HOT 5 - 1/23/23
Alex Katz at the Guggenheim Museum
Happy 2023 Hot Friends!
We've almost finished the first month of the new year! How did that happen?? I'm late with this first Hot 5 of 2023 due to a double whammy of flu coupled with covid. Yes, I finally succumbed to covid after almost 3 years of avoiding it! I've also heard that the usual "new year, new you" energy is behind schedule due to Mercury being in retrograde until just last week. Ok, I'll go with that! :) Well now that I'm fully recovered, I'm excited to delve into some of what the new year holds in store. Let's take a look at some fashion and style news coming our way and get ready for what will hopefully be a spectacular new year in style and everything else for that matter!
This week's Hot 5:
1. Some Early 2023 Style News
2. Pantone Color of the Year -- Viva Magenta!
3. So What Will We Be Wearing This Year?
4. Hot Pick -- Cozy Winter Hats
5. Hot Shops -- J. Crew
1. Some Early 2023 Style News
What would the first month of the new year be without a few hundred lists of what's new for the new year?? We all want to know what's in and what's out, what are the hot new things to do, and what are the delightful new collaborations taking place to get us to part with our hard-earned $$$? These stand out:
LV x Yayoi Kusama -- our favorite artist known for creating accessible yet awe-inspiring works of art has created a collection of ready-to-wear and accessories for Louis Vuitton that totally delight and surprise (certainly by the pricetags!) Of course, her signature dot is the star and a LV polka dot bag would delight for many years to come.
The Fendi and Tiffany collab -- We all remember when Sarah Jessica Parker made the Fendi Baguette an instant "it" bag on Sex and the City in the early 2000s. I've never wanted a bag so much in my life! Now you can have the Fendi baguette in that perfect shade of Tiffany blue if you can get your hands on one!
Crafting is a new religion! -- If you thought being crafty peaked during the pandemic you have another thing coming! There are lots of factors fueling the crafting revolution including inflation, uninspired fast fashion offerings; commitment to a more sustainable lifestyle, and the desire to be more creative and self-expressive. All good reasons to try out a craft for yourself.
The death of skinny jeans, finally -- We've been going back and forth on the question of the status of skinny jeans for a while now and I think 2023 will finally put it to rest. Our eye has shifted and skinny jeans just don't look very interesting anymore. But don't worry if it's a silhouette you love they're bound to be back. In the meantime, there are so many cool new shapes to try!
Andre Leon Talley's Estate Auction -- if you know anything at all about Andre Leon Talley you probably know that he epitomized the saying larger-than-life. I usually have no interest in the auctions of celebrity possessions but this one intrigues me. Christie’s will begin auctioning the treasured items owned by ALT on Jan. 27th in a series of live and online events. Shall I go for the Norma Kamali sleeping bag coat or one of his straw boaters? :) You can read all about it here
2. Pantone Color of the Year -- Viva Magenta!
It's always fun to contemplate Pantone's Color of the Year and this year is no different. Called Viva Magenta, it's a spirited deep pink almost fuchsia which they say exudes optimism and vitality. I think it's a direct rebuke of all of the millennial pink we've had to live with for what seems like years now :) In a news release, the company called Viva Magenta “an unconventional shade for an unconventional time.” That's for sure! I think it's a great color for jewelry and accessories and easily adds a flattering pop to any outfit. Check out the great pieces we happen to have in Viva Magenta below:
3. So What Will We Be Wearing This Year?
These nine trends have been bubbling up for the past few months. Pick the ones that resonate most with you and use them to add some freshness to your style. Many of these can be incorporated into your current wardrobe to get you over the winter doldrums. Have fun!
Maxi skirts
Thank goodness, so much more wearable than those minuscule minis!
Crochet
A direct result of our interest in all things crafty, there's something so upbeat, youthful and fun about crochet.
Utility wear
Fashion meets function. Who would say no to more pockets and comfy fit?
Enormous Bags
The reign of the ridiculously tiny bag is over, bring on the ridiculously big ones.
Denim
This global fashion staple only gets more popular every year so why not wear it head to toe?
Fringe
Always a fresh design accent, fringe adds movement and interest to the most mundane fashion items.
Acid green
Directly across the color wheel from magenta, this eye popping acid green shade is coming in hot!
Polka Dots
Well of course! Didn't we just read about Yayoi Kusama for LV?
Big and bold jewelry
Retire all the dainty pieces now and refresh your jewelry wardrobe with something statement-making like this from Hot.
4. Hot Pick -- Cozy Winter Hats
We still have at least 3 months of cold blustery temps ahead of us and that calls for a toasty soft hat. But make it a fun one! By this time of the season we are so sick of the hats we've been living in that we need a pick me up, one that's colorful or an interesting new shape at least. Here are 5 for your perusal:
5. Hot Shops -- J. Crew
I've been an avid J.Crew fan since the Jenna Lyons years of the 2000s! Remember the Michelle Obama J. Crew years? It's a company that's been through a lot but seems to have found its stride once again. I've always found the brand to be a great resource for well-made stylish pieces that don't break the bank. I even have a very chic petite friend who swears by J.Crew boys! I've been impressed with their commitment to sustainable practices too, they've recently added a resale site to their mix! Take a look at some of the great pieces available now.