Trends

White Hot Summer

Now that summer is officially over, its time to reflect on the season’s hottest trends. White is a hard color to keep clean, especially in the summer heat, but when you can it looks angelic. The light color is perfect for staying cool in the hot sun and creates a pristine looking outfit. Here are some of the best all-white ensembles from the past few months.

This long blazer is a great item, especially when paired with a pair of white shorts. It has a professional, yet fashionable look.

 

This belted, button front dress is fun and airy. The multicolored platforms on her white sandals are a great accent to the all white ensemble.

This loose fitting blouse is easy to wear, and looks good especially when paired with the white denim cut off shorts.

 

 

The white Midi Dress with a tiered skirt is perfect for Summer. The white sunhat carries the white to the top and the blue, floral shawl tied around her shoulders adds a great pop of color.

 

TREND ALERT: A Blazer Of A Summer

The solid color blazer, once a masculine item, is being reclaimed by the women of the 21st Century, and they are making it look a whole lot better than men ever could. Pairing it with the likes of colorful dresses and raged boyfriend jeans, women truly know how to compliment this masculine staple.

TREND ALERT: All Tied Up

For months you’ve been working out, trying to flatten your stomach and tone up those legs in time for bathing suit season.  Who says you can’t show off your hard work while out of your bikini?  As these young ladies show, wearing less can sometimes be more.  A knotted button down and jean shorts allow you to show off your summer beach body with style on the streets of the Big City.

This is a less revealing outfit, which only shows a sliver of midriff. The lightweight, white button down is knotted just above the belly button, and is paired with high-waisted jean shorts. She chose a pair of studded white flats, which create the illusion of a longer leg, especially when paired with those high-waisted shorts.

 

 

This young woman has decided to show a little more skin. Her button down is knotted just below the bust, leaving her entire stomach revealed. She has paired her knotted shirt with short cutoff jean shorts. The visible pockets have been covered in gold sequins, which add a nice decoration to the shorts. Her wedge sandals are airy and help give her legs a more toned look.

 

TREND ALERT: Jumpsuits Suit This Summer

Jumpsuits are very trendy this Summer, and it seems the more intricate the pattern, the better.

This first woman wears a tank jumpsuit with a plunging V neckline, and a black and white splatter pattern. She wears a copper Renoir cuff belt that helps to keep the loose fabric tight around her waist. The legs of the jumpsuit sit dangling above the ankle, where the black t-strap sandals start. The copper belt adds a balanced touch of color to this black and white outfit, as do her manicure and pedicure.

This young lady takes a break from her day to check her phone, while sitting on the back stoop of the Equinox SoHo. Her spaghetti strap jumpsuit isn’t void of color or pattern. The purple background is a vibrant color, and allows for the tan tiger stripes to pop. The gold necklace with turquoise inlays helps to dazzle her soft swooping neckline. Her belt, bag and flats are all of matching brown leather. This uniform, neutral, color scheme helps to keep the emphasis on her lively jumpsuit.

TREND ALERT: Denim Shirt, Tan Skirt

Blue and tan are two colors that go well together, just like earth and sky.  These two young women have paired them together to create simple, yet tasteful outfits.

This young woman sports a light-wash denim button down, which is left unbuttoned down to her waist revealing a white cotton scoop neck tee. The shirts are held tightly in the waistband of her tan, pleated, ankle-length skirt, with a braided, brown leather belt. Her tan wedge sandals and bleach splattered denim bag are relaxed accessories that help to make this a casual, yet chic, outfit.

This young woman is wearing a denim button down with a western design. The open buttons and spread collar reveal a navy tank and the blue stones of her necklace. The abundance of blue in the top half of this outfit helps to give her blue eyes a bit of a pop. The shirt is tucked into the elastic waistband of a tan, pleated midi skirt, flowing atop a pair of brown leather wedges. The emerald leather bag adds another earth tone to the outfit, keeping it grounded.

TREND ALERT: Orange Pants, All The Rage

Spring is a time for colors.  One color in particular has been standing out as a favorite for pants.  Orange pants seem to be popping up everywhere and in a multitude of styles.

This lady has paired her orange skinny jeans with a pair of python pumps. Above the pants the style does not cease, with a ruffled, navy, button up blouse underneath a navy blazer with green and black horizontal stripes. The gold chains and pendants hanging outside the blouse and the grey Céline tote are great additions to this outfit.

This woman also sports a pair of orange skinny jeans and adorns them with a black leather belt; the silver scaled flats below are a stylish accessory as well. The white deep V blouse adds a neutral color to the bold jeans and is also very easy to wear in the spring heat. The silken shawl adds a bit of color and a nice pattern to the rest of the outfit.

This is a very refined outfit perfect for the office or the streets. The wide leg, orange pants have a loose fit, making them very airy and comfortable. The white button down, tucked into the pants’ wide waistband adds a dressier feel to the outfit, while the light coloring is perfect for the upcoming summer. The tan, soft leather blazer is another fashion forward item, perfect for the independent businesswoman. The black leather handbag is simple and elegant, making it an ideal addition to this ensemble.

Here we have a male addition to this list. This young photographer has on a pair of straight leg, orange jeans, atop a pair of red running shoes. The neutral, grey sweater is a great combination, which does not take away from the color of the pants or shoes. The collared shirt underneath is adorned with a plaid bow tie, which is becoming a hot accessory for young men these days. The navy jacket with a fur-lined hood helps to keep him warm, while working quite well with the grey coloring of the sweater.

TREND ALERT: Harem Pants & Sandals This Spring

Harem pants are all over the place right now. Originating in India more than 2,000 years ago, these loose fitting pants have become a very popular item on the streets of New York City. The loose fitting fabric allows for breathabilitly on those hot days in the Concrete Jungle. This young woman wears a bright pair of pink, extremely baggy harem pants with a simple white tank top. On her feet she wears brown leather, gladiator style sandals, which go really well with the tapered bottoms of the harem pants. It is an effortless look, but looks great.

This young lady has paired her black harem pants with a sleeveless graphic tee, creating a Rock n’ Roll chic look. The black leather, fringed bag goes well with the overall color and style of the outfit, as do the black Chanel, T-strap sandals.

This woman wears her black harem pants with gold toe loop sandals. tucked into the pant waist is a sheer blue blouse with white polka dots. Around her neck the small scarf adds spring colors to the outfit.

TREND ALERT: The Maxi Skirt Shows Off Its Versatility This Spring.

Ever since the 1920’s, the long skirt has had a rough road.  Competing against the shorter, more revealing styles, the maxi skirt almost went extinct many times, but has pulled itself back from the brink.  Today, the maxi skirt is coming back in many forms.  These long skirts are great for all seasons, but are taking Spring by storm.

Here, this young woman is wearing a black maxi skirt that all but covers her brown cowboy boots. With the frigid winter air still in the area, she paired her maxi skirt with a tan leather jacket and a grey linen scarf. Her bright yellow animal print bag plays well against the black of the skirt, giving a big pop of color.

On another chilly day, this woman wore her grey, jersey maxi skirt with grey leggings and ivory Converse All-Stars. On top she wore a belted olive drab field jacket and a black beanie covering her box braids. A very casual, yet hip outfit for walking around New York City.

This young woman sports a very comfortable looking, jersey maxi skirt, with horizontal stripes. Her black Birkenstock clogs cohere to the black stripes of the skirt. The orange tee, keeps with the comfortable motif and also adds a nice touch of color.

This young lady walking her dog in Central Park, knows how to dress for a scorcher. An airy, black chiffon maxi skirt and thong slippers are a great pair when fighting off the heat. When united with a loose semi-sheer jersey tank, the ensemble reflects that of a Bohemian artist. The beaded choker, floral headband and messy bun only add to the affect. A great outfit for any hot day in New York City, or pretty much anywhere for that matter.

This buxom brunette looks as though she just walked out of the Riviera. Her flowing, tiered, white linen maxi skirt, is something straight out of the Mediterranean Region. Her bright red, spaghetti strap tank accentuates her bosom and the belt creates a narrower and higher looking waist. The man watch is also a nice touch.

Life Has Really Become A Drab (An Olive Drab)!

A girl sports an olive drab trench, while standing under a tree in Central Park.

Olive drab is the new pink!  No longer is it reserved for Vietnam Veterans or rebellious teens, as clothing companies make the military color their own.

Dating all the way back to the end of the 19th century, olive drab is a well known, yet dull color.  The word “drab” literally means, “Lacking in brightness or interest; drearily dull.”

In the beginning of the 20th century most military powers began moving away from the bright colored uniforms of years passed, and into an age of camouflage.

However it wasn’t until World War II, when practicality prevailed, that the modern Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) began to take shape.  Though not designed by Hugo Boss, like the German SS uniforms, the US field uniforms were simple and sensible.

The most popular, and well known, field jacket was born in 1965.  The Vietnam era M-65 was not only worn by those fighting the war, but by those protesting it as well.  Photographs of people like Abby Hoffman, Jerry Rubin, and Country Joe McDonald wearing the M-65 while protesting the war in Vietnam circulated the globe in the 1960’s.  This media recognition of the protestors and Vietnam veterans in their olive drab field jackets really set a trend for years to come.

The olive drab field jacket was seen as a statement of opposition, and was eagerly picked up by the punk rock movement.  Adorned with spikes, safety pins and patches, the field jacket became a platform on which to express one’s rebellion.  After the punk scene died down, however, the iconic olive drab field jacket seemed to be lost in oblivion.

Since I began taking pictures for this blog, I have noticed, more and more, the reemergence of olive drab.  In my past two outings, alone, I have seen, pants, shirts, overcoats, and the old standby field jacket all cast in Olive Drab.  Olive Drab is the new color this year as designers dip back into the closets of their youth and rework an icon.

This mother/daughter pair don similar olive drab coats, while taking a seat on the risers in Time Square.

This girl paired olive drab cargo pants with brown leather combat boots, to give an authentic, yet stylish, appearance.

This gentleman wears a waterproof olive drab jacket over his suit; keeping him warm and dry, while waiting for the bus.

A Gucci messenger bag gives a touch of refinement, while wearing an olive drab trench.

This olive drab shirt is perfect for this time of year. Wear the sleeves long when it's cold, or roll them up when it gets hot.

A teal cowl neck sweater accentuates the olive drab, creating a warmer look.