Let's Talk About The Elephant In The Room: 2014

In case you've been living in a cave, the current news around town is that it's the last day of 2013. And what do we love to do upon the start of a New Year? Reflect on everything that happened in the past year and reminisce about what we loved and what we absolutely hated. I'd like to take this opportunity to play a little game called: Top 10 Trends of 2013: Let's Rate Them! (I invented this btw). So, as we take a stroll down memory lane, I'd like you to officially decide what was just a trend and what shall evolve into a wardrobe staple.

NUMBER 10

The Isabel Marant Sneaker Wedge

Rating: 9/10

via neonblush.com

The sneaker wedge revolutionized fashion by allowing the sporty girls to look more feminine and the girly girls to look more athletic. It also allowed the short girls (me) to walk in heels effortlessly. That is an accomplishment on its own and though this may have been 2012, I'm pretty sure this trend is here to stay.

NUMBER 9

The Ear Cuff

Rating: 6/10

via whowhatwear.com

This trend rose to power after the Met Gala: From Punk Chaos to Couture where all our favourite celebs were spotted wearing them including It girl Cara Delevingne and our favourite little Fanning (Elle). All of a sudden, it became a craze (I mean, who can possibly contemplate wearing regular earrings like a classy woman?). I'd say this will likely blow over, but I've made wrongful predictions before.

NUMBER 8

Nail Art

Rating: 7/10

via pinterest.com

Remember that article I wrote on how Nail Art is dead/dying (view here)? Well, in 2013, it was all too real, all over everyone's nails! For now, the trend seems to be losing its hype, but all it really takes is one popular celebrity to do it again and our nails will be all decked out once more!

NUMBER 7

Crop Tops

Rating: 8/10

via lolobu.com

Crop tops (fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it) are here to stay. With a pair of high-waisted jeans or a classic blazer, they can be classed up for the everyday fashionista. If you're in Hollywood, this is obviously unnecessary as you have abs to kill and standards of class of far different anyway.

NUMBER 6

The Chanel Lego Clutch

Rating: 7/10

via vogue.mx

As an art piece, this is probably the coolest concept ever. However, as a bag, it happens to be transparent in its original form (displaying every embarrassing item you have in your purse). I love it because it reminds me of my childhood and I seriously hope it translates into the street style universe, but for now, it remains reserved for the fashion elite. Will you dare to try it in 2014?

NUMBER 5

The Midi Skirt

Rating: 6/10

via lolobu.com

I give this trend a 6 because I still can't pull it off. I'm slowly coming to terms with this fact, but it's still ridiculously classy and comforting to know that mini skirts are taking a break.

NUMBER 4

The Beanie

Rating: 7/10

via weheartit.com

As we tumble into winter, we all struggle to look cool in this dire cold months. The beanie is 50 shades of awesome, but it can also look horrendous when done wrong. Beanie's with writing on them? Well, to each his own.

NUMBER 3

POW

Rating: 7/10

via lookbook.nu

I'm pretty sure the word POW is self explanatory, but in case it isn't, it is basically the one word strewn across pants, skirts, and tops everywhere for the past few months. Everyone is obsessed with this comic strip look (even the non-geeks among us). Though this may fade or take on a new form, I think it was definitely fun while it lasted.

NUMBER 2

Round Sunglasses

Rating: 8/10

via about-to-blow.tumblr.com

I'm an avid fan of the round sunglasses. I also happen to know that this trend is only going to explode in 2014. Get ready for some John Lennon high fashion, ladies.

NUMBER 1

Purple Lips

Rating: 9/10

via splendidactually.com

Step aside, red. Purple is now the new hot lip colour. Though this will only last through the Fall/Winter months, it is a wonder that it transcended the magazine pages and onto the lips of street stylers everywhere. Maybe it's our obsession with Vamps, but whatever brought this on, I am forever grateful.

Honourable mentions: The Zara Short/Skirt/Skort (Still don't know what that's called) (8/10) and The Fendi Fur Baguette (6/10)

If I missed anything grand, I apologize in advance and I'd love to hear about it in the comments below. The year 2013 was filled with trends wreaking of the 90s and essentially, my childhood. Let's get nostalgic together because 2014 will be a whole other ball game.

Happy New Year!

Bella




37 Days Until NYFW

Are We Over The Crop Top Or Is It Just Getting Started?

We all suspected that the 90s would make a comeback when boy bands like One Direction and The Wanted began to surface (and we all realized how much we missed N'Sync and BSB). It was only a matter of time before our nostalgia leaked onto the streets in the form of crop tops, acid wash jeans, and overalls. Several years ago, we all would have gagged at the thought of a 90s resurgence, but today, in the last few days of 2013, we are all STILL obsessed.

via http://www.teenvogue.com

I've intentionally chosen to make these great generalizations because I've recently noticed that crop tops are not just a phase. The trend seems to be growing at an exponential rate (only a minor exaggeration)! From hipsters to fashionistas, they are absolutely EVERYWHERE. This summer, it was all about the flimsy loose crop top with a pair of high waisted jean shorts. Now? We're opting for a classier look with fur coats and dark-washed denim. And somehow, after about 6 months, I STILL can't really decide how I feel about this trend.

When I first noticed the growing popularity of the crop top, I scoffed and said that I would never expose my midriff (so trashy). Somehow, I landed in a store with a crop top on, unable to resist passing that credit card. What (Yes, I somehow managed to confuse myself)? Did I get influenced by the stream of crop tops in Elle and Harper's Bazaar? Or did all those young street style teen queens finally have an effect on me? Maybe I was experiencing a little bit of 90s nostalgia myself. Whatever it was, I got hooked. Today, I own two. Tomorrow, who knows? 2014 crop tops look promising, but will I be SO over it? With fashion month approaching, we'll see what new inspiration my favourite designers will bring!

Happy Sunday!

Bella




39 Days Until NYFW

How Sweaters Changed My Tiny Little Life

This may sound like the title of a bad self-help book (and chances are, it probably is), but when you're tiny and flimsy, sweaters are life-altering. It's a fact.

My obsession with fashion developed a little late in the game. I'm not one of those girls who was dressing well straight out of the womb. It happened pretty suddenly actually. I was standing in front of the mirror one day (checking myself out of course) and noticed something horrific. My jeans were sagging. I had an internal panic attack instantly upon the realization that I've been walking around in public like this for years. I impulsively chucked all my jeans and decided I needed a fresh start. Since then, I've been finicky about everything that goes on my body. Including sweaters.

Anything particularly bulky has a tendency to swallow me whole. People frequently mistaken me for a 16 year old (on a good day) because of my petite frame and below average height. When I wear anything oversized, I look like it's wearing me (or eating me). So, I decided to do some research and find solutions to this problem because I could NEVER give up oversized sweaters. I'm always cold and frankly, I live in Canada, so it's not realistic.

Here are 3 tips for petite girls to enjoy large sweaters:

1) Wear them with leggings. If you're a tad hipster, printed leggings are THE BEST. If you're more of a sleek fashionista, I'd go with the leather (major trend this season).

2) Wear the cropped kind of sweater. If you're uncomfortable showing your midriff, a pair of high-waisted skinny jeans will elongate your legs and maintain warmth. Also, anything cropped is super cute.

3) WEAR HEELS. I know this seems like the obvious solution to every short girl's problems (that's because it is), but it's also the ONLY solution. If you're unaccustomed to this, start with small clunky heels and eventually, you'll adapt. If you're as small as me and don't like high heels, well, I don't think that exists.

SO, heed my advice and good luck!

Bella

P.S We may never be models, but we could definitely pull this off:

via fallwinterfashiontrends.com