Five Fall Fashion Fads

Quilted bags- Insulating and warm, quilted items are always popular for fall as the weather gets cooler. Unfortunately, quilting also means taking the risk of looking larger and heavier than you really are. This is why a quilted handbag is so great. You can pull off the same autumn look, with out adding the bulk.
Another reason we like quilted bags? A quilted purse is also a classic. Made timeless by Chanel, but constantly being re-invented by cutting edge designers like Marc Jacobs. Because of this, a quilted bag will never be out of style.

Cardigan sweaters-whether they are embellished, as seen on the Balenciaga runway, or oversized, as seen on celebrities, a cardigan sweater is both functional and fashionable this fall. Choose from a variety of embellished and oversized cardigans at back-in-style.com. Add a patent leather belt and pencil skirt to an oversized cardigan for the office. Or wear it slouchy style with skinny jeans for the weekend. Embellished cardigans are a great way to stay warm during a cocktail or holiday party, but can also be worn during the day. Just be sure to tone down the rest of your outfit when wearing sequins during the day.

Sequined vests & tanks- great for layering. For day, wear over a serious oxford, or feminine silk blouse. You can even add a jacket to make it work appropriate. Make sure to anchor the look with flats or boots, minimal jewelry, and soft make up, so you don’t look like you never made it home last night. For an easy evening transition, remove the undershirt, add smoky eyes, and heels.

Pencil Skirts- with the 1940s silhouette being back in style, the pencil skirt and silk blouse are a great combination this fall. It is an outfit that works for all occasions. Wear under a blazer or long belted cardigan for work. Add a sequined vest for an evening out. Go monotone and add fabulous jewelry for a special occasion. Sexy but demure, it is a great way to show off your figure in the cooler months.

Gray… anything & everything gray. Drab seems to be the color palate for fall. Is it the 1940s influence, or perhaps a general reflection of the economy? Who knows. The good news is you can liven it up with bold patent leather accessories and statement jewelry. Wear one piece of gray or go head to toe with gray on gray, no matter what you choose, you will be in style. Different shades of gray all mixed together creates a very sophisticated look, while, one piece of gray over a bright backdrop (like a gray vest over a shift dress) helps to ground an otherwise whimsical look. Either way, adding a bit of gray is an easy and quick way to update your fall wardrobe.

Animal Prints: The Conservative way to Go Wild!

Fall is an easy time of year to wear animal prints since they are so similar to falls autumnal hues, and patterns.
An animal print blouse under a jacket is a quick way to add some excitement to your work wardrobe.
Escada animal print blouse $50
Flora Kung animal print wrap blouse $50
Roberto Cavalli sheer animal print blouse $250

For a night out, a sexy animal print dress will get your date roaring.
Hype animal print slip dress $45
DVF chiffon animal print dress $150
Intermix zebra print slip dress NWT $85

Love animal prints, but think they are a little too wild for you? Try wearing them as an accent piece in your shoes.
Jeffrey Campbell pink snakeskin & leopard slingbacks $30
Dolce & Gabbana leopard print wedge sandals $42.50
Thierry Raboutin leopard suede flats $125

How to wear your summer dresses into the Fall

You love your summer dresses and aren’t ready to put them away until next spring. Don’t worry. Here are a few easy ways to transition those dresses into autumnal attire.

Add a jacket
A blazer in earth tones like brown, olive green, & mustard yellow, will easily make your dress fall appropriate, (and it will keep the chill away as the days get cooler). If your dress is loose and flowing like a tunic dress or a smock dress, add a structured jacket like a menswear-y blazer with stretch fabric so you don’t loose your shape. If you dress is more fitted, try a boxy or a trapeze jacket.

Wear a long sleeve blouse underneath
There are so many options here depending on the dress. If you are wearing a more structured dress, a silk blouse with long full sleeves and a tie neck, or ruffle is a way to give it the feminine touch. A button down, or oxford style shirt will make it more serious and sophisticated. Sometimes a contrasting neckline can be very interesting. If your dress has a scoop, or square neckline, add a shirt that has a ballerina neckline. Make sure the sleeves of your blouse are longer than those of your dress. If your dress is tank style, you can wear any length sleeves you want. Mutton, or big puffy sleeves are a fun way to modernize a tank style dress. A cashmere sweater also works to make it more cold weather appropriate.

Swap your sandals for boots or booties
Boots instantly make a dress more rugged and thus, autumnal. Wear them with out tights until the weather gets cold, allowing some skin to show between the top of the boot and the hem of your dress. 80s style booties are also a trendy choice, but are a bit funkier and more challenging to wear. For a more classic look go for equestrian style boots. They work with just about anything.

Add tights or leggings
Start with semi-sheer tights and gradually shift to opaque as the season moves along and it gets chillier outside. Opaque tights will seem too wintery now, unless they have a cut out pattern and allow a bit of skin to peek through.
Leggings on the other hand, that stop at the ankle or above, and show some skin, should be opaque or else you will look like you are wearing dancers tights. The trick to leggings this time of year, it to be sure to wear them with shoes that allow the top of you feet to show. This keeps them a little lighter, and less serious.
Keep both tights and leggings dark or earth toned.
You can slowly incorporate each of these wardrobe transition as the weather gets colder, and eventually add them all at the same time.

Back-in-Style.com at the Emmy Awards

We made it to the red carpet again... This time, she was working it, literally!
Tamara Henry, news anchor for Beverly Hills TV, and host of "IN" with Tamara Henry wore a vintage Lillie Rubin dress from back-in-style.com as she interviewed the stars on the red carpet of the 2007 Emmy Awards. You can see her above with Ugly Betty's Vanessa Williams, and Entourage's Adrian Grenier.

Celebrities Wearing Vintage

Trend Alert: Red Dresses

As the Summer turns up the heat, celebrity dressing gets RED HOT!

No matter what the occasion, celebrities are sporting red dresses. Whether it is a formal affair, a cocktail party, or just kicking around town out to lunch with friends, red is always a good choice. Bright, cheery, it commands attention, but because it signifies so many different things, you will be able to wear it through out the year.

Owning a fabulous red dress is a wardrobe essential, and although it seems like a bright "notice me" color, it is surprisingly versatile. During summer, it is a light and fun color. You can make it nautical by adding navy and white. Or girly and whimsical by adding pink. Come fall, it can look autumn-y by adding browns, and other earth tones. Around the holidays, a red dress is perfect for all your Christmas parties. Then in February comes Valentine's day and Women's Heart Awareness month, both red dress occasions. (and if you are going to a Heart Health Ball a red dress is a must!). So if you thought you would only wear a red dress once, think again, and maybe you will realize you need one!

Nautical Chic- the hottest trend for summer!

Nothing says summer better than nautical attire. And a great thing about this trend is that there are so many ways to wear it. Than means, no matter what shape or size you are, there is some aspect of this trend that can work for you.

Rope accents- handbags with rope handles, pants with drawstring, rope like jewelry, and chain necklaces. And if it has a knot on the end, even better. Low budget option: make your own belt out of rope you bought from the hardware store. Cut it a bit longer than your size so you have enough room to tie a knot and have some hanging down. Then, lightly burn the ends to prevent fraying. Wear with anything that has belt loops, or to cinch a dress.

Navy & white- a classic summer staple. Stripes are the most signature, but feel free to wear the combo any way you like. It will always look sophisticated. If you are going for trendy, add some yellow. Try yellow accessories like a bangle or pumps. Or use a yellow undershirt to layer over. If you are wearing blue AND white, be sure to skip any red accents. You don’t want to look like the fourth of July.

Sailor button front- this style looks great with higher waisted pieces worn with a tucked in fitted shirt. Keep in mind this style does not work for pear shapes since it draws the eye to your hips.

Anchors- anything with an anchor, whether it is a large embroidered anchor, or an emblem on the buttons. Anchors are chic. If they make you feel too much like a midshipmen? Try them in non-nautical colors like pink, or green. Still summery and girly, but more unusual.

There are many option for going nautical chic this summer so be sure to pick the one that works best for your body type and your style. Remember, wearing something because it is flattering always looks better than something because it is trendy…

Designer Spotlight- Catherine Malandrino

Fiesty Malandrino was born in Grenoble, France, and got her start working in Paris for such talents as Emanuel Ungaro, Louis Feraud Haute Couture, and Et Vous.

She arrived in the U.S. with a bang in 1988, taking on the role as head designer of Diane von Furstenberg, before launching her eponymous label in 1998. Her rock-inspired looks procured a strong following of celebs and stylists who appreciate her sexy signature.

Never shy about the importance of seduction in her designs, she coos, "I want to design irresistible clothes that make a woman desirable, clothes that a man just wants to discreetly take off."

Malandrino designs both collections while her husband Bernard Aidan serves as CEO of the brand.

Taken from: http://nymag.com/fashion/fashionshows/designers/bios/catherinemalandrino/

Celebrities in Vintage- Who is wearing what?

Vintage is everywhere this spring. From high couture formal events, to casual daytime dressing, celebrities are sporting vintage on both ends of the spectrum.

Penelope Cruz in a dress from Lily et Cie, the ab vintage boutique in Beverly Hills
Amy Smart in a vintage Herve Leger at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Jada Pinkett Smith in a vintage Helena Barbieri at the Reigh Over Me premier
Carolyn Murphy in a vintage lace dress at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Chloy Sevigny in a vintage Thirrry Mugler from Back-in-style.com at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Mandy Moore in a vintage Ossie Clark at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Jada Pinkett Smith in a vintage Bob Mackie at the Oscars
Pink in a vintage Herve Leger at the Grammy's

Join the ranks of the celebrities and wear am amazing vintage gown to your next special event.

Yellow- this season's IN color

You have been seeing it everywhere.
A large yellow handbag is the purse to carry.
Yellow, navy and white is the it combination for spring.
Yellow dresses have been seen in just about every celebrity and almost every event.

Now it is your turn to sport the sunshine color. Bright and cheery, you can't help but be in a good mood when you are wearing it, so why not give it a try...

items photographed left include Juicy Couture, Thierry Mugler, Betsey Johnson, Ella Moss, Loris Azzaro, as well as some cute vintage pieces.

Designer Spotlight- Diane Von Furstenberg

"She was born Diane Michelle Halfin in Brussels, Belgium in 1946. She is Belgian by birth, with Russian Jewish blood. Her mother Lily Nahmias, was a courageous survivor of Auschwitz German Concentration camp. Diane majored in Economics at the University of Geneva, Switzerland. In 1969, she became an apprentice to Angelo Ferretti, an Italian textile manufacturer.

Using silk jersey prints she produced a line of clothes, mostly tunic dresses in varying length and bias-cut shirtwaisters. In the same year, she moved with her husband Austrian Prince Egon von Und Zu Furstenberg, to New York. She showed some dresses she had made to Diana Vreeland, then editor of Vogue, who put one of her dresses in the magazine. It was a hit. In 1972, she had enough orders toopen her own business in New York.

In the 70's, she created a wraparound dress, which became a best seller. It had long sleeves, a fitted top and a skirt which wrapped around the body to tie at the waist. By 1975, 5 million of these wraparound dresses had been sold.

Von Furstenberg favours jersey and often uses geometric prints in the dresses she designs.

In 1975, Diane Von Furstenberg made the cover of Newsweek magazine. She was called New York's fashion queen.

In 1984 she sold portions of her company for $24 million and moved to Paris.

In 1990, she moved back to New York.

In 1997, her daughter-in-law because creative director of Diane Von Furstenberg

In 1999 Diane von Furstenberg became a Director on the Board of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) the ruling body of the American fashion industry.

In September of 2002 at New York Fashion Week, one of the Diane von Furstenberg's most glamourous dresses was modeled by Indian model Meghana Reddy, which is the first time that an Indian girl has been seen on the New York fashion scene. "

Taken from http://www.designerhistory.com/historyofashion/von.html

DvF the brand still flourishes today, and Diane is still influencing its designs. The items you see pictured here are all by this fashion icon.

Spring trend alert: Strapless Cocktail Dresses

In comes Spring and Out go the straps. Strapless cocktail dresses are the hot item this spring, and although they aren't original, they do have a new, decidedly 80's style.
For one thing, the sweetheart neckline is back... We certainly haven't seen that since the 80's. It is an easy neckline line to wear as it flatters any chest size, large or small. If you have large shoulders, strapless is the way to go. It minimizes your broadness.
Not comfortable repeating your prom days? A straight across neckline is timeless but only works on small to medium busted women. If you are any larger, stick with a sweetheart neckline.

Excessive fabric is another trendy element to the new strapless dress. Ruching, gathering, draping, pleating, what ever it may be, there should be some element of opulence and excess. Again, very 80's influenced.
Don't want to add bulk? Make sure the extra fabric is in a flattering area, like in the bust, and not the waist. Knife pleats are another good option because they lie flat at the waist but turn into a fuller shape.

The extra fabric is also important because it adds interest, and style to what seems to be a relatively solid color palate. Since you don't have any busy patterns, this attention to detail is essential, and the detail really stands out.
Want to cover up a problem area? Ruching, gathering, pleating of what ever you choose, all hide imperfections underneath but be careful, they can add bulk and draw attention exactly where you don't want it. for example, if you have big hips, make sure the bodice of your dress has the details. This will draw your eye upwards, away from your hips, and the details will make your bust look bigger, and more proportionate, thus making your hips look smaller.

So now you know to go with a solid color, but what color do you choose? Anything but black. Gem colors are popular, emerald, sapphire, etc. Bright or primary, anything in those categories is very in. And of course yellow is the must have color this spring.

The skirt shape seems to be quite fitted as well. Gone are the full 1950's style skirts. Instead, they have been replaced with a straight or pencil shaped skirt that, although is more intriguingly sexy, can be more challenging to wear. Stay away from the pencil if you have big hips or are pear shaped. It is a great style for boyish figures, or people who are very hourglass and proportionate. If you are pear shaped instead choose a straight skirt.

All in all, the strapless dress this spring is less girly and feminine and more 80's sexy. Close fitting, no frills, and confident.

Designer Spotlight: Mary McFadden

Mary McFadden, “design archaeologist,” “a high priestess of fashion,” and “an American fashion icon.”

As a young girl, Mary McFadden lived on a cotton plantation in Tennessee, then moved to Long Island, NY. She was schooled in New York and Paris, and studied sociology and anthropology at Columbia University. After working as a publicist for Christian Dior – New York and as an editor for Vogue South Africa, she launched her first collection in New York in 1973. She quickly became known for her exuberant use of color and her signature pleated polyester fabric, “Marii.”

Mary McFadden won a Coty Award in 1976 and entered the Coty Hall of Fame in 1979. Since then she has received many honors, including the Neiman Marcus Award for Excellence, the President’s Fellow Award of the Rhode Island School of Design, and the Fashion Week of the Americas Lifetime Achievement Award. She has served as President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. McFadden collections have been shown all over the world – including New York, Paris, Rome, Milan, Tokyo, St. Petersburg, Russia, India, Thailand, Central and South America, and the Middle East.

Mary McFadden draws ideas and expressions from other cultures into her couture designs. One writer said that “the art of ancient civilizations is literally woven into her fabrics.” Her designs celebrate ancient Near Eastern, African, Classical Greek, Javanese, Pre-Columbian, Dynastic Chinese, Japanese and Korean cultures ...and give an art form to dressing.

Taken from: http://www.museum.upenn.edu/new/events/treasures/mcfadden.shtml

All dresses are available ar www.back-in-style.com

Carlos Falchi Handbags - History of a Creative Brazilian Designer

Carlos Falchi was born in Minas Gerias, Brazil and got his start as a handbag designer at the age of 6 when he made handbags for his cousin. He moved to the United States and worked nights at a Manhattan bar and would wear his own clothing designs, which the patrons noticed and wanted!

Carlos continued to design and experiment and, in 1974, he came out with his Buffalo duffel bag and it was an immediate hit. The 1970’s embraced his relaxed ( and futuristic) vision of the handbag. These bags were secure, soft, and in non-traditional colors but were big enough to carry everything that you needed. In 1983 Carlos won the prestigious Coty Award for design and his bags were almost instantaneously copied.

His handbag philosophy can best be summed up by a quote “I want to be able to squash and trash a bag and still see it keep going." -Falchi

Taken from: http://www.fashion-and-style.org/page-4/carlos-falchi-handbags.html

Are you ready for Oscar night? How to dress like the stars

Didn't get invited to the Oscar's this year? No problem, just bring to party to you. Roll the red carpet out on your door step, & invite friends over for a black tie dinner and screaning. So what should you wear on this festive occassion? Well, let's review what the stars have been wearing at this awards this year.

Length- Cocktail length dresses seem to be very popular, especially those with a strapless sweatheart neckline. Reese Witherspoon looked stunning in a beautiful yellow one. Renee Zellweger wore a green one with gathered bodice, Julia Louis-Dreyfus & Sarah Jessica Parker both wore brocade cocktail dresses with spaghetti straps.

Color- Lots of white- Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, Kyra Sedgwick, Teri Hatcher, Kate Winslet, Nicollette Sheridan, Jennifer Garner, Emily Blunt, Salma Hayek, Heidi Klum, Ali Larter, Hayden Panettiere, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Sienna Miller, Ellen Pompeo, everyone is wearing white!

Style- Strapless of course, Edie Falco, Drew Barrymore, Jenna Fischer, Cameron Diaz, Renée Zellweger, Angelina Jolie, Kate Winslet, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Nicollette Sheridan, Katherine Heigl, Reese Witherspoon, Toni Collette, Heidi Klum, Vanessa L. Williams, Rachel Weisz, Hayden Panettiere, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Mary Lynn Rajskub

So there you have it, cocktail length, white, and strapless is the award show uniform this season!

The History of Gucci

1921-The hosue of Gucci is founded in Florence, Italy by Guccio Gucci as an equestrian leather goods shop and saddlery.
1938- Gucci opens a boutique in Rome and begins selling luxury leather goods like ladies handbags and shoes
1947- Bamboo handle handbags are introduced
1950s- Gucci begins to use their signauture red and green striped webbing, never forgetting his roots, the webbing is derived from the saddle girth
1953- Guccio dies leaving the business to his four sons, intra-family fighting beings
1960s- Gucci introduces the GG logo
1960-s Gucci creats the flora pattern in a scarf, which soon expands to handbags, shoes, and other accessories
1970-1990- The house of Gucci goes thought a lot of turmiol, changing ownership many times and almost going bankrupt
1989- Gucci hires Tom Ford and the revival of the brand begins.
1995- Gucci goes public on the AEX and NYSE for $22 per share
and the rest is history!

Although Gucci has gone through a lot of changes, good and bag, they never forgot their roots. You can still see the equestrian influence on the label today, in their frequent use of the hourse bit and stirrups, and their signature green and red striped webbing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gucci

Retro glam, old hollywood... Vintage peignoirs are the way to go

Try something different this Valentine's Day. Stay home and order in. That doesn't mean you don't have to dress up for the occasion, it just calls for a different kind of attire, equally as extravagant, if not more...
Put on your wedding song and imagine yourself dancing with your husband in your living room in a lavender peignoir, sheer enough for your silhouette to show through, layers of flowing chiffon trailing behind you. How sexy and romantic at the same time! Vintage is the look of lounge wear this year, evoking a sense of old Hollywood glamour and subtle intrigue. Long silk nightgowns with lace inserts in just the right places... An abundance of sheer layers hinting at your silhouette... Soft colors and touchable fabrics bringing back romance.
So put away the cheeky thongs, and garter belts, and try something different this Valentine's Day. something a bit more classy, but equally as sexy, and leave the rest up to your imagination...
All of the items above are available at www.back-in-style.com

Date Dresses: What to wear on Valentine's Day

A dress is definitely the uniform for a Valentine's Day date. There is just something more special, and more romantic about a dress, than there is about separates. Not that is has to be dressier or fancier, a dress just turns it into an occassion rather than just another night out...

So it is Valentine's Day right? You want to be feminine and pretty, but you also want to be sexy and romantic. The fabric you choose is very important in setting the mood of the date. You want a fabric that is soft and touchable. Velvet or chiffon are great choices. Brocade is not. Who wants to cuddle up to something scratchy? If you want something sparkely (maybe to catch his eye), choose something that has a sequin trim, or is only beaded in specific areas... areas that won't get in the way of affection.

Now, what should the cut of your dress be? You want it to be girly and sexy, but you don't want hoochie. Hopefully this is someone you care about, not a one night stand. The top and necklines of the dress are the most important part. More than likely you will be sitting across the table from that special someone, so most of the time he will only see the top of your dress.

V-necklines are always nice. Go as low as you are comfortable with the V. If you are not one to show a lot of decoletage, try a cross over neckline. It can be intreguing without exposing too much. Stay away from a high neckline. It comes off as prude. A cowl neck is a nice alternative. It is winter time so strapless or spaghetti straps might look like you are trying too hard (unless the dress is an obviously wintery fabirc like a soft tweed or knit). Chiffon straps are a better option, and add a soft feminine touch with out hiding too much. Shoulders and collar bones are a very appealing party of a woman's body, so don't cover them up.

Quicky fixes-
Feel like adding a little sex appeal? Ankle strap shoes are an easy and subtle way to vamp up your outfit.

Don't feel touchable? Add a cashmere shrug, or velvet blazer

Feel too exposed? Add a stole, and let it casually drape off your shoulders. It will be very sexy as it slips down your arm...

Feeling blah? Add a rhinestone brooch, or dangle earrings. (Leave your neck bare though, it is much more kissable that way). A brooch also makes a great hair piece.