the it lists – fashion & trend blog

This season’s flared skirts are full and fabulous!  As we turn the corner back into fall I think the next logical step is to stick to skirts, especially these cute flared and knee length skirts.

Tucking and pleating is perfect for those days where you feel tuckered and depleted!  Rich fabrics and vibrant patterns are perfect to make you feel vibrant and fun. Forever 21 has a huge selection flared skirts of different prints and  lengths. Shown here are my favorites for fall, the tartan plaid and a fall floral (both big trends this fall).

I’m excited about this trend.  I am going to use it as a personal reminder this fall not to chicken out and stick to pants. Why?  This summer I’ve been reminded on how comfortable not wearing pants really can be! I was surprised at how easy it is to look dressy and classy with seamless effort.

~ Nicole, guest "it" writer.
  

Low, Seventies, loosey style. Low rider jeans are so over, and now there’s a new low in town.

When you are rockin’ the hot street scene let the ladies loose! Throw on a comfortable, sassy strapless blouse and wear it a little low.  The lower the better.  On those lazy sunday afternoons a big pair of shades, a low strapeless blouse and a pair of wide-legged jeans is one of this summer’s hot looks. 

Forever 21 has low prices and some low styles that will suit the streets.  This groovy brown printed strapless blouse is perfect for all low energy activities we all love, like grass laying, low riding and side walk talking. Exposed shoulders are sultry, steamy, seventies.

~ Nicole, guest "it" writer.

As promised my other trendy pick fro the aisles of Forever 21 (and online too) is the best of two spring trends-in-one:  the metallic bomber jacket.

Bomber jackets were immortalized in fashion when Tom Cruise wore one in the movie Top Gun, but I think Katie Kat will have more luck resurging this trend. The real drive behind this trend is the coveted signature piece of the MEMBERS ONLY collection – but try and get your hands on one. Better luck at Forever 21.

This new luxury version of a metallic bomber is shimmering and styling enough to wear for an evening on the town with jeans or dress.

Pictured here are two great budget finds, but if you’re apt to splurge a little – check out Gwen Stefani’s  L.A.M.B. Army Bomber Jacket at Nordstroms.

Designer’s Spring 2008 Must-Haves:
Silver metallic leather bomber jacket ~ Pamella Roland
My Chocolate leather bomber jacket – great to be worn with anything and everything
 ~ Charlotte Ronson  

I just returned from an Edmonton visit…dinners with friends, a little bit of clubbing, a Croatian bday fest, and a reunion with my adored Sephora and Forever 21 (ala West Edmonton Mall).

I spent over 2 hours just in Forever 21 stockpiling on spring accessories (oh mi!), tops and dresses. 

The one thing I was disappointed in was to see how much crochet was in stock despite all the trend experts saying it’s time to store crochet for another season – instead it’s all about lace, rouching and other details.

Here’s a great Satin Lace Tunic for a crochet alternative, and I’ve already done a proper test drive on a nite out. Gathered knit tunic with gorgeous satin lace trimmed bodice detailing; and the bat wings drape and aren’t overwhelming.

Not lace, but good purchases:
Satin Trapeze Top - sassy with jeans, and brilliant in orange.
Basket Weave Tunic - I bought cream & it looks beyond it’s price tag.
Embroidered Knit Top – for a dash of bohemian

Teaser: I’ll post soon my other trendy pick from the aisles of Forever 21.

One of the biggest shames of online shopping from Canada was that Forever 21 didn’t ship there. Since it hasn’t made it yet to the Canadian West coast the only option of getting a trendy, frugal fashion fix was a road trip. Not anymore!

To celebrate their Forever 21 Canada online grand opening you can save 20% (min $50 spend).

Do your math wisely if you’re just above the minimum, say $63 (and ground shipping will be around $12) = $75. Well, if you spend $75 pre-shipping, you get free shipping. Hm, an interesting dilemma. So if instead of $63 if you spend $12 more, it’s like getting 10 bucks of goodies free, rather than spending it on shipping.

Ha! I love fashion math.

                                         

I have to credit Off the Rack for a great find. They featured Rachel Bilton looking adorable int this Theory Caplet. Ah, Theory. Theory dishes out some of the best suits and adult clothes. That instant I am woman feeling.

But to justify $395 for a trendy piece – well that’s still hard to do. But here’s a substitute at heck of a deal. I’m impressed at the budgetista offering at Forever 21 for $30.

Before you bloat on turkey – inspire yourself to skip the stuffing so that you can dazzle in that cute little dress you’re going to wear thru the Christmas party circuit. First you have to get the dress, right? – so start looking now!

One of my best purchases was a moss green chiffon number from Rampage. I spent $90 and I wore it to a ton of parties by just messing around with accessories. I’ve got a handful of cheaper stores that are 90% hoochie (or maybe I’m just too old to shop there) and 10% gold mine: Rampage, Heart Moon Stars, Hot Kiss, Forever 21, Charlotte Russe and Zara.

The trick to buying from cheaper stores: the material and detail in the right places. Chiffon, crepe, lace, and shiny can be more forgiving. Budget finds are often simple in the back and save the detail for the front, but if you’ve got an expensive pashmina shawl to wrap – does a plain back matter? (retorical question). Here are two perfect examples of great deals on little black dresses that you can add your luxe touches to:
 
Bonus: One more dress here. It’s not a dress, but here’s a cute top at Hot Kiss that falls into the 10% goldmine category! Scoop Neck Lace Top.