After months of boots and closed-toe shoes, you can finally let your toes wriggle out of hibernation (and show off your new pedi). But strappy sandals and more time gallivanting outdoors also mean a greater chance of blisters, chafing, rubbing and just as much heel pain as your high heels. Thankfully, you don't have to turn to Crocs to make your feet happy this season. The latest summer shoe trends are less about intricate designs and height and more about wearable, walkable sandals that are also super stylish.
After months of seeing these delicate, fanned out earrings all over the red carpet and throughout the blogosphere, I finally found out their proper name: Ear jackets. And while the phrase might not send you running to the nearest jewelry store, these images will. Ear jackets are the slightly subdued, classier version of last summer's big and bold ear cuffs (they were all over the punk-themed Met Gala red carpet). Just slip them onto any earring post. Our favorite thing about this accessory trend? They're appropriate for any occasion, from the red carpet to the boardroom. Here's why.
Spaghetti strap shift dresses, overalls, flannel ... we're still in the middle of a full-on '90s style resurgence. But if you can't get on board with the denim onesies you wore as a child (to each her own), halter dresses, the latest '90s trend to reemerge on the scene, may be more up your alley.
You're beyond excited for that boozy pool party or your long-awaited tropical vacay, but there's one thing standing between you and your summer fun. Before you can plop down on the beach and soak up the sun (not to mention half a dozen daiquiris) you have to face off with bad lighting, three-way mirrors and endless options of Lycra. Yep, we're talking about bathing suit shopping.
My closet is so full of purses, jewelry and shoes, I'm beginning to run out of excuses for why I really "need" that next trendy item. Maybe that's why I'm gravitating toward the old school, metallic and just plain cool headphones I've been spotting on celebs and fashion bloggers. Even Karl Lagerfeld got in on the hype, outfitting the models in his Fall/Winter 2014 Fashion Week runway show with black quilted pairs. And let's not forget -- headphones aren't just another trendy accessory. They're functional. That's excuse enough to go out and snap a pair.
The words "fashionable" and "comfortable" don't often go together when it comes to the latest trends. But this season, celebrities, fashion bloggers and designers alike are hitting the streets (and the runways) in a '90s (and '70s) throwback -- Birkenstocks. And whether you're on board with the whole "normcore" trend or not, everyone can agree these slide-on sandals make appearing trendy pretty effortless.
They say you have to walk a mile in someone else's shoes before you can judge them. When it comes to the rich and the famous, we are totally willing to play by that rule, especially if it means we get to sneak a peak in their jaw-dropping, over-the-top, hyper-organized shoe closets. And by "closet" we mean full-size bedroom.
While the rest of us were shivering our way into the warm weather months earlier this year, runway models and A-list celebrities were enjoying exotic, beachside vacations flaunting the season's latest covet-worthy accessory: body chains. A replacement for chunky statement jewelry or long, slinky necklaces you can double up, these body chains are making your summer wardrobe even more festive -- from casual knit tee to bikini.
All of a sudden, there's no such thing as being too matchy-matchy. The coordinates trend started out as a fashion week wow-factor with Balenciaga's modern shapes, Alice + Olivia's beach-ready basics and Topshop's graphic designs, and has now become a spring fashion trend that anyone can pull off. The combos we're loving: collarless coats with shorts, sporty vests with cigarette pants, crop tops with pencil skirts and sleek jackets with high-waist shorts, to name a few.
With sheer, cutout and cropped fashion trends emerging as the season warms up, perforation has entered as an edgy-meets-elegant alternative. A sophisticated step up from see-through details like lace or fishnet, the perforated trend makes showing a little skin possible in the classiest way.
With summertime around the corner, you'd expect an onslaught of delicate sundresses and frilly frocks on the red carpet. Instead, celebs are running in the opposite direction and stepping out in sharp, tailored suits. But make no mistake: they're not simply borrowing from the boys.
There are two accessory pieces that first come to mind when we start transitioning our wardrobes for warm weather -- shoes and bags. While we couldn't be more excited to toss our rainboots to the side and break out the sandal wedges and cozy espadrilles, truth is, the newest crop of spring handbags has us lusting for our next tote. Namely, bucket bags.
Your summertime footwear options probably look something like this: flip flops or strappy sandals. Fair enough. After months of being trapped in socks, tights, boots and sneakers, your feet are dying to break free. But the warmer weather isn't solely reserved for poolside lounging and barefoot activities, which is why comfy and cute espadrilles are a must for any summer closet.
Stop what you're working on, step away from your desk and get to the nearest Topshop: Today is the day the long-awaited Kate Moss for Topshop collection launches in stores. And it's everything you ever wanted. Every piece in the Topshop collection simply screams, "Kate." You can see her rebellious, rock-star attitude in heavily fringed pieces and butter-soft suede; a carefree, wandering spirit in her boho paisley pieces; and, of course, the glammed-up model in sleek cocktail dresses worthy of a runway. Click through to see every gorgeous piece, but be warned: Set a budget, because you'll want every item.
Making its first global appearance in jewelry, rose gold swept the fashion industry as the chicest accessory color combo to hit the runway. In an attempt to give the trend even more staying power, designers branched out from jewelry and into bigger accessory and fashion items, with rose gold details on shoes, handbags and even clothing. Now anything goes -- from iPhone cases to Nike Fuel bands to curling irons. And thanks to Sienna Miller, it's even the "It" hair color for summer.
The only thing more fun about a trend making a comeback is when it is reinvented in a way that's so fresh, anyone can pull it off. Take fringe, for instance. The tasseled trim usually reserved for Western flair, Gatsby-esque flappers, and free-spirited hippies is reemerging with a chicer -- and, dare we say, almost classic -- aesthetic. Labels like Valentino and Celine gave the look staying power with the launch of their spring/summer collections, which featured patent leather wallets and boho bags with ornate fringe detailing. As predicted, the trickle-down tassel effect is flooding the music festival scene this year. "It" girls like Poppy Delevigne and Fergie showed off their version of fringe at Coachella -- making it the coolest revival since the cat-eye.
Embroidery usually brings up thoughts of stuffy tapestry or grandma's hand-made knick-knacks, but spring's red carpet is shining a decidedly more stylish light on the stitching technique. Lately, celebs are taking a cue from the runway and swapping spring's expected floral prints for lavish embroidered patterns. Click ahead to see the many ways you can wear the embroidered trend.
Rachel Platten has a lot of reasons to smile. The singer-songwriter's hit tune "Fight Song" hit No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100; her album "Wildfire" was released by Columbia Records last year; and she's playing a sold-out concert in NYC on April 25, sponsored by TJ Maxx's The Maxx You Project. In this exclusive video, Platten talks about her early days in the music biz and how her success has inspired her to empower others.
Spring has sprung and we're oh so ready to toss our heavy winter boots in favor of open toe wedges. However, when the weather calls for gray skies and rain dripping down window panes, the last thing we want to do is throw on a pair of pricey leather sandals.
