A Touch of Gold

A touch of an accent as bold as gold will bring life to any outfit. Neutral tones may typically dominate fall wardrobes but, to add a glam factor, gold is the go-to luxurious shade in high demand this season.

Metallics have been hot for a while, but gold has never been so prominent. With so many shades, textures, and styles to choose from, it’s hard not to jump on the gold wagon this season and add a little glamour to your fall wardrobe. The otherwise formal metallic can create a high-contrast look when paired with a simple knit sweater and khakis, or dark denim jeans and a fitted blouse.

Whether it's in a shiny gold leather jacket by Phillip Lim or in Jason Wu's slinky gold leaf tunic dress, the rare material is being used by designers to make strong statement pieces.

The decadent shade makes for a variety of options, from trousers in muted tones appropriate for the office, to mini dresses beaded in gold sequins, to gilded accessories that excude modern elegance and sophistication.

Text Tiffany Frasier 
Images courtesy of Balmain, Dries van Noten, Jason Wu, Phillip Lim

Pretty (and Not-So-Pretty) Feet at Paris Fashion Week

At Paris Fashion Week, the shows not only introduced next-season clothes, but also to-die-for shoes. Most designs fit into one of two groups: fearless and wild, or dull and wearable — with a few (including Marc Jacobs and Chanel) that combined fearless with wearable. For example, Comme des Garcons presented plain white boots that looked awfully similar to rain boots, while Versace chose to showcase transparent heels with a shocking height of at least six inches.

Dries van Noten's show included plain, strapped heels, while Chanel's stylish booties were much more chic and appealing. Prada added to the rush with race car–inspired high heels, and Dolce & Gabbana contributed to the over-the-top category with black netting over strapped heels. Jean Paul Gaultier took the cake with tattoo-inspired, heel-in-the-air creations. This design looks impossible to balance on, let alone walk in — but it would be an incredible showstopper if you could!

What were your favorite shoes during Paris Fashion Week? Did you prefer the dull and functional, or the completely out-of-this-world designs? We prefer the latter ... life's too short to wear boring shoes.

Text Brittney Schering
Image courtesy of Style.com

Bring on the glitz and glamor

New years eve is fast approaching. With champaign and noise makers ready to go, we all have that wild 2011 party in mind.

Problem: WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR?

Solution: If you want to shine and stand out, start the year off right with metallics.

Bronze, silver, and gold metallics give a polished look that are playful, yet sophisticated for any occasion. New years eve is the perfect time to break away from the ordinary and try something daring. Whether you wear a metallic dress or eyeshadow, this flashy finish will not only get you compliments by your friends, but attract that cute boy you see across the room (hello new years kiss). We're in a season where neutral colors are dominating a women's wardrobe, so why not add an element of surprise? You're entire look doesn't have to be one shiny disco ball, (although, it's New Years so WHY NOT?) but you could have flashes of the trend by playing around with purses, pants, or shoes to mix and match. Marc Jacobs has plenty of metallic examples, as does Dries Van Noten and H&M. This year, don't be bland and boring with a little black dress - spruce it up with a metallic finish and you will shine the entire night through.

Text Jessica Moy

Animal Prints RAWR

As I sit on my bed in decidedly unfashionable pajamas, attempting to write a post that is both witty and substantive, I realize that I can’t call to mind a single item currently or previously in my possession that boasts an animal print. Then I look up and notice my hidden in plain sight collection of formerly cherished Beanie Babies which includes a tiger, the name of which I’ve forgotten, and decide that maybe that isn’t the most accurate representation of my belongings. Nonetheless, while I never thought I was consciously avoiding the inclusion of animal prints in my wardrobe, I guess if you said, I’m not the pattern’s biggest fan, you wouldn’t be wrong. I often feel as if, like a past her prime beauty in a low cut top and tight jeans, it tries too hard to be sexy and fails. All the same, I indisputably have to hand it to Dries Van Noten for his inspired use of leopard print in his Fall 2010 RTW collection. It was sexy; laid back yet also polished, and spoke to the designer’s menswear roots. So, if you are going to try the leopard look this fall, I urge you to keep it simple and add a touch of masculinity to keep it from looking overdone.

By Jessica Best