Ken Downing on Shades of Purple, Pointed Shoes, and Animal Print

I love when Neiman Marcus announces their seasonal trend picks. It’s authoritative. Women worship the new rules like gospel. For example, when Fashion Director Ken Downing called orange the new neutral for spring 2013, immediately, it was everywhere. Just like that, ladies abound in tangerine hues from handbag to shoe. I’m not saying he’s the only one with the power to shake up wardrobes each season, but he’s up there in the Executive Branch of the Fashion House. All this to say, this morning, during a photo shoot, Downing shared a sneak preview of his fall 2013 trend picks:

• Shades of purple. (Which, as you may know, sets my heart aflutter–see Pinterest.)
• Red is the new neutral.
• Rocker chic. “The biker jacket becomes the most pivotal piece of the season. Wear it with a pencil skirt and a slender shoe.”
• Shrunken bags.
• All shoes have pointed toes.
• Animal print. “Zebra, leopard, python, all of it, all together at one time.”

On Trend: Fall Textured Ankle Boots

Shopping intern Mary Holbrook hits the town to track the trends. Up this week: a plethora of booties.

The ankle boot is shaping up to be a staple for the fall/winter wardrobe again this year, and we’re thankful. They’re versatile, refreshingly comfortable, and easy to slip on and go. Try a short cowboy bootie with skinny jeans for an off-duty look or, for a dressier affair, try a an ankle boot with a pointed toe and heel for a polished look with some edge. –Mary Holbrook

1. Kelsi Dagger taupe wedge, $129 at Lou Lou
2. Girl Madeline fringe, $69 at Cotton Island
3. Yoki scrunch booty, $68 at Spicy II
4. Vince Camuto Tuscan suede, $149 at Pieces

On Trend: Faux Fur Vest

Shopping intern Margaux Anbouba hits the town to track the trends. Up this week: dramatic accessories.

The weather is finally starting to cool down and that means it’s time to transition your wardrobe from summer to fall. A great tool to help with transitioning is a vest, which will keep you warm while still looking fashionable. We love these faux fur vests, which will be a staple for both your fall and winter wadrobes. For now, layer it over a tank-top or long dress and when it’s chilly layer it over a jacket, turtle neck, or dress and leggings. –Margaux Anbouba

model from Etro fall 2012 RTW (photo courtesy of Marcus Tondo/GoRunway.com)

1. Slate grey faux fur vest, $118 at Madewell in NorthPark Center
2. Stella McCartney textured vest, $1,534 at Stella McCartney in Highland Park Village
3. Tan and textured faux fur vest, $178 at Bevello

On Trend: Baroque Accessories

Shopping intern Margaux Anbouba hits the town to track the trends. Up this week: dramatic accessories.

When the Dolce and Gabbana fall 2012 collection hit the runway, it had fans adoring with religious fervor. While the over-the-top embroidery and embellishments may be a bit much for everyday, this look can be worked into your wardrobe through statement accessories like opulent jewelry and ornate bags. Look for the black and gold and gems, like pearls and druzy, to mimic this look without going “baroque.” –Margaux Anbouba

model from Dolce & Gabbana fall 2012 RTW, photo by Marcio Madeira/firstVIEW

1. Ruffle clutch, $275 at Original Octane
2. Ornate necklace, $220 at Gemma Collection
3. Gold embroidered ankle boot, $169 at Zara at Galleria Dallas
4. Studded satchel, $76 at Flirt

On Trend: The Wild Wild West

Shopping intern Margaux Anbouba is hitting the town to track some trends. Up this week: Western-inspired garb.

Texans are no stranger to Western wear, and this fall,the fashion world has finally given the look their nod of approval. Seen to the extreme on the fall 2012 runways of Isabel Marant and more subtly in accessories, this look will make you want to scream “yeehaw” as you ride into the sunset. –Margaux Anbouba

photos courtesy of vendor; model courtesy of Yannis Vlamos/GoRunway.com

1. Embroidered bracelet, $38 at Adeline
2. DL 1961 Emma Cocktail leggings with leather patch, $225 at Elle
3. Isabel Marant “Lauryn” embroidered crepe blouse, $965 at V.O.D.
4. Big Buddha “Wayne” knee-high boot, $90 at Cotton Island

On Trend: Bordeaux Pants for Fall

photography courtesy of vendors, runway shot courtesy of style.com

Deep, wine-stained reds made their way down the fall 2012 runways of dozens of designers. Whether it was a head-to-toe look (like Yigal Azrouël’s) or a tailored, belted dress (like Jason Wu’s) or a sheer caped frock (like Christian Siriano’s), the vampy autumn hue is a hit. I love the look in skinny leg denim. Three local picks below:

1. J Brand Zoey in Lava, $232 at L.Bartlett
2. 7 For All Mankind, $189 at 7 for All Mankind at NorthPark
3. Flying Monkey in cranberry, $49 at Pitaya

On Trend: Leather Details

Shopping interns Kelly Belter and Kristi McCann are hitting the town and tracking the trends.

Fall is coming, and leather is here. Whether it dominates an outfit or is used as an accent, it’s a sleek necessity for your autumn wardrobe. –Kristi McCann

Kate Bosworth in Calvin Klein fall 2012 is our inspiration

1. C. Luce top with leather trim, $69.95 at Hemline
2. Theory leather sleeve dress, $355 at Neiman Marcus
3. Black sheer and faux leather dress, $38 Accents

On Trend: Sweet as Sugar Shades of Mint

Shopping interns Kelly Belter and Kristi McCann are hitting the town and tracking the trends.

This week, we found feminine hues of mint to add to your closet. This pretty pastel was all over the spring runway in the collections of Carolina Herrera, Chanel, and Vera Wang. It’s the perfect color to continue wearing through the end of summer to keep you in mint condition. –Kristi McCann

photography: model from Carolina Herrera, courtesy of style.com

1. Peplum dress, $36 at Pitaya
2. Young Fabulous and Broke sweater, $153 at L.bartlett
3. October Sky lace sleeve top, $44 at Milk + Honey
4. Pinta cuff bracelet, $28 at Anthropologie

produced by Kelly Belter and Kristi McCann

On Trend: Slip Into These Asymmetrical Hemlines

Shopping interns Kelly Belter and Kristi McCann are hitting the town and tracking the trends.

Sometimes classic can be boring. That’s why this season designers scrapped one length, one note frocks in favor of asymmetrical hemlines. On the spring runways, Roberto Cavalli draped models with trailing chiffon gowns while BCBG favored side slashed silhouettes. But what we love most about this trend is how versatile it is. Wear barelegged in hopes of a cool summer breeze or pair your high-low skirt with some opaque tights and, voila, you’re ready for fall. –Kelly Belter

model from BCBG spring 2012 RTW, courtesy of style.com

1. Gold Hawk modern deco tunic, $389 at Lilli London
2. Cefian tank dress, $69 at y&i
3. Green chiffon blouse, $42 at Krimson & Klover

produced by Kelly Belter and Kristi McCann

On Trend: 3 Neon Pieces We Love

Shopping interns Kelly Belter and Kristi McCann are hitting the town and tracking the trends. Their mutual affection for shades of neon led them to this handful of brightly colored goodness.

You need your shades for this summer’s trend: neons. The spring runways were filled with the not-so-neutral colors. Whether the bright hues are mixed and matched like Nanette Lepore’s head-to-toe neon ensembles or sprinkled in with accessories like Louis Vuitton’s eye-catching totes, we love them all. Think this trend might be a little too hot for you to handle? Try incorporating a pop of neon by pairing it with a dependable neutral. -Kristi McCann

model from Nanette Lepore spring 2012 RTW, courtesy of sytle.com; all other photography courtesy of vendors

1. Rebecca Minkoff mini MAC bag in bright pink, $195 at Neiman Marcus
2. Alice + Olivia 5-picket skinny jeans in neon yellow, $190 at Tootsies
3. Tory Burch Aine thong sandal in fluorescent orange, $157.50 at Tory Burch in Highland Park Village

produced by Kelly Belter and Kristi McCann

On Trend: 4 Tribal Print Pieces We Love

When shopping interns Kelly Belter and Kristi McCann put their heads together to do some local trend tracking, it was twists on the tribal motif that caught their attention.

Tribal prints emerged as one of this season’s biggest trends. From the gradated graphics of Maria Corneja to the vivid maxi dresses at Michael Kors, designers were all about exploring the world less traveled. We were especially captivated by Balmain’s glimmering, Aztec-inspired motifs, ideal for the adventurous at heart. We searched Dallas high and low for the perfect additions to your wardrobe, all of which you can check out below. –Kelly Belter

Inspired by Balmain’s Resort 2012 collection, here are their four favorite picks, all available for you to pick up this weekend.

1. Fitted black and tribal print dress, $36 at Strut
2. Twelfth Street by Cynthia Rowley caftan, $275 at Elements
3. Mara Hoffman strapless Party dress, $277 at Stanley Korshak
4. 7 For All Mankind ikat toffee crop skinnies, $190 at Tootsies

produced by Kelly Belter and Kristi McCann

I’ve Got a Three-Ring Circus on My Hands

Celebs doing the chunky ring thing: Nicole Richie, Mary Kate Olsen, Alexa Chung, and my favorite, Florence Welch.

Well, actually, six. I’m guilty of wearing six rings on my fingers today. I dig the bohemian ring thing and its more-the-merrier attitude. It offers the perfect opportunity to dust off Grandma’s gaudy baubles and bring them out into the sunshine. Of course I still have a slew of jewels on my wish list. Take a look below. If these don’t tickle your whimsy, try stopping in at Another Time and Place who displays serving platters full of cocktail rings.

photography courtesy of vendors

1. Low Luv x Erin Wasson gold moon stack ring, $29 (V.O.D.)
2. Barse turquoise and copper sterling band ring set, $74 (Barse)
3. Pamela Love arrowhead ring, $625 (Grange Hall or V.O.D.)
4. Pamela Love sterling silver double finger crystal ring, $525 (Grange Hall or V.O.D.)
5. Bohem zircon ring, $154 (Piermarini Boutique)
6. NEST chrysophase & brass ring, $250 (Stanley Korshak)
7. Emily Armenta oval midnight labradorite/London blue topaz with cravelli crosses, $1,700 (Ylang23)
8. Federica Rettore tanzanite and opal ring, $10,275 (Barneys New York)

Peplums, Colorblocking, and Fun, Spring Hues at Milk + Honey

Lela Rose courtesy of Nordstrom, Aryn K courtesy of my iPhone, Jason Wu courtesy of style.com

Stopped by Milk + Honey yesterday to pick up a birthday gift (spoiler alert, sis) and was pleased to discover the spring trends in full bloom. (Cheesy, sorry.) Most noticeably, the green, sweetheart necklined number with a peplum (above, middle). Peplums, as you may have noticed, are all the rage. The minty green Lela Rose dress above is new for spring along with Jason Wu’s sweet bubblegum skirt on the right. I don’t do pink myself, but I think the colorblocked dress, left, is a confection. The fuchsia pleats are oddly complementary to the seafoam-colored top. It doesn’t hurt that it’s only $46. Seriously. Oh, and it also comes in coral and taupe.

TrendTracker Dallas: Army Green

Spicy II, $58

You don’t have to be in the military to wear one of the hottest colors for fall (although I’m sure all our troops are thrilled to know that they are so on-trend right now). Just hit up any local store and you’re bound to see dozens of varieties of garments and accessories that represent this look. Army green is one of my favorite neutrals. It works with just about any color. I like to pair it with brights for a contrast. Next time you’re going to use black or beige as your neutral, why not switch it up and try an army green cardigan, or even some army green tights instead? You’ll be the fashionista of the office and still look classy and professional. Jump for some great local army green finds… (more…)

TrendWatch Dallas: Bright Dresses

Forever 21, $27.80

As stores start gearing up for fall, consumers (that’s us!) should take advantage of the plethora of sales on summer clothes. But why should you buy summer clothes when autumn is just around the corner? Because many of summer’s frocks can be translated into fall outfits. One of my favorite trends, mixing brights with greys or army greens, is all the rage for the cooler months. So while you’re out shopping pick up some tights, sweaters and long- sleeve tees in those colors and you’ll suddenly have a whole slew of cute ensembles at your fingertips. Jump to see some great bright dresses and where to get them locally.
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