The Orange Carpet: Beyond the Basic Boyfriend Blazer

The Orange Carpet scours SU to roll out the best of campus style (die, hoodies, die!).

From her necklace down to her boots, every part of Kylie Haymaker’s outfit is a fall fashion DO! Haymaker, a sophomore Communication and Rhetorical studies major, was spotted on campus wearing this awesome outfit. Haymaker’s fashion forward boyfriend blazer stands out from the SU crowd. The slight texture in the pattern of the blazer is much more exciting than the basic black or grey (although we do still love our basic blazers!). Haymaker keeps the rest of her outfit simple with her black leggings and white tee. The balance of the outfit allows Haymaker’s fabulous necklace stand out.

Here’s a bit more about Haymaker:

Her Style: Haymaker describes her style as trendy with a classical spin.

Favorite trend of the moment: the military look.
Trend she is ready to see go: It’s time for dirty and worn out Uggs to be taken off the streets and back into the depths of your closet.

What do you think of Haymaker’s look? Our opinion- Fabulous!

Haymaker is wearing:

Blazer- BB Dakota

V Neck Tee- Gap

Leggings- Forever 21

Boots- Steve Madden

Necklace- Urban Outfitters

Copy Haymaker’s classic but trendy style with these Blazer options:

BB Dakota “Douglas Blazer”- $95.00

Forever 21- $29.80

American Eagle- $69.50

-Rachel Laber

Rag Report: All-American

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

While Gucci, Prada, and Chanel are well known brands around the country, the average American is unable to afford such luxuries. When brand names such as Abercrombie and Fitch, Hollister Co., and American Eagle Outfitters come into play, most Americans think about high school students spending ridiculous amounts of money on these brands. But, when Gap comes to mind most people think of an American brand that’s well rounded, in which most adults as well as young adults can wear. In Vogue.com’s editorial section, for spring 2011, Gap’s creative director, Patrick Robinson raises the bar once again. In the article, “Gap’s Spring Global Positioning” writer Sarah Mower talks to Mr. Robinson about his creative decisions for the company— high waisted denim pants as well as dyed denim in soft pastels . These ideas are just the beginning of what Robinson envisions for the future.

According to the article pants are making a comeback and representing America. Lately, women are choosing to wear high waisted skirts and dresses over pants whether it be business or casual. But seventies flare and skinny crops are making a comeback and will be appearing in Gap’s new line. Fashion is envisioned as simplistic but joyful—the essence of this line can be found within the Gap photo shoot during the spring 2011 Gap fashion show. The photographer, Robert Fairer really captured the essence of this up and coming line.

The models are sporting Gap’s newest styled pants and shorts. These specific items are lightly colored and paired with darker jackets on top. Underneath their jackets are classic nautical long sleeved tee shirts that add just enough pop to these already bubbly outfits.
Fairer captures this model standing with confidence and poise and she wears a white on white outfit. Her white skinny jeans matched with cream-colored Mary Janes and matching belt adds a classic color to this outfit. The model’s make up is light and she dons a tousled ponytail, adding to the straightforward signature style of Gap.

Fairer also gives the audience another peak at the Gap line, as this photo is a little more colorful and fun. The models all have ponytails and casual make up—a key factor in this photo shoot. Each model has a different colored pair of pants as well as top. The tops are light colored and fit each model well, not too tight but not swallowing them whole.

The final photo has three models looking casual and comfy. While Gap’s main idea is to stick to pants, the model on the right is sporting a white colored dress with grey Mary Jane heels (another comeback according to Gap). The model in the middle is wearing a pair of pants that are a bit out of the ordinary compared to the other pieces, it is much less form fitting and flowly—something not all companies dare to make. The final model, to the left, is wearing an all neutral brown ensemble with a white top underneath and a lighter colored brown belt. Fairer is able to photograph Gap’s all-American image. .

-Stephanie Smith

Biz Buzz: Mind the Gap? The Possible Publicity Comeback

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

Remember when the Gap was a store that everyone shopped at? Perhaps for you it was when you were in elementary or middle school, or your parents went to Gap for classic wardrobe basics? Well, if you’re like me, you probably have not frequented its stores often as of lately, except for when you absolutely need that basic t-shirt or a “cheaper” pair of pants. Ever since Mickey Drexler left the company to add some spark to J.Crew, the Gap’s stocks and sales have dropped significantly. Most people have simply grown out of Gap’s concept and switched to substitute retailers.

That is…until now. Recently it seems like the Gap has been everywhere I look: on Google, fashion blogs, movies, and even the nightly news. Why this reversal of Gap’s misfortunes? Let’s take a denim clad look…

• The Gap has been plugging a new premium sector of denim titled “1969”, and has opened boutiques solely dedicated to the line.
  
  
• It has a new collaboration with French shoe designer, Pierre Hardy, debuting next week for the fall collection.
  
  
• In the opening scene of the top box office film, The Social Network, Mark Zuckerberg runs around Cambridge, MA in a Gap sweatshirt! And who doesn’t want to be like a billionaire, Harvard dropout?

Most recently, the Gap Inc. was in the news for its racy decision to re-do its beloved signature logo. Outrage exploded on the web following the launch. According to NBC Nightly News, one user called it “an element of the periodic table”. Due to the negative response, the company immediately changed the logo back to the familiar original.

So, what should we make of the buzz about the Gap?

The Gap has a great opportunity to turn its line back around, and with its current press coverage, it might just be able to go back from being a company that is fading from the retailing world to a main competitor once again.

Now I am willing to go the Gap for more than just a basic t-shirt, what about you?

Visit Gap.com for more information on their new collaborations and lines.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/11/AR2010101105750.html

-Elizabeth Lafontaine

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

The Craze: Deep in the trenches

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

 

The Burberry white trench...we're in love

In the spirit of the recent Sherlock Holmes movie, we thought it would be appropriate to talk about a classic look that is reappearing this spring in a big way: the trench coat.  

Originally worn by British soldiers as early as the late 1800’s, the coat offered men in the military an alternative to heavier jackets.  Who was on the front lines of trench-coat creation?  Burberry, of course!  Today, Burberry still designs what we call the perfect trench, seamlessly combining its classic elements with some fresh twists.  Last fall Burberry launched a unique social networking website based solely on guess what?  Trench coats.  

Photographers shot children, men and women all over the globe, in all types of weather and landscapes, in their Burberry trenches and built a site from the personal images.  Users can scroll through the pictures one by one or organize them by male/female, weather, location, popularity, etc.  Users can also comment on the trenches, and in the style of Facebook simply “like” the looks.  We highly suggest you check it out to inspire great ways to wear your trenches.

The problem is we can’t all be so lucky to wear one of Burberry’s luxurious trenches.  

 

Zara trench, $115

Thankfully there are some options for the thriftier crowd. Zara makes a beautifully-fitted, classic camel-colored trench for around $115 (we found almost brand new ones on ebay.com for just $50).   

 

The Gap trench, $88

Another one of our favorite options is this black trench from Gap, for $88.  The double buttons and side tied belt give the coat the classic trench look with a splash of femininity. 

- by Monica Delameter