As New York Fashion Week winds down, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't bummed we skipped it due to our dual moves and mutual poverty. I'd like to say we're "on trend" since the world has declared fashion week dead, as noted here in the New York Times.
Dead or not, I've never felt more alive then in the thick of it with Jslow, and I'm sad we're not there.
At least we can participate from here, which has become increasingly quick and easy. You can watch most of the shows in real-time here on New York Fashion Week Live and on Style.com, which also features quick videos of the each look as the model works it down the runway. It's so important to see how a garment moves, and this simple upgrade makes watching who and what you want simple, fun, and informative.
All images from Style.com.
The first trend I've spotted is the update of the button-down. It truly is the world's most versatile shirt, and it's been interesting to watch it reinterpreted and worn in so many different ways. Seeing something on the runway we all have in our closets, and that we have easy and affordable access to purchase anywhere, is one of the great ways Fashion Week provides inspiration on how we all can upgrade our look without spending a dime.
Some designers went dapper: Alexander Wang, Prabal Gurung and Victoria Beckham, closed the collars high and tight on the neck, creating a crisp, sophisticated and elegant topper to flounced or pencil skirts.
Others went daring: Altuzarra and Diane von Furstenberg let them flap open low and loose, turning the shirt "on" with a casual devil-may-care-but-I-don't edge.
What's fascinating is that whether buttoned up or down, there were no necklaces involved. The lack of accessories truly made this the hardest working shirt on the catwalk. And after years of piled high everything, this feels clean, current and fresh.
I happen to be a sucker for menswear inspired fashion. Maybe it's the tomboy in me, but give me a wing-tip, pinstripes or power blazer (in small doses, of course, or you look, well, like a man) and I'm happy. An oxford shirt with rolled-up sleeves always feels right, and if you want to buck the minimalist trend before it even hits -- pile on the pearls and you're done.
We'll be keeping our eye out on how this all translates to the racks in the months to come. But for now, we can all shop our own closet racks to play dress up, or dress down, with the shirts we already have. Please keep us posted on how you've worked your own shirts.
For more style musings where we flip the finger to father time, please visit Blank Stare, Blink.