Never Say Never

When a lace up dress came across my desk at work a few months ago, my immediate reaction was "never," but now I'm trying to decide which one I want to buy. All it took was a little time for me to warm up to this trend, and I was sold. I've been told to keep an open mind when it comes to various different aspects of life, and I definitely think this can be applied to the world of fashion as well. You probably won't see anyone walking down the street wearing some of the bizarre styles seen on the runways, but you are likely to see people wearing more muted and practical variations of those styles. It just takes a little time for it to "trickle down" and make its way into the hearts of young fashionistas everywhere. Never say never, or you may end up missing out on something great. xoxo

Current Reads

I may or may not have a small obsession with coffee table books related to fashion and style. Not only are they interesting and provide a lot of great information about the industry and some of its key players, but they're pretty, and make for a great accent in my living room. A few of the titles that I currently have displayed on my coffee table include Masters of Fashion, which dedicates its pages to the greatest designers of our time, and Pantone on Fashion, which highlights the Pantone color of the year for every year in the past century (FYI there are two this year - rose quartz and serenity). Knowledge is power, so why not learn as much as you can on the subjects you're passionate about? Links to all below!

Masters of Fashion: The Leading Figures Behind the Dream

Pantone on Fashion: A Century of Color in Design

The Mood Guide to Fabric and Fashion: The Essential Guide from the World's Most Famous Fabric Store

The Fashion Designer's Directory of Shape and Style

The Real Fashion Show

This is a great quote from Bill Cunningham. For those of you who may not know who he is, I recommend following his life and work; it is truly fascinating. I was first introduced to his character while watching the documentary, Bill Cunningham New York, in my product development class at the University of Wisconsin. The documentary detailed his life as a fashion photographer on the streets of New York, describing his life in general, as well as his knack for catching awesome photos of the personal style and fashion of New Yorkers (along with the occasional celebrity shot). Many of Cunningham's photos have been published on the New York Times website (link below), where he creates short videos explaining the fashion trends he is currently seeing on the streets. Watching a few of these videos will validate this quote a thousand times over. Whether it's trends that are beginning to recycle themselves from earlier decades, or trends that embody the "trickle up" theory (emerge in the streets and are later adopted by designers, such as the t-shirt), you will see that the best fashion show start on the streets, showcasing how each individual expresses their personal style. Maybe you'll be lucky enough to be "spotted" next. 

http://www.nytimes.com/video/on-the-street

Fashion Inspires Confidence

Yves Saint Laurent, you've done it again. This is such a great quote from the late French designer, and it could not be more relatable to women everywhere. A stylish and well put together outfit does wonders for my mood and confidence, and adds a little more spring to my step. When I look and feel good, not only do the obstacles and tasks ahead of me seem a little less daunting, but I'm also more eager to start chipping away at them. So, skip the sweatpants today, and pull together a more fashionable and trendy outfit from your closet; you'll be pleasantly surprised at the confidence and ambition that ensues.  

"Vogue Instead of Dinner"

Although I feel like I have better control of my finances, except for when it comes to shoes (maybe Carrie and I are more alike than I realized), I find this quote very relatable to my life. Coming home from a long day of work and reading fashion lifestyle magazines such as Glamour, Allure and Vogue, retains some excitement in the sometimes monotonous weeknight routine. I may not skip dinner to buy the new issue hot off the stands (Carrie, have you heard of a yearly subscription?), but I definitely respect that Carrie has her priorities in order, and knows what satisfies her "appetite." 

"Style Is What You Choose"

Many people can keep track of fashion week, or read popular magazines, and talk about what is currently trending and fashionable. Top designers dress celebrities for prime time events in their most sought after work, hoping I'm sure for their pieces to get air time in front of the rest of the world. These are all outlets for designers to convey what's on the cusp of becoming the next big thing. But what truly separates fashion from style is how each individual embraces those fashion pieces in their own wardrobe. Blindly following fashion trends will make an individual blend in, but really personalizing and experimenting with those fashions will create a unique style that many will remember. I encourage you to try new things; sometimes it doesn't work out, but other times it creates a look that will make you feel like you can rule the world. 

"Fashion is Instant Language"

Although I only recently became familiar with this quote by Miuccia Prada, it has quickly become one of my favorites. Not only does it speak to how quickly we are to judge one another, but it really hits the nail on the head with the idea that what someone chooses to wear is an expression of their personality. I'll be honest; I tend to regard people with a higher amount of respect if they are well dressed and portray a sense of "fashion hygiene." Maybe because I feel I can relate more easily with their lifestyle, but I also believe it shows they have a high amount of respect for themselves as well. I'm a strong believer in dressing for who you want to be. Take chances, experiment and push yourself to the next level, especially when it comes to portraying yourself through fashion.