern, you need to pass on the ditsy little prints and go for something bright and bold, like hot pink or bright blue; graphic black and white floral prints are great, too. Floral embellishments don't have to just be in a print; look for flower embellishment, tone-on-tone embroidery and accessories, too.











Photo Source: 1, 2

Fantasy Shopping the eLuxury Sale

My friend Michelle alerted me to a new favorie Internetty pastime: fantasy shopping! In this fun game, you simply add to your cart all the items on a site you wish you could have. I tried it out at the eLuxury sale, but I think I need a little practice. I maintained a semi-frugal attitude and only added reasonably affordable things. My total was just $1,864. Here's what I racked up:



Montauk medium satchel, $139. Did Tamron blog this already? If so, she's convinced me. A nice clean-lined, classic-looking bag.



Marc by Marc Jacobs patent ribbon wedge ballerina shoe, $207. I'm normally anti-patent, but there's something soft-looking about the material, plus the delectable wackiness of the shoe itself...



Marc by Marc Jacobs wild rose-print dress, $199. This would look so cute on someone with, uh, good posture.



Juicy Couture embroidered canvas coat, $269.



Marc by Marc Jacobs pintuck sleeveless top, $95.





Edun Sage straight-leg jeans, $79.



Ella Moss Sabrina dress, $79. That front panel of nonruffled hem is a little strange. I don't quite get it. But I love that the braided belt is included. I just can never be bothered with belts.



Robert Rodriguez ruffled sheath dress, $179.



Ella Moss Newport flutter-sleeve dress, $62. I sure do seem to love Ella Moss!



Marc by Marc Jacobs stretch canvas crop pants, $105. Feel the breeze!



Bailey 44 side-twist tee, $59. More like this, please.



Marc by Marc Jacobs Quintana jersey dress, $149.



Ella Moss Garrett dress, $89. This would be purr-fect for a wedding. I may just pick it up for the next one on my calendar....



Diesel Wonnha 60D jeans, $154. These look so comfortable and effortlesslyl stylish. Down with skinnies!

And that's all she wrote, folks. Stay tuned for the next edition of...Fantasy Shopping! (said in game-show-host voice, of course...)