Mixed Fashion Design: September 2008

Thursday, September 25, 2008

What I got - Retro Floral Dress, White Blazer and more

It's been quite a while since I've had a successful thrift hunt but I got lucky last weekend and scored a few great items.

First up is this 50s/60s style abstract floral print dress that I bought from a garage sale last weekend for BDS$6.

Note: US$1 = BDS$2

To be honest, it didn't look very impressive when I first picked it up but I liked the colours and the print so I decided I would buy it anyway. However, it soon began to grow on me on the ride home and when I finally tried it on, it was instant love! The style is so cute and retro - it reminds me of those gorgeous dresses worn on Mad Men.

I could never wear these gloves and tights during the day in Barbados but I'm not going anywhere today and I love dressing up so I thought "why not?"

I also got this awesome white blazer from the same sale for BDS$8. Unfortunately, it's a little tight when I button it but I love it so I'll probably just wear it open.

I went to another sale the same day and got the two bags below. The first one is a black oversized clutch that I bought for BDS$5. It has a really beautiful relief design on the flap that isn't obvious unless you look at it closely.
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The other bag I got is this cool denim fringed Miss Sixty bag that also cost BDS$5. I've wanted a fringed purse for a long time but another reason why is love this one is because of the brilliant woven detail on the flap.

This last item is not a garage sale purchase but a bargain buy nonetheless. I ordered these amazing pewter caged heels from the Urban Original Ebay Store for US$10.49. I don't usually wear shoes this high so it's going to take some practice walking in them, especially because of the thin heel, but I think I'll get the hang of it eventually. I don't think this shoe style is still in stock but if you're interested in checking out more of their stuff, they also have a website you can visit.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Style in the Trenches

Along with the little black dress and the crisp white button-down shirt, the trench coat is one of the most stylish and timeless designs in fashion history. As is the case with many classic items of clothing, this stylish cover-up began as a functional piece more so than a fashion trend.

The trench coat was invented in 1901 by Thomas Burberry, the founder of the Burberry fashion house and also the creator of gabardine fabric. He submitted the design to the United Kingdom War Office as an alternative to the heavy greatcoats worn by British and French soldiers in World War I. The classic trench coat is a ten-buttoned, double breasted long coat in khaki, beige, tan or black. Two notable differences from the great coat style were the additions of epaulets and D-rings and this updated design was named "trench coat" by the soldiers in the trenches.

photos courtesy commons.wikimedia.org and gettyimages.com

The trench coat continued to be a popular choice of army wear throughout World War II and many veterans kept them when they returned to their lives as civilians. The trench coat eventually became a fashionable clothing item for both men and women and even after more than 100 years, the trench coat is still synonymous with the Burberry name. Below is one of the photos from Burberry's F/W 08 campaign featuring a classic trench coat.

photo courtesy thefashionspot.com

Screen legends such as Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, Audrey Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich and Humphrey Bogart wore trench coats in various films and this also helped to popularize the trench coat among the public as they often tried to emulate this elegant and mysterious look. Below are Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca.

photo courtesy http://www.myspace.com/froshy and thegoldenera.net

Numerous modifications to the colour, fabric and cut of the trench coat have been made in order to appeal to the different generations that have gone by over the years but there are many people who still opt for the classic trench simply because it never goes out of style.

Below are a few lovely trench coats that will keep you chic and warm this fall.

Short Trench Coat
Price: US$24.99

Escape Balloon Sleeved Trench Coat
Price: US$62.00

Knit Trench Coat
Price: US$29.99

Leopard Print Belted Trench
Price: US$47.95

Safari Trench Jacket
Price: US$29.80

Lucille Checkered Coat
Price: US$58.00

Trench Jacket (wasabi)
Price: US$54.00

Together® Trench Coat
Price: US$89.00

RAINA Double Breasted Flared Trench Coat
Price: US$36.99

Red Houndstooth Trench Coat
Price: US$36.99
(use code FFATTRACTION at checkout for 10% discount)

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Blog Contest - Win $25 Gift Certificate from Shopruche.com!

********************UPDATE: CONTEST CLOSED**********************

Hey everyone,

I am very pleased to announce the first ever Fatal Attraction 2 Fashion blog contest!

Ruche, a modern women's boutique with a vintage touch, is offering all readers a chance to win $25 in merchandise from now until October 1, 2008.

Ruche stocks stylish and affordable vintage-inspired clothing and accessories and they believe that "you don't have to empty out your pocketbooks to look good."

Coco (above) is wearing the Coral Eyelet Braided Dress
and the From Grandma Black Embroidery Scarf.

CONTEST DETAILS

How to enter:

1. Leave your name and a comment on this post stating which shopruche.com items you would get with the $25 gift certificate.

2. Send your contact information (name provided in the comment entry and a valid email address) to fatalfashionattraction@hotmail.com with the title “Shopruche.com contest”.

Eligibility

No purchase necessary. The contest is open to all international residents over the age of 18 at the time of this contest.

Contest period

All entries must be received by 12 A.M ET on October 1, 2008. A random drawing will take place on all eligible entries received on or before the contest deadline.

Other information

This prize is not redeemable for cash.

The winner will be required to send their full name and shipping information to fatalfashionattraction@hotmail.com within 10 days of notification. Failure to do so will result in the random selection of an alternate winner.

The sponsor is not responsible for and shall not be liable for late, lost, misdirected or unsuccessful efforts to notify the winner. The act of entering this contest constitutes acceptance of the Contest rules.

********************UPDATE: CONTEST CLOSED**********************

If this fantastic opportunity wasn't enough, Ruche is also offering readers a 10% off entire purchase until December 31, 2008!! Just use code FFATTRACTION at checkout to receive this discount.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Fashion Inspiration - Pure Plaidness

Plaid is yet another trend to be resurrected this fall season and it's back in a big way. Generally associated with the rebellious grunge era in the '90s or traditional Scottish clothing, plaid is making a break from these fashion stereotypes to become a chic and trendy pattern anyone can wear.

This striking cross-hatched pattern is versatile as it can made even more dynamic by using bold hues and dramatic tonal contrasts or toned down with subtle, sophisticated colours. Depending on the look of the item, plaid may propose a diverse array of style options including youthful, classic, quirky, elegant, edgy or casual.

Models strutted down the Fall 2008 runways of Badgley Mischka, House of Holland, D&G and Sass & Bide clad in stylish, attention-grabbing plaid garments.

photos courtesy style.com and nymag.com

Jessica Szohr of Gossip Girl looked cool and casual in a plaid button-down at a Dazed and Confused magazine party last week while her co-star Taylor Momsen was dressed in a cute plaid dress on the set of their show. Diane Kruger wore a plaid tie-neck blouse to Tommy Hilfiger's Spring 2009 show and Rihanna wore a plaid ruffle front top with a white vest while out shopping with UK singer Duffy.

photos courtesy uk.popsugar.com, justjared.com and forum.santabanta.com

Some of the greatest fashion inspirations come from real people who are photographed by various street style blogs around the world. The great thing about this pattern is that it's gender-neutral so both girls and guys can work their favourite plaid pieces with style and confidence.

photos courtesy facehunter.blogspot.com, styleclicker.net, saopaulostyle.blogspot.com,
damstyle.blogspot.com, thefashionist.se, thesartorialist.blogspot.com
and the-intersection.blogspot.com

As many of you may already know, Chictopia is also a fantastic source of real life fashion inspiration. These Chictopia girls utilize different plaid items to effectively express their fabulous, individual senses of style.

photos courtesy chictopia.com/user/blog/kirstylee, chictopia.com/user/blog/jmdarda, chictopia.com/user/blog/Snowshoe, chictopia.com/user/blog/rose01545, chictopia.com/user/blog/jfehrenbacher and chictopia.com/user/blog/taghrid.

Jump on the plaid-wagon this fall with these gorgeous and affordable items below.

Click on name of item to go to product page.

Tommy Hilfiger Runaway Clutch
Price: US$28.56

Romy Plaid Vest
Price: US$32.00

Plaid Shortie Sock
Price: US$4.99

Plaid Fleece Cape
Price: US$39.99

Navy and Beige Tweed Plaid Hair Flower
Price: US$10.00

Go International® Jumper Red Plaid
Price: US$39.99

Andrea Plaid Pashmina Scarf in Blue and Green
Price: US$13.00

Buffalo Plaid Blouse
Price: US$34.00

Plaid Buckle Flat
Price: US$22.50

Plaid shirred-yoke skirt
Price: US$32.99

Update - Fabulous fashion blogger, Couture Carrie also did a great post on the plaid trend, more specifically bias plaid! She rounds up some inspirational photos of bias plaid on the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 runways, ad campaigns and various other sources. Check it out!

Monday, September 8, 2008

Floral Attachments

What do you do when an outfit begs for a little something extra? I like to add some pizzazz by throwing on a brooch of some kind and that usually takes up the style factor a few notches. There are many brooch styles out there, but you can never go wrong with good ole' flower pins.

The delicate flower shape makes for a stylish and captivating addition to any outfit in any season. Eye-catching jewelry and accessories are very popular this fall and these pins are a fantastic but subtle way to make a fashion statement.

Take a look at the girl in the photo below that I found on The Sartorialist. Her outfit is already a cool and quirky mix of pieces but the pink flower pin on the lapel of her blazer adds a little colour and feminine flair to the mostly monochromatic look.