Spring is almost here, and lucite accessories are one of the season’s most spring-appropriate trends.  The transparent material is available on heels, bangles, rings, necklaces and even clutches, and is the perfect way to make a fashion statement this season without being too bold.

What appeals to me about lucite is the airiness it adds to a look. While heavy wooden bangles may add visual weight to a simple floral dress, a lucite bangle provides a similar look without weighing the outfit down. I also love the idea of other clear jewelry, and feel that when done right, it can be pretty and interesting.

I’m a little bit more on the fence, however, about clear accessories, such as shoes and bags. I simply do not see the point (or interest) in having a bag one can see into, and the idea reminds me of the pink plastic purses I used to play dress-up with as a little girl (and not in a good way). That Fendi clutch above, on the other hand, is certainly intriguing.

In addition, lucite heels hold a few very specific connotations for me that I am sure others share, and for that reason, I’m not sure if  I will ever be able to find them particularly classy. On the other hand, Fendi also showed a pair of stunning nude shoes with the most delicate lucite soles and heels that I would consider wearing… you catch my drift. At the end of the day, rocking clear accessories is all about taking them to another level, beyond the typical ways we see them worn.

I’ve put together a couple of outfits incorporating lucite to give you some inspiration. Check them out below.

Outfit #1: Pretty in the Daytime

Product Information: Watercolor Dress: Shakuhachi, Lucite Bangle: Alexis Bittar, Buckled Heels: AMI Clubwear

Outfit #2: A Quirky Night Out

Product Information: Tiered Dress: Vero Moda, Lucite Earrings: Alexis Bittar, Lucite Wooden Platform Sandals: Chloe

Are you going to rock Lucite this season?

Tell us your thoughts! Would you wear lucite accessories? If so, which accessories would you rock? And how would you wear them? Give me a shout out in the comments!

Back in the late nineties, early 2000’s, I thought it was very stylish and interesting of me to wear a dress over pants. Unfortunately, upon further reflection, it looked dumpy and unimpressive, and certainly not flattering. However, this trend appears to be back with a vengeance, and the evidence is splattered all across the runway.

For the most part, I continue to disapprove of this trend. I find it unflattering and unnecessary – why does one need to wear a dress and pants? The ever-increasing popularity of leggings and tights has made this even more unnecessary. However, the popularity of a short dress or a tunic over a pair of slim-fitting pants (a la Rachel Bilson and Richard Nicholl’s runway above) is common and, I believe, still stylish.

As ever, the key is proportion. Although a flowing pair of pants and dress may fly on the runway, on the streets it tends to look sloppy, especially if your pants are on the less-fitted side. So ensure that one or both of your pieces is fitted. Also important is the length – a knee-length dress, a la my early teens, is not as flattering over pants as a mid-thigh number. The great thing about wearing a dress over pants instead of tights is that the dress can be shorter than you would usually feel comfortable wearing.

Check out my interpretation of the trend below.

Outfit: When It Actually Fits

Product Information: Tube Dress: Wet Seal, Skinny Jeans: farfetch, Lace Heels: Amiclubwear, Grey Boyfriend Blazer: Red Herring.

Thoughts? Feelings? Concerns?

I may try to rock an outfit like the one above, but besides that I am fairly set in my ways. No Melissa Joan Hart for me. But what about you? Would you wear this look? How would you wear it?

Let me know what you think below – sloppy or stylish?

I remember turtlenecks in the nineties – plain, dumpy, perhaps neon velvet – certainly nothing I would care to think about now. Like many trends passed and dismissed, however, the turtleneck has become revamped, both in the ways we wear it and in the way it looks.

Embellishments such as puffed sleeves, ruffles, or the fitting of the bodice make the turtleneck significantly more stylish, intriguing and wearable than it was a few years ago. Changes in the way a turtleneck is adapted into an item of clothing are also apparent. A turtleneck mini dress like Emma Roberts’ is a sophisticated way to show off skin, and a sleeveless turtleneck like the one Kristin Cavallari wore to one of Bebe’s collection previews is sexy and simple.

The key to pulling off a turtleneck is the way you wear it. Shorter, sleeker, or flirtier skirts make the look chic and pretty instead of plain or dumpy. Breaking the look up is also important, especially for us girls with larger chests. While this may just involve a print or two thrown into the look for some, turtlenecks are utterly unwearable for others unless worn creatively, such as under a dress or a vest. This breaks up the top visually and prevents one from looking larger than necessary or lumpy.

Check out a couple of looks inspired by the runway below.

Outfit #1: Broken Up

Product Information: Turtleneck: Balenciaga, Floral Dress: Miso, Brown Tights: Relish, Strappy Sandals: Michael Antonio, Gold Bracelet: Kate Spade, Flower Earrings: Old Navy

Outfit #2: Surprisingly Chic

Product Information: Keyhole Turtleneck: Gloria Vanderbilt, Suede Booties: Charlotte Russe, Earrings: Amrita Singh, Floral Miniskirt: Miss Selfridge

Thoughts?

Would you wear a turtleneck? Do you find the look sleek or does it just send you on horrible flashbacks of your childhood? Let me know in the comments!

While leopard print has been ever increasing in popularity, New York Fashion Week has suddenly provided a fresh alternative: tiger print. Agyness Deyn appeared backstage at Alexander Wang’s show rocking the print, while Thakoon gave the look a less literal feel in his runway show, with softer, more watercolor-inspired lines. But is tiger print really wearable?

As with any bold print, it’s important to wear tiger print pieces in a way that won’t overwhelm you. This means utilizing subtle or neutral accessories (particularly when wearing the orange color that tends to accompany this trend), or finding pieces (like Thakoon’s) with a softer, more feminine take on tiger. Tiger print also works well on accent pieces like coats, shoes, or even sunglasses.

Here is a sample outfit incorporating tiger print:

A Feminine Take

Product Information: Blue Tiger Sundress: Alice by Temperley, Silver Necklace: Forever 21, White Cardigan: Forever 21, Purple Flats: Piperlime, Silver Tights: Marui

Would you wear it?

I want to know your thoughts! Would you wear tiger print? And to what extent? Do you think animal prints as a whole are stylish or tacky? And what are your tricks to getting it right? Give us a shout out in the comments!

Although it’s been springing up for years, the fashion world’s current obsession with tailored classics and androgyny provides the perfect backdrop to give military inspired pieces the attention they deserve. Balmain often gives a stunningly glamorous military spin to their clothes on their runway, and this season was no exception. Beyonce recently turned heads when she wore one of their jackets out and about. Rihanna, ever the trendsetter, has been pushing this trend into the limelight as well with tough, military inspired looks, particularly in the video for her song, “Hard.”

Personally, I think this look is absolutely perfect as spring rounds the corner and florals and pastels come to mind. Sure, snow may still be on the ground in areas that are inclined as such, but that doesn’t mean we can’t break out our little dresses. I think they provide the perfect contrast to the neutral structure and masculinity of military attire. A spring dress with a jacket or a floaty top with cargo pants or capris provides a stunning contrast.

Also, the style of the military item itself has been updated, as is obvious with Balmain’s most recent line. Dazzling embellishments or feminine fabrics create an entirely different feel. Accessories of the military persuasion are instant updates to your traditional attire – think aviators or combat boots.

Would you wear the military trend?

So, how do you feel about the military look? I would really like to get myself an inspired blazer and some combat boots, but I’m afraid the latter would look too clunky on my short/curvy frame. What do you think? Let me know in the comments!

Alexander McQueen shocked fans when he debuted the infamous 10 inch “armadillo” heels in his Spring 2010 runway show. The shoes later appeared on Lady GaGa’s feet in the music video for Bad Romance – and while she was dancing, no less. Not quite as tall, but perhaps equally impressive, Louboutin’s 7 inch high ‘Bridget’ bootie showed up on a pregnant Heidi Klum at a pre-Emmy party. As fashion becomes continuously about pushing boundaries, trends like these beg the question: Are ultra-high heels actually wearable?

I love heels. At 5′2″, they make me the height of an average person, and as a curvy girl, they make my legs look longer and leaner. They are also perfect for pulling together any outfit and making it look polished and purposeful, even if it consists of jeans and a t-shirt. However, at 5′2″, I am also not used to being very high off of the ground, and struggle sometimes to wear 4 inch heels for more than a couple of hours. That said, more expensive pairs of heels are said to be more comfortable, despite their heel height, than cheaper (lower heeled) shoes. So it’s a toss-up.

For those daring enough, the key is certainly comfort and keeping the rest of the outfit classy. Before wearing the shoes, try them out at home for an afternoon to spot any problems. Heel liners are perfect for any gaps between the heel and the back of the shoe, and partial or full insoles provide some cushioning for the foot to ease any stress. The height of the heel begs for a streamlined look, but ensure that whatever you wear, your hemline is not too short. Anything shorter than mid-thigh is almost certainly a no-no.

Here are two outfits I’d love to wear with ultra-high heels:

Outfit #1: Out and About

Product Information: Grey Skinny Jeans: American Eagle, 6 Inch Heels: Brian Atwood, Green Top: Old Navy, Graduated Hoop Earrings: Charlotte Russe

Outfit #2: Classy and Dressy

Product Information: Rosette Top: Forever 21, Pencil Skirt: Forever 21, 5 3/4 Inch Black Satin Heels: Steve Madden, Chandelier Earrings: Accessorize

What do you think? What do your feet think?

Would you wear this trend? Have you tried on any of the really expensive ultra-high heels? Are they comfortable? Where do you think it’s appropriate to wear super high heels, and what constitutes “super high” to you? Talk to me!

Sheer clothing is almost always a component of most designers’ spring collections, with layers of soft chiffon creating dreamy silhouettes. Lately, however, the trend has turned ultra sheer, exposing bras and body parts for all to see in the name of fashion. Leighton Meester has repeatedly rocked this look, with an Emilio De La Morena dress (pictured above) and a lace Sofia Vintage top. Stars like Rihanna have also gotten in on this sexy trend.

This look is obviously not for work or school, but it’s daring for a night out – whether clubbing or at a fancier event. The key is all in what you choose to show, and how you choose to show it. The Christian Dior look above is bold, but the feminine cut, delicate fabrics, and coverage in the skirt make it significantly more wearable and beautiful than one might expect. Layering a blazer over top of a sheer shirt makes for a classier look, too.

Another way to make the sheer trend wearable is choosing what you display. While Leighton Meester’s dress is fairly scandalous, it is also wearable because only bits and pieces are sheer, and not obviously so. This is certainly the trick when wearing sheer attire to a more formal event, in order to make the look coy and sexy instead of obvious and promiscuous.

Personally, I love this look on others – I find it daring, but can also be soft and feminine. However, I would never be able to wear it, except perhaps to show off my -gasp- collar bone.

Check out some versions of the trend you may find wearable below.

Outfit #1: When You’re Feeling Demure but Playful

Product Information: Grey Blazer: Topshop, Sheer Blouse: Tara Jarmon, Black Lace Bra: Ultimo, Golden Bangles: Sarasa, Grey Pumps: Michael Antonio, Black Draped Skirt: Xmiss, Black Tights: Gap

Outfit #2: When You’re Feeling Sexy

Product Information: Seamed Pantyhose: Miss Selfridge, Sheer Dress: Thakoon (a girl can dream, right?), Knotted Headband: Forever 21, Zipper Necklace: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Red Pumps: Ami Club Wear

Thoughts? Feelings? Concerns?

While I love the idea of this trend, I think it’s tough to pull off unless you’re on a catwalk or a red carpet. I am a fan of sheer accents though, such as sleeves.

Now I want to know what you think! Would you or do you ever wear sheer clothing? How do you pull it off? Let me know in the comments!

Mixed prints have been a controversial topic of fashionable debate for a long time. Recently, however, fashion houses like Dries Van Noten and Ungaro have sent their models down the runway wearing the mixed print look loud and proud, whilst celebrities have been donning more subtle version of the look.

I, personally, love a mixed print and find that some of the best outfits I’ve seen have been outrageous and daring combinations worn by my friends – clothing which I would have previously thought should never be worn together. However, when done incorrectly, mixing patterns can also go horribly wrong, so it’s definitely a trend to be careful with.

For the more daring or adventurous in the crowd, your turn has begun. With spreads in Teen Vogue and walks down the runway, the fashion world seems to be saying that more is more, and the brighter and busier the patterns combined, the better. For this, there are no real rules, so trust your instincts and wear your ensemble with pride.

To check out some more easily wearable mixed prints, take a look at the outfits below.

Outfit #1: When You’re Feeling Loud and Proud

Product Information: Sunglasses: H&M, Plaid Shirt: American Eagle, Floral Dress: Forever21, Black Leggings: Rocha. John Rocha, Velvet Oxfords: Sexy Shoes, Gold Hoop Earrings: Giles & Brother

Outfit #2: When You’re Feeling Soft and Subtle

Product Information: Jacket: H&M, Striped Shirt: American Eagle, Floral Skirt: Old Navy, Tights: Forever21, Bangles: Community Friendly Movement, Oxford Pumps: Pink Studio, Olive Earrings: Gorjana

What do you think? Would you wear this trend?

Would you wear mixed prints? Do you think they’re visually interesting and a great way to mix things up, or do you think they’re messy and confusing? Would you like to see more celebrities rocking this trend in the future? Holla at us in the comments!

One of the hottest trends on the runway and the red carpet at the moment is nude tones. Sandra Bullock rocked a gorgeous, nude toned Vivienne Westwood number this week at the People’s Choice Awards, while stars like Emma Watson and Penelope Cruz (as well as many a model on the runway) have also been spotted rocking this trend.

But is this look really wearable? I say yes, but only in some cases. Personally, I think nudes look best when they are a different shade than the wearer’s actual skin tone. That way, the look is soft and feminine, but the wearer doesn’t appear washed out or almost naked. Also, “nude” shades work best when they complement the undertones of your skin (golden “nudes” look best on those with golden undertones, bronzes look great on those with darker skin, and porcelain ladies can work rose-toned nude shades).

Aside from the specific shade, those who want to try this trend need to pay attention to the fabrics they choose and tones they mix with. This season’s nudes work best when they are mixed with dark tones (like black or navy), and/or different textures (unique fabrics, draping, etc.). Since nudes are so basic, the rest of the outfit needs to have impact.

Curious to see what I mean? Here are two sample outfits that incorporate nude tones.

Outfit #1: When You’re Feeling Luxe

Product Information: Faux Fur Jacket: Topshop, Jewelry Set: Fantasy Jewelry Box, Nude Dress: HMR, Textured Tights: Urban Outfitters, Bag: Chanel, Black Pumps: Fendi

Oufit #2: When You’re Feeling Ultra Feminine and Romantic

Product Information: Cashmere Cardigan: Bamford, Pearl Tear Drop Earrings: Isreal Rose, Black Tights: American Eagle, Black Floral Headband: Forever 21, Bronze Dress: Calypso, Leather Ballerina Flats: Chloe

What do you think? Would you wear this trend?

There are many more ways to wear nude tones, including in your accessories. For more tips and tricks on the matter, read this amazing post.

Now I want to know your thoughts! What do you think? Would you wear nude tones? Do you think nude tones are soft and romantic or bland and boring? Which celebrity look above is your favorite? Let me know with a comment!

From Left: Giambattista Valli, Badgley Mischka, Jason Wu and ADAM Spring 2010 RTW

As 2009 comes to a close, I thought it would be a great time to take a moment and focus on the great things ahead of us in 2010–the trends of the future. One of the most notable designer trends to hit the spring runways was feathered everything, especially skirts and dresses.

So far, very few celebrities or models have latched on to the trend because of its impractical nature in the colder months. But a few retailers have already started integrating the feather trend into their lines in more subtle ways, which I can really appreciate. This trend does have the potential to overwhelm a girl and look completely ridiculous, but simple feathered touches on garments, like the sleeves on the dress below, can add interesting dimension to an outfit and really make it stand out.

Here are some retail examples of feathered clothing out now:

1. Topshop Jacket, 2. ASOS skirt, 3. Topshop Dress, 4. Modcloth Earrings

Personally, I think the feathered trend has the potential to be big for Spring 2010. Feathers add a touch of whimsy to any outfit and are very feminine when worn well, but they do tend to make garments cost more than usual, and are certainly VERY trendy.

What do you think–will feathers be hot this coming spring? Do you prefer just a touch of feather accents or an entire feathered dress? And most importantly–do you think you’ll wear the feathered trend? Leave a comment with your thoughts, and enjoy the rest of 2009!!