Star Wars Style - My Favorite Collaborations for The Last Jedi

Is the Force with you? Who saw Star Wars: The Last Jedi last night? Fashion fans who openly showed their geekiness used to be rare. In the last decade, high fashion brands have collaborated with the franchise for sophisticated Star Wars style. Past collaborations included edgy designers Rodarte and upscale Preen down to Old Navy and J. Crew.

This season, you can buy high-end heels from Christian Louboutin. They look like posh party heels for the holiday soiree, but if you look closely, you'll see jeweled tie-fighter details on the vamp.

Upscale denim brand Rag & Bone created a collection of casual hipster looks for men and women. What I like about this is that it doesn't immediately look like a movie-branded collection. The clothes are well designed and fashion-forward, with small nods to the costume styling in the movie.

There are plenty of Geek fashion emporiums like Hot Topic, Her Universe and Think Geek (where my sister bought my Millenium Falcon skirt). Many of the looks are a street style alternative to full-on costumes. They are budget-friendly and really fun, but they wouldn't be considered high fashion.

I am currently working with sleepwear company Richard Leeds International. They are known for super cute union suits and fluffy pajamas. If you have seen the very popular Chewbacca onesie or Princess Leia onesie on fangirls, that's from them. For The Last Jedi's release, they created a sleek, minimalist black and white group that puts the focus on rebels and the resistance. The Star Wars sleepwear collection is available at Target.

Star Wars style inspired yet? What are YOU wearing to see Star Wars: The Last Jedi?

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Trendspotting: Stripes for Spring

It's the most classic pattern in spring fashion.  Stripes seem simple at first, a timeless look that retailers and designers bring out year after year when the snow melts away.  However, there are so many ways to design them to look fresh every season.

The striped top has its roots in sailors uniforms, chic French gamines or even (yikes) mimes.  However, change out the traditional navy and white for variegated widths of stripes with this years trendy colors and you have a bright fashion staple for the season.

You can use engineered stripes and color blocking stripes as a graphic illusion.  The wide sections of bright colors on the dress above from Mossimo uses the striped, color block effect to lengthen the silhouette making your legs look like they go on forever.  Placing different widths and colors of stripes at different places on the body help the perception of maximizing curves or minimizing bumps like the Xhilaration dress on the left.  The examples above are the antidote to all of the old-fashioned myths about horizontal or vertical stripes making you thinner or wider.

If you're still paranoid that stripes might make you look like a prison inmate, you have a full range of accessories at your disposal.  A striped carryall tote, nautical flats, graphic rainboots, a scarf or a pop of pattern on a ribbon instantly give your outfit a fresh sunny update.

Are you ready to run your lines? Go forward and stripe out!

It’s Time for Springtime.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Target.

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How to Wear Sheer to the Office

One of the biggest spring trends is to wear sheer.  While light, transparent fabrics are pretty to look at on the runway, how do you translate that to an appropriate outfit for work?  I'm talking about a proper office, outfits that don't get the raised eyebrow or a whisper behind your back.

Sheer doesn't have to mean a head-to-toe look.  An implied translucent part of the garment works just as well and counts as being on-trend.

You can pile on the layers.  A skirt with several layers of transparent fabric eventually becomes opaque.  You can have the full coverage you're comfortable with, but when you move, you will see a faint hint of sheer when your skirt swings.

Sheer can act as a trim instead of the main part of the garment.  A dress with an organza hem or mesh sleeves gives a sexy impression, but everything is covered and safe.  You can always add a blazer on top and a co-worker will still see maybe an inch or two of your trendy sheer neckline.

Do you remember the first season of HBO's "Girls"?  Jessa wears a flimsy voile nightgown to her job as a nanny.  You know you don't want to be that girl.  A sheer blouse can always be paired with a solid tank or camisole.  A flowing, easy silhouette looks great with a second fashionable top underneath.  You can keep the colors tonal, or choose an under-piece with a completely contrasting color to shake things up.

Did you think about putting sheers into accessories?  That is always the easiest way to incorporate any runway trend into your work wardrobe.  Silk chiffon scarves are lovely.  How about the lace sheer bootie?  

No matter how strict the dress code is at your office, there are plenty of ways to stay on top this season!  Now how about that promotion?

It’s Time for Springtime.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Target.

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Spring Shoe Trends

Oh yay! With the weather thawing out, boots open up and toes come out for spring shoes.  I can’t wait to shop for my favorite footwear trends for spring.

One of the biggest spring trends all over the runways was the mix of artistic prints.  Abstract floral, brushstrokes and kaleidoscope patterns have made every fashion item a canvas.  Spring shoes are no exception.  Many designers on spring 2013 catwalks crafted shoes to coordinate to the patterns of the clothes.  For my budget-friendly designer picks, you can’t go wrong with Prabal Garung’s pumps and laced up sandal in a “Nolita”print for Target (only $40).  If you want something more romantic, go for Xhilaration’s dark floral Sae pumps for only $30. 

The wedge was a big hit for fall and reconstructed in more spring friendly trims for the upcoming season.  I love wedges because they are safer (for clumsy me) to walk in than your typical stiletto.  Spring materials like cork, rattan, rope wood give it a bit of a warm rustic edge, while still keep styles sophisticated.  You can mix up all sorts of colors, contrast trims and configurations with a pump.  Stripes give you a nautical look, bows are ladylike and solid colors are bold enough for any spring dress.  All these fun styles come from Merona, Xhilaration and Target’s shoe collection, starting at $17 and topping out at $75.

Are you ready to step out of your boots and into the sunshine? I am.

It’s Time for Springtime.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Target.

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Trendspotting: Polka Dots

One the most simple and classic patterns, yet it instantly screams spring and girly.  From a graphic design standpoint, you can change the entire vibe of this print by changing the scale of the dot itself.  Small dots are demure and feminine.  Large dots are more eclectic.   Overlap them with the right combination of colors and a mix of sizes and you have artsy bohemian, (that's my penny class for Print Design 101).

  While you can't take dots too seriously, they are the most chic in a basic navy/ivory or black/white combination.  All of the looks above are super-affordable pieces from Target's Mossimo, Merona and XHilaration collections this season.  

Ready for something fun?  You can check out a bunch of spring trends including polka dots in the video above.  See a look that looks cute for you? You can just click right on it and shop for it immediately.   The shoppable video concept is one step closer to the chocolate transmitting television from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.  It is a fantasy I used to have when I was about 5 years old and watching Sesame Street.  I used to dream of just pressing a button and being to able obtain Barbie's car or that box of Cocoa Puffs right away... I guess I'm just a classic victim of commercial tv.  

When the sun peeks back out at the end of winter,  fashion boutiques, big and small, online or off start filling with colors and prints.  Even from the comfort of your home, things are blooming.  

It’s Time for Springtime.
Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Target via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Target.

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