runway trends


Animal prints for fall 2013

Animal prints are hot for fall 2013. Of course, animal prints are always hot for the fall season. Although that statement reigns true, designers always find a way to tweak the popular, cool weather print, and make it fresh for the new season.

For fall 2013, animal prints are being freshened up. Gone are the days of the platform pump. This means for fall 2013, animal print pumps offer a flat or “single” sole as well as a thin 3”-4” heel and pointed toe. No almond, round or square toes please!

In addition to classic pointed toe pumps, animal prints are color blocked on handbags with black or red for the fall 2013 season. The ultimate way to wear animal prints on a handbag is on a two handle satchel color blocked with black. Look for this style to sell out fast this fall!

A classic way to incorporate animal prints into your fall 2013 wardrobe is through a scarf. Since this is a traditional way to wear animal prints, chances are you already own an animal print scarf! Fabulous! Pull it out from the back of your dresser drawer and pat yourself on the back for already owning this trend. Money saved=happy J

Dresses and tops are another way to wear animal prints for fall 2013. Look for full animal prints, long sleeves and knee length dresses with a slim silhouette; or long sleeve tops with a body conscious, not tight, silhouette.

Animal prints are also being taken away from their natural color palette and being shown in alternate hues. Prints such as leopard are being shown in shades of burgundy, green, black and black/white. This is a modern, updated way to wear animal prints which takes them out of their natural habitat and onto city streets.

Animal prints are bold; so if you are not ready to make a statement, yet you want to rock this trend, look for animal prints in subtle ways. A pair of shoes, a cuff or a scarf is the perfect way to incorporate animal print into your wardrobe without screaming “rawr!”

I found a few fabulous fall 2013, animal print pieces around the web and assembled them into this article. Hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 

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Color blocking continues for fall 2013

One of the biggest trends of 2012 was color blocking. This trend was huge on the runways, and consumers responded well to the look. This made color blocking even bigger on the streets than the catwalk. Since color blocking was so well-received on the street, designers have been having fun with the trend and it has continued to have its’ place on the runways in 2013 and for the fall/winter 2013/2014 season.

Color blocking has not changed in execution for fall 2013. While the colors for fall may be darker than what we have seen from designers over the past two years, the way we color block is not changing. Color blocked items such as shoes and handbags are still important as we head into fall 2013. Wearing two solid color separates together which are offer contrasting hues are still relevant. Fabrics which feature color blocking in large, geometric patterns or giant stripes are also still at the forefront of fashion. This makes wearing the trend easy for Fashionistas who have been color blocking over the past two years.

There is one difference for fall 2013 which may make fashion-savvy dressers everywhere run to the mall for new separates to color block, or new color blocked accessories; the color palette has changed. While shades such as orange, red, cobalt blue, emerald green and navy are still relevant for fall 2013, traditional autumn hues and winter hues are important for the cool weather season too.

Color blocking is being shown in black/white as well as with dark neutrals and dark colors. The darker colors we are seeing for fall 2013 include burgundy, deep forest green, navy, dark purple, shades of wine, dark fuchsia, cobalt and charcoal. The neutral, brown hues being shown for fall include chocolate brown and pale beige. White is also huge for fall and of course, need I say it? Classic black.

So for fall 2013, do not be afraid to thrown on contrasting colors and continue color blocking. The one thing to remember is that fall 2013 is darker than fall 2012 and color blocking should reflect that color trend. Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 

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Fall 2013 fashion trends: black and white continues

Black and white is a classic and natural color combination. Although traditionally thought of for spring, black and white together is one of fall 2013’s hottest trends from the runway. And you thought you couldn’t wear white after Labor Day?! Ha!

Black and white worn together was spotted all over the runways for fall/winter 2013/2014. This classic color combo has shown itself in every way possible for fall including prints, color blocking, stripes and more. Designers have even created handbags and shoes which feature both black and white. Many shoes and handbags for fall are being shown in white with black piping; or vise-versa. The combination evokes a vintage, 1960’s “Go-Go” vibe, yet many of the silhouettes are more reminiscent of the 1970’s and early 1990’s. If you have been wearing black and white through the spring and summer seasons, there is an easy way to spice up the color combination for the fall 2013 season; with sparkle! One of the big trends from the runways was sparkle. While this trend has been around for a few years, it is an easy way to update a black and white look you may have sitting in your closet from a past season. Sparkling tights can update a black and white striped dress from spring. A black cardigan with silver threading can update a black and white ensemble from summer. All it takes is one piece with sparkle and voila! You are hot for fall 

Another trend which has been around and is continuing into fall 2013 is the rocker-chic trend. This trend has merged with the black and white trend for fall 2013. You will find many handbags and shoes studded with silver spikes, studs and crystals. This is a new way to wear black and white for fall 2013 and also an easy way to incorporate the color combo into the emerging grunge trend. Yes, I said grunge again.

The key points to remember when wearing the black and white trend this fall are which decade to look for in each piece. Shoes and handbags are being shown in 1960’s and 1970’s silhouettes; they also tend to be color blocked or piped. Apparel is softer and there is a big 1970’s and early 1990’s influence. Look for baby doll dresses, wide leg trousers, soft flowing skirts, sparkling tights, studded everything, fringe and fabulous t-strap shoes color blocked in black and white. It is almost as if the lead singer of a heavy metal band went into a thrift store, purchased a bunch of black and white items, and then added some spikes to them.

So make sure you download Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Nirvana from your CD collection onto your iPod. When you’re done, come back here and check out the shopping widget below with “Jeremy” playing in the background. I have assembled together a few fabulous black and white items for fall 2013. Hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 

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