It is the most wonderful time of the year! OK, maybe 2nd most wonderful time, behind only Christmas. That’s right – Fashion Week! For the month of February Fashion Week will be taking place the world over (literally) and all of your favorite designers will present their fall collections – before we’ve even had a chance to rock the latest looks from the spring likes (spring please come SOON!). This year, although I begrudgingly could not attend the #NYFW debut of emerging designer Urbana Chappa’s line, Maison de Urbana, I am lucky enough to be attending 5 (squeeeeeeeeeal) presentations and fashion shows during Atlantic City Fashion Week and Philly Fashion Week. Of course, that left (and still leaves) me begging the questions – WHAT DO I WEAR?
Before I share what I have decided to wear – so far – (you didn’t really think I’d leave you hanging, did you?), there are a few hard and fast rules to live by when strutting your stuff during fashion week (or any other week really).
- Stay true to who you are – This is the number one thing I found when researching what to wear. Which is great, because I try to live by this anyway. In general I skew towards clean lines, classic silhouettes, and timeless pieces. Fashion Week would NOT be the time for me to experiment with graphic patterns, boxy silhouettes, or anything else I don’t feel comfortable in. Yes, you can punch up your style for Fashion Week, but the key is that it is YOUR style.
- It’s OK to mix new with old – I get it. It is TEMPTING to go out and buy a completely new wardrobe to attend the shows and presentations. That is a terrible idea – mostly because how are you going to pay your rent/mortgage, heat (it’s so cold in the D!), etc.? It’s better to pick up a couple of new pieces that you can mix and match with what you already have. I bought 2 new shirts, a new skirt and a new blazer (all for less than $150) that I will be mixing and matching with what is already in my closet. I also made sure to pick pieces that I will wear independently of Fashion Week.
- You don’t have to be all designer everything – Yes, I will be wearing a few key designer pieces while I sit next to the runway tonight at AC Fashion Week (i.e. Elie Tahari shoes and Nneka Saran clutch) but those will be mixed in with more inexpensive items like my Roz and Ali top (purchased at Dress Barn). My style and aesthetic has always been to mix high and low and Fashion Week is definitely the time to do that.
- Wear comfortable shoes – That can be whatever is comfortable to you. I can wear a pair of Tahari round toe pumps all the live long day. Literally. I’ve logged 18+ hours in my fave color blocked pair. So, it won’t be a big deal for me to use those to anchor my looks. But, it might not make sense if you’re running between shows at Bryant park to be teetering in sky high heels. Bring a pair of ballet flats that fit in your clutch and switch your shoes before you go in. Or, better yet, just wear a pair you can zip back and forth in. Fashion Week is also NOT the time to break in a new pair of shoes, no matter how tempting it may be.
Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, one of the looks I’ve pulled together for the shows and presentations I will be attending. These are simply pictures of the pieces/look that will come together. I will be posting pictures on facebook (www.facebook.com/yourchicisshowing), Instagram (@yourchicisshowing), Twitter (@urchicisshowing) and Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/yourchicisshowing) during my adventures. And, of course I can’t give away all of my secrets – mostly because I haven’t picked out all of my outfits – so you’ll definitely have to check back for the rest of the looks.
Atlantic City Fashion Week – Friday February 8, 2013
Top: Roz & Ali for Dress Barn (www.dressbarn.com)
Pants: Michael Kors (note, pair above is similar to what I will be wearing, but not exact) (www.michaelkors.com)
Clutch: Nneka Saran (www.nnekasaran.com)
Shoes: Elie Tahari (www.elitahari.com)
Jewelry: Would you believe I still haven’t decided?
Hair: Just a little trim to clean up the pixie. I’ll keep it in a traditional pixie style for this event.
Make-up: Natural neutral tones on the eyes and a bright (!!!) red lip. A little bronzer on the cheeks and I’ll be good to go!
How I picked this look: AC Fashion Week features both ready to wear and couture looks so I didn’t want to pick anything too casual or too over the top. I am SICK of dreary winter colors, so I decided this cream top would be a great way to change up my winter blues. I had originally planned to rock a pair slim-fit black ankle pants; but, when they called for rain all day long I decided that a pair of cream slacks in a heavier material would fit the bill. Side note: After an intense game of dress-up I went BACK to wearing slim fit ankle pants. Rain, sleet and snow be darned! Picking the shoes was easy as the sequin detail in my shoe matches that of the bow in the top. And, I love how the Nneka Saran bag provides a bit of a tribal feel as compared to the simple elegance of the outfit. Really, you can’t go wrong with a bright red lip when rocking black and white, so it only seemed fitting to wear that, and not much else in the way of make-up.
Before I jet, here is a list of shows/presentations I will be attending. I’ve also included links to purchase tickets (if applicable) and to check out the designers.
Atlantic City Fashion Week – Friday February 8, 2013
Faithful by Michael Thomas – Sunday February 17, 2013 (http://www.faithfulmt.com/)
Philly Fashion Week Accessories Party – Thursday February 21, 2013 (http://www.phillyfashionweek.org/#!schedule/cngp)
Philly Fashion Week Ready to Wear Runway Show – Friday February 22, 2013 (http://fbhpfw2013.eventbrite.com/)
Philly Fashion Week Haute Couture Runway Show – Saturday February 23, 2013 (http://fbhpfw2013.eventbrite.com/)
Well, what do you think of my AC Fashion Week look? What do you think I should rock for my other shows and presentations? Are you hitting up any shows? If so, which ones? And of course, what are you wearing?
Remember to link up with Your Chic is Showing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and now Pinterest!! You can see what is happening tonight at AC Fashion Week and check out all of my Fashion Week looks!
Your Chic is Showing,
One thought on “What to Wear: to Fashion Week”
Comments are closed.