Bright Lights: Loving Neon Now...and for Spring 2011

I think by now my adoration of all things neon and chartreuse, and neon chartreuse, has been well documented. I even did a post about another of my fave colours--electric blue--and how great it looks with neon yellow. Admittedly, I've been disappointed in a lot of the neon available in everyday stores and have yet to clap eyes on a neon clutch of any kind that could compete with the Rebecca Minkoff bag or Jimmy Choo clutch that have set my heart aflutter.

It's frustrating when you have a look in your mind and can't seem to replicate it without blowing your entire clothing budget to smithereens. And even though now it's fall, when darker colours always seem appropriate, I can't quite shake the neon bug. Maybe it's just the wishful thinker in me (yes, maybe I'm wishing it wasn't going to snow in this country ever again). I also think neon is great because there's a shade that works for everyone. Yellow make you look too green? Then try hot pink or orange.

When I happened upon these photographs by Tommy Ton backstage at the Spring 2011 Proenza Schouler show (the first photo is also courtesy of Jak and Jil) my heart stopped a bit and the neon maniac in me came out of hibernation. Something about these colour combos just speak to me and, well, make me happy.
 

Lace, sequins and neon? Hello, beautiful! 

Not that Proenza Schouler was the only designer showing hot colours on the runway for Spring/Summer 2011. To further show the trend has legs brights were also seen on those attending Fashion Week and on celebrities from Sarah Jessica Parker to Claire Danes.

Christopher Kane's Spring/Summer 2011 show featured vibrantly coloured pieces that were very "Princess Margaret on acid" according to his sister. [via]

While Jasper Conran Spring/Summer 2011 was also full of ladylike looks, this time in slightly more subdued shades like chartreuse.

As a Toronto blogger I'd be remiss not to mention the fact that neon has also shown up at LG Fashion Week for 2011. Pink Tartan's Kimberly Newport-Mimran sent a slew of glam 70s-inspired looks down the runway and while there was some nude and khaki, as well as ikat prints in shades like white and blue, the majority of the colours were big, bright and bold. [via]

This acid yellow chiffon dress with horsebit detailing is just one of the Spring 2011 Pink Tartan looks I loved. [via] Aside from recent runway shows I was also reminded about how much I love these bright hues when, on a recent shopping trip, I spotted some can't-miss-'em jewellery from Tom Binns. (I apologize in advance for the cell phone quality pictures, I really need to get in the habit of toting a camera around like a real blogger).

I died. Seriously. I think M had to pick my jaw up off the floor while I fumbled for my phone. Sure, there's always the chance that a piece like this will fall on the wrong side of tacky, but there's also something so fun and unique about it. Not your standard statement necklace to be sure.

So, loving the Tom Binns, although the prices might be a tad high for jewellery of this type. I mean, they aren't the most classic pieces. Take the bracelet below, for instance, you can grab it on net-a-porter for only $440. Which is only $420 more than I usually spend on my trendy jewellery at Forever 21.

I might just have to settle for this Splendid tank instead. At $44 the decimal is in the right place and the colour, well, it's just right, too.

Or maybe I'll grab one of the neon headbands I've been eyeing at the lovely Marcela's Etsy shop, Tea Accessories...

So what do you think?

Are you embracing neon with me?

NYC Fashion Week SS 2011: Tommy Ton for Style.com

New York Fashion week is on as we speak and the fashion world has been buzzing about everything from Tom Ford's return to womenswear and Marc Jacob's love song to the Seventies to Jason Wu's new line of designer handbags and accessories. Me? I'm happy about the proliferation of a trend we've been starting to see for awhile--wide legged pants. Skinnies are great and all, but I'll always look better in jeans and trousers with a wider leg (more on this later). Still, no matter how many great looks designers put down the runway it always really boil down to how they're worn by real women. Here, a look through fashion photoblogger supreme Tommy Ton's lens at some of the street style seen outside the shows. Photos courtesy of Style.Com.

Pretty in Pleats

Pleated Skirts and Feminine 50s-era Silhouettes

Completely On-Trend: Pleated Leather Skirt, Denim and a Side Braid



Spotted: Leopard Everywhere

One of my fave fall trends: Leopard!

Leopard + Military Chic -- Adore the bracelets!

Denim on Denim

2010's Chic Version of the Canadian Tuxedo

Not the biggest fan of this look, but I kind of like it here. Maybe it's the Chanel.

Transitioning Jean Shorts to Fall

 Shots of Neon

More street chic...

A Shirtdress

The sequined bag I've been lusting after in clutch form.

More great street style looks at style.com

Tommy Ton for Vogue Nippon

Loving Tommy Ton's uber feminine editiorial for Anna Dello Russo's

 Vogue Nippon, styled by Aurora Sansone. As always I love
his focus on accessories and movement.

What do you think?

via Fashion Copious

An All Weather Wardrobe Item: The Denim Short

As much as I try to fight it, the signs are all pointing in the same direction--fall will soon be here. Granted, these last few years where I'm from the hot weather has extended into October, and I will be the last person you will see complaining about that, but with kids scampering back to school and The Ex officially open here (the definitive Toronto sign that summer is wrapping up) it's time to start thinking about transitioning into fall. Along this train of thought, the other day I put together a guest post for Dawn's amazing blog about the shirtdress, a piece of clothing that with some layering and accessorizing can be a year-round part of your wardrobe. And that got me thinking about other items that could also do warm and cold weather double duty, pieces like the cut off jean short. Personally, I'm not much of a shorts person, but if you can pull them off then you can definitely still hang on to your denim cut offs once the cooler weather hits.

For summer pair your denim cutoffs with a simple tank or tee--you can also add a vest or denim button-down if you like--and some flat sandals for a casual day look.

Nicole Richie has perfected this laid back, bohemian style.

Alexa Chung is another fan of the jean short. Here she shows us just how easy it is to take them from warm to cold. Add tights, a blazer and some boots or Mary Janes and your shorts have a whole new life.

Wondering how to make your shorts more sophisticated for fall? Take some hints from Olivia or Kate.

Some ideas to work this look into your own wardrobe...

Images: 1 / 2 / 3-4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12

I'm also so excited to have reached 400 followers! Honestly, thank you guys for hanging in there with me and reading and commenting every day. It really means the world to me and I'm so happy to have "met" some really great people and friends through this blogging process. To show my appreciation I've planned for a week of giveaways to say thank you to all of you! xo