.020 WHY IS IT NOT FALL?

The obvious answer to this question is because it is indeed late winter in the northern hemisphere, but you more than likely are not a smart ass and understand that my current distress is due to all the glory that is NYFW. The last two weeks have kept me pretty busy. I have been applying for a third job (it is hard out here for a financially independent college student; good news, i got the job!), working out a new schedule for classes, and attempting to get back in shape. I spent the pocket of free time I had this weekend to update myself on NYFW and let me tell ya, I am thankful I got that third job for more reasons than the fact that my rent can now be paid for. The collections are awe-inspiring and all I want to do now is buy myself outfits to prepare for this coming fall. Admittedly, I am not one for summer apparel. High-waisted shorts and a tucked in shirt are usually enough for me. I prefer to save my money for clothing better suited for cooler temperatures. Anyways, I digress. Onward to one of my new favorite collections!

(Photo credit: Fashionista.com) 

If you do not know by now, I would literally give my soul to the devil (or even a minor demon, I am desperate) to work for Opening Ceremony. Their daily tweets and new collections give me life. Here we see Pantone's color of 2013, emerald, taking residency as well as the coveted navy that I wrote about a few weeks prior to this post. Knee high boots remind me of a dark period in my young life when I wore exclusively Forever 21 and thought knee high boots worked with any outfit. 2007 was a dark time, my friends. I will skirt around the knee high boot trend and hone in on the long coats that I prayed would still show up on the runway. I live for coats and to see the familiar, heavy, long coats of last fall still on the runway leaves me feeling reassured and ready to stock up come after-season sales.

(Photo credit: Style.com - I want to die.)

(Style.com - I usually loathe asymmetrical but wow WOW.)

(Style.com - Tears. Actual tears.)

(Style.com - This reminds me of Ashley Williams and I am sweating.)

(Style.com - This collection hurts.)

As you can tell, I have a lot of emotions when it comes to trying to come to terms with this collection. I wish I could transport myself into a time where I have enough money to wear all of these pieces. To check out more of this collection and a more professional review that is not full of young adult tears, scope out this article on style.com. 

.019 COUTURE TO RTW

Couture week. A week in which I step back and admire intricate designs and accessories that I, myself, would never care to wear because I find myself gravitating toward simpler designs (not saying that couture cannot be simple, but to generalize, I will say that couture leans towards the avant garde). I feel one can take or leave couture week. Some people drool over dresses while others (and by others, I mean myself) tend to ignore the updates. I prefer RTW, resort, and the standard SS/FW shows. I like imagining myself in the clothing being worn on the runway, and it is not to say that I have a limited imagination, it is more that extravagant is not for me. Now before I get redundant, I would like to say that I am about to present an inspiration board of sorts based on couture week (specifically Ulyana Sergeenko's collection). I wanted to challenge myself, so, enjoy!

(Ulyana Sergeenko. Photo credit: Fashionista.com) 

I am in love with the jewel tones, the diverse neck lines, and the hourglass silhouettes. I have the body of a 2x4, so something that places emphasis on the waist could really do some wonders on my curve-less body type. I also need to find a way to get my hands on the teal top featured on the second model.

To quote Fashionista: "Sergeenko loves a narrative theme, and this time her heroine travelled via locomotive across the vast plains and mountain ranges of Russia, mingling along the way with noblemen, artists and thugs, much like Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina" Immediately I thought of Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train and while the film does not take place abroad, the murder mystery brought on the "artists and thugs" vibe Fashionista wrote about.

L.E.S. by seaminor featuring faux leather pants

lost in jewels by seaminor featuring a white dress

.018 NO THIS IS NOT AHS COVEN

Hat, Shoes, Jeans: Urban Outfitters

Shirt: Thrift Store

Coat: Forever 21

ALTERNATE VIEWS ON LOOKBOOK

.017 IN THE NAVY

I am a navy baby - in the literal sense and in the figurative sense, implying that I love to wear navy (pointing out the obvious). To me, nothing will ever be the new black. I surround myself in black, draped up like I am Death in Ingmar Bergman's, The Seventh Seal. But sometimes it feels good to branch out a little. Maybe I will make olive my new color or perhaps I will wear more camel than usual. Though, there has always been one color that has fought for the coveted spot of "staple color" and that is, as the title suggests, navy.

Navy is a color that does not need Patone's "Color of the Year" to earn a place in every designer's heart. The dark shade of blue has enough of a reputation to thrive on its own. Whether it is in classic Americana (Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Ralph Lauren to name a few) or in haute couture (Dior immediately comes to mind), navy has no trouble finding a place on the runway or in the everyman's closet.

Now, I am probably telling you nothing that you already do not know. Hell, I am sure most of us already have more than three navy colored items in our closet(s). But, I must ask, can we ever have enough navy? I think one could make navy refreshing by playing with textures: velvet, mohair, tweed, and silk, to name a few. Lately, textures have made quite an appearance on the runway. And with fuzzy sweaters being a new "it" item, how can anyone disagree?

I figured I would make this post a bit more relevant by showcasing navy pieces from the latest pre-fall 14 collections. (All of the photos are sourced to style.com.)

(Pre-Fall 2014 See by Chloé - p.s. here's the trend I reported on earlier!)

(Pre-Fall 2014 Kenzo - super about the piped pleats and 70s school girl vibes.)

(Pre Fall 2014 Helmut Lang - shift dresses are still my favorite style of dress)

(Pre Fall 14 BCBG Max Azria - kinda diggin' the southwest themes - love the skirt.) 

(Pre Fall 2014 Band of Outsiders - I am still not over this collection. The patterns!)

Keep eyes peeled for navy both on the runways and on the sales racks! I absolutely love Madewell, Topshop, and Zara for some solid navy pieces.