July 4^th marks the height of the summer season. The hot sun shows its glamorous face until nearly nine and warm waves splash on shores all over, beckoning us to the end of the earth. But before you start the party, be sure you’ve made the proper preparations. Show up in water wear that really makes a splash. This season, swimwear channels Marilyn Monroe, with styles that blast from the past. Reminiscent of the classy, covered up cuts of old Hollywood, this summer’s bathing beauties seem straight from the fifties.

     From boxy shorts to tops structured like bras, the two-piece creates a silhouette that shows less skin yet is infinitely sexier than the traditional triangle top bikini. Chloe and Jenni Kayne (images) have taken the one-piece back in time creating suits with bandeau tops and simple cutout necklines with button details. As the sun sets, cover up with a kaftan in psychedelic colors, like ones at Anna Sui. Long, ombred sweaters like ones at Vince are an elegant alternative to the sundress for summer evening soirees. Slip into some sandals and a wide brimmed hat, and you’ve got summer style covered. Now you’re ready to party like a movie star. 

This season, designers are propelling the fashion industry into the future. A possible derivative of our technological time, styles by the likes of Balenciaga and 6267 make Jane Jetson look positively prehistoric. Commonly used industrial materials such as plastic, latex, and even metal are being fused with more traditional fabrics to create pieces that are revolutionizing the way we see the female form. Stiff, sculpted lines that construct rather than conform to the figure have replaced silhouettes that once simply flowed with the feminine frame.
Nicholas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga [...] Continue Reading…

By Fashion Apothecary Design Co.

A quick and easy 10 step program for the men.  I love lists, I love to follow instructions and I love style boiled down to 10 steps.  These are totally worth reproducing here:
Rule No. 1: Don’t pack light. Pack smart. Think of it as the Gilligan’s Island approach to travel. You think those people packed light for their three-hour tour? No. They packed knowing that stuff happens when you’re on the road and that it’s always better to have extra than to need more. So think before filling [...] Continue Reading…