What is this Fantastic Paillette Covered Thing at Chris Benz?

Check Out my "Back to School" Uniforms Guest Post on Two and Seven

A little round up I did for Two and Seven about fashion folks who have a uniform and/or signature hairstyle 

 http://www.twoandseven.com/2012/09/04/uniform-style/

Paper Bag It

Spring 2012 saw a lot of trends, friends, but one to embrace is the paper bag waist (evidently this post will take the form of a limerick. Who knew?) 

Above, Miuccia Prada crafted a periwinkle pencil skirt at Miu Miu with an exaggerated emphasis on the paper bag waistline. The narrow waist is the focus with solid basic top here, but a printed top could be a playful partner for the more adventurous. 

Meanwhile Roksanda Ilinicic chose the opposite end of the color wheel and opposite end of a lady to highlight. This is all leg lengthening, easy breezy maxi style skirting with a subtle paper bag waistline. Throw on your highest heels and Mami long legs will be your new neighborhood nickname. 

Of course the easiest way to incorporate this new style into your wardrobe is with the holdover pleated, roomier pant. Very Katharine Hepburn goes to the office, try these pants from Chris Benz for a fresh take on Monday morning dressing. 

RESORT to This: Hello Yellow

Here's lemon in your eye!

(Chris Benz keeps it cool as a tall glass of lemonade)

Resort collections have been bursting with juicy citrus and sweet buttery yellows and I couldn't be happier (personal bias since yellow's my favorite color)

(Two trends at once: Lemon chiffon and a bright over-sized tote at Bottega Veneta)

Over the past month (Resort is a leisurely affair with designers presenting their collections over a much wider window of time than the 2 big Weeks) everyone from classic labels like Chanel and Giambattista Valli...

(Chanel, why must you remind me that I could be eating cake right now?!)

to youthful downtown designers like Proenza Schouler and Chris Benz have displayed the myriad of ways yellow is a fresh, modern color that looks good on everyone

(Color blocking lemon yellow with black white and a darker goldenrod, Proenza Schouler keep with their tribal and 70's influences) 

(Preppy 50's sweater girl style at Lela Rose)

(Asian influenced silk and prints at Preen in a rich topaz-y yellow)

(This mixed media paneled dress/coat was a personal fave from a strong show by Giambattista Valli)

(Yellow's for the dudes too as shown at Burberry)

If you're worried of looking jaundicey, perhaps the most efficacious way to utilize yellow is as an accent

(Versace's yellow purse pops against a graphic black and white sports-influenced look)

Very Important for Fall: High and Wide-y

The 70's influence that emerged so strongly in Spring 2011 carried over to Fall's high waisted, flared pants trend with inspiration coming from such disparate sources as Charlie's Angels, Greg Brady and Bianca Jagger.

Hey I'm down, but designers there's a big fat elephant in the room here: the 70's were a different time. A time when people were less sedentary and dependent on fast food. It's tricky to predict how much this high waisted trend will translate into solid retail dollars and the reach of consumers it will speak to in the year 2011 when obesity rates are at our highest ever in the states and rapidly growing internationally.

But if we suspend thoughts of dollars and merely enjoy some fun clothing, then there's a deluge of fabulous fashions to take in. There's something for all here from the Parisian teen smokin' on the bridge to the just arrived in the big city editorial assistant to the trophy wife (and really, that's all walks of life covered, right?)

Let's take a peek:

(Alice + Olivia do a literal 70's spin in corduroy)

(Chanel cuffed and rolled their tweedy versions)

(Shots of crimson are sexy accents to center creases at Jason Wu)

(Chris Benz's southern gothic boho)

 (Yes, it's more Dietrich than Fawcett, but Gucci's pants are too beautiful to not include)

(Catherine Malandrino asks: why are the French so obsessed with hip hop?)

(Tracy Reese honors 70's American sportswear legend Anne Klein)

(Tsumori Chisato's satin pants and patterned sweater is by far my favorite)

Is that You, E. Jean?

No one's getting whipsawed by confusion here, Chris Benz' Fall 2011 muse seems to be that dollface Elle Magazine advice columnist, E. Jean Carroll! 

Benz, my little Elle rabid reader, you couldn't have found a more spot on inspiration!