Fashion

As anyone who’s ever watched an episode of The Rachel Zoe Show (or, god forbid, tried to call a fashion house themselves) knows, basic kindness is a hard thing to come by in the world of fashion. We can’t help but wonder why. Is the trend toward mean a reflection of how tough the business is or is it all about status?

On the one hand, it’s not hard to see why fashionistas have to develop a thick skin. The ratio of fashion jobs to fashion enthusiasts is skewed in a way that makes for a lot of competition. This means that, much like cliche reality show contestants, most fashion industry folks are not here to make friends. They’re here to get ahead, and sometimes the best way to do that is to keep those at your level or below down while desperately trying to get in with those ahead of you. A word of caution, though – someday, those people you trampled on will be the people whose favor you want to curry, and everyone remembers a slight.

There’s also a less generous hypothesis for the unkindness running rampant in the industry: fashion is a high-status industry, peddling expensive goods everyone wants. Just like restaurants, which are often dreadful if they don’t need to be good because of location, fashion folks don’t have to be nice. People will still buy a top-brand bag, even if their salespeople are rude.

Evidence suggests, however, that even when rudeness doesn’t hurt, being kind might get you even further. In their book The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness, Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval discuss how their own brand of friendliness helped them rise to the top of the advertising world. We know a few fashionistas who should strongly consider giving it a read.

Leila Cohan-Miccio

For the past few seasons we have embraced dark and edgy trends. Opting for deep colors, hardcore embellishments like studs and spikes and 80’s glam rock styles. Well, this season that’s all about to change as the fashion tides are moving to a more feminine and soft look. We want you to enjoy being a girl and embrace your feminine side so we put together a few ideas to help you get this look.

Stick To A Feminine Color Palette Feminine colors include pastels, neutrals and of course the cliche, pink. Look for pale shades of your favorite color and stay away from anything too dark. Neutrals like tan, beige and ivory will be your friend and can be paired with any pastel shades like pistachio, Tiffany blue and soft pinks. Try a shade you never wore before, it may surprise you!

Chiffon Dresses Chiffon is the fabric of the seasons (and seasons to come) the flowy, feminine fabric is being used by designers from everything form mini dresses to skirts. A beautiful strapless chiffon dress will look stunning at night with an undo and chandelier earrings while a chiffon skirt can be paired with a white t-shirt and statement necklace which makes for the perfect weekend look. Editor’s Pick: Silk Chiffon Dress By Ivy And Aster

Add A Ribbon Belt An easy way to add a feminine touch to your blouse or dress is to tie a satin ribbon belt around your waist. Ribbon belts are beautiful and come in every color imaginable and some even have embellishments making it extra glamourous. You can find ribbon belts pretty much everywhere but you can probably find the best deals at wedding dress stores, they tend to have the prettiest ribbon belts which are priced just right or even on sale. Editor’s Pick: The Evita Belt By Jenny Yoo

Crystal Headbands Crystal headbands are becoming more and more and popular and they’re not just for little girls anymore. Accessories designers are making grown up versions of this childhood favorite using decadent Swarvoski crystals, ostrich feathers and high quality beads. You can wear a headband no matter what hair style you have. If you like this trend but not are too keen on headbands you can try crystal barrettes which you can just clip on. Editor’s Pick: Ice Crystal Headband by Jennifer Behr

Dainty Costume Jewelry Dainty costume jewelry can be found everywhere from high street stores to luxury department stores. Look for necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets that feature pearls, ribbons, flowers, charms and other girly details. The best way to wear them is to just pile them on one on top of the other. When choosing jewelry choose a metal that you wear the most for instance if you wear mostly silver jewelry and most of your handbags have silver hardware opt for silver plated costume jewelry. Editor’s Pick: Oscar De La Renta Pearl and Crystal Embellished Necklace

Millissa Mathai

The season’s are changing before our eyes and new fashion awaits us. Delicate floral prints, lots of lace and simple neutrals are the protocol for SS11 but the most talked about trend for Spring is Color Blocking. What is color blocking? Color blocking is basically contrasting colors which are juxtaposed, creating visual interest and modish vibes. You can easily incorporate color blocking into your wardrobe this season, here’s how:

Try A Pair Of Color Blocked Shoes Shoes are always a great way to spice up your wardrobe without breaking the bank. A great pair of color blocked sandals in punchy hues such and pink and orange or turquoise will update your whole look in a flash. Go for color-blocked wedges to hit two trends at once. Color-blocking is huge for Spring so you’ll be able to find color-blocked heels easily at every price point. Editor’s Pick: Pour La Victoire Patent Leather Sandals, Saks Fifth Avenue

Mix and Match Tops and Skirts An Easy way to color block is to pair a solid skirt with a solid blouse in contrasting colors. Gucci showed a peacock blue top paired with a purple skirt and the combination was simply stunning. This outfit is professional enough to wear to work while still maintaining its fashion credibility. Editor’s Pick: Gucci SS11 Collection Tops and Skirts

Keep It Youthful With Stripes Stripes in bright colors are fun an youthful. A bright colored striped top will pair well with many things from slim black cigarette pants to your favorite skinny jeans. Look for a stripped top which can be worn with leggings for added versatility. Editor’s Pick: Alice and Olivia Striped Danielle Top

Color Blocked Handbag A color blocked handbag is a great investment piece as you can wear it with many different outfits. If you’re just trying out the color-blocking trend a bag would be a great way to showcase your sense of style without being a fashion victim. Bags in shades of blues and pinks mixed with metallics would be your best bet to be in sync with SS11 color trends. Editor’s Pick: Prada Pink and Silver Color Blocked Handbag

Go For A Modish Mini Dress A mod mini dress is a great way to try the color blocking trend and is something you can wear now during the end of winter with black tights and black booties and also in the summer with just chunky sandals and over sized sunglasses. Editor’s Pick: Jil Sander Mini Dress

Stick to Black and White Black and white color-blocking is always classic and classy. You can wear a white and black color blocked dress, top or skirt anywhere no matter what the season or occasion. Look for a mini dress to keep the look fresh and modern. Editor’s Pick: Herve Leger Color Block One Shoulder Dress in Black and White

Millissa Mathai

Whether you’re trying to match your footwear with your western-inspired apparel or aiming to add some masculinity to spring’s delicacy, rustic boots are spring’s go to footwear piece. All the rage in Europe, short cowgirl styles (think mini cowboy boots), denim booties and even classic Frye riding boots are as plenty as the florals on our skirts and dresses.

For the year round urban cowgirl, consider Jeffery Campbell. Always a sound investment, Campbell’s Nation Ankle booties were the Editor’s Pick on Shop Bop and a neutral balance for someone intending to stretch their dollar. The rubber heel lifts – three inches to be exact – and the booties look great with skirts and denim. For the rocker chic, Campbell offers black studded pairs that compliment styles with less country and more city. To diversify and lighten your spring bootie selection, go for denim rather than leather – like Ash Tyler denim wedge booties. And if you are saving your scrilla or you’re just more of a handbag girl, go ahead and rock your own Frye riding boots with denim cut offs or an eyelet lace dress.
 

Emma Dinzebach