This spring, the fashion world is obsessed with the surf trend. Seen all over the S/S 2012 runways, the beachy ease and sun-soaked feel projects a covetable carefree attitude. But, neoprene and swim tops require a well-trained fashion eye. That’s where Shopbop Stylist Karina comes in. She was happy to explain how easy it is to let your inner surfer shine.

LIBBY: Thankfully, the surf look doesn’t exactly mean pairing a wetsuit with pumps. How would someone go about interpreting this trend?
KARINA: Have fun, but don’t overdo it. Little touches of scuba wear in your wardrobe go a long way. For a chic alternative to your usual wool pencil skirt, try a floral neoprene Elizabeth and James skirt. If you’re up for a more daring look, replace a traditional bra with a Lisa Marie Fernandez bikini top and throw a fun mesh top over it. 

LIBBY: What accessories work best with this look?
KARINA: I love the thought of tarnished and weathered jewelry pairings. Look to Pamela Love for great pieces to incorporate with this trend. Her tribal spike necklaces and her new totem rings and earrings are particularly nice.

LIBBY: How would you, personally, wear the scuba trend?
KARINA: I would pair a Lisa Marie Fernandez one-piece with a sleek VPL skirt. And then I’d finish it off with a wrist full of Chan Luu wrap bracelets and sporty Alexander Wang heels.

--Libby S.

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Looks from the Wild Flowers lookbook.

Spring’s coming up roses—and peonies and lilies and irises. The runways saw a resurgence of flora love in the form of prints both abstract (see Thakoon, Tibi) and photo reminiscent (No. 21), and in more than one collection, they mingled in a veritable garden party. Embrace the power of head-to-toe flowers by mixing and matching floral-patterned separates. For a subtle (albeit still eye-catching) approach, go with complementary prints, but if you’re feeling truly daring, a contrast of extreme proportions is funky and boldly fashion-forward.

--Amie

Shop the spring floral trend.

Spring is here and the only thing more exciting than budding trees and blooming tulips is fashion’s current chromatic obsession.  Straight off the runways of September are smart separates and tailored shifts in blinding shades of yellows, reds, and greens. Advocates of neutrals fear not: this trend runs the gauntlet of wearability. Start with a pop of color, like a bright watch or bold shoe, then work your way up to a full color ensemble enviable by Roy G. Biv himself.  

--Libby S.

Shop the Bold Brights trend.

 

A look from the Rive Gauche Romance lookbook: flirty androgyny inspired by fashion’s Jazz Age muse.

Paris in the 1920s. It was the era when Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald mingled with art and literature’s most animated characters in the city Hemingway lovingly called a "moveable feast." The decade saw the City of Light play host to American ex-pats, give rise to the Surrealist movement, and celebrate the waif, the first to the androgyny game that is so popular today.

On the Left Bank, the boyish look evaded the depressed naïveté that ran through The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald’s classic that defined the era for the American set. This look channels Coco Chanel more than Daisy Buchanan. Masculine elements like buttoned-up collars and crisp fabrics are loosened with easy silhouettes. The wide-leg pant needn’t necessarily be paired with heels—it works just as well worn slouched over a pair of Superga sneakers—and dresses are ladylike but nonrestrictive. The look as a whole uses menswear influences to enhance a flirtatious, decidedly feminine elegance.

--Amie

Shop the Très Chic Tomboy trend.



When we’re not talking white this spring, we’re talking about bold brights. And when it’s not bold brights, we’re on to pale pastels. In short: spring’s got a thing for cheery color. One that’s making a big splash: mint green. Spotted on runways and trickling into What’s New, the ice cream shade has come a long way since its ’60s heyday, which raises the question: How does one go about making this retro color feel totally today?

Take your cues from the DVF runway (pictured) and go with a tailored look paired back to mixed neutrals, or make yours a dressed-up casual approach with mint Paige jeans and a crisp blouse. The truly forward among us will appreciate the monochromatic look, where a mint blouse styled back to pistachio pants is eye-catching without going over the top. Look only as far as this brilliantly styled ensemble (if I may brag up our stylists for a moment) featuring A.L.C. by Andrea Lieberman for proof.

--Amie

The Pashli Satchel by 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Fashion’s forgotten black this spring season, opting instead for the opposite end of the spectrum. The spring runways saw their share of monochromatic looks last September, and among the most striking were head-to-toe white. Carry the trend (quite literally) into your accessories by investing in an eggshell handbag. They’re easy to find—everyone from Michael Kors to Alexander Wang, Marc Jacobs to Tory Burch are on board with the look—and they work just as well with the white trend as they do with the season’s bright separates.

--Amie

Shop the white trend.
Shop white handbags.

Stacked to the elbow or wildly wrapped on the wrist, the layered bracelets trend popped a few seasons ago and has showed no signs of slowing down. Here, a few tips to mastering the art of the “arm party.”

Color
To create a simple, cohesive look, stick to bracelets in the same color story. A burgundy La Mer watch pairs well with earthy metals, like a brass Bing Bang cuff and rose-gold Gorjana bangles. Bright colors, like the electric purple and blue in Rosena Sammie bangles, pop next to the bold mixed metals of an A.L.C. cuff.   

Texture
A delicate chain bracelet can easily get lost next to a chunky watch, so keep size and texture in mind. The crystals on Vanessa Mooney bangles enhance the resin details on a DANNIJO cuff, while an oversized, polished Charles Albert bracelet looks best next to an equally shiny, enameled Belle Noel bangle. 

Style
The easiest styling method is to match the bracelets to the outfit. Thin bangles and a classic Michael Kors watch complement a feminine DVF wrap dress. An edgier look benefits from studded Noir bracelets and a tough leather Marc by Marc Jacobs cuff.

As with any trend, make this one your own. Experiment with different shapes and tones, and once you’re comfortable with your own accessory aesthetic, use it to bring your unique style to any look.

--Libby S.

Spring’s gone sporty. Performance fabrics and sporting details made for quite the active aesthetic on many a runway last September, and with it came the rise of the fashion sneaker. What does this mean for your wardrobe? Casual taken to a new level, with kicks both bright (see neon Ash shoes and metallic Pour La Victoire trainers) and calmly laid-back (Superga and newcomer Maians). Wear them in vamped-up style, à la our Sporting Fashion lookbook, or make them your go-to Saturday shoe.

--Amie

Shop the sporty trend.

Whether it’s shoes, bags, or dresses, everyone has a shopping weakness. At Shopbop HQ, it’s no different. We live, breathe, and eat fashion. So I asked one of our stylish staffers to share her most current obsession.

Name: Monica
Position: Online Merchandiser
Current Obsession: Clare Vivier Clutch
Why did you pick this clutch? I love the juxtaposition of the simplified, sophisticated shape and the pop of neon. 
What will you pair with it? I’ll pair it with perforated Raoul leather shorts and a pastel T by Alexander Wang top.
Where will you wear it? This clutch is going with me any- and everywhere. It’s the perfect day-to-night transition piece and is right on trend with spring’s sport-inspired looks.
What are some of your favorite brands? A.L.C., Rag & Bone, and Tibi.
What is the most unique thing in your purse? A wine corkscrew—for wine and cheese Fridays of course!

--Libby S.

As a woman with hips, I can’t say I was thrilled to see that the peplum trend not only survived the winter, but returned with a vengeance (horizontal stripes!) this spring. But, after seeing the mid-waist ruffle rocked on the runway, red carpet, and even on a few uber-stylish Shopbop employees, I am ready to surrender to the power of the peplum.

The peplum is feared because it appears to add bulk to the least desirable places. In reality, it is a waist-defining magician that draws the eye to all the right places. The key to wearing one is proportion. The ruffle adds volume, so a sleek silhouette, like the Victoria Alice + Olivia dress, balances out the look. A monochromatic look is the easiest to wear. For a pop of color, add a bold, thin belt worn directly above the ruffle. My final advice? Scoop up a few Marc by Marc Jacobs dresses in this stylish trend, because the peplum is clearly here to stay. 

--Libby S.

Just a few years ago, jackets were something I regarded with aversion—I hated drowning my polished outfits beneath giant puffers and stodgy blazers. Happily, this season’s jackets are as decorative as they are practical.

Right in step with the bright-and-bold trend, the best pieces are beautifully printed. 3.1 Phillip Lim and Sass & Bide offer chic, playful blazers calculated to elevate your skinnies or infuse your office looks with a confident, youthful vibe. For outerwear, the inimitable Lindsey Thornburg cloaks are the classics of tomorrow: edgy, assured, and eminently wearable.

--Rebecca

The dark days of winter have met their match with an exploding selection of neon accessories. With booties and bracelets in blues, pinks, and greens, this bright trend is going strong.  

Rocking an ensemble of head-to-toe brights runs the risk of looking a bit, well, radioactive. Keep the balance by adding a brilliant accessory to a neutral outfit in a classic silhouette. A neon pink Michael Kors satchel, a fluoro lime Marc by Marc Jacobs belt, or a bold coral Kenneth Jay Lane necklace are just begging to raise a demure look to new levels of illumination.

--Libby S.

 

A truly great accessory makes an outfit out of clothes. Ray-Ban Wayfarers transform cutoffs and a tee into a California statement, diamond earrings make the simplest black dress a sophisticated gesture, and a truly killer pair of shoes work magic on, well, just about everything.

The joy of shoes is their poetic compactness: with so little surface area to work with, a design idea must be expressed succinctly. This makes them the perfect platform for one of my favorite trends: colorblocking. Look to footwear frontrunners Giuseppe Zanotti, 3.1 Phillip Lim, and Marc by Marc Jacobs for brilliantly blocked shoes both simple and splendid.

--Rebecca

For makeup, home design, and most importantly, fashion, 2012 has been declared the year of tangerine. The deep reddish-orange color is poised to bring a much-needed surge of energy to the coming year.

Bright orange can be intimidating. Ease into it by adding a small pop of color to a classically chic outfit.  A neon La Mer watch with a simple white TEXTILE Elizabeth and James top and skinny jeans will do the trick. Turn up the volume a bit more by matching a grey T by Alexander Wang sweater with Theyskens’ Theory pants in the blazing shade. Once you’ve gotten accustomed to it, fully embrace the color of the year by pairing a 10 Crosby by Derek Lam trench and shorts in the same vibrant shade to create an eye-catching monochromatic look.

--Libby S.

 

Clockwise from upper left: Rebecca Minkoff Delhia Dress, M Missoni Colorblock Dress, Thakoon Striped Tank Dress, Theyskens’ Theory Diller Irly Dress, Rachel Roy Print Pants.

Everyone loves a good Breton stripe, and in the resort season where nautical themes reign supreme, the evenly spaced horizontal lines are like royalty. But this season, a few brands broke away from the Breton, in favor of stripes with a less conventional rhythm. Look to Rebecca Minkoff for a hint of menswear inspiration in navy pinstripes on a tangerine backdrop. M Missoni cut the colorblock trend with diagonal bars, and Thakoon gave thick horizontal stripes a graphic feel. Rachel Roy embraced the squiggle effect, while Theyskens’ Theory kept their abstract print within the lines, decorating a white frock with speckled stripes.

The lesson here is a simple one: Keep your Breton tees in rotation, but give the unconventional a go as well. You won’t regret it.

--Amie

From left: the Carletta Long Sleeve Blouse by Malene Birger; Cambria Shirtdress by BCBG Max Azria; Mikhaila Jacket by Diane von Furstenberg.

We’ve heard about red and we’ve heard about nude, but only recently have they begun to make headlines together. Lately, all my favorite style blogs and mags have shown these favorite hues paired up for the perfect mix of subtle and bold. For a little advice on which pieces to pick, I turned to Shopbop stylist Shabdiece.

Rebecca: What are your favorite red and nude pieces for daytime wear?
Shabdiece: I love the loud red Star Print Blouse from Sonia by Sonia Rykiel as a ladylike foil to slouchy skinny jeans or cuffed boyfriend jeans. Keep the top loosely tucked in and complete it with a cropped Thakoon jacket and a nude shoe of your choice. For a quick way to incorporate red into a daytime look, the Atter Medium Turnlock Bag by Theyskens’ Theory is one of my favorites. Its versatility and sleek shape make it the perfect chameleon (even from day to night).

Rebecca: What about evening wear or a holiday party?
Shabdiece: When it comes to standing out at a party, less is more. Nude is the season’s freshest way to put a unique angle to your evening attire. Stick with retro-inspired styles in flattering silhouettes: the pleated Robert Rodriguez jumpsuit, the gently blushing Obakki dress, or the simple lace Tibi dress. The only accessory you’ll need is a bold red lip.

Rebecca: Is one color more “neutral” than the other?
Shabdiece: Instinct would say that nude is more neutral, but red will surprise you with its adaptability. And I guarantee there is a shade that will complement your coloring. The easiest way to incorporate a bold color like red into your wardrobe is with leather: shoes, handbags,and belts. And a bonus: it will always put a little pep in your step!

--Rebecca

The Rickie Raccoon Faux Fur Coat by Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Though I have a soft spot for fur (so lush, so glamorous, so inviting!), I also love animals in their tail-wagging, lap-warming incarnations. Enter the luxe faux fur. The animal-friendly fur coats of today are, if anything, more glorious than their genuine counterparts: not limited by the laws of nature, they can be as plush as fox, as soft as rabbit, and as chic as chinchilla—all sustainably.

My favorite faux fur coats are a little bit playful—bold prints and tantalizing textures with a touch of whimsy. Look to Club Monaco and Marc by Marc Jacobs coats for wonderful leopards and raccoons, and Halston Heritage for polished, arctic glamour.

--Rebecca

Shop this look.

All summer, I lived in my cherry red J Brand skinny jeans. But as the weather cools and the leaves turn, I want my wardrobe to shift its shades as well. My must-have colors are eggplant, wine, chocolate, and pumpkin: rich shades reminiscent of autumn’s comfort foods.

Look to Rag & Bone/JEAN and Mother denim for a wide range of mouth-watering options. If you’re craving texture as well as tone, try AG Adriano Goldschmied and J Brand for superb treated options.

--Rebecca

A recent trip to Texas got me thinking about the beauty of the unexpected. The Lone Star landscape is one of startling contrasts: vast plains of sienna soil punctuated by bold flowers and shining towns. On the way out of town, I stopped to buy a parting gift: a silver cocktail ring, set with a de rigueur Texas turquoise stone.

Other than this new gem, my jewelry wardrobe is something of a desert without its bright blossoms—I’m sorely in need of some color. To ease my transition from the world of pale rhinestones and diamonds, I’m looking to Vanessa Mooney and Marc Jacobs earrings for simple, classic designs. Once I’m acclimated, I’ll graduate to Juicy Couture rings and Gemma Redux necklaces for a luscious, large-scale statement.

--Rebecca

On left, the Veiltail Long Skirt, by Jen Kao; on right, the Patricia Skirt, by Joanna August.

Somehow it snuck up on us: long skirts, pintucked blouses, lace-up boots, fur-trimmed coats and capes, even the essential big-bodied up-do. Add it all up and it’s a recipe for a Victorian revival. A far cry from the ’70s prairie-based New Romantic look, today’s antique styles are decidedly more citified.

To get the look, begin with a high-waisted maxi skirt (Jen Kao and DSQARED2 both offer mysterious, nearly gothic designs) and an inspired pair of lace-up booties. Balance any potential sharpness with a soft silk or lace blouse and a demure Belle Noel locket. For outerwear, pick your pretty poison: a fur coat or a swingy cape are equally appropriate.

--Rebecca