First Fashion

Politics can be extremely controversial but one thing isn't--Michelle Obama is one of America's top style icons.  You don't need to agree with her to admire the way that she dresses.  

Michelle is in the public eye daily and does an excellent job of dressing herself in a manner that shows off her figure while being modest and appropriate.  And stylish.  She's a mother and a wife and a professional and she does it with style.  What really makes her style so great is that she shops at normal stores and incorporates trends into her outfits without looking crazy or inappropriate.  

One of the great things that Michelle is doing for fashion is supporting lesser-known American designers instead of the standard St. John or Oscar de la Renta of First Ladies past.  She is helping new voices and ideas be heard, exactly what fashion is all about.  Her first 100 days as First Lady are done and without a single major fashion faux pas or dowdy episode.  Her popularity is rising and she has many days ahead to show off even more exciting fashion moments!

Picture of Michelle Obama with designer Maria Pinto.

April Showers--Peter Som Makes It Rain

One of the best parts of the spring is that the weather brings out the best in nature.  The rain brings out the sprouting plants and flowers, exactly what spring is all about!

And, spring fashion is no different.  It is all about bringing out the color after a long winter of drab, dark wools.  Peter Som's spring line is all about the progression through spring--first it starts with drab beiges, then the blues become brighter and then the rainbow of colors come out!  

The dress pictured is from the middle of his spring runway show, blue like the spring rain.  And, at the bottom of the dress the colors are starting to peek out and around the collar the flowers are starting to bloom, just like spring outside!

Picture from style.com

Chic Knit

There are some things that are always classic.  Missoni is one of them.  Since the 60's they have constantly churned out garment after garment that is nothing but stylish, wearable but easily identifiable as their own style.

Okay, so the styling of the model is awful.  She looks like she forgot her pants.  But, her top/"dress" is DELIGHTFUL.  So pretty, reminds me of a van Gogh painting, shredded and reimagined.  The cut is cute, the print is youthful and wearable and it is just what everyone needs right now.  Probably the perfect thing to wear for the spring!  Hopefully with pants, of course.

Picture from style.com, Resort 09

The New Source

The day has finally come!  www.theoutnet.com is finally live!!

The theoutnet.com is the clearance/outlet site for net-a-porter.com!  Yes, they finally spun off a site for people who aren't going to buy a full-priced $3k gown.  Instead, they have all of the stuff that didn't sell on their main site marked down and accessible year-round.  And, they will also be doing a variety of new sales gimicks, like a sort of dutch auction on certain items and give-aways.  Also, they will be selling things that did not appear on their main website, but it is unclear what these will be.  This can only be good for the consumer--cheaper prices, new items and second chances from a reputable establishment!

Picture from theoutnet.com

Secondhand Happiness!

Sometimes you just need something to cheer you up!  Well, nothing works better than a gorgeous Chanel tweed bag at a great price.

The bag pictured is DELISH!!  The pink, black, white and mint green are beyond classic yet don't scream preppy.  And, it is secondhand, so the price is to die for!  It is being sold by the premier secondhand bag dealer "fashionphile".  The company ONLY sells real items so there is absolutely nothing to worry about.  Not only are their items the best, but their customer service is top notch.

There's a way to cheer up a day--get a bag at a great price from a great seller!

Picture from fashionphile.com

Time To Bail Out?

While banks and other companies around the world are being bailed out by various governments, is the fashion industry getting one too?

The answer is .....YES!!  Italian fashion houses are hurting and since they are such a large part of the Italian economy and industry, the government has decided to grant them assistance.  Not every country is doing this, as in most places the fashion industry is merely considered a frivolity and unimportant.  Could you imagine explaining to the average midwestern taxpayer that Carolina Herrera needs a bailout?  But, in Italy fashion is such a part of history and employs so many people that if it were to go under it would be a national crisis.  

And, hopefully this means that the Italian government does not get a say in what walks down the runway--just imagine if government ministers were allowed to design Ferre' dresses!

Scary Times!

Oh boy.  Sometimes life is scary and you need a new hair cut.  This is one 'do that is unfashionable and I do not recommend.  Unless, you want to have strangers draw on your picture and mock you globally.

Picture of Kelly Pickler from perezhilton.com