Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Lady in Lace


The latest in fashion trends is the feminine touch of lace. Whether it's an accent on a basic piece, tank top, dress or skirt; lace has become a serious addition to spring trends this year. Since lace is such an elegant fabric, it comes off as very soft and feminine. Mix this with a hard piece such as a destroyed jean jacket or a leather jacket for a very trendy look.


When wearing lace, stick to nudes or basic black and white. This is recommended because other colors such as red and blue can be very harsh, so it's best to stick to nudes and soft shades.




Lace looks great when pairing with a blazer, jean or leather jacket and a great pair of shoes. For a night time look, add a major piece of jewelry such as a vintage ring and strappy or close toed heels. Be careful when accessorizing however, as lace is detailed enough.

Where does lace come from exactly? It is an openwork fabric, with holes in the piece which is either made by hand or machine. It's an ancient craft, originally used with linen, silk, gold or silver threads but is more commonly made with cotton. Traditionally, lace was used to make tablecloths and doilies but nowadays it's used in clothing.

Lace is the lightest way to glam up your outfit and can go from elegant to sexy for night and day. Give it a try in your wardrobe this spring and summer!

Works Cited

Gardiner, Sarah J. "Spring Summer 2010 Lace Trend." IStylista. Web. 26 May 2010. .

"Lace." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 26 May 2010. .

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Crazy About Crop Tops

That's right people, crop tops are back in this hipster fashion trend. Although you may be a bit timid to bear your mid-drift, crop tops can be tasteful when paired with the right bottoms and accessories. These celebrities and models match their crop tops with high waisted shorts or skirts to offset the revealing top



Crop tops were first introduced as a temporary trend in various cultures for men in the early 1980s, originally starting with the trimming of football jerseys above the navel to make them cooler in hot weather. This trend eventually caught on to the basic t-shirts for daily wear. This cropping of shirts helped with athletics, adding aerodynamics and temperature control for the players. The company New Balance was the first to manufacture belly tops for males and female athletes in the 80s, followed by Nike and Adidas. The trend caught on casually and it became common to see crop tops at school and other public places. Shortly after however, schools and similar public institutions began to ban the midriff baring shirts claiming it was innapropriate and revealing.
This jock wears a crop top to help cool off and gain some speed while playing football


The trend died down although in 2000 the crop top remained popular in the club scene and with teenagers and young women, who were influenced by music videos such as Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani, Destinys Child and more. The trend eventually faded until they hit the runways again in December 2008.



Topshop was one of the first brands to re-introduce the crop top to fashion shows in December 2008, calling it an upcoming trend for Spring 2009. They introduced many variations on the design, adding lace, silk and jean-like fabric as well as different designs and fits. The most popular style we see today is the loose and baggy design, usually found in plain colours and without too many complicated designs.


It's important to make up for your exposing of skin, so be sure to pair it with high waisted jeans, skirts or shorts. If your planning on wearing it with anything not high waisted (like jean cut off shorts for example), make sure to add something on top such as a blazer or jean jacket to accommodate. Adding a chunky bracelet or necklace ensures that your outfit comes off as fashionable rather than trashy.


Here's a video of different ways to style your crop top


http://allwomenstalk.com/5-cute-cropped-top-ideas/?ad336

Check this website for different crop top ideas


Works Cited

"Crop Top." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 26 May 2010. .

Way, The. "Would You Wear… a Crop Top?" College Fashion - Tips, Trends and Style for Students. Web. 26 May 2010. .





Thursday, May 13, 2010

Jump For Joy : The Jumpsuit Trend


Rompers are no longer a hot item for babies anymore, they have made it onto the fashion runways and can be seen all over bodies of the fashio nable for Spring 2010. The first designers to showcase their modern version of the jumpsuit include Max Azria, Marc Jacobs and Mara Hoffman back in early 2009. Rompers have become more predominant this upcoming season, with more people willing to take the risk of wearing what some may call a "potato sack suit". But paired with the right accessories, why should you be timid to wear one? Here we show a few of the right ways to pull one off.



A view variations on the standard romper

The romper was first introduced to the United States in early 1900s, becoming popular as play clothing for young children because they were easy to move around in. They were the first modern casual clothes for children. They also became very popular in Europe, and were originally worn only for boys. Things altered in the 1950s when women started wearing them for comfort and beachwear. Although the trend never fully disappeared, it did not become the hit it currently is until Spring this year.


The jumpsuit has shown up at many everyday retailers, not just your top-notch designer boutiques, making it easier for everyone to add one to their wardrobe. It's become a popular choice because it's very versatile and can be worn casually during the day or glammed up for a night on the town. They are available in many different fabrics, fits and styles. However, we recommend the classic choice of black, white or beige because it makes accessorizing easy and doesn't come off as too over-the-top.



Designers have added two-toned aspects to their rompers as well as belts and buttons to
add a unique look to the outfit

Some popular fabrics of choice for the romper is pique cotton, terry cloth, velour or chambray. No matter what fabric you choose, the most important aspect is the fit. Don't attempt the J Lo look and force yourself in a tight one piece because that will easily take your outfit from flashy to trashy. If you find it unflattering in some areas, alterations can make a huge difference- it's worth the investment! If your wearing it during the day, keep it simple and avoid over accessorizing or wearing too much makeup. Also, ensure your wearing the proper undergarments when in a romper because panty lines and bulges are made much more noticeable. Shoes are an important addition to the outfit too! Jumpsuits give the look of a long, lean line so you can add even more height by wearing a heel, boots or a strappy sandal.




In this YouTube vid, this fashionista shows how to glam up a standard romper

Works Cited
Nellis, Cynthia. "Style Scoop." About.Com. The New York Times Company, 2010. Web. 13 May 2010. .

"Rompers." Wikipedia . Wikipedia, 13 May 2010. Web. 13 May 2010. .

Monday, May 10, 2010

Biker Chic: The Leather Jacket Trend


The leather jacket has gone from a standard outfit for motorcyclists and rock and roll to a staple in every closet. Leather jackets can come in different colours such as brown, dark grey and styles such as studded, cropped and incorporating zippers to add different looks. Historically, leather jackets were designed for protective purposes and used in the military, police and aviation work forces and typically made with a thicker, durable fabric. In 2001 fashion shows, many designers such as Balenciaga brought back the leather jacket to life with the goth-chic themes in their shows. This trend, however, didn't hit the streets until early last year, quickly gaining popularity. The leather jacket has gone from the Fonzy "ehhhh" to a quick way to punch up a simple dress or outfit. It has become popular to mix feminine pieces with a leather jacket for a unique look.

Teen actress Vanessa Hudgens rocks the leather jacket with a flowing feminine dress

In the 50s and 60s when leather jackets were popular with the biker gangs and worn by the tough guys or "punks" in high school. Back then, a leather jacket would have cost about $7- $20 which was expensive at the time. Today, leather jackets tend to range from $40- $1000's of dollars depending on the style and designer. Most leather jackets are made in Europe, specifically Italy, as well as India and Pakistan.




Another popular way to wear the leather jacket is casually, with a plain sweater underneath

Leather is made from tanned animal hides and is typically derived from antelope, buckskin, lambskin, sheepskin and cowhide. Once the skin is removed from the animal at the meat processing plant, it is refrigerated, salted or packed into barrels of brine. Then it is sent to the tannery where the animal skins are processed to preserve and soften the hides. The tannery is the most important process of leather making, insuring that the garment is of high quality. After washing and drying the leather they are sent to manufacturing companies where sewing materials such as thread, buttons, snaps and zippers are added to make a unique piece.

Some celebrities that brought the leather jacket back to life include the grunge-styles of Lindsay Lohan, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Nicole Ritchie and Kate Moss. They were the original inspiration for many variations on how to wear the jacket, and have made it a must have in every woman's closet.

Leather jackets have taken the fashion scene by storm and have become the perfect outerwear accessory to glam up an outift. To add more chic-ness to the outfit, mix with Ray Bans and enjoy!

Here's a video of different ways to wear leather, focusing on the leather jacket

Works Cited

"Leather Jacket." Wikipedia . Wikipedia , 26 April 2010. Web. 10 May 2010. .

McNulty, Mary. "How is a Leather Jacket Made? ." Answers.com. Answers Corporation, 2010. Web. 10 May 2010. .

"True Love is a Balenciaga Leather Jacket." Fashion Devotion. Word Press, 28 Oct 2009. Web. 10 May 2010. .