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My Favorite Post of 2009

December 28th, 2009

The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day has me rushing around and away from my writing. Instead of posting something uninteresting, I’ve chosen to re-post my favorite article of the year. Thank you for your indulgence:)

Fashion Week is really fashion month. The order goes New York, London, Milan, and finally Paris closes it all beginning October 1, 2009. Is the order indicative of who is the most influential? Which country is the most fashion-relevant?

I spend a lot of time bouncing between the US, London and the continent. One of my favorite pastimes is watching trends evolve and how the trends are interpreted from one country to the next. Here’s my take on each of the top fashion regions:

Regent's Park London

London – the fashion risk-takers. The Brits do not seem to have any fear of trying out a new trend. This goes for men and women. I sometimes think that because the men in the UK take fashion risks, the women there amp it up. The result is probably the most daring and innovative style in the world. Quality? Not so much. The Londoners go for quick, affordable fashion. They know that in a few months they will want something else so spending a lot on a trend is not for them.

Paris – the classics. Known for always looking chic, in reality French women are not on the cutting edge of fashion. Every French woman I know buys a few very good pieces a year and blends them into her existing wardrobe. She knows precisely what looks good on her, and sticks to that. The French women do evolve fashion-wise each year, but it isn’t a complete re-vamp like the Brits. The result? It gives the appearance of always being in style without being trendy.

Chicago Art Institute Alumni Party

Milan – the confidents. Italian women prove that attitude can carry you far. When you dissect what an Italian woman is wearing, the individual pieces are usually not that impressive but the overall effect is fantastic. Women in Italy focus on color. Each season they update their wardrobe with the current trend color. The result is a French/British combination – go with the trendy colors, but stick with the classic cuts.

Americans – the traditionalists. We play it safe. We take a global trend, give it a year and tone it down. Last winter, textured colored tights were a staple in Europe – the bolder the better. For us, we are doing the textured tights this year, but we can’t seem to get past black. And when we do push the fashion envelope we are not always greeted warmly. Recently I stepped out in leopard print tights. I loved them, but instead of smiles I got stares.

So until we change that mind-set, we are bound to wear the European cast-offs. For all you risk-takers out there, I promise to do my part. If I see you and you are wearing something bold, I may stare for a moment but I’ll be sure to smile and say “Fantastic.”

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Posted in Uncategorized

Tags: Fashion London Fashion Street Fashion US Fashion

Holiday Look: Sequins

December 7th, 2009

Each year there is one specific color, material or accessory that is the current holiday look. This year, the “dress it up choice” is sequins. Because the sequins let the light catch them to create the look, the effect is much softer than metallics (the usual holiday attire). And with so many options this year, the sequin look is easier than ever for most of us to wear.

Free People Convertible Sequin Cowl at Shopbop.com

The current look is different from the past though. While some pieces still have the sequins all over, one of the freshest looks is a sequined pattern – chevrons or stripes. The colors are different also. Lots of sequins are still in black, but many are in the neutral palette or a soft silver to match the gray of a t-shirt.

The unexpected flexibility has helped build the current sequin trend. When the sequins are on a relaxed-fit item (an unfitted t-shirt for example), you can wear it day or night. The same goes for a boyfriend blazer. If you opt for sequins on structured silhouettes you’ll be more limited to nighttime or a dressier occasion.

You can find sequins on just about anything right now. From leggings and tights to t-shirts and unstructured blazers, there are no limits on where to put sequins. I saw a woman from Italy this past weekend wearing a puffy-down jacket with a sequin collar. I’ll admit I thought that was a bit of a stretch for sequins, but it did drive home the idea that they aren’t only for night anymore.

Lela Rose Sequin Tank

Are the sequins part of the 80s revival that has been strong for the past few years? They do remind me of a sequined dress my mother had when I was growing up. I thought she looked very Krystle Carrington (from the 80s TV Show Dynasty) in it. The difference today is that the sequins are a bit softer and more versatile.
So it seems sequins are just another trend we’ve grabbed from the 80s and toned down to match today’s style. And they are perfect for the holiday season.

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Posted in Holiday

Tags: 80s Fashion Fashion Sequin Clothes Sequin Paterns Sequins Street Fashion

Do They Dress Differently There?

November 30th, 2009

Back from a week in Paris where I spent a good deal of time just people watching and looking at what the Parisians were wearing. I enjoy street fashion more than runway fashion because it varies from region to region. The people in a particular area put their own spin on what designers are producing. I think it’s an expression of the mood of people.

Here’s what stood out for me this past week in Paris as different from what I see daily in the US:

Catherine Malandrino at Shopbop

1. Coats with belts that didn’t look like the belt came with the coat. In some cases, it couldn’t possibly. I even saw a few down-feather coats (ala North Face) belted. Sometimes it looked great, sometimes not so much. Some women chose to match their belt to the rest of the outfit, making the coat look like it was paired with the outfit.
2. Speaking of matching the accessories, there was a serious matchy-matchy thing going on in Paris. The hats matched the coats, or the shoes matched the bag, etc. It looked like they were headed to a time past when your grandmother’s rules applied.
3. As far as boots went, there was a noticeable absence of over-the-knee boots. Most of the boots were the riding style – low heel, tall boots. Functional and ready for the serious walking done in the city.
4. So on to functionality. Everything seemed to be more practical these days. Gone were stilettos and large handheld designer bags. Returning were flat shoes or low heels, shoulder bags or messenger bags and – gasp – the backpack (note: I do not like the back pack look on anyone that is not a full-time student).

Black Patent Furla Bag with Tan Accents

5. The colors were interesting, nothing bright but not too much black either. Most accessories were brown – sandal or saddle. The browns were blended with grays and blacks. There didn’t seem to be any concern of mixing the neutrals with the primaries.
6. The biggest surprise was the amount of leather I saw being worn in the daytime. Leather pants and leather leggings. And on everyday people. I even saw a few men in leather pants and these were businessmen not hipsters.

So which of these trends will take hold in the US?
Will we start to accessorize outerwear with our own accessories or stick to the belt that came with the coat? Will we return to matching our hats, shoes, and gloves? Will we become more comfortable blending browns with blacks? Will Americans grab on to the leather trend? I have seen a few women in the US look fabulous in leather, but it still usually reserved for the very fashionable.
We are already onboard with riding boots and we are warming up to the messenger bag. As for the others, some trends translate and some don’t – they are like expressions that way. It’s up to us to determine.
But that’s what makes us unique, non?

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Posted in Accessories, Fashion, Handbags, Jewelry, Leather, Shoes, gloves

Tags: Accessories Belts Boots gloves hats Leather over-the-knee boots Paris Street Fashion