– The Telegraph Fashion

Apparently, the days of the shoulder strap are over. Icons like Kate Moss and Victoria Beckham are opting for a more involved approach – and giving new meaning to a love for fashion.

By Anna Kuchinsky, Staff Writer

What great quotes did we miss? Share them in the comments below, or tweet us at @ruelala.

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You know what they say – out with the old, in with the new – but what if the “old” is simply indispensable? Case in point: 2012′s top trends. This year saw a slew of irresistible looks, nine of which we fully intend on sporting straight on into 2013 (and – who are we kidding? – beyond).

Our Best of 2012: Nine Trends to Wear into 2013 Boutique opens Tuesday, January 1, at 11AM ET.

By Sarah Stanley, Staff Writer

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The hottest handbag trends? This season, there are a bunch – which obviously leaves one with no choice to buy lots of new bags. Using our Handbag Hit List: Picks in Every Shape & Size Boutique as a guide, let’s take a moment to break a few of the must-have characteristics down (and then let the shopping begin, of course).

Oxblood
Don’t be scared. This term simply refers to the deep red – almost maroon – hue that’s been trending like mad all season. Carry it proudly.

Colorblocking
Your closet’s colorblocking rules? They now apply to bags, too. Do yourself a solid (sorry, couldn’t resist) and get as many geometric swatches of color onto your arm candy as possible.

Structural Shapes
Pique interest with an original, architectural shape, like this rounded satchel. (Trapeze shapes are also spot-on with this trend).

Our Handbag Hit List: Picks in Every Shape & Size Boutique opens Tuesday, December 4, at 11AM ET.

By Sarah Stanley, Staff Writer

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I love a good LBD just as much as the next girl, but sometimes it’s necessary to shake things up – especially during the holiday season, when there are nightly events to attend. To spruce up your party dress rotation, check out these straight-from-your-favorite-glossy options.

Leather insets
A little leather is always a good thing – trust me. A favorite on the Spring runways, leather insets work best when done in black (or oxblood), and they’re the perfect way to add a little unexpected edge to an otherwise simple dress. (Just go light on the jewelry.)

The high-low dress
Yes, it’s been called the “mullet” dress, but unlike the ’80s haircut, a high-low hem works for all party situations – casual and cocktail. An added bonus? It’s a classy way to show off those gams.

The jumpsuit
Gwyneth, Cameron – they’re both wearing it on the red carpet. No longer just for discos (although few can rock a jumpsuit quite like Jerry Hall), this all-in-one, ’70s-inspired style is making a party comeback – just leave the Farrah Fawcett hair at home.

Our Tart Collections Boutique opens Thursday, November 29, at 11AM ET.

By Keriann Coffey, Associate Blog Editor

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Jean Paul Gaultier paid tribute to iconic 20th-century pop stars – from Ziggy Stardust–era David Bowie to a cone-bra-and-corset bedecked Madonna, making the models look like ghosts of MTV Video Music Awards past. Karlie Kloss channeled Boy George with long braids, over-the-top makeup, and a colorful kimono jacket, while Joan Smalls tapped her inner Michael Jackson (complete with red leather jacket, high-water pants, a single glove, and a fedora-topped Jheri curl).

Things were decidedly less tongue-in-cheek at John Galliano, where creative director Bill Gaytten took the label in a more architectural direction for spring, vis-à-vis origami-esque tops and voluminous trousers, shorts, and kimono dresses, with many looks topped by flying saucer–sized headgear by milliner Stephen Jones.

Vivienne Westwood showed her collection at the British Ambassador’s residence in Paris, taking on the idea of “Climate Revolution” with lightweight corset dresses, bejeweled bustiers, and gossamer patchwork knits worn with elaborate updos, towering turbans, and otherworldly face paint.

Christian Dior has finally (finally!) found a new creative director in Raf Simons, who presented his first, highly anticipated Dior ready-to-wear collection. Was it worth the wait? From first look (a sleek black Le Smoking suit) to last (a modernized take on a classic, full-skirted ball gown) the answer is yes, yes, a thousand times yes! Simons took Monsieur Dior’s sartorial signatures – the nip-waist Bar jacket, New Look skirt, elaborate evening gown – and reimagined them for a new generation of high society fashion lovers.

In a twice-as-nice fashion month happening, Italian designer Isabella Tonchi presented her collection first in Milan and then again in Paris, outfitting mannequins in gothic/pop-inspired military jackets, cargo pants, gold-zippered dresses ,and optical print pieces.

Chanel‘s Karl Lagerfeld went all out this season with a “Neo Coco” collection replete with flirty A-line minis, wide-shouldered cropped boleros, and multicolor plaid day dresses, worn with uber chic striped platforms and circular, larger-than-life hats and bags. And then there were the tattered taffeta-trimmed pieces, including a pair of sheer, wide-legged hostess pajamas that looked like something Cher might’ve worn back in The Me Decade.

At Valentino, design duo Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli took inspiration from the vintage celebrity photos of Arturo Ghergo and their own memories of Rome, and riffed on the notion of female self-invention by way of contrast-bibbed tops, chiffon cocktail frocks, and delicately embroidered sundresses. Elsewhere, white eyelet shorts skewed more sophisticated than saccharine, while a prim white collar and cuffs lent a subtle naughty-librarian vibe to a lace-skirted day dress.

The esteemed French furrier Révillon unveiled the debut collection from designer Andrew Heather, who fashioned glossy leather into trim spring trench coats, rendered a short-sleeve cocoon in white astrakhan, and envisioned metallic python and laser-cut fuchsia ponyskin as sexy fitted jackets.

Lauren David Peden writes for Rue La La as a Contributing Editor.

As predicted by Peter Som, Rodarte, and YSL (and many others) on the Fall 2012 runways, this dark chocolate-dipped cherry hue has won its way into our hearts and wardrobes. While it works well in full skirt suit form, as sported recently by a certain British Princess, I prefer to let this mystery-meets-chic shade add subtle accents to fall outfits.

Chianti, burgundy, or black cherry – oxblood by any other name still adds a little brass to jewel tones, leather jackets, and jeans.

Cherry On Top
Replace summer’s straw fedora with this cherry-brick wool one. Pair it with a vintage dress and ankle boots, and express a little 1920s flair.

Reveal Your Dark Side
Flattering on every skin tone, oxblood lipstick is a darker and richer alternative to the classic red lip color. One coat with a touch of mascara and you’re out the door.

Dress It Down
There’s nothing cozier in a chilly office than a puffer vest. Pair an oxblood vest or scarf with an oversized sweater and jeans for an on-trend and casual ensemble.

The Saturated Skinny
Shelve mint skinnies until next season in exchange for these saturated blue-red jeans. Make it a biker-chic morning in a leather jacket or do post-work drinks with the simple addition of heels.

Beet Red
Give your nail technician the week off from Pinterest-inspired patterns and opt for something simple, striking, and in season.

By Julia Ivins, Staff Writer

What other ways do you wear oxblood? Share it in the comments below or tweet us @ruelala.

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We love a modern take on a retro staple, and the crowd at Lincoln Center had us seeing spots. The classic look keeps it cool with graphic blacks and whites in sophisticated silhouettes.

If three’s a trend (as they say in fashion), I guess five or six is a phenomenon. Such is the case with this structured bookbag from The Cambridge Satchel Company, a UK-based bag maker whose retro-inspired cross-body has become all the rage among fashion insiders.

While the company makes its most popular style in a range of classic colors – from basic black to saddle tan to brick red – it’s the fluoroscent green and yellow hues that are being carried by in-the-know fashionistas. Modeled after a classic school bag, this boxy unisex carryall was given a thoroughly modern makeover in shades so bold they almost glow in the dark (making them really pop against the all-black ensembles worn by most New York showgoers).

I first spotted this bag on Marie Claire editor (and street style blog magnet) Joanna Hillman at the Missoni for Target preview back in June. Then this past week, I noticed no fewer than five other industry insiders, including stylists Susan Joy and Brad Goreski, carrying their own fluro satchels. Which makes sense, since they come in several sizes and are designed to hold all one’s New York Fashion Week essentials in style (bonus points for having your initials monogramed on the flap in gold lettering, as Brad and Susan did).

Why should kids have all the fun? These of-the-moment bags let you channel your inner child in high style – without having to do homework.

Lauren David Peden writes for Rue La La as a Contributing Editor.

RUE LA LA STYLIST MAUREEN GIVES MEMBERS SPRING-WORTHY SOLUTIONS

Now that winter’s run its course, we’re busy getting prepped for warmer weather (an animal of its own). We asked our lovely Facebook Fans to post their most pressing questions. And one of our Rue stylists, Maureen, has all the answers when it comes to dressing for the season.

Q: What’s the one must-have outfit piece this spring? – Caitlin O.
A: Invest in a dress that can go from day to night. Try the new longer length to pair with flats in the daytime and high wedge espadrilles at night. For day, throw on a woven leather belt and a light cardigan or jean jacket. For night, go for drippy rhinestones to up the glitz.

Q: What’s the rule on nail polish color this season? Toes only? Fingers only? Matching toes & fingers? – Shawn F.
A: We love mixing up fingers and toes, but we try to keep the colors in the same family. Spring for a coral on your fingers and a hot pink on your toes, or try a ballet slipper pink paired with cherry red.

Q: I have purchased many cute tops for spring, but what do I wear them with? Aren’t cropped pants out now? – Cortnie M.
A: Even though the trend right now tends to be a wider, more trouser-y style for spring, that doesn’t mean you can’t wear cropped pants. We love a well-fitted cropped jean with a great wedge heel and a flowy bohemian top.

Q: If I’m just adding three tops to my wardrobe for spring, what type or color should I buy? – Patricia C.
A: One: A lady-like dressy blouse with a tie neck to wear with jeans, a blazer, or a skirt. Two: A striped French sailor T-shirt to serve as a wardrobe staple. Three: A racerback tank in a bold color like yellow or cobalt blue to wear with jeans and partner with a stack of chunky bangles.

Q: Is the 70’s wide-leg high-waisted jean here to stay? What’s a good way to pull this off for people with a short torso who frankly like lower-rise jeans? – Alicia D.
A. Like all trends, it’s unpredictable as to what will stay and what will go. We do predict that a wider leg jean will be around for at least a few seasons and we will be seeing less of the skinny jean. To give the illusion of long legs, try a mid-rise cut and platform heels.

Q: The rules of wearing white… it’s a big debate in the South. I grew up learning that between Easter and Labor Day white is right, but many say that you have to wait until Memorial Day to wear white. And then lately I’m reading that there are no longer rules for white, wear it year round. What is right for white??? – Christy S.
A: The rule of only wearing white between Memorial Day and Labor Day has gone to the wayside. For white jeans or pants, make sure it is a perfect fit and the material is forgiving because white tends to reveal imperfections. We are loving white cotton dresses and skirts too this season. It’s a pretty and fresh addition to any wardrobe.

Q: What is the best color or pattern to add to your wardrobe for spring? – Ann M.
A: A fun trend for spring is mixing patterns. Wear a floral skirt and a striped T-shirt, or mix a bold patterned dress with a smaller patterned jacket. If done right, the look is super chic. ]]> http://www.ruelala.com/blog/2011/04/22/style-file-your-spring-style-questions-answered/feed/ 3