Summer trend: embroidered tops

top left / top right / bottom left / bottom right

In the summer I go for pieces that are lightweight and airy especially when it gets hot! Lucky for us, it hasn't been too hot this summer (70s, just the way I like it:) I love these pretty embroidered tops and they would perfect with jeans or shorts and flat sandals this summer. Plus, today you can get all tops from Piperlime 30% off with the code TOPS30.
     

Fall trend: leather details

One of my favorite trends this season is leather detail. Last year I bought a few leather pieces and am excited to style them again this winter. Heidi Merrick's fall 2013 collection crushed it with so many great pieces (you can see the rest of her collection here). Just a hint of leather, especially when paired with more feminine pieces, gives just the right amount of edge.

What do you think, are you a fan of the leather trend?

  

Sporty Trend

image via

Is it just me or does it seem like all the trends this season are sporty? Since I played sports in high school and already having a preference toward tomboy fashions, I'm kind of into this trend. From baseball hats, to sweatshirts, to varsity jackets, and track pants, the key is finding a way to wear the trend without looking like you're headed to a game. I like the idea of mixing sporty pieces with more feminine pieces.

What do you think, do you like the sporty trend?

image

image

image

 

Trend: Knit Dresses

top / middle / bottom

Since having a baby, fabrics with a bit of stretch have been a go-to of mine, especially knits with a bit of texture or print. I'm loving all the knit dresses that are popping up in stores right now. They are super comfortable and there are a dozen different ways to style them. I really like the idea of pairing one with a moto jacket and booties for Fall or wearing one with a statement necklace and hair pulled back.
 

5 Ways to Wear Florals this Summer

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5

Lately I've been really liking florals. I bought the maternity version of these and have been wearing them nonstop, but I like to mix my florals with other pieces to keep them from feeling too feminine and frilly. Here are a few ideas of ways to wear florals this summer.

1. Wear florals with black. I shared this last week in my how to wear black this summer. I also like the idea of wearing a loose fitting floral top with shorts for an easy summer look.

2. Add a floral clutch. This is an easy way to do the floral trend in a small dose. I think this floral clutch would be great paired with a chambray shirt and white jeans and would give just the right amount of color and pattern.

3. Pair a floral skirt with a sweatshirt. If you are looking to make your florals less formal, a sweatshirt is the easiest way to dress it down and make it more casual and a perfect everyday look. A causal t-shirt would also do the trick.

4. Mix florals with stripes (or polka dots). Stripes are huge for summer and if you want to try pattern mixing this combination is one of the easiest to pull off. I love the idea of a floral blazer paired with a striped dress, shirt, or even romper.

5. Try a tropical floral. Tropical florals are all over right now and the bright colors and patterns give your look a summer update.

How do you wear florals?

Spring Trend: Lucite

acrylic pumps /  peter pan collar necklace / jewels bib necklace / lucite clutch / clear tote bag / lucite heel sandals

With it still being so cold here, I can't help but post about spring things. The lucite trend has really caught my eye and is a big trend for spring when it comes to accessories. Just a little touch of it is all you need and is a fun way to add a little surprise element to a basic look such as a t-shirt and jeans.
 

Fashion Trends for 2013

bold stripes and global prints / the grid pattern / flats / low heels / fruit punchy colors

I don't know about you, but I'm so looking forward to spring and warmer weather (must be the winter blues). Lately, I've noticed some of the spring trends trickle into stores. We see the trends so far in advance, but it's fun to see how they translate to everyday wear. There were a few spring trends that surprised me such as ruffles (I feel like we just barely got over the ruffle trend) and leather (for spring?) but here are a few I've got my eyes on.

Any favorite trends for spring?
 

The Knotted Trend

images: 1 / 2 / 3

Button-up shirts have always had the option of being knotted while still looking good, and I'm starting to see a lot more knotted t-shirts, but what about knotting your skirt? It seems to be a hit, especially with the longer length skirts popular right now. To me, it kind of suggests a more causal, relaxed vibe like the half-tuck trend.

What do you think, is it a do or a don't?
 

The Half-Tuck Trend

To tuck in your shirt or to not? Today I'm over on Studio 5 sharing my opinion on the half-tuck trend. You can view the clip here.

J.Crew seems to like it, what do you think about this trend?
 

Trend No. 1: Tropical Prints

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 

Happy monday! The weather has been amazing here lately, it really has been the most perfect Spring. I thought it would be fun to do a round up over the next couple of weeks of some trends I've been seeing for Spring and Summer, starting with tropical prints. I have to admit I was a little skeptical of this trend at first because it reminds me of men's hawaiian shirts, but I think with the right pieces you can make it look much more sophisticated.

What do you think, is this a trend you would try?
 

How to Wear a Peplum

image

The peplum trend is one that is becoming increasingly popular. I've somewhat steered away from this style because I have more of a boyish figure, however when done right the peplum can be extremely flattering. I also feel like this is one of those trends that can turn equally bad if not done right.

Here are some tips to make it work:

1. Define your waist. Wearing a peplum silhouette is really about showing off your silhouette and making your waist the focal point. You can do this by making sure the top of the peplum hits your waist (the thinnest part of your body) or by also adding a skinny belt.

2. Keep it slim. Since the peplum creates volume you want to keep the rest of the look slim (not skin tight) and streamlined. Wearing a pencil skirt or skinny pants will do the trick. Also, keep the sleeves (if any) minimal.

3. Make it modern. This trend was popular back in the 40s, and there are several ways to wear this silhouette: in tops, dresses or skirts. Stick to one, but play around with different fabrics (leather anyone?) and combine with other trends to make your look current. For example try a polka dot peplum top with colored skinny jeans.  

What do you think, is this a trend you will try or skip?

sandal / bag / jeans / peplum blouse / earrings / reader glasses

Trend: floral

I'm totally crushing on these floral looks by MSGM.   

Trend: Backpacks

from top left: Aldo Menches floral backpack Zappos / welcome backpack Modcloth / kimchi blue lace and jersey backpack Urban Outfitters / Cooperative striped canvas backpack Urban Outfitters / Baggu canvas backpack in yellow Urban Outfitters

 Backpacks are cool again.

Trend: Fair Isle

cooperative fair isle sweater dress Urban Outfitters / fair isle mittens Forever 21 / fair isle leggings Urban Outfitters / knitted reverse fairisle jumper Topshop / fair isle coverall Ralph Lauren / faux fur trim sweater bag Old Navy

I seriously cannot get enough of this trend, maybe it's the fact that I just moved to Minneapolis and everywhere I go I'm seeing people bundled up in their winter wear. Plus, how adorable are these?

p.s. I'm probably one of the last people to join twitter, but I jumped in. You can find me here.

Trend: stars

1.  glitter star tee Topshop / 2. star knit tights Forever 21 / 3. star cardigan Topshop / 4. tricolor stars necklace Etsy / 5. my own sweatshirt (recently got on sale at Urban Outfitters) / 6. stars printed shirt Zara

Trend: peter pan collar

clockwise from top left: leather peter pan collar ASOS, stella collar Free People, DIY peter pan collar by honestly...wtf as seen in Lucky Magazine, sequined peter pan collar ASOS

I love a shirt with a peter pan collar. However, here are some great alternatives for adding a peter pan collar to any shirt.

Trend: fur trim boots

clockwise from top left: fur heel ankle boot Zara, miz mooz bootie Modcloth, faux fur trim booties Forever 21, fergie fargo boot Nordstrom, 7 for all mankind tevin boot Nordstrom, sophya pull-on boot Nordstrom

With a move to Minneapolis less than 2 weeks away (eek!), these boots are starting to look like a good idea.

Trend: Sequins

Sequins are the new ruffles.

and yes you can wear these for day.

1. leatherette sequin clutch Forever21 2. battered sequin sleeve tee Topshop 3. vince sequin pencil skirt Nordstrom 4. sequin collar blazer Piperlime 5. dolman sleeve gold cardigan Old Navy 6. Prada paillette ballet flat Bergdorf Goodman 7. sequin swirl pillow Urban Outfitters 8. deux lux felix tote bag Nordstrom

To try: loafers

left: clementine via vanessa jackman right: the sartorialist

Loving the loafers and the endless possibilities of ways to wear them. Plus, they are a great alternative to heels and ballet flats while still looking polished.

How to wear loafers (2 ways): 

Left: Try wearing loafers with cropped skinny pants or jeans, a loose drapey tee or blouse under a blazer or coat. Finish the look with a structured satchel bag.


Right: Transition into fall by wearing loafers with a lightweight summer floral dress paired with an oversized wool jacket (a military jacket would look great as well).

1. Anyi Lu olivia flat Nordstrom
2. beata flat DSW
3. gangel flat Aldo
4. darby glitter loafers JCrew 

You might also like this and this

Must Haves for Fall 2011

All I can think about is fall, fall, fall, and I've been seeing lots of leopard, red (especially red jeans), and polka dots. So, here are some items to consider adding to your wardrobe...

leopard:
nicole lee leopard handbag Buckle,
scarf - my own, but I recently picked up at Old Navy
leather leopard belt ASOS

red:
BDG twill pant Urban Outfitters
perforated nylon classic TOMS
edie tote JCrew

polka dot:
marc jacobs polka dot sweater Net-a-Porter
sensational polka dot flats Ruche
bestowing compliments skirt Modcloth

More of my fall favorites on the way.