spring

Spring 2012 RTW

by Lara on September 27, 2011

in fashion

As I write this, it’s September 2011 and I always feel ill about posting 2 seasons ahead since we’re all craving Fall fashion right now but that’s just how it goes. There may be some styling inspiration for Fall in here!

Here are the Pantone color predictions for Spring 2012 (via). I’m starting to kinda hate this thing they do every season. I mean really, what’s the point? It’s so limiting and well, there was red, and bright green… and pretty much every other color of the rainbow in full force.

 

Here are my picks for Spring 2012 – things I could actually see myself wearing, of course.

VPL – they get me

Lela Rose – each piece, I’ll take it all!

Holly Fulton – how quirky!

Emilio de la Morena – like a piece of art!

Jill Stuart – it looks quilty

Tracy Reese – so wearable!

Jeremy Laing – lots of one-shoulder looks for Spring 2012

Diane von Furstenberg – one in every color please!

Chris Benz

Mulberry – LOVE those sage leggings with a skirt and sandals!

Kelly Wearstler – love the shoes with this simple outfit

3.1 Philip Lim – I usually have a jumpsuit in most of my RTW picks. I love em!

Dennis Basso – oh how I love his formal dresses!

Burberry Prorsum – always a favorite, the best outerwear and my fave color!

Badgley Mischka – I want this shirt in every color. God, I need to start sewing again.

Threeasfour

Ohne Titel

Jonathan Saunders – Can you just imagine wearing this? Gorgeous!

Barbara Tfank

Josie Natori – one of these shirts in every color as well please!

Reem Acra – agate print? omg

I adore Pringle of Scotland!

Roksanda Ilincic

Jenny Packham – I would get married in Vegas in this!

What were your favorites?

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after the monsoon

by Lara on April 16, 2011

in geek

We just had a crazy storm here in Richmond and as soon as people started tweeting about rainbows, I put on some pants, grabbed my camera, and ran around the neighborhood again. These are mainly on Monument and West Ave.

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Spring in the Fan

by Lara on April 10, 2011

in geek

All less than a block from my front door. God, I love Spring!

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sunnies

by Lara on April 5, 2011

in fashion

Sunglasses are disposable to me. Not by choice. I scratch, break, and lose them in the bottoms of rivers and oceans. I’ve already seen a few tweets of people lamenting the loss of crazy expensive sunnies on Spring Break. So, I can’t justify spending a ton on them when they can also be such a fleeting trendy accessory.

This will most likely be the only shot of floral my wardrobe will get this summer.

$5.80 at F21

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summer shoes

by Lara on March 1, 2011

in fashion

Baby grass is washing over people’s yards, daffodils are pushing through, trees are budding. We were teased with a few beautiful warm days, it got cold again, but I’m sure that the groundhog was right. We’re in for an early Spring!

Now let’s talk about what’s really important – SHOES!

None of the shoe trends for SS2011 are making me want to hunt down affordable options. I feel like I have my bases covered so well for warm weather that it would be obscene to buy another pair but of course, I have an obscene problem with shoes. Maybe it’s just too early. I did get those sandals but, they’re not especially trendy. Have you seen any particular style you MUST add to your wardrobe?

 

Flatforms- No. Not happening. No way. No how. Except for a year from now when I suddenly think they’re wonderful and can’t find them anywhere. I can see how they would be great with longer skirts and wider pants.

Medium height block heels- I’m not a fan of this shape. The cone heeled sandals I just got will do the trick.

Crazy colorful shoes- Mixed colors, blocks of color, neon, sherbet… COLOR!!! These are the only wildly colored shoes I have. That’ll do pig.

Highly decorative ankle straps- I’ll have to see what’s out there bu they’re not at the top of my radar.

Ribbons & ankle ties- I have 2 pair that do the trick close enough. This was at the bf’s sister’s wedding. I’ve had these shoes for over 10 years, along with a black/white/grey pair. I think I paid $7 for each on clearance and they’re super comfortable and versatile.

Gigantic wedges- My favorite style of heel ever! If you want to hop on the wide-leg pants/long skirt trend, you need some heavy shoes to balance things out. I would like a pair of edgy solid black ones but nothing has made we swoon yet, within my price range. Here’s what I have:

Flat sandals- The gladiators won’t go away and the ones you have from 2 years ago are still in, but things are starting to shift to horizontal cage effects, laces down the middle, and intricate cutouts. I’m not going to worry about flat sandals one bit. When I need some, I can pick up a pair for $15, destroy them over the summer, and not blink an eye.

Oxfords- They don’t seem to be going anywhere. I’m still on the hunt for something perfect but I’m not too keen on my feet sweating in the heat.

Clogs- Yup, still out there. Not for me.

There’s always espadrilles, snake skin, super strappy, etc. Also, elastic banding, wide bands, GOLD, and double strap Mary Janes are going to be popular.

Lanvin

Prada

Phillip Lim

Christian Dior – I know I know, screw Galliano, but these shoes are going to be micro-trendsetters.

Fendi

Doo.Ri (I really really love these)

Miu Miu

Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte

Chloé

Dries van Noten – Lanvin has been doing these squishy straps for a while and they look comfy.

$49.95 also in a graphic b&w (which is also a major trend)

$39.95

$49.95 also in black

$49.95 also in black and white

$59.95 also in brown – this style is on all the cheap-o sites

$74.95 also in black, cream, teal and orange

$69.95 also in brown

$69.95 love this mint – also in grey and nude

$49.95 also in black

$79.95

$79.95 also in cognac

$59.95 also in brown

 

 

What are you hoping to add to your shoe wardrobe this summer?

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1st Spring purchase

by Lara on January 28, 2011

in fashion

In October, I did the epic Spring 2011 post. My favorite look out of all the RTW collections was this outfit by Bensoni. It still is.

I love that this can be dressed up or down, shoe options are endless, and you can throw on a ton of different jackets and sweaters for cooler weather.

When I was in private school for 9 years, girls had to wear skirts below the knees. So of course, I took it to the extreme and wore skirts to the floor most of the time. When I finally got out of that hell hole, it was punk/goth mini skirt madness in high school. Now at 31, I want to cover my thighs. I have a few maxi dresses and love them. It’s difficult to find one that isn’t in a heinous print that you can also wear a bra with but when you do find that gem, you can look glamorous, feminine, hide a multitude of sins, and you don’t have to shave your legs! Ha! If you’re having a horrible time finding one that fits your bust (an endless thorn in my side), maxi skirts are a great alternative and you can have a defined waist.

So, I saw this skirt on F21 and decided to give it a shot at $19. It’s jersey fabric and a far cry from Bensoni but I think it will be just as versatile. It hasn’t shown up yet and I’m pretty sure I’ll have to get it hemmed. (I sold my serger so knits are out of the question on my basic sewing machine.) I’ll let you know what I think when it arrives.

Will you be trying maxi dresses and skirts?

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Spring 2011 RTW

by Lara on October 20, 2010

in fashion

I started writing this in early September 2010, unsure of when to actually post. Everyone seemed to be getting sick of the intense coverage of SS2011RTW and I thought I’d wait to post this until Winter was underway but to hell with it. I kept up with the Spring ready-to-wear shows as the pictures went up and it was exhausting. So, here is my HUGE post of Spring/Summer trends for 2011.

COLORS & PATTERNS:

  • White. Of course.
  • Stripes!

Bensoni – This is my absolute favorite look out of everything I’ve seen and I am going to be on the hunt for that striped fabric. It will be mine if I have to make it myself!

Marc by Marc Jacobs

  • Browns, camels, khakis all together. 
  • Subtle muted mixed prints.

Vivienne Westwood

Rodarte – They brought back the china blue patterns. This is an easy yet bold way to mix patterns, something I’m not used to doing.

  • Camel and tomato red paired together. There were a lot of red pants.
  • Oranges, yellows and mint are back in a big way.

Matthew Williamson

  • Red and pink. Together.
  • Pairing bold contrasting separates.

Prabal Gurung

  • 70s retro prints.
  • Big flowers. Skirts that seem to be dipped in petals, a singular printed flower on a skirt or a giant accent at your hip or shoulder. Flowers were everywhere, as they should be for Spring.

Jason Wu – Apparently Brazilian artist Beatriz Milhazes was his inspiration.

Pantone releases their color trend report every season and here it is for Spring 2011. Taking primary colors out (which were huge), I think it’s pretty accurate:

TEXTURES:

  • Sheer. Sheer overlays on tops, granny lace dresses, long sheer skirts, pants pegged with sheer panels, sheer sleeves, and swathes of sheer fabric pinned at the shoulder and draped across a dress and belted (easy diy).

Erin Fetherston

Tadashi Shoji – to be worn with a youthful spirit. (via ELLE)

  • Sparkle.

Jenny Packham – She’s known mainly for her bridal designs and is recent to the RTW scene. Pretty pretty. (via ELLE)

Monique Lhuillier – always has some the prettiest formal gowns

  • Silk charmeuse. This rich shiny drapey fabric is decadent and catches the light. I need more of this in my wardrobe.
  • Leather. Leather shorts, leather blazers and jackets. Leather tops. In a lot of other neutrals than black. Let’s just avoid black at all costs this Spring, okay?

Gucci

PUTTING IT TOGETHER:

  • Think 1970s.
  • Long and flowing dresses and skirts.

Marc Jacobs

Tory Burch

Malandrino – If I were traveling to exotic lands, this collection would be my wardrobe.

  • Carefully crafted layers & drape OR ladylike & fitted. These are always the two schools. Take your pick.
  • Long sleeves with exposed shoulders. Donna Karan always says you never gain weight in your shoulders.
  • Button up shirts. Crisp white, sheer, patterned, long sleeves, short sleeves… it doesn’t matter. Tucked neatly into anything. Oh, and buttoning that top button. No thanks on that.

Cynthia Rowley

  • Shorts & blazers. Shorts and anything really. Rolled hem, high-waisted. Shorts are huge.
  • Sacks. Worry about your figure no more! Throw on a bright or white shapeless sack and you’re good to go!
  • Boxy tops.
  • Longer straight hemmed tops with longer skirts.

Vivienne Tam – (via ELLE)

  • Drop-waist dresses.

Maurizio Pecoraro

ACCESSORIES:

  • Minimal jewelry. Modern statement necklaces and bold cuffs.
  • Narrow belts, especially brown.
  • Tassels on satin cords as belts. (easy to find, check cord length)

Chris Benz

  • Platforms. Always.
  • Wedges. Thank god.
  • Fall boots with light gauzy dresses.

Nicholas K.

  • The shoes you already have will still work.
  • Ladylike bags & clutches.
  • Nipples. I can’t remember seeing this many exposed nipples in a season. Good grief!

The shows were so pretty! They were also very boring at times. Just looking at the thumbnails of certain collections, I would sigh at the repetitiveness of it all. Little boxes of white and little boxes of dull. Of course there were a few who continued to stick with minimalist edgy modern black. I enjoy that style but creative interpretations of it seem to be at a minimum. Some designers I really anticipated seeing ended up playing it safe and left me wanting more. All-in-all, I had a hard time narrowing things down to show you though.

Here are the rest of my picks of easy to wear styles for Spring 2011 – pretty much all things I would wear in a heartbeat, if I had the chance. (All images are from Style.com unless otherwise noted.)

Rag & Bone – Love layering sheer over shiny.

Bora Aksu – If for anything those tights! Each model wore a different design and I want them NOW!  (more here via ELLE)

Sass & Bide – crazy good – harness-type things were all over the place

Marchesa – Sweet lord take a look at these dresses!

Michael Van Der Ham

Kinder Aggugini

Fendi

Moschino to the left and then Moschino Cheap & Chic

Trussardi

Prada Prada Prada – A lot of people are calling it genius. I find this all so heinous, I had to share.

And on that note, I’m done. What were your favorite looks?

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Alexander McQueen SS2011RTW

by Lara on October 6, 2010

in fashion

After McQueen’s suicide this February, everyone wondered if the line would continue. It has. His assistant Sarah Burton, who worked with him for 14 years, created a great collection I think he would’ve approved of. This seemed more like a well-deserved tribute to McQueen, with the same type of prints and silhouettes we’ve seen in recent collections so, we’ll see what she comes up with next.

My favorite is this amazing pheasant feather dress:

photos via Style.com

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color

by Lara on June 1, 2010

in fashion

In an attempt to inject more color to my summer wardrobe, I did a quick, cheap, but satisfying spree at F21 online last night, taking advantage of their free shipping for Memorial Day. I see the skirts paired with tucked-in white tanks and tees and that dress is going to get some serious belt action.

I’m not big on the tribal trends that always comes out for summer, let alone prints in general, but this is subtle and I need to shake it up a bit. It was less than $8!!!! Granted, I will have to hand wash it so it doesn’t fall apart, but it’s cute and I need some cute in my wardrobe right now.

I love mustards and bile greens. I have a feeling it will be brighter from the way it looks on the modeled pics. Either way, it’s great for summer!

How great is this dress? Love the shoulder detail! It can be dressed up and down… can be belted a million ways, has a comfy waist, and it’s lined.

Now, I’m crossing my fingers that it all fits. Their sizing is ridiculous.  

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my hood

by Lara on May 29, 2010

in decor

I took a walk around my neighborhood today to play with the new camera and take some pictures of the old architecture that makes this area so distinct. I played with the pinhole effect on the camera a few times. The neat thing about the Fan District is that each walk you take brings you new discoveries. I could walk around a thousand times and it would always be exciting. I love this place.  (Click on the Flickr link to the right to see all the pics!)

Each block has its own characteristic architecture that seems to run in groups.

Good ole Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue. This is the South.

 

The way people take care of their tiny yards and porches makes me smile. As the seasons change, so does the entire feel of the neighborhood. There are a lot of hidden gardens tucked around that I would love to climb over fences to see!

There are some of the cutest little houses ever here… and so many strange varieties of trees. My favorite is the ginkgo, one of the oldest trees in the world. You can see the distinctive branches peeking in the 2nd picture.

Even the alleys are inviting and magical to me but the bf is convinced that they are full of stranglers.

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