PYT has been happily advising the chic readers of The Supermelon for over a year now. To celebrate our one-year anniversary, I’d like to focus this week’s column on what I would wear to a birthday bash extravaganza. I currently am obsessing over asymmetrical hems, especially on floor-length gowns, so that the train is much longer than the front. Balmain’s flyaway tail was bold and edgy, while Chanel’s haute couture collection featured a demure and ladylike train. Several designers, such as Koi Suwannagate and Marchesa, also decided to experiment with extreme trains and hems in their Spring 2010 collections.

This type of hemline is certain to turn heads at any black tie event. I can already imagine the starlets on the red carpet wearing a dress like Marchesa’s. This flyaway tail is more akin to a reborn mini-skirt than late 19th century ball gowns with the front hemline creeping higher and higher. Paired with sky-high booties, any wearer is sure to show off her legs. Betsey Johnson’s and Chanel couture’s looks reminded me of peacocks with long elaborate tails trimmed with lace or ruffles.

As much as I want to recommend to you my favorite finds on the market, the truth is that the market has not caught up with the runway just yet. Either this extravagant train is too much for diffusion lines, or stores simply have not picked up on the trend. Either way, you’ll have to wish away for such a glamorous dress or obsess (like me). Hopefully, we will be seeing versions of these incredible tails soon in stores.

Photos:
Style.com

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When it comes to fashion, we here at The Supermelon love our little extras. You know what we mean—the quirky zipper, the hidden pocket, and all of those other unexpected little gems that give a piece of clothing its character. While accoutrements like these will always capture our eyes and hearts, every so often we find ourselves slipping back to simpler times, embracing more straightforward pieces as if they were wearable comfort food. Our latest foray into simplicity has led us to one of the most basic and perhaps most underrated garments: the T-shirt.

Why It’s Sweet: After who knows how many seasons of wrapping ourselves in bandage dresses, sucking it in for high-waisted skirts and shorts, and corseting ourselves into vests and blazers, the comfort of your basic tee has never been more alluring. Typically made of cotton or jersey, the T-shirt is soft and comfy whether fits snugly or hangs loose. Because of its forgiving fabric, tees are generally flattering on everyone at most any age, making the piece an easy, no-regrets buy and a no-brainer in the fashion realm. The T-shirt has also made great gains in terms of versatility; now more than ever, it’s seen as chic to pair a simple tee with tailored trousers or a sleek skirt. The contrast makes the outfit interesting, wearable, and a virtually seamless transition from day to night.

Why It’s Sour: Finding ways to keep your tee fashionable can certainly be tricky. After all, you want to look classic and carefree, not as if you just threw on the last thing in your closet because it’s laundry day. At times we can’t help but worry that the T-shirt is not strong enough to portray our fashion sensibility and personal style on its own, compelling us to overcompensate for its simplicity with over-the-top accessories, shoes, and outerwear—a little counterproductive, considering the point of this garment is to keep things simple. We also often feel forced to counteract the play-clothes vibe of our simpler tees by going to great lengths to ensure that the rest of our look is grown-up, again negating the easy feel of this look.

Our conclusion: We love our edgier outfits, but try as we might, we can’t fully resist the call of the tee. Judging by how many options are out there these days, our pro-tee sentiment seems to be the consensus. Grab a hold of this trend by stocking up on classic T-shirts with original attitudes. You’d be surprised how much personality an intense graphic or eye-catching pattern can lend to one of these guys. Interesting cuts work the same way—a detail like an exaggerated scoop neck or elongated sleeve will not detract from the subtlety of the look, but will lend it some flair. If you’re still skeptical that the whole jeans-and-T-shirt thing can be as fashionable as any other ensemble, ditch the denim. Try your tee over sleeker pieces like liquid leggings or tailored black pants, and add an open vest or pair of suspenders for extra quirkiness. Layer tees, hang them over one shoulder, cut the sleeves off, and generally play around until you find a look that manages to be both classic and fresh, playful and chic. It’s all just a matter of refining your fashion sensibili-T.

Where to Shop:
www.forever21.com
www.topshop.com
www.shopbop.com
www.satineboutique.com

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What is it about the color orange that’s both charming and alarming? On the one hand, there are sweet Creamsicles and fresh O.J.; on the other, there are traffic cones and “Road Work Ahead” signs. What’s a girl to make of such a tricky hue? If designers’ Spring 2010 collections are any indication, this question is soon to be on everyone’s minds, as the color orange leaps out from the shadows of ambiguity and into the limelight.

Why It’s Sweet: We’ve always thought of orange as a kind of red ‘lite.’ After all, it’s got the boldness and visibility of crimson, but without so much of red’s throbbing intensity. An added plus is that, unlike ruby red, which can look washed out (or, okay, pink) when anything less than brilliant, muted and dusty shades of orange can actually be as flattering as the brightest ones. We love the subtle way orange warms up skin tones, so that fair gals are a little peachy, olive-skinned girls seem even more bronze, and dark-skinned ladies look sleek beneath the brightness of the fabric. And while we’ve seen this dazzling shade showcased more for Spring than any other season lately, don’t worry about having to wait until the next calendar year to rock it—orange is the perfect shade to transition your closet from summer to fall, as it works beautifully both beneath the bright summer sun and against the color-changing leaves of autumn.

Why It’s Sour: While we’ve certainly been shown innovative new ways to wear this shade without looking like a citrus fruit, it’s still hard to shake the notion that orange is a bit…much. Neither especially feminine nor particularly passionate, orange can sometimes come across as being loud just for the sake of it. We suppose that’s the fun of the color, but all the same, it somehow seems as a little more obnoxious than other super-bright hues. It’s not Barbie doll-flirty like hot pink or ultra-cool like electric teal. It’s just loud. And is that always a good thing?

Our conclusion: Fine, you caught us. We like to get a little loud from time to time. And while we take care never to err on the side of the tacky, there is something sexy and liberating about donning a color as fearless as orange. For inspiration on keeping things bright but tasteful, we turn to looks like Oscar de la Renta’s juicy tangerine-colored couture gown. The proof is in the palette: these outfits display shades of orange in varying intensity, and all work out beautifully, thanks to complementary accents like turquoise and bronze, and intricate texture to break up the large blocks of color. The results are bold and beautiful, without any compromise of taste. As far as simple ways to work orange into your daily grind, may we suggest a pretty accessory like Kate Spade’s Orange Crush Idiom bangle or a bright clutch like Alexander McQueen’s yummy IT bag, which makes us crave orange Tic-Tacs. They say a glass of orange juice is a great way to start the day. Maybe so, but an orange McQueen is a close second.

Photos:
NYMag.com

Where to Shop:
KateSpade.com
Couture.Zappos.com

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Banana split. Side splits. Split personality. The list goes on of things containing the word “split.” Designers during the fall 2009 season certainly explored splits. We witnessed the vacillation between black and white as well as split sleeves on the runway. Whether this new exploration to the world of splits and slits is a reflection of the current times or not, the outfits presented were visually captivating and dynamic. While Chanel stayed more conservative, Balmain forayed into new territory with slitted pants.

Multiply slits by several fold and the end result approximates the trendier slashed and shredded look. This fashion trend may appeal to those stereotypically termed “punk”, but it can be better classified as “rocker chic.” The strategically single or doubly placed slit, however, can evade this rocker vibe. For example, long split sleeves on a coat such as in Armani Privé seem classier. Split sleeves on ponchos, too, can age the apparel and wearer by several years.

A woman’s shoulders are one of her sexiest features, and thoughtfully placed split sleeves can emphasize the gentle curve of the joint. This category of split is the most mass produced and therefore the easiest to find when shopping. Split pant legs are much harder to find, and you will probably have to pay a much steeper price. For split bottoms, there are always skirts with high slits. Dresses also can be good split/slit options, as they can be quite creative.

Free People oversized tee ($50, FreePeople.com) – Choose where the slit falls on your body. Wear it with the cutouts hanging from the shoulders or revealing the line of your torso. Layer this top over a sheer turtleneck as the temperature drops with dark jeans. Or, slip on the top by itself paired with a casual skirt and sandals for a warmer season look.

Mason by Michelle Mason dress ($242, Shopbop.com) – Though from her Spring 2009 line, Michelle Mason’s mini dress is anything but “so last season.” (It’s not even on sale yet!) Let the black color be a backdrop for this winter’s bold, electric hues such as fuchsia and cobalt blue. You will look absolutely killer with sky-high heels and some striking jewelry. There is always room in your closet for another LBD.

Missoni “Cloris” cape ($1216, MadisonLosAngeles.com) – Unfortunately, my obsession with this cape does not compensate for the extravagant price or my dwindling bank account. But, I can wish. Imagine this sweater with leggings and ankle boots. The belt around the waist helps to bring some definition to the flowing sleeves. The colorful print in signature Missoni style is fun, playful, and timeless.

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While schoolgirls are soon to start rolling up their pleated skirts in hopes of making a splash this back-to-school season, athletes everywhere will be padding themselves and tying on cleats with the express purpose of defeating their rivals. As for the fashionistas of the world? You’ll be dressing somewhere in between. True to the tensions of a new semester, it’s time to re-embrace an old frenemy: the power shoulder. Say what you will about football uniforms, the strong shoulder is an aesthetic that, like the class bully, resurfaces every so often just to let us know who’s boss.

Why It’s Sweet: If you ever want to know what it feels like to enter a room with unchecked confidence, rock a power shoulder. We of course don’t mean to imply that a woman cannot or does not feel sexy in softer lines—on the contrary, some of our most I-am-woman-hear-me-roar moments came upon us when we were wrapped in something clingy and feminine. But there is a distinct no-nonsense aura that a dramatic shoulder implies, and we’d be lying to ourselves if we pretended that other silhouettes did the same. After all, who wears the power shoulder but the gutsiest executive, the hardest rocker, the strictest teacher? A strong shoulder, much like a bright red lip or a pencil-point stiletto, just screams strong, sexy boss-lady. And we love it.

Why It’s Sour: For all its posturing as an invincible fashion force, this look is somewhat limited in where it can go. Dressed up as part of a larger concept, big shoulders are something to be reckoned with. But taken out of their element into a more casual or haphazard setting, this look can become one to avoid altogether, as the typical lines and fabrics of every day sportswear aren’t always well-suited to an architectural upper body. And let’s not forget about the times our bodies may work against us—what about the smaller girls who would be drowned completely by a broad upper body, or the ones who are already strong-shouldered and could quite literally look ready to tackle an opponent in anything too extreme? A tricky play, indeed.

Our conclusion: The strong-shouldered trend is one we’re dying to sign up for this fall. Luckily for us, the season’s designs offer way more options than the traditional inverted triangle silhouette. From the soft slopes of Chanel’s polka-dotted skirt-suit (which we ADORE), to the crystalline lines in Jean Paul Gaultier’s water-colored jacket, there really is a shape for everyone. As advised, we’ll stick with shapes that flatter our figures and encourage you to do the same; look for a narrower range from shoulder to shoulder if you’re smaller, and play with bold, but not clunky, looks if you’re more statuesque. Also, make sure to keep your waistline extra neat with a smart belt, closure, or expertly-sewn seam; you’ll find the shapely contrast between your wide upper body and little middle to be divine. Just remember, if you keep the rest of your silhouette feminine and sharp, you’ll be able to tackle this broad trend and look nothing like the far-less-glamorous football players you’ll see storming the field this fall. Score.

Photos:
NYmag.com

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Ethnic and cultural influences have maintained their staying power through this summer and into the fall collections. From prints to jewelry, terms such as “tribal” and “global” have wandered into the fashionista’s vocabulary. Last year, style watchers buzzed about drop-crotch pants, but this season they will undoubtedly be talking about the harem pant. This pant is characterized by tapered ankles and volumes of fabric around the thighs and possibly knees. A drop-crotch is not an uncommon trait. Most harem pants use soft materials that easily drape around the body. This craze appeared on various fall runways including Balmain, Issey Miyake, and the always colorful Vivienne Westwood.

I personally am still on the fence concerning this stylized pant. I have witnessed several successful outfits featuring a jersey harem pant. It feels breezy and relaxed and can be the perfect transitional piece between summer and autumn. On the other hand, I simply cannot envision myself wearing anything that reminds me of hated middle-school sweatpants. You know, the ones that everyone always cut out the elastic at the bottom. Because I’m relatively short, the cinching at the ankle combined with the volume would only make me look shorter. This result is an effect that I obviously try to avoid.

If you are tall, skinny with legs that go on forever, you can pull off this comfy bottom. But, if you are anything but (which includes most of us), try your best to avoid this look. If the forces of the harem pant are too strong to resist, I urge you to accentuate your waistline and keep everything up top streamlined to balance your bottom half.

Here are some more flattering options:

Silence & Noise harem pant ($58, UrbanOutfitters.com): Check the weight added by the pleats with a slimming black color. The high-waist accentuates a smaller middle and helps to create an hourglass figure. Pair with basic tanks or slim fit tees.

Liz Claiborne ($23, LizClaiborne.com): Isaac Mizrahi is certainly updating this womenswear brand by injecting a sense of fun. The cotton gauze fabric is perfect for cooling summer nights. Slip on some flat sandals, and tuck in your shirt. Add some colorful bangles to finish off this casual daytime look.

Alice + Olivia “Eddie” pants ($99, Shopbop.com): Bring a touch of exoticism to your next evening outfit. The black silk gently shimmers in light. A racerback tank or even tube top can play the canvas to your bold jewelry and statement shoes.

Photos:
Style.com

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What happens when you combine dolman sleeves as seen at Alexis Mabille with an interest in ruffles like at Juan Carlos Obando? Only a dolman flutter sleeve, no less! During my travels to Asia this past month, I saw these sleeves literally everywhere I went from the daring streets of Tokyo to the rural roads of Shandong province in China. This ruffled sleeve is a growing trend as designers explore a newfound curiosity in combining shoulders and volume. Simply glance at a look from Christian Lacroix’s fall collection to get a hint of what I’m talking about.

Several variations of a dolman flutter sleeve exist, but the most popular one that I have witnessed uses a ruffle to decorate the sleeve as it starts from the shoulder following the seam down to around the waist. Pros include an elongated torso, shortened upper arms, and minimization of the shoulders. Cons include widening of the torso and the creation of a flatter bust. So, this look has to be carefully selected by the wearer depending on what illusion she wants to create on her body. If you have a short torso and wider shoulders, this might be for you, but if you have a small bust and a relatively wider circumference, this style will look unflattering.

If you’re worried about adding extra pounds to your frame but really want to pull off this look, try some style tricks. From picking darker hues to wrapping a belt around the waist, there are many ways to tame the weight-adding ruffles. As ruffles in general pick up speed, you, the discerning shopper, will certainly see gathered fabric decorating any inch of the body. As much as I love an intricate detail, it is up to you to choose wisely. Pick flattering cuts. Buy quality sewn garments. One of my greatest pet peeves is seeing a badly sewn hem, and these couldn’t stand out more in a ruffle hem. Make sure the thread is the same color as the fabric and that seams are evenly stitched.

And here are this week’s picks:

Central Park West “Tristan” top ($110, Piperlime.com) - Despite my hesitation with synthetic fabrics such as polyester, the design and color or this top has charmed me. Not forgetting last week’s PYT topic, this fancy shirt features the always-flattering bateau neck. It comes in ivory and a bluish purple, shying away from trendier, bright neon alternatives. The cinched waist is a plus as is the V back. Three Dots also makes a great basic flutter sleeved top.

Milly shift dress ($365, Bloomingdales.com) - Reincarnate a vintage feel with a cream lace dress. The sleeves softly flow down in gentle harmony with the delicate lace. Neither the ruffles nor the intricate pattern overpower or detract from the other. This shift is a perfect transitional piece; add stockings and heavier shoes for an autumn look.

Tsumori Chisato “Avanca” cardigan ($275, LaGarconne.com) - Easy and breezy, the linen material coupled with the fluttering dolman sleeves embody the last of summer and the beginning of fall. Though you may only be able to wear this sweater for a short while, keep it in your closet for beach vacations this winter and for next summer. It’s sure to be a casual hit.

Photos:
Style.com

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I have a penchant for all things classical from black blazers to simple cardigans, so it is no surprise that my obsession for this week is a sweet and simple bateau or boat neckline. Past style wants have been V-necks and sweethearts, but after noting how flattering the boat neck is on the Fall 2009 runways, I instantly became a fan. Giambatista Valli kept it classy with ebony colors, while Dries Van Noten brought the neckline up to date with satiny fabrics and strategically placed patterns.

The bateau neck is conservatively sexy as oxymoronic as it may sound. Without the conspicuous show of cleavage, va-va-voom sex appeal is thrown out the window. Instead, the space between the neck and shoulders is fully revealed, which in my opinion is an unspoken sexy curve. The neck is instantly elongated, helping the wearer to seem taller, more elegant, and more dignified. (Of course, good posture helps, too.)

This year’s pickings waver between the basic cotton tee and more imaginative options. The basic tees are a dime a dozen, while the more stylish, trendy tops and dresses remain more elusive and pricier. The pairing of a dolman or bat sleeve with the boat neck seems popular as does exaggerating the boxiness that such a neckline can create. I suggest shying away from the tight-fitting boat necks (or those with too many navy and white stripes) because the form fitting nature of the garment will take away from the sexiness created by the neckline. Try to find tops and dresses with embellishments or contemporary cuts and drapes. Create intersecting lines with long necklaces like Jaeger London. On my wish list:

Mary Meyer top ($59 @ RevolveClothing.com) - The graphic on the front transforms this otherwise simple black top into a visually interesting centerpiece. When the weather starts to cool, layer a bright color underneath to add a pop. Pair with jeans or other slim bottoms.

Vanessa Bruno dress ($455 @ LaGarconne.com) - What does one classic plus another classic look like? Super chic – at least that’s what you get when you add the bateau neck on the LBD. Always a fan of pockets, I am thrilled that this little number has room for your keys and subway card (and features a little belting to keep in the tummy). The wool component of the fabric adds a touch of weight to help ward off any cooling chills.

Lewis Cho Top ($120 @ LuvCharlie.com) - This green top is a perfect layering piece underneath a charcoal cardi. Throw your scarf on, or tuck into a pencil skirt to make it work appropriate. Modal ensures a silky smooth feel on your skin.

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We like to consider ourselves pretty hardy when it comes to fashion. Sure, every now and then a trend takes an unexpected turn and catches us off-guard. But for the most part we bounce back into action pretty quickly—which is why we were thrown when we took one look at designers’ recent menswear and resort collections, and just about went cross-eyed. Stripes with prints, florals everywhere—okay, fine. Given recent trends, maybe we should have expected these little twists. Still, the coming season’s use of patterns in wild combinations is pretty much unprecedented. We want to know, is there such a thing as a no-go combo?

Why It’s Sweet: Perhaps the best part of fashion’s recent print and pattern orgy is the exuberant spirit it lends to an outfit. Pops of color and crazy textures are fabulous, but when they come in the form of one or more eye-catching patterns, the whole look just says, “BAM!” Busy, clashing patterns are a straightforward way to let the world know that not only have you arrived, but that you don’t particularly care what cardigan-and-khaki types have to say about your look. The aesthetic is defiant, in a fun way. For some reason, this look is especially striking on men. Maybe we expect women to take more fashion risks while it’s more typical of guys to stick closer to the status quo? We can’t quite put our finger on it. All we know is that it takes some serious swag for a man to walk confidently in a psychedelic floral button-down or patchwork flood pants; and if you’re rolling your eyes thinking, “Yeah, right; no man would ever wear something like that,” take a second to peruse some of the looks that designers like Comme des Garçons and Etro sent down the runway. Enough said.

Why It’s Sour: Crazy pattern combos: interesting? Sure. A realistic way to dress oneself on a regular basis? Hmmm, not so much. While we certainly appreciate the bold new direction designers have taken when it comes to the game of mix-and-match, some recent looks we spied looked a little excessive, even clownish, in their use of pattern. Because of the runway show context, we actually found ourselves wondering if the featured ensembles were meant to be emulated in ‘real life,’ or if designers just seized the opportunity in each model’s walk to showcase all their prized patterns at once. We guess that’s an option, but our favorite shows are the ones whose styles look so scrumptiously wearable from head to toe that we have to restrain ourselves from tackling the models and stealing the clothes for ourselves. A good-in-theory, bad-in-life outfit brings us right back to that fork in the road we always seem to reach—the place where the fabulous skip off to Fashionland while the rest of us stand scratching our heads and wondering how we can make their look work for us.

Our conclusion: First, a brief disclaimer: The Supermelon is in no way responsible for the looks and comments you may get should you choose to wear, say, a striped blazer over paisley trousers. That’s allllll you. We do, however, fully advocate the artful blending of unexpected prints and using the resulting boldness to make a splash. See, for example, the way Diane Von Furstenberg threw a zigzagged overcoat on top of a spotted one-piece bathing suit. Are the patterns exact matches? No, and neither are particularly subtle. But the color palette of both pieces is in precisely the same range, and the patterns are disparate enough—big, block stripes against tiny, detailed animal spots—to give the outfit contrast and depth. Likewise for small bursts of patterns against otherwise plain apparel, as exemplified by the detailed belts and cuffs in Etro’s show or the subtly mismatched plaid prints in Moschino’s line. When you look at busy patterns for what they are—a burst of freshness in a color-block world—they hardly seem so intimidating. So go ahead, get busy.

Photos:
NYmag.com

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Quick poll: When is it okay for a man to wear leggings? A) When he’s stealing through the forest with his merry men, B) When he’s en pointe as the male lead in Swan Lake, C) When he’s winning the Tour de France, or D) NEVER. This question has had us stumped since we were browsing the Internet one lazy weekend and came across a photo of a strapping young man outfitted in leggings to rival Lindsay Lohan’s. Further investigation revealed that this was no one-off, but a veritable movement in male fashion—how on Earth had we missed it?! Now that we’re onto the trend, we’re dying to know all about meggings (man + leggings = meggings), and whether you think they’re a hit for him.

Why They’re Sweet: Well, if nothing else, it’s nice to see men following women’s trends for a change—we wore our boyfriend jeans, now you shimmy yourselves into some leggings, damn it! We imagine meggings would have the same appeal for dudes that leggings have for gals: they’re lightweight, easy to move in, and are a subtly sexy way to show off a great pair of gams. After all, we girls don miniskirts and short shorts to flaunt our physique with or without hosiery, but it’s rarely en vogue for boys to wear anything so form-fitting. Meggings might just be the perfect way for a confident guy to show off his wares. Meggings are also a long-overdue opportunity for men to break away from the jeans-khakis-trousers-repeat conundrum and embrace some versatility. We ladies did ourselves a huge favor when we added pants to our dressing options early last century; maybe men figure now is their chance to steal one of our options for themselves. Plus, meggings seem like they’d offer a man support and stretch where he, ahem, needs it most.

Why They’re Sour: They’re leggings. On men. We feel like this is one of those trends that, while we will nod speculatively and marvel at it when we see it in editorials or on models, would make us balk if any man in our life actually embraced it. The dearest of our guy friends would be teased without mercy; any man we were dating would be shamed into putting on a pair of pants like a ‘real’ dude. In short, we’d be surprised if the meggings look actually translated onto anyone other than those few uber-trendy, live-breathe-eat-sleep fashion type guys who can pull it off. Also, let’s be serious—guys, wouldn’t you feel just the teensiest bit on display in a pair of these?

Our Conclusion: We’re wary of meggings. We think we could learn to love them in pictures, on mannequins, and in runway shows—especially the more trouser-ish ones or those embellished rock star-like pairs—but on the people we meet in our everyday lives, meggings would surely throw us off. More so than on women, who use tights as an element of a simple, comfortable outfit as often as they make them a part of a dressy look, leggings seem to take on an air of drama and costume when worn on a man. Maybe it’s a cultural thing, like the fact that whenever any of us usually ever sees a guy in leggings it’s because we’re at the theater. Whatever the case, we can’t get it out of our heads that leggings on men only work as part of an over the top fashion persona, whether it’s style slave or angst-ridden artist. But hey, if you’ve got a man in your life who’s fashion-forward to a fault, throw him a pair of meggings and see how they work out. We can’t promise we’ll stuff out boyfriends into any, but a trend’s gotta start somewhere, right?

Source:
O’Dell, Amy. “The Latest in Silly Man Trends: Meggings.” New York Magazine. 6 August 2009. NYmag.com

Photos:
www.tonguechic.com

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