vintage styles


Spring 2014 trends: crop tops

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 😉


Pencil skirts for fall 2013

The pencil skirt is back! After a bright spring/summer season filled with A-line skirts and dresses, the pencil skirt has made a comeback; and it is chicer than ever. Although our eyes just got used to the A-line skirt, the pencil skirt has decided to take over for fall as the “IT” skirt for the cool weather season, leaving the A-line is a close, second place style spot.

Pencil skirts for fall 2013 are hitting just at, or just below, the knee. This long, slim silhouette is chic, sophisticated and very “of-the-moment” for fall 2013. Designers have created the pencil skirt in every fall style imaginable. Pencil skirts are being shown in leather, wool, autumn hues, bold prints, digital prints and color blocked.

For fall 2013, the pencil skirt is the focal point of an ensemble. Pencil skirts with prints are a hot item this fall and outfits are being designed around them. If there is one hot, trendy piece to buy this fall 2013 season, it is a printed pencil skirt.

Of course, if printed pencil skirts are not your thing, a classic, solid colored skirt in black, brown, wine or cobalt blue will look fresh and modern for fall. The fabulous thing about a classic pencil skirt is that you may already have one in your closet! Love that!

I found a few fabulous, knee length pencil skirts for fall 2013 around the web and assembled them into the shopping widget below. Hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 

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Leather backpacks for fall 2013

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Photos: Leather Backpack: vintage Kenneth Cole / Earrings: John Hardy / Dress: Gap / Lipstick: c/o Dolce & Gabbana “Gentle Monica” / Bracelets: Tory Burch & c/o Twisted Silver / Nail Polish: Chanel Paparazzi / Boots: Prada Leather backpacks.

This was a huge trend from the mid-1990’s which eventually evolved into the “mini-backpack” trend of the mid to late 1990’s. If you lived in San Francisco at the time, mini-backpacks could be spotted on almost every 20-something on Union Street and the Triangle area. This time around, mini-backpacks are scarce (let’s hope it stays that way) and medium sized, luxurious leather backpacks are everywhere.

The leather backpack, while spotted on the fall/winter 2013/2014 runways, was not a dominant trend from designers. Consumers picked up on the style and took off with it, making the leather backpack a street style trend for fall 2013.

Leather backpacks are being shown in medium sizes made from soft and slouchy leather. The leather backpack is being shown in neutral, classic hues of black, charcoal and shades of brown. This is not a trend to wear in seasonal colors, bright colors, or any colors other than black, charcoal or light to dark brown.

If you wore leather backpacks for school, work or fun back in the 1990’s and kept your backpack in storage, you are in luck! Bring it out from the back of your closet and use it for casual days this fall as an alternative to a shopper tote. If not, this is the perfect time to invest in a leather backpack. Although trendy, leather backpacks are great for traveling and make the perfect carry-on for airplane rides when they are not considered trendy. Is it classic? Yes! Investment worthy? Yes! Great alternative to a bulky shopper tote for fall? Yes yes yes!

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