Category Archives: Trends

Hot fun in the city

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As much as I complain about my city, I really love Pittsburgh in the summer. When the rain holds off, the summer days are perfect for being outside and enjoying life. I spent most of my weekend Downtown (or Dahntahn in Pittsburgh-ese) at the Jazz Live and Three Rivers Arts Festivals. I heard amazing artists like Average White Band, Soul Cycle, Robert Glasper Experiment and the beautiful Lalah Hathaway. So excited that she did a cover of “A song for you” by her daddy, Donny Hathaway – amazing. Well along with the perfect music, kettle corn and lemonade, I got to see some well dressed men of the festivals. Here is a summary of what I liked from the weekend:

Manly colored slims

This is my all-time favorite look on men right now. Slim fit chinos with a cuff, a bit of the ankle showing. I was so happy to see a lot of this at the festivals. Keep it up, gentlemen! Ebay seems to have the best prices for picking up a pair of these bad boys. But ASOS also has some available if ebay auctions aren’t your thing. They’re very popular right now so you should be able to find them anywhere. You can keep it as basic as you want on top, or try a bold print. Tons of options, all of them sexy.

Picture: Style me Grasie

Wayfare: Skittles edition

Wayfares are always cool. But a man in bright-colored anything is always cooler in my book. I saw a guy in zigzag pattern wayfares on Saturday – loved them and him all at the same time. I know the black, brown and tortoise-shell is pretty standard for men’s shades, but I really liked seeing some variety on handsome faces over the weekend. Don’t have to be Ray-Bans to look good. Great knock offs can be found anywhere. And if you’re a serial sunglasses destroyer like me, that might be the best option.

Mighty short shorts

The knee flashing shorts I saw on men this weekend may have trumped it all for me. I just love seeing guys in something other than baggy jeans and sneakers. Or huge cargo shorts and a white tee. Fashion is for everyone. Prints are for everyone. Style is for everyone. Above the knee, fitted shorts are everywhere this summer and I really could be happier. Urban Outfitters has some cutoff chinos for $29 right now. But it’s really just as simple to make your own from some pants that may be a little worn at the knee. Stripes, floral and tribal are great prints for shorts too.

All things I’ve tried to get you fellas in to before – just happy to see someone is listening to me :-)

Hope you all had an amazing weekend as well – Have a good Monday!

Fashionably Tardy

White Out!

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Somehow the “No white shoes before Memorial Day” rule has taken a drastic turn with some as no WHITE before memorial day – no white pants, white dresses. While I never really followed this rule anyway, I know some who still hold fast to it. Well now you can feel free to wear whatever you want because the summer fashion season is officially here. Funny enough after all of this “can I wear it?”, crisp white isn’t the biggest trend right now. Sorbet pastels have moved their way up to the hot spot. And my all time favorite with this trend is sorbet color blocking. Pale pinks, light mints, soft tangerines, creamy yellows - completely in love. Here are some pics to give you an idea of what I’m talking about:

Credit: Daniela Ramirez on lookbook

From Mary Ching 

From Lovelyish 

Classic white pieces will always be in fashion, but the subtle hues of sorbet are all over for this season. Sorbet tones are cooler in shade than your typical pastels. A great way to ease in to this trend is trying to hottest sorbet shades on your digits. Sinful Colors and Sally Hansen have amazing sorbet options.

Of course popular means not many sales just yet, but I’ll keep an eye out. And I’ll clip some pieces I find online in a post soon.

Welcome back lovelies! I hope everyone enjoyed their Memorial Day weekend and the beautiful weather we were having. Have an amazing Wednesday :-)

Fashionably Tardy

They’re bacccckkkkk

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While making a quick thrifting trip today, I started to think about how many fads from back in the day have made a really strong come back. My mom always says how she can’t believe that some of the stuff she wore in the 70s is back on the runway. Well I thought of three trends that I’m kinda surprised to see back in the fashion spotlight. Not saying they shouldn’t be there, just didn’t think they made much of an imprint the first time. But now we have the chance to rock them again. Flashback style.

Overalls

Overalls played a major role in my middle school wardrobe. And now big name designers like Madewell are selling them for $580. Looks like our junior high cool is going to be a little more pricey to maintain second time around. Of course you can find overalls for a way more reasonable price somewhere. But you have to rock them a little different as an adult. Refinery 29 has a good article on the rules for adult overalls here. We’re past the one strap over a plain button down days. so read up before you go pick up a pair.

(Image from Fashionrawks.com)

 Day Glo

I don’t remember wearing a lot of day glo in my younger years. I was four when the 80s came to a close, but looks like I’ll get another chance to shine in these beyond neon colors. Day glo out colors neon when it comes to brightness, and can usually be found in wild prints and patterns. I have seen variations of this dress that Amber Rose is wearing and I really feel like I need one in my wardrobe. Bold is always in style, and the brighter the better in my opinion. I am all for the rebirth of day glo, but keep is modern and keep it fun. Own how bright and visible you’ll be and let it shine.

 

Fanny Packs

Now this is one trend I am not sure I back completely. They have for sure received a fashion upgrade since their original debut, but fanny packs are something I never thought I would see in style. I am happy that a makeover has happened with fanny packs now but not sure I will be running out to get myself one. If you’re ready to add one to your wardrobe my only advice is to keep the design simple, and stay away from anything that looks like a tourist accessory.

What do you think about these fashion comebacks?—Think of anything else that you thought was gone for good that has made its way back?

Have a great Friday and a perfect weekend!

Fashionably Tardy

T-shirt time!

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Almost over night I have fallen in love with vintage t-shirts. This is the one trend that I am alright with “vintage style” instead of true blue vintage. I just really like the worn out look of tees, and the variety. Of course, I can’t just pair them with jeans. Yesterday I found an old MTV logo tee that I had never worn, and decided to give it a go with one of my favorite vintage floral maxis.

Junk Food MTV logo tee | Brooks Brothers floral maxi (also here)

I have officially caught the bug. I am now on the hunt for tees to add to my collection. Five Below is a great place to get started (if you have one near you). I was there this weekend and they had some beyond adorable styles. Think I may make another trip out today and get some $5 tees for the sunny weather.

Ladies, how do you feel about printed tees? Something you think you could mix and match?

Oh, and I wore this lovely outfit to my first official day at 720 Music, Clothing and Cafe! I am the newest addition to the team and getting the amazing opportunity to help with their fabulous Instant Vintage line. Do yourself a favor and head over. Fellas, they have great printed tees on sale right now (50% off!). And Instant Vintage has something for everyone. Come by and visit :-)

Have a great day!

Fashionably Tardy

The gift of neon

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Xhilaration Yellow/Green Patent Canvas Clutch, Target

 My Chich bought me this adorable double bag clutch. It was on sale at one of our local Targets (only $9.99, but still $19.99 online) and she knew I would love every piece of it. And adding this lovely reminded me of how much I loveee neon, and how excited I am to light up the spring/summer with touches of it in my wardrobe. So I did a little cyber browsing to see what other neon deals I could round-up. Here are my faves – that fit in to the Anything but style budget range, of course:

Click here to buy! 

How do you feel about neon’s fierce comeback?—Something you’re excited to wear?

Alright lovelies, have a great start to your week!

Fashionably Tardy

Fatherly (style) advice

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I’ve gushed about how amazing coiffed my Dad has always been. While I used to fight that whole “girls look for someone like their Dad to marry” assumption, I realize as I get older that everything I love about my Dad would be amazing traits in my future husband. I spent most of my sunny afternoon yesterday sitting outside of my Dad’s house, talking to him while he washed the cars and reading his stacks of GQ magazines. My dad taught me how to tie a necktie, the right way to polish leather, and the importance of judging a man by the fit of his suit (or ownership of a suit at all). Well a day of looking at GQ gave way to a night of GQ online. Two articles I wanted to pass along to my style loving gentlemen:

Spring 2012 trends

GQ Rules video series

Have a great Manly Monday, cuties ;-)

Fashionably Tardy

 

Crystal Clear

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Just because it has a major designer’s name slapped on it does not a good trend make in my mind. Big names have put a new trend on their spring runway that I will not be putting in my closet. Clear shoes. I was a die-hard fan of jellies in the 90s. I had a pink, yellow, and a clear glitter pair. I also rocked the clear sneakers to the left my freshman year of college *hangs head in fashion shame*…with a clear and the pink pair. Anyway, this isn’t about my fashion faux pas – it’s about the newest shoe trend for the spring. Marc Jacob’s took a stab at transparent shoes for spring (and they are not for the Payless prices I got my clear shoes for).

Marc Jacobs Transparent pumps, $595

 I am not for these total glass slipper pumps, but there is a way that the transparent look for spring can be done right. Check out this article from Shoetease on the trend — Shoe Trend Alert! In the clear. I’ll be on the hunt for a pair in the price range that we like, and will report back of course.

Have a great Friday!

Fashionably Tardy

The hottest prints in Menswear

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Even though it is freezing outside where I am (and there has been snow predicted), it technically is spring. And I have been tricking myself in to warmth by thinking about the spring trends that I’ll get to see once it warms up for good. Gentlemen, there has been a big boost in the prints that are popular in menswear this spring. I love a little detail in men’s fashion, but I must say that I’m a little iffy about some of these. I’ll give you the rundown on what’s hot and you can decide for yourself what can have a space in your closet.

Ikat: Ikat is a dyeing technique that has been used on Grandma’s couches everywhere for years. Now it’s made its way to the fashion world, and more particularly on men’s shirts. It’s done a bit like tie-dye, and uses a resist dyeing process to give a bit of a warped look. I’ve seen this on button downs, t-shirts, polos, ties. It’s really catching on for the male fashion population who isn’t afraid of a little print.

Raindrop Camo: Sometimes called “falling rain camo”, this print is usually in the brown or green that you associate with camouflage – with small vertical lines that look like rain has fallen on the fabric. Dating back to World War II, the Germans used this type of camo in their uniforms. I have seen this subtle print on trousers and cargo shorts. It may be my personal favorite on the list.

Aloha: Ever since George Clooney was spotted wearing his island inspired shirt, Aloha patterns have been on everyone’s hottest trend list. Seen mostly in button downs (sometimes in tees). I am not a fan of this one – so not too much promotion from me.

 

Floral: When done the right way, I really love floral on men’s clothes. The lining of a jacket, a pocket square, or maybe even a subtle print on a button down. I just think it’s the new pink t-shirt for spring. It used to take a confident man to wear pink before it was acceptable, and I see floral showing off the same confidence. Used sparingly, I think it’s a great contrast to a structured outfit.

 

Well, there you have it fellas – another Manly Monday. What do you think about these hot prints for spring? Something you would give a try?

Staying hot in the cold,

Fashionably Tardy

Bring Back Grunge?

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I got an email from Forever 21 the other day with this subject: “Trend Alert! Totally 90s – Bring Back Grunge”. And by no means is Forever 21 the final word in all things stylish, but they do a pretty great job at bringing the big trends happening in the fashion world to our closets. While I loved “My so-called life” as much as the next person, I had to think if I was really ready for grunge to make a comeback – and what that would mean for my trend watching this season. Thankfully, I’ve found that this new wave of grunge is a little more structured and about homage rather than going straight back to the dirty days of grunge. And places like Forever 21, Urban Outfitters and ASOS are definitely giving us the lighter, girly version of grunge for the spring. Here is what we’re seeing from new 90s grunge:

 

 

 

 

 

Layers & Flannel: Not sure why this trend is busting out just as it is warming up, but layers area big part of grunge. A long-sleeved shirt under a band tee, a baggy sweater under a baggy flannel. Flannel is everything for grunge. Layered over a band tee, a dress with a babydoll bottom, or just tied around your waist.


 

 

 

Ripped Denim: Now this is a grunge trend I can get on board with to a certain degree. I like a little distressed denim, but not sure I am a fan of ripped beyond recognition. With grunge, you want to stick to acid or lighter washes and add some character to your ripped denim – patches, random fabric or fabric markered designs.

Baggy clothes: Not much about grunge is fitted or structured. A drastic change from the spandex and neon of the 80s, the 90s were about looking like you didn’t care enough for all of that. Stick to a looser fit, and stay away from the brights and neons.

Throw on some Doc Martens, ripped tights, fingerless gloves and a beanie and you are ready to go grunge. I have even seen some overalls back on the racks from this trend – so we’re really going back to the 90s. Now remember, I don’t personally promote or suggest all of the trends I tell you about. I just want you to know what’s going on in the fashion world and choose wheter it works for you. You won’t be seeing me in much more than ripped denim following this trend but it’s big on the runways right now, and a popular trend for the season.

So what do you think about grunge making a comeback? — Ready to stock up on flannels and oversized jeans?

Have a great Wednesday!

Glam or gross?

Fashionably Tardy

Charming Chambray

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Since my latest thrifting post, some of you have mentioned that you have also been on the hunt for the perfect denim button down. Well most of the button downs we have been seeing are actually made from a fabric called “chambray”. It is a lightweight cotton fabric that has been made to look like denim for this hot spring trend. This gives you a much lighter feel than your denim jacket, but still gives you the ability to rock the denim look on top. Well I found some under $20 options for both you ladies and men. Now grab you some floral bottoms, or colored cords to pair with your chambray for this sunny weather and you’re set.

Click here to buy the items 

Enjoy the deals!…and as the proud owner of my thrifted button down, believe me, you will find lots of outfits that just look better with a little denim. My long chiffon black maxi was a perfect match for mine. Oh! and look on Ebay for chambray tops too – tons of options.

Have a perfect Monday :-)

Fashionably Tardy