Something Old, Something New

They say "you don't know where you're going if you don't know where you're coming from." I never thought this adage would apply to fashion. It's wonderful to purchase something new and fresh that's in style, but what's even better is when you find something from decades ago that embodies everything that is now, the history behind the garment turns into a keepsake and in your heart it will never go out of style. (Plus, you can save a bundle!)

During  a recent visit to a relative's house my cousin showed me this baby that her mother wore in the 80s:

Can We Talk: We're More Than Fashion!

A couple of days ago I was reading the February 2010 issue of Marie Claire, and after I finished I felt overwhelmed. I had gone through such a mixture of emotions and feelings while reading the issue. Initially, I felt only excitement about the clothes, shoes, accessories that I viewed that are going to inspire and elevate my spring/summer wardrobe. There were shoes that took my breath away, dresses that I could live in for weeks, and accessories that made me seriously try to rationalize why I, a graduate school student, should be fine with spending $1000 on single pieces of couture costume jewelry. In contrast, by the end of the issue I felt sad, smarter, more aware, and empowered. My initial feelings need no further explanation but I'm sure you're wondering why I was experiencing the later emotions. Well, as I finished the reading the magazine I realized that for perhaps the second time in my life that magazines geared towards fashion are soooooo much more than look books into the coming season's trends. Fashion magazines provide style AND awareness.

I said bye bye to blah blazers...

Good morning everyone! I rocked a not so blah blazer over the wknd so I thought I'd share a pic with you since Posh recently published a post about trendy blazers. I found it on sale at Urban Outfitters last week and instantly fell in love.

If you're a fan of any of the trends we mention in our blog, feel free to send us a pic of you rocking them so we can give you some shine on v2v.

MCM: Just for the 80s?

This post was first published as a guest post by POSH Powell on Princess Dominique Dishes Fashion. Follow her on twitter: @MissPrincessDom.

Mode Creation Munich

I was born in '85 so although I don't remember the popularity of MCM I do remember hearing about the craze for the brand. You were IT in the 80s if you were wearing MCM. These days it's a very under-publicized brand. I was in Bloomingdale's about two months ago when I saw MCM's version of the speedy and I LOVED it! I actually prefer it over the LV speedy because it is more structured. I HATE how the LV speedy's sag at the bottom.
     I've viewed the MCM Spring/Summer 2010 collections and they have designed some really nice bags, One thing I really like is that they offer a lot of clutches, and in a variety of colors. I'm not sure which bag I want to purchase but of two things I am certain: that I WILL be purchasing one a little later in the year and that the thought of carrying a brand that the masses haven't been wearing is VERY appealing. Let the masses have Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Fendi,  Valentino, Marc Jacobs, etc. I'm looking to stand out. Peep a few items from the SS10 collections below:

Flower Breeze Collection

Medium Boston

Large Shopper

Power Shoulders: Not just a Revived 80s Trend

Let's not forget why the power shoulder trend became so iconic. In the 80s women really began to demand respect and upward mobility in the workplace. They knew that they could do more than secretarial work, be office eye candy, and if given the opportunity, perform more competently than men. So BAM!, birth of the power suit, the signature feature being power shoulders (exaggerated shoulders typically by using shoulder pads). I like to think of of the power suit as a woman's version of broad shoulders. On men broad shoulders are considered attractive and indicative of power and strength, with the power suit women went after the same thing so that they could obtain power, strength, and leadership in the workplace. The power suit has been referred to as armor, and served to force others to take notice of a woman in a man's world. The power suit demonstrated confidence and self-assurance, it said "this woman is a force to be reckoned with." When wearing your power shoulder look remember that it's more than just fashion and reviving an oldie but goody, but bringing a decades old ideal back to life. What you're wearing, like many styles, has an actual history, and with that meaning. Samantha from Sex and the City wore power suits, and do you think its coincidental? I think not. Her character screams "woman to be reckoned with." Today power shoulders is considered a more daring look. A couple of people whose style and persona fit the mood of power shoulders are Rihanna and Lady Gaga. Rihanna especially has embraced this trend and tends to wear the very exaggerated power shoulder.

Bye Bye Blah Blazers

I don't know about you but every blazer that I encounter in the stores bores me to death. Everywhere you look are duplicates of the same dull shape, the same dull colors. You'll always be disappointed if you don't explore all of your options and if you don't give into a splurge every now and  then. I went on the prowl for a few dynamic blazers, and of course I found them via the internet. Often times your best bet to finding the more trendy, original, and dynamic items is through online shopping, especially from European sites. There are so many brands and brand items that are only available in certain regions, countries, and on online stores and boutiques.

Double Breast Tux Jacket by Monrow / $295 / show in boysenberry, also available in black /  Rachel Zoe's pick on piperlime.com

Vanessa Bruno Angular shoulder jacket / $660/ net-a-porter.com

Can We Talk: Behold Your Own Beauty

KUDOS GABOUREY

I was thrilled to read that Gabourey Sidibe will be featured in Harper's Bazaar, and the cover of V magazine's issue #63 which will feature plus size models. The fashion industry is trying to change, but the process will always move at a snails pace. There was Italian Vogue's all black issue, a tribute to the many beautiful black women in the fashion industry who are still struggling to be as successful as their white counterparts in print and runway. And now a plus size (very plus size, not the thinner side of plus size that Tyra picks to be on America's Next Top Model) woman will grace the cover of a fashion magazine, a very fashion forward magazine. (Not to mention the fascination with Chanel Iman, and even Jourdan Dunn and Jessica White. I'm seeing more black supermodels in the making.) Who'd a thunk it??? I began thinking about what this means. In her interview with Harper's Bazaar Gabourey says about her rise to stardom:

"It justifies everyone in my life who told me I wouldn't be anything until I lost weight."

Fashion Flashback

HAPPY NEW YEAR LOVES!!! I've been gone for a minute, but I'm baaaack! For this Friday's fashion flashback I'm gonna switch things up a little bit and share my fav trends from the first decade of the new millenium...

Trend #1: LEGGINGS!!!

Trend #2: Statement/Waist belts

Trend #3: BOOTY BOOTY BOOTY BOOTY ROCKIN' EVERYWHERE!!!

The new millenium brought on the booty craze and widespread acceptance of curvier women. Gotta love that!