The Shoulderless Sleeve

With the Spring and Summer seasons already on my mind, I couldn't help but to do a little research on their respective trends. One potential candidate (out of many!) for 'hottest look' is the exposed shoulder. First of all, the exposed shoulder obviously is not a rarity for us during the hottest months of the year in Florida. However, the way in which it is being exposed this upcoming season definitely is. Usually, we are accustomed to a bare arm following that uncovered shoulder, yes? In Spring/Summer 2010, it simply is not so. What has been feautured fairly consistently in the designers' Spring/Summer Shows is a sleeve (short or long) attatched below the showing shoulder. I'm not talking Avril Lavigne's 'arm socks' that she paired with her sleeveless wifebeaters, because this look is definitely not for the angsty rocker. Although edgy, the sleeve accompagnying the revealed shoulder also evokes a feeling of classic elegance. See Karl Lagerfeld's approach to the style in the upper right. Similar looks have been spotted in the collections of Louise Golden and Lanvin.
image courtesy of fashionising

Sporadic Metallic

Balancing the art of metallics can be a risky business, but if calculated correctly, the end result is a sight of sweet perfection. Small hints of metallics placed intermittently throughout an outfit (such as in a clutch or a pair of flats) produce an overall effect of classic cool, but with a flirty edge. Metallics, or course, aren't exactly new to the fashion scene, but have been flitting in and out of style for quite some time now. I believe however, that because they have been seen so much more recently, that it's a fairly safe bet to invest in one or two staple metallic items. The first staple is naturally the metallic purse or clutch, which is ideal for dressing one's outfit up with a touch of elegant sophistication. The second metallic staple is a pair of shoes. The options are vast in this category, ranging from dressy flats to casual Sperry Top-Siders (as seen above in J. Crew's January catalogue). I'm absolutely infatuated with these Top-Siders, and (having already owned a patterned pair) I can confidently recommend them as my favorite go-to shoes for an effortless, classic, all-American style. Although a bit of an expense for the everyday budget, my advice is: If you're going to splurge, do it on the staples!

Zac Attack!

For those of us who are not mega-billionaires or even up-and-coming starlets, it's comforting to know that we can still wear Designer Labels for a fraction of the price. I'm talking about, of course, Target's  monthly collaboration with fresh, young, and extremely talented  big-name designers. Perhaps you saw Rodarte's famous gothic threads featured this past month, or maybe Anna Sui the month before. This April I'm thrilled to announce that the featured designer will be none other than New York native, Zac Posen. A favorite of stars like Natalie Portman, Kate Winslet, Mischa Barton, and Claire Danes, Posen is known for his meticulously detailed looks and 1940s-glamor style. Over twenty-five separate pieces by the designer will be available for purchase, highlights including a polka-dot cocktail number with a decorative bow at the waist, and a full piece suit. Posen being a favorite designer of mine, I'm counting down the days until I'll be sporting that chic 'Zac Lipstick' tee featured above, too!
image from fashionista.com

What a Stud

Something about housing near-weapons in one's hair seems to have appealed to the masses, because more and more designers, magazines, and starlets have been seen adorning the spiky accessories. As demonstrated above with the black band by Jennifer Behr (in February's Teen Vogue), the studded headband is not for rockers alone either. Studded head wear can be paired with a chic girly fleece or a feminine dress and still look fabulous! The embellished-gladiator look has been incorporated into sandals, jewelry, and other accessories a lot lately, making quite a stir on the runways of Balmain and Rock & Republic. An adorable studded version of the popular Tolani scarf (seen on Kim Kardashian) is available for purchase through the Rusty Crickett too, for those looking to spice up their Tolani Collections.
image from teenvogue

The Trend Truth

In a recent article published by The Wall Street Journal, Christina Binkle confirms what many have only suspected. This upcoming season, there is no dominant fashion trend. The problem, however, is not that there are too many trends to follow, but rather, that they all appear to be unrelated. From clean-cut classic tailoring to fierce studded gladiator, Spring 2010's trends seem to come from complete opposite ends of the spectrum. So with Fashion Week rapidly approaching (in the midst of all this trend-spotting hysteria), what's a girl to do? It simply comes down to what it has all along: Wear what you like. Dress in what you love, and in what you feel suits you best. As Binkle eloquently puts it, "...People now dress the way they see themselves, choosing looks that flatter their bodies and fit their lifestyles." Not only does this seem to be common sense,  but it's economically savvy too. Think about it. If you only buy clothes you love (trends or not), aren't you more likely to keep those clothing items longer, and take better care of them? It is possible to take part in trends while staying true to one's own style, despite what the term 'trendy' seems to represent these days. While fashion is about staying tuned in to common trends, it's also about how one takes those trends and manipulates them into their own individual look. The bottom line is, wearing what you love (and looking good doing it) will never go out of style.

L-O-V-E Love

After a week of exams, I think we all need a little love. So, why not indulge in the material kind? The L-O-V-E Necklace kind, specifically. This beautiful charm necklace at the Rusty Crickett is definitely one of the cutest jewelry pieces I've seen in awhile. It's not for casual wear of course, but one will find plenty of formal attire to pair with it due to its metallic plating. Its charm bracelet look is one reminiscent of the jewelry lines of Betsey Johnson and Yves Saint Laurent, two labels that rep the couture world well. For your little piece of high fashion, the L-O-V-E necklace from the RC is definitely the way to go!

Darling in Denim

Although it lends itself exceptionally well to jeans, denim's versatility stretches far beyond. What with the desire for denim reaching new heights everyday, the number of ways in which it can be incorporated into an outfit has climbed, too. From Dolce and Gabbana's denim satchels to the denim suits by Rag&Bone, I've been seeing more and more denim out of its element! And good thing too, because without it, we wouldn't be seeing just how wonderful our denim can truly be. Pictured to the left, Carolyn is wearing an adorable cotton and denim dress by Voom. It's natural color palette will look lovely come spring time, and its cinching belt and fold-over collar accents give this dress a personality all its own. Simplicity is the key to classic elegance, and this dress (found at the Rusty Crickett) is an exquisite example!