The Sweater Coat: Vince

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Update your outerwear with a chunky knit sweater coat. The Vince Honeycomb Knit Cardigan is a perfect piece for Fall/Winter. This versatile knit can be worn under heavy coats in cold weather or on it’s own in mild weather. A reliable piece that can make any outfit more wearable.

The draping on this sweater coat falls beautifully. For an effortless and flawless look, pair with a slim pant and bootie. Like the picture, add different textures like leather that pair nicely with the honeycomb pattern. If you need a little glitz and glamour – add a jeweled broach.

Keep cozy this winter in a stylish sweater coat.

Distressed Denim: Rag & Bone The Skinny Jean

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The Skinny Jean by Rag & Bone combines an effortlessly casual style with a hint of sophistication. The distressed detail on these jeans is very subtle and wearable. Placed perfectly at the knees, they are incredibly comfortable and have just the right amount of “give.”

These jeans marry well with just about anything – from oversized knits and boots to beaded blazers and pumps. While distressed denim is an easy DIY project, (How To – HERE) brands like Rag and Bone have taken the time to perfect placement, size and amout of distress in their pieces. The jeans will never look sloppy or overdone. Wear and tear your denim this season with Rag & Bone – The Skinny Jean.

Utilitarian Style: The Transport Rucksack by Madewell

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Functional and fashionable, the backpack is making a comeback. Unlike the “mini backpack” trend of the early 90’s, today’s modern knapsack has more weight and structure.

The Transport Rucksack by Madewell has a traditional, utilitarian style with simple gold details. Durable and lightweight, this backpack is perfect for travel, school or simple daytime activities. Carry all of your essentials effortlessly, hands and hassel-free.

The English Saddle color makes this a practical choice for everyday. The softly worn leather will only get better with time. These items look best with a little wear and tear.

Backpacks are most known and worn for their function rather than aethestic. However, with modern options and designs that serve both purposes –  the backpack is now more wearable than ever.

Colorblocking: Eyes/Lips

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Layering bright eye shadows, liners and lipsticks can result in a fun makeup look that’s right on trend for the season. Just like colorblocking clothes, there are a myriad of possibilities one can create with makeup as well.

There’s a much-heralded rule in beauty that if you do a bold eye, the rest of your makeup should be neutral. With colorblocking, this rule does not necessarily apply. The bright colors will play off each other and make your features pop.

Throw all traditional “rules” out the window and be creative. A lot of these looks are used in editorial or runway features, to make it wearable stick to only two areas of the face, i.e. eyes/lips, cheeks/lips. Tone down the colors and heavy-handed application for a sheer wash of color. This will create a more modern and everyday look.

Fashion & Function: Bleulab Reversible Denim

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Having a hard time committing to new denim trends? Try reversible. Bleulab has created a new breed of denim that is the perfect combination of fashion and function.

Bleulab’s founder and inventor Carl Jones discovered a double-faced fabric during a trip to China in 2009 and brought it back to the U.S. to begin testing various washes and treatments. The jeans’ design uses a double-headed tack button and a reversible zipper with five pockets featured on either side to achieve two distinctive looks per pair.

Built for today’s woman “an adventurer who is constantly in motion” the styles are named with that in mind: shortcut, paved, curve, rotate, detour and interhoodie.

Great for travel, reversible jeans mean more suitcase space and spending money. These jeans will take you from day-to-night with “superman-like” abilities. And lastly, I love how one is able to dive into a new trend (i.e. colored denim, coated denim, printed denim) without bellyflopping. The reversible side is always a neutral more mainstream style, wearable for years.

Double your outfit options with Bleulab.

Spring Forecast: Fashion Trends

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From electric neons to practical pastels, Spring 2012 Fashion Week hosted colorful and wearable fashion trends. From New York to Milan, there were many noticeable patterns and trends from the designers collections.

Shocking Neons and Electric Brights were glowing at Nanette Lepore. Though we have seen this trend before, Spring 2012 viewed a more feminine nature rather than an 80’s interpretation.

Animal Prints and Tribal Patterns were let loose at Michael Kors. A trend that re-invents itself every spring, this season it looks like a lot more texture has been added. A wealth of beading, metal and wood embellish the prints.

Bold Floral Prints sprouted up at J.Crew. Floral prints in Spring…Shocking! However, this season the prints are stronger/bolder and less “pretty.” Bright colors and loud patterns engulf entire outfits, i.e pant suits and jumpers.

Pretty Pastels speckled the runway at 3.1 Phillip Lim. This was the most obvious trend for the season. Washes of lavender, spearmint and blush flooded the runways. A pastel palette in Spring is a charming bouquet of chic and feminine style.

Iconic Bag: Proenza Schouler PS1 Satchel

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Proenza Schouler PS1

Proenza Schouler’s signature bag is the iconic PS1 Satchel. Branded as a classic satchel that embodies a sense of wearable luxury, this bag is stylish and functional.

The soft dove gray PS1 is my pick but is available in a multitude of colors and textures. The detachable shoulder strap provides numerous style options, messenger bag, shoulder bag or tote. The satchel has different compartments and pockets, perfect for everyday-use and a brass postman’s lock on the front that provides rustic detail and security.

The PS1 is a bag that can be worn for an entire lifetime.