Salute to Fall’s Military Trend

If you’re wondering how to apply Fall’s military trend without looking like G.I. Jane, read on.

The runways were awash in olive greens, neutrals, army prints, lace-up boots, epaulets and utilitarian accessories.  The above collection of runway photos is just a sampling of designers who obsessed and went a little (okay a lot) overboard with the military look (from left to right: Burberry Prorsum, Wayne, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Rag & Bone, Burburry Prorsum, Marc by Marc Jacobs, ).  I’m a fashion lover but I admit, these models look like they’re headed to Afghanistan’s Korangel Valley, not a place where you want to be.

Even if you’re clueless to the runway features and somehow missed the months of fashion magazines who all exalted this trend, one step into any department store will make you stand on alert wondering how you’re supposed get in line with this military trend.   To investigate how real people plan to and actually try out this military trend, I looked to a couple of my favorite resources.

The below Polyvore set features a glam downtown take that incorporates bronze buttoned shorts, chain detailing on the shoes, jacket and purse, and a military-inspired jacket.  Some might see this jacket and recall akward memories of band camp but to fashionistas, this jacket is so on trend.

The below outfit is a bit more subdued due to its color range.  It also incorporates this season’s shorts emphasis.  When wearing short shorts, you’ll want to balance out baring all that skin with something longer and possibly looser on top.  This set also does a great job adding a touch of glam with the necklace and standout Chanel brooch.

Style Stalker – Featured Profile 2

From my last online contest, I’ve chosen Jersey Ferrari as my next featured profile.  She’s a fellow Chictopia member who tracks her outfits online with photos and outfit descriptions, sort of like my style diary.

Name: Jersey Ferrari

Age: 19

Location: New York

Profession: Theatre student

Fashion Ambition: Petite Model

How would you describe your style? it’s me. that is the easiest way to put it and i know it seems vague, but i am outgoing, bright, ambitious, beautiful, strong – i believe that my personality comes through my style.

What are your fashion goals when dressing yourself? TO FEEL GOOD. to this day, people tell me that i am dressing for others. NEVER. i want to feel good in my skin, in my outfit, in the mirror; you get the point. my goal is to be able to wear my clothes (not let them wear me) and feel good doing it.

What’s the image you feel you portray? It varies look to look, but what I always make sure to show is comfort.   I struggle with comfort; physical and mental each and every day.   And even when I am not feeling it, I do this thing called, “faking it until you make it.” For some reason, comfort, not in a pair of shoes or a dress, but in one’s self, is the most important thing for me and when i walk down the street i want people to see that despite the struggle, i can be comfortable in my skin.

What’s your reason for recording and posting your outfits in such a dedicated manner? I came to Chictopia for a Forever 21 contest and I put up a look that did very well and I was hooked.   I finally got a camera and a tripod and educated myself with technology and found myself taking the runway, doing it my way and showing the world.  The sheer out pour of support is why i do it. i open up on my blog; it’s not all about the print or the fit. it’s fashion colliding with life and getting response from that is extraordinary.

If you don’t take the photos yourself who takes your outfit pictures and how do you convince  him/her? Before I got my camera, way in the beginning, my sister ((a 17 year old rock and roll chick)) had no problem taking them because she takes photography at her high school. now I do it myself with a tripod, but all of my friends LOVE and SUPPORT my blogs and are always willing to get a shout out.

What fall trend are you most looking forward to? I am happy to see that leather and velvet will be prime material for clothing! I love rich materials and will be searching for the perfect velvet crush dress.

What’s your personal definition of being fabulous? This question hits me like it hits no other. my friend, Emma Jane, committed suicide a little over a year ago.   She was days away from being 17.  I dedicated a post to her; being badass and adventurous like she would approve.  See, Emma IS my definition of fabulous. a girl who took fashion risks like no other.   That is the definition of FABULOUS.

What do you wear that instantly make you feel fabulous? Surprisingly, none of the luxury footwear (I have a shoe thing) or the designer treasures but my knock-off, worn to pieces, cognac suede Versace cowboy boots. with a vintage denim jacket, black skinny pants, a white tee with a sports bra; yeah, I look and feel unstoppable in those shoes. with a dress, a skirt, or all on their own   They are my babies for life.

For more on Jersey Ferrari  http://jframblings.blogspot.com and click here for her full outfit postings.

If you would like to be the next style stalker feature, leave at least 2 comments in any of my posts with your photo url or blog.  If I like your style, you could be the next featured profile!

FabGab is Featured Again

Thanks for featuring me and my blog once again, “See Your Style.” Here are a couple additional pictures from the outfit post (originally found in my Chictopia outfit postings).  Because I was familiar with Chanel’s 2009 fall collection, I immediately recognized this classic jacket with a twist as a cute knock-off for a fraction of the price.   So I was psyched to grab this and have been getting compliments each time I’ve worn it.  Everyone nearly faints when I reveal where I found it.   From looking at the Chanel collection below do you agree that this was the obvious inspiration?

If you and your fashion blog would like to be featured here on FabGab like I’ve recently been featured on See Your Style, let me know.  If you have a fashion blog or outfit posts somewhere and would like to be featured, I’m hosting a (never-ending) online open call for my next “Style Stalker” feature. Comment here if you think I’d like your style and leave me the url where I can view your outfits (lookbook.nu, weardrobe.com, chictopia.com and blog links are all welcome)!  The more comments you make throughout my blog, the more likely you’ll be chosen.  And if I like your style, I’ll contact you with a questionnaire and you will soon be in my next “Style Stalker” entry. There will be no expiration date as I’m constantly on the lookout for fashionistas to feature so comment here and feel free to spread the word! Again, priority of features will be given to those who have made the most # of comments throughout the blog! I’m looking forward to seeing all the entries so start commenting and start entering!

Street Style Postings

Chictopia.com looknook.nu WhatIWoreToday.com Weardrobe.com
A surprising number of social networking sites are now dedicated to street fashion and personal style.  They allow those obsessed with fashion to post an outfit, review another’s and generally be inspired by street fashion all over the world.  The only way my boyfriend was able to relate to my particular obsession, Chictopia.com was to come up with the closest equivalent of a dudetopia.com that he could.  He likens the sites to the car-crazed sites where guys swoon over each other’s customized cars.  Guys inspire each other with rims, suspension and paint jobs while girls inspire one another with shoes, accessories and color matches…er at least that’s how he was able to understand things.

Ok this he gets.  Major relief.  If only I could get him to participate with my postings by serving as my fashion photographer.  The couple times, I’ve swallowed my pride and risked forever being seen as some vain poser, he begrudgingly obliged only after making a couple snide remarks, ultimately making me regret the proposition.  I’ve since bought a tripod.  Goodbye to trying to transform a boyfriend into a personal photographer and hello stealthy solitary photo shoots!

Style Stalker – Featured Profile 1

Every week, I’m featuring a style star whose style I’m personally intrigued with and /or inspired by.  This week, it’s a bow-fanatic named Breanne, aka “Flattery”.  www.leflattery.blogspot.com

She’s too cute isn’t she?  (and stylish beyond her years).  Somebody pluck her out of the Canadian grocery store where she currently works and give her a styling position!  Here are her answers to my questionnaire.

Age: 18

Location:   Canada

Profession:   Student/I work part time at a grocery store

Fashion Ambition: To have a carefully selected wardrobe that never gets old.

How would you describe your style?

Romantic, everyday, casual and feminine.

What are your fashion goals when dressing yourself?

Usually it is just simplicity with maybe one thing that stands out or makes the outfit different; like a bold colour or accessory.

What’s the image you feel you portray?

I feel like I don’t always portray one image. Sometimes I’m really girly and dolled up, other times I’m maybe a little darker and less feminine.

What’s your reason for recording and posting your outfits (on Chictopia.com) in such a dedicated manner?

I really like the whole community of online blogging, and it’s no secret that blogging has a lot to offer to the fashion and art world. I like being a small part of it all.

If you don’t take the photos yourself who takes your outfit pictures and how do you convince  him/her?

Sometimes I take them myself, but when I don’t, it’s either my mom or sister. The hardest thing to convince them to do is come outside in -30 weather just to take a couple of pictures, but I just ask nicely and they are semi-happy to oblige.

What spring trend are you most looking forward to?

Mostly colour trends. I really want more crème articles of clothing to mixmatch with different pastels. I’m also looking forward and hoping for some more original or unique flats to wear this spring.

What’s your personal definition of being fabulous?

Haha, not sure if I ever use that word but…perhaps it’s just being able to pull off just about anything, maintaining class and being unique.

What do you wear that instantly makes you feel fabulous?

I love my black full highwaisted skirt from www.Modcloth.com. It honestly makes anything look good.