How To Wear Socks With Your Spring Footwear

As I take the time this week to browse through a pile of fashion magazines including French Glamour, Spanish Glamour, Australian Vogue, and Elle Accessories, I've noticed a trend that's been building for months - socks are being worn with sandals and other forms of spring footwear. While this trend is not for everyone, it's certainly for those who are young at heart or want a playful look for spring...or for those who haven't taken the time to get a pedicure! Sometimes the straps on my sandlas dig into my skin, so for me, socks offer a practical and comfortable approach to wearing warm weather footwear. Other times I just want to add a whimsical/quirky touch to my outfit and printed socks can do just that.

For those who are resistant to this trend, I sugggest starting out with a pair of flesh-toned socks or tights so that the look is more subtle. This is what I've done in the top left picture. In the photos on the top right and in the middle I've paired printed socks from dELiA*s and Old Navy with both open and closed-toe footwear. I think it looks best when the socks are thin and not too tall. I can remember pairing two different colored socks on each leg back in the '80s and I'm trying to avoid that scrunchy/aerobics/Flashdance effect here. When executing this trend, I also recommend toning down the rest of the outfit to avoid looking like you're in elementary school. So I'd suggest no pleated mini skirts, Peter Pan collared blouses, or juvenile hairstyles. A casual knee-length day dress or cropped trousers would add a sophisticated touch to the look. In addition, socks and tights should not be worn with this season's popular gladiator sandals, as it just doesn't look right in my opinion. I think that the sturdier the shoe, the better it will look when paired with socks. I'm trying to imagine some delicate strappy stiletto sandals with socks and it's not a look I would try. I'd stick to heftier shoes such as wedges, stacked heels, or sculptural heels. If you're brave enough to try this trend, remember it's all about having fun and showing off that legwear and footwear.

Saturday On State

I took advantage of the cool weather and the scarce crowds this past Saturday and spent some time on State St. in Santa Barbara. There were so few people out and about that I even had the chance to dine at the impossible-to-get-into Palace Grill for Cajun cuisine. I scoped out a few store windows that appealed to me and finished the day off with a slice of savory sweet potato pecan pie.

Above - bold colors and prints at Yellowstone Vintage

Below - blue hues at Bebe

As far as street style, I spotted many women wearing: leggings with jersey tunics, UGG-ly boots, skinnies with ballet flats, printed canvas totes, and quite a few lightweight printed scarves worn in various manners. Not exactly cutting edge, but definitely the laid-back trendy ensembles that I'm used to seeing in southern California beach cities.

Shopping At Westfield Topanga - A Review

It may seem that all I do is go shopping and hang out at malls. Trust me, it's not true! While I probably shop for clothing and accessories more than most people, the majority of my time is not spent in malls. With that out of the way (and me hoping I don't sound like a hypocrite), here is my brief review of one of my favorite southern California malls - Westfield Topanga. Recently, this mall has undergone some major expansions and construction, including a new Target store and a soon-to-be-opened Nieman Marcus. Walking through the mall, it's evident which parts are new and which are remnants from earlier decades. What I like about Westfield Topanga is that it's located outside of Los Angeles, in a suburb called Canoga Park. Due to its location in the San Fernando Valley, there is a diverse mix of shoppers who frequent the mall. Last weekend I saw everything from working class families to rowdy spoiled teens, trendy hipsters, and pampered young professionals. The mix of high and low end retailers at Westfield Topanga certainly reflects the suburban landscape. I like being able to shop at either Nordstrom or H&M in the same place. There is also a Pinkberry location for diehard fans of frozen sweet treats. The two complaints I have are that the mall sorely lacks an Urban Outfitters store, and parking in the garages on the weekends is a nightmare! I highly recommend parking in the open air lots near Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Victory Blvd. You may have to walk more, but it saves the frustration of endlessly circling the one-way parking structures looking for a space. The Owensmouth garage is particularly bad.

Above, large windows near the ceiling allow natural light to flow into the mall and greenery minimizes the feeling of being in an enclosed mall.

Each part of the mall has different rest and relaxation areas. Near the Target there is a carousel and play area for kids. Above is one of the more relaxing, oasis-like areas of the mall. I like the use of rocks, plants, and water to create an outdoors-y feel.

Trend On The Rise - Feathers

Click the image to enlarge.

Let your spirit soar this spring with whimsical feather and peacock designs.

Pictured above:
1. Skinny feather headband, Urban Outfitters, $18.00
2. Peacock heart T-shirt, dELiA*s, $24.50
3. Feather cocktail hat, Urban Outfitters, $28.00
4. Feather bead necklace, Forever 21, $6.80
5. Peacock earrings, Alloy, $12.50

Photo credit: Alloy.com, urbanoutfitters.com, forever21.com, delias.com

Fitting Room Frenzy - Target's GO International Private Label Collection Photos & Mini Review

During a cosmetics-hunting shopping session at Target, I wandered over to the Juniors' Department for a quick browse of the Jovovich-Hawk leftovers and was pleasantly surprised to see the GO International Private Label Collection (which I was anxiously awaiting) on the racks. I thought this collection was launching April 13th, so I was jubilant to see it. There weren't many pieces, and they were hanging on the same racks as the few J-H pieces that were left. I happily grabbed my sizes and headed off to the fitting rooms for a little photoshoot. Please excuse the poor lighting, as it tends to be skewed heavily towards the unflattering yellow side in this particular Target store.



I liked the floaty ombre T-shirt with fluttery sleeves pictured above, however, I didn't buy it because I thought it was too long for me. Other than that, it was comfortable, had a lining, and it was generally well constructed with the exception of a few loose threads on the inside seams.

Up next was the one shoulder jersey dress. It comes in cobalt blue or in black. The photos don't show it, but there is a bow on the shoulder and small ruffles on the bust. I liked the length and the floaty fabric, however, I didn't buy it because it wasn't particularly flattering. Please excuse the boots - I know they don't go with the garments. That's just what I happened to be wearing today.

The shiny tuxedo jacket below actually surprised me a bit. It was more fashion-forward than I'd expect from Target. The exposed zipper was thick and sporty, the fit was tailored, and the shoulders were super wide and structured. Overall, I liked the piece, but I have to admit that I don't know how I'd wear it. Perhaps over a black skirt or LBD. It's not a piece that I'd wear often, as the look is strong and reminds me of 1980s power suits - not a good memory.

My favorite piece on the racks was this strapless gray and yellow dress pictured below. I love the pleating detail at the top and the accented yellow waistline. What's even better is that is has pockets, perfect for stowing my hands away for that nonchalant, casual look. The top has a structured fit with boning and taping on the inside to help it stay put. It's made of 100% cotton, fully lined, and has a sporty yellow exposed zipper in the back. Not bad for $39.99. I can't wait to wear it.

Up next was the trendy Grecian two-tone dress below. This was also $39.99. The inner pink layer is rayon and the outer gray layer is silk. It's a bit sheer, so I'd recommend a slip or some Spanx. The twisting effect on the shoulder is a bit tricky because it's not stitched down, so it may need adjustment upon getting dressed. I will definitely hand wash this one to ensure that the shoulder area doesn't become untwisted. I love the layered detail, which is something I wouldn't normally expect from Target. The dress has an elastic waistband, which makes it comfortable and helps to create a nice blouson effect. (I added a metallic belt.) Overall, it's an inexpensive, feminine dress and I'm very happy with it.

I'm excited to see more pieces from this collection, especially the black jumpsuit and the gray/neon pink shirtdress. You can bet that I'll be checking Target often for new arrivals! How about anyone else...have you seen pieces in the stores and if so, what do you think of them?

© 2008 Fashion Trend Guide

Trend On The Rise - Colorblock Patterns

Click the image to enlarge.

Combine colors this season with bold colorblock patterns for a new twist on spring brights.



Pictured:

1. Dolman top, Forever 21, $15.80
2. Blake colorblock bag, dELiA*s, $26.50
3. Gianna tie tank, dELiA*s, $24.50
4. Tracy top, dELiA*s, $29.50
5. Rugby striped flip flops, Wet Seal, $7.50
6. Neo racerback tank, Forever 21, $8.80
Photo credit: forever21.com, delias.com, wetseal.com