The Wonders of A Wife Beater!

     A form fitting ribbed tank top, generally white, looks fantastic on men that are "ripped", embarrassing on the scrawny fellas and unbearable on the hairy beer bellied men.  There you have it, the definition of a wife beater in my words.  Who ever came up with the title wife beater must have been the type of man to rip off his shirt and well, smack his wife with it.  Right?  I mean, how else could they have come up with that name?  None the less, these so called wife beaters have come a very long way since then.  In this century, women sport the wife beater more than men.  A turn for the best I think.  We just choose to call them ribbed tank tops, it's not as harsh and doesn't remind everyone of those toothless hairy men that you occasionally see on the jumbotron when you are watching sports center.

     In the summer time, a good old ribbed tank top is perfect with a pair of Daisy Dukes and some flip flops.  In the fall and spring, a printed cardigan with a classic ribbed tank top underneath always does the trick.  As for winter, my favorite is to wear my light ribbed tank tops underneath my oversized knit sweaters, just to add a layer in between me and the occasional loose strands of wool.  My all time favorite ribbed tank tops are the ones from Target.  They are long, thin and very comfortable.  J.Crew makes a tank that is a little thicker and look nice under an open cardigan.  They are perfect for all seasons so, take your pick!

Target

J.Crew

Stem

Gap

Wife beaters all around!

Ciao, 

Annie

* A Winter Wonderland of White! *

     Walking in a winter wonderland...with your fashion forward splash of white!  It's December folks, the weather has turned to cold and the leaves have traveled out in a blaze of glory.  Now, darlings, let's bring out those winter whites, creams, ivories and bones.  The ones that we wear in spite of the dark season to add a shot of light to the ever so dull days.  It's sophisticated, adds some flower to your life along with a clean crisp clear sense of fashion.  Now, I'm not telling you to run outside in your white tank top and shorts in hopes that a ray of 80 degree sunlight will shine down.  No, not a chance in hell!  Let me show you some examples of "winter whites", to prevent any confusion. 

3.1 Phillip Lim  

Balmain

Chloé

Moncler Gamme Rouge

Rachel Zoe

Shine bright like a diamond!

Ciao, 

Annie

The Winter Pastel Trend!

     Just when you thought that pale colors were supposed to be saved for the spring season there has been a slight change in plans.  Lilac, cornflower, mint and peach are all colors that we noticed on the autumn/winter runways.  And now it's time for them to come out with us and freeze in this weather.   There is absolutely no need to stick to black this winter, break out of your shell a bit.  
     I'm kinda digging this trend, to be honest.  I love that we can have a little Easter blast of color in the freezing peak of winter.  Peach cashmere sweaters worn with light blue corduroy pants, while it's snowing outside, perfect.  And how about a coat?  The stores are crawling with pastel cover-ups, so, take your pick!
     Accessories are even following this trend.  Splashing in a pale pink bag with a structured outfit makes for a great new-season alternative to the deep dark usual winter colors.  You don't even have to stick to the dark nail colors either.  Go on and pick out those great colors from London's Butter collection.  It's nice to add a little color this season, it will keep everyone smiling!

Peachy keen!

Ciao, 

Annie

Rings Rings Rings!

     A band of metal or other substantial material that adorns the finger as an ornament is called a ring.  Well, rings have surely come into their place as the years have gone on.  Of course there is your typical engagement ring, wedding band and claddagh ring, but I'm not talking about that.

     I would like to introduce to you the world of ring selection!  The big, the bad and the fabulous!   As we have seen in magazines and on celebrities, rings are only getting bigger and more intricate.  Lets start with the full-finger rings, the ones that act as a skeletal piece of jewelry that crawls up each digit in chic articulated sections.   Now, for the upper-finger rings the ones that creep up the finger to the intermediate and distal phalanges (above the knuckles).  I was trying to be fancy, for once!  And a drumroll please, for the newest hybrid ring, two bands that are joined by a system of delicate chains to the lower and upper sectionals of your finger.  And, of course there is the classic single ring that is so large you almost need someone to hold your hand all night to keep it from falling off your wrist, but we are used to seeing those by now.  

     We have developed this sense of obsession with stacking jewels and this shows no sign of slowing down or coming to an end, and that's all the more reason to put a ring or five on.  Let's keep the the trophy and continue with the trends.

Anelise Michelson

Plukka

YSL

Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters

Forever 21

If you like it then you better put a ring on it!

Ciao, 

Annie

     

Super-size It!

    There are times when trends creep into our lives that surpass the direct style statement and actually work as one with functionality.  This happens as often as winning the lottery and is too rare to disregard.  Super-sized handbags are the key to a woman's fashion conundrum.  Not only do they look fabulous, but they will be hard to miss therefore, your hard earned purchase will not go to waste.  But, even better, they can house all of your worldly possessions without having any cramping of style (pun intended).  

   Looking back to the autumn/winter 2012-2013 runways they were overflowing with models carrying these super-sized monstrosities.  The designers must have known they were going to be a hit because we have seen them in every way possible.  Sequined, felt, wool, corduroy, leather-trimmed, faux fur, real fur, snake skin, ok, I think you get the point.  There are so many to choose from, so choose wisely!

Dennis Basso

Gucci 

Louis Vuitton

Valentino

Marc Jacobs

Narciso Rodriguez

Fendi

The bigger the better!

Ciao, 

Annie

Wild Prints For Winter!

     Well, us New Englanders have launched from Fall right into winter, OVERNIGHT!  The weather Gods needs to take a little chill pill on us way up here.  First, Hurricane Sandy comes in and sweeps away half of our coast and now Athena pummels us with some 3.5 inches of snow.  But, hey, the show must go on!
     Now, that we are faced with the freezing winter weather we must embrace the exotic prints that are all the rage this season.  Animal printed accessories are going to be one of the best and most used looks of the season.  Whether real or faux, in the form of a cheetah-patterened bootie or a snakeskin-insprired hobo bag, these prints are what will add the zest to your daily look.  Mixing and matching prints are acceptable because after all the game isn't divided in the wild.  So, go out there and get wild!
   

Valentino Garavani

Nine West

Chrissie Morris

Pierre Hardy

Fendi Giano

J.Crew Invitation Clutch

Sperry Top-sider Bahama Boat Shoe

Proenza Schouler

Grrrrr....

Ciao, 

Annie

SJP!

     The Sex and the City beauty Queen, Sarah Jessica Parker, is one of the worlds most noticed fashion icons.  If you are ever bored and have millions of hours of free time sign up for HBO GO and watch the entire season of Sex and the City.  Not only will you see the fashion change over the years, but you will see just how sassy and with it SJP really is.  The 46-year-old actress is more up-to-date and stylish than many of the young chipper actresses.  She's still got it!  Let's check out her best red carpet moments.  Hurricane Sandy won't be the only thing blowing you away this week, SJP will too!

     Train-tastic.  At the Sex and the City premiere in 2008 Parker wore this dazzling silver Nina Ricci gown.  This is such a strong color choice for a gown and the mesh gold accented belt was great way to soften it up a little.  This was a very high-end looking gown and the train added a very dramatic effect.  After all, the fashion in this film was a huge impact on the success of the movie so, it was important that Parker carried out the Bradshaw look.  Carrie Bradshaw has had a consistent fashion trend throughout all of the seasons and they wanted to maintain that image in the films as well.  This gown was a perfect Bradshaw fit.  

     How about this mellow yellow number for the Oscars in 2010?  Parker arrives with husband Matthew Broderick in this backless silk Chanel Couture gown and a little sparkle to beat.  The unusual high neck strap wrapping around to the back to create a little backpack effect was a sassy structural addition.  The little large jeweled accent at her butt is strange, but I suppose it is to draw some attention to her backside, great!

     

     At the Meta Gala in 2010 Parker wore this stunning Halston Heritage gown with a powerful matching head flower.  This flawless lightly pleated dress flows so nicely against her upper body and then blossoms out at the bottom.  I love how she adds the wavy affect by twisting the dress for the photographers, great touch.

     At the Sex and the City 2 London film premiere SJP really blew the hats off of everyone.  She arrived in a stunning Alexander McQueen black corseted gown with a dramatic bubble hem that trailed stiffly behind her.  But the truth is that everyone was looking at the extravagant sparkling net headwear from Philip Treacy.  I also liked the thick black armband touch that SJP wore in honor of the late Alexander McQueen.  This ensemble was just breathtaking and fit her body like a glove.

      Of course, like many actresses, I could keep on going with many wonderful numbers that Sarah Jessica Parker has worn throughout her days of acting, but I think this is a good place to stop.  It is amazing how Carrie Bradshaw has maintained such a look and Sarah Jessica Parker carries them all out so well.

What's your favorite SJP look?

Ciao,

Annie

Bergdorf Turns One Hundred & Eleven!

     Last night at the Plaza Hotel things got a little wild as many celebrated the 111th Anniversary of the fabulous, Bergdorf Goodman.  This was the first time since 1951 that Bergdorf's has decided to mark and celebrate it's birthday.  They must have all been in desperate need to get their party on, huh?  This was a year of firsts for Bergdorf's.  Over 100 designers designed pieces to make up an exclusive anniversary collection, a documentary film was created and there was a book constructed in its honor.      There is only one Bergdorf Goodman in the world and it just so happens to be the summit of style, inspiration and service since 1901.
     As I was meandering about the city I came to the corner of 5th & 58th and there it was.  The shining beautiful stone structured building wrapped in an oversized lavender ribbon, with iconic vintage Bergdorf silhouette's printed all over it, that surrounded the entire building.  We are all aware that Bergdorf's is known for it's window displays.  If you didn't know that, now you do and make sure you don't forget it!  The current theme was recently unveiled and is sporting an 111th Anniversary theme.  These windows are portraying the history of Bergdorf's, the history of fashion, a representation of the building and more secrets and surprises.  The celebration is a continuous theme throughout the store as well.  The attention to detail that you see in these windows is magnifying.  If you are nearby it is worth checking out!  But for now I have posted them so you can use your imagination and picture the 3D version of these eccentric art creations.

     These windows kind of portray that "if you wear these articles of clothing you can run the world" type thing.  I mean common, there is a little bit of everything going on here.  Embracing of our societies current printed fabric obsession, the culmination of every air transportation craft known to man hovering over what looks like three fashion forward giants strutting down 5th Ave., renderings of the original Bergdorf's and well everything else that is packed into these chaotically fabulous windows.  Call me crazy, but I would love to be one of those mannequins looking out at the world to see the reactions and count the number of finger prints that cumulate on the windows as they stare in awe.  

One city, one store, one experience!

Ciao, 

Annie