Hey sweethearts! I know this here blog's been severely inactive, and that's absolutely unforgivable but please find it in your hearts to forgive us anyway - on top of crazy schedules the last few weeks, Nisha and I are going through a sort of blog-related identity crisis, so cryptic as that sounds, that's the reason for our cyber-absence. More on that later, when we figure out where TCW and we are headed, but for now here's some quick fashion!

Net-a-porter, I know, is not exactly financially accessible for most of us. But I love their Magazine pages to help me get right on top of the biggest trends.

One of their latest and greatest features is their low-down on dresses - from the A Line to the Sack, you're going to Dress to Impress! It's a great resource to get you completely informed and help you figure out which style you like best or will like your body best. Next step, head to forever21.com, urbanoutfitters.com, anthropologie.com (in decreasing order of affordability) and shop, shop, shop!

On a slightly unrelated note, wedges + metallic = this gorgeous Gucci dream. I want!

And don't forget to take the Coutorture survey on the left, you guys! It's going to be a HUGE help to the network!

Labels: dresses, trends

Purple's a difficult colour to wear, but I absolutely love it. I definitely have a weakness for red - you're probably aware of that by now. And either one of them mixed up with a little bit of black = So, So passionate, modern, regal, sexy. I adore it.

Ad Campaigns:

Miu Miu. The Lindsay Lohan doll-face edition. Not a huge fan of Ms LiLo, but the wild shopaholic teenager in me (only a teenager for 2 more months! omg.) occasionally feels a kinship to her craziness. And these ads are pretty damn special.

There's a Prada ad as well, which is very strongly red-black-purple but I've been searching for a picture online for days and I just haven't been able to find one. Maybe when I get back to Chicago I'll just scan it in from Vogue. If someone knows which one I'm talking about and has a picture available, please post a link in the comments!

S/S'07 Runways:
YSL, Gucci, Narciso Rodriguez

Celebrities:
Zooey Deschanel and Keri Russell at Sundance - these are good examples of combining these colours in a more subtle, wearable manner. I like Zooey's quirky green boots, even if they totally clash with the rest of the colours. It's a dark enough green that she's able to pull it off.

And then there's this handbag by Gucci - available for pre-order at Bergdorf Goodman. It's not a bag I'm dying to own, but there's something very unabashedly stylish about the bold colours and the shape. I kind of like it. What do you think?
Just today I picked up the a purple and white dress from the Proenza Schouler collection for Target - it's not purple and black but I just wanted to inform you that I'm pulling some purple into my wardrobe and so should you!

Labels: 2007, colors, spring/summer, trends

This is one of my favourite colours in the world, and it's popping up all over the runway and the red carpet. In another post I'll find you a bunch of cute clothes in this fabulous colour, but for now check out some great suggestions by the girls at Omiru!

Labels: trends

Between reading every fashion blog and publication I come in contact with and serial-shopping my way through Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, I have come to the conclusion that I am obsessed with all things houndstooth. This classic, clean print doesn't have to be stiff and boring--it can be easily dressed up or down with the right accessories for a fresh, original look, no matter what your price range is. It's a look that is fabulously retro and mod at the same time. Just a couple weeks ago I purchased these fantastic houndstooth flats for only $15:

The key to wearing houndstooth right is to play down the rest of your outfit and let the houndstooth print take center stage if wearing a large piece such as a coat, sweater, or dress. More options for every budget:

Skirt, Isaac Mizrahi for Target, a mere $10. target.com

Coat, Bloomingdale's, $139. bloomingdales. com

Scarf, Marks & Spencer, £18.00, marksandspencer.com

Labels: style obsession, trends

And now, after several months of avid people-watching ("fashion-watching," as I heard it called on some other blog), my absolute favorite trends of '06 as seen on college campuses everywhere. And at the end, a few thoughts on trendiness vs. style.

1. Skinny jeans: This one is almost certainly a love-it-or-hate-it item. I lean far to the love-it side, because I adore how these jeans look when worn properly. I know skinny jeans are not forgiving to many body types, which is understandably unfair and the reason why so many fashionistas despise these. But seriously, don't you think they just look so chic and smart?

2. Big Belts: According to writers at thestylephile.com (who also agree with me that Crocs must die!--see earlier post), "A waist is a terrible thing to waste. Get one in patent, satin, or leather to add some cinch to your figure. Do not wear it low slung on your hips. Only female cops are allowed in invest in holsters. " I couldn't agree more, and I loved seeing girls wearing big belts everywhere. If you haven't jumped on this trend yet, there's still plenty of time--big belts are sticking around in 07.

3. Pashminas. I saw a lot of cool scarves, but pashminas (real or not) are suddenly everywhere on my campus at least. I love love love them. I only have a couple but if I could I'd grab up a few more in different colors!

Sadly, those were the only few items in college fashion that I truly loved in 2006. In this post from Style Tribes, the author describes how college is filled with girls who mindlessly copy trends they see in magazines or on Rachel Zoe clones and wear head-to-toe Urban Outfitters or Forever21. Style doesn't have to be about following every single trend just because it's cool (uggs, leggings, crocs...) but rather, about wearing what looks good on you and fits your individual taste and personality. It is rare to see real people (as opposed to celebrities) take fashion risks and wear anything out of the ordinary; most of us just follow trends rather than making them. I read the most interesting post on The Ivy that stated basically this same thing. We don't all have to dress the same and follow the crowd! Dress how you feel and how you look best--don't just be a slave to trends in 2007!

Labels: 2006, 2007, college fashion, top 5 list, trends