A Rundown on Gossip Girl Style

Happy fall everyone!

Is everybody fall-ing into the trap of this uplifting, charming, unforgettable season as much as me?  The leaves starting to change, caramel apples flooding the stores, fantasy football draft madness, and who can forget…the premiere of Gossip Girl!!

So the purpose of this is to tell you a little secret.  In fact it may just be your one and only source into the Gossip Girl’s fashion styles… that you yourself can have!

That’s right, Anna Sui just released a line of Gossip Girl inspired clothing for women, to be purchased at Target.  She’s nailed some of the character’s styles almost perfectly, specifically focusing on the styles of Blair, Serena, Jenny, and Vanessa.  If you’re looking for the perfect look for fall while at the same time wanting to model off of one of television’s most loved and sophisticated shows, this is just for you. I’ll break down each It Girl’s style, referencing quotes from Gossip Girl’s costume designer Eric Daman from his interviews on YouTube.

Blair: You just gotta love her.  Her infamous hats and headbands perfectly match that go-getter New York City attitude that we’re all entertained by.  While she is known to dress conservatively in fitted gowns with fine linen, Daman addresses a question a lot of us are sure to be wondering: Who will Blair Waldorf be when she goes to college? Will she wear the headband? “The headband has sort of become its own thing and kind of become its own character on the show.  I think it’s Blair’s security blanket…and I want to take it to more of an adult level.” A more adult level will, in my opinion, be played with throughout the show.  She’s trying to fit into college and I think instead of wearing the frilly little skirts and plaid headbands, she’ll shift to a more mature, elegant look for better or for worse.  Annu Sui’s Target line features sleek black skinny pieces and bright, bold colors which fits her character perfectly.

Serena: Serena’s look is tragically hip.  Sui features a lot of black and gray “throw on pieces” for a tossled Kate Moss look from her Target line.  Although throw on pieces are Serena’s staple, Sui’s Serena section seems to be almost too uptight for Serena- just not “Serena” enough.  While some of Sui’s pieces capture Serena’s clubbing style, I see Serena’s look as a fitted jeans, slingy tank/vest to accompany those gorgeous locks of hers.  Daman mentions Serena is in an identity crisis in Gossip Girl’s third season, so she’s falling back on the old party girl style with loose tanks and short dresses.  Of course she continues to look good in anything with that carefree attitude of hers.  Keep notice as the episodes tick by as to how Serena’s style will evolve.  Of course, Josh Schwartz has got to pick her off her feet at some point.

Jenny: Sui captures Jenny’s look pretty well- with her eccentric indie style and knit hats Jenny is not afraid to take a risk.  Though I cannot stand her character, I’ve intriguingly watched her style evolve within each season.  Jenny didn’t have much of an identity in the first season, and tried to blend into the mix along idolizing Serena.  As her interest in the fashion industry developed in the show, her style became much more, well, eclectic.  The mix of cotton-knit dresses and funky boots really did grow on me as she became a stronger person.  One thing to learn, style equals confidence.  As Jenny’s self-confidence grew so did her style, which ended up becoming one of the best on the show.

Vanessa: Although a lot of people seem to be bothered by her character, I think Gossip Girl would actually be a terrible loss without her.  For those of us who read the books, we knew Vanessa was supposed to have a shaved head, totally not into fashion and way into film.  It’s no secret Josh Schwartz doctored up her character, but really to what degree?  She’s super-independent, typical New York City artsy, and a good friend.  She doesn’t totally fit in with Blair’s inner crowd, but that does not seem to bother her at all which is why I really like Vanessa.  Her style, as Sui features, consists of a lot of earthy colors like browns, greens, and oranges.  Vanessa’s style can best be described as boho, and is very easy to obtain with the right confidence.  Get a vintage-modern dress, pair it with funky jewelry and add a pair of frilled boots to piece together the whole look.  You’ll never go wrong with the Vanessa look.

So pick your perfect fall look, mix and match styles, and watch trends disappear and evolve this fall.

My advice:  You can’t go wrong mixing and matching.  I don’t care if it’s a Jenny-like floral scarf with a Blair-like modern dress.  Try it, because you never know.

XOXO

View Anna Sui’s Gossip Girl Target Collection here:

http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/06/check_out_anna_suis_gossip_gir.html

View the interviews with Gossip Girl’s Wardrobe Stylist Eric Daman:

Fall 2009 Fashion Guide

Must Have Items:

• Big Leather Tote
• Neon Jewelry
• Long Boots
• Vintage Little Black Dress
• Neutral Overcoat
• Leather Jacket
• Acid wash jeans

What’s big this season? 
Layers! The look this season is all about topping on those accessories to create a fresh, sophisticated look.  Start with a long tank or tee, top it with a hipster blazer, throw on some eye-popping jewelry with a headband and you’ll look on-the-go stylish. 

What’s one item everyone must have? 
A pair of boots.  Leather or suede, the material doesn’t matter; neither does the style.  Boots with buckles and layers include much of what this season’s look is all about.  In a perfect world, I’d recommend you have a pair of scrunched black suede boots to wear on a trendy night out on the town, and a pair of brown leather boots to wear for a simple daytime look. Boots can make an outfit happen. 

What should you keep in the closet? 
This season, I’d keep those UGG boots everyone has in the closet.  The new vintage trend is all about individuality and expressing oneself.  If you want to follow these fall trends, you need to dig a little deeper and search harder for what’s out there.  Instead of going to the same department store every year for clothes and shoes, try going to a thrift store – you never know what you may find. 

What is the inspiration of the fall 2009 trends? 
I think a lot of the fall 2009 trends are vintaged inspired.  Trends seem to be going for a casual, edgy look, which vintage is completely capable of.  However, it does depend on your style.  Here are a few chic trends I’ll elaborate on, so choose which fits your personality the best:

Edgy Biker Chic: Acid washed or dark skinny jeans, paired with a graphic tee and layered with a leather jacket. This look is vintage inspired from the 70s for a free spirited soul with lots of charisma. 

Log Cabin Chic:  This look is designed for anyone looking for a down-to-earth, laid back style this fall.  Plaid shirts, boyfriend jeans, and a pair of retro sneakers and a bandana will make this outfit have a personality of its own. 

Girly Chic: Colors, ruffles, pleated skirts- this 50s inspired look is simply adorable.  Find a pleated skirt and pair it with black tights, a ruffled moth-colored top and a headband and it’ll look cute and attention seeking for all the right reasons. 
 

So if you haven’t already, get started on shopping for this season’s trends.  Don’t forget to start in your closet.

Erlinda Denise

We are extremely fortunate to have stylist Erlinda Denise featuring a few Avant Gaudy clothing items! Raised in a creative environment in Toledo, Ohio, Denise had her eye on what she wanted and knew how to get it. With her 1950s/1960s inspired look, she has kept her clothing smart, daring, and ultra chic.

In this photo, we see a very 1960s inspired look, from the bold metallic blue to the high waisted belt. I love this look because it has a sort of a 007-travel-the-world kind of edge to it. It’s as if you’re ready to pack your bags and embark on the adventure of your life. Mysterious and confident, this graphic piece is hip for a night of being swept off your feet.

This next photo revolves around the 1950s look with the big blue bow in the ad. Plus, doesn’t the purple skirt remind you of those big poodle skirts they used to wear back then? With the sexy corset up top, the poodle-inspired skirt sets this very feminine and soft look. To top it, we see white Chanel inspired gloves, and socks under sandals to create a look of innocence and flattery. You can’t go wrong with this amazing, eye-popping skirt.

This last photo has a soft, muted tone to it with a relaxing and familiar vibe. What makes this outfit great is the contrast between soft and bold. When you first look at this picture, you’ll notice the high waisted “hot pants” standing out at you- that shiny satin is not to be ignored! Just look how the purple fades in with the blue of the sweater, which fades in with the ankle socks and the rest of the background. It’s artwork in the fact that it is a genius combination of innocent yet daring.

After studying Denise’s clothing, one theme popped into my mind: the fight for innocence in such a dangerous world. We’re all struggling to find that balance between our inner and outer worlds, and with Denise’s clothing you can get a little of both. With its light, frilled theme, Erlinda Denise creates a fresh image in a woman’s eye on how to stand out with just the perfect amount of attention she’s been craving for.

Iris Impressions

My time spent in Seattle this week has really thrown me into all states of mind with the abundance of steep hills and winding brick roads.  You think there’s a Starbucks on every corner at home?   Visit Seattle, and every other business is a Starbucks.  The best thing about Seattle besides the view from my hotel is by far, the shopping.  After all, no city is a true city without cool and one of a kind shops!

So, I arrived at the Freemont Flea Market on the hot sunny day I arrived.  So much culture surrounded me from the assortment of Native American inspired boots to vintage jewelry.  Booths of colorful fabrics and embroideries covered the streets and it was just beautiful!  I had a hard time choosing which booth to dive into, but color drew me into one particular booth.  This so happened to turn out to be my ultimate favorite booth in my flea market history.

It was literally a dream come true.  Have you ever looked at a sari and admired the beauty of such vibrant colors and elaborate patterns, but never thought to wear it outside?  Well, a company named Iris Impressions takes recycled saris and designs them into wraps so they can be worn as a skirt, tank, or dress – for many different occasions! 

       

The wraps are sold at three lengths: short, medium, and large.  They all wrap the same way, and it depends on the length you want.  The wrap is made to have a top layer and a bottom layer with two ties that go around the top.   The sides then have a hole to tuck under the strap so if desired, you could wear it as a halter tank.  I bought the short one for $20 (a bargain!) that has green fabric underneath a top layer of a bold striped pattern.  There are eight ways in which you can wear the wrap, all listed in the accompanying book received when purchased.  If you’re interested in buying this item, check out the website at http://www.irisimpressions.com.  The prices are relatively cheap, too.  Because I purchased mine at a flea market, the price I paid was cheaper than the price online.  The prices online seem to be about $50 for a short wrap, $89 for a medium wrap, and $119 for a long wrap.

However, they’re worth every dollar.  I feel like it’s fate that led me to that booth.  I love how you can wear it so casually – perhaps as a tank with skinny jeans and flip flops or you can go completely the opposite, and wear it is a gorgeous halter dress and pair it with heels and sparkly earrings for a night out.  For fall, I recommend you wear it is a high waist skirt with some cool black or tan boots.  You will look outstanding because no one has anything as unique. 

Plus if you go on weekend trip, just pack along this wrap, and it alone will serve you the entire weekend of play, sleep, and relax – no one will know your secret!

Boho Beauty

Lately I’ve found myself to be drawn to a bohemian style of clothing.  Lots of magazines feature pictures with celebrities who carry this “boho-chic” look.  Those glossy pages consist of pictures of the Olsen Twins and their colorful outfits and large bags holding their Starbucks in one hand.  Well, here’s the boho look from my eye.

“Boho” comes from the word bohemianism, which, according to the dictionary is the practice of an unconventional lifestyle, often in the company of like-minded people, involving musical, artistic or literary pursuits, with few permanent ties.  When I think of bohemian I think of the Renaissance Era- a very literary and artistic time yet full of freedom and expression.

The look is actually modeled off of style in the 1960s involving long skirts, big glasses, and one eye popping colorful piece to complete it all.  I love this look for several reasons: 

1. It’s easy and cheap!  Go to local thrift stores, grab a big yellow bag, pay $10 and pretend you found it in London or somewhere glamorous like that. 
2. It doesn’t look “prepared.”  How many people have seen someone completely overdressed?  By overdressed I don’t mean wearing an overcoat in the middle of the Sahara Desert, but I mean overdressed to the point where either nothing fits or it’s simply too polished for a nice daytimelook.  By achieving the boho look, you simply feel and look as if you rolled out of bed, threw something on really quick, and just happen to look awesome.
3. You can accessorize!  Boho style leaves a lot of room for accessories.  Dangling earrings, golden belts, pink sunglasses, you name it.  Add these to any outfit, and your outfit gets a few more golden stars. 

 

A lot of celebrities are turning to the boho look because it’s unique.  Everyone can share the same preppy style by wearing a polo, but with bohemian style, no one has the same vintage shirt because it’s just unique to the person.  It gives you an identity as to who you are.  Maybe you choose one thing to wear all the time, like a bohemian looking bracelet.  That alone adds a whole new character to make that outfit work. 

No matter the season, the bohemian look is always in style.  For the rest of the summer, get a colorful skirt, or try a long flowing top and pair it with skinny jeans.  This fall try going for the boots (No, I’m not talking about UGG boots and I’m not dissing them either- I do love them when it’s really cold).   Instead, I’m suggesting that you define your style and get a super-chic pair of boots like Nichole Richie has.  Wear it with dark jeans and you’ll look boho-fab. 

Style is all about expression and experimenting, so try something new or spice up the old, and rock that bohemian style like they did back then.  Let’s show those folks in the Renaissance we haven’t forgotten their inspiration- we’re just adding the rest of the flavor.

“Truth be Told”: Interview with Stylist, Kim Shimkus

The world of fashion can be shallow yet blatantly honest, new and hip, yet so last season.  Upon interviewing stylist Kim Shimkus, the truth of fashion became uncovered through an insider’s perspective of our trendy ever-changing world.

Q:  What do you do for a living?

A: Right now I’m an assistant buyer for Ananas in Oak Park, and I work on the sales part of the store like client logs.  I worked a lot of years with Utopia, been store manger and I used to own a clothing boutique.

 Q: Tell me a little bit of your background.

A:   Well I studied agriculture at Southern Illinois years ago, before universities had environmental science as a major, and had aspirations of having an organic cotton farm…

Q:  Then how has your degree in agriculture helped you out in fashion?

A:  Well when I had my store we had a lot of eco friendly products.  The store in Oak Park I’m at now, is getting organic products, and I’m educated on these fabrics.  Anytime I can, I buy organic products, I do.  Fashion is a growing industry of organic products.  You look at all these celebrity’s recyling trends, just like the Green movement, which I think a lot of the hype has to do with. Organic products like wool, cotton, I’m educated on and I think people are becoming more aware of the benefits of these products.

Q: Why are you interested in fashion?

A:  Well right out of college I found a job working at a clothing boutique.  Ironically, the clothing boutique I’m at now.  Worked there 6 years, managed it, and just loved it.  I’m interested in fashion because I’m big into feminism.  I love fashion because that was the way women expressed themselves nonverbally.  It was used and is now used to express their own individuality.  I love making people feel confident and beautiful- women have so many body issue nowadays, it’s so nice to take an everyday women and make her feel beautiful. 

Q: I hear you collect vintage clothing.  Why do you do so?

A:  Oh, it’s just so beautiful.  When I was younger I’d go shopping at these second hand stores in the city, and I’d hunt for labels.  It was a rather affordable hobby.  You could buy vintage cashmere for twenty bucks.  I just love the beauty of vintage and I think it’s such a fun and unique hobby.

Q: What is so great about vintage clothing?

A: Vintage clothing is popular, because again, it sort of ties in with the Green Movement.  People are realizing we as humans have a clothing habit, we just have so much clothing.   Things you see in magazines can go out of style, but with vintage we can wear something then reuse it.  People are buying vintage American garments made by hand and then they realize the quality of other clothes doesn’t compare.  People in magazines dress hipster now with a vintage flair.  So quality, timelessness, flexibility.  I think it’s a combination of all ot that.

Q:  What makes the perfect outfit?

A:  Well I would definitely say accessories.  I have a pair of Levis I’ve had for 20 years, and I’ve worn them for 20 years with every kind of shoe, white blouse, or a black turtleneck.  The shoes and the earrings are what changes.  If you’re you’re gonna be a super urban dresser, you should be trend driven. You know, [the] shoulder padded jacket, people aren’t buying that this year, only Kate Moss is wearing it.  If you’re not going to be following these trends religiously, that’s alright, just get yourself a nice handbag and you should be okay.

Q:  Do the clothes make the outfit, or does the person wearing the clothes?

A:  I definitely think the person.  The clothes don’t hurt, but the attitude of the person wearing the clothes it what makes the outfit work.  You can have the most fantastic looking person, amazingly dressed with a stylist and all, but if she feels miserably about herself it’s not going to be as amazing if she doesn’t feel comfortable with who she is.  So, the person definitely is in charge of making the outfit work or else there’s no real reason to dress nice in the first place, clothes are all about expressing that individuality.

Q:  How do you find the right clothes?

A:  I think having dressed for 20 years, you have to look at yourself honestly with kindness.  Depending on your body shape, you’ve got to be realistic as to what you can wear.  No one can wear everything, but there are definitely things that look good on everyone.  If you want to put an effort into the way you dress, you need to be honest with yourself and put some time into it to try out things that work and know the things that don’t work.

Q: What are your future plans?

A:  I would like to have a personal shopping/wardrobe business.  Where I fit people properly with a handful of stores.  I don’t think I’d want to own a store again, but I do miss my store.  Every time I want to get away from the fashion industry, the more I want to get back into it.  It’s like a trap.  Once you start, you never leave it.  Same goes for advertising or whatever it may be.  But when I think about leaving it, I think about doing something more spiritually fulfilling, like becoming a yoga instructor.  But then you always go back to what you’re familiar with.  But I do like where I am and I’m happy being in something that makes me feel good about myself and also helping others.

Meet the “Gaudy” Girls: Julianne

Where are you from?
I was born in LaGrange and currently reside there.

What is your profession/major? (What school do you go to?)
I’m a senior at Lyons Township High School – a school with two campuses and 4000 students!

Personal aspirations/hopes:
Travel a lot, meet a lot of people, live each day to the fullest and try not to run into things and get big bruises.

 

Professional goals:
I want to work in the movie industry and produce, write and direct.

Favorite movies?
Once, Shakespeare in Love, Legally Blonde and Mean Girls.

What TV shows are you currently watching/still addicted to?
Too many! Gilmore Girls, The OC, Gossip Girl, 30 Rock, The Office, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Privileged, Heroes and many more… 

What kind of music do you like? What bands are you listening to?
I like a lot of Indie music – Death Cab, The Stars, Ingrid Michaelson. Some of the bigger name bands I like are Radiohead and Coldplay.

Favorite/essential book?
Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella.

What do you like to do for fun?
I’m in charge of a TV show at my school which I write and direct, so that takes up a lot of my time.  I also have a job working with little kids.

Things you love? (People, places, things, etc…)
Accessories, fun colors, little boutiques that no one’s heard of, London, Hollywood, my cell phone that barely works and writing.  And since he’s dead now, Michael Jackson. 

Favorite Designer?
Gotta love Chanel.  I also like lines by Juicy Couture and Free People.

Favorite fashion/beauty magazine?
InStyle.

Favorite clothing item/accessory that you own?
My braided golden belt because once it goes on, it makes all my outfits look really put together.

How would you describe your personal style? 
A lot of people say I’m boho girly. I don’t think I have a certain style, it really just depends on my mood.

One thing you’ll never wear?
CROCS!!

Style icons?
Kate Hudson and Rachel Bilson.

What is your most recent purchase?
A cardigan from Gap I got on sale – I like it because it goes with everything.

Do you have any style rules?
Don’t cross over clothing items that don’t belong together –  don’t wear a fancy skirt with a hoodie.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Stars Hollow – too bad it only exists in Gilmore Girls.

Obsessed with/can’t live without?
Water bottles.

Your perfect day?
Mani/Pedis at 10:00 a.m., eat a salad and drink lemonade by the pool, go shopping, eat at a sushi restaurant, go out for ice cream afterwards, come home and watch TV reruns under the covers.

Guilty pleasure?
Listening to the song “Pokerface” by Lady GaGa.

Favorite food?
Chocolate ice cream.

What are you an expert of/random knowledge?
I can memorize birthdates and numbers.

What web site do you have to check everyday?
Facebook of course.

Rule That Vest By Learning The Rules

I had gone boutiquing (a verb I made up on my own for going from boutique to boutique rather than shop to shop) the past few days, casually breezing around for any clothes or trends that might catch my eye. Sure enough something caught my eye. And I feel that it is so important that I share it with all of you trend watchers!

A vest is a powerful accessory. It can make any outfit have its own character because of the easy pairing up it requires. If you’re looking to spice up your wardrobe, I strongly recommend going vest shopping. One of the best things about vests are they can be worn during any season. So if you’re getting bored of summer trends and even looking forward towards the fall, here are a few looks and tips you may want to follow:

Summer:

www.freepeople.com

For summer, go for a chic look with the top vest. As pictured, a brown tube top will look great with a light colored vest. Even a baby pink, lacey tank would create a soft look with this vest on. For a vintage look with this vest, try for a pearl necklace and a colorful beaded bracelet. This type of vest will look best with skinny jeans, since it fits loose around the hips. For a daytime casual look, try washed blue jeans with this vest, and for an evening look pair the vest with dark jeans and dark jewelry. It will definitely make you stand out and also look fabulous!

As for the second vest, I picture this as more of a daring boho look. It works best with brown, black or gray underneath. I would stay away from bright or bold colors when wearing this vest, because it will draw attention away from the beauty of the vest and make you stand out for the wrong reasons. Wear dark or neutral colors with it and pair it with dark or black jeans, and you’ll be ready to hit the town!

All You Need to Know about Vintage Clothing

What is the difference between antique, vintage and retro?

The earliest vintage items date back to the 1920s, meaning that antique items are anything dating before the 1920s.  Vintage continues for five more decades, up until the 1980s.  From there, ’80s and ’90s clothes are considered retro.  Whether antique, vintage or retro, all pieces are timeless in a way that they’re unique and can be given a modern twist.  This way you can have a look nobody else has.

What are some advantages of wearing vintage clothing?

The fact that it’s set apart from modern clothing, yet at the same time, is not.  I personally prefer vintage clothing to antique or retro clothing, because antique can be too outdated. Vintage clothing is elegant and classic.  I think the coolest thing about vintage is that it never gets old – you can recycle it as many times as needed. 

I was rummaging through my mother’s closet recently while she was at the grocery store and my eyes fell upon a jacket that melted into my eyes.  It was beautiful, with red leather push-up sleeves and a golden zipper!  I took it off the hanger to look at who made it and I literally fell over when I saw the Gucci tag.  Ahh!!  What struck me the most was that I could return to school in the fall wearing a jacket that nobody else has.  While people frivolously search the stores for a fall coat at American Eagle, I can walk confidently into school knowing that no one will ever have the same jacket.  It gives me confidence knowing this because the jacket is simply me.  This is why vintage clothing is the best.  It’s timeless, fashionable and sophisticated.

Where do I find vintage clothing?

You can find vintage clothing in a lot of places if you dedicate some time into finding the right pieces.  You could visit local boutiques that carry vintage clothing.  Boutiques in general often carry one-of-a-kind things, and you’d be surprised at what you find stuffed on a lonely, dusty shelf in the back of a store.  Thrift stores are also a good place to look because they’re unique.  A lot of people turn away form thrift stores because they’re previously owned clothes, but you’d be surprised at what you can find! (Check out where AG writer Caroline goes thrift shopping.)

Another trick of mine is to look in the obituary section of the newspaper because there are usually garage sales of the “stuff” they simply don’t need. Trust me, you can find outrageously awesome pieces at some of these garage sales you’ll find nowhere else.

A Ruffle Of What Vintage Chanel Really Means

Half a century ago, Coco Chanel debuted the black and white flower camellia. Its elegant ability to accessorize the simple, yet chic Chanel-look had people rushing to buy the timeless accessory.  On a brief walk around the mall this summer, I couldn’t help but notice bold floral accessories flashing in the windows of stores like J. Crew and Anthropologie.  Who would think 50 years later, Chanel’s sophisticated, feminine design aesthetic would still influence the fashions Americans wear today?

Classic Chanel pieces are by definition feminine, chic and simple.  Some of these pieces include the “Little Black Dress,” a buttoned overcoat, and a ribboned strand of pearls.  Chanel was known to accentuate the woman in the clothes, rather than the clothes on the woman.  On my walk around the mall, I was taken aback when I discovered that almost every store carried a simplistic flower headband alongside a beautiful faux strand of pearls.  It was like déjà vu. It’s so interesting that years later, these pieces never go out of style.

A few years ago, I went over to visit my grandmother- a notorious collector of various designers with a penchant for Chanel’s designer collection.  I watched her clean out her priceless vault of a closet, pulling out old pieces of boucle fabric (a Chanel specialty) and conservative button-up jackets.  I remember looking at some of these garments and forwarding picture messages to my friends screaming the word “PUKE” in all caps.   The fact that it seemed old and something my grandmother would wear could not be less appealing to me at the tender age of 13.  But what I remember most from this visit was the sage fashion advice she chose to impart to what must have appeared to her to be her ungrateful pre-teen granddaughter:  “Chanel is timeless;” and that I may “get lucky” should she choose to hand down some of her favorites.