If the big cities are calling your name this Summer — think NYC, Milan, and Paris — it's time to up your fashion game with pieces that'll surely have you blending in with the chic crowd. From Carven's cutout dress to Charlotte Olympia's metallic sandals, shop our picks now.
Usually reserved for cooler climates, the metallics trend is making quite a splash this season. From flowy shorts to glimmering sandals, this new Summer staple has you covered from head to toe. We're obsessed with Derek Lam's gold skirt, but there are plenty of other options to keep you shimmering too.
Looking good isn't all restrictive shapes and punishing silhouettes. The Derek Lam Resort 2014 collection reminds us of this, beautifully, with roomy dresses and tops that maintain their form thanks to expert construction. Separates are rounded out by knee-length shift dresses done in patterned, sheer fabrics, and a gold-skirted cocktail frock ready to tempt the most loyal of LBD wearers.
All things are pointing towards '90s grunge this season — just look to the runways of 3.1 Phillip Lim, Dries Van Noten, and Saint Laurent — and now, we're starting to see some of our favorite style stars sporting the look on the street. Case in point: Alexa Chung was spotted in London over the weekend looking nothing short of effortlessly cool in a black-and-white plaid Paul Smith dress cinched at the waist with a skinny black belt. This dress can easily teeter between polished and punk, depending on how you accessorize it, but we love how Alexa opted for the latter, styling her look with black chunky-soled oxfords and gray socks. Inspired? Channeling the same look is actually quite easy; all you need is a rad plaid dress and semitough footwear, like boots from Dr. Martens or old-school leather penny loafers. Shop Alexa's exact plaid dress, plus more affordable options, below.
Elizabeth Olsen's day-to-night outfits provide the laid-back girl (or any girl, really) with no-fuss ways to wear Spring's lighter layers with polish. The more casual of the two looks utilized a relaxed silhouette and cool accessories, while her Disconnect screening attire capitalized on one slick mixed-media blazer. Olsen does a great job of combining everyday pieces — a button-down top, a maxi skirt, and worn-in jeans — with some of the season's most coveted accents. The best part? You probably have most, if not all, of the items in your closet already, so read our key takeaways on Olsen's low-key styling.
Day
Elizabeth Olsen's Derek Lam Newton Camera Bag ($1,390) could make almost any outfit look better, but she didn't rely on the structural bag to pull all the styling weight. Instead, she also added a pair of flat ankle boots (like this ASOS Adelaide pair, $75) and a navy blue fedora (similar to this Brixton Gerald version, $58), curating a trifecta of items perfect for punching up a casual look. You can copy her looser maxi skirt and button-down combo, or you can opt to tuck a striped t-shirt into a long skirt for a more fitted appeal.
Night
We love that Olsen kept the boots from her daytime look but put a slicker spin on her separates on top. She swapped out her relaxed layers for tailored ones — even the jeans fit her like a glove — and though she wore a laid-back striped t-shirt, there's nothing this leather-infused blazer can't do to give an outfit some sophisticated edge. Try this Laveer Leather Inset Blazer ($595) to channel a similar effect. If you're not feeling the denim approach, then layer the blazer over a sporty heather-gray dress as an alternative. To finish, she accessorized with a light gray quilted shoulder bag, an oversize black watch, and loose waves, and for all intents and purposes, it's easy for you to do the same.
Derek Lam has been tapped as the second designer for Kohl's DesigNation, and now, the collection is available to shop online — and is 25 percent off until Tuesday, April 9.
For Lam, it was all about his affinity to Brazil's Rio de Janeiro. "I really love the city. The people are wonderful and the setting is amazing," said Lam. While we're fresh off the designer's Fall '13 runway show — a cerebral take on what the modern-day woman should wear — don't expect to experience déjà vu. According to Lam, this DesigNation collection is a "nice departure" from his usual design approach. He referenced artist Hélio Oiticica's surfwear-type print, and took inspiration from the city's sensual (read: lush jungle) side, evidenced by the jungle greens, yellows, and orange sorbet hues. Priced from $36 to $98, see the complete lookbook here, then shop your favorites!
Source: courtesy of Kohl's
Today, Derek Lam will unveil an affordably priced collaboration with Kohl's that was inspired by the art, architecture, and natural beauty of Rio de Janeiro.
See the whole collection here.
Last season might have been all about print-on-print-on-print, but Spring's latest leans toward a more subtle way of styling your bold patterns. At the Diesel and Edun Studio Africa party in LA, brand ambassador Solange Knowles showed us how to style printed shorts (one of our seasonal must haves) for a look that's high on impact, but not over the top. The key to getting this trend right is finding the perfect pair of statement shorts — we suggest a pair that's not too tight and not too short — and pairing it with minimal accompaniments. Solange's abstract-print cuffed Edun shorts pop against her white Theyskens' Theory sheer-sleeve blouse, while gold metallic sandals add just the right amount of shine to her party look. For added pop, Solange polished off her ensemble with a modern Lucite CC Skye clutch ($295) and gold rings. Easy, right? Shop our editors' selection of printed shorts, then get to styling!
Almost a year after Derek Lam left his position as the creative director of Tod's, the Italian brand has finally named his replacement.
Derek Lam made it all about the details for Fall 2013. Supple suedes and leathers in a simple palette of camel, ivory, and navy played out in deft patchworks and sweeping skirts. Cape-shape coats and tops were a fresh silhouette, while skirts swirled at midcalf. Touches of maroon appeared, continuing that shade's popularity on the runways.
