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8.04.2011
4.05.2011
Trend Alert: Flare Jeans
Need new jeans for spring? Consider this: Flared Jeans. They have become all the rage in fashion this season. Below are pictures from Sartorialist.blogspot.com of women like Paris Vogue's editor-in-chief Emmanuelle Alt showing off this new trend.
Flare jeans look exceptional with sky-high heels because they give the illusion that you're taller than you really are. When out shopping, check out these J Brand jeans. The first pair gives you a 70's feel because of the mini front pockets, and the second pair can be worn with any blouse or heel.
Flare jeans look exceptional with sky-high heels because they give the illusion that you're taller than you really are. When out shopping, check out these J Brand jeans. The first pair gives you a 70's feel because of the mini front pockets, and the second pair can be worn with any blouse or heel.
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| Bloomingdales.com: J Brand |
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| Bloomingdales.com: J Brand |
3.27.2011
Free Spirited
The first wave of spring apparel has arrived! While shopping in SoHo the other week, I noticed that pants and blouses were loose fitting this season. H&M is pushing for a lot of print this season, along the lines of Boho Chic. They have quintessential maxi dresses at a price point that anyone can afford.
As much as I adore maxi dresses, I love loosely fitting blouses more. The blouses work for any shape because they hide everyone's flaws. Zara has satin blouses in white and other bold colors that are ideal for the spring.
I have a feeling that we'll be seeing more colors and prints for spring and summer!
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| everydayfact.net: H&M 49.95 |
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| everydayfacts.net: H&M 19.95 |
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| Zara.com 59.90 |
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| Zara.com 99.90 |
I have a feeling that we'll be seeing more colors and prints for spring and summer!
2.21.2011
Fashion Week: NY
Fall 2011 looks promising. From Marc by Marc Jacobs to Rodarte, fall is a blend of muted colors, mid-waisted trousers, and exquisite prints.
The Marc by Marc Jacobs collection had a nostalgic feel. Women wore striped trousers with floppy hats, which gave me a 70's vibe. His choice of color also added to the feel of that decade.
Rodarte came out with whimsical, detailed dresses. Soft colored dresses blew in the wind as models made their way down the catwalk. The light colors enabled the viewer to see the intricate details involved in each look.
The Marc by Marc Jacobs collection had a nostalgic feel. Women wore striped trousers with floppy hats, which gave me a 70's vibe. His choice of color also added to the feel of that decade.
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| Vogue.co.uk |
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| Vogue.co.uk |
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| vogue.co.uk |
I can't wait to see what Milan, Paris, and London have to offer in the coming weeks.
2.14.2011
Akira Wrap-Up
I was fortunate enough to watch the Akira Spring 2011 fashion show at the Lyric Opera in Chicago last week. Prior to the show starting, I envisioned color, prints, and flirty dresses for spring. I thought, who better than Akira to showcase the trends for Chicagoans, considering Akira is one of the most popular boutiques in Chicago.
Once the show started, I fell in love with the men's collection. If I could describe the entire collection in one word, it would be vivacious. Colored shorts, suits, and printed shirts were prevalent on the runway. I enjoy seeing men in color, especially after 3-6 months of dark colors for the fall and winter. Overall, I felt that Akira was on point for men.
Akira did an exceptional job with neutrals. I appreciate safari-type looks for spring and the floppy hats.
Once the show started, I fell in love with the men's collection. If I could describe the entire collection in one word, it would be vivacious. Colored shorts, suits, and printed shirts were prevalent on the runway. I enjoy seeing men in color, especially after 3-6 months of dark colors for the fall and winter. Overall, I felt that Akira was on point for men.
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| nbcchicago.com |
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| nbcchicago.com |
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| nbcchicago.com |
Akira did an exceptional job with neutrals. I appreciate safari-type looks for spring and the floppy hats.
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| nbcchicago.com |
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| nbcchicago.com |
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| nbcchicago.com |
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| nbcchicago.com |
There was a point in the show, however, where I felt some type of disconnect between the season and what Akira was showing. The collection ranged from safari camel-colored outfits to a black wardrobe. I typically do not think of black for spring, yet Akira showed enough of it to cause some confusion as to the season the show was for. I would prefer to see black in the fall collection.
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| nbcchicago.com |
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| nbcchicago.com |
While the men's collection oozed color, the women's side lacked in that regard. I saw several bold colors but I wanted more! Spring is a season to embrace color. I feel that wearing color lifts up everyone's mood because you're too distracted with the boldness of the color to pay attention to anyone who has a bad attitude.
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| nbcchicago.com |
I thought the women's collection was just okay. The show took place at the Opera House, where many dramatic shows have taken place; thus, it would only be appropriate to have a runway show with that same type of drama, whether it's in the shoes that the models wear or the print on the dresses.
Overall, I was fond of the narrative that the men's line created. I felt that they were in Central Park, waiting for that special someone to have a picnic with and then to surprise her with a boat ride in the pond. A story is what I craved when I watched the women's collection. Rather than telling one coherent story, it was a jumble of 3 individual stories.
2.08.2011
Spring Trend Alert!
Many of you are probably not thinking about spring, especially if you live in Chicago and walk through the mounds of snow everyday to get to the train or wait for the bus.
I, on the other hand, am thinking about what spring has to offer this year. After thumbing through the February issue of Bazaar, I have a feeling that we'll be seeing a lot of exotic animal prints, cork sandals, neutral colored bags, and bold colored shirts, trousers, and shorts.
Animal Prints:
This year more than ever, all the designers are coming out with dresses with various animal prints. The Blumarine ad below highlights the animal print trend better than me explaining it.
Cork Shoes:
This spring, a lot of designers are designing shoes with a cork bottom. Cork is ideal for the spring because of its light weight and neutral color.
Be ahead of the game and prep your closet with these spring trends.
I, on the other hand, am thinking about what spring has to offer this year. After thumbing through the February issue of Bazaar, I have a feeling that we'll be seeing a lot of exotic animal prints, cork sandals, neutral colored bags, and bold colored shirts, trousers, and shorts.
Neutral colored bags:
Simple, neutral colored bags are great for spring! The Coach satchel handbag below is the "go to bag" for the season. It's color makes it easy to accessorize any outfit and the patent leather makes it a durable bag that can withstand time and dirt. The best thing about the bag is it's versatility. It can be used as a shoulder bag for a dinner party or a cross-body bag for a walk in the park.
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| Nordstrom.com: Coach $298 |
This year more than ever, all the designers are coming out with dresses with various animal prints. The Blumarine ad below highlights the animal print trend better than me explaining it.
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| highglam.blogspot.com |
The Michael Kors dress below allows you to work this trend into your everyday life.
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| Bloomingdales.com: Michael Kors $130 |
Cork Shoes:
This spring, a lot of designers are designing shoes with a cork bottom. Cork is ideal for the spring because of its light weight and neutral color.
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| Bloomingdales: Sam Edelman $60 |
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| Bloomingdales.com: Chloe $675 |
Color:
Spring is my favorite season to dress up because it's okay to wear color to stand out from the rest. A splash of color, whether it's the dress, shirt, skirt, or shoe your wearing, will make all the difference.
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| Nordstrom.com: Nicole Miller $275 |
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| Forever21.com: $8.50 |
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| Bergdorfgoodman.com: Christian Louboutin $735 |
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| Bergdorfgoodman.com: Lanvin $1240 |
1.24.2011
Introducing Burke Hair's Guide to Style
By: Burke Hair*
The Burke Hair Guide to Fashion is dead. Rising from its grave, like some impossibly strong zombie**, is Burke Hair's Guide to Style. Now I know what you're thinking, "But Burke, where will I get all my up-to-the-week fashion tips?" From Burke Hair's Guide to Style.
"Whaaaaa?"
That's right, the BHGF has been taken behind the shed, Old Yeller style, but BHGS will be so much more. It will offer my takes on not only fashion, but other style related endeavors as well.
"Thank you so much."
You're welcome.
In summary, I have dropped the "the" and added a possessive apostrophe because I'm more efficient in 2011, and I have changed "fashion" to "style" because I want to be able to transition my brand into offering exciting new products, such as my forthcoming line of embroidered pillows, coming this spring exclusively at Target.
This is the beginning of an empire, people.
The Burke Hair Guide to Fashion is dead. Rising from its grave, like some impossibly strong zombie**, is Burke Hair's Guide to Style. Now I know what you're thinking, "But Burke, where will I get all my up-to-the-week fashion tips?" From Burke Hair's Guide to Style.
"Whaaaaa?"
That's right, the BHGF has been taken behind the shed, Old Yeller style, but BHGS will be so much more. It will offer my takes on not only fashion, but other style related endeavors as well.
"Thank you so much."
You're welcome.
In summary, I have dropped the "the" and added a possessive apostrophe because I'm more efficient in 2011, and I have changed "fashion" to "style" because I want to be able to transition my brand into offering exciting new products, such as my forthcoming line of embroidered pillows, coming this spring exclusively at Target.
This is the beginning of an empire, people.
-
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| John Stockton was the last person to successfully wear short shorts in the NBA. He was also one of the dirtiest players in the history of sport. |
Shortened pants, as shorts are formally known, are probably one of the last things you are currently thinking about if you: 1) live in the northern hemisphere; 2) Live somewhere with real seasons as opposed to a magical wonderland in which the weather is pleasant all year long***; and 3) Are not one of those winter-short-wearing-crazies. But I just happen to have shorts on my mind.
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., the NBA had most of its teams play games, at all times of the day, this past Monday. Because the best way to celebrate Dr. King's legacy is by inconveniencing a mostly black league for the enjoyment of its mostly white audience. Or something like that, I don't know, I wasn't alive during the civil rights movement.
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| When your shorts are this long they become either baggy flooding pants or baggy capris, two things that are not cool. |
Anyway, as I watched the Chicago Bulls compete athletically with the Memphis Grizzlies, I thought to myself how short length has changed over time. Transport me back 30 years and I'm watching a bunch of guys running around in shorts that are always one slip away from being the ultimate 'wardrobe malfunction.' Today, shorts hang down around the knee, and I wonder, what are we hiding? Is this what progress looks like?
Like many things, however, short length is cyclical.
Currently, knee-length shorts are common among men, unless you are into certain parts of the rap game, particularly in the south, in which much longer shorts are often seen. But just 30 years ago, genital-hugging shorts were all the rage among even modest men. If we look even further into the past, our nation's founding fathers wore shortened pants that cut off at the knee****, which is a length that is popular today.
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| I really want to call these pantaloons but I don't think that would be historically accurate, and if there's one thing I'm all about, it's historical accuracy. |
Short length is cyclical = Proven.
Now that we agree on that, I think it is time that we think about shifting the cycle back toward shorter shorts. Men, why are you denying yourselves the supreme comfort and range of motion that your body yearns for and that tiny shorts can offer? Why let only women enjoy the pleasures of minuscule outerwear and uninhibited thighs?
The time for the short shorts revolution is now. Someone yells out into the world, "Who wears short shorts?" I want you to stand proudly, thigh-hair flowing in the breeze, "I wear short shorts."
You wear short shorts.
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* As always, a disclaimer is in order: My (Burke Hair) views contained in this post are my own and are not necessarily shared by this blog or Annaleah Garing.
** In his book The Zombie Survival Guide, Max Brooks points out how silly the depiction of a graveyard filled with walking dead crawling up from their graves really is. Think about it, a zombie is only as strong as the human that it used to be, and no human could ever crawl up to the service under six feet of soil. The weight of all that soil would prove too great an obstacle.
*** I understand that there are non-magical places like this that exist but I choose to not believe in them because winter in Chicago lasts for approximately 16 months.
**** I'm not sure they were really shorts because you had to wear them tight, like pants, and with some long stocking-like socks but they definitely count as shorts in my book, Burke Hair's Guide to Style.
