I don’t know if it’s the above average temperatures in Chapel Hill or the rapidly approaching New York Fashion Week that is making me excited for spring trends, but I’ve been anticipating the upcoming season by scoping out fashion websites for must-have spring pieces.
One of my favorite trends for the upcoming spring season is asymmetrical, solid-colored skirts and dresses. I’m talking maxi skirts with an edge. This look is the perfect combination of sexy and subtle. It’s conservative, yet reveals just enough leg to keep you guessing. Whether chiffon, cotton, or some other material, let’s face it—they’re fun, flirty, and perfect for the spring. Check out Miranda Kerr in this pastel pink Eva Brazzi dress. She looks gorgeous.
You can find this modern-age Cinderella look on websites like Anthropologie.com and Shopbop.com. Here are a few:
Anthropologie Skirt $138
Preen Skirt $462 Shopbop.com
Kevork Kiledjian Skirt $750 Shopbop.com
Blue Life Skirt $108 Shopbop.com
Topshop.com dress- currently not sold in the U.S.
The beauty of these skirts and dresses is that they are statement pieces. You really don’t have to do much else to make these outfits look good. In fact, for an awesome day look I would suggest pairing your asymmetrically-cut skirt with a simple top—a basic cotton tee will do! If you’re looking to dress this look up for a night on the town, try pairing it with a chunky, bright-colored necklace and some sexy heels. I’m telling you—it’s so easy! These pieces are sure to make you stand out in the crowd.
Aquascutum Fall 2011 RTW, Image courtesy of Style.com
If there is one trend I’m most excited about this fall, it’s colored pants. They are the perfect accent to spice up your winter wardrobe. I love the red DKNY skinny jeans from the Fall 2011 RTW collection. I recently bought a pair of red skinny jeans for myself, and I won’t lie, I’ve been a little hesitant to wear them. But after seeing them in the DKNY show paired with a black sweater vest and blazer, I’m confident that red pants are an essential item for this season.
Aquascutum also debuted a fiery orange pant in their Fall 2011 RTW collection. Paired with a forest green military jacket, this outfit is tough, chic, and guaranteed to garner you a few looks. We all know that as much as we love our go-to classic blue jeans, wearing them day after day can put you in a fashion funk. Who says pops of color from spring can’t transition into fall?
I did some investigative research of my own on Shopbop (of course) just to make sure this wasn’t just one trend meant for the runway but not real life, and sure enough, colored pants are everywhere! I found a pair of red jeans from Mother for $185, plum-colored Slwy jeans for $165 and yellow Rag & Bone jeans for $176.
Dress them up with some peep toe heels or wear them to class with a pair of chunky military boots. Either way, these pants are a hot item for this season.
What’s the latest designer collection that fashionistas are fawning over? PopSugar and Women’s Wear Daily would agree that it’s Alice + Olivia’s first shoe line, which just debuted on Kaleidoscope favorite Shopbop. Stacey Bendet, one of the designers at Alice + Olivia, created the line, which is exclusive to Shopbop. Bendet has even created a video advertising the line, which is available on the Shopbop site.
One of the summer looks from the Alice + Olivia Shopbop Lookbook!
Whether you’re looking for formal wear, professional looks, or casual flats, the new collection offers tons of choices! Our favorites include classy platform pump sandals (perfect for summer weddings or formals!) and leopard-print platform wedges – who doesn’t love to spice up their look with a little animal print? The shoes run between $200 and $400, so they’d definitely be a splurge, but if you wear them all summer, it might be worth it! And you’ll feel awesome wearing them, which is what’s really important. Continue reading →
Winter can be a decidedly un-sexy season. Enormous sweaters and Uggs don’t turn many heads and ceaseless sniffles aren’t exactly an aphrodisiac. Pale, bundled and bleary-eyed, we often become apathetic about our appearances when the weather turns cold and ignore our nagging beauty consciousness until March. If you are, understandably, unwilling to sacrifice warmth for high-fashion (temperatures have barely risen above freezing this week!), adorable underthings can be just the cure for December depression brought on by a few too many sweatshirt days. Just the knowledge that you at least look cute under your clothes is certain to perk you right up!
If Hanky Panky’s candy colored lace thongs and boy shorts are ubiquitous, it is only because they are so incredibly comfortable, not to mention adorable. This fun holiday set from Shopbop includes three pairs and makes for a great stocking stuffer if you’ve reached your Hanky Panky capacity!
La Fee Verte Silk Romper, shopbop.com, $100
Rompers aren’t just for going out anymore! This silk option by La Fee Verte is prettier than beat-up boxer shorts and more practical than frilly nightgowns, making it the perfect modern pajama.
Marc by Marc Jacobs Scattered Birds Robe, shopbop.com, $98
‘Bathrobe’ doesn’t always have to connote pilling terrycloth and housewives in hair curlers. This bird-printed, jersey number from Marc by Marc Jacobs is just as cool as any of MJ’s off-the-rack options.
Inspired by Natalie Portman’s most recent role in the movie “Black Swan,” in theaters on December 3, 2010, fashion has taken an eerily elegant and slightly gothic turn. Portman plays a veteran ballet dancer amidst the world of New York City ballet in the psychological thriller that has many dark twists and turns. Designers such as Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent, Haute Hippie and Club Monaco have incorporated aspects of this macabre film, in the form of prima ballerina tutu-esque skirts, coquettish corset dresses and ostrich-plumed clutches into their most recent fashion lines. I encourage all you fashionistas to take center stage and embrace your inner goth!
The week leading up to Thanksgiving only means one thing…it’s that time of year again! No, I’m not referring to the anticipation of spending hours upon hours slaving away in the kitchen helping good ol’ Grams make her famous homemade apple pies. Or watching “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” and football bowl game marathons with the family.
On the contrary, this week means it’s time to start Christmas shopping! Currently, Shopbop is featuring over six pages of fabulous gift ideas. Whether it’s a Madewell “Ice Cluster” necklace for your sister, a Marc by Marc Jacobs cosmetic bag for your mom, or a Free People cardigan you secretly plan to wrap for yourself (shh—your secret’s safe with us!), Shopbop has it. All of the items above mentioned are also under $150, perfect for last minute stocking stuffer ideas!
As a brand name shopper, I know it can be extremely hard to stick to a budget. But this year, shopbop has a great list of must-haves for less than $150! Items range from accessories, like watches and clutches, to warm, wintery cardigans and sweaters. It’s the perfect guide to get you started on making a Christmas list your parents (and Santa) will be happy about!
And for those not on a tight budget, shopbop has an amazing holiday gift guide! Christian Dior’s “Little Diary of Fashion” is a definite must-have, with designer ideas to give every girl her essential style rules. It’s the perfect stocking stuffer, and if you’re looking for the perfect gift to give your girlfriends, this is it!
So if you’re looking for stylish gifts this holiday season, you have to check these lists out! They’ve got the right gift for you and all your stylish friends. And since we’re only a month away from Christmas, you better get to shopping!