Black and White

image courtesy from Google images


SPRING TREND #7: BLACK AND WHITE

This trend is not just black and white clothing, but specifically a black print on a white background. You often see it in the reverse, but having white as the main color keeps the look light for spring/summer. Find a geometric or graphic black on white print and you're even more on trend. Geometric prints offer a mod outlook to your appearance. This is a perfect sister trend to the brights I mentioned earlier.

Wear a black and white outfit with a bright shoe to pump up the volume of your "glamness". :) Or, wear a printed spring jacket overtop a dress like in the picture below. This is a great color combo: black and white with lemon/lime. This image is from thelimited.com and the graphic trench prices at $148.

graphic plaid blouse $49.50 - express.com

polka dot georgette blouse $29 - newport-news.com

Spring Trends Continued...

image courtesy of Google images



SPRING TREND #6: PLAID PRINTS

The 6th trend I'd like to mention is plaid and checker prints. They are all over the place and I've found one at an LA store here that I can't wait to buy! Wear your plaid shirts open with a tee underneath or button closed, with leggings or skinny jeans. Want to style it up a bit more? Belt the waist and rock it with killer heels. It can be a casual look too worn with ballet flats/boots. Depending on the type of plaid or checker pattern you could look rocker chic or country cool. This print isn't only used on shirts either. Wear a plaid dress, shoes, or shorts.

Try a girlier version like this shirt below from the Victoria's Secret catalog. It'll help you feel less like a lumberjack. :P Plus, it's two trends in one: ruffles and plaid! :)

ruffle front plaid shirt on sale for $28 from $48 - victoriassecret.com





plaid checker print tunic $28.80 - gojane.com

blue plaid ballet flat "Moby" $20 by Soda - lulus.com (also available in pink/orange)

Femininity At Its Best

image courtesy of Google images.


SPRING TREND #5: RUFFLES

The next trend I'd like to talk about, and am excited to talk about, is RUFFLES. My style tends to lean towards girly-sophisticate looks, so this trend is right up my alley. Ruffles ooze soft, feminine elegance. They instantly make you feel pretty and fancy. They are mostly seen along necklines, but, as you can see below, they are also on skirts, sleeves, shoes, and bags. This trend can also be easily combined with some other trends for spring such a brights, florals, and plaids (which I'll talk about in my next post). Large cocktail rings and/or sparkly, oversized chandelier earrings are a great way to accessorize this look. You can wear ruffles to work, or for a night out on the town!

tiered ruffle skirt - $24.99 at target.com

Simply Vera- Vera Wang for Kohl's $39.99 (on sale from $58) at kohls.com

ruffle sandal in grape (also available in black and fuschia) - $11.10 at gojane.com

A look for less!

So I just came across a great find! In the last post, I posted an example of a flat gladiator with stud embellishment from Steve Madden. If the $60 price tag is too much for you, here's a knock-off of the same exact shoe for a fraction of the price at $14.60! Go online to www.gojane.com to buy.

Thought I'd pass it along. :) It comes in white, black, and taupe. I like the taupe one. :)

Global Bazaar

SPRING TREND #4: GLOBAL INFLUENCE

Global inspirations are back from last Spring/Summer, just a little more expanded. The term "global" encompasses many ethnic influences from around the world. The biggest ones being seen in fashion are Bohemian, Bollywood (thank you Slumdog Millionaire for helping this trend spread!), Tribal, and Safari.


To wear this trend find clothing with animal prints, an Ikat print (a dying process- examples shown above), earth tones, embroidery, and beading. Accessories include anything made of natural materials such as wood, bone, shells, leather (I prefer faux- just say no to cruelty to animals!), coral stones, and turquoise.

For shoes, the gladiator style is still around this spring and would fall into this trend. Many gladiators are now being embellished using studs and stones. Python print is also popular. The gladiators below are a perfect example of this.

Sam Edelman for $139 at victoriassecret.com

Steve Madden "Booggle" sandal $59.95 at nordstrom.com

Don't like all the extra embellishments on your shoes? I like these simple gladiator type shoes below from Nine West. They are $89, have a platform front, and a wooden heel. Shoes with LOTS of straps are also in style. A criss-cross weave pattern (aka huaraches) is great for the global trend.

Enzo Angiolini "Drive" $88.95 at zappos.com (available in other colors)

Wear with a skirt like this from lulus.com for $37!

Top off the outfit with these filigree earrings from Charlotte Russe for only $4.00!


all other images above from Google images.

Winkspot Newsflash!

Just a few notes for all our readers, to bring you up to speed:

I wanted to point out how dead-on Megan is- you can see all the top color trends in her trend posts about jewelry, prints, everything. Also, it's very easy for us to talk about fashion and say "bright yellow is a trend," and "stacked bangles are hot right now," and sometimes it's harder to put things together in real life. We'll be showing you ways to translate the trends to your own wardrobe in upcoming posts. One tip: If you're not sure about a trend, skip it, or try it in a small dose- like these floral hairclips ($2.50) and bright scarves from Forever 21.The best advice is use your imagination, don't buy into a trend that you just don't like, and always let your clothing say something about you. For example, moccasins became trendy again recently, and they're still going pretty strong- I think they're cute on other girls, but they're not me- they don't suit my personality. On the other hand, yellow and coral? Totally trends I've been waiting my whole life for. (OK, just since the last time they were super hot).

We'll be more specific about what items we're loving at buy one for you and one for your best friend prices soon, but keep your eyes open for the trends we're mentioning. And do a little people watching! It's a great way to see what trends are happening, how people are wearing them, and even how people are wearing them badly (aka, whose style to emulate and whose to skip!). If you're a shopper, keep your eyes peeled- and do quick walk throughs of stores like Old Navy, Target, and Forever 21- there are lots of great deals to be found! If you're a really good shopper, try flea markets for fun costume jewelry and secondhand or vintage shops for broken in jeans, leather goods, even dresses and tops.

Floral Dress,

OldNavy.com, $15

Yellow Mossimo Shorts,

Target.com, $10

Another tidbit that can be a big money saver: your Triple A card! Yup- not only can being a member of good old AAA help you out when your car breaks down on the highway and save you money when you're traveling, it can get you discounts in some stores! Based on the information on http://www.aaa.com/, you can save about 10%-15% at stores like New York and Co., Payless Shoes, and Target.com- just by showing your card or using a coupon code at checkout. Also check into the discounts available at your local outlet mall- AAA is all over that. How cool is that?

Take Time to Stop and Smell the Flowers.

SPRING TREND #3: FLORALS

This spring's floral trend can been seen on everything from spring coats, dresses and tops, to shoes and handbags. Floral prints are shown in your typical floral and botanical colors, but with a little more saturation to brighten the hues. This also overlaps with the bright colors trend I talked about in the previous post (you’ll see a lot of crossover of trends this season). In addition to florals, botanical prints are also part of this trend. Think celery, jungle green, and acid lime. This all again goes exactly with the colors post Lindsay talked with us about! Pair this trend with chunky sandals (we’ll get into specific shoe trends later), or a belted cardigan.







This print is often printed on a lot of fluttery, airy fabrics like chiffon and georgette (which is one of the fabric trends of this season). The dress below is an example of a floral print on a chiffon with a ruffled texture at the neckline.





Vera Bradley is a great designer for floral print bags. I love her bags and own the one on the right! They are quilted, which means they are lighter and won't break your shoulder!




















all images courtesy of Google images

Welcome to Electric Avenue

SPRING TREND #2: BRIGHT COLORS

Believe it or not, those neon colors from the 80’s and early 90's are back, whether you want them to be or not! This trend is also known as "candy colors". Think colors you see in skittles and starburst. To make it look chic and not like you're stuck in the 80's again, be sure to wear one punch of color (such as skirts, shoes, jackets, or handbags) and wear it with neutrals. Wearing more than one of these bright hues together could be potentially painful to the eye. The second image with the bright yellow skirt below is also an example of the super lemon color Lindsay discussed in her color story. Notice that it’s paired with a neutral shirt, and paired the look with the oversized jewelry trend. Stacked bangles!

image courtesy of victoriassecret.com

If you think pairing a bright/neon with a neutral such as black, beige, or ivory is too dull for you, pair a color like bright lemon with pale lavender, soft rose, dark plum, or slate gray.




other images courtesy of Google images.

Spring Fever! 2009 Trends

This spring will make it easy to fall in love. New life, sunny skies, and oh yeah, swoon-worthy fashion. This season there is a lot to look forward to. Since there is so much to talk about, and I want to make sure to explain each trend thoroughly, I will be doing a trend a day. So, be patient, and stop by our spot every day to learn the new trend to watch out for! After I showcase each trend, Lindsay and I will be periodically making posts over the next few weeks about where to find these trends at affordable prices and how to put your looks together to make it work!

So sit back, relax, and get ready to be absolutely smitten with this spring's fashion. :)


SPRING TREND #1: OVERSIZED JEWELRY

This means chunky earrings, oversized necklaces (aka bib necklaces), large cocktail rings, and thick bangles. Don't pick all of these and wear them all together or it'll look like a mess! Pick one or two at most, wear it with a simple outfit, and you'll be instantly stylish! A great way to get more wear out of your comfy jeans and cotton tees. ;)

Here's some examples of large cocktail rings. Look for large floral rings, sorbet colored stones, mutli-faceted beaded rings, mod designs, and natural materials like wood, shell, and bone.













Don't be afraid to stack your bangles or cuffs! The more the better!




Bib necklaces have been very popular on the red carpet. To elaborate on what a bib necklace is- it's a large design that usually hits around your collarbone in either layers or tiers that radiate from the neck.



A note about trends in general:
Trends don’t always last long, so be sure you keep in mind what you’ll be getting for your dollar when you buy clothes. If it’s classic and lasts forever, invest in a more expensive piece. If it’s the trend of the season, go to your favorite store and snatch it up! Don’t wait for these types of items to go on sale, because by the time it does, the trend might be already on its way out. So limit which trends you buy into, as this will help you look modern. But, never ever buy a trend just because it’s hot right now if it’s not you! I, for one, am not into the whole fringe trend or colored jeans, so I’m not going to run out and buy a pair of boots with fringe on them or purple denim just because somebody said they’re “in”! Stay true to your personal style- always!!

Stay tuned tomorrow for more spring trends!


all images courtesy of Google Images

The Color Kids: Spring 2009 Color Trends

Remember when neon brights were the coolest thing you could own? How about seafoam green and mauve- together? You've noticed how colors play into trends, but how much thought have you really given it? Luckily for you, you don't need to. There's this company called Pantone, and the people there are sort of the official Color Kids of the industry, and a few times a year, they issue a color trend report for an upcoming season. And believe me- spring '09 came out a WHILE ago. If you think the high design people are ahead of the fashion trends, think again- there are hoardes of forecasters and trendspotters who are always looking for the next thing, what's going to be happening next year, in two years, in five years? But I digress. The point is, these people stay way ahead of the game so that you and I can live at our own pace and take the trends as they show up- which is a lot less costly.

One thing you should know about color is that the trends in color are affected by our moods. Much like when you get up in the morning feeling fantastic and reach for a bright pink cardigan, color trends change with society's outlook. Right now, people are feeling uneasy about the global economy, but with the recent change in U.S. leadership, a lot of people are feeling a new sense of hope. Whether it's hope for the end of the war, a stronger economy, or just hope for a better life in general, people are feeling a bit of optimism- without throwing their caution to the wind. What does that have to do with color? We want to be revitalized this spring- fresh, new takes on color that we haven't seen in a while, colors that don't remind us of the dreary past few months, that cheer us up and brighten our day- but also, we need a rock to hold onto. A good, solid base of neutrals that stand their ground and keep us tied together. Readers, I give you the Pantone Spring '09 Top Ten:

The Optimistic Brights:

-Fuschia Red- an elegant purplish shade- this actually counts as a cool red, so check your color temperature (we'll discuss how to do that soon, promise!) before bedecking yourself in this shade. You’ll see it in everything from t-shirts to nail polish to handbags!

-Salmon Rose- perfect, floral pink with just a hint of orange- perfect with a tan and an almost universally flattering color- can you help but to love it? For bright, springtime contrast, try pairing this with lemon, or tone it down by pairing it with celery green.

-Palace Blue- tropical turquoise, this one pairs well with almost every color in the report and makes a real splash! It makes me think of those few places in the world where you can't see the horizon because the sky and the ocean are the same color. I love these aqua shades of blue, especially in spring and summer! This one will look fantastic with white, so get your self tanner out.

-Lucite Green- pale green-blue. Subtle and clean, this color brings some light and clarity to this group of saturated brights. Someone has to regulate, and this elegant color does it with character and class.

-Super Lemon- the name says it all, and I can’t wait because, I don't want to sound biased, but yellow is one of my favorites! I recently spotted a pair of bright yellow shorts at one of the bargain basements- they'll be mine next week.

-Vibrant Green- a fresh, jungle green, which evokes that spring renewal kind of feel. This one is leafy and cool, and it kind of makes me want a mojito.

Notice anything so far? If you guessed that all of these shades are floral, botanical, natural colors, you're dead-on. My guess is that Megan will have some thoughts on that in her post on Spring Fashion Trends tomorrow! Onward, to our new neutrals...

The Rock Steady Neutrals:

-Dark Citron- sage green, and it's really not very dark as the name implies, almost like a deep celery tone. This is possibly the most serious shade in the report, but it adds a little maturity to and ties together an otherwise bright and cheerful spray of pinks, purples, and citrus shades- a great way to grow up a bright pink top or a pair of yellow shorts.

Lavender- just like the scent of it’s namesake flower, this shade is here to have a soothing effect on us and help us relax and feel hopeful. It looks fantastic with all the amazing greens in the spread-and yes, lavender can be a neutral. The way to wear it? The lavender is toned down so it looks a bit gray, and then you can pop your favorite other colors in with it. You'll see this one in a lot of accessories this season, I think.

Slate Gray- bluish gray, pure and simple. This is as neutral as it gets. Amazing with the hot bright florals- think of a garden with a slate walk.

Rose Dust- Think Salmon Rose and Slate Gray getting together and having a love child. This is anything but your average neutral, and I think it’s refreshing! I'm guessing we'll see this one not only in clothes, but also in makeup.

Noticing anything else, like how purple, green, and blue are still around from the fall? The fall shades were rich, opulent jewel tones, and they're growing up into weathered, washed neutrals and delicious botanical brights. Enjoy this season's garden of fashion Eden, it's going to be fun and bright, but you'll have to wait til Megan's post tomorrow to see how it's all coming together. And later in the week, we're discussing the biggest fashion no-no's- all the things we really hate to see. Don't miss it!

all images courtesy google images.