Colour block bags

I don't tend to focus on accessories, especially handbags, but I recently purchased a fantastic colour block bag by Vera Wang. Colour blocks in bright hues are a huge trend this spring and summer. My new bag is a mid-sized orange block, yellow mini block, and grey-gold metalltic block and detail. It's bold due to the bright colours yet simple due to the blocking and simple straps. I'm super excited to tote it around the rest of this spring and definitely into summer! (Photo to come, I promise!)

For now, here are some other examples of colour blocked accessories:

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Spring 2012 colour block trend from the runways

Nicola

Summer Festival Fashion!

As an (almost) every-genre music and concert enthusiast, I thought I'd post some pieces that I'd wear to this spring/summer's hottest music festivals. From this month's Coachella in Indio, California to Lollapalooza in Chicago to Bonaroo in Tennessee, even to international festivals such as Glastonbury in Somerset, England, music events and festivals are fantastic opportunities to not only explore new artists and musicians, but also funky fashion!

Poncho/sweater mini dress--Free People

Maxi dress--American Apparel

Nylon "Figure Skater" dress--American Apparel

Denim shorts--Urban Outfitters

Shorts--Urban Outfitters

Shorts--Urban Outfitters

Sleeveless shirt/denim vest--Urban Outfitters, Urban Renewal

Crop top--Free People

Purse--Urban Outfitters

Purse/satchel--Urban Outfitters

Festival-goer at last year's Glastonbury Festival in England

I think it's interesting that in today's music festivals, especially electronic music festivals such as Ultra in Miami or Electric Zoo in New York, the fashion is reminiscent of that of festival goers in the 1960s and 1970s-- Woodstock and the Hippie counterculture. Bohemian fabrics mixed with florals and sometimes fluorescent/neon coloured crop tops with denim are popular among today's festival attendees. Fun-coloured sunglasses and a practical purse/handbag are also necessary accessories. Concerning footwear, it depends on the festival. For most American festivals that take place in the summer, sandals that actually strap (i.e. not flip flops) usually suffice but I would suggest a cute pair of ankle boots, despite the heat, to better protect your feet from being stepped on. At Glastonbury, it is more common to see people wearing Wellington boots (or, rainboots) due to potentially wet weather and/or grounds.

While I haven't bought tickets to any festivals yet, I am hoping to go to at least one summer concert this year!!! And when and if I do, I will be sure to check out the fashion.

Nicola

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Fashionably floppy hats

I never thought that I looked good in hats. Then, last spring I tried a straw fedora and I loved it! I wore it all Memorial Day weekend while at the beach with friends. So for this spring, I was curious to see what the 'new' fashion hat would be.

While floppy straw hats have long served as a popular beach accessory during summer getaways, this spring introduces the wool floppy hat as well as traditional straw hats.

Below is an oversized straw floppy hat by Dolce & Gabbana from Milan fashion week 2012:

Deena and Ozzy for Urban Outfitters offer an example of a felt floppy hat:

DKNY

A co-worker/good friend of mine recently picked up on my new-found appreciation for floppy hats and bought me this mustard yellow felt wool floppy hat from American Apparel:

I'm in love!! While the material is wool, which is usually associated more so with winter and colder seasons, the yellow gives this hat such a spring-like feel. The floppy style also makes the hat more spring or summer appropriate. I plan to wear this hat early spring (now) until mid to late May, at which point, the wool felt will be too "wintery" of a material for the summer.

Here is American Apparel's straw version of the hat-- perfect for the summer!

American Apparel, Urban Outfitters, and Forever 21 are great places to find reasonably priced floppy hats-- an essential and unique addition to your spring wardrobe!

Nicola