New Styles in Fashion

Everyone loves being in ‘the know’ on all things fashion, right? Read Style Bust’s fashion posts to find out what we see happening in the fashion industry from multiple viewpoints. We have ten guest bloggers dedicated to bringing our readers that latest fashion news from different parts of the globe!

Ready to wear

It’s not that often that you’ll find me shopping online at Forever 21 (or online anywhere for that matter).  I’m the type of person that needs to see and touch items in order to buy them.  But recently I saw this girl wearing the perfect gray pumps and asked where she got them…she said, “Forever21.com!”  From where I was standing…these shoes looked expensive (I actually thought they were YSL) and I was shocked that I can actually afford them!

Forever 21 Suede Pump $24.80

Forever 21 (online) has a pretty amazing collection of shoes…but the photos don’t really do them justice.  Their photos makes the shoes look cheap (which they are), but if you wear these inexpensive shoes with something a little more “high end,” you can create the perfect look without spending a fortune!

Here are a few examples of shoes from Forever 21 that resemble some of my favorite Spring and Fall 2010 runway looks.

Look #1

Vixen Studded Boots $30.80

To achieve this look from Jason Wu’s Fall 2010 runway show, pair a boxy blazer with cigarette pants or a full skirt and wear lace up booties.

Look #2

Sabiya Lace Boot $32.80

To get a look similar to Elie Saab’s Fall 2010 runway look, pair lace booties with an all black cocktail dress…the lace boots makes this a fun/flirty look!

Look #3

Biker Babe Clogs $24.80

Since Chanel’s Spring 2010 runway show, we’ve been seeing clogs everywhere.  I’m not sure how long this “clog” trend will stick around, but I think it’s worth buying a pair of inexpensive clogs to wear with a girlie summer dress or flare-legged denim for a casual Fall look.

Look#4

Mafia Patchwork Bootie $29.80

To get this Baroque ‘n’ Roll look  from Balmain’s Fall 2010 runway, pair skinny denim with a t-shirt and sequin jacket and don’t forget the Patchwork Bootie!

I love pairing high-end with low-end items.  I think buying inexpensive shoes and splurging on jackets and accessories is the way to go.  Shoes go out of style more often, so why spend hundreds of dollars on a pair that you might only wear for 6 months?

As far as online shopping goes, I’m still hesitant…but I’ll definitely be back to check out Forever 21’s selection of shoes!  Does anyone know if their shoes run true to size?


Diesel Black Gold Video Featuring Menswear Collection

Diesel Black Gold released this video of their menswear collection which features the music of UK electro-indie rock band These New Puritans. Diesel Black Gold’s video features male models exuding that detached coolness they’re probably born with while lazing in a white room where the ghost of a woman wanders around as well in like a parallel white room universe. Original, yes; over the top, come on – it’s Diesel.

I’m anxious to see how much publicity this little video gives the Italian brand.

Hey, trendy young professional….what are YOU wearing to work??

Dressing in the workplace – what to wear, what to wear? This is a question a lot of young woman have about looking professionally stylish and not drab pant-suit boring every work day. I notice sometimes when I jazz up my outfits some of my older co-workers give the glare stare like I’m some clueless youngster who doesn’t dress “appropriately” to work. But, what is “appropriate” anyway?  And, how can I be my artsy self but still look like a business woman amongst the naysayers? I do consider myself a trendy professional just trying to stay hip and feel good being who I am even in the sometimes stylishly challenged office environment.

What I’ve picked up in my career so far is that we always tend to dress like our superiors. If they dress casual in khakis then we do also. Sometimes we stay neutral so we fit in but what’s the cost when we lose how we really want to present ourselves?  I’m not talking about wearing that satin mini you wore out last Saturday night although, that’s a different look that probably makes you feel yourself. But, there’s a time and a place and the office is definitely not a mini, five-inch heels kind of place. I’m talking about you being your professional, beautiful, unique self 40+ hours a week.   Young 20 and 30 somethings need to transition themselves into classy fashionistas who yes, can do the work but also look great doing it in any career field. How does a young professional trendy girl like yourself get ideas on how to own your own style at work?  Here’s a few ideas that might help before stepping foot into a store. Get the ideas first, then go out and find something similar.

I visit Polyvore frequently to get ideas on what’s trendy this season and what looks great in a variety of styles. Oh, and you can see where to purchase the item too, love that! But, it is a fun site to visit when you have a free moment during the day to gather some ideas and create your looks.

Anthropologie is my guilty pleasure store but I know when I’m going there, I’m finding unique pieces to add to my clothing collection. I agree that it’s all a little pricey but, don’t be afraid to allow yourself a splurge every once in awhile cuz, you deserve it girl!

Here’s a few ideas I found would work perfectly in an office setting. You might not want to mix the orange with the green sweater but still great separates.

Comfortable, yet classic and trendy!

Flats can be comfy but stylish as well. These are great when you’re on your feet most of the day.

Beautiful Bags

Here at Style Bust we’re pretty obsessed with handbags.  We’ve written about the PS1 Weekender Bag, Prada tote bags, and the Coach Blogger design edition bags.  It’s about time we’ve written about the versatile, chic, exotic, Mochila bag.  You’ll see women bringing back these woven bags from their Colombian travels and you you’ll also spot these bags on the beaches of South Hampton!  For those of you not familiar with this bag, the mochila is the traditional woven bag indigenous to the women of South American countries.

traditional mochila bag These bags sustain their villages’ economy by handmaking these pieces and selling them to local vendors.  Each bag takes 40 hours to make.  And all designs and color choices are unique.

Back in November 2009, the Mochila Project was conceived.  Designers such as VeraWang, Oscar de la Renta and Proenza Schouler participated in the project.  Each designer was given a traditional mochila bag and asked to rework it in their own style!  The results were embellished with fur, snakeskin, crystals…you name it…these designers got creative!

Missoni Mochila BagMissoni

Calvin Klein MochilaCalvin Klein

Oscar de la Renta MochilaOscar de la Renta

Proenza Schouler Mochila BagProenza Schouler

The entire mochila bag collection is on display in Miami…and later will be auctioned off at a charity event in Miami.

But for us that cannot afford the designer mochila…next time you’re in South America or Mexico, be sure to get yourself one of these bags!  They’re great for travel, you’ll help support a community of women and mochila bags are the perfect summer accessory (and I’m sure we’ll be seeing similar styles this fall)!

Unconventional Body Objects by Phuong Thuy Nguyen

The Unconventional Body Objects collection by Phuong Thuy Nguyen is pretty amazing. Phuong Thuy hand knitted the unique shapes that might look awkward and comfortable at the same time. I’m curious to know how the shape hold up, and why other knitters aren’t making similar pieces – its a great concept…and I’d love to have a hand knitted shawl/shell to throw on when I’m feeling chilly.



Chris Benz’ Resort 2011

For Chris Benz’ Resort 2011 Collection, Benz ditches his NYC stomping grounds to re-imagine life in ’50s in Los Angeles. This collection was inspired by the Californian mid-century sculptor Sascha Brastoff, a very elegant, Los Anageles woman of the time. The designs consist of vintage inspired Hollywood glam dresses in ivory and black, tweed jackets, perfectly fit blazers, delicately draped organza tops, long flowing dresses, pleated pants, shorts ad a very great textile necklace.

The Collection in its entirety looks more thrown together than most Resort Collections – I have a hard time understanding the theme and at times I feel the inspiration doesn’t show through in the outfits. The pieces on their own are nice, but nothing extraordinary has happened with this Resort Collection.





Summer Shorts Can Be Sexy

 

Tap Shorts

Summer’s here and we bet you can’t wait to get some sun on your legs; however, you may be thinking, “I’m a little bored with jean shorts.”  Don’t fret, there are other options– try some tap shorts!  They’re fetching, light-weight, and can be dressed up or down effortlessly.  While they were originally used for dance or as an undergarment, they are now worn as outerwear, and come in silk, cotton, lace, etc.  Who knew lingerie could be so versatile?

For a daytime, casual look, try them with a white camisole and a jean jacket or cardigan, and for a nighttime and more sophisticated look, sport them with a blazer, black tights, and some Mary Jane heels.  Whichever you choose, you’ll look chic– these shorts are the perfect balance of sexy and simple.

Chloe Shorts, Shopbop.com $295

Chloe tap shorts

Empire State Bottoms, Anthropologie.com $38

Anthropologie shorts

Feeling Dirty

I’ve seen enough!  This season is all about short shorts and apparently it’s the year of “crotch shots!”  I feel dirty looking at fashion photographs in magazines and online editorials of models with their legs wide open…wearing the tiniest of bottoms and smoking a cigarette.  I mean, who in the “real world” actually sits like this?  But, that’s what makes them models…they can get away with awkward poses and tiny shorts!

I think the only way this “pose” might be considered appropriate would be in your brothers secret stash of dirty magazines!  Not in a fashion magazine, where the models are wearing $1000 shoes (that you hardly notice)!


If the designer and photographer were hoping to get our attention by shocking us with a detailed photo of the groin…they have made their point!  But for us in the real world, remember…this look isn’t flattering!  So, close those legs and keep it classy!

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