Victorians never swam – they went into the water, covered head-to-toe, and called it “bathing.”
Hence the term “bathing beauties” Here are some: This summer the hottest look on the beach will be vintage, so girls….get ready to embrace Retro pin-up style! I’ve found some fine examples from years past. So it’s not a perfect world and we’re not built like Marilyn or look like Farrah (remember the poster every boy had?) but these are flattering and let’s face it, more figure forgiving. Of course, all these women had gorgeous hourglass figures, but the brilliant part about a vintage-style swimsuit is that you don’t have to.
Marisa Tomei
These styles that cover more flesh have been seen on everyone from Megan Fox and Taylor Swift to Lindsay Lohan, Meg Ryan, and Marisa Tomei (if you need this kind of assurance). Breath a sign of relief that you don’t have to suck in your gut now. The hottest looks right now come right out of the old Hollywood glamour of the ‘40s and ’50s, when pin-ups really took off. Some history:
Lindsay Lohan
In the year 2000 a platinum-haired R&B singer named Sisqó proclaimed his obsession with thong underwear, and suddenly, it got much more difficult to find bikini bottoms that actually covered the bottom. Swimwear, particularly for women, had shrunk to the smallest possible piece of fabric that retailers could justify selling as clothing. “Let it all Hang Out” bikinis were seen everywhere but not all of us look our best by letting it all hang out if you know what I mean. Remember every year around March, magazines began to scream about getting “bikini ready” for the summer. Would it ever end? Who would save us?
Believe it or not: One of the girls from Sex and the City – but the least suspecting of the bunch – Miranda (I would have guessed Charlotte). In 2008, Cynthia Nixon’s “Sex And The City” character appeared on the big screen in a stunning, red ruched one-piece swimsuit, with a halter strap and a sweetheart neckline, that hugged her curves and covered her bum. Women rushed to the stores to snatch up the Mio swimsuit designed by Norma Kamali (who, by the way still designs killer swimsuits).
This is probably the first time in 100
years that the trend has reversed from showing more skin. Interesting, right? Enjoy it! There are lotsa rappers out there so ya neva know when the trend will revert back.
Looks good on plus-sized women – a few of the plusses!
Crossing the line between fashion and art becomes more blurred when we look to the current examples of how fashion is presented, evident on the Spring/Summer 2014 runways.
There are moments when designers become artists, artists become designers, or both entities becomes something different entirely.
The key differences: fashion is, by its nature, a fleeting thing. You’re in fashion one moment, and out of fashion the next. A good work of art should stand the test of time, not the test of taste. Art and fashion do sometimes fuse, with mixed degrees of success.
The genre of fine arts and fashion design bare the affect of trend and social temperature, but their changing relationship to one another is also reflective of society as a whole. Perhaps some collaborations are more successful than others, but what is primarily important is the dabbling, the mixing, and fantastic results that come from the imaginativeplay of the creations. Furthermore, designers are always pressured to come up with something fresh for all the different seasons. I think there might be five seasons now, if you consider RESORT as one.
You can decide from the images shown on this page what and how you would integrate this look into your wardrobe. Let’s have some FUN!
Are you an Artful Dresser?
I love this Chanel purse that has the address of the Paris design house.the ARTful nail – as seen in Allure Magazine. Who has the time?
My wardrobe holds many items that have ruffles from mini skirts (yes, still) to ankle boots. Good thing too because the Spring/Summer runways showed plenty of them. They’re pretty easy to incorporate into the street/party/office/office party.
Balmain show – taken from images
From stylish it blogger Leandra Medine (The Man Repeller), to Balmain’s designer Olivier Rousteing’s, Spring- Summer 2014 collection, girly flirty skirts are enjoying another season.
taking it to the street
Ruffles (they’ve never completely gone out of fashion) are fluttery, eye-fooling flounces of fabric that can focus attention away from trouble spots. It’s best to keep ruffles away from areas of your body that are already full.
Pairing ruffles with simple, structured pieces also prevents the style from overwhelming your entire figure.
Blouses: Ruffled blouses are an easy way to look glamorous and put-together. Try a simple pair of trousers or a pencil skirt with a top with flowy fabric gathered at the neck. Make a more subtle statement with a top that has ruffles only at the cuffs or around the hem. If you prefer clean, classic looks, update your go-to white button-down shirt by replacing it with a blouse that has small, tight ruffles only on the collar or along the front. Ruffled tops also look great with
Bottega Veneta Spring 2014
jeans or dress pants.
Bottega Veneta Spring 2014
Bottega Veneta: For the spring 2014, it’s all about ruffles, bows and pleats, which creative designer Tomas Maier manages to turn from “girlie” into feminine chic.
Paula Patton – a bit over the (shoulder) top.
Celebrity Style:
Kate Hudson’s shoulder ruffle
What do you think about RUFFLES & bouncy, flouncy skirts?
I’ve always loved the idea of tying my coat with something other than the belt it originally came with.
You can get creative here too. For instance, in the past I’ve used long scarves & a long thin leather studded boot-belt accessory to tie light coats and shirts and even a removable long patent purse handle (which sounds kind of strange). Here are a few other examples which are ideal:
Best Looks: From left to right, Reed Krakoff, Altuzarra, Max Mara, Edun, Paul Smith. Photo – Garance Dore. She says: “This idea of tying them with a tiny belt or string or ribbon (or whatever you can find?! ) is a fun way to play with proportions and keep your coat closed!” I agree.
7 ESSENTIAL PRINTS EVERY WARDROBE NEEDS – 4 all ages.
So you’ve stocked up on solid T-shirts, dark wash jeans and other wardrobe basics —now it’s time to talk about prints!
All these prints can be incorporated into your wardrobe all year long depending on the fabric and how you wear them.
1) Flirty Florals – Buds are showing up on everything from dresses to shoes to purses. And you don’t have to be a teenager to wear this playful pattern. Today’s florals come in a wide variety of age-friendly colors, sizes and prints, from artsy brushstroke buds to abstract blooms in black and white. To translate this trend from runway to real-way, start by choosing separates. Hone in on one piece or detail.
2)Houndstooth – From masculine styling to minis, from large and bold to small and subtle, houndstooth was the woven pattern of the 2013 season. Designers presented more iterations than previously thought possible — and you can change your mind about what you considered old-school textile. How do you get in on the good looks? Search for traditional houndstooth patterns in vintage shops which are ideal if you’re not into spending thousands on high fashion (or can’t).
3) The Power of Plaid:
This bold, rugged print is a perpetual fall/winter favorite. Some automatically associate it with lumberjacks, Scotsmen, and farmers but these girls don’t look like either. The pattern can be surprisingly versatile once you know how to wear it – the trick is to limit the amount. Avoid overwhelming your look with too much of it. Either stick with one prominent plaid piece or several small plaid accessories.
Above: Arielle, Danielle, and Michaela Nachmani, the sisters behind the online shopping destination Shop Grl. You may recognize Arielle from the hit street-style fashion blog Something Navy. Danielle, the site’s creative director, is a celebrity fashion stylist. And Michaela, the youngest sister, is the muse for the site. They’re pros at styling trends to fit their own unique vibes. I have the shirt on the left.
4) Legendary Leopard –
Abeginner’s guide to wearing Leopard: When it comes to leopard print, you prefer a purr to a roar – a little of this bold look can go a long way. One way to ease yourself into wearing the print is to simply throw on a lightweight leopard scarf or gloves.
The always chic, Alexa Chung elevates a simple black and gray outfit by carrying an oversized leopard tote -essentially, the easiest way to spice up an otherwise basic look.
5) Pretty in Polka Dots– bold 1950’s-inspired prints like polka dots help to bring a retro vibe to your wardrobe. This is a traditional print so while polka dots may seem like a juvenile trend (Minnie Mouse, anyone?) the truth is that they can be done in a playful, yet grown-up way that’s perfect for work or the weekend.
Not sure? In the same way that animal prints are best kept in small doses, polka dots are a fashion treat that can work best as an accessory to your look. Pick one signature piece and work your look around that. Or just wear a dotty lingerie set even if you’re the only one who sees it.
6) Stripes– When paired with the right pieces, stripes can really enhance your figure and keep you looking up-to-date. The horizontal stripes always reminds me of St-Tropez or French style in general. On the runways this season, designers were mixing wide and thin stripes or pairing stripes with florals; such matchups generally don’t work for day-to-day looks. The key to wearing stripes in the real world is to always wear just one print matched with a solid. For example, a vertically striped blouse looks great with white trousers or jeans. Vertically striped pants or skirts can make you look taller and styish when worn with a solid-colored tee.
7)
A Bold Wildcard Option – think of it as your weapon
when faced with a wardrobe crisis, this statement piece (you choose) will make an outfit of basics seem more special. Even if you aren’t a “print person,” it’s good to have at least one. I like lips, birds and other animal prints.
LOVE IT or leave it…these elaborately embroidered, richly patterned, or gilded and encrusted with jewels clothes are pure escapism.
(left to right) Prabal Gurung, Oscar de la Renta, Tom Ford.
Slipping into them transports you to another time and place (China! Italy! Brazil!), and they radiate a sense of refinement and adventure that makes you feel like a member of the jet set.
WORK IT:
Kate Spade New York Coat Cotton-polyester, $785; at Kate Spade New York, 212-988-0259.
Some of the looks are a nod to a nation, while others are a postcard for it.
ML Monique Lhuillier Dress – Embellished polyester crêpe, $448; saksfifthavenue.com for stores.
The subtle references tend to be more universally appealing (and wearable).
Adopt a when-in-Rome (or Beijing, or Rio) approach: Pile on big gold necklaces or long gemstone earrings (as long as they look chic – not like a Halloween costume) with black pants and a turtleneck.
Hair and makeup should have a regal sophistication: Part hair in the middle or pull it back, and go for bold brows or dramatic, kohl-rimmed eyes.
LBDs have always had a restrained sex appeal, but this season designers really cranked up the heat, sneaking in sheer panels or slashing up classic shapes to expose subtle hints of skin. The look is definitely tight, leggy, and lingerie-ish but still completely refined.
HOW TO WORK IT:
This is not an Audrey Hepburn moment—the vibe is raw and seductive. Hair should have an effortless quality (worn combed back or loose and down), and go with kiss-me lipstick in red or wine. Pair one of these edgy LBDs with black pumps, or if you’re feeling bold, try red ankle-strap heels. To keep things from getting to risqué, make sure one area of your body remains covered. Choose a short dress with long sleeves, or if you’re working a plunging neckline, look for a hemline that hits past the mid-thigh. I love a below the knee black strapless with a thigh-high slit.
Rachel Roy black dress – $298Kate Bosworth wears Emilio Pucci…with perfection. Taken from Images
If you’re on a tight budget try H&M or Winners for some nice inexpensive selections.
In any event you should have no trouble finding your perfect match with so many options to be found.
Falling for feather & fringe on the fall/winter runways.
Do you dare? A little bit of feathered clothing and fringe boots can be fun but it’s not for everyday or everyone.
A feathered skirt beneath a knit top can strike the right note, but these richly embellished garments have plenty of glam on their own so hold the bling. Adapting a little goes a long way.
Time to pull out my mohair/ostrich feather wrap bought from a trip to S. Africa. I’ll pair it with something simple and tall heeled boots.
There must be a reason that ‘almost’ every single designer on earth is gay!Where does this connection between style and homosexuality come from?
Initially the desire to create beautiful things may have been born in reaction to dealing with a homophobic society (which has changed to become much more accepting). Thank goodness because what kind of clothing would we be wearing otherwise? And let’s face it, who can teach us all about accessorizing more than a gay man? Who gets noticed more, likes to celebrate more and really knows how to strut their stuff? All in fun it’s hard to keep a straight face!““A Queer History of Fashion – From the Closet to the Catwalk” is a new exhibition at the FIT Museum in New York. The fascinating show curated by Fred Dennis and the museum’s director, Valerie Steele, spans more than three centuries of gayness. It includes 100 looks that chronicle the community’s experiments in hiding and flaunting and outdoing itself in all sorts of aesthetic ways. The show also explores the flip-side of gay fashion: masculine women.Teaser – a little bit of history:
Drag queens, often the leaders of the gay pride parade, will, fittingly, also kick off the show. Similar to the 18th-century mollies, who dressed up to go out to private parties and taverns (called molly houses), running the risk of arrest.
In the oppressive 50’s, most gay men tried to blend in and be invisible, unless at a club at night. But what a difference a decade makes. The 60’s seemed to make everyone bold and flamboyant. The gays embraced the mod, hippie, disco and punk movements. And then of course, there was Liberace. The exhibition includes one of the performer’s pink sequined capes trimmed with marabou feathers – you know, just a little something to dazzle the crowds with. And nobody knew he was gay??
There is a section of the exhibition devoted to the work of designers who died of AIDS, like Halston and PerryEllis, plus a sampling of AIDS-activism T-shirts bedecked with clever slogans and graphics.
For the really daring, the curators have included a Jean-Paul-Gaultier skirt-pant look from his 1984 menswear collection. The lender said he always felt very masculine wearing it. It would not be complete without the cone-bra corset dress like the one famously worn by Madonna.
The show ends on an elegant note, with his-and-his and hers-and-hers wedding ensembles.
The book “A queer history of fashion” accompanies the show.Worth seeing!
Swim where? This summer the hottest look on the beach will be vintage, so girls….get ready to embrace Retro pin-up style! I’ve found some fine examples from years past. So it’s not a perfect world and we’re not built like Marilyn or look like Farrah (remember the poster every boy had?)
but these are flattering and let’s face it, more figure forgiving. Of course, all these women had gorgeous hourglass figures, but the brilliant part about a vintage-style swimsuit is that you don’t have to.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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