We're Going Native...

Native American that is. It's all about the fringe. No, I don't mean going around dressed in your best Pocohantas outfit (save that for Halloween). Open any magazine and you'll see the new and hot Spring/Summer trend. But this trend, luckily for everyone, has taken many different forms. Working in a showroom with the straight off the runway William Rast collection all day, I can't help but notice the incredible use of fringe in many of the pieces. There's several different styles of leather jackets with fringe just on the arms, just on the back, on the arms and back. You get the idea. The line also incorporates chic leather ankle boots with fringe circling the rims.

But OK, let's say you're like me and you love the fringe look but would rather take it down a notch. We're in luck, designers have been using fringe not just in their apparel lines but in accessories as well. Like Will Rast's fringe boots, there are many different styles of shoes that are keeping up with this trend. If you're anything like me, I'm more of the risk taker when it comes to shoes. The more outrageous and funky the better.

This trend of fringed shoes, however, isn't new. I recently whipped out THREE pairs of Minetonka boots I bought about five years ago. They're each different styles, of course. One is brown lace up to my knees with fringes around the tops and another are black lace up ankle boots with fringes around the ankle. Not only are they cool, but incredibly comfortable. Trust me, running around NYC carrying garment bags of samples, I always rely on my Minnetonkas to keep my feet happy.

Another way designers are jumping on the bandwagon, especially because the warmer weather is upon us (Yes!), are the fringed sandals. I recently stumbled across a picture of Lindsay Lohan wearing these fabulous Madison Harding Flat Fringe Thongs. They are currently being sold in black or tan at Singer22.com for $135. But if you're not looking to spend that kind of money on sandals, don't worry. Skimming through one of the weekly magazines I found a website called Gojane.com. The magazine displayed a picture of these adorable fringe and beaded (hello, can it get any better?) sandals. The best part, it said they were only $20. Naturally I went to the website and looked under the sandals.(Above pic is a pair from the website) Rumaging through what seemed like endless pages of sandals, I found several different styles of fringed sandals, all for $20 and under. Even if you're not into fringe, there are so many adorable and funky sandals on the site.

If fringe sandals doesn't seem like your thing, there's always the fringe handbags. Even today, looking through Life & Style magazine, there was a whole feature dedicated to the hot new fringe bags. I've had my eye on the JJ Winters Suede Fringe Bag (also on Singer22.com). But recently, on my weekly browse through Forever21, I bought the Tanka Fringe Handbag in black for only $26.80. I've been using it almost everyday and everywhere I go I get compliments on it.

Fringe is in people and there are so many different ways to incorporate it into your wardrobe, just find your style.

xoxo

ChicFreak

Holey Moley!

Spring has finally sprung! Hallelujah! Soon the warm weather will be upon us and what could be better than to reflect that by whipping out the spring/summer wardrobe. You know, light weight jackets, fun tee shirts, mini skirts and of course the beloved ripped jeans.

Ripped jeans have been a staple of my wardrobe for many seasons. They've been in all the magazines and on the runways for years now. They're not going away anytime soon, trust me! Don't worry if you're one of those that's scared of the whole ripped jeans idea. It may seem like a difficult trend to keep up with. Who knew there could be so many different styles of the ripped jean? And true, we're all different shapes and sizes, but that's the great thing about ripped jeans and jeans in general: they come in hundreds upon hundreds of different styles and colors. So believe me, there is a pair that's just for you. One pair that I've had my eye on for a while are JET's new Thrasher Skinny Jean in Dark Clean. (Seen on Nicole Richie in pic above) They incorporate the always classic dark wash, skinny leg with the added punch of all the rips. There's also the uber trendy Current/Elliot Boyfriend Jean in Loved Destroyed. (Two trends in one)

I think of jeans as in quality over quantity. I once had a closet full of cheap jeans yet never wore them because none of them fit properly. When I was younger, I was extremely thin and could not find a pair to fit me well (I wish I could complain about that now). They were usually way too big for me and when I would shop for kids sizes instead, they were way too short. Now that I'm older, my body has definitely changed and obviously my size too. One of my absolute favorite brand of jeans is J Brand. Even when I gain or lose a pound or two (too many cookies one day, exercise binge the next) they always fit and fit comfortably. They may be a little pricey, usually ranging from $180-$250 a pop, but I'd rather have two great pairs of jeans than a closet full of ones that don't fit well.

Now, if you don't want to spend the $189 that the JET jeans cost, have no fear you can still be a part of the trend. Enter: The DIY! When my mom told me a couple of years ago I was crazy for wanting to spend a couple hundred on ripped jeans, I just went back to my closet. I took a pair of plain jeans that were fading because I had them for a while, so what better way to spruce them up then rip them. How? Easy. Everyone has a cheese grater in their kitchen. Well now it's your very own tool for making ripped jeans. What's great about it, is that there are no rules, you can make as many holes, as big as you want. All you do is start grating away like they were a block of cheese. Believe me it works, I still have my first pair I grated on. It takes some arm strength to get going, but it's worth it. You'll be proud of yourself that you can make your own stylish ripped jeans that some people have spent a lot of money on buying.

Happy grating!

xoxo

ChicFreak

Hello Fashionistas

"Fashion is not a luxury. It's a right!" -- Sarah Jessica Parker

Living in New York City, it's hard to escape the world of fashion. Living in New York City, going through an "economic crisis" it's hard to afford everything that is "fashion". Like SJP said, fashion is a right and everyone should be able to express that right. Every month new issues of fashion magazines hit the stands and I'm the first to admit, it's a rush for me, flipping through the crisp pages, admiring the colors, the models, the new trends to expect next season. I LOVE it.

But who am I kidding, most of the clothes and accessories these magazines are showing us are typically out of the average girl's price range. So now what? Give up? Of course NOT! Everyday new trends pop up and everywhere you go there are places to find these new "it" trends for every budget. My number one pick to find the latest trends at a wallet friendly price.. Forever21. Honestly, most of the trends we see usually last one season. So it's a little difficult for me to spend an insane amount on a cocktail ring, that by next fall will be so last season. Just today, I bought a fabulous snake chain braided choker necklace for $7.80. Don't get me wrong, I'm all about a good splurge every now and then, but they're usually only on staple pieces for my wardrobe. Ie: the perfect LBD (little black dress) and a fabulous handbag.

After recently working for an up and coming fashion website, styling looks and working on photoshoots, I started to learn my way around of styling for all kinds of budgets. My absolute favorite way to get my hands on the trendiest pieces, aside from stores like Forever21 and sample sales, are the good ol' DIY's. I once took a pair of my mom's vintage Levi jeans and cut them into shorts and bedazzled them. I now have my initials on the back pockets of my cutoffs.

Now working for a major fashion PR firm in NYC, I worked for Justin Timberlake and Trace Ayala's William Rast fashion show this past fashion week last month. The theme of the show was very Americanesque. It was all about fringe and studs. The first thing that came to my mind was 'Hey, I can make that!' With the show's staple pieces of flannel shirts (one of the hottest trends this season), I couldn't help but imagine all the different patterns of studs I could update my collection of vintage flannels with. The thought of it now even gets me excited.

With chunky jewelry being in for the past few seasons, I got involved with making my own personalized beaded charm bracelets selling them to all my friends. Not only are the fun to make by experimenting with different colors and charms, they're easy too.

Keep checking the blog for my latest finds on budget friendly stores and my newest ideas for DIY's.

xoxo

ChicFreak