Cold and Bold

As the first major snowfall of the season has come and gone (third week of November and almost a foot of snow...), I figured it's time for an in-style recount of this winter's trends. Compiled from runways, pages of fashion magazines, and from the media- this winter features a lot of reoccurring trends and some new styles for the bold and eccentric.

Advertisement for women's jeans this season

Baggy Is Better

Some key looks this winter feature boyfriend fit jeans, loose or over sized sweaters (both cardigans and pullovers), and lots of layering to create a baggy look.

My favorite winter style is a simple bottom with a chunky sweater and boots. It's easy to look cute while staying so warm in the winter. Layering long sleeve tops and sweaters and jackets is so easy and can be so cozy.

Accessorizing with scarves, hats, and gloves is another plus to winter styling due to its warmth. I love finding cute and colorful winter accessories because they can instantly make a boring outfit fun. If you're style-impaired, just rely on the accessories. Pick out a normal, basic outfit and let your winter hats, coats, and scarves do the wow-ing for you.

Creating a baggy look should be easy and cozy!

Examples from winter runway shows 

Mary-Kate Olsen street style inspiration

Street Style 2014

Feminine Styling

Even though lately menswear-inspired fashion has been more prominent on runways, this season feminine and girly silhouettes and styling seem to be coming back with force.  Layers of tulle under thick knits or chunky jackets add a utilitarian or practical aspect to otherwise very girly pieces.

These eccentric takes on the feminine trend in recent runway shows may be a bit over the top and impractical, but they are prime examples of the pretty plumage seen everywhere paired with sturdier counterparts.

Tommy Hilfiger fall runway show

Balmain fall runway show

Gareth fall runway show

from Nylon website

Ankle Boots

Obviously boots are, have been, and forever will be the staple of any fall related fashion.  Boots have evolved and been constructed out of any material under the sun since creation of man kind.  This season ankle boots and shorter, strong footwear stomped and stormed the runways.  Street style displays the trend in various pairings from leggings and skinny jeans to enormous dresses.

Are ankle boots the new iconic footwear of the season to come?  Or will it continually change?  Since last year's over the knee boots this footwear has downsized considerably; what will they look like next year?

Ankle boots from "The Brown Girl with Long Hair"

Celebrity ankle boot styling

Pastels

One trend that was completely uncalled for but all mutually agreed upon by major designers is pastels for winter.  PASTELS.  Ditch your dark hues and shades of tan, brown and black for peppy and cool colors in baby blue, petal pink, and yawn yellow (I'm kidding.. sort of).

This trend will continue from winter into spring due its transitional tones, but I'd be surprised to see this trend majorly take off.  Yes, it was everywhere on the runways but in real life?  I'd love to see some bold street style fashionistas take on this daring (?) trend.

PS-- add any bright gems or statement jewels to your bland outfits this season for an instant shine and glimmer!

Dallas

In a land of bottle blondes, fake boobs, and self tanner- I found myself surprisingly at home. Maybe it's my natural love for anyplace warmer than this New Jersey winter we're having, or maybe I really enjoyed seeing college guys dressed in total frat guy prep... either way, if you don't see me in the dirty Jerz, its because I've moved to Dallas.

Aside from cowboy boots of multiple hues and styles, there were several huge trends that I noticed. Like any major metropolis home to many different walks of life, the styles vary and range depending on who you are... but there are a few trends that reappear again and again.

The Side Boob
I don't know how this even works or why some girls think this is a cute look, but the majority of your boob hanging out on the side of your dress or shirt is not "sexy". Frankly, it made me lose my appetite seeing you yank up your whole boob when you thought no one was watching to create the "perky" effect. I've seen this look at concerts with a ripped muscle tee tucked into high waisted shorts- it's bad enough then but doing it with could-have-been cute dresses just takes it to a whole different level. I'm really considering walking up to the next girl with her boob hanging out and asking her how she deals with yanking the duct tape off at the end of the night instead of purchasing a bandeau like the rest of the human race (err, feminine race).

Silk Rompers
Granted, not all made out of real silk, but the flowy could-be-a-dress-but-actually-a-romper made an appearance many times throughout my visit. I LOVE THIS LOOK! Rompers can seriously work anything. My cousin wore a printed romper with a knit swear thrown over it and sandals, and the next night I spotted several long sleeve rompers paired with heels and statement jewelry. So versatile, so cute, so easy (except when peeing, then you have to take off your whole romper which is a hassle but so it goes, beauty is pain). Great rompers can be found from Free People, Anthropologie, Nasty Gal, and Urban Outfitters.

Loose Curls
I think this must be a Southern girls' ode to Taylor Swift, but regardless, the thick, loose curls were all the rage. I wishhhhh my hair would hold curls better because I would definitely try to rock this look. I love the flouncy curls that make any outfit look cuter and more feminine. If anyone has a great tutorial or secret on how to achieve these great curls, drop some knowledge in the comments section below, por favor.

Weather Confusion
This isn't a trend, more of an observation. Texas springs can be very bipolar, one day it's rainy and cold, the next day its about 80 degrees and sunny. There were a wide mix of styles because of this. Around the college campuses and local hangouts, most people opted for summery clothing and freshly sprayed tans. In other parts, however, I saw Ugg boots and North Face jackets! If I lived in Texas and there was an inkling of warmth, I would go with it fully. Who wants to walk around sweating in fur and fleece, anyway?

Cross your fingers I convince my family to move to Dallas....y'all!!!

Hot or Not: The Preppy Guy

Posed smiles and a casual revealing of the polka-dot lining of this dude's jacket.

Costume sketch for Leonardo diCaprio
as Jay Gatsby

You know the one I'm talking about... constantly in a button down, khakis in every color of the rainbow, matching belts and ties. THE preppy guy. Men's fashion changes just as rapidly as women's, but the fashion style that has barely changed over the years is the classic "preppy" look.

Robert Redford as the original
Jay Gatsby

Evolving from casual days in the summer, to frat house cool, to the millions of Vineyard Vines obsessed- the preppy guy has always been there. The preppy guy can pull it off day or night, winter or summer. Since the Prepster-Lite species have sprung up all over America thanks to chain stores such as Vineyard Vines and Sperry, making it easier for styleLESS men to find some style, our definition of preppy has changed. If you wear Sperry's, does that automatically make you preppy? If he opts for salmon shorts instead of athletic shorts, is he equal to Chuck Bass (that's a rhetorical question, obviously no man could ever come close to equalling Chuck Bass)?

He's Chuck Bass

My question to you, dear readers, is this guy cute or juuuuust a little too into fashion to be manly and rugged? Obviously, the preppy look isn't for everyone, but is the preppy guy always hot? Or maybe is he never at all?

Are there extremes of hotness on the preppy scale? The Prepster-Lite, making it possible for teenage boys of America to boost their self esteem through boating shoes all year round, has made its mark on America. Is this lighter version of prep so-called hot? Sperry's instead of loafers, mid-calves over argyle, backwards hats versus driving caps (even though the last time someone wore a driving hat was 1930). Is this "bro" mini-version easier to love, or harder to watch an iconic style slowly spiral down the toilet?

Being preppy, as some say, is a lifestyle more than the act of choosing clothing. Can the way one act and speak be considered preppy? And do these Prepster-Lites fit the description? If you like your guys dedicated Brooks Brothers, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ralph Lauren, click "hot" to the poll on the right. Or maybe preppy pubescent creeps aren't your style, click "not". It's all in the eye of the beholder....even though we can ALL agree that this guy (golfer John Daly, below) should just kick himself in the ass already.

 

        The many looks of Chuck Bass (Ed Westick) and the "Lord" Scott Disick. 

How to Look Hot While Not Being Mistaken for The Common Whore

"Girls Who Go Out" illustration from The Man Repeller

Fashion and style is in the eye of the beholder, what you may deem 'hot', I may deem 'not'. But that's what makes it fashion. If everyone agreed on one look and wore the same thing, style would not evolve.

So, in relevance to my opening style philosophy, I have a short story. My friend walked into school today looking adorable while staying warm (no easy feat). Clad in black motorcycle boots (with gold accents), maroon tights, a black banded skirt, and an oversized black knit ski sweater with white houndstooth details. I gushed over how chic she looked while finding a cute way to fight these freezing temperatures. But as soon as she turned around, one girl called her a "stripper". (Clearly I'm not familiar with the tights and sweaters pole-dancing species.)

This brings me to my overarching question: HOW does one look hot while not being called a "stripper"? I think I may have some answers. (If you have any other obvious solutions, please drop some knowledge in the comments.)

It is so easy to look put together and appealing without wearing dresses and heels. This is especially important to me since I go to school each day and want to look cute... but NOT like the girl who's trying too hard.

My first bit of advice is to wear clothing that you feel comfortable in. The first step to looking good is feeling good, and nothing makes you feel better than being comfortable and confident. If what you feel best in are athletic shorts and sneakers, then go for it (and hello, LuLu Lemon?)! Wear colorful combos, add fun socks, accessorize! You don't need to lose your circulation in tight clothes or wear what other people are wearing to look """""good""""".

My second tip is to be practical. If the latest trends in your area are crop tops and booty shorts, and maybe you're not anorexic or under eighty pounds, DON'T WEAR IT. So many girls think that by wearing what's "hot" makes them automatically "hot" as well, when in fact, you may be doing just the opposite. If you don't have the flattest stomach, then don't highlight it. Own your body and accentuate your highlights, don't emphasize on your negative. Someone smart once said, "Love the body you have while working for the body you want". Remember that the next time you pick up a belly shirt.

Different body types, all "HOT"

I finally come to the """""hot""""" stereotype. Squeezing yourself into bodycon dresses, bustier tops, and skintight leggings does not make you so-called hot. Everybody has their own definition of hotness versus beauty (I rather be beautiful than hot, but that's just me) and everybody is going to perceive you differently. But, my honest-to-goodness advice, is to wear what you want while making yourself look GOOD, not hot. And yes, pull out your banded skirts, your bustier tops and high heels, I'm all for it. But there's a time and place for everything, and making yourself feel good is the truest form of beauty (you can't buy confidence at the makeup store, surprisingly).

To close my argument, I would like to circle back to my friend who was called a "stripper". If wearing what she wanted and what made her look good is a crime, then lock her up. But she wasn't striving to be called "hot", she was making herself happy by dressing well but not pushing the boundaries. She rocked it and now I hope you can too.

Mendham Style Watch

Tori's white Converse high tops with blue denim

While discussing with my good friend whether or not she should buy a new pair of Chuck Taylor's, she stated, "There are so many high-tops, I guess they must be coming back into style". It took me a beat to fully process my dear friend Sam's musing, but once I did I honestly felt my heart break. Converse NOT being in style? I never thought I would hear those words uttered. I had grown up being laced into All Stars by my mother, she bought me a pair in bright red when I was a mere toddler. I proceeded to always have a pair of Converse during my life wether it be red, purple, light blue, yellow, or black. But my first pair of high tops were something extraordinary. I must have been in second or third grade when my aunt and I got hot pink Converse high tops. They were so perfect and so iconic, they encapsulated my life at that point (before I graduated from Barbie dolls and moved into my pre-teen years where I swore off the color pink for a while). But those amazing, bubblegum hued sneakers represent what Converse is: iconic.

From their start on the basketball court, Chuck Taylor's (named for and by their original creator) were mainly worn as high tops. It wasn't until they became fashion statements that their ankle protection tops weren't needed since basketball players weren't wearing them anymore. But since their start in 1908, Converse shoes hold that special magic that makes the brand legendary. Fashion mavens took ahold of the trend, now Converse teams up with some of the greatest names in fashion to create amazing new styles (remember Missoni's classic zig-zag Converse?). And recently, Alexa Chung confessed in her biography, It, that she loves the feeling of buying new, white high tops and muddying them up just the right amount.

Since my friend observed that there were so many kids (girls and guys, but I unfortunately only photographed girls wearing them) sporting the sneaks, I started looking too. I never had thought twice about them, Converse were everywhere and that's the way it should be. But apparently, not everybody thinks the same way I do. 

I photographed a few of my friends (thank you Brooke, Lizzy, and Tori!) wearing their high tops in a few different ways, which also adds to the shoes appeal. The fact that Converse can be styled with practically anything makes it so easy and fun to try new combos and dress them up or down. I think Converse represents effortless cool, they were the originals of their kind and they own it. 

Lizzy tops her grey high tops with
fuzzy socks and leggings

Tori's black high tops with socks and tights,
underneath a skirt and sweater

Brooke's black high tops with white seams,
paired with black skinny jeans

Hair Raising

I feel like my whole life (or my whole life after I discovered the amazing technology of ruining your entire hair with two, scalding metal plates) I pined after and wished I could have long, straight hair. I was never one of those girls who complained consistently about her hair or who wanted to drastically change it- although I did dye the bottom half of my head with bright red Kool-Aid in seventh grade... but I was pretty much happy with my brown, basic locks. I just wanted my hair to be longer and straighter!
I was fed up with my unruly waves- not curls, curls are pretty, my waves are weird, inconsistent, and voluminous- and the frizz. (By the way, if you're one of those girls who has never had a struggle during the summer with frizz, I automatically hate you.) The frizz is the bane of my existence... especially since I kept my hair shorter and at a length where frizz consumed my entire head. Which was so stupid of me, I wish I could shake pre-seventh grade me and scream, "WHAT THE HELL JUST GROW YOUR HAIR OUT AND STOP GETTING FACE FRAME BANGS LOSER!.... AND WEAR THE RUBBER-BANDS SO YOU GET YOUR BRACES OFF SOONER!"

But alas, since then I have learned from my mistakes, and spent a small fortune investing in miracles such as anti-frizz products for the hot summers. But as I grow up, I realize that as much as I may want long, straight hair, I realize that I don't HAVE that, so why obsess over it? I can grow my hair out long or cut it if I want to, and although straightening my hair continuously is awful for it, I can still do that whenever I want.

But now I am much more aware of the alternatives of hair that are way more plausible for me. I feel like I always wanted long, straight hair because thats the only thing I saw growing up. Hilary Duff? Straight hair. Lindsey Lohan (pre-rehab VIP)? Long and straight. Kim Possible (although a cartoon, she had spunk and sass and yes I totally idolized her)? HELLA long and straight.
But I am just soooooo much wiser in my old age (sixteen) that I know sooo much more about life and like, stuff! Just kidding, life will never be understood, but I DO understand more about hair now and determining things that help you look the best you.

So, my new hair inspirations? Not Kim Possible. Instead: Lorde, Alexa Chung, Tavi Gevinson, Jessica Biel, and Zooey Deschanel.

 Above: Lorde (Ella Yelich-O'Conor) new pop-singing icon has stepped onto the scene due to her amazing pipes and ground breaking hair. Her hair style is so different to what most celebrities promote that it makes her an even bigger icon.

Above: MY ICON, MY INSPIRATION, MY LOVE!!!!! Alexa Chung. Words cannot describe my overwhelming respect and admiration for this fashion maven.. But I'm only here to talk about her hair right now (maybe an Alexa appreciation post will come soon...). Alexa's hair has been changed, dyed, and chopped numerous times but she's famous for her took-two-hours-to-make-this-perfect-bedhead look. Her hair is also very different to what many fashion icons and celebrities promote. I want to try so many of the Alexa Chung hair originals on my own locks but who could pull it off as well as she does?

Above: Tavi Gevinson... usually more noted for her sense of individual style and writing ability (13 year old fashion blogger invited to Fashion Week, need I say more?). But Tavi's hair is something of its own. Since she was young she dyed it many multiple colors (including blue, green, and a grayish mix of the two) and cut it different lengths. Tavi's carefree approach to her hair is something to remember, it's just hair and it will definitely grow back. Being experimental leads to discovery.

Above: Jessica Biel, actress and Justin Timberlake's fiance, is not noted for her hair, but after searching far and wide for innovative styling techniques, I looked at the evolution of her hair and realized that she must make the top picks. She's dyed it dark and then bleached it blonde, sometimes straight and other times curled- her diverse style is exciting and goes with whatever event she's currently at.

Above: Zooey Deschanel, loved and hated for her quirky personality and baby-doll looks. I personally love her blunt, childish bangs and think that she pulls them off expertly. There are always people harshing bangs and putting them down, but if you can pull 'em off, more power to you.

Moral of the story... "OWN THAT PONYTAIL. WORK THAT UP-DO!"