Fashion Trends

Here at Mama’s A Rolling Stone, we like to think our readers are always up for a fashion challenge. After all, there’s nothing better than trying a tricky trend and coming out on top. For that reason, when we spotted a slew of stylish starlets in loose-fit pants—Mary-Kate Olsen in black harems, Gwyneth Paltrow’s in tapered pants, Rachel Bilson in Thai fisherman pants, Jessica Alba in mottled-blue dhotis—we knew we were on the cusp of a chic new trend that was both tricky and yet totally attainable. Of course, like most trends, the loose-fit pants fad was first spotted on the runways. In fact, harem iterations were seen as far back as the Spring 2009 shows. Lately, however, the trend has taken on new appeal thanks to brands like Erin Wasson x RVCA and the stylish starlets mentioned above.

So, how can you get on board? Happily, there are a ton of styling options and silhouettes for you to choose from. While Mary-Kate Olsen and Gwyneth Paltrow pair their loose-fit pants with equally relaxed pieces such as draped tank tops and button-down shirts, stars like Rachel Bilson and Jessica Alba temper theirs with tight t-shirts and extra accessories. Naturally, you can also take direction from the catwalk: at the Erin Wasson x RVCA Fall 2010 runway show, models layered loose-fit pants under cropped sweaters and chunky boots. Whichever way you go, we are sure you’ll find plenty of inspiration from our four fashionable muses. With that, we present our latest Trend Report story.

Erin Wasson x RVCA
Designer/model Erin Wasson is known for her fierce sense of personal style, so we weren’t surprised to see a pair of drop-crotch thermal leggings in her Fall 2010 show. Layered underneath cropped sweaters, knit socks and rugged boots, this look is part 90s grunge, part downtown cool. For a similarly stylish ensemble, pick a pair of drop-crotch pants in a neutral color; we like Whistles’ Nina Drop Crotch Trousers ($126.38) and ASOS’s Silk Ruched Leg Trousers ($67.40). Add lightweight cotton tops to the mix, such as American Apparel’s Sheer Rib Raglan Pullover ($35), and then throw on a pair of Elizabeth & James’ Flat Ankle Booties ($350).

Mary-Kate Olsen
Designer Mary-Kate Olsen is notorious for her fearless style and uncanny ability to elevate any look into a fashion-forward outfit. Case in point: this bold ensemble, which she was spotted in at LAX airport earlier this month. We love how her relaxed button-down and harem pants flow together to create a laidback-yet-luxe look. To recreate this outfit, pick a pair of black harem-style pants such as LAMB’s Knit Pants ($150) or Gap’s Knit Harem Pants ($39.50). Then, simply add a lightweight button-down shirt, like Cielo’s Jersey Hi-Low Camper T-shirt ($88), and a pair of strappy flat sandals, such as DV By Dolce Vita’s Saint Twist Front Flat Sandals ($75.83).

Gwyneth Paltrow
Earlier this month, actress Gwyneth Paltrow was spotted out and about in New York City in a pair of L’Agence’s cotton tapered pants, which she paired with a draped white tank and brown gladiator sandals. Overall, this look is the perfect mix of low-key and high-end, which makes it great for day and night. Try this look for yourself by pairing Ambre Babzoe’s Casual Pants ($138) with Alternative Apparel’s Striped Linen Lowback Tank ($44), and then adding a pair of chic gladiator sandals; we like Sam Edelman’s Dawson Gladiator Thong Sandals ($79.99)and Dolce Vita’s Estelle Sandals ($99.99).

Rachel Bilson
Actress Rachel Bilson’s longstanding love of fashion is apparent, as is her ability to pull off even the trickiest of styles. In July, she was spotted out and about in Los Angeles wearing a pair of black Thai fisherman pants which she accessorized with a tie-dyed tee and a knit beanie. The result? A surfer-chic look that works perfectly in a beachy locale like LA. To get Rachel’s unfussy look, start with We The Free’s Short Sleeve Tie Dye Boyfriend Tee ($68) and Johnstons’ Knit Hat ($42). Throw on a pair of fisherman pants like Harmon’s Fisherman Pants ($388) or ASOS’s Tie Waist Harem Pants ($40.44), and then finish off your ensemble with a pair of flip-flops such as Havaiana’s Slim Flip Flops ($24).

Jessica Alba
For our final dose of inspiration, we turn to actress Jessica Alba who was spotted out and about in Los Angeles last week in a pair of dappled blue-gray dhoti pants. Jessica effortlessly balanced their relaxed silhouette by adding a tight black tee, a chic black scarf and cage sandals, which elevated the look from simple to stylish. If you want to take your cues from Jessica, start with Kontatto’s Casual Pants ($124) or PF Paola Frani’s Casual Pants ($180), and then add Topshop’s Short Sleeve Tee ($24). Complete your look with a printed scarf, like Cheap Monday’s Erica Scarf ($35), and statement-making sandals, such as ModCloth’s Dawning Of A New Cage Wedge ($64.99).

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Images: Imaxtree, INF Daily, Limelight/AKM, Splash & others

While playful pinks, sunny yellows and neutral nudes might seem more in tune with the spring/summer season, this year a slew of celebrities have given their summer wardrobe an ultra-tough stamp by incorporating down-to-earth khaki colors and unfussy military accents. Of course, like most trends, the khaki craze was born on the catwalk—brands like Balmain, Phi and Oscar de la Renta all gave the military-chic trend a unique spin on the Spring 2010 runways—but stylish starlets like Jessica Alba and Alexa Chung gave the military-chic trend its wings, thanks to carefully selected pieces like cargo skinnies and flak jackets.

What does this mean for you? Happily, there are a ton of options. Stars like Rachel Bilson and Jessica Alba are elevating their skinny pants and boyfriend jeans by adding cargo pockets and strong shades of green. In a different way, Kate Hudson and Kim Kardashian are fortifying their feminine sides by wearing form-fitting dresses and high-waist skirts in washed olive and safari-inspired khaki. Or, of course, you can always take Alexa Chung’s direction: tempering girly fabrics like crochet with a tough field jacket. Whichever way you go, we are sure you’ll find all the inspiration you need from our five fashionable muses. With that, we present you with the latest edition of our Trend Report.

Although Rachel Bilson (far left) is known for her ability to elevate low-key looks into seriously fashionable ensembles, she truly impressed us in May when spotted out and about in New York City—we love her unfussy boyfriend-style cargo pants, ballet flats and simple tee, as much for their ease as their effortlessness. To recreate this look, pick a pair of military-green pants with a slouchy, boyfriend feel—we like Current/Elliott’s The Captain Trouser ($162) and J Brand’s Santa Cruz Chino ($216). Then, simply add a loose tee, like Casual Couture’s Jersey Cape T-Shirt ($53.10), and a pair of cute flats, such as Gap’s The City Flat ($39.50).

Actress Kate Hudson is one of those unique beings that can flit from a stunning red-carpet gown to a jeans-and-tee combo, and then fast-forward to a figure-hugging dress and flirty heels. As such, we aren’t surprised to see she pulls off the military-chic trend with no trouble, as evidenced by the muted khaki shirt dress she wore recently while filming Something Borrowed in New York City. For a similarly stylish ensemble, try pairing See By Chloe’s Cotton Cargo Dress ($142) or Lucky Brand’s Surplus Shirt Dress ($99) with a pair of nude sandals—we like Jimmy Choo’s Strappy Patent Leather Sandals ($675) and Pied A Terre’s Jagger Piped Detail Strappy Sandal ($168.50).

In April, actress Jessica Alba was spotted out and about in Brentwood in a pair of J Brand’s Houlihan Skinny Cargo Pants ($230), one of the most sought-after pieces of the season thanks to their no-frills cargo pockets and edgy green hue. We love how Jessica paired hers with a draped mocha cardigan and chunky sandals—while this trend first gained momentum in spring, Jessica’s look is perfect for the approaching fall months. Try this look for yourself by pairing Splendid’s Draped Jersey Cardigan ($63) with One Clothing’s Cap Sleeve Striped Tee ($19.99), and then adding a pair of strappy platforms—we like Proenza Schouler’s Woven Leather Platform Sandals ($451) and Nine West’s Livy Sandals ($80.06).

Kim Kardashian was one of the military chic trend’s early adopters—she quickly embraced Balmain’s embellished jackets and suede combat booties, and has been spotted in cargo skinnies in assorted earthy tones. In March, she gave the trend a feminine twist by pairing an olive-green ruffle skirt with a simple striped tee, statement necklace and nude sandals—all in all, the perfect ensemble for a day out shopping or a weekend party. To get Kim’s cute-yet-uncomplicated look, start with Cooperative’s Twill Paperbag Skirt ($48) and Gap’s Striped Cuff-Sleeve T ($9.99). Finish off your look with a pair of nude cage shoes such as Loeffler Randall’s Honey Perforated Pumps ($384.99) or ASOS’s Swirl Strappy Cage Shoes ($37.07).

Last, but certainly not least, we turn to British TV presenter Alexa Chung for a final dose of inspiration. In April, Alexa attended a party in New York City in a quirky-cool ensemble: she layered a soft green field jacket over a cropped lace top and denim cut-offs, and then finished off with a surprisingly stylish socks-and-sandals combo! To take a lesson in field-jacket fashion from Alexa, start with J Crew’s Solid Ripstop Field Jacket ($98) and Minkpink’s Chantilly Embroidered Crop Top ($37.07). Complete your outfit with statement-making shoes—we like Liliana’s Todo Platform Sandal ($23.65)—and socks, such as Free People’s Heather Rag Socks ($14).

Please note that this post may contain one or more sponsored links. If you happen to shop using these links, Mama’s A Rolling Stone will receive a commission from the store.

Images: Flynet, PCN, Wireimage

Despite the fact we are in the midst of an oh-so-sweltering summer, fashion is always forward- looking and the fall/winter season is just around the corner. Accordingly, today’s Trend Report is dedicated to giving you a head start on your fall fashion wishlist. Whether you’re craving an oversized cape (à la Rag & Bone), a sophisticated sweater (as seen at Missoni and Diane Von Furstenberg) or a grunge-glam maxi skirt (in the style of Charlotte Ronson and Michael Kors), we’re sure you’ll find plenty of style and shopping inspiration in next season’s must-have styles. With that, we present our Fall 2010 Trend Report! Sit back and get inspired!

Head-To-Toe Knits
Cozy knits are always must-have pieces for fall, but this season we’re taking our knits to the next level and throwing them on from head to toe. At Missoni (middle), models showed off masterfully-layered, colorful ensembles, while the Rag & Bone (left) and Diane Von Furstenberg (right) iterations were lessons in accessorizing—just throw on an oversized cardigan, a cable-knit scarf or thick socks, and you’re good to go. To get a jump start on this snug fall trend, try M Missoni’s Ribbed Turtleneck Dress ($375) or BB Dakota’s Branson Cardigan Sweater ($85).

The Cape
While there is a profusion of outerwear styles to mull over this fall—camel coats, shearling and chunky knits, among others—one of the most chic options is the cape. While Rag & Bone (left) played with heritage prints such as plaid, William Rast (middle) gave its design a fresh military-chic twist and Christian Dior (right) wowed with larger-than-life leather. To get a jump start on this timeless fall trend, try Topshop’s Army Cape Jacket ($110) or American Apparel’s California Fleece Cape ($65).

Fifties Revival
Inspired by shows like Mad Men and style icons such as Grace Kelly, the overtly feminine silhouettes of the 1950s are seeing a flirty revival for fall. Louis Vuitton (left), Prada (middle) and Jason Wu (right), among others, all created ladylike ensembles with full swinging skirts and cinched waists—plenty of va-va voom! To get a jump start on this traditional fall trend, try Marc By Marc Jacobs’ Cottonball Flower Print Dress ($289) or See By Chloe’s Scoop Neck Dress ($534).

Simple Sophistication
One of fall’s boldest trends is also, surprisingly, one of the most effortless and unfussy: simple sophistication, in the form of a-line dresses, straight-leg pants and clean lines. Although Celine (left) and Stella McCartney (right) flaunted faultless iterations, the Marc Jacobs (middle) collection was a highlight thanks to its restrained, nostalgic creations. To get a jump start on this understated fall trend, try Ella Moss’s Frida Dress ($168) or Thakoon’s Cigarette Pants ($525).

Maxi Skirts
This fall, we’re particularly eager to see the return of the maxi skirt, a grunge-glam look that is as striking as it is subdued. While brands like Michael Kors (left) and Dries Van Noten (right) injected a touch of glamour via sequined and silk iterations, Charlotte Ronson (middle) opted for a 90s-inspired mismatched-print version. Whether you opt for glam or grunge, there’s a collective viewpoint at work: wear your maxi skirt with an oversized sweater. To get a jump start on this easy fall trend, try ASOS’s Seam Detail Maxi Skirt ($43.81) or Bassike’s Organic Merino Wool Maxi Skirt ($275).

Hints Of Fur
Fur is always a familiar runway sight, particularly for fall, but what is notable this season is the subtle hints and clever embellishments—think fur-trimmed flak jackets (as seen at William Rast (right)), yeti-inspired ski boots (à la Chanel (middle)) and oversized collars (a major theme at Burberry (left)). To get a jump start on this luxe fall trend, try BB Dakota’s Manderson Leather Jacket ($300) or Oscar de la Renta’s Fur Trim Lace-Up Bootie ($850).

Velvet
This fall, lush velvet is one of the most must-have fabrics for your closet. While we’re particularly enamored with any and every deep red version, such as the rich red wine at Ralph Lauren (right), we’re also taken with the forest green at Giorgio Armani (left) and cobalt blue at Charlotte Ronson (middle). To get a jump start on this lavish fall trend, try Leyendecker’s ACDC Strapless Mini Dress ($99) or Vila’s Velvet Dress ($67.40).

Shearling
One of the most noticeable and most noteworthy trends seen at the fall shows was the cornucopia of cozy shearling. Who did it best? Burberry Prorsum (middle) wowed the crowd with an abundance of snug aviator jackets, while Ralph Lauren (left) and 3.1 Phillip Lim (right) both revealed warm, inviting iterations. To get a jump start on this cozy fall trend, try Burberry’s Shearling Giant Collar Tailored Aviator Jacket ($2,995), Acne’s Rita Biker Jacket ($1,041) or Topshop’s Sheepskin Flying Jacket ($650).

Camel Coats
The camel coat is a fall/winter constant—less trend, more investment piece. This season, designers focused on new silhouettes, such as boxy outlines, slouchy menswear-inspired shapes and fitted feminine figures. While we’re particularly enamored with Aquascutum’s (middle) flirty ruffle, we also love the iterations at Chloe (left) and DKNY (right). To get a jump start on this elegant fall trend, try Diane Von Furstenberg’s Loren Coat ($695) or Michael Michael Kors’ Wool Blend Babydoll Hood Coat ($159.30).

Animal Accessories
Last year’s lust for animal prints is still going strong. However, this season, the wildly popular pattern is best flaunted via your accessory closet. While brands like Dolce & Gabbana (left) and Dries Van Noten (right) opted for subtle dashes of leopard—stamped on a handbag or printed on a scarf—Moschino Cheap & Chic went for maximum impact, infusing their entire ensemble with a heavy dose of animal. To get a jump start on this fierce fall trend, try Deena & Ozzy’s Pony Purse ($48) or Dolce & Gabbana’s Leopard Print Peep Toe Shoe ($495).

Please note that this post may contain one or more sponsored links. If you happen to shop using these links, Mama’s A Rolling Stone will receive a commission from the store.

Images: Firstview