7 Heavenly Trends... for Summer 2013!

This past Saturday marked the first official day of summer. You know what that means- a new excuse to shop for summer trends! We've compiled a list of hot fashion styles that you'll definitely want to attempt rocking. We've already spotted some of the looks in our Fashion Spreads! Although some of these trends may be on the daring side for the more conservative fashionistas, they all can be incorporated into daily style in a tasteful way to add playful elements to your look. Keep checking back, we'll be breaking down some of these in further details with "How to Rock..." posts. And for you fashionistas who are already wearing these trends, submit your pics to thegatheredlady@gmail or tag us on facebook, twitter, or instagram @TheGatheredLady #getgathered and if we like it, we'll share it! 

1. Graphic Prints

These bold prints take the work out of spicing up outfits. Choose your level of commitment to style-boldness with low-risk simple accessories like purses and tops or take more risks with dresses and pants. Also, graphic print shorts are guaranteed hot-ticket items this summer.

2. Leather

I'm sure you're thinking "Leather?! Ain't nobody got time for that in this heat!!". Don't worry, this trend is reasonable in that it's mainly skirts, shorts, and panels of leather that are being incorporated into clothing. Very temperature friendly. If you're still nervous, may we suggest wearing looser fitting leather, cool and roomy tops, and open toe shoes to make this style most practical. Check out how these ladies from The Gathered Fashion Spread & Nordic Poetry rock it for summer.

3. Neon

Poor Neon colors. Despite there attention seeking presence, they're only welcome in small doses and in trend cycles unlike their relatives Primary and Pastels. But seriously, neon colors can really add an amazing pop of color to your outfit. I opt for neon shoes, thin waist belts, finger nail accents, clutches and necklaces as my top choices to wear neon. I'm especially in love with my neon flats in citron color! Amazing! My neon fashion attempts with flats and belt4. Plastic & Lucite Accessories

Something about Plastic and Lucite that feels futuristic and metropolitan. Which is pretty cool, however this style is one to purchase in small doses. This look has been popping up since Spring, and recently was heavily featured in the Robin Thicke and Pharell music video 'Blurred Lines' by the models. Most women however don't look like 5'10 models with minimal body fat. Medium and fuller figured fashionistas may fare better with accessories rather than the plastic shirts and jackets. I've already purchase some lucite single strap sandals and am plotting when I can appropriately wear them!

5. Braids

Braids have made a serious comeback with celebrities like Beyonce and Amy Adams making them sophisticated and stylish again. Not just a hairstyle, braiding in clothing and accessories fits nicely with the tribal and graphic prints that have been a hit on the runways and in street style. I've been playing with the idea of box braids, but I may settle for braids in my sandals which is just as cool!

6.  American Rugged Charm

We won't go so far as to start singing "I'm proud to be an American", but we will give props to the American flag and this daring fashion trend of incorporating it and what I've deemed "rugged American charm" into outfits. This style can be seen in Native American print work, eagle themed shirts, as well as cut off denim shorts, summer cowboy & ankle boots, motorcycle tees and American flag prints. If part of you has a hard time wearing this fashion because you're worried about the underlying narcissism of American-pride  propaganda, just remember years back when Brazil flag shirts were all the rage. This isn't the first nation's flag theme to become a trend, so you might as well live it up while you have a pass and it won't be associated with any Larry the Cable Guy type fashion! LOL.

7. Nail Art

If you haven't noticed the hugely popular nail art trend, you're either a toddler, in a nursing home, or an alien. Even though you've seen it-- have you tried it? We've picked out what's popular this season, and coincidently it mimics some of the other trends like neon, graphic prints, and American. If you're too conservative to go all 10 fingernails, opt for a spicy pedicure or try the trend of painting your ring fingers a different color or design that the others. I personally love the attention to finger and toenails and have been sporting the cat and oval nails for over a year. I'm dying to try more graphic prints and neon colors, but only on my ring fingers for now!

Happy Monday! See you Wednesday. Now go get gathered with these trends!

How to Rock a Trend: Emerald!

Happy May! This is my favorite month, and for good reason. Spring is in full swing, the weather is consistently great, and both my sister and I celebrate our birthdays. Another awesome thing about this month is its birthstone: the emerald. Its intense green color, which made this gemstone one of the most valuable in the world, has become very popular in clothes, makeup and accessories, especially this year. The world's leading authority on color, Pantone, declared emerald the "Color of the Year" for 2013, so you'll definitely want to work it into your spring/summer style. And while I'm definitely in favor of adding a few jewel-toned pieces to your wardrobe, the easiest (and cheapest!) way to add a pop of green to any outfit is with makeup. Below are some of my current favorites:

 

Nail Color

Both of these are Sephora brand nail lacquers: Green Generation is the shimmering color, while Picnic in the Park is the flat color. They are only four bucks a piece, and a great way to start experimenting, if you're nervous about wearing this color on your face. Any skin tone can pull off green nails, and the short, fat brush that comes with all Sephora nail lacquers makes it easy to do your mani yourself.

Eyeliner

Eyeliner is a good first purchase if you want to try an emerald eye color. You can wear it alone or with neutrals and golds for a natural, yet sexy look with a twist. Later, you can layer it with more dramatic looks and pair it with a green shadow for a really intense concentration of color. The pencil here is from Urban Decay, while the liquid liner is from Stila.

 

Eyeshadow

If you're feeling adventerous, an emerald shadow is a must (Goodness, does that rhyme?!). Makeup Forever has two of my favorite emerald eyeshadows right now. The first is a loose pigment, while the other is a more traditional eyeshadow. Both are highly pigmented, which is exactly what you want in an emerald eyeshadow. The trio, by Smashbox, is great because you get the green shadow (this one is called Serpent), plus two other versatile colors that you can--and should--wear both with and without the green.

 

All off these items are available online from Sephora, which did an entire emerald collection with Pantone featuring eye shadows, liners and brush collections.

How to Rock... the Panel Dress

The panel dress takes the art of illusion to a new--and fabulous--level. Gaining popularity in the last couple of years, it exaggerates curves (in the good way), while being versatile enough to be appropriate for just about any occasion. I’ve read that they can make you look up to two sizes smaller, and while that particular claim sounds a bit optimistic to me, this dress style will make you look great, as long as you know how to wear it properly.

I recently purchased this version of the panel dress by Voir.

To successfully rock the panel dress, you need to remember that the statement piece of this outfit is the dress itself. The lines of the dress are specifically designed to draw the eye and keep it moving from top to bottom, making you look taller, leaner and gorgeous. You don’t want to do anything that breaks up those lines, which means no heavy sweaters or blazers. You also don’t want to distract the eye with too much jewelry. You may have noticed my intense love of big cuffs and bracelets, but this look calls for more restraint when it comes to the accessories. Remember, you want all eyes on your dress (and how banging your curves look in it), so all of your choices should support that goal. Think thin earrings with some length to them that emphasize your neck and shoulders, along with a delicate bracelet. If you absolutely must have an added pop of color, your shoes are a good place to get it. Focus on a tall pump that will elongate your legs instead of a strappy shoe that will cut you off at the ankles. Snag a clutch on the way out the door, and you’re all set! If you want to see just how amazing this look can be when pulled off, check out Kate Winslet looking quite radiant in Stella McCartney.

Do you have a panel dress that makes your curves pop? Send a picture of how you rock this trend to thegatheredlady@gmail.com, and if we love it, we'll share it!

7 Heavenly Trends... for Spring 2013!

Despite the long winter, spring is finally in the air! Whether you hit the streets, shop online, or window shop, keep an eye out for these 7 heavenly spring trends. Hint: for the P.I.N.P.s* out there, an artful gathered lady ((might)) be able to assemble some of these looks completely out of her closet with zero hits to the budget. For others, less is more - buying one hot, trendy item and incorporating it multiple ways kills three or four looks with one piece. Bonus points for combining trends!                                 *P.I.N.P. = “Poised in a Pinch”, a more frugal fashionista