Five for Friday: Multi Stripe

Earlier today I posted about one of my favorite Spring trends, the Multi Stripe trend.  I love that this trend is fun and colorful and bold.  And, also surprisingly versatile; multi stripes can be worn in a variety of pieces, all of which pack a definite punch.

Here are some of my favorites:

1. Melody Multi Stripe Midi Dress - I love the mix of colors in these stripes and the length is even long enough for my tall self!  It's a perfect representation of this trend and a perfect piece for summer.

2. LOFT Strappy Cami - Don't let the strappiness of this top put you off. I have a couple of these types of tops from LOFT and they're very wearable and easily layered for work.

3. Topshop Deckchair Midi Skirt - The mix of chevron stripes and vertical stripes adds even more interest to this pretty skirt.  I'd pair it with a simple black silk blouse and chunky sandals.

4. Ralph Lauren Sofia Striped Scarf - This is such a cheery scarf, I absolutely love the color scheme.  It's the perfect piece for an overcast Spring days.

5. J. Crew Underwire Halter One Piece - Like the dress, the mix of colors in this suit is unexpected but perfect.  And the variation of the width of the stripes has a surprising slimming effect.


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Trend to Try: Multi Stripe

One trend I'm super excited about this season is the Multi Stripe trend.  You can also call them Bold Stripes or Rainbow Stripes.  It is, of course, not a new trend:

But, it's a great trend, and I, for one, am super excited that it's coming back around.



I first noticed it with the Valentino 2015 Resort Collection, which brought us pieces like these:

Images from vogue.com

Magic, each and every one.



Of course, Valentino isn't the only line to send brightly striped looks down the runway:

Balmain Spring RTW 2015                             Gucci Resort 2016                      Tommy Hilfiger Spring 2016

The Balmain, Gucci and Hilfiger looks were less candy-colored than Valentino, but still bold and bright.  You can do the multi-stripe trend in pastels or even more muted tones, but I personally prefer them in the brights shown in the 60s, 70s, and today.



Like the trend but not sure how to wear it?  Here's some inspiration:

Top: Fashion for Giants and Who What Wear
Bottom: Atlantic Pacific and The Werk! Place

I paired my brightly striped cardigan from Lands' End with a bright skirt because I figure that two brights make a right.  But, you don't have to go bright; in the look from Who What Wear, a striped vintage skirt is paired with a leather jacket.

Tiffany, from The Werk! Place, mixes bold and neutral stripes in her outfit, finishing it off with neutral accessories.  And Blair Eadie, from Atlantic Pacific, pairs her rainbow striped Gucci sweater with skinny, dark jeans, letting the sweater and her perfect red lip do all the heavy lifting.


So, how about it, Reader Friends?  Are you into bold, bright, multi stripes?


Happy Friday, All!

Gracey

Five for Fall - Animals

As much as I complained about summer taking it's sweet time getting here, when it got here, it was hot, hot, hot and now I'm ready for fall.  I'm ready to get back to wearing my beloved scarves.  I'm ready to get back to wearing layers.  And I'm ready to get back to fall fashion.

Here is the first of the five trends I'm excited for this fall...

Animals

I have to admit that I was not always a big proponent of clothing with animals on them.  Animal print, sure, but a print of animals?  Not so much.  To my tastes, clothes with animals on them can look a bit twee.  Case in point:

Personally, pieces like those just aren't my style and are the reason I'm generally so lukewarm on this trend.  Happily, haters of twee have options.  Animals can be found on all sorts of pieces at all sorts of price points, and range from the ridiculously twee to sophisticated pieces that add a touch of whimsy, not a touch of Pampers.

Here are some of my favorites and while some of them are darned cute, none of them are cutesy:

And, while you generally see animals on intarsia sweaters, scarves are a great way to try the trend as well:

Whatever your taste in this trend, there are a few things you can do to keep from looking juvenile, unless of course that's your thing, then I totally support you.  No judgement here.  But, if it's not your thing and you are a giant who knows you're too tall to be twee, here are some tips to keep your animal-inclusive outfits from heading into twee territory:

1. Don't do baby animals.  A tiger is cool, a baby tiger is cutesy.
2. Limit the color.  I know, I know, this, coming from me.  But, that rooster sweater?  That's an amazing sweater with a leather skirt or jeans.  With matching burgundy cords, it's a Geranimals-for-Grown-Ups outfit.
3. If you wear it with a mini, which is totally cute, please don't do knee socks and Mary Janes and pigtails.

What about you, Reader Friends?  Are you fans of the animal trend?  How do you like to wear it?

Happy Thursday, All!

Gracey

Fresh for Fall: Sweatshirt Chic

Much to the enjoyment of sporty gals everywhere, sweatshirts are having a moment.  Sweatshirt chic is a big trend for fall.  It's been a fringe trend for years due to chic, yet expensive offerings from the likes of Phillip Lim and Kenzo.  Now, however, the trend has finally trickled down to the masses and this fall there are affordable options at nearly every price point.

Keep in mind though that these are not your average, everyday track and field hoodies.  No, this fall's sweatshirts are more sophisticated than that; they're embellished, printed and not always made of sweatshirt material.

Here are some of my favorites:

Kut from the Kloth Crochet Overlay

Image via nordstrom.com

I love the texture on this multimedia sweatshirt.

Caslon Three-Quarter Sleeve

Image via nordstrom.com

Polka dots.  Also available in stripes, more polka dots & classic gray.  Love.

BLU PEPPER

The bejeweled sleeves on this sweatshirt give it just the perfect amount of interest.


Buffalo by David Bitton

Image via lordandtaylor.com

I love the short sleeves and studded crosses on this one; it's both tough and chic.


Gap Metallic Leopard

Image via gap.com

Shiny and leopard and gray; I'm not sure it gets any better than this.

Unlike your boyfriend's old wrestling sweatshirt, these sweatshirts weren't made for weekend lounging.  Instead, don't be afraid to take these out of the house; they look great paired with pencil skirts, full midi skirts and leather.  Or, for a more casual look, pair them with distressed jeans and flats, like I did here.

So, what do you think, Reader Friends?  Are you into sweatshirt chic for fall?

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Trends to Try: Neon

Like many fashion trends that have been here before, neon has come back around.  It first cropped back up a year or so ago and is still going strong today.

So, how do you try this trend without looking as though you're starring in a Wham! video?  Well, for one, avoid wearing it with feathered hair and short shorts.  Agreed?  Good, now here are some other tips that might help you try this trend.

1. A little goes a long way.  Try this trend in small doses such as jewelry, belts, small handbags and shoes.  I think you'll find that a even the smallest pop, such as studs, or nail polish, is still fun.
2. Wear it with mid-tones.  Especially if you're not sure about this trend, you may find that pairing neon with too strong of a color might be too much look.  Try pairing your neon with mid-tones such as gray, khaki, navy and olive to keep your look modern.
3. Stick to neon in colors you love.  I wear a lot of pink and orange so I naturally gravitated to neon pink, neon orange and, my personal favorite, neon peach.  If you wear neon in shades you like, you'll be more comfortable trying this trend.
4. If you choose to wear more substantial neon pieces, like skirts, dresses or sweaters, make sure you wear them in a modern shape and/or with equally modern pieces.
5. Wear it with denim.  In the form of a belt, shoes, sweater or clutch, neon anything looks good with denim everything.

Looks to Try:

 

Neon by fashionforgiants on polyvore.com

Looks not to try, a.k.a the aforementioned Wham! video:

What about you, Reader Friends?  Have you (re-) tried neon yet?

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey