Fall Trending part Trois

Suits:

We're starting to get a little fancy-schmancy again with fashion. Think Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Bing Crosby. Rarely were there a pair of jeans spotted on the Fall 2012 runways for men. Fall suits were shown mostly in navy, beige, and grey in pinstripe or plaid. There was an occasional suit of red or yellow.

Michael Bastian Fall 2012

Jeans were affectionately replaced by corduroy's, khakis, and yes, dress pants. They were dressed down by Charlie Brown sweaters (ha) and 70's inspired plaids and vests.

Michael Bastian Fall 2012

Brocade:

It's time to raid your great-grandmother's closet!

Brocade is typically used on rich fabrics, such as silk, and woven with a raised pattern. This versatile print took over the fall runway adorning pants, coats, blouses, dresses, shoes and collars.

Left to Right: Christian Dior, Marchesa, Gucci Fall 2012

Left to Right: Rag and Bone, Salvator Ferragamo, Dolce and Gabbana Fall 2012

Velvet:

If you're not fully convinced of this trend, you don't have to jump into a velvet full-body suit just yet. You can ease into this trend with a pair of velvet flats.

Or with whatever you have left from your 90's wardrobe stash (I know I have a few things...in children's sizes).

If you're feeling daring, try wearing velvet with a burgundy lip. Eau so chic!

Left to Right: Ralph Lauren, Lanvin, Burberry Prosum

My friend S and I had our nails done last Thursday with shallac gel polish. TOTALLY WORTH IT. I haven't had to repaint my nails all week (and the pretty color plus the money I spent on them has kept me from biting them--oh yeah!) and they're still super shiny! Here here to looking "polished" all week!

Also, remember this post about my dad's coat? I went over to their house yesterday and was able to snap a few pics of him wearing it. He is obvi ready for winter with his shorts and Birkenstocks on! Love you dad!

Have a fabUlous weekend!

Fall Trending Part Deux

Gru Silhouettes:

If you've ever wanted little yellow minions, now is the time to join the Gru trend. It's all about looking tough and manly...don't forget to leave the house without your football pads underneath! LOL. Totally kidding.

Thom Browne Fall 2012

...enough with the creepy fashion. What I really meant was this:

Retro Hair:

If you're looking to update your hair, retro is all the rage!

PS. I've also been seeing a lot of this style for Spring/Summer 2013 as well. Bravo to all my friends who already have this style!

Emporio Armani Fall 2012

Peplum.

I haven't been this excited about a trend since I got my first choker "tattoo" necklace. Okay, that's an exaggeration. A few months ago at a clothing store I saw a peplum top and rolled my eyes {oh great, another article of clothing that only looks good on skinny girls and will make my hips look 4 sizes larger than they are. Awesome.}. I purposefully try things on that won't look good on me so I can see how they fit and what they will look like on other people. Reluctantly trying it on, I looked at myself in the mirror and instantly fell in love with it.

Peplum is essentially a short, flared piece of fabric attached at the waist of a jacket, blouse, or dress.

There is nothing I love more than feminine trends, and this one takes the cake. This style looks spectacular on most body shapes.

PS: The pencil skirt is also really prominent in this season's silhouettes. 

PPS: Peplum doesn't have to be worn with only pencil skirts -- it looks really chic when paired with skinnies as well.

Left to Right: Tory Burch, Peter Som, Zac Posen Fall 2012

Collars:

From basic to peter pan collars, this trend is not only showing itself on blouses but also in jewelry. The beauty of this trend is that it is fashion's first move towards modesty in a long time. Huzzah! 

Left to Right: Marni, Jason Wu, Rodarte, Oscar de la Renta Fall 2012

Friday will be the last post in my Fall Trending mini series. So excited!

Fall trending Part Un

This is the first of a three-part mini series on a few of my favorite fall 2012 trends. Parts two and three will be posted on Wednesday and Friday.

One point that I really want to get across right from the beginning has to do with runway fashions. Most runway outfits are not intended to be worn out in public. I have been asked multiple times why designers make their outfits look so outrageous and they question if designers think people actually dress like that.

The answer {with some exclusions} is no.

This is an extreme comparison, but imagine trying to fit every individual article of clothing from H&M onto one runway show. You would be there for hours. And the clothes wouldn't stand out to the buyers in the audience. Hence the reason for the extravagant and incredibly imaginative displays the fashion industry produces. They compile the work of their entire collection and they aim to bring attention to their products.

Now, on to fall fashion trends.

Men:

Oversized Overcoats.
Hey dad! Remember that oversized camel colored coat that you've had for twenty years that Becki and I always poke fun at? Well, you were right, it did come back in style! And you will look super handsome in it this fall.

Mulberry fall 2012

Women:

Leather.
I'm a sucker for black, so having extra detail of some sort is ideal. There are a few leather items that I have on my list for this fall (leather skinnies being at the top) that I'm looking forward to trying out.

Whistles fall 2012

Oxblood:
The perfect blend of brown and red. Oxblood, in a nutshell, is maroon. Or burgundy. Or wine. But for fall 2012, the correct name is oxblood. Since the fashion world is constantly trying to reinvent itself, they reuse (but slightly modernize and change) colors and silhouettes but often rename them. This color is a tribute to the 40's and 90's.

Left to Right: Peter Som, Rodarte, DKNY

Spring 2013 trend update: The ikat/tribal print is making another go around next spring so don't thrift your items with that print just yet! If you don't own anything that is ikat or tribal, a very stylish (and usually inexpensive) way to update your wardrobe with this style is a scarf. You can buy one from here, here, or here.

Six Hundred Dollar Shoes

Sorry about all the cheesy poses. I'm new at this, okay?

Blazer: Forever 21, Studded Shirt: Forever 21, Undershirt: Thrifted, Jeans: American Eagle,  Earrings: gifted, Bracelet: Forever 21, Shoes: Thrifted

A few weeks ago I went shopping with a newlywed couple that are good friends of mine. We decided to go to a discount shoe store to look for {can you guess??} new shoes for T. C and I were browsing the sale shoe items when she pointed out a pair of insanely expensive black Guiseppe Zanotti flats that had been marked down. 

It was love at first sight.

The immaculate matte leather exterior was smooth to the touch. The beautifully crafted hand stitched bows on the front added the perfect not-too-small but not-too-large detailing. The insides and soles of the shoes had the most perfect beige leather I've ever seen. Not too yellow and not too pink. Perfection at its finest. And I've always loved the smell of Italian leather.

Even being half off their original price plus eighty percent off that was too much for my poor jobless bank account. 

We were about to leave and I was mentally wishing my precious babies goodbye when C grabbed the shoes and looked at me.

"A birthday gift from T and I." She said. 

And that, my friends, is a story of one BLESSED woman. God is so faithful to take care of even the silliest desires we have. 

Nahum 1:7 "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him." <3

Well Rounded

Shirt: Thrifted, Belt: Old Navy, Pants: Forever 21, Shoes: Gifted, Bracelets: Gifted, Watch: Betsey Johnson

I recently went to a job interview for a position that I don't have a lot of experience in. It was probably the most insightful interview I've ever had. While the man was asking me questions trying to figure out my personality, he asked where I saw myself in 10 years. "Proper" interview etiquette flashed through my mind.  What you're supposed to say when they ask you a question like that is your plan to grow the company, save the world, etc, etc, etc.

"To be completely honest, I see myself being self employed. I want to be a clothing stylist with my own company."

He looked at me, not mockingly, but with a kind smile in his eyes. "You chose an interesting school major. Your previous jobs don't coincide particularly well." {I have a bachelor's in Theology...er, Biblical Studies}

"I want to be a well rounded person. When I get old I want to be wise in a lot of areas and have a lot to relate to with a large pool of people."

I'm young, single, childless, debtless...the whole world is at my feet. And I plan to take it.

Party Wear

Happy Labor Day friends!

Since I am between jobs I get to celebrate YOU today!! I'm hoping everyone has a fun and restful holiday.

On another note, I recently attended a semi-formal party in a friend's backyard.

Okay, okay. The party was mine.

I'm a total sucker for dressing up, and I use any excuse to do so ("Oh! We're going to Target? Let me put on my stilettos." Totally kidding--I'm not THAT extreme). If I could, I would probably wear a ball gown every day of my life.

A few people wanted clarification on the exact attire of the event, so I thought I would take the opportunity to dive into descriptions on other attire clarifications as well.

Informal Attire

Casual Attire:
Men: the classic jeans and a t-shirt is perfectly acceptable. Don't wear sweats or pajama bottoms. Style your hair as you normally would.
Women: sundresses, cotton skirts, jeans, t-shirts are all possibilities. Wear makeup. Casual hairstyles (low buns, ponytails, straight, curly...it all works. Just don't make it look like you're going to the Oscars).



Informal Attire:
Men: above casual attire, this is around the lines of 'business attire' or 'business casual'. Jeans and a nice shirt (button down, not a t-shirt) paired with a sport coat and close-toed shoes are acceptable. No tennis shoes. Suits are also very acceptable.
Women: Slacks, tailored suits. Business appropriate dresses and skirts. No t-shirts. No sandals. Heels preferred, dressy flats welcome.

Semi-formal or Cocktail Attire

Festive Attire: (specifically referring to the holiday season)
Men & Women: See below to Semi-formal/Cocktail Attire. However, add something festive like a red button down for men or a sparkly accessory  for women.



Semi-formal/Cocktail Attire:
Men: Slacks and a sport coat or a suit. Ties optional. Button down shirt. If the event is in the morning or afternoon you are welcome to wear a light colored suit.
Women: Dresses or a nice pantsuit are acceptable. Do not wear a dress or skirt that goes below your calves, even if it's a maxi dress. Dressy shoes.

White Tie Attire (sorry for the poor quality)

Black Tie Optional or Black Tie:
Men: Suits required. Vest optional.
Women: Long or short dress acceptable. Dressy evening separates are acceptable as well.



White Tie:
Men: Black dress coat or tail coat with matching trousers. White shirt, white vest, white bow tie, white waistcoat or vest all required. Black shoes.
Women: Full length dress required, typically in white or black. Dresses are more modest. Long gloves or shawls perfectly acceptable. Hair in an elegant updo. Any jewelry worn must be authentic. No cubic zirconia or fake gems.



Hopefully this is helpful to decode your next party dress code.

Happy Monday!