FIENDFRIDAY:WILDCARD FAIR

IS IT SPRING YET?

Someone asked me the other day when she should start wearing the new Spring items she recently added to her wardrobe. While some people still believe in and hold fast to old traditions like not wearing white after labor day or saving certain colors for specific seasons, the truth is a lot has changed.

There will always be the strict constructionists of the fashion code of ethics who practice everything just right, but what is chic now and forever is cultivating and feeling confident in your own style. What is chic now are subtle tweaks that take a safe outfit to edgy heights with one element being just a bit off, or semingly out of place. It's all about juxtaposing to create tension.

Whether you're pairing a masculine, aggressive square-shouldered jacket ala Balmain [bottom left] or Louis Vuitton with a demure Dior dress [bottom right], or a long boyfriend jacket with shorts via Stella McCartney[upper right], it's about adding that element of surprise that makes it fresh and renders it truly chic.


Photo Credits: Balmain, Dior, Stella McCartney from style.com

FIENDTHURSDAY: Eveningwear

These gowns represent some of the finest examples of draping designers offered this Spring. From Valentino [bottom left], where Alessandra Facchinetti presented her first and her last collection for the legenary house, to Sophia Kokosalaki [center], and Haider Ackermann [top left].






Photo Credits: Valentino, Sophia Kokosalaki, and Haider Ackermann from style.com

FIENDWEDNESDAY: Accessories

SLITHERY SANDALS

Right on time for Spring 2009's desert trend are a slew of python sandals from Marc Jacobs [right], Bottega Veneta [bottom center], and Alexandra Neel [left].

Last spring the season was divided between the nautical and safari trends. Spring 2009 ushers in a dryer desert trend that is both bold and basic, juxtaposing simple, well-made pieces with statement accessories.

These sandals are a nod to the trend with just enough bite to complete the look.




Photo Credits: Alexandra Neel, Bottega Veneta, and Marc Jacobs from style.com

FIENDTUESDAY: Menswear

COLOR ME BLOCKED

Color blocking has been a consistent trend in womenswear for the past few seasons, and it's all over menswear for Spring 2009. It's already made its way onto retail shelves in fast fashion stores like H & M.

Alessandro Dell'Acqua [top left], Perry Ellis Signature[ bottom center], and Jil Sander[bottom right] are all pro-blocking for Spring.


Photo Credits: Alessandro Dell-Acqua, Perry Ellis Signature, Jil Sander from style.com

FIENDMONDAY: Careerwear

PENCIL ME IN

The pencil skirt is a timeless staple that should be in every well-dressed woman's wardrobe. It's the most sleek and professional skirt silhouette and works for most body types. Pair it with a crisp white shirt tucked in, or loose with a waist-cinching belt. Throw a blazer over it [Louis Vuitton square-shouldered blazers anyone?], or a cropped jacket, and you have a chic and functional uniform you can wear from the office to dinner.

In addition to the many playful and voluminous skirts and dresses offered in Lanvin's Spring 2009 collection are two functional basic pencil skirts [top left and right] that can be incorporated into any wardrobe.

Of course, if you don't have the disposable income necessary for a Lanvin pencil skirt, there's still the basics-reliable Gap to turn to for a basic pencil skirt in black [bottom left] for a mere $44, or if you still need the designer name, there's Isaac Mizrahi's plaid pencil skirt for Target [bottom right] for even less, $20.99.
















Photo Credits: Lanvin from style.com, Gap from gap.com, Isaac Mizrahi from Target.com

FIENDFRIDAY:WILDCARD FAIR

COLOR FORECAST

It's coming up metallic for Spring 09, with gold a loud leader. Gold is everywhere this season, but seen most often with black or its metallic counterpart, silver. Today we will look at the contrast created when pairing gold and silver together in powerful, statement accessories.

Slither your way to the top in a platform Gucci sandal (top left) or make a more subtle splash with Christian Lacroix's necklace [bottom right].



























Photo Credits: Gucci, Lacroix at style.com

FIENDTHURSDAY: Eveningwear

Mix things up a bit and go white for Winter with Spring's take on the neutral. Red and green are overdone during the holidays, and white is a fresh alternative that also alludes to Spring.

Save money by investing in a Spring piece you can also wear now. For an ultra-feminine look with a classic twist, try this Celine belted dress [top right] with a statement bag or shoe. Trade the grey blazer and the belt for black ones or a wrap around shawl to make it more evening appropriate. Try pairing it with the Zac Posen clutch [top left]. You could also work the andrygonous take in the white pantsuit by Anne Valerie Hash [bottom left] and pair it with Calvin Klein chunky heels [bottom right].









Photo Credits: Celine, Zac Posen, Anne Valerier Hash, and Calvin Klein from www.style.com