"Show Your Stripes"

Happy belated 4^th of July everyone! I know this post may seem a little late on the subject, but I wanted to share with all of you why stripes, an ever-seemly popular trend this time every year, transcend beyond just patriotic symbolism.

Stripes themselves vary greatly and throughout the eras, revolutionized many themes we associate them with still today. From the classic nautical navy-and-white stripes many of us so commonly turn to every summer, all the way to the retro mod look with black-and-white vertical stripes, they’ve stood the test of time.

Take a closer look at stripes’ historical background, learning why they’ve endured through the centuries, people having expressed their loyalty to the trend, and will continue to do so through wardrobes everywhere.

·       The Nautical Stripe: As part of the French Navy’s standards issued through the 1858 Act of France, the navy-and-white horizontal striped shirt made its first appearance on sailors. (Apparently it made it easier to spot any who had fallen overboard, yikes!) Since then, the professed nautical stripe has maintained its place in representing all things by the sea. It’s synonymous with yacht decks, suggesting high-status glamour (think summer spent in the Hamptons watching sailboat races).

Over the years, the nautical stripe has come to represent the sporty, All-American look with a touch of class. A simple design, it proves efficiency, creating a wonderful contrast to wearing more elegant pieces or bolder colors. The classic look remains a timeless, fashion staple yet manages to stay modern, largely thanks to designers who have brought their own touches and tweaks as seen on the runways with the likes of Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger, who did skinny red-and-white stripes this past spring.     

Today, the nautical stripe works year-round, at sea or land. Find your perfect piece with looks ranging from wide to narrow navy, black or red-and-white stripes, found in crewneck shirts to cozy boatneck sweaters. Keeping in mind, narrow stripes are easier to wear than wider ones. In addition, if going the red-and-white route, avoid looking like a candy cane and choose sharp, contrasting stripes, wearing khaki shorts to balance out the look. For me, I love bringing out my navy-and-green striped mid-sleeved shirt every summer. Paired with shorts or pants in summer whites or under a navy blazer for the ultimate prep, the nautical stripe is one that’s anchors away from going out of style.     

Source: http://global.ralphlauren.com/en-us/style/women/rlclassics/pages/nautical_stripe.aspx          

 

·       ‘60s Mod Stripe: Originating from London, England, a subculture sparked as what we all know today as the Mod Movement. Peaking in the early to mid-1960s, it was ultimately the first signs of the modernist (as they liked to refer to themselves) from young adults. Emerging from within was a new take on fashion.

It began with tailored-made suits worn by men (think the Beatles), spilling over in to women embracing short miniskirts, men’s trousers or shirts and flat shoes. The look then went from a cool underground style to commercialized fashion. With the likes of famous models such as Twiggy, exemplifying the high-fashion mod look, made it trendy everywhere.      

This season, the retro look has gotten into full swing again with the notorious ‘60s-inspired black-and-white vertical stripes. Being a simple color palette, it offers the perfect base for bolder details like oversized buttons or bows as well as statement accessories and bright hues. Complete with red lips, black liquid eyeliner underneath white cat-eye sunglasses and a pair of optic-white pointed-toe pumps, “retrograde” into history with a take from the fashion-era that first embraced modernism.   

Whether or not you choose to sail away or go retro, stripes line up almost everywhere to make a fashion statement this season.

*Check back here on Friday and I’ll show all of you a few of my own personal finds and takes on this ever-beloved stripy trend!* 

 

“Coming Up Short”

It’s finally here! June 21 kicked off the start of summer. Officially known as Summer Solstice, also is the longest day of the year.

Depending on your location, the weather may just beginning to heat up or has been for a while now. Here in South Alabama, the temperature already creeps past 90 degrees on any given day. Throw in the humidity and the stickiness it brings and you’ve got yourself an overview of how my summer feels so far.

These summer days desperately beacon a rescue call in finding any way to stay cool, both physically and fashionably. Hence, helping you through the warmer months that still lay ahead, I bring forth to you a shorts style guide for summer.

First, you need the essentials. Proving wearable this season, next year’s and so on, invest in a good pair of these three very different, yet classics, types of shorts:

·         Ladylike, tailored shorts

 

·         White shorts, of course!

 

·         The ever reliable, denim cut-offs

 

In making shorts the focal point of any summer look, you really have two basic choices. Either aim for colors or for patterns and prints. Both work great for making any statements. Don’t be afraid to try something new and step outside of your comfort zone. Follow these guidelines and you’ll do so, easy as a summer breeze.

Starting with your ladylike, tailored shorts, add a pop of color to your wardrobe this season. The clean lines from these offer a muted platform for bold, bright colors without over doing it. Go for unexpected colors such as bright pink (like mine pictured below) or reef-inspired coral, bold red and ocean blue. If you prefer the cooler tones, stay with a palette of pastels like pale pink, soft mint or pistachio green. Pair with a nice neutral-colored top for balance and to avoid drawing eyes away from your main focus. Throw on a pair of your favorite wedges and you’ve got yourself a casual, yet still pretty, and pulled-together look that’s perfect for basically any summer occasion.

Old Navy sleeveless white blouse, Old Navy shorts and Francesca's Collections necklace

 

Next up for play, easily get inspired from watching the Wimbledon tennis matches currently taking place in London while sporting your summer whites this season. Keep the ball in your court and take note from English “properness”, sticking with neat, clean lines. On top, stay casual with a denim shirt, or for going out, try mixing it up with a bold color or keeping it simple, wearing a basic black top. But, if you’re really daring, go for all white, head to toe. Just beware of BBQ sauce at any cookouts though.  

On the other hand, taking the leading role this season, white lace shorts are another trend that will let you showcase a more delicate side to your summer wardrobe. A chambray top is a perfect match if you still want a casual appeal, playing down the feminine look of the lace while keeping you cool during the warmer days. (Take a look at my idea below.)

Old Navy chambray button-up, Charlotte Russe shorts, Forever 21 sunglasses and flats from DSW

 

Transitioning into wardrobes everywhere and offering a bit of spunkiness, playful patterned or printed shorts embody the care-free days of summer. Choose a pair with thin, vertical lines if you want to give your legs that longer, leaner appeal. Or pick a pair that will show off your fun side, like these elephant print shorts from the Milly Collection for Banana Republic.  http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=94862&vid=1&pid=41247600 Or revisit the past with a pair of ‘30s-inspired small-scale checker print shorts in classic navy, red or black and white (check out the pair I found below), topping off the look with a cozy knit sweater or cardigan.

Hollister Cardigan, Old Navy shorts and Target sunglasses  

 

Lastly, as for staying true to your denim blues, both cut-off and cuffed pairs found in either lighter and darker washes all go for this season. Give the retro-inspired high-waisted shorts trend a try this summer, which look great worn with a tucked-in sleeveless button-up, completed with a skinny belt, giving you that clenched-in waist appeal. Make sure though, in choosing denim shorts of any kind, that you get a pair that fits you well and comfortably.     

Incorporate any of these easy, wearable ideas above ad you’ll be “coming up short” on your lengths for bottoms this season, but not in your sense of style for choosing great looks that are versatile for the rest of summer, and surely the ones still to come. Now, that’s definitely nothing short of fashion greatness.        

 

 

 

“In Full Bloom"

Hello everyone. Long time no see, huh? I’m well aware that my blog as been very much non-existed for quite some time now. To catch you all up, my life for the almost past year consisted of summer internships, finishing my last semester at college – as an undergrad at least – continuing on to graduation in December, then packing up and moving to Mobile for my first full-time or “big girl” job as I like to call it.

Flashing forward, I’m all settled in and have successfully just completed my third month at the new job and all else is well in life.

Bringing me to my present point, I feel it’s high time to start writing again. While I may be out of practice, I’ve missed it dearly.

So, just what will be the inspiration for my future posts? It’s something I’ve always been passionate about. Fashion!

Over the years, fashion magazines have been a place of escape for me, an opportunity to run away from reality for a little bit, into a world of fresh thoughts and ideas, inspiring the creation of new hopes and dreams. I’ve still held onto to these hopes and dreams, having collected over 300 fashion magazines --and still counting!-- that are safely tucked away in my closet, neatly organized awaiting their new home one day on a glorious bookshelf I wish to have in the future in a place that I can call my own.     

To me, fashion is a form of art, and many others involved in the industry will agree with me. Fashion opens up a world of dress-up and make-believe for some. Similar to acting in some ways, fashion gives some people the opportunity to play a new character every day, or for many others, a new identity. Almost like a form of metamorphosis if you will. Simply put, fashion is a platform for self-expression and new beginnings. What better time to write about such things as now as we’ve been celebrating spring and the coming of longer days and warmer weather. As well, having closed the last chapter of my days as a college student and starting the next one with a new job, location and life that’s bound to be full of countless opportunities, I begin this journey of mine into fashion blogging.   

As so, I feel it is my duty to do what I love best, which is scouring several favorite go-to fashion magazines, taking notes on the trends and the inspiration behind them and showing you some of my own takes on them. And yes, I research and take notes like a college student would for class. In doing so, I’ll comprise the things I see and feel that are worth taking note for those that love the industry just as much as I do, but are short on time, a much simpler and quicker process in keeping up with the ever-changing fashion world and the trends that follow in its trail.     

My inspiration for this post is florals, which if everyone hasn’t already noticed, are in full bloom this season. Does anyone else have a flashback to the scene in “The Devil Wears Prada” where Miranda replies, ever so sarcastically, “Florals. For Spring? Groundbreaking.”, or is that just me? Nevertheless, florals have proven perfect for this season. With New York-based designer Prabal Gurung’s Target collection launch back in February, I got a head start on the trend. I do have to say, I’ve been quite content with the floral sleeveless top I purchased from the collection shortly after its arrival in stores. While many others like myself were still awaiting the first signs of spring, turning to fashion was a way to self-express our joys of the beauty that was soon to reappear in our lives.

For those that are a little behind on what to wear for this season, I recommend some petal plucking for a look that’s right for you. Here’s what you need to know before venturing into the fields of floral this spring and summer season:

·         Choose prints that are in your classic base colors such as navy or red. These will give you more versatile looks to wear throughout the season like solids would normally do for you.

 

·         Apply the same rule above when picking shoes. Go for a pair of pointed-toe pumps in a silk or satin floral print or better yet, find a pair of ankle-strap heels that let you put your best foot forward in showing off your favorite spring nail colors. FYI, fuchsia is the new pink this season!

 

·         Go for the seasonal favorite, an A-line or pencil floral skirt. Pair with a solid sweater or long-sleeve shirt in a bold color and flats for a balance between pretty, yet still casual.

 

·         Grab your favorite denim jacket or button-up shirt, leaving it open to wear over a charming floral dress or top, playing it down for another great casual approach.

 

·         For a more sophisticated look, style a navy blazer over an eye-catching floral printed dress, giving a refreshing take on office wear, but one that’s still refined and pulled-together for your business meetings.

·         Venturing out with friends for a night in the city? For a look that’s still feminine, but a bit more daring, dress-up floral shorts with a sleek black shell top, pairing the outfit with gladiator sandals or heels for that bolder appeal.      

·         As for accessory-wise, stick with neutral colors which will better showcase your floral statement piece without over doing the trend. Luckily, I was able to get my hands on one of the Jason Wu’s straw clutches from his Target collection last year before they were sold. It is a go-to favorite of mine to use when heading out and goes perfectly with my Prabal Gurung floral top, completing it with that laid-back tropical feel of the warmer months. 

In closing, while I know this month represents spring’s final days, June has always been widely associated as the time for wedding season. Thus, even though we’re soon to transition into summer’s official starting, don’t feel as if you must retire your favorite floral prints just yet. It’s how you wear them that will stand the test of time.

 

Signing off, I leave you with a picture I took this past spring of daffodils blooming in my parents’ yard. After becoming captivated by their sunny nature once upon a time in Wales on a school trip to Europe when I was 14 years old, they’ve remained since then, a favorite of mine to see each season. Even though, long past opening their blooms for this season anymore, daffodils are said to represent annunciation and optimism, characteristics so commonly found in new beginnings. As such, I felt their symbolism was quite fitting for this post. What do you think?