runway trends

The return of the cutout bootie for spring 2014

January 3, 2014 in Shoes / Shopping / Trends tagged boots / runway trends / spring 2014 / summer 2014 by Bay Area Fashionista

Cutouts on booties, boots and sandals dominated the runways in New York, Milan, London and Paris for spring/summer 2014. This gladiator inspired style has been moving in and out of fashion for the past several years, and after a minor lapse, the style has re-emerged for spring 2014 as one of the most important shoe styles (besides the stacked heel) for the spring and summer 2014 seasons.

Cutouts are everywhere for spring 2014. We are seeing them mostly on booties as early spring merchandise hits store shelves; but as the season matures, we will see cutouts on everything from sandals to pumps. If you already wore the cutout trend in a past season, pull those booties, sandals, gladiator sandals and boots out from the back of your closet; they are hot again! If not, this is a good trend to invest in for the 2014 year. Cutout booties will carry you through spring, summer and the warm temperatures in fall 2014.

The cutout shoe was favored by designers for spring 2014 since the trend in fashion is going towards a more earthy vibe. We are seeing tribal influences, “retro hippie styles” and soft, flowing fabrics. These types of trends in apparel call for a less structured shoe which is more casual in nature. The cutout style works well in this moment since it offers a casual look which blends well with the seasons’ prints, tribal styles and earthy vibe.

When shopping for cutouts on shoes this season, pay close attention to the sole and the heel. The sole should be flat and the heel should be thick or stacked. Look for wooden tones on heels, even with black fabrications. This is not a season for spiked heels! The thicker the heel the better! Also look for sculptured heels and polished “wood-like”grains.

I found a few fabulous spring 2014, cutout booties around the web which fit perfectly into this fabulous shoe trend. I hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

Trend of the moment: Pale handbags

November 12, 2013 in General Fashion / Handbags / Trends tagged clutches / pink / resort 2014 / runway trends / shoulder bags / spring 2014 / street style trends / winter 2014 by Bay Area Fashionista

Photo: Chloe handbag / JCrew bracelets / Stella and Dot bead bracelet-no longer avl. Also love SAVE or SPLURGE / iBISS dress / Deborah Lippmann nail polish / Glass ring

Pale hued handbags, in the form of pale beige, pale pink and white, are du rigueur. This handbag trend started to become popular on the street for fall 2013; although it was spotted on the runways as early as spring 2013. As we move into winter 2014, resort 2014 and spring 2014, the pale handbag is proving to be one of the most important hand trends of the moment.

On the runways, and spotted all over the streets, the pale handbag is the current “IT” colored handbag. The more pale beige or pale pink a handbag is, the better! For fall and winter we are seeing the pale handbag in the form of medium to micro-mini satchels. As we move into spring 2014, and satchels fade back into the “classic” category, pale handbags will be more prominent in shoulder bag, clutch and hobo styles.

The pale handbag is proving to also be an easy neutral color to wear as color trends change from bright and neon in 2013 to vivid and pastel in 2014. Pale handbags seem to be able to handle the transition and work with all type of color palettes. They also play well with 2013’s and 2014’s prints! Love that!

As we move towards winter 2014 spring 2014, unless you already own a pale satchel, it would be wise to invest in a pale shoulder bag, cross body bag, clutch, drawstring bag or hobo at the current moment. Shoulder bags and drawstring bags will be the “IT” styles for 2014; although drawstring bags are being shown more in black, white, navy and red so far; not too many in shades of pale beige and pink.

I found a few fabulous pale handbags around the web which can easily take you from winter 2014 to spring 2014. These beautiful bags are in the shopping widget below. Hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

Get the beauty look from the Dolce & Gabbana spring 2014 runway

September 24, 2013 in Beauty tagged dolce and gabbana / milan fashion week / runway trends / spring 2014 / summer 2014 / tips by Bay Area Fashionista

Dolce & Gabbana showed us a neutral color palette with a few looks in forest green, red, soft hues and metallics on the Milan Fashion Week ready-to-wear runway for the spring/summer 2014 season. This soft color palette offered bold prints, mixed prints, petite handbags, sky high platform shoes (as well as dainty flats), and even bolder jewelry. In order to blend with this bold, 1960’s and Sicilian influenced collection, make-up designer Pat McGrath created a beauty look for the runway with warm golden tones and rich red accents.

To achieve a flawless base, Pat applied Perfect Luminous Liquid Foundation using a foundation brush. She started with a small amount of foundation, applied it to the forehead, nose, cheeks and chin; and then blended it from the central point of the face outward until the product flowed seamlessly to the hairline and jaw. Perfect Luminous Concealer was then used to add extra coverage and achieve an illuminated look; especially under the eyes. Finally, Pat created a veil of perfection with a dusting of the pressed powder on the nose and chin. To complete the face, Pat blended the blush in Rosebud, Apricot and Peach, adding a light smudge of the eyeshadow duo in Fortune to the cheekbones and temples for a subtly sculpted finish.

Turning her attention to the eyes, Pat applied the lighter shades from the eyeshadow quad in Golds and Desert to create a deep, gilded look. Pat then applied the eyeliner in Chocolate and Nude to the upper and lower eye, adding a bronze flecked liquid liner on top of the lash line, for further definition. Finally, layers of Passioneyes Duo Mascara in Terra were applied for volumised and curled lashes, giving models a luxurious yet playful gaze. Pat then applied the brow liner in Soft Brown for a natural, tailored brow.

On the lips, Pat used Classic Cream Lipstick in two dynamic new shades; set to arrive at Dolce&Gabbana Make Up counters from Spring 2014! The new colours, Bellissima and Traviata, were mixed to add warm decadence to the look. The color was applied with greater intensity at the cupid’s bow for better definition and striking finish.

To complement the look Pat chose the nail lacquer in Pure Nude for a final touch of luxury.

Product list:

FOR THE FACE

the foundation

Perfect Luminous Liquid Foundation

the concealer

Perfect Luminous Concealer

the blush

Luminous Cheek Colour in Rosebud, Apricot and Peach

the powder

Perfection Veil Pressed Powder (available from Spring 2014)

FOR THE EYES