Fashion for thought

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/29/fashion/29ROW.html?8dpc

Want

So every season magazines/websites/even newspapers go on to print lists and lists of Spring essentials. Trends, "must haves", "cannot live withouts", whatever they label them every year it's some new fangled list of things you need. I'm not here to discuss those lists (however, don't fret, I will be dedicating individual posts to each trend that in my some-what-professional opinion are new spring trends. We already covered one for those of you paying attention: Stripes). Instead this is my list of things that I want this season. Yes some of them are the trendier, must-haves, but some of them are classics. Essential obsessions that I've convinced myself I need. So this list is almost a therapy session for me. I just need to get out everything that I want so that I can finally stop thinking about them all at the same time. It is quite complicated to be me I've realized.

So. Here's my list:

1. MORE stripes: stripes in mod style (blocked and bold), nautical style, and everything in between
2. Paper thin gold jewelry: I'm nuts about this California girl look. Delicate, thin gold chains and bracelets to be worn all the time. I think they look especially good with t-shirts and jeans.
3. Wellies: Although the rainy season where I live is almost over, it still does rain every once in a while. Wellies, or galoshes if you will, can be so adorable and cute with leggings and dresses or a pair of skinny jeans. Just don't wear them when it's sunny and 80 degrees.
4. Flats, flats, flats: I have this crazy idea that I could have been a ballerina. I couldn't of course, I can barely keep my balance while walking. But I adore ballerina flats. I want them in all colors, all types. I want them to be cute, punk, rock and roll, and comfortable at the same time. Impossible I think but I'm never going to stop looking.
5. Fedora: Now, with this one I'm a bit unsure. I love the idea of a comfortable fedora I can wear on any bad hair day but I don't know what style I want. Whether I want it to be made of straw or cloth, color, etc. This is one of those things where I'll know it when I see it.
   
6. Unique Dresses: I'm a big fan of dresses..but i want them to be totally different then anything else out there. I also want them to be cheap. I think this is a losing battle.
7. Tribal print: I love tribal print. It's bold, it colorful, it's fresh and honestly, it never really goes out of style. There's just varying degrees of how to wear it. For example, now, you'll see tribal print dresses, shirts, pants. In about a year, stick to tribal print on jewelry or handbags.
8. Shoes: I.love.shoes. Always.need.more.
9. Floral Print: I'm really unsure about this one. I don't know if floral print is me. Mostly because it reminds me so much of wallpaper. But I've seen a few skirts and shirts that I've considered to be very adorable. Still. I can't help but imagine it in a bathroom.
10. Designer things: It's not wrong for a girl to dream is it?

So that's my list. Whew. Feels good to get that off my chest.

Ode to Stripes

In the time of technology, where new fashion is at our fingertips, it's not necessarily clear what you should be investing in. Fashion IS an important investment (more on that later)so what SHOULD you be buying? And what can you live without? Well no fear - that's exactly what I (don't) get paid to do. So for my first altruistic deed here's one thing you can and should always consider buying: Stripes. Stripes. Stripes. Stripes.

Vertical. Horizontal. Diagonal. On shoes, shirts, pants, tights, scarves, hats...you name it. And let me address the obvious here: Stripes are not a one type buy. It's a print; not a certain object. But it's essential. So absolutely essential.

Stripes are classic and modern at the same time. Think about pinstripes and navy style big blocked stripes - totally classic. But think dark mod stripes or bold multi-colored ones - modern, a throwback to 70s style. Personally I think of a Ralph Lauren/Calvin Klein combination of the two: big mod inspired stripes but with nude, neutral colors. Love it.

Recently, I'm so enamored I've made it a point to wear them all the time! It's easy - I've invested in a pair of flats with blue and white stripes with gold buckles. They were $10 from a JcPenny outlet store. I wear them with EVERYTHING. But stripes go beyond being functional and adorable. They translate to slimming, daring, and bold. Stripes are your in between - are you scared of color? Are you scared of pattern? Try stripes. Go 'safe' and stick with varying shades of black. Feeling not so skinny - stripes are super slimming. Just try it on first and pay attention to fabric! Cotton will be much more forgiving then a jersey material. And finally, stripes are bold. You don't need to invest in studs, metal, shoulder pads, or booties to be on top of the trend here. Stripes can be fun and crazy - I have an amazing shirt that has stripes on a bias on the sleeves from Banana Republic.

So hopefully I've convinced you that stripes are amazing. If nothing else - buy one shirt, jacket, purse that's striped. And tell me after a week you're life's not better (at least in the superficial, vain sense). Bon Shopping!