3 Must-Have Tops for Spring/Summer 2011

April 21st, 2011 by crystal

This is the first of a series of ‘Must-Have’ posts for Spring and Summer 2011.

Must-Have Top #3 – Lace

Once you determine your lace style, choosing a top is the easiest, most subtle way to wear the lace trend.

Victoria’s Secret | Victoria’s Secret | JCrew

Must Have Top #2 – Nautical

It goes without saying that the Nautical trend is a must-wear style this Spring. You can do this in a number of ways – dresses, skirts, shorts, shoes – but the most-versatile is the nautical top. You can mix and match with other items in your wardrobe to create very different looks with the same on-trend piece.

Victoria’s Secret | JCrew | Anthropologie

Must Have Top #1 – Drapey Tank

Whether you go for something simple or something more elegant, the drapey tank is definitely a piece you should have this Spring. Even the dressy version is versatile to the max – wear with shorts, a pencil skirt, cropped pants or a maxi-skirt. Pretty much, you can wear it with anything, making it the top must-have shirt for Spring and Summer 2011!

Victoria’s Secret | Anthropologie | Target

Stay tuned for more ‘Must-Have’ posts featuring the must-have items in bottoms, outerwear, shoes and dresses.

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Playing Dress Up – First Attempts

March 14th, 2011 by crystal

There are about a million daily ‘here’s what I wore today’ blogs. I don’t intend to become one of those, but it occurred to me that it might be nice to share a little more about myself and my personal style. You know…to kind of make this blog something you can connect with.

I won’t post these every day because honestly, it’s not everyday that I make it out of gym clothes or pajamas (I work from home…what do you expect?). But, I’ll try to keep up with it so you can see my latest fashion obsessions and experiments.
Here’s my first attempt…

Jeans – Banana Republic
Shirt – Target
Shoes – Toms
Jacket – (I have no idea)

What, no face? It was awful, y’all. Imagine the look you might make if you looked directly into the sun while simultaneously eating the most sour lemon on the planet. That’s the face I spared you from seeing. You’re welcome.

From this first effort, I learned –
have husband take more than one picture.
check pictures husband takes.
it’s okay to look at the camera.
relax.

What do you think? Is this something you’d like to see more of?

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Fab Find – Target Nautical Stripes Shirt

March 4th, 2011 by crystal

Target definitely got the ‘Nautical Stripes are in’ memo. I felt like I was surrounded by navy blue and white when I was there this week. Cover ups, dresses, skirts, long sleeves, tanks, tees…they’ve got it.

In fact, they may have overdone it a bit. You’ve probably seen this shirt floating around – I think every girl 20-35 in Austin owns one, I’ve seen it so often. I really liked it the first ten times I saw it…now it’s just one of those pieces that’s already overdone before the season has really even started. If I were you, I’d go for the tank in that print instead. Super cute.

Me, I’m a purist. I like the simple, solid stripe version of this trend. Don’t mess with my stripes, thank you very much. I also like a simple separate. This tee, under a cropped nude blazer, cropped skinny jeans, nude heels…can you see it?

It was only $15.

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Top 10 Fashion Trends For Spring 2011

January 31st, 2011 by crystal

Though we’re still facing Winter storms and cold temps, it’s time to start thinking about your Spring wardrobe. Here are the top 10 fashion trends for Spring 2011.

Nautical

The nautical trend consists of blue and white horizontal stripes, wide leg trousers, flowing fabrics and menswear lines. If you have one Nautical piece this Spring, make sure it’s a white and blue striped tank or off the shoulder top.

For more on the Nautical Trend – Spring 2011 Fashion Trend – Nautical Stripes

Blush and Bashful

This Spring, styles are either super feminine or super masculine. One of the more feminine styles is the blush & bashful color schemes that were so popular on the runways. Look for pieces (especially dresses and shoes) in light pinks, honeysuckles and nudes. Flowy fabrics make this style even more girly.

For more on the Blush & Bashful Trend – The Pink Dress Trend | Spring Shoe Trend – Blush Heels

Seventies

The Seventies Trend is HUGE this season. Wide leg jeans, halter tops, dolmain tops, platform heels, strappy sandals, floppy hats and round sunglasses are just a few of the characteristics of this style.

For more on the Seventies Trend – Top 10 Pieces for the Seventies Trend

Bright Orange

Bold, bright colors like blues, greens, yellows, oranges and reds will make a statement this Spring. The most stylish of these colors is bright orange. It was seen most on the runways and is perfect for the fun and flirty styles you’ll wear this Spring.

Unique Prints

Unique prints graced the Spring 2011 runways. The key to this trend is mixing unique prints in unexpected ways. Batik, tie-dye, stripes, animal prints and tribal prints can all be intermingled to create an interesting whirlwind of patterns.

Pajama-Style

Models wearing these pieces looked like they stepped right out of bed. The pajama style consists of silky, flowy fabrics in light colors. Styles include pant suits, gowns, short sets and jumpsuits. We’ll see how well this trend does – I have my doubts.

Full Skirts

Think 1950′s with this trend. Full skirts in interesting patterns were seen on more than just a few runways for Spring 2011. This style is usually belted, often below the knee and sometimes worn with a petticoat.

Sheer

Sheer fabrics are stylish on tops and dresses, but they are especially stylish this season when featured unexpectedly on maxi-dresses.

For more on Sheer styles – How To Wear Sheer

White

Simple white dresses, tops, jumpsuits and shorts are back again this Spring. Look for silky fabrics, flowing lines and styles that show a lot of skin.

For more on White Dresses – The White Dress Trend

Wide Leg Pants

Though part of the Seventies Trend, wide leg pants are so trendy this Spring, they deserve a mention of their own. Look for wide leg jeans in classic denim colors with high waists and very wide legs. If wearing trousers, go over the top with silky fabrics, bright colors or white.

Which trends will you be wearing this Spring?

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Spring 2011 Fashion Trend – Nautical Stripes

January 12th, 2011 by crystal

One of my favorite trends this season is the nautical – sailor – striped style. I love it for its iconic beginnings, its classic style and its casual appeal. See what you think…

Nautical Fashion Inspiration

The nautical look was made fashionable by Coco Chanel in the 20′s. The fashion icon was having an affair with the Duke of Westminster, a huge yachting fan, and began to take on the attire of a sailor after observing fishermen on her holidays. She wore wide-legged sailor pants, striped boatneck sweaters and flat boating shoes. Her androgynous style appealed to other independent women of the time like Katharine Hepburn.

How To Wear

Only Wear One – Whatever you do, DON’T wear more than one nautical themed piece. If you wear a striped boatneck sweater, you might be tempted to wear wide-leg trousers and Sperrys with maybe even a little anchor necklace. If you do, you’ll look like you’re on your way to a Halloween party. Trust me.
Instead, wear your boatneck sweater with a pair of skinny jeans. If you want to push it, go for a pair of white skinnies with ballet slippers.
Simple Pieces – Avoid embroidered anchors like the plague. Striped boatneck sweaters with little embroidered anchors will make you look like your third grade teacher. Don’t do it.
Instead, find pieces that are incidentally nautical. A cute tee that happens to have blue and white stripes. A sailor top that’s black and white striped. Simple variations on the trend that aren’t overtly nautical are your best bet here.
Key Elements – Maintain the key elements of the nautical trend by looking for boatneck sweaters, stripes, boat shoes, wide-leg trousers, sailor buttons and cuffed sleeves.

Key Pieces

To current go-to piece for this trend is simple –
Striped Tee – The ultimate nautical piece is the striped tee. Look for one with 3/4 or long sleeves and a boatneck or off-shoulder cut.