Being a college girl on a budget, my favourite patterns are ones that never truly go out of style. Stripes, plaid and polka dots are a few of the staple patterns that can be found almost every season. These patterns are something that you can’t really ever call a trend, because they will always appear in some shape or form each season. Lucky for people like myself with an eternal love for polka dots, designer heavy weights such as Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney had us seeing spots for their F/W 2011 collections. Yes ma’am, the polka dot is big (but not literally) this season.

What I love about polka dots, is that they have a playful, feminine, flirty vibe to them. That and they are one of the easiest prints to wear (and mix and match!) The size of the spots vary as do the colour combinations, meaning there are spots out there for everyone. Though polka dots are still a pattern, it is quite subtle for those gals just dipping their toes into the world of patterns. Read More »

There is no shortage of prints in the world of fashion this season and it’s easy to see why.

1. Bold graphic patterns instantly add visual interest to any outfit, even if you’re just wearing jeans and a tank top.
2. Patterns are also a cinch to wear; they can either be paired with neutral fabrics, or by drawing colors from the large assortment found in the print itself.
3. For the daring fashionistas out there, you can add even more fabulosity to an outfit by mixing patterns. Pair a large pattern with a small pattern or match up prints with similar colors. And for those of us not looking for make a big statement, there are also smaller, more delicate prints such as flirty floral fabrics available this season.

Yes, there really is a pattern and a print for everyone. The only problem is, with so many options this season, how do you choose?

Don’t! Stock up on a wide variety of patterns and prints for a bright and fun spring/summer wardrobe. Don’t worry – you can dress ‘em down and mute ‘em with a blazer or a sweater come fall. Read More »

Fashion Week, a sort-of welcome week for the rich and stylish, has come to an end. Come tomorrow, a construction crew will be taking the tents at Bryant Park down, models will hop on planes to London and editors will finally get more than three hours of sleep per night. This week’s had it all: appearances by D-List Celebrities (hello, Kelly Bensimon,) crazy parties (Alexander Wang rented out a gas station) and clothes, clothes, clothes. Ready to stock your closet for spring?

Here are the top trends for Spring 2010: Read More »

[Most guys we know stay up late dreaming of the day they might end up in a giant orgy with beautiful women. We, however, lie awake at night dreaming of a closet full of beautiful clothes. To the left, a wall of shoes. To the right, shelf upon shelf of delicately handcrafted bags organized by color and size.

Sigh.
We all have our fantasies.

Since guys can turn to the interwebs to get their daily fantasy fix, we thought you should, too! So, we’re bringing you some fashion porn. The best of the best in all things fashionable. Sure, it may be out of your price range, but it’s a fantasy, so live it up in all its delicious glory.]

Dresses are to me as naked ladies are to boys: irresistible. And sexy. And the pictures I look at most on the internet. Though they are often associated with special occasions – probably due to the puffy versions with crinoline underskirts young girls were forced into – they don’t have to be.  In fact, dresses are pretty much the easiest piece of fashion around: just slip it on and go.  They have been quite popular for a few seasons now, which means there is something out there for everyone…or a million different somethings out there for each of us. Get your drool on below: Read More »

With spring fast approaching (it’s mid-March already?), the floral trend is once again in full swing. Although most people are fairly familiar with this repetitive trend, there are a few things to keep in mind when you’re rocking petals on your outfit.

Here are the 3 biggest tips for keeping florals feminine and sophisticated:

1. Watch the colors you choose for florals. When you pick out a floral-printed piece, make sure you have an item that will go with it and match at least one of the colors.

2. Choose floral patterns that are proportionate to your size and shape. If you are small or big, wearing a huge flower pattern will make you look more so. Also, rock florals on a part of your body you want to bring attention to, not the ones you want people to ignore!

3. To avoid looking like you just escaped from the nursing home, pick floral items in soft, flowing materials such as silk. And make sure they skim your curves but don’t look too tight. Read More »

As a person who wore uniforms up until 11th grade, I can tell you that matching clothing is NOT one of my strong points in life. I have a tendency to put together colors that don’t go together well at all. And yet somehow, even with my limited training, I still manage to see women dress like they picked their wardrobe while blindfolded. And it makes me want to cry (usually out of pain).

Matching clothing is NOT as difficult as people make it seem. In fact, one of your best friends when it comes to matching clothing is someone you met way back in fourth grade: the color wheel.

Take a good look at this guy. He wants to be your friend. He wants to make you look nice. He wants to help you score that date or nail that job interview, he really does. Now all you need to do is listen to him.

Colors right next to each other on the color wheel are always a sure bet. I like to wear the slightly darker color on the bottom and the lighter color on top, but that’s totally up to you. Black and white will also readily hook-up with any color you throw at them (and wearing black makes you look slimmer, so it’s a double-win).

Remember complimentary colors? Those are colors that are directly across from each other on the color wheel. Note that this does NOT mean that your dayglo orange shirt would go perfectly with your dark blue pants. Really, you’ll just make yourself look like a Mets fan. Use your eyes and your common sense when matching complimentary colors, and keep the brighter color muted. Sometimes for brighter colors, it’s best to use the complimentary color as an accent, like wearing a purple headband with your yellow shirt and orange skirt. Read More »