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Friday Frocks: In the Red

By |December 18th, 2015|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

red dress whydid kirsten smithNew York may be called the Big Apple, but when it comes to that shiny red skin, we’d prefer it be rotten.  New Yorkers tend to favor the LBD over the LRD because wearing color makes us nervous.  Regardless of New York’s aversion to any other shade of black than black, a red dress is a closet staple, especially around the holiday season.  Much like the “bend and snap,” an LRD works every time.  You may be saying, “But I don’t look good in red.”  Fortunately for your pretty little whining self, there are enough shades of red that at least one will complement your skin tone and hair color- from crimson to cranberry.  So take a step outside of your comfort zone during the party circuit this year and dare to draw some attention to yourself in any various shade of red.

red dresses holiday1. Zimmermann Sueded Bralette Dress, 2. Bec & Bridge Bon Bon Long Sleeve Dress, 3. Noam Hanoch Russo Mini Dress, 4. Nili Lotan Mock Neck Gown, 5. Preen by Thornton Bregazzi Andrea Guipire Lace Dress, 6.Issa Haley Dress, 7. A.L.C. Aldridge Dress, 8. Halston Heritage Embellished One Shoulder Stretch Crepe Gown, 9. VERSACE Mini Dress, 10. Carmella Michelli Dress

 

Why Did You Wear That: Spring 2014: Style Cheat Sheet

By |February 25th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

snow flowerAlthough it was fifty degrees over the weekend and snow flurrying today, we really are in the home stretch of winter.  Just hang in there, pretty birds, relief is on the way.  While we wait for the last frost of the season to cease, let us refresh ourselves on the clothing that is just waiting to make itself quite comfortable in our closets come spring.  Since each fashion week presents collections a solid six months in advance of when we can actually get our greedy little hands on it, it’s easy to forget what we need to start scoping for and what to relegate to the back of our wardrobes for the time being.  The fashion elite may be a bit clairvoyant perhaps predicting the dreadfully long winter we’ve endured as the spring collections did not shy away from color, bold patterns, and plenty of shiny embellishment.  Though black and white were ever present, it’s time to drop the dull all black uniform and have a little bit of fun.

While florals are really nothing new for spring, this season’s are a bit bolder and less feminine incorporating the trend of black and white as well as darker tones as opposed to the predictable pastel colorways.  Speaking of which, Easter egg colors abound and are best done head to toe, but if that has you feeling apprehensive of emulating Great Aunt Ida, the presence of a pastel leather jacket or clutch will do the trick.

Along with bold graphics that will have even the biggest globetrotters giddy, art aficionados rejoice.  Patterns for spring give a nod to pop art using brights that make them downright framable.  Wearable art, if you will.

Embellishment was big and came in the form of fringe, 3D embellishments and gilded golds, bronze, and silver.  An alternative to shine in the form of straightforward metallics is presented in the option of iridescence.

And to those who attempted a croptop intervention on me… bad news: the croptop (which will live on through Fall 2014) is stronger than ever for spring.  Might I suggest enrolling in a Pilates class, like last week?  Though tops are shrinking bottoms get a bit of volume in the form of wide leg trousers and full skirts seen prevalently in the midi length.

Most notably to me was that all of the various trends seem to work together quite seamlessly and in some cases there’s quite a bit of overlap.  Full metallic skirts, crop tops with sheer panels, and boldy printed wide leg trousers make hitting a few trends at once a spring breeze.

spring 2014 fashion trends

  1. Fresh Blooms: Rebecca Taylor Sweet William DressJoie Talina B PantsElizabeth and James Klaus Floral Print Silk and Mesh Dress
  2. Go Wide: by Malene Birger Cosyna High Waited Silk-Satin PantsDiane von Furstenberg Salma Wide Leg Silk Pantsalice + olivia Pleated Eric Pants
  3. Dirty Pop: Paul Smith Black Label Maxi SkirtLisa Perry Patchwork SkirtM Missoni Neon Crochet Knit Mini Dress
  4. Heavy Metals: Rachel Zoe Pearl Sequin Fishtail SkirtDAY Birger et Mikkelsen Metallic Chiffon Wrap Dress3.1 Phillip Lim Crossover Biker Skirt
  5. Peekaboo Panels: Yigal Azrouel Scuba Waterprint Mesh SkirtRag & Bone Molly SkirtRebecca Minkoff Antoni Silk Top
  6. Full Circle…Skirts: JOA Striped SkirtTOME Taffeta Skirt, Tibi Full Pleated Skirt
  7. Team Spirit: SEA Cotton-Blend Tweed ShortsSacai Luck Striped Cotton and Taffeta Dress, Equipment Abbot Silk Bomber Blouson Jacket
  8. On the Fringe: alice + olivia Caitlin Fringe Maxi SkirtHaute Hippie Fringe Pencil SkirtJason Wu Cropped Fringed Crepe Top
  9. Buttoned Up: Diane von Furstenberg Trudy BlouseMiH The Oversize Shirt, Carven Silk Floral Print Collared Cotton Shirt
  10. Perfect Pastels: Halston Heritage Asymmetric Satin Twill Peplum Dress, J Brand Ready To Wear Durham Oversized Leather Biker Jacket, Lotusgrace Polka Dot Sheath Dress
  11. Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop Croptops: Tibi Cropped Embellished Cotton Blend TopJonathan Simkhai Cropped Intarsia Jersey TopBCBGMAXAZRIA Kaja Harness Top
  12. Black (and White) to Basics: A.L.C. Harrison SkirtDonna Karan Printed Silk Wide Leg PantsMcQ Alexander McQueen Slash Effect Stretch Knit Dress
  13. Iridescent Does It: Acne Tine Sequined Silk Georgette ShortsRoksanda Ilincic Oriel Colorblock Wool Crepe Dress, 3.1 Phillip Lim Colorblock Suede A-Line Skirt
  14. Global Graphics Clover Canyon Diamond Quilt Printed Cropped Track Pants, Diane von Furstenberg Phaedra Jacquard Skirt, Line & Dot Silk Palm Tree Print Dress

 

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: Ray of White

By |May 25th, 2012|Friday Frocks|

girl in white dress beachAlong with the official kick off of summer, Memorial Day is also the day that white dresses get the “go ahead” green light (according to some).  While white dresses are most often associated with weddings, christenings, and clam bakes, in my book, a Tuesday is as good a day as any to wear a stark white dress.  There is just something so fresh, so innocent and dare I say virginal about slipping into a snow toned frock?  We’ve already worked up the courage with off white and now it’s go time, ladies.  Get out your Tide To Go pens, self tanner, and biggest and brightest smile.  Summer’s here and the living is easy.

white summer dresses1. Forever 21 Matelasse Cap Sleeve Dress, $10.50, 2. Nightcap Clothing Sunset Strapless Dress, $143, 3. T by Alexander Wang Cutout Crepe and Jersey Dress, $115, 4. Urban Renewal Fringe Tee Dress, $64, 5. For Love & Lemons Camilla Maxi, $255, 6. Lauren by Ralph Lauren Cascade Tank Dress, $150, 7. Forever 21 Eyelet Swing Dress, $28.90, 8. A.L.C. Lena Stretch Knit Dress, $345, 9. David Lerner Draped Asymmetrical Dress, $176, 10. Cooperative Scalloped Peplum Dress, $69

Yeah, that’s white.

xx,

WhyDid

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Friday Frocks: Fade to Black

By |January 6th, 2012|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

Well, January is in full swing and after the holidays and festivities have wound down, it may just feel like one big ‘ol hangover.  You’ve sequined and accessorized and now you probably just want to lay low.  Bling feels so blah and glitter makes you want to gag.  That’s where the good ol’ LBD comes into play.  Consider it your lime sorbet between appetizer and entree.  The LBD is a great palate cleanser to hold you over between holiday and spring.  Its uses are endless and it doesn’t have to be boring.  Cutouts, texture, and unexpected details are what make an LBD a totally stylish staple.  Dress it up, dress it down.  Take it from day to night.  You really never can go wrong when you’re back in black.

1. A.L.C. Sienna Stretch Leather Dress, $1,195, 2. Valentino R.E.D. Black Crystal Embellished Dress, $682, 3.  Black Halo Jackie O Off the Shoulder Dress, $375 , 4. Marni Asymmetric Crepe Dress, $346, 5. Lamixx Cold Shoulder Dress, $46, 6. DKNY Black Dress with Round Collar, $315 , 7. Elizabeth and James Rebecca Silk Chiffon Dress, $116.80, 8. Miss Selfridge Black Elastic Back Dress, $55, 9. bebe Leatherette Paillette Dress, $129, 10. Alice + Olivia Leather and Tulle Dress, $595

Fade to black…

xx,

WhyDid