There’s something so magical about Spring emerging, isn’t there? Winter winds settle down into warmer breezes, Nature begins unfolding her first blush of flowers and baby tree buds… And of course, America’s clothing boutiques fling open their doors & illuminate their shelves with giddy prints and brighter colors. It’s SPRING FASHION, baby!
Regardless of color palettes, this year, more than ever, the fashion world seems to be in revolution mode. All the old rules are out, and what’s most popular right now is simply what’s most rebellious, from political statements to mind-bending fashion runways. Is it any wonder that pink is an emerging power color in this climate, and that it’s being done in such edgy ways? Pink is like a smile, and right now it’s a smile we’re determined to put on our faces, whether we feel like it or not! 😉
But this ain’t your mama’s Barbie pink or posh pastel, ladies. Nope; this pink is PUNK!
From handbags to jackets, to tattoo-style roses on jeans, pink these days feels less girly, and more of a dare. And that’s what makes it a fashion statement!
When I spotted this pinkPage Crossbody bag in COACH, I died. It’s the perfect sherbet color, which tends a little toward the sweet side, but the metal studs and precious rocks infuse it with a mega-dose of sassy!
Need more convincing that Pink is the New Black? Scroll down for more fashion inspiration below. And tell me in the comments if YOU’re going punk with pink this season!
XOXO,
Tanya
Special thanks to Toni Osmundson of Sydney Studios & Co. for the fun photo shoot, and to Boise’s JUMP for showing us around!
Photo by @aikaslovecloset – click pic to jump to Instagram
Pink dress via @swankgirl – Click pic to jump to Instagram
COACH Dinkier bag – click pic for details!
Pink details at Brass Ranch, Sun Valley – click pic to jump to Instagram
Photo by @aikaslovecloset – click pic to jump to Instagram
Pink details at Piece Unique, Boise – click pic to jump to Instagram
Pink wrap via @swankgirl – Click pic to jump to Instagram
Photo by @kenzieparkertatum – click pic to jump to Instagram
No matter what the season, yellow has always been one of my favorite statement colors. From Cher’s iconic outfits in Clueless, to the classic happy face sticker, there’s something about yellow that catches the eye, and demands attention. Personally, much of my wardrobe consists of black & white go-to pieces, and I’ve found that bright yellow is a fantastic accent that adds cheerfulness and whimsy to many of my favorite outfits.
In early Spring, my favorite handbag line COACH launched their brightest bag of the season, the neon Taxi Tote, pictured above. (You can view more photos of this rad bag, in my previous article about why I’ve become such a huge COACH fan, here.)
Now, for summer, they’ve come out with another line of sunshiny cuteness! I just spotted the Swagger Wristlet(with convertible long strap, to make it a crossbody bag!) at our local COACH store at Boise Towne Square…
Coach Swagger Wristlet with long strap
Seriously, how adorable is this?? Light and sweet, with just the right touch of metal accents. It’s the perfect little summer mini, if you’re looking for that Pop-of-color to add to your everyday wardrobe! In honor of the sweet Swagger’s bright cuteness, here are the Top 5 Reasons You Need a Yellow Bag.
Swagger Wristlet, Coach. $275
1. Yellow is NOT Trending. And it possibly never will! You know what’s great about that? It will never go out of style. It’s a classic, bold color that will always stand out as a fashion piece!
Mini Satchel, Topshop, $48
2. Yellow is Iconic. French Fries. Bart Simpson. Smiley Faces. Lemonheads. The Submarine the Beatles all lived in… Enough said! Yellow makes a statement that people remember.
Prince Street Mini Satchel, Coach, $295
3. Yellow is good for you, like drinking lemon water! Hear me out… I would never claim that carrying a yellow bag provides detoxifying health benefits, because that would be irresponsible. But I would recommend trying one on, just to see how you feel. Lighter? Airier? Smilier? See!
Moschino Camera iPhone case, Nordstrom, $85
4. Yellow is Cheerful. Look at the dotted bag below. Come on, isn’t it CUTE? When you scrolled down did you smile, and suddenly want to touch those little candy dots, hoping you could peel one off and pop it in your mouth? Then I’ve made my point. Next!
Luna Crossbody Bag, Marc by Marc Jacobs, $398
5. Because, Cher. Like seriously, as if you even needed the last four points! This is the only one that really matters.
XOXO,
Tanya
With 2015’s trend towards 70’s fashions, it’s no surprise to see one key 70’s trend making a major comeback: the Jumpsuit. First invented in 1919 by designer Florentine Thayat, whose goal was to create a subversive and futuristic fashion piece, jumpsuits have long been seen as quirky, unusual, and frankly a little rebellious. It’s like saying, Ok, I’ll come to your fancy ball, but I’m going to wear pants. And not only that, but I’ll wear them so well and be so comfortable, you’ll want to shed that straitjacket corset dress and come join me!
Jumpsuits are flamboyant, but also extremely comfortable and easy to style around! For these photos, I wore a black Jackie O jumpsuit from Black Halo, and simple gold jewelry. All I had to do to change the look entirely was alter my handbag and shoes!
Jumpsuits can also be a fantastic styling tool to work with your body type. I’m a strawberry, or upside-down heart, meaning busty on top but narrow through the hips and booty. This jumpsuit gives me a great curvaceous shape that evens out those proportions, by adding volume to my lower half, fitting snugly up top, and clearly defining my waistline. I’m kind of obsessed with it – thank you Black Halo!!!
It seems like every brand, store, and fashion line is selling jumpsuits this season (read more about why, here), and I highly recommend you go shopping for one! Be adventurous – try it out! You might be surprised at how comfortable and effortless they can be. They’re available everywhere right now, from high-end couture designers to this cute $35 patterned summer jumpsuit from H&M.
Some important things to look for in your perfect jumpsuit are:
1. Length. A wide-leg jumpsuit can be incredibly elongating, but only if it’s the right length! Choose one as long as you can, but NOT touching the ground. You don’t want to ruin it, or hide your shoes completely! If it’s a fitted jumpsuit, go for ankle length to show off your shoes, or longer if you want a little “scrunch” right above the shoes.
Peek-a-boo, cute shoes!
2. Fit. Look for a jumpsuit for your body type! One that’s fitted through the hips, booty, and legs but has more volume up top is great for “pear” bodies. An hourglass body type can pull off either style. For all body types, play with proportions on sleeve length, neckline, and where the waist hits for the perfect fit.
3. Color. When in doubt, go with solid color. If this is your first time in a jumpsuit, get black. Once you’re more comfortable with the style, amp it up with florals, patterns, and bolder prints!
Curvy ladies, you can pull this look off too!!! Check out this stunning Michael Kors jumpsuit I found at Nordstrom.com – it’s 40% off right now!!
4.Go short for summer. Rompers are the summertime version of the jumpsuit, and are HUGE right now in major fashion hubs! They’re super cute for daytime, but a romper can also be very elegant for a night out on the town. Add a necklace and sandals, and you’re done!
5. Check your booty! A jumpsuit with a high rise can lead to the dreaded “mom butt” if you’re not careful! Check the mirror, and make sure the jumpsuit doesn’t make your posterior look longer and flatter than it really is.
6. Layer, layer, layer. Think of your jumpsuit as a version of the LBD (Little Black Dress) every woman should have in her closet. It’s a basic piece that you decorate, to fit your style, your body, and whatever event you’re wearing it to!
7. Have fun. You’re going to feel a little subversive in your jumpsuit, but if it fits well, you’ll also feel very elegant and chic. Be confident! Rock it! And when those ladies in the tight, fussy dresses are staring you down, just smile and give them a happy wink.
XOXO,
Tanya
Gold ring: Coach (Something similar here) / Black ring: I confess this is the metal tag that came attached to the Black Halo Jumpsuit label! Couldn’t help it… had to wear it! 😉
Unless you live under a rock in the USA, you’ve probably heard of Coach. They’ve been around since the 1940’s, starting out as a humble shop in New York where six leatherworkers crafted billfolds and wallets by hand. In the 1960’s, Lillian Cahn, who co-founded the shop with her husband Miles, convinced him to start creating women’s handbags. He scoffed in the beginning, but their first design, inspired by the paper tote bags she carried as a youth during the Depression – delivering her family’s handmade pasta noodles to customers! – became an instant classic, amassing loyal customers and propelling Coach into the Luxury goods arena.
Over the years those loyal customers have grown with the company, collecting classic bags with a deep appreciation for their workmanship (still handstitched, after all these years!), beautiful style, and lifetime warranty.
But in 2014 Coach veered into new territory, hiring Stuart Vevers as their creative director, a younger and more urban designer than Coach fans are accustomed to. The classic styles are still available, but Vevers has added a plethora of fashion-forward designs that push the boundaries of the typical customer’s comfort zone. Will fan loyalty hold fast, with this evolution of edgy, gritty, rocker flavor on handbags, couture clothing collections, and a newly-acquired shoe line (Stuart Weitzman)?
Time will tell. But I for one find this new Coach fascinating!
Now, I have a confession to make: I’m a fairly recent fan of Coach. Late to the party, I know… Seriously, they weren’t really much on my radar, until a couple years ago when a friend gave me a little gold handbag with the Op-Art C’s embossed on it. Cute! Then this last fall Coach’s Fall 2014 runway collection burst onto my Instagram feed. Swoon! Shearling-trimmed wedge booties, capes, metal tassles, plaid, and dark moody colors dominated the runway. And I fell in love!
When you see a handbag that makes you gasp, you form an instant emotional connection with it. It can’t be helped! And that’s the connection Stuart Vevers brings to this brand.
This Spring, COACH has turned up the wattage even more (Watch the runway video here, or click the photo below), with neons, edgy shapes, striking lines, and metal trim morphing onto classic Coach shapes. The expansion of their clothing line is another brilliant move, and the results are no less than stunning. I found myself going through the slideshows, thinking “I want that, and that, and that, and I’d totally wear that…” on almost every piece. The colors, the shapes… Everything about this collection is sheer delight! Stuart Vevers has done something few designers can pull off: nailing the perfect balance of Classic and Urban.
Personally, I like to think my own style is a mix of Classic and Urban, so the “New” Coach resonates with me! I adore structured lines with a flair for retro, like their newly-launched Swaggerbag, available in large, mini, pebble leather, and metallic – 24 colors & sizes total!!! I love them ALL, but for this shoot I chose a classic Tote (in very un-classic neon!), because seriously, a bright yellow handbag is the perfect cheery go-to for a grey day! Just looking at it makes me smile. 🙂
Keep rocking what you’re doing, Coach – the fashion world just sat up and took notice!
XOXO,
Tanya
I am personally crazy about Fit & Flare dresses, and oh so happy that they’re a hot trend item for Spring 2014! My body type is a Strawberry, which means I’m busty on top and narrow through the hips. Fit & Flare dressed are perfect for my body type, because they’re form-fitting on top and voluminous on bottom, which balances out my proportions! I spotted this gorgeous lace fuchsia dress at The Threaded Zebra in Eagle, and just had to have it!!!
Fit & Flare dresses can be great for any body type; it’s all about the proportions! They’re perfect for slimming-down curvier hips & bum; a woman who’s a Pear body type should aim for a higher waistline, which will emphasize the bust and elongate legs. A Fit & Flare dress with a slender belt can also help define curves and a waistline, if you’re a Celery Stick or Apple body type. (Not sure which type you are? Read my tips for how to dress for Body Type here!)
Nearly every girl can wear a fit & flare dress – is it any wonder it’s such a hot trend this spring? Enjoy the flowers, the sunshine, and the pretty dresses of summer, my lovelies!!!
When I spotted this pink Page Crossbody bag in COACH, I died. It’s the perfect sherbet color, which tends a little toward the sweet side, but the metal studs and precious rocks infuse it with a mega-dose of sassy!
Style Spy Girl 