Seeing Stripes for Spring

Christian Siriano resort 2014.

There are definitely no blurred lines when it comes to one of spring 2014's biggest trends- stripes.  This nautical look comes full swing for both resort and spring/summer season.  This time around the classic stripe has been taken to a whole new level.  Not just simple black and white, but combinations of color, various thickness and angles creating a refreshing look and feel.

Joseph Ribkoff spring 2014
(Photo: courtesy GPS Radar)

Christian Siriano featured a few smart pieces in his resort collection with bright stripes in pink, yellow and green.  Wearing interesting color combinations is the way to keep it modern and playful.




Of course, sticking with traditional black and white or navy stripes maintains a classic nautical vibe and makes for an easy look for the office or other corporate environments.  Despite Siriano using brighter shades in his resort collection, he chose to stick with the traditional palette in his spring 2014 collection.

If you want to break tradition mix it up with a bold color like how Josef Ribkoff adds red stripes to the classic black and white.  This makes it both interesting and keeps it simple.  Top a dress like his with a blazer in white or black and your look is fresh.

Left to Right: Narcisco Rodriguez, Louis Vuitton, Diane Von Furstenberg, Valentino (Photo: http://www.annexmagazine.com/)

New Year New Color

Pantone made their official announcement late last year that Emerald was the color of 2013.  You may remember that last year it was tangerine tango, a reddish orange shade that promised to be the perfect energy boost to any wardrobe.  

This year's selection of emerald is full of life.  Pantone calls it a "lively, radiant, lush green."  Green is certainly a color that signifies life and growth.  I think of plants, nature and spring.  Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute said, "The most abundant hue in nature, the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum....Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today's complex world."

You're going to see this color in everything from fashion to cosmetics and interiors.  It's a great color that balances out everything. 

Mid-Summer Must Have Items

It's me wearing jewelery by Intentional.

Going forward expect to see more tips from myself through this blog.  Today I want to talk to you about some of the best mid-summer items.  This is actually the best time to shop because in the world of retail it's the end of season.  So everyone is having major sales with items marked down at deep discounted prices.  Enjoy picking up some new pieces to add to your summer wardrobe.  After all, even though you only have about a month left of the season, you can keep them for next summer too.

Here are my picks for things you can find to wear now and even mix into your fall wardrobe later.






Bright Handbags

Take advantage of the sales to pick up a hot, bright purse for summer.  Every store will have a clearance rack where you can stock up on some of these statement pieces.

Personally I love yellow and orange.  Sport the purses now with your summer whites and brights.  They also transition easily into the fall season.  Early fall you can wear your yellow purse with browns, grey and green.  The best thing is you can store these away for next year too.



Bright Tees and Tanks

Stock up on t-shirts and tank tops in neon brights like pink, orange and green.  Shop stores like H&M for the clearance racks and you're sure to find some.  They are perfect for layering and can be worn casual or dressed up with jewels and a tailored jacket.  You can't go wrong with a pop of color.

Wedges

With the fall season around the corner I'm sure you've already spotted boots arriving in your favorite stores.  If you're lucky enough to find your size, most retailers are offering additional discounts off the already low prices.  They have to clear out their stock to make way for the new merchandised coming in.  Wedges are great summer shoes that you can wear now and again next summer.  So why not buy them while the price is super low?

                                        Floral Dresses

Dress by Balenciaga

This summer the floral printed dress is not only great for day but it also perfect for an evening out.  Worn with simple accessories, your hair up and a pair of wedges, it's the perfect date night outfit.  Top it with a solid colored neutral blazer and simple heels and it's your best summer office look.

Stores like Marshall's, Macy's, H&M, Winners, Zara, Nordstrom Rack and Banana Republic are just a few of my personal favorites for finding great deals on items.

Orange handwoven straw clutch purse.
eastlegonbags.com

Straw bags

I love colorful straw bags.  This is one item that is definitely good for summer.  They aren't exactly something you see a woman carrying in the middle of sub-zero temps in the winter.  So take advantage of the few weeks left and pick up a straw purse.  A large tote size for the beach is great because it double's as a cool shopping bag when you head to the grocery store or just picking up a few things at the mall.

For those summer nights, a clutch purse handwoven in straw is also a nice tough added to your ensemble.  I like the one pictured here by East Legon Bags.   printed purses


Colored Pants

This year pants and jeans came in some of the brightest shades; green, yellow, red, orange and blue.  Even floral patterned jeans were in some stores.  Stock up on a couple of pairs you can mix and match into your summer and fall wardrobe.

Short Shorts

If you've got legs flaunt them in a sexy pair of short shorts shorts.  A pair of cutoff denims or cuffed trouser-style will do the job.  Wear them with a pair of flat strappy sandals or a cute pair of wedges.


And those are my picks for mid-summer.  Enjoy the rest of the lazy hazy days of summer and happy shopping for those end of season sale items.

:-)

Transitional Style

Left to right:  Billy Reid, Imitation of Christ by Tara Subkoff, Lanvin and Ruffian)

It may be the middle of summer but retailers and designers want you thinking about the upcoming fall season.    Stores are already beginning to stock some of the latest for autumn.  Even though the temperatures are still blazing hot, you can still find some pieces that you can mix in your summer wardrobe for transitional style.

One of the trends I love is that bold color continues to dominate.  Blue is one that almost every skin tone can wear.  Because of it's boldness you can actually start wearing this right now during the summer season.  Instead of wearing it with a black or brown shoe accentuate it with bright colored sandals or pumps in red, yellow or even green.

Bright red platforms look fabulous with blue dresses.

Try yellow wedges like this pair by Jimmy Choo.

Yellow Fever

Yellow was all over the runways.

One of fashion's trends this summer is yellow.  This one promises to stick around into the fall season too.  As nice as this color can be, it's not one that every skin tone can get away with.  Be careful with what shade of yellow you choose because it can make some people look like they are sick.  But once you find the right shade you can be the sunshine in any room with this hue.