Business: The New Casual

 

While looking at some past and present clothing trends -and the upcoming ones for Spring 2013 -I see that casual wear has been redefined. Maybe it's young people's clothing maturing or if stores and designers are pushing the trend, but it's becoming obvious that the tight graphic tee shirts and ripped jeans are no longer what defines cool but causal". When I traveled to Europe two years ago, one of the first things I noticed was how to tell a tourist from a local. If they were wearing shorts with a word across the bottom, tight tee shirts, or ripped jeans, they were most definitely an American. To prevent such a mix up -because not many people who are tourists want to be noted as being a tourist -I dressed how I would for special occasions back home: pretty blouses, flowy tank tops, light weight cardigans, and dark denim.

As is always the case, the trends of Europe eventually trickle down to the department stores of the US, and for this fall, it's becoming obvious that the put together look is what is in. The set and clothing above -all from InDressMe -resembles what someone might wear to a job interview. The clean cut blazer, the embellished ankle booties, and the large briefcase satchel all seem like the equation of woman trying to balance the seemingly impossible in the workplace: trendy - trashy + head turner - disapproving looks from someone your mother's age. 

This raises a question: if casual is being redefined, does that mean that business casual will also be affected? Will the looks that are worn in offices ever resemble that of what is worn on the streets, or even what's  trending in the magazines? For now, maybe not. But there's still time. After all, it took six months for the trends I bought in France to come to the states.

Boot Up for Fall

This set, so unlike the elaborate ones that I typically post on here, is what I made to go along with a newspaper article I wrote for my college. I was given the task of writing up trends that I saw around campus. I hadn't realized until I was actually observing people how difficult this would be, espcially on a small college campus. Girls typically throw on some yoga pants and a sweatshirt and call it a day. Those who don't are often times have their own indiviual style that is not main stream or are still wearing the trends from last spring.

Fortunately, I persevered and saw that one thing that was going to make an inevitable appearance this fall were boots. With all of the different boot trends that were introduced by designers for the fall 2012 season, I concentrated on just three.

The first one -and my personal favorite -are the lace up heeled boots. I like the shoe mostly because of its versatility. Though some from the front resemble combat boots, the heeled aspect gives it a more stylish touch. The platform versions with chunky heels that are in department stores remind me of a pair my older sister used to own a few years ago. By the time she moved out and left behind some of her stuff, I thought they were odd looking, seeming to just throw a sneaker and a heel together to make something only mildly coherent. Though I'm still not a fan of the chunky heel, I do think the stilleto versions give an outfit a sleek add on.

Knowing that me going on in 300 words about how much I love heels (and completely capable of running in them to my next class) was not going to be relatable to a college audience, I shifted to two other trends that were alternatives to the lace up heels. The first were combat boots. During the summer, I scowered eBay for a decent pair of Doc Martens that I could get my hands on. Though the $100-250 pricetag is well worth it -a woman I work with has had hers for 20 years, and they have hardly any visible wear and tear -my budget was not allowing me to partake in such expenditures. I found some over at Marshall's, and am satisfied with them (for the moment).

One other trend I came across was the biker boot, which I was not familar  with prior to this assignment. I knew they were out there, but did not realize they were a trend until I was comparing notes from Vogue's 55 Boots to Buy Now feature and store websites. They remind me of equestrian boots, except more... hardcore. I love the studded Christian Louboutin ones I featured in the set, and wish I could get my hands on a pair. I'll probably be on eBay this week to grab myself a pair.

Timeless Romance

This set was inspired by an answer I posted to Polyvore about what pieces are needed to achieve the soft, feminine. Although my answer was voted the best, I did come up with dresses, skirts, and blouses that helped show the romantic trend. In my opinion, the look itself is timeless; the only differences through the years are what particular pieces are used for the look. During Summer 2012, pastel colored high-low skirts, bustiers, and sheet blouses are readily available in stores to get the look. Bow accented shoes and bags paired gold jewelry complete the romantic look for the modern girl.

Basking in the Sun

I love the look featured in the pictures in this set. Although it's not a nautical themed outfit to go with the background images involved, it reminds me of enjoying the last of the bright days and hazy nights of summer. As the warm weather comes to a close, it's nice to bask in the sun and appreciate it for a moment before it is gone.

Of any of the pieces that I would like to own, it would have to be the pleated skirt. I've always loved pleats since I was in kindergarten (I blame it entirely on attending private schools for the majority of my life). I loved getting a new jumper and feeling the structured pleats that I knew would never last long because of the daily wear and tare children go through with their outfits. The bubblegum pink in the skirt also reminds me of youth, and how most every girl at some point has every shade of fuchsia, magenta, and neon pink in their drawers.

The Transition: Summer to Fall '12

While I was shopping this past week, I came to the (unfortunate) conclusion that the summer fashion season will be drawing to an end in just over a month. Although I'm not ready to get rid of my high-low tanks and wedges, I also know that transitioning into a new season can be difficult without 1) wearing trends that reached their peak of popularity three months ago.

This set is inspired by the sort of look I want once I return to college in fall. Graphic and patterned sweaters were a hit at the Fall 2012 fashion week, and I'm eager to get my hands on some once the temperature cools down. The studded peter pan collar tops are hitting mall stores like H&M, and the collars themselves are growing in popularity over on Etsy. They're a great addition to an outfit that just needs a little something extra.

Rolled up boyfriend jeans are a great transition piece, especially for college students. Their slouchy feel makes them comfortable to go to class in while taking a break from the usual yoga pants and leggings. I love the Lucky messenger bag featured in the set because it has the look and feel of a nice satchel while still maintaining a book bag function. The shoes are somewhat reminiscent of the past summer months with their open cutouts but have an Oxford shape that makes them fall appropriate.

This set maybe the first of a few looks I plan on doing for the fall.

Monochrome

Feeling inspired by Vogue's website today, I set out to try at least one of the trends that I came across on the site. As usual, I got sidetracked and created something completely different.

That's one of the greatest things about putting together an outfit, in my opinion. Whether it be in your own closet or at the mall, you try to put together the latest trends and stylish ensembles displayed in magazines and the media. And yet, as much as you want to become like the models you see, you still itch to go forth with something different. Sometimes it still resembles what you originally intended; others, it's a creation that is all your own. Either way, the outfit is something you put together.

I somehow found myself making a monochromatic outfit. Although I've done this before, I always find that I have to put the pop of color into it; the bright fuchia handbag, the turquoise heels, the yellow bangle. But this time, I was able to follow through, and I like the outcome of it.

To me, it's an outfit I imagine myself wearing on the way to work, a Starbucks coffee in hand as I try and make it to the office on time. The striped skirt is the most eye catching piece, but is toned down enough by the solid blazer and briefcase to prevent it from being overbearing. Hopefully in the future, I'll be in a situation where looking trendy at the office is a must.

Girl on Fire

I admire people who take chances with fashion. Not just the ones who go completely out there and sometimes over my head - Lady Gaga comes to mind -but the people who wear something that you know if someone else were to put it on, it just wouldn't work. Kristen's fire red dress worn at the Cosmopolis premiere of the Cannes Film Festival reminded me of this concept. In the past, there have been celebrities who have shown a tad bit too much skin while wearing a gown, nearly to the point where you feel embarrassed for them (Am I the only one who still remembers J. Lo's green wrap dress at the Grammys?). In the past, Stewart has often walked this line. In mid May, Kristen wore a nearly transparent black dress to the world premiere of her movie Snow White and the Huntsman.

The thing about this dress I admire more so than the one worn at the SWATH premiere is the complete allure to it. Though the plunging neckline is the most eye catching attribute to it, it isn't the only reason why it was turning heads at the premiere. The lace back draws the eyes to the softer side of the gown. The rouge tint to her lips gives her a glamorous, classic Hollywood feel. And though the shade of the dress is in the same color family as the carpet she poses on, Stewart's dress makes it apparent that she has no plans on staying in the background.