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!
Timeless Men’s Fashion – A Short Guide
It’s often underestimated how difficult it can be to get men’s fashion right. Fewer men than women go out on a limb when selecting their outfits and there tends to be a far smaller selection on offer to men in high-street stores. While it might be harder for men to clad themselves with fashionable trends, this doesn’t mean that they need to resign themselves to dressing without style.
Many of the best-dressed men seen in the media get their trendy reputation not for going out on a limb, but for their tasteful selection of subtle outfits and their ability to match colors and accessories expertly. Here, we explore a number of timeless classics which allow men to stand out from the crowd without taking too many risks.
Footwear:
As a result of the simplistic nature of menswear, well-dressed males tend to rely quite heavily on shoes. A great pair of shoes can top off an otherwise nondescript outfit. Finding the right footwear is all about measuring the cut, material and color of an outfit and filling in the gaps with precision.
Timeless shoes for men are formal looking and, again, subtle. Think high quality. Shoes (especially dress shoes) that are too cheap are easily spotted and can take the ‘class’ out of an otherwise ‘classy’. A little heel is often a nice touch of timelessness but should never be overdone – more than two inches is, well, girly!
Jeans:
Any list of timeless men’s clothing would be incomplete without mentioning denim jeans. Simple though it might seem – and common, too – denim has become a fundamental part of men’s fashion. Needless to say, jeans can be worn well and they can be worn badly.
Generally speaking, unusual cuts of jeans are not timeless. Flares, for example, are most certainly not timeless. However boot and straight-leg cuts are. A well-fitting pair of mens jeans can complement any outfit.
Tuxedos:
It may not be every day that men get the chance to don a tux…but that doesn’t stop it from being a timeless addition to fashion. Men have been wearing tuxedos for more than 100 years, and they have stuck around for good reason.
Few men are unfortunate enough not to look good in a tux. As with most things, the fit is the key to a good tuxedo. Cuts will vary with taste, and are largely irrelevant to the world of fashion. A well-fitted suit is perhaps the most stylish option out there for men.
I Spy…Window Displays
Department store windows get the most attention during the holidays, but we see some wonderful window art pop up at other times of the year. For people who shop at brick and mortars, visual displays is the best way to advertise new products. Here are some of the best recent store window visuals.
Anthropolgie
Club Monoco
Harrod’s
Henri Bendel’s
Hugo Boss
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton
Macy’s
Pull and Bear
Selfridges
Tangerine Tango – a state of mind
It’s June (halfway done with 2012 – gasp!) but as summer approaches Pantone’s color of the year Tangerine Tango continues to inspire.
Maybe it’s my wanderlust and affinity for mid century modern style, or simply that market researchers have successfully affected my consumer behavior. Regardless, I am starting to believe Tangerine Tango is not just a color of the moment but also a way to be.
Check out these examples from fashion to beauty to interiors for a year-round energy boost.
I love this ladylike cardigan in a tangerine hue, which punches up the whole look, and the pairing with a sporty watch and sartorial shades.
I am perpetually on the hunt for a beautiful black pleated lady-like skirt, but now I’m totally rethinking my approach. Tangerine raises the flirty factor of this classic A-line pleated skirt. Paired with a lacy creamy motorcycle jacket and tee – the colors, textures, and pattern are balanced and bold.
Try this shade and take your nails from spring to carefree summer. I love this color on toes, too!
Any one of these tangerine pieces can perk up your daily routine. Organize documents with a fun and cheeky attitude to boot.
Energize your home with touches of tangerine. This deeply saturated hue pairs nicely with neutrals like gray, white, or gold. It also complements other strong hues like turquoise or plays up soft shades of lavender.
This sunny reddish orange color with yellow undertones encourages optimism and courage. And there’s no time like the present for this fun energetic state of mind.
Accessories with a Little Sun
Spread a little bit more sunshine this summer with brightly colored accessories that are anything but mellow.
Lime Martini shoes by Joanne Stoker.
Digital Fish Square Silk Scarf by Yaelle.
Tile Flourish in Tangerine & Burlap Tote by Made By Nanna.
CW Rosa Tiger Clutch by Carmen Woods.
Wardrobe inspiration from the streets
I’m a little stuck in a wardrobe rut. I have my basic v-neck shirts, cardigans, skinny denim, and ankle boots on constant rotation. Considering that I have a ton of clothes in my closet that are overlooked everyday – going out and buying a whole new wardrobe is completely out of the question (as exciting as it may seem).
Instead, I have looked to some of my favorite personal style bloggers and street style blogs for some wardrobe inspiration – hoping that I can create some fresh looking outfits, using what’s already in my closet.
Here are some inspiring looks that are easy to recreate using pieces I already own:
This is such an easy summer look – I love the mix of girly paired with a tough biker jacket – looks laidback, but still on trend.
This is a great way to ease into the monochromatic look of the season – basic and simple, but looks polished.
A pop of color is nice (especially during the summer months). This look is dressy but also playful – a perfect outfit for a Birthday celebration.
I love this entire look. Nothing too complicated – just a good coat, skinny denim and a sweet pair of ankle boots – classic, and very cool.
I am a stripe junkie – I love the mix of the animal print with bold stripes – this is a perfect look for a fun weekend.
*Photos via Stockholm Street Style, Face Hunter, Song of Style and Sincerely Jules
Inspirare Fashion Design Contest Wraps up 5/31
Be the fashion designer to launch the new INSPIRARE shop! Inspirare is on the lookout for a standout women’s wear design which will be the first style to be manufactured, promoted and sold exclusively on Inspirare.com.
Designers, start drawing, draping, designing and get your entries uploaded to Inspirare to be in the running to win. Submission deadline is May 31, 2012. Hurry! Time is running out!
Here’s an overview of what can be won!
1st Place – awarded to the best design
- Designer will receive amassed publicity and a generous 20% royalty from each unit of their design sold.
- The winner will also have the choice of a trip to San Francisco OR $1600 to spend at the ultimate online luxury fashion destination, Net-A-Porter or other retailers.
2nd Place – awarded to five runner ups
- $500 to spend at the ultimate online luxury fashion destination, Net-A-Porter or other retailers upon request and approval by Inspirare – OR a choice of an iPad, iPhone or an Android phone.
- 2nd place styles will also be shortlisted for possible manufacture and sale in future production runs. Check Designer Agreement on the website for royalty payments and promotion details.
3rd Place – awarded to 24 designers
- $100 to spend at the ultimate online luxury fashion destination, Net-A-Porter or other retailers upon request and approval by Inspirare.
Also, check out my interview with Inspirare’s CEO Sean Peng here.
Happy 75th Anniversary Golden Gate Bridge
The Tutu Project – check out all of Bob Carey’s self portraits – a man and his pink tutu, raising money for women with Breast Cancer.
And such a great photo to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of one of the most recognizable structures in the world!
Style Bust’s guide to a stylish summer
I absolutely love the summer months, but they seem to fly by. It’s hard to pack in; weekend traveling, BBQ’s, music festivals, weddings, birthdays (you get the picture) – into only three very short months.
To make life a little easier, I’ve created a few looks that will hopefully inspire you when getting ready for all of your Summer festivities.
The carefree months of summer are the perfect time to play around with pattern mixing and trying out new bold colors. If you’re not quite ready to dive right into that fuchsia dress, try accessorizing with the color – there are some great bold colored shoes and handbags for Summer 2012. Try mixing some current trends (like the peplum trend) with your more basic/classic pieces – it’ll create a nonchalant look, perfect for this Summer!