Trends

Sassy spring scarves to cut the chill and add color

 in General Fashion / Trends  tagged scarves / spring 2011 by

The spring 2011 runways gave Fashionistas a large range of bright colors to think about for spring and summer. In addition to bright colors blocked together, there were floral patterns, abstract patterns and, well, patterns! Bright colors and patterns can sometimes be difficult for everyone to wear. It has nothing to do with Color Me Beautiful; rather, not everyone has the personality to pull off a cobalt blue dress paired with lime green shoes and a yellow belt.

One of the easy and practical ways to add color or patterns to your wardrobe this spring and summer is with a lightweight scarf. Scarves for spring come in a variety of fabrications such as cotton, lightweight wool, jersey and silk. Of course Pucci has several classic pucci-esque styles on store shelves which include multi-color swirls as well as blue swirls. Marc Jacobs is offering small fringed edge scarves with abstract polka dots, scull prints and Frida prints.

There are also scarves that can double as a necklace. BCBG has a black scarf for spring 2011 which features small silver chains, giving the scarf a rocker-chic vibe. This scarf can be wrapped once or twice around one’s neck as well as twisted for different necklines or looks.

The fabulous thing about lightweight scarves for spring is that they are a casual way to add individual personality to an outfit without the fuss of a necklace when on the go. Holding small children? A scarf will not break if a baby grabs onto it, as a necklace would.

A scarf can also be used as a layering piece with a pendant necklace. A thin fabric scarf can be wrapped around the neck with a large pendant dangling out from underneath. This is an understated yet artistic way to show off a pendant while staying warm.

When the summer months approach and a scarf is no longer needed for added warmth, the scarf can become a belt! Scarves are a casual and sassy way to dress up a pair of basic shorts. A scarf can easily be weaved through belt loops  and will instantly add color and dimension to those khaki shorts from four years ago 

What to look for when shopping for a spring scarf:

1)      Color. Spring 2011 is all about bright colors. Find a bold color you would love to wear but are too shy to buy as a top or dress. You can instantly wear bright orange or bold yellow in the form of a scarf with a neutral or black outfit.

2)      Patterns: Why go solid? There are so many patterns that made it to store shelves from the spring 2011 runways. Take advantage of the pattern trend and find one suits your sassy personality 

3)      Add-ons: Not into patterns or bright colors? Why not find a scarf with chains, small studs or embellishments! Roberto Cavalli and Chanel showed a wide variety of embellishments for spring while Burberry showed rocker chic studs; why not subtly add one of these trends with a scarf!

4)      Length: A long scarf that can become a belt during the summer will give you most longevity and versatility in the coming months.

Happy shopping and stay fabulous 

scarves

Pile of Scarves: From top left; orange silk oblong scarf, pewter sequin oblong scarf I.N.C. Macy’s, pastel large square Pucci, green/yellow/blue plaid The Limited circa 1996. Across photo: spring 2011 BCBG black scarf with black and silver chain detail. BCBG Boutique Valley Fair Mall.

Paris Fashion Week fall winter 2011/2012 recap

 in General Fashion / Trends  tagged fall 2011 / paris fashion week / runway trends / winter 2012 by

Paris Fashion Week ended on Wednesday and left fashion fans sad and happy at the same time. Sad because we have run out of runway shows to watch, and happy because we now have a glimpse of which trends from spring are continuing into fall. We also now have insight into new, up and coming trends.

New York and Milan visited past decades from the Art Deco era, the Depression era, the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s. In Paris, the tone was more sedate and although designers took their inspiration from the same time periods that were shown in New York and Milan, the tone was dark and serious.

Louis Vuitton took visitors on a train ride in the 1940’s with a serious yet classic tone. The music was deliberate and the silhouettes were ladylike and tailored. Chanel sent their collection down a runway that seemed as if it had been bombed out and dressed models as if they were walking on the city streets; not showing Chanel’s collection to buyers, editors and clients.

The overall vibe of Paris Fashion Week was tailored; long hemlines, dark colors, luxurious fabrics and a return to ladylike dressing. Black was a dominant color with spots of red, burgundy, mustard, forest green and shades of grey. Winter white also made an appearance on the runway either alone or paired with black.

The shoes shown on the runway varied between high heel booties, lace ups and menswear inspired tie shoes. Paris showed a handbag collection that mirrored what was seen in Milan with a large amount of top handle satchels, shoulder bags and daytime clutches.

It should be interesting to see which styles hit city streets and which trends remain on the runway and in the archives. Will we be seeing a large amount of red? Will everyone dress in black and grey? Will worn jeans make a comeback paired with luxury aka Chanel? Will Art Deco and the Depression push the 1970’s out of 2012? It should be interesting to which trends store buyers gravitate towards, and which ones are left without any orders for fall.

To view a video of the Louis Vuitton show, please click here.

To see fifty photos from Chanel, please click here. 

Milan Fashion Week fall winter 2011/2012 recap

 in General Fashion / Trends  tagged fall 2011 / milan fashion week / runway trends / winter 2012 by

Milan Fashion Week ended today and has left Fashionistas everywhere with a glimpse of what may end up on store shelves for fall. The trends on the Milan runways differed slightly from what was seen on the New York runway a week ago. While New York showed a heavy vintage influence from the 1970’s and art deco periods, Milan delved into the 1980’s, 1970’s, 1960’s and Gothic eras.

The 1980’s popped up on several of the Milan runways with Dolce Gabbana creating the most reminiscent collection of them all. Designers showed leggings under large tee-shirts, bright colors mixed together, slim menswear and baggy over tight. Disco worthy dresses also pranced down the runways at shows such as Gucci.

Milan continued the 1970’s trend which was a large part of the spring collections for fall 2011. There were wide leg trousers, long shoulder strap on handbags (Gucci and Roberto Cavalli) and long hemlines that nearly touched the floor.

Blumarine and Gianfranco Ferre both had different takes on the 1960’s trend. Bluemarine showed brightly colored and tonal ensembles while Gianfranco Ferre showed the softer side of the decade.

Roberto Cavalli brought the Gothic era to the Milan Fashion Week runways with dark and textured ensembles mixed with dark eye-makeup and a whimsical yet dark way of integrating leopard print into the fabrics.

To view the Prada fashion show please click here.

To highlights from the Gucci show, please click here.

It should be interesting to see which trends hit store shelves in the fall. Will the Cavalli bring back goth? The 1970’s are here to stay, at least for 2011; will they continue into spring 2012? Paris Fashion Week started on March 1, 2011. Let’s see what the city of Haute Couture brings to the runways. . .