The last time that the oversized boxy jacket with the oversized shoulder pads aka the “Boyfriend Jacket” was around, I was in college. At the time, I wore this trend to the extreme. My favorite was a real tuxedo jacket that my dad had tossed to the side when it no longer fit with the sleeves pushed up, crisp white shirt, jeans and flat shoes. Its no secret that I am not in college anymore and I would feel very silly trying to go back to that. Actually, it would break one of my hard and fast rules for style…never wear a trend twice! But the boyfriend jacket is everywhere and I still LOVE them….so the age old question is how to wear the trend in a way that is relevant while being age appropriate?
Two of my favorite words…princess seams. This jacket has them along with shoulder and waist darts and a slightly rounded hemline. I CAN wear the look that is tailored to my body type thanks to this ingenious construction detail that takes down the “boxiness” just a notch. It takes into consideration the silhouette of my body and allows me to follow the idea of the trend without looking like I raided the attic at my parents house! This white boyfriend jacket from Doncaster will be in my closet and the closet of many of my clients this season. It fits my life and my body now and every girl needs at least one great white go to jacket in her spring/summer closet!
Click here to put this fabulous white boyfriend from Doncaster in your Spring closet. For ease of ordering, use consultant code 1867121.
I love the idea of wearing sequins all day. From work to evening. In Las Vegas and in Scottsdale. We might even see this in San Jose but I’m not expecting it to be everywhere you look. I am probably a little too classic to pull it off but there’s no question that it is going to be a hot trend for Spring. The long list of designers showing this for Spring range from the uber trendy Alice & Olivia, Anna Sui and Isaac Mizrahi to the elite establishment of Pucci, Christian Dior, and Armani. And shoe designers from Lanvin tennis shoes to Doc Martens (yep, sparkly Doc Martens combat boots!). Looks like there will also be sequin sandals!
Sequins have been popular for the past few seasons. The extension to day wear is the big news. And where they are showing up: on suit pieces tailored for business, on hoodies, and twinsets. On cute skirts, accessories, jeans and pants. And on every fabric and color imaginable.
Are there any rules to this trend? One very important one. Do not overdo it. Strictly one piece with sequins.
Here are a few sequined treasures from the Doncaster Spring 2010 line. These have classic lines with a trendy edge. Take this anywhere and wear them anytime. 
There are some great pre-season sales going on as retailers look to move luxury items and boost their numbers any way they can. Take my advice and shop them now because the inventory is not going to last. And when it is gone, the limited inventory to replace it will be at the much lower end.
Look at the beautiful inventory that is currently marked down in the pre-season sale at Shopbop. New items are already 30% and limited availability and winter items are slashed as much as 70% off.
So, why now? Nine months ago, when the retail buyers were putting in their orders for the Spring season, no one could have predicted the dour buying mood of our country. Things were a bit off even then but all projections were that the economy would be happily rebounding by March of this year. Now that the prospects are not nearly so optimistic, many retailers are shuttering stores or going out of business all together. And those who are still plowing through this retail environment are cutting their inventory, particularly of luxury merchandise.
Just this week, GlamourByLBD caught wind of a fairly reliable rumor that Macy’s is laying off its West Coast buyers and that all purchasing with be done from the East Coast. There has already been a noticeable reduction in the stores’ luxury merchandise so it would make sense that more cutting is on the way.
So, what does that mean to us as consumers? It means that for now, there will be a limited supply of luxury items available for sale and priced to move. Sizes and styles will run low early in the season. As we move into summer and especially fall and winter, watch for specialty items to be replaced with commodity and down market inventory. Look for cheaper fabrics and hasty construction. Merchandising? Think Marshall’s on a Sunday afternoon. Customer service will be available through specialty retailers and expert advice will be found through consultants such as GlamourByLBD.
As the economy improves, GlamourByLBD expects that prices will go up long before quality will return, especially at the mass merchandiser level.
There will still be some high ticket items but as consumers move away from luxury and toward comfort, look to see a lot more Uggs. One of my friends forwarded This article from MSN Money which confirms this very trend.
As more Spring emerges with its bright and beautiful colors, there remains a strong neutral backdrop of shades of brown and tan. How boring, right? Quite to the contrary, I am seeing beautiful sandals, platforms and even pumps with strong, feminine styling details that are uniqe and sophisticated. I will say it again: this season feminine is strong.
While the kids still have their clunky shoes, there is also an ever opening variety of shoes that can be worn in comfort all day and that have the perfect styling to flatter any foot. Case in point is this beautiful Captivate Pump from Stuart Weitzman. The perforated leather and glossy trim are pure notched up classic. While these shoes are predominately professional, styling such as the bow on the vamp will allow you to pair them with a cocktail outfit for an evening out. Pair them with your favorite LBD to wear from day into evening!
Click here to learn more about the Captivate pump from Stuart Weitzman at Endless.com.
A long time friend observed the other day that I have changed my style. In my thirties, I wore a lot of Lily Pulitzer and floral and animal prints on my skirts, pants and even a dress or two. As I settled into my forties, I still love the bold prints but restrict them to my accessories. Why? Because something that once made me look youthful now made me look like a dowdy little old lady. I want to age gracefully…no need to jump ahead!
So, now I am always on the lookout for fun accessories in wild prints and colors, such as shoes, scarves and handbags. I love classy but unexpected. So, I nearly flipped when I saw the new Landau Tote from Stuart Weitzman at Endless.com. There are ten handbags that are either cork and leather or fabric and leather. All sorts of colors and even a wild floral print.
The fabrics are elegant and unexpected…and the finishing touches of the satin lining, the rivets and the magnetic closure make this a handbag to be coveted. However, this is a substantial bag and should be limited to the taller woman.
Check out all TEN styles of this beautiful Landau bag from Stuart Weitzman at Endless.com.
Click here to see more Spring Favorites at Shopping! By GlamourByLBD!
