obsession : basketball shorts

One of the pieces in my activewear collection is inspired by the classic basketball short - think elastic band with 3 rows of stitching, loose slouchy fit. I made mine in a slinky spandex with great drape, in a tarnished nickel color. The fun part is that with a silk white tank, they can be worn to dinner - and then the next day, on a run with a sports bra.

It's fun to watch the athletic and fashion world collide - activewear inspired garments are becoming more and more regular.

Let's see how it's being done!

 

Love the take on athletic shorts in this fun, bright color! But the waistband keeps the inspiration nearby.

 

 Once again, clearly inspired by basketball shorts - but the watch and fun tank keep it from looking like she just came from the gym.

 

What do you find of this trend? Would you buy a pair of shorts inspired by athletic clothing, or would you wear a pair of "basketball shorts" out with regular clothes? I think it's cute!

obsession : all white

A maxi skirt is versatile - you can pair it with colored tops for a summery ensemble or go for a monochromatic look for something a bit more daring or evening. Recently I've noticed a lot of these looks going all white. The result is dramatic yet light and ethereal.

 

 Source: various places on tumblr

obsession : racerback

My new fitness kick has got me loving all things racerback (and spandex, but that's not new).  It's a classic athletic silhouette, but injected into dresses and silk tanks creates a sexy, beautiful contrast.

 

 (A lot of these photos came from my old files on my laptop so they could not be sourced; however, those that could be are linked!)

obsession : red & royal blue

Perhaps it is from being surrounded by preppy, saturated tones at the Abercrombie design office everyday - or this bright red and royal blue plaid scarf I keep seeing - but I'm obsessed with this color combination right now.  Let's see how people are wearing it!

Source: Chictopia.com

My favorite way to see these colors together is in a print - or as solid garments worn together.  It looks best in fully saturated, rich, royal tones of these two colors - but if you aren't ready for that, try subbing in a navy for the blue, or a burgundy for the red!

obsession : box clutch

A clutch is an interesting accessory - because it has to be held, it begs to be a focal point of an outfit.  We've seen the oversize floppy clutches adorning the hands (or space-between-arms-and-waists) of the fashion conscious, but lately I've begun loving the even more deliciously impractical but fascinating box clutch.  There is something wonderfully old fashioned about them.

 

 

 Bonus points if it's on a strap.

obsession : bracelets

I've always been a bracelet girl when it comes to jewelry.  I tend to regard my hair as an "accessory" - since it is curly, it kind of counts as a visual texture/element, or at least that's how my mind seems to work when I'm getting dressed in the morning.  I love earrings, but they get lost in my hair.  Necklaces blend in.  Bracelets I find absolutely fascinating.

Not only are wrists interesting and beautiful parts of the body, but once upon a time when modesty was more popular they were a slightly erotic zone, like ankles, peeking out of long hems of sleeves and skirts and showing a tiny bit of pale, untouched skin.

Since I got two new bracelets for Christmas, my obsession has grown.  Now I want every bracelet!  And I've noticed a lot of my recent inspiration from images I've pulled have been just that: outfit shots, zeroed in on bracelets.  So, I share.

Sources: various years-old folders and Tumblr

obsession : pointed toe heels, continued

So much love for this right now.  Pointed toes are making a comeback after the Jeffrey Campbell Lolita shaped toe.

obsession : pointed toe heels

Ever since seeing the Olsens in real life, I've fallen in love with their love for verging-on-spikey toed heels.  After scouring the internet (for WEEKS) to find a photo of the leopard pumps Ashley wore to the Row fashion show and coming up dry, I've given up.  But those girls have some amazing shoes.  Maybe a nice quality pair of not-too-high and not-too-spikey pointed pumps are in my near future.

 So cool.

Despite the discomfort, a great pointed toe shoe does wonders for your leg - though best done in a heel, as you will have that "extra room" at the end where your toes really don't go and no one wants their feet to look bigger (especially me).  

Maybe this will be my first I-have-a-job purchase.

obsession : pendleton

Sorry for the lack of posts - things have been really busy lately.  Between coming home from New York, getting to spend a few days at home, and then picking back up to move all my things into a new house for school, I've been a bit low on time!

With school back in session (we had our first day yesterday), fall is on the mind (though it has been for a while now ... ) and with thoughts of fall come thoughts of blankets and sweaters.  And when I think blankets, I think the nice thick wooly ones my parents have in shades of cream and red with wide red, green, black and yellow stripes.  These blankets come from Pendleton, originators of the Navajo-style print that has been popping up lately.

obsession : lanyard jewelry

The friendship bracelet trend has brought back embroidery floss (traditional bracelet material) but also camping/hiking cord and ... plastic lanyard.  The result is a punchy, bright bracelet that feels modern.

 

DIY for a cool mix of leather and plastic (click image for instructions)

 More DIY (click image for instructions)

This blogger wears these in a color blocked look

I think I will be trying my hand at making one once I'm back in Cincinnati.  What an easy trend to do yourself!

obsession : bracelets piled on

Friendship bracelets have been getting more and more attention lately - but rather than looking crafty or too reminiscent of scout camping trips, they look modern, edgy and cool.  They add a pop of color and a hint of nostalgia intermixed with metal bracelets. 

 

  

Time to put on my LOFT bracelet my mom got me, mix it with the friendship bracelet my boyfriend made me, and rock the trend.

obsession : matthew williamson fall 2011 rtw

I have a new favorite designer, because of this collection.

Inspired by Russian artist Francisco Infante-Arana, Williamson combined geometric prints with beads, lamb, ombre, and patchwork wool to create a vibrant and fresh fall collection.  I love everything about those prints, and how wearable (and cozy) some of the separates look.  Recently I've been loving those Pendleton-type wool blankets with the native geometric squares and triangles in bright colors. 

I am trying to gather inspiration for tailoring - I will go fabric shopping this weekend.  I intend to do some serious bead work on my coat (I know, I know) and I also want to design the outfit to be worn with the coat, so it goes down the runway as a complete look.  I'll give you a sneak hint: the stingray as inspiration.

Though if I find some native print wool, that may replace it.