ChicOlogy...All About Fashion & Beauty

Araks Rocks Shabby Chic

annabreslaw — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:51:23 +0000

One of my fave Fall/Winter 2010 collections, Araks took the plucked-from-a-thrift-store look to a new level and incorporated the lingerie as outerwear trend. (Which, by the way, I’m not sure I’m down with yet.)

Best Winter Layer Looks

annabreslaw — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:19:31 +0000

It’s one of the grossest, coldest, slushiest Februaries on record and you can practically see the struggle in the eyes of trendy girls on the street. “Cute tights or cozy pants? Blouse or baggy sweater? How much am I willing to suffer for fashion?”

Fashion blogs have covered the problem over and over, but Refinery 29’s done the best job thus far, throwing in tips on winter whites and how to recycle your old flannels as cardigans. The look featured above is one of my favorites. I invested in a wooly sweater-coat as an alternative to my old ugly puffy jacket, and it’s spruced up my winter.

Take some cues from the 4 looks– throw on some neutral layers and pray the groundhog was wrong about his shadow.

[pic via Refinery 29]

Too Old For Marc By Marc?

annabreslaw — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:41:17 +0000

I’ve made a deal with myself that I’ll never wear pigtails once I turn 30. Maybe I’m neurotic, but whenever I see grown women with Pippi Longstocking ‘dos, it just looks like they’re trying too hard.

The ladies over at Fashionista seem to agree with me. They thought Marc by Marc this season was cute, but deemed themselves (as late 20-somethings) too old to wear the collection in good conscience.

Funny thing is, the collection, and Marc Jacobs’ more affordable line on the whole, is basically targeting ultra-sophisticated college girls who are over the whole Uggs-and-sweatpants thing. And yet these women, barely older than undergrads, feel insecure about rocking the collection.

What do you think? When you hit 28, do all those schoolgirl skirts and Peter Pan blouses go to the Salvation Army?

[pic via Fashionista]

Temporary tattoos replace jewelry

Natalie Zutter — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:35:28 +0000

For this model, at least. The dress is pretty and the tan is a no-no, but what I’m really digging are the Chanel temporary tattoos of draped necklaces and link bracelets. It’s a chic take on our childhood obsession with press-on tats, and has a similar effect without multiple chains getting in the way. While I wouldn’t necessarily trade my jewelry for tattoos all the time, it’s still a cute look. Thoughts?

[via/pic Red Carpet Fashion Awards]

Jeggings Are Useless, Feel Free To Prove Me Wrong

annabreslaw — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:30:55 +0000

Does anyone get this trend? The point of denim is to casually flatter your shape without looking like you’re trying too hard. Jeggings, with their faux-denim detailing, are most certainly trying too hard. Topshop’s charging $70 for their pairs, and here’s Whitney Port looking like a tool in them despite her model-long legs.

The one possible use I can see for jeggings is layering with a big sweater and boots, to avoid the annoyance and awkwardness of constantly pushing real denim jeans back into the boots throughout the day. But even then– guys, just wear leggings. This is one of those trends you’ll be embarrassed you bought into when those Facebook pics are still up next year.

Eleanor Waldorf For Fall 2010

annabreslaw — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:28:22 +0000

Abigail Lorick, the designer responsible for the faux collections by Gossip Girl Blair’s fashionista mom, just showed her Fall 2010 collection at Fashion Week. It’s more Mad Men than GG, full of tweeds, forest greens, and Grey Gardens-era hats appropriate for both you and your grandma.

Dunno if I can get behind this green thing, as I (like most New Yorkers) tend to stick to blacks, whites, beiges and browns, but the collection is seasonally-appropriate and classic enough to turn Jenny Humphrey away. And that’s good enough for me.

[pic via="http://sociallysuperlative.com/2010/02/14/lorick-fallwinter-2010">Socially Superlative]

Long Live McQueen

annabreslaw — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:46:26 +0000

Alexander McQueen’s final show in Paris was exquisite, a star-studded sendoff complete with hoof shoes, glitter and “Bad Romance.” RIP.

Top Fashion Week Trends (So Far)

annabreslaw — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:02:22 +0000

1. Over-the-knee socks in nudes, blacks and whites to achieve that schoolgirl look, a la Peter Jensen.

2. Remixed plaid for layering under blazers and chunky scarves, a la Rag & Bone.

3. Mixed stripes in gauzy material a la Marc Jacobs (bonus points for Mary Janes or clogs!)

4. And my personal fave, delicious tribal patterns a la Suno.

[pics via The Cut]

Christian Post-Project Runway

chelseadavison — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:42:34 +0000

Remember Christian Siriano, the uber-New York, flamboyant hipster contestant from Project Runway that you loved to hate and who went on to win the competition? Well he’s back for New York Fashion Week with a fierce (couldn’t help myself) new collection. The motif was very glamorous–large gowns in rich colors against a jewel blue stage–and is continuing the young designer’s climb to fame.

Check out some pictures of the collection via Fox News’ slide show.

Marc Jacobs Goes Over the Rainbow

chelseadavison — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:31:07 +0000

American designer Marc Jacobs made a huge impression last night during fashion week when he debuted his latest collection.

Godfrey Deeny of Fashion Wire Daily reports that “Jacobs and his long-time partner Robert Duffy debuted the fall 2010 show by marching out and melodramatically pulling brown packing paper off a huge box to reveal 56 models posing inside. Next, with the introductory monologue of The Wizard of Oz booming out the speakers and then a cover version of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow,’ the models strolled around the maze-like catwalk.

Far from the farm in Kansas, the Jacobs catwalk was crowded with poetic touches, A-line dry wool coats trimmed with fur, gentle cabans cut a tad asymmetrical, cool town coats with Mary Quant scallop lapels. He really hit his stride in the finale with a series of beautifully draped iridescent velvet cocktails.

Keeping things tongue in cheek, the designer also sent out a selection of older, non-professional models including French stylist Camille Bidault Waddington. A live stream meant some audience members even got text messages from fashionistas as far away as Australia during the show commenting on the collection, underlining the power of the Internet and drawing power of Jacobs.”

Samantha Critchell, fashion writer with the Associated Press, said “There was both sophistication and sweetness in the outfits that borrowed from a more refined time. Jacobs clearly has turned a new leaf from his more recent party-girl ’80s-influenced collections. Monday’s dresses were mostly an A-line, adding a little volume, although one stunner was a body-hugging sweater covered on the front with shiny beading. Jacobs also confirmed a longer-length hemline that had been seen as one of the season’s likely trends.”

Joe Zee, the creative director for Elle magazine said of the Jacobs collection, ”These were gorgeous, real clothes that were beautifully done. Don’t you walk away feeling elated? Isn’t that the whole point of fashion?”

Well done, Mr. Jacobs, well done.