Truly Business Casual

Part of it is laid-back and cool, the other is uptight and demanding.  Put the two together and you have a confident, kick-ass look. The combo brings "opposites attract" to a whole new level.

The t-shirt adds what the blazer most often lacks, a punch.  A suit jacket is often just one color with a few buttons and a pocket, which is quite bland.  The addition of the t-shirt gives the outfit color, design, and a more urban feel.

Also, the look is very now and simple.  Anyone can pull it off with their wardrobe basics.  All you need is your day-to-day blazer and your day-to-day t-shirt.  Beyond that, it is not a seasonal look.  It is wearable for winter, spring, and fall.   But it might be a little stuffy for summer.

Blazer and 'T's has always been a popular look with rock stars.  Icon bands such as the Rolling Stones are famous for first putting this look together.  Since then, more modern bands have dawned the look like Anberlin, Muse, and Kaiser Chiefs. 

Also, it has become a favorite look for many celebrities.  Stars enamored with the look include Ashley Olsen, Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Hilton, Taylor Swift, Heidi Klum, and Sandra Bullock.

This look gives an air of effortless style and funk.  It's easy enough to find, personaliz, and pull off.  A blazer and t-shirt is really "business casual".

The Vintage Advantage

“It’s a feminine look with a lot more grace and style than a hoodie sweatshirt and Ugg boots," said Erin Ogg to the New York Times.  Is she talking about this season's newest styles?  No, in fact she is talking about the trends from the 30s, 40s, 50s, and 60s.  The "new vintage".

Too many times, good clothing made today is hard to find.  Clothing from those days doesn't have the same, to put it politely, "evening" look.  It wasn't too short or too tight.  The dresses were additionally made from good material and sewn by expert tailors, not poor workers in a sweatshop somewhere half way across the world.  Additionally, the articles of clothing were simple.  The designers did not go out of their way to make sure that the outfit would stand out, making it much more flattering and not tawdry.

The likes of Celine, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Fendi, Dior and many others declared the classic looks of the '50s and '60s to be "in" last year.  But to quote Coco Chanel, "Fashion passes, style remains."  Even though, one might not open Vogue or Marie Claire and find a vintage outfit, the style is still being worn.

I say style because because vintage clothing from this time period is becoming exceedingly rare.  And even the times when it is found, how could is the condition of an outfit from five decades ago?  It is not the actual vintage clothing people are wearing, they are wearing replicas and designs based on this time period.

Many designers focus solely on this Mad Men-esque style such as Milly, Kate Spade and other boutique workers.  Online stores such as Etsy, Stop Staring!, and EnokiWorld sell clothing with some maodern updates while still being true to former era. 

In the same way a young child never ceases to love her grandmother's clothing from "the olden days", the fashion world will never get over their love for the vintage-style. 

Punk (Not Really)

As 2011 begins, people are beginning to look more towards spring fashions.  One trend highlighted in the collections of Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Marc by Marc Jacobs,  Balmain, and others was the punk- biker aesthetic.

Ironically punk was originally a sign of rebellion against mainstream culture.  It was a look that featured distressed clothing, leather, denim, offensive t-shirts, recycled items, heavy eyeliner, safety pins, and random slogans.  Pioneers in punk included Malcom McLaren and Vivienne Westwood, whose store in London is considered the birthplace of punk.  Perhaps one of the most iconic moments in punk history was in 1975 when Patti Smith's album Horses was released.  The iconic album cover featured Smith wearing a suit, untied tie, slinging a the jacket over her shoulder.  She became known as the "Godmother of Punk". 

But the '80s was when the punk we know today was created.  This is when combat boots, kilts, dirty jeans, chain belts, silk-screened shirts, studs,  and more extreme hair came into play.
But the punk in modern fashion is very different from the origins.  This is mainstream punk, which is not part of the subculture punk.  Mainstream punk is when the people who are the opposite of the punk idea decide that the style, not the idealism, is in style.  But mainstream punk is more politically correct than punk.  One example of mainstream punk is Green Day.  This spring, mainstream punk is "it". 

Chanel punk feels gothic, yet lacks the political rebellion that created the alternative style.Expect safety pins, biker jackets, studded everything, distressed denim, black, boots, dark makeup, buttons, veiled clothing, and kilts.  But it isn't true punk that is in this year, just a cleaned up version.


Headbands

You have 5 minutes until the guests arrive.  Your outfit is looking kind of boring.  You've tried tights, belts, sweaters, but they all looked like too much.  You walk into your bathroom and pull out the headband, girl's best friend.

Headbands can be sophisticated and fun.  They aren't too much, but they will make a difference.  Headbands will be jewelry or compliment pieces you are wearing.  Headbands can match the outfit or bring in a new element.

Headbands came from Greek culture where head wreaths were worn.  The item was soon adopted into Roman and Etruscan culture and were worn on holidays.  In Japan hachimaki headbands symbolize determination.

Personally, I like Jennifer Behr Crystal and Pearl headband.For a more wallet friendly headband, try J. Crew's Jeweled Headband.  (J. Crew always is in on the headband styles.  Try the stores-- the website doesn't always have everything.) 

Headbands are a great addition to every outfit and will mend your bad hair days.

Don't Know What to Do With Leftover Candy?

In the post-Halloween spirit, I would like to celebrate the top five outfits made from candy wrappers or other fun goodies' wrappers.

1. The Candy Bride's Gown

For their 2009 weding, Michelle Rosen and David Zornitsky had a rather unconventional one.  They wed in fashion's own Ralph Lauren's daughter Dylan's Candy Bar.  At the candy themed wedding, the bride wore a gown that had been designed for a Project Runway challenge.

2. There's no M in ballgown, but...

There are more than 1200 in this one.  It took over 600 packages of M&Ms for designer Christina Liedtke to create this dress.  It was displayed at TerraCycle's Greenup! Popup Shop in New York City, along with dozens of other products made of recycled material.

3.Rami Kashou's Eye Candy Dress

For the Project Runway show entitled "Eye Candy", Rami Kashou delivered; and though it was many seasons ago, his designs still continue to impress me everytime there are reruns on.  It was a simple design with an imperial neckline that created a belt for the a-line skirt.  But his use of the wrappers as prints and patterns gave the look dramatic flair.

4.From wrapper to prom ready

A girl who goes by Theperilouspopsicle on the internet created her own prom dress made from Skitlle packages.  It took her 15 hours and 101 wrappers to make the dress, but says it was a hit and "tons of people" noticed.

5.You can have them and still hold the salt

The show at England's Brighton Fashion Week was stolen by Jez Eaton with her collection made of unconventional materials.  This suit, made of Kettle Chips, blew me away.  It is bold in coloring and accesorizing, yet you would think a suit would be simply a suit.