Yes, it’s true… 80’s fashions are making a comeback. When I first heard this insane rumor, I was transported to my bathroom in the house where I grew up. The visual goes something like this: Wham! blasting “Wake me up before you go go, don’t leave me hanging on like a yoyo…” trying desperately to maximize my hair’s height and volume, over a hundred rubber bracelets on my wrist, wearing a florescent pink off the shoulder sweatshirt, and a pair of tight Fiorucci jeans. Ahhh… the memories. The 80’s were all about being big and bold. Big shoulder pads, big hair, bright florescent colors, lots of jewelry, and of course… Madonna. It’s one thing to look back, and remember the time fondly. Quite another to want to revisit it. I’ve been there done that, and probably won’t go back. However, if this is a style you haven’t tried then give it a go. It’s perfectly suited for the younger crowd, my nieces and nephews are on the verge of a huge transformation, currently wearing brightly colored Ray-Bans, for example. I’m not entirely sure I can see the over 25 crowd wearing these fashions. Having said that, there is a way to do it tastefully. Don’t go all the way, pick one or two things to incorporate into your existing style. Like with any fashion flashback, modernize it. Good luck girls, and don’t overdo it!

modern 80’s items in this observation:

Women everywhere were taking to the streets in their ‘fitflops’, hoping to achieve more tone in their thighs and butt. They were selling out everywhere and things were going very well for the fitflop. So… why can’t they leave well enough alone? Why on earth would they try to jump on the gladiator band wagon? The original fitflop is going to outlast the gladiator sandal anyway. So, why monkey around with it? The gladiator fitflop is a complete eyesore! The only way they would get me to wear these, is to tell me my butt would ultimately resemble that of a 15 year old. Otherwise, I’m not a buyer. I understand, from a business perspective, the concept of staying on top of the trend. However, this sandal completely misses the boat. Would you wear these sandals? If so, what do you find appealing about them?

It’s a beautiful day at Central Park as you indulge in your favorite novel. The greenery slowly succumbs to Autumn (well, not yet, but soon!) and suddenly you remember you’ve got a date with the girls at an oh-so-far-away cafe. You have no time to run home and change, and even if you did it would still be a drag! This is why we love the ‘transitional’ outfit that can be worn comfortably all day and serve many purposes. This means more time enjoying your day, less time pondering (or pouting) in front of the closet and of course, less laundry… it’s a beautiful thing.

As we approach Fall it will be fun to start mixing shorts with sweaters - especially ‘blousy’, roomy sweaters if the shorts happen to be itty-bitty. Zip on some hot, black, strappy Louboutins that are ideal for all day use, throw on a long, bohemian necklace, a fringe-fabulous Prada, a laid back yet glamorous neck scarf, some rimless aviators and strut your stuff from the grass to the glass (cappuccino glass, that is). You have just successfully worn one single outfit for the entire day. Can you rise to the challenge? Seriously, how many of you change more than 2 or 3 times a day? Let us know!

transitional items in this observation:

tibi’s pre-fall collection is perfectly suited for those in-between months. Before you know it August will quickly turn into September. And while you may have Fall on the brain, you may still be sweating like it’s July. The pieces in this collection are filled with rich fall colors and the fabrics are light, airy, and free. It’s the kind of collection that can make you feel updated for fall, as well as comfortable and functional. This is the perfect time of year to wear open toe booties. They will make a tibi dress look funky for fall. Don’t be afraid to walk some extra miles in your gladiators through September. Gladiators paired with dark denim and a rich red tibi top is pure perfection. So, before you find yourself in the middle of September with nothing to wear, check out what tibi has to offer.

items in this observation (clockwise):

The salt air hits her face as she walks to the upper deck of the ferry and she’s immediately transported. The island she’s visited every summer for the past eight years is fresh in her mind once again. Crisp cool air, bike rides to the beach, the romantic feel of the fog rolling in, and the unforgettable family moments marked by the island. It’s a casual-chic island. It’s all about cotton tunics, white jeans, linen, a cashmere cardigan, a straw bag, and a pair of great sandals. The whole point of the island is to take in the sea air, embrace the outdoors, and escape the hectic life of the city. So, convince yourself to get away fom it all. Go sit on the beach and listen to powerful east coast waves as they crash down on Madaket sand. After a week, you’ll be refreshed and welcome your return to the big city.

Ack items in this Nantucket observation:

All the excitement over the Olympics has us quite interested in Beijing. If you’re lucky enough to be going to Beijing, then you might be wondering what to wear. We’ve done some research for you. First of all, it’s going to be a little more conservative than you may be used to. You’ll want to choose pieces that are appropriate, but they can still be fashion forward. It’s summer there, and you can bet that it will be very hot. Some liken it to being in a sauna day and night. A dress is probably your best option. Make sure the dress you bring hits at the knee or just below. Bring your most comfortable sandals. Whether you’re sightseeing or going to the games, you’ll be walking a lot. During the hot daytime hours, many women carry an umbrella to shade themselves from the sweltering sun. Grab a hat and shades as well. For travel purposes, bring one bag that blends with all your outfits. A textured straw shoulder bag, like the Anya Hindmarch, is beautiful and functional. It comes with an added strap so you can secure it across your body. Jazz it up with some jewelry, and you’ll be good to go. Now, you can do Beijing in style and be comfortable at the same time. Travel apparel doesn’t always mean fanny packs, sneakers, and shorts. In fact… should it ever?

olympic items in this observation (L to R):

We’ve all heard how popular maxi dresses are right now. Everywhere you look, people are writing about how to wear them. So, why is it that every time I try one on - I feel like I’m wearing a nightgown? It always seemed to be too much fabric for me to manage, I was practically sweeping the floor as I walked across it. At first I thought I was too short to carry off the trend, but as I watched other women wearing the maxi, I began to question who they are actually built for? They look smashing on the tall lean girls of the world, but where does that leave the rest of us? They have been promoted as the dress that is built for all body types, but we’re not convinced. I’m not completely panning the maxi dress, because it has its positives too. For starters, it’s really comfortable and easy to throw on. On the right person, it’s a seriously chic look. How many of you out there have a hard time making the maxi work? If you can make it work, please tell us how. Send us a photo of yourself making maxi magic, and you could be the topic of a post!

It looks as though the headband trend is making a resurgence! No surprise given that it goes perfectly with the of the moment bohemian style. It’s an earthy, yet urban, way to wear your hair. It’s reminiscent of the flower child of the 60’s, but modernized and glamorized. I have a feeling people either totally love these headbands or think they are completely awful. Personally, I am a huge fan. Similar to when the jumpsuit trend presented itself earlier this summer I’m sure some of you are saying, “are you kidding!”, but why not give it a try! The other fun thing about this hippy-like trend is the possible “do it yourself” factor. Head over to Michaels, A.C. Moore, or your local mom and pop fabric store, locate your favorite ribbon, lace, leather or elastic and a few bucks later bring home this stretch of wonderful headband-to-be and stitch it heavily where the ends meet. Even easier - simply knot it and, Viola! You’ve got yourself a headband! Now, the trick is to wear it out and keep it on your forehead all night. Pair this bandeaux trend with some comfy jeans and a peasant top for the ultimate laid back hippy look or you can opt for an Olsen type of feel by donning one of these with a boho chic ensemble or a goddess-like maxi gown. Other celebs that totally rock the bandeaux band - Mischa Barton, Molly Sims, Sienna Miller, and Nicole Richie.

free-spirited headgear in this observation:

Top Row:

Middle Row:

Bottom Row:

The skirt to have for Fall has a sassy silhouette. It’s full but fitted at the waist, enhancing our womanly curves. It’s a skirt that you’ll feel confident and comfortable in all day long. It looks great with opaque stockings, ankle boots, tall boots, or even ballet flats. The best part about this skirt is it’s flexibility. You can dress it up with a silk blouse or throw a belted cardigan on for a more casual feel. If you’ve got great stems, go for it in a mini. If you’re not as confident about your legs, choose a knee length version. It will come in all sorts of fabrics for fall, but we’re loving it in a tweed. Tweed is a substantial fabric that captures the feeling of Fall. Go grab your Fall skirt before they all sold out!

Fall skirts and more in this observation:

Left:

Middle:

Right

It’s hard work going through the racks trying to find pieces that you think will look good on you. You finally make your way to the back of the store, and are excited to see what pieces actually work well…on. Your excitement immediately turns to dread when you walk into the dressing room only to find that there are no mirrors in there. Ugh … Now you have to come outside the dressing room every time you want to assess your selection. No doubt, the salesperson is waiting for you to tell you how good the potato sack looks on you. Guess what? Most of us hate it! We hate that you don’t give us the privacy to decide what works for us on our own. Yesterday, I heard a girl say she leaves the store once she finds out there are no mirrors in the dressing room. So, why do retailers do it? Is it some ploy to get us to buy things we don’t necessarily look good in? Or is it simply to torture us? It certainly seems like torture for most of us. So… enlighten me, why?