Hello Spring

Spring.

Images of rain-flecked grass, crisp skies, mornings that smell like  flowers, eating ice cream and soaking in sunlight  come vividly to mind. Thinking of Spring, I also think of clothing.

For this upcoming season,I’m thinking of cool colors,crisp fabrics, loose hairstyles and of course dresses.

For Spring I want clothes I can run around and play in and that means loose and blowsy styles.

Photo Credit: Eryn Brinie

Many have been on the fence about the “wearability” of these pants.Yet I think they look endlessly comfortable.

Photo Credit: Forever 21

I want to put on this dress, find a sun-drenched meadow and take a nap in it.

Photo Credit: Urban Outfitters

Makes me think of sipping pink lemonade on a patio.

Floral fatigue

The official first day of Spring may not be till April, but I’ve already seen an excess of floral prints in stores and magazines.

And I can’t stand it.

Every arrival of the spring fashion season brings the exact same formula:  florals, bright colors, thin fabrics, shorts and denim. It’s obviously boring and I wonder if the designers simply cut and copy from past collections. There are really only so many ways to put flowers on dresses.

Shoe withdrawals

Due to my current unfortunate financial situation, I haven’t bought shoes in what feels like years. Like the original fashionista that I am, my one major Achilles heel is shoes. Whether they be Pumps, flats, sandals, leather, suede, red, brown, green, I adore them. Shoes are like works of art I can wear on my feet and admire all day. I just made the mistake of looking at DSW.com and found several pairs of shoes that have my mouth watering.

BCBG cut out ankle booties

I don’t just want these, I need these.

Carlos Santana Twist Reptile Platform

I don’t know about you, but I’m not tired of reptile yet.

Sam & Libby Elliance pump

Adorable, yet the cutout makes it’s slyly sexy.

MAZSTUDIO Xpert leather Peep Toe Bootie

I am this close to dropping next week’s paycheck on these babies;they’d go with everything.

Dressing well falls to the wayside

I never thought that dressing well would go out of style, but looking around at where I go to school and public places like the grocery store, I think it has.

Looking around me in my 9 o’clock biology class I see stringy hair, actual pajamas, dirty sandals and old t-shirts. Now yes, this is the morning and it’s college, but I’ve always taken pride in my appearance. How you dress is honestly the first impression everyone gets from you, whether it’s intended or not. that’s why I always make an effort to coordinate colors, shoes and also, shower. I never know who I may run into.

When I spend my money on clothes, I like them to at least look new.

But, I don’t make an effort simple for other people. I do it for myself. I enjoy matching up my cream-colored heels with my green dress; it’s like art for me,but instead of using paints, I’m using fabrics.

I don’t mean to insult those who don’t take time like I do, because my life or situation is certainly different. I just do have a problem when your body odor is seconds away from destroying me and the economics handout I’m trying to comprehend.

Photo credit: Tavana Valley campus

If I had the resources, I’d burn all the hoodies in the world.

It makes me long for the days when it was considered rude not to look your best. Like the early 21st century ( 20′s, 30′s, 40′s….) when women and men always looked stylish and slick.People had hair meticulously groomed, faces made up, shoes tied and lipstick applied. Alas, I do not live in those decades and would miss my modern amenities anyways. I like to pretend to though, just for the sake of my appearance.

This may not be a polite society anymore, but at least I can dress like it is.

A recession-proof place

In the last year I’ve seen the recession permeate almost every industry, business, home and person.  It’s taken many joys away and added a harsher reality to people’s lives. However, I haven’t seen the fashion world and its inhabitants greatly affected.

New York Fashion week as well as Scottsdale Fashion week staunchly ignored the recession, judging by the  glittering fabrics and furs.

photo credit: Calvin Klein, Carolina Herrera

Even further along the pyramid, the buyers seem resolute to keep on shopping. Every time I walked into a mall or store, I still see all these lingering hands and adoring eyes as women and girls hunted for that one dress or that one pair of heels.

This contrast to the dreary proclamations of the television news-that people had no money or hope, was startling.

Yes, things have been difficult but it hasn’t stopped our desire for beautiful things. Cynics may call it the “American Epidemic of Consumerism” (A proper noun because these cynics are very serious and dull), but I call it the American Search for Improvement (A proper noun because I say so). This American value doesn’t just apply to social issues or public policy. We want to be better and we want it now. What’s wrong with that? What’s wrong with it applying to something like what we dress ourselves in? What we dress ourselves in is a powerful statement to the world. Our clothes encompass so much of ourselves. We reveal it all in a nanosecond every morning we choose the silk dress that makes us swagger over the grocery shopping jeans.

Photo Credit: 10best

Clothing is a scientific experiment, an art project, a statement. It’s full of psychology and that is why the stores are still full; full of women looking for a suit that when they put it on, for that umpteenth job interview, they put on confidence too.

This is why I love fashion. It’s resilient and encompassing. Because although the bills are still there, when I put on my favorite green dress or the shoes that make me feel like a secret agent, It doesn’t matter. Everything is great because I look great.

Winter of my fashionable discontent

Being a resident of Arizona, I’m not used to cold winters. However, this winter has been some what chillier than those before it and I find myself yearning for those spring days and the clothes that come with them. yet, I can’t detach myself from the luxurious fabrics and styles of the winter season. Therefore, I’ve decided to be bold and forgo the typical spring fashions of florals, bright colors and flimsy fabrics, in exchange for the fall trends I still love.

Suede Everything

I love this material for anything, be it shoes, purses, belts or jackets. It’s enduring, classic and goes with anything.

Steve Madden

I will always love plum-colored platform heels.

Theda

I love the yellow, the suede and the design. I do not love the price.

Asos

Alright, so this is only imitation suede, but with those adorably superfluous tassels, who can blame me?

Watches.

With my mediocre time-management skills, I would have never thought I’d love having a watch on my wrist reminding of the time I don’t have. But yet I have come down with watch- loving mania. I love the classic chic-ness of a watch. I love all the history behind them and the slight masculinity of them.My little twist on wearing a watch though is to turn into a bracelet and layer it with other bangles.

Urban Outfitters

I really like how this is half bracelet, half watch.

Anne Klein

As refreshing as a tart glass of lemonade.

Modcloth

Sleek and versatile; a lovely addition to any girl’s wrist.

Long sleeve mini dresses

Although I never liked the eighties, I do love this byproduct. Long sleeve dresses have this invigorating twist of the eighties and forties.

Asos

Yes!

Shopbop

A dress as sweet  as a berry flavored Popsicle.

There you have it kids, the clothes and things I love and will continue to love throughout the spring.

Next week: fashion and the recession

Anna Sui Arrives at Target

Anna Sui’s most recent collection arrived in Target stores on September 13 and is already being plucked off the racks like so many ripe fruit. Taking inspiration from Sui’s favorite show, “Gossip Girl,” the collection is infused with Sui’s signature bohemian flair.

Sui created a look for each female character of the cast: Serena, Blair, Jenny and Vanessa. However, I have to say the clothes all have a more Sui-like bohemian kick rather than being imbued with the new york spirit. The clothes still charm however with exotic prints, intriguing fabrics and fun shapes.

Anna Sui’s more high end lines have captured my fancy though. You can see them at her website or at the website ShopStyle. ( an all inclusive online store I’ll feature in the next post).

$39.99

$24.99

$59.99

$69.99

(Photo Credits: Target)

the clothes are higher priced than some of the other featured designers Target has had, but Anna Sui is a more well-known designer. you can be assured that clothing is well made and even if you can only afford one piece, it’ll last a long time. High end clothes are almost an investment.

Make that $10 dress look like a $100 dress

Sometimes there is nothing more lovely than buying a silk dress that cost your weeks worth of groceries, or a pair of leather shoes that cost you your rent. But sometimes we have to push those desires to the side and spend our rent money at more affordable places. To make that burden easier to carry I’ve listed some tests I use whenever I have to huff on over to the thrift stores.

Don’t buy inexpensive clothes in bright colors

The fabric and dye used are already cheap and a bright garish color will only draw attention the fact. Try and buy only rich, deep colors; a rich color makes the piece look rich.

Garish colors: Anything neon, lime, pink, yellow, teal, and so on.

Rich colors: Plum, black, indigo, forest green, cream, grey, etc.

As always there are exceptions to the rule, so if you like it go ahead and buy it.

Check the stitching and thread

If you’re buying an inexpensive piece, look over the stitching. Make sure it’s tight, small stitches. If there are any loose threads, go ahead and lightly tug it; some pieces just have extra stitches that can be removed without harm, but if it unravels other stitches, ditch it.

Make sure it fits you well

The way a piece of clothing fits you can completely make or break how you look. Many experienced shoppers will know when a piece of clothing fits right; it will feel comfortable and look good. For those who are unsure, ask these questions:

For jeans:

Is the material gaping when you sit down in the back?                                                                                                                                    Do the jeans rest right on your hips comfortably?                                                                                                                                               Does it make your Behind look fantastic?                                                                                                                                                         Also don’t forget the shrink factor. When you wash your jeans, they will shrink, so buy the size accordingly. Basically if it looks good, feels good, buy the jeans.

For dresses:

Does the length coordinate with your height? If a dress falls at the knee or just about the knee, that’s ideal, but if it ends awkwardly at your calf, skip it.                                                                                                                                                                                      Is there gaping underneath the armpits? If there is, it doesn’t fit right.

Choose a better fabric

Try and always buy cotton. It’s natural, sturdy and makes the piece look better. Polyester is also a suitable material as it is usually combined with natural fibers and may be more wrinkle-resistant. A fabric I can’t stand though is rayon. To my eye it looks fake, cheap and feels the same way.

Don’t be a lazy shopper. Examine the piece of clothing, move around it and see how it feels on your body. Ask yourself the Golden Three: Is it Durable? Is it Versatile? Is it Affordable?  If the clothing doesn’t meet at least two of these criteria, I won’t buy it. Remember it’s your money, so spend it wisely.

The Fall 10

Although where I am writing from ( Scottsdale Arizona) it is 114 degrees out, I’m already lusting after this Fall’s fashion prospects. As the heat waves soar on, so does my desire for crisp mornings and even crisper tweed jackets and silky scarves to contrast them. So to those of us suffering in hotter climates, let’s pretend its an ideal October day…

Ten things I’ll be wearing this Fall

1.  Jacket

Photo Credit: Spiegel

2.  White Shirt

Photo Credit: Old Navy

3.  Trouser

Photo Credit: Nordstom

4. Silk scarves

Photo Credit: Top Shop

5. Sheath dress

Photo Credit: Newport News

6. Bangles

Photo Credit: Torrid

7. Skinny belts

Photo Credit: Anne Taylor

8. Cowl neck sweaters

Photo Credit: Old Navy

9. Neutral-colored outerwear

Photo Credit: Forever 21

10. T-strap heels

Photo Credit: Victoria Secret

LIFEwithBIRD clothing line

LIFEwithBIRD is a beautiful clothing line created by the Australian pair Nicholas Van Messner and Bridget McCall. They know how to effortlessly drape a dress as well as make another with perfect structure. If I had the money, I’d buy almost every piece.

Photo Credits: LIFEwithBIRD