Patchwork: Fab or Fug?

The big craze in the past couple of years in accessories has been patchwork. You see patchwork bags, shoes, hats-- even patchwork clothing! While small leather patch pieces-- for example, boots-- are fine in my opinion, as long as the fabric type is consistent (for example, suede) and the colors complement each other. But some designers are really taking it too far! I know patch was huge in the 70's and I know fashion this season and last has all been about 70's throwbacks. But enough is enough, people!

See two fug examples below: Coach's Summer '06 Patchwork Hamptons Tote, and Louis Vuitton's LE Patchwork Tribute Bag from last year.



Give me your thoughts here. Patchwork-- fugly or fabulous?

This has been the Redneck Fashionista. Where I'm from, potato sacks and old quilts could be the next hot patchwork skirt!

Heaven is a place on Earth?

After be-bopping to that song in your head, check out Future Fashionista! Seen on celebrities like Jennifer Garner, Hilary Swank and Taylor Dayne, the jewelry offered at Future Fashionista is chic, affordable and unique-- perfect for the Redneck Fashionista! And the Future Fashionista herself, Elana, donates $1 from every purchase on the site to the charity of the month-- a great way to look good and help others.

The Future Fashionista's designs are unique, fun and trendy, and she offers items to fit every budget. Some of her luxe pieces like the Prehnite earrings below take my breath away! The jewelry is extremely high-quality, too. Some of my personal favorites (see below, top to bottom, L to R) are the starfish, fleur-de-lis and disk necklaces, along with the gorgeous, rare pink gold and green Prehnite earrings and the stunning 14k Pearl Bar necklace. There are so many ah-mazing designs, I want them all! Check out www.futurefashionista.com for more details and hundreds of beautiful designs.

Designer Jewelry on the Cheap

If you're anything like The Redneck Fashionista, you love jewelry. But the price tags on designer pieces from Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Tiffany's can definitely make you pause if you're on a budget!

This is where Coach comes in. Known for their affordable yet fashionable handbags, they branched out to jewelry in '07, and in the Fall introduced a full line of great pieces at reasonable prices. While some of their silver pieces are a little pricey (for $998, I'll buy Tiffany), the enamel bracelets and leather jewelry are very reasonable!

I picked up a black and silver 1/2" signature bangle at the boutique shortly before Christmas, and I've gotten lots of compliments on it. It's simple and elegant, and it goes with pretty much anything-- for only $78! The 3/4" are $98, 1" $128, and so on. This is compared to over $400 for similar bangles from Hermés-- though there is a quality difference, obviously. Coach bracelets palladium-plated solid brass, not silver or solid palladium, but they're definitely worth the price. Just make sure they fit over your hand before you buy them! They only come in one size-- something that confuses me-- and that size is pretty small. For an array of colors and sizes, check out coach.com.

Hermès Fuchsia Croc: The Holy Grail of Boots

Alright, so don't tell Hermès that cowboy boots are "going out." When I saw these boots on the runway for Spring '08, I fell in love! Some are saying that they're crocodile-embossed leather, but this is Hermès we're talking about. These incredible boots are real Porosus crocodile, a specialty from Hermès, and though I don't have a retail price, I can say with absolute certainty that the price includes no less than 5 digits.

Eye candy for you and me alike... *girly sigh*

Spring '08 Trendwatch

Now that the holidays are over, fashionistas everywhere can start looking forward to a new season and new wardrobe updates! I always keep an eye on trends, even though I live in Nowhereville, and I have to say that this year's crop of Spring fashions is promising.

DRESSES
They're big for spring. I know, you're thinking, "How groundbreaking." But puffed sleeves, solid colors and jersey dresses are big for Spring, as are (as usual) khaki/white, florals, volume skirts and flowing excesses of fabric.



SHOES
Wedges are in, bigtime. High or low, whatever you're comfortable with. Pointy, spiky heels are on their way out, and cowboy boots? So last season, though equestrian boots continue to be popular.



ACCESSORIES
Think belts, again, for Spring. Whether high-set or hip-riding, wide or narrow, embellished or plain, belts are it. Also eye-catching this year were the re-emergence of grandma's kiss-lock style bags and framed satchels or doctor style bags (think Louis Vuitton's iconic Speedy) as well as totes and messengers-- think classic Prada. Oversize jewelry and chunky costume pieces, as well as anything lucite, are also big hits for Spring. And unfortunately, they're still pushing leopard print. I don't know why.



COLORS

-Silver Gray, a base color; you can pair it with almost anything and it's the basis of a lot of the Spring ready-to-wear looks we saw on the runway.

-Yellow, pink and lilac florals.

-Vibrant red & blue as well as khaki/white.

-Muted olive green and deep yellow.

To sum it all up, 50's-60's-70's throwbacks, again, with some much-needed updates and retouches, set the tone for Spring '08.



Looking for ideas? Check out the highlights of the Spring '08 shows; photos courtesy of style.com (check out their killer spread and Spring '08 RTW fashion show coverage!)

This is The Redneck Fashionista, coming to you from where overalls are haute couture.

Bubble skirts: Fab or Fug?

Alright, I'll admit it. I can't STAND bubble skirts. I think they look sloppy and unfinished, and I think they make normal people who wear them-- we're not counting supermodels here, ladies-- look like a mix between a dowdy, drab prep schooler and a little girl in her grandmother's idea of Easter finery.



See the above pictures, courtesy of bluefly.com, and let me hear what you have to say. Pictured from left to right: a hideously green bubble dress that screams "80's Prom" in the worst way, even though Vera Wang is a talented designer; a cotton BCBGMaxAzria bubble skirt with black embroidered embellishments that might be bearable with a turtleneck and pointy slingbacks; and what looks to me like an unfinished nun's habit from Robert Rodriguez.

What is the appeal? Why are we still seeing them from runway to sidewalk? I'm hoping this trend is dying; I really am. I know, you say, "they've been around for decades!" and that's fine. If done right, they're not that terrible to look at. But hopefully, with Spring '08's new, more sleek styles, we're done with this trend and can bury it in the trend graveyard until it resurfaces again in a decade or two.

So what do you think about bubble skirts? Fab or Fug?

This has been The Redneck Fashionista, coming to you from the land where Jeff Foxworthy is king.

Equestrian Boots-- A Trend With Staying Power

Love 'em or hate 'em, they're here to stay! I don't really know anyone who hates them, but I'm sure you're out there. The ones above are Michelle D, purchased at Dillard's in November of 2007 for $119.

Knee-high boots tucked into jeans have come in and gone out dozens of times throughout history, and right now is what we'd call an "In" period. I have to admit, i think there are few things that say "casually classy" better than a pair of Seven or Citizens Jeans-- or even some from Old Navy!-- tucked into tall brown riding boots. These are a staple everywhere from New York to LA, still seen on the runways at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York.

Issues with getting your jeans tucked into your boots just right? If you don't want to outlay the money for the elastic jodhpur straps that attach to your jeans, then go under your heel, try wearing knee socks and tucking your jeans into them, or do what I do; fold the inner seams and slide your foot into the boot, then zip the lower part of the boot up while holding that folded seam against your leg. It works great! You can also try the 80's fold, where you make a wide folded cuff of your jeans and continue to fold and cuff up until the cuff is at the top of the boots.

Of course, you don't need great jeans to make these boots work! They look equally fabulous with midcalf-length or above-the-knee dresses, adding a touch of western chic that works really well for the Redneck Fashionista!

If you have any tips or tricks or ways to wear tall boots, please feel free to chime in on the comments page! This has been The Redneck Fashionista, coming to you from a place where leopard and cow print are always in-- no matter how much you might hate it.