Are sweaty days cramping your style?
During September and October in Columbia, I find myself lusting after sweaters, scarves, boots, coats, blazers and all of my other favorite things for fall. However, full-on fall outfits are, in reality, not appropriate for days when it is still sweltering in Columbia. I have experienced countless days of disappointment when I start off in adorable jeans tucked into boots with a slouchy sweater, only to end up throwing on flip flops and a t-shirt when I get home for lunch feeling unbearably sweaty.
I have decided that instead of dressing like I have one foot in summer and the other in fall (awkwardly ending up in a tank top with leggings, unable to bear my long sweater), I need to think up some outfits that'll give me a fall look for summer temperatures.
Some of my ideas include wearing light, sheer blouses that keep you cool while looking much more put-together than a simple tank top. You can pair them with high-waisted or just fun and colorful shorts. These shirts are much cooler than sweaters or long-sleeve shirts and come in many different styles and patterns that fit the fall trends such as polka dots, lace or 70's inspired patterns.
I have been seeing a lot of dresses that elicit the casual feel of a summer sundress but with higher necklines and cap sleeves, perfect for a fall look for class, game day or other events.
With these dresses comes the question of, “What shoes?” I can’t wait to break out my over-the-knee, brown leather boots, and uggs (when it gets absolutely freezing). But it’s clearly still too hot for my feet to be wrapped up in heavy socks and boots all day long. Some great options for the meantime are breathable lace-up boots, some of which have heels that are still technically booties, but incredibly open. Another great option is the classic ballet flat. They keep your toes covered while providing the flat comfort of flip flops, not to mention that they come in a million colors and styles!
There’s nothing we can do to make the cool temperatures of fall get here any sooner, but until then, the lighter side of fall fashion can help keep you stylish in famously hot Columbia!
Emmys Wrap Up: From the Red Carpet to Your Closet
Written by Hallie Lipsmeyer
Fashionistas everywhere are celebrating the beginning of award season with the annual Emmy Awards. For a little bit of background information, it is put on by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and has been around since 1949. Really, the only thing that us fashion people really care about when it comes to award shows is the red carpet…duh.
The hour leading up to the live broadcast of the awards ceremony is the highlight of designers, stylists and spectators alike. I’m cynical a lot of the time when it comes to these things so I always like to watch it for the fashion “don’ts” rather than the “best dressed” celebs. Browsing through the pictures from that night, there seemed to be two definite trends: red and blue. Apparently everyone got that memo multiple times, and I have to say, I do love a red dress on the red carpet. Although I think there were some downright misses this past Sunday, I figured I would show you guys some of my absolute favorites (optimism is coming through thanks to sugar-free Red Bull).
Nina Dobrev from The Vampire Diaries wore a stunning, body-conscious dress from the Donna Karan Collection and was “frosted” with Neil Lane jewelry (I literally gasped when I saw how amazing she looked). As Rachel Zoe would say, “BA.NAN.AS.”
Okay, while I know this isn't technically blue, I would, without a doubt, still put this bad boy in the family. From the Good Wife, Archie Panjabi looks absolutely regal in this gown by Angel Sanchez. She exudes complete and utter sophistication. Whoever styled her for the evening completely NAILED it.
Now, what’s great about these dresses is that they are totally adaptable into your very own wardrobe. I know I'm planning to get something like Archie’s in the near future for an event (the actual event is making the purchase so I can store it in my closet for just-in-case purposes…and to stare at it). Here are some great interpretations of each:
This dress by BCBGMAXAZRIA can be found at Nordstrom. It’s a strapless, beautiful shade of red and includes the tier effect on the hips (which plays on the bottom part of Nina Dobrev’s dress).
This dress is also a BCBGMAXAZRIA design from Nordstrom and is not only the same color as Archie’s, but also has the draped fabric effect on the torso just like hers. I mean come on, I think I'm going to have to buy this baby now.
Hopefully you’ll find some sort of inspiration from the Emmy’s (whether good or bad) to jazz up your fall wardrobe because who knows how many party dresses you’ll need for the upcoming holiday festivities.
September 11th Ten Years Later: the Unexpected Effect on Fashion
Written by Melissa Brown
It's September 2011, and Americans continue to feel the painful memories of the most devastating terrorist attack in U.S. history. Although our country is still in the midst of one of the worst economic downturns since the great depression, the fashion industry gave us an unexpected feeling last week: optimism.
Typically, fashion trends are a direct reflection of what is going on in society. The lower the income level, the less progression takes place. During hard economic times, people don’t want to spend money on items that will only be in style for one season (and, as we all know, the past several years haven’t been particularly easy on our wallets). Add in the recently inescapable images and footage of September 11th perpetuated by every possible media outlet, and new fashion trends seem to be the last thing on the minds of Americans.
However, last week, American designers surprised us all and found a way to send a strong message of positivity with:
metallics and embellishments
bright colors and feminine fits
The clothes weren’t the only positive aspects of the week. After showing his last two collections in Paris, Zac Posen made his return to New York this year. Dianne Von Furstenburg and Anna Sui both displayed their patriotism in different ways: DVF handed out little American flags when she came out onto the runway to take her finale bow, while Sui added sailor hats to some of her models, and blue and white star lighting on the runway.
Though these looks are six plus months away from hitting the stores, fashion week showed us that we can all start wearing the real breakout trend of the season right now: the unbreakable American spirit.
Excited is an understatement to describe how I feel about the start of my favorite season: FALL! But this season, erase EVERYTHING you thought you knew about Fall fashion –well not everything, but a good bit– because summer has treaded into Fall territory. Give your wardrobe a slight shift with this season’s must-haves!
Hitting below the belt
Punch up your pants with highlighter-worthy hues, it’s time we let our bottoms have some fun. Whether they are cropped, flared or tapered, bright bottoms are in for Fall! Pair with neutral tones such as beige, white and black to keep the look balanced.
Shady Business
There are a few vivid shades that are stealing the show: jade green, mustard yellow and rust orange are the ‘A’ listers this season. These colors may seem intimidating at first, but purchasing accessories in these hues are a safe way to try the trend. For those daring to look for statement pieces, think: dresses, sweaters and even sexy pumps!
Getting Spotted
What better way to be ‘spotted’ this season than by rocking the most popular trend (in my opinion)…polka dots! Designers from Stella McCartney to Marc Jacobs lined– or should I say dotted– their fall/winter 2011 runways with this fun yet very chic trend! Look for a scarf or cute cardigan for an inexpensive way to rock the dots!
While most people count down the days until things like football season, Christmas or their birthday, there is a select group of us that spend our time watching the clock tick toward a much more important event: Fall Fashion Week.
The first thing that gets my fashionable engines revving is the thought of Fashion’s Night Out, happening this coming Thursday. The event is hosted by The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) which supports American designers promoting their artistic visions. FNO hosts a huge celebration before the start of the week’s fashion shows where you can stroll down the streets of New York and venture into stores where they have unbelievable discounts and giveaways galore. Can you say jealous?
Sept. 9 starts Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week and the anticipation is killing me. Well okay, not literally but I will admit that it is the only time I bring my large and in-charge laptop to class so that I can watch a live stream of most of the shows. What I am most excited to see is what the heck is going to happen with the fashion world in the spring/summer next year, considering that it is still 100+ degrees outside here in Columbia.
When it comes down to it, let’s be honest, I’m a starving college student who wears A LOT of Nike athletic shorts. A girl can dream, though, and I hope you get inspired for the Spring season to come, because I definitely do not believe the world is coming to an end in 2012. By the way, if you want to be a slacker in class during the month of September like moi, you can check out nowfashion.com; they live stream photos from all the fashion shows.
Great Minds Think Alike... And Don't Communicate Well, Apparently
Written by Cori Hanky
So, there’s this trend. It’s called every major magazine putting the same “it” dress on their covers at the same time. Last summer, it was the Miu Miu appliqué, square neck, flower dress, which to be fair, is absolutely gorgeous. Clearly, however, I’m not the only one who fell in love with it, because both the yellow and lilac versions starred in Miu Miu’s Fall/Winter 2010 ad campaign, and the dress appeared on multiple magazines’ covers, including W, Vogue and not one, but two versions of Elle—UK Elle and Swedish Elle, all in the month of August.
So, I just got back from Charleston Fashion Week. And by just got back, I mean I got back when it ended… three weeks ago. I’ve been rather busy, what with my senior thesis being due, like, now, and all, so I haven’t had time to muse much on my time spent in The Holy City, or as I like to call it, Chucktown, The Holy Quasi-City Filled with Luxury Vehicles, See-and-be-Seen Restaurants and Successful Young Professionals with Hot Wives and Cute Kids.
