Fresh for Fall: Sweatshirt Chic

Much to the enjoyment of sporty gals everywhere, sweatshirts are having a moment.  Sweatshirt chic is a big trend for fall.  It's been a fringe trend for years due to chic, yet expensive offerings from the likes of Phillip Lim and Kenzo.  Now, however, the trend has finally trickled down to the masses and this fall there are affordable options at nearly every price point.

Keep in mind though that these are not your average, everyday track and field hoodies.  No, this fall's sweatshirts are more sophisticated than that; they're embellished, printed and not always made of sweatshirt material.

Here are some of my favorites:

Kut from the Kloth Crochet Overlay

Image via nordstrom.com

I love the texture on this multimedia sweatshirt.

Caslon Three-Quarter Sleeve

Image via nordstrom.com

Polka dots.  Also available in stripes, more polka dots & classic gray.  Love.

BLU PEPPER

The bejeweled sleeves on this sweatshirt give it just the perfect amount of interest.


Buffalo by David Bitton

Image via lordandtaylor.com

I love the short sleeves and studded crosses on this one; it's both tough and chic.


Gap Metallic Leopard

Image via gap.com

Shiny and leopard and gray; I'm not sure it gets any better than this.

Unlike your boyfriend's old wrestling sweatshirt, these sweatshirts weren't made for weekend lounging.  Instead, don't be afraid to take these out of the house; they look great paired with pencil skirts, full midi skirts and leather.  Or, for a more casual look, pair them with distressed jeans and flats, like I did here.

So, what do you think, Reader Friends?  Are you into sweatshirt chic for fall?

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Trends to Try: Neon

Like many fashion trends that have been here before, neon has come back around.  It first cropped back up a year or so ago and is still going strong today.

So, how do you try this trend without looking as though you're starring in a Wham! video?  Well, for one, avoid wearing it with feathered hair and short shorts.  Agreed?  Good, now here are some other tips that might help you try this trend.

1. A little goes a long way.  Try this trend in small doses such as jewelry, belts, small handbags and shoes.  I think you'll find that a even the smallest pop, such as studs, or nail polish, is still fun.
2. Wear it with mid-tones.  Especially if you're not sure about this trend, you may find that pairing neon with too strong of a color might be too much look.  Try pairing your neon with mid-tones such as gray, khaki, navy and olive to keep your look modern.
3. Stick to neon in colors you love.  I wear a lot of pink and orange so I naturally gravitated to neon pink, neon orange and, my personal favorite, neon peach.  If you wear neon in shades you like, you'll be more comfortable trying this trend.
4. If you choose to wear more substantial neon pieces, like skirts, dresses or sweaters, make sure you wear them in a modern shape and/or with equally modern pieces.
5. Wear it with denim.  In the form of a belt, shoes, sweater or clutch, neon anything looks good with denim everything.

Looks to Try:

 

Neon by fashionforgiants on polyvore.com

Looks not to try, a.k.a the aforementioned Wham! video:

What about you, Reader Friends?  Have you (re-) tried neon yet?

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

Thigh Scourge: Double Slit Skirts

Hello, Fashion For Giants Readers.  Gracey�s Thighs here.  She is out today for President�s Day so we�ve taken over her blog to talk about something that is important to us.  

There is a scourge about to be unleashed upon the thighs of the world and we feel it�s our duty to warn them.  What is this scourge we are speaking of?  Double slit skirts.  Also known as M-slit skirts.

What is an M-slit skirt, you ask?  Well, they�re skirts with double front slits, right up the thighs.

Faux Leather Skirt - image via Forever 21

Tweed Skirt - image via Douglass Hannant Resort 2013

Blu Moon Two Slit Skirt - Image via Lyst.com

While these seem to most to be a harmless, hopefully short-lived fashion trend, we thighs know better.  We know that these skirts are a government plot to keep us from establishing The People�s Republic of Thighastan.

Ever since Angelina Jolie�s thigh tried to make a very public break for it at last year�s Academy Awards, thighs have been subjected to increased governmental monitoring.  For rebellious thighs like us, this scrutiny has made it difficult to lead our freedom fighters to victory.  And now, with these double slit skirts, we can�t make any sort of movement at all without our carefully laid plans being flashed to the world.

I mean, look at these things.

She wants to eat your face.  Her dress is Alexander Wang Spring 2013.

Also Alexander Wang Spring 2013 - both images via nymag.com

In this case �M� in M-slit appears to stand for �My gyno needs a second opinion.  Have a look?�:

Jen Kao Spring 2013 - image via nymag.com

And, c�mon, people, this is just a glorified loincloth:

Michael Kors Spring 2013 - image via nymag.com

They didn�t even bother to glorify this one:

Pauline Ning Double Slit Skirt - image via Clozette

Even our most secret underground cells stand no chance against these:

Double Slit Maxi Skirt - image via asos.com

 

So, thighs of the world, if you don�t want your nascent rebellions to be crushed by this tyrannical government, resist.  Resist or end up paraded in front of the world like this:

Herve Leger by Max Azria - image via nymag.com

Sincerely,

The Supreme Co-Leaders of the People's Republic of Thighastan (aka Gracey's Thighs)

Why Not Try: Printed Pants

Like colored pants (or pants of color, if you prefer), printed pants can be a bit daunting, especially if you have bossy thighs.  For example, I�ve always liked the look, but my thighs were against it; they kept threatening to secede if I put them in a print.  But, finally, last summer we reached an agreement (The Printed Pants Accord of 2012?  Perhaps you�ve heard of it?  No?  Well, it�s totally a thing) and I started wearing printed pants.  And even my thighs had to admit they�re kind of fun. 

Happily, it looks like printed pants are going to continue to be on-trend for 2013 so I�m here to encourage you to try printed pants as well.  I think you�ll find that they�re easier to wear (even with mutinous thighs) than you thought.  

And, they�re pretty versatile.  They can be worn loose or tight.  They can be worn long or cropped.  You can choose a bold print or a more subdued print.  And they can be worn with neutrals, brights and, of course, other prints.

Here are some ways I�ve worn my printed pants:

Left: Tiny polka dots with paisley & leopard.          Right: Dark animal print with printed shirt.

Left: Vintage, checked pants with butterfly tunic.          Right: Floral pastel Ralph Lauren & gray.

And here are some of my favorite looks from Pinterest:

Left: This Time Tomorrow via Pinterest.           Right: Seersucker and Saddles via Pinterest

Left: Kayley Hyde via Pinterest               Right: Fashionablee Me via Pinterest

Love printed pants, but not sure where to find them?  Great news; they�re practically everywhere!  Because they are on-trend, many retailers are offering printed pant options, including in Tall and Plus sizes.  And, they�re also pretty easy to thrift; about half of my pairs are thrifted.

If thrifting isn�t your thing, here are some reasonably priced options that I�m currently loving:

Wit & Wisdom Indigo Floral Skinny - via Nordstrom

The Diva Skinny Ankle Pant - via Old Navy

Slim Cropped Print Pant - via Gap

Jessica Simpson "Kiss Me" Print Zip Ankle Pant - via Nordstrom

As you can see, there are many, many ways to wear a printed pant.  And many, many printed pants to choose from.  So, what do you say?  Will you be giving printed pants a try?

Happy Monday, All!

Gracey

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.

Why Not Try: Oxblood?

This fall, why not try oxblood?  Sure, it�s the most unappealing sounding trend since underwear as outerwear, but it�s actually quite nice.  So, what is oxblood?  Oxblood is a deep, reddish brown hue similar to burgundy:

Pantone Oxblood Swatch - Image via Amazon.com

And it is a huge color trend for fall. Personally, I love oxblood for fall because unlike some trends (again, underwear as outerwear comes to mind), I think this one is extremely wearable.  It�s also versatile, easy to find, and easy to thrift.  

Take, for example, these oxblood (yes, I�ve referred to them in the past as burgundy, but I guess this year we�re calling them oxblood; just go with it) �nun shoes� (Naya �Jada� via Nordstrom): 

Image via Shoes.com

I bought them last fall and I wear them all the time.  I wear them most often with gray and black because they add just the right bit of color.  But, you don�t have to go dark; oxblood also looks fabulous with blush, cream and teal.  Most recently, I paired it with bright yellow and navy blue:

In addition to being versatile, oxblood really is easy to find, both in retail stores and thrift stores.  Aside from my Naya shoes, all of the rest of the oxblood in my closet has been thrifted.  But, if thrifting isn�t your thing, here are some pieces that I like for fall.

Mossimo Women�s Elbow Sleeve Ponte Dress:

Image via Target

I think this is a great dress and if you want to see just how great it is on a real person, my girl, Sal, rocks it here.

Banana Republic Skinny Cords:

Image via Banana Republic

I have these in mustard and they fit wonderfully; so much so that I just ordered them in the burgundy oxblood.  (Also, you can get 30% off today and tomorrow with the code, THANKYOU).

Topshop Peplum Tank:

Image via Nordstrom

Unfortunately this tank is only available up to size 12 and runs a full size small, but it�s an otherwise great way to combine two trends in one.

eShakti �Vintage Ponte Knit Dress�:

Image via eShakti

I think I may be sort of obsessed with this dress.  I want very badly to wear it layered over a turtleneck with tights and boots. 

Naya �Jada� Pumps:

Image via Shoes.com

Yep, they�re still available and they�re still awesome.

MARC by Marc Jacobs �Too Hot to Handle� Shopper:

Image via Nordstrom

Yes, it is crazy expensive, but it�s also too pretty not to be included.

Still not loving oxblood?  Try calling it burgundy or Bordeaux (ooh, fancy) and see if that doesn�t change your mind.

And have a Happy Monday!

Gracey

** Disclosure: Actions taken from the hyperlinks in this blog post may yield commission/compensation for the writer. Please see the Disclosure tab for more details.