Beach Bum

 

Following my Memorial Day Weekend beach trip, I am definitely missing the sand, waves, and endless cocktails by the pool and being back at work is proving to be very difficult. I thought I'd post some fun beach pieces while also trying out this new 'program' or 'tool,' if you will, that allows me to create boards of pieces that fit a theme or a style that I like. So far I'm really enjoying this new-found program but I know I have a lot to learn! Anyways, back to my beach-inspired pieces! Neon was EVERYWHERE this year at Dewey Beach, Delaware so I've included a neon colour block beach bag. I've written about floppy hats previously so I also included a fun coloured floppy sun hat. This year on my trip, I sported printed crop tops or loose-fitting tanks during the days and then light-weight sweaters during cooler evenings around the beach house. The denim shorts serve as a great staple and when packing for the beach, you want to pack light so denim shorts match with everything. Wedge sandals were popular this year at the beach, and in general, mainly due to their comfort for wearing out to beach clubs. Finally, I found a cool picture of vintage bathing suits. I really like this style of bathing suits and while it is definitely making a comeback this summer (see some of Victoria's Secret's bathing suit styles), I am too chicken to try it...I stuck to my traditional string tie bikinis but hey, Memorial Day Weekend only marks the start of summer and the beach season so hopefully I'll have more opportunities to try the style out!!

Nicola

What's up, Doc?

Is it just me, or are Doc Martens/Doc-Marten-inspired boots making a come back recently?

Here are close ups of Dr. Martens in Cherry Red, part of the ‘Vegan Collection’ and the original, classic pair in black. (Side note: Is “vegan leather” the new phrase for ‘pleather’?! Vegan leather certainly has a nicer ring to it…but that’s a whole other blog topic…!)

Dr. Martens can be worn any number of ways: with skinny jeans, leggings, shorts, and even dresses with or without tights. By wearing the boots with flowing, patterned dresses or printed pants or leggings, you create that combat boot + floral dress combination that was fairly popular last fall. I absolutely love these looks:

  

Personally, I would pair Docs with a flirty, feminine dress. The pretty lace details or floral patterns along with the flow of the dress would create softness to the Doc Martens.

I always find it interesting how a style that once had a certain connotation can come back full force, creating a brand new, refreshing look. What I mean in the case of Doc Martens is that back in the 1970s to very early 1990’s, only hardcore punks and other subcultures in the UK wore Dr. Martens. Furthermore, Dr. Martens even look like a workers boot. I suppose this notion is similar to the whole leather jacket phenomenon. Before fall spring/fall 2009, only bikers, rockers, and punks sported leather jackets. Not anymore—everyone has a leather jacket and again, the ‘hardcore’ connotation that is historic of the leather jacket is toned down by pairing with floral tops and dresses. In my opinion, the same goes for Dr. Martens.

 

If you aren’t into flirty, lace-detailed frocks or coloured, patterned leggings you can still rock Doc! Check out some of the more colourful, patterned boots and wear them with black pants or leggings. I am in love with these fun floral patterned Dr. Martens because they offer a truly feminine touch to the classic boot. These would look great with plain, solid colours on top, allowing for the boots themselves to stand out.

I definitely appreciate and respect the brand's reinvention and twist on women’s fashion. I think it’s safe to say that these boots truly are a timeless addition to any wardrobe. Welcome back, Doc Marten!

Nicola

I've been slacking but here's to keeping my promise...

I know I've been behind in my blogging, but as promised, here is a photo of the new colour block bag that I bought (see previous post):

My new bag by Vera Wang



Better late than never!!


Nicola

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