Red Dress Series

Red Dress Series
Marketa Sivek

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

I wanted to make sure that you all knew that the best "Hat" events are coming up in back to back weekends! 

Hat Event #1 - The Royal Wedding.  
I mean seriously, what is more fun than watching the fashions - not so much the clothes, (other than the obvious, what will the Bride be wearing...) but the Hats are what draw me in.  So I figured why not partake as well...on Friday April 29th, 8:00a CST I will be wearing my black facinator hat to work knowing full well I will be the only one...and likely the only one on the bus too.  I'm going to withstand the looks & laughs so that I can fell like I'm part of something larger than myself - even if I'm thousands of miles away (and a little late).  Ladies if you have a hat, where it - they are so chic!

Hat Event #2 - The Kentucky Derby. 
I have already gotten my wonderful cream, wide brimmed hat w/feathers and again I'm ready to rock the classic tradition of hats for this long established event.  My hat, sundress and cocktail - ah, Spring will have most definitely arrived at that moment.

Why don't we wear more hats ladies? I mean it saves us from doing our hair, it so very Feminine.  Something to ponder...until then wear them if you've got them! 

Monday, April 18, 2011

Spring Fashion 2011

Spring is technically here, (I say technically because its still cold here in Chicago and no flowers to speak of…) and I hope you guys are ready because I loving the fashion for Spring 2011! Now, I’m a practical woman and I recognize that I may not be able to pull of all these looks, but you know me, I’m sure as Hell gonna try!

So let’s begin…below are the popularly identified Women’s Spring 2011 Clothing Trends…


The Sheer Maxi Dress

They say that each season things (i.e. trends) evolve and merge…kinda like my thighs. This Spring they are introducing a new take on an old staple which personally I think is perfect for any and every woman regardless of body type, height and age! The Maxi dress is going sheer people - - now don’t freak out, you just may need to layer a little more than normal, but think of it this way, you can now feel free to show off that fabulous lingerie you’ve been hiding all winter long!


Lace Clothing

These days lace has been transformed – its no longer your mother’s or even your grandmother’s old lady clothing…it too has evolved and is transcending seasons. Now its more about the antique-style lace and less the stretchy stuff. To “pull this off”, and that’s exactly what you’re going to feel like – you’ll be pulling off a feat like no other…they recommend that you go with a wider net, unique pattern and a sturdy fabric (quite sturdy if its supposed to hold my rolls and folds). Wearing something like this means you are wearing the dress, not the other way around…, try it without a slip, if you’re so bold…(and I mean you better be bold!)


Crochet & Macrame

 I love this look, very 70s/Bohemian and its super crafty for those of us (Mom) that can actually Crochet…(I was supposed to learn over Christmas but alas the time got away from me, now I’m kicking myself cause I’m sure in the few days that I had I could have learned to make a dress or two). I love to be crafty but they don’t want the homemade crafty feel for this style, instead they say its all about intricacy, quality and luxury edge…(I could have had all 3, I’m just saying)

You’re probably going, how much different is this to lace…well not far from it. Crochet is delicate, but not so delicate as to be lace. There now you’re in the know! Both Macrame and Crochet are good this year as the whole 70s revival is going on this Spring/Summer so it’s a perfect accompaniment. You’ll see these in earthy tones, browns, oranges, creams and white…to sum it up – “Overall the aesthetic is still luxurious with a modern sense of refinement” (did you get all that?)

Tassels




Don’t call it a comeback! ...but it is, it’s the return of luxury trimmings…you were wondering when those were going to come back weren’t you! (said w/sarcasm) You’ve all heard the saying “its in the details” well now its this detail that is changing the look and feel of clothing and accessories. The tassel is a trimming that is said to signify luxury and at times the…wait for it…exotic.

There are some great things out there for you to try and I hope you get the opportunity to…this is also easy to execute on your own…find an old purse, head to the craft store and see if you can bring your old whatever into the new & now.


Bell Bottoms


With skinny pants (I’m going to admit, this was not my favorite look…and definitely not on a guy) no longer making a statement it was inevitable that a different style would emerge as a trend. It didn't necessarily have to be this one, but with the come back of all things 1970s it was inevitable that fashion forward people (like yourselves) would turn to bell bottoms / flared pants as their style of choice. And the short answer is: yes, (unfortunately) skinny jeans are still in fashion. Flared jeans and flared trousers are back for both men and women for as a spring 2011 fashion trend; bell bottoms and flared jeans for are all about a neo-1970s style that has the following elements:


1.) A hem that is at least as wide as your foot
2.) Loose at the knee


Wide leg pants


Alongside the flares are wide leg pants and jeans. What is the difference between the two, and how should they be styled in 2011?


1.) With heels. Flats will simply never complete the look as well as heels will; (ha for all my friends that give me a hard time for wearing my heels…here is a case you HAVE to wear them!!) the exception is if you're carrying off a very masculine look with man-style flats.
2.) With a slim-fitting top to balance out the volume on the bottom half. A soft, billowing blouse can also work well but is best broken up with a waist-cinching belt.
3.) With utter 70s glamour: wide-leg trouser, platforms and a big floppy hat. ( I have a big floppy hat now I know I can wear it for more than just the beach!)
4.) Female dandy style - look to vintage icons like Katharine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich for inspiration.
5.) With 40s pin-up girl flair, by pairing some wide-legged sailor pants with nautical


A final, mandatory note about wide-legs, be they jeans, trousers or a draping palazzo: all of these styles work best of taller frames. If you're short in the legs try a pair of skinny cropped pants or ones with a subtle flare paired with heels stripes and espadrilles.


Capri pants


For every trend exists its opposite. So as spring 2011's fashion trends allow us to welcome flares back into our wardrobes, so too does it allow for an opposite style (, in the form of capri pants, to make a showing. Click the link to find out about the styles of capris that are in in spring 2011, and what other trends to wear them with. For spring 2011 the slim-cut, though not necessarily skin tight, cropped pant gets a look in as one of those alternatives, with the option to create a number of different looks out of the style. The ladylike 50s/60s fashion trend is largely at the core of the capri pant revival. Think capris with ballet shoes or kitten heels, and a tie-front shirt. Another vintage take is to pair some nautical stripes and espadrilles, pin-up style. Cropped pants don't have to be pigeonholed to vintage looks, There are several different cuts to the capri pant in 2011:
• Pants that are cropped only ever so slightly, to sit just above the ankle.
• More traditional capri pants cut three-quarter, cut just below the calf than ones that are mid-calf.
• Slim-cut pants that are rolled up to sit above the ankle (a great alternative if you want to give a fresh take to some of your skinnies rather than invest in specifically cropped pairs).


Tail hems: dresses longer at the back
They've been seen as an alternative to the summer mini skirt or maxi dress, and for spring / summer 2011 'tail hems' continue their reign as the more interesting alternative to both. Shirttail hem, tapered hem, cutaway hem... skirts and dresses cut longer at the back are continuing to make their way forward. Tail hems fill the void between mini and midi; or between midi and maxi. They cover, yet they expose. And they're a simple way to freshen up your spring 2011 wardrobe with a new type of cut.


Stripes


Spring 2011 sees stripes with an unsurprising nautical dominance - but it's a dominance inspired by other key Spring 2011 fashion trends. In 2011, it's the classic navy and white color palette, worn as dominant stripes



Jumpsuits & Playsuits
They're something of a yo yo trend: one season they're in, the next season they're out. They're back again, reinterpreted to fuse in many of the season's other fashion trends.



The cutesy playsuits and rompers were a summer must-have. Well, as fashion would dictate it, one-piece anythings are back in style; from overalls to jumpsuits, to playsuits and rompers. .And for those who are, they can rest assured knowing that any investment pieces, particularly statement playsuits, will be a worthy investment. Just be sure to note, denim overalls from the 80’s is NOT part of this trend!


Ways to wear this trend:
1.) Evening: a new take on relaxed glamour
2.) Tailored: smart and sophisticated, a tailored playsuit can be office-ready as well as dressed up for day or night. Look for crisper fabrics, cuffed shorts, and cinched in waists
3.) Loose and flowing: a dash of hippy - working best when combined with soft floral prints. Fabrics should be free-flowing, legs wide and long.
4.) Sporty: hoods and zips to simple cotton jersey fabrics.
5.) Basic: while some designers have gone for prints and intricate detailing. A more versatile wardrobe staple, go for black, white or nude colors and simple straight cuts


How to wear jumpsuits & playsuits - Here are some more general tips and ideas of how to wear the trend:
• Curves or a pear-shaped - try for a halter jumpsuit or playsuit, belted in firmly at the waist, for a bombshell silhouette.
• For night time opt for luxurious fabrics like silks; details like sequins or sheer panels; or leather for an edgier look.
• If you go for a basic block-color piece, the options are practically endless. Try a cropped jacket in a contrasting color; bold statement jewelry; any variety of belts or ties; or some out there add-ons like removable shoulder epaulettes, badges, chains, or interesting layer
• Another way to wear the jumpsuit is with an exotic feel: to work this style look for billowing harem-style pants with gathered-in ankles.


Crop tops





It was 2009 that we last focused on this look as a trend, and back then it certainly wasn't a trend for the whole year. This is very much a high-summer 2011 look, one great for the hottest of weather and party atmospheres, such as festivals.


As a 2011 fashion trend the crop top is not just about exposing one's whole stomach, but about finding elegant new ways of showing a peep of toned midriff. Yes there's the crop top of the grunge-revival. Yes there's the crop top of the sportswear-as-daywear trend. But there's also the crop top as a sophisticated, refined piece that some will embrace as a look not to be feared.