Trovata

I had heard of Trovata before, and even seen a few pictures from past runway shows, but I never paid it too much mind. After checking out this Spring RTW collection, I see how much of a mistake that was.

Trovata is the epitome of California cool, but not in the way that today's starlets have commodified it. This "California Cool" is from a more basic, organic place: here, functionality has just as much value as fashion.

I'm not entirely sure how I would feel if I saw a guy wearing this on the street, but in all, I quite like this. I think it's a pretty grown-up look, and wearing something like this would firmly move a guy out of Guyland (look it up, it's a book) and into Manhood, at least sartorially.

There's a lot of exposed underwear/high-waisted hot pants on the runway this time around. I wonder why?

Looks like those sleeveless cardigans you might have bought for this fall will take you into spring. Yay for saving money!

Love, love, LOVE this nautical look. I find that Trovata's menswear looks are somewhat unisex, in that a woman could easily wear the outfit without changing anything and not look masculine or even androgynous. interesting.

I want this coat NOW, so I can wear it in the fall.


Please excuse the constipated look on her face... but look! Again, a fitted blazer!


Black gingham has to be one of my favorite prints ever. Just changing the colorway infuses what is usually a kitschy print with a more daring, punk spirit.


That is one nice trench coat.

Elie Tahari

I have been a huge fan of Elie Tahari ever since I found a pair of Tahari shoes at Marshalls. They are some of the most comfortable platform shoes I've ever worn. Scratch that, they're the most comfortable heels I own, hands down.

Anyway, I was pretty excited to check out his Spring RTW collection, and boy did he not disappoint. I don't know if he does a Resort collection, but that was the general feeling that I got from the clothing he sent down the catwalk.

At first, I really hated this outfit, but when I looked at it a second time, I started to appreciate the look much more. First, there's the fact that this outfit looks like it belongs in a Resort collection. Once I got over that, I saw the florals that have been sticking around, the more relaxed cut of the pants (yay, no skinnies!), and the best part of all: the bag. I hope to see some close-ups of the bags and shoes from Elie Tahari, but from this angle, I'm liking everything about this bag. Big, but not extravagantly so, eye-catching yet still elegant... I'm in love. Or so I thought, until...

...I saw this bag. This seems more like something I'd carry. I'm tempted to say it's flashier than the previous bag, but it seems to be more wearable to me. I tend to think of handbags in terms of how much I can fit into it without looking like I'm carrying my entire life within it; I pretty much don't use bookbags or suitcases if I can fit everything into a handbag. This bag definitely fits my criteria. Past that, I adore the fitted blazer the model is wearing. I think she's also wearing a top and shorts, though it really looks like a bathing suit (which would be pretty damn cool). What I like best about this look is that the model really exemplifies vacationing in style.

I like anything with a structured look, so I was instantly drawn by the darts and pockets on the front of the dress. With some toned-down jewelry, this dress is perfect for the office, for dinner, and many other occasions.


This is a pretty impractical look for real life for most of us, but I love how the model looks exactly like a fashion illustration come to life. One could say that's the point of all the models and all shows, but this is the first time I've ever seen a model on the runway and thought that. Oh, but the sunglasses are HOT.

I'm not the biggest fan of animal print, but this snakeskin print in neutral tones somehow comes across as subtle.

These splatter prints remind me of what Kenley did on the Gristedes challenge on this season of Project Runway. This is art chic at its finest.

Apparently, anoraks are sticking around. Don't throw yours out!

I love this dress... maybe it's the color or the flora designs that are on it, but it reminds me of the sea, like she's a water nymph.

Rachel Roy, Sue Stemp

In general, I haven't been a very big fan of Rachel Roy. Her line has always seemed to be hit-or-miss to me. And true to form, so was her Spring 2009 RTW collection. There were a few super-cute pieces, and some...not so cute ones.

This dress really gives off a sweet/sexy vibe. Yes, it's short and somewhat form-fitting, but it doesn't show very much skin other than the legs. The heels also do a good job of tempering the dress. All in all, this is a look that doesn't try too hard.

I never thought that I would like the whole pyjama set look, but I have to say -- it's growing on me! Together, it just looks like she rolled out of bed and put some heels on, but just imagine if she had a blazer on instead of the pyjama top... The pants would really shine as the focal point of the outfit, and pairing them with a more structured top (such as a blazer) would emphasize the pants' slouchy comfort. But seriously, don't dream of wearing these silk PJ pants without heels. By the way, isn't this model beautiful? I forgot to look up her name.

I just had to add this because it really looks like something Rihanna would wear. Interesting to see that ethnic prints will be back for next spring. At least, according to Rachel Roy, anyway. But if you think about it, safari is always around, if not the following year, then the next or the one after that.

I have no idea why I like this so much. I really hate the shoes, but the dress... Now that I look at it again, it really looks like something Dorothy from The Golden Girls would wear, except that it would have to be floor-length. There really is something appealing about those voluminous sleeves, though.

More of that ethnic, mudcloth-like print. I love the relaxed feel of this outfit. Yes, her pants are skintight, but that shirt looks beyond comfortable.

I have to say, these outfits really made me rethink my stance on Ms. Roy (Mrs. Dash??). I really like the calm vibe that I get from her clothing. It seems to me that the kind of woman who wears Rachel Roy is one who enjoys her life, her youthfulness, and knows how to balance trends with basic, relaxed fashion.

But then there were some outfits that were just so off the mark that they left me confused.



I'm really unsure as to where she was going with this Great Gatsby gone wrong look.

This gown just doesn't know what it wants to be, long sleeved or no sleeves, tea length or floor length... it's just a mess. Tim Gunn would totally tell Roy to have an editing eye. Honestly, even taking that sleeve off would have made the dress MUCH nicer.

Overall, I really liked Sue Stemp's collection. I can see a lot of women wearing these designs. My only complaint is that most of her looks have been seen before. My favorite outfit is the purple dress with the sheer bodice and sleeves.






See what I mean? Pretty basic. But her sheer pieces are quite nice.

Put together in a post like this, it's pretty interesting to see the differences between Roy and Stemp's styles. Rachel Roy loves prints, while Sue Stemp keeps her solids from being boring by using fabrics with different weights and sheens.

New York Fashion Week!!

For the first time ever, I'm going to cover the Fashion Week runway shows. I had planned to do picture posts first, then commentary and advice after NYFW was over. However, I think I'll try to do it all together, at least for now. If I get behind, then I'll switch to my original plan. And, as always, I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!!

Quick disclaimer: All of my photos are from www.style.com. I'm not fortunate enough to go to New York Fashion Week, obviously!!