Bandwagon Mania: 2011

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Street Invasion

With the release of the Art in the Streets exhibit at MOCA, this just solidifies the coming out of this underground evolution known as street fashion. Started as an illegal past time of hip hop, angsty, young revolutionaries back in the 80s land of Brooklyn, NY street fashion and street art has revolutionized itself into a major recognizable bandwagon effect. In simpler terms hello, hipster! Influencers like Banksky, Shepard Fairey, and Andre have brought this tagging culture into an artistic collection viewed world wide and experienced by the masses. This wagon is definitely back pedaling with its trickle up effect, where major concerts of hipster gathering (Coachella, Stagecoach, Outsidelands, Sashsquach) have lead to a blow out in fashion to fit in, in which celebs show up in of course more luxury versions of "tattered vintage" dress.

Here we can check out the celebs who are infamous style icons, that have gotten on this Coachella fashion wagon.

Beyonce getting down on some ripped shorts, off the shoulder tee and $2,000.00 boots

Rachel Bilson in a basic crop tank and cuffed shorts, very basic chic or she really was trying to fit in with the crowd. We'll let you guys choose the answer on that one.

Rihanna sure does know how to pull off the grungy camouflage look

Although not much of a celebrity, Witney Port has been a big hit with her fashion, and we can't agree more, she looks good in clashing patterns.

Now that we got a special look at how the celebrities work with the street fashion, lets see how the real fashion leaders of street wear rocked out at Coachella 2011:

Definitely digging the longer back on this dress, and the floral is a good ode to the vintage era.

This is a classic case of the hipster. We've got the vintage hats, high waisted skirts, cross body bags, and messed up converse. The loose wavy frizzy hair is a nice touch to that grungy take on a 2011 hippy.

That's right Mickey Mouse is the O.G. Hipster! This girl reps him proudly on her shirt which is probably straight from a second hand store. its dressed up with the cutest pair of matching Phillip Lim 3.1 shorts.

Of course it would be a billion degrees in the desert, but its not a complete street look if you don't take the girliest cropped top and floral bottoms and paired them with a chunky black boot. The old school ray bands are a direct nod to the past, which is a good look for street wear styles.

Another take on the girly frock turned hardcore with the big chunky combat boot (which is another bandwagon we saw leave the station earlier this year)

Then a nice surprise! Our very own Karolyn Pho & Leah Adicoff were spotted at Coachella, rocking springs big mania hit Orange.

To get a good inside look at street wear fashions and your own personal up close and personal experience with the transition of street art, check out MOCA's exhibit Art in the Streets which will be up until August 8, 2011. Admission is $10 and $5 with student ID, go play cool hunter for a day and see what truly inspires your bandwagon mania!

-CS

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Birds of a Feather

I'm sure as many of you have seen, feather hair extensions are the new things to accessorize your everyday look. You can wear understated feathers that are similar to your natural hair color and blend in well or you can go bold with oversize ones in all colors of the rainbow.

For these fashionable hair accessories you can do it yourself with a at home kit and feathers bought at a store online or you can have it professionally done at a hair salon (which is a little bit more expensive).

Here are some pictures of understated options that I saw on my fellow fashion students at CSULB

Nicole- Fashion Design Student

Victoria- Fashion Merchandising student

For a more bold, crazy and daring option, you can take some cues from Steven Tyler and Ke$ha

If you are interested in doing this yourself at home, you will need a few things to get started:

A starter kit to put the hair extensions in yourself (comes with
the feather hair extensions: packs range about $10-$40 depending on what type, and how many hair extensions you buy at once
And a few minutes to put the hair extensions in! :)

There are 3 ways that you can put your hair extensions in: bead, bonding or clip in

- Beading method: you bead the feather and hair together

Bead Installation Kit:
dohairextensions.com $16

- Bonding method: the hair extensions are bonded by gluing onto your natural hair and stay in until your natural hair grows out, in which you can just re glue into your hair

- Clip in: you clip the feather hair extensions into your hair like a normal hair clip

Clip in hair extensions before

Hair extension in the hair

Take your pick from the many different types of authentic feather, color and styles! The best thing about this hair flair is that you can treat it like your normal hair (with the exception of the clip in ones). You can wash it, curl it, style them, swim etc.

If you would like to jump on the bandwagon and embrace the feather hair flair, here are some websites:

- Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/search/handmade?ref=auto&q=feather+hair+extensions

- Do hair extensions: http://www.dohairextensions.com/feather-extensions.html

- Donna Bella Hair extensions: http://www.donnabellahairextensions.com/feather-hair-extensions.html?gclid=CNWBtvXwl6gCFQtPgwodBSiaCg

- Plume: http://www.plumeyourhair.com/avactis/index.php

- ZeeZoes: http://www.etsy.com/shop/zeezoes

Enjoy!

<3 Jessica Lynn

Friday, April 8, 2011

Show me your shoulders

So I spy with my little eye peek a boo shoulders in tops all over the place. This is very cute and simple DIY trick you can use to spice old boring shirts. Just cut out the shoulders turn the raw edge down and sew a hem giving a modern seductive twist to otherwise plain boring regular button downs or vintage tops you want to put a spin on. Exposing a little bit of skin through the shoulders when your wearing a conservative long sleeved shirt is a surprise to the eyes and something new and innovative that we're not used to seeing. I think its going to blow up I'm already seeing tops in stores with exposed shoulders in shirts with sleeves. This style was somewhat popular in the late 80s to early 90s and they were mainly done to club gear type tops and going out tops that were tight and stretchy and gross to be quite frank. Like everything else there is a right way to do exposed shoulder and their is a wrong way. I would stay away from doing it or buying it in knit tops with short sleeves. Quarter sleeves look OK, but the look best in woven long sleeved tops that are fitted to the body. I know stores like forever 21 have them in there loose trapeze styles but that's not flattering and more of a fad you'll be sick of that shirt in a week trust me. Here are some sexxy styles that I adore at the moment.

And These are epic fails, don't be a victim... please stay away from these styles.....

And here are some simple steps if you want to experiment a little. :)

Step 1 - Trace and cut your desired size holes around the ball of your shoulders.

Step 2 - Fold edges inward at approximately a quarter inch. Sew this edge down with loose stitches to keep the fabric from fraying. (Giving the quarter inch edge a quick press of the iron helps keep the edge down and makes it easier to sew!)

<3
Michelle Rahim

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Blinded by the light, white light that is

So the new hottest trend springing into action this season is the color white. White has become ever so popular in jeans, tops, sweaters, dresses, shoes, you name it it's got white all over it. This is a trend where the bandwagon left the fashion runway station. almost all fashion designers incorporated white into their show and it trickled down to the celebrities and can now be seen in your nearest retail store.

Audrina Patridge is spotted rocking the white denim with matching white purse. This look is popular because its fresh and light for the new awakening lightness of the spring air. The matching purse with a bright blue top is a great look for a day out shopping on Rodeo.

Blake Livey, already a big hit for her taste in fashion has also jumped on the bandwagon for the white trend. Looking classy and sophisticated with white skinny trousers and a white ruffle top, Blake is all set to walk the red carpet. The skinny pant look is a good way to still keep it West Coast beachy than a East Coast Hamptons look with a more wide leg. Paired with peep toe white heels, Blake sure does look like an angel at this event.

Lisa Rayee took a new turn on the white trend by donning white tights. This is a good look against the white top and shorts. It is a playful take on the colored tights trend that has also popped up this spring . Although the turtle neck and knee high boots isn't something that you would see rocking the streets this season you can still be fun with this look!

Victoria Beckham didn't get the name Posh Spice for nothing! Look at her also playing up the white denim look. Of course her and sexy hubby are both looking lovely in white but its Victoria who takes the cake on this one. The white pants paired with the light gray top is a chic way to play with monochromatic colors. She adds a classy waist long necklace to throw some bling into the mix. Seen front row at some of the hottest shows this spring, we can tell that Posh Spice definitely took good notes on this seasons hottest trends.

So as you can see there is a variation of what you can do with the color white this season. Don't be left out on this mania and hop on this bandwagon to look absolutely chic this Spring! For more white looks check out this collage made by me on Polyvore and where you can find those pieces.

white out by cdsteward featuring prom evening dresses

C.S. <3

Friday, March 11, 2011

Get Along Swimmingly

So spring is definitely here with the warm California weather. We all want to just lay out and tan instead of going to school and work. Because it is the beginning of spring bathing suits are showing up in retail stores now. I wanted to talk about some of the cool new trends in bathing suits, what I think will be popular for this spring and summer and show you some bathing suits that I like.

I don't normally pay attention to men's board shorts, but recently at my work we were going over all our new products and I discovered a really cool pair of board shorts. This pair of board shorts are called transition shorts which means that they can go from the water to land. They look like regular shorts but they are really board shorts. These shorts are made with H2 Repel and mesh pockets. This quick-dry walk short is fully submersible and very versatile. Made with 100% polyester.

Billabong Platinum X walking shorts- $55

I also have been seeing alot of "retro" looking board shorts for men that I believe are going to be popular this spring.

Hurley Volley Blocked Men's Shorts- $44.99

Hurley Twin Fin Board short- $49

Also, alot of bold colors, prints and neon colors are going to be popular for men this spring.

Phantom 60 Kings Road New Boardshort- $62.50

These board shorts are also made out of 10% recycled materials from water bottles.

Hurley One & Only board shorts- $38.99

Lost Scorcher Men's Boardshorts- $73.99

I do have to admit that I have about 12 bathing suits. Although girls can only wear bathing suits for about 3 months out of the year, the styles, colors and silhouttes are always changing.

While shopping at Target recently, I came across these bathing suit tops in which they had padding in them, almost like a push up bra in a bathing suit. In theory this would look good, but when I tried them on they fit kind of weird on my body. You all will have to try them yourselves and see what you think. Here are some examples of those bathing suits.

Xhilaration® Juniors 2 pc. Floral Print Bikini Swimsuit with Ruffle Trim - Multicolor
$14.00 - $14.00
Xhilaration® Juniors 2 pc. Push Up Bikini Swimsuit - Multicolor
$14.00 - $14.00 List: $14.99 - $17.99

Also, I also believe that the retro fit and style of bathing suits will still be popular for women this spring. Here are some from modcloth.com that I loved.