Those shoes

First I saw them here.


And then I saw them here...


And then I find out they're Jessica Simpson Dany's?!? Wow
Jessica, you surprise me. I must say I am loving this t-strap
platform.


And then I saw them here (via WhoWhatWear). No wait, look
closer. Those are Jeffrey Campbells! What is the world coming
to when Jeffrey Campbell is knocking off Jessica Simpson?!?

All Clogged Up

So what do we think of the clog trend? I personally kind of like them, but then again I've always been a bit of a fan of the clog, though previously in the stodgy Dansko kind of way (right). Apparently they're really good for people with professions that involve a lot of standing around.


Clogs also remind me of the Dr Scholl's sandals my mom wore when I was growing up (to this day I love the sound of wooden soles clomping through the house). So, there's the nostalgia factor. Perhaps these NineWest Eddisha sandals are a good updated version?




These two from Jeffrey Campbell, and SteveMadden are dead ringers for the Chanel pair right down to their brass buttons. The Steve Madden's even have a bit of a Camilla Skovgaard sole going on.


But, I think if I were to get something I'd probably stick with something more traditional like these Swedish Hasbeen's or Seychelles slip on clogs.

Chain Gang

Taking the chains trend to a whole new level (Lady Gaga "Telephone").

You can't always get what you want

You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes well you just might find
You get what you need...


I wanted this (Rodarte for Target skeleton dress)... but it was sold out
everywhere seemingly instantaneously.


So instead I got this (Caged by Threadless). Ok ok maybe need is too
strong of a word, but I think it's pretty awesome. ;)

ModCloth Finds

I've never shopped at ModCloth before, but they seem to have a great selection of
new, but vintage style clothing at moderate prices. Here are some of my favorites:


My love of coats, especially gray coats may be unbounded. This capelet coat nicely
reflects my subconscious desire to one day be a modern day Sherlock Holmes (my good
friend A and I have long been plotting to open a book store/become little old ladies who
solve murder mysteries a la Miss Marple). And, this Newbury Street Jacket is just too
princessy to resist.



Both of these pieces embody the we're too cool because we have removed part of the
garment movement. Actually I really really love the style of this blue smoke dress
and at $65 it seems like quite a steal. These Von Iva boots with a strappy back are
also pretty fun.


The one shoulder trend has been here for awhile now and I've been slowly warming
to it (although really, what sort of bra do you wear with that?). I recently saw Carol
Hannah from Project Runway sporting this one shouldered top that looks quite nice
as it flows back and forth over your arm, revealing and removing dependent on your
motion.

How to make a stabment!

Now that's a strong shoulder!

Fringey

Fun fringed dress from Percey. I think this celestial print is what's under all that
fringe.

Brainwashed by Fashion?

While out looking for comfortable walking shoes I stumbled across
these fringed booties at Aerosoles. I tried them on in purple and my
first thoughts were purple, fringed -> cute, but my husbands reaction
was quite different. He thought they were really hideous, something I
could wear for Halloween if I wanted to dress as Pocahontas, but not
for real life. I wonder if these are something I would seriously consider
on my own or if I've just been inundated by the fashion machine
pushing fringe for so long that it's started to look cute and normal. I
remember thinking the fringe trend kind of bizarre and ugly when it
first started appearing, but now I don't think it's so bad... Have I been
brainwashed by fashion?

An any case, the shoes weren't so great on. The fit was off and the just
above ankle height not really very flattering. I need an ankle people! So,
the decision wasn't really so hard in the end.

Trends -- Hop on the bandwagon or whistle your own tune?

I tend to shy away from a lot of the biggest trends, but that's not to say that
I don't get carried away by some of the fun ones that come along. It really
all comes down to what you like and whether you feel good about how you
look in whatever you're wearing. Being confident makes all the difference!

Whatever you do, my advice is if you're going to go trendy go relatively cheap.
For more expensive pieces invest in something classic that's not going
to go out of style in 3 months.

Some trends I just couldn't bring myself to get excited about:


To uggs I say Ughhh... Cowboy boots -- only if you live in Texas ;),
and just say no to daisy dukes.

Some trends really seem to depend on your body type:


Trapeze dresses. These dresses look amazing on the runways
and on models, but is it just me or do normal sized people just
look like they're wearing a sack when they slip into one of
these? Skinny jeans probably look best if your legs are ....
well long and skinny.


Micro minis and ankle boots are hot right now, but
I'm just not sure about a boot that cuts your leg off
at that height. Anyone with a bit of calf might want
to stay away from these... Wow is it just me or are
a lot of these trends really biased toward the
extremely skinny?

Then there are some trends I couldn't help but fall in love with:

Metallics have been around for a few years now, but they still seem
to be going strong (Furla, Kooba and Calvin Klein).

Patent leather is everywhere at the moment and I just love it
(Kate Spade shoes, Chloe bag, Gap clutch).


Wide belts (Obi belt, Kooba belt, Linea Pelle belt).


Ruffles and frills... Alice Temperley for Target dress (I have this and
it's really cute!), and jacket.

Then there's my obsession with 40s fashion


Dita Von Teese pulls this off well with the pencil skirts, nipped in waists,
red lips and puffed sleeves.


Pencil skirts. I had so much trouble finding one of these
2 years ago, but now they're everywhere (Pinupgirlclothing
skirt, and high waist pencil skirt).


Long leather gloves -- especially to wear with all the 3/4
sleeve swing jackets that are all around right now (Banana
Republic gloves, and Echo button gloves).