runway trends

The return of Grunge

 in Trends  tagged 1990s / fall 2013 / grunge / rocker chic / runway trends / saint laurent / vintage styles / winter 2014 by

The fashion world gasped when Saint Laurent (formally known as Yves Saint Laurent) sent models down their fall/winter 2013/2014 runway wearing ensembles reminiscent of the “Seattle Sound” era. Eventually Fashionistas everywhere regained their breath and took a second look. There they were. Models with a “who cares-I hate the world” attitude pranced down the runway in dresses reminiscent of Courtney Love’s “Doll Parts” music video combined with thrift store pieces. This was it; Saint Laurent announced to the world that grunge has returned for the fall 2013 season.

I have a love/hate relationship with grunge. The “Seattle Sound” and grunge look was popular when I was graduating from high school and during my early years of undergrad. The grunge look became popular instantly and college students who would normally be classified as “preppy” would throw a flannel shirt over their tee shirts and jeans; calling it “grunge.” Lug soled shoes, Doc Marten boots and plaid shirts were everywhere; diluting the whole message behind the anti-establishment movement.

The grunge style was originally conceived through thrift store purchases by musicians in Seattle who were barely scraping by and living hand to mouth. To see this on the runway was a true testament of going from the street to the runway; and then back to the street. Could grunge be classified as the original “street style?” Can you think of another major trend which originated on the street and then took the fashion world by storm on the runway? Why has this trend returned to the runway? The “Seattle Sound” era has ended and only remains in the CD archives of GenX-ers who occasionally want to listen to Soundgarden and Pearl Jam songs to remember the “good ‘ol days.” So why are we re-living the fashion of the time?

I will admit to being one of those “preppy” college students in the mid-90’s wearing a DKNY plaid flannel shirt over my Gap jeans and lug soled shoes from Macy’s. I will also admit to loving everything that came out of Seattle in the 1990’s and I still have many of those albums on my iPod. Will I wear grunge again? Probably not. The big question is, will you wear grunge? Did you wear it the first time around? Will the globe catch on to this trend or will it remain on the runway? Thoughts to ponder. . .

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Cobalt blue for fall 2013 and resort 2014

 in Color Trends / Trends  tagged blue / cobalt / fall 2013 / resort 2014 / runway trends / winter 2014 by

Cobalt blue is a well-loved color. This bright shade of blue appears in seasonal collections almost every spring, summer and resort. We occasionally see designers use pops of cobalt for fall and winter, but it is not as common as in warm weather seasons.

For fall 2013 cobalt blue is hot. It is almost as hot as purple, and fall’s most important color, red. Cobalt is bright and is turning out to be the most cheerful color of the season. Love this!

Not only is cobalt blue important for fall 2013, the hue dominated the resort 2014 runways throughout the globe. This means cobalt blue is the perfect color to invest in right now. As summer sales are starting to hit final markdown, look for pieces in cobalt blue. You will be able to wear them now and well into 2014. After all, resort is a snapshot into spring, and if cobalt is hot for resort, it may very well have a strong place in the spring/summer 2014 collections.

Look for cobalt blue on everything from apparel to accessories. This hue is even popping up in beauty products. Nail polish, eye liner, eye shadow and mascara in cobalt blue are hot right now and can be toned down to carry your blue beauty look into fall. Watch for the hue to pop up again in beauty for resort 2014!

I found a few fabulous cobalt blue pieces around the web and assembled them into the shopping widget below. They are perfect to wear now, in the fall, and into 2014! Hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 

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The pointed toe reigns supreme for fall 2013

 in Shoes / Trends  tagged fall 2013 / runway trends / winter 2014 by

Platforms are out; flat soled pointed toes are in. It is a fact. Fall 2013 is all about the pointed toe pump and platforms have no place in the fall season. Pointed toes are being shown everywhere from flats to pumps to even boots! Almond toes, round toes and square toes may grace a few sparse store shelves, but that does not mean they should walk the street.

The pointed toe is everywhere for fall 2013. This classic toe style is being shown on every runway and street trend imaginable for the fall 2013 season. Designers are showing pointed toes in classic, solid colors and animal prints. In addition to solids and prints, designers have added on to their pointed toe flats, pumps and boots with studs, crystals, spikes, zippers and chains. Pointed toe pumps, flats and boots are also being shown color blocked; a continuing trend from the runway for fall 2013.

If you do not already own a pair of pointed toe pumps, flats or boots; there is one style you should invest in for the fall 2013 season. The ultimate investment shoe for fall 2013 is the black, pointed toe pump. Since pointed toes and classic, ladylike pumps are projected into 2014, a classic black pair will give you your money’s worth and be the pair of shoes you find yourself reaching for every morning. I recommend this pair.

When it comes to pointed toe flats, these are the ultimate flat shoe style for the fall 2013 season. One thing to note with pointed toe flats, they are difficult to walk in! You may find yourself kicking up your foot a little more than normal when you are walking in pointed toe flats to overcompensate for the pointed toe.

Do not fall fashion victim! Pointed toe flats can be an easy way to fall prey to fashion. If you are like me and cannot walk in pointed toe flats, skip them! A classic pair of ballet flats will get you through the season and keep your feet happy. When shopping for pointed toe pumps and boots, try on a half size up. This will give you more room in the toe and a comfortable fit which will allow you to wear pointy toes all day long. Love that!

I found a few fabulous pointed toe flats, pumps and boots for fall 2013 from around the web and assembled them into this article. Hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 

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