Fashion Blog » Trend Alert

The cape.  It’s a controversial piece of clothing, and many are scared to even consider it, but look how cute this one is from Nordstrom. It’s not frightening at all. The dark colors keep it subtle, and the shape–with the cinched waist–is so flattering.  It looks very professional and put-together with the pencil skirt here, but could also prove its point with some jeans on the weekend.

It’s very Tippy Hedren in The Birds, and how can that be a bad thing?

Nordstrom Wool Cape, $129 (was $189)

The term “comfort clothing” usually brings to mind oversized pieces and unflattering silhouettes, with visions of big, shapeless t-shirts and floppy velour sweatsuits.  But, this season, there’s a new way to be comfy… and chic.  One of my favorite fall/winter trends is the sweater jacket, which offers all the perks of a sweater (the cozy knit hug affect) and all the benefits of a blazer (the tailored, put together affect).

A sweater jacket works the same way a blazer does, so pair one with everything from jeans to dress pants and skirts.  They also add a little something to slim-fitting dresses.

J Crew Merino Alice Sweater, $158

Free People Colonel Sweater Coat, $98

Worthington Sweater Jacket, $49.99

Free People Russian Trapeze Jacket, $148

Graham & Spencer Cashmere Jacket, $429

 Click here to see more sweater jackets.

As Jennifer Garner and Kate Hudson demonstrate, black and white is quite the current trend. The look is especially fresh for nighttime since white is so unexpected after dark. I’m particularly enamored by Jennifer’s Juicy Couture dress with it’s high waisted skirt, detailed with those deliciously large buttons. And those ruffled sleeves! Be still my beating heart. Too bad it goes for $1,900.

Here are some other, more feasible options in high contrast pieces:

Aqua Mod Ponte Shift Dress, $78

Milly Dot Wool Jacquard Colorblock Dress, $356

French Connection Sunrise Sweater Dress, $168

Adding a double breasted coat to your wardrobe is a savvy fashion move since the style brings a touch of polish to most ensembles. I’m especially fond of the shorter varieties with feminine detailing (like the Juicy Couture 3/4 Puffed Sleeve Jacket, $158 above), which take jeans and skirts to a whole new, more put together, level. Also cute is the pairing of a double breasted jacket with tweed or wool shorts or mini skirt with tights and flats. Layer with tees and up the chic factor.

Armani Exchange Crop Double Breasted Jacket, $89.99 (was $120)

Bloomingdales Peacoat Sweater, $64.99

Soia & Kyo Candy Plaid Coat, $315

Urban Outfitters Alpha Cropped Peacoat, $150

Double Breasted Jackets Tip: Always choose your best fit. If there is any pulling across the chest, go up a size because if its too tight, the look is no good.

I’ve always been a fan of the oxford. And even when the rest of world couldn’t see the point of my square-toe Enzo Angiolini stack heeled oxfords, I still wore them with pride. Even after being told they were “very Elaine Benes.” Well, this month I will be putting those little dudes back into rotation with great pride, but this time around they’ll actually be “in fashion” because the lace up oxford is back, baby! Yes!

Here are the one’s currently working their magic on me:

United Colors of Benetton, Calf Leather Lace Ups $129 Could these be any more perfect? I love the vintage look of the leather and can’t help picturing myself wearing them with tights now and then barelegged when the winter to spring transition becomes necessary. These will be mine, oh yes, they will be.

MAXSTUDIO ‘Yess’ Patent Leather Lace Up, $158.95 These are cute, and I like the way they keep the rest of the design subtle to balance out the shine of the patent leather. The toe is what sells me on these babies–it’s got a slight squareness at the tip. These would look brilliant with wide-legged cuffed pants and a frilly blouse to balance things out. They also come in brown suede.

Beautifeel ‘Jennifer’, $230.95 I’m into the extended toe box on this shoe and the little heel. Both make the style delicate and vintage-esque without leaving you feeling like a character in a Victorian novel. The price is pretty steep, but the inside is lined with leather and they’re pretty unique, so they might be worth it.

Frye Adrienne Oxford, $161.95 These are really 70s, which I love. They’re what Thelma on Good Times would wear with an a-line skirt and a turtle neck, and that’s a good thing if you ask em. They’d also really jazz up a monochromatic outfit. Delicioso!

Pictured above: Bally ‘Glania’ Pump, $575 (yeah, i know! But they’re worth looking at for kicks.

Trend #1: I guess we can call what Kimora Lee Simmons and Paula Abdul are doing an act of a-symmetry. Both looks are misses for me, and I really hope this half & half look doesn’t catch on.

Trend #2: Big color, a trend that’s been hanging around for some time now and shows no signs of stopping, was alive and well last night. Plunging necklines, strapless dresses, and rusching and draping were also big hits. Pink is still major, but the shades of blue sported by America Ferrera and Kristen Bell are very refreshing, and Minnie Driver’s yellow gown is luscious:

Trend #3: Hayden Panetierre, Jenna Fischer, Jamie Lynn Sigler and Marcia Cross were victims of Good-in-Theory Dresses. Marcia’s art-deco inspired gown was probably stunning on the hanger, but it could have gone through a few more fittings in the bodice, where it bumps and lumps. Hayden’s gown isn’t the hideous, it’s just wrong for her proportions, giving her the dreaded pregnant-at-the-prom look. Likewise, Jenna is just plain too small for that big dress with the big bow–it’s a pretty dress but it upstages her. And Jamie Lynn’s pink chiffon is just boring–the idea is easy breezy but the result is yawny snorry.

Trend #4: Trumpet Skirts. Ah, the flattering trumpet skirt, great for balancing out a body. Katherine Heigel looks cute as always, and I love Julia Louis Dreyfus in that color, but is it just me or does Debra Messing wear the same dress to every event?

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So, I’ve heard whisperings that the v-neck cardigan is the thang this season.  Personally, I couldn’t be happier since that’s my best sweater cut, and it’s yours too if you’re chesty or if you want to balance out a curvy lower half.  The v, as you may know, is a champ at bringing the eye upward and showing off the clavicle, which is a nice and sculpted spot on most women.

Note: they can be inexplicably hard to get when they’re not “in,” so you may want to follow my lead and stock up while the gettin’s good.  This one from Bloomingdale’s is on sale for $44.99 (was $58.99).  I also bought a great maroon (I’m not sure what color they call it–maybe “cabernet” or something like that to appeal to the yuppies) one from JCrew recently (about $80 and so soft).  The Isaac Mizrahi for Target line also has some this season, but the one I bought is acrylic and not so comfy.

I’m in love with this new trouser silhouette. These Lonan Tailor Trousers from Theory ($250) are seriously my dream pants–I’ve pictured them in my head for about the last decade and now, finally, they are a reality. Straight or flared, wide-leg pants have a put-together look about them, so even if you need a shower or a few more hours sleep, just pull these on and violą, you’re the belle of the ball.

As with any fall wardrobe piece, the key to mastering this pants style is careful tailoring.  In my opinion, wide leg trousers should always be hemmed so that they almost touch the floor.  This ensures a long leg line and an uninterrupted silhouette.  You’ll have legs for days.

The future is now, or at least that’s what I think when I see these Limited Edition Adidas x Robotisthefuture EQT B-Ball sneaks, which debut tomorrow.

Says the Press Release:

“REMIX is the newest collection from adidas. Older silhouettes (think circa 90’s) are given a fresh take with the help of design collaborations with DJ’s, artists, industry folk. … all in the name of fresh looks that are super limited.

The REMIX rollout started in January and was very underground - its steadily building ground and demand and tomorrow continues the trend with the launch of adidas x robotisthefuture EQT B-Ball.”

Well, I love the 90s and C-3po, so…This shoe was made in collaboration with hip hop video makers of ROBOT Films, and they’re described as “a futuristic hightop version of the EQT B-Ball classic.” They’ll set you back $150, but if you like ‘em, you should get ‘em because there are only 500 available in the US of A.

They make me think of that song: “Dance ’til you drop, do the robocop, I like it, I like it.”

UPDATE: Here’s where you can get the shoes:

DROP DATE: Aug 18th, 2007
RETAILERS:
Major in DC
Self Conscious in Chicago
Moe’s in Queens
Friedman’s in Atlanta.
Flight Club and Atmos, - NYC
Packers - NJ
Bodega -Boston.
Friedman’s - Minneapolis, MN
Leaders - Chicago, IL
Burn Rubber - Royal Oak, MI
Pinnacle Sportswear - Detroit, MI
Phenom - Kansas City, MO
Rsoles - St Louis, MO
Next - Cleveland, OH
Motive - Austin, TX
Politics - Lafayette, LA
Shoe Gallery - Miami, FL
Sole Estate - West Palm Beach, FL

Here’s Mischa Barton shopping in New York wearing a See by Chloe dress, which was featured in my Color Blocking Trend Alert post a couple weeks back.  I bet Mischa can’t wait to don this cap sleeve dress with some black tights as soon as the leaves start falling, but she’s making the most of it with bare legs and flats.  Nice way to transition from summer to autumn.

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