We are only three days into fashion week fall 2007 and already it's clear that a number of trends from spring 2007 will last all year long. If you liked the metallic looks Aesthetics + Economics presented after fashion week in September, go ahead and invest in a silver, pewter, platinum, or gold piece. From a utility standpoint, you'll get a lot of use out of it!
Designers from left to right: Naeem Khan, Carolina Herrera, Tracy Reese.
With red headbands, luminous makeup, and dresses with bows, the girls at Valentino's Spring 2007 show were styled very appropriately for the holidays. To recreate the look, begin with a simple white dress with a bow. (Chances are you've got a variation in your closet--they were ubiquitous this fall!). Add in the gorgeous makeup and hair pictured in this post and you've got a look that's festive yet fresh.
More pictures after the jump!
Photos: Imaxtree
Black sequin dresses were a hit on the Fall 2006 and Spring 2007 runways. Whether you prefer a straight patterned mini, a floaty patterned frock, or a more classic, solid sequin number, this is a look that will carry you through both the current and coming season. Pictured above from left to right: looks from Oscar de la Renta Pre-fall 2007, Calvin Klein Fall 2006, Jason Wu Spring 2007.
For additional style suggestions, photos of chic women in black sequins at events, and shopping help, continue reading.
Aesthetics + Economics's holiday style suggestions are based on an economics-influenced theory of style. I approach style from the perspective of a girl with two goals: optimization and differentiation. For yours truly, styling should be about (a) what pleases you, (b) what impresses or is at least appropriate to those you will be gracing with your presence, and (c) maintaining a sense of individuality as opposed to looking like a late-adopting victim/clone.
Everyone and her mother is going to show up to holiday parties this season in a gold sequin dress (striped like the French Connection Serpent dress, or cut with a bow a la Sienna Miller at the Costume Institute Gala) paired with black tights. I trust that you, dear reader, agree that this look has become trop clichéd. "Differentiate" yourself by opting for a sequin dress in a color besides gold (I suggest silver, red, or a silvery blue as seen in the Max Mara and Stella McCartney Fall 2006 collections). I love the styling in the shot above--the way the dress has been layered over dark jeans, and perfectly accessorized. Patent leather shoes make the look particularly festive.
Photo: Elle Accessories Fall 2006.
Halloween provides the perfect excuse to indulge in fantastical, impractical fashions. Still looking for costume ideas? I've got some suggestions.
The Doll.This look rests on the the oversized eyes and big hair. Exaggerate your eyes with heavy duty false lashes and white liner on the inner rim, and get hair of Barbie doll proportions with plenty of extensions. Inspiration: Lily Donaldson shot by Greg Kadel in Numéro 64.
The Futuristic Fashionista. You're probably aware of the "futuristic" theme running through runway and editorial as of late, but more than likely, you haven't had an excuse to replicate any of the looks. What better time to try out those vinyl thigh highs or that shocking pink hair than Halloween? Note: If you opt for the pink bobbed wig (available at party supply stores), cut it to give it a more modern edge. Inspiration: "Bubblicious," featuring Natalia V shot by Craig McDean (view the entire editorial here.)
Read on for more...
After seasons of excess embellishment à la Spring 2004, designers began to pare down looks and move towards a "new minimalism" as early as Fall 2005. The movement picked up speed for Spring 2006, and, if the Spring 2007 resort collections are any indication, is going strong for Spring 2007.
Unlike the sometimes stark, sexless minimalism of the nineties, the "new minimalism" is defined by simplicity and subtle prettiness. The shapes and details are different; there are bubble skirts, cropped jackets, touches of volume, drop waists, cropped pants, pintucks, pieces adorned with simple embroidery, and asian "robe"-inspired tunics. We are seeing lots of monochromatic looks but they are not boring and they are not "matchy-matchy." And though it isn't clear from the images in this particular post, the "new minimalism" isn't colorless--check out the Derek Lam Spring 2006 collection and you'll see what I mean.
As an economist-in-training, I am loving the new minimalism. Minimalism is by nature efficient; a girl can select a minimalist outfit in two minutes, whereas it might take half an hour to assemble and accessorize a maximalist look. Additionally, if much of the minimalism of the nineties was boring, indeed the "dressing equivalent of swallowing food to fill your stomach--bypassing the fuzzy taste buds" as this author suggests, the new minimalism offers both simplicity and interest. I can't wait to see more in the Spring 2007 collections!
Pictured above are pieces consistent with the "new minimalism" from the Spring 2007 resort collections. Designers: (clockwise from top left) Behnaz Sarafpour, Zac Posen, Stella McCartney, Dior, Valentino, Versace, YSL, Doo.Ri. Photos from Firstview and Style.com.
We have all experienced dress code related frustration at some point. The truth is, most company dress codes are somewhat ineffective at serving their intended purposes.
The Wall Street journal recently featured an article discussing a current wave of dress code "crackdowns" at companies across the country. I won't paraphrase that article in this post, but it did get me thinking about common flaws in dress codes and how professional dress codes might be improved. After all, this is a topic directly relating aesthetics and economics.
Behavioral economists study the effect of variables related to the aesthetics and ergonomics of the office on employee productivity. If lighting or the wrong size chair can significantly impact employees' productivity, surely clothes can have a similar effect. In fact, experience and logic tell us that clothes can support or detract from efficiency: Appearances of coworkers and clothing-induced discomfort (in the form of self consciousness or actual physical discomfort) can be distracting.
So what then are the most common flaws of professional dress codes? Let's first consider what such a code is meant to deal with and then step back and see how traditional dress codes measure up.
Continue reading "Dress Codes and Efficiency: The Body At Work" »
I love how Lagerfield set off the Chanel Fall 2006 Couture collection with denim. In fact, I am going to replicate this look this weekend...much to the chagrin of my boyfriend.
If you are going to try this look out as well, I have a couple of suggestions: First, since you probably don't own a pair of denim thigh high boots, use jeans--but make sure that the jeans are (a) skinny or straight and (b) longer than you'd typically wear so as to cover as much of your shoes as possible (but watch out for that strange look of jeans that are not meant to be pulled down over shoes. I think you know what I mean). Also, pay attention to the length and shape of your dress. Use your judgement.
Click on images to see them larger.
Just saw The Devil Wears Prada and thought I'd take a moment to blog about the highly anticipated wardrobe. The verdict: Patricia Field played it safe, and there was a lamentable lack of Marni. Of course, it wouldn't have been wise to base the bulk of the wardrobe on designers unrecognizable to the majority of the audience. To do so would mean making viewers feel unpleasantly out of the fashion loop. But head-to-toe Chanel? Newsboy caps? IMHO, the movie could have used at least a few mentions of smaller, cult designers. In any case, the movie is still worth seeing. It's fun to see (and scrutinize) the outfits for yourself. And I especially liked Miranda's explanation of "trickle down" fashion.
