Infinite Chic

You might need some of those sunglasses to read this next blog! NEWS FLASH: neon is no longer only for blacklight parties and construction workers, anyone can sport this trendy look. Some people may say that the ’80s are out, but if they are referring to neon they are very very wrong. Although these bright colors mirror the ’80s trends, now and improved ways of wearing these colors to best accent your look have showed up alongside the vintage stylings.
The number one reason that makes it acceptable to wear neon clothing and accessories is that even our top dogs in fashion are doing it! Neon has definitely been seen on the runways in the last year, connected with big names like Moschino, Prada, La Perla and Dolce & Gabbana. Check it out-

See–there has got to be something to it if these designers are picking neons up and making them fabulous! Not to say that they are the first ones sporting the trend because I know for a fact there are a bunch of “I-wore-it-before-it-was-popular’s” out there, not to mention the generations preceding our time that worked the 80s fashions.

I’ll dive right into this neon craze with blue. I love blue, since I could choose things for myself blue has been my all time favorite color. This season I’ve been so delighted to find so many BRIGHT and BOLD shades in my color choices. I love both of these outfits, the left on is Moschino and the right it Burberry Prorsum. The left picture is more of a true neon blue because of it’s lighter and brighter tone. I had to include the one on the right because I think it is a perfect example of how neons have affected the colors we wear today. Although it is a solid, classic royal blue, it is also different than the traditional shade because it is more shocking and bold than previous similar shades.

Alrighty, now that we’ve seen what fashion’s brilliant minds did with neons, what can you do in your life? First of all, neons can be found in all different price points. Whether you’re shopping at Saks or at your local party store (a GREAT place to find funky neon jewelry.) For example, the bag on the left is Marc Jacobs and can be purchased at Nordstorm. I love the acid green color of this bag, I actually like the entire style. I think it is very unique and it will definitely turn heads. On the right are flip flops sold at American Eagle. If you’re looking for a little something to brighten your look, but not ready to shock them, go with these cute summer sandals. If yellow is not your color, both the bag and shoes come in a variety of different neon colors, there has got to be one in there that suits you.

I mentioned before that my favorite color since I was very little is blue, but as I’ve grown older I’ve definitely come to appreciate pink more. In fact, I would say that I’ve gone through pink phases the last couple years and been completely obsessed with the color. I love colorful accessories, which is why I’m crazy in love with this neon pink accessory craze that has hit us in the last few years. On the left we have plastic neon sunglasses from Urban Outfitters, notorious for using neons in their lines for YEARS. The glasses look straight out of the 80s, they are not only fun, but vintage, minus the wear, too. On the right American Eagle strikes again with this classic, simple, colorful belt. This is one of those items that you can wear year round but in the summer it hits it’s peak. I love this style of belt, it provides just a little color and has the ability to complete an outfit in less than 5 seconds.

If you’re not ready to take the step into wearing large amounts of neon colors in your outfit, try a little sneak preview on your toes or fingers. I think neon nail polish is my first choice in summer shades. I love the little bit of bright color it adds so subtly (yes I just used neon and subtle in the same sentence.) It really is subtle because its not a giant chunk of color, its little delicate patches. In fact, the last time I went in for a pedi I got this electrifying pink put on and have gotten more compliments than I ever have on my feet! Not to mention, every time I look down at my feet I’m even more surprised at how bright it REALLY is. Flip flop season is here, time to embrace it and make those feet bright and fun to look at!

It’s ok to wear colors not found in your natural habitat, (maybe in the rainforest on some random tree frogs you might find neons.) It is OK to be a little shocking with your color choice, after all it is only your clothing and accessories. It makes a statement, which is kind of the main point of finding your own personal style. So get out there and find something that can only be described as shocking, electrifying or crazy.

Forget about the awesome accessories that come with the sun? Sunglasses are one of the most fun things to shop for (and own!) Whether its so bright you can’t see without them or you choose to use them to hold your bangs back when the sun threatens to shine, they are essential to everyones spring wardrobe. Personally, i think the larger than life sunglasses trend is really cute (but there are some exceptions of course.) So I’m really excited to splurge on a new pair of shades to go with the awesome bright colors I’ve been finding myself wearing, (some people might need a new pair of sunglasses to look at the bright shades of the spring fashions…) There are a lot of different styles, large frames being only one of the many examples. Oh yes, and it is most definitely OK to own different pairs for different occasions…just wanted to clear that myth up.

I figured we would start with you classic black frames and lenses. Black matches just about everything, so when you’re shopping for a pair of spendy glasses, black is definitely the most practical. The great thing about both of these pairs is that they are not oddly shaped, they are your basic oval, which compliments most face shapes. On the left is a pair from Michael Kors, they are a really good size; not so huge that they take up your entire face, but not too small so they barely cover anything. On the right is Dolce and Gabbana’s classic black shades. I like that both of these pairs have a simple signature plate, just silver with simple font, I think it really enhances the simplicity of the glasses themselves so that they are fun, but not too flashy.

Looking to take the next step into something a little more colorful? Adding color is not a bad thing, especially is you vary your clothing and own lots of color choices. Personally, I like to stick to neutral shades when I’m shopping for accessories so that they match with everything, but I’m starting to think I need to take a walk on the wild side…especially with these colors. On the left is Pucci and I love the bright red on the sides. Red is a good solid color that can be paired with lots of compliments so it’s a safe buy. The Fendi glasses on the right are my favorite. I love the fun way the nameplate is made and I adore the color choices. They are subtly bright and fun, they add a little flair to your day.

Alright, time for something for all you people out there who are brave and daring when it comes to accessorizing. Sometimes playing it safe just doesn’t give you that much satisfaction, it’s awesome to get out there and do something crazy. If this is your life, or something you’ve been dying to do, these are the glasses for you. On the left is MJ by Marc Jacobs’ Aviator glasses. I’ve always liked aviators and these particular ones are stylin’. I also like that they are different from your usual mirrored aviators and are a little more fashionable and chic with their gold frames and navy blue lenses. On the right are the ever-popular Ray-Bans. Since their initial creation in 1937, Ray-Bans have been seen a ton across the decades. From Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, to Tom Cruise in Risky Business their popularity has never flagged. They are kind of fun, you can get them in a variety of colors and we can thank to company for creating the first pair of sunglasses that not only offered superb eye protection, but an elegant style as well. Their unique shape and style is one that has lasted practically forever, maybe we need to pick up on the staying power they have!

Maybe you’re looking for a little classic and a little wild. Not ready for the Ray-Bans, but tired of your plain, typical shades. It’s time for an update! The thing I love about both of these next styles is that they are kind of classic, kind of updated. On the left is Betsey Johnson, although she sticks to the classic “big glasses” idea, the colors are awesome and different and the style is a bit tweaked too. In the same way, the Coach glasses on the right have skinner sides and frames as opposed to the more traditional chunkier style. I love the signature c’s on the inside of the frames as well (even though people don’t see them.) Either way, these glasses are fun, sophisticated and a little bit different than usual.

Sunglasses are one of my favorite accessories, probably because you can wear them year round. But I seem to use them more prevalently in the springtime because the sun inspires more (or the fact that I’m WISHING the sun would show up.) Whether you stick to the more traditional or be daring and get something on the other side of the spectrum, or even just find your happy medium in between, have fun with it. That’s what accessories are for; having fun, adding flair and expressing yourself. The last one is definitely the most important

So lets imagine you’re getting dressed in the morning. You have this KILLER outfit planned in your mind, yet when you put it on it just doesn’t do it for you. You try a few other options but find yourself hung up because you REALLY wanted to wear those specific pieces and they mesh fine together it just seems like you’re missing something! Well…consider your questions answered, your inhibitions thrown to the wind and your outfit complete. Just add a super chic colorful linen or silk scarf! It’s lightweight enough to not be hot, but since we do live in Seattle this is not usually a problem, AND it looks fabulous with almost any outfit! These not-so-new accessories have been popping up everywhere on the “in” list so it’s about time you get yourself one.

Stripes: To Be Safe and Sophisticated

First of all I’d just like to say that these scarves can be found in just about any store and second of all, stripes are my all time favorite pattern for accessories. They are simple but sophisticated, bold but match with most things and are great for spring. Accessories are the area which you can express yourself the most! Wearing sold clothing and accenting it with bright jewelry, scarves or bags is a totally great look. Speak out with your accessories with these two options for striped scarves. Fortunately for us, both of these adorable scarves are fairly inexpensive. The blue one on the left is from Hollister and I love the contrast between the aqua and white as well as how wide the stripes are, I think this one is my favorite out of all of them. The scarf on the left is bright and bold, something else I like, and it can be purchased at Urban Outfitters. When in doubt about accessories make sure to hit Urban, they always have great sales on shoes, jewelry, hats, scarves and any other kind of accessory you could think of! Stripes, as I said before, go with just about any outfit and are a great way of playing it safe and looking great.

Solids: To Be Bold and Beautiful

You can never go wrong with solid color. If your outfit is patterned, don’t be deterred! Grab a girly pastel scarf in a complimentary or contrasting color! Springtime is might as well be called pastel season, so take advantage of the time to wear all of these girly, flattering colors! The scarves on the left are featured at Martin and Osa, a new company in the same family as American Eagle. I love the colors they’ve chosen, all of them are very subtle and match well with lots of other color options. This gives you some room to breathe when choosing your outfit. The scarf on the right is just as cute, and down a few price points. Old Navy is another store great for grab and go accessories, I love the peachy color of the scarf, it is a little brighter than your normal pastel which adds more flair to your overall look. Peach is also a color that is flattering on most peoples skin tones, brightening their skin up and giving it a healthy glow. There’s nothing better than having a great outfit that makes you look healthy!

Brights: To Be Daring AND Dressy

Who ever thought you’d hear those two words in the same sentence!? Brights are usually considered more casual but lately I’ve been seeing them in more and more professional settings as well. You don’t have to wear all grey and black to be taken seriously, you just have to be confident and bold. Brights can definitely do the trick. Another great thing about scarves is their versatility, you can wear them to the beach, out during the day, to work or even at night. I’m not saying to outlaw black and grey, I’m just saying add a little spice to those neutrals! Dare to wear a little color with you cute dress shorts and heels. This will also open up more opportunities for brightly colored jewelry (not gaudy though..) and fun colored heels. It gives you chance to turn heads without showing any skin. I love the color of the Banana Republic scarf on the left, it’s hard NOT to notice and it really makes a statement. If you’re looking for something a little less bold, but still bright check out the scarf on the right from Gap. It is a bright shade of aqua and not light enough to be a pastel, so it falls somewhere in the middle.

These lightweight accessories are PERFECT for spring and might just add that spice you’ve been looking for to ANY outfit. For your information; in my opinion you can never have too many accessories, there is no such thing as having too many options to look awesome. As I said before, you can find these at any price range, so there is no excuse for you NOT to own one. Get out there and enjoy the sunshine (but stay warm at the same time Seattle…)

Springtime sports are my favorite, especially golf and tennis. There’s just something elite and elegant about them, not to mention you can play them practically your whole life (there are some exceptions of course.) But for the most part, they are long term sports. Another great aspect of these two athletic activities is the opportunity for chic sporty fashion statements. There is nothing like looking pristine and adorable at the same time. Who better to represent these very popular, elegant sports than the king of sports fashion; Lacoste.

Lacoste is a french, sporty clothing company that appeared in 1933 and has been booming ever since. I think that the reason that it has been so successful is because the originals were designed by a champion tennis player who wore his personal clothing in his matches. When his signature polo came out it was a first for sports performance clothing and was very useful with its materials because it repelled moisture due to heat, which is important for an athlete who competes outside. The alligator logo started as a joke about an alligator suitcase and ended up sticking, who knew that this logo would be recognized all across the world! Lacoste makes clothes for both men and women and have had success in many areas of the fashion industry.

For instance: the signature polo. The classic polo is what Lacoste is most known for, on the right is an example of how many colors you can buy this versatile piece in. It comes in almost every color your could possible imagine. I love polos, especially in the springtime. I think that I’m a little biased though because I am a golfer and a polo is the proper attire for the sport. I used to loathe wearing our school polos on the high school golf team until my senior year when I discovered Lacoste made cute ones and my mind was completely changed. Now, I love them. They can be worn in so many different ways its amazing! For a cute, casual day out throw on a pair of jeans and flip flops or cute sneakers with them and go. When you’re golfing they are great paired with a pair of bermuda shorts. On the left is a girly variation of their classic; the polo dress. This is one of my favorite spring pieces. I love that it can go with almost any shoes you want, from flats to sneakers to flip flops. I also think its great that you could wear this to golf in or play tennis as well as wearing it around in the sunshine on your day out.

Another area Lacoste has achieved success in is accessories, especially bags. It was smart thinking on the company’s part because athletes always need a cute bag to carry their equipment around in. But Lacoste bags are not limited to athletes because of their design and look, they’re stylish and useful. These are just a few examples of the styles Lacoste offers, and there are many more different types for every persons needs! Lacoste’s accessories line is definitely not limited to just bags, it includes other items like sunglasses, golf and tennis gear, socks, watches, swimwear, scarves and a few different fragrances.

And now to my favorite accessory; SHOES! Lacoste makes a mean white sneaker as you can see on the left. It goes with everything and screams SPRING. I like that it is simple and yet everything a sneaker needs to be and nothing more. If you’re looking for something with a more complex design or something a little busier they make lots of variations of sneaker like the example on the right. These shoes are really comfortable and you can get them in a variety of colors. They are easy to slip on and have a very sporty look thats really cute. I think they look good with everything from jeans and a t-shirt to capris or shorts with a polo (not necessarily a Lacoste one, but still…) You can get away with just about any outfit as long as it’s fairly casual.

Lacoste is definitely one of the leaders in sports performance clothing and has excelled in many other areas of fashion as well. You don’t have to be an athlete to wear these cute outfits. They are always adding new colors and variations while still carrying their classics. There is a piece from Lacoste for everyone, so embrace spring and go out and get a little Lacoste lovin!

Want to know what the classic springtime staple is? Canvas. Period. Today I’m going to bust the myth that canvas is only for boat shoes…although there are some super cute shoes for boating these days (more of a fashion statement than actually useful of course.) Either way, no matter what you’re matching with, whether it be that cute sundress you’re wearing to a BBQ or some cropped pants at the beach, canvas shoes are the way to go.

Want to be a little girly? Go with an espadrille, they are perfect for creating a casual look into a flirty, summery one. On the left is an espadrille by Guess, because of the black and white it makes them a little more formal (well, as formal as an espadrille can be…) as opposed to the shoe on the right. The bright espadrille on the right is Betseyville (of course!) I think these shoes would really spice up an outfit, they’re very fun and flashy, and I do not think that is a bad thing.

Ah yes, the boat shoe is looking a little more updated, is it not? On the left is a small wedge by Sperry Top-sider, the best of the best in boat shoes. This style shows that this casual style shoe is not only ridiculously comfortable, but stylin’ too. Speaking of canvas shoes, how could I not mention the company that put them on the map!? Keds have been marketing their simple canvas shoe since 1916. When I wore my Keds back east this past summer, my grandma pulled out an aged but similar style of the shoe I was wearing. They are definitely an All-American shoe, and still pull off being adorable and having a very simple, casual style. The wedge on the right is a little different from the normal sneaker model, but, as you can clearly see, has the same principle of being a simple design with the classic canvas material.

And now, my favorite canvas shoe: flats. I was just having a conversation with a friend today about how versatile flats are, they work with everything from casual outings to nights on the town. It’s a beautiful thing to give your feet some rest from being tortured in heels sometimes, not to mention flats are adorable these days and a lot of the time I opt for them over heels anyway. The shoes on the left are by Delia*s and are a little dressier than the flats on the left simply because they don’t have the rubber sole. I love the color, love the bows, basically love everything about these shoes. In fact, I think they will be my next purchase. I love that they are canvas but still kind of dressy because of the type of shoe they are, how they are designed and how that works with the fabric. I can personally say that the shoes on the right are the most comfortable shoes that I own. It’s probably because they are Naturalizer and thats their specialty. These shoes are more casual, but still are simple, bright and fun. Casual is not always a bad thing, especially in this case. All of these shoes make me want to pull out my shorts and dresses and head to a BBQ or the beach. C’mon summer weather…Seattle can’t wait anymore!

There is just something timeless about Chanel. Ever since Coco Chanel brought ready to wear into the picture back in early 1900’s the fashion world has never been the same. Coco changed the face of haute couture forever and was the only person in her field to be named in TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century. Over her fashion career she spanned over almost every possible area of design from clothes to jewelry to accessories to perfume. Not to mention she pioneered one of the most well known brand names in history.

I love the signature quilted Chanel look of the clutch on the left. It’s a very simple design, but as we’ve seen throughout history, Chanel’s strong designs have the staying power to last almost a century so far. Another signature item, the rhinestone C earrings are seen so many places its ridiculous. No matter how conformist I sound, I’m loving them.

In 1921, the incredibly popular Chanel No. 5 was created and it changed the world. Every women wanted to small like Chanel and it had enough poise to make it into the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 1959 because of it’s art deco inspired bottle. On the right, a relatively new addition to the Chanel family is Chanel Chance. This is personally my favorite scent because it’s not too fruity or girly, but leaves an impression.

And last but not least…the famous Chanel suit. Introduced in 1923, this ensemble has to be the one outfit that has lasted longer in style than any other piece. The suit on the left is your classic tweed and silk blend suit that put Chanel on the map. On the right is Karl Lagerfeld, current designer for Chanel, interpretation of the classic with a little twist. Either way, every girl needs to own one within their lifetime, if only to be a part of the magic that has engulfed the last fashionable century. In the words of Coco Chanel herself; “a girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” Thanks to her, we can be both of these!

With the sunshine comes all the colors we’ve had stored away in the back of our dresser drawers all winter. It is time for a changing of the guard! For all of you who aren’t quite ready to take the leap into bright exuberant outfits, start at the bottom and work your way up. Besides, shoe shopping should be considered therapeutic right?

As well all know, bows are my weakness, in addition to that these Stuart Weitzman pumps are irresistible. They are guaranteed to be that spice you need to add for spring, plus the deep shade of blue will stand out against almost anything. On the right, if you’re not ready to break out the summer heels, try these cute Anne Klein flats. The orangy color is not as blaring as a construction cone, but will definitely make an impression.

I’ve become obsessed with the simple, elegant fashions of Kate Spade. The shoes on the left are a perfect example of how your shoes do not have to be decadent in order to make a statement. Speaking of the more decadent side, the bright yellow Charles David sandals on the right are perfect if you want to live life on the edge, or at least wear the shoes that go along with the life. Very flashy and very fun, these shoes scream spring fling.

When you’re out shopping for bright shoes, you can almost always count on BCBG to come through with some super chic choices. The pink peep toes on the left are a classic style with a twist because of the bright shade of pink. I love the style, it is like showing a little skin, but keeping the rest to the imagination. On the right, the floral cutout print is what makes these shoes different from other brights. The aqua color is one that you might not see a lot, so it is kinda fun to wear something new and different. Don’t be afraid to add some pizzaz to your somewhat colorless, winter-influenced, wardrobe. Shoes are the easiest place to start and fun to experiment with.

Be daring. Go bright. Buy shoes.