The Closet Coach

For today’s Fashion Beauty Friend Friday, we’re talking about fads, trends and being part of the “in” crowd, inspired by the wild popularity of the Missoni x Target line.

1. Do you ever see a fad hit the stores and immediately dislike it? Has that fad ever began to grow on you?

On a regular basis! I definitely have a certain aesthetic, so I tend to react less favorably to anything that deviates wildly from that.

Having said that, I have changed my mind over time, especially as I see how others have incorporated the pieces in ways that suit my taste. I didn’t initially love skinny jeans and bright colors, but both are now staple parts of my wardrobe.

2. Has the popularity of a certain piece of clothing or line ever convinced you to try on something (or purchase something) you dislike?

Yes. Not because it’s popular per se, but when I see so many others wear or rave about a particular item, I wonder whether all of these people know something I don’t!

At that point I feel like I should at least try the item and see if my opinion changes. Sometimes it does, and sometimes my initial opinion is confirmed. But if I still dislike it, I don’t buy it.

Right now I just can’t get on board with the super high platform pumps that seemingly grow taller by the passing week.

3. Have you ever changed your mind about a trend after seeing it around for a while?

See above :)

4. Do you feel a certain pressure to have specific items in your closet because ‘everyone’ else does?

Not so much to own them, but to consider them.

When it suddenly seemed like every woman here in DC was wearing a pair of Hunter boots on rainy days, I’ll admit I felt a twinge of envy. But then I stopped to think about what style of rainboot or shoe is most practical for what I wear and a knee-high boot just wasn’t it. I wound up buying a pair of low-calf Bogs instead. (And now I’m on the hunt for shoe style waterproof footwear; I’ve tried a couple of different Crocs–NOT the clogs–but neither fit.)

5. Be honest, what do you think of the Missoni line? Did you grab any items? Is it worth the eBay prices?

From what little I could see of it, it was relatively well made and did an excellent job of translating the label’s aesthetic to the Target price point and market. I think this is a large part of why it was so overwhelmingly successful–that and its instant recognizability.

However, I don’t think paying double the cost on eBay makes any sense; if you keep an eye on the sample sale sites you might be able to find some “real” Missoni for that same price point. In fact, I just picked up a Missoni scarf on Gilt for $89. Why would I pay that amount for one of the ones from Target?

As for the Target line, I was only able to buy some things in children’s sizes (mittens and socks), so at least my daughter can be a bit cheap chic ;)

In general, as I mentioned in the Friend Friday posts on Spring and Fall trends, the key to trends and fads is looking for items that work well on you and with what you already own. A fad for the sake of a fad will soon lose its appeal.

Your Turn

• What trends do you love?
• Which ones do you regret?

[This post is part of Modly Chic’s Fashion Beauty Friend Fridays.]

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On Friday I wrote about my 5 favorite trends for Fall 2011.

Now it’s your turn. What are your favorite trends this season?

Vote for one of my 5 picks … or add your own!

This week for Friend Friday we’re talking fall trends 2011: Name your five favorite fall trends and how you plan to wear them this season.

Although I like to stay current, I don’t usually go out of my way to work a bevy of trends into my wardrobe. Instead, I try to play up pieces I already have that work within a trend, and look for an additional piece or two of the latest and greatest.

So these are the trends that I’m most likely to wear this season.

My favorite fall trends for 2011

1. Choker necklaces and cuff bracelets. I’m always looking for ways to update my jewelry wardrobe, and I like the fierce modern edge of these metallic choker necklaces and cuffs. I don’t have any now, so I’ll look for inexpensive versions at stores like H&M and Target.

2. ‘70s inspired day dresses. I already have a good selection of skirts in my closet. By adding a shirt or two with looser, flowing sleeves, this is a look I can make work for me. And if I find a pussy bow blouse, I can use it twice as much by also incorporating it into a “Mad Men”-esque ‘60s ensemble.

3. ‘60s/mod. Speaking of which … I’ve always loved the look of the mid-’60s. With so much black already in my closet, it shouldn’t be too hard to work in some whites and brights for a mod feel.

4. Bright pants. Did I say brights? Once upon a time I had a pair of lime green cigarette pants. If I still had them, they’d fit right in this season. Instead, I’ll have to find a new pair. Maybe I’ll get some in the color of my final Fall 2011 trend …

5. Red. For almost 10 years, I had red hair and as a consequence I steered clear of wearing it as well. Now that I’m back to my roots, so to speak, I’ve been working more red into my wardrobe. Luckily that makes me on trend!

As you can see, many of these trends will complement one another, making them much more versatile.

That’s the key to wearing any trend: look for items that work well on you and with what you already own. Your trendy item can then become part of your core wardrobe and be wearable long after the trends have changed.

Your Turn

• What are you looking forward to wearing this Fall?

[This post is part of Modly Chic’s Fashion Beauty Friend Fridays.]

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(Want to get more shopping tips and fun insider stuff? Join The Style List. It’s like a secret club in your email inbox! And when you join, you’ll get my free email series, 7 Days to Better Shopping. It’s my gift to you!)

This week’s question for Fashion Beauty Friend Fridays asks “What are the top 5 Summer trends that you are looking forward to wearing this season?”

I’m a fashion blogger. I read Lucky and Allure and have 12 different style apps on my phone. If anyone should be aware of the season’s trends, it should be me, right?

And I am. I mean, I pay attention to them. I’m aware that they’re there. I see them popping up online and at the mall.

But I don’t shop that way.

Call it a benefit of being older, perhaps, but I look for items that will complement what I already own or fill a gap in my wardrobe. Wardrobe building tends to be the opposite of trend shopping.

When I’m influenced by the trends, it’s a more subtle influence. If I’m looking for a T-shirt, for example, I may choose the more brightly colored one over my typical neutral option because the color-blocking trend is front and center this spring.

So while I can’t say that there are 5 trends for Spring 2011 (and into this summer) I am actively looking forward to wearing, here are the trends that have influenced my shopping this season:

• Color-blocking. I haven’t gone head-to-toe brights (yet?), but I have incorporated more color into my wardrobe.
• Animal prints. I’ve always loved a nice animal print, but I’ve never tried to pull it off in a garment. Instead, I tend to wear accessories in animal print: a scarf, a cuff. Now I’m looking for a way to work it in with larger pieces. I also just ordered up a safari style Calvin Klein dress from Rue La La that I think will work great with print accessories (fingers crossed it fits!).
• ‘70s. I’m 41, my dears. I was born in the ‘70s. I remember the ‘70s. And I never thought I’d find myself wearing those styles again. But dang if I don’t lust after a pair of tab-waisted wide-legged pants like the ones above. It’s so Cheryl Tiegs as Charlie Girl.

That’s my take on the trends. What about yours? Do you love to buy the latest and greatest? Or do you prefer to stick to the styles that work for you?

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Spring 2011 Wish List by closetcoach on Polyvore.com

Spring! It can’t come soon enough, right?

I don’t care if March 1 isn’t the official first day–it’s close enough for me! And spring means shopping for new warm-weather wardrobe items. It’s a great time to mix in a few new things that are inspired by the runway trends.

So my shopping wish list for Spring 2011 focuses on these types of garments (and accessories, too!).

• Yellow. Bold and citrus colors were everywhere and nothing is cheerier than sunny yellow. It’s a hard hue to wear, so I don’t have a lot in my closet right now. This spring feels like the year to try some on.
• Military and nautical. Military trends cycle in and out every few years, as do the nautical twists on the theme. I’d like a military-inspired jacket with some detailing, and maybe a navy-striped bateau T-shirt to go with it. So classic. Pack it away when it looks too dated and it’s ready to pull out again in another couple of years.
• High-waisted/flared jeans. Normally, I’d be scared of these. (Marsha Brady, anyone?) But I tried a pair on in H&M and they were cuter than I’d expected. Plus I’d like to wholeheartedly encourage the return of rises on denim that are in the neighborhood of my actual waist.
• Patterned/floral tops. There was a lot of patterned fabric on the Spring 2011 runways, including florals. There’s something about a floral print that feels fresh and new. The trick is to find a pattern that’s right for your shape, not too tiny and not too large.

And these aren’t even all the trends, of course. Many designers also did sheer layering as well as neutrals and nudes. But my wardrobe’s already full of neutrals, and I find layering sheer garments to be too much work to pull off properly.

Dream on!

• What’s on your wish list for this spring?