Month: February 2014

Anyone who knows me knows I don’t like black, unless in the form of tight spandex that looks like it’s painted onto my booty. I don’t even really like black dresses, unless it’s a perfect black dress. And how many of those can one actually afford? I am a bright person, and therefore I like bright colors. I hate black so much that I even chose my second most hated color for my The North Face Metropolis coat- brown. The model in Nordstrom was blonde and I figured it would look better than black on both me and her, and Nordstrom thought the same too. I have recently started to turn my head towards black. No, not really for clothing (I tried not to buy a black blazer for as long as possible), but for two perfect spring/summer accessories that I would probably be willing to sell “Martha,” my Ford Escape, for. The Gucci Spring/Summer ’14 bamboo top handle fringe tote… Which would take a lot more than a few teeth and hair to purchase, sorry Fantine. (I’d be willing, though) And Vince perforated leather sneakers… They may look like Vans, but I can assure you if they have the name “Vince”‘on them they’re an automatic “CAN I GET AND UPGRADEEEE.” Tampon commercial anyone? Okay, I’m done for today. Anyone have a limb or heart I can sell on the black market to purchase these? If not, I will continue to think of the shade black the same as the black death.

Tote: Gucci, $2,997.00
Shoes: Vince, $198.00

Most of the time I would say that the best way to follow New York Fashion Week (NYFW) is either to be there, or next best thing follow, Vogue or New York Time’s Style coverage. Personally, I have the Time’s Style app, which makes my life on the go a lot easier. Like when I want to check out the runway shows of the strikingly Sochi inspired Tommy Hillfiger show, or the Chinese take-out box purses at Kate Spade. As a student though, I barely have time to keep up with social media, read the actual New York Time’s, and the Style section. I have found that by following the editors of fashion magazines in N.Y. on Instagram, I can check out what my friends are doing, receive funny new picture messages, and also keep updated on a personal view of NYFW through the lens of the fab editors iPhone’s. If you do not have much time, I suggest following them all as soon as possible. Although you won’t see every runway video or picture, you will get the inside scoop on many items not published (such as backstage events, pictures of gift bags, and what the view from the front row really looks like) as well as their personal opinions of the hottest clothes for 2014-15. It’s like having a personal stylist in your pocket, giving you the goods with the fastest of updates. It will also help you decide which designers new and old you feel the need to look at. Thanks to a post by Amy Tastely, the Editor In Chief of Teen Vogue USA, I would never have heard of Rosie Assoulin and her poetic garments. Models and bloggers also have great posts, so start following your favorite skinny minis for the best behind the stage, fittings, and street action! This won’t only come in handy to you during fashion week, it can be helpful (and extremely interesting) all year round. 

The boom of boots and leggings from a few years ago is starting to be surpassed  by spandex patterned pants and cushioned running sneakers. Perfectly fitted trench coats are hiding away in closets all over the East Coast while puffy, long, “mom” jackets are covering tight logo Lululemon sweatshirts and The North Face tee shirts. The athletic bonanza could not have began at a more perfect time for the Winter 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia. The merchandise sales for brands like Nike and Adidas are most likely to sky rocket above and beyond past games. Designers have been trying to work their magic on athletic wear for years, and even the famous Adidas for Stella McCartney was not exactly the most popular choice for women on the go. Now, brands like Athleta, Lululemon, Victoria’s Secret Sport, Lucy, and even Kate Hudson’s Fabletics are gaining momentum. I remember extremely well the Victoria’s Secret yoga pants trend of 2008 and on. Thankfully, the yoga pants are starting to stick to their roots in the yoga studio, and leggings are back. Victoria’s Secret leggings aren’t half bad either, with a soft cotton feeling that rivals the luon fabric of Lululemon. Women of New York are starting to agree. Instead of pairing my Paige denim with Repetto flats and my All Saints leather jacket, I traded the denim for leggings, kept the flats and the jacket, but added a Nike running zip up and a Victoria’s Secret Sport headband and a leather Prada tote. I feel more fabulous in that outfit, even if it makes no sense at all, for the following reasons: My butt looks the best in leggings than anything else, Repetto flats are like walking on a cloud, my All Saints leather jacket is so much cooler paired with something so unconventional, and I don’t actually have to do anything to my hair with a headband. I also wear baseball hats like crazy now, because they hide my forehead, I can go to the deli without makeup and it’s taking the whole menswear to pret-a-porter in a new direction. We can thank baseball, really, for the tight pants and hat fad. I at first was skeptical of the athletic wear look hitting hard working, fabulous women in the city, because those are the type of women you see in the N.Y. Times and want to copy. But living in such cold, unpredictable weather, I think myself and many others are letting it slide. Although I haven’t seen it on the blog sphere that much, I am comfortable knowing that it is okay to be comfortable for once. Comfortable is somehow cute couture now. I should have known once Wildfox Couture started showing up on celebrities all over the country, wearing baggy tee’s and logo sweats fit for Queen B herself became okay again. I don’t think we’ll be seeing Uggs resurfacing on the Upper East Side anytime soon though. Department stores and high end boutiques in Chelsea and Soho are witnessing women try on $1,000 stilettos in $40 sweatshirts with Evian in hand and yoga mat their sides. Lifestyle clothing has a whole new meaning and competitor now. I can understand how this could be concerning for the elite in daily life, but I think everyone should embrace it. Women feel good when they are in two types of clothing: the perfect outfit that fits like a dream and looks amazing, and when we are in pajamas at home with a tub of Ben and Jerry’s watching New Girl. Athletic clothing brands are seeking to accomplish a median between the two, and by the looks of it are succeeding. Hey, I’m not complaining!

Sandra Bullock in Lululemon, photo courtesy of Just Jared.