Color by Technicolor: Wearing Springs Neons

I don't know about anyone else but I'm all about color right now. Not just color but the brightest most saturated brights in existence. Weeks of bronchitis and all things drab have left me eager for the full Crayola box selection. Since it is spring - and the stores are full of the latest in almost florescent color - its the perfect time to explore all that is bright and punchy. Of course we know that color this vivid can be a bit tricky so we have a little guide to navigating the dos and donts of bright colors.


Bold Color at Jil Sander, Sonia Rykiel and Marc by Marc Jacobs

1. Keep It Simple: Neon colors pack a punch all by themselves so one can keep the patterns to a minimum. Too much pattern and color could wind up looking too loud - or worse yet too 80s if done wrong. There is a fine line between looking chic and looking like an extra from a Duran Duran video. If you absolutely must go you're going to go for a pattern make sure its balanced - the right mix of neutral and bold. You might even want to try one of the numerous Balenciaga inspired floral patterns that abound this season.

2. Adjusting the Levels: There is bright and then there is BRIGHT. Neon can be very harsh so its important to pick the right shades to flatter your skintone. In general the warmer toned brights are more universally flattering - instead of an acid yellow go for a sunnier shade. Its important to always consult a mirror before wearing bright colors because the undertones in your skin play such a role in which shades will work best.

3. Balance: Head to toe neon is best left for fashion editorials and raves. Balance out your brights with subtler colors. Neutrals are great for this but don't be afraid to experiment with unexpected color combinations. Look at how well the pale pink and bright orange combo works at Jil Sander - sometimes a pastel or muted color can work just as well as a neutral.

4. Be Fearless: Fashion magazines are filled with crap about how black is slimming and blah blah wear dark colors if you aren't size 0. Forget all that garbage. Its spring - no one wants to be dressed like they're on the way to a funeral. Color is an incredible way to stand out in a crowd - however if you do feel shy about wearing such bright colors try a bright handbag or shoes instead.


Yellow Belted Mac - Evans, Black Straight Leg Jeans - Old Navy, Green Suede Bag - Derek Lam (in stores only), Yellow & Beige Pumps - L.A.M.B., Oversized Sunglasses - Tom Ford, Andy Warhol Union Square Fragrance - Bond No. 9

Now I've put together a little outfit with a lot of color that I think shows off a wearable version of this trend. We've got a great little top from Evans, in the perfect lemon yellow shade paired with classic black jeans from Old Navy. I think this combo is just great for spring and very easy to wear. For added interest we've got an equally juicy combo of accessories - amazing colorblocked pumps from L.A.M.B. (their shoes are consistently offbeat quirky) and an apple green suede bag from Derek Lam. Notice that the top and shoes are yellow but the bag is green - you don't want to do all one color its good to have a bit of difference to mix things up. Top it all off with a pair of over the top Tom Ford sunglasses and a spritz of Bond No. 9's latest pop art fragrance and you're good to go.

Will you be wearing bright colors this spring or are you planning on skipping this trend? I've already started up on it to be honest and I don't plan on stopping until the weather cools down.

Illustrating a point

With illustration such a big trend this spring (check out UK Vogue's round-up of illustrated cosmetics' packaging, and, duh, Prada's drool-worthy Flower Faerie collection), I couldn't, Carrie "Now On the Big Screen and Thus Totally Relevant in 2008" Bradshaw-style, help but wonder: do fashion's illustrations influence the size debate?

One of the most oft-cited idiotic excuses designers use to defend their choice of wafer-thin models on the catwalks, is some variation on the "curves – breasts and thighs and rounded bits - ruin the line of the clothes"/"the design was perfect on paper, it gets distorted by breasts" etc.

What they're talking about is how the ideal of the design, on paper, works differently when translated into fabric and placed on a real body. Inevitably, when one designs in a 2D paper format, the final result will be different. You're going from a painting to an object. Yet, rather than accept that the finished piece (a dress, skirt, trouser, what have you), is the real design, and the original illustration is merely a piece of artistic whimsy, designers all too often cling to the illustration as the perfect realisation of the design, with the clothing itself a poor facsimile of what could have been.

In a sane world, we would shake our heads and say, "But isn't the point of designing clothes to design, well, clothes? So if you can't design a dress on paper that works well when made, you're not very good at your job. And if you only want to design dresses on paper, go off and be a painter, or a full-time illustrator."

But this is fashion. So instead, as we've seen, we blame the models for distorting the design/ruining the line/stretching the fabric. That's not exactly what I want to examine here: we've discussed designers' wacky views of women's bodies on the catwalk fairly often; let's now move the discussion over to how they imagine women's bodies.

Ever noticed that the women in fashion illustrations have something in common, both with each other, and with catwalk models? Let's take a look:



Ceci n'est pas des femmes

Aside from the issues of race (seriously, where are the non-Caucasian fashion illustrations? Is there some massive shortage of brown ink that we don't know about?), the distortions of illustrated women's bodies are just insane.

It's no wonder designers see a difference between their designs as idealised on paper, and the finished product. It's one thing to add a dash of fantasy to illustrations - they are, after all, an artwork in themselves. But they should be secondary to the real deal, secondary to the reason those illustrations exist in the first place: the clothes.

Yet designers persist in cladding imaginary girls thinner than the paper they're drawn on. I'd love to see the illustrations done by plus designers: Anna Scholz, Marina Rinaldi, et al. Do they, too, whisk their pencil and conjure whippet-thin women, or are their drawings more closely related to the end product?

Do these illustrations matter? Should we concentrate solely on real women, on getting plus-sized models into the magazines and onto the catwalks alongside their thinner colleagues, rather than distracting ourselves with the semantics of cartoons?

I think it matters. Because when you write, or draw, you have absolute freedom. There isn't a client saying, "customers won't respond to an advert with a black model"; or a stylist saying, "fat chicks won't fit into these sample sizes". There aren't real-world, financial implications. Unless you're drawing to commission from a fashion magazine, in which case, are the magazines specifiying "thin imaginary models only, please - and make them white"?

There's just paper, pencil, and imagination. Every race, height, hair colour, size is at your disposal when you illustrate. And yet, even when there are no limits, all we see is thin.

"Tonight, Matthew, I'm going to be..."

Who wasn't in love with the star prints shown by The Kaiser at Chanel, and Stefano Pilati at Yves Saint Laurent, this season? So 1920s Americana, so patriotic, so red white and blue, so "let's do it for our country!" "Oh, Lewis!"...*

The answer to this mostly rhetorical question is, of course, NOBODY. The world has gone star(k) staring mad. (See what I did?!) London's Oxford Street-Regent Street high-street hub has turned into the MGM of yesteryear: more stars than there are in the heavens. Yet as the lights go out all over Europe, I forget about all Hollywood, because Doris Day could never make me cheer up, quite the way those French girls always could the high-street, usually a place (state of mind?) I am likely to pledge my firstborn unto for ripping off catwalk looks at lemonade prices, has, on this occasion, GONE TOO FAR.

STARS ARE EVERYWHERE. IT'S FREAKING ME OUT.

But, and yet. I still love the star prints. How can one not? It's spring! (Allegedly.) What could be funner and flirtier than a navy, star-printed shortie jumpsuit and a pair of fabulous sunglasses? Unfortunately, not only does everybody else love the look, it ain't subtle. If three lasses all wear jumper dresses to the same bar, no-one would know. Three of you wear a star-print -- even in wildly varying forms, a jumpsuit here, a cardigan there -- oh, the jokes will never end. Yet there is still, to quote Heaven 17: temptation.

Here's how to indulge in the trend without going starry-eyed:

Clockwise from top left:
Stila All-Over Liquid Shimmer, $22 from Stila.com
Stila All-Over Shimmer Eyes in #7, Champagne, $18 from Stila.com
Magic Stars, £0.44 from Sweetiebag.com
Fresh Supernova Mascara, $25 from Sephora.com
Angel by Thierry Mugler, $45 from Sephora.com
Silver Star Chain, $9.99 from GirlProps.com
Barry M Dazzle Dusts, £4.50 from Superdrug.com
Champagne Supernova Bath Bomb, £2.65 from Lush.co.uk

If that little lot isn't ample sufficiency, well...why not have a read of the excellent Star, and its even better sequel, Star Struck, by noted author Pamela Anderson?

*Quick poll: who was hotter -- Lewis from Grease 2, or Kenickie from Grease? Or has Jeff Conaway's latterday behaviour/appearance negated all Kenix hotness forever? One to ponder...

Jersey Girls

Before we jump full force into our fashion week coverage (from the epic beauty of Peter Som for Bill Blass to the head scratching beauty of Marc Jacobs) were going to look at another designers foray into the plus market. Norma Kamali has introduced her first plus sized styles, available for pre-order at Nordstrom.



The collection looks promising, not much there yet but the drape dress looks great and hopefully there will be more soon. Another stylish option out there for plus-sized girls from an impeccable designer but I do have to wonder at the proliferation of jersey on the plus sized market. Granted, Kamali is known for popularizing jersey in the 80s so she's a natural fit but does anyone else feel like they're entering the local athletic supply store every time they hit the plus size department nowadays? Jersey is popular across the board but much like the millennial obsession with velour I can't help but wonder how such a patently difficult fabric has become so beloved.

Back to the Future

You've seen all the catwalk shows, you've read the magazines, you've even spotted a trend or two on the high street... but you're still not clear on what 2008 holds for your wardrobe. Luckily, TFFF has gazed into its crystal ball (it's big and shiny and fabulous! -- we're thinking of having it set into platinum, wearing it on our ring finger, and pretending we're engaged to.. I dunno, someone fashionable), and possibly we also interviewed Dawn Pedersen, the Creative Director of trend-spotting company TRENDZINE, to let our readers know what the future holds...

The lovely Dawn was in Milan -- working on trends for S/S '09! -- at the time of the interview, so we're talking staccato keywords rather than in-depth answers, but we hope this helps in planning your shopping in this, the last year to end in an '08' in the first decade of this century.

Keywords for 2008

Transparency (lighter fabrics, look out for the new sheer cropped pants layered under dresses set to take over from leggings). Clean lines (split-level layering less decoration and more focus on fabric quality). New softer trousers (this season's jodhpur shape morphs into a softer ethnic pant for summer). Lux sportswear in fabulous fabrics for any occasion. Consumers will slowly edge out of 'it bag' mode and move towards other luxuries, i.e. expensive watches and jewellery will gain ground.

Length

Extremes will be the hottest news from daring cocktail shorts to midi and long length dresses.

Shape

The waist continues to be a focal point but generally clothes follow a slim straight silhouette.

Colour

Expect the unexpected; darker than usual in summer and pastels in winter. Mixtures of neutrals and flashes of brights.

Prints

Lots of floral patterns especially on lighter sheer fabrics. Fantasy style prints (take over from gothic symbols)

Fast versus Ethical Fashion

Fast fashion -- there's always room for fast fashion stores that supply cheap, trend-led clothing. The media attention surrounding eco-fashion was big last year and the interest should continue. Consumers are in the driving seat and will make the biggest difference. Designers mustn't rely on the 'Eco' tag and make design the primary consideration to attract more consumers.

***

Don't forget to scroll down to my Heels.com post, where you can save 10% off shoes, exclusively to TFFF, until the end of January -- only 17 days left!

Are You Afraid of the Dark?

Dark lips at Dolce, Lanvin & in W
There is a certain drama to dark lips that is incomparable - we live in a sheer lipgloss, lipbalm kind of world so to go dark is something extra glamorous, reserved for those times when you don't want to blend in. We've been seeing strong boldly colored lips on the runways and in the pages of magazines for awhile now but what's the best way to wear this look without overdoing it? Since I'm absolutely in love with this sophisticated look I've got a few helpful tips to get you started.

First of all you want to make sure your lips are in their best condition possible. Dark lipstick will highlight any dead or dry skin you might have on your lips so be sure to exfoliate your lips. A lip exfoliator like The Body Shop Lip Scruff can get rid of any icky dead skin and a lipbalm like Lush Lip Service can keep your lips moisturized and looking great its time for the fun.

Prep your lips with a bit of primer so your lipstick will last longer and look its best. Philosophy Big Mouth, is a great one that helps lips look smoother. Once your lips are prepped and primed its time for color. Use a lip liner to fill in around your lips. I like to use a neutral colored liner instead of one that matches my lipstick exactly. That way if my lipstick fades I'm not left with a brightly colored ring around my mouth.

When it comes to applying the lipstick itself use a lip brush instead of applying it straight from the tube. This will allow for a much more precise application - since the color is so dark you don't want any unfinished edges or smearing. Take your time and fill in the lips slowly.

Now that you know how to apply the lip color its important to know what shades to work with. You don't want to go too dark - it will only look goth and dated but you don't want to go too light either as it defeats the purpose. The overall look should be rich and plummy in color. Be sure to try a few shades on before you decide. I love Lipstick Queen's Berry shades in Berry Saint and Berry Sinner. One is sheer (Saint) for the times when you want a more day (and office) friendly look and the other is rich dark matte (Sinner) for evening. Both are the exact same shade just in different formulations and the berry color looks lovely on almost any skintone.

Naturally when doing a really dark lip the rest of your makeup should be kept to a minimum. Dark lips with a dark eye often can look too theatrical, you're better off letting the focus stay on one feature. Keep your eyeshadow, blush and any extras neutral - let your lips do the talking.

Do you wear deep dark lip colors? Red is in a class by itself of course - I'm talking the really deep plums were seeing right now. What are some of your favorite shades? Apart from the Lipstick Queen shades I really love Russian Doll & Tamango by NARS.

Back To Black

Head to toe black is all over the runways right now. Granted black has never gone out of style (how could it?) but wearing black is one of those things that looks considerably easier than it is. A completely black outfit can look sleek and modern but it can also look bland and boring. Since there's a trick to doing anything right we've got a few helpful hints on how to get the most out of this trend.

Color Theories: Neo-grunge black at Alexander Wang & Preppy at Rag & Bone

Quality: The best way to look great in all black is to go for a higher fabric quality. Just say no to those evil polyblend black pants they sell (does anyone remember these from their misspent youth, I sure do) or the fade to grey blends that bleed out after one wash. Invest in something substantial - a nice wool, a shantung silk, or a rich velvet. You'll be able to get a lot of wear out of anything black so the higher price is worth it.

Tailor Made: When it doubt, have it tailored. This is a rule for life but its especially important when wearing all black. Black can be forgiving but any and all fit problems become even more evident once color is taken out of the equation. If tailoring isn't your thing, look for pieces that are cut well. A good cut is a girls best friend.

Texture: Black offers you an incredible opportunity to be fearless with texture. The monochromatic look calls for added interest and playing with texture is a great way to do it. Go for an unexpected material. You might not do a completely patent coat were it electric blue or red but in black it can look stunning. Have fun with it - sequins, wools, even lace looks good in black.

Detail: Whether it be exciting texture, unusual shape or unique accents always look for black pieces with a little something extra. This rule could apply for all neutral pieces - you always want something that takes the basic color and pushes it in a unique direction.

The Slimming Myth: I hate this. Wearing all black won't make you look thinner. Its a silly reason to wear black as far as I'm concerned. Wear black because it goes with almost everything or because its a great backdrop for color. Don't wear it due to some random rule.

Care: Nothing is worse than faded black clothing. It almost always looks bad and once your clothing has faded the only way to bring them back to their natural color is through dyeing. Even then you've only got a 50% success rate. Its far easier to prevent the problem by using a special detergent for dark colors like WOOLITE® Dark Laundry. It helps your dark clothing maintain its color.

Accessorize It: Since black is so neutral you can really go nuts with the accessories. As a rule I think wearing all black makes its so important to have a great shoe or bag. Look at the styling at Alexander Wang. The colors are muted but the shoes are wild - custom Manolo's if you're looking for em. With an all black background people will notice your accessories even more so wear your best.

As always we present an outfit that combines a few personal favorites pertaining to this look. I loved the laid back look at Alexander Wang (as if you couldn't tell) so I sought to create something that matched that vibe - a little minimal, a little rock n'roll and very urbane.


First we have a great top with subtle detailing. You don't want your black top to be plain - choose something with unique details or texture like this great Sweet Pea shirt with tied sleeves. . Its little touches that really make the outfit. Next up we've got an amazing Old Navy pencil skirt. Now of course you can choose any pencil skirt you like but this one has great button detailing on the front. Of course no outfit is complete with out a great pair of shoes and a bag so we have an a great pair of ankle boots and a gorgeous patent bag. The Cynthia Vincent Ankle boots are a bit of a change from the basic pumps and the patent Anya Hindmarch Jourdan bag is a real treat. It has a great mix of patent and suede as well as this really subtle navy detailing. In keeping with the theme of minimalism the jewelry is similarly pared down, just a simple Bing Bang locket, on thin gold chains.

I can't do a look without a couple of covet worthy beauty products so we've got Sue Devitt's Lash Line Enhancer, perfect for giving the absolute thinnest line possible and giving the look of incredibly thick eyelashes. Miller Harris' Coeur de Fluer, a fresh, airy mix of mimosa and sweet pea to counterbalance the severity of all this darkness. And of course Bumble and Bumble Surf Hair for that "I roll out of bed looking this fabulous" bedhead.

How do you like to spice up your basic black? I'm sure you guys have some interesting hints of your own.

Pink to make the boys wink!

A somewhat girlie headline, but I am somewhat girlie. (Or, as my editor told me recently, "you write like Teen Vogue on crack". To which I say, pass me the pipe and renew my subscription!) I'm not entirely sure that pink does make the boys wink -- it might be that, like the thoroughly disproved 'boys don't make passes at girls who wear glasses', it's a saying that evolved purely on the basis of rhyme.

Maybe if the word for wink was, I dunno, wurple, it'd be purple to make the boys wurple, and the entire pink/wink construct is actually just a cutesy phrase to make pink sound delicious and loveable and great and sell us lots of stuff we don't need. But that sounds like crazy commie paranoia or something. (Ooh, is it a coincidence that Communists are called pinkos? Um, yes, probably.) Anyway: I love pink! And purple, incidentally, which is another of this season's top colours. But this post is about pink: I can only hope it doesn't make everyone wink madly at their screens until their bosses make them take a leave of absence.

Even UK Vogue agrees, with a hot-pink themed cover, an entirely pink photoshoot, and lots of pink make-up to spookily convert Sophie Dahl into Debbie Harry in this month's issue:

The high fashion take on pink is to wear it head-to-toe. Which looks great on the glossy pages of a magazine, but not so much in real life (although you will cheer up your fellow commuters on the bus). A head-to-toe pink theme will probably leave you looking as if your sartorial heroines are one or any of the following:

L-R: Strawberry Shortcake; Kaylee from Firefly, Glinda the Good Witch of the North.

And whilst I agree with Strawberry Shortcake that life is delicious, especially if you're a good witch, not a bad witch, I have no desire to look like a marshmallow or a layer cake. I'm just kooky that way. Instead, a chicer way to add a rosy touch to your look this winter is with cosmetics and accessories. Just a touch of pink about your outfit gives a nod to the trend without making you look like a five-year-old. Here are Too Fat For Fashion's favourite pink pieces:

Clockwise from top left: Cherry print umbrella, £12 from Monsoon / Accessorise; Pink court shoe by Kurt Geiger, £85 from Asos; Sephora Piiink range starts at $2; Hard Candy Vintage Nail Polish, $7 at Sephora; Anna Lou initial necklace (other letters available), £18 from Asos; Pink hoop earrings, $2.99 from Urban Outfitters; Frederic Malle Lipstick Rose scent, from €90, from Editions de Parfums; Benefit Powder Pop (including my eternal favourite blusher, Dandelion), $30, and 10, $28, both from Benefit; Scarlett's Deluxe Palette, $34 from Stila; Raspberry beret, £12 from Topshop.

A Leg Up: Fall's Wide Leg Pants

And were back! TFFF is fresh from vacation with a glow in our cheeks and our 100th post!

Of course now that we are back we must bid adieu to one of last years trademark trends.

Goodbye skinny denim! We hardly knew ye!

The time has come to usher in a new (new-old anyway) silohuette and while some of us are ecstatic about this development there are others who are clutching their drainpipe jeans in horror at the very prospect of wide leg pants. Its not hard to understand why - for every vision of Kate Hepburn in perfect high waisted trousers there is another equally prevalent image of shapeless baggy pants with legs so big they look like skirts. Wide legs pants can look chic just as easily as they can look bad so its important to know just how to wear this trend.


The Late Great Katherine Hepburn and the pants she made famous


Fit
The most important thing with wide legs (and with everything else for that matter) is fit. You want your pants to fit perfectly. Never too wide and never too tight. The perfect wide legs will be roomy throughout the entire leg.


Wide Legs on the Runway at Givenchy, Proenza & Phillip Lim

Note how the pants are full throughout the entire leg - if a pair of pants nips in at the thigh too much or is tight in general just wont look right. Form fitted is not the look were going for with these. Granted no one wants the very baggy "these pants are two sizes too big" look either so pay attention to how the pants skim over your body.

Length
Different strokes for different folks. I am an advocate of having just a little extra length on your wide leg pants incase you wish to wear heels. However no one wants to drown in excess fabric. If you are shorter your pants need to be hemmed accordingly, if you are taller they need to be extended accordingly. With wide leg pants slight differences in pant length are very apparent so its good to be conscious of these subtle differences.

Wide legs themselves are coming in different lengths as well now - there are of course wide leg capris and even shorts but the same rules apply. Make sure to try them on before buying. Too short on a wide leg can look like you've unintentionally worn high waters.

Proportions
I say this about everything but proportion is so important. Wide leg pants require the same amount of attention paid to proportion as skinny jeans do. If you're going for a wide leg its best to pair it with a smaller top. A flowing tunic top can look good as well but make sure its belted or cinched at the waist. Pairing a large top with large bottoms can be too much. Since the pants are already baggy its good to structure them with a fitted top or jacket.

Waist
High waists. Oh high waists. I'll be the first to admit they look cool. There is something very 1970s retro about a pair of pants with wide legs and a high waist there is no denying the popularity of this trend but buyer beware the trend is not particularly flattering. Be sure not to go too high - anything that cuts you off right under the boob are is almost guaranteed to look bad. And stick to darker colors - high waisted pants are already tricky and a dark color just makes things automatically flattering.

Accessorizing
Heels. Heels. Heels. I don't now how many times I have to say it but heels. If you are shorter (or even if you're not) heels will elongate your frame and make your wide leg pants look better. Try a great pair or platforms (more on those later this week) and I guarantee you wont regret it.

Since the waist is the focus of your outfit you'll want to invest in a good belt - something more interesting than the usual basic black.

So how do you feel about the resurgence of the wide leg? Will you be wearing this trend or is it something you'll skip? I'm quite excited for wide legs to be honest - even the high waist variety. There is something a little ladylike about the whole trend that appeals to me - I've already gotten a couple pairs now I just need this weather to cool down so I can wear them.

Hunting High & Low : Lace Up Oxford Heels

Lace up high heeled oxfords are my accessory obsession for fall. Perhaps its just my prep school past creeping up but there is something so appealing about a good oxford. They're familiar, cute and they go with everything from jeans to skirts. Add on a high heel and you get a girlish take on a traditionally masculine staple. It seems like every other shoe maker is coming out with their own unique take on this trend. Here are a few options from affordable to extravagant.


UNDER $100 | Maroon Patent Oxfords $89 - Steve Madden | Metallic Silver Oxfords $34 - Delia's | Tartan Oxfords $89 - Steve Madden
$100 - $250 | Black Patent Oxfords $280 - Stuart Weisman | Grey Suede Oxfords - Circa Joan & David | Black & White Spectator Pumps - Betsey Johnson $230
$250 & Up | Two-tone Oxfords $450 - Marc by Marc Jacobs | Black & Gold Patent Oxfords $695 - Christian Louboutin | Spectator Pumps $575 - Bally
I love those little silver booties from Delia's they're so cute and cheap. Granted, silver shoes aren't the most practical fashion item but at that price practicality just goes out the window. For a bigger splurge I've been wanting those Bally's so badly. They keep popping up in editorials and catching my eye - they remind me so much of spats. I may just have to treat myself...

Anyone else digging this trend? I think these will look so great paired with jeans - can't wait to start wearing them.

Hips Don't Lie

Interesting phenomenon sweeping across the runways lately - as models lose their curves clothes gain them. From S/S right through to F/W Couture week we've been seeing an influx of nipped waists and padded hips - the sorts of exaggerated hourglass proportions that we almost never actually see on the runways.


Hippy chic at Dolce, McQueen, Armani Prive and Lacroix
Now while we have yet to see any change in the aesthetic physically I find it interesting that designers are playing with proportion in this way. For so long the ideal has been a sort of straight up and down column or oversized draped sacks- very boyish and boxy overall. It almost seemed as though fashion had forgotten about the very idea of the curve but now its returned but in these surreal corset and bustle-esque dresses. Granted, I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that most of us do not require extra hip padding to fill out a McQueen frock but its interesting that he's added it.

It would seem as though the focus is going back towards the idea of a body that has shape - even if that shape is created via padding. Every magazine from Vogue to Bazaar is talking about the return of sex (because according to fashion lore Tom Ford confiscated sex and took it with him once he left Gucci) and a curvier silhouette would certainly be a sign of such a resurgence because as we all know curves are sexy.

How do you feel about this look? Is it just the fleeting fancy of a few influential designers or a sign of a shift overall?

I'm Starting To See A Pattern...

Even if you spend the rest of the year dressed in head to toe black now is the time to give in to summers wild array of prints and patterns. These aren't boring basic florals or even the Pucci-wannabe mod redux we've been seeing a lot of lately they're abstract, bold, eye-catching designs that are easy and fun to wear. Now these Celia Birtwell meets Jackson Pollock prints were all over the spring/summer runways so you can expect to see them everywhere this summer.


Masterful Missoni prints through the seasons


Prints can be tricky and I admit to being one of the most floral-phobic individuals on earth but these new school abstract florals and colorful graphic inspired prints are very user friendly. As with everything else there are tricks to wearing them.

Rules:

- Keep It Simple: I know I say that for just about every trend but they're words to live by. Too much of any good thing can take a look from trendy to tragic in an instant. Unless you're going for a mix & match look its usually best to keep it to one patterned piece per outfit. If you're doing a patterned blouse pair it with pants or a skirt in a solid color.


- Mix Master: If your feeling brave and wish to mix prints and patterns for an eclectic look remember to seek out coordinating colors. Look at the 3rd outfit in the Missoni pictures, there are two very different prints within the outfit but the colors all blend together to create a uniform look. Also keep in mind the types of patterns your mixing. Its usually best to mix opposing patterns like a floral with stripes. Too much of the same and you risk clashing.

- Look Within: When coordinating your accessories with your prints chose colors that are either within the print itself or go with everything neutrals. Granted one never wants to get too "matchy" but the easiest way to coordinate is to find colors that already a part of the print. If you're more into an eclectic look you can also mix in colors that are harmonious aka opposite each other on your good old art class color wheel. An all blue patterned shirt will look great with a pair of orange flats, trust me on this.

- Try Something New: Part of the reason prints can be so intimidating is due to the fact that there are so many bad prints out there. We've all seen the eerily reminiscent of wallpaper florals or the done to death bandana paisley patterns and frankly were too stylish for that. The best prints around right now are abstract and just a little bit retro. Look for bold patterns with an artistic quality.

- Never Mind The Bullocks: I have heard far too many people say "I can't wear prints, they'll make me look bigger" and I'm really tired of this kind of thinking. I'm not overly concerned with what makes anything look bigger or smaller instead I'd rather focus on what keeps things in proportion. If you feel your losing your shape in a giant flowing printed blouse throw on a solid belt. It balances things out and will show off curves instead of drowning them in too much material. And if you do feel self conscious wear prints on parts of your body you wish to show off. Prints draw the eyes in so use them to display your best features. Most of all don't ever say you can't wear something because of blah blah insert percieved notion here, judge each piece of clothing individually. Cut and fit are the most important things when it comes to looking good so focus on that first and foremost.


Printed Tunics: All from Anthropologie
Shoes: Bottega Veneta chain link sandals, Bottega Veneta Heeled Sandals, Fendi heels & K Jacques St. Tropez gladiator sandals available at Net-A-Porter
Bracelets: Scott Stephen, Giles & Brother, Scoop & Ben Amun

Now I've gone ahead and created four outfits each featuring prints in the form of a colorful tunic tops from Anthropologie, a store that never met a print it didn't like. I love tunics for summer because they're light , simple and go with just about anything. Throw on sneakers and you're good for a picnic, heels and you're good for an evening out. These combinations can be worn with jeans or shorts or whatever tickles your fancy. These serve simply to illustrate how versatile prints can be. Any of the accessories can be mixed and matched with the tops themselves and combined in an array of ways. Add on a great bag and a few dangling chains and your pretty much set.