The Way The West Was Worn

Indian summer in Boston is my favorite time of the year. Some of the days of September begin to feel like fall but the warm weather surprises you and makes for some lovely breezy nights. Speaking of Indian summer, Native American-inspired fashion has been showing up on runways and on fashionable sidewalks. Any of the following additions would suffice for the trend: moccasins, beading, embroidery, American Indian patterns, feathers, headbands, Southwestern jewelry, fringe, vests, bright color pops, and earthy neutrals. Be brave with the trend. (Pun intended). But make sure not to wear more than a couple of these items at a time.  Avoid wearing your hair in any braid-like formations for fear of falling into Pocahontas-costume territory. Now grab your dream catcher and start sitting pretty.

Navajo chic by Anna Sui, Isabel Marant, Matthew Williamson and Etro

Navajo chic by Anna Sui, Isabel Marant, Matthew Williamson and Etro

Navajo chic by Forever 21, Kate Hudson in fringe and turqoise, Ashley Tisdale in moccasins and Daveigh Chase in a belted tribal print

Navajo chic by Forever 21, Kate Hudson in fringe and turqoise, Ashley Tisdale in moccasins and Daveigh Chase in a belted tribal print

Pocahontas fashion in Elle China

Peace,

She Was A Hipster, Well And A Real Cool Dame

Mischa Barton is a hippie

STYLE ICON: MISCHA BARTON

They often talk about the Seinfeld curse, but why do people rarely mention the fact that the immense popularity of The OC and its four main characters resulted in no other career success for them! Hold up–of course Mischa Barton and Rachel Bilson might technically be more famous than ever. Because of their talent? Not really. What sustains them on the radar are their fashion choices. Mischa is known for her off-beat and eccentric sense of style. Mischa’s sensibilities are retro and modern creating a fashionable paradox. Her daily staples include above the knee, a-line, mini dresses, interesting pairs of sandals, and eccentric medallions and rings. She chooses to highlight her long legs with babydoll dresses, but stands out in a good way balancing the short hemlines with more modest necklines. Her choice designers include Missoni, Chanel, and Matthew Williamson. In other words, Mischa’s style these days is very mod-meets-gypsy.

Currently, this fashion icon is garnering talk for something other than her clothing…because she may or may not have some issues right now. But I’m not here to judge about that, in fact I’m actually saddened to hear of her troubledness and hate to see another starlet hurt by the cyclical rumors.

Recreate Mischa’s mix-master aesthetic with some detailed dresses and experimental accessorizing. Marissa Cooper would be proud.

Mischa Barton in high-waisted jeans, Anna Sui, a leather jacket and floral dress, and Easton Pearson.

Mischa Barton in high-waisted jeans, Anna Sui, a leather jacket and floral dress, and Easton Pearson.

Mischa Barton in Jenni Kayne , yellow Versace, a rocker chick ensemble and Marchesa

Mischa Barton in Jenni Kayne, yellow Versace, a rocker chick ensemble and Marchesa.

Mischa Barton in Roland Mouret, a psychedelic Juicy Couture shift, Bebe, and a vintage tunic.

Mischa Barton in Roland Mouret, a psychedelic Juicy Couture shift, Bebe, and a vintage tunic.

newbornhippy.blogspot[source]

Peace,

Title from “Train Kept A-Rollin’” by The Yardbirds

A Beber Y A Tragar, Que El Mundo Se Va A Acabar

Mexican[source]

Juanes had me at “La Camisa Negra,” the Border Cafe in Harvard Square had me at homemade tortilla chips. Mexican-influenced clothing? It had me at being loose, comfortable, and exquisite. For the record, I am engaged in a long-term love affair with many aspects of Hispanic culture: language, food, people, and clothing. And summertime has me thinking about loose and breezy style. So what better way to actively channel my obsession into day to day life? I will throw on an embroidered peasant top, jam to Juanes loudly in the car, improve my now extremely proficient Spanish, and enjoy a veggie burrito from Ana’s Taqueria. iHasta luego!

Nicole Richie, Molly Sims, Anne Hathaway and Kaley Cuoco

Nicole Richie in an embroidered Tocca top, Molly Sims in a crochet dress, Anne Hathaway in an embroidered blue peasant blouse and Kaley Cuoco in a Mexican-flaired Tibi mini dress.

Margherita Missoni, Mischa Barton, a Lookbook ensemble and a Forever 21 outfit.

Margherita Missoni in Missoni, Mischa Barton in Matthew Williamson embroidered blouse, a Lookbook ensemble and a Forever 21 outfit.

Lo Bosworth, Rosario Dawson, Cupcakes and Cashmere, and Forever 21

Lo Bosworth in Fifteen-Twenty, Rosario Dawson in Missoni, Cupcakes and Cashmere Mexican-influenced ensemble, and Forever 21's take on the Mexican trend.

Cat Deeley

Cat Deeley in a romper I actually like!

Paz,

Tell Me Why Should We Live Between Joy And Blues

Joy Bryant natural

STYLE ICON: JOY BRYANT

Five Reasons Why Joy Bryant is a Style Icon.

  1. Her casual style not only looks appropriate but makes her special ensembles that much more special.
  2. She’s interested in crafting a line of eco-friendly luggage and travel accessories in the near future.
  3. She’s print-happy but always makes sure nothing looks overdone by balancing with khaki or basics.
  4. She’s an Oxfam America Sisters on the Planet Ambassador and spoke on Earth Day in Washington about the impacts climate change has on the poor.
  5. She’s pretty much Missoni’s unofficial posterchild.

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Joy Bryant in a Marni statement necklace, a basic outfit livened up by a sparkly capelet, a Charlotte Ronson plaid dress, and a Missoni sweater coat.

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Joy Bryant wearing an interesting tunic, an embellished frock and denim jacket, a tribal outfit by and chunky beads, and a casual chic Urban Outfitters dress and Missoni messenger bag.

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Joy Bryant in a Missoni sequined gown, a Matthew Williamson tribal dress, an empire-waist maxi sundress, and a Missoni strapless number.

Peace,

Title from “Joy and Blues” by Ziggy Marley

Matthew Williamson Obsession

Matthew Williamson does Ibiza-chic 24/7. His collections are full of bright colors, exotic prints, bohemian beading, and flowing caftans. It makes me want to head out for a night on the town in Morocco! He has an entourage of loyal fans including Zoe Kravitz, Rachel Bilson, Sienna Miller, Joy Bryant who all represent the designer at events frequently.

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Prints. Check. Colors. Check. Caftans. Yup. Do you recognize that studded belt from one of Mary-Kate’s outfits? I love how MW keeps his traditional elements but makes them spring appropriate with a pastel-theme running throughout.

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My favorite looks from the Matthew Williamson Fall 2009 Collection

And why stray from what works? So, he did it again with his Fall RTW collection. Nowhere to be seen were the boring neutrals of other designer’s line. Instead he stuck to his mantra, flooding the runway with bright colors and embellishments. Personally, I think this is what our downturn world needs right now! If everyone has less money to spend on having fun, let’s at least dress like we are fun-loving!

Nicky Hilton, Joy Bryant, Helena Christensen and Thandie Newton in Matthew Williamson

Nicky Hilton, Joy Bryant, Helena Christensen and Thandie Newton in Matthew Williamson

Zoe Kravitz, Mischa Barton, Vanessa Hudgens and Nicole Richie in Matthew Williamson

Zoe Kravitz, Mischa Barton, Vanessa Hudgens, and Nicole Richie in Matthew Williamson

I also loved his collaboration with H&M. Unfortunately, so did everyone else and by the time I got around to picking something out, I recognized everything and went home empty-handed.

Peace,