Apr 20, 2020 | Fashion

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So many fashion trends were on the Spring & Summer 2020 runways that seem recycled from past years. Well, that’s pretty much to be expected with fashion – what goes around, comes around! Though I’m not suggesting you indulge in ALL these trends ALL at once (then you would be a slave to the Fashion Industry’s whims)…you might find inspiration to pull out of your own closet, give a dust-off, and enjoy again.
The weather is warming up, the birds and insects are coming out of hiding, flowers are blooming, the world is in lockdown. Let’s look at some pretty things to lift our spirits, shall we?
8 Fashion Trends for Spring & Summer 2020
1. The Crochet Dress
Seen on the Spring runways at Marni, Fendi, and Jil Sander (just to name a few!) this 70’s revival received a modern update this year. Pretty, airy, and feminine, these can display a little – or a lot! – of skin to the warm breezes of Summer.
Recommended: Navy Blue Mesh Panel 3D Floral Lace Double Layer Midi Dress, $40.99
2. The Bra Top
Underwear as outerwear showed up at Dior, Givenchy, and Giambattista Valli. Channel the high-end designers by sporting a demure bikini top or bra that looks less like lingerie and more like a cool lounge top. Even if you’re naturally shy, you can still pull off this fashion trends for spring & summer 2020 by layering under a blazer or lightweight Spring coat.
Recommended: Padded Lace Longline Bralette, $13
3. Yellow Neon
I’ve always loved this color and certainly don’t need the latest crop of designers telling me to go wear it! Though Courreges, Marni, and Balenciaga got with the program this year, neon yellow will always be a neutral in my mind – and something that is cheerful and sunny even on cloudy days.
Recommended: Candidly low heel sandal with tubular strap in yellow
, $60
4. Ruffled Tiers
Prairie-style for days, these ruffled tiers are super-sweet volumes of indulgence at the Christopher Kane, Roksanda, and Alexander McQueen shows. I feel lighter and happier when covered in ruffles (seriously, can you EVER have too many??) and this is truly a welcome trend.
Recommended: DIY Babydoll Dress from 3 Men’s Shirts, $0 if you own 2 button-down shirts already!
5. Bermuda Shorts
Kind of an update on the cropped clamdigger-length pants that were everywhere last year and you had to have model proportions to pull off well >: ( …the longer-length shorts that hit around the knee are a new iteration. Bottega Veneta, Chloe, and Altuzarra offered their interpretations…and paired with a cute color-coordinating blazer these shirts give off a cool, laid-back 2020 vibe.
Recommended: Board Short in Black
, $40
6. Polka Dots
Another graphic print I just adore – they almost act as another neutral when paired with a more busy print, and help a color POP when layered together. Dries Van Noten, Sacai, and Maison Margiela shared their pretty Spring versions of this sophisticated classic.
Recommended: 80’s Vintage Polka Dot Smock Top in White, $39.90
7. Vests
Vests are already a wardrobe staple for me and I’ve been wearing them for years – so happy to see them back in fashion! Something tailored, fitting, and chic is the name of the game – at Celine, Max Mara, Gucci, and Rag & Bone.
Recommended: Jersey Cropped Suit Vest
,$29
8. 1960’s Wallpaper Prints
I’m personally not a huge fan of 60’s wallpaper prints…which showed up in the Prada, Marc Jacobs, and Gucci collections…but I DO love a tropical oversized print! Nothing says Summer so much as large flowers and palm trees! (Evidenced by my DIY Printed Flat-Bottom Zip Samudra-Style Pouch tutorial using my Palm Tree Print Fabric, available on Spoonflower.)
Recommended: Tropical Print Paperbag Waist Belted Shorts, $8.95 (!)
The nice thing is – if you DO want to purchase any of the above – they ALL can be bought online – and all delivered to your home. Except of course the DIY Babydoll Dress – which you can make yourself from 2 button-down shirts on hand!
xo
Carly
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Jan 2, 2015 | Fashion

When PANTONE announced that the Color of the Year for 2015 was Marsala – this dark red, wine/burgundy/brown hybrid…the fashion/design/rest of the world was not quick to embrace. Unlike Radiant Orchid (2014) and Emerald (2013), this one left most people scratching their heads.
I have to admit this dark burgundy color has never been a favorite of mine [I feel it kinda had its heyday back in 1994 in the Grunge Era…yup, I went there]. That being said, it’s a sophisticated, quite underused color that can take on a different tone depending on what it’s paired with. And getting creative with those pairings is key…since the default is usually to go with a Fall palette when confronted with something like Marsala.
Here are a few items that could be paired with this Fashion Challenge…if you want to take it on.
Lucite Green: Aztec Drops, $32
// Aquamarine: Trapeze Coat in Brushed Wool, $161.08 // Classic Blue: Breezy Night Stroll Dress // Tangerine: Rebecca Minkoff Cory Pouch, $35 // Strawberry Ice: I Need a Heel-O Fuchsia Pointed Ankle Strap Heels, $34 // Custard: Yellow Pleated Miniskirt, $16.90 // Scuba Blue: Skyline Selfie Top, $24.99 // Glacier Gray: Gray Lapel Long Sleeve Faux Fur Short Coat, $32.79 // Marsala: Full Flower Crochet Skirt, $39.02
How do YOU feel about Marsala? Can you see working it into your wardrobe in anything besides makeup or accessories?
Come back tomorrow to see how I tried it in an outfit!
xo
Carly
Images source; collage by me.
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission when you click on a link and make a purchase. My full Disclosure Policy is here.
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Nov 18, 2014 | Fashion
I LOVE sparkly, glittery, shimmery sequined items (just look at my logo, for goodness’ sakes!) and I love to incorporate them into my wardrobe for daywear and in unusual ways. Check out these style mavens and how they bring out the sequin bling in their everyday outfits: (more…)
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Feb 3, 2014 | DIY
Inspiration: Prada on the runway vs. Topshop’s low-priced alternative.
With Prada’s Spring/Summer 2013 collection we saw a fun throwback to 60’s-style oversized flowers: a reincarnation of Mary Quant’s iconic daisy design. That graphic floral element has remained strong throughout the Fall and Winter, popping up on fashion’s trendsetters and street style mavens everywhere. DIY-able? I think so. Stay tuned for a how-to coming up soon!


xo
Carly
Image sources: here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
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Jan 22, 2014 | Fashion

For Spring 2014 Pantone has released their Color Fashion Report for Women, using pastels with punchy brights inspired by blooming flowers and international travel.
This season, consumers are looking for a state of thoughtful, emotional and artistic equilibrium. While this need for stability is reflected in the composition of the palette, the inherent versatility of the individual colors allows for experimentation with new looks and color combinations.
-Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute®.
So to kick things off for this season I’ve put together a little wishlist inspired by these lovely hues. Which is your favorite? Will you go bold with Dazzling Blue and Freesia? Or pretty pastel with Placid Blue and Radiant Orchid?
Placid Blue: Personal Cropped Light Blue Sweater, $65 / Violet Tulip: Chic of Nature Lavender Bodycon Dress, $40
Hemlock: Retro Rosie Earrings, $7.99 / Paloma: Arrows Infinity Scarf, $32
Sand: Leather Wedge Knee Boots, $151.99 / Freesia: Coast Kingston Stone Set Necklace, $64.82
Cayenne: Fringe Necklace, $65 / Celosia Orange: Across 14th Street Shoulder Bag
, $48
Radiant Orchid: Dual Tone Purple Skirt Set, $12.99 / Dazzling Blue: A Wear Drop Waist Frill Hem Dress, $79.63
I can’t wait to start mixing these colors into my Spring wardrobe!
How about you: what Pantone Spring 2014 color speaks to you ?
xo
Carly
Pantone Trend Report image source
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