“a sub-genre of fantasy and speculative fiction that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century, and often Victorian era England—but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or real technological developments like the computer occurring at an earlier date.”

So Steampunk fashion and accessories are a clever mix of Edwardian/Victorian but with a harder more industrial edge and some Gypsy and Goth styles added into the mix. Very unique, and very distinctive. Let’s see some of the stuff:

Steampunk Buckle Dress $99.95

Fashion with (bad!) attitude. Buckles, straps and grommets are the hardware on our Steampunk dress-snap-buttoned in back, with buckled straps in front, and a front-center panel of black velveteen. Buckle-adjustable shoulder straps. 100% cotton twill.

Steampunk Scissors Necklace $63

This whimsical Steampunk necklace is given some extra magic with an enameled scissors charm. A garden of enamel flowers in crimson, plum, and copper blooms above the scissors and radiates with vintage watch gears. Vintage watch plates from Hamilton and Elgin peer from the flowers with Steampunk curiosity. A shooting star shines from within the flower garden. The assemblage grows upon a vintage stamping which I have enameled in a brilliant shade of red with purple and blue accents. The necklace is completed with gold tone vintage chain.

Lip Service Black Steampunk Military Jacket $54.00

Be a dapper dandy in this Victorian-era steampunk military jacket that features tails along with accent buttons.

Ponte Wrap Skirt: $29.90

Knit Drape Skirt: $28.90

Delphine Strapless Dress: $24.80

Leiko Bow Skirt: $39.90

Photo Credit: Instyle Magazine/September

Shop for more draped dresses at Smarter.com.

Rise and shine!!! Metallics and mini dresses are back with a vengeance. The trend this season is sexy shine. As pictured Kim Kardashian and Elisa Dushku are showing us great examples of this trend done right. Forever 21 and American Apparel have some great alternatives we can all afford.

When choosing metallics there are a few things to consider:

1. The type of material of the garment:  Fabrics with shine if not chosen wisely can come across as low quality (cheap). To prevent this, try the item on first. Is there a stretch to the fabric or do you just look like roll of aluminum foil?

2. No Shine Overload:  I am all for glitz but sometimes there can be too much. If you are going to incorporate shine into your ensemble, please use discretion. Do not ever wear this fabric as a top and bottom. The fashion police will be called immediately. Choose one garment and stick to it.

3. Have Fun:  Metallics are all about fun and making statement. So OWN IT AND BE FIERCE.

Metallic Dusted Dress-Forever 21: $19.80

Foil Print Nylon Spandex-American Apparel: $48

Photo Credit: People.com

Ankle Boot Shopping List:

• Go for a heel that’s going to make the ankle boots as wearable as your knee high flat-heeled boots from last year. That means no stilettos, girls. Remember, boots are cold weather footwear, meaning you should at least be able to consider wearing them through a little residual rain and snow or ice. Make sure it’s a boot that can take it, even if you maybe don’t want to put it through the trauma.

• Go for a color or design that’s knockout! No plain Janes around here. Buckles, colors, cuts, you name it. Just make sure that the cutoff for the boot doesn’t make you look like you have a cankle. Some of the boots are just a little too wide at the top, and drift to the side of unattractive.

Some top boots to consider:

Bloomfield Booties from ModCloth.com: $42.99

The color and little ankle tie on this boot are so cute!

Mudslide Boots from ModCloth.com: $49.99

The suede is a bit of a risk, but look at that stylized heel! So chic.

Find discount ankle boots at Smarter.com.

Women’s AE Moto Leather Jacket: $250.00

Jou Jou Faux Leather Women’s Jacket: $49.9

Forzieri Brown Italian Leather Motorcycle-style Zippered Jacket: $648.00

Shop for more women’s leather jackets at Smarter.com.

Let’s see how Anna Sui has refashioned the fabulous looks of Gossip Girl’s main characters:

The Anna Sui for Target Feather Dress - Metallic Grey from Target.com: $69.99

Probably my favorite of the Serena looks, it’s short, glitzy, and has a bit of an ethnic vibe to it with the feathers at the top (though I don’t think feathers are exactly how Serena would go, except when she’s in the school play).

Anna Sui for Target Floral Metallic Jacquard Dress - Blue Print from Target.com: $44.99

Blair is by far the most iconic of the Gossip Girl characters, her style stretching from the severe button up high-necked Victorian dress to the ribbon headband + Audrey Hepburn black combination. She has the most recognizable, cohesive style, I would say, of all of the characters, and I think Anna Sui did a fine job of capturing the Blair Waldorf character.

Anna Sui for Target Silk Patterned Dress - Multi from Target.com: $59.99

I’d say Anna Sui fell a little off the style train when she designed the Jenny line, with the last two pieces of the set being almost complete train wrecks. I enjoy this first silk patterned dress though, and believe it looks like something Jenny would have designed on her own. Personally I would have played off the green silk dress Jenny designed that appeared in the finale of Eleanor Waldorf’s fashion show. I’m such a nerd.

Anna Sui for Target Silk Wrap Dress - Geo Floral from Target.com: $59.99

Ms. Sui did surprisingly well at designing for Vanessa Abrams, the bold Brooklynite attending NYC this season. I really enjoy this vibrant wrap dress, which actually is very updated and fresh for the Vanessa style.

Chan Luu Paisley Infinity Loop $125

This scarf also comes in a deep plum color which is probably the one I’d pick. I was drawn to the orange first though since October and pumpkins are only two days away!

DKNY Luxe Knit Infinity Loop $75

This infinity loop is longer, but you can find practically any size and thickness in these infinity loops. Some will look like a small loop only large enough to wrap the neck, others are a medium length, and then there are extra long ones like this. This can be doubled up too for extra warmth and volume, but I would save that for some extremely cold temperatures since this loop is a wool and cashmere blend. This DKNY one comes in a few other different colors including a bright kelly green color.
I now leave you with my favorite style in this new kind of neck candy…

Don’t worry, this loop won’t make you look like little red riding hood, you’ll just feel like her. I LOVE this Rag & Bone Twisted Merino Hood Loop! $175

I am not only a fan of the very plain color but there is also a beautiful little brown button detail in the back of this loop. This would look gorgeous on anyone and you can just pop that hood when the cold winds or rains start to pick up.

Shop though a variety of women’s scarves at Smarter.com.

I absolutely love this Louis Vuitton skirt design–the black + bright color theme is consistent in their collection. The number one thing that I love about this style is the multi-layered ruffled two-tone skirt. I hope low end stores come up with a similar frilly design. I also like the idea of a skin-tight and tucked in top to go with the skirt as well. It gives you a flattering shape.

This is another one of Louis Vuitton’s ready to wear pieces that caught my eye. I love the (once again) two-toned, contrasting and exaggerated waved seams on this silky dress. My favorite part of this outfit is the thigh-high laced up boots. They’re hot and have a very untouchable appeal to them.

Moral of this story:  two trends to look out for in a downplayed version are multi-layered ruffled skirts and laced boots.

Image sources: nytimes.com

Fundamentally, Rihanna’s style includes two stark contrasts: femininity (the fur and high boots) and a hardcore, rough-edge (the leather and military-style clothing). Her outfit makes a bold, don’t-mess-with-me statement–who can blame her right? In another scene, she’s seen wearing exposed suspenders that have the blatant lingerie appeal. Her contrast of sexy lingerie with the dark, military rough exterior creates a new, fierce look for Rihanna.

Even her hands show this rough-edge, sexy contrast. Her red, long nails deliver a feminine beauty to the style while the pointed tips and the skull fist accessory contribute to her edginess. I definitely wouldn’t want to mess with her.

If you like the outer lingerie look but don’t feel bold enough to wear a corset in public (I mean who would) there’s a new trend surfacing. Lacy boy-shorts underneath actual denim shorts give the same bold and beautiful style at a very low price. It’s definitely sexy and yet casual at the same time. Even though it’s not as blatant and out-there as Rihanna’s new fierce look,  it’s still got that extra not-so-innocent look.

Image Sources: Fashionising.com

Unfortunately, not all of us are bold enough to walk around in nothing but an over-sized button-down shirt. And most of us do need to try hard.

As a solution, a lot of designers are carrying a similar, menswear-inspired shirt-dress that gives you an-almost-the-same casually gorgeous look.

Forever21 carries this plaid dress-shirt for $20 that’s belted around the waist to give your body more shape. It doesn’t have the same ultimate casual appeal to it, but the lightweight fabric and the resemblance to a men’s button-down gets the job done. Some celebrities like Alessandra Ambrosio have been seen wearing the same style but with more of a crisper material, which turns this casual day dress to one you can wear to a night on the town and still keep that sexy appeal.

Either way it’s gorgeous!

Image sources: Forever21.com, justjaredjr.buzznet.com, fashionising.com