Hitting the Road

I'll be on an early spring break this week, so that means no updates for Fashion Trend Guide. In true form, I'll be shopping, people watching, and seeking inspiration for my spring wardrobe, and I hope to return refreshed and enthusiastic as my 3-year blog anniversary nears. More importantly, thank you to all my readers and commenters throughout the years, I truly appreciate each and every one of you!

Accessorizing for Spring 2010

With fall fashion trends currently emerging on the runways of NY, it's a bit difficult to focus on spring 2010 trends. Fortunately, the weather in southern California has been so pleasant and warm the past few days that it already feels like spring has arrived. Retailers at the Westfield Topanga mall (just north of L.A.) have freshened up their window displays with new accessories for the warm weather that lies ahead. Think along the lines of softer details: small, feminine handbags, embellished jean chains, an abundance of flower details, plenty of rhinestones, and lace gloves. In anticipation of the coming season, I'm just about ready to ditch the knit beanies, chunky scarves, and faux fur jackets that have been my staples for the past two months.

all photos © 2010 Fashion Trend Guide

The February 2010 Wish List

Amidst following the endless online coverage of NY Fashion Week and taking care of all of my regular responsibilities, I've somehow managed to accrue another wish list of things I'm coveting for spring. Hand bracelets (or slave bracelets, as I call them) have finally made it to Forever 21's website, and I'm thrilled. My preference for platform wedges of five inches or more continues, as does my fondness for quilted crossbody bags. Maxi tube skirts have only recently caught my attention, and I imagine styling one in a sporty way, with a cropped anorak, striped tee, and some summery peep-toe wedges.

images from forever21.com, asos.com, stevemadden.com, topshop.com, & dorothyperkins.com

Kardashians for Bebe

Known for their curve-hugging, trend-conscious style, the Kardashian sisters have teamed up with Bebe on a new line of slinky, party-appropriate apparel. The line, which features sexy dresses and jumpsuits in a palette of black, ivory, gray, khaki green, and hot pink, launched on February 11th and is quickly selling out. As the recipient of the black mesh dressed (pictured below, upper left), I can attest to the sleek, body con fit of this collection. If you like what you see, there is more to come for the collection in April.

Clockwise, from top left: mesh bodice mini dress, silk twill blazer, leather pencil skirt, silky shirt romper, one shoulder pleated dress, and hoodie bustier dress.

Lighten Up

As I daydream about shedding my dark, heavy winter layers in exchange for lighter, fresher pieces for spring, I find myself drawn to pinkish/nude pastel shades. Pieces in muted mauve, dusty beige, and subtle ivory hues offer a more sophisticated alternative to typical Easter-like colors seen in spring such as buttery yellow, bubblegum pink, and sky blue. Come spring, I'll be reaching for my tan clogs and faint pink platform heels for their leg-lengthening effects. Below, some budget-friendly pastel picks from my favorite online retailers.

1. Pink tassel edge scarf, Topshop.com, $32

2. Waterfall jersey jacket, Newlook.co.uk, £22

3. Chilltown dress in dusty pink, Lulus.com, $37

4. Glitter nail polish, Charlotterusse.com, $3.50

5. Nude peep-toe pump, Dorothyperkins.com, £40

6. Pastel quilted handbag, Asos.com, $26.63

images via topshop.com, newlook.co.uk, lulus.com, charlotterusse.com, dorothyperkins.com, & asos.com

Five Trends For Spring 2010

The first trend, which I'm calling Denim Revival, involves everything from chambray shirts and printed denim (such as polka dots or floral printed denim) to mixing classic denim jackets with jeans. In terms of washes and silhouettes, distressed denim will be strong, as will be styles that are cropped and rolled at the hem.

Carrying over from the past few seasons, lace will continue to make strong appearances at retail. For a fresh spin on the trend, look for lace panels, lace racerback tops, and lace as textural embellishment on everything from tunics and dresses to footwear and jewelry.

Layered necklaces are taking the place of statement bib necklaces from the past two seasons, with faux pearls as the predominant theme. Look for styles that contain several strands, or opt for a customized version by layering a few necklaces that you've already got.

I've always regarded the stripe/floral mix as one of my favorites, and this spring it's everywhere. It doesn't just apply to stripes and florals, though. Look out for amalgamations of animal prints, gingham, plaid, polka dots, ethnic prints, and futuristic graphic prints.

Ruffles show a softer side to spring fashion trends, and stand in contrast to the studs, chains, and motorcycle-tough details from fall. Look for ultra feminine ruffled details on handbags, flowy tops, and floral sundresses.

All photos and content © 2010 Fashion Trend Guide. May not be reproduced without permission.

Nighttime Dressing

I'm no party animal, but I've spent my fair share of time out on the town at nightclubs, lounges, parties, and the like. As a teenager, I definitely made my share of fashion mistakes, and now that I'm much older, and in better shape, I have a stronger understanding of how to dress to flatter my body and to feel confident for nighttime. Gone are the days when dressing up for me meant designer jeans with boots and a halter top. Saturday night I wore a blue beanie, a loose floral tank top, a striped body con mini, a fringed scarf with a layered necklace on top, 2 pairs of tights, a vintage beaded jacket, cocktail rings with a red manicure, lace-up peep-toe platform boots, and a loose side braid.

After countless nights spent getting dressed and observing how other women dress, I've devised some tips. These tips are geared toward many of the young twenty-somethings in my area who seem to think that the more skin they show, the better. In terms of my particular area, trends lean towards: an overdose of cheap-looking poly/rayon/spandex blend dresses, micro length skirts and dresses on women with less than toned legs, overly penciled brows, and lots of indecently low cut tops. I think that when done the right way, being covered up can be sexier, and it will also send a better message to people who will make judgements based on appearances.

Do: concentrate on your best feature and accentuate it. Great legs? Wear a mini skirt. Toned arms? Try a halter top. Sexy shoulders? How about a one-shoulder dress.

Don't: overdo it by showing too much skin. If you're showing cleavage, then don't wear a short skirt. If you're baring your back, then don't reveal too much leg. Interestingly enough, I just read in the March issue of Glamour that a U.K. study found that exposing about 40% of your skin was most attractive to men. Or, you can opt to wear something form-fitting and show very little skin - that's understated but alluring.

Do: make use of winter accessories when the temperatures drop. I like to add tights (for warmth and for the slimming and smoothing effect), knit hats, gloves, and faux fur jackets. This allows me to wear the same dresses year round, but make them look different depending upon the season and how I accessorize. I can't even count how many women I've seen recently walking around in forty-five-degree weather in skimpy camisoles and halter tops. It's not cute to be cold; put on a jacket, you'll be warm and look loads more stylish. (Maybe this is just a southern California thing, because I think women in this area wear the same things all year long - flip flops, tank tops, etc.)

Don't: wear something if it's not comfortable. It doesn't matter how amazing those heels are if you can't walk or dance in them. Furthermore, if you're not comfortable, it will show in the way you carry yourself.

Do: use night as an occasion to try something new, such as a shiny cocktail ring, a fun new clutch, a bold color, or a cat eye.

Don't: dress inappropriately for your body shape. Since I'm petite and slightly hourglass/pear-shaped, I avoid lots of volume on the bottom. Therefore, I don't wear bubble skirts, lots of ruffles, and large prints in order to downplay some of my curves.

Do: sit and stand up straight. It will project confidence and make you feel and look better.

Trend On The Rise - Flare Leg Jeans

Devotees of skinny jeans may not like the news that flare leg jeans are back this spring. Personally, I'll be embracing the trend again, as I enjoy variety in my denim silhouettes. This also means that I can revive all of those circa 2003 flare jeans that I have instead of letting them collect dust in the dark depths of my closet. Whether you opt for a high waisted or more flattering low waisted style, here are a few tips for wearing them in a modern way:

Do: have flare jeans hemmed to a practical length; if they're too long and drag on the ground, they can appear sloppy

Don't: wear flare jeans too big, as they look most flattering with a snug fit in the waist, hips, and thigh

Do: look for styles that begin to flare at the knee

Don't: wear a pair that completely covers your footwear. You don't want the hem to be so big that you look like you're going to a rave

Do: pair with breezy tops, ribbed tanks, and lightweight vests for warmer weather

Don't: pair with thigh length tunics, as the proportions on top should balance with the volume at the bottom of the jeans

Do: enjoy how small your hips will look with the flare leg silhouette

Below, five options, all under $75

Summoning Spring

Despite the fact that I've been wearing boots almost daily, my three latest footwear purchases don't include boots at all; they are more appropriate for spring's warmer weather. It's no seret that clogs are one of my favorite spring 2010 shoe trends, and I can currently count two new pairs in my closet, both with heels sufficiently high enough to make me feel relatively tall. I'm anxiously awaiting the onset of spring so I can wear these shoes with things such as ditsy floral tops, light blue denim, striped sailor tops, and bodycon dresses with bow back details.

Top to bottom: floral wedges from Wet Seal, platform "Charlie" clogs by Jeffrey Campbell, and open-toed slingback clogs from Charlotte Russe