runway trends

Spring 2014 trends: crop tops

 in General Fashion / Trends  tagged 1980s / runway trends / spring 2014 / street style trends / summer 2014 / vintage styles by

Crop tops came into fashion in 2013, and for spring 2014, the 1980’s style is back with a vengeance. Crop tops are everywhere for spring 2014 and being paired with skirts, shorts, skorts and pants in the same fabrication for a suit-like ensemble. In addition to being the top half of the “new suit,” crop tops are also being shown with workout clothing and as casual tee-shirts for a lazy weekend day.

There were fashion editors and insiders everywhere at New York Fashion Week sporting crop tops while attending the fashion shows for fall 2014. Despite the snow, these wearers of crop tops paired their spring 2014 “shirt of the season” with pants, skirts, tights and boots in an attempt to keep warm. The crop tops were often paired with a bottom made from the same fabric as the crop top. Matchy-matchy!

This is one trend from the 1980’s we have not seen make a resurgence in the last twenty-something years. Crop tops were hot for several years in the mid-1980’s to late-1980’s until the waistlines on denim began to sink below the waist and the hip hugger returned from the 1970’s. That was the death of the crop top.

We are starting to see waistlines on denim begin to rise, and as the waistline rises towards, gasp!, the waist, the crop top is gaining momentum as the new “it” shirt of the spring 2014 season; and most likely the summer 2014 season. This is one runway trend which is already a hit on the streets.

I found a few fabulous crop tops around the web and assembled them into the shopping widget below. I hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

Top trends from the New York Fashion Week runways for fall/winter 2014/2015

 in General Fashion / Trends  tagged fall 2014 / new york fashion week / runway trends / winter 2015 by

The last model has walked off the runway in New York and now the fashion world is left with many new trends to think about for the fall/winter 2014/2015 season. 

Here are the top trends from the New York Fashion Week runways for the fall/winter 2014/2015 season:

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Accessories:

Hats: Felt hats were everywhere on the runways for fall 2014. Look for dark colors and classic black.

Pointed toe shoes: The pointed toe, whether flat soled or platform, dominated the New York catwalks.

Booties: Booties are the new boots. Look for boot shafts around the ankle both solid and strappy.

Satchels: Once again the classic satchel reigned supreme on the runways of New York. Look for single top handle satchels, medium to small sizes and structure.

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Color Trends:

Blue and purple prints: Fall 2014 is all about wearing blue and purple together.

 Blue: Every shade of blue graced the catwalks in New York. Look for mostly medium to dark blues with a splash of pastel blue.

Classic red: Nothing says fall 2014 like classic red. Look for it on everything from gowns to coats to shoes to handbags.

Pastels: Pastel hues are traveling from spring 2014 into fall 2014. Look for mixed pastel hues paired with soft grays.

Silver: Silver is the metallic hue of the season! While gold touches were found on the fall 2014 runways, they were overshadowed by silver. Look for silver touches, sequins and accessories.

Soft ivory: Ivory with gold and ivory by itself dominated the runways for fall 2014 in New York. Ivory is the new black!

All black: OK, so nothing can replace black. Look for all black ensembles with an occasional pop of color through one accessory for fall 2014.

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Apparel:

Asymmetrical hemlines: They’re baaa-aaack! Look for asymmetrical hemlines which hit below the knee on full skirts and flowing skirts.

Full skirts-knee length: The full skirt is back. Look for feminine full skirts paired with body conscious tops; as well as dresses with full skirts. The skirts hit at or just below the knee. Think poodle skirts sans the poodle.

Pencil skirts: va-va-voom! Pencil skirts are still hot for fall 2014! Look for classic styles, prints, mixed fabrications (blocked) and sequins. Must be worn with killer high heels and soft fabrics on top; i.e silk, wool or faux fur.

Shoulderless or dropped shoulder coats: Seams need not apply at the shoulder area for fall 2014. Look for coats and jackets without structured shoulders and seams which drop far below the actual shoulder. The dropped shoulder is back.

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Beauty trends:

High or low ponytails: A clean classic ‘do, the sleek ponytail is back worn high on the head or low at neck. Werk!

Dark lips: The dark lip is back. Look for deep red hues.

Natural face: A clean, “you’re wearing make-up but it doesn’t look like you’re wearing make-up” look is hot for fall 2014. If dark lips are not your thing, THIS is your thing. Look for natural lips, barely there eye-make-up and bare nails.

Nail art using black: Nail art is back for fall 2014 and it must incorporate black.

Bare nails: If nail art is not your style, the bare nail is back. Look for clear nail polish and pale, oh-so-pale pinks.

There you have it! The hottest trends from the runways in New York for fall 2014. Until next time. . .

All photos: Cathy/Bay Area Fashionista 2014©

Spring 2014 shoe trends: mules and slides

 in Shoes / Trends  tagged 1990s / mules / runway trends / slides / spring 2014 / summer 2014 by

mules slides spring 2014

From top right: Alexander Wang / Stella McCartney /Sophia Webster / Manolo Blahnik

Mules and slides are back! Get ready to scrunch your shoes as you walk! Mules and slides were huge in the mid-1990’s and Fashionistas everywhere learned quickly how to scrunch up their toes in order to keep their shoes from flying off their feet. Oh memories. . .

Mules and slides stayed in style until the early 2000’s when pointed toe mules had their moment. After enduring pinched toes inside of shoes which were next to impossible to keep on ones’ feet, mules and slides ended up in the back of the closet; and the d’Orsay Pump took its’ place.

Well, for spring.summer 2014, the mule and the slide are back. Hold on tight! Mules and slides look amazing and are actually comfortable when you are standing still. There isn’t anything in the back of the shoe to rub and cause blisters, nor is there a strap which could break or become too tight as the day wears on. Mules and slides are easy to take on and off when driving as well as underneath ones’ desk at the office. (of course, when no-one is looking!) 

That being said, mules and slides are not meant for sight-seeing, long walks or cardio shopping at the mall. Mules and slides are perfect for events where you might find yourself standing such as at a fundraiser, auction, luncheon, wedding etc. Since they are actually comfortable, and hot off the runway, it would be wise to own at least one pair of mules or slides this spring/summer 2014 season!

Mules and slides were most popular on the Milan and Paris runways; although designers around the globe are favoring the style this warm weather season. If you kept a pair from the 1990’s or early 2000’s, go ahead and move them to the front of your closet. If not, look for a fabulous pair of mules or slides in a neutral color. If you find them easy to walk in, then more power to you; buy all the colors you can find! If you are like me and prefer mules and slides for less mobile situations, look for a neutral pair which will take you through the trend.

I found a few fabulous pairs of mules and slides and assembled them into the shopping widget below. I hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉