MOD Monday - Julie Driscoll

In the 60's, music had a huge influence on the fashions that shaped the 'Mod movement' and British singer Julie Driscoll was definitely in the realms of those who inspired people to dress a certain way.  Hailing from London, England, she started out staking her claim to fame by covering a Bob Dylan original titled "This Wheel's On Fire" and soon thereafter became instrumental in defining the psychedelic era that was British music.  In her teens, Driscoll was the prez of the Yardbirds fan club.  

As she progressed on through to the 70's she focused her musical talents in the genre of Jazz and since then goes by the name of Julie Tippet's, having taken on her married name.  In the late 60's, Julie's bohemian style became truly representative of the vintage mod fashion scene.  

The bohemian 60's was different from the hippie 60's in that it wasn't about baring your feet and wearing flowers in your hair.  It was more of a flowy maxi skirts, floppy hats, boas, faded torn blues and cheese cloth blouses that you can see through (I know because my aunt had one!) were what boho was all about. The mod mix in of course was the pixie hair do that was being duped by everyone from Twiggy, to Mia Farrow!

This Fall 2011, we've been seeing a resurgence of the vintage mod styles in stores everywhere!  Mod boho is one of the simplest to emulate with just a few simple additions to your wardrobe.

My fave Julie Driscoll tune is "Season Of The Witch" which was originally put out by the artist Donovan.  In her time, she was totally a hipster chick!



pics: tumblr.com, psychedeliclion.blogspot.com, polyvore.com, broadcast090511.cocolog-nifty.com 

Gaga & Faris Go Hepburn...Who Wore It Best?

Both comedic movie star Anna Faris & pop singer Lady Gaga were seen wearing the same Audrey Hepburn inspired dress this past weekend. Gaga was in Vegas at the 'iHeartRadio Music Festival' & Faris was out and about in New York making a guest appearance on Letterman. The vintage knock off was designed by Moschino, for the Italian fashion houses Fall 2011 collection. Of course Gaga glammed up her version with some Fendi black sunglasses, pearl'esque necklace & Ferragamo black leather evening gloves.  Lady Gaga also went as far as to have her hair coiffed in the signature Hepburn chignon.  Faris on the other hand went more demure, accentuating her dress on a more simpler note with her only accessory being a pair of strappy Louboutins.  

Who do you think captured the 'true' essence of the legendary icon in full swag? 


pics: heatworld.com, dressingupindaisies.onsugar.com      




   

The Sixties Fashion Trend Revival For Fall 2011

Every fash mag I've read so far is pointing in the direction of a sixties fashion trend revival for this Fall season 2011.  Mod lined pieces, shift dresses, pleated minis and structured knits are back in full swing with a modern day flair of jewel toned hues and pop-art prints.  Make no mistake, the 70's styles are still in, but the era that brought us Twiggy & Edie Sedgwick is now more popular than ever!  Geometric shapes and patterned fabrics (plaids, argyles, checks & gridlocks), clean lines (meaning, ditch the frills & ruffles, play it simple), saturated colors (primary hues of red, blue & yellow) and last but not least short hemlines (that can be accentuated with tights for the colder months ahead).

Whatever vintage style you're trying to recapture, be it the Mod Squad, swinging 60's or channeling Twiggy, you can't go wrong because this decade is making waves once again in the wide world of fashion!

pics: urbanmodernista.com, bubblespop.com

Fall Color Line Up

Earth tone neutrals used to be the common fare for Fall which consisted of basic blacks, browns, tans & cream.  That's not the deal at all for this season as we are seeing a barrage of rich colors that will most definitely excite and surprise you!  Your cooler weather wardrobe will get an instant boost if you add one of these hot hues to it... Aside from the coral and pink, these are my faves from the Pantone Fashion Color Chart for 2011...

RICH BERRY: Makes an outstanding statement especially when paired with basic neutrals.

OLIVE GREEN: My favorite of all greens that is a neutral hue and very versatile.  It's flattering to every skin tone.

DEEP TEAL:  An extremely strong blue-toned green that should pretty much be limited to one piece per outfit (meaning never wear teal on both the top and bottom).This colors best complimentary hue is charcoal gray.

COFFEE LIQUER: Rich & decadent, this particular brown brings a sense of elegance to Fall.  This color is safe to wear head to toe, however you can jazz it up by pairing it with gold accents.   

pics: collegefashion.net, theperfectpalette.com, fashionfix.net-a-porter.com, pigmentsandpalettes.blogspot.com 

Is It Right To Wear White?

There's always been that age old fashion etiquette rule that's told us white after Labor Day is a 'no-no' but is it really?  It's true that the non hue clothing choice has always been associated with cooler climates, primarily Summer but if we go as far back to the 1920's, white was oftentimes linked to an elite society of socialites who vacationed in the Hampton's whereas the working class spent their time working year round to make ends meet. Some have claimed that wearing white in the Winter reflects light and heat and actually makes the wearer cold.  Who really knows the origin of the no white after September deal & does it really matter in the current day with all of the 'out there' designs & color schemes that seem to have no boundaries?  I would say..."NO"!

Celebrated in the United States, Labor Day is said to be the official mark to the end of Summer as vacations come to an end and children head back to school and throughout history, both Fall & Winter have always been thought of as darker color seasons in regards to apparel.  French designer CoCo Chanel believed 'white was right' year round as it was a permanent part of her personal wardrobe.  She dared to wear her signature white suit year round...

In vintage days wearing white was connected with 'snobbery' & 'keeping cool' but for all intents and purposes, especially in the 21st century, there is really no good reason not to wear white twelve months out of the year. With that being said, it's a personal choice and you're not going to be shunned for it.  For Fall/Winter 2011 we are seeing a lot of white on the front as Yves St. Laurent, Stella McCartney & Calvin Klein are showing us that white can be so right in spite of the idea that we've all held onto for years.

On a more casual & affordable level, white paired with anything is what is trendy for the cooler weather that's just right around the corner. So remember that it's your right to rock the white from here on out!

      


pics: otownstyle.com, myhero.com, elle.com, laurenhamptondesigns.blogspot.com

    

The Re-Birth Of 'Period Collars'

Vintage trends this Fall are going waaaay back, and I mean way!  All the way back to the days of innocence as there has been a dramatic rebirth of the Victorian style for this upcoming Fall 2011.  During the Edwardian period (1901-1910), high neck collars were popular among women and often adorned with elaborate lace applique and beading & often considered a form of jewelry.  Mind you this style is not to be confused with the gi-normous Elizabethan collars of the Medieval times...

In spite of the fact that the Edwardian collar couldn't be any more modest, covering up 'everything', women of that time actually considered the style to bring an ambiance of allure because of the allure of leaving much to the imagination in that they were giving the viewer 'nothing to see', but 'everything to wonder about'.  That really wasn't such a bad concept eh?  This past year during Paris fashion week 2011, the fashion house of the late designer Alexander McQueen brought new life to the vintage style of Edwardian collars with their Fall line up of suits that entail hints of Goth peppered with industrial chic.  

In regards to Goth, the new generation has definitely been instrumental in bringing back the popularity of the Edwardian collar while at the same time, maintaining true to the original design ...

  pics: photobucket.com, flickr.com, deliaohdelia.blogspot.com, capitolcharlotte.com

End Of Summer 2011

Sad to say, Summer is winding down and coming to an end being that we pretty much only have a hand few of days left until it's officially Fall!  Soon it will be time once again to pull out the cold weather clothing that we've stored away for the warmer months, and begin to consider what's 'IN' for the brand new season come this Fall/Winter 2011.  I've done a little research and here's what I've found...  Fall is going Fun, flirty & flashy as we are going to be seeing a hefty dose of bold colors with a hint of 70's appeal.  Designers such as Gucci, Bottega Veneta & Missoni are re-vamping styles bringing back fur lapels, outrageous florals & the return of the once popular 'white tights' with a vengeance!

The vintage 70's is also going to get it's groove on with these funked up fashions as Gucci bolds it up with these over the top colorful fedoras paired with pinstripe slacks and dyed fur stoles.

Ponchos were a must have in the boho realm of the 1970's and ADAM & Alexander Wang have done an excellent job of resurrecting the style befitting the current day trends.

I think I was especially surprised to find that sequins are making a big come back this Fall as we are seeing pieces embellished with all that glitters for a glitzy fresh take on an old fave.  For instance this V-neck sequined shifty by Prada that is simple yet stunning!

It's looking like Fall 2011 is about making a bold statement so whatever you choose for your wardrobe this year, you have a free pass to be vivacious! 


pics: southfleetmotorinn.com, coolspotter.com, tarstoisoisbeau.com, fashionmefabulous.com, glamour.com




   

Fall Fur'y

Outerwear is going tactile for Fall/Winter 2011 as with the onset of the chilly temps right around the corner, we will be seeing more cold weather apparel adorned with wild & woolly patches of fur, both faux & real.  Big statement coats or chic vests worn with skinny jeans and stilettos will be the perfect pairing as opposed to opting for colors of the rainbow.  Head to toe neutrals in black, brown, beige & gray are the way to go...  During fashion week 2011, American designer Peter Som, blew the runway away with his unique take on the common fur coat by deciding to fur the sleeves only on these absolutely unique & dramatic pieces.

Tibi of New York has an amazingly diverse selection of fresh fashions, for instance they offer the ultimate in utility chic in this Tibi's fur coat combo'd with rich wool felt that has detachable sleeves and bottom panel that converts this garment into a flirty cropped fur jacket.

My personal fave comes from Burberry Prorsum which to me has captured an ultimately vintage aesthetic with their double breasted, wool tweed trench coat with black fox fur panels.  It only goes for about $3,950.00.  It's a gorgeous coat, but geeze oh' peets that's pretty pricey!

Whether you like it or not, cruelty free fur is taking a back seat to the real deal this year because 'fur' is trending hot!  Global retail sales for fur were up more than 5% putting sales at over 14 billions in spite of the current recession.  


pics: atouchofluxe.com, tumblr.com, polyvore.com, flickr.com

Gettin' Checked Out...

Whether you refer to it as plaid, hounds tooth or simply checks, there's a rich history behind this pattern that has been referred to as 'Prince of Wales checks' for some time now, given this nickname because it was extremely popular when Edward VIII was Prince of Wales in the 1930's.  For forty years thereafter it became the fabric of choice for aristocrats & commoners alike.  Now that we're approaching 2012, we've long since evolved past the basic plaid/checkered shirt or blouse and have moved into new territory.

The British fashion designer, the late Alexander McQueen, received major kudos for his tartan collection when he mesmerized his fans with his modernistic approach to creating current fashions from the vintage fabric.

This Alexander McQueen Tartan poof skirt-dress is on sale at Neiman Marcus for only about $800.00...ahhh yeah right not on this fashionistas budget!

This past Spring Yves St. Laurent showcased their Fall line up for 2011 that included a variety of styles that incorporated the Prince of Wales check designs, with a contemporary flair befitting of the 21st century.

During Milan fashion week this year, Gucci even had the guys on board with this trend...

You can very well piece together your own 'Prince of Wales' inspired wardrobe with just a few simple clothing items accentuated with leather and chains to keep it fun & fresh!  After McQueen showcased his Tartan creations, the look was sought after in a big way as everyone wanted to get 'checked out'!

                                     ***In shop vintage plaids***

     
pics: fashionising.com, trendstyle4u.blogspot.com, flickr.com, glamazondianes.com, latimesblogs.latimes.com, 4bp.blogspot.com, catwalkqueen.tv.com,http://www.etsy.com/shop/retrothreadz

Heat Wave Chic - Stayin' Cool & Classy

When the temperatures begin to rise, that's when clothes start coming off and it seems as though that is also the time when we begin to see too many fashion no-no's that totally contradicts the saying ... "Less is best"!  "Just because we're in the middle of a Midwest heat wave, does that mean that we still can't stay cool & classy?"  Not that I personally consider myself in the ranks of Joan Rivers & her notorious fashion police or anything, but geesh sometimes it's just so out there and it's just so wrong on too many levels that it kind of makes you want to say ... "Girl, Oh no you didn't?".  I know you know exactly what I'm talking about!  The numero uno fashion faux pas that seems to strike every Summer is the ill fitting swimsuit.  ""News flash"", no one wants to see all that business popping out everywhere!  No matter who you are or what your body type, & contrary to popular beliefs, it's just not attractive when it borders on pornographic.  And by all means, if you're going to opt for a white bathing suit, please make sure it's lined so your bits don't end up being on center stage for all to see... & F.Y.I., anything that might be defined as 'micro' is an 'instant NO-NO'!

When it comes to sporting shorts, in my opinion...the ones you see bunched up in the crotch area because they don't fit properly, are just as atrocious as seeing someone wearing a pair of 'daisy dukes'.  Finding the right pair is really not that difficult and there's an easy formula to it.  If you're short in stature pic shorts that hit you at mid thigh in length, If you're taller, opt for Bermuda shorts that rise just above the knee.

One trend that seems to be fairly new is the pairing of Fall/Winter'ish boots like UGGS, or the trendy boot slippers with summer wear.  I tend to consider myself pretty open minded when it comes to variations in style trends, but seriously, I think UGGS are UGG'ly when paired with mini skirts, summer shorts and worst of all bikinis!  It just looks sweaty!

O.k., so now that I've dished on the Summer style 'negs', here's what I find to be summer 'pos'...  Pale hued sundresses accented with crocheted boleros, flowing Summer floor length bohemian skirts paired with gypsy tops and flip flops & last but not least the Summer nudes (tan, taupe, khaki), anything light and airy that gives the vibe of confidence & sensuality topped with underlying notes of discreet modesty & remember that just because it's Summer, that doesn't mean we gotta let it all hang out!   

         
: fashionpaparazzis.com , blstbmsn.com , isuwannee.com , stylebakery.com , salebikini.blogspot.com , en.wikipedia.org , tumblr.com , laist.com , cheapwineandpantylines.com

Watercolor Floral

There's a new diversion to the common floral print taking over these days as 'water color floral' designs are making a big statement this summer.  Gone is the idea that 'floral prints' are a vintage design of the past or for your granny, as solids are out & vivacious brush stroke hues are in!  Watercolor prints look like something that came straight off of an artists canvas...  Floral is big in Hollywood at the moment, seen here being worn by Cameron Diaz, Heidi Montag and Leslie Mann.

Floral was seen at Prom this year in designs such as this watercolor floral low draped back prom dress...

This watercolor floral bohemian print peasant blouse is ultra feminine paired with a pair of stone washed denim jeans...

  
Floral is everywhere and in every design from bags to shoes and don't think it's going to go away come Winter as it's even being incorporated into colder weather clothing although considered non traditional.

 thisnext.com , stylebyne.net , static.fasion4us.com , divavillage.com , marctimes.com , jovani.com , refinery29.com , theinsidesource.com .