Trend Alert

Just wanted to quickly blog about two of my FAVOURITE trends for this season because they could not get any better. I am a huge fan of big, statement pieces that define an outfit and these two are clearly up there.

The Chunky Necklace - done in everything from thin metalics to pearls, this season remember to layer, layer, layer! Most neck jelwery is coming in multiple layers sold as one so the oh-so-kind stores are doing most of the work, its just up to you to incorperate it into your wardrobe. I think the best way to wear a chunky necklace is to go simple with the top, like a silk cami and throw a blazer over it. Here are three of my favs...

Over The Top Boot - Literally. This season, boots are going over the knee. With so many boots in stores this season, make sure the boot is right for your height and doesnt go too far up the leg which will shorten your whole torso. Wear these boots with a pair of tights or cigarette pants and avoid short skirts for a very chic look this season

Thanks to everyone who made an effort to drop by our Fashion Association table at Yorkfest. Be sure to sign up with the FAY for club events, e-mails and latest! Check out the offical FAY website at www.yorku.ca/fashion

The Fashion Icon

Genius. Insanity. In life there seems to be a small divide between the two. There is not much seperating ideas that seem impossible and a miracle and so of course is the same in the world of fashion. To me, being a fashion icon means your individual style embodies your entire being while being imitated but never duplicated, the pieces you own are always envied but often untraceable and your image is pure poise. Lady GaGa is one of the style icons of our time where we have seen her rock no pants, head scarves and even landed a beautiful spread in V magazine.

But it is not without downfall that Lady GaGa has been photographed. She sure does like to push the envelope, but how far is to far? For me, this is just WAY too far. GaGa is wearing Jean-Charles Castlebajac's Kermit the Frog outfit - hes known for his animated, wild and questionable designs and this definately hits all three. Sadly, it does seem animals were harmed in the making of this garnment.

Of course Lady GaGa was not shy to wear the overthe top outfit but it makes me question "is this just too crazy?". As a style icon I think this was a wrong choice, and the title of a style icon should mean 24/7. Though I understand celebrities and fashionistas alike want their downtime and need some rest and relaxation and may want to step into a pair of joggers, I think a style icon has to do it in a way that is still fashionable. Lady GaGa may have an outfit like this to get attention - but get our attention in a GOOD way because any attention this would have gotten could not have been that great.

Though Lady GaGa's outfits are questionable and her title as a style icon has raised some eyebrows, its safe to say that todays "fashion icon" is leaps and bounds different from the traditional icons such as Kate Moss, Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly.

Must Haves!

While the summer weather most of us York students hasn’t been too hot, we know we can always count on fashion to deliver some drool worthy pieces when all else fails. Since the outdoors haven’t been delivering tan-worthy weather, this summer I’ve made the shopping world my Summer getaway and picked up on the trends that should be in everyone’s closet this season. Between Queen Street West and Younge Street I found my favorite pieces from Forever 21, Aldo’s and Urban Outfitters.

In the Nude…
It is very clear that one color that is in for the season is almost no color at all: nude! Any color close to a woman’s natural skin tone including flesh, sand, and caramel will compliment any outfit’s color pallet and elongate your leg. When your carry your natural skin color into a similar hue on the shoe the visual line is therefore much longer and flattering. For the end of summer try the Slagel sandal from Aldo’s on sale now for only $31.98, Jolly sandal for $55.98 or the Segura platform pump for $100.
Tailored to a Tee
To toughen up any soft playful look and add a pop of flare, this season’s must haves is a blazer. We saw it first with the oversized boyfriend blazer but as there have been plenty of different varieties; you will surely be able to pick out your perfect signature jacket. Try the cap sleeve blazer with belt from Forever 21 for $22.88, Silence & Noise White Double Breasted Blazer from Urban Outfitters for $88.00 or Silence & Noise Floral TT Blazer as a statement jacket for $78.00 from Urban Outfitters. The great thing about these blazers is that they can be worn with skinny jeans, tulip skirts, tube dresses – anything in your closet!
Flower Power
This season make sure you have flowery accessories in the form of earrings, necklaces, rings or broaches. These girly pieces will add a feminine touch to your outfit and give you a fresh look. Forever 21 has a huge line of accessories that will surely bring your outfits to life. When picking accessories with floral print, skip the bangles with silkscreen printed or painted flowers and pick a ring or necklace with metal detail that outlines the actual flower and gives a 3D effect –this will give your outfit texture. For those who adore vintage, many of the flower accessories from Forever 21 had the antique feel. Try Forever 21’s floral cluster necklaces if you are wearing a strapless dress or top that is very large and encrusted with jewels that act as an entire neckline. Try one of the rings, bracelets, earrings or necklaces like the ones pictured below from Forever 21, all for under $16.98.
Nude shoes, blazers and flower accessories can all come together this season to create a statement outfit that will surely be turning heads wherever you go. Remember, to feel like a million bucks you don’t have to spend it – just shop smart! As a student whose love of fashion is of more value than her bank account, shopping at places like Aldo’s, Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters is a happy compromise. Happy shopping!

WHY I LOVE SUMMER

With the warmer weather, and us Yorkies almost being done school (FINALLY), summer is just around the corner. This means free time, BBQs, frozen drinks, pools, flowers, beaches and so much more good stuff. Of course summer also means a change from our outfits that try to keep us warm to an effortless wardrobe. I mean how easy is it to slip on some shorts and a tank?

My favourite fashions of summer include:


AVIATOR SUNGLASSES- these fun sunglasses add a touch of cool to any outfit. Grab them while you are walking out the door on a sunny day to protect your eyes and add a touch of fun to your outfit. I picked up a great pair for 6 bucks at Forever 21.


FLIP FLOPS- say goodbye to running shoes and boots for the season. It’s time to slip on these comfy shoes. Flip flops are my favourite because they come in any colour imaginable, with any pattern or print, and of course they are super cheap so you can buy a pair for every outfit.


SUMMER DRESSES- I am loving dresses right now, so I love when summer comes around because I don’t need any special occasion to wear a dress. A pretty floral dress can take you from the beach to the club with minimal outfit changes! They are also so flowy and comfortable.


BATHING SUITS- I know a lot of people get intimidated by bathing suits, but I love them.
There is something about their cool patterns and bright colours that have me addicted to buying them. I usually buy at least one bathing suit every summer, so my collection is pretty big right now and my bathing suit can change depending on the occasion. Last year I splurged on a metallic gold one and I love it, I wear it all the time; it was definitely worth the money.


DENIM SHORTS AND SKIRTS- these two bottoms might just be my favourite pieces of summer, but it’s hard to say. There is something about denim shorts and skirts that scream summer to me. They go with any possible shirt you want to wear and are great to wear over bathing suits too. I know I will certainly be adding a few more of each to my closet this summer.


BEACH BAGS- these huge bags can hold anything. Most of them are made from durable materials so you can pack way more than what you would actually need for a day on the beach. I love that you can match them to your bathing suit or outfit too, playing with colours and patterns is some of the fun of summer.


Those are some of my favourite summer fashions, what are some of yours? Remember summer is the time when you are free, adventurous and wild, so apply this to your clothing as well. Don’t be afraid to take chances when it comes to colours, cuts or styles. If you think you can pull it off then you can! It’s pretty hard to have a fashion faux pas in the summer; however I’m telling you now leave the socks and sandals at home.

10 ITEMS THAT SHOULD BE IN ANY GIRL'S CLOSET

We all know that there are staples of any wardrobe. Some are specific to the individual while others would look great in any closet. Something they all have in common is that they are always comfortable, fashionable, timeless and can complete an outfit. Here’s a list of some great pieces of any wardrobe (or dresser—for those accessories).

PLAIN TANK- a solid ribbed tank is the perfect thing to wear when you happen to be in a rush or want a laidback look. They are also great to wear under sheer shirts, or if you want some added length for your shirt. Get a bunch of colours and layer them!

SUNGLASSES- find a great pair of sunglasses that you can’t leave home without, and splurge if you have to. Sunglasses are an instant touch of glamour and can really add something to your outfit. Depending on the pair you choose your outfit can look glam, rock, retro or preppy.

LITTLE BLACK DRESS- it’s cliché, but that’s because it works. It is important to have this piece in your wardrobe because you can wear it to any event. The neutral colour allows you to change your outfit completely with different shoes and jewelry.

QUALITY JEANS- jeans are what most of us are wearing on a day-to-day basis. They take us from day to night, casual to a little dressy so it is so essential to have a great pair of jeans. A darker wash can help you turn your outfit to nightwear. Go to the fitting rooms and try some on, ask for help, do research until you have found the perfect pair. This is the place to splurge because feeling great equals looking great.

FLATS, PUMPS, BOOTS- these three are placed together because they all fit the shoe category and you probably have them all in the same place in your closet. The key rule for all of these is that they fit and are comfortable. If you are on your feet all day let your shoes do some of the work. Flats are great for both a casual and elegant look when the right ones are paired with the right outfit. For the heels try something different, go with a classic toe, not so pointed but not too round. Finally the boot, it’s up to you whether it has a heel or not but black or brown leather makes for a stylish pair.

SIGNATURE PIECE OF JEWELRY- by this I don’t just mean a string of pearls (however they certainly work) but instead something that is all your own and that makes a splash. This might end up being a piece of costume jewelry and there is nothing wrong with that, in fact some of the best pieces of jewelry are costume.

HEADBAND OR HAIR PIECE- it’s important to have a hair accessory that you can just slip in when having a bad hair day. The right hair accessory can fix a bad hair day. I’m really liking peacock feather headbands right now—pick one up or try making your own!

POLO- again a polo is one of those pieces that can carry you over from different events just with a change in accessory. There important to your wardrobe because they can be worn with just about anything and create totally different looks. Experiment by layering with other shirts of different colours, and if you have to layer your polos, please no more than two!

Fashionese, The language of the Fashionista

Fashion seems to come with its own set of rules and policies, if you will, but it also comes with its own language. There are many words that we use strictly in the context of fashion and there seems to be more of these words being used everyday. The following is a list and definitions of some words commonly used in relation to fashion.

A la mode- fashionable look, in style
Anti fashion- nonconformist, anti establishment look, going against current trends
Avant garde- the characteristic quality of pioneering a look in any particular period
Blasé- boring, dull
Chic- stylish
Demi mode- boyish look
Demure- calm or reserved in manner and look
Faux pas- a fashion mistake
Haute couture- high fashion
Item du jour- item of the day, something that is “now”
Made to measure- made to fit exactly
Modernism- modern, a look reflecting the times
Passé- a look that is past its prime
Piece de resistance- the most important piece of an outfit
Preta-porter- ready to wear
Recessionista- a girl who dresses well on a budget
Risqué- a risky or daring look
Swagger- to walk self-importantly
Trendy- fashionable, follows trends
Vogue- prominent place in popular fashion

Check out this site for more definitions than you could ever imagine
http://www.geocities.com/bill_brettschneider/

These sites are great for a glossary of clothing types
http://www.dressking.com/search/glossary.htmhttp://mallyonline.com/glossaryofterms.aspxhttp://resources.alibaba.com/topic/28252/A_to_Z_of_Fashion_Terms.htmhttp://www.snapfashun.com/stylopedia/http://www.karurexports.org/index.php?option=com_glossary&func=display&Itemid=38&catid=18

By: Michelle Buziak

Words From the Wise

“Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.” Oscar Wilde

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” Coco Chanel

“Fashion is what you adopt when you don’t know who you are” Quentin Crisp “Fashion is all about eventually becoming naked” Anonymous

“Please do not have a fit in the fitting room. Your fashion life begins there” Florence Eiseman “Fashion is architecture; it’s a matter of proportions” Coco Chanel

“Fashion is so close in revealing a person's inner feelings and everybody seems to hate to lay claim to vanity so people tend to push it away. It's really too close to the quick of the soul.” Stella Blum

“The only rule is don’t be boring and dress cute wherever you go. Life is to short to blend in” Paris Hilton

“I don’t do fashion, I am fashion” Coco Chanel

“While clothes may not make the woman, they certainly have a strong effect on her self-confidence — which, I believe, does make the woman." Mary Kay Ashe

“The dress must follow the body of a woman, not the body following the shape of the dress.” Hubert de Givenchy

“Today, fashion is really about sensuality-how a woman feels on the inside. In the '80s women used suits with exaggerated shoulders and waists to make a strong impression. Women are now more comfortable with themselves and their bodies-they no longer feel the need to hide behind their clothes.” Donna Karan

“About half my designs are controlled fantasy, 15 percent are total madness and the rest are bread-and-butter designs.” Manolo Blahnik

“When in doubt, wear red.” Bill Blass

“Now is the most exciting time in fashion. Women are controlling their destiny now, the consumer is more knowledgeable, and I have to be better every single day.” Oscar de la Renta

“Fashion is very important. It is life enhancing and, like everything that gives pleasure, it is worth doing well.” Vivienne Westwood

By: Michelle Buziak