Archive for the ‘Fashion Trends’ Category

Designer Feature: Velvet by Graham and Spencer

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011
Velvet by Graham and Spencer Ruz Poncho

Velvet by Graham and Spencer Ruz Poncho

Velvet by Graham and Spencer is one of our favorite designers at Vintage Fringe.  Today we wanted to spotlight a few of our favorite pieces in their latest collections and highlight some of the reasons why we are such big fans.

At its core, Velvet’s line centers around staple jersey cottons and comfortable casual styles; however, they have also expanded their collections to include elements of faux fur, lace, vibrant patterns, cashmere, and so much more.  Consider a few of our latest favorite pieces as examples of their fabulous wearable fashions.

Consider the Ruz Faux Fur Poncho/Cape.  This jacket truly typifies a modern approach that incorporates a gorgeous vintage style.  The Ruz poncho really reminds us of something you would see on any of the ladies in Mad Men.  It also feels as luxurious as it looks and in a sleek black color makes for a true statement piece.  True to the poncho style, the Ruz jacket is a pullover jacket and flares toward the waist.  This piece is a true paradox as it is bold and yet classic simultaneously.  Elegant ponchos are a big fashion trend this season and a great way to add a new distinctive feminine piece into your wardrobe.

Next the Odet Asymmetrical Hem Skirt features another fashion trend you will see this season with the asymmetrical hemline.  The skirt flares out at the knee with the cascading hemline and off-center seam that gives this skirt added depth and texture.  The Odet skirt also features a gathered waistline that is fitted, but not tight.  The sister to the Odet skirt, the Pia Long Asymmetrical Hem skirt features the same style, but with a longer length. Both skirts are comfortable, sophisticated and feminine which makes them great staples for your wardrobe his season. These skirts are also great options for dressy events as well as casual and I love pairing them with a top like the Giann Cowlneck top also by Velvet.

Velvet Kayin Scoopneck Dress

Velvet Kayin Scoopneck Dress

Finally the Kayin Scoop Neck Dress is another great example of Velvet’s expanded collections.  This dress, like the Odet Skirt, features a rayon blend which feels super soft and adds to the comfortable feel.  The Kayin skirt features a loose gathered waistband and a wide short sleeve.  This dress looks stunning with boots and can also be paired with a belt.  It is available at Vintage Fringe in Charcoal and Navy, and is a great option for your fall wardrobe.

As you can see, Velvet by Graham and Spencer’s latest collection features a variety of distinctive clothing options incorporating the latest in fashion trends in a stylish and wearable way.  These few pieces are just a few great examples of the depth of style and fashion that Velvet’s lines have to offer.  Best of all, all of their clothing is Made in the USA, in Los Angeles in fact which in the current economy is a great advantage.

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Striped Tees

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

Stripes are a huge fashion trend this season and you’ll find striped tees are becoming extremely popular.  You can find striped tees in a variety of patterns not just your basic primary color with white stripes for contrast.  The trend doesn’t stop there, as great stripe patterns have also made their way into skirts, dresses, and so much more.  Here are a few of our favorite striped tees as examples of different ways to incorporate stripes into your wardrobe.

First, check out the Stripe V Neck by Alternative Apparel.  It is a basic style top that looks much more than basic with a great stripe pattern.  Here the stripes feature a cream color alternated with a chocolate stripe color.  The top features a v neck and trim around the cuffs and neckline in chocolate for added detail.  This tee is a semi-sheer tee featuring a cotton poly blend fabric.  It really is a great basic staple tee for your wardrobe and at $10 you really can’t go wrong.

Next consider the Splendid 4 Band ¾ Sleeve V Neck.  Of course, Splendid is known for their great fabrics and their signature stripe patterns.  This top is no exception.  This v neck also features a great red/coral color called Sunset that makes this top a great piece for this season with the popularity of great coral tones.  The stripe pattern features a series of “4 band” stripes or 4 thin stripes all paired together and set apart by stripes of coral.  It is a great vibrant top and a classy, distinctive way to showcase stripes.

Another great stripe option from Splendid is the Navy Slub Shadow Stripe Waist Tie Top.  This top features a frilly sleeve and a tie at the waist.  The top features a scoop neckline, and a feminine tie at the waist which makes this top very distinctive and feminine.  The wide stripes are contrasted Navy and Sunset a great mix.  This top features Splendid’s slub jersey and is extremely soft and comfortable to wear which is such a plus for tees.  You can also find this same stripe pattern in the long sleeve Navy Slub Shadow Stripe Puff Sleeve top as well.  That top is a bit more dressy than this one and not quite as much of a tee shirt, but a great fall/winter option.

Finally, for another different style of striped tee consider the Stripe Knit Top by designer Collective Concepts.  This top features wide stripes as well contrasted with white and pink or white and green depending on what you prefer.  The white fabric is a burnout material which gives it an opaque look and the top also features solid white around the neckline. With short sleeves and a loose fit around the body of the top, this style also provides a different tee shirt look.

As you can see, there is no shortage of great striped tees out there and really the tough part is narrowing down which striped tee suits you best.  Each of these tees feature comfortable, wearable fabrics and are distinctive.

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Fashion Trend – Full Skirt

Tuesday, June 21st, 2011

This season you are sure to see one of the latest fashion trends – full skirts.  The full skirt is a totally feminine way to wear a stylish skirt that is not only stylish, but also extremely comfortable.  A welcome addition to fashion trends, the comfortable skirt that is also flattering and feminine is something so popular that it is difficult to find such skirts in stock. Consider a few examples of this great fashion trend that have quickly become some of our favorite must have skirts this season.

First, consider the Lija Skirt.  This skirt by designer Velvet by Graham and Spencer is truly a perfect blend of a classic style with contemporary details like the raw edge and the high waist.  The skirt of course flares which makes it a full skirt that also will make you feel girly and feminine on while also making it very comfortable and flattering.  This is a great “go to” skirt that can be worn out running errands on a weekend or with the right top and accessories dressed up and worn to a dressy occasion too.  Available in basic black, this skirt is a must have summer essential.  It is also a jersey cotton so it is comfortable and casual enough to literally go from day to night and is also machine washable to boot.

Similarly, the Fanya Skirt which is also by Velvet is another example of a great full skirt.  This skirt, however, is more than just a great classic flared skirt, because it also features a diagonal stripe pattern and an asymmetric hem and a diagonal line across the waist for accent.  The pattern shifts at this seam as well giving it a natural break and added distinction. In fact, the Fanya skirt is actually a great modern interpretation of the classic full skirt.  This skirt is made from a cotton tencel blend so it is the ultimate soft, comfortable fabric and easy to wear again for casual and dressy occasions depending on what you wear it with and how you accessorize it. I love the raw edges again at the hem and the stripe pattern that really does make this a distinctive skirt.  Best of all it is available in Night a navy/black stripe contrast, Highland a taupe/brown stripe and Green House a contrasting light green/dark green stripe pattern.

As you can see, both of these skirts are great examples of modern updates to a classic full skirt style that is also extremely wearable and by default also extremely comfortable with their wearable, comfortable fabrics and the natural fit of the full skirt style.  Obviously the Lija skirt has a more classic approach, but the asymmetrical line and the complementary stripe pattern which makes this skirt a great distinctive full skirt alternative.  Best of all both of these skirts are extremely versatile and can be worn to most casual and even certain dressy occasions with a number of different style of tops and accessories.

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Sequin Shoulder Pattern Top

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

Sequin patterns on tops are a great way to really take a simple piece and elevate it to something even dressier or more sophisticated.  This season if you look around at any fashion magazine or at what is people are wearing you can’t miss noticing a great fashion trend – sequins.  Sequins patterns are making a comeback as an accent to lots of dresses, tops, skirts, pants and even handbags and other accessories.   Sequins used to be found only on costumes or special occasion dresses, but not anymore.  They are popping up literally everywhere in fashion these days and It is hard not to love wearing sequins on everything from basic tees to dresses.

As an example, the Scoop Neck Sequin Top by designer Collective Concepts is a top that features a sequin shoulder pattern.  This sequin shoulder pattern top utilizes contrasting sequin colors to adorn this Olive Green cotton scoop neck top.  Here the sequin design is limited only to the shoulders and with a beautiful distinctive pattern which gives this basic scoop neck top additional flair.  The shoulder sequin pattern detail is just enough to transform this top into a true statement piece for your closet. Certainly this sequin top can be worn casually with just about anything, but the sequins really do dress up this top and give it a welcome bit of extra attention and of course sparkle.

Sequin shoulder pattern tops may not be the go to top for every single day, but as you can see they are the perfect way to insert variety and of course feminine sparkle into your closet.  For sequin shoulder pattern tops, you will find patterns with a variety of large or smaller sequins or even a combination of sizes and of course sequins in a variety of colors.  You may find the patterns adorning the neckline or even worn on the shoulder almost as epaulets.  Sequin patterns can come in the shape of swirls or even shapes or a number of other pattern designs.  Of course tops can also be varied in terms of styles and necklines really making sequin shoulder pattern tops the perfect way to create a truly distinctive top. Sequin patterns really can take any shape or pattern and can be found on any style of top ranging from the basic crew neck tee to v necks tops, empire waist tops or pretty much any other style of top.

Ultimately, no matter how you decide to insert some added sparkle into your wardrobe you can wear it confidently knowing that sequin patterns are certainly not a flash trend that will be gone as quickly as tomorrow and that sequin patterns will certainly be a stylish way to add more feminine touches to your wardrobe.  If nothing else a little bit of sequins can help turn a basic top into a statement piece for your closet for years to come which let’s face it in this kind of economy finding pieces that will last beyond one season is a wonderful perk.

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Long Maxi Dress

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

Long maxi dresses are all the rage this season.  They have really become a fashion trend with staying power. Many designers have made distinctive maxi dresses which provide shoppers with a wide variety of sophisticated and casual maxi dress styles.  Casual maxi dresses are more prevalent and it really is the fabrics and the details that distinguish the maxi casual dress from the evening maxi dress.

The perfect casual long maxi dress, the Sammi dress features a button-up neckline and a tie around the waist to make this a t shirt style long maxi dress.   This dress by designer Velvet by Graham and Spencer features a light cotton fabric which makes it perfect for hot summer weather.  The belted tie in a contrasting brown fabric is a great way to break up an otherwise long straight maxi dress.  This dress also comes in a gorgeous Jasper blue green color.

If you are looking for an elegant maxi dress consider the Rhetta Maxi Dress also by designer Velvet by Graham and Spencer.  This jersey cotton maxi dress features a low cut back which gives this long maxi dress a dressier even sexy evening look.   This dress is definitely versatile enough to be dressed up or down for casual or dressy occasions all with the right accessories.  This long maxi dress features elbow length sleeves and a classically elegant fit that silhouettes the feminine curves.  Available in both black and malachite a teal blue color, this maxi dress is certainly a must have for your summer wardrobe.

Designer Ella Moss also has a variety of sophisticated long maxi dresses.  The Odessa V Neck Maxi Dress looks luxurious and practically regal on.  The Waterfall blue color is distinctive and is a great way to make the dress stand out even more.  Of course the empire waist and the short cap sleeves give the dress an added elegant feminine touch.  The gathered waist also accentuates the empire waist and is the perfect way to transition into the long fluid skirt. This long maxi dress is perfect to wear to so many evening or dressy functions.  The v neckline on this maxi dress also adds to the sophisticated look and looks stunning when accented with bold jewelry such as big stone necklaces.

The Hollie Racerback Long Maxi Dress in black is another fantastic long maxi dress by designer Ella Moss. With racerback lace detail around the shoulders as a great embellishment to the classic long black dress, this dress is another perfect blend of casual and dressy or evening and daytime as it really can be worn in either case.  This racerback long maxi dress is distinctive which serves to add to the statement piece quality of this dress.  Both the Hollie and Odessa maxi dresses are a rayon fabric which gives them a dressier, more luxurious feeling fabric which again adds to their versatility for evening or dressy occasions.

As you can see these are great stylish options for long maxi dresses that can also be transformed with the right accessories to dress each of these pieces up or down.

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Bohemian Chic Skirt

Tuesday, June 7th, 2011

Summer skirts have really become an essential summer must have.  I love wearing them instead of capris or shorts in warm weather and because of this I love finding skirts that are versatile.  Finding a skirt that can be worn during the day and evening outings feels like such an accomplishment as inevitably I always find dressy skirts that are too dressy to be worn casually during the day or vice versa I find a casual skirt that can be worn casually, but not dressed up.  I always love finding skirts in different styles and you really do want to have a few great skirt options in your closet this summer.

The perfect bohemian chic skirt can be the perfect blend of stylish, versatile and comfortable and really should be a summer wardrobe essential. Bohemian chic skirts can come in a variety of styles and with a variety of designs and fabrics. Here are just a few of our favorite bohemian style skirts and all of them are from one of our favorite designers Velvet by Graham and Spencer.  Velvet is known for their great use of cottons and other great fabrics while also blending contemporary and casual styles creating great feminine wearable pieces.  Of course their designs are also high quality and are made in the USA an added bonus.

First the Lija Skirt.  This skirt is truly a perfect blend of a classic style with contemporary details like the raw edge and the high waist.  The skirt flares too which makes it feel girly and feminine on while also making it very comfortable.  This is a great go to skirt that can be worn out running errands on a weekend or with the right top and accessories dressed up and worn to a dressy occasion too.  Available in basic black, this skirt is a must have summer essential.

Next the Fanya Skirt.  Another flared skirt, but this with a diagonal stripe pattern and an asymmetric hem and a diagonal line across the waist for accent.  This skirt is a cotton tencel blend so it is the ultimate soft, comfortable fabric and easy to wear again for casual and dressy occasions depending on what you wear it with and how you accessorize it. I love the raw edges again at the hem and the stripe pattern that really does make this a distinctive skirt.

Finally, the Sintia Pencil Skirt is really a classic style skirt that is part of Velvet’s Gauzy Whisper collection featuring a light weight gauzy cotton fabric.  This skirt features cotton lining so it is not sheer and still manages to have a lightweight so that it is comfortable and also doesn’t look like a thick jersey fabric locking it into only being a casual piece.  This skirt can easily go from the office to running errands and comes with a high waist and with the cotton fabric has some give to it so it is very forgiving.

Whichever skirt best fits your summer skirt needs, you can’t go wrong with any of these bohemian chic style skirts.  They are a great blend of wearable and stylish which is our number one priority for great summer skirts.  Be sure and get yours today.

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Vintage Printed Dress

Saturday, June 4th, 2011

Finding vintage print dresses can be a difficult shopping challenge as you may have in mind the perfect style of dress and then when you combine that with the task of searching for that perfect pattern it can often seem like a lost cause.  A few of our favorite dresses feature great patterns and they are great examples of what is available for vintage printed dresses.

Consider first , Velvet by Graham and Spencer’s Chapel dress features a Spanish tile pattern with a v neck line.  This dress features ¾ length sleeves and the Spanish Tile pattern gives it a great vintage look in bold colors of black or red contrasted on a white fabric.  This dress is fitted and the fabric is a rayon and lycra blend which gives it just the right amount of cling.  The pattern is really a standout and looks extremely classy on.  Of course most importantly, this dress also features a longer length with the mid-calf length which we greatly appreciate.   This dress is a bold statement dress that incorporates a vintage print that isn’t something you see everywhere which is typically the goal when searching for great vintage pieces.

Next consider, the Mod Retro Tunic by designer Sweet Pea by Stacy Frati.  Here this stylish black dress features contrasting floral images in blues, pinks and purples mixed with Spanish tile décor.  In a retro style this dress features a classic A line and is sleeveless.  Here the variety of colors give this pattern a great vibrant vintage feel and are just enough to add a bold pop of color and style to this dress.  Of course if this style of dress isn’t for you, consider the sister dress the Retro Boatneck Dress featuring a tie around the waist with the same floral pattern.

Another example of a great vintage pattern dress is the Tie Short Dress also by Sweet Pea.  In case you haven’t noticed one of Sweet Pea’s best characteristics are their use of great patterns.  As you can see, she uses lots of bold, bright patterns and offsets or complements them with accenting solid colors for trim or lining underneath.  The Tie Short Dress features a bold fuscia pink and brown floral pattern.  For contrast, she uses solid brown for the ties at the waist and in the bodice and around the neckline.  This dress includes a great vintage pattern along with a vintage style for the dress.

As you can see, there are a variety of different options when searching for vintage printed dresses.  Each of these options has a very distinctive style, but is high quality and a distinctive, modern designer piece.  You really can’t go wrong with these pieces and their bold, vibrant patterns that really do elevate these dresses from your basic black dresses or solid color dresses.  Whatever your style and preference, you can find a number of great vintage print dresses that will work for a number of occasions and are great statement dresses in your closet.

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Lace Vintage Top

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

Lace is a great way to incorporate vintage fabrics and vintage styles into modern fashions.  If you are looking for that perfect lace vintage top you certainly can find a number of great options this season.  Lace is a classic fabric or accent, but it is also a fabric that is making a bit of a comeback.  We’re seeing a lot more lace tops and dresses this season and so many great tops with feminine details to maximize the lace detail.

As an example of great lace vintage style tops, consider the Lace Tank with a Pocket by designer Collective Concepts.  This tank features a black lace with black trim around the hem, sleeves and a fabulous pocket as an accent.  This tank is sheer so it is great for layering which gives you all sorts of additional options for accent colors to pair with it.  This also gives you a lot of versatility with options to dress it up or dress it down as necessary.  Some of our favorite ways to style this tank include pairing it with a black cotton tank underneath and the Fanya skirt by Velvet or with a great belt over contrasting capris or leggings like Velvet’s Ritzy leggings.  Whatever your style preference, this tank is a great way to wear a lace vintage top and best of all it is a reasonably priced top at $55 which is an added bonus.

Another example by designer Ella Moss is the Hollie Crew Top featuring lace detail around the crew neckline in a gorgeous yellow color.  This short sleeve top features an intricate lace knit woven around the shoulders and neckline giving this top a very distinctive look that is perfect for summer.  The bright yellow color is a good yellow and looks great as an accent with blacks, blues, whites and greys.  A great way to incorporate lace detail into your wardrobe, this top is currently on sale so is also at a great price $49 at Vintage Fringe.

Both of these tops are great examples of how lace detail can really bring a vintage trend to a modern style top.  Of course there are a number of other ways to use lace that are really more accents rather than the defining characteristics of the style of the top such as the Lace Trip Stripe Tank top also by Collective Concepts or in dresses too like the Oma Cap Sleeve Dress by Velvet or the sister dress to the Hollie Crew, the Hollie Racerback Maxi dress.  Even if lace is only the detail and not the primary fabric for the top, tank or dress, the lace look really can transform a piece from simple to elegant.  You can easily see though how easy it is to find lace incorporated into a variety of great stylish pieces and at reasonable prices.  Of course finding a great statement piece is often an investment in your wardrobe, but of course you can also find great pieces that will work within most of our currently reduced budgets as well.

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Wear To Work Spring Fashion

Friday, May 27th, 2011

Even though the economy is hopefully recovering, I still pay much more attention now to finding ways to incorporate versatile pieces that work for more than just casual events.  I love to find pieces that can be worn to the office and casually.

The Mae Ruffle Scoop Neck tank is a great example of a top that can be worn to the office and casually if you prefer.  It is a tank top that is more than just a basic style tank.  This tank features a deep scoop neckline adorned by a ruffle with a drawstring tie around the neck, this tank top is a perfect complement to your closet.  This knit tank top is extremely versatile with the ability to dress it up under a blazer at the office or wearing it as a standalone top with capris, a skirt or whatever.  This is a bold statement piece in bold color. This tank is part of designer Velvet’s Whisper collection which is a thin, lightweight jersey cotton.  It is available in Cayenne a red coral color that is totally the “it” color this summer.

Another top that works for the office is the Keesha ¾ Sleeve V Neck top by designer Velvet by Graham and Spencer.  This top features a cowl neck v neckline accented by beading off the shoulder.  This beaded detail really does take an otherwise simple top and transform it with just a simple cluster of beads.  I also love the use of beads as accents such as the Collective Concepts Racerback Flared Tunic Tank Top.  Here the beads are around the straps on the shoulders which are metal links adorned by black beads on both sides.  A great way to layer in details and really make these tops more feminine and even more of a statement.  I love wearing this top with a pencil skirt like the Sintia Pencil Skirt as a classy way to wear this top at the office.

The Solna tank by designer Velvet by Graham and Spencer is a truly elegant modern piece that is sophisticated enough to wear to work and an evening out.   Available in Haze, a smokey grey color, this top pairs well with greys, blacks and whites all good contrasts to wear to the dressiest office.  Part of Velvet’s Slinky Rayon collection, the fabric on this top feels so luxurious.  Of course my favorite aspect of this top is the neckline.  With a sweeping asymmetric sash across the neckline that is gathered off center on this top for added detail which looks feminine and stylish.

These are just a few great examples of versatile pieces that work for spring fashions you can wear o work.  All of them are classy and elegant and not over the top making them a bit too much for most offices.  They are great pieces to incorporate sophisticated style into your office wardrobe whether you need to wear them under a blazer or without.

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Jewel Tone Tops

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

This season bright, vivid colors are a great way to add vibrant bold pieces into your wardrobe.  Finding colors that fit with jewel tones as an example is a great way to add bold colors to your closet.  These colors are making a resurgence and summer is a great time to incorporate bright colors in a variety of different styles.

The Daree top by designer Velvet by Graham and Spencer in jungle an emerald green color is an example of the bright colors that are so popular.  Green shades have made a comeback and can be found in so many shades.  The style of this Daree top makes it the perfect top for belting.  With a wide belt that you wear just below a natural empire waist level, this top looks great with that belted accent and is a great way to incorporate basic colors as contrast against the vibrant emerald green tone.

Of course Sapphire is a great jewel tone to find clothing to include in your closet.  Sapphires can come in many shades, but my personal favorites are the deep navy hues.  As an example of a jewel tone top to match Sapphire colors is the Berta dress / tunic top by Velvet.  This dress features a deep navy color and exudes the same class and sophistication as a beautiful sapphire stone.  This tunic top is a great summer piece and I truly love the deep navy tone.  It is not a royal blue, it is a true deep navy.  I love the loose belted tie around the waist for added style on this top along with the deep v neckline.  The wide sleeves also feature subtle pleats as accents adorning the sleeves.  This top features raw edges on the hems and sleeves for added detail.

If you are looking for a ruby jewel tone, consider the Mae Ruffle Scoop Neck tank by Velvet.  This tank features a deep scoop neckline adorned by a ruffle with a drawstring tie around the neck all in a Cayenne coral red color.  A great bright color and coral hues are so popular this summer, this stylish tank top is extremely versatile with the ability to dress it up under a blazer at the office or wearing it as a standalone top with capris, a skirt or whatever.  This is a statement piece particularly with such bold color.  This tank is part of Velvet’s Whisper collection which is a thin, lightweight jersey cotton.

As you can see jewel tone tops are a great way to incorporate both bold colors and great style pieces into your wardrobe.  Jewel tones can clearly come in many other shades and hues, but these are a few great examples of how easy it is to find stylish pieces in such vibrant colors.  Literally, you can find every jewel tone in modern fashions and such colors do a lot to really accent your closet with bright statement pieces that can complement whatever colors work best with your skin tone.

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