Like any fashionista or fashion writer, I get a sense of trends, what I feel is the flattering or “the look,” passion in fashion upcoming or of-the-moment. I also somehow find myself wearing or being drawn to trends somewhat before they “hit” (sometimes after, of course). No matter how I really just want to have my own style, I flow with the go, as well.

Here is my petite liste for the first months of 2006:

1. We’ll continue to see sweat suits on celebrities. They wear them out of the house. (They must dress up so often, you see, they have a psychological compulsion to dress down while erranding.) Well, we are worn out—with our busyness and from seeing this so much. We just want to cuddle up in comfort with these duds–but remember to wear them around the house, instead of pajamas. Let this be the year of taking things one step up. We can be seen in these getting the mail, then put on khakis and a denim jacket or cotton blazer to grab a carton of juice, coffee, or DVD. But if you partake in wearing this if going out, try mismatching different pieces and ONLY, ALWAYS make sure they fit a bit snug.
2. Long, super-straight hair will be most in, but slight, loose waves are even prettier. This year, we’ll go darker. I also have visions of long, high pony-tails atop pretty bang-adorned heads.
3. Croc is in and even more chic than last year. In the upcoming seasons, we will mix croc embossed leather with metallics, to refresh both trends. But for luxury, we must have snake skin and python. If you find an inexpensive snake embossed, consider yourself lucky, and consider buying.
4. Big bags are still big! Don’t listen to any mentions of bags getting smaller. Take a look at fashion magazines, the ads with the biggest bags catch your eye the best, right? I’m seeing a big picture. After all, they fit so much!
5. As hot and as gorgeous as last Fall’s peep-toes, is this Spring’s platform and chunkier heel combos. This must and will be done in serious moderation, although you will see drastic platform wedges. Stay away! To do a wedge, take a hint from last Autumn and pick something more sophisticated than a platform or the espadrille. In the spirit of ever-changing, espadrille’s will be back and bigger with flats. Oh, yes.
6. High-waisted pants will be paired with cropped tops for the ultra retro glam appeal. But lay-stylistas be careful when applying this look, it is usually for the slimmer-thighed.
7. Red and navy blue, in bags, in anything.
8. Colors will be more modest than Springs of past. We’ll have light fabrics, but less bright colors; instead, there will be muted deep-naturals and creams. Think mature.
9. Cuts will take a hint, and we’ll see a lot of sophisticated vintage touched pieces. Like ruffles on blouses, Victorian tops, and pleated pencil skirts. As we can already buy in a few stores, they will come out of our closets in full force when the weather turns warmer.
10. Good-bye Boho! Think sleeker, chicer, and more refined. Thank goodness.

    But we can still wear those empire-waisted tops, it’s oddly turning trendier, so much in fact that “babydoll” dresses are in. Anything loose, goddess-like and floating is already raging from runways and magazines. But take this slowly; remember that you can’t be a goddess without a womanly, curving shape.

    Unfortunately, the slightly more flattering (when done right) tunics are OUT, so say the experts (especially the fashionista-friendly, embellished ones). Poo poo, I say, why this fine line of no crossing? Perhaps, the chic, more fashionista-fabulous–less hippie ones are still in the clear. In fact, I’m saying it! wear those modern tunic-style blouses. But keep a discerning eye on that fashion line.

    And remember, the beautiful lines of your body should stand out. It’s great that this is turning out to look like the year of femininity, and skin-tight sexy is so passé, it’s actually getting through to even celebrities, but there really can be fitted and forgiving in one garment. Dressing your best takes a little bit of work, but looking gorgeous is worth a little restraint and control–no matter what the trend-o-meter pings at!

I have another large entry near-ready for publishing (wasn’t my last one different?), but I got quite sidetracked when I saw items I wanted to buy for myself. On went the search, and out came the Macy*s card, and to the void goes a charge to be paid later (*choir music*) of $260.00 In my defense, two of those items I’ve been dreaming about owning since September! And another was a dress that looks to fit my needs, is in my style, and in my price range (yet totally chic n’ fabulista!). And the last? Well, it’s in a style I mention in the next post (read: trend), and it’s in a style I wear, yet different enough to be a valuable addition to my wardrobe.

A happy way to spend my time that leaves me satisfied. I had forgotten I needed to shop! Yes, this helps me out of a little slump I’ve been in.

But … it is a detraction from my productive posting. So, why not make a post of the whole thing!!

In dressing yesterday, I discovered a whole, new should-be trend. Victorian laces and frills were once worn upon the plains of the ol’ west. Today, it is so on top of modern to wear a Victorian top with … cowboy boots! While nothing like this would inspire me to buy cowboy boots for myself, I do suggest those of you with a western flair to try this look of mixture, with a lacy, frilly top.

I’d pair a dark Victorian-inspired top with a tan blazer, fairly simple–yet elegant cowboy boots, and a subtly western bag—or just a simple, sturdy brown leather bag. The one I’ve shown here has nice details that are of the west—yet feminine. That detail, with the flattering lines of this blazer; with old-school romantic puffed shoulders, mixes it all in beautifully, with modern fashion and classic, semi-historical reminiscence.

How to do your bottom half? In a tan suede pencil knee-length skirt, of course! It’s both riche, rugged and classic. C’est perfect! A denim skirt is also suitable, as no other denim is present. Mixing one denim item really works here. A denim jacket would look great with brown slacks or corduroys, even. Yes, you can really mix this up: Jeans can be worn for the timid or in colder weather, as I don’t recommend daring to try bold tights. Sheer, blend-in tights can be tried by the fabulista who knows how to fit in those fine lines of just-enough.

Pull off this intelligence-test of an ensemble, and you’re fab, already!

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