We know – it’s an annoying tradition. Why should anyone be punished with a pinch for not wearing green just because it’s March 17th? Can’t we all just celebrate in non-coordinating color schemes? After all, no other holiday has a dress code reinforced by the pinching-police.
In an effort to help you avoid the St. Patty’s Day pinchers, here are some fresh, and fun ways to work some green into your wardrobe this spring – without looking like you just jumped off a box of Lucky Charms.
POP 5: New Ways To Wear Green On St. Patrick’s Day
1. For the girl on the go – the simple scarf
What’s more simple, classic, and chic than a scarf? If it’s versatility you’re looking for, it’s the ultimate accessory. Fold it into a headband, tie it around your neck, or loop it through the handle of your favorite purse – and voila! Working green into your wardrobe has never been this easy. Try out this Jonathan Adler Dip Dye Scarf in Mint/Turquoise from Nordstrom.com, for $118.00.
2. For the commitment phobe – the crossbody bag
For a hint of green that you can put on, take off, or sling around the back of a chair like you just don’t care, try a crossbody bag in a pale mint green. This woven leather purse is the perfect way to casually wear St.Patrick’s color, without technically “wearing” it. Fossil’s Sydney Crossbody in Mint is available at Macys.com for $128.00.
3. For the sophisticate – the elegant earring
The pub doesn’t have to be your scene in order to make a scene in green this St. Patrick’s Day. Add a pop of color to an all black, white, or neutral wardrobe with the help of these 18k yellow gold Irene Neuwirth earrings set with rose cut chrysoprase and diamonds, available at Barneys.com for $1960.00.
I hope you’ve been saving up your allowance…
4. For the party girl – the neon wayfarers
Plan on spending your St. Patty’s Day partying? Stay out all day, or all night, in these neon wayfarer sunglasses. Featuring colored mirror lenses and a matte finish, these retro sunnies are the perfect way to showcase your seasonal spirit in a way that won’t break the bank if you happen to lose them after a long night at the pub. Pick up these neon wayfarers at Forever21.com for just $5.80.
5. For the classy broad – the sexy silhouette
For a look that’s just as classic as it is sexy, stand out in a mint green silhouette with chic lace panels for an elegant look that works for day or night. Try BCBG’s Maude Boatneck Dress for a timeless look with flirty details that show off a hint of skin, listed at $298.00 at BCBG.com.
“You make the world your office. You branch out and give back. The way that people are now shopping and mixing clothes up – Topshop to Prada to Michael Kors – you have to live your life that way. You have to mix the high and the low. The Vogue offices are full of what I call very angular women wearing stilettos, and maybe that’s just the consciousness – that people think that they need this look when they work at Vogue. But Grace Coddington does not fit that mold and she’s elegant. Look at Michelle Obama, she’s the most fashionable woman in America. But she’s not a fashion plate.” – André Leon Talley
Recently, André Leon Talley graced Time Out New York with a short interview, probably as part of Anna-Goddess-Wintour’s strategy to promote “The September Issue,” the documentary of her work on Vogue’s largest issue ever, September 2007′s.
Even though it’s a very uninteresting interview, it does convey an important reality: people should mix and match designer and regular brands in order to look cool without having to spend money they do not have. I have done this before, as any fashionista, and there are some tips I am more than willing to share (especially because I know 99% of the humanity has no clue whatsoever on how to dress).
1) Always wear a good top.
Never, ever wear cheap looking upper clothes. The reason is simple. When trousers are cheap, it’s often not that obvious because denim is the most ordinary of clothes. Yet, if a shirt is not consciously elaborated, it will show.
2) Cheap shoes should go to hell.
The design, the material, the sewing. It’s too easy to notice when shoes are cheap, so don’t do Payless, as shown below…see?
Image via Payless.com
3) Accessories can come from the uptown mall or downtown flea market.
The cheaper, the better. Go vintage, go green, go whatever because there is nothing wrong, especially now, from plastic to gold, everything goes.
4) Things should be fitted even if they are old.
You can go for vintage blazers, but never ever wear them as if they were coats! Blazers can be both old or new, but always with a good fitted cut.
I hope these tips will help you next time you go out shopping. Remember you don’t have to spend a million bucks to look like a million bucks.
For her own clothing line’s 2008 runway show, she appears as a super diva with baby in tow, wearing a black and white mini and high heels.
Image via Style.com
This was a very different look from what she rocked at her 2007 runway show, where she portrayed herself (and her models) as beautiful glamazons in 1940′s inspired long gowns, and boots.
Image via Style.com
But, sadly, even Stefani has committed some crimes of fashion. Below we see her in 2006, wearing sweatpants and a “wifebeater” tanktop, which she dared use next to goddess Anna Wintour…a huge faux pas later on forgotten due to her enormous imagination and success.
Image via Style.com
Gwen Stefani has evolved from street…
Image via Style.com
…to classy chic in just a few years. Look at the amazing LAMB (her own design house) coat, below.
Image via Style.com
One of my favorite aspects of this former No Doubt front girl is that she can scream in front of a crowd one night, and also wear long dresses like a lady the next night. And, boy, doesn’t she do it well? Here she is with husband, Gavin Rossdale, at an Academy Awards after-party.
Image via Style.com
But, the true moment she secured a spot in the fashion hall of fame was in this stunning Louis Vuitton ensemble. In this moment she was ready and able to show the world all she had learned about fashion.
Image via Style.com
There is not enough praise I can bestow upon Gwen Stefani. Orginality, class, and a fashion line that’s actually respected? Many celebrities could only aspire to this greatness. As you see, when I talk nicely about people, it gets boring and short. But worry not, friends and fans, I promise to tear someone down next time.
Let’s start back in 2004, when we still thought Britney was sober and the word “recession” did not even exist in our vocabularies, Justin Timberlake emerged as an awfully dressed teen idol. Here, we see him in a horrendous wine colored suit, in a terrible cut and, in my opinion, downright deforming. That does not sound nice, does it?
Image via Style.com
But, as bad as that was, we can consider it a vast improvement from 2003. Just a year earlier, he pimped out his image with a long necklace (can’t exactly call it “bling”) and a stupid bomber jacket that matched perfectly with his Von Dutch cap (Remember the hype?).
Image via Style.com
Luckily, like a swan princess, Timberlake learned his fashion lessons little by little. In 2007 he strutted his stuff in YSL, a classic choice with a flawless cut. Here, he also shows off an improved pose for pictures, and shiny shoes. Remember fellas, when wearing a tux, your shoes MUST have sheen.
Image via Style.com
Later that same year, with friend and designer Trace Ayala, he emerges as a proud model for his fashion line. This time around, Timberlake was actually setting trends! The skinny tie that is all the hype this year; the vest in a plain color, the jeans, the shoes, everything is there, all pulled together on a living, breathing mannequin. However, the poor guy next to him (Mr. Ayala) is just lost when it comes to standing up to JT’s style, but at least he tries.
Image via Style.com
This year, at the “Model As Muse” gala, he went with a beautiful Versace Atelier-dressed Jessica Biel. Yet, he held his own. With a tuxedo from his own line, William Rast. He shows magnificent lines, perfect cut, I was actually impressed that his line pull this off!
Image via Style.com
Later in 2009, he was blessed like a few are blessed in their lifetime. Goddess of fashion, Empress of style, Anna Wintour posses with him in the CFDA Awards (where Ralph Lauren was awarded for being “loved,” yuck!). Anna looks flawless as usual, and he again holds his own in a suit, showing the skinny tie all in black and white. The rest of the Disney kids should learn from Timberlake. He’s shown us that we can all learn from our errors, and end up chic, despite our Von Dutch mistakes.
Image via Style.com
THE WORST OF THE RED CARPET
First up, Miss Kristen Stewart, who clearly has no idea what understated means. She has neither the physical qualities, nor the attitude (or the ability to pose) needed to successfully deliver a picture. She struts a horrendous white tank top covered by what seems to be a short metallic skirt. Maybe on a top model with longer-than-life legs, maybe on a cleavage-from-here-to-Mexico self-confident lady. But not her. And by the way, her shoes should be labeled as a deadly sin.
Image via Justjaredjr.buzznet.com
I have to confess that from Tisdale, the JoBros, and all the teen “idols,”I am on Miley’s team. For some unknown reason I believe her to be quite talented, yet, she wore all the no-no’s I can think of: she’s over accessorized (remember Coco Chanel’s famous advice: “always take one thing off before leaving the house”), she works the white tank top and the short skirt in shiny black. Why? I mean, no offense, but she looks like she is coming out of a trashy bar!
Image via Justjaredjr.buzznet.com
And speaking of the Jonas, I was quite surprised. The hair, the clothes, even the shoes. Everything seemed out of place, a couple of sizes longer, and not quite favorable for any of them. The worst part is that you can tell the fabrics are exquisite and the cuts appropriate for someone taller; yet, they do not play the part. And, my advice? Don’t show your wrists if they are so tiny! Don’t they know what a “gym” is?
Image via Justjaredjr.buzznet.com
Now, I do feel a bit bad for trashing these poorly dressed kids, but be aware that there’s a stylist behind them. And that stylist is probably their worst enemy.
However, there was a ray of light when I saw Selena Gomez. She, on the other hand, actually rocked the trends: one shoulder uncovered, beautiful color, and appropriate heels. The only problem I have with her is the hair, it makes me uncomfortable and makes her look forty-something.
Image via Justjaredjr.buzznet.com
Mr. Taylor Lautner needs to actually buy clothes for his buffer self and stop dressing with the clothes he used to fit in during pre-workout days. The tie is out of place (too thick) and the overall ensemble looks, well, tiny. And must I say it? It looks like he’s desperately trying to beat fellow heart throb Robert Pattinson. I heard soooo many screaming girls… anyway…
Image via Justjaredjr.buzznet.com
And to close this horrendous display of confused fashionistas and fashionistos, Corbin Bleu. He actually scores (finally). He works the skinny tie, the cool vest, the distressed jeans and a watch as a featured accessory. Classic and simple. Well done, sir.
Image via Disneydreaming.com
The Jo Bro's Fashion Line
Stylists are popular in Hollywood, they create a celebrity’s look and then pretend not to exist…unless we’re talking about Rachel Zoe. Now, how just getting dressed with the clothes someone else chose, build up a celeb’s résumé to become a designer? Contrary to popular belief, it is hard to design, choose colors, patterns, styles, silhouettes, let alone have the feeling for what’s in and what’s not. How can people pretend to know? How can these kids play designer? How dare they?
I love these kids, I really do, I have Miley on my phone and every Hilary Duff album. But that does not mean I think they can model or design. That is beyond my comprehension. They have not studied, they have no experience in the craft. Kanye West actually interned for Louis Vuitton, he has tried, he understands fashion and learns as much as he can. But the rest, I think they are just in it for the money. And it’s plain sad.
“Christian Lacroix SNC, the French fashion label that filed for protection from creditors in May, may receive as much as 15 million euros ($21 million) from Bernard Krief Consulting if a planned bid for Lacroix is accepted in France’s business court.”
This is fantastic news considering that day after day, designers from small to medium, are closing their shops. It’s been difficult for everyone in this economy.
Lacroix
Let me go back to a month ago. Christian Lacroix presented his most wonderful, imaginative and outstanding collection to date. He triumphed over Lagerfeld and Galliano (despite my admiration, I have to admit it). At any rate, he showed that model friends, good suppliers of fabric, even old fabrics, and a few people in his atelier, can put together a magical collection as long as a mastermind like Lacroix is behind it.
Image via InStyle.com
Image via InStyle.com
And in the midst of such praise, there was such a dark mood, almost a painful one. The tragic kingdom that fashion has become is swallowing another victim. Lacroix told the world he was broke and in no way able to go on to present anything else but the current collection. It was like a shy and quiet cry for help, for anyone interested. And believe me, he caused turmoil! Beautiful silhouettes with little embroidery on the dresses, but perfect cuts, colors and allegories. Even his Virgin Mary, right out of a painting, seemed out of place, like wanting to hide the pain behind the joyous colors.
Image via InStyle.com
Luckily, Lacroix may have found investors ready and willing to breathe life into this fashion house. Long live Lacroix!
Amy Winehouse
Where would Winehouse be without her beehive? This soulful songstress has the sound, the style, and the hair of musicians past! How she maintains (and suspends) this look is beyond my comprehension, but one thing is clear…there is definitely glue, twine and a small birdcage involved.
Gwen Stefani
In recent years, Gwen Stefani has been able to establish herself as a fashion icon and powerful brand. Although she is quite the glamazon mom now, surely No Doubt fans remember her days as the ball-busting ska singer with neon colored hair.
Rick James
I wouldn’t want to be sitting behind him during a windy ride in a convertible. Ouch.
Cher
Cher has never been known for prudent expression of style, and her hair is no exception. Thanks to a really great wig-artist, Cher has been able to change from platinum to brunette, from long to short, from somewhat normal to downright space-case. But although she may step on the red carpet and raise some eyebrows, she’s never failed to turn heads!
Sinead O’Connor
There aren’t many female celebrities brave enough to rock a hairstyle commonly associated with pro wrestlers, skin heads and Chris Daughtry. Some of the fearless women who picked up a razor and never looked back include Susan Powder, Demi Moore and Britney Spears. But no celeb has rocked a hairless head better than Sinead O’Connor. Considering the fact that hair typically grows at a sloth-like pace (1/2 an inch per month) going bald is a bold move…something this controversial musician knows all about!
George Clinton
George Clinton knows that funkadelic streaks spice up any mugshot.
Billy Ray Cyrus
This mullet catapulted Billy Ray to stardom…or was it the other way around? We may never know. But we do know this: nobody rocked a mullet longer, harder or more unapologetically than Billy Ray Cyrus!
The Beatles
Before it became a staple amongst the elementary school crowd, the bowl-cut was a British import. This dorky yet iconic haircut defined the early years of The Beatles, as they sent shockwaves through the music world with their tailored suits and catchy songs. Moms everywhere owe thanks to John, George, Paul and Ringo for making this style the easiest do-it-yourself cut around (other than the buzz cut. In that case, send your regards to Sinead O’Connor instead).