The Craze: A Sheer Way to Get Noticed

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

Great news! The weather finally seems to be cooperating with our spring wardrobes. Pack away the oversized, chunky sweaters and grab your light layers to pair with sheer fabrics. Sheer fabrics offer a playful, yet sophisticated look that can be layered with basic tanks and camis so we aren’t too revealing. The Spring 2011 runway collections of Chloe and Lanvin were full of this trend.

Lanvin

Chloe

While most sheer fabrics in stores right now are neutral colors, floral patterns have been popping up for spring. Tops are mostly featured with sheer fabrics but dresses and shorts for the summer have also started appearing on store shelves and racks. Check out these affordable sheer layering tops below.

Madewell

J.Crew

Asos.com

-Kate Ahrendtsen

Rag Report: Always the sophisticated, Waldorf

Rag Report dives under the covers of fashion publications to rant or rave about all the glossy goodness.

Blair Waldorf, ahem, Leighton Meester takes to the pages of Lithuania magazine L’Officel in the March issue. Donning the latest trends of bold, bright colors, Meester looks nothing less than regal in this editorial.

Meester takes our breath away in this photo. We love how simple the photo is because it exemplifies her stunning beauty as well as the Yves Saint Laurent jumpsuit. The bright orange color compliments her skin tone, perfectly. Even though Meester’s eyes aren’t directed toward the camera, we still are engaged with the image.

Hair slicked back in a chignon, coral lipstick and neutral eye shadow, Meester looks perfectly content in the photo. The glimmer in her eye and subtle tilt of the lips transforms this image into something magical. Meester wears the Max Mara outfit with a grace and confidence that speaks volumes.

The editorial spread isn’t the only images with a gray backdrop. L’Officiel uses the same background on its cover and, we absolutely love it! Meester’s posture is slouched yet her facial expression is poised. The Lanvin top and Jil Sander skirt works in this cover as orange type is around her. I guess we know what colors are going to be a hit for spring!

Overall, the editorial is clean and simple. The photographer manages to capture Meester’s true beauty without the addition of over exaggerated makeup or hair. The background complimented the simplicity the photographer conveyed in the images.

-Ivie Igbeare

The Craze: Spring into Break AND the Sun

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

One day it’s 60 degrees in Syracuse, N.Y. and the next it’s a windy blizzard. What’s a girl to wear to battle this unpredictable weather? How about prepare and pack your suitcase for spring break! I know it’s three weeks away but you’ll need to get you’re shopping and ordering in before then.

So, what’s hot for the beach this season? Pack bold patterns and neutral colors when it comes to your bikinis and you can mix and match them when you get tired of wearing the same suit each day.

How about protecting your skin from the sun? Get some great beach cover-ups in light fabrics and muted tones for a fresh look.

Don’t forget to protect your feet from the scorching sand with some stylish kicks. Choose from simple flip-flops to embellished flat sandals.

-Kate Ahrendtsen

The Craze: Onesie’s Are Not Just For Babies

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

Remember when those cute playsuits and rompers were the summer style must-have? Remember how fast that trend died? Well, it seems that one-piece anythings are coming back in style. From jumpsuits to playsuits, and even overalls, these one piece options are making a major comeback for the spring 2011 wardrobe.

Lanvin Spring RTW 2011

Malandrino Spring RTW 2011

Gucci Spring RTW 2011

Zac Posen Spring RTW 2011

Desginers such as Alber Elbaz, Karl Largefeld, and Malandrino, among others feature jumpsuits in their collection. Whether they are printed or are bold color jumpsuits can be worn as eveningwear or as daywear, depending on the cut and shape of the garment.

If you have a curvier shape, try a halter jumpsuit with a belt cinching the waist. This creates amazing curves and silhouette. When you’re out on the town try luxury fabrics like silk or sequins. Every student and faculty will turn their head when they see you walking.

Jumpsuits are versatile and can be worn a number of ways. Fashionistas will not have any trouble matching a jumpsuit to their own style. From evening to tailored, sporty to loose, and just the basic jumpsuit, you will stand out on SU campus. When it comes to jumpsuits any length is acceptable, just find which length works for you.

This trend is sure to excite our fellow fashionistas! The ways you can style a jumpsuit is endless. Now before you head to Crouse mall searching for that perfect jumpsuit, here are some sites that offer jumpsuits.

ASOS Exclusive Cowl Back Jumpsuit $80.69

Topshop Red Frill Edge One Sleeve Poplin Playsuit $55.00

Forever 21 Belted Jumpsuit $22.80

-Ivie Igbeare

Rag Report: Country Star Breaks Out of Her Shell

Rag Report dives under the covers of fashion publications to rant or rave about all the glossy goodness.

Taylor Swift, a girl who normally is conservative, shy, and discrete with both her music and style, is shockingly edgy in this month’s cover of Allure magazine. Michael Thompson took the lead in this photo shoot as the main photographer. Shot in a little studio in Berry Hill, Nashville, Swift proves to her fans that she is growing up in a lady-like manner.

In her first photo, Swift looks stunning as her head is titled toward the right. Her usually tamed hair is teased with wild waves. Swift sports a deep v-neck dress designed by Peter Som. Typically, Swift is seen in fairy tale-esque outfits but this floral print expresses deep violets, dark reds, and navy blue. Her arms are placed on her lap; her body language looks as if she is in deep thought.

Another photo featuring Swift captures the singer intensity that the audience has yet to see on the red carpet. Michael Thompson captures Swift’s innocence in this head shot. She engages the audience with her eyes. The simplicity of her makeup and hairstyle allows us to look at her eyes and see the vulnerability. The lighting used on the picture, although black and white, gives Swift a slight glow that can also be considered angelic, and more innocent.

Swift’s body language is different than her previous photos. Her demanding pose has us viewing the early stages of her edginess. She is not smiling but just staring right into the camera, forcing us to look at this never-before-seen Taylor Swift. Her hair is outrageous keeping her head almost hidden. But, her smoky eye makeup as well as her red lipstick really pops out. Swift wears a cotton silk taffeta dress by Lanvin Paris. The sinister colors of the dress as well as her body language, shows the audience a different, riskier side.

The inspiration for Swift’s photo shoot was the Cacharel fragrance advertisements by Sarah Moon during the late 70’s. This scent can be described as sunny but dark—a perfect combination of both Swift’s style within this specific shoot. Taken as a whole, Swift looks stunning with her dark based makeup and out of the ordinary floral print dresses placed in front of a run down or haunted background.

-Stephanie Smith