Are You Over-It-All?

Free People

Anthropologie

Free People

Anthropologie

Free People

Free People

Urban Outfitters

ASOS

Uniqlo

Ralph Lauren

Phillip Lim

Phillip Lim

Citizens of Humanity

     They're back!  Over the past few years we have seen the return of some very groovy fashion trends of the '70's and '80's come back to life.  First up -  the stirrup maternity leggings (this time around being worn by the skinny minis), then we move on to the flowing maternity-like tops (again, adopted by the skinny minis) and lastly, believe it or not - OVERALLS!  At first I thought the new trend was the start of transforming everything maternity and making it be acceptable for women of all ages and sizes to wear, but when the doily socks and overalls started to grace the pages of Vogue and Elle I knew I was wrong.  Just when you thought every trend that could be resurrected had been resurrected, the double strapped denim painter pantsuit comes back to haunt us, or in my opinion to smother us with comfy love!

     Overalls, are making some kind of comeback this year, folks.  I mean we aren't just seeing your regular denim Joe's here.  They're landing in silk ditsey's, sleek leathers, acid wash shorts and even suede, yes, I said suede.  And don't think that plain white tee's are the go to companion of these age old agricultural uniforms.  You know that saying, anything goes?  If you're feeling a little daring, on the trim side and ready for the warm weather, try them with just a bandeau (avoiding all caloric intake for the day).  If it's cooler and you are going for a more formal look, throw on a nice button up with a blazer on top.  Or if you are trying to channel your inner yet, fashionable artiste, then throw on a great old, classic graphic tee and let the one strap slip slightly off your shoulder. That has to be my favorite look... super cool!
     There you have it.  Overalls are, well, cool.  They get the two thumbs up.  I bet if your parents are a product of the 70's or 80's and they were remotely cool, you can go into their closet and find your mom's old, tattered Levi overalls or your father's for that matter!  Try it out.  They are nothing if not super comfy!  Isn't it true... everything old is new again? Scary how true this is! And simply amazing how talented designers and stylists continue to reinvent and invigorate these trends time and time again.

Overall-ie fabulous!

Ciao, 

Annie

Sock It To Me!

     Considering the fact that Spring has sprung we should be entering that warm weather time of year.  Here in NYC the sun may be out, but the winds are whirling and twirling between the sky scrapers, collecting speed and blasting free on the other side of the Hudson.  So, despite those daffodil buds, it's still a little too chilly to be sporting our sandals and peep toes.  But, don't you worry your pretty little minds because that's why they make socks... and fancy ones at that.   And let's be clear - no one wants to see your un-pedicured, smelly feet this early in the season.
    Socks with heels you ask? I say go for it!  No right or wrong here.  We have seen lace socks, wool socks, doily socks, striped socks, polka dot socks, knee socks - any sock would work.  Try out a few and see how they feel...and look.  At first, I will admit, it was a little strange when I looked down and saw my striped socks poking out of the toe of my emerald green peep toes, but it grew on me.  If you can't bring yourself to cross over to the wild side, then just wait it out a little longer, summer is just around the corner!

Dolce & Gabbana

Suno

Michael Kors

Michael Kors

Most images thanks to Elle.com.

Sock-tastic!

Ciao, 

Annie

Fashion Week In Istanbul!

     A month long span of fashion shows was not enough for these apparel lovers so, off they jet to the land of the Turk's.  Week five of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week has come and gone and was held in the colorful, exotic, spicey city of Istanbul, Turkey.  If you're thinking, "I've had Fahion Week up to my eyeballs" then at least relish the cultural infusion you've received as you've travelled the globe hot on the heels of the latest and greatest.  I personally don't think anyone has had that thought ever - so let's proceed!  We (people that obsess, drool and die over fashion) are getting to see the world, through our Jackie O sunglasses, and it's quite fabulous, actually.  Besides the absurd Turkish baths, the rainbow spice markets and the unbelievable mosaic Mosques, what did the Turk's show us? 
     Among many wonderful trends that were revealed during Istanbul Fashion Week I found myself asking the question, "Did I miss the revolution where undergarments became acceptable to be well, visible street style?"  Isn't the operative word here "under"?  Clearly, because it was a pattern among these designers that the exposure of undergarments is acceptable in fact, it's in style and if you are lacking coverage than so be it!  This reoccurring theme (or lack there of!) between designers wasn't your average cheery floral print or high low skirt trend.  I mean, I suppose their motto is 'less is more'.  Who really knows?  I guess I am going to have to take the plunge and let my granny panties peek out for the world to see.  If Turkey is doing it, why not bring it stateside?   That does it on my coverage - so to speak - on Fashion Week - Istanbul!
     

Elif Cığızoğlu

Elif Cığızoğlu

Red Beard
No slip required here!

Red Beard
Or here!

ADL+CENGİZ ABAZOĞLU

ATILKUTOGLU 

BEGÜM SALİHOĞLU COUTURE
Don't even need a top!

BEGÜM SALİHOĞLU COUTURE
Free ballin'!

Images thanks to mbfashionweek.com!

 Less is more and nothing is more!

Ciao, 

Annie

Break Down Of A Fashion Show!

     A fashion show can be anywhere from 10 - 30 minutes of actual "model strutting" time and even longer in some rare Karl Lagerfeld cases.  Designers and their crews slave for months to meet the Fashion Week deadlines all for a show that lasts minutes.  Although it seems a bit barbaric when you really get down to the nuts and bolts, it's tradition and kind of the law, (well...fashion law) and you know what happens when you break the law!  Nothing good can come of it.
     So what exactly is the focus of a fashion show?  The clothing, right?  But, if one look is flashed before our eyes for a mere 30 seconds, how in the hell are we supposed to process the look, be able to clear our buzzing mind and have a clean slate for the next look?  Unless you have supernatural sensory power, (which is totally possible for us fashion lovers, it's the power of the clothing!) then you have to break it down into  manageable pieces and then thank Steven J. Sasson (the inventor of the digital camera).
     When I assess a fashion show I start at the bottom, with the feet.  Funny, I know! I am a shoe lover therefore, missing the shoes would be akin to missing the first act of a great Broadway production. To ensure that doesn't happen I glance at the model's feet, drink in the shoes, and then go straight to the head.  Scanning the head, neck and shoulder area for any dazzling or perhaps fabulously subtle accessories, I look very carefully and then move on to the outfit. If it's a dress, it allows a little more time to really analyze the whole look and if it's a top and bottom I get a quick peek and then like a flash it's gone.  Instantly I want to yell, "wait, stop, come back" but they have already turned the corner and are off.  Speaking of back, you simply must allot time out of your 30 second assessment for the back of the garment! There are always forgotten details that float at the back of these outfits so, make sure you don't let them pass by you.
     There you have it, my way of making sure that I see as much as I can during a fashion show. Everyone has their own methodical approach to it, just make sure you don't skip a beat because there is so much to see and so little time!

Photographs thanks to Vogue.com!

How can you drink it all in?

Ciao,

Annie

Oh, Betsey!

     If you are a firm believer in rainbow colored candy and couture then I bet Betsey Johnson is one of your designers of choice.  Betsey's Fall 2013 runway collection sported more color than Monet's Water Lilies.  With champagne, cool shades, and fresh kicks lining the runway she was prepared to put on an outrageous show.  For those of you who aren't familiar with her designs, let's just say that they are different, and I use the term loosely.  

     Let's start at the top and work out way down, shall we?  Some might call this a bad hair day, but Moe from the Three Stooges would say it was an average hair day, give or take a little color.  Active wear is totally happening here, maybe Betsey thinks the world will wake up in Fall of 2013 and get fit... who knows?  BJ, wouldn't be my choice of lettering to put across the chest of a woman's tee or down the leg of a sweat pant, but she's not about to change her name now... get your mind out of the gutter!   Lastly, solid colored high top sneakers are clearly the vision Betsey has for the future of your feet.  

     Let's put this all together now.  Betsey's future woman is heading to the gym in her BJ attire, with her 'Moe' cut bobbing in the wind, sporting cool shades and tightening her velcro sneakers, thinking about how she'll reward herself with a big glass of bubbly and she is doing this all while talking on the phone to her three kids about how there isn't enough time in the day.  Good luck to you future Betsey woman!  

Cray!

Ciao, 

Annie

No Rest For The Wicked!

     Well folks, fashion week is creeping up right around those sewing machine corners.  February 7th-14th is the showing of the Fall 2013 designer collections.  Per usual, Mercedes Benz fashion week will start out with designers like Nicholas K and Kenneth Cole then come to a grand finale with Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein.  We have all seen the pre-fall collections, right?  And, designers have been saying that those mini collections are a great indication of what is to come.  It's kinda like taking a sneak peek at some of your presents before Christmas, but when the day actually arrives you are completely surprised by the things you didn't find (great analogy, I know!).  I anticipate that we will be seeing lots of quilted pieces, an array of colored outerwear, and everything inspired by menswear.  How about those leopard spots?  Looks like we will still be seeing them trouncing around the streets.  Oh, those tartan plaids, the Irish in me says yes!  And of course, the black and white trend that has adopted the trickle down theory each and every season, this one just isn't going to fade so, hold on and get ready for the ride.  Here are some of my favorite pre-fall designs and I hope we see more like them next week.  But, we all need that little surprise factor that I know those slaving designers are preparing to show us.

Chloé

Chloé

   

BCBG

BCBG

     

Alexander McQueen

Alexander McQueen

Alice & Olivia

Alice & Olivia

It's almost here, hold your horses!

Ciao, 

Annie