Military Inspired Fashion

Having just celebrated Independence Day, I began to ponder on the men and women who are serving our country, which in turn gave me an idea to do a little blurb about 'military inspired fashion'.  This trend is nothing new as the 18th & 19th century's Georgian & Victorian era originally popular for functionality and utility clothing styles were the original inspiration behind the fad. 

      
Whether it's Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines, military styles have been on the front lines of fashion for centuries.  Dark blues, sage & olive greens, as well as taupe are the staple colors for these designs and you can even incorporate big chunky boots into the mix.  Big buckles & over sized buttons, pea coats, trench coats and pleated tapered slacks.  The options are endless when it comes to creating your own vibe.  Crisp military designs are on top of the game this year for Fall 2011.  From sleek cropped jackets to edgy military styled pants.  For Fall 2011, the design house of Versace is showcasing a strong and sexy military style for women with metal embellishments and, tailored coats paired with open toed boots.

For a more casual and more affordable military style you can opt for this Army inspired get up that you can easily piece together...

Random fact: The military style is one of the top 4 fashion trends for Winter 2011.






pics: morningbounce.wordpress.com, fashionfame.com, polyvore.com, fashionrogue.com

Stevie Nicks...Renaissance Gypsy

Who doesn't absolutely adore Stevie Nicks and her free spirited persona that makes you wish you could muster up the moxie to pull off this style?  But of course, the question would arise.."Where in the heck would you wear something like this?"  Regardless, she makes us fantasize about being a rock star!...

Everyone knows her, originally as the front woman for the popular 70's band Fleetwood Mac, who then went on to entertain a successful solo career & everyone knows her for her signature style that usually consists of...'flowing dresses with long diaphanous sleeves, Victorian lace up boots and an accentuating shawl or cape, usually floor length. When you really think about it, she was Goth, before Goth was ever heard of!

She was subtly sexy and when asked about her fashion choices, was quoted in an interview as saying..."I have always looked at it like, people are always wondering what was under all of that in regards to my clothes, I think it's much more sexier than putting it all out there for everyone to see".  She was and still remains, modestly beautiful in her own way...

Designer Ralph Lauren's Fall 2010 show last year had Stevie wannabe's walking the runway as it was all about Gothic prairie dresses, fur tails and luxe gypsy accessories. His Stevie inspired collection was on the mark and rang true to the quote.."Imitation is the highest form of flattery" as Lauren definitely did the songstress proud in replicating her style.

Her style has become vintage timeless and is easy to incorporate into your own wardrobe.  Think anything loose, billowy, chiffon, platform, layers, feathers, hats & you will find your own renaissance gypsy style!

  

      
pics: lavintage.com, elle.com, planetrockstar.co.uk, nickslive.blogspotcom, eyeball.fm, entertainmentwallpaper.com, musicstack.com, allstarpicsnet, workingclassmag.com

Saturday Spotlight - Victorian & Lace

Lace making is an ancient craft dating back to the early 16th century. Originally golden, silk, linen or silver threads were used but now it is most often made with cotton thread.  There are so many beautiful variations of lace: Needle, cut work, bobbin, tape, knotted, knitted, crocheted, guipure & of course, machine made.  

Today for Spotlight Saturday, we're featuring some lovely lace dresses, both vintage Victorian & modern'ish styles...

Enjoy!  

 

 tractordog

 poetry for jane

old age 

vera vague 

 ayek8

 speaksvolumevintage

AutoluxeVintage

vjones1

violetville

timebandit

Spotlight Saturday... Royal Wedding Re-Cap

It's Spotlight Saturday once again and since the hoopla has yet to die down, we're bringing to you today a 'Retro Threadz Royal Wedding Re-Cap'.  First off, the British tabloids were on the money as they leaked an early word that Kate Middleton's dress was designed by Sarah Burton for the late Alexander McQueen's fashion house. 

The dress was modest as to be expected but exquisitely beautiful nonetheless and the intricate delicate lace was a mixture of Chantilly & English.  The design pattern included rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock.  It was impeccably detailed.  The fitted bodice had a Victorian corset flair which not many women can pull off without being uncomfortable.  Sarah Burton did an excellent job of making a style reminiscent of Princess Grace Kelly's 1956 wedding gown quite current.   

   
I think everyone was thrown off by this vintage style redux by Burton since she is known for her avant-garde designs.  She regularly works for Lady Gaga and given that, maybe they were expecting wedding couture for the Princess that was a little more edgy?


O.k. so now onto the 'hats'...  Seriously some of these were totally Gaga'ish!
For instance this monstrosity worn by Princess Beatrice of York by Irish designer, Royal hat maker Philip Treacy was certainly an attention getter.  Kind of like... 'hey look at me, I wanna make sure I'm in the spotlight'!  Mission accomplished!

In my opinion, the true 'scene stealer' for the day was the Bride's sister Pippa Middleton who looked like an absolute dream in the sleek ivory satin dress with a crepe cowl neckline made especially for her also by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.  This was a risky choice being that 'white' is usually the color reserved for the Bride only on her special day. 

 

Now that the nuptials have taken place, the frenzy begins as the question buzzing around today is..."Do you think Pippa out shined Kate at her own wedding"?  Inquiring minds want to know...or do they really?  Where would we be without our trash mags?!

: weddingspirasi.com , fashion-era.com  rickey.org , royalwedding.aol.com  abcnews.go.com