The Kids Are Alright: Street Fashion

The Style Gurus are at it again. They have found more AMAZING street fashion in Charlotte, NC. Their topic this time was to find street fashion that related to The Who's 1979 Rockumentary, "The Kids Are Alright."

After researching "The Kids Are Alright" and The Who, we found that they wanted distinction from their peers through use of non-social behavior. They also had unconventional methods of visual communication and they had a very anti-establishment attitude. We took inspiration for our street fashion pictures from their anti-establishment attitude. We went out in search of individuals that dressed against the norm and who want to set themselves apart from others.

These individuals like to express themselves with what they wear and they love having the freedom to wear whatever they want. Check out the images below and let us know what you think about the way these individuals have chosen to dress!

My Little Pony: Street Fashion

Thinking about wearing your hair down this season? Think again! Whether embellished with a flower or braid or just a simple ponytail, you will see this trend everywhere on the streets. 

Style Gurus, Anna Fox & Jenna Grupinski, took to the streets to photograph the latest trend in hair. As you can see there are many different ways to wear a ponytail. And most of the time the ponytail was worn in style that coordinated with their outfit. The more simple the outfit, the more simple the ponytail and the more unique the outfit, the more unique the ponytail. 

The Style Gurus made some interesting observations related to the evolution of the ponytail while they were out on the streets. For those who don't know, the ponytail has gone through many phases and changes throughout the decades. Back in the 1950's, the ponytail was very feminine and girly (picture a girl with a poodle skirt). The ponytail then went through a brief hiatus in the 1980's when hair was very big and not pulled back into a ponytail. In the 1990's, the ponytail was very sporty and athletic and was used mainly just to keep your hair out of your face. Today, the ponytail has become quite the feminine fashion statement. People naturally over time weren't satisfied with just a simple ponytail. They are now wearing them with a braid(s), hats, curls, flowers, headbands, scarves, and even dreads. Although a classic ponytail is still seen today, it is now the new ultimate fashion accessory.  

Fashion Designer's Shows: NYFW Fall 2011

Along with being obsessed with magazines, I am also TOTALLY obsessed with fashion shows. And it just so happens that Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week recently took place in New York City February 10-17. These fashion shows were to showcase the designer's Fall 2011 collection. I want to show you some videos of my ABSOLUTELY favorite collections from this years shows.

So you may know by now that I really LOVE Badgley Mischka. Well there show this year was nothing short of AMAZING. In their collection, you saw fluid, draped dresses, with glitzy swatches of Deco beading capping shoulders and encircling necklines and waists. Take a look at some of the amazing pieces from Badgley Mischka's Fall 2011 collection.

Another favorite of mine was Blumarine. The designers always use bright and beautiful colors in their collections. The show opened with sporty coats and knitwear- ribbed turtlenecks and wrap minis, A-line dresses, and tunics over flared pants. The first 20 or so looks were done in camel, navy and black. Then, came all the colors. Models came out in monochromatic outfits in yellow, orange, green, purple, and blue. The designers finished out the show with beautiful lace pieces done in the same bright colors. Take a look at some of the amazing pieces from Blumarine's Fall 2011 collection.

The final collection that WOWED me was from Alice & Olivia. There was an unmistakable flapper-era vibe to the collection and it was set in a glided entry hall at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. Designer Stacey Bendet said that she wanted more separates and not just dresses in this collection. So there are some high-waisted cords worn with an open knit cardigan and a fur-trimmed blazer, but the dresses are absolutely BREATHTAKING. Take a look at some of the amazing pieces from Alice & Olivia's Fall 2011 collection. 

Style by Lauren Conrad

Most of you know who Lauren Conrad is, but for those of you who don't, she first became famous as a cast member on the show, Laguna Beach, and then she got her own show, The Hills, which followed her personal and professional life as she pursued a career in the fashion industry.  Lauren has always been a style icon. She has her own clothing line called The Lauren Conrad Collection and another line called LC by Lauren Conrad at Kohl's stores nationwide. Conrad has also just recently become an author. She has written three novels and a book called Style, which is about her experiences in and her knowledge of the fashion industry, as well as being a style guide. I recently bought Style and it is such a wonderful resource for fashion advice. Conrad offers tips on how to create your own unique look, she shares her favorite sources of inspiration, and she identifies the absolute must-haves for any fashionista's wardrobe. She also examines her fashion evolution from a casual California teen to a style icon and clothing designer. She also offers beauty advice and hair secrets. The contents of her book are divided into three different sections: Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle. A few of the chapters in this amazing book are: Building Your Wardrobe, Mastering Your Closet, and The Hunt: How to Shop. In her Lifestyle section, she discusses how to dress for Work and School, Travel and Events and Parties. This book is definitely a must-have for fashionistas. She gives such great advice. With Lauren's guidance, you'll look and feel stylish every day :-) 

To purchase Style by Lauren Conrad, simply click on the following link:   http://www.amazon.com/Lauren-Conrad-Style/dp/0061989142/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1300817013&sr=8-1

Badgley Mischka Promo Video

For those of you that don't know, I am currently attending The Art Institute of Charlotte for Fashion Marketing and Management. I am in a class right now called Fashion Styling and I wanted to show you all a video that my partner, Bianca Williams (www.ladywithsole.com), and I created. We were told to create a video that would be located on a designer's website. We chose Badgley Mischka. Hope you enjoy the video!

Special Thanks to Anna Fox, Cassidy Crnich, and Madison Davis :-)

Best Fashion Magazines for Women

So as you all know by now, I am addicted to fashion magazines. I subscribe to so many of them. I read so many because each one has something different to offer. Some of the fashion magazines focus on ready-to-wear clothing and others focus on couture. Although I can’t really afford the couture clothing, I love seeing all of the designer’s new collections. I want to tell you about four of my ABSOLUTE favorite fashion magazines and tell you exactly why they are so amazing.

My absolute favorite ready-to-wear fashion magazine is Instyle Magazine. I think my obsession with this one started a long time ago because my mom has always subscribed to it and I would read hers. What makes this magazine so GREAT is that everything they feature is so AFFORDABLE. This magazine always has a great section where they will have apparel or accessories that a celebrity wore and they will tell you where to get it for cheaper. My newest FAVORITE section in Instyle Magazine is “Ask Marchesa.” They have readers send in questions about fashion to designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig of Marchesa. This is the perfect magazine to go to for help with putting great, stylish outfits together.

Another amazing magazine is Marie Claire. They always talk about the latest trends in fashion and how to put together amazing outfits. One of the sections that I LOVE in Marie Claire is “Splurge vs. Steal.” They show you a whole outfit and then they will show you options of where you can buy similar items. In their fashion section, they almost always do a great editorial showing pieces from designer’s latest collections. This magazine does focus mostly on higher end clothing but there are definitely some affordable items too. This magazine also features great stories and amazing beauty tips as well.

Most of you should know about this next magazine. Vogue is an absolute must for fashion. This is pretty much the bible for the fashion world. Everything you need to know can be found in this magazine. There are many great articles in Vogue that discuss people and events in the fashion industry. The BEST part of every Vogue issue is the editorial shoot done by fashion editor: Grace Coddington. The sets of the shoots and the clothes on the models are absolutely STUNNING. She is truly a genius. Vogue has the most amazing fashion of all the magazines that I read.

Another favorite fashion magazine of mine is Harper’s Bazaar. This magazine also features very high-end clothing. They feature SOOOOO much clothing in each issue. It is INCREDIBLE! Harper’s Bazaar also talks about many designers and their new collections. They have many great styling tips and I love the section “Buy, Keep, Store.” They tell you what trendy items you should buy, what items you already own that you should keep wearing and what items you should definitely store away. They also feature wonderful hair and beauty tips and always have BEAUTIFUL editorial spreads.

What are your favorite magazines to turn to for the latest fashion trends?

Step It Up! Best Spring Shoes Under $100

I don’t know how you all feel, but I am psyched for some warmer temperatures and I am so ready to kick off my boots and flats and slip into some cute new shoes for spring. My absolute favorite thing about spring arriving is finally being able to wear my colorful open toe shoes. I am going to tell you about some great new shoes to go out and buy that will totally update your look for spring.

One pair of shoes that is great for people that aren’t quite ready for sandals, is platform clogs. These shoes are higher than flats, but they are way less scary than stilettos. Designers, including Karl Lagerfeld and Marc Jacobs, liked the embellished and streamlined styles of clogs this season. These shoes are comfy and chic and perfect for any outfit this spring. This platform pair can be found at www.newport-news.com and they are only $34.



Another great pair of shoes that I am definitely going to invest in this spring is nude heels. You might have to wait until late spring’s barelegged days to wear them, but it will definitely be worth the wait. These skin-tone-matching shoes in tan, ivory, brown, or camel will makes anyone’s legs look super long and can also be worn as platforms and pumps. Since these shoes are a neutral color, they literally will go with every outfit you own. This pair of nude heels is by Jessica Simpson and they are called the “Stelana” platform sandals. They can be found at Nordstrom or www.nordstrom.com and they are only $59.



A pair of shoes that is perfect for between seasons is peep-toe booties. They are great to wear with tights now while it is still a little bit chilly outside, and then perfect to pair with bare legs when the sun is shinning and the weather is much warmer. This pair of lace up booties is from Forever 21 and they are only $28. These booties are also great if you want to give your outfit an edgier look.



An additional excellent pair of shoes for spring is floral-print shoes. They are made of the same great patterns that you would normally only see in spring dresses and tops. These shoes are the perfect way to add more color to any outfit. You will see this fun floral-print in sling backs, platforms, and sneakers. These Guess high-heel platform shoes are only $90 and they can be found at Bloomingdales or www.bloomingdales.com.



Grab a pair of any of these cute shoes I have shown you and they will instantly update your spring look.

First Look! Spring Fashion Trends

I am so excited that spring is almost here. I am done with the cold weather and wearing boots and coats. I am ready for some sunshine and cute dresses and very bright colors. I have found the top ten must-haves for spring this year. The first must-have is bright colors. You can definitely stand out in fresh shades of orange, pink, green and blue. These bright colors are going to be seen in dresses, skirts, top and accessories. Don’t be afraid of color!

 

 The next must-have for spring 2011 is thick heels. You will make a statement in this superchic and updated style. Whether you wear polished-but-fun pumps, sandals, or peep-toes, these shoes can be worn from the office out to a party.

The third must-have for this spring is colorful stripes. This is a personal favorite of mine because it can definitely amp up your style. This classic pattern gets a new take in a variety of shades, widths, and styles. Whether you wear two different colors of stripes or four, this must-have is sure to make you stand out. 

The fourth spring must-have is an envelope clutch. I personally already have one of these and I love it. If you get a larger one, it will fit everything you need. Get a smaller envelope clutch to use when going out at night. These clutches could also be in the bright colors that I mentioned before.

Another must-have for this spring is a sleeveless jacket. This piece is ultra-versatile. You can wear it casual with a tank and jeans, or take it up a notch with skinny pants or a flowy dress. I was sort of iffy at first about a sleeveless jacket, but after seeing how it can be worn, I am sold.

 

Alright, we are halfway there. The next must-have for spring 2011 is sexy snakeskin. Whether it is a print or the real deal, this print is going to be everywhere. You can try it as a silky top, hot heels, luxe bags and more.

 


The seventh must-have for spring is modern whites. This pristine shade will have clean lines and delicate details. Wearing white is a perfect way to gear up for summer. It is the perfect color to be paired with the bright colors mentioned before. Modern white can be seen in dresses, tops, and pants. 

An additional must-have for spring is peasant blouses. They are a perfect fit for spring’s easy mood. You’ll be able to find these tops in many different colors and prints. Pair one with skinny jeans for a very stylish outfit.

 



Almost there! The ninth must-have for spring this year is bright gold jewelry. I usually do not wear much gold jewelry, but after seeing the dramatic gold chains that are popular this spring, I may have to start wearing it. Whether it is bracelets or necklaces, dramatic chains are going to be a key accent piece. Plus, they go with everything!




The final must-have for spring 2011, and my favorite, is flirty florals. Floral prints are the perfect thing to brighten your days after a long winter. The florals prints this season are going to be vintage-inspired and will be seen in dresses, skirts, tops, and more!




  

7 Best Fashion Color Trends at Awards Shows

My favorite time of year for fashion is when celebrities walk down the red carpet at awards shows. I love to see the amazing dresses that the female actresses and singers choose. So far this year, we have seen some absolutely stunning dresses at the Golden Globe Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Grammy Awards. Every year there are dominant colors that are seen on the red carpet and this year there have already been some awe-inspiring hues.  

At the Golden Globe Awards in January, there was one amazing color that definitely caught my eye and it also happens to be a favorite of mine; Emerald Green.  This was a common color worn by Angelina Jolie, Mila Kunis, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Elisabeth Moss. The actresses wore Versace, Vera Wang, Monique Lhuillier, and Donna Karan, respectively. Emerald green is an amazing color to wear to stand out against the red carpet. 

 

 Also at the Golden Globe Awards, another absolutely astonishing color that was seen in many dresses was light pink. Lea Michele, Sandra Bullock, Megan Fox, and Scarlett Johansson all wore this color. Michele wore Oscar de la Renta, Bullock wore Jenny Packham, Fox wore Armani Privé, and Johansson wore Elie Saab. Clearly this is a very popular color among well-known designers and was all the rage on the red carpet at the Golden Globes.

 

The final color that stood out to me at the Golden Globe Awards was red. This color is always very popular at awards shows. Many people would think that because the carpet is red that you would not want to wear a red dress, but this bright colored hue stands out no matter where you are. This color was worn by Christina Hendricks, in Romona Keveza, Sofia Vergara, in Vera Wang, and January Jones, in Versace. This fiery color always makes any woman look stunning. 

At the Screen Actors Guild Awards, white gowns were very popular. Pure white is a continuously popular color worn at awards shows. This color definitely stands out against the red carpet. Amy Adams wore a white gown by Hervé L. Leroux, Winona Ryder wore a white dress by Alberta Ferretti and Natalie Portman wore a white gown by Azzaro. White is a popular color that will never go out of style on the red carpet.

 

 At the Grammy Awards, there were more amazing colors seen on the red carpet. One stunning color that definitely stood out to me was gold. There were many different shades of gold, but they all looked so beautiful against the red carpet. Kim Kardashian wore a gold gown by Kaufman Franco, LeAnn Rimes wore a gold gown by Reem Acra, Heidi Klum wore a gold dress by Julien Macdonald, and Miranda Lambert wore a gold dress by George Chakra. This sparkly color is such a magnificent way to brighten up the red carpet. 

Another great color I noticed at the Grammy Awards was blue. Blue has always been a color that I love and at the Grammy’s, there were many shades of it. There was navy blue, azure and cobalt blue. All of these shades looked incredible on the red carpet. Keri Hilson wore a blue gown by Basil Soda, Ciara wore a blue dress by Emilio Pucci and Jennifer Hudson wore a blue gown by Versace. 

The final color that I saw at the Grammy Awards was black. This color is always, always worn at awards shows. It flatters everyone and it also stands out against the red carpet. Black was worn at the Grammy’s by Martina McBride in Malandrino, Lea Michele in Emilio Pucci, and Dianna Agron in Vivienne Westwood. This color will always be a popular fashion color trend at every award show.

How to Amp Up Your Style with Current Fashion Color Trends

Whether you love to wear lots of color or if you just like to incorporate a few accents of it, there are many ways you can amp up your style with current fashion color trends. I first want to discuss what the color trends are for Spring 2011 and then show you how to wear them. A great website to reference color trends for a specific season is www.pantone.com. Pantone states that for Spring 2011, the inspiration was exotic destinations such as Africa, India, Peru and Turkey. Pantone mentions ten different colors that are going to be popular in the spring; here are four of them. 


The first popular color is called Honeysuckle. It is a vibrant pinkish-red color that is perfect feel-good hue. Alessandra Ambrosio chose a Honeysuckle colored scarf to amp up her outfit. Another color that is going to be popular is Blue Curacao. This color definitely makes you think of tropical destinations. Victoria Beckham is wearing a Blue Curacao handbag in the image below. It definitely brightens up her all black outfit. An additional color that will be dominant in spring is Peapod. This yellow-green adds an organic element to the palette. This color is perfect to wear on your nails. The last color that I am going to talk about is Russet. This nude hue is a perfect dependable background color. If you are someone who is not afraid of color, then the first three are perfect for you. Amp up your style for spring by wearing a honeysuckle or blue curacao colored dress. Don’t be afraid to go all out with these fabulous colors. 


If you are someone that likes to stick to neutrals and add pops of color, then I have just the tips for you. One way to try any new color that you aren’t sure about or don’t quite want to invest in just yet, is to wear it as nail polish. Painting your nails is the cheapest and easiest way to amp up your style with color. Another way to incorporate accents of color is to wear an outfit with neutrals, such as russet, and wear bright colored accessories. Try a peapod colored scarf or a blue curacao colored handbag to add great new colors to any outfit. Also, don’t be scared to try jewelry in any of these fabulous colors. Now with these simple, new tips, you can amp up your style with current fashion color trends just in time for spring :-)