Retro Trend by the Stars: Rompers...

A style that I have been following since the end of last summer has been the revamped, retro romper!  Made famously by those stars more in-tuned to their bohemian/retro side, this trend will be seen everywhere this summer.  The best part about a romper is that it's the ease of a sundress, yet the casualness of simple shorts & a tank.  It is a trend that looks great on all body types, you just have to style it properly to yours...

Here are a few different styled rompers for you to try, all at reasonable prices for a new trend:

If rompers are new to your wardrobe, try a floral print to ease you into this new trend.  A floral pattern is flirty & chic & does not require as much attention to detail...

(Forever 21: $19.80) 

If you are concerned about styling to your particular body figure, but are also new to using belts as attention to detail accessories, try something with a 'tie waist.'  This will allow you the ease of a belt as well as give you the desired shape you are looking for...

(Anthropologie: $49.95)

If you are looking to use a romper for more of a night style, find a dramatic neckline to play up the appeal.  For instance, this one shoulder ruffle in a beautiful emerald would be perfect for an evening look, paired with a skinny braided belt & woven wedges! 

(Top Shop $26)

A romper trend more famously made by the Kardashian sisters has been the full pant legged romper.  A style that I originally pinned for those tall & thin, but quickly dubbed wrong after I saw how gorgeous Khloe Kardashian looked when she rocked a similar style.  As you all know, Khloe has height & beautiful curves & she made the style look flawless by tailoring it to her body shape.  She cinched at the right places & drew shape where need be.

(Asos: $73.86)

Since denim is so popular right now, I could not leave out a denim romper! Definitely a more casual style, but still tying feminine & masculine features together, which I love. 

(Nordstrom: $58) 

Bring the whole look together...

Fresh Styles to Try...

I love comfortable & classy styles intertwined.  Take a look at some of these timeless trends & try adding your own personal flare onto each style...

The Boyfriend/Weekender Shirt paired with cut-offs will forever be timeless.  Add pieces to make it uniquely yours, such as a matching fedora, a pop of color statement necklace & other leather accessories...

This is my favorite timeless piece & every woman should own a classic dress like this.  Add gold adorned jewelry, cinch the waist if you must, pair with a light weight sweater & you have a whole new look...

Another timeless trend, is wearing a nature inspired color palette during the spring.  Mix & match colors, play around with different styles & see what works best for you!  I am loving navy & soft eucalyptus combined...

Tips On Bringing It All Together...

A good friend of mine asked me to help her find accessories/shoes to go with her new Birthday Dress.  I want to use how I styled her, to show you all how easy it can be to bring an entire 'look' together.  Here, is her dress.  It is a Juicy Couture 'Avery' Paisley-Print Silk Dress & like most other women, this was the easiest part.  You know what style dress you are looking for, for the occasion, you find it, you love it, & then what?

I always always always suggest finding a shoe first!  Often times, I find a shoe that I become obsessed with & THEN try to find a dress to go with it.  But in this case, she has found the dress already & is looking for guidance in the shoe & accessory part.  Instead of the slate colored pumps shown with the dress in the picture above, I opted for a neutral flesh toned closed toe pump, with a heel bow.  The dress has a lot going on, colors, patterns & drapery, let the dress do the talking & a stylish pair of shoes do the walking...

From there I work with accessories, but I need to determine what I want to be the focal point of the outfit.  Clearly, the dress is dramatic & is going to be our center of attention.  Since there is already a cinched tie around the neckline, I would opt for accessories other than a necklace.  Here I went with simple gold pieces: One, thin, navy blue adorned jewel, gold bangle, simple gold droplet earrings, & a fabulous navy & robins egg blue cocktail ring that complies with both shades of blue within her dress...

Since it is her Birthday event, she more than likely will not be carrying a large purse with her, so elect something simpler, like this gunmetal wristlet.  Also, a nice pair of gold aviators would definitely go great with the ease of the dress...

As far as lipstick & polish goes, I wanted to do something that obviously played up the scarlet within her dress.  If I were to suggest a nude lip & polish (something less substantial) then I would highly suggest significantly larger accessories.  But since I wanted to do a cherry lip, I kept the accessories simple, especially those around her face (earrings).  And lastly, it's HER birthday so the attention will already be on her, but just in case, splurge on a fun new flirty scent!

Lets bring the entire look together: 

1. Juicy Couture Avery Paisley Print Silk Dress $198

2. DV by Dolce Vita Pumps $89

3. Tinky Road Gold Bangle $24

4. Kenith Cole Gold Drop Earrings $45

5. NYC cocktail ring $24

6. Marc by Marc Jacobs Clutch $148

7. DVF Aviator Shades $165

8. MAC Sheer Lipstick $14.50

9. Juicy Couture Peace, Love & Couture $47

10. Essie Nail Polish in Apertif $8

Slide into Summer Stylishly...

Summer is right around the corner (hopefully) & there are so many fun, new, vibrant trends for you to work with!! If there are attributes to the following looks that you are not particularly fond of, pick & pull the pieces that you do like & tailor them to a look that more suites you!

A very popular spring/summer trend has been playing around with floral prints!  To keep the look casual, cuff your denim & pair it with flats...

Another trend that I am loving right now has been splashes of animal print mixed with a very carefree style.  Simple t-shirt, mixed with simple jewelry & relaxed denim, really make an animal print attribute, pop with flair...

Try playing around with pastels this spring & summer.  The colors are easy to mix & match together & look perfectly fresh for the weather...

When keeping a summer outfit effortless & all you want to do is throw on jeans & a t-shirt, adorn that simple style with fun accessories!  Try a vivacious pattern on a large tote matched with oversized bangles...

I am obsessed with the 'safari' style & although I cannot personally pull off the entire look, here are pieces within the 'safari' trend that I think work so well together!  Army green paired with gold adorned accessories & bronzed leather... perfection!

A trend more popular for a summer evening look would have to entail plum, peeptoe heels & a dramatic accessory or two.  If you are going to keep your outfit neutral, play up the rest of your style with dazzling  accessories...

This is my ultimate favorite summer style, everything I adore, tied into one!  Gold accessories, dramatic featured top, sky-high leopard print peeptoe heels, & of course, my go-to staple item... a blazer...

Sneak Peek...

A couple weeks ago, I was asked to put together a Summer Events Guide to Style Look Book & I wanted to give you all a sneak peek of one of the styles, before it hits the blogosphere...

This look is for a casual dinner party.  High waisted, wide legged, trouser pant, in a light beige...

With a sheer, coral, tank...

Tied together with a woven, mahogany, skinny belt...

Adorned with a statement necklace...

And a great pair of mahogany wedges with tiny peep toe...

Gather your belongings in a kelly green, leather wristlet...

And don't forget to paint your nails in, Cafe Forgot, a creamy cappuccino color...

...& Put it all together...

As the week goes on, I will share a couple more of the styles for different summer events!

Pin Thin Pleats...

One trend to watch for Spring has been skinny thin pleats silk or chiffon skirts.  Whether maxi length or a shorter style, this style has made it through decades of fashion trends...

High waisted, pin thin pleats, in neutral color tones keep the style modern with a classic flair...

Or for a more 'day-wear' look, drop the hemline a bit & pair with a silk blouse...

I will be honest, there is one part of this trend that I have been avoiding for months, ever since it first hit the runway... & that is the length of this hemline...

It is a very popular trend for Spring, in fabrics & styles other than silk pleats, & to be completely honest, I am not quite sure how I feel about it?  The length seems rather unflattering & leaves me unsettled.  I want to be like, "ooo cute skirt, lets hem it up a couple inches! Or, ooo cute skirt, I wish it were a couple inches longer!"  I am trying to warm up to the trendy length...

This style of pin thin pleats goes great with dresses too...

If the dress has full body pleats, break up the fabric with a skinny belt adorned to your waist to give your body the curve it deserves...

What do you think about pin thin pleats? Leave them for decades ago or modernize them for today?