Accessories, Accessories, Accessories!

Now that I've told you about the clothing trends for Fall 2011 today I want to talk about accessories for the fall! Accessories can completely change the look and feel of an outfit. From your shoes to the bracelet on your wrist are all of equal importance when pulling a look together. Be sure to look out for these trends this fall!

-Fuzzy Purses

-Black sashes (which can be tied into bows and can be worn around a dress, as a headband, bracelet)

-Head Wraps

-Gloves (Fashionable and practical!)

These are the 4 new hot trends that you will be seeing a lot of in the next few months! You can find all of these things in department stores by the high-end designers but again, most people are on a budget so check your local mall in stores like Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, and H&M! 

Fall Trends of 2011

Since the warm weather is starting to fade away it's time for some warmer clothes. Just because summer is coming to an end doesn't mean your style does too! Personally fall is my favorite season of fashion because it is so versatile and I love all the trends that come out. Today I am going to focus on fall clothing trends and my next post will be about shoes, accessories, and makeup. In all of the fashion magazines I had recently read like Elle, InStyle, Vogue, and Glamour these are the things that keep appearing for new fall trends:

-White Tuxedo Jackets (These can be dressed down or up for day and night looks)

-Polka Dots (Particularly dresses) Also adding a red accessory can really pop and tie the outfit together giving it a 50's chic look

-Bright Pants (Bright colored pants are making a comeback, they can update any basic black staple piece)

-Knit sweaters, dresses, and scarves
-Lace (Not too much, just clothing that is accented with some lace and stick to colors such a black, white, and nude.)

-Striped pants (If you're feeling daring! Vertical stripes are best, they add length!)

-Velvet (It's hard to believe that velvet is back but yet is. stick to mainly dresses and add a blazer so it is not so overwhelming.)
-Leather (Anything from leggings to dresses, paired with a warm colored blazer.)

Also keep in mind that just because summer is over doesn't mean floral is over too! Floral is becoming very popular for the fall if you wear it in muted colors.
You can find any of these staple pieces in department stores or if you're looking for affordable prices in stores like H&M, Forever 21, and Charlotte Russe.

Missoni at Target

For those of you who know what Missoni is, take a trip to Target! For the others that don't Missoni is an Italian fashion in Varese founded by Ottavio and Rosita Missoni. Missoni was created in 1953 but has been gaining popularity at an incredible pace. Missoni is known for its unique and quirky knitwear made from multiple fabrics in interesting patterns. Missoni makes everything from clothes to bath towels to kitchenware, even electronics! You can find Missoni at department stores like Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. You can also find that the prices are outrageous! Bathing suits that cost over $700.00 and dresses that cost over $1,000.00. I don't know about you guys but I know that it's a recession and I cannot afford that! Well only a week ago on September 13 Missoni came to Target! They've created a line specially made for Target at affordable prices. If you want to look like the stars without spending money like they do then here is your chance! 

Missoni for Target-$54.99

Missoni -$1,490.00

You may have to wait until Target gets a new shipment in though! Everything in stores was gone within minutes and everything Missoni for Target on the Target website is out of stock! Happy Shopping!

Fashion Flashback

Before I begin my posts about fashion of today, which is what this blog will mainly be focusing on, I wanted to give you all a little background (okay, it’s a lot) on the fashion world and where it began. I believe that it is very important to understand fashion and where it began and where it is today. So bear with me and take in all that you can (It’s actually pretty interesting!) so you can learn even more about the hottest trends of today and where they began!

In the 19^th century fashion began as a way to represent social class. For men a dark suit in shades of black, gray, or brown represented authority, responsibility, and respectability. Middle-class boys would often wear a sailor suit. The same goes for women. They would not expose too much skin and would wear their hair in a curly up do. Younger girls would wear bows and pastels.

            As you can tell after reading what fashion was like in the 19^th century you can tell that there are a lot of similarities and differences in the way we dress today. For instance men wearing suits usually get the same recognition they did in the 19^th century. If we saw a man walking down the street wearing a suit we would think he was of high class and of somewhat importance. Also young girls still wear bows and pastels but I think in today’s fashion world they grow up much faster and start dressing more mature at a much younger age.

            The fashion industry is constantly changing. Something that was popular 50 years ago that has fizzled out can easily make a comeback and become the new hot trend. But who started fashion the way we know it today? When did clothing stop becoming something to cover out bodies and represent our social class and start becoming a way to express ourselves and beauty?

It all started with Marie Antoinette and reign of her husband. During his reign French fashion became very successful much because Marie Antoinette had much time to pamper herself and her husbands money to spend! Marie Antoinette was the trendsetter of her time and everyone followed what she wore and tried to dress like her.

I know I’ve always been curious to know how fashion shows and designers started so I did some research and learned that Charles Frederic Worth had a great influence on the fashion industry in the late 19^th century. He was the first designer to make clients go to his home where he would put on a show for them of his collection. He was also the first to sew a label onto his pieces with his name on it.

By the 20^th century women were seen for their bodies as objects but once world war I hit this quickly changed when women entered the workforce and began dressing in men’s clothing and hiding their figures. By 1925 things started falling back in place and women began to show off their bodies even more. Hollywood was becoming more and more popular and the women in it were become icons. Just like in World War I when World War II hit the style of dress became more practical and functional again.

Christian Dior was able to get the industry back on track in the 50’s after organizing a runway show at his fashion house. He introduced a style that showed off women’s curves, emphasizing their bust and cinching at the waist. From the 60’s to the 90’s fashion was seen as a form of rebellion. It became used for protest and social situations. In the 60’s and 70’s miniskirts and women pants were introduced to the world by Yves Saint Laurent. The 80’s and 90’s was considered the supermodel era. People were taking care of the bodies and fashion became an aesthetic element. Women were wearing shoulder pads and wanted higher stilettos to be just like the models. In the 90’s up until the year 2000 fashion in the united states became influenced by designs from Japan who believed that black, deconstructed, and exaggerated clothes were the new style.

And finally, we have the fashion world as it is today. There are countless numbers of high end designers today including Karl Lagerfeld, Marc Jacobs, John Galliano, Nicolas Ghesquiere, Stefano Pilatti, Alber Elbaz, and many many more.

 I believe there is only one word to describe the fashion world today. Luxurious. 

19th Century Fashion

21st Century Fashion