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Alexander to Vera

Alexander to Vera

A fashion blog for real-girls who simply can't get enough.

Get the Look

The moment we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived! The Isabel Marant show walked in Paris earlier today and I can assure you it did not disappoint! The country-inspired looks showed a modern take on the old west, and managed to create a perfect combination of classic cowgirl and parisian chic. One look from the collection stood out for me in particular because of its wearability both now, and in the fall. 

Get the Look: Isabel Marant
Get the Look: Isabel Marant by alexander-to-vera featuring j brand skinny jeans

Topshop wool coat
$178 - topshop.com

Lace Overlay Vest
$56 - topshop.com

J brand skinny jeans
$199 - intermixonline.com

Zara shoes
$129 - zara.com

[runway image via nymag.com]

Current Obsession: Mesh

Now that Spring is finally within sight, I have been getting more and more excited about implementing my favorite trends from the SS12 runways. Back in November I posted my Trend Forecast: Athletics which showed different designer interpretations of the sporty look that dominated the Spring shows. Today, after being inspired by the photo from Tommy Ton (above) and the shot from Elle Norway (below), I decided to focus on one element of this trend in particular: mesh.

What I love is how each designer took this sporty fabric and interpreted it in a different way: from the dark, somewhat gothic black mesh at Alexander Wang and Theyskens Theory, to the chic modern whites at Vera Wang and Givenchy. I also loved how Cynthia Rowley managed to make the fabric look prim and proper on an adorable minidress as well as the relaxed cool of the mesh looks at Chloe.

1. Alexander Wang 2. Theyskens Theory

3. Vera Wang 4. Chloe

5. Cynthia Rowley 6. Viktor & Rolf

5. Chloe 6. Givenchy

Believe it or not, mesh can actually be surprisingly easy to wear, as long as you have the right underpinnings. For some inspiration, check out these great street-style photos of girls (including Aimee Song and Blair Eadie) wearing the mesh trend.

Here are some shopping options that I found online. Enjoy!

Mesh
Mesh by alexander-to-vera featuring mesh shoes

Sleeved dress
$92 - topshop.com

Zara short top
$26 - zara.com

J Crew cami top
$78 - jcrew.com

Knit top
$72 - topshop.com

Jumper sweater
$76 - topshop.com

Mesh top
garage.ca

Victoria s Secret slimming top
$25 - victoriassecret.com

Victoria s Secret slimming top
$25 - victoriassecret.com

Sam Edelman mesh shoes
$161 - asos.com

Loeffler Randall high heel shoes
$165 - jildorshoes.com

[images via jakandjil.com, nymag.com, songofstyle.blogspot.com, easyfashion.blogspot.com, atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com, thesartorialist.com]

Winter Pick-Me-Up

Today’s dreary weather in New York had me dreaming of Spring. While thinking about all of the great outfits I would be wearing once the weather warms up, I decided that there is no reason why I can’t start phasing in my favorite Spring/Summer colors and styles right now! The key to this look is COLOR and lots of it! By wearing a bunch of bright colors you can escape the Winter blues while also embracing the color-blocking trend that will continue to be everywhere this Spring. 

Just looking at these photos cheers me up! So I can’t wait to actually try this look for myself. Check out some great options to help you complete the look!

Brights
Brights by alexander-to-vera featuring a lace skirt

TopShop shift dress
$72 - topshop.com

TopShop sleeveless dress
£46 - topshop.com

TopShop sleeveless dress
£46 - topshop.com

TopShop top
$46 - topshop.com

TopShop strap vest
£24 - topshop.com

TopShop pleated skirt
$96 - topshop.com

TopShop lace skirt
$75 - topshop.com

ASOS denim skinny jeans
$72 - asos.com

ASOS olive skinny jeans
$57 - asos.com

Asos shoes
$170 - asos.com

Miss KG high heel sandals
$152 - asos.com

River Island chain shoes
$54 - asos.com

NADA SAWAYA clutch bag
$360 - bluefly.com

Satchel bag
$179 - asos.com

Asos Leandra Girly Suede Loafer
$63 - asos.com
[images via atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com, chicfeed.com, and elle.com]

Trend Forecast: Topshop Style

As you may have noticed, over the past few weeks I have been updating my Trend Forecast series in which I use the Spring 2012 collections to predict upcoming trends. While browsing Topshop.com, I found that they have created a Trend Forecast of their own. Since I regularly feature Topshop products here on Alexander to Vera I decided to share the retail giant’s Spring Preview with my readers. Check it out below, and click on any of the photos to go straight to the Topshop page where you can shop these styles to your heart’s content!

‘Sporty in shape, silky to the touch and bursting with exuberant prints, our favorites take us back to the 90s in all its excessive glory. If there’s ever been a time to team jewel tones with yellow gold, mix florals with animal prints, and make sure that every item you’re wearing clashes, it’s now!’ Check out this post for inspiration.

‘The trick to working this sorbet-sweet trend is to get your palette spot on. Sweetie shades - think lemon, peach, and watermelon - have a hint of neon, yet also appear to have been left out in the sun to fade. Yes, for SS12, even your clothes should look sun-kissed.’

‘Err on the girly side with pretty prints, dreamy shades and cutesy detailing, but don’t be deceived, the cutout isn’t for wallflowers! Apart from showing a glimpse of sun kissed skin, our favorite new way to channel the flirty cutout is to layer one peek-a-boo piece right over another.’

‘Make a bold splash - ‘Maximum’ and ‘Impact’ should be your buzzwords! And while you’re already looking exuberant in plants that sound like they’re from the shores of Hawaii, why not throw some animal print into the mix? Leopard, zebra, tiger, or snake - the choice is yours!’

‘There’s only one rule to follow when it comes to print and it goes something like this - the more kaleidoscopic the patter the better! Memorize it and you can’t go wrong; it’s all about picking out whatever prints take your fancy and wearing them all at once!’

‘With sheer fabrics and futuristic silhouettes dazzling the catwalks, calling yourself a technophobe is no longer an option - or an excuse! Believe the hype - the space-age ensemble is here to stay and mastering the art of layering light-as-a-feather, iridescent pieces is your surest fast track to fashion’s future.’

‘Oh-so-girly skirts have been given a flirty take with graduated hemlines - we’re huge fans of the short-at-the-front and long-at-the-back - while dresses in simple, sporty shapes wow with their asymmetric finish. However you want to phrase it - angular, stepped, skewed - all you need to remember is that you need at least one hem that isn’t straight.’

‘Flouncy fabrics in rose, topaz, azure and aqua are strewn with pearls and encrusted with beads, shining like scales and shells. So if, like us, you once dreamed of living under the sea, SS12 is your chance to channel your inner sea goddess.’

[all images and quoted text are from topshop.com]

Easy Chic: The Button Down

With all of the crazy trends that come in and out of style over the years, sometimes it can be nice to just go back to basics. A look built around something as simple as a white button-down is a breath of fresh air compared to the many overdone ensembles that have become street-style staples. No one does this look better than Emmanuelle Alt, the new Editor in Chief of French Vogue.

Alt has perfected her easy parisian chic look: a button-down, white jeans, hermes cuff/belt, and killer heels. It’s undone and yet so ridiculously perfect.

Here are a few other chic examples of button-down dressing:

Although the classic white button-down will always be in style, it’s still nice to know that your look is on-trend. Luckily many designers incorporated the shirts into their Spring 2012 collections. Check out their looks and hopefully you’ll get inspired to create your own chic ensembles.

1. D&G 2. Prabal Gurung

3. Christopher Kane 4. Erdem

5. Cushnie et Ochs 6. Rebecca Minkoff

Below I have included some options for those of you who want to add some new shirts to your collections, plus some awesome shoes to help you finish the look.

Button Down
Button Down by alexander-to-vera featuring longsleeve shirts

J Crew dart shirt
$80 - jcrew.com

J Crew dart shirt
$78 - jcrew.com

TopShop longsleeve shirt
$75 - topshop.com

ASOS longsleeve shirt
263 NOK - asos.com

J crew
$70 - jcrew.com

J crew
$150 - jcrew.com

Zara heeled sandals
$90 - zara.com

Zara cap toe shoes
$90 - zara.com

Zara shoes
$70 - zara.com

Zara patchwork shoes
$100 - zara.com
[images via gastrochic.com, whowhatwear.com, atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com, chicfeed.com, nymag.com]

Trend Forecast: Metallics

The metallic trend has been around for what seems like years now, and if the Spring 2012 runways were any indication: it shows no signs of slowing down. While most designers enabled variations of silver and gold, the trend experienced a refreshing infusion of color thanks to design superstars like Prabal Gurung and Olivier Theyskens.

1. Prabal Gurung 2. Theyskens Theory

3. Lela Rose 4. Loewe

5. Diesel Black Gold 6. Sass & Bide

I think that the metallic trend is one of the easiest looks to incorporate into your wardrobe. To start, try pairing a metallic piece with an all-black or all-white outfit. I also love the combination of a metallic skirt with a casual-feeling chambray button down. Check out how these chic women wear their metallics.

The best part is that this trend looks great year-round! Check out some awesome metallic options below.

Metallic
Metallic by alexander-to-vera featuring a short pleated skirt

TopShop cotton dress
£150 - topshop.com

Oasis full skirt dress
$127 - asos.com

ASOS top
345 SEK - asos.com

Zara
$80 - zara.com

Oasis short pleated skirt
€61 - asos.com

ASOS metallic pants
493 SEK - asos.com

TopShop pleated leather skirt
£90 - topshop.com

Topshop
£40 - topshop.com

Zara
$40 - zara.com

TopShop leather shoes
£80 - topshop.com

TopShop high heel shoes
£62 - topshop.com

Topshop shoes
£95 - topshop.com

TopShop flat heels
£25 - topshop.com

Zara metallic clutch
$100 - zara.com

TopShop metallic belt
£14 - topshop.com
[images via nymag.com, Gastrochic.com, fashionologie.com, chicfeed.com]

Go Get Some: Velvet

I have always loved the glamourous look of velvet. Luckily my favorite designers love it just as much, and constantly include the luxe fabric in their Fall/Winter collections.

Proenza Schouler

Stella McCartney

Givenchy

Carlos Miele

While most of these designers showed velvet in more formal looks, I love the idea of adding a pop of velvet into a daytime ensemble through jackets and accessories.

The best thing about velvet is that it’s perfect for any occasion from a regular work day to a glamourous party. Check out my favorite velvet picks below!

Velvet
Velvet by alexander-to-vera featuring a velvet pencil skirt

ASOS cowlneck dress
$86 - asos.com

Short sleeve top
$75 - topshop.com

Tux jacket
£75 - topshop.com

TopShop velvet pencil skirt
$70 - topshop.com

Zara
$80 - zara.com

Burgundy pants
£22 - topshop.com

Subtitled Silk Velvet Running Shorts
$80 - generalpants.com.au

Floor length skirt
$72 - asos.com

Velvet shoes
£58 - topshop.com

VaVa flat heel shoes
$56 - topshop.com

ASOS multi color shoes
$85 - asos.com

ASOS velvet shoes
368 NOK - asos.com

Messeca chunky shoes
$200 - theoutnet.com

Juicy Couture velvet handbag
$148 - lordandtaylor.com

[images via nymag.com, fashionologie.com, lestylechild.blogspot.com, atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com]

Inspired by: CHANEL

Chanel

If there is one thing I know for sure, it’s that Chanel will always be chic. The quilted purses and little tweed jackets that Coco Chanel made famous are still a huge part of Karl Lagerfeld’s collections to this day. Personally, I love the way that modern girls manage to work a classic Chanel-esque piece into their wardrobe while still maintaining a certain edge. The best way to achieve this look is by pairing your tweed with something unexpected. A pair of jeans, shorts, leather pants, or a graphic tee manage to create the perfect balance between ladylike and rock-n-roll. Accessorizing with chain necklaces and sturdy heels completes the look.

If you do decide to go all-out with a full tweed suit like Caroline Sieber did below, I suggest keeping the hemline short to help keep the look flirty instead of matronly. 

For those of you who want the Chanel look at a real-girl price, check out some of the great options I found online. Happy shopping!

Inspired by: Chanel
Inspired by: Chanel by alexander-to-vera featuring michael kors jacket
ASOS boatneck dress, $99
Michael kors jacket, $195
Tall jacket, $130
Zara zipper jacket, $129
Party jacket, $99
Ann Sofie Back short mini skirt, $153
Aso, $99
Aso, $90
Short cotton skirt, $56
Elie tahari shoes, $60
Coach sequin handbag, $228

[images via nymag.com, atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com, elle.com, streetpeeper.com]