Infinite Chic

…and it happens to be VERY in. Especially if it looks anything like Old Hollywood Glamour. This genre of fashion, hairstyles, great shoes and ladylike attitudes has spanned over so many generations it’s too hard to count. Old Hollywood is something that will NEVER go out. Channeling Old Hollywood is not something new, but it can definitely be seen in today’s popular culture. Magazines with themed photo shoots, period films from the era and fashion ALL over the red carpet.

Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, the silver screened sirens of the Old Hollywood era, made an impact SO huge that people today rely on their put together looks for their own fashion advice. Audrey Hepburn, left, brought the black into the picture. With her little black dress, and cropped black pants, she showed us that black is for ALL occasions, casual and formal. Grace Kelly always has the poise and elegant manner of the perfect lady and she definitely dressed the part.

Former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, on the left, brought on a fashion mania when she stepped onto the scene in the 60’s. With her cute pillbox hat and signature pink suit, she showed us that it IS possible to be a lady and look professional and FABULOUS at the same time. Last but not least, Marilyn Monroe, sex bomb of Old Hollywood. Not only was she beautiful, but striking and sexy as well. She brought out the “fierce”, (to quote Tyra Banks,) in women’s fashion with daring clothing and her unforgettable platinum blonde hair that would be mimicked for generations to come.

Vanity Fair seems to have picked up on this Old Hollywood fashion craze. In the March 2008 issue they showcased what they called the “The 10 Fresh Faces of 2008.” Included in this bunch of Chanel clad ladies was Amy Adams, Ellen Page, America Ferrera and Zoe Saldana, as well as many others. The issue is titled “The Hollywood Issue” and all of the women on the cover are dressed in Chanel, the collection inspired by our leading ladies from Old Hollywood. On the right we have the lovely Katherine Heigl featured in the January 2008 issue and inside there is an AMAZING spread of Old Hollywood inspired fashion, nobody does it better than Heigl.

But these ladies definitely come close…giving Heigl a run for her money are (from left to right) Reese Witherspoon, Amy Adams and Keira Knightly. All three of these dresses are perfect examples of Old Hollywood in popular culture today. I alsboultely love how Knightly’s dress makes her look so elegant and creates curves for her! Adams’ dress is my favorite and I think it’s because of how the bodice is done in contrast to the skirt. Witherspoon’s dress is beautiful as well, and looks the most classic out of the three.

As you can see, leading ladies all over the place are channeling this trend. Scarlett Johansson, who is great at pulling off her platinum locks, shows off her Old Hollywood glamour in the latest Louis Vuitton campaign. On the right, Vanity Fair strikes again with a photo shoot capturing Hayden Panettiere’s playful side as a cute pinup girl, all of the shots from that spread are adorable. In my opinion, Old Hollywood is the way to go, it’s classy, elegant and ladylike and most likely will never go out of style!

Looking for a stunning new Easter dress? What better way to celebrate the spring holiday then with pastels? I know what you’re thinking, “pastels remind me of Easter eggs.” What is wrong with that? You might as well wear something reminiscent of the holiday that is being celebrated. And by the way…I love dyeing Easter eggs. Anyway, I’ve found some fabulous dresses that will change your mind about pastels FOREVER.

For instance, these BCBG frocks are seriously blowing my mine right now. Especially the one on the right with the flower applique. The springy yellow color does a lot to brighten up my day, I don’t know how you feel about it. After seeing these Im PRAYING for the spring showers to end and the sunshine to come out! The one on the left is very unique with the beading and ruching on the bodice. I am also in love with the robin’s egg blue that comes out every march in many amazing new designs.

Pink is back! Everyone knows you can’t do Easter without baby pink! It makes the color come out in your cheeks and looks good on everyones skin type fair OR dark. The pleated dress on the left is by Calvin Klein, and may I say, I LOVE the pleats, they really make the dress. Good ol’ Calvin sure know how to bring the girly back onto the runways. This dress is simple and subtly sexy, a perfect combination for Easter. The dress on the right is adorable too, the deep baby blue color is a perfect choice for the whimsical design. It is by Maggy London and is made out of chiffon with a beaded waistline. I picked this piece because of, once again, its simplicity. There really is not much to the design, a gathered bodice and skirt divided by a waistband with a very simple pearl design on it, but with the perfect fit it is stunning!

…and Betsey is back! My personal favorite, the fabulous Betsey Johnson, really came through in the pastel department, and let me just say that her dresses would be MY top choice for a cute, girly, Easter dress. The dress on the left is a really simple design, but the sheer overlay really adds some pizzaz to the piece. I love the color palette she chose for all of the designs in this collection and this one is no exception. The dress on the right is super girly, with the lacy tiers and coordinating pastels. I love that with a string of pearls to complete the look, you would feel like a princess!

Looking for something a little bit different this Easter? Something that doesn’t even resemble the traditional flouncy dress with hat and matching purse get-up we all remember from childhood? Betsey has added a little different flair to the previous pastel designs. The dress on the left is a little more simple, but yet again, sexy in a subtle way. I love the gathered bottom and the bow-like, (there I go again with bows,) bust-line. The dress on the right is one of my all time Betsey favorites, I love that it is sparkly, with the sequins sewn everywhere, but it covers more than your typical spaghetti strap dress.

Easter is just around the corner…why not spend a typical pastel holiday with something traditional with a twist?

Looking for something to spice up your wardrobe like all of this sunshine we’ve been having? Have I found the perfect thing for you. Try something floral. Everything out in the stores today is getting into the spring spirit, and it’s about time you joined the bandwagon.

Accessories are a great way to add a little flair to a humdrum outfit, and I’ve found a few that corresspond with our floral theme. Whether you’re wearing a cute linen sundress or jeans and a flowy neutral top (or anything neutral for that matter) a cute bag like the Elaine Turner tote on the right is the perfect way to turn it into a fabulous outfit. Also, add a pair of these cute Juicy earrings on the left, it doesn’t matter which one you pick because it is purely a spring inspired collection! I personally LOVE the daisies and pansies, but all of them are adorable!

A floral skirt is something everyone should have in their wardrobe, most people already do. It might be that skirt you bought last year for a friends spring or summer wedding or one you bought on sale in the winter that you completely forgot about up until this moment. If neither of these situations apply to you…get out there a get yourself one! You can find them in almost any price range and all of them are fun and springy. I really like the Karen Kane skirt on the left because I’ve fallen in love with black and yellow together (even with its connotations to bumblebees) there is something sophisticated and fun about it. The skirt on the right is made by Necessary Objects and the embellishments make it different from all the other skirts out there. I really like the color choice on that one as well, its bright, exciting and fabulous. The models are right on these photos because of their cute bright shoes…another great accessory to the floral skirt.

If you’re willing to get a little more out there with your floral accessories, or if you’re looking to match the cute Juicy earrings you just bought, check these out. On the right is the matching Juicy bracelet to the spring earrings collection. It is definitely a little more clunky that I would like to wear, but with the right outfit and attitude I fully believe it has potential and I love the colors and flowers. On the left is a necklace by Miriam Haskell, the complete opposite of the Juicy collection. Her beaded necklace is neutral and absolutely stunning. It makes a statement without being in your face. Subtle and beautiful, this necklace could be the perfect accessory to a girly-casual-yet-dressed-up look. It will help you look like you don’t have to try to draw attention and you know it. Confidence is the new sexy.

So lets recap:

1. Buy something floral

2. Get some stylish new jewelry

3. Be confident

4. Make a statement

…Looks like we have our spring checklist! But for now…I’m checking out.

WELCOME TO MARCH! Can you believe it? Spring is just around the corner (something like three weeks away officially..) Another great springtime classic is cute sneakers. Whether you’re running in the warm sunny weather or just looking for something versatile to where with your new cute capris, fun tennis shoes are a must-have for spring. There are many shapes and styles of sneakers these days, everything from flats to shocks and mesh to canvas. There is a little something for everyone.

Looking for something classic? Converse All Stars are your answer. My favorite when you are going casual with a pair of worn in jeans and a cute t-shirt. Definitely a wear-all kind of shoe, whether looking for cute or comfy, these shoes fall in every category. Not to mention, they come in every color and pattern imaginable.

Like All Stars, Vans come in every color made on the planet but they have more variety when it comes to prints and patters. For instance, on the right there is the Valentines Day slip on they came out with this year. I really like the polka dots, mainly because they are so fun and bright! Perfect for stepping out into the sunshine in the spring. The classic Vans slip on goes with just about anything and can work with so many different looks its amazing. Sometimes it is fun to brighten up an outfit with a fun new print.

I think that I will wear Keds until I’m old and grey they are so versatile and cute. My grandma wears them and they still look amazing on her. Not only have they been around forever, but they are still alive and kicking with super cute patterns and different influences. For instance, the flamingo patterned ones on the left, they are fluorescent pink and have flamingos on them but still look fabulous. I am in love with the patchwork slip ons on the right, actually more like obsessed. They will look good with almost anything and are most likely as comfortable as all Keds are.

First a disclaimer: I LOVE LACOSTE. I definitely think that Lacoste is everything that embodies a spring themed brand name, lets think about it. Polos, golf gear, cute tennis shoes and everything inbetween. I own a pair of plain white lacoste sneakers and LOVE them, especially at this time of year. In fact mine kind of resemble the ones on the right. Simple, match everything and comfortable. What more could you ask for? The slip ons on the left are very cute too, they could be great for a quick walk through the neighborhood, an outdoor outing in the sunshine, a tennis date or just wearing out and about. Our friend Mr. Alligator speaks spring fluently obviously.

Looking for something a little more sporty? Puma has got you completely covered. Their athletic shoes and casual sneakers tend to cross over into each others categories so you basically end up with a cute sneaker you can do anything in. The shoe on the right is my favorite and I might need to add it to my ever growing shoe collection because they are not only adorable but useful in almost any athletic situation as well. The shoe on the left is an example of the more classic puma look that they have been successful with for years.

So basically the sunshine should inspire you to get out there and find the pair of new cute sneakers that are calling your name. You can make up the excuse why you need them on the way over to the store