We Interrupt This Spring Fashion A to Z…

For a little Oscars fashion! Below are my best dressed – what do you think?

 

Sandra Bullock in Marchesa

Love how it fits like a glove – her hair and make up are what keep this from looking too overdone. Love, love, love, her hair.

Zoe Saldana in Givenchy Couture

Youthful, striking, different, elegant – what’s not to like about this couture masterpiece?

Elizabeth Banks in Atelier Versace

Unusual color and this awards’ biggest trend, front-split ruffles, done well.

Demi Moore in Atelier Versace

Again, ruffles done right – I just wish that she was paler – it would be even more striking. This would have been an absolute showstopper on someone like Anne Hathaway or Nicole Kidman. Demi does work it, though.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel Couture

Be still my heart – audible gasp in the room when I first saw SJP. So original, yet so old school Hollywood glamour.  Just the right amount of jewelry…does she ever get it wrong?

Meryl Streep in Chris March

Another gasp – smashing at 60! Meryl Streep has got to be the best thing that ever happened to Chris March – who used to be famous for this.

Maggie Gyllenhal in Dries Van Noten

Fresh, unusual, elegant – everything about this dress is Maggie. Bravo, ma cherie.

Spring Fashion: A to Z Part III

L

is for…

Long chain clutches

  

Proenza Schouler, Chanel via style.com

I’ve always loved a bag with a long chain so I can wear it cross body (lazy pants McGee over here), but now there’s a whole new way to wear what you already own. Carry it like a clutch, letting the chain hang down.

 

Lucite

Michael Kors via Style.com

Clear is in (see Ankle wrap sandal), from head to toe. Lucite and acrylic (the cheaper version)  popped up all over the runway. Designers like Alexis Bittar and R.J. Graziano and Ben Amun have great options at all price points for you to experiment.

 

M

is for…

Messy braids

Alexander Wang and Miu Miu via style.com

The messier, dirtier, longer, the better.  Read more in my Everything Middle School is Coming Up Cool Again post!

    Metallics

Christian Dior via style.com

Metallics are always in in my book, but this go round it’s all about silver lame. Liquid metallics make the new neutral feel fresh. This is one trend where I’d suggest going all the way first and not in small accents. You’re making an impact, ma cherie!

 

N

is for…

Neoprene

 

Skirt, Lisa Marie Hernandez, net-a-porter.com, $295

Surf’s up this season – neoprene came on fast and strong. Basically, anything that looks like a wet suit is trendy – keep it streamlined in bright colors and blacks.

Nudes

 

Nude you see it, nude you don’t. A blessing and a curse, nudes are for the brave (and the tan, although Nicole Kidman pulls it off fabulously). Try the flesh trend in a dress; a skirt or a top is just going to make the other piece look like it’s floating – and like you’re topless/skirtless!

O

is for…

Open Weave

Lots of designers were claiming to have been inspired by Japanese basket-weaving. Up in the air for me on that one, but it sure is pretty on this Carolina Herrera look!

 

P

is for…

Photoprints

 

  

There’s an alternative to animal and florals in the prints department, and thank goodness – these new photo/optical illusion inspired prints, stretched to make them abstract, are the new way to put your best print forward.

Peplum

It won’t make you hip-heavy; it defines your waist in the opposite way. Just make sure you work it in nice fabrics so that it doesn’t look cheap. Try this Urban Outfitters skirt.

Pastoral

Heidi’s back from the Alps by way of France and picked up a little sophisticated chic along her way. Hints of Hansel and Gretel and Frauline Maria were accented by super cool or streamlined accessories for an overall “The Hills Are Alive with The Sound of Summer” feeling.

Spring Fashion: A to Z Part II

F

is for…

Flat oxfords

Steve Madden flat oxfords, Zappos $69.90

It took me a while to warm to these – a little too Fred Astaire, a little too overdone. But there is something so striking about a flat oxford with skinny jeans or a flowy dress and tights and they’re on the feet of the well-heeled everywhere.

G

is for…

Gypset chic

 

Oscar de la Renta Spring 2010, style.com; Gypset Style by Julia Chaplin

Gypset is a relatively new concept, and it’s kind of like the haute hippie of college days. Jetset + gypsy = someone who travels often, is a wanderer, but loves the good things in life. Basically a rich freeloader. Taking a line from Julia Chaplin’s book: "The act of squatting, even on a yacht, is gypset.” Missoni and Marni exemplify Gypset.

H

is for…

Hike! Game on!

Alexander Wang Spring 2010 style.com, Sportmax Spring 2010 elle.com

Sportif, my dears, is so in this season. Especially that of the All-American football game. Shoes were laced, shoulders were padded, sweatshirts were tied. Sporty Spice would have been so proud.

Holes

Prada slingbacks, $795 Barneys

Perforated anything goes – perhaps a fancy way of saying mesh, hmm? Stella did some insane perforated thigh-high boots last season, and the trend carries over into footwear and other leather goods.

I

is for…

Ikat print

DVF ikat dress, $375, Gucci Spring 2010 style.com

Gucci busted out the ikat this year in reference to the whole jungle/tribal vibe, but with their cool Gucci twist. (Frieda could not be anything less). The classic summer print has grown up and is all sophisticated this go round for day and night.

Isabel Marant

 

signage for Isabel Marant New York

The Queen of French Chic is about to hit her stride in America – her store in Soho is almost ready!

 

J

is for…

Jeans

D&G Spring 2010 style.com, Alloy jean dress $39.90

Denim was everywhere – did you catch the Jessica Biel Vogue cover? So 70’s/80’s Ralph/Calvin All-American. I never thought I’d see denim vests back, yet here they are. And I’m ok with it. Just not with the full three piece suit, ok?

 

K

is for…

 

Khaki

Boy Band of Outsiders Spring 2010 style.com, Gap khaki dress $59.50

Speaking of everything middle school coming up cool again, khaki is back too. J.Crew and Gap have long championed khaki, but they’re riding out this Americana wave til the end. Make it cool, make it current by adding some interesting accessories.

Spring Fashion: A to Z Part I

I’ve been working weeks on this post to bring to you an A to Z of Spring 2010 fashion and am super excited about it. I’ll be breaking it down 5 letters at a time…first round!

 

A

is for…

Ankle-wrap shoe

Fendi SS2010, style.com

Stripper is so in this season. The lucite platform modernizes the romantic wrap around sandal. Wear with dresses and skirts and keep the wrap low.

 

Americana

This season, there was a strong sense of hope, throwing back to the 50’s and early 60’s. This feeling is embodied by Frankie and Annette – All-American is having a banner year.

All-over print

Miu Miu Spring 2010, style.com

Bizzare, I know, but you have to remember that these things were styled together and aren’t necessarily meant to be worn together on the street. Miu Miu had bird prints, cat prints, naked lady prints…Givenchy and Balenciaga went with all-over optical prints.

Animal print

Animal print has long been making its way towards becoming a neutral, so celebs like Fergie and Ashlee Simpson have stepped it up and are dabbling in the colorways of cheetah, zebra, and snake.

 

B

is for…

Bows

Marc by Marc Jacobs Spring 2010, style.com

Large, Madonna-style 80’s bows popped up everywhere as this season’s bunny/mouse ears. Worn on the body instead of the head, in cool patterns and colors updates the frilly staple for the street gal of 2010.

 

Breton

Topshop, $36; Rebecca Taylor Spring 2010, style.com

This sea-man’s staple has hit the streets again for the upteenth time, but this time it’s fresh in its uses. Layer it under or over other shirts and pair with things that aren’t referencing a nautical notion. The other day I was with a girl wearing it with leather pants – so cool.

 

Blumarine

Blumarine Spring 2010 ad

With their neons, tie dyes, and safari vibe for Spring 2010, Blumarine is the standard for Italian cool. Add Doutzen as your ad campaign face and, well, you’ll sell a lot of clothes…but only because they are so pretty, right?

C

is for…

Chandeliers

Prada Spring 2010, style.com

I’ve always been obsessed with them, but this year Miuccia joined me in my love for crystals and chandeliers. She adorned all sorts of things from shoes to vests to bags with them and the effect is nothing short of stunning.

 

Cross-body Bags

  

Reese; Rebecca Minkoff ministudded bag, Revolve Clothing $297

Reese shows just how chic a cross-body bag can look – it doesn’t have to look like you’re biking back to Williamsburg. 

 

Cutouts

Leighton, Cushnie et Ochs Spring 2010 style.com

This trend has been so prominent, but try it a little softer. Leighton’s taken it too far with all the black and tight stuff, but this provides the best balance of feminine and sexy.

 

D

is for…

Dainty Florals

Rebecca Taylor Spring 2010, style.com

They are back in (again – do they ever go out of style?) but this time they’re in a smaller, liberty-type print. Fresh-off-the-farm florals look flattering on everyone, so try it in a dress or skirt or sheer blouse asap!

 

Double Denim

Always far-flung ahead of the fashion curve, Ashley Olsen takes denim to the next level by wearing it two-tone. This can be VERY tricky – make sure that your denim is as far contrasting as possible. Otherwise, you’ll end up looking like you’re wearing a denim suit! Calvin Klein may be chic, but it’s not 1994.

 

E

is for…

Elizabeth & James

Elizabeth & James bra back top, Revolve Clothing, $225; Lucy navy shoe, $200, Revolve Clothing

The two behind this line (see above for one of them) have gained credibility lately with an induction into the CFDA. All the $ in the world (they have 1 billion each) won’t buy you style, so it’s a great relief that they have so much of it. The line is named after their other two siblings, who should be super proud of their twins. With a new shoe line in place, they can only continue to build their brand and their empire.