Tag Archives: spring fashion

Basics for a Bargain: The Fringe Trend, Inspired by Scarlett Johansson, Heidi Klum, Jamie Chung & More (Dedicated to Marlene)!

Posted on by

When it comes to seeking out some style inspiration, turning to my friends is always the best resource, which is how I came to find (from one Marlene) that there was a big trend that’s been building in the fashion world. Fringe is back. Have no fear, when it comes to fringe, it’s all about moderation. I’m not talking about a full-on Western look, or anything crazy from the 70s, but a nod to another time or fantasy world isn’t so bad to include in your day-to-day wardrobe.

Fringe was spotted on the Spring Summer 2015 runways all over the world, especially from designers like Etro, Givenchy, Fendi, Proenza Schouler, Marco de Vincenzo, & Elie Tahari.

Fringe - Etro, Givenchy, & Fendi Spring Summer 2015.

Proenza Schoulder, Marco de Vincenzo, & Elie Tahari Spring Summer 2015.

Over the years, celebrities have also been sneaking this trend on the red carpet, wearing fringe on dresses, tops, capes, & skirts. When done right, fringe can do no wrong. For example, fringe works on actress Scarlett Johansson (in Preen), Shameless star Emmy Rossum (in Stella McCartney), Bond girl Naomie Harris (in Naeem Khan), & model Suki Waterhouse at a Topshop event.

Scarlett Johansson, Emmy Rossum, Naomie Harris, & Suki Waterhouse in fringe.

Heidi Klum, Shailene Woodley, Julianne Hough, & Jamie Chung in fringe.

Also, during this past season of Project Runway, winner Sean Kelly designed this flirty cobalt & black fringe gown for the show’s host Heidi Klum to wear at last year’s Creative Arts Emmy Awards. Also, rocking the fringe trend are Divergent star Shailene Woodley (in Emilio Pucci), dancer-turned-singer-turned-actress Julianne Hough (in Sass & Bide), & fashion blogger Jamie Chung (in BCBG Max Azria).

To integrate fringe into your wardrobe, here are some affordable & easy-to-wear fringe toppers & fringe bottoms that are sure to dress up your casual separates & create new opportunities to get the most out of your closet.

Fringe tops.

SHOP: dolman top ($17.99) in black @Macy’s, fringed pullover sweater ($49.95) in light grey @Anthropologie, hooded cardigan ($42.00) in oxblood @Nordstrom.

Fringe bottoms.

SHOP: fringe shorts ($29.97) in tan @Nordstrom Rack, faux leather skirt ($24.95) in black @H&M, & fringe mini ($34.99) in black @Banana Republic.

Lastly, fringe accessories are also here to stay, including bags, scarves, & shoes. When it comes to adding detail to your look, fringe is a fresh way to go, also coordinated with metallic grommet, textured panels, & colorblocking.

Fringe accessories

SHOP: crossbody bag ($19.90) in brown @Forever 21, clutch ($35.99) in black @6PM, plaid scarf ($18.95) @Shoptiques, shimmer scarf ($9.99) in lime @Aeropostale, heels ($38.99) @Charlotte Russe, & ballet flats ($49.00) @YOOX.

Do you wear fringe? Do you prefer fringe separates, dresses, or accessories? Which celebrity is wearing fringe the best right now? For more stylish posts, check out Runway Rundown galleries featuring Elie Saab & Atelier Versace, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s London street style look for less, ear cuffs & front to back earrings inspired by Keira Knightley & Kate Mara, & how to style prints & patterns like Lea Michele & Gwen Stefani! Happy Styling!

Basics for a Bargain: Spring Dress Predictions, Inspired by Kerry Washington, Allison Williams, & More (Dedicated to Nicole)!

Posted on by

When asking around through social media to some of my friends for some style inspiration since I was stuck on what my next blog post should be, my lovely & brilliant friend, Nicole, inquired about spring dresses to expect for next season, especially when winter is such a rich season for playing with texture & prints when it comes to dresses. For spring, my research tells me that dresses are all about the details- what makes them special, whether it’s lace, metallic embellishment, bold colors / patterns, shine, or shape. I had so much fun getting inspired by dresses from the runway & my favorite A-list celebrities.  

Allison Williams, Kerry Washington, Julianne Moore, Anna Kendrick, Kate Mara, & Camilla Belle.

The always stylish Girls actress Allison Williams mixed patterns with her paisley printed silk dress by Giambattista Valli with black pumps. Scandal star Kerry Washington played up detail in a checked Prada dress with a violet clutch & metallic Christian Louboutin pointy toe pumps. This season’s Oscar nominee Julianne Moore dared to be different in a cherry red off-the-shoulder Delpozo dress with Givenchy sandals. The adorable & playful Anna Kendrick wore a flirty cobalt blue laser cut Temperley London shirt dress & nude Christian Louboutin pumps when making an appearance on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Former House of Cards co-star Kate Mara donned a lattice paneled little white dress by Vielma with a clutch by Botkier & nude pumps. Lastly, fashion it-girl Camilla Belle did Gucci proud in the brand’s blue printed dress with t-strap pumps.

Also, during Fashion Week, the Spring 2015 Ready-To-Wear Collections that hit the runways were all about detail-oriented dresses, chock full of bold colors, modern twists on classics, floral embellishments, playful prints, & much more! 

Mary Katranzou, Erin Fetherston, Alberta Ferretti, Peter Pilotto, Matthew Williamson, Roland Mouret, Temperley London, & Nanette Lepore Spring 2015 Ready-To-Wear.

This included collections from Mary Katrantzou, Erin Fetherston, Alberta Ferretti, Peter Pilotto, Matthew Williamson, Roland Mouret, Temperley London, & Nanette Lepore.

And finally, my picks for affordable dresses to start the spring off right are:

Spring dresses from Dress Barn, Old Navy, Wallis, Forever 21, ModCloth, JC Penney, & Chic Nova.

SHOP: textured fit & flare dress ($48.00) in royal @Dress Barn, belted shirt dress ($32.94) in red print @Old Navy, lace dress ($59.00) in black @Wallis Fashion, lush floral tea dress ($29.90) @Forever 21, floral flashback stripe dress ($17.99) @ModCloth, short sleeve print blouson dress ($19.99) @JC Penney, & print cross V-neck dress ($28.49) in yellow @Chic Nova.

Which dresses are your favorites? Which celebrities do you look to for style inspiration? What’s your favorite kind of dress? Have you started your spring shopping yet? What are you looking to update this spring? For more stylish posts, check out my latest picks of sale sweaters for under $20, how to wear a statement necklace in 4 ways, Jennifer Lopez’s press tour for her new movie, Natalie Portman’s Dior look for less, & the complete red carpet gallery from this year’s Golden Globes including looks from Emma Stone & Naomi Watts. Happy Styling!

Basics For A Bargain: It’s Finally Spring & Finally Time For Florals!

Posted on by

There’s still a chill in the air here in New York, but it’s finally starting to look like spring. There’s change in the air & I know I’m really excited about it- & not just for my change in wardrobe. However, speaking of spring fashions, the go-to print of the season is florals & I couldn’t turn my back the trend, especially when I’ve been seeing it everywhere! For example, A-list celebs have been wearing florals even during the winter, ushering in the warmer season. Miranda Kerr is all smiles in a floral skirt with a leather Prada tote while taking in the day in Sydney. Elizabeth Olsen mixed her floral top with a mustard coat & skinny jeans. Actress Diane Kruger attended a press event for Farewell, My Queen in a 10 Crosby Derek Lam ensemble.

Miranda Kerr, Elizabeth Olsen, Diane Kruger, Selena Gomez, Jessica Chastain, & Dianna Agron.

Superstar Selena Gomez hit the SXSW Festival in a matching bustier & skirt by Dolce & Gabbana. Two-time Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain wears an Erdem sheath dress with nude Christian Louboutins. Lastly, former Glee star Dianna Agron attended a luncheon with The Hollywood Reporter in an Oday Shakar floral dress with suede Jimmy Choo heels.

Not to mention that there have been plenty of florals hitting the runways this year, including luxe vintage from Valentino, 80s-inspired rocker chic designs from Betsey Johnson, youthful & bright patterns from Tracy Reese, Lanvin‘s elegant & sophistication, & Erdem‘s playful & refreshing angle on flowers.

Valentino, Betsey Johnson, Tracy Reese, Lanvin, & Erdem.

Whether it’s on clothing, accessories, or mixed & match (which I only recommend doing with caution), I made a few selections from some of my favorite stores to share how you can wear the latest floral pieces on a budget! The best piece to start building the perfect spring wardrobe is a dress, like the Merona sleeveless tulip wrap dress ($19.00) from Target, which has recently been marked down from its original $24.99 price. The flattering wrap shape is perfect for accentuating your shape & the navy background adds a regal touch is paired with basketweave espadrilles or bright ballet flats. Next is the LC Lauren Conrad floral ruffle tank ($25.20) from Kohl’s, which is a feminine topper piece to wear with dark denim jeans, white skinny pants, or a denim skirt.

Don’t be afraid of florals on your bottom half, especially with the 4 1/2″ belted printed flat front shorts ($32.94) from Express, which add some tropical flair to your look & will dress down a lace blouse. I love the idea of sequins with florals & this skirt ($34.95) from H&M is a stylish marriage of both. This will pair nicely with a chambray button down shirt for a fashionable day out & about or with a solid pullover & pointy toe pumps for a date. Lastly, floral pants are also one of the biggest trends this season, especially in a looser cut to provide plenty of flow & movement, which is why I choose the Full Tilt skinny harem pants ($24.99) from Tilly’s. The chic black, gray, & white color combination is understated & can be coordinated with pastel pieces like coral or mint.

As for accessories, these bright colors will make your outfit pop, especially since they’re so effortless to match with wardrobe essentials. For example, the sequin tulip print pumps ($27.80) from Forever 21 are flirty & will add extra dimension to cuffed jeans & a ruffled top. Also, for a more subtle floral shoe, the novelty ballet flats ($39.95) from Gap. The soft pink & red tones in the shoe can offset any striped tee & jeans look in a ladylike way.

Part of what I love about spring is that I can still wear scarves, which can bring a lot to a look, like the ground floral scarf ($14.99) from Payless for a denim jacket & LBD with ankle strap platforms or a maxi dress & cargo vest with gladiator flats. Lastly, I’m not really a hat kind of girl, but in some cases, you need to protect your face from the harsh rays of the sun, especially this early in the season, which is why I picked the pop floral baseball cap ($8.99) from Charlotte Russe.

What do you think about the latest floral trend? Which pieces would you wear? What’s your spring wardrobe budget? For more affordable fashion posts, check out how to get Drew Barrymore’s latest look without breaking the bank, suede studded loafers, the best green pieces for spring, a budget-friendly spring look with pieces from Old Navy & American Eagle Outfitters. Happy Styling!

Cover Craze: Miley Cyrus Bares It For Cosmopolitan, Victoria Beckham’s Leggy ELLE Cover, & More!

Posted on by

January isn’t even over yet, but there’s major buzz surrounding the upcoming March 2013 covers of the most popular fashion magazines, which is why I’ve updated Cover Craze. I guess this is natural, considering all the talk about spring fashion, upcoming films this year, & throngs of celebrities about to hit the red carpet for the Oscars. I’m sure there’s more to come since I haven’t seen what’s in store yet for Harper’s Bazaar, Shape, Self, Redbook, Marie Claire, Allure, or Elle in March.

The always stunning Dakota Fanning covers Glamour in a cute Mickey Mouse sweater, discussing the controversy behind her 2011 ad campaign for Marc Jacobs‘ fragrance Oh, Lola! Next, it seems that Lucky gets Lauren Conrad on their cover at least once a year & March is all about the designer behind Paper Crown & LC Lauren Conrad for Kohl’s, who always gets the cat-eye right & talks about how she maintains her sleek straight locks. New mom Megan Fox takes on Marie Claire UK in a printed one-piece, opening up about her marriage, motherhood, & about her next career move.

Dakota Fanning for Glamour, Lauren Conrad for Lucky, Megan Fox for Marie Claire UK, Miley Cyrus for Cosmopolitan, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, & Mila Kunis for InStyle, & Victoria Beckham for ELLE UK.

Miley Cyrus has once again proved that she’s not a little girl anymore on the cover of Cosmopolitan, revealing more than just her cleavage. She talks about her latest album, being friends with Katy Perry, & prioritizing her relationship with her fiancé. The stunning co-stars of Oz: The Great & Powerful, Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, & Mila Kunis, share the cover of InStyle in romantic pastel looks, as we anticipate at least three upcoming red carpet premieres for the fantasy Disney film. Lastly, Victoria Beckham takes over ELLE UK, wearing only best, including Lanvin, Burberry, Miu Miu, & of course her own brand. The hard-working designer candidly explains her work ethic, trust issues, & what’s next for the Beckham brood in 2013.

For more magazine-friendly posts, check out Emmy Rossum talking about her latest musical project with Self, Heidi Klum’s sexy Marie Claire cover, Carrie Underwood’s life on tour with Allure, & Claire Danes conspicuous pregnancy looks for ELLE! Happy Styling!

Ad Madness: Raf Simons’ Debut Spring Campaign For Dior!

Posted on by

Dior 01 Dior 02

So I thought I’d share a little bit of high fashion with my readers.  I’m all geared up for the upcoming red carpets for this year’s awards season, not to mention I’ve been scouring the web for the best deals on end-of-the-year markdowns to make this season a chic & affordable one for our wardrobes.  However, let’s talk fashion & that means Dior.  Raf Simons, the current creative director for the French brand, has debuted his first ad campaign for the fashion house, featuring chiffon floral, light layers, & everything elegance.  Thanks to an article found on Styleite, I’m able to share these images for the line, which seems every bit feminine & minimalist as we could expect for a carefree spring.  Also, there’s plenty of menswear inspiration in the sleek black separates, like what we’ve seen on Jennifer Lawrence recently. The spread features models Daria Strokous, Marie Piovesan, & Diane Conterato, with photos taken by Willy Vanderperre.  Happy Styling!

Dior 03 Dior 04 Dior 05 Dior 06

Quickie Darling Deal & Steal: See What’s On Clearance @White House Black Market!

Posted on by

I’ve been writing so much about what’s new for spring, so I had to check out what’s going on @White House Black Market & how I can get my hands on some of the best end-of-the-season sale deals that can still be worn for the new season in fashion!

I’m mad for the mid length pleated skirt ($24.98) b/c it reminds pleating is always on-trend.  It’s sexy in that librarian chic kind of way & if worn right, it won’t look matronly.  Add a fitted tee & cardigan, silk cami & boyfriend blazer, or corset top & t-strap shoes with this dazzling & affordable must-have.

Next, I picked the double bow slingback, which unfortunately is out of stock, but it caught my eye.  I love the bordeaux and black combination on the croc patent leather.  It’s the perfect amount of texture and contrast to make a skirt suit, leggings & blouse, or little black dress more classic & sophisticated.

Lastly, I’m a sucker for polka dots & couldn’t get over the adorable factor here with the polka dot ruffle bag ($29.99), which is perfect for any time of year.  Pair this with a striped dress to play up the mixture of prints, or wear it with a neon sheath dress & nude pumps to show off your feminine side.

Check out more from Quickie Darling Deal & Steal, featuring wedges by Christian Siriano @Payless, a clearance dress from ASOS, & polka dot tights from Kohl’s! Happy Styling!