The Craze: “Sea­–ing” Scalloped

The Craze is a trend report bringing you the latest (and, duh, the greatest) in beauty and styles.

In my recent travels I purchased a pair a scalloped shorts (that are unfortunately no longer available) from Madewell and am absolutely enamored by this trend. The spring collections of D&G and Bebe had pieces with the scalloped feature. Scalloped shorts offer versatility as they can be dressed up or be worn in a casual setting. Most are designed with comfort in mind, including light fabrics, elastic waistbands and are loosing fitting. While shorts are the most common items that feature the scalloped effect, Forever21 now has a mini with a scalloped hem. The temperatures will rise, eventually, until then, start filling your closets with this trend.

Topshop

J.Crew

Forever 21

D&G

Bebe

Asos.com

–Kate Ahrendtsen

The Craze: Military Mama

The Craze is a trend report bringing you the latest (and, duh, the greatest) in beauty and style.

It’s the look that never fades (thanks, Balmain): the almighty military style. Spring is right around the corner — well perhaps around the corner and down the block in this region — so that means now’s the time to go buy the military jacket of your choosing. 

The use of natural colors in military-influenced pieces is a great way to give your winter wardrobe a more color-friendly makeover and makes transitioning into the season quite easier. So, instead of picking up a leather bomber when the snow lets up, try an olive-hued “flak jacket” or Army-styled blazer to brave the weather like a soldier — just be sure to go easy on the camouflage.

 

3.1 Phillip Lim military jacket

If you want to really be heroic and try a different take on the trend, go for a military jacket or cropped blazer with a more formal look, like this look from the 3.1 Phillip Lim spring 2010 show.

 

 Nanette Lepore

 Free People

To re-create this look, here’s options from Nanette Lepore and Free People, both available at Nordstrom. For a cheaper, less detailed look, try an anorak from the Gap or even a vest, like the one from Arden B.

 

The military look from bebe

Last, but not least, if you’re still pining for the Balmain-style military jacket, but your pockets aren’t soldier tough, here’s a similar jacket from bebe.

- by Jasmine Thomas

Biz Buzz: The Kardashians getting some wows

Biz Buzz keeps its fabulously accessorized ear to the ground to provide breaking fashion news coverage.

The Kardashian sisters Kim, Khloe and Kourtney of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” have teamed up with Bebe Stores Inc. to create their own clothing line. Their line, named Bebe-Kardashian, debuted on the runway this past Tuesday at Style360. 

Kim claims their line is suitable for any body type. “Me, Kourtney and Khloe have all different body types so we wanted to make sure the pieces would fit all different body types,” she told The Wall Street Journal’s Heard On the Runway blog. Bebe-Kardashian is chock full of body-hugging dresses made of fabrics like jersey and spandex, along with up-to-there hemlines.

 

Jersey Shore's JWoww at the Bebe-Kardashian show

An apparent fan of the Kardashians’ designs is JWoww of Jersey Shore fame. She attended the fashion show, albeit in an Ed Hardy by Christian Audigier dress. At least it was suitably tight and low cut. JWoww’s front row appearance caused a mob-scene of press...and maybe even some fans.

What has become of New York Fashion Week? Thirteen-year-old mini-bloggers and now JWoww?! Front row seats are no longer for just established fashion gurus a la Anna Wintour. Perhaps this is the democratization of the fashion industry, but we don’t have to like it! What are your thoughts?

- by Lindsey Mather