vintage styles

Suede, nubuck and faux-suede handbags for fall 2014

 in General Fashion / Handbags / Trends  tagged 1970s / fall 2014 / vintage styles by

There is a new handbag trend in town; and this one takes a cue from vintage handbag styles of the 1970s. Suede, nubuck and faux-suede are popping up on handbags for fall 2014; and this trend is proving to be the hottest up-and-comer since the mini bag. While fringe, mini-satchels and backpacks all have their place in fall the 2014 handbag line-up; the suede handbag is the unexpected star of the pack. The soft, inviting fabrication offers vintage appeal while offering a fresh alternative to the basic leather, faux leather, exotic skins and canvas we have been seeing on handbags over the past decade.

Suede, and suede-like fabrications including nubuck, faux-suede and ultra-suede, offer a casual, relaxed vibe which is welcome in the world right now. As un-fussy handbags have moved to the forefront of fashion, sans logos and extra finishes, suede offers texture to a simple style while adding warmth and remaining understated.

In addition to adding depth to an understated handbag style, suede also adds an authentic vintage feel to fringe handbags; another nod to the 1970s. Designers are also using suede, and suede-like fabrics, for blocking and trim on handbags. This adds dimension and texture without always adding a contrasting color to a bag.

Since suede is casual in nature, this is a great trend to have some fun with during the fall season. Look for fall 2014 colors such as dark teal, hunter green, brown, black, grey and luxurious deep purple. These colors will work well with autumn’s overall color palette and add an instant update to your wardrobe. Love that!

I found a few fabulous suede, nubuck, faux-suede and ultrasuede handbags around the web and assembled into the shopping widget below. I hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

Spring 2014 fashion trends: full skirts

 in General Fashion / Trends  tagged runway trends / skirts / spring 2014 / summer 2014 / vintage styles by

Full skirts were in full swing on the runways for spring/summer 2014/2015 in New York, Paris, Milan and London. This girlish skirt style hearkens back to a time of high ponytails, Ed Sullivan and drive-in burger joints. Designers favored full skirts not as part of a 1950’s/1960’s resurgence rather, they modernized the retro style and brought it right into 2014; no saddle shoes required.

That’s right! The full skirt, midi-length, has taken on a modern look for the spring/summer 2014/2015 season. Although the style is being shown in classic fabrics, neutral hues and pastel shades, the way full skirts are being worn is thoroughly fresh. It is all about how you style a full skirt for 2014.

Full skirts are being shown with crop tops, crisp shirts and body-conscious sweaters for the spring/summer 2014/2015 season. Although body-conscious sweaters are reminiscent of the 1950’s, they do not necessarily evoke a vintage vibe due to the color combinations and patterns designers have chosen for spring.

When you think of crop tops from the 1980’s, you may think of “Fame” style off-the-shoulder crops tops or loose fitting tops with a lot of movement. The crop tops being paired with full skirts for spring/summer 2014/2015 are form fitting and do not offer a lot of movement. In many cases they are made from the same fabric as their matching full skirt! Matchy-matchy!

Full skirts can be worn dressy with structured satchels and pointed toe pumps or dressed down for a casual look. For a weekend ensemble, full skirts are being shown with flat sandals, heeled sandals, mini-satchels and soft clutches. This is not your Mother’s or Grandmother’s full skirt outfit!

I found a few fabulous full skirts, both dressy and casual, around the web and assembled them into the shopping widget below. I hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉

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 😉