Love Your Bright Lips

Happy 100 degrees! Or is it? Summer is sneaking up on us, and I have the perfect accessory to go with the ponytail, maxi dress, and minimal make-up that is sure to grace your summer routine: The bright lip! A bold lip is the perfect way to keep the rest of your look simple and breezy, while still adding a punch of style and color. Try Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain for all day coverage and extra moisture; and M.A.C. Lipstick for a bolder, more textured look. The best way to figure out which color will be best for your skin tone and complexion is to first find out your seasonal color palette. Take the quiz to reveal your season then come back to this page to find your best bright lip shades in two of my favorite products and a printable shopping guide to take with you!

Spring Beauties: Look for warm tones in clear shades with vivid color palettes.

Summer Beauties: Look for cool tones in soft shades with subdued color palettes. 

Autumn Beauties: Look for warm tones in rich shades with subdued color palettes.

Winter Beauties: Look for cool tones in bold shades with vivid color palettes.

Polka Dot Intervention

While on my weekly trip to Target a couple weeks ago I picked up a new blouse that I absolutely love and have worn several times already (it practically bought itself, right?) But when I went to  hang this piece up in my closet I realized. . . I had many other similar items already, thus inspiring a polka dot intervention. I love polka dots. They are the perfect balance of romantic and classic, and are a winning combination for mixing with another print. 

Blouse-Target. Skinny jeans-Anthropologie. Flats- Tory Burch. Bracelet- Down East Basics.

If you haven't hopped on the polka dot train, trust me you will love them. But if your closet is well stocked, here are some other exciting prints to try.

1. Birds. 
They are equally as soft and pretty as polka dots, but a touch more whimsical. I need to be careful with my love of bird print, or I might need an intervention with them too.

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2. Triangles. 

Keeping on trend with one of the most loved styles for spring-60s mod, triangles will bring give a graphic edge to your outfit.

3. Florals.

 Floral prints will bring a feminine ambiance to your look and as a bonus they are perfect for mixing and matching with the stripe and polka dot prints you may already have in your closet.

And of course, in case you left your heart in polka dot city. . .

Is there a print in your wardrobe you can't get enough of? Tell me about it in the comments below.

Or bring these fun prints to your closet.

Linking up here.

TImeline of a Trend

The Peter Pan collar has been a must-have on every woman's fashion wish list for a while now, but have you ever wondered where a trend comes from and what makes it popular? In order for a trend to become mainstream and become a hit it needs a few key criteria. 

1. Innovation

2. Celebrity Endorsement

3. Accessibility 

The first time the flat, rounded collar emerged on the scene was in 1905 in the Broadway production of Peter Pan. Following opening night, women of the day went crazy for this trend and began incorporating the look into their wardrobes. 

In 1905, Peter Pan played by Maude Adams introduced this trend. In 2010, TV personality and fashion innovator Alexa Chung arrived to an event wearing a Peter Pan collar, becoming the first notable celebrity to wear it since the 1980's.

The following year, the trend exploded on the runway, and more celebrities began incorporating the trend.

And today when we walk into a store, we see the Peter Pan collar in many different styles. Here are a few of my favorites. 

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Runway to Retail Spring 2013

After teaching spring trends to 120 junior high kids four times, I thought it might be best to let the photos do the talking : ) 

     What I Wore:

Blouse-Anthropologie. Skirt- Corilynn. Shoes- Kate Spade. Jewels- similar.

Spring Trends 2013 Runway

                    

Bring the Runway to Your Closet

Love Your Leather Leggings

Leather leggings are about the hottest trend since the peter pan collar. If leather seems outside your comfort zone, don't worry. There are many ways to refine this look without living on the edge, and a motorcycle is not necessary, though encouraged.

Balance the edginess of the leather look by incorporating traditional stripes. Stripes are not only a timeless classic, but a hot commodity for spring as well. Keep the look grounded with suede booties in a neutral color and add a touch of whimsy with a gold necklace accented with a friendly amphibian and a polka dotted cross body bag. 

Bring sweetness to your tough outfit by wearing a printed button-up in a darling teacup print, fit for brunch with the queen. Add a splash of color with modern, geometric earrings and a wrist full of bangles. Polish the look with a fitted blazer in a bold color and silver flats.

I recently wore my leather leggings for a night out to a concert. I wanted to keep the focus on the visible hardware and zipper back detailing of my dress, so I kept the rest of my ensemble sleek and monochromatic, finishing off with a sparkly opera-length necklace, colorful bracelet and the most comfortable high heels this side of the Mississippi.

Dress- Forever 21. Leggings- Charlotte Russe. Earrings- H&M. Shoes- Joan & David.

Shop the Post

How to Rock a Blazer

The menswear trend is on fire right now! This can be a difficult one to pull off and still feel flirty. The blazer is a classic piece, but is often associated with being business oriented or dressy. Here are a few ways to incorporate the trend while still looking youthful and fresh.

1. Investigate details- I fell in love with this blazer from The Loft because of the coral lining and pockets. There is a pinstripe detail, grey buttons and piping, small pockets, and an overall feminine feel.

2. Opt for comfort- This cotton/poly blend feels like a fleece sweater. When you try a jacket on, be sure you can move your arms with ease and the button closure is comfortable.

3. Keep it playful- In order to avoid any matronly or business executive vibes, I paired my blazer with a T-shirt. This particular one is a map of the Manhattan subway, but any concert T or graphic print will do.

4. Bling it up- Even after I was dressed, the entire ensemble felt a little stiff and stuffy for my Romantic fashion personality. By adding some sparkly bracelets and earrings I was in my element! Try a sequin tank for evening.

5. Add a splash of color- Adding color to any outfit will bring life to it, and this is especially true of classic shapes and silhouettes. I finished off my outfit with a bold pink lip. You can add color through lip stick, bracelets, bright skinny jeans, or layering pieces.

Here are several options of blazers for you to try. 
Shop the look by clicking below.

Fall 2012 Beauty Report

Runway to Ready to Wear: Fall 2012

Military takes on a less literal approach this season with nods to the theme, gold button details, and colors varying from camel to navy. Try a fitted jacket or a shift dress with buttons.

Less matching, more mixing. When the fashion students of the year 3000 look back at 2012, it will be remembered as the year anything goes.

The boyfriend trend continues, moving from jeans to outerwear. Pair an oversized coat with fitted denim. Try a bold hue to incorporate another trend: Color blocking.

Part burgundy, part scarlet, completely dramatic.

It's not your granny's closet. . . or is it? 

Pair with your oxblood skinnies or over your crochet, ladylike pieces to give your look edge.

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Don't forget to vote in the poll!

Love your Peplum Skirt

Today's post comes from a reader question. You may remember the darling Jessica from her Style Showcase. I thought it would be a good opportunity to not only answer her question, but to inform the rest of you if you have similar questions. 
Jessica inquires: "I just bought the cutest olive green peplum skirt. I want to wear it in summer/winter to get my money's worth. My mom told me to pair it with a white button-up for starters, but I want more ideas/suggestions, too. Can you help me?" 


Good for you getting your money's worth from your purchases, Jessica! Your mom is right. A white button-up will look great with this skirt. In fact, you can wear it with a lot of things from your basic wardrobe. If you are looking for something different, or to make a statement, remember that olive green is a neutral and can be worn with just about anything. For a fun pop of color try navy blue, pink, or olive's color wheel complement, lavender. With a plain blouse, let your accessories do the talking. Pair a lavender blouse with a simple necklace, printed shoes, and coordinating earrings.
1. Similar
2. J. Crew
3. Topshop
4. Dillards
5. Anthropologie

Another great option for summer is a floral top. You will love this blouse from Old Navy because the print is eye-catching, yet the silhouette is simple. You will want to tuck everything into a peplum skirt to allow attention to the detail of the skirt. Balance the feminine top and flouncy skirt with a cuff bracelet and simple studs to keep your look edgy.

1. Similar

2. Old Navy

3. Macy's

4.Forever 21

5. Target

By trading your summer color palette for something richer, your skirt can be ready for fall! Take your look from Thanksgiving to New Year's with a sequin tank, matching cardigan, and knee high boots. Keep your styling simple by skipping a necklace and adding simple drop earrings and a wrist full of bangles.

1. Similar
2. Express
3. Macy's
4. Pink Mascara
5. J. Crew
6. Kohl's
7. Kohl's

Thanks Jessica for your inquiry, I hope this helps, and I hope it helps the rest of you, too!

If you have any style questions e-mail me at grownupdressup {at} gmail {dot} com.

Swimsuit Trends 2012

Metallic

Retro

 

Orange

Color blocking

Ruffles

Don't forget to vote in the poll.

In order of appearance Modcloth, Shabby Apple, Anthro, Gap, Everything but water, JCrew, Macy's, Everything but water, Venus, Modbe.