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

Trends. Ruffle Blouses...The Perfect Update for Spring

Marni Spring '08 RTW

Looking for the perfect way to update your wardrobe easily for Spring/Summer without spending a lot of coin? Try a ruffled blouse. Pair it with items you already own like skinny jeans or pants...or a pencil skirt. Remember, if you are wearing volume on top, keep it fitted below. It's all about proportions.

Robert Rodriguez Rose Halter Top $330

12th Street by Cynthia Vincent Platinum Ruffle-Front Top $225

Vanessa Bruno Cassis Top $445

Zoe Ruffle Short Blouse $147

Oscar de la Renta Taffeta Ruffle Blouse $950

Robert Rodriguez Racerback Ruffle Top $297

Rory Beca 'Jen' Ruffle Top $216

Rebecca Taylor Short Sleeve Ruffle Top $260

Gold Hawk Short Ruffle Tunic  $172

Castle Starr Black Silk Twill Tiered Ruffle Top  $189.99

BCBGMAXAZRIA Ruffle Trim Halter $146

Robert Rodriguez Racer Back Ruffle Top $297

AK Anne Klein Solid Ruffle Blouse $89

Ralph Lauren Black Label Evelyn Silk Gauze Top $237.90

Rebecca Taylor Ruffle Cami $220

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Runway photo: NYMag

 

 

Trends. Bold Graphic Prints: Seeing Spots

I never used to be a fan of polka dots. To me they screamed 1992. However, I am changing my mind. Something about the cleanliness of this bold graphic print speaks to me. Especially when it's part of girly, flowing frock or funky Chuck's...making it totally fresh for spring.

Runway:


Monique Lhuillier Spring '08 RTW

Karen Walker Spring '08 RTW

Givenchy Spring '08 RTW

Real Way:

Fendi Polka Dot Tank Dress $1,530

Tufi Duek Grey Silk Crepe 'Micaela' Dress $259.99

Theory Polka-Dot Top $200

Temperley London Metallic trim dress $1,104

Barbara Bui Print Wrap Dress $695

Lavender Label Vera Wang Polka-Dot Dress $425

Lafayette 148 New York Dot Skirt $207.90

Robert Rodriguez Polka Dot Dress $407

Eclipse Dot Dress $22.80

J.Crew Sea Glass Gown $575

Converse Women's "Polka Dots" Sneaker $47

Thakoon Shibori Moon-Print Dress $1,150

Donna Karan Collection Polka-Dot A-Line Skirt $1,295

Theory Teala Tangiers Top $190

Valentino Patent Leather Pumps $645

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Runway Photos: NYMag

Spring Trends. Pastel Watercolors

"Memories, like the corners of my mind. Misty water-colored memories"...whoops sorry. What can I say? I'm a sucker for the old romantics and the new watercolor trend. These painterly prints are fresh for spring and summer. I just can't get enough!

Like something you see? Shop these styles here.

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Trends. Rothko Inspiration and Colorblock Dresses.

It seems like designers have recently been inspired by the exquisite colors and horizontal lines of paintings like these, by Mark Rothko. From the bleeding color of ombre to the vibrant jewel tones of recent seasons, everyone seems to be taking a note from the abstract painter. The latest embodiment of this apparent trend is the prevalent colorblock dress. It is appearing in many collections for day and evening wear, both fitted and drapey, colored and neutral, obvious and subtle. And we're loving every bit of it. Check out some colorblock gowns below.


Doo.Ri Two-tone Jersey Dress, $1,295


Zac Posen Silk Bonnie Dress, $1,320


Thakoon Layered Slip Dress, $732


Thakoon Colorblock Tank Dress, $450


Marc by Marc Jacobs Cashmere Colorblock Dress, $219

And here's a vertical colorblock, for a change...

Fendi Silk Colorblock Dress, $1,026

Spring Trends. The Classic T-Shirt Dress

Why mess with a classic? I have been buying and wearing t-shirt dresses on and off ever since I can remember. Well they are back! Why wouldn't they be? T-shirt dresses are comfortable, easy and can be worn pretty much everywhere and with anything...all summer long.

Here are some of our favorites:

 

Nina Ricci Pieced Jersey T-Shirt Dress $1,890

Woo Gina Dress in Light Plum $110

Isaac Mizrahi for Target® Open-Neck Shift $39.99

Vanessa Bruno Ruffle Hem T-shirt Dress $497

Park Vogel Sky Cotton V-neck T-Shirt Dress $97.75

3.1 Phillip Lim Reversible T-Shirt Dress with Fringe Trim $395


J.Crew Cynthia Dress $148


Sheer Rib Short Sleeve American Apparel Tunique $34


Alexander Wang T-shirt Dress $280

Opening Ceremony Scoop Back T-Shirt Dress $209

Velvet Monett Crochet Jersey Tunic $97

Rachel Pally T Shirt Mini Dress $190

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Spring Trends. The Collarless Jacket For Three Price-Points

There is no question, the jacket is the most important item in your wardrobe right now. Especially for these early spring days where the days are warm, but there is a chill in the air come nightfall. One trend we are loving for spring is the collarless jacket. Why? Paired with a tee and an eye-catching statement necklace, it's a combination beyond compare.

Here we have picked out some of our favorites at three various price-points.

Over $800:

Like what you see? Shop these styles here

Under $800:

Shop these styles here

Under $150:

See something you like? Shop these looks here.

- Lauren Dimet Waters

Spring Trends. Kristen Bell at Tribeca.

Though we already saw some truly intriguing looks at Tribeca, Kristen Bell keeps it interesting in the right way! The Veronica Mars, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and Heroes phenom (not to mention, the voice of Gossip Girl) nails some of our favorite Spring trends with this look she wore to the Baby Mama premiere.

Our first and favorite trend is obviously the ombre. We're bleeding love for the bleeding color of this dress, especially since it's kelly green, another of our favorites for Spring. What else does Kristen get right? Gray as a neutral.

While she could have taken the easy route with a black pump, she takes her status up a notch by pairing her little black-and-green dress with a neutral gray shoe. This Spring, instead of relying on typical neutrals, go for gray to make a statement like Bell. Finally, we love her fresh-faced approach to makeup...

Not that we don't love a good smoky eye every once in a while, but we think heavy makeup is a little played out for Spring. Even for evening, the luminous and easy-looking glamor Kristen goes for here is the perfect backdrop to allow her dress to be the focal point. A glimmering eye and a warm cheek and lip will work for Spring into Summer for us.

Finally, Kristen's main success? Simplicity. A few good choices are always better than a lot of risky ones. Bravo, girl!

Photos: WireImage.com

Trends. Dresses, or Separates?

Recently we've noticed a two-tone trend in designer dresses, both daytime and evening. From Marc Jacobs to Alberta Ferretti, gowns that look like separates are appearing in many Spring collections. Although at first these frocks may seem a little counterintuitive, they certainly have their benefits! Imagine... the put-together and trendy look of a high-waisted skirt and blouse combo with the throw-it-on ease of one piece. All you have to worry about now are your accessories! Check some out below:

Shop these looks here, for an easy outfit!

Trends in Denim. Return of the Flare

 

Ever since The Sartorialist published the pictures above on his blog, we've been thinking a lot about the imminent return of the bell bottom, wide leg, flared jean. A skinny jean is a great look-- it says chic, cool, hip. But it doesn't always say the one word that a good flared jean yells out loud...sexy. What do we love about Sart's picks, and what should you look for when re-investing in a pair of bells? A dark wash, the right length (hem them if you have to), a high waist, and an easy, broken-in look. Here are our picks, inspired by The Sartorialist's:

Like what you see? To shop the styles you see above click here

- Hayley Wells

Trends in Swimwear. Old School Cool.

As the time for warm-weather vacations draws close, we have to start looking at swimwear. Even though the thought of squeezing into a suit might make you want to cry (or start a diet...or go for a run...or get spray-tanned), the new trends in beachgear can get you excited about baring all! Going along with the vintage craze in clothes, retro-inspired suits have become popular with many swim lines. Victoria's Secret, Brette Sandler, and Loeffler Randall have all incorporated a Vargas pin-up aesthetic into their new releases. The new pieces look like they belong in a '50s beach-blanket flick-- They are more conservative, and they have feminine design features like ruffles, rouching, and belting. The colors are moving away from the typical beach palette and include more classic hues and patterns, like polka dots and animal prints. Check out some of these throw-back looks, and enjoy visions of old school glamor on your next beach vacay.