CROP TOPS AND JUMPSUITS

When it comes to dressing for the hot season, I like to keep it easy and simple. Currently, I am obsessing on two of the hottest runway trends; crop tops and jumpsuits or ‘onesie’. Now these trends hit it big in 2014, and even though it has been a year, crop tops and jumpsuits aren’t going anywhere. In fact, these trends are working their way into the fashion zeitgeist and are sought after by runway and Hollywood personalities like Kendal Jenner, who donned goth-glam inspired crop-top-skirt combo in the recent Cannes Film Festival and Taylor Swift, who rocked white cut-out jumpsuit in 2015 Billboard Music Awards. I don’t know if it is just me but these trends exemplify fashion resilience as they were able to spring back from 80’s and 90’s cult fashion to our contemporary. So without further ado, here are two of must-try fashion trends this summer and why I am digging on it.

♦ CROP TOP ♦

 As far as I could remember, crop tops were popularized by Madonna when she wore a mesh crop top in one of her music video in 1980s. By the mid-1990s, crop top are back in fashion as pop singers like as Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera sport the look in their concerts and every day street style. Today, crop top is making waves again. This trendy style has evolved in a major way from cult fashion to teenybopper style to a chic fashion staple. Though there is this big misconception about crop tops that there is a specific time and place for wearing it because it exposes your midriff; showing too much skin. I am convinced that crop tops could be sophisticated and easy to pull off. It is actually one of the most flattering summer pieces because it draws the eye to the thinnest part of pretty much every woman’s body. Contrary to what many of us think, crop tops could be worn anywhere in any time of the day given the right separates. My favorite way of pulling off this trend is by pairing it with high-waist bottom and overalls. It gives a subtle glimpse of skin without being overly sexy.

♣ JUMPSUIT ♣

I call this functional one-piece garment as my lazy-girl-secret-to-looking-chic-in-a-snap. What I love about this trend is that it comes together so easily especially when you are rushing to throw something on. It is so easy to pull off and offers a surprising marriage of sophistication and ease that you would not expect from dresses or tops and bottoms or any ensemble outfit. This garment of convenience is a perfect choice for that unexpected weekend look by pairing it with sandals or ballet flats. It could also be a versatile modern wardrobe for an evening out by dressing it up with heels and statement accessories. The beauty of this trend is that there is no wrong way to wear it because it is literally just one piece. I guess the only down side of this trend is when you have to use the bathroom because you have to remove the entire garment. But overall, this onesie is absolutely chic.

ANNE AND KATHRYN GET INTO THE WILD WITH SM ACCESSORIES

Whether you go with African inspired clothing and accessories, tribal style with ethnic influences, or military attire, the safari trend goes from the savannah to the city streets this summer. That’s because this perennial favorite is beach friendly, city slick, and works at any age.  

Join the fashion pack of Anne Curtis and Kathryn Bernardo as they get fab and fierce with SM Accessories’ Into the Wild Collection. These are jungle elegant accessories that interpret exotic materials with a refined finish.

The key is not looking like you’re on a safari, but to always add an element of surprise.  Try mixing different animal prints for a worldly traveler look, add a pop of color to classic khaki, add chunky tribal jewelry for a feminine touch, and look for luxe leopard pieces and metallics to dress up the look for night.

Get Into the Wild with SM Accessories. The collection is available at all SM Stores nationwide.

               

MAD ABOUT PLAID AND TARTAN

Check Mate- Knitted gray kimono jacket by 2% worn with a tartan dress by GTW Fab

Tartan Tale- Update the classic schoolgirl look with this oversized striped pull over by 2% paired with a black and white tartan skirt by GTW Fab

Vintage Youth- Back and white long sleeved tartan pullover paired with a red skater skirt, both from GTW Fab.

Clash of the Tartans- Cool and cozy blue and red tartan pullover worn with a black button down sleeveless top, and a blue skater skirt, all from GTW Fab

Everyone is mad about plaid!  It’s clearly a key trend of the season and it’s everywhere: on the runways and on the streets.

Whether it’s a great gingham, herringbone, or the ever classic tartan, plaid has been around for ages, and it certainly looks like this is one print that’s here to stay.  And while plaids of season’s past have followed more traditional and classic paths, the fall of 2014 brings cool new ways to wear it.

                         

A look that is no longer confined to a schoolgirl's skirt or a Scotsman's kilt, this season’s plaids and tartans melt into modern, half-abstract lines cast in red sequins as seen in Kenneth Cole; or take a more sophisticated route as Victoria Beckham draws inspiration from the attitude of the modern woman.  There are also unapologetically bright plaids, blurred plaids with a quiet elegance from Salvatore Ferragamo, as well as grungy plaids from Vera Wang.

           

With style icons leading the way– Rihanna and Emma Watson earlier in the same puffball Alexander McQueen dress, Kate Bosworth’s tartan a-list update, Jessica Alba’s cool and casual splash of tartan goodness –plaid rocks Manila’s stylish set.  And GTWBYSM offers an amazing mixture of on trend and hip plaid and tartan fashion. There are updates on the classic schoolgirl look, folk inspirations with blanket coats and cozy knits, and crisp minimal silhouettes with different size checks in complimentary shades.

                  

Photographed at the Tagaytay Highlands. The collection is available exclusively at GTWBYSM of The SM Store. 

Mad for Plaid- Just g tartan top worn worn with a sleeveless shell and midi length pencil skirt, all from GTW Fab

Off the Grid- Talking tartan from GTW Fab.

Put a Plaid on It- Get that cowgirl style with a long sleeved button down top by Crissa layered with a brown button down sleeveless top by Jag thug, and paired with black short by GTW Fab

Square Route- Put a downtown spin to plaid with tartan pants by It Girl worn with a red-cropped top by GTW FAB