Posts tagged nautical
Summertime Style: City VS Countryside
Aug 7th
No matter where it is you’re spending your summer, we know you fashioniSTAs are doing it in style! This summer is all about making a statement, while also remaining true to your individuality and personal style. When dressing for your vacation getaway, we are seeing a huge nautical influence on the latest trends. Some of the hottest trends this season are simple patterns with a preppy vibe, think classic Tommy Hilfiger and Tory Burch. When seaside no matter what your style is, you cannot go wrong with a brightly colored Lily Pulitzer ensemble. Whether headed to the ocean or traveling to the countryside, vacation style is all about simple, elegant, and classy.
This summer’s urban style has a much edgier vibe. When it comes to looking your best in the city streets, it is all about making a bold statement. Lots of trends we are seeing this season are pushing boundaries, the streets definitely have an 80’s vibe when they are full of destroyed denim, studs, and leather. What we recommend trying is mixing older trends with newer ones or pairing two totally different items to make a unique look. Next time you decide to wear a floral pattern, add some edge with some leather or destroyed denim! If there is ever a time to try something new and different, it is when strutting down the city sidewalks.
It is hard to ignore how much of a bohemian influence there has been on this summer’s trends. With maxi dresses and cross body bags being two of this summer’s must haves, this summer you can’t resist the catching the bohemian fever. Even if you don’t consider your personal style particularly bohemian, this style is absolutely worth trying, even if just for the comfort factor alone! From crochet and fringe to vintage looking over-sized jewelry, we are loving everything about this style. We recommend you try pairing a floral pattern with an over sized sheer shall to get just the right vibe.
-Catherine, fashioniSTA
(Image credits: pinterest.com, tumblr.com)
Tip-Top Shape: The FashioniSTA Guide to Hats
May 26th
Unless you were one of the three people internationally not at least somewhat following the royal wedding or the Kentucky Derby this year, you’re probably still recovering from headpiece overdose. This is a common ailment this time of year, as a collective group – fashioniSTAs and not – Americans tend to only dip a toe in the head ornamentation pool, stopping just past the point of embellished headbands. But while you may feel awkward at first with something perched atop your head, push yourself past that point, because your outfits are about to get a whole lot more interesting. (Disclaimer: Should you hate attention or cower in the face of fashion, you might not be ready for this.)
Go Derby Pretty Anywhere
The Kentucky Derby is single-handedly the best place to soak up all of what hats have to offer. At an event like this, there really is a perfect hat size. A larger, wide-brimmed option is ideal, the bigger the hat, the thinner you look, it’s science. Going too small makes it look like you’re balancing a potholder on your head (see Brooke Shields at the 2009 event). Keep in mind that the bigger the hat, the smaller you will look. It’s science. So take a cue from this event and break out the heavy head artillery the right way for your next event, whether it’s a backyard party or the social event of the season.
For a look that is streamlined yet envy-worthy, go for a structured-brimmed hat, and with this trend you can really go with any color palette. While louder colors are harder to pull off at normal events (we can’t all attend the Derby), going with the right trim will make your hat read springtime rather than crazytime (see Kate Gosselin’s feather disaster at this year’s event). Keep the added accoutrements to a minimum, and my advice would be to avoid feathers altogether. Nothing says cheap like your hat looking like a bird crashed into it. Go with a soft organza bow or a tasteful group of a couple of flowers in complementary shades so that they blend in with the overall look, and this will also give you the option to try out bolder colors should the mood strike.
Should you want to try this out for a slightly less formal occasion than a society horse race – such as a graduation or garden party – you can definitely make it work. Going with flats and a straw or cork clutch creates a somewhat more casual feel to your ensemble, giving you the opportunity to don your Derby-esque headwear. Just throw on a Lilly Pulitzer sundress and your carefully-selected accessories and you’re good to go!
Want some celebrity inspiration? Look to Miranda Lambert (right), who used the Kentucky Derby as an opportunity to throw the best bachelorette party ever, complete with a cream, wide-brimmed hat with a cream, organza bow. This is a perfect look to emulate for any event that you attend this summer!
Wedding Hats for the Royal in All of Us
Even for those of you who zoned out at the royal wedding, you probably witnessed the outrageous fashion show consisting primarily of extravagant headpieces. While not many of us are receiving invite to aristocratic British weddings, we can still take this trend to the streets. Even if you’re a bolder personality-type, the Princess Beatrice hat route (which sold on eBay for over $30,000) might be too much, but a wide-brimmed, structured hat with subtle embellishment would definitely work.
Choose a single organza flower or bow in a color no more than one shade darker or lighter than the rest of the hat to ensure you don’t take away attention from the bride. Or to incorporate more color, you can go with just a simple, thick ribbon at the base of the hat in a complementary pastel. A light cream or pale yellow hat option is perfect for this type of occasion, just pair with a simple sheath dress to avoid people thinking you’re making a persecuted ‘50s housewife political statement. A fitted cotton or wool crepe dress and matching jacket are the perfect compliments to wearing a hat at a wedding, and if you keep your other accessories to a minimum, you’ll look like you just stepped out of Westminster Abbey.
If you’re not totally comfortable with the full-hat trend, you can always tone it down and go with a large, ornate headband. In fact, at both the royal wedding and the Kentucky Derby, there were several examples of women going simpler on top. Since a headband is definitely more subtle, you can try out feathers, netting, flowers (or all three!) and you won’t end up looking like a circus freak as long as they are somewhat proportionate to your head. While the detail should be statement-making size, make sure that the overall detail height from top to bottom does not exceed the actual size of your head. As long as the rest of your ensemble is simple, you’ll be Blair Waldorf wedding-chic in no time!
You can also get in on this look if you’re the bride and going for a more casual wedding. A wide-brimmed white or ivory structured hat would look great with a complementary-colored cotton dress, perfect for a summer outdoor wedding. Look to Oscar de la Renta’s wedding look from 2009 (right) for inspiration, especially if you’re planning on wearing a shorter hemline on your big day. You can still work this trend with a more traditional dress length, and your hat can always just make an appearance during the reception as a way to further distinguish yourself as the queen of the day.
Summer Sun Hats, Boho to Preppy
The summer weather will be here before we know it (we hope). While I’m usually the last one to put on a hat everyday, this is a great trend to try while on vacation. Go for a big, slightly floppy sun hat and pair with oversized sunglasses for a truly celeb-worthy look, completing the look with a maxi dress and flat sandals. This look is perfect for a day scouring the best getaway shopping, and can easily go from daytime chic to nighttime cool without having to add or change any articles of clothing or accessories. This is key since when you’re on vacation, you want as little time as possible between you and specialty island cocktails. Marc Jacobs (right), the Gap, and Shiraleah all carry great options at every price point, and as always, check out your nearest STA for the best bargain!
If you’re looking for something to incorporate into your everyday weekend look, you can also go with a floppy hat, or try something a little more structured. For that fresh-off-the-Martha’s-Vineyard-ferry look, go with a classic choice from Peter Beaton. Last summer one of our stores was fortunate enough to have a consignor bring in two hats by this designer (new in the box), let’s all keep our fingers crossed for a repeat this summer! Should the natural straw look not float your preppy boat, go with a smaller-brimmed white option with a navy and white striped sash tied around the base of the hat for a new take on the nautical trend.
Remember fashioniSTAs, it’s always best to take a risk with this trend, you can always take the hat off mid-event if the mood strikes!
~Ashley, FashioniSTA
The Long and Shorts of It
Jul 9th
With the warmer weather finally upon us, it’s only a matter of time before summer comes full-swing and pants no longer become a viable option. While skirts and dresses are clear favorites for the summer months, a new contender has blown into town: shorts. This casual summer staple has taken on new superpowers, making it work-appropriate as well as red-carpet-worthy.
Working It Out
Wink Shorts - You'd Never Know They Weren't a Skirt!
No longer just for lazy weekends, shorts are popping up in the most unexpected places. What was strictly a “no-wear zone” has taken a dramatic turn to office-friendly. While I wouldn’t recommend wearing this trend if you work in strict office environment, if you happen to work in a fashion-friendly zone, wearing shorts to work will make your summer approximately a billion times easier. To keep them work-appropriate, stick with variations on the classic short. Go for a pair of knee-length, straight-leg shorts in a dark neutral with a tucked in blousy tank to slim a pear shape, or try out a pair of blousy harem shorts to create curves. Quick tip: harem shorts are a great way to indulge in your Sex and the City 2 movie fashion fantasy without committing to the overly-indulgent harem pants that the stars sported in the movie. However, the shorts version is not for the fashion faint of heart, but if you are a risk-taker, they are a great way to complement a basic tank. Wear with metallic gladiator flats for a true statement outfit.
Another way to rock this trend in the workplace is to go with shorts that almost look like a skirt. These definitely work best in a creative field, but with designers like Diane von Furstenberg and Nanette Lepore paving the way with this trend, consider yourself in good hands. While you can go down the skort route with this option from Marc Jacobs, if you prefer to not revisit the ‘90s just yet, going with a patterned or textured pair is the perfect alternative. Try out the floral pair from Nanette Lepore, or the tiered, ruffled version from Wink. Going with a pattern or a texture will minimize the shorts element and maximize the element of style.
Eveningwear
Tired of your usual jeans and tank combo when you hit the town? Try a pair of short, tailored shorts in a neutral color - like black, white or metallic - to spice up your night out. Opt for a sleek pair from Winter Kate, Alice + Olivia or Theory, paired with one of your usual embellished, loose tanks or a fitted, black button-down. This is the only time that stiletto heels with shorts is permissible, so try out your highest pumps with the first option, or your strappy sandals with the latter. You can also add a cropped, lightweight blazer for cooler nights.
A dark denim short is also a great alternative. This cuffed pair from Joe’s Jeans can easily be paired with metallic flat sandals and a tank for a more casual night out.
Should you be feeling a little Lindsay Lohan crazy, you can try out sequin shorts from Gryphon or Diane von Furstenberg in place of the sequin leggings you wore during the colder months. Clearly not for the faint of heart, you can pair it with a matching sequin top to create the look of a romper, or go for a flowy, black top in a lightweight material that still fits close to your torso. You don’t want to look like you’re wearing sequined board shorts about to hang ten.
Lauren Conrad's Weekend Shorts Look
Weekend Chic
When the work week ends, anything goes on your days off. This is a great time to explore what I think is the greatest trend known to (wo)man: nautical. Play off this trend with a pair of cuffed, denim shorts from Joe’s Jeans or Citizens of Humanity, pairing them with a conductor-striped top and chunky, gold link bracelets or a necklace. Or go with a blue seersucker pattern with a red tank and metallic sandals.
You can also channel your inner Daisy Duke with denim shorts, either cutoffs or cuffed. Pair with a floral top for a hippy vibe, or try out gingham on top for a retro feel to your look.
For extra comfort, try a pair of paper bag-waist shorts. Go for a pair in an earthy neutral to create a safari look. Complete your ensemble with a tank in a complementary neutral and pair with gold accessories and oversized, tortoise shell sunglasses.
No matter where you go, remember that shorts with more spandex than your tights are reserved for biking or in-house lounging only!
~Ashley, fashioniSTA, Second Time Around