Bringing Sexy Back

Nina Ricci SS15

Calvin Klein SS15

The back of shirts and dresses are now just as interesting as the front in a variety of ways from cut-outs to pleats to draping that gently sways as one walks along. There are so many wonderful reasons why letting your back out while you can may be a top priority for many of us. I have similar feelings about shoulder displays right now but there will more on that another time. No matter if you are twenty or fifty putting your back in the spotlight can be quite a good thing. The back is really ageless quite like the shoulders. Putting you back on display can be rather a cheeky way to be sexy without going overboard.

Vera Wang

 

 

Gucci; Source

Jenny Packham; Source

 

Balenciaga

 

I would never advocate displaying too much back in the workplace but there are some tasteful tricks that can be used to display your back at the appropriate place and time. I like so many of the tailoring techniques used by apparel designers these days that I have literally turned my shirts around to give a whole new meaning to back to front. What about you? Have you ever worn your shirt the other way around? It can be a neat styling trick to get more mileage out of a top. Of course, some back-out tops and dresses don’t lend themselves to this neat trick but with those that do it can quite fun to turn the tables around as it were.

Regardless of whether you have tried this technique or not which truly depends upon the silhouette, length and structure of the back of your shirt or dress surely you agree that these back-out styles can be swoon-worthy. When the temperatures rise it is the perfect time to let your back out and I for one plan on doing it as much as possible while I can.

Roberto Cavalli

Well-dressed ladies from brides to her wedding guests have even embraced the open-back trend. I can’t begin to guess how many trendsetters have immersed themselves in this back-out trend. Sexy backs are certainly in rather than out and they have been in for a few years now; so much so that I don’t even consider this a trend.

Houghton NYC

 

Back cleavage has on the rise lately for a good reason and it’s not because it is so retro. After all, every now and then just like any glamorous trend it feels good to shock in a delightful way. It can be so delightful, in my opinion, to see spot a top or dress with a modest front and a delightful back. Notice I stated delightful back. No matter how far I may push the envelope I can never quite bring myself to wear very low plunging back-line tops or dresses.

Now, it is time to hear from you my darlings. Do you like to feature your back from time to time or do you steer clear of clothing styles that display your back? I can’t wait to hear from you.

Thanks for reading my blog and sharing your comments. I love your visits so much that I truly can’t place a value on how much they mean to me.

Recommendations:

 

My lovely friends, if you like, please reference the brief list below for lingerie that can be worn with cut-out or backless tops and dresses:

 

Fashion Forms Bodysuit at Asos: Fashion Forms U Plunge Backless Strapless Bodysuit

 

Style Secrets Lace Push-Up Bra at Victoria's Secret: Style Secrets Backless Lace Push-Up Bra

Note: Images are courtesy of Pinterest unless otherwise credited.

A Circular Argument

 Source

Marc by Marc Jacobs SS15; Source

I have been struck by the love bug this season. Circle bags have won my heart, my darlings. I consider them to be oh so cute and a welcome deviation from the structured cross-body bags that continue to be so popular. I still have much love for structured bags. They are timeless for a reason. If circle bags had a personality I choose to think they would be playful and fanciful whereas structured bags are more controlled and defined. It’s a great thing to let your playful side out don’t you think?

Chloe SS15; Source

 

Topshop SS15; Source

 

Source

 

 

There is something rather impish about fashion and the circle handbag is the perfect symbol of this mischievousness. The creative force that we call fashion has taken a simple geometric shape that I associate with canteens and created a carry-all that has personality in spades. I don’t know that I will ever think of water canteens quite the same way again. Fashion has always taken the ordinary and turned it into the extraordinary. Betsey Johnson has always been a designer who just gets it. Just look at her creations below.

 

 

 

 

Circular bags are just mini-vanity cases in a way. At least, I like to think so because I adore vanity cases. They are the perfect accoutrement to my beauty products, fashion accessories and other baubles.  And what a fabulous, glamorous place in history they have. I still remember those days of sneaking a peek into my mother’s vanity cases. In my little girl’s eyes they stored such treasures. Hats, arm-length gloves, lustrous jewels are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what my mother stored in her vanity cases. Is it any wonder that I have such a strong desire for circular bags?

Marc by Marc Jacobs SS15; Source

 

 

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week SS15; Source

 

 

They also remind me of the reticules ladies carried during the 1800s. Those reticules may have been small but no fashionista would be caught without her reticule. I still find it amazing that they were able to fit so much in such a small package but when it comes to fashion haven’t fashionistas always found a way to make even the littlest bag work for us when we find the perfect tiny bag that wins our heart?  



The quotes below can certainly do all the rest of the talking for me. Suffice it to say, that there is no way I can fall out of love with a bag once I have set my sights on it. This time I’m in love with a circle

bag but come fall who knows, perhaps I’ll come back around to loving a bag with some structure.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s it my dolls and guys. Enjoy the forthcoming days. I can never thank you enough for all of your support. Before you go, take a look below at a couple of the canteen bags I am in love with right now.

Please comment on this post. Let me know what kind of bag you are in love with these days.

Armani Jeans; Source

Alibaba; Source



Note: Images without source information are credited to Pinterest.

 

Tory Burch SS15

 

 



Check Mate

Gingham is one type of print you will see throughout this spring. Whether you get your fashion inspiration from runways, magazines or boutiques you don’t have to go far to see that it is raining gingham all over the catwalks, roadways, sidewalks and even waterways

Altuzarra SS15 RTW

 

Altuzarra SS15 RTW

Altuzarra SS15 RTW

Altuzarra SS15 RTW

Balmain SS15

Lela Rose SS15 RTW

Lela Rose SS15 RTW

Luisa Beccaria SS15 RTW

Michael Kors SS15 RTW

 

Blair Eadie of Atlantic-Pacific

Taylor Swift

Rihanna

The history of gingham, which is made of cotton or linen, is vast and quite interesting. What I found out about it has led me to have an entirely new understanding of what I have long thought of as just another type of print. Gingham is so much more than that. Gingham was manufactured in Malaysia, Indonesia and India way back in the day but of course in the 17th century and subsequently the 18th century Europeans and Americans fell in love with the textile and adapted it into their own fashion cultures. In some countries, it was and still is simply a textile used to make towels while in other countries it is used to make all manner of fashionable garments.

One of the most interesting things I learned about gingham is that one side of this textile mirrors the other. In other words, there is no right or wrong side. I sometimes do like grey areas. Don’t you. Why choose a side if you don’t want to? After all, wouldn’t life be boring if everything was black or white? Even those of us whom like to dress in black or white, whether on occasion or all the time, like to add a pop of color to our look. My pop of color comes in the form of a bag and shoes usually but let me not digress. A gingham print can include a bold color like red or a non-color, like black. It can be the perfect check mate for solid shades, other prints and even make your outfit glow when it is in the form of a sheer print.

Source

 

If you aren't really into wearing checks all over just give your audience a glimpse of your check mate.  Did I say glimpse? See below and you will find that just a glimpse of gingham can be so divine.

Altuzarra SS15 RTW

 

Altuzarra SS15 RTW

Richard Nicholl Resort15

DVF SS15 RTW

DVF SS15 RTW

You can actually get the best of both worlds with gingham. Black and white print gingham is so in right now. Gingham may be more associated with blue and white or red and white print but not anymore. It is the 21st century, after all, and things are meant to naturally evolve. If you love fashion as much as I do, and you must if you are reading this right now, you may sometimes feel like you are a quick-change artist as it were. I certainly do. One day, I may wear jeans and a blazer and the next a skirt and blouse. The great thing about gingham is that it may be a vintage textile but it has modern day sensibilities. It just fits somehow. It works when paired with solids other prints and even comes in many more color combinations than the traditional white and red and blue and red I referenced earlier. Check this out. No pun intended, of course.

Oscar de la Renta SS15 RTW; Source

 

Source



Luisa Beccaria SS15 RTW


 

Temperley London SS15 RTW

One of the most common gingham prints this spring is pink and white. So if you want to let your feminine side fly high one day why not wear a pink and white gingham dress one day and the next when you are feeling bolder just break out a black and white gingham top. Regardless, of how you choose to adapt to the gingham style this spring I am certain of one thing. You undoubtedly will be noticed, in a good way, of course. Gingham print has an elegant way of standing out in a crowd of solids.

Bottega Veneta SS15 RTW

Bottega Veneta SS15 RTW

I previously thought of gingham as rather a cute print but I can honestly state, right now, that cute is no longer the adjective that comes to mind when I think of gingham. Not only are there so many colors that pair with white to make up gingham but the size of the gingham prints has certainly expanded to double and even triple the size it was back in the good old days.

Oscar de la Renta SS15 RTW

Leandra Medina

 

Why wouldn’t I grow rather fond of a textile that is the same exact print on both sides, includes one of my favorite shades (white) and comes in an array of print sizes?  What do you say? Are you going to make gingham prints your check mate this season? I do like to read your comments so bring them on.

DVF SS15 RTW

 

DVF SS15 RTW; Source

DVF SS15 RTW

DVF SS15 RTW

DVF SS15 RTW; Source

DVF SS15 RTW; Source

Tsumori Chisato SS15 RTW

Tsumori Chisato SS15 RTW

Before I go, I must give homage to the great Lucille Ball who always looked like a domestic goddess in her gingham frocks and to Elizabeth Taylor who shined bright like a diamond in a gingham shirt. Wouldn't you say? Goodbye for now, my dear friends.

 
Credit: Most of the images featured here were sourced from Pinterest except where indicated.