Casual Attraction: Can brands bring out the new rules of attraction to loungewear?

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Fenty by Puma was the first brand that attempted to bring sexy to sportswear. Other brands are attempting to do the same. But can they replicate the results?

by Yvette E

We are the most single generation in American history and though several factors play a role (return of male egotism, the 5th wave of feminism and social inequality) our clothes could be playing the biggest one.

It’s not about sex appeal

The rise of loungewear wasn’t about removing sex appeal but being comfortable in your own skin and hence extruding confidence. Of course, we care about our bodies but more about health and less about how our butt looks like in a pair of jeans.

We still want to attract the right guy, just for the right reasons.

The struggle is real

So how are brands honing in on the simple new attraction? The attraction of interest and commonality are what girls want now. They want thier clothes to show that interest and their values. This fall brands took a “through everything at wall and see what sticks” approach with too many trends to count and missed the mark but one brand may be on its way to solving the age old question: Can loungewear be attractive?

Victoria’s Secret

We walked into VS the other day and fell in love with their Fall collection. It is yet to make it online other than the velour pieces but it’s promising.

As always comnent below if you have any information about other brands in this market

Happy Wednesday đź’‹

3 looks are not a collection and other stories from alternate Fashion Weeks

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New York Fashion Week has be stretched and perverted by smaller venues competing for the same press as the big boys but if the designers they show are not serious nor the show’s promoter then what’s the point.

By Yvette E

Shows like Style Fashion Week and Art Heart have used the designers they show complete with the right venue and press to become shows worthy of being alternative fashion venues.

Others have not followed such a recipe. Here are three misconceptions that ran rabid this season and possibly hurting New York’s fashion capital status:

Fashion week is not 1 day

Shows like Style Fashion week not only occur after official fashion week ends but are only 1 day and 1 location. That’s not fashion week which spans Thursday to next Thursday.

3 looks is not a collection

I suppose they think we must be stupid after paying for seats at these shows that we won’t notice that you are presenting the same looks in different colors and patterns.

GD swimwear at Street Style fashion week (1 night only) did just that and even colluding their show with things they did not make to create more looks which was just confusing.

Temiti Sportswear at Above Time also pulled the same stunt with just 3 looks in 6 colors and patterns.

[declaimer: I was contacted by the owner and it being a small family owned business. Apparently they only manufacture products their customers love. It’s a great strategy and they really did not need a fashion week].

You’re venue is important

I am sure every show planner knows how many tickets are sold versus how much the venue can hold but Street Style Fashion week seemed clueless selling 5,000 seats to a 3,000 seat venue. I know eventbrite allows you to cap ticket numbers so this was definitely pure greed.

Once more tickets were sold then anticipated, they had 2 options: Divide the show into 2 days and create a program for both days and let people RSVP for day 1 or 2 or move the venue. Instead, they lied about the show being over not only denying the designers press but also leaving people outside.

Conclusively, all these small venues do is destroy the entire fashion week magic and is probably why fewer designers are showing here.

Wake up CFDA, NY is loosing its fashion capital status.

Happy Mundane đź’‹

Taoray Wang adds color for S/S 2019

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Taoray Wang, famous for her monochromatic tailored looks, adds hues of pink and yellow to her S/S 2019 collection.

By Yvette E

The lastest collection by Wang Tao is inspired by the duality of resilience and beauty say the paper that most people sat on (al la seat cushion) as they waited 48 minutes for a Trump kin to be seated and 2 front row guest had to give up their seats to her secret service. This scenario left the pit photographers so peeved that they began to heckle the audience so they can get the perfect shot with minimal editing.

By the time the show started, everyone was in a salty mood and others lost interest. I could see people taking front row selfies as models began to parade down the runway.

But at last I am a fashion writer so her is a rundown of the collection.

Pop of color

Millennial pink popped up this year which is a surprise since it has been focasted that Fuchsia is replacing it as Millennials hit their 30s.

Yellow was also added to to grey assembles including suit jackets and skirts.

PINSTRIPES

Stripes have made a resurgence this year in thick mutli-color hues, but Wang kept them classic with thin lines and neutral hues.

WHITE IS STILL THERE

The designer is famous for making white look interesting and this collection is no exception. The collection feautures cold shoulder looks, dramatic sleeves and bustier silhouettes.

Accessories stole the show

I have to admit that the clothes were not earth shattering but the accessories ruled the show. From super thin and long pink studded belts to the large bow bags, they seem to fit more into the collections theme then the clothes (resilient beauty).

Happy Monday đź’‹

Frye: Not just boots anymore

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Frye is the oldest shoe company in America and now it has branched into clothes after 155 years in Accessories. Will the gamble pay off?

by Yvette E

I always wanted a pair of Frye boots but can never seem to make it to thier SoHo location but this fall, it is a must but not just for the shoes.

Frye just launched its first ready to wear collection for both men and women choosing fall no doubt to pair the looks with their best sellers, boots.

In a nut shell, the looks take Ralphen Lauren Americana with the style of the midwest keeping with classic patterns and neutrals. Luckily plaid and Western Americana are on trend but to find a real voice, the brand should stay clear of trends.

Here are some looks from the collection via WWD:

Frye Collection

Please note the collection is yet to appear on their website.

Happy Monday đź’‹

What’s next for Claire’s?

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UPDATE: The 36th street Claire’s has reopened after a cease and decease notice halted their reconstruction.

Most stores that file for bankruptcy have massive sale where products are highly discounted but Claire’s went out with a whimper.

By Yvette E

So we all expected some mass Claire’s sale so we could stock up on blind bags and cat ears but a quick Google search shows that all locations are already closed.

So what’s next for the Tween brand? We ran over to twitter and all we got was a link to thier European stores twitter page suggesting the brand just cleared out of America.

In any case, Claire’s Europe must be running the website which is still online even though both accounts have not been updated in months. But all hope is not lost. I recently stopped by 37th and 7th Ave Claire’s in NYC and had a sign stating “closed for renovations”. Possibly, the store may be rebranding itself.

Stay tuned for more information about Claire’s and if you have information about your local store, drop it in the comments below.

Happy Friyay đź’‹

The Bum Bag Redox

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We see those fanny packs everywhere but with a new name and way to wear them; they are back in fashion. Here’s why.

by Yvette E.

So the bum bag keeps coming back season after season. We wondered about the obession behind these little bags that make things so accessible.

Origins of bags on belts
Bags attached to belts have been in use since antiquity in many cultures. One origin was the Native American buffalo pouch which was used instead of sewing pockets into clothing. Buffalo pouches may also be worn on the wrist or carried on the front of the chest via a neck strap or lanyard (via wikipedia). In fact the first belt bag dates back 5,000 years.

Want more info, check out the Men health article here.

So here are 3 reasons it’s back in style..

Security

Just has the bag originally was for tourist to keep important articles safe, we need the same feature in our bags today. Even though homicides have decreased, theft of every kind have increased. The hard to open bum bag with its circular zipper, makes it easy to notice if someone opens it other than you. Not to mention its close proximity to your body.

Unisex

Men and women have always worn this bag so the new gender fluency atomosphere most likely played a role. Beside tote bags, no other bag has this option. To further separate the sexes, men and women have taken wearing them differently. Men prefer backpack style (wearing on the back) while women prefer crossbody style (nestled under the breast).

Versatility

I do not mean the look but the style. The design of the bag is so simple, it can be rendered into any look and feel by just changing the fabric. This means designers can easily incorporate the bum bag into any season by switch fabric.

Even though the design of the bum bag has been around for thousands of years, it’s initial resurgence in the 90s remains unexplained.

Happy Monday, đź’‹

#tfgbb to all your bum bag picks to be featured on our instagram page.

Candytopia comes to NY

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By now, we all aware of the various instagram driven photo fun houses popping up nationwide. Some have mostly been a disappointment but we have gotten a sneak peak of this one and it could be the best one to hit the east coast.

Candytopia is an outrageously interactive candy wonderland

It first debuted in May in Santa Monica, CA and bills itself has a dream world of sweets. Think Willy Wonka themed fun. Candytopia features more than one dozen unique rooms and larger-than-life interactive art installations inspired by pure, sugary bliss.

Guests are treated to candy samples throughout the entire experience including sours and gummies, chocolate treats, nostalgic favorites, and many sweet surprises.
Candytopia’s first location in Santa Monica drew sold-out crowds during its limited run and amassed a huge following among locals of all ages and A-list celebrities alike including Drew Barrymore, Gwyneth Paltrow, Josh Duhamel, Christina Aguilera, James Corden, Wiz Khalifa, Hilary Duff, Alessandra Ambrosio, and more.

The fun launches here on August 15 at Penn Plaza (145 W 32nd St.) and tickets are on sale tomorrow and are $34 for adults.

Happy Hump Day,

Yvette đź’‹

Pop ups worth checking out this summer

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California has been hit with a series of instagram pop ups that have created drool worthy instagram photos from Happy Place to Candytopia and NYC has its own share. Here are few to check out this summer:

EGG HOUSE

Open in April, this instagram fueling pop up focuses solely on eggs. We hope to get am invite for a detailed photo shoot soon.

HAPPY PLACE

This traveling pop up spent time in LA and now is in Chicago till August 6th. Go to Happyplace.me to see if they are coming to your area. We hope NYC is a stop on the tour.

HAPPY GO LUCKY

This soho pop up opened this past saturday and we were able to get a press pass. If you are a fashion blogger and able to climb up and down 2 fleets of stairs then this photo exhibit is for you. If not, head over to the Egg House.

We will be posting pics from our photoshoot so you can be the judge. (43 Wooster street).

Happy Monday,

Yvette

Hunter for Target

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It has been a long time that Target did a collaboration and this one is huge. Hunter, mostly know for brightly colored rain boots, collection for target spans shoes, bags and even plus size, men, and kids clothing alongside the more common women wear.

The collection drops April 14, this Saturday and I doubt it will last. Although, this time the collection is only available in select stores so not to repeat the last collaboration with famed Florida designer, Lily Pulitzer.

Price points takes a dip from the orginal brand’s prices starting at $20 dollars and the iconic rain boots drops the $125 price tag to just $40 dollars.

this pouch comes in various colors for $6.00!!

My fave item is the men bag above(first picture, bottom left). I can not find it on the site so comment below if you see it! The bags in general look like the iconic london bags…snag a tote for $35 and a bucket bag (so hot right now) for just $25.

The site says collection launches April 14 but some stores already have it in stock.

Happy Hump day!

Yvette đź’‹

Tokyo Fashion Trip Series:Get To Know: Liz Lisa & Swankiss

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Hello Readers,

I’m having such a fun time taking a trip down the memory lane of the fashion portion of our Tokyo trip and I could go on forever but alas it’s time to move on so I’m compiling the remaining two Fashion  brands into this post. I hope you had as much fun reading this as I did writing about it!

Liz Lisa has so many locations but the two we visited were in Harajuku and were having massive sales!I ended up getting a beautiful soft sweater with bows and two bags while Yvette ended up with a gorgeous faux fur sailor collar coat and tote bag! Liz Lisa was founded in 1999 and was a way for Gyaru style to evolve to a more grown up” look. Their style is feminine, sweet and 1960s all mashed together. Prices are $41-145

Next up is Swankiss which we visited in Shibuya 109. The store had a very pretty floral decorated area for picture taking and the pieces were so detailed and girly! Alas we didn’t purchase anything as we were planning to come back but didn’t get a chance too. I do however own a beautiful faux fur bag made to look like cotton candy from the brand. Saaya Hayashida is the designer behind Swankiss which has a dreamy, ballerina and doll like aesthetic.  Prices are $16-180