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

Summer Trends. Romper Room

Initially I was not sold on the romper. What can I say, I thought it looked a little juvenile. Until I saw them paired with sophisticated strappy sandals (with heels and without), now I am sold. However, be warned, you will look like a child if you do not keep it tailored and sophisticated. Your romper choice should have some sort of waist gathering or you run the risk of looking larger than life (hence the 'romper room' jab). Don't go for the onesie look, but instead chose a romper that looks like two separate pieces. Those are our favorites! Another warning, romper tend to be short, so if your legs are not in fighting shape, you may want to skip this trend.

Shopping Guide:

1. BCBGMAXAZRIA Twill Long-Sleeve Jumpsuit, $151.20

2. Barron Duquette Addison Romper, $197

3. Anna Sui Nylon Sleeveless Romper Suit, $193.20

4. Pencey Cuffed Romper,  $373

5. Vintage Collection Denim Romper, $125

6. Laila Azhar Side Drape Romper, $345

7. Haven 'Amy' Print Silk Romper, $118

8. Loeffler Randle Silk Cowlneck Romper, $325, Sale $195

9. Elizabeth & James Summer Romper, $325

10. Anna Sui Floral Print Playsuit, $470

11. Black Halo Black Kelly Romper, $343

12. Sunner Florent Romper, $246

13. BCBGMAXAZRIA Sleeveless Bermuda Jumper, $130.20

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Image Layout: Khyra Cooper

Summer Trends. Be a Bathing Beauty in Retro Swimwear

We are just loving the 40's retro styling of the current swimwear options for Summer '09. With fab sales underway now at some of your favorite shopping sites, it is the perfect time to try one yourself. You don't just have to leave retro bathing suits for Katy Perry. Better still, the lingerie styles of many of the suits are perfect for hiding little flaws and giving the illusion of a flat stomach. Hurray for that!

Shopping Guide:

1. Lola T Garbo B, $125

2. Silence & Noise, Tidal Bikini Bottom, $34.99

3. Rare 1950's Vintage Black & White Gingham Petal Bust Skirted Swimsuit, $149.95

4. Kimchi Blue Cinema Swimsuit, $79.99

5. Carmen Marc Valvo, Retro One-Piece, $125

6. Victoria's Secret Very Sexy, Retro Ribbon-Trim Adjustable Bandeau Top, $12.99. Retro Skirted High-Waist, $11.99

7. MICHAEL Michael Kors Skirted Bandeau One-Piece, $140

8. Michael Kors, Harborside Sheath Swimsuit, $265

9. Lorick, Batteau Swimsuit, $190.45

10. Loeffler Randall, Zipper Bandeau Bikini, $205

11. Trina Turk, Black Solid Keyhole Front One Piece Swimsuit,  $86

12. Betsey Johnson 'Rockin' Robin' Bikini Set, top $106 bottom $98

13. DQ SADIE Swimsuit, $98

14. Camilla and Marc, Breakfast at Tiffany's Maillot, $147

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Image Layout: Minette Higden

Summer Trends. The Maxi Dress Redeux

It's official, the maxi dress is back in earnest for another summer...much to my surprise. I really thought this was going to be a one-hit (season) wonder. Guess we were not prepared to give up the ease of creating a great day or evening look by just adding some killer sandals. Additionally, maxi dresses are really easy to find at a good (cheap) price, especially if you are willing to shop the juniors section. A little warning about the maxi though...they create volume so you need either a small frame or height to balance the width.

Shopping Guide:

1. Tara Matthew Rupione Labyrinth Print Dress, $425

2. Rag & Bone Maxi Dress, $335

3. Velvet Torch Smocked Strapless Maxi Dress (Juniors), $48

4. BCBGMAXAZRIA Maxi Dress, $158

5. T-Bags Embroidered Maxi Dress, $235

6. Rachel Pally Knit Caftan, $233

7. T-Bags One Shoulder Maxi Dress, $220

8. Nicole Miller Black Graphic Georgette Halter Maxi Dress, $324

9. Elizabeth & James ‘Dooriya’ Halter Dress, $495

10. Tibi Printed Silk Halter Maxi Dress, $475

11. SWEETEES Diegas Ruffle Halter Maxi Dress, $164

12. Roxy ‘Best Match’ Colorblock Maxi Dress (Juniors), $49.50

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Image Layout: Khyra Cooper

Summer Trends. Dream Vacation Without the Passport.

The arrival of July means summer is officially in full swing. The holidays, the long weekends, and finally being able to take some time off are all definitive parts of this most treasured of months. Now is the time for daydreams of exotic locales; of breathtaking cliffsides, crystal clear waters, and vibrant colors of a faraway landscape. But if the past year hasn't been too kind to your wallet and you were unable to stow away travel funds as easily as vacation days, then fear not—many designers are using this season to evoke the energy of various cultures. The pieces that have come out of this global design trend are as breathtaking and intricate as the places to which they pay homage.

No matter where you yearn to be, envelop yourself in every corner of the globe with ethnic pieces that illustrate Spanish, Indian, African, Native American, and Asian heritage. Bold colors, tribal graphics, and dramatic embellishments make each statement making piece unique to the culture it embodies. Many of the pieces this season, such as the beautifully patterned dresses, should be worn on their own and paired with minimal accessories for maximum effect. An ethnic-inspired accessory, such as a beaded bag or fringed heel, can pack an exotic punch to an otherwise neutral ensemble.

So if you're singing the travelers blues in the coming weeks, scoop up a few of these pieces for your own private getaway. Just because you may be planning a staycation this year, doesn't mean you can't spend every second of it feeling worldly and fabulous.

1. Chelsea Flower Lobster Silk Beaded Fringe Tank Dress,  $231

2. Nicole Miller Indian Sapphire Gold Fringe Earrings,  $88

3. Nanette Lepore Coaxing Dress,  $395

4. Nicole Miller Light Blue Tribal Crepe V-Neck Dress,  $198

5. Rachel Pally Mexico Dress,  $224

6. Nell Couture Ethnic Printed Day Dress,  $240

7. Jimmy Choo Cora Fringe T-Strap Sandals,  $1,450,  Sale $676.94

8. Torn Black Jersey ‘Adrienne Dashiki’ Racerback Tunic,  $51

9. Matty M ‘Indian Summer’ Embroidered Top,  $78

10. Nicole Miller Purple Mosaic Silk Seamed V-Neck Dress,  $231

11. Joie Brown Embroidered Gauze ‘Summer Rain’ Tunic,  $119

12. Miss Bikini Ethnic Design Wedge,  $75

13. Moyna Indian Print Fold Over Clutch,  $159

Image Layout: Khyra Cooper

-Alia Rajput

Summer Trends. Just Zip It!

 

Hope you are not tired of the zipper trend, because we're not! Better news awaits...it's back for fall BIG TIME. So stock up now! If you wore this trend in the 80's (ahem, like some of us) and are afraid to go there again, don't worry! A little zipper goes a long way and it's updated this time around. More often than not you will find zippers as edging, which does not look as punk as it's predicessors. Call it the softer side of zippers if you will. So don't get too excited and drag out your boxes of early 80's punk memories and try to resurrect the old again. You are not going to a Dead Kennedy's concert. You might want to avoid the zipper resin bangle above if you are over the age of 25. But, we are totally in love with the Aldo zipper sandal, the La Rok mini dress and the Botkier bag (look for killer, covetable zipper boots by Botkier for fall!) shown above. Go ahead and get your zipper on!

Shopping Guide:

1. Porter Grey Zipper Coat Dress, $550

2. KOVA & T Mini Zipper Oxy Legging, $154

3. LaRok ‘Monaco Cocktail’ Dress, $298

4. McQ – Alexander McQueen Stretch Denim Pencil Skirt with Zippers, $233 Sale $163.10

5. Loeffler Randall Double Zipper Dress, $395 Sale $276.50

6. Loeffler Randall Zipper Bandeau Bikini, $205

7. Michael Kors Cotton Zipper Dress, $995 Sale 398.13

8. Gucci Sleeveless Zippered Mini Dress, $2195

9. Marc By Marc Jacobs Zipper Stud Earrings, $68

10. Luc Kieffer Zipper Fluorescent Bangle, $188 

11.  Botkier Venice Zipper Satchel, $595

12.  Debby Tote with Zipper Pockets, $354

13. Jack Rabbit Collection Zipper Bracelet, $69

14. Ash ‘Diamond’ Wedge Sandal, $229

15. Aldo Bolling Zipper Sandal, $110

16. Giuseppe Zanotti Zipper Ankle Boots, $975

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Image Layout:  La Tonya Williams

Summer Trends. The One-Shoulder Smolder

Ask any guy, there is nothing sexier than a little shoulder. The one-shoulder trend actually made a reappearance last summer, but since it was such a hit, is back once again. And we couldn't be happier. We love the look on a one piece bathing suit! This is also great news for those of you who stocked up last year. Styling tip: If you are busty, or top heavy, you may want to avoid this trend as it tends to cut and draw attention to that area (and not in a good way). However, if you have great shoulders...we say rock it!

Shopping Guide

1. Loeffler Randall Circle Ruffle One Piece Bathing Suit, $195

2. T-Bags One Shoulder Dress, $194 Sale $135.80

3. Jay Godfrey One Shoulder Jersey Dress, $395

4. Thread Social One Shoulder Dress, $495

5. 3.1 Phillip Lim Silk Asymmetric Column Dress, $575

6. T-Bags One-shoulder Jersey Playsuit, $180

7. Black Halo One Shoulder Jane Top in Black, $248

8. Nicole Miller One Shoulder Matte Jersey Dress, $235

9. MYNE Blake One Shoulder Dress in Lagoon, $290

10. BCBGMAXAZRIA One Shoulder Sheath Dress, $398

11. Laila Azhar One Shoulder Twist Dress, $381

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Image Layout: La Tanya Williams

Celebrity Trends. Flounce With It!

Second City Style recently mentioned the flouncy bubble hem skirt and poof sleeves that Fergie piled on for Louis Vuitton’s show at Paris Menswear Fashion Week and how unflattering and cartoonish it makes her look.

 

Surprisingly, though, that hasn’t stopped many-a-celeb for reaching for fluffy skirts and poofy sleeves when deciding on their look of choice. Forget sharp shoulders, frou-frou is really the trend of the future—or more so, the trend of today.

Just ask Rihanna, who decided to take a big risk at the Met Costume Institute Gala, when she decided to forgo the traditional look for a Dolce & Gabbana menswearish suit. Then she traded in the embellished gown for some over embellished sleeves.

Rihanna

Rihanna’s not the only one pushing this trend.  We all noticed Lauren Conrad’s vamp look by Moschino at the MTV Movie Awards, but we paid special attention to that puffy cloud skirt which made the entire outfit look more candy cane then coquette.


Lauren Conrad

So apparently celebs like LC are falling for it, and unfortunately, it’s been done on more then one occasion. No one could perfect this look better then Diane Kruger in Chanel, who enjoys looking like cotton and carpet all at the same time.

Diane Kruger

Someone who also looks a wee-bit sugar coated is Lucy Liu in this Giambattista Valli number, with the bubbling at the breast line rather then the bottom. 

Lucy Liu

Taraji P. Henson, made us all gasp with her exquisite black and white Roberto Cavalli dress like something out of an art exhibit.

Taraji P. Henson

And then we saw the backside…which Go Fug Yourself aptly declared looked like what would happen if the Decorative Arts section of the Met mated with an ostrich farm.

Whether it’s in the back, or emblazoned on the front, like this one sleeve bubble gum Marchesa dress, the flounce stands out whether we want it to or not. Did we mention that Bar Refaeli looks like she’s wearing the thick, syrupy cold medicine my mom used to give me as a kid when I sick?

Bar Refaeli

The flounce don’t stop with minidresses! Apparently they’ve spread to special events as well where a few celebs have been seen with piles of frou-frou a top their ball gowns.

Check out Ziyi Zhang and Natasha Poly to see what I mean.

 
Ziyi Zhang in Armani Prive

Natasha Poly in Roberto Cavalli

Looks like frou-frou is far from over.

Photos: Go Fug Yourself, joseaponte.files.wordpress.com, Wireimage, shoeblog.com, Just Jared, People.com

--Simona Kogan

Fashion Attitude. 10 Trends Under $100

Stuff you will want to keep after the season is over.

Heatherbelle Bridgeview for Second City Style Magazine

It should be an Olympic sport: shopping the sales. The psychic games we play with ourselves (I will lose those 10 pounds to get into that skirt!) and each other (if I put this dress at the back of the rack my best friend will never see it) are competitive at best. But don’t fool yourself. You are not going to wear that neon orange shift dress after August and that romper is going to be old news in about a week. Sometimes things go on sale for very good reasons. But, as you can see, there are diamonds (well, maybe some studs) among the duds that will take you into far and (gasp!) might even stick around until next year.

1. See by Chloe Flat Jelly Sandals $86.90
2. LNA Cropped Skinny Pants $83.40
3. Jean Paul Gautier Long Sleeve Jersey Sailor Shirt $98
4. Red Valentino Chiffon Blouse $98
5. Pedro Garcia High-heeled Sandals $98
6. Day Birger Et Mikkelsen Tie Front Skirt $96
7. Velvet Jaida Maxi Dress $96
8. Cropped Belted Trench From Michael Kors $72
9. MM6 Maison Martin Margiela Tube Top $71.90
10. DKNY Silk Tassel Scarf $38

Image Layout: La Tanya Williams

Summer Trends. How Not to Look Wacky in Khaki

You gotta love khaki! It just keeps coming back year after year. What we love most about khaki this season (besides the new GAP designer collaboration collection) is the way it has been updated with a more modern look and feel. Look for zipper and ruffle details for something a little different then the expected pleated pants and military wear. Khaki doesn't have to be stiff or wrinkled. And if you are like me and look like death with khaki near your face, wear it on your bottom half. It matches with everything, even metallics.

Shopping Guide:

1. Paul & Joe Sister Athenes Asymmetrical Tiered Frill Dress, $264

2. Paul & Joe Cameleon Full-Length Jumpsuit, $420, Sale $235.20

3. Chloe Cropped Toweling Pants, $335

4. Donna Karan Leather Asymmetrical Zip Jacket, $4200, Sale $2016

5. Albertus Swanepoel for GAP Khaki Wide Brim Hat,  $39.50

6. Derek Lam Talitha Draped Sandals, $650, Sale $455

7. Theory Filisa Cropped Pants with Belt, $225

8. Eliza J Belted Ruffle Front Dress, $78.90

9. Alexander Wang for GAP Khaki Pleated Shorts, $49.50

10. 3.1 Phillip Lim Cropped Ruffle Trench, $675, Sale $405

11. Hartford Veronica Jacket, $182, Sale $72

12. David Meister Belted V-Neck Dress, $340, sale $204

-Lauren Dimet Waters

Image Layout:  La Tonya Williams

Summer Trends. Light Layers for Cool Nights

I don't know about where you live, but if you are in Chicago or NYC, 2009 is shaping up to be the 'Bummer Summer!' By nightfall it is down right chilly! I find myself needing a light sweater or jacket to make it through the evening and if this summer continues as is, I'm going to need a lot more. So I went shopping for acceptable light layers to help get us all through the night...fashionably.

Shopping Guide:

1. DKNY Cozy Shrug Cardigan, $195

2. Pencey, Denim Moto Jacket, $356

3. Elizabeth and James Aubrey Kimono Jacket, $295

4. Hanii Y Cutout Elbow Sleeve Jacket, $595, Sale $416.50

5. Diesel Caspius Jacket in Cream, $162

6. Maharishi Wrap Jacket in Black, $374

7. Dolce Vita Pippa Jacket in Black, $209

8. Line Allegra Splendor Yarn in Heather Grey/Sugar, $198

9. Line Odette Prestige Yarn in Heather Grey, $187

10. Autumn Cashmere Pointelle Drape Sweater in Mercury, $209

11. Sass & Bide Fly the World Draped Jacket in Granite, $385

12. Yoana Baraschi Voyager Baby Trench Jacket, $372

13. Classiques Entier ‘Nouveau Linen’ Jacket, $228

14. Burberry Taffeta Jacket, $695

15. BCBG Maxazria Lightweight Cardigan, $158

Image layout: La Tonya Williams

- Lauren Dimet Waters