The last Spring/Summer 2011 Trend Prediction post I did has proven to be surprisingly popular so I thought I'd do followup :] I stumbled across more Spring/Summer 2011 trend predictions on Refinery 29, so I thought I'd compile a couple of their posts into one easy-to-read page (cuz as much as I like the site, I hate how they make you click multiple times to just view one post -___-). Fashion and trends are constantly evolving and changing so a couple things may vary from my last post - but as far as I can see, the overall predicted trends haven't shifted too much. Everything written below was copy & pasted from the respective Refinery 29 post. My personal comments are in red.
This (massive) post will be covering Spring/Summer 2011 clothes, color, makeup, and most excitingly - nail polish predictions! Like I said before, keeping tabs on trend predictions are the best way to (bargain) shop ahead of time :} This post is so long I've put the rest of the post after the jump~
No one can deny that 2010 was a seriously good year for fashion. But with a new year on the horizon, it's the top trends of 2011 that have our full attention. If you track back to any of our Fashion Week roundups, you'll see that there were plenty of trends to get excited about. And now, with spring right around the corner (well, almost!), we're circling back to get you up to speed on what you need to prep your closet for. So, without further adieu, here are the best and biggest trends of 2011...and yes, we're already on the hunt for pajama bottoms.
1. That '70s Show—From the wide-leg trouser to the sexiest classic halter top, the '70s are back (again!) in a big way.
2. The Return Of Minimalism—Phoebe Philo started it at Céine this year, but for 2011 it's all the other silky, simple separates, neutral tones, white-washed palettes, and future-friendly utilitarian details like paramilitary straps that have positioned this trend as a Big One for 2011. I love minimalism in clothes - the chic simplicity, the wearability - I am totally on board with this!
3. Going Long—Dowdy or not, fuller, longer, smarter looking skirts, dresses, and their maxi siblings have been giving minis a major run for their money. Call it a grown-up moment; You can bet your bottom dollar that, come spring, those thighs of yours will be staying nicely undercover. Personally, I'm not crazy about this. I already miss the booty-short trend. I'm all about showing my legs xD and perhaps I'm paranoid, but I do feel that maxi-dress trend is only flattering on stick-thin, 6ft+ models. Maybe hooker heels will do the trick ;) but I'll be passing on this.
4. Printed Matter—Even if everyone is copying, we still can't get enough of prints. And spring/summer basically turned up the volume: think bigger, louder, more playful and expressive than ever, from the sweet fruit prints at Suno and Prada to bold animal prints that were...well, everywhere. Large, flashy prints tend to "enlarge" the body part it's on - I'd only ever wear prints this bold on shorts or mini-skirts. The dress on the top row, second from the left is real nice, though I suspect it's the model's legs I like more than the dress itself.
5. Block Party—The palette for the season was super intense with bright orange, turquoise, honeysuckle pink, and yellow dominating. A lot of designers played with pairing multiple intense colors together, which provided a beyond bold effect. I love bright colors but I usually match/downplay it with a neutral (aka bright bottom, neutral top). The Z Spoke business suit is about the only way I'd wear such bright colors.
6. Pajama Game—Loose and lovely loungewear inspired many a runway with drapey weekend trousers, matching printed tops and bottoms, and nightgown-esque slip dresses. While this might be one of the tougher trends to pull off, it offers an interesting nod to the shift in modern sportswear...sexy, casual, and very appealing. LOVE the Thakoon slip dress and I'm generally digging the white look - so fresh, clean, and spring like.
The days following New York Fashion Week are always somewhat schizophrenic. The dust is barely settling from all the shows, the taxis, and the very late nights, and we're already wondering what's to come from London and the rest of the shows on the horizon. But what NYFW does that none of the others do, is lead the way for all those big ideas that anchor the season. The New York collections come first, so we naturally applaud all our favorite designers—from Phillip Lim and Jason Wu to Rag & Bone and Marc Jacobs—for making all of these bold declarations first...and so beautifully. So, herein lies our list of the 10 spring 2011 trends that made the spring shows so unique and iconic. And if you're like us, you'll want to start giving some of these looks a whirl right now...those high-waisted wide-leg trousers and the dolman sleeve? We're on it.
1. The Re-Return of the Wide-Leg Trouser—For some of us, the high-waisted, wide-leg trouser will never really go out of style. So, when we saw it popping up on practically everyone's runways—the sidewalks outside the shows, included!—we knew these '70s-inspired bottoms were back with a vengeance. And Marc, Tory, and Tommy all fashioned them to perfection. I'm happy to see this trend back. High-waisted, wide leg trousers are one of the best ways to elongate the leg line, so it's one of my favorite looks. Not to mention this cut looks fantastic as both business and casual wear just by changing the fabric and color.
2. A Zest For Orange—Rich mango, persimmon, ripe pumpkin—however you slice it, bold orange was one of spring's sweetest color trends. And whether paired with white at Marc Jacobs or with bad-girl booties at Chris Benz, this intense shade feels fresh once again. I've never been "into" orange but this fall I got a taste of the wearability of the muted, pastel oranges and I'm hungry for more. I don't think I have the balls to wear such bright oranges as shown but it's definitely a really fresh splash of color.
3. Futuristic Militaristic—We have to honor Victoria Bartlett for planting the seeds of this trend when she first launched her line VPL in 2003. And this season, a venerable army of otherworldly whites, straps, and harnesses all pointed to a more ethereal, somewhat abstract take on the more traditional military trends of seasons past. The military trend was in last year and I like this upcoming "spring twist" on the military look. I dig structure and form in clothes (floaty, chiffon-y stuff tends to only work on those with smaller, more delicate frames) and pairing white with military is a great way to look razor sharp yet cool as a cucumber.
4. A Full Skirt Moment—The mini craze that has swept closets and women's gams for the past few years has slowly given way to longer hemlines (could that century-old connection to a conservative economy be true?). But spring's skirt obsession wasn't so much about restraint as it was about elegance and sophistication. And the styles we spotted at Marc Jacobs, Suno, and Band Of Outsiders were nothing short of serious statements themselves. While full skirts tend to look good on me (cuz my wide shoulders/top heaviness), I've always gravitated towards shorter skirts ahah ^^ I'll prolly buy into this trend as I get older but since I'm still in my early 20's, I want to embrace all the time I have left to wear short skirts while I still can ^_^
5. The All-Day Pajama Party— We're not sure how practical it is, but we really, really loved all the many plays on pajama dressing, from Karen Walker's sleepy-time head-to-toe look to Suno's slouchy dotted silk trousers. ....No. I think this is one of those trends that sound good in theory (and look sort-of good on the runway), but almost never work on the streets.
6. The Old-School Halter Neck— Something about the many appearances of gorgeous halter-necks and unusual necklace-like cinching methods reminded us of a certain someone's mom from her very glamorous summer days spent by the sea in Ibiza. Almost universally paired with long, languid summer gowns, this little detail yielded lots of impact. I've always loved halter tops but they have to be a certain fit for me to look good and not top-heavy. Fyi, for the wide shouldered/top heavy, if you want a halter top, look for sleek cuts with little or no embellishment near the neckline.
7. Another Study In Neutrals—Maybe it's Phoebe Philo's influence at Céline permeating everyone's mood-boards, or perhaps it's just the chaotic energy out there in the world that's driving designers to simplify their palettes, but spring was no stranger to neutrals—especially those warm and soothing shades of sand, camel, and ivory all nicely framed with dark swipes of black. Imho neutrals are never "out" of style.
8. Long and Longer—Again, instead of showing more skin—during a season that loves a lot of it!—designers like Prabal Gurung, Rag & Bone, and Tommy Hilfiger all chose to show less with lots longer skirt and dress lengths. Skimming the floor with knee-high slits or sheer fabrics, these ankle-grazing styles gave the season a much more grown-up, almost serious appeal. As I said, I think this look is nice on the runway, but not so much on anyone 5'8 and below and not stick-thin. I know the idea is to make yourself look "long and sleek" by wearing one color from neck-to-toe, but I honestly have yet to see a non-supermodel person look good in such long clothing...but maybe that's just me :\
9. The Prettiest Chartreuse Ever—No shade seems to garner as much controversy as chartreuse. No, it's not for everyone, but thanks to Miuccia Prada back in the day, we're occasionally introduced to this somber green shade in surprisingly chic ways. And such was the case this season, when designers like Rodarte, Jason Wu, and VPL all ventured into chartreuse territory with abandon...and wonderful results. I am very intrigued by this color indeed! If I find something in this color that I like, I'd be thrilled to get it. Although the Asian below looks awfully....sickly in chartreuse. That doesn't inspire a lot of confidence, but that prolly won't stop me....I love unusual colors ^^
10. Dolman Sleeves, Please—Blouses have been gravitating to fuller, boxier, cropped cuts for some time now, so it was no surprise to see so many designers playing around with even fuller silhouettes and classic dolman sleeves. Some of the blouses we saw referenced vintage surf hoodies, while others felt very modern and almost evening-like. Our favorites: Yigal Azrouël and Vena Cava, who managed to give this typically casual piece an old Hollywood sophistication. We loved! I am and always will be a fan of dolman sleeves, whether they're "in" or not. They compliment my frame perfectly and I highly recommend anyone struggling with broad shoulders to try this cut immediately. Now is a particularly fine time to pick up dolman tops because there is such a variety colors/prints out since they're in style.
1. Ditch The Black Bag—We love a great basic as much as anyone, but this winter, we're breaking out of our rut and switching mom's classic black tote for something a whole lot juicier. Even on a frigid overcast day, you can't NOT smile when you grab any of these bright bags. No offense, but have black bags ever been in during the spring :\? Maybe it's just me but I think bags are one thing that have always made the switch to brighter colors in the spring every year.
From left: Topshop spring 2011 lookbook, photo courtesy of Topshop; Proenza Schouler pre-spring 2011 lookbook, photo courtesy of Proenza Schouler; Marc by Marc Jacobs Petite Drawstring Bag, $428, available at Marc Jacobs.
2. Make Blush Your Go-To Makeup—After so many seasons of bold lips and eyes, we're turning our makeup routine over to bright and rosy blush. Not only does an extra flush of pink or peach brighten up the whole face, it's a quick and easy way to wake up your makeup look without a million steps. Sign us up! This spring, highlighting and coral or pink blushes will be my makeup staples. Spring is all about going for the fresh-face look for me, which means minimal eye and lip makeup and silky, smooth skin.
From left: Revolve Clothing spring 2011 lookbook shot, photo courtesy of Revolve Clothing; Chloé spring 2011 runway look, photo courtesy of Chloé.
3. Swap Out Your Statement Necklace For Some Big-Ass Earrings—Again, don't be discarding all your gorgeously gargantuan baubles. Instead, pack up the bulk of them and make room for a pair of two of statement earrings (tip: Scour ebay for some great, affordable vintage rhinestone earrings or even borrow your mom's old '70s hoops). With the season's clean, low bun, there's nothing more glamorous (and simple!). Ok, this miffs me because I just bought a gorgeous turquoise statement necklace :\ oh well xD
From left: Fallon Hoop Earrings, $188, available at Charm & Chain; YSL cruise 2011 collection runway image, courtesy of YSL; YSL Geode Earrings, via YSL.
5. Get A Muse-Worthy Haircut—We've been obsessed with It-Model du jour, Arizona Muse, and her versatile '40s bob seems like the freshest cut going for spring. It's a lot of look to pull off, but this year, there's no hiding on the sidelines. If you're ready to make a big hair change...there's no better time than the present. And this elegant bob gets our seal of approval! *sigh* I miss my hair. That is all I have to say :(
From left: Arizona Muse beauty portrait courtesy of Into The Gloss (to read about Arizona's beauty tips, click here); Madewell spring 2011 lookbook shot, photo courtesy of Madewell.
With a new year comes all new everything to become obsessed with—that is, from a fashion perspective. And that always begins with rich, vibrant, turn-up-the-volume color. Along with silhouettes (long and lean '70s!) and pattern du jour (Ikat!), spring 2011 color trends offer a perfect barometer for outfit planning in the coming months. What to pack up and what to move front-and-center in your bursting-at-the-seams closet. And with the spring season already peeking its rose-tinted shades out from beneath the 3-foot drifts of snow, we've got the six hottest hues of the moment right here. Not just any orange, yellow, or blue...this season, classic brights are a whole lot more interesting. And if you're wondering if white is really a color...well, this spring, it certainly is!
Pink: But not just any pink! Honeysuckle pink (a bright, almost reddish hue) was voted the color of the year by Pantone, and, as far as fashion goes, it showed up on miles of spring 2011 runways, from Jil Sander to Valentino to DKNY. This signature pink also loved to pair up with other brights like aqua and orange or offering some bold contrast to more neutral tones like khaki and sand. I can hear a lot of happy squeals over this ^^ This kind of bright pink reminds me of nothing but Pepto Bismol, but that may just be me. The grapefruit shades aren't so bad :)
This (massive) post will be covering Spring/Summer 2011 clothes, color, makeup, and most excitingly - nail polish predictions! Like I said before, keeping tabs on trend predictions are the best way to (bargain) shop ahead of time :} This post is so long I've put the rest of the post after the jump~
2011 Top Clothes Trends
No one can deny that 2010 was a seriously good year for fashion. But with a new year on the horizon, it's the top trends of 2011 that have our full attention. If you track back to any of our Fashion Week roundups, you'll see that there were plenty of trends to get excited about. And now, with spring right around the corner (well, almost!), we're circling back to get you up to speed on what you need to prep your closet for. So, without further adieu, here are the best and biggest trends of 2011...and yes, we're already on the hunt for pajama bottoms.
1. That '70s Show—From the wide-leg trouser to the sexiest classic halter top, the '70s are back (again!) in a big way.
Above, from left: The '70s trend on the spring 2011 runways at Marc by Marc Jacobs, Marc Jacobs, Derek Lam, and Tory Burch.
Above, from left: The '70s trend on the spring 2011 runways at Marc Jacobs, Jason Wu, Thakoon, and Rodarte.
2. The Return Of Minimalism—Phoebe Philo started it at Céine this year, but for 2011 it's all the other silky, simple separates, neutral tones, white-washed palettes, and future-friendly utilitarian details like paramilitary straps that have positioned this trend as a Big One for 2011. I love minimalism in clothes - the chic simplicity, the wearability - I am totally on board with this!
Above, from left: The minimalist trend on the spring 2011 runways at 3.1 Philip Lim, Richard Chai Love, Yigal Azrouël, Rag & Bone.
Above, from left: The minimalist trend on the spring 2011 runways at Alexander Wang, VPL, Rag & Bone, and Calvin Klein Collection.
3. Going Long—Dowdy or not, fuller, longer, smarter looking skirts, dresses, and their maxi siblings have been giving minis a major run for their money. Call it a grown-up moment; You can bet your bottom dollar that, come spring, those thighs of yours will be staying nicely undercover. Personally, I'm not crazy about this. I already miss the booty-short trend. I'm all about showing my legs xD and perhaps I'm paranoid, but I do feel that maxi-dress trend is only flattering on stick-thin, 6ft+ models. Maybe hooker heels will do the trick ;) but I'll be passing on this.
Above, from left: The long skirt trend on the spring 2011 runways at Diane von Furstenberg, Jil Sander; Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein Collection.
Above, from left: The long skirt trend on the spring 2011 runways at DKNY, Givenchy, Dries van Noten, Proenza Schouler.
4. Printed Matter—Even if everyone is copying, we still can't get enough of prints. And spring/summer basically turned up the volume: think bigger, louder, more playful and expressive than ever, from the sweet fruit prints at Suno and Prada to bold animal prints that were...well, everywhere. Large, flashy prints tend to "enlarge" the body part it's on - I'd only ever wear prints this bold on shorts or mini-skirts. The dress on the top row, second from the left is real nice, though I suspect it's the model's legs I like more than the dress itself.
Above, from left: Burberry Prorsum, Stella McCartney, Proenza Schouler, Prada.
5. Block Party—The palette for the season was super intense with bright orange, turquoise, honeysuckle pink, and yellow dominating. A lot of designers played with pairing multiple intense colors together, which provided a beyond bold effect. I love bright colors but I usually match/downplay it with a neutral (aka bright bottom, neutral top). The Z Spoke business suit is about the only way I'd wear such bright colors.
Above, from left: The bright color trend at Peter Som, Karen Walker, Christopher Kane, Rachel Roy.
Above, from left: The bright color trend at Jil Sander, Proenza Schouler, Prabal Gurung, Z Spoke.
6. Pajama Game—Loose and lovely loungewear inspired many a runway with drapey weekend trousers, matching printed tops and bottoms, and nightgown-esque slip dresses. While this might be one of the tougher trends to pull off, it offers an interesting nod to the shift in modern sportswear...sexy, casual, and very appealing. LOVE the Thakoon slip dress and I'm generally digging the white look - so fresh, clean, and spring like.
Above, from left: The loungewear-inspired trend on the spring 2011 runways at Karen Walker, Vena Cava, Thakoon, and Ralph Lauren.
Above, from left: The loungewear-inspired trend on the spring 2011 runways at BCBG Max Azria, Proenza Schouler, Karen Walker, D&G.
10 Spring 2011 Trends We Love
The days following New York Fashion Week are always somewhat schizophrenic. The dust is barely settling from all the shows, the taxis, and the very late nights, and we're already wondering what's to come from London and the rest of the shows on the horizon. But what NYFW does that none of the others do, is lead the way for all those big ideas that anchor the season. The New York collections come first, so we naturally applaud all our favorite designers—from Phillip Lim and Jason Wu to Rag & Bone and Marc Jacobs—for making all of these bold declarations first...and so beautifully. So, herein lies our list of the 10 spring 2011 trends that made the spring shows so unique and iconic. And if you're like us, you'll want to start giving some of these looks a whirl right now...those high-waisted wide-leg trousers and the dolman sleeve? We're on it.
1. The Re-Return of the Wide-Leg Trouser—For some of us, the high-waisted, wide-leg trouser will never really go out of style. So, when we saw it popping up on practically everyone's runways—the sidewalks outside the shows, included!—we knew these '70s-inspired bottoms were back with a vengeance. And Marc, Tory, and Tommy all fashioned them to perfection. I'm happy to see this trend back. High-waisted, wide leg trousers are one of the best ways to elongate the leg line, so it's one of my favorite looks. Not to mention this cut looks fantastic as both business and casual wear just by changing the fabric and color.
Above, from left: Spring 2011 runway looks from Marc by Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Jason Wu, Tommy Hilfiger. Photos courtesy of the designers.
2. A Zest For Orange—Rich mango, persimmon, ripe pumpkin—however you slice it, bold orange was one of spring's sweetest color trends. And whether paired with white at Marc Jacobs or with bad-girl booties at Chris Benz, this intense shade feels fresh once again. I've never been "into" orange but this fall I got a taste of the wearability of the muted, pastel oranges and I'm hungry for more. I don't think I have the balls to wear such bright oranges as shown but it's definitely a really fresh splash of color.
Above, from left: Spring 2011 runway looks from Carlos Miele, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Chris Benz. Photos courtesy of the designers.
3. Futuristic Militaristic—We have to honor Victoria Bartlett for planting the seeds of this trend when she first launched her line VPL in 2003. And this season, a venerable army of otherworldly whites, straps, and harnesses all pointed to a more ethereal, somewhat abstract take on the more traditional military trends of seasons past. The military trend was in last year and I like this upcoming "spring twist" on the military look. I dig structure and form in clothes (floaty, chiffon-y stuff tends to only work on those with smaller, more delicate frames) and pairing white with military is a great way to look razor sharp yet cool as a cucumber.
Above, from left: Spring 2011 runway looks from Alexander Wang, VPL, Rag & Bone, Altuzarra. Photos courtesy of the designers.
4. A Full Skirt Moment—The mini craze that has swept closets and women's gams for the past few years has slowly given way to longer hemlines (could that century-old connection to a conservative economy be true?). But spring's skirt obsession wasn't so much about restraint as it was about elegance and sophistication. And the styles we spotted at Marc Jacobs, Suno, and Band Of Outsiders were nothing short of serious statements themselves. While full skirts tend to look good on me (cuz my wide shoulders/top heaviness), I've always gravitated towards shorter skirts ahah ^^ I'll prolly buy into this trend as I get older but since I'm still in my early 20's, I want to embrace all the time I have left to wear short skirts while I still can ^_^
Above, from left: Spring 2011 runway looks from Marc by Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Suno, Vena Cava. Photos courtesy of the designers.
5. The All-Day Pajama Party— We're not sure how practical it is, but we really, really loved all the many plays on pajama dressing, from Karen Walker's sleepy-time head-to-toe look to Suno's slouchy dotted silk trousers. ....No. I think this is one of those trends that sound good in theory (and look sort-of good on the runway), but almost never work on the streets.
Above, from left: Spring 2011 runway looks from Karen Walker, Vena Cava, Suno, Band of Outsiders. Photos courtesy of the designers.
6. The Old-School Halter Neck— Something about the many appearances of gorgeous halter-necks and unusual necklace-like cinching methods reminded us of a certain someone's mom from her very glamorous summer days spent by the sea in Ibiza. Almost universally paired with long, languid summer gowns, this little detail yielded lots of impact. I've always loved halter tops but they have to be a certain fit for me to look good and not top-heavy. Fyi, for the wide shouldered/top heavy, if you want a halter top, look for sleek cuts with little or no embellishment near the neckline.
Above, from left: Spring 2011 runway looks from Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, Vena Cava, Calvin Klein Collection. Photos courtesy of the designers.
7. Another Study In Neutrals—Maybe it's Phoebe Philo's influence at Céline permeating everyone's mood-boards, or perhaps it's just the chaotic energy out there in the world that's driving designers to simplify their palettes, but spring was no stranger to neutrals—especially those warm and soothing shades of sand, camel, and ivory all nicely framed with dark swipes of black. Imho neutrals are never "out" of style.
Above, from left: Spring 2011 runway looks from 3.1 Phillip Lim, Richard Chai Love, Yigal Azrouël, Rag & Bone. Photos courtesy of the designers.
8. Long and Longer—Again, instead of showing more skin—during a season that loves a lot of it!—designers like Prabal Gurung, Rag & Bone, and Tommy Hilfiger all chose to show less with lots longer skirt and dress lengths. Skimming the floor with knee-high slits or sheer fabrics, these ankle-grazing styles gave the season a much more grown-up, almost serious appeal. As I said, I think this look is nice on the runway, but not so much on anyone 5'8 and below and not stick-thin. I know the idea is to make yourself look "long and sleek" by wearing one color from neck-to-toe, but I honestly have yet to see a non-supermodel person look good in such long clothing...but maybe that's just me :\
Above, from left: Spring 2011 runway looks from Prabal Gurang, Rag & Bone, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein Collection. Photos courtesy of the designers.
9. The Prettiest Chartreuse Ever—No shade seems to garner as much controversy as chartreuse. No, it's not for everyone, but thanks to Miuccia Prada back in the day, we're occasionally introduced to this somber green shade in surprisingly chic ways. And such was the case this season, when designers like Rodarte, Jason Wu, and VPL all ventured into chartreuse territory with abandon...and wonderful results. I am very intrigued by this color indeed! If I find something in this color that I like, I'd be thrilled to get it. Although the Asian below looks awfully....sickly in chartreuse. That doesn't inspire a lot of confidence, but that prolly won't stop me....I love unusual colors ^^
Above, from left: Spring 2011 runway looks from Rodarte, Jason Wu, Proenza, VPL. Photos courtesy of the designers.
10. Dolman Sleeves, Please—Blouses have been gravitating to fuller, boxier, cropped cuts for some time now, so it was no surprise to see so many designers playing around with even fuller silhouettes and classic dolman sleeves. Some of the blouses we saw referenced vintage surf hoodies, while others felt very modern and almost evening-like. Our favorites: Yigal Azrouël and Vena Cava, who managed to give this typically casual piece an old Hollywood sophistication. We loved! I am and always will be a fan of dolman sleeves, whether they're "in" or not. They compliment my frame perfectly and I highly recommend anyone struggling with broad shoulders to try this cut immediately. Now is a particularly fine time to pick up dolman tops because there is such a variety colors/prints out since they're in style.
Above, from left: Spring 2011 runway looks from Karen Walker, Yigal Azrouël, Vena Cava, Rag & Bone. Photos courtesy of the designers.
5 Fashion Switch-Ups For 2011
1. Ditch The Black Bag—We love a great basic as much as anyone, but this winter, we're breaking out of our rut and switching mom's classic black tote for something a whole lot juicier. Even on a frigid overcast day, you can't NOT smile when you grab any of these bright bags. No offense, but have black bags ever been in during the spring :\? Maybe it's just me but I think bags are one thing that have always made the switch to brighter colors in the spring every year.
From left: Topshop spring 2011 lookbook, photo courtesy of Topshop; Proenza Schouler pre-spring 2011 lookbook, photo courtesy of Proenza Schouler; Marc by Marc Jacobs Petite Drawstring Bag, $428, available at Marc Jacobs.
2. Make Blush Your Go-To Makeup—After so many seasons of bold lips and eyes, we're turning our makeup routine over to bright and rosy blush. Not only does an extra flush of pink or peach brighten up the whole face, it's a quick and easy way to wake up your makeup look without a million steps. Sign us up! This spring, highlighting and coral or pink blushes will be my makeup staples. Spring is all about going for the fresh-face look for me, which means minimal eye and lip makeup and silky, smooth skin.
From left: Revolve Clothing spring 2011 lookbook shot, photo courtesy of Revolve Clothing; Chloé spring 2011 runway look, photo courtesy of Chloé.
3. Swap Out Your Statement Necklace For Some Big-Ass Earrings—Again, don't be discarding all your gorgeously gargantuan baubles. Instead, pack up the bulk of them and make room for a pair of two of statement earrings (tip: Scour ebay for some great, affordable vintage rhinestone earrings or even borrow your mom's old '70s hoops). With the season's clean, low bun, there's nothing more glamorous (and simple!). Ok, this miffs me because I just bought a gorgeous turquoise statement necklace :\ oh well xD
From left: Fallon Hoop Earrings, $188, available at Charm & Chain; YSL cruise 2011 collection runway image, courtesy of YSL; YSL Geode Earrings, via YSL.
5. Get A Muse-Worthy Haircut—We've been obsessed with It-Model du jour, Arizona Muse, and her versatile '40s bob seems like the freshest cut going for spring. It's a lot of look to pull off, but this year, there's no hiding on the sidelines. If you're ready to make a big hair change...there's no better time than the present. And this elegant bob gets our seal of approval! *sigh* I miss my hair. That is all I have to say :(
From left: Arizona Muse beauty portrait courtesy of Into The Gloss (to read about Arizona's beauty tips, click here); Madewell spring 2011 lookbook shot, photo courtesy of Madewell.
Color Trends 2011: 6 You Can't Miss!
With a new year comes all new everything to become obsessed with—that is, from a fashion perspective. And that always begins with rich, vibrant, turn-up-the-volume color. Along with silhouettes (long and lean '70s!) and pattern du jour (Ikat!), spring 2011 color trends offer a perfect barometer for outfit planning in the coming months. What to pack up and what to move front-and-center in your bursting-at-the-seams closet. And with the spring season already peeking its rose-tinted shades out from beneath the 3-foot drifts of snow, we've got the six hottest hues of the moment right here. Not just any orange, yellow, or blue...this season, classic brights are a whole lot more interesting. And if you're wondering if white is really a color...well, this spring, it certainly is!
Pink: But not just any pink! Honeysuckle pink (a bright, almost reddish hue) was voted the color of the year by Pantone, and, as far as fashion goes, it showed up on miles of spring 2011 runways, from Jil Sander to Valentino to DKNY. This signature pink also loved to pair up with other brights like aqua and orange or offering some bold contrast to more neutral tones like khaki and sand. I can hear a lot of happy squeals over this ^^ This kind of bright pink reminds me of nothing but Pepto Bismol, but that may just be me. The grapefruit shades aren't so bad :)
Above, from left: Peter Som, Jil Sander, Valentino, Badgley Mischka.
Above, from left: Nina Ricci, Jil Sander, DKNY, Valentino.
Orange: The fashion Universe loves orange, and this spring 2011, it sprung up in a bushel of juicy hues like this mouth-watering persimmon shade, which we can't get enough of. At least I have orange nail polish ^_~ Really does look spring-ish.
Yellow: Yellow is often a tough shade for many women to pull off, but given the extremes it went to for spring, we're willing to go there, despite the risks. Here, it ranged from a warm, buttery tone at Chanel to the palest, prettiest shades of chartreuse at Jason Wu and Proenza. In the spirit of the '70s, modern shades of mustard emerged on the runways, too. I agree yellow is hard shade to pull off, especially for Asians, but the soft muted, pastel yellows look very promising! The pairing with seafoam green is particularly nice~
You know how you always see people who have absolutely gorgeous flawless skin from afar, then when you get closer you realise they got a ton of make up on. With this natural make up trend, we want to leave the skin looking as natural & dewy as possible, and not caked with foundation. After all, nothing can top natural beauty! Again - when has "natural beauty/makeup" ever not been in :\ This is a perennial "trend" every spring when light, delicate makeup always surges ahead after months of heavier winter makeup.
4. Bright Pastel Eye Make Up Last but not least, bright pastel eye make up! Yeap, you heard it right! Soft pastel colours are in for the eyes as well! I know how the bright eye make up and pastel eye make up doesn’t quite gel together, but hey you can always pick a pretty pastel eye colour and then dabbing on a bit more to give it that bright, bold look. Simply fabulous! I can’t wait to try this trend out!
Orange, green, blue, pink, yellow basically all these bright colours are the in thing for Spring/Summer 2011! And can I just say I am loving it already! Everyone says that your eyes are the windows to your soul, and well, if you can decorate your windows so they look pretty and stand out, you can do the very well same with your eyes!
Apply a bright wash of colour to your lids, then lining your upper lash line with black eyeliner (liquid preferably) and thick coats of black mascara on your lashes! You can choose to keep your lips minimum and nude.
Or you can choose to incorporate the latest bold lips trend and apply a bright colour on your lips, but do remember that this look is all about the eyes, so do pick a shade of lipstick that doesn’t overpower your eyeshadow.
These looks are also incorporating the bright eye make up trend, except that they are a little more toned down and not as bold as the ones above. I've been hearing about "pastel" eye makeup for months now but none of the above examples strike me as "bright pastels" - when I think of pastels I think of...delicate Easter egg colors, lightly applied. Much like how Asians prefer to wear makeup year around aka the "natural beauty"/"bare face" look with subdued, sheer eye makeup colors. I dunno, but I am pleased to see that burnished red eye shadow everywhere :} I used that color in my New Years Day look and think the Maybelline Designer Chocolates palette carries a lovely, wearable version of this red-ish shade.
The Blues Clues—Whether it's Robin's Egg or Tiffany's Box, this pale blue shade has got "Spring" written all over it. This shade of blue is friggin' gorgeous! Definitely picking this shade up.
Above, from left: Nicholas K Spring 2011 image courtesy of Dashing Diva/Eric Yu; Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Barracuda, $6.99, available in February at drugstores nationwide; Priti NYC in Forget Me Not, $12.50, available at Priti NYC.
Peachy-Keen Pink—Need a polish that'll make your tan shine? This is it, ladies.
Above, from left: Dior Nail Vernis in Pink Boa, $21, available at Nordstrom; Priti NYC Nail Polish in September Charm, $12.50, available at Priti NYC; Behnhaz Sarafpour Spring 2011 image courtesy of CND.
Gun-Metal Grays—Don't forget about those metallics! Give your digits the full metal treatment with pearlescent polishes. The future is now! YES! Zoya Freja was BY FAR my favorite polish color this winter and I will SO be wearing it all spring. Gunmetal is such a chic, classy neutral with a modern twist. It's perfect way to wear metallic in a professional manner.
Above, from left: Chanel Le Vernis in Black Pearl, $25, available at Chanel; M.A.C. Champale Nail Polish in Very Important Platinum, $13, available at M.A.C.; 3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2011 image courtesy of CND.
Well, that's the end of this super long Trend Predictions post ^_^! I hope this helps some of you pick out new makeup/clothes for the upcoming season~
Above, from left: Vena Cava, Prada, J. Crew, Versace.
Yellow: Yellow is often a tough shade for many women to pull off, but given the extremes it went to for spring, we're willing to go there, despite the risks. Here, it ranged from a warm, buttery tone at Chanel to the palest, prettiest shades of chartreuse at Jason Wu and Proenza. In the spirit of the '70s, modern shades of mustard emerged on the runways, too. I agree yellow is hard shade to pull off, especially for Asians, but the soft muted, pastel yellows look very promising! The pairing with seafoam green is particularly nice~
Above, from left: Christopher Kane, Diane von Furstenberg, Chanel, VPL.
Blue: Truth be told, nothing gets more classic than blue, especially this spring's offerings. Think a vibrant aqua, a dusty sky blue, and the richest navy (obsessed!) lead the trend pack. Surprise blue move of the moment: Sky blue was often paired with bright orange and rust to gorgeous effect...who knew? Blue is almost never 'not' in, but I do like how well this shade of blue goes with orange and browns. Love it!
We all know how we’re supposed to blend in a darker shade of shadow in the shape of a triangle on the outer corner of our eyes to give a little bit more depth. However, the triangle make up that I am referring to is not the one at the outer corner of our eyes, but instead it’s on inner corner of our eyes. The way the model above is wearing this "triangle eye shadow" is remarkably...not bad.
Or if you’re super daring and super experimentive you can always use a darker shade and do the inner corners to the eyebrows for a bold, graphic look. "Super daring and experimentive" indeed! It certainly is bold and graphic O_o Although this trend really explains the ridiculous makeup I thought Hyolee was wearing during her Chitty Chitty Bang Bang promotions X.x I guess she really was ahead of the makeup trend after all ^^
2. Bold Lips
I gotta say that this has to be one of my absolute favourite make up trends! I am so in love with bold red lipsticks, bright orange (not that I could ever wear this colour!) as well as lips in hot shocking pink! Totally delicious and totally eyecatching! While hot pink lipstick tempts me but I don't see how this kind of lipstick is wearable to work or any suburban setting xD But yeah, it looks like fun to wear for sure ^_^ The orange-toned lipsticks look very promising and much more wearable though.
The thing about these bright bold lips, is that you don’t wanna make the rest of your face stand out. Instead, you wanna keep the rest of your face totally minimal and just let the lipstick speak for itself! Also, do try to keep your lipstick matte for a very modern and chic look.
If you find that bright bold lips a little too strong for you, but still would like to try it out. The photo above is a very good example of picking the right shade of red lipstick and pairing it with soft blush and light shimmery bronzy eyes.
3. Natural Make Up
This look is great for everyday! It’s really easy to do and really easy to wear as well! It’ll go with basically everything in your closet, and the through out the day touch up is minimal. The thing about natural make up is that you gotta make sure everything looks soft and dewy, and not harsh and powdery.
Above, from left: From left: Diane von Furstenberg, J. Crew, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Jil Sander.
Above, from left: Diane von Furstenberg, Proenza Schouler, Peter Pilotto, Jil Sander.
Above, from left: Peter Som, Versace, Burberry Prorsum, DKNY.
Earth Tones: In a sharp contrast to all the spicier hues of spring, the season also welcomed a cool breeze of soothing, wearable earth-colored tones, from sand to a Santa Fe rusty red. Basically, neutrals. Looks good and you can never go wrong with neutrals. The brick reds in the 2nd row particularly intrigues me even though it looks more like a Fall color to me.
Above, from left: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Vanessa Bruno, Rag & Bone, Victoria Beckham.
Above, from left: Isabel Marant, Unique, United Bamboo, Marc Jacobs.
White: Yes, white is pretty much always a big color for spring and summer. But guess what? This spring 2011, it's like the shade (or, non-shade!) of the moment. Going well beyond your go-to white trousers and bundle of white tank-tops, crisp, head-to-toe white, jackets, and gowns were all a major designer favorite. And we're on board...totally.
Above, from left: Derek Lam, Peter Pilotto, Yigal Azrouel, Rag & Bone.
Above, from left: Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein Collection, Ralph Lauren, Temperley London.
Spring/Summer 2011 Make Up Trends
1. Triangle Eyeshadow
We all know how we’re supposed to blend in a darker shade of shadow in the shape of a triangle on the outer corner of our eyes to give a little bit more depth. However, the triangle make up that I am referring to is not the one at the outer corner of our eyes, but instead it’s on inner corner of our eyes. The way the model above is wearing this "triangle eye shadow" is remarkably...not bad.
Or if you’re super daring and super experimentive you can always use a darker shade and do the inner corners to the eyebrows for a bold, graphic look. "Super daring and experimentive" indeed! It certainly is bold and graphic O_o Although this trend really explains the ridiculous makeup I thought Hyolee was wearing during her Chitty Chitty Bang Bang promotions X.x I guess she really was ahead of the makeup trend after all ^^
2. Bold Lips
I gotta say that this has to be one of my absolute favourite make up trends! I am so in love with bold red lipsticks, bright orange (not that I could ever wear this colour!) as well as lips in hot shocking pink! Totally delicious and totally eyecatching! While hot pink lipstick tempts me but I don't see how this kind of lipstick is wearable to work or any suburban setting xD But yeah, it looks like fun to wear for sure ^_^ The orange-toned lipsticks look very promising and much more wearable though.
The thing about these bright bold lips, is that you don’t wanna make the rest of your face stand out. Instead, you wanna keep the rest of your face totally minimal and just let the lipstick speak for itself! Also, do try to keep your lipstick matte for a very modern and chic look.
If you find that bright bold lips a little too strong for you, but still would like to try it out. The photo above is a very good example of picking the right shade of red lipstick and pairing it with soft blush and light shimmery bronzy eyes.
3. Natural Make Up
This look is great for everyday! It’s really easy to do and really easy to wear as well! It’ll go with basically everything in your closet, and the through out the day touch up is minimal. The thing about natural make up is that you gotta make sure everything looks soft and dewy, and not harsh and powdery.
You know how you always see people who have absolutely gorgeous flawless skin from afar, then when you get closer you realise they got a ton of make up on. With this natural make up trend, we want to leave the skin looking as natural & dewy as possible, and not caked with foundation. After all, nothing can top natural beauty! Again - when has "natural beauty/makeup" ever not been in :\ This is a perennial "trend" every spring when light, delicate makeup always surges ahead after months of heavier winter makeup.
4. Bright Pastel Eye Make Up Last but not least, bright pastel eye make up! Yeap, you heard it right! Soft pastel colours are in for the eyes as well! I know how the bright eye make up and pastel eye make up doesn’t quite gel together, but hey you can always pick a pretty pastel eye colour and then dabbing on a bit more to give it that bright, bold look. Simply fabulous! I can’t wait to try this trend out!
Above: How you can work green eyeshadow into 2 different looks!
Orange, green, blue, pink, yellow basically all these bright colours are the in thing for Spring/Summer 2011! And can I just say I am loving it already! Everyone says that your eyes are the windows to your soul, and well, if you can decorate your windows so they look pretty and stand out, you can do the very well same with your eyes!
Apply a bright wash of colour to your lids, then lining your upper lash line with black eyeliner (liquid preferably) and thick coats of black mascara on your lashes! You can choose to keep your lips minimum and nude.
Or you can choose to incorporate the latest bold lips trend and apply a bright colour on your lips, but do remember that this look is all about the eyes, so do pick a shade of lipstick that doesn’t overpower your eyeshadow.
These looks are also incorporating the bright eye make up trend, except that they are a little more toned down and not as bold as the ones above. I've been hearing about "pastel" eye makeup for months now but none of the above examples strike me as "bright pastels" - when I think of pastels I think of...delicate Easter egg colors, lightly applied. Much like how Asians prefer to wear makeup year around aka the "natural beauty"/"bare face" look with subdued, sheer eye makeup colors. I dunno, but I am pleased to see that burnished red eye shadow everywhere :} I used that color in my New Years Day look and think the Maybelline Designer Chocolates palette carries a lovely, wearable version of this red-ish shade.
2011's 6 Coolest Nail Polish Trends
What do pastels, metallic grays, and sleek nudes have in common? They're all part of the gorgeous and utterly fresh 2011 nail polish trends. Shades typically lighten up each spring, but instead of going sheer, this year's crop of pastels stays rich and creamy--think smooth purples, bright blues, and yummy peach-tinged pinks. Plus, the nude lacquers spotted at a plethora of spring shows (like Marc Jacobs, Jason Wu, and Yigal Azrouel) are having their moment, and those looking for punched up hits of color won't be disappointed either: Bright, bold lacquers are making an appearance, and some optically intriguing shades of gun metal are popping up, too. So, get ready to totally transform your digits in 2011 with our ultimate guide to spring nail polishes—talk about a cheap thrill!
Back to Nature Nudes—Nude-as-naked nails look refreshingly demure, yet provocative. Make sure your polish comes in a high-gloss formula so you don't end up looking like you have mannequin hands.
Above, from left: Karen Walker Spring 2011 image via CND; Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in Naked, $16, available in mid-January at Deborah Lippmann; Essie Nail Polish in Sand Tropez, $8, available in February at Essie.
Back to Nature Nudes—Nude-as-naked nails look refreshingly demure, yet provocative. Make sure your polish comes in a high-gloss formula so you don't end up looking like you have mannequin hands.
Above, from left: Karen Walker Spring 2011 image via CND; Deborah Lippmann Nail Polish in Naked, $16, available in mid-January at Deborah Lippmann; Essie Nail Polish in Sand Tropez, $8, available in February at Essie.
Above, from left: Nicholas K Spring 2011 image courtesy of Dashing Diva/Eric Yu; Tracy Reese for Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Barracuda, $6.99, available in February at drugstores nationwide; Priti NYC in Forget Me Not, $12.50, available at Priti NYC.
Peachy-Keen Pink—Need a polish that'll make your tan shine? This is it, ladies.
Above, from left: Dior Nail Vernis in Pink Boa, $21, available at Nordstrom; Priti NYC Nail Polish in September Charm, $12.50, available at Priti NYC; Behnhaz Sarafpour Spring 2011 image courtesy of CND.
Lovely in Lavender—Purple nails are our secret weapon. Dusty purples, saturated lavenders, and shiny heliotropes look great with most skin tones. Ahh.....lavender. I'm on the hunt for a light, delicate lavender (not the dusty lavender below).
Above, from left: Nicholas K Spring 2011 image courtesy of Dashing Diva/Eric Yu; Estee Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Violet Diva, $19, available in March at Estee Lauder; Priti NYC Nail Polish in Geisha Girl, $12.50, available at Priti NYC.
Above, from left: Nicholas K Spring 2011 image courtesy of Dashing Diva/Eric Yu; Estee Lauder Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Violet Diva, $19, available in March at Estee Lauder; Priti NYC Nail Polish in Geisha Girl, $12.50, available at Priti NYC.
Gun-Metal Grays—Don't forget about those metallics! Give your digits the full metal treatment with pearlescent polishes. The future is now! YES! Zoya Freja was BY FAR my favorite polish color this winter and I will SO be wearing it all spring. Gunmetal is such a chic, classy neutral with a modern twist. It's perfect way to wear metallic in a professional manner.
Above, from left: Chanel Le Vernis in Black Pearl, $25, available at Chanel; M.A.C. Champale Nail Polish in Very Important Platinum, $13, available at M.A.C.; 3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2011 image courtesy of CND.
The Can't-Miss Topcoats—Give your polish an extra edge with a striking top coat that cracks over your color; one that adds a slick, holographic shimmer; or one that adds a gilded layer of nude shimmer. I am without question going to pick up the OPI Cracked top coat. Scrangie already posted swatches of the whole Katy Perry collection so check it out! I really like duo-chromatic "Not Like the Movies" but it looks like a Zoya Adina dupe, which I just bought (they look like twins, seriously :\).
I'm in a huge fan of unique top coats since it's an easy way to change the look of a polish - Nubar 2010 being my current favorite top coat :D
I'm in a huge fan of unique top coats since it's an easy way to change the look of a polish - Nubar 2010 being my current favorite top coat :D
Above, from left: Chanel Pearl Drop, $25, available at Chanel; CND Copper Shimmer, $9, available at ENail Supply; CND Perfectly Barely Shimmer, $20 (with Perfectly Bare Colour), available in March at CND; OPI Topcoat in Shatter, $8.50, available in January, visit OPI.com for locations.
Well, that's the end of this super long Trend Predictions post ^_^! I hope this helps some of you pick out new makeup/clothes for the upcoming season~