Spring 2015 Trend Report

To paraphrase Tom Ford in a recent interview, designers don't actually get together before every Fashion Week to select fabrics or share silhouettes...as much as it may seem like they do. At the offset, trends are fashion editors' ways of resetting the table after the visual feast they've devoured for the past 10 days and then their reinterpretations of the fashion shows trickle down into sales tactics, merchandising schemes and low end regurgitations. But it is fun to pretend that the Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte sat across from Prabal Gurung and Ralph Lauren during a Spring strategic planning session in order to designate looks, textiles and beauty schemes. (Note to designers: please invite me to the meeting if a session actually does take place!)  At any rate, Spring, just like any other season, did see some similarities across the runways. Here are some of my favorites are below!

Cutouts:

Keep them subtle and they'll take you far. If Lela is doing it, then all preppy Southern ladies should...and I imagine they (we) were the last holdouts against this trend.

 

3.1 Phillip Lim/ Lela Rose/ Alexander Wang

Statement Coats: 

After a long winter of bulky layers and heavy coats, if you still have to don outerwear in the spring, then it needs to be special. Leave it to the standouts of 2015 to make you wish for the slightest nip in the air come April.

 

J.Crew/ Suno/ Tory Burch

Yellow:

  What can we say about yellow that everyone doesn't already know? It's bright, cheerful and youthful. Energize your closet should you feel worn out next spring.

 

 Nanette Lepore/ Diane von Furstenberg/ Veronica Beard

Minimalism:
Keep it clean and you'll always be in style. 
 

 

Rag & Bone/ Jason Wu/ The Row

Did you notice any interesting trends on the Spring fashion runways? Of course, there were many more but these were some if the most interesting and applicable to real life in my humble opinion. Will you try to work any into your wardrobe? I hope to make one of those statement coats mine...maybe it will be a cool spring in the south!

images via Style.com

 

The Best of Fashion Week

New York Fashion Week has been well underway since last week and while it's not over just yet, I couldn't resist picking some favorites. 

Jason Wu

 Jason Wu

 

Carolina Herrera

 Zimmermann

 Zimmermann

 Lela Rose

 Lela Rose

 Lela Rose

 Wes Gordon

Wes Gordon

 Tory Burch 

 Tory Burch

 Tory Burch

 Tory Burch

Alice & Olivia 
 

 3.1 Phillip Lim

 3.1 Phillip Lim

 Such delicious eye candy! Do you have any early favorites?
Stay tuned next week for a little Spring 2015 trendspotting!

All images via Style.com

Fall Wish List

 

Sweater/ Chambray Shirt/ Skirt/ Coat/ Clutch/ Boots/ Jeans

I don't mean to wish the days away but...it's hot outside. Really hot. If I can't be parked on the beach, then I'd rather it be chilly outside. So until the temperatures decide to dip to a somewhat bearable degree, I'll be inside pretending it's sweater weather.

 via Pinterest

Preach, Wednesday.

More Than Cape-able

After a weekend in the cool, non-humid mountains and a rainy welcome home, the approaching fall is on my mind now more than ever. Add to that the sighting of this Banana Republic cape in the September Elle and I'm a goner.

Capelets took last autumn by storm. Designers from Milly to Theory produced stylish toppers for those looking to invest. However, outerwear isn't exactly something that I put a lot of ka-ching into since I live in the South and at the beach. I prefer to spend less in this category whenever possible. So the hunt for more affordable yet stylish capelets began...

Ark & Co.

Gap

ASOS

Capelets look super sleek with skinny jeans and tall boots but for an even more approachable look, try bootcut cords and ankle booties. Scarf print tops pack a punch against all these neutrals.

Capelet/ Blouse/ Cords/ Booties/ Bracelet

Will you rock a cape this fall? Or have you already? Let me know your tips!

Currently Obsessed

Happy Friday! Today, you get another fun fashion post from S-F. I've started to realize I'm currently obsessed with Currently Obsessed. It's so fun to see all the things you're coveting in one place. Looking at them all at once, it appears that my fall lust list is comprised mainly of peplums, metallics and blue/green tones as well as some affordable prices. That surprised even me! Have you checked it out? What's on your list?

Stay in Your Pajamas!

It's Monday. And who really feels liks getting dressed for work after a fun but busy weekend? I say we all just head to the office in our pj's. 

Rag & Bone pajama top and Miu Miu pants via The Sartorialist

Pajama dressing was all over the spring runways last September but it's only been recently that I have started to view this trend as wearable, especially in the workplace. PJ's feel soft and cozy but there is serious potential to look like one has just rolled out of bed.

The key to introducing this look to your coworkers: Pair your jammies with tailored pieces. A silky pajama-inspired blouse looks chic with tailored pants, a structured bag and sophisticated stems. Printed pj pants give you lots of room to move but need a tailored jacket and substantial heels to keep them from bedtime territory. 

Double Strand Pearls/ Pim + Larkin Blouse/ Marc by Marc Jacobs Bag/ J Brand Jeans/ Valentino Wedges (swooooon)

Ella Moss Top/ Eddie Bauer Blazer/ Veronica Beard Pants/ Anthropologie Necklace/ Tory Burch Heels

Remember too that any silk top plus any silk pants veers dangerously close to pajama suit land. If you are nervous about looking too disheveled, wear your one silk piece with a cotton or a cotton blend mate. Your hair and make-up should be polished and ladylike, especially if you are trying this look at work. (No disheveled buns or smokey eyes or you'll wander into walk of shame territory!) Great accessories keep you looking pulled together instead of pulled from under the covers! 

Please let me know if you try this look or have worked it already. I'm itching to get my hands on all of these pieces but especially the Pim + Larkin top. 

Make your workweek more bearable by wearing pieces you can relax in yet still be productive! 

Film Premiere Prance

"Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" premieres nationwide today! I worked on this film last year and we built some INCREDIBLE sets. I am so looking forward to seeing how they turned out! 

Some of the scenes were filmed in Hawaii and some in North Carolina. Sadly, I did not get to work in Hawaii but I'll offer an "aloha" to The Rock anyway...

In my daydreams, we have a film premiere tonight with a Red Carpet and crew celebration. IF that was what I was doing tonight, this glitzy look would be my go-to.

Lauren Merkin Louise Clutch 

3.1 Phillip Lim Dress

Ippolita Small Teardrop Earrings

Manolo Blahnik Something Blue Satin Pump


Will you see "Journey 2"? Let me know if you do!


Hooray for Hollywood...via Hawaii and NC. 

Red Carpet Round-Up: SAG Awards

Emma Stane in Alexander McQueen

On behalf of my sartorial sisters, I'd like to thank the members of the Screen Actors Guild. We asked for more drama on the red carpet and you brought it. Full party skirts? Check! Sequins? You betcha. Color??? HALLELUJAH. Even though there was a bit of a white out on the red carpet, those who did wear a color rocked it...for the most part.

Now for my Red Carpet awards. The clear winner, at least in my eyes, was Emma Stone in Alexander McQueen. Not only was her dress flirty and fun but Emma also sashayed down the press line like a girl going to her first prom. She appeared fun, effortless and classy all at once. Well done, my fellow strawberry blonde. (Nevermind if hers might be from a bottle.)

Rose Byrne in Elie Saab

Major kudos to Rose Byrne for her "Scarface" reincarnation. She rocked this sequined jumpsuit like it was 1971. Though I obviously did not see her in person, this photo doesn't do her justice. The hair, make-up and fit of this get-up were perfection.

Kyra Sedgwick looked damn fine in this Pucci number. The lady has got it going on! 

 Kyra Sedgwick in Pucci

And I was delighted to see a colorful Oscar de la Renta frock on Emily Blunt. Where is all the ODLR this year?? Her sequined clutch was perfection against that apple green.

Emily Blunt in Oscar de la Renta

I don't usually adore the looks of the E! hosts but I have to give it to Giuliana for wearing not only a colorful, interesting geometric pattern but also a serious metal statement necklace. Maybe she could have pulled her hair back, no?

 Giuliana Rancic in Basil Soda

The best looking couple hands down goes to Armie Hammer and his gorgeous wife Elizabeth Chambers, both in Gucci. Holy hotness! His tux was actually a really beautiful midnight blue. Usually I wouldn't go for it but Armie's approachability and modestly made the black alternative approvable. Elizabeth looked flawless and she ushered in the white out on the Red Carpet...

Armie Hammer and Elizabeth Chambers in Gucci 

The white out continued with Viola Davis in an ethereal Marchesa stunner.

White gradually faded to gray with Tilda Swinton in Lanvin, another 70s style ode...

Precious Ariel Winter ushered in the gray with another surprisingly stylish frock, this time by Collette Dinnigan and shoe by Miu Miu. Two awards shows in a row this girl has appeared fresh and age appropriate. Calling Lea Michele! (Sorry, girl and Gleeks.)

Finally, we must pay homage to Glen Close and her Zac Posen gown. How fab does she look?? Ladies who are concerned about body issues, this is the dress to wear. That corseting! That fishtail skirt! Those chiffon sleeves!! It's proof that you can WERK no matter your age...

Last night's Red Carpet was way more fun to watch than the Golden Globes. Of course, it wasn't all fab and there were some styles that I really wanted to like but just couldn't bite on- Michelle Williams in Versace, Zoe Saldana in Givenchy Couture and Sofia Vergara in Marchesa. 

There were so many obvious trends on the carpet as well- the white/grey/beige thing is still happening and lace topped just about everything. Later this week, we'll talk trends and find some Red Carpet to real life style. 

Until then...happy Monday to you! 

CLEARly

Versace via Talk Shoes

Ladies, we need to talk about shoes and I'm not sure how you're going to react to my proposal. I'm writing to you today in hopes that you won't immediately scoff and close out this page, completely disregarding my opinion forever.

But lucite shoes are back and they are big time. Many of us, especially nice Southern gals, have relegated the lucite heel to "working girls" whose places of employment include Thee Doll House and Crazy Horse. You know what I'm talking about- the kind of working girls where the shoes' heel height must be six inches or higher or else you ain't performin' tonight. But I hold a certain affection for the lucite heel. My momma had a pair of what I always called "acrylic" heels in the '80s. They were fab slingbacks with a lucite heel, clear plastic toe strap and '80s fab silver rhinestone with copper adornment. They were her big night out shoes when dad donned a tux and she was in sequins. In college, I made those puppies mine and wore them proudly around Chapel Hill, receiving tons of compliments (oddly enough).

Stuart Weitzman via Denim Therapy

Maybe for sentimental reasons or maybe because I can't refuse a good deal, I recently purchased this $298 pair of Stuart Weitzman wedges for $20 at our Junior League's Bargain Sale. Logically, they were my size, they were comfortable, they were a STEAL and I could wear them in my friend's NYE wedding under a long sapphire blue dress. Ironically, lucite heels paraded down fall runways and made cameos in resort collections from Fendi to Dries Van Noten. It seems I've just made the ultimate good call! 

Dries Van Noten via Runway Hippie

Chanel via The Gloss

Now the rest of us girls can also join in on the look! Dries Van Noten made lucite eclectic and slightly bohemian on their runway while Chanel takes a conservative classic spectator pump and adds a little sass. Even the Man Repeller paid a little homage recently. Whatever your taste, there is a clear choice for you. (Ba dum ching!)

In short, I can't wait to break in my lucite heels on Dec. 31 and hope to wear them in the warmer weather with a little Stella McCartney Hawaiian print...

via My Theresa

Sorry, Mom

Derek Lam via Harper's Bazaar

Stella McCartney via Style.com

Lela Rose via Net-A-Porter

10 Crosby via Style.com

I'm sorry, Mom. I made you throw away all of your patterned pants a few years ago. Now, they are back with a vengeance. Sadly, I must admit that I now want a pair myself- the Lela Rose black and white scribble print from Net-A-Porter to be exact. You had it right all along, it seems. Apologies for making such a harsh adjustment to your wardrobe.

On top of the apology, might I add a few style tips when it comes to the updated patterned trouser?

Richard Chai via Tumblr

- For the younger set, don't be afraid to mix your prints. Just keep in mind balancing the scale and trying to find a common color like the Richard Chai look above.

- If your lower half is not your favorite part, opt for a relaxed fit- a wide leg or bell trouser (a la Look 1 or 4) will flatter hips and thighs better than a tapered cut.

- A cropped pair can be cute on petites, especially with a pointy toe heel or flat (Look 2 and 3). Bonus points for a nude hue. Don't think you can get away with a boxy sandal though. You'll fall shorter than you really are.

Sasha Pivovarova via Fashion Sing

- Pair patterned pants with furs and knits now. Later, swap out the knit for a lightweight blouse or brightly colored tank.

So would you rock a pair of patterned pants?