Trends

Maxi Dresses for summer are the new go-to wardrobe item

 in Bay Area Fashion / General Fashion / Trends  tagged casual style / dresses / maxi dresses / summer 2011 by

Maxi dresses were shown by designers for spring/summer 2011 in Milan, Paris and New York as part of the boho-chic trend and also as a stand-alone trend for the warm weather months. The maxi dresses were shown in simple, sleek solid colors as well as with complicated patterns and flowing fabrics such as on Roberto Cavalli’s runway. The maxi dress or skirt styles which have gone from the runway into reality are a combination of everything designers imagined for the season.

The one rule for the maxi dress this season is that there is no rule! Maxi dresses and skirts are shown in slim styles which hug the body from the waist down to the ankles, as well as gathered, pleated and flowing; reminiscent of the hippie movement from the late 1960’s and 1970’s.

Maxi dresses are easy to wear and offer a breezy way to stay cool in the warm summer months. The one challenge a Fashionista may have with maxi dresses or skirts is that the length is hard to pull off when one is petite.

For the 5’5” and up set, maxi skirts and dresses are easy to wear and can elongate one’s silhouette. For those of us who are 5’4” and under, the ankle length can make us short and stubby. There is a solution for petite women who would like to rock the maxi trend; slim silhouettes. The slimmer silhouettes work better than the fuller skirts when one is less than 5’4”, making the maxi trend accessible for those of us who are, shall we say, challenged in the height department?

maxi dresses boho chic by bayareafashionista featuring red feather earrings

Shades of red for fall 2011

 in Color Trends / General Fashion / Trends  tagged fall 2011 / red by

Move over honeysuckle, there is a new hue in town!

When designers sent their fall collections down the Milan, Paris, New York and London runways earlier this year, the fashion world was seeing red; literally. Red came in many shades and forms on the fall runways. There were red coats, dresses, shoes, handbags and anything that could have a color, did, and it was red. Red was shown in various shades ranging from bright red down to deep burgundy. Red was shown alone as well as color blocked with black; a throwback to the 1980’s.

Red is a color that seems to flow in and out of style every year; making it an easy way to invest in an item that is not only on-trend but classic! Fabulous!

What is our favorite red investment item for fall? The burgundy handbag. We here at Bay Area Fashionista love the deep, rich tones of burgundy and her warmer sister maroon. The shade can easily be worn with cool color tones and is an understated pop when paired with black. Burgundy is also an autumn classic which allows it to be the perfect investment color for fall. Happy shopping, and stay fabulous. 

Fall handbags by bayareafashionista featuring quilted chain handbags

Going blue for summer

 in Color Trends / General Fashion / Trends  tagged blue / cobalt / summer 2011 by

Last winter “Pantone” declared “Honeysuckle” the “IT” color for 2011. “Honeysuckle,” which was a bold pink shade, has been spotted in retail establishments throughout the spring season in many shades of bright and bold pink including hot pink and candy pink. As the fashion world moves into their summer wardrobes, savvy Fashionistas are starting to bore of all the bold pink shades and move towards an easier shade to wear; cobalt blue.

Cobalt blue enjoyed the walk down many runways during the spring 2011 fashion shows. The color, which is easy to wear no matter what shade of skin or hair a Fashionista has, has become increasingly popular as spring moves into summer. Designers have favored the hue over pink and cobalt blue has begun to take over the racks and shelves at fashionable retailers throughout the globe.

Cobalt blue can be worn in many different forms from a tonal dress to a pair of suede Louboutin’s to a bold and blue handbag paired with an all-black or all-white ensemble.

Since color is a personal preference and can make a Fashionista look like a fashion-victim in matter of seconds, cobalt blue is not the only color to wear this summer. Always remember to pick a color you love and makes you feel beautiful. Happy shopping and stay fabulous 

 

cobalt blue summer 2011 by bayareafashionista featuring blue heel shoes