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I'm NOT Gonna Pay a Lot for That Drapey White Number!
Let's face it, a lot of us started focusing on real priorities last year. So we're really in no mood for some dowdy fashion cop to say "No white before Memorial Day." Hel-lo?
For Spring 2002, white is right! It will be showing up in offices, on the street, and in magazines…in tops, bottoms, and shoes!
Donna Karan and Marc Jacobs don't even care if you wear it after Labor Day! And they're not the only ones. Ralph Lauren, Gucci, and other designers like Carolina Herrera and Helmut Lang also went for white in a big way this year, exploring its elegant-and soothing-possibilities.
Others are breaking color boundaries as well. Just check out Helmut Lang. 'Nuff said?
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Time Is Money
You knew that, right? But you might not know all the clever little ways of saving time while you're tooling around eBay. Here's my cheat sheet of acronyms or codes used by eBay sellers to describe their items. Look for these in the item description and you'll save yourself time while you're saving yourself a bundle of cash.
BIN... Buy-It-Now
NWT... New With Tags
NWOT... New Without Tags
NIB... New In Box
NBW... Never Been Worn
Sz... Size
DB... Double Breasted
SB... Single Breasted
Auth... Authentic
NR... No Reserve
YT... You're Toast! (just kidding)
NOMTB... Not on my time, Baby! (Phillip, stop it!)
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Can You Say "FAB-u-lous"?
Let's get specific, doll. Looking your best could mean a lot of things: reflecting life's softer side, flaunting the new work ethic, even dabbling in hippie chic. Whatever it is, you're gonna need these Spring 2002 must-haves:
Cashmere sweaters: Great "transitioners" (try black or red for extra pop and pizzazz).
Belts: The accessory (more bang for your buck!). Western? Disco Diva? Sexy Senorita? You go, girl! Try western tooled leathers, silver and turquoise, grommets, beaded, rhinestone, classic leathers, wovens, or even a scarf à la Janis Joplin or J.Lo. (Think widebody! To accentuate the waist.)
Hats: Fashion editors and their must-have lists-who could survive without 'em? Check these looks: floppy bohemian, sporty Kangol paperboy, Frank Sinatra classics (à la Alicia Keys).
Suede (so soft and luxurious!): Look! More must-haves! Creams, caramels, grays, pastels: in a jacket, a pant, a skirt, or at least a shoe!
Bags: Fast-track alert! Patchwork, fringed, or the over-the-shoulder hobo sac (for the "hippie" girl in you, of course) or beaded and sequined (nighthawks love to dazzle!). You might even try beads and sequins to spice up the office look (like, vintage or Fendi and Jamin Puech.)
Boots: Early-spring knockouts. No question about it. But get that strappy sandal by Jimmy Choo and Manolo (or a flat by Kate Spade!) for April, May, and beyond. New looks: strings, ties, buckles at the ankle.
Well, let's see what the new you looks like! Fabu!
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"Dior" Skirts. Relaxed Pants. Ooh-La-La!
A more relaxed office, anyone? I thought so.
Why not set the pace? With chiffon column dresses, flowing empire waists, or crisp and clean tailleurs (suits)-you know, the ones with tiny, tight-fitted jackets and slim skirts.
Or perhaps herself is feeling a bit au contraire today? Well, the "soft and flowy, light and airy skirt" under a tailored jacket created a big designer buzz in Oslo. (Just kidding. About Oslo). Dior gave us his original version in the '50s (you're much too young to remember, of course). This season, just about every designer chose to reinterpret it.
So throw on a relaxed-fit full-leg pant if that's the look that suits you. Break color boundaries à la Helmut Lang, or try Martine Sitbon's frivolity or Calvin Klein's austerity, in-what else?-white.
Besides Donatella Versace, Euro-stars Roberto Cavalli and Cacherel paired their simple clean white pieces with bright and bold floral prints. And "vibrant" it is! Promise: You will sizzle! Meanwhile, others like Miu Miu and Marni used a fusion of soft, subtle paisleys and romantic florals mixed with whites to bring out the bohemian in all of us.
To release your inner bohemian peasant (and any unreconstructed "hippie honey" in there), you might try antique laces and feminine ruffles adorning soft, flirty, sensual, and virginal (did I leave anything out?) shades of ecru white, creams, and bisque. Believe me, it will soothe any savage beast-or investment banker.
Remember angelic brides? Avant-garde designers had them so over-ruched and over-ruffled, they seemed to glide down the runways. Fortunately for you, the look has trickled down.
You can thank those with more wearable and less theatrical sensibilities (Sport Max, Byblos, Alberta Ferretti, Ralph Lauren, and BCBG). The look also showed up in the peasant blouses and cotton eyelet tops of Dior, Catharine Malandrino, Valentino, and many others.
Are we psyched? Or WHAT!?
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