Wichita Eagle: Fashion

New fashion cycle: Ditch the spandex for stylish commuter clothes

Aimee Blanchette — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:50 CDT

Johnny Woodside’s cycling clothes are almost as cool as his name. The 30-year-old Minneapolis hydrogeologist dons flannel shirts, Red Wing boots and has a tapered mustache. Forget the blinding neon spandex get-up.

“The last thing I want to do is walk into the bar and hear, ‘Lance Armstrong’s here?’ ” said Woodside, who bikes to work, to happy hour and everywhere in between.

As more people trade four wheels for two, retailers are courting bike lovers by tapping into the cycling lifestyle.

Summer whites by Kate Hudson

Sun, 19 May 2013 20:51 CDT

Actress Kate Hudson is taking a natural step in the evolution of a celebrity spokesmodel, going from appearing in ads for Ann Taylor to designing a collection for Ann Taylor. The first Kate Hudson for Ann Taylor collection, including white dresses, white tank tops and white skirts for summer, is described by the company as inspired by her “red carpet glamour and her love of fashion.” (Most of the clothes in the collection are priced less than $128.)

Hudson, in a phone interview, was quick to point out that the collection was really designed by Lisa Axelson, the creative director of Ann Taylor, but she enjoyed having input.

What, Versace wasn’t available?

Salon professionals can be relief valve for domestic violence

Arelis R. Hernandez — Sun, 12 May 2013 10:19 CDT

Jackinlin “Jackie” Estremera was on the verge of confiding in her Kissimmee, Fla., hairstylist about her abusive ex-boyfriend — but before she could, friends say, he showed up at the salon door and the conversation ended.

Salon owner Magaly Class remembered with regret how her friend’s eyes pleaded for help. But she wasn’t sure how to give it. Weeks later, in April 2011, Estremera was shot to death by her ex.

Noting the intimacy and trust that exist between many people and their hairstylists, domestic-violence advocates in places like Osceola County, Fla. — in partnership with law enforcement — are adopting a national campaign to educate and train salon workers to spot signs of abuse.

Food-based cosmetics feed your skin

Kayleen Schaefer — Sun, 12 May 2013 10:18 CDT

Laura Mercier has body washes in “flavors” like creme de pistache and fresh fig. Philosophy sells a vanilla birthday cake gift set including bubble bath. Fresh’s Sugar line of lip balms, inspired by the mother of one of its founders, Lev Glazman, who used sugar to keep his childhood scrapes from becoming infected, now has seven shades.

These days, one might be forgiven for confusing the candy store and cosmetics counter. What started with sweet-scented lotions in Bath & Body Works has become enough pumpkin-spice exfoliators, licorice serums and creme brulee body washes to stock a French patisserie.

And now the beauty industry is going even further, marketing what it calls “food-based” products like coconut shampoo, grapefruit body scrub, mushroom anti-aging cream, pomegranate-pigmented lipstick and cucumber eye-makeup remover.

Perfect mascara just a myth

Ellen Warren — Sun, 12 May 2013 11:40 CDT

We were on the hunt for a miracle: the mascara breakthrough that at long last would give us the most beautiful eyes in all the land.

Would it be L'Oreal’s Voluminous that claims “up to 12 times more impact instantly”?

How about Benefit's They’re Real! with the special brush that “reveals lashes you never knew you had”?

Espadrilles: Go-to shoes on fair-weather days

Samantha Critchell — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:44 CDT

If you’re craving a little more summer in your springtime wardrobe and you’re hesitant to break out the white pants, try espadrilles.

The rope-soled shoes have long been a staple of the fair-weather seasons, no matter if there’s a chill in the air or the sidewalks are steaming. It’s all good as long as the sun is shining.

“The espadrille for spring is like the riding boot in the fall,” said Elisa Miller, creative director of the beachy brand Calypso St. Barth. “It’s a rite of the season.”

Break out the seersucker, slim suits and pink for spring

Lesley Kennedy — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:43 CDT

Good thing you stuck with that New Year’s Resolution to whittle those waists, guys, because this spring, fashion is all about the slim cut. Whether it’s a pant, jacket or suit, the dandy trend – with its body-conscious styles – is sticking around this season.

“Two years ago, we saw the renaissance of the dandy, and all of a sudden, young men were wearing their suits in a slimmer cut and were more meticulous about their accessories, incorporating pocket squares, tie bars and tie clips into their wardrobes,” says David Zyla, Emmy Award-winning stylist and author of “Color Your Style.” “That slightly retro, dandified style has continued, and it has morphed into what we’re seeing this season.”

We asked Zyla for the hottest trends in men’s fashion for spring. With those cool orange kicks and that new plaid dress shirt, no one will notice whether you skipped a workout or 12.

Latin designers unveil new bridal looks

Claudia Torrens — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 10:11 CDT

Elegance and simplicity with a touch of risk: They are the basic ingredients in the newest bridal collections by Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta and Angel Sanchez that emphasized voluminous skirts, sharp pleats, sparkles and floral motifs.

These Latin designers are known to make some of the most elaborate, influential and popular gowns in the New York bridal market, which recently held a series of runway previews of gowns that likely will be headed down the aisle.

From de la Renta’s signature highly elaborate designs to Sanchez’s architectural triangular creases in the neckline, there were many sophisticated and innovative options that showed attention to detail.

Brooks Bros.’ archives inspired ‘Gatsby’ costumes, collection

Adam Tschorn — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 10:11 CDT

Of all the “Gatsby” partnerships, Brooks Bros.’ 53-piece menswear collection may be the most high-profile — and most authentic.

“F. Scott Fitzgerald was actually a Brooks Brothers customer,” said Arthur Wayne, vice president of global public relations for Brooks Bros.

Wayne also pointed out that while “The Great Gatsby” doesn’t explicitly mention the 195-year-old label, Fitzgerald’s debut 1920 novel, “This Side of Paradise,” does, pointing to a passage in which one character advises another: “You must go to Brooks and get some really nice suits.”

Rio swimwear goes from skimpy to covered

Jenny Barchfield — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 10:13 CDT

Just how complicated can the Brazilian bikini, among the skimpiest iterations of the simple spandex triangle and string design, possibly get?

Judging from the innovative, inventive and some downright strange beachwear options that hit the runways during Fashion Rio, the seaside metropolis’ five-daylong fashion showcase, the sky’s the limit. The spring-summer 2013-14 edition featured collections by about two dozen designers.

There were a host of bikinis – with string or bandeau tops, low- or high-rise bottoms – in colonial watercolor and tropical hothouse prints.

Spring fashion trends brighten the season

Debra D. Bass — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 05:39 CDT

It’s time to stock up on spring trends and get excited that one day soon we won’t have four layers of winter clothing between our skin and the sun. And we’re very, very lucky that our spring shopping list has a host of items worth waiting for.

Global prints

Whether you choose to wear prints from the Middle East or the American Southwest, global flair is a must, and mixing is strongly encouraged. The print-averse may only feel comfortable with accessories – bangles and handbags are plentiful. But color-lovers will revel in lower-priced designer lines like the Duro Olowu’s global collection of bold patterns at J.C. Penney or Derek Lam’s Brazilian-influenced line at Kohl’s. And anyone looking to invest in higher-priced statement pieces will seek looks from Marc by Marc Jacobs’ spring collection of intricate pattern-blocking that is vaguely tribal and wholly intriguing. Even J. Crew has jackets that seem inspired by Aztec prints, and the all-American Gap has cardigans that allude to Guatemalan ikat.

Actress battles her twins for jewels

Alicia Rancilio — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 10:55 CDT

Sarah Jessica Parker loves her jewelry – but so do a pair of 3-year-old thieves.

Parker’s twin daughters Tabitha and Marion get to try on Mom’s baubles, and she said “they have walked away with many pieces.”

“Nothing of enormous value, and I’ve told them basically all of it’s theirs with some set aside for my son,” Parker said Thursday at Tiffany and Co.’s Blue Book Ball.

Floral and flirty jewelry

Jenn Harris — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 10:56 CDT

Spring flowers are in full bloom all over – and we’re not just talking gardens.

Dresses festooned with roses, blouses splashed with tulips and blazers in prints that would rival the best floral arrangements are blossoming in boutique windows.

And the floral trend has made its way to the accessories counter, too.

For Iron Lady, wardrobe was armor

Suzy Menkes — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 10:45 CDT

“The lips of Marilyn Monroe and the eyes of Caligula” was a neat summing up of the “power woman” presented by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

The mix of admiration and fear at the smashing of the glass ceiling by any woman who wore the trousers was expressed in the words of Socialist President Francois Mitterrand of France in 1984 during a spat over the European Economic Community budget.

Yet Thatcher, who died April 8 at age 87, did not wear the pantsuits that later became the uniform of women in power, from Hillary Rodham Clinton to Angela Merkel, the German chancellor. The British prime minister wore tailored skirt suits with padded shoulders. They were softened by pussycat bows, while luscious pearls played off against Iron Lady lacquered hair. A brooch was pinned to the left lapel (not the right, as worn by Meryl Streep portraying Thatcher in the 2011 movie).

TV style guru is giving us the eye

Lisa Gutierrez — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 10:42 CDT

You would think that after more than a decade of makeover shows telling us what not to wear and how to look good naked, we would all be better dressed.

You would think.

But Carson Kressley, the fashion expert who helped launched the TV makeover genre on “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” sees that many of us, men and women, still don’t understand that thing called fit.

Spring back in black

Wendy Donahue — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 10:44 CDT

Black retreated from runways and shop windows during the past few seasons as riotous color seized the spotlight.

Now fashion’s dark knight has returned to relieve tired eyes and reclaim a bright future in fashion, represented most refreshingly by Alexander Wang’s spring 2013 collection.

Black’s comeback may seem incongruous with the calendar. But juxtaposition is in season, whether it’s the mixing of improbable patterns or the championing of this starkest of colors just as the first bulbs burst from the earth.

Strapless styles can give sleekness to brides

SAMANTHA CRITCHELL — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 12:58 CDT

The traditional bridal gown isn’t a skimpy silhouette: It’s long and typically without a plunging neckline or high slit. There’s often a whole lot of fabric. One of the few opportunities for brides to be a little bare is to go with a strapless or sleeveless dress – and go with them they do.

David Tutera, wedding planner, designer and host of WeTV’s “My Fair Wedding With David Tutera,” says that besides those restricted by religious customs, he encounters very few brides who want to be more covered than they have to be. More often they want to savor their moment in the spotlight and show themselves off as youthful, pretty and sexy, he says.

New bridal collections are dominated by dresses with no sleeves, even though that takes many women out of their comfort zone.

Watches: A fit for every wrist

Ellen Warren — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 12:58 CDT

Remember how watches were going to become obsolete? Everybody was just going to use a cellphone to tell time.

Well, never mind.

Walk into any department store, and it’s stunning how much real estate is devoted to stylish fashion watches.

Artful fashion

Janet Bennett Kelly — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 21:55 CDT

“Is that art?” is the eternal question usually posed in gallery spaces and art museums. But for spring, the same could be asked about some of the original and complex fashion shown on the runways of New York, Paris and Milan.

Marc Jacobs’ striped suits and evening dresses swirled around models’ bodies in geometric precision, recalling the 1960s op art of Victor Vasarely. Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough of Proenza Schouler patched together pieces of satin fabric, multi-hued reptile skins and silver grommets with photos from the Internet, in a self-described homage to Gerhard Richter’s painterly collages.

Which brings us back to a twist on the age-old query: Can a piece of clothing be art, and can a designer be an artist?

Pocket squares pop up among well-dressed crowd again

Adam Tschorn — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 21:55 CDT

The pocket square, that flourish of breast-pocket plumage that once belonged to the old school, has become a sartorial signature for a whole new generation of men, from the Hollywood celebrities and folk rock musicians who walk red carpets and grace magazine covers, to NFL players and the average guy on the street.

At a pre-Super Bowl news conference in New Orleans, it was Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs’ suit, tie and pocket square ensemble that earned honorable mention in press reports. During Hollywood’s most recent awards-show season, it was guys like Taye Diggs, Eddie Redmayne and Justin Timberlake who made it hip to be pocket-squared. Then there’s Bruce Willis sporting a jaunty number on the cover of the March issue of GQ magazine, and Mumford & Sons frontman Marcus Mumford wearing one on the cover of Rolling Stone.

So if it seems like pocket squares are popping up all over, it’s not your imagination.