Infinite Chic

I sometimes forget that the clothing and accessories I choose to put on are making a statement to others. Everything you wear is an expression of your creativity, values and fashion. When people look at the way you hold yourself and what you pick out to wear what do you want them to think? Many companies have started promoting green campaigns, fashionable and environmentally conscious. As I’ve mentioned before there are a lot of super cute clothes that are organically made, a little pricier because of their natural upbringing, but very good quality. Lately, a lot of well known clothing companies have jumped on the bandwagon and are expressing their ecologically conscious message through a variety of fun ways. Their message is not only a good one, but the way they are pioneering this revolution is unique and clever.

Juicy Couture happens to be one of my favorite names in the business and I was really excited when they started going in a bit of a different direction (slowly but surely.) Their usual stuff is very girly, pink and over the top, which in some cases is an awesome way to express their style. These earrings and necklace set are really fun while conveying a message. Peace signs have been popping up a lot lately, Juicy is not the only one using this popular sign. But the fact that a higher end name is makes it interesting. I think I would buy and wear this set, its simple and girly but still expresses a good message.

This jewelry set is an example that higher price points aren’t the only companies that use this message. These can be found at Forever 21 and in a couple price points down the ladder. I think these are very fun, I have never really seen the recycling sign used for jewelry before. Definitely on other accessories, but these are different than I’ve seen everywhere else. They come in silver and gold, depending on your preference and are a fun accessory for a very affordable price. If someone had pitched the idea of making these earring i would’ve definitely been skeptical, but now that I see them I think they are really cute and might actually buy them!

Jewelry is not the only area where these awesome messages can be sent, in this case more font and words are used to send a more blunt and handcrafted message. Juicy strikes again with this fun shirt adding some spice to your average “go green” slogan. Props to them for making this idea work with the rest of their collection! The tote is from American Eagle and sends a more intricate message than your graphic recycle sign by itself would. It is made of natural burlap which also enforces the natural message.

In addition to the stores and designers we already know, it’s fun to check out the breakout designers in the field of organic clothing production. This company is called Zooey and Love and Eight, all of their clothing is made from natural, organic materials including bamboo! Their shirts are fun and cute, and the messages they send make a impact. As if that isn’t enough, two dollars from every sale goes to benefit the organization Healthy Child Healthy World. Talk about doing their good deed for the day. I love their slogan “Think Green B Cool”, it not only sends a positive message about conserving our resources, but it also relates it to the world of fashion we are immersed in.

This past year has been a green one for Barneys New York. I already blogged on their awesome green holiday campaign and they have now taken it to a new level for spring 2008. Over the week of April 17-23, they made an offer shoppers couldn’t refuse. By bringing in your old, used t-shirts, you would get 20% off of their latest showcased organic line Loomstate. The t-shirts are to be taken and fashioned into an exclusive Loomstate Holiday Line to premier this coming Christmas. Sound pretty awesome right? Not only are they promoting organic goods but they are actually recycling our oldies into fun new clothes! I’m really impressed by the effort they’ve put into this new “Big Green Apple” idea, they seem to go above and beyond other companies idea of being eco-friendly. I’m also excited because they will be the example to all of us that looking chic doesn’t mean we can’t be environmentally friendly. Go green, be cool and think organic!

…or feet, whichever you choose. Sandal season has come upon us (even though the Seattle weather might not always be the best for it.) It is time to dig out the flip flops and sandals, and if you’re like me you need to go out and get a few new pairs to replace the ones who show the wear from last years summer season. Be different this year, or go with a new color, whichever you decide, go bold. There are a million different styles to choose from, especially this year when a few more have been added and nothing has gone out.

Something to consider when buying summer shoes is comfort. It is very important because most of the time we all wear sandals with absolutely no arch support and we often choose look over comfort. Not to mention the cost of comfort is a little more spendy, but it is worth it. For instance, I’ve always worn the skinny little, almost nothing, flip flops for as long as I can remember. I also try to forget about the aching and how rough the condition of my feet was during those months. Last summer I spent a little more ad bought Rainbows (on the left) when I was on vacation, and I hate to be cliché; but they changed my life. They have great arch support, they work well with casual summertime outfits, and I found that because I was taking care of my feet it was easier to wear the occasional cute-but-not-comfortable flip flops. If you must have something a little more traditional flip flop, Havaianas (on the right) don’t have incredible arch support, but are definitely more comfortable than most. Not to mention they come in more colors and styles than you can count and can go casual or with a dress or skirt.

If you’re tired of the same old flip-flops and ready to try something new (but old at the same time) Jellies are back. Jellies are a fun way to show a little spunk with your casual or dressy outfits in the spring or summer. They come is almost every color you could ever imagine, and just as many designs. You can get ones with large or small holes, different shapes and different weights. They also come in many different price points. On the left is your classic style by MIA, (they can be purchased as Zappos.com.) They are simple, colorful and fun. Kate Spade updated the style on the right and made it more unique, while still using the same fun, bright themes. They are a great way to update your summer style while still being casual.

Sometimes sticking to your guns is the only way to do it. If you’re happy and comfortable with the colorful, traditional flip-flop look, go for it. Personally, Old Navy flip-flops have always been my favorite in that category. They are simple, colorful and cheap, so you can get a different pair for every occasion and not be upset when they wear out because you can just switch to another pair or go grab a new one!

Whatever goes with you summer style; whether it be comfort, traditional or daringly different, wear it with pride. Sometimes it’s good to keep a pair of each in your closet, just for emergencies or for when you wake up wanting a change. I know I can’t wait for summer, THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN.

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I am eternally searching for the pulled together, spectacular, flattering look. Now that it is spring, after years of searching, I feel like I’ve finally found it. I’ve been looking for something along the lines of JCrew, but not as stiff. Something proper with the essence of Kate Spade, but a little more bohemian. Something that looks rumpled, yet still pressed and appropriate. Kind of like Martin and Osa, but with more prints and color. Every one of these qualities can be found in Anthropologie. In the same family company as Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie is like the more sophisticated, older sibling to the grunge and angst of Urban. There is an air of whimsy and subtle sexiness about every piece in the store. If you’re looking for a new look that embodies class, propriety and taste, yet is still laid back, colorful and fun, here you go.

Both of these outfits look very pulled together yet still beachy and fun. They create the perfect image for summer, yet still leave some things to the imagination. These are perfect examples of how you can be completely covered and wear loosely fitting clothes and still look incredible sexy and summery. I think a lot of people view the summer months as an opportunity to wear practically nothing and get away with it, here is the glamorous alternative. Something else I like about these outfits are the earthy tones and how they compliment the overall look. Even the brighter colors are muted and work well with the browns and whites.

Take something generic and make it your own. Both the cardigan and jacket are styles we’ve seen a to of this spring. BUT the different is that the fit and embellishments have been changed to give the basic trend a makeover. I love the flower embroidery on the sweater, I think it really enhances the piece. I also like that the colors are not over the top, once again they use earthy tones to balance out the bright blue of the rest of the sweater. The flirty details on the jacket like the tabs on the sleeves and the ruffles around the edges really change the entire feel of the piece. Even though it is all one color, the jacket stands out by itself and because its fairly simple it will not overpower anything you wear it with.

Now to my favorite part…shoes. One thing I love about the summery weather is the chance to wear a pair of girly sandals or espadrilles. Summer shoes really complete your whole outfit, whether they are brightly colored or muted earth tones, or a little bit of both. I love the embellished sandals on the left, once again all earthy looking colors really emulate the summer feeling to me. I like that they are not your typical thong sandal, but instead have a new, updated design. I am in love with the wedges on the right. I think that they have just the right balance between girly and simple qualities. I like the daisy embroidery the best and the way the yellow centers of the flowers stand out against the black and white. SO CUTE.

Another thing to add to the laundry list of qualities I love about Anthropologie; the fact that it’s not just a line of clothing. You can get absolutely everything at this store. It helps create more of a lifestyle than just a way to dress, (LITERALLY, there is furniture, kitchen supplies and everything you could possibly need to live a n Anthropologie driven life.) While I’m sticking to the fashion side of things, they have quite an array of accessories. Both these belts and bags have strong, bold colors and prints. They are the perfect accessories to match with the subtly accented clothes in earth tones. I also really like the wood accents on the belts and the woven bags, they are a very cute use of natural materials.

Finally, putting it all together. There are two great sections on the website titled outfits and points of view. They both feature great ways to incorporate accessories and pieces of clothing in unique ways. It is a great place to get ideas about how you could wear the items in real life. I love both of these outfits, the one on the left is really fun with the bright color accents and the red flats. I like how they matched the shoes to the accents on the sweater. I really like the overall look of the outfit on the right, especially the floral print on the skirt. They colors work really well together and the beige beads really stand out against the wine colored blouse. Both of these look really complete and pulled together. I think I’ve finally found what I’ve been looking for, the perfect summer look!

In the words of Tyra, who wants to be fierce? Fierce has many different meanings, in her case its talking about being someone that stands out. In my case it’s about making your outfit stand out. Over the past couple years animal prints have been coming back in. I’m not talking about going overboard, I’m talking about how a little animal instinct can spice up your outfit in a good way. Accessories are the best way to add flair; bright colors, bold patterns and interesting prints. It is always fun to experiment with new shoes, purses and jewelry and to take a walk on the wild side. You can never have too many accessories, so it is OK to get something a little bit outside of your comfort zone.

Because shoes are my favorite we’ll start there. I would have to say that i love leopard print shoes, they are chic and adorable. I was a little hesitant about them when they first started showing up a couple years ago but definitely warmed up to them in the end. I think they look best with solid colors, especially black and blue, but they can be paired with almost any color as long as the patterns aren’t too invasive. Betsey Johnson on the left, I LOVE THESE SHOES. I can’t get enough of them. Pair them with a cute summer dress and you’re set to go. On the right is Charles by Charles David. I think these are cute for summer too because of the cork wedge. They are fun and more daring than your usual summer sandal.

Next we have bags, my second favorite thing to buy a million of. An important thing to remember is that leopards are not the only wild animal with a bold and beautiful print that inspires fashion designers everywhere. While leopard is the most popular print off of the safari, I love the idea of expanding to other great sources for prints. For example, on the right is Dooney and Bourke from the Giraffe collection. I think it is so creative and cute. They did a really good job with the colors and the print design. On the left is a chic cheetah prink bag made by LAMB by Gwen Stefani. She uses a more stylized version of the print which makes it a little different than the rest out there.

Betsey Johnson strikes again with her awesome, unique accessory repertoire. She is really good at making her pieces bold and striking, but not overpowering. She uses really intense and concentrated prints that would usually make small accessories look sloppy and too busy, but with her creative style she always manages to make them look fabulous. Both of these pairs of earrings are Betsey and I think they both are really well done. The zebra print on the left is another example of avoiding the typical leopard and choosing to be different.

I know I’ve been throwing the “L” word around a lot lately, but I feel like it is the only way to express how I feel about all of the great trends we have out there right now. An example of this: bangles. They have bee around for decades and are still in full swing. I really enjoy all of the variations and colors you can get, chunky, sterling, neon etc. Animal print is no exception to the rule. These bangles are really fun and a great way to subtly accessorize an outfit and take a small step onto the wild side without jumping right in. The bangles on the left are Sequin and I think that the colors are really pretty and mesh very well together. The bracelets on the left are Dolce and Gabbana, and are a little more flashy than your normal bangles. Whichever way you choose to go, it will accent your style in the perfect way.