What to Wear to a Formal Event in 2012

A couple of weeks ago I attended a formal wedding.  And like any girl I faced a dilema.  What to wear?  I chose a simple black dress, and blinged myself out with a killer necklace and corresponding bracelet.  Accessories can make a whole outfit.  If you find a stellar statement glitzy show-stopper  I recommend pairing it with a simple, form flattering dress.  A busy dress with lots of sparkle or pattern AND a crazy piece of jewelry could be too much.  Here was my solution:

Necklace by Badgley Mischka.  Check them out http://www.badgleymischka.com/jewelry/.  Or shop for some of their awesome statement jewelry on one of my favorite web sites (Charm & Chain) http://www.charmandchain.com/designers/a-z-designers/badgley-mischka.

Don't take my word for it, Heidi Klum, Jessica Biel, Selma Hayak, Nicole Kidmond, Reese Witherspoon, Gwenyth Paltrow, Natalie Portman.... etc., etc,. Here's How the Celebs have done it on the red carpet in 2012:

Here are a couple of fab statement pieces that are currently available:

This great baroque inspired piece by Lanvin can be found at Nordstrom.com

Here is a super fun neck by Kate Spade for $298.  Find it at Neiman Marcus. http://www.neimanmarcus.com/search.jsp?Ntt=kate+spade&_requestid=50459&N=4294966834

This last one is sure is fun! Dress it up or down.  By Allen Schwartz and sold at Saks Fifth Avenue.

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/Jewelry-and-Accessories/Jewelry/Necklaces-and-Enhancers/shop/_/N-52flr2/Ne-6lvnb5?SECSLOT=LN-Necklaces+%26+Enhancers

Project Runway, Season 10

I have decided after a long break from blogging, that it is time to begin again.  Apparently people have been reading my blog, and I never knew it!  So how to begin again?

I'll ease back into fashion blogging by talking about the current season of Project Runway!  The show is in it's 10th season.  And weather you believe it epitomizes real fashion or is merely a "reality" show entertainment... It is 10 seasons in and going strong.

I used to follow this show religiously.  Especially while I was in fashion school.  The past few years I took a breather from the show (mainly because I know longer invest in cable television).  A close friend of mine tried out to be a model for season 10, and guess what?! She made it, and has gone pretty far in the competition with the designer she was paired with.  So of course, I had to get back into it again.  And I must admit, I LOVE Tim Gunn as much as ever.

As a New Yorker, I particularly loved seeing Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn with the Rockets!  The winning look for the costume challenge showcased the dreamy city in a beautiful way.

Last weeks episode determined which 4 designers would be invited to participate in showing a collection on New York's runway during fashion week.  In the past I have always had SOME idea of who the winner may be... but all 4 designers are very different and I honestly have no clear prediction!

So if you are a crazy new yorker type living in the hipster era with no TV (like me... sigh), Project Runway Season 10 can be viewed on Hulu.com for free!  The only hitch is you have to wait until the next day to watch.  You can also watch episodes on http://www.mylifetime.com where you can also get more info on the designers and the show.

What do you think will happen?

Striped Coincidence

I work in the fashion industry, and yesterday so many people wore vertical striped shirts in my office that I just had to mention it here.

Wearing vertical stripes in my office yesterday:

-2 designers
-1 sales associate
-1 production assistant
-1 sample maker
-2 interns

Since all the people behind the scenes in fashion seem to be in agreement (that virticle stripes are hot hot hot) I figured they deserved mention.

All of the stripes were either a dark navy blue mixed with white or a shade of purple with white.

A few great ways stripes were worn yesterday:

- 3 quarter length sleeves with jeans
- collared button down with pink suspenders and jeans
- with shorts and boots, plus a khaki blazer on top

Buy your own super cute striped shirt at Polyvore.com: http://www.polyvore.com/rvca_zoey_stripe_womens_tee/thing?id=13139745

Florals

I am loving this summer's floral prints!

Harper's Bizarre shows off this fantastic floral dress by Tory Burch for $465.00 (and belt for $150.00) in their article:

 

20 TOP TRENDS FOR 2010

Harper's Top 20

This tank top is super cute from Urban Outfitters for only $28.00

Check it Out

This dress by Juicy Couture is adorable!  It can be found at bloomingdale's for $298.00

Check it Out

These shoes are beyond fun!  Picture wearing these to the local garden party.  Actually, just throw the local garden party yourself for an excuse to show off these fabulous shoes by Guess.  Buy them for $89.00 at shoes.com.  

shoes.com

This precious skirt is currently on sale at American Eagle for only 19.95!  Buy it online at http://www.ae.com/.

Hipsters

I moved to New York City about 4 years ago.  And ever since I moved here the word "hipster" has come up in conversation over and over and over again.  Flat Rate movers had subway ads that poked fun at "hipsters", Youtube features funny sketches like the hipster olympics (check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAO4EVMlpwM).  All this time, I kept asking repeatedly "what is a hipster?  And despite the many conversations about hipsterdom, i still don't get it completely get it.

Here's what I've gathered from the stereotypes:  A hipster wears way too tight jeans (be it a guy or lady), converse shoes, trucker hats, big vintage glasses, and tight flannel shirts.  They tend to have vinyl record collections, sport sleeve tattoos, listen to indie bands and party hard.  Guys tend to have some form of facial hair.  Hipster's "reject" popular cultural things like fashion, TV, celebrity gossip, etc.  

Why hipster's get such a bad rep: 1) The idea that they are "rejecting" popular culture and conformity is a little backwards considering the popularity in hispterism itself.  2) All hipsters seem to deny that they are a hipster.

#2 is interesting... based on what my friends and coworkers claim defines a hipster.... many of them seem to be hipsters themselves.  However none of them admit to being hipster, and may even possibly take offense to the label.

Some people believe hipsterism is dying.  Other's believe it is the up-and-coming counter-culture turns mainstream story that our country has seen repeatedly over the last century.  The beatniks of the 40's were ostracized only to become mainstream in the 50's.  The hippies of the 60's were shunned, but an overwhelming cultural force by the 70's.  In the 80's the punks were the outcasts of society, and by the 90's mall stores were dedicated toward their mainstream style.  Are hipsters the next chapter in this repeating pattern?  Shunned today only to be the majority tomorrow?  Who knows!  Frankly, I'm still trying to figure out just what makes a "hipster".

Time Out New York totally bashed hipsters!  Check out their article, it's totally from a hater's perspective but gives quite a detailed analysis of hipsterism: 

http://newyork.timeout.com/articles/features/4840/why-the-hipster-must-die

Gnovis Journal is a blog dedicated to understanding and or participating the hipster counter-culture: http://gnovisjournal.org/blog/what-we-can-learn-learning-about-hipsters

Wall Decals

I am always looking for ways to update my apartment.  I was looking on Etsy.com for creative home decor ideas, and came across these awesome wall decals!  I think this is a fantastic idea for anyone who wants to add a special touch to their walls.  It is like a mural, but less work.  Weather you  just want color without having to paint, or want to add a design to a painted wall, these are really fantastic!

These particular designs are from Wow Wall.

Check out these Etsy shops for more home decor wall decals:

Wow Wall - http://www.etsy.com/shop/WowWall

Extra Design - http://www.etsy.com/shop/extradesign

Surface Inspired - http://www.etsy.com/shop/surfaceinspired

Leen the Graphics Queen - http://www.etsy.com/shop/LeenTheGraphicsQueen

The Little Black Dress

Every girl needs a simple little black dress.  Or several.

Here's Why:

- It will always be in style.  Jennifer Anniston looks as fashionable today as Audrey Hepburn did over 50 years ago, using the same secret: The little black dress!
- They can be worn for any season.
- Black is a slimming color - that's right... you look skinnier.
- It is so versatile.  Dress it up with hot shoes and flashy accessories, or dress it down with a denim jacket and a cute hat.  Wear it to work, wear it to a club, wear it to a dinner party, it's never inappropriate.





Some great styles to check out:

This little black dress is by Juicy Couture, and can be purchased at shopbop.com for $178.00: http://www.shopbop.com/abstract-sleeveless-double-layer-dress/vp/v=1/845524441871270.htm?folderID=2534374302063651&fm=other-shopbysize

This super cute little black dress is by Aqua and can be found at bloomingdale's for $98.00: http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=484624&cm_mmc=Shopping.com-_-Womens-_-DRESS-_-Aqua_Black_V_Neck_Faille_Dress


This great bargain is from delia's and only costs $35.50! Check it out: http://store.delias.com/item.do?itemID=52913&mybuyscid=11351523243&cmpid=MBRecm

Even sporty companies like Moosejaw see the value of the little black dress.  This cute, easy-to-wear piece is only $69.00.  Check it out: http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/shop/product_Patagonia%20Women's%20Kamala%20Dress_10091816____?cm_mmc=CSE-_-Shopzilla-_-na-_-Patagonia%20Women's%20Kamala%20Dress&ad_id=cseshopzilla&zmam=89081595&zmas=3&zmac=28&zmap=795243