Top 5 Short Styles for Spring 2011

April 13th, 2011 by crystal

Temperatures are getting warmer! It’s time to start baring those legs. Shorts have been on the backburner for the last few seasons. This season, however, they were front and center on the runways. Here are the top 5 top 6 styles.

High-Waist


Pleated


Statement


Trouser


Cut-Offs


Bonus – Romper

The romper was a wild card for the last two summers – something only a few brave souls wore. Look for it more and more this Summer as they become easier to find in stores (even Target is carrying them). If you’ve been timid about trying this style before, now is the time to muster up the courage and take the plunge!

Shorts Spring 2011
JCrew | ModCloth | Victoria’s Secret


Which short style will you wear this Spring?

Oxford Flats for Spring 2011

March 18th, 2011 by crystal

Though it’s a style that started a few seasons ago, oxford flats (or brogues) are EVERYWHERE this Spring. You may remember them from last year when they were fashioned by the most-daring fashionistas and pegged as the shoe of choice at your local hipster hangout. This Spring, oxford flats are far more accessible for the mainstream crowd as celebrities like Taylor Swift and Kate Bosworth show us how to wear them with more than just skinny jeans.

How to wear oxford flats
photo – stylehive


The Must Have Oxford Flat

must have oxford flats

The easiest to find, best bang for your buck is Steve Madden’s ‘Trouser’ Laceless Oxford. The heel is relatively flat, they come in a variety of colors (up to 6 from what I can tell) and they’re priced at just under $70. You can probably find this shoe at your nearest DSW for an even lower price.


Not a fan of the laceless style? Check out the other options listed below…

Ways To Wear Oxford Flats

As I mentioned before, the main way these shoes were worn last season was with skinny jeans. Though that’s certainly still an option, consider these alternatives to widen your style scope.

must have oxford flats
Sienna Miller | Katie Holmes | source 3
Here’s the basic way – with skinnies. Notice all of the tops are loose and long, the outfit is layered with a cardigan, coat or blazer and the hem of the skinnies hits at about the ankle bone (roll up if you need to).


must have oxford flats
Rosario Dawson | Sienna Miller
This is one of my favorite ways to style oxford flats. For a simple chic look, pair your flats with your boyfriend jeans. You can go a little tighter with the top if your jeans are on the baggy side. However, for a look that’s more on-trend for Spring 2011, roll up your skinny or straight-leg jeans for a cropped pant that’s less sloppy than last season’s boyfriend style.


must have oxford flats
Taylor Swift | Rihanna
As I’ll mention in a second, one of the main things to remember when wearing oxford flats is to keep your ankle exposed. You can do this in a variety of ways, the easiest by wearing tights or leggings.


must have oxford flats
Rihanna | source | Kate Bosworth
If you’re ready to bare it all, wear shorts with your oxford flats. This is a super chic way to add some style to otherwise boring shorts. For an warmer and (arguably) more stylish look, wear tights under your shorts.


How NOT To Wear Oxford Flats

Whatever you do, DO NOT wear oxford flats with –
evening attire
– oxford flats are casual. If you plan on wearing flats with a cocktail dress, go for something more feminine like a ballet slipper. If you really love the oxford look and want to wear it for a night out on the town, choose a heeled oxford instead.
flares, wide-leg or boot-cut jeans – oxford flats will get lost when you cover them up with long, wide hemlines. Keep your ankle exposed to counter the masculinity of this shoe.

Today’s Selection



What do you think? How will you be wearing oxford flats this Spring? OR – are they still a bit too far on the hipster side for you?

Stylish One-Piece Bathing Suits for Spring/Summer 2011

March 14th, 2011 by crystal

Every Spring, I reevaluate my swim collection. I get rid of the suits I didn’t wear the previous Summer as well as those I completely wore out. Then, I look for one suit to add to my collection for the upcoming Summer months.


This year, THE suit you should have in your arsenal is the retro one piece. Whether it’s ruched, skirted, ruffled or bandeau, make sure you have a one-piece option.


Here’s a shopping guide of the most stylish options available this season.

Stylish One Pieces from Nordstrom


Stylish One Pieces at Victoria’s Secret


Stylish One Pieces at ModCloth


Stylish One Pieces at Urban Outfitters


Stylish One Pieces at Target


Stylish One Pieces at JCrew

Crochet for Spring – Trendy or Granny?

March 8th, 2011 by crystal

I’m really torn on this trend. Let’s start with the runway looks…

Crochet Spring 2011
Rachel Roy | Anna Sui | Vivienne Tam | Catharine Malandrino



What’s to like? I love how feminine and whimsical crochet is. It makes us think of simpler times – when women sat around the fire, crocheting blankets and shawls. It makes me think of a 19th century English love story – our heroine drapes her shoulders with a crochet shawl before taking an evening stroll with her betrothed.


But – crochet dresses? How can you even wear those? Wouldn’t it get all stretched out in certain places? I’m not sure how practical any of the runway styles are.


These styles, on the other hand…

far more practical. If your style is boho-chic, they’re downright perfect. What if your style is more classic, though? Can you get away with wearing a crochet shawl or will you just look like a little old lady?


What do you ladies think?

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.


Striped Nautical Shirt Cheap

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