Spring 2011 Fashion Trends: Rocker Chic

Rocker Chic appeared on many of the spring 2011 runways including Burberry Prorsum and Chanel. The Rocker Chic trend includes black leather pants, black leather shorts, motorcycle jackets, leather skirts, studs, fingerless gloves, heavy make-up and edgy jewelry. Unlike the Rocker Chic trend a few years back, the spring 2011 trend is sleeker and more understated than the last time around.

Designers included small studs in both gold and silver on the spring runways for 2011. The studs appeared mainly on accessories such as handbags, shoes, gloves and cuffs. The studded handbags from a few years back were heavily studded and included large hardware on the straps. For spring 2011 the studs are more minimal; being shown as trim around the edges of handbags.

The Rocker Chic footwear for spring 2011 included motorcycle style boots; both ankle and knee high. The boots include studs, buckles and zipper-like details as well as other, small metal embellishments.

Rocker Chic is a trend which is not being done head-to-toe for spring 2011. The look is to be understated with one or two hardcore pieces mixed together with basics or minimalist pieces. You can pair studded footwear with Levi’s and a tee-shirt or a motorcycle jacket over a soft sundress with classic sandals. You may want to look for one or two pieces of this trend that catch your eye such as a handbag or fabulous pair of boots, and then mix the items in with the rest of your wardrobe.

This is one trend that can easily be found in many Fashionistas closet’s. Since the Rocker Chic trend was around just about three to four years ago, many fashion savvy shoppers have motorcycle boots and black leather tucked away in their closets. Also, Balenciaga lovers will be right on trend with their BBags in any style of hardware.

The Rocker Chic trend can easily be found on store shelves right now, making it one of spring’s trends that can be jump started right now. Nine West currently has fabulous ankle booties with studs for fall which can be worn now throughout 2011; after all, the ankle bootie is a huge shoe trend for spring 2011 too! In fact, the Nine West collection for fall includes multiple rocker chic pieces which can easily carry you into fall, and the prices are not too shocking on the wallet  Happy Shopping and stay fabulous 

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Fall boots from Nine West at Nordstrom Valley Fair. Photo Credit: Bay Area Fashionista ©2010

Fabulous and fashionable umbrellas

One of the more cumbersome parts of a rainy day is the need for an umbrella. Fashion savvy men and women spend time on their hair and putting an outfit together, the last thing anyone wants to happen is to look like a bucket of water was dumped on top of their head. Although a hooded rain jacket can sometimes do the trick, hat head can happen easily, therefore ruining a perfectly good hair day. What every fashion conscious man and women needs is a fabulous and fashionable umbrella.

Say goodbye to a boring black umbrella! Unless you are taking public transportation or plan to be outdoors where you might need to place your umbrella on the ground, there is no need for a black umbrella. Black umbrellas are a must for any umbrella collection as they serve a practical purpose, but, when a black umbrella is not needed to hide the dirt, a fabulous umbrella is in order.

There are plenty of ways to express your fashion savvy knowledge through an umbrella. There are classic umbrellas such as the nova check umbrella from Burberry or a signature G umbrella from Gucci and there are also fashion forward designer umbrellas such as the patterns from Marc Jacobs. These are both good ways to express your fashionable side as the sky opens up.

There are also umbrellas which fit into the current trends. A vintage umbrella is a great way to match your umbrella to your vintage, fall outfit. Why not use a 1960’s umbrella paired with a mod dress and fabulous, brightly colored rain boots! A vintage floral umbrella can easily blend with the current feminine trend and carry you into spring when the rain showers appear and you are wearing spring’s hot floral print trend. A floral umbrella can even spice up a solid, pale colored outfit; another trend for spring 2011. A floral vintage umbrella can also double as a parasol when the sun is shining bright in the spring and summer.

Getting married during the rain? There are even wedding umbrellas to match that fabulous Vera Wang wedding gown! Why not use a petticoat white umbrella which can easily double as a parasol in warm weather.

Although umbrellas are practical and a necessity of life when it comes to a rainy day, there is always a reason to find a fabulous and fashionable umbrella. Even better if that umbrella can double as a parasol in the warm weather. Classic and fashionable umbrellas can be found at stores such as Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom. Unique umbrellas can be found at umbrellas.net. Happy shopping and stay fabulous. 

Spring 2011 Shoes Trends: Ankle Straps

Ankle straps are making a comeback on everything from flat sandals to sky-high heels. The last time the ankle strap donned the well-heeled was about five to six years ago when Manolo Blahnik created bow tie ankle strap heels and Chanel strapped the ankles of the fashion savvy everywhere.

The high heels and flat sandals on the runway in New York, Paris, London and Milan showed varied sole heights and color combinations. Some of the trends that were visible were bold colors mixed together, suede, flowers and embellishments. The one common theme on shoes was the ankle strap. The ankle straps on the runway at Louis Vuitton featured both buckles and bow tie’s. While John Galliano featured platforms with buckled ankle straps. Christian Dior featured bow tie ankle straps that wrapped around the ankle a few times; a nod to the Greek sandal. Nina Ricci featured both single and double buckled ankle straps as well as the bow tie ankle strap. Dolce & Gabbana also featured both the bucked ankle strap and the bow tie version. Versace showed thick, buttoned ankle straps which gave a nod to the 1960’s trend. Gianfranco Ferre featured a triple, buckled ankles strap on his runway. Gucci showed the single, buckled ankle strap. Anna Sui’s take on the ankle strap was with two thick, criss-cross straps that buckled in the back. Rodarte also featured thick, buckled ankle straps on the runway as well as Bagley Mishka. Marc Jacobs featured scarf bow tie ankle straps on his New York Fashion Week runway which stood out against neutral, everyday separates.

The verdict is in! The ankle strap is back and it is coming in many different forms from bow tie’s, to single, double and even triple straps. The criss cross ankle strap, although not as visible, will also be part of the trend. This is a great trend for shopping your closet. The ankle strap comes and goes every few years, so if you do not already have a pair in your closet from the last time around, this is a great trend to invest in. The high heels are showing in both platform and flat soles. There is mix of colors and textures. You cannot go wrong with any color combination or fabrication. Metallic, pastels, bold colors, candy colors, exotics, patterns. . . the list goes on for what will hot for spring 2011 shoes. Happy shopping and stay fabulous