Time for Spring

Hope the weather cooperates

March is usually the time to switch your closet over from Fall/Winter to Spring/Summer for those of us in  the South and normally a transition time for those up North. Unfortunately our friends and family everywhere north of Atlanta are still suffering through the longest, coldest winter in years, but the Spring clothes are waiting in the stores, so I'm moving on....

Spring Trends 

There is a huge throwback to fashion trends from the past this Spring, especially the '90's. Many will feel like "been there- done that", but, of course there is a 21st century take on these trends. Creating your own sense of style means picking the trends that flatter your figure and lifestyle. Not everything is for everyone.  

Backpacks

Sleek and sophisticated and better for our backs and shoulders than the heavy shoulder strap bags we often carry.
                             
                    Elizabeth and James  $545                 Tory Burch $285
                                         
                                                          Frye $428

Bomber jackets

The "IT" jacket this season has traditionally been a solid outerwear piece (think Members Only, if you are old enough), but it is now embellished, printed, in silks and tweeds for an unexpected new look. Wear it with skinny jeans and a button down or T or over your shoulders with a dress or slinky top for evening.

         

                  
                 Trina Turk on sale $148                                             Zara $79                                                                   

Floral Prints

If ever Spring brought flowers, this is it. Animal prints still persist, but florals in bold prints and soft artistic pastels abound.


                          Free People $128                                    Seven for All Mankind $198
   
                     Nanette Lepore  $398                                        Manilo Blanik  $685

Shirt Styling

The classic tailored shirt is back big in a variety of fabrics and lengths from cropped to tunic to dresses. White button downs worn white on white, with floral skirts, with black and white graphics and casual with jeans or dressed up for evening.



               Catherine Malandrino  $237                                      Robert Rodriguez $245


                                Vince$295                                                    Halston Heritage $375

Stay tuned for more trend updates and more old styles reinvented or just making a return for 2014- think white Keds and wide heeled mules- yes, really!!                                        

More coming soon...................

Radiant Orchid

Pantone Color Institute has named it's color of the year, as it has every year since 2000. The color for 2014 is Radiant Orchid 18-3224, a beautiful blend of fuchsia, pink and purple. "Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and exudes great joy, love and health."     

The Pantone experts travel the globe studying color influences from the entertainment industry, interior decorating, art collections, and even sports events to forecast color directions that are then used in fashion design, interior decorating, graphic design, and packaging. Further, they explore how color influences human thought processes, emotions and physical reactions.

Below are some ways you can work the color of the year into your life.




  
Radiant Orchid is a complex color, rosy with undertones that radiate on the skin. It produces a healthy glow with a blend of both cool and warm undertones. Try a pop of orchid color on your eyes, lips, or nails, and in your accessories. It complements most hair, eye and skin colors, making it universally flattering — a must have color to own in your wardrobe.



I don't want to tease you while everyone is experiencing one of the coldest winters ever. It's hard to imagine Spring is just around the corner ( and already in the stores). Watch for more about the newest trends and colors in coming posts.

Topping Off the Trends

As our weather shifts slightly toward Fall (a drop in the humidity from 80% to 60% is huge to us Floridians), I want to finish off the Fall Trends that should entice you. We've hit coated jeans, cobalt blue, lots of green and berry hues, animal prints and fancy sweatshirts. You will also see Rocker Chic or Punk Luxe (I didn't make up these names). Take from the trend what works best with your own style. It can be as major as studded jackets or tops and leather pants or as simple as accessorizing with a new studded pump, ballet flat or boot. There are quite a few handbags out with studs, as well to accommodate this trend.

                               
                   

If you don't have a Leather Jacket, especially a "Moto" styled one, this is the year to invest in one. There are lots of combos combining knits with leather. Black would be a great, classic choice, but adding a leather in a color could be a fun addition to your wardrobe. Besides jackets, leather is everywhere this season- skirts, dresses, t-shirts, vests and jeans. If your leanings are toward PETA ( People for Ethical Treatment of Animals) there are loads of faux and vegan choices. Many designers are doing non-leather leather looks. I suggest Free People, Macy's, Nordstrom's and Cusp ( upstairs in the Tampa Neiman's) as places to look.

                                         
Borrowed from the Boys, featuring menswear patterns,  is another trend for Fall. Houndstooth, glen plaids and hunter plaids used in somewhat unconventional ways. The menswear look includes foulard and jacquard patterns in pants and an oxford style shoe that is cute with skinny pants and fuller cut trousers. Loafers are a great way to accessorize this trend also.



Statement and Oversized Coats - Every Fall, I miss the change of seasons and crave a new fun coat that I would be shopping for if I still lived up North. Then winter comes to New York and Chicago and I am glad I reside in sunny Tampa.  For those of you who travel and are investing in new outerwear, the looks are distinctive and/or over-sized. Color blocking is apparent here, as well. Lots of new choices.

 


Also on your radar for Fall should be Black Lace for cocktail attire, Mixed Metals in jewelry, Pointed toe shoes are back, Pops of Bright Red- almost as a "new neutral", Over-the Knee boots and a bit more structured bags. You don't have to run out and grab one of everything. Look around- online and in the stores- and purchase what feels most like you. Or a new, refreshed you. Getting out of your box is good,but not so much that you are uncomfortable. Some trends are just that -trends. Others can endure ( look at animal prints!). Pick up a few new things you love. Experiment with accessories. There surely is something for everyone out there. And don't forget to purge (some things you haven't been wearing) a little to make room for the new.

Tips to the Trends

We all lead busier lives than ever, juggling responsibilities daily. Few people have time to peruse the Mall to check out the latest fashions. We rely on magazines, catalogs  TV and now the internet and online sources. But even browsing online takes time. I thought I'd share some sources to give you more ideas on adapting the Fall Trends to your own lifestyle. Fashion and designer websites, as well as retailers are great places to get ideas on new styles and how to make them work. The links below are some I turn to for fashion inspiration of the new trends that I highlighted last time.

Stylish Sweatshirts

http://www.dailycandy.com/everywhere/flipbook/156233/Best-Sweatshirts-for-Women?et_cid=64998&et_rid=791618

Jeans- coated, skinny, patterns, etc

http://shop.nordstrom.com/c/womens-jeans-new?origin=leftnav

New ways to wear Animal Prints

http://www.dvf.com/must-haves/leopard-prints/

Going green

http://www.aliceandolivia.com/womens-designer-clothes/green-with-envy.html/?utm_campaign=Accessories%2009-17-13&utm_content=5021509643&utm_me

Wear Blue (don't feel it :)

http://www.shopstyle.com/browse/womens-clothes?fl=c10

Next up-

More of Fall's Fashion trends that work in your real life and some great fashion and shopping sites

Fall Fashion Trends

It's Fashion Week in NY - 

With designers starting to showing their Spring 2014 collections, those of us in the real world are just barely embracing Fall 2013! So time to get a handle on the Fall trends and what works for you and me, and even though we don't attend the Met Galas or walk the Red Carpet, we do like to look our best.

As I researched this Fall's fashion trends, I found both similarities and differences in Vogue's, Rachel Zoe's, InStyle, Style.com and Neiman's must haves for the season. Let's start with the most popular and what will work for most of us

Green is definitely the hot new color this Fall- bottle green, forest green and emerald green. It is out there in jeans, sweaters, dresses, leathers and if you are shy- try a bag or shoes to incorporate into your wardrobe.  Right behind GREEN are the BERRIES and Cobalt BLUE. Did you hang onto any eggplant or cranberry pieces from a few years ago? Pull them out! They'll pair well with black and denim and your neutrals.

Two trends persist from past seasons and are very visible this Fall- ANIMAL PRINTS and COLOR BLOCKING.  Good  news for most of us who picked up pieces in these styles last year. Personally, I am getting a little tired of the animal print thing (send them to the zoo) but you can make it fresh by trying leopard prints in blues, purples and pinks besides the usual browns. Use these prints to accessorize in shoes, belts, scarves and bags. Color blocking pops up in coats and jackets now, in addition to the dresses, tops and pants we've seen it in before. And it can be very slenderizing when done on the sides of a garment- so embrace it!

Here's a new trend you can have fun with- fancy sweatshirts! "Luxe" sweatshirts are a great new look with jeans. These new " Statement Sweatshirts" are not of the heather grey variety, but new fabrications, like jersey, satin, faux fur sporting designer icons and embellishments. Check out selections everywhere from Target to JCrew to Neiman. A little more structured fit but with an athletic vibe.

  

Still to come- Moto jackets, everything leather, over-the knee boots, statement outerwear, menswear patterns and more.

Denim for Fall

If ever there was a fall that had something for everyone, this year is it! From "moto" jackets to romantic dresses, there is something you need and something you'll covet.

Let's start with Denim, because we all wear it and  whatever the variation, it will always endure the fashion seasons. Jeans mixed with chambray showed up this summer and persists into the Fall. Yes, you can wear a work shirt, as we called them back in the day, with blue jeans. And you can put your jean jacket over a different color denim jean. Striped T's look really  cute with your denim combos, as well as black or white boatneck tops with patterned scarves bunched at your neck. You are going to see a lot of denim dresses (check out the Gap) and denim pencil skirts. Pair them with cute ankle booties.

Last Fall we saw patterned jeans, which are still around (will animal print never die?!) and this year the hot jean is coated. It's a new surface treatment that creates a techno veneer, almost like Teflon on the denim-kind of a shiny, leather-like look, without sacrificing the comfort of jeans. JBrand, Citizens of Humanity, Paige, Hudson, AG, and even the GAP and Not Your Daughter's Jeans all are showing them. I picked up a pair of black coated jeans at Nordstrom's anniversary sale that are super comfortable.  I have found that a combination of cotton, poly and spandex feel great on and don't stretch out as much when you wear them (compared to just cotton and spandex). 

Pair your coated jeans with a fun, simple top in a new color like deep green or eggplant (back again!) if you have the figure for it,or a flattering boxy knit top or sweater that provides balance to the slim bottoms and is more forgiving for some older figures :)

The biggest news in jeans may be Levi's Revel collection that promises to lengthen your legs, trim your thighs, flatten your tummy and shape your butt while looking cool and felling comfortable. Sounds too good to be true, right? The initial reports from WWD, Daily Candy, FashionNotes,and ABC News are all positive and excited. 

Levi’s Revel collection is unlike any denim up 'til now. The new line of jeans was created with liquid shaping technology, rather than using reinforced panels (like Spanx). This technology  uses a four-way stretch fabric comprised of cotton, polyester, Lycra and Dupont’s Sorona Fiber. “This formula provides structure, support and a figure-hugging shape to the jean.” They come in skinny and straight leg and a variety of washes . These jeans just hit the market last week at Levi Stores. Unfortunately the Levi store closed at International Plaza or we could all have run out today to try them. I will be watching for the Levi's Revel at Macy's and let you know.

I am also hearing great things about JBrand's new Photo Ready denim collection, that also promises to make our legs look long and lean. The fabric is a combination of cotton, poly and Lycra with a true denim look while still providing maximum stretch and being really comfortable. And they don't sag out after one wear! The Photo Ready jean comes in skinny styles and medium and dark washes. Check them out at JBrand.com, Nordstrom and Neiman's.

Get your new jeans and GETSTYLYNNE!

More coming on soon on Fall's Hot New Trends and every girl's must haves...

Get Ready for Fall

It's hard to believe summer is almost over, fashion-wise. Though we still have 90 degree weather and high humidity to match, the fall fashions are in the stores (and at our trunk shows). In Florida, we start by switching from shorts to capris or crops and going from tanks and sleeveless to adding back a short sleeve :) Change out your pastels for darker jewel tones and you're on the right path. White jeans have become a fashion staple and no longer have to be retired at Labor Day, just mix them up a bit adding a chambray or denim shirt, a darker hued cardigan or tunic top.

Before you rush out to buy your new Fall wardrobe, consider this - getting dressed is a much more enjoyable process when you have a neat, organized closet to select from everyday. A defined closet equals less stress. Yes, cleaning out your closet is an elaborate, time-consuming process, but will be major, time-saving happy results. It's a great way to start the new season and make room for your new clothes. I am available to come help you "edit" your wardrobe and give you the "tough love" you may need to part with some things. Or for those of you who like to DIY, I have some tips:

• Don't try to tackle the entire closet at once. Do shoes one day, purses another, working your way through tops, bottoms, dresses. That way you won't find yourself at dinnertime with a huge mess all over your bedroom and a bed you can't unmake to go to sleep in because it's covered with "maybes".

• Sort as you go through things into keepers, possible consignments, and unfortunately just trash.

• Donations go in a box or bags - The Spring or LifePath Hospice are 2 great places 

• Clothes to consign should be hung on hangers and be unwrinkled and without stains or tears. Most places in South Tampa only take current styles and clothes in season. Many like designer names, as well. You may have to be prepared to donate more, or store for the right season or just keep for a Halloween costume.

• Keepers should be divided by season. Ideally you have another closet (a grown child's room, office, etc.) to keep out of season clothes. Current season should be categorized and colorized - sleeveless to jackets and white to black.

• Wire hangers are for the cleaners, not your clothes at home. They are messy and make indentations.I LOVE the "huggable" thin hangers-great for your clothes and actually really allow you to fit more in your closet! You can get them at Costco, BB&B and Target.  

                                         

                                                                                                        

                                                                                              

This should get you started to thinking about Fall and what you want to accomplish. 

You may have noticed I'm writing in green and purple-the two hot colors (and their variations) for the season.  More tips for Fall and Fashion and Fun coming soon. I'd love to hear what you think, leave a comment below!