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Friday Frocks: Spring Training

By |February 28th, 2014|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

new york springWe love spring.  We love dresses.  We love spring dresses.  Since you’re all up to date on spring’s biggest fashion and beauty trends, I figured we’d take it one step further by rounding up some of spring’s most stylish frocks that fell into each trend.  Honestly, it was almost too easy.

spring dresses

 

1. Rebecca Minkoff Striped Mesh Dress, 2. Rebecca Taylor Long Sleeve Shirtdress, 3. McQ Alexander McQueen Printed Stretch Cotton Dress, 4. Bec & Bridge Nefertiti Strapless Dress, 5. ALICE by Temperley Venice Metallic Snake Jacquard Dress, 6. By Malene Birger Ajala Fringed Crepe and Chiffon Dress, 7. Dolce Vita Pernita Dress, 8. Markus Lupfer Vivian Printed Satin Mini Dress, 9. UNIF Percy Dress, 10. Bec & Bridge Fire & Ice Printed Cutout Waist Dress

 

xx,

WhyDid

 

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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: Get Down with Gatsby

By |May 17th, 2013|Friday Frocks|

Fact: you will be invited to a Gatsby themed party this summer.  So, you better be ready to dress the part.  Turns out Ricky’s doesn’t carry costumes in a bag all year round.  The horror!    How will you achieve the look without being completely in costume?  Channel your Daisy with dropped waists, sequins, feathers and flapper-esque details in dresses like the ones below.

1. Marchesa Tiered Tassel Cocktail Dress, 2. Milly Lisette Polka Dot Tulle Dress, 3. Haute Hippie Beaded Roses Dolman Mini Dress, 4. Rag & Bone Violette Tiered Dress, 5. Notte by Marchesa Sequin and Feather Embellished Dress, 6. Parker Hayden Dress, 7. Milly Chevron Tulle Dress, 8. Bless’d Are the Meek The Light Peplum Dress, 9. By Malene Birger Wasuinia Feather and Sequin Dress, 10. Candela Dixie Dress

Go ‘head, girl, go ‘head get down.

xx,

WhyDid

Setting the Mood: Forevergreen

By |October 8th, 2012|Setting the Mood|

fall 2012 green color trend

We’ve already identified oxblood as one of this fall’s standout shades for apparel and accessories, but there’s another hue that’s sure to be a hit this fall and will most likely stay strong straight into the winter.  What  might that color be?  Hunter green, my friends.  For quite some time I was a bit disenchanted with this particular shade (with good reason, of course).  You see, my mom went through a bit of a “green” period during the 90’s and I would be willing to say about 78% or our home was decorated in dark green.  Some might have called it overkill.  We’ll just call it dedication.  I had the same problem with baby carrots and turkey sandwiches for many years after my dad packed them in our lunches every single day for the majority of grade school.

And just like I now enjoy a great turkey sandwich, my feelings towards forest green have also come around.  Fall’s deep shade of green is different than that of emerald green from seasons past.  This evergreen is so dark it could appear almost black and it gives a complete look of luxe.  Find a way to work it into your wardrobe with a knit maxi dress, chic bag, or soft velvet pants.

hunter green apparelT by Alexander Wang Fine Knit Jersey Maxi Dress, $235See by Chloe Cherry Leather Shoulder Bag, $525Tibi Chunky Knit Sweater, $285,  By Malene Birger Clesenzia Velvet Tapered Pants, $375

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: Black and White and …

By |April 20th, 2012|Friday Frocks, Why Did You Wear That?|

black and whiteI love the crisp contrast of black and white especially when it comes to a flirty frock.  It’s not basic black.  It’s not stark white.  It’s a happy combination of both and looks good on everyone.  The look can also be accessorized in a multitude of ways.  Punch it up with bright accessories, or go glam with shiny metallics.  It seems I am not alone in my love of all things opposite as designers have designed an array of black and white from stripes, to swirls, to dots, to simple trims.  Black and white is a perfect way to transition from breezy spring to balmy summer.

black and white dresses1. By Malene Birger Nagat Stripe Dress, $195,2. Rachel Zoe Madison Colorblock Shift Dress, $325, 3.Parker Long Pleated Dress, $286, 4. By Malene Birger Elasiu Mini Tank Dress, $265, 5. Herve Leger Printed Halter Dress, $2,300, 6. Sister Jane Leather Collar and Cuffs Dress, $127.25, 7.  J. Mendel Double Face Cutaway Dress, $2,590, 8. Alice + Olivia Chandra Striped Silk Dress, $509, 9. Sparkle & Fade Knit Striped Chiffon Overlay Dress, $19.99, 10. Three Dots Striped Jersey Tank Dress, $64.80

xx,

WhyDid