Some trends are not universally adored. Take leggings, for example. Crop tops. Harem pants. Denim on denim.
This season, we’d add wedge sneakers to the list of especially divisive, love-’em-or-seriously-hate-’em fashions. (For the record, we’re on the “love ’em” side of the argument. We love us a heel—on anything.)
But we have a theory on one reason a relatively innocuous pair of shoes might incite such emotion: They’re just so very tricky to wear—or wear well, at least. That’s why when we spotted the elevated sneak on the feet of two local style bloggers, we immediately wanted to know their secrets to making this trend look chic, not silly. Read on to see how our brave fashionistas styled theirs, then shop 12 of our fave versions on the market.
“They give a tomboyish edge to any outfit and are a welcome alternative to the flats and heels we’ve seen season after season. I wear mine with skinny jeans and short skirts to really show them off.” Sanaa Ansari Khan, the Style Matrix
Alice + Olivia Catherine gathered skirt A-line dress, $597.
Though the seemingly never-ending cold has managed to push back the peak bloom date of Washington’s tourist-magnet cherry blossoms again (and again, and again), there are still plenty of National Cherry Blossom Festival events happening, with or without the namesake flowers. So obviously you need something appropriately festive to wear, right? Luckily we found this ruffly confection of a cherry-blossom-print sundress right in the nick of time. Apparently Alice + Olivia’s design team was really feeling the DC-centric print this year—check out the brand’s delicate, feminine pumps and this darling (and perhaps more practical) cap-sleeve silk frock. Best part? Even once the pretty pink blossoms are long gone, the dress will still be equally lovely.
Oh, wedding season. As we launch into the spate of nuptials, it can feel like a girl needs nothing more than dresses. A sassy little number for the bachelorette girls’ night out. An elegant choice for the wedding itself. And, of course, the trickiest of them all: the shower outfit. This one poses its own set of criteria: It can’t be white, obviously. Or black. It has to be day- and grandma-appropriate. So what to wear, then? Read on for our tips on finding the perfect party frock, then click through the slideshow for 20 adorable options.
Fit comes first. For this, think classic femininity. That means looking for simple, elegant sheaths, hourglass fit-and-flares, or retro shifts. Avoid super-tight body-con styles and too-bare strapless types.
Go for color. We already mentioned avoiding solid black or white (and we might even add red to the no-no list, too). This is a celebration, so it’s a great opportunity to indulge your color-loving side. Go for poppy pink! Sunny yellow! Languid blue!
Pick a print. While we love a sophisticated solid, this is a fab time to spring for spring’s flirty florals, a playful polka dot, or a preppy stripe. Have fun with it.
Some say that before you plunk down cash for a piece of clothing, you should be able to envision it paired with at least three items already hanging in your closet. Yes, it’s a good way to keep from buying things you don’t need. But we say, why not just build your wardrobe to create three different ways to wear something? Less budget-healthy, perhaps, but WAY more fun.
With that in mind: Maybe you already own one of the omnipresent and oh-so-flattering peplum tops. Or maybe you’re just entertaining the thought of springing for one. Either way, today is your lucky day, because we’ve already done the outfit imagining for you. Here are three ways to work the peplum top—here in perfectly on-trend black leather.
Leather peplum, $295 at the Outnet.
AT WORK
Soften the edgy vibe of black leather by pairing it with delicate, feminine pieces and work-perfect silhouettes, such as a floral pencil skirt and a sharp fitted blazer. Finish things off with a spectator-inspired heel and a structured satchel, all in hazy hues of blush and cream.
Paul Smith pencil skirt, $350 at Farfetch; textured-panel jacket, $119.99 at Mango; Pour La Victoire Darla pumps, $250 at Shopbop; ombré stone statement necklace, $78 at Capwell; canvas-and-vachetta satchel, $140 at Kate Spade Saturday.
We’re not going to tell you to buy a white tee and a pair of perfectly fitted skinny jeans, because: duh. Why is every “essentials” list stocked with boring basics you already have? We don’t know, but we’re here to remedy that: Here are the eight style musts to mix in for the ultimate so-right-now spring wardrobe. Get one of each, and give your style an instant upgrade. You’re welcome.
1. A Sharp, Structured Jacket
This is a way chicer approach to battling
overzealous AC than a ho-hum cardi. Look for a jacket with a sleek,
futuristic silhouette—that means shoulder pads, some killer draping, and
a slim-yet-sculpted shape.
Helmut Lang Sugar Combo jacket, $575 at Intermix.
2. A Chambray Shirt
Ok, this one isn’t so new, exactly. But still,
this is an über-versatile piece every style-savvy girl should have
sitting in her closet. The laid-back workhorse pairs with everything
from a pleated chiffon maxi skirt to sleek leather short-shorts. It’s a
must.
Perfect chambray ex-boyfriend shirt in Ferrous Wash, $69.50 at Madewell.
3. Leather Shorts
And
speaking of leather shorts: Get yourself a pair. Wear them with
everything, just like you would jean shorts. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Premium leather shorts, $130 at Topshop.
4. The Statement Collar Necklace
We love the dramatic punch of a
major statement necklace, and the latest versions sit right at the
collarbone for face-framing perfection. Mix yours with this year’s
florals and stripes for a modern take.
Dannijo Zinnia necklace, $612 at Shopbop.
In 2009, Jason Wu was just baby-stepping into the fashion world when Michelle Obama put his designs on global display, wearing his ivory one-shoulder gown with appliqué to President Obama’s first inaugural ball. In January, when Mrs. Obama opted once again for a Wu inaugural dress, this time a red velvet and chiffon number, it was clear the Taiwanese-born, New York-based fashion designer was one of the First Lady’s favorites—and now a bona fide star in the industry. (FLOTUS also wore a red and black Wu dress to February’s State of the Union address.) Wu will be in Chevy Chase on April 11 for a trunk show and appearance at Saks Fifth Avenue, as well as to host his fall 2013 ready-to-wear collection on the runway at the third annual Great Ladies’ Luncheon, which will take place in a New York Fashion Week-inspired tent being constructed in the parking area adjacent to the store. Prior to his visit, we had the opportunity to chat with Wu about inspiration for his new collection and why no one ever tells the First Lady what to wear.
For the April issue of The Washingtonian—on newsstands now!—we asked 14 of Washington’s most influential fashion bloggers to model spring’s hottest trends. Photographer Trevor Dixon joined us at Joshua Cogan Studios for a two-day photo session featuring the duo behind Necessary and Proper, E from District of Chic, Carla of The President Wears Prada, and more of the District’s fashion darlings. Read on for the exclusive behind-the-scenes photos.
All photographs by Lexie Moreland, courtesy of Panda Head Magazine.
We love us a good collab—and doubly so when it involves a veritable legion of Washington’s creative souls. So we were pretty psyched to get a glimpse of the spring lookbook for the adorable Adams Morgan shop Violet Boutique, which teamed up Panda Head Magazine founder Morgan Hungerford West, Kate Greene, and Nilay Lawson with photog Lexie Moreland at Native Danger Studio. The result? A fusion of homegrown talent, joining forces to bring us killer images of super-cute clothes. Scroll on for more images from the just-launched lookbook, then peep the very cool making-of video, produced by Raul Zahir De Leon (of the music blog All Our Noise).
A few images from the Gant Rugger spring lookbook.
It’s true: We may not always devote quite as much attention to men’s style as we do women’s. That’s why we turned to the menswear pros at the prep-perfect sportswear line Gant—whose store opened in Georgetown last fall—to get their take on the must-haves for men this spring. The takeaway? Go for punchy colors and playful patterns. And as always, guys: Fit comes first.
Here’s the scoop from Gant CEO David Arbuthnot:
1) The Patterned Shirt
Why wear a boring solid when you can pick a pattern? Arbuthnot loves the colorful look of madras, but we say pick any pattern that pleases you (clearly alliteration pleases us). Go for checks, stripes, maybe a plaid . . . consider the fashion world your oyster.
2) Pastels
Pastels are having a big moment this season, and not just for women. “It’s all about pastel cable sweaters,” says Arbuthnot. Try these soft shades to springify a thin sweater, or pair a pastel shirt with a dark suit for the perfect dose of contrast.
3) The Lightweight Blazer
Keep up the tailored, pulled-together look by swapping your heavier jackets for easy blazers in lightweight fabrics such as linen and cotton. Wear them to add a polished finish to just about any ensemble.
4) Colored Chinos
Why should shirts have all the fun? Pants mustn’t be limited to neutrals—infuse your wardrobe with a little color, and suddenly everything seems so much more spring-ready. Arbuthnot suggests going for “bright, optimistic, coastal colors.”
5) The Pocket Square
Our favorite men’s accessory! Use these little fabric swatches to add a dash of color or a playful pattern. “It’s a great way for a guy to dress up his wardrobe,” says Arbuthnot. He advises stocking up on a wide variety of hues and patterns, and looking for special detailing and trims.
Let’s be honest: As far as color palettes go, black and white isn’t exactly revolutionary. Just ask pandas. Or zebras. It’s a no-brainer pairing.
But when designer after designer (Alexander Wang, Michael Kors, and Marc Jacobs, to name just a few) started marching sharp, highly visual black-and-white ensembles down their spring runways, this classic combo suddenly started looking entirely fresh. Optic circus stripes, playfully mod dots, ultra-crisp contrast blocking? We’ll take one of each, please.
