New Trends
Oversized “Ethnic” Necklaces: Trend for Less
Last year about this time, we noticed statement jewelry, aka super big, necklaces - as a top trend (some were so big, it was hard not to notice, which, we guess, was kind of the point). But we were careful to warn against overshadowing the rest of your outfit and yourself with a necklace that was just too big. But it seems that bigger could be better these days, especially when it comes to oversized “ethnic” necklaces. We still suggest that you don’t follow in the tiny footsteps of Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen and bury yourself in clothes and accessories that dwarf your body.
By “oversized” and “ethnic”, we mean thick, chunky, wooden beads, brass accents, bold colors- basically a necklace that WASPy sistas like Bree from “Desperate Housewives” wouldn’t be caught wearing in a million years (large wooden beads don’t really match your Lily Pultizer tennis dress). The key to wearing the trend? Keep everything you wear simple. VERY simple. Skip the earrings and bracelets, the necklace IS the statement piece.
How to get the trend for less:
Dark Brown Fashion Jungle Necklace, $25, from Paula Karen
Oversized Funky Animal Print Heart Love Chain Long Necklace Set, $16.50, from TigerStars.com (Pictured)
Cathedral Necklace, $33, from Chico’s
Wood and jasper necklace with large stone pendant, $20 at Etsy
BKE Oversized Teardrop Necklace, $7, from Buckle
Oversized Pearl Necklace with Jade Pendant, $79, from Grandin Road
The Ruffle Pump: Spring Fashion Trend
“SOME PRODUCTS ARE NO LONGER BEING SOLD”
What: Feminine ruffles soften the edges of the classic pump this spring . . .
What We Say: As much as we stand by the classic pump, a little fun update never hurts—and this spring, the embellishment du jour is the ruffle. The downside? Next season it will NOT be the ruffle, meaning we’ll indulge but won’t spend more than we have to (we’d suggest spending no more than $30 on a pair). The great thing about an embellished shoe, from our budget fashion standpoint, is that it takes the pressure off the rest of your wardrobe—slip into your basics (a great solid blouse and neutral pencil skirt), and let the ruffled shoe take center stage. You’ll look hip and on trend without working too hard. And speaking of working too hard, remember that ruffles are the kind of embellishment best taken in small doses—unless you’re 6 and it’s Easter Sunday, resist the temptation to pair the pumps with a ruffled blouse, sweater, skirt. But you knew that.
Get It:
American Eagle Patent Krystal Ruffle Pump, $27.99, Payless
Patent Ruffle Pumps, $11.49 on sale, Charlotte Russe
Recession Trend: Garage Sales
Everyone from Michael Jackson to your next door neighbor is doing it - they’re throwing garage sales left and right. Those who are down on their luck are selling their belongings so they can keep the lights on. We recently talked about the art of haggling your way into a good deal at the store and a garage sale is the perfect place to practice your negotiating skills.
The recession garage sale is really a win/win situation. Can’t finance a new wardrobe? Get rid of your old one with a well-executed yard sale and you’ll make enough extra money to justify a trip to the mall. Better yet, don’t go to the mall. Find out if any other garage sales are happening near by and do some browsing. Can’t hurt, and you just might end up spending five bucks on a designer handbag or belt.
In fact, according to Families.com, now is the best time to have a garage sale. Why? Everyone has shaken off the winter blues and are out and about, enjoying spring and yes, spotting yard sales. And if you think garage sales are “in” right now, just wait until summer. People tend to clean out their closets in spring and then wait until summer to lay their clutter out on the lawn - so if you set up shop now rather than later, you’ll stand out.
Daily Deals from Shopflick, the Hyphen Dress, New Ways to Wear Work Classics and Marie Antoinette
Even the Kardashians are experimenting with Shopflick’s product videos. And, Shopflick tips us off that their one-day deals are now updated daily.
Love Rachel Bilson’s style? Dresses with hoodies? Oversized shirts? Find out what “the (hyphen) dress” is, from College Candy.
Second City Style picks up on a celebrity trend: new ways to wear work classics.
Everyone is buzzing about the $6,295 Marie Antoinette Christian Louboutins. (via Runway to Retail.)
Are Vampires Saving Hot Topic?
What: The Cut hypothesizes the only reason Hot Topic has been doing well in recent months is because of its Twilight merchandise.
From the Cut:
“The movie came out November 21, which means Hot Topic cashed in on the prerelease hype, a period of time we never will understand or miss. Even though sales have been increasing month to month, Hot Topic is anticipating the day they start to flag as the popularity of Twilight merchandise fades.”
What We Say: The Cut is definitely on to something - we’re not sure Twilight is the store’s only saving grace, but Hot Topic is doing well, unlike its competitors and its top execs are trying to find ways to keep the momentum of the mega teen flick going, for as long as humanly (or vampire-ly) possible.
So, what does this say about shoppers? Are there certain things we just can’t resist buying, no matter how unnecessary they are, and no matter how lifeless the economy is? Like… a Twilight shirt or choker? Maybe this is just a generational thing; Mom and Dad fund their teens’ trips to the mall and keep tight-lipped about their lack of cash. It’ll be interesting to see if the entertainment industry leads the retail one out of this mess.
Shoe Trends 2009, Summer Sandal Giveaway, Fringes, Gladiators and More
This week in Shopping & Goodies: all about shoes!
The Fashionable Housewife dishes on Women’s Shoe Trends For Spring 2009
A Few Goody Gumdrops asks Sexy Shoe or Emu? You decide!
Bags, Bling and Beauty looks to Christian Louboutin for some serious retail therapy.
Couture In The City shows us how to get noticed in super-sexy shoe styles for Spring!
Fashion Fille supplies some major shoe porn to drool at while pondering what makes shoes so damn fantabulous.
Handbag du Jour explores why Amber Rose and her accessories are the highlight of Paris Fashion Week.
Ma Petite Chou wants these Marni Crossed Slingback Sandals!
Princess Dominique Dishes Fashion and Franco Sarto Partner to Offerthe Bijou Summer Sandal Giveway!
Quinta Trends wants to by all the new collection of Argentinean shoes Luz Príncipe, because It loves it!
Raging Rouge is in love with the latest designs from Havaianas.
Shopping and Info loves lilac boots for Spring.
Style Eyes is loving Fringed Shoes and Boots just not with a checked shirt or dress.
The Bare Skinny dishes on the sexiest shoe of the season, Gladiator sandals.
Be first to shop Piperlime’s Shoe Sale from Women. The Budget Fashionista scoped out the latest reductions and Spring steals!
The Well-Heeled Society shows the perfect heels to walk all over that man: embellished in crystals and ankle bow-ties!
What’s Haute Magazine interviews star shoe designer Camilla Skovgaard.
Diva in a carry on digs the heck out of these fashionable summer pumps from Victoria’s Secret
Forever21 to Launch Plus Size Line
Attention.. Attention…
Forever21 is launching a Plus Size line this May called “Faith 21”. The California based retailer, who probably read this article on wwd about how the plus size market is where the money is at, joins the likes of Anna Wintour in recognizing that those of us who “got back”, also “got cash”.. ..And you know, Forever21 only copies the trendiest of trends, so Plus Size is definitely “in”.
What Do You Think of This Trend?
Fake Debate: Cracking Down on “Hot” Handbags
What: Retail crime is up. And Congress is paying attention, with bills that give authorities more freedom to stop it.
What They Say: ” A mass of buyers for hot new products [for instance, the trendiest new handbags] at huge discounts is fueling organized retail crime—giving “hot” a darker meaning on the Internet, swap meets or flea markets.”
What We Say: If you’ve ever been to NYC, it was probably hard to resist the urge to buy that $15 Chanel purse in that shady alley way. But even if you’ve never gone bargain hunting in Chinatown, you’ve been to Craigslist and eBay, which feature ridiculously cheap designer clothes and accessories that, at times, seem all too good to be true/legal. Since shoppers are on an increasingly tight budget and retailers are nixing more and more staff every day, theft is bound to be a big problem. You may be contributing to it unknowingly—find out if you’re sporting a fake Luis Vuitton.
Are you okay with buying “hot” commodities, and if so, will you be disgruntled if law enforcement makes them less accessible, even to the benefit of the retail industry?
Aprons: The Hot New Fashion Trend?
What: Aprons, yes, aprons, are becoming a hot new fashion trend, with American Apparel releasing a line of wearable aprons.
From TrendCentral: From cook-offs and farmers markets to The Food Network and foodie blogs, all things culinary are cool at the moment, with the latest entry being kitchen fashion: One of our trend reporters recently picked up on a new hipster movement of aprons being worn over dresses.
What We Say: We guess this shouldn’t come as a surprise seeing the massive popularity of foodie shows like Top Chef. However, this is one trend that we think you should consider passing on, if for no other reason than March is Women’s History Month and this might send out the wrong message. However, if you must, be on trend, then our advice is to head to your local Salvation Army/Goodwill and pick one up for less than $5 or go for an ultra cute retro apron like this one from Jessie Steele, that looks more like a dress, than an apron.
Would You Wear an Apron as Fashion?
Okabashi Reveals New Feel-Good Flip Flops
What: Okabashi, which specializes in comfortable, everyday, “grandma” shoes, has announced new, ultra-comfy and ultra-cheap flip flops for men and women. Look, if Hush Puppies can become stylish, why can’t these shoes?
What They Say:
“The new 2009 Okabashi Splash and Surf flip flops feature a new, curved heel for fashion and summer fun versatility - accenting everything from beach wear to casual wear - while retaining the uncompromising comfort, support and a massaging feel that customers expect from Okabashi.”
What We Say: Some of us live in flip flops all summer, and even try to get away with wearing them in the winter, so it’s important that a) they feel good and b) they last a long time, or go for real cheap so we can buy lots of them. At $14.99, these Okabashi flip flops may just cover all fronts. Plus, what other flip-flop brand offers a two year warranty.
Have you donned Okabashi shoes before? If so, what’s the verdict?
Twelve By Twelve: Forever 21 Launches Higher-End Line that’s Actually Good
This past June, I wrote about the launch of Forever 21’s “higher-end” collection called Twelve by Twelve. Well the line is now up and running at twelvebytwelve.com and it’s not bad… not bad at all. In fact, I like it. While the selection is as limited as the sizing, you can tell that there was a bit of thought put into this line. Beading is mixed with higher quality jersey knits. Jackets have darts that are straight and in the right place. The Outerwear has details like pleats, wood buttons, etc. It resembles a more fun, less costly version of the Vera Wang at Kohls line.
Basically, it’s Forever 21 for grown folks. Click below for some of my favorite picks.
Boyfriend Knit Jacket, $39.00
Smokey Burn Out Tee
Swing Trench, $69.00
Elite Racerback Tunic, $26.00
Forever 21 Launches New Line: Twelve by Twelve
What: Twelve by Twelve, the higher priced line coming to a Forever 21 (and a computer at twelvebytwelve.com) near you.
The Look: More lux than cheap, with most of the pieces still under $100. Let’s hope it includes a better return policy and cleaner dressing rooms.
What the fashion heads say: “Forever 21 is fast fashion, it’s quick-turn, young and fun,” said Betsy Zanjani, vice president of merchandising for the project, “whereas Twelve by Twelve is a grouping of items designed to go together, to be worn together. It will be a little bit more sophisticated, much more luxury.”
via: WWD
Advertisement
Featured on TBF
Copyright 2003-2009 TBF Group, LLC.