Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Animal Insperation

Animals have always been an inspiration to designer’s weather is be print of an actual animal. The style ranges from clothing to shoes, from accessories to make up. The leopard print has been a popular print for fashion for the longest time. The Zebra stripes are also a new trend that is starting to pop up. One of the most popular things that have been animal inspired are the feathers. They have feathers on clothes, necklaces, earrings, and even in the hair! A few stars like Katy Perry and even Steven Tyler started this trend. Now it seems everywhere I look, all I see is feathers in hair. Even peacock feathers are popular in hair and on clothes. The peacock feathers on the clothes are very fashionable and not over done if it is just the pattern, but not the colors. The feather take over is starting to also become part of the Native style. People have even incorporated make up with the animal patterns like zebra, leopard, cheetah, and even snake skin. For those people who are brave enough to try the style, the eye shadow is called ColorOn Professional Animal Instincts Eye shadow Kit and it is sold at coloronpro.com for $20.

Not only are animal prints popular, but designers are actually incorporating actual animals in the clothes and jewelry. Some the bigger items are the accessories like necklaces and earrings. When shopping for unique jewelry, I noticed owls and snakes are two really popular animals. One of my favorite pieces is a jaguar head ring sold at Banana Republic for $20.

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Say No To Platform Sandals!

Like most shoes there are the good, the bad, and the just plain ugly that make you ask yourself "Why would anyone thing of buying that or just think it is a good look in general?" That thought came to me when shopping for shoes today when seeing the horrid platform sandals.  The shoes ended up being on clearance because the trend luckily was dying down.  Even thought the trend did not last long, it was very popular while it was in style.  A sandal and a wedge do not mix! It's a little hard to go the beach in sandal with a big platform on the bottom for your shoe.  The whole point of a wedge is to have it the feeling of high heels without the heals.  It is almost looks life someone has something like a brick on the bottom of a sandal and are just clunking around.  Someone apparently though thought they liked the lift, but not the whole angled feet part, so they invented the platform sandals or sandal wedge.To make the idea of the sandal wedge worse, not only do they have the lift of a heel, some have the lift and the heel to match.  Are they wedges formal or not? It is hard to tell with a heel on a pair of shoes that are suppose to be for more casual wear. 

Homecoming Dress Either Cute or Boot?

Homecoming is one of the best moments in high school.  One of the most important details the girls all stress about is the dress.  Every year there are a lot of different dresses.  Usually the dresses the same styles, but just in different colors.  Looking at peoples different homecoming pictures and going to the dance, made it kind of obvious this was not one of the best year of the more popular choice for dresses.

Some of the most popluar ones like the dresses with pockets, the short tulle gown, and the volumized tiered dress was a surpisingly first choice for most.  The dresses with pockets not only look werid because of the pockets, but the way the dress has a thick ribbon around the waist line to accent above the hips, then is tight from the hips down looks bad.  Espically for the girls with the hourglass figures because it defines your hips which make them appear larger then what they truely are.  The pockets are a nice touch because then you do not have to ask your date to hold your stuff or carry around a purse, but it just does not look good for a dress to have pockets.  Secondly, the short tulle gown is a bad choice as well.  It does have a small waitline and then poofs out, but it just not look cute.  As much as those tulla gowns have, you might as well just be a ballerina.  It is just hard to understand why someone would need all that volume.  Lastly, the volumized tiered dress is also a must not! The tiered is not the part part, it is all the volume.  Again, who needs that much volume! Having that much volume is hard to move around in and not bump a bunch of people with your dress.  It is also hard to understand how could you dance in that dress.  There is a thing called too much volume and too many ruffles, which people obviously are not understanding for homecoming dress styles this year

Even though there are more hidious dresses then flattering ones, there are still a few popluar styles that are also great.  The two most beautiful ones that stood out were the tight, one strap dress that looked good if you had the right body shape and the longer, bubble dresses.  The tight one straps very attractive.  When saying having the right body type, it is not trying to be mean.  Some people lucky enough to have a great slender body where they can get away with tight things.  One thing I like about the tight dress is then length just right above the knee and the the one shoulder accent; espically with big flowers coming down like a sash. Lastly, the bubble dress is also a great dress.  Even though it is one the shorter side, it is still a very attaractive dress.  From the bust to the hips is tight, but not fitted which is nice.  The ruffles at the bottom give it volume, but just the right amout.  There are also only a few big ruffles and not a lot of tiny ones which make it a little more appealing to the eye.  It gives the look the classic, evening ballgown, but without the length of the dress. 

Monday, September 19, 2011

Decade Nightmare

Homecoming week at school means Decade Day and also horrible fashion taste! As everyone dressed up from a different decade, the most popular was the most horrific.  The 80's were back.  Yes that does mean the bold clashing colors and leg warmers were actually worn in public again.  Same with the mountain top, birds nest of teased hair as well.  The whole 80's decade was more of a fashion nightmare and joke all around. It's almost a techno fashion in a bad way.  Leg warms with leggings and a one piece swimsuit top look was not the greatest idea for any occasion, even if it was just to work out. 

The jegging look on guys will also pretty much scar you for life.  They were bogus!  That is right, I said jeggings not skinny jeans.  The jeggings are skin tight, think of it as men wearing bright yellow or lime green tights or leggings, only in jean form!

The interesting trend from the 80's though is the bright and bold clashing colors.  We are not just talking about a hint of bold colors either, like bright red flats with a bright yellow tee that is covered up mostly with a jean jacket.  The 80's way of bright clashing colors is bright green leggings with bright pink oversized tee with small black waist belt.  That does include the rat's nest that lies on top of a girls head! In a way if you think about it, it is like a watermelon. 

The only rad trend that is still around today were the glasses.  Not the reading or everyday glasses, those are not cute unless you are either a librarian or Steve Urkel!  I am talking about the sunglasses also better known as aviators.  The plain ones, not the glasses where they look like window blinds and you are pretty much blind.  Those I believe are also today as the Kanye West look! His fashion decade is wrong and tasteless, almost like his song "Runaway".

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Knit Overload

Seeing something knitted reminds me of a scarf my grandma made for me.  Not only was it homemade, but it was soft and warm. Perfect for those cold fall days and nights.  As new fall clothing items are coming out, one of the most popular trends is knit or woven sweaters of overjackets.  The knit look is one of the better trend starters that have been going around lately.  It goes with anything and everything.  The look is comfortable and classy. 

Hearing people always complaining because something is not comfortable. but fashionable, is not the way to go.  Knit and woven items are warm, classy, and also always comfortable.  What is also nice are the sweaters or overjackets do not always have to be made of the heavy yarn that people think it is.  Designers have developed some knits and wovens that are light weight and can still be comfortable and keep you warm.  This is also a better idea to wear than the skin tight clothing all the time.  The fabric is stretchy enough someone does not have to worry about it not feeling right in the wrong place.  Being able to stretch out and having it a little looser on the body also really helps not only with comfort, but also having a little more slim look to it.

Many teenagers and younger adults will think that the trend might look a little "old-lady" like too.  Many who think that are usually scared to experiment.  Do not be afraid to try something new! One look for the younger generation is having a long woven top with a pair skinnys or jeggings.  To accessorize it, put a pair of flats or knee boots with it for shoes, long chain necklace and a waist belt.  It's perfect and cute for the young generation. 

Some places to shop at are Forever 21, Wet Seal, Dillards, Younkers, JcPennys, Calivn Klein, and Debs. 

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

70's Back in Style

Not only is autumn around the corner, but the 70's are making a huge comeback as well.  This autumn, one of the more popular fashion themes designers are leaning towards is 70's or the Boho trend.  That's right, Bell bottoms and high-waisted pants are back! The designers are also seeming to add fringes as well as use more neutral color.  The earthy tones are always great for any occasion, and go with just about anything.
Bell bottoms and huge flare are making a big statement on runways this year.  I personally have also seen many of the Boho flare in many stores such as American Eagle, Forever 21, Vanity, Victoria Secret, and even Dillard's.  The bell bottoms have also gone high-waisted.  Some are still hipsters, but many are starting to go above the hips again.  There are many cute tops and shoes to go with these 70s flare style. 
Tops from the 70s are coming back as well.  There are many flowy tops that are not skin tight that are perfect with the bell bottoms.  A popular one is also the crop top or tucking in a shirt because it allows your high-waisted band be shown and looks classy. 
Shoes on the other hand are more limited.  The types of shoes that go with the Boho trend are earthy strap wedges, clog heals, or just heals in general.  Flats are not the best option because of the bottoms being a little longer then usual.  With the bigger flare jeans, the more lift is the safe way to go. 
Accessories are also a must! A few necklaces that are good are either a long chain with a big item at the bottom or a longer necklace that has neutral colors in it.  As far as purses, tan or a lighter brown works great.  A few fringes might  not hurt either.  American Eagle has a great bag for the Boho trend.  The purse is a sling over the shoulder and has fringes.  It is a chocolate color and works great with any outfit whether it is Boho or not. 

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Spring Runway 2012

As winter is approching, spring is already here for fashion designers.  This year the fashions are bright and is inspired by the cultural diversity in the world.  Many of the designers chose bright and vivid colors, feathers to add some texture to the clothing, and many had parts that were shear in the right places.  The bright and coloful are a great idea to get the spring fashion rolling.  As clothing hits the fall, it will help us get out of the winter slump and see all the bright sky blue and sunshine yellow.  The feathers on the other hand, are just a little bit over the top.  Many designers added so many feathers to their spring collection that it is suprising some of the models did not just fly.  The insperation of cultrual diversity is a great touch.  Some designers like Diane von Furstenberg and Donna Karan were insprired with unique tribal symbols and patterns from Africa and Haiti.  Leather and nylon are two of the more popular materal used for the clothing. Interestingly,  Altuzarra's line is more inspired from the "urban hawaiian jungle with speed and danger" theme according to Tim Blanks, style consulatant of Style.com.  He uses bright and bold floral patterns and mixes in a combination of white leather for the outerwear.  White leather sounds like a fashion nightmare, but Altuzarra does a fanstic job of contrasting the two without making it look horrid.  As more unique spring fashion shows unveil other designer's idea for the spring of 2012, keep in mind that either a bright and bold accent of one color or a pattern more native to tribal lands will be a part of the spring clothing lines.