Retrospect

Sad News!

2008-03-27T17:13:00.000-07:00

I have really loved the few posts I made so far on this blog. However, it is a little stressful trying to get readers and comments, and plan material that will be interesting and unique.

I have a lot of important things in my life right now that need more attention than this blog. If I had more readers I might be inclined to continue, but I am not sure that it is worth it at this point.

So if you actually want me to keep writing blogs, please comment and let me know that. If enough people want me to continue, I will. And maybe I will return when my life is less stressful!

I hope you enjoyed the posts I made!

Trend - Tribal

2008-03-25T11:11:00.001-07:00

Some of the most popular trends on recent runways are tribal prints. Below are some examples from style.com from various shows. These dresses would be adorable from spring and summer.

I never thought I could like tribal prints so much! Here are a few more affordable tribal inspired pieces from Urban Outfitters (click the pictures for more information). There are lots of other stores carrying this trend, but UO is a pretty good example - they have a wide variety of clothes and accessories.

Would you wear this trend? What did you think of the runway looks?

Where to Buy it - Oxfords

2008-03-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

I really need to find a nice pair of Oxford booties, so I thought I would share some with you. See the previous post for inspirational outfits.

Personally, I prefer heeled Oxfords because it is such a masculine style. The flat ones are a lot harder to pull off unless you are wearing something very feminine. Nonetheless, I am including flat and heeled shoes for different price ranges. Click any picture for a link to the store.

First of all, you can probably find the cheapest shoes at Forever 21 (excluding thrift stores). I think that these shoes are a little harsh looking, but you never know until you try them on. They start around $20.

Urban Outfitters has a great range of Oxfords - both flat and heeled. Here are some of my favorites. They start around $40.

And of course, the more money you are willing to spend, the broader range of styles and the finer the quality. Here are some Oxfords from Nordstrom. They start around $100.

I really love the stiletto heels and patent shoes. Which ones would you buy? If you know of any others, feel free to post!

Street Style - Oxfords

2008-03-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

I love oxford booties, they can really spice up a simple outfit. I found a bunch of outfits with oxfords on stylemob.com. Here are a few of my favorites.

(Churchofmanluv)

(Yulanda)

(Bree)

(Iisabbelll)

(Lovelovelove)

(Thecomagirl)

(Angie)

(Lloydazindy)

I especially love the last pair!

A little later I will do a post on where to find them. After seeing these photographs, I really need a pair! They can easily be worn to class with a simple outfit, or added to a more dressy outfit for going out.

What do you think of them?

Runway - Zac Posen

2008-03-21T19:14:00.000-07:00

On February 7, Zac Posen displayed his Fall 2008 Ready to Wear collection at Bryant Park. I just wanted to share a few of his trend-setting pieces with you. Posen's collection centered around menswear details, pops of color, and intricate evening gowns.

Menswear Details

Pops of Color

Evening Gowns

Menswear is definitely one of the most popular trends this season (see the Chloe and vests posts below). Posen has a very feminine and playful, yet dark take on this look. Pops of color, whether from tights or details, spice up simple outfits. Posen's evening gowns are amazingly diverse and original. He also incorporated sheer fabrics, revealing intricate layers below.

Other looks from this show may be viewed on style.com. What did you think of the show?

Street Style - Paris

2008-03-20T22:28:00.000-07:00

I find that photographs of real outfits are the most inspirational to my style. As a result, here is the second Street Style installment. This time, the pictures are from The Sartorialist (thesartorialist.blogspot.com). If you haven't seen this website before I would highly recommend checking it out! Scott Schuman, who once directed fashion at Bergdorf Goodman, photographs unique styles from all around the world and shares them on his blog.

I selected a few of my favorites from Paris. I hope you like them!

Paris fashion is so unique. I'm not sure if it's because I'm not used to French style or because these are the best - or maybe they really are more creative than us! There is so much to say about the little details in each picture. It feels a little wrong to post so many at once.

Which photographs are your favorites?

Where to Buy it - Vests

2008-03-20T12:41:00.000-07:00

Based on a suggestion from a reader, I am including a section on where to buy vests from some of the amazing outfits posted below (see Street Style post). Here are some examples of varying prices. Click each picture for more info.

Lets start with Forever 21, as cheap as it gets (aside from thrift stores, maybe). Paying such a low price for a trendy item is probably a good idea, since you are only likely to wear it for one or two seasons. However, they are not the best quality.

Urban Outfitters is somewhat more expensive, but you really get what you pay for (in a good way!). Here are a few examples.

Finally, try Nordstrom for higher quality designer vests. They are a lot more unique than what you would find at Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters, but also very expensive in comparison!

I hope this, and the Street Style post, have inspired you to partake in the popular menswear trend. It's a lot easier than it sounds!

Let me know what styles you would like to see next (remember - anyone can comment, and that means YOU)!

Beauty - Natural

2008-03-19T19:50:00.001-07:00

For my first section on beauty, I thought it would be good to focus on a natural look, something that could be worn to school. Here are a couple examples:

With so many products available, it can be difficult to know which are the best without spending tons of money trying to figure it out for yourself. Makeupalley.com is a great reference for thousands of product reviews.

Based on that, these are the best products to perfect a natural makeup look. Each of them was among the highest rated products on Makeup Alley. All may be found at sephora.com. Click on any image to see more on sephora.com.

After cleansing and moisturizing, start with a primer to fill in lines and pores for a smooth finish. Bare Escentuals has a great product called Prime Time ($21). Or try Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer ($36).

Next, use a concealer to cover up major imperfections (such as acne, red spots, and scars). Dior Skinflash Pen ($33) and Lancome Effacernes ($26.50) are great options.

If your skin tone is uneven, consider using a foundation to correct it. Clinique Superfit ($19.50) is a great liquid foundation. If you prefer a powder, try Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Foundation ($25).

Next, add a little color to your cheeks with blush or bronzer. NARS Blush ($25) and Urban Decay Baked Bronzer ($24) are great products.

A swipe of mascara will draw attention to your eyes. Dior DiorShow Mascara ($24) and Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara ($14).

Finally, add your favorite chapstick or lip balm. If desired, use a lip gloss such as NARS Lip Gloss ($24) or Lancome Juicy Tubes ($18).

And now you should have a perfect, natural makeup look. Now I don't know about you, but I can't afford a lot of high end makeup. But remember, these were the best rated products on Makeup Alley.

What are your drugstore favorites?

Street Style - Vests

2008-03-18T19:32:00.000-07:00

In my street style posts, I plan to provide real examples of how to wear more difficult styles. I really wasn't sure what to showcase for my first street style post. But with the androgyny trend so popular this season, vests were a clear option. It is often tricky to pair a strong menswear piece with other items from our closet, so I was hoping to provide a little inspiration. I found these girls on stylemob.com, which is a great website for style examples.

(Feathered Fawn Vintage)

(Dear Eliza)

(Vintage on the Range)

(Kaelah)

(Jessica)

(Madame Toilette)

(Etta)

(Laura Jane)

(Love LY)

(Asian Fashionista)

I hope you feel as inspired to wear a vest as I do! Let me know what you think of these styles, and also what you would like to see for the next Street Style feature.

Note: The commenting feature is open to everyone - whether you have an account or not, or even if you wish to remain anonymous.

Celebrity Style - Lauren Conrad

2008-03-18T15:51:00.000-07:00

There has been a lot of talk about Lauren "LC" Conrad's clothing line at LA fashion week. After seeing her previous designs I was extremely skeptical about the quality and originality of her pieces. I was hoping to be surprised with her show. Let's take a look.

And lots more like it at mbfashionweek.com. All I can say is BLAH. I could already find these things at American Apparel or probably sew them just the same myself. And check out the stitching on the last dress for an example of the poor quality.

After her runway show, it is clear to me that under normal circumstances, someone of LC's "talent" would never be allowed to show at fashion week. It's sad that her celebrity status has somehow elevated the desire for her clothing line.

Do you agree?

Real Way - Chloe

2008-03-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

To recreate the Chloe Ready-to-Wear look (see runway post below), you might choose some of the following relatively inexpensive items.

Of course you need a cute floral print dress (avoid table-cloth/drapes prints). All of the following are from urbanoutfitters.com.

Next choose a nice coat to keep your warm until spring weather arrives. All of the following are from forever21.com.

Finally, add a few accessories (urbanoutfitters.com). The Chloe runway featured cute spring purses, tights, and booties.

Just put your hair in a loose braid, add a bit of dark lipstick and you are all set to look like you just walked off the Chloe runway!

Runway - Chloe

2008-03-17T23:14:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite Fall 2008 Ready-to-Wear shows was the March 1st Chloe show, designed by Melim Andersson. The pieces were inspirational for both fall, and spring/summer transitions. Andersson incorporated a lot of sheer layers, summery flowered dresses, beautiful overcoats, and fine details. He used mostly navy blue, purple, black, and white.

Sheer Layers

Summery Dresses

Overcoats

Details

This is one runway show where I feel I could actually wear the pieces. I absolutely love the summery floral dresses. When worn with tights and a coat, they can easily be transitioned from fall. Sheer layers can be worn with a cardigan or tank top for a unique spring-time look.

Andersson's pieces in this collection are so simple, yet the detail makes them so unique and striking. There are many more photos where those came from. See style.com for more!

What did you think?

Welcome!

2008-03-17T23:01:00.001-07:00

Retrospect is a blog devoted to inspirational fashion, style, and beauty. Sources will range from across the world, in all different mediums.

I plan to review the fashion world from the anonymous viewpoint of a young woman.

I hope that as I find my own style and inspiration, you are motivated to do the same after reading this blog!

Please comment wherever you see fit, improvements are always necessary! Anyone can comment, even if you wish to remain anonymous.