SS 2011 Fashion Trends II Pattern

The energy, liveliness, and glamour of the SS 2011 Fashion color trend continues to appear in various patterns in the fashion design industry. The pattern of the trend is not unfamiliar and has come up in the previous year but this year is boosted with vitality as the recovering global economy gets back on its feet again.

1. Stripes

Stripes are defiantly in with their fashion popularity never seeming to fade away.

The accent of vivid colors makes a great combination with stripes. Let's take a look at some of the fabulous ideas on the use of stripes from SS 2011 Collections of Marc by Marc Jacobs, Prada Donna, and Tory Burch.

(MARC by MARC JACOBS Collection Presentation )

(Tory Burch SS 2011 Collection Presentation )

( Prada SS 2011 Collection Presentation )

2. Floral

The idea of strolling on one of Miami’s beaches in a glamorous SS 2011 Christian Dior Orange and White floral print dress will liven me up and give me the boost of a 5 hour energy drink. The SS 2011 Collections of Dolce & Gabbana, Christian Dior, and Vanessa Bruno introduce the various style of floral pattern lines.

( Dolce & Gabbana SS 2011 Collection Presentation )

( Christian Dior SS 2011 Collection Presentation )

(Vanessa Bruno SS 2011 Collection Presentation )

3. Animal Print


Leopard print has come up in the fashion trends a few times giving the public the opportunity to enjoy this style and look chic at the same time. Let’s look at the animal print dresses and bottoms by SS 2011 Collections of Blumarine, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy.

(  Blumarine SS 2011 Collection Presentation )

( Louis Vuitton  SS 2011 Collection Presentation )

( Givenchy SS 2011 Collection Presentation )

*Images from the embedded videos. 

The Style Journal: Sam Edelman’s Vancouver Bootie

Making the Military Trend Your Own

—April Francis of The Haute Closet

I am not one to shy away from super high heels. Brian Atwood’s original six-inch Maniacs are one of my basics. Given my penchant for high heels, I get more than my fair share of “How do you wear those?!” I always smile because I adore wearing heels.

I took the Vancouver by Sam Edelman out for a test run to see how they could amp up my wardrobe’s military flair one sunny, 80-degree Sunday. In the first look, I went with a gorgeous pair of Japanese-made L.G.B. camouflage leggings from Ikram. Awesomely, these didn’t break the bank and since I’ve worn them over and over again this season, their cost per wear (CPW) is at about $3 (and we’ve got months to go). Add in this season’s de rigueur super flirty circle skirt (ours by A.L.C.), an army green Alexander Wang tank and a super cozy cape from Hejfina. Covering just about every of-the-moment trend in one outfit without looking like a victim gives you a good look for going to a movie, drinks or dinner with girlfriends.

Quartermastering the Look: Ladies Night Out with Vancouver

Cadet Prep: Date Night with Vancouver

The second look brought out our inner West Point prep. When you’re going military, the easiest way to femme it up is by adding flirty colors. We got ours courtesy of Antipast knee socks from Robin Richman, a silk blouse from L’Agence and a sweet pink Chanel bag. I’m sure you’ve got most of these pieces in your closet so call up your favorite shorts, grab your boyfriend blazer, add some fun hosiery, rock these boots and boom—a fun, multi-textured look for fall. We would definitely wear this look on a date.

For the last wardrobe change I went for a comfy, everyday look. Pairing T by Alexander Wang sweatpants with a military-inspired chevron sweater by Marc by Marc Jacobs, I could work in this look all day and be happy about it. (Did I mention how comfortable these boots are?) And the bag, a little vintage beauty picked up from LuLu’s at the Belle Kay, is a force to be reckoned with. 

Reveille Revelry: Breakfast at Lori's with Vancouver

Verdict: these puppies are gorgeous in their neutral grey-green suede, grabbing tons of looks and compliments. Not to mention they are fantastically comfortable: I wore them for a full day of driving (stick-shift VW), Haute Closet-ing and city walking—all without the slightest bit of discomfort. These shoes rule.

The trick to super high heels is the height of the platform and how strapped in the tops of your feet are. The platform on these puppies is about two inches (making the stiletto that much shorter) with a great-for-winter-slush rubber tread sole. And not only can you tighten the laces for a snug fit, you can slip out quickly with Edelman’s super heavy-duty zipper on the inside of each foot. Translation: feels like heaven, makes you a blissful six inches taller.

The other half of the trick: you have a lot of clothes in your closet. I didn’t buy any of these pieces for the shoot. I just added the shoes and built looks around them with what I already had. When you add any new piece to your wardrobe, it’s worthwhile to play in your closet and try out new combinations.

Lastly, smart shoppers, at $212, these boots are a bargain and just as beautiful as the Chloe, Elizabeth and James and Rag & Bone versions that are out on all the shelves right now, for half the price.

Work the Sam Edelman Vancouver into your own wardrobe so that you are on top of the military trend but interpret that trend according to your own style.

P.S.: Notice that I’m wearing the same belt with each outfit? It’s amazing how a new accessory like these boots can breathe fresh life into things that have been languishing in your closet, unloved, for months. Also, I usually wear an 8.5; I sized down to an 8 in these, and still have plenty of room for cozy winter socks!