Keeping Up With Ever-Changing Trends!

I threw away a pair of Prada wedges six months after I bought them because I thought they were hideously out of style and would never ever come back.  Three months later, they CAME BACK, grrrrr.  I find I do this with most things.  High-waisted jeans, skinny jeans, black jeans, MOM JEANS!!  I have long since thrown away all of my slouchy, Flash Dance-esque Genera sweaters which have now been back for 3 years and haven't gone anywhere yet.  Remember pashminas?  Yeah, had twenty of those, threw them all away and have now taken to replacing them with the $5 knock-off version from the guy on the street corner in Manhattan.

They craziest part is I remember my being told when I was little about how cyclical fashion is and that it all comes back around.  I remember liking my mom's old plaid mini-skirts from the 60's when I was in high school, but what is the deal with modern trends?  It used to be that it took twenty years for something to become kitsch or retro-cool.  Now wide-leg pants with nautical buttons up the front which I would normally throw in the trash can just be shelved for about 3 months and wait their turn for Kate Moss or Sienna Miller to resurrect them and see the entire world wearing them.  Amazing!! I mean it.  Trends go in and out within 6 months time.

These days literally anything goes.  I mean, my God, the 80's has reared its ugly head again!

Here are a few wardrobe staples that I wrote down for a gorgeous friend of mine who wanted a "trendy wardrobe update", but is in her thirties and didn't want to throw her entire life's savings at a bunch of clothes that were going to be out of style in a month and were not age appropriate.

1. Black boyfriend blazer. (3/4 length sleeve is a relevant look, but better to get full-length and push up in the interest of keeping classic)


2. Distressed (you can do this yourself and save about $100 give or take) skinny jeans.

3. Worn black (faded to grey, not grey) skinny jeans.

4. Racer back burn out and soft jersey tanks (A-line or long-waisted only.  NO ribbed.  It's for no one's pleasure!)


5. Slouchy sweater, off-white, heather grey, army green or khaki/taupe.

6. Boyfriend jeans (distressed or faded).

7. Plaid button downs.  Rails (www.railsclothing.com) makes really comfy soft, great color-combo shirts like this.


8. 3/4 length sleeve black or grey leather (or pleather if you are keeping green) jacket.  Madewell has an amazing blue/grey elastic waist jacket that I LOVE.  Mike and Chris makes an amazing leather jacket.  Love all of their leather.

9. 2 or 3 girly t-shirt dresses or tunics in bold colors like purple or blue.

10. V-neck (plunging V) burnout or soft jersey (ie. Splendid or Three Dots) boyfriend T's.

11. Pencil skirt and banging pair of concealed platform nude or black heels.

12. The YSL platform sandal in natural. (see www.ysl.com/sandals) You can also find a knock-off wedge.  Great trans/seasonal shoe and color for Southern Cali.

13. Two pair of trendy t-strap sandals, simple in nude or metallic and black (flats).

14. 1 pair of white Vans (lace-up) or low-top Converse All-Stars or Black or Red Converse All-Stars.

15. 1 pair of creme or black oxford wing-tips.  (www.stevemadden.com $60 bucks!!)

16. A pair of thick black leggings or jeggings. Three Dots makes a great pair that really suck you in.

17. Short trench or rain coat.   

18. White denim is great for Summer.  (I wear it all year with navy blue.) I know, I know....



Dolce Vita on Melrose PLACE is a great place for sandals and pumps.  They also have great boots for Fall/Winter.  Very moderately priced and have great sales.