Fashion

Animal-kingdom-inspired clothing has clawed its way back into fashion this fall, according to the Wall Street Journal’s weekend lifestyle section, Off Duty.

In the article titled “The Call of the Wild,” reporter Lesley M. M. Blume takes readers through couture’s kitties—including Givenchy’s satin black dresses with cat faces and Marc Jacobs’ blazers and skirts with prowling, iridescent jungle cats —to more domestic designs including Topshop Unique’s collection, which includes an variety of Dalmatian-spotted coats, dresses and stoles.

Even shoe designer Christian Louboutin crafted his own homage to the jungle this fall — an amusing stiletto that turns its wearer’s foot into a furry cat paw. “There is something sweet about the foot of a feline—charming and not so serious,” he says.

And if you can’t find the occasion to wear this season’s animal inspired look, try it on your eyes. The article also includes a step-by-step guide to “Taming the Cat Eye.”

No matter where you go shopping this fall, you will not miss the tribal sensation that has left the runway and entered our favorite stores.

The predictions from Fall 2011 fashion week were correct –– bold and vibrant colors, mixed with tribal designs, are the new trend for this season. Whether you are shopping at H&M or Saks Fifth Avenue you will find simple shaped dresses, rompers and jumpers all covered in tribal patterns and colors.

This exotic look consists of strong, graphic prints combined with earthy tones of browns, reds and oranges. These brightly assorted clothes are matched with simple chunk wooden bracelets or straw bags to top off the safari look.

Not only has the tribal look changed the style of clothing, but accessories as well. Totes, shoes, bracelets and scarves are all inspired by the Native American and African tribal patterns –– so it is sure to be a very colorful season for fashionistas and shoppers alike. Mixing different designs and patterns together seems to be the way to make the whole tribal look stand out, and really pop. If you want this look at home you can go into your closet, pick out the boldest colored clothing from last season and pair it with anything the latest patterns.

Be sure to stand out this fall by wearing everything tribal!

By Ashley Caputo

Jack and Meg White –  formerly known as the White Stripes – consigned themselves to the annals of rock n’ roll history in February as they officially disbanded. But right now they seem to be the only stripe type that isn’t in vogue.

That’s right ladies, stripes are back in and are tipped to be one of the hottest trends this summer. And, in case you’d forgotten how best to wear your stripes, the eternally in-the-know Barney’s of New York is here to help.

According to Barney’s, “From uptown to downtown, from the East Village to East Hampton, it’s official: summer is the season of the stripe.”

And have you ever wondered about the story behind the stripe? Of course you have!

A French maritime tradition turned international staple, stripes have become de rigeur for anyone looking to stay seasonally chic come summer. No longer relegated to the realm of seafarers, this classic print kicks up any outfit to the next nautical level.

As well as enlightening with this Gallic origin story, Barney’s have also selected a number of pieces that will have you looking like a striped superstar this summer. One such piece is the Ella Moss Henley Stripe Top. This striped pink and white jersey v-neck will give you that light, airy look that stripes should when they are worn properly.

Not wanting to make fans of the nautical stripe feel left out, Barney’s have pulled together a number of great tops in this style too. Our favorite is the Ever Konya Sweater. This might be a tough one to pull off in the searing summer heat of New York City, but when things are winding down in late August and September, this slim-fitting cotton crewneck will have you looking the part.

If you’re not already wishing that all stripes would go the way of the White Stripes, we also have to recommend you take a look at Tees by Tina. These give a more basic approach with simple striped tees, but they are very form-fitting. So, if you have the figure, a Tee by Tina is one of the hottest and most inexpensive ways to wear your seasonal stripes this year.

You’ll scarcely be surprised, but accessories haven’t escaped the summer stripe-fest either. Sobral accessories deliver fun striped accessories in all different colors. Their black and white collection can give you a hybrid of the striped look combined with the animal print that is so popular right now. They also have a bracelet collection that takes things to a whole new level, looking almost candy-like, but we love the bright colors.

From tank tops to socks, from scarves and skirts to men’s shirts, stripes are most definitely going to dominate the world of casual fashion over the next few months – so you better get on board now or be left behind!

I was once told that high heels were invented by a man because they make a woman’s walk and shape more alluring, i.e. when you step into a high heel it automatically changes your posture: breasts out, bum up, and they make your hips sway just so.

The truth is (although there is some debate on the matter) that high heels go as far back as the Egyptians in 3500 BC for ceremonial purposes. In ancient Greece actors wore different heights of high heels (called Buskins) to depict different class levels and or importance of characters. In Ancient Rome prostitution was legal, and one of the ways female courtesans were readily identified was by their high heels.

Since the early 1900s, high-heel design has run the gamut of styles. Today high heels are a fashion staple. I personally love high heels and have found that the key to a good high heel is their last, a comfortable last can make a high heel wearable for hours. Some of the designers whom I love and often make the comfortable heels depending on the last are: Jimmy Choo, Ysl, Louboutin & Costume National. I also have found that inexpensive high heels can also be comfortable as long as their last is the right shape. If you have a pair of shoes that are really comfortable take a look at their last and when shopping aim for high heels that have a similar shape. A platform generally makes for a slightly more comfortable heel because of the weight distribution.

My biggest peeve that I see way too often when it comes to high heels is woman teetering along in high heels whom don’t know how to walk in them! This looks terrible and completely counters the allure of the high heel and they just look awkward and completely un-sexy. Plus learning to walk correctly in high heels is important for the health of your body. High heels as most of us know are not easy on the feet, knees or back for that matter. Learning to use your core and walking with correct posture wont fix this but will definitely help counter some of the negative effects. So ladies if you don’t know how to walk in high heels properly I suggest you either learn how or reach for those flats.

How high is too high? Well if you can’t walk in them then they are too high! The trick to walking in high heels is to use your core to hold your posture and to let your hips naturally sway as you walk. If you get a new pair of heels and your not confident walking in them yet, please do yourself a favor and practice walking in them in your house before you set foot out that door. Once you have that walk down then by all means hit the streets a-strutting!

By:
Trinity Rose
www.illume.me