Summer Fashion 2012 - A Season of Brights

I was surprised to notice my last blog was October 2011.   After nearly a year of some disrupting yet not life threatening health issues, I’m thrilled to be back with an opinion on fashion among other things.

In this season of brights, from traditional primary and secondary hues straight from the color wheel to 90’s inspired neon brights featured on handbags, shoes, tops and jeans, all the way to fingers and toes, I was exhausted by color, only a few days after the official start of summer. Beginning with this exceptionally warm spring, punctuated with a trip to Bangkok and Singapore, and the beautiful island of Anguilla, I’ve been sporting hot pink, shorts, kelly green skinny jeans, colorful dresses and even a red & white graphic print jumpsuit since March this year.  It was daring and fun, at first.

For those of you who know me well, I’m most comfortable in my neutrals, and by mid-July, I am struggling not to rush the next season and follow one of my stronger fashion rules, wear what you own.  With a vacation to Maui looming, (don’t hate me cuz I’m crazy, travel fortunate,) I’m begrudgingly packing my brights, one last time.  I’m chomping at the bit to retire the colorful pieces to storage boxes out of sight by mid- August.  I’m even planning my nail color for when I return from vacation:  I long to shift to a natural nail color, Naked by Deborah Lippmann, [check out her website for unique nail polish colors.]

Forgive me Chicago friends, but the south has ruined me.  Once a fan of all things summer, savoring every precious moment, I hate to say, I’m over it.  In Chicago, July and August are the very best, most fun months, and in my past, no matter how hot, well bring it on!  Yet now, ten years in Atlanta, I understand why my husband prefers fall (which formerly made me sad, knowing winter was around the corner. )  It’s been hot here for a long time.  Weekend afternoons are stifling (no water as in lakes or ocean,) and after our morning 6 mile walk, we often sit in.  But I digress, I’m lamenting about summer fashion.

Now I hear many of you fashionistas saying, Cindi, what about white and taupe for summer neutrals, and yes, of course I can go there for my summer palette.  (And yes Heather, we had this conversation a few years ago.)  It’s just that at the onset of the season, I got caught up in the excitement of experimenting with the overwhelming trend.  I tried it, enjoyed some of it for a while, but definitely felt “uncomfortable in my own skin,” in many of my bright fashionable ensembles.  So the moral of the story, not only don’t go overboard with a new trend, but think it through.  Over and over again I tell people, you don’t have to follow every trend.  Dig deep and know what suits your lifestyle and your mood.  The easiest way to test a trend is in a single category.  Maybe it’s a bright handbag or shoe.  Bright jeans paired with white or black.  A neutral hued dress with a pop of colorful print might have longevity over an all over bright print.  And for me, I’m just over it.

It’s no surprise to see colorful ensembles in Hotlanta where the country club set lives in Lily Pulitzer, but it appears that even the formerly black-clad NYC hispters in SoHo, Chelsea and the Meat Packing district have all embraced summer fun with brights, [I was stunned at the array of red, white and/or blue outfits spotted on July 4th,] as well as the rest of the world.

If you love color and thrive wearing it, good for you, because it’s going to stick around.  Paraphrasing a Vogue journalist introducing pre-fall fashion this month:  If you long for cooler temps and returning to your tonal uniform, this fall season is not for you.  Look for lots of bold color (at least toned down to jewel tones for Fall,) and graphic prints to continue popularity throughout 2013.

Asia's Fashion Trends from the Street

Wonder what the people are wearing streets of Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Bangkok? If you believe everything you read in the fashion mags, you'd think high end designer brands are ubiquitous. Not so in the streets of Shanghai, the first stop of our Asia trip. In the bustling east Nanjing Road area just west of the Huangpu River and The Bund, young people dress similar to American urbanites, skinny jeans, ballet flats, and graphic print tees. Shanganiese millenials master the art of mixing prints, plaids, stripes and polka dots. Although I'm hawked on the street, "Lady want designer bags?" young women are not carrying logo laden handbags, authentic or not. With the exception of international brands Zara, Mango, H & M, and Gap, most of the shopping is lower end, local brands. As you cross streets into The Bund, designer luxury shops are abound. Chanel, Prada, Boss, and Armani line the street across the river. The same holds true in newly built mega malls containing all luxury brands, yet few people shopping. At a designer event, people looked fashionable at moderate process points, yet I spot more Prada and Chanel handbags, not unlike events in Atlanta. In the trendier Xintandi area for outdoor lunch, people are dressed a bit more upscale, and there are more westerners that appear to be there on business. Eclectic, trendier fashion is much more prevalent on the streets of Chicago, LA, SF and of course NYC.

I definitely have Asian hair envy. They embrace precision cut hair on both guys and gals, spiky gelled styles or strong bangs and bobs that swing automatically back into place. Overall guys have it for more stylish, hip looks in Shanghai. With jeans, a tee or long sleeve shirts and colorful trainers, that's British for sport shoe, it's easy.

Hong Kong streets ooze mass crowds, a combination of the Las Vegas strip and NYC's 5th Avenue and Times Square on steroids. Young people on the streets now sport an eclectic mix of vivid color, graphic tees, leggings- some patterned some multicolored, skinny jeans, occasionally accented with colored ankle socks or knee highs some paired with sandals, some with ballet flats, and the most common trend, Ray Ban style black frame glasses, mostly clear lenses for function, some no lenses for style, dorky, but in style. Their hair is more unkempt than in Shanghai. A plethora of designer handbags sway down the street, but the craziest phenomena in the TST shopping area - waiting behind velvet ropes to get into stores: Prada, Gucci. Louie, and the line outside Chanel was so long, we wouldn't do it. Sunday morning shoppers queued outside the high end designer shops before opening. Later that day we stood outside Chanel watching the activity inside. The stores were packed, people were shopping in the sense that salespeople were interacting with handbags on the counter. Some left with shopping bags. Mind you the shoppers did not look excessively affluent, and these bags were authentic, selling at full price, easily ranging from $1100 - 2200 and up. At this point, I'm still flabbergasted at the scene. I later learned the Chinese yuan is high against the Hong Kong dollar so shoppers from mainland China save about 20% + 17% sales tax, hence the frenzy. Whew, glad I sorted that out. David was a real trouper as I obsessed about that phenomena for about 36 hours.

So far the global travel tip, and Rachel Zoe agreed in a Ask Rachel segment of Who, What, Wear, skinny jeans or leggings worn with a mid length tunic, layered with a cropped sweater or jacket and ballet flats is it! I imagine in cooler temps, flat ankle or knee high boots will take over.

I had to give some thought about how to describe the fashion from Bangkok. Whether on the streets towards the river or along the upper level walkway making easy access to at least four mega malls that I counted, most of the women wear dresses and skirts because of the sultry, humid 90* temperatures. Here you have more a mix of sandals and ballet flats really seem to be taking over the streets, (note my July blog from NYC.) Along the walkway to the malls the fashion is almost a bit more suburban is the best way to describe it. Colorful or neutral, knee length, full skirted or simple day dresses, young women are a bit more dressed up along the walkway. Another notable difference, despite the humid temps, women wear sleeves, short or three quarter, an over wrap, or modest sleeveless. You don't see the bare, strappy tops as ubiquitous across the US. Interesting. You know how some people shouldn't be baring it all? It's nice. The walk towards the river (and my $15 killer Thai massage, typically $125 in the US,) you see more of the working class, eating from food vendors with wares scarier than. NYC. Many are dressed as you would see in downtown Atlanta, State Street Chicago, and the working class mixed in NYC- simple, conservative, synthetics.

It occurred to me in the Hong Kong airport, because we were flying within the region, not international but with the local people: they are just like us. It sounds simple and trite but if more people realized the Asians move about just like people within the US move across the country, maybe we would have more respect for diversity.

Summer Fashion on the Downtown Streets of New York City

Wonder what’s in fashion on the stylish streets of NYC? As temperatures reach a scorching 90* tank tops with short shorts or flippy skirts, and dresses, some long, mostly short in all shapes and colors prevail. And colors it is! Of course there are a number of black ensembles, but I was surprised how much head to toe white is worn, (I know it’s totally on trend this summer, but in the dirty streets of NYC? You’re blush nail polish is gray in a few days.) Primary brights in bold hues of red, yellow, green and blue are popular as are stripes. Some subtle patterns and tonal hues in beige and tobacco brown look cool and comfortable.

Style definitely matters depending what neighborhood you are in. In the Meat Packing District, where I constantly ask, can everybody be a trustafarian (a.k.a. trust fund heir, ) the guys and gals at Pastis looks like they just rolled out of bed and threw on the nearest shorts and t-shirts. Later in the afternoon, unique artsy pairings of skirts or dresses with chunky sandals step out. Occasionally you spot a well dressed mother and daughter on an afternoon shopping outing. (I was a freshman in High School last time my mother took me shopping.)

On the north side of SoHo, starting at West Broadway women in their summer bright shifts are put together well with designer handbags, stylish flats or wedge heel sandals. On the weekends you can easily spot the Jersey girls as they are overdone with hair, makeup and jewelry. True downtown girls look put together without trying too hard. Make up is minimal and hair is tousled up.

As you venture south past Mercer towards Broadway, the crowds thicken and the variety and casualness of outfits changes. Some unattractive, but you can easily spot a hip, put together scruffy look, especially at 8:30 am when people are scurrying to work. Ballet flats are as ubiquitous as strappy flat sandals with breezy dresses.

Cross LaFayette and you can eat in Balaboosta, one of NoLita’s finest restaurants in shorts, tank tops & flip flops, and that’s women as well as men. I’ve worn more makeup to yoga than I did this afternoon running errands. I looked cute in a royal blue wife-beater, black flippy skirt and multi-colored Havaianas. No jewelry, just lip gloss, hiding behind my sunglasses. No one really pays attention to anyone else. Even at night on the weekends, anything goes downtown. I guess you’re only dressing to impress your friends, your spouse, or most important, yourself! All this being said, it will be a totally different picture next week, uptown at the McQueen exhibit at The Met.

Summer Fashion on the Downtown Streets of New York City

Wonder what’s in fashion on the stylish streets of NYC? As temperatures reach a scorching 90* tank tops with short shorts or flippy skirts, and dresses, some long, mostly short in all shapes and colors prevail. And colors it is! Of course there are a number of black ensembles, but I was surprised how much head to toe white is worn, (I know it’s totally on trend this summer, but in the dirty streets of NYC? You’re blush nail polish is gray in a few days.) Primary brights in bold hues of red, yellow, green and blue are popular as are stripes. Some subtle patterns and tonal hues in beige and tobacco brown look cool and comfortable.

Style definitely matters depending what neighborhood you are in. In the Meat Packing District, where I constantly ask, can everybody be a trustafarian (a.k.a. trust fund heir, ) the guys and gals at Pastis looks like they just rolled out of bed and threw on the nearest shorts and t-shirts. Later in the afternoon, unique artsy pairings of skirts or dresses with chunky sandals step out. Occasionally you spot a well dressed mother and daughter on an afternoon shopping outing. (I was a freshman in High School last time my mother took me shopping.)

On the north side of SoHo, starting at West Broadway women in their summer bright shifts are put together well with designer handbags, stylish flats or wedge heel sandals. On the weekends you can easily spot the Jersey girls as they are overdone with hair, makeup and jewelry. True downtown girls look put together without trying too hard. Make up is minimal and hair is tousled up.

As you venture south past Mercer towards Broadway, the crowds thicken and the variety and casualness of outfits changes. Some unattractive, but you can easily spot a hip, put together scruffy look, especially at 8:30 am when people are scurrying to work. Ballet flats are as ubiquitous as strappy flat sandals with breezy dresses.

Cross LaFayette and you can eat in Balaboosta, one of NoLita’s finest restaurants in shorts, tank tops & flip flops, and that’s women as well as men. I’ve worn more makeup to yoga than I did this afternoon running errands. I looked cute in a royal blue wife-beater, black flippy skirt and multi-colored Havaianas. No jewelry, just lip gloss, hiding behind my sunglasses. No one really pays attention to anyone else. Even at night on the weekends, anything goes downtown. I guess you’re only dressing to impress your friends, your spouse, or most important, yourself! All this being said, it will be a totally different picture next week, uptown at the McQueen exhibit at The Met.

Spring Fashion Trends - what looks good now

Spring is in the air - (sorry Chgo pals who just experienced snow accumulation this week.) Deciphering fashion trends is always a challenge so it’s time to review what’s hot , and I’ll share the trends I’m embracing this season.

First and foremost, I hate to remind you but I will, that it is up to us as individuals to identify trends that suit your body, look, comfort and lifestyle. For Spring 2011, I am replacing black with white or taupey/tan tops and 70’s flare jean or the wide leg trouser jean for a more sophisticated look; topped with a stripe tee is crisp and “smart,” and the look can dabble into the color-blocking craze. I love the look of color blocking, mixing bold bright separates, but for me I opt to use accessories, a bright purple messenger bag or red sandals as a means to express the trend. Honeysuckle (a.k.a. a light version of orange) is ubiquitous as is chartreuse formerly know as a yellow-ish pea green. Teal is also popular and seems to look good on a variety of skin-tones. If you aren’t up for mixing two or three of the brights together, they all pop and look great with white. Viola, you can embrace the color blocking trend in a moderate way. Also, all three colors are really fun in your pedicure (all at once if that’s your thing!) I’m sporting Orly Calypso Blue.

Long and lean silhouettes in the form of casual long dresses or skirts, most likely with flat sandals punctuate day or night. And on the contrary, ladylike full skirts or dresses with full skirts and tapered bodices are most appropriate when you want to step it up a bit with a kitten heel or strappy sandal high heel. It’s an easy time to show off bold pattern or florals, especially in halter dresses and tops as long as you can wear them; I can’t so cie la vie. (But I do have a new flowy sheer blouson top in bright hues of purple, teal and mint green on white, just for fun.) Dolman sleeves are on trend, but you have to have the right shape to pull it off well.

As for any trend, when in doubt, don’t do it. Spring is the perfect time to lighten your load, try something new, or alter your standard look just ever so slightly. Remember, being comfortable in your own skin, (shoes, jeans, etc.) is the most flattering element of style.

Perfecting the No Make-up Make-up Look

For some reason I have found myself in several conversations about perfecting the “No Make-Up” make-up look. Maybe it’s because in mid-February, our skin is long past the aid of any sun-kissed healthy glow.

I start with a a vitamin C topical followed by 20 -30 SPF moisturizer. Everybody knows to use SPF everyday, rain or shine, right? I always wear foundation (with SPF) on my nose covering up lifelong rosacea, as well as under eye concealer. On the eyelid I swipe Trish McEvoy liquid cream eye base from lashes to brow, or a whoosh of eye shadow powder very close to my skin color. I smudge a soft powder, like gray or plum as a liner, careful not to be too obvious and extend too far out from the outer corner of the eye. Depending on where I’m going, I might dab a soft cream blush on the apple of the cheeks; subtle lip gloss and go. My main goal is to avoid mascara, for some friends and many beauty editors, mascara the one and only weapon required. Oh and eyebrows - again, depending on where I am going, I extend my right eyebrow a tiny bit with Anastasia brow powder - it’s a trick I learned from the bartenders at the W Hotel pool bar in Ft Lauderdale: they all had minimal makeup for warm humid days, yet they all had perfect eyebrows making their eyes stand out.

In print it seems like a lot of work, but in reality it’s a fast, simple application that keeps you from looking like death warmed over, and scaring not only your gym or yoga mates, the neighbor you might bump into, but most important, not scaring yourself in the mirror.

Holiday Fashion - Wondering what to wear?

Holiday fashion - What a difference a year makes - well not really for this holiday party season, yawn. The December fashion mags are full of uninspiring looks that ring a bell similar to last year - sequins.

Through a minute of analysis, I can report the main difference between this year’s sequins and last year’s sequins is color. Last year, in addition to a lot of black, merry brights in cobalt blue, emerald green and bright red popped at holiday parties. This year the hues are more tarnished gold or silver black metallics. I did see a skirt by Vince shown with a taupe cashmere sweater that I was tempted to buy, but alas, we have no holiday parties this year. (It sold out fast, then I saw other versions at J Crew, etc. and was quickly over it.) There was a stunning burnished gold sequin dress at Elli Tahari in SoHo, similar to the Nanette Lapore dress I lusted over in Vegas, and then saw a friend wearing - all that was last year. Last weekend a holiday party-gal wore a black sequin cropped jacket, and I’m sorry it looked tacky. At Scoop NYC in the Meat Packing District a small boutique was devoted to sequins and I left shuddering.

So what would I wear given the opportunity this holiday season? A flirty LBD is always smart and sophisticated and doesn’t have to be safe. I’d glam it up with sparkly jewelry be it diamonds, rubies, emeralds or sapphires, real or faux. Another option: a figure flattering dress in jewel tone hues plum, burgundy, evergreen, or the upscale au courant navy, all with metallic bag and shoes. The Christian Louboutin boutique, also in the MPD, had a scrumptious array of sparkling, glittering sky high pumps. A few styles with hard core spikes that surely would be a conversation piece, if you have the nerve. (Btw, I was a bit concerned that Jeffrey’s MPD had severely reduced their women’s shoe department in both selection as well as space, replaced with more clothing and to accommodate a Chanel boutique in the front.)

All this is not to say that sequins aren’t “in.” As was last year, they are ubiquitous at all prices, shapes and sizes. I just think there’s a different way to shine this holiday season. Cheers!