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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

Why Did You Wear That: Sorry, Karl.

By |February 5th, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

designer sweatshirtIf you’ve tired of cashmere turtlenecks and grandpa cardigans, there’s some new knitwear in town.  Well, not really “new” because I’ve suggested it once before this past fall, but it’s the sweatshirt.  The last time we visited sweatshirts, I feared for poor Karl’s health, but hopefully he’s recovered from his panic attack by now… because it would appear that sweatshirts have not only grown in popularity, but have been adopted by just about every designer on the market.  An article of clothing once relegated to the gym, males, and lazy Sundays at home, the new sweatshirt is far beyond a marled grey crewneck. Whether in printed neoprene or with heavy embellishments of sequins and chiffon, this season’s sweatshirts might even sway Mr. Lagerfeld.

fashion sweatshirts1. Givenchy Patchwork Print Sweatshirt, 2. Erdem Petal Embroidered Sweatshirt, 3. Acne Beta Geometric Printed Scuba Jersey Sweatshirt, 4. Clover Canyon Gatsby Sequined Printed Sweatshirt, 5. Alexander Wang Parental Advisory Sweatshirt, 6. Cédric Charlier Printed Sweatshirt, 7. McQ Embroidered Ribless Sweatshirt, 8. Carven Aplliquéd Cotton Jersey Sweatshirt, 9. Milly Printed Panel Sweatshirt, 10.Lulu & Co Never Again Sequined Cotton Sweatshirt

Just remember not to pair one with its counterpart, the sweatpant, because that means you’ve given up- and you’re not a quitter.

xx,

WhyDid

Friday Frocks: Skating Right Along

By |January 10th, 2014|Friday Frocks|

ice princessOnly thing a true ice princess needs this winter more than a whimsical skater skirt is a flirty, flippy, skater frock – just ask Michelle Trachtenberg.  This silhouette is especially kind to those who have trim waists but may view their thighs as the type that are thunderous.  It’s also great for someone who’s a bit more straight up and down and looking to add a little volume to her svelte shape.  If you fear this looking too feminine much like Michelle and myself, layer a tough leather jacket on top and slip into a pair of rugged moto boots.  Another option for styling a skater dress is wearing it over a turtleneck or long sleeve tee to give it a 90’s “jumper” look for the winter months.

skater-dresses21. Lover Vee Vee Guipure Chiffon and Lace Dress, 2. Carven Sleeveless Dress, 3. Splendid Stretch Jersey Mini Dress, 4. Faith Connexion Skater Dress, 5. Elizabeth and James Magdalena Dress, 6. Three Dots Crew Neck Dress, 7. Tibi Leopard Pattern Stretch Knit Dress, 8. For Love & Lemons Lulu Dress, 9.MINKPINK The Mini Dress, 10. Matthew Williamson Floral Haze Jacquard andd Silk Dress

 

xx,

WhyDid

 

Setting the Mood: Life in Plastic

By |November 11th, 2013|Setting the Mood|

In a world full of fakes, who needs any more plastic than what’s already out there?  There are very few things made of plastic that I can honestly endorse: Barbies, credit cards, Legos, and breasts.  Interestingly enough, it would appear that many designers have revisited this once shunned material in the form of accessories and outerwear.  This time around, wearing plastic and PVC look more sophisticated than the run of the mill Missy Elliot music video.  To add sheen to an otherwise casual outfit opt for plastic rather than pearls.

Charlotte Olympia Royal Pandora Perspex ClutchGianvito Rossi Metallic Leather and PVC PumpsCarven Plastic Coated PulloverUNIF Spectrum Bag

It’s fantastic.

xx,

WhyDid

 

Setting the Mood: Out East

By |June 18th, 2012|Setting the Mood|

hamptons new yorksweater: Topin Hamptons Pullover, $64, necklace: Marina Fehr 18K Rose Gold Plated Hamptons Necklace, $295, sandals: Brian Atwood April Suede Espadrille, $355, shorts: J. Crew Printed Cotton Twill Shorts, $60, sunglasses: Carven Anastasie Flip Up Sunglasses, $360

Every summer New Yorkers flee the hustle and bustle of the big city to sit in hours of traffic only to arrive in the Hamptons where they can rub elbows with the same folks they did back in the Big Apple.  And while it may seem silly to spend over four hours (if you’re lucky) of travel time to and from Manhattan’s version of weekend summer camp, there certainly is something to be said for fresh air, swimming pools, and pretty people.  I do believe the Hamptons are why summer Fridays were even invented.

So, whether your scene is sweating and socializing under the big white tent at polo, sipping Andre Balazs rose and table dancing at Sunset Beach, or just kicking off your sandals and relaxing at The Surf Lodge, the look is (or should be) casual elegance.  This is what makes it easy to spot the locals versus the visitors.

Now hop on the jitney or your seaplane, and see you out there.

xx,

WhyDid