Posts with tag Retro Princess

This fall, you're probably gonna start putting pretty stuff in your hair and you're probably gonna like it. Don't you just love these? We want them all!

Fascinators have been quietly creeping onto the scene, but if you want a look that really says "class" without any danger of it saying "junior prom," visit Ban.do.

Ban.do makes gorgeous hair pieces like the ones you see here, and I took one out for a test drive to see if I felt weird or over-the-top wearing a giant feather in my hair. Check it out in the gallery below.

Honestly, these are the most sophisticated hair pieces I have ever seen. They are cool, creative, and not one of them looks like it came from Claire's. Bandos cost a pretty penny, from about $80-$200, but you're not going to find anything better.

The designers are Jen and Jamie, two L.A. stylists who launched Ban.Do about two months ago. They aren't retailing anywhere yet, so be sure to visit their website, shopbando.com. They have the potential to be big, and you have the potential to be the first one of your friends to pick up on this fall's fun and glamorous hair trend.

So, this little clutch is obviously adorable. And we're obviously giving it away. Here are some things you may not know:

Emma Gordon is a London designer who pairs quirky fabrics and buttons with pretty accents to make delightful, feminine, unusual bags. The bags are handmade by Emma herself and always classy and interesting!

You know that beautiful necklace your ex-boyfriend gave you that sits in the back of your jewelry box because it just makes you think of how you broke his heart and wonder if you're a bad person?

Sell it!

Reminder! Only three more days to get in your comments for the Orelia giveaway!

They are Retro Princess-perfect and classy addition to any outfit. Click here or you'll miss out on your chance for free bling, and visit oreliaboutique.com to check out their terrific line!

Whether you've got prom or a wedding to attend, find yourself something gorgeous in the reasonable $100-$200 range on Unique-Vintage.com. We love their vintage-inspired looks in bold colors and flattering cuts. Read on for our top five picks!

Know who makes really elegant, beautiful jewelry? Orelia Boutique.

Their jewelry is colorful, expertly made, and, more often than not, exquisite. Example: the delicately gorgeous turquoise "Shada" earrings you see at right. And guess what? We're giving a pair away!

Turquoise is flattering on everyone, and these earrings are, in a word, enchanting. Perfect for the Retro Princess, these earrings dress up or down and definitely grab attention with their understated sparkle.

Want to wear this? You can! Brace yourself for an outrageously chic Styledash Giveaway. Ready?

This is the Drop Waisted Ruffle Dress and Tulle Petticoat from My Little Empire, a beautiful online shop of unique, handmade clothes by designer Katy Goy.

Why haven't I heard of Carla Braccialini? I walked by the store in Soho and did a double take. Their window was stocked with bold, bright, matching patent leather shoes and bags. It was so cool I had to stop in for a gander.

Look at this stuff on their great flash site! These lines don't even include the bright red and multicolored items I saw in their window. Look at the classy Looney Tunes stuff! I can't believe I just said that!

Inessah and Tara are two New York ladies who found each other through Craigslist as subletter and sublet-ee in college.

"Two years later, after having worked traditional careers, Tara and Inessah missed the spontaneous community, independence and creativity they felt when subletting. So over lunch one day, they decided they would create their own permanent sublet through Sublet Clothing."

--Subletclothing.com

I'm not sure how logical that is, but I don't care. Look at this dress! A sweet, curve-skimming cut with an unusual non-halter-style bow at the back. It's made of organic cotton, spandex, and bamboo. Sixty-seven percent bamboo!

In fact, all of their simple, elegant clothing is made with bamboo. How exotic! How perfect for the Retro Princess! You could slay a black and white party, a garden party, or even just a nice dinner in any of their items. The only place I wouldn't recommend wearing these clothes is the zoo. 'Cause, you know. Pandas.

(Carnage.)

English designer Karen Millen has a finger firmly planted on the pulse of the Retro Princess. From the cuts to the details, her spring line fits my favorite trend to a tee.

Her spring collections are named Roman Holiday, Safari Luxe, Metropolitan, and Cruise.

Roman Holiday is my favorite. The clothes are bright and sassy-classy with necklines that evoke images of a winsome Audrey Hepburn. The 50's Shirtdress you see at right is a perfect example.

Surprisingly, Millen's Roman Holiday collection incorporates a lot of black, as an accent. For an example, see the Two Tone Satin Bow Court shoe in the gallery below (and then please buy it for me):

Spring is here. Let's get out some white clothes.

This spring, white is hot. Jeans, dresses, and tops for men and women. For casual sophistication without looking overly preppy, pair a solid, bright white (no ivory) piece with something brightly colored. The result is bold, crisp, and if you're female, very Retro Princess chic.

Remember all the jewel tones this winter? Well, you can pair them with white to make them look fresh. You can also go hunting for bright clothes in the newest spring styles, like the above cinched front top in orange from Forever21, which I'd pair with slim white pants.

Beware the washed-out, muted colors that Forever21 and H&M tend to overstock, though. Go for pizazz. One company with their finger on the pulse of bright colors that sing? Uniqlo.

Whether you'll be lounging on a catamaran or just going to work, solid white with bright is a safe, stylish way to go!

March is hard. Get yourself a guilt-free pick-me-up.

Retro Princesses and dapper gentlemen take note! Girl Props is a longtime staple of fashionistas and mafiosos in search of uber-cheap accessories in New York City.

One step into their zebra-print lair in Soho sends most people I know into a giddy, bouncy place. Everything is shiny or sparkly, and they really cover their bases. You want a necklace with a gun on it? Done. A water faucet on a chain? Sure. A bracelet with tiny laquered Salvador Dali paintings? I got one there once. Butterflies, flowers, sparkly belts, bright fishnets, crazy wigs, and tiaras are all par for the course. This is your one-stop shop for cheap glitz.

Carefully chosen glitz is an integral part of the Retro Princess look. It doesn't matter if it's cheaper than your latte. For example, this charm necklace for $4.99, and these filigree rings for 99 cents.

A tip to the wise shopper: invest in a good silver chain and a good gold chain. Just switching out the chain on a cheap necklace adds a ton of credibility.

You don't have to come to New York for these deals. It's all available online.

Some of my favorites from the online store:

The hottest style this season is Retro Princess. Clean, tucked in, nice lines, classy, and pretty. Think Grace Kelly (right), as well as Audrey Hepburn and Kate Moss in their effortless chic.

Being a Retro Princess does not mean ball gowns and sparkly eyeshadow. Real princesses are businesswomen. They wear neat skirts, pants and professional blouses with demure and exquisite accessories as they meet with dignitaries and discuss how much money to give to the orphanages. They can also rock an evening in an old-Hollywood dress so well that people build statuettes. The look celebrates each day for its own importance; whether it be "date with a handsome suitor" or "finally a day I can relax at the coffee shop in jeans." Every ensemble is purposeful, luxurious, and secretly a little playful.

Best of all, Retro Princess is a look than can be emulated for cheap. Here are some basic rules:

Know what makes me feel like a movie star? Rhinestones in my sunglasses. But how about sunglasses with actual diamonds?

First things first: I can't have these. Can you? I consistently lose the 30% of my sunglasses that I don't break, then wreck with superglue. The problem? It gets dark. It gets dark and I don't "wear my sunglasses at night"** so I put them in my purse or set them on the table. I like to wear big sunglasses like these, so in order to carry a hard-shell case, I'd have to get a bigger purse and possibly a camel to carry it with, as there's already a lot of stuff in there.

These sunglasses are pretty great looking. German design, gold on black, and 1.65 carats of diamonds on the temples. Purchasing these sunglasses for the coming season would be sort of like saying "Oh hey, spring! I'm rich!"

You could wear Mary Kate Olsen draped around your shoulders and a feed sack and still feel chic wearing these glasses, appraised in Beverly Hills at $4,500. Why? Because money feels good. There, I said it. Bidding starts at $3,500 to wear fifty-five diamonds like an international jewel-thief. The eBay listing calls the style "Hip-Hop." I think the style is more "retro princess."

Except! These are men's sunglasses. WTF? Men, I ask you, do you want to wear bejeweled sunglasses? Who are you, Bob Hope? I don't care if you're P-Diddy; bejewelled sunglasses on men look silly.

**Doesn't apply to weekends.