LF's Fall Fashion Show

Last night I attended the fall fashion show put on by LF at Blush in Santa Barbara. It was enjoyable but brief, and filled with many of my favorite fashion trends on the rise. Perhaps the buyer/stylist at LF is reading the same blogs as I am, because many of the looks resonated with me. They featured pieces favored by some of the most popular fashion bloggers. For instance, the Jeffrey Campbell "Potion" boots, the Sam Edelman ankle boot/wedges (sans harness), and plenty of sheer pieces echoed a lot of the looks I've been seeing on many fashion bloggers. Here are some of my favorite shots from the show.

A quick summary of trends seen on the runway includes:
1. studded ankle boots (inspired by Isabel Marant, of course)
2. flared-leg jeans (yes, they're back!)
3. sheer panels and lace fabrics
4. fringe
5. leather skinnies and moto jackets
6. velvet blazers
7. moto jeans
8. distressed denim
9. ripped socks
10. over-the-knee socks
11. cropped, sharp-shoulder jackets
12. body con skirts and dresses
13. sequins
14. cropped tops
15. neutral hues such as black, gray, silver, etc.

© 2009 Fashion Trend Guide. All images and written content in this post is the property of Fashion Trend Guide and may NOT be republished or reproduced in any manner. (That includes you, kmcreative.com! Stop stealing the entire contents of Fashion Trend Guide and republishing on your site! Not only is it tacky and dishonest, it's illegal, and I'm filing a DMCA report right now.)

A New Starr

In this uncertain economy, any garment that can be customized and worn in a variety of ways is a smart purchase. So when I learned about Hayley Starr's versatile "LW" long-sleeved wrap dress, I knew it would be a fun dress to configure in different ways. I have the knee-length version (pictured below in the middle) in black and mint green (which is reversible). It features two belt-like ties near the neckline and two around the waist. I've already spent half an hour in the mirror criss-crossing the ties in myriad ways for a variety of looks. The durable jersey fabric is amazingly comfortable and will work well for all seasons. With so many ways to wear it, the dress has an impressive cost per wear ratio. It's unlike anything else in my closet. I think it will work equally well when worn with a cropped cardigan and sparkly flats for a lunch date, with some strappy heels and chunky rings for a night on the town, or with a tailored blazer and suede platform pumps for an office-appropriate look. Hayley's collection of five dress styles can be tied and twisted in up to an impressive one-hundred and six different ways. (Seriously, the variety of combinations is endless.) With such versatile designs, she's found a way to make women of all shapes, sizes and styles feel beautiful, creative, and unique in her pieces.

The Bohemian Giveaway

Just a reminder of the Bohemian-themed giveaway we're doing this week. For a chance to win a pair of Juma pants and a Squasht by Les petal headband, visit Pink Rock Candy to enter. The contest ends at 11:59 PM EST on Friday, and the lucky winner will be announced on Monday. Good luck!

Closet Confidential

If you're an avid reader of fashion blogs, it's likely that you've come across the hilarious blog Daddy Likey. As a longtime reader and fan of Winona's Daddy Likey blog, I was excited to learn that she's written a book called Closet Confidential - Style Secrets Learned the Hard Way. I was even more excited to get my hands on a copy. If you're like me (and many others), and you find Winona's blog both entertaining and mesmerizing, then you'll love her new book. In it she covers topics such as: finding the perfect pair of jeans for your body type (and Maslow's Hierarchy of Jeans), dressing for special occasions, an A-to-Z shoe guide, and Einstein's Theory of Handbag Relativity. Her advice is so practical and helpful, and reading her book is like having your funniest friend telling you anecdotes and giving you style tips. Just be warned - if you're reading this book in a public place (such as at the airport, in a waiting room, or while at work), don't be surprised to see people glancing over at you to see why you're laughing.

Holiday Shopping - The Bohemian

It's Monday, and that's good news because it means another holiday gift guide and a chance for a lucky reader to win fabulous gifts in our giveaway. As you may know, this holiday season, I'm teaming up with Christina of Candybox, Jamee of Confessions of a Marc Addict, Chelsea Rae of Pink Rock Candy, and Dara of Secretista. This week our theme is The Bohemian. The Bohemian loves to play with patterns and fabrics. She typically favors pieces with retro appeal, in addition to vibrant colors, retro prints, funky accessories, and loose silhouettes. The Bohemian also adores all natural bath and beauty products. Think along the lines of Nicole Richie's free-spirited, 1970's-influenced style.

1. Silver peace glitz ring, Fossil, $34
2. Kurta pants, Juma, $150
3. Leather fringe vest, Forever 21, $39.80
4. Zum Bar "You Pick 3" gift pack, Indigo Wild, $16
5. Minnetonka lace-up moccasin boots, Net-A-Porter, $90
6. Petal headband in Mocha, Squasht by Les, $28
7. Printed tube maxi dress, Old Navy, $29.99

For a chance to win the Juma pants or the Squasht by Les petal headband in Mocha, visit Pink Rock Candy to enter the contest. The giveaway ends Friday, and the winner will be announced next Monday.

To see more gift ideas for the Bohemian girl in your life, be sure to check out the gift guides of my fellow bloggers:

Candybox
Confessions of a Marc Addict
Pink Rock Candy
Secretista

New Jewelry

Last night I was pleasantly surprised to find a small package on my doorstep. Upon opening it, I found an adorable keepsake bracelet by Nicole Richie for bebe. (Yes, she's collaborating with bebe!) The starlet's House of Harlow jewelry line became available on bebe's website as of November 6, and in stores as of November 10, with 25% of sales donated to the Richie-Madden Children's Foundation.

I love the stamped design on the ring, which can be appreciated much better up close. Right now I'm seriously eyeing the onyx ring, priced at an affordable $59. Taking inspiration from Nicole Richie's hippie-inspired style, I imagine wearing it with a shimmery black manicure, long wavy locks, my DIY headpiece, and a bohemian maxi dress.

image via bebe.com

LF Fashion Show at Blush in S.B.

When I was shopping at LF recently, I was completely stoked to see this flyer on their counter. They're going to have a fall fashion show next Thursday the 19th at one of my favorite places in Santa Barbara to lounge - Blush. The show starts at 9pm and Blush is located at 630 State Street. I expect to be posting a trend report and photos at the end of next week...

Dressed

With the holiday party season fast approaching, I've been on the lookout for fun, on-trend dresses. I've become slightly bored with the floral strapless, full-skirted styles that I stocked up on this summer. Right now I'm drawn to solid colors and anything with cutouts, multiple straps, and a sleek body-hugging silhouette. While browsing Bebe's website last night, I came upon these three party-appropriate selections that I'm drawn to.

The Cross Beaded Banded dress on the left has inspired a possible future DIY project. If I get motivated, I could use the eyelet (a.k.a. grommet) tape I bought in September and stitch it to a strapless top or tube dress for a similar effect. The Strut It mini dress appeals to me because it features my two favorite colors, blue and black. The low price point also has me on the verge of buying. How awesome would this dress look with textured tights, an armful of sparkly bangles, and towering wedge ankle boots? On the opposite end of the price spectrum, the Colorblock Cutout dress would be a splurge, but I how can I resist the sultry peek-a-boo effect of the strappy details?