NashVogue

Artistic flavored fashion is all around us, with graphic polos for the guys and graphic tees for the girls. The trends are very similar from guy to girl.

For a girl, these tops look great with another trend this season – the scarf. A scarf will add a punch of color to the outfit or help draw out on of the colors in the graphics.

The graphics in the female tees tend to be more colorful than the graphics found in guys fashion. While just as artistic, there are a lot of pinks, blues, blacks, and golds as opposed to a high concentration of black or silver.

I’m a really big fan of all the artistic graphic tees. They take the casual “jeans and a t-shirt” to a whole new level.

Technorati Tags: fashion trend, Graphic tee for her

Having a graphic designer husband means I am constantly surrounded by creativity and artistic thought. It was only natural that he would completely fall in love with one of the latest trends in guy fashion – the graphic polo.

The graphic polo is artistic and trendy in it entirety. Focused primarily on grunge-inspired design with an air of “rockstar chic”, these tees bring the classic polo into a whole new era of life.

The designs can range in size from something small around the collar to covering the front to covering front and back. This means there is something for everyone depending on personal taste of how much flair you want.

Color also varies from design to design, with the most prevalent colors being black and silver.  Some designs, however, are filled with a rainbow of colors or a simple spot color.

The graphic polos are showing up everywhere from department stores to boutiques. I’ve even seen them in the window of the local tux shop. There is something for any price point.

Technorati Tags: graphic polo, male fashion

It’s hard to believe that summer is just around the corner. Memorial Day, the unofficial kick-off to summer, is less than two weeks away. My personal style in the summer tends to go more towards the sporty side. I like to be comfortable and the best way in my opinion is a sporty skirt and flip flops.

Sporty tops tend to be very simple and clean. Polos, cotton blouses, and tanks are the most popular. Layering is also very common in sporty looks. Layering two coordinating tanks creates an all new look than just wearing the tanks themselves. I also like to layer a coordinating tank under my polo or t-shirt. This gives the otherwise plain top some interest.

Sporty bottoms are easy and casual. Cotton skirts, bermudas, and capris are staples in the sporty wardrobe. Give your outfit some interest by choosing skirts with fun, colorful patterns or bermudas in this seasons plaid frenzy.

When trying to find shoes, think of comfort then style. I love flipflops, especially the new FitFlops that have come out. They combine fashion and comfort ina unique way. Tennis shoes are also very common in the sporty look. For a bit of a dressier look, go with some athletic looking wedges. Keds have come out with a great wedge that look just like traditional keds with a detailed wedge. Gives a whole new meaning to “high-heeled sneakers”.

Your best accessory will be your sunglasses. Stay simple with any other accessories you choose, but go all out with your sunglasses. I love the retro-looking shades out this summer.

Whatever your personal style is, I think everyone displays a little bit of the sporty look in their wardrobe. I know very few girls who don’t absolutely live in their flip flops all summer long. What is your favorite look this summer?

Technorati Tags: Fashion Trends, sporty, summer

When I first saw the commercial for Bravo’s newest reality game show, The Fashion Show, I thought the same thing I’m sure most of you thought, “They are trying to fill the Project Runway void.” As most of you know, Project Runway was whisked away to Lifetime and is rumored to finally begin airing this summer.

I’m sure the loss of Project Runway was felt keenly by Bravo. It was one of the very few reasons I watched anything else on Bravo. Their answer was to create The Fashion Show, a show where designers compete for a $125,000 cash prize and the chance to have their creations sold on BravoTV.com. In concept, The Fashion Show appears to be a complete remake of Project Runway.

The Fashion Show has taken on the characteristics of several other of Bravo’s reality shows by introducing the new “Quick Fire Challenge”. Last night, the designers had to create a cocktail dress from a black t-shirt in one hour. The winner’s where then given an advantage in the main challenge.

Additionally, the judging of The Fashion Show differs slightly from Project Runway. The top and bottom designers are choosen by the votes of an audience of “fashion elite” who attend the runway show. A panel, featuring Issac Mizrahi, Kelly Rowland, and a rotating guest judge, then decide the ultimate winner and loser. The grand prize winner will be choosen in an American Idol veiwer-vote method.

In theory, The Fashion Show is a good idea. In excecution, last night was a disappointment. I am willing to be a bit open, given that it was only the first episode, but there seems a surprising lack of talent from the contestants. There were one or two decent looking outfits, but nothing compared to the calibur of Project Runway contestants where the true competitors could be seen right away. One of the contestants even bemoaned her ability to sew clothing. If construction is key, why be entered into a contest where you will be responsible for creating your own designs start to finish?

Finally, the drama level is already in full swing. There are several contestants who are catty and just plain mean for no reason. I understand there is a level of ego that goes into these types of shows, but there is no reason to be mean. Aside from the contestants, the judges are also brutally honest to the point of being mean. Where the ever-polite Tim Gunn would give his opinion and make suggestions, criticism was made with harsh and pointed comments. The final review saw no sparing for designer feelings. Mizrahi told one of the bottom two contestants that he questioned why anyone with her ability (or lack thereof) would even dream of being in the industry (not a direct quote).

I’m willing to give The Fashion Show another shot next week. However, all it has done so far is to make me more impatient for the reappearance of Project Runway. By the way, last night’s winning design can be purchased from Bravo’s shop for an I’m-not-sure-it’s-worth-it $298.

Photos from BravoTv.com.

Technorati Tags: Bravo, Project Runway, The fashion show

A popular trend this Spring and Summer seems to be stripes. Vertical or horizontal, wide or thin, it doesn’t really matter what your stripes look like. Stripes are covering everything from tops to bottoms and handbags to sandals.

While they can look absolutely adorable on some, stripes can be a very difficult thing for many women to wear as they tend to have very strong affects on the shape of your body. For example, if you are a little on the wide side, avoid horizontal stripes, as they just make you appear even wider.

Vertical stripes are great for adding height. If you are a bit on the short side, vertical stripes have an elongating effect. On the flip side, if you are tall and don’t want to be any taller, avoid vertical stripes.

Stripes can very easily be a friend or foe. If the shirt is too tight, the stripes might become more like waves. A definite fashion faux pas.

I think stripes are a fantastic look in the right circumstances. Everyone can wear stripes, but not everyone can wear the same stripes. Have fun with stripes and just be a ware of what your body can and can’t handle.

Technorati Tags: 2009, spring fashion trend, stripes, summer fashion trend

In recent years, we have seen a love affair with plaid in Spring and Summer fashion. Tops, bottoms, shoes, and bags have all been pleasantly plaid. This Spring has seen a continuance of this sentiment. When surrounded by so much plaid, it can be a bit overwhelming to put outfits together. Trying to find the best top to go with those plaid shorts when all of the tops around seem to have stripes can be a bit of a tiring process.

For men, the plaid is primarily found on shorts or tops. I am a big fan of the plaid shorts on men. Pair them with a solid, matching polo. You can also pair them with a polo with a single bold stripe across the chest. Just make sure that the colors in the top complement the colors on bottom. For a more casual look, you can pair the plaid shorts with a matching graphic tee. The graphic on the front does not necessarily need to coordinate with the plaid in the bottoms as long as the base color of the tee coordinates. For the plaid tops, pair them with a solid color bottoms. Do not mix plaid tops with plaid bottoms. That is simply too much plaid.

For women, the plaid is most prevalent on bottoms, shoes, and bags. I really like the plaid shorts (Bermuda and other) as well as the plaid skirts paired with a solid tee. It is a fun, casual look. I have also notice plaid straps on flip flops. These are great when paired with an outfit with coordinating colors. It is okay to mix plaids when on is on your shorts and the other on your shoes, just make sure that there is not a large contrast in the colors.

Plaid is also popular for the little ones this year. Girls are being decked out in little plaid dresses, while the boys are wearing plaid shorts nearly identical to Dad’s. The same principals apply when trying to make outfits for the little ones. Most of the time, they are sold as outfits, which takes out a lot of the guess work for you.

If you have been afraid to try plaids, don’t be! They are a fun, stylish way to round out your Spring and Summer wardrobe.

Technorati Tags: plaid, spring fashion trend, summer fashion trend

Surfing Twitter today I found a link to an article about bikini jeans on Twirlit. My curiousity was piqued. Upon following the link I found these.

They are apparently all the craze in Japan and were created by Sanna’s Brazil Fashion clothing line for women. The designer is hoping to make them just as popular in the States. However, I don’t foresee myself ever wearing them. Nor is there anyone I can think of whom I would want to see wearing them. It kind of takes the thong flash to a whole new level. Of course, this is just my opinion. I want to know. Would you wear these?

Technorati Tags: bikini jeans, sanna, would you wear these?

Feminine is definitely the trend the Spring. I talked about ruffles yesterday as being a feminine style popular this Spring. Florals are another feminine trend that seems to be blooming around us this Spring. I know…terrible pun.

Florals are absolutely everywhere this season. Most commonly seen on dresses and skirts, they are also gracing tops, shoes, bags, and accessories. These are not any old florals, though. Bold and bright, they add a warm splash of color to everything they touch.

Accessories have jumped into the floral theme with gusto. Necklaces are sporting large flower pendants, while brightly colored flower pins are adorning lapels of jackets everywhere. These large pins also make great additions to the scarf look by placing one where the two sides of the scarf cross at the neck.

Just as the real flowers outside bloom to make us smile, the floral patterns of this Spring will add some color to your day. For me, the best part about these floral garments is the lack of allergies. All the look, with none of the sneezing.

Technorati Tags: floral, New York and Company, newport news, Spring Fashion, type b

Spring is here! The weather is getting warmer and it feels oh so nice! The Spring fashion trends are out in full force as well. Among them is an abundance of ruffles.

This feminine flounce can be found anywhere from tops to skirts to dresses. Necklines seem be getting extra special ruffle attention. You can find it spilling down the front of many tops this season, adding a feminine splash to an otherwise drab work shirt.

Dresses also are getting their fair share of ruffles. Wrap dresses are getting ruffle detailing along all edging. As gorgeous as it is, the ruffles are turning an every-body-type-friendly dress into one that not everyone can wear. However, the dresses are flirty and fun – a perfect option for Easter.

Apples need to be especially cautious of ruffles. Anywhere they are around your neck or across your bust line, they will accentuate the widest part of your body. Keep your feminine frills below the waist and you will be just fine.

Spring is fully here for most of us. Go out to lunch with friends. Enjoy the weather and wear ruffles while you’re at it.

Technorati Tags: arden b, charlotte russe, matthew williamson, Ruffles, Spring Fashion, Tocca

To round out the series on Personal Style, let’s discuss the laid back Casual Chic. For her, comfort is key. Often she is athletic or a mommy. She chooses this style to fit her lifestyle instead of choosing a lifestyle in line with her fashion.

The Clothes

Casual Chic’s clothes are going to be the ultimate in comforatble. The primary fabric used will be cotton due it’s lightweight nature and softness. Her bottoms will more than likely be denim or cotton. Jeans and yoga-style pants are staples in her wardrobe.

Her tops a easy-going. She opts for t-shirts and tanks over blouses. The tops themselves will be low frill with barely a ruffle or bow in sight.

Accessories will be simple. The biggest accessory you’ll see with be the sunglasses she perches a top her head when she walks inside. Tennis shoes and flip flops are her favorite shoes, although you might see some flats on dressier days.

What the Clothes Say

Casual Chic is laid back and “cool”. She doesn’t care too much about what other people think or what’s “hot” in the fashion world. This doesn’t mean she doesn’t care about her appearance or herself. It simply means she doesn’t buy into trends and wear what she wants – what makes her feel comfortable.

That wraps up the personal style series. My personal style is a bit of a mix between Fashionista, Casual, and Boho with a little bit of everything else. My wardrobe is a bit eclectic – stylish sweaters next to a stack of t-shirts, boho skirts next to black pencil skirt. I would love to know what your personal style is. You can post pictures in the comments field or send them to via twitter, @nashvogue.

Technorati Tags: casual, personal style