Falling for Zara

Most of the time, stores like H&M, Forever 21, and Zara can be very hit or miss. There are so many factors that go into what makes a great consumer friendly collection, from the materials used to the silhouettes that the designer creates. Fortunately for us, Zara’s November collection is a home run! Everything currently offered in the store is completely on point with this season’s most wearable trends. Not only that, but the materials used are soft, warm, and high quality, which isn’t always the case for such an affordable store. Nothing is worse than finding an item that looks good online, but feels scratchy or cheap in person. I’ve experienced this rather unfortunate situation far too many times, and I can tell you, with confidence, that you won’t experience even a hint of buyer’s remorse after purchasing any of these pieces. A few standout pieces from Zara’s November include cropped sweaters, silk blouses, corduroy shorts, and camel trousers. If you haven’t already done your holiday shopping or created your wish lists, I highly recommend that you add a few of these items on last minute. The best part of the collection is without a doubt the price range. All of the items featured in the image above are under $70 and available both in stores and online. Any piece on its own would make an incredible gift, whether it’s purchased for a friend or for yourself.

Text Ali Antonucci

My Kind of 90's

One thing I love about fashion is its ability to reincarnate pieces from previous time periods so that they seem fresh and new. This season, Urban Outfitters has created a collection that is inspired by the 90’s. I personally wasn’t a huge fan of 90’s fashion- something about jean overalls just rubs me the wrong way. However, I was sincerely impressed by U.O.’s rendition of popular trends such as grungy tops, blazers, trousers, unconventional fabrics, and platform shoes. The color palette of the collection is cohesive with the fall 2010 vision of many other designers- it's neutral heaven! Rather than sticking to camels, though, U.O. opted for slightly more variation, incorporating blacks, browns, greys, and greens to create a slightly wider color spectrum. The collection also showcased some other 2010 trends, including harem pants, lace details, rompers, and military jackets. A few standout pieces were the velvet dress with a borderline crochet pattern made of lace, the sleeveless pinstripe blouse, the maxi-romper (which is daring, but well worth the risk!), and the trouser shorts. The accessories were marvelous as well. They were very vintage-inspired and included knuckle rigs, messenger bags and corduroy knapsacks, over-the-knee socks, and plenty of wedges, platform heels and lace-up boots. Another thing that made me fall in love with this collection was the eclectic mix of designers- Dolce Vita, Nom de Plume, Sparkle & Fade and Jeffery Campbell were featured the most. I would recommend visiting the website, just click over there to the right on our main site and buying at least one, if not all of the pieces in this collection, as I am sure they will sell out quickly! It’s not every day that you find such a lovely mix of items all in one place, so you heard it from us first—Urban Outfitters knows good style.

Text Ali Antonucci

Pretty in Pants

So far, this season has proven to be full of fashion risks, and the new printed-pant craze is certainly no exception. While elaborate prints have traditionally been used for casual tops and evening wear, this season brings in the bold with a new wardrobe essential: the printed pant. Whether you’re a fan of skinny jeans or structured trousers, there is a pair that is tailor-made to fit your taste. Designers like Balenciaga, Etro, Roberto Cavalli, and Dries Van Noten have all given this new style a go, and the results have been magnificent. While these high-end designers did this trend justice, my favorite pairs come from ASOS. Their styles have high-end details available at a low-end price. What I love most about this trend is that it involves a certain degree of bravery- wearing these pants on the street is a lot different than admiring them on the runway. However, if you’re up to the challenge, the results will definitely pay off. I can think of no better way to experiment with colors and textures than to play with a pair of printed pants. Match a pair with a basic tank to keep the focus on the pants, or experiment just a little with a bold colored crop-top, another summer essential. The most important thing to remember when wearing this trend is not to overdo it. If you choose a pair of loose harem pants, opt for a more form-fitting top to avoid looking too slouchy. If you pick a pair of printed skinnies, choose a blouse or flowy tee to create the perfect balance. Don’t be afraid to mix prints, either, it’s a great way to express yourself without going overboard.

By Ali Antonucci