Second City Style Fashion Blog - Style, Luxury, Beauty & Shopping

Spring Trends. Flower Power

Every few years, it seems...flowers bloom for spring (fashion). This year is no exception. In fact, everything is coming up roses...and peonies, hydrangeas, tulips, gladiolas...you get the idea. You can already see how huge this trend will be on everything from apparel, to bags to shoes. Let's take a look at what is already available.

Michael Kors Van Gogh Floral Dress $1,795


Catherine Malandrino Sambala Cotton Voile Dress $495


Moschino Cheap & Chic Tulip-Print Dress $695


See by Chloé Pink Floral Shift Dress $820


Tibi Pampelone Blouse $270


Alexander McQueen Kimono print dress $2,555

Milly Chain Halter Mini Dress $375


Tibi Lily Pad Long Strapless Dress $458

M Missoni Floral Splash Dress $575

D&G Dolce & Gabbana Poppy Satchel $845


Floral Tote by Lambertson Truex $243

Betseyville by Betsey Johnson 'Victoria' Wedge $79.95


Miu Miu Kitten Heel Flex Pump $645


Prada Camoscio Glamour Suede Sandal $850

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Trend Forecast. Blue Iris Named the Offical New Hue For 2008.

Those of us who work in any aspect of the design industry know that Pantone is where it all comes from. Color trends and navigation for fashion, interior design, graphic design usually originate from this NJ-based company. So when the NYT's Cathy Horyn reported on their prediction for their 2008 it caught my attention.

And the news? It's gonna be a blue year. Specifically, blue iris, or No. 18-3943, is already making waves. Why? According to Horyn's report: " “Blue Iris brings together the dependable aspects of blue, underscored by a strong, soul-searching purple cast. Emotionally, it is anchoring and meditative with a touch of magic.”

Later, in a telephone interview, Ms. Eiseman said the selection process had been very thoughtful, based on various influences, and that indeed the final choice reflected a “need for thoughtfulness.” Five individuals were involved in the selection process. “With blue iris, we felt that it answered several needs, hopes, desires, that kind of thing,” she said." And who couldn't use a little bit of magic? -- Joanne Molina, Senior Editor

Fall Fashion Forecast. Bright Primary Color Coats Make a Statement. Second City Style Fashion Blog

Make a statement with your coat this fall/winter and try something totally bright! This look is not for the wallflower. A bright coat says "Here I am!" Not for everyday by any means, but the days you want to be noticed. If you are going to wear a bright coat, make sure it's the only bright you wear. Think about pairing with all black or gray.

Versace Fall '07 RTW

Christian Dior Fall '07 RTW

Jill Stuart Fall '07 RTW

Versace Fall '07 RTW

Valentino Fall '07 RTW

Stella McCartney Fall '07 RTW

Real-Way:

D & G Vinyl Trenchcoat $1,100 Saks Fifth Avenue


Versace Cape Coat $2,700 eLUXURY

Burberry London Claybrooke Collarless Trench $1295 Net-a-Porter

LL Collezioni Baby Doll Swing Coat $299 at Bloomingdale's

Via Belted Wool Coat $148 Victoria's Secret

Newport-News Purple Leather Trench $129 Newport-News

Roberto Cavalli Classic Red Coat $3,660 eLUXURY

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Runway Photos: Style.com

Fall Style Forecast. Back to the Future: Skirt Suits. Second City Style Fashion Blog

As much as you may try to escape it, the skirt suit is back. We are back to matching after a couple of years off. Pair the suit with opaque, dark stockings and a substantial shoe or boot. The jacket should be fitted if the skirt balloons, flares or tulips. Think proportion and balance.

Oscar de la Renta Fall '07 RTW

Bottega Veneta Fall '07 RTW

Ralph Lauren Fall '07 RTW

Louis Vuitton Fall '07 RTW

Giorgio Armani Fall '07 RTW

Miu Miu Metallic Blazer $1385 & Pleated Skirt $1335 Net-a-Porter

Michael Kors Donegal Tweed Kimono Jacket $1,195 & Skirt $495 Nordstrom

Ralph Lauren Harringbone Jacket & Pleated Tulip Skirt $1,996 Neiman Marcus

Banana Republic Textured Wool Suit Jacket $168, Skirt $88 Banana Republic

Nanette Lepore Sonata Knit Jacket $375 and Skirt $205 Saks Fifth Avenue

- Lauren Dimet Waters

 

Fall Trend Report. Washed & Folded. Second City Style Fashion Blog

How neat is your pleat? We just love the look of folds and pleats. They were all over the Fall '07 runway. Origami is not for the faint of heart. It's a bold statement so keep your jewelry very simple and think about wearing a substantial shoe. Or, how about a pleated top to go with that classic suit you already own?

Thakoon Fall '07 RTW

Donna Karan Fall '07 RTW

Christian Dior Fall '07 RTW

Ferragamo Fall '07 RTW

Giambattista Valli Fall '07 RTW

Real-Way:

Marc by Marc Jacobs Runway Painted Plaid Dress $458 at eLUXURY

Donna Karan Off-Shoulder Wrap and Tie Jacket $1,995 Nordstrom


Hanii Y Wool Shawl Dress $500 Net-a-Porter


Zac Posen Bloom Blouse $750 eLUXURY

Alexander Wang Ruffle Mini Dress $570 Ron Herman

Marc Boweur Pleated Empire Gown $795 Neiman Marcus

Ruched Neck Top about $50 at Topshop

Donna Karan Spiral Draped Dress $2,495 Saks Fifth Avenue

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Runway Photos: Style.com

Fall Style Forecast. Channeling 20's Glamour: The Flapper Inside. Second City Style Fashion Blog

Greta Garbo

It's time to channel your fashion sense back to another era. This time, it's the roaring 20's. The flapper style made a reappearance on the fall fashion runway and we couldn't be happier. A tribute to femininity, the modern take on the 20's style is really a combination of flapper deco meets clean, modern lines.

Think Greta Garbo, Gloria Swanson and Clara Bow who wore fitted knit pleats, bold geometric prints and major bling (deco). Even if you don't have a bob haircut, top off the look with a cloche (hat), a deep red lip and your sexiest pair of Mary-Janes (with opaques, of course).   

Erin Fetherston RTW Fall '07

Marc Jacobs RTW Fall '07

Proenza Schouler RTW Fall '07

Temperley London RTW Fall '07

Putting the look together:

Chloe Fine Knit Shawl Collar Long Cardigan Net-a-Porter

Theory Ava-Luxe Top $220 Nordstrom

Marc Jacobs Wool Gabardine Straight Skirt with Pleated Panel $1100 Nordstrom

Steve Madden Luster $99.95 Steve Madden


Anya Hindmarch Bogart Patent Leather Tote $980 Net-a-Porter

Helen Kaminski Rollable Fur Felt Cloche $185 Nordstrom

Michele Coquette Jewel Diamond Watch $1920 JR Dunn Jewelers

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Runway Photos: Style.com

Fall Style Forecast. Accessories: Say it Loud, Say it Proud...Belt it Out! Second City Style Fashion Blog

Belts are bold and unabashed this fall. Whether you chose a corset style, a giant buckle, powerful patent or a bright color...make a statement. Wear your belt over a sweater, with a pencil shirt and a crisp white short or over your coat a la Armani.

Alexander McQueen RTW Fall '07

Giorgio Armani RTW Fall '07

Phillip Lim RTW Fall '07

Burberry Prorsum RTW Fall '07

Fendi RTW Fall '07

Let's shop!

Alexander McQueen Patent Corset Belt $980 at Net-a-Porter

Another Line Triple Buckle Metallic Snake Corset Belt $98 Nordstrom

Anna Vince Metallic Clara Bow Belt about $300 Brown's Fashion


Leather & Stretch Corset Belt (comes in black too) $49 Bebe


Marni Crystal Buckle Belt $390 at Net-a-Poter

Orciani Wide Patent Belt $129.42 Footlux


Malo Bridle Leather Corset $250 Vivre

Fall Accessories Report. Gloves You'll Love. Second City Style Fshion Blog

Opera length gloves came out of the Met for the Fall '07 runway. They were everywhere and we couldn't be happier! For one, they keep the cold air out better than wrist length gloves and two, they are sexy. Be bold with your selection. A grat way to perk up an otherwise boring outfit is to spice it up with gloves in a bright blue leather, patent leather, suede or our favorite...python!

Vera Wang RTW Fall '07

Brian Reyes RTW Fall '07

Burberry Prorsum RTW Fall '07

Gucci RTW Fall '07

Yves Saint Laurent RTW Fall '07

Buy your own:

We LUST for these Burberry Python Long Gloves $750 at Neiman Marcus

Nordstrom Leather Opera Length Gloves $148 Nordstrom

GIM Patent Leather Gloves $175 at Neiman Marcus

Burberry Ribbed Cashmere Gloves $180 Net-a-Porter

Carolina Amato Leather Opera Length Gloves $285 eLUXURY

Velvet Opera Length Gloves $19.97 Amazon

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Runway Photos: Style.com

Fall Style Forecast. Leather Jackets: Bring it on Tough Girl! Second City Style Fashion Blog

Leather jackets are back, but this time we are loving the more fitted, feminine styles. Yes, the motorcycle jacket is back on, but try one that has a little softer edges. There are cropped styles, ones with ruffles and my favorite...ones with interesting sleeve details.

Wear your leather jacket with everything from skirts to dresses to skinny jeans. Glam it up, or dress it down...it's the perfect transitional jacket for fall.

Fendi RTW Fall '07

Phillip Lim RTW Fall '07

Hermes RTW Fall '07

Louis Vuitton RTW Fall '07

Shopping Finds:

Vince Leather Cardigan $595 Shopbop

Fendi Leather Jacket $4,000 Neiman Marcus

L.A.M.B. Leather Motorcycle Jacket $985 Nordstrom

DVF Fanta Ruffled Leather Jacket $695 Intermix

Thomas Wylde 'Clyde' Beauty Leather Jacket $3,500 eLUXURY

Victoria's Secret Belted Leather Jacket $228 Victoria's Secret

Components by Vakko Fitted Silver Leather Jacket $139.99 Smart Bargains

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Runway Photos: Style.com

Fall Style Forecast. The Return of the Power Pant Suit. Second City Style Fashion Blog

The power suit always rears it's head every few fashion seasons, thankfully we are talking pants here. Yes, dresses still abound for fall, but nothing says "don't mess with me" like a pant suit in the board room.

Rule of thumb, think proportions...if the jacket is fitted the pants can be drapey, if the jacket is loose, stick to a skinny leg style pant.

The classic white shirt works well with the fitted jacket required, as does a feminine top. Basically, anything goes with a power suit. You don't have to look like a man.

Jil Sander RTW Fall '07

Vena Cava RTW Fall '07

Marc Jacobs RTW Fall '07

Badgley Mischka RTW Fall '07

Salvatore Farragamo RTW Fall '07

Max Mara RTW Fall '07

Martin Grant RTW Fall '07

Some Options:

Semantkis Astor House Jacket $158 & Trousers $88 Nordstrom

Helmut Lang Cotton Blazer $485 & Skinny Pants $335 Net-a-Porter

Dolce & Gabbana Wool Suit $1,695 Neiman Marcus (a perennial favorite)


Banana Republic Classic Blazer $198 & Martin Cuffed Trouser $98 Banana Republic


Armani Collezioni Blister Wool Jacket $1,315 & Pants $525 at Saks Fifth Avenue

Beth Ellery Bow Tie Jacket $639 & Pants $379 Elizabeth Charles

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Runway Photos: Style.com