Between the sun, wind, and humidity that the season brings, a chic topper is not only important, but absolutely necessary for Summer. If you're in need of a little inspiration, look no further than some of our favorite style stars, like Nicole Richie, Rachel Zoe, and Chloe Moretz. Whether your preferred chapeau is wide-brimmed straw, ultra floppy, or a sweet and simple fedora, click through to shop our picks and see the celebrities who wear them well.
>> The iconic little dot. A favorite of the fashion set since in the mid-1700s (when it was worn by late-Rococo aristocracy), spotted prints were christened "polka dots" in the 1840s as polka music captivated the world. Since then, the popularity of the graphic little dots has only grown; in 1940, the print was so omnipresent that The Los Angeles Times remarked, "You can sign your fashion life away on the polka-dotted line, and you'll never regret it this season." One won't regret it this season either — especially when it comes to pants. In every incarnation from palazzos to clam-diggers, dotted bottoms have been showing up on runways steadily for the last three years. Here, we track the trend from Louis Vuitton's 2009 slouchy silk versions (precursors to today's popular pajama dressing perhaps?) to recent sightings on the Resort 2012 runways.
Cobalt blue has been popping — literally — in outfits from the street to the runway to steamy editorials. It's a striking color, but still cool enough that it seems right for Summer days. We found 10 of the best blue pieces, from a sexy $250 heel to the perfect $15 tee, so click our slideshow to check them out and get our styling tips on how to wear this dramatic color.
Street style photos courtesy of Greg Kessler
It was a wild week in Paris — beginning with John Galliano's shocking arrest and subsequent firing from Christian Dior; rampant rumors over who would replace Galliano; the shows themselves, which included Karl Lagerfeld's post-apocalyptic vision of the world for Chanel; and ending on a fun note with Marc Jacobs's fabulously kinky collection for Louis Vuitton. If you missed all of our coverage, or just want the Cliffs Notes, click through our slideshow of the top 15 trends from Paris Fashion Week.
Walk down the street, and you can see the plaid trend has reached critical mass. One might even scoff at the use of the word "trend" for a fabric with such a formidable history. Dr. Jonathan Faiers, being that one, is a cultural professor and author of a whole book on plaid, Tartan: Textiles that Changed the World. He says plaid transcends trends.
It's been worn by both the establishment (Scotland clans, aristocracy, and military forces) and by the anti-establishment (modern-day subcultures), and you can't say that about many fabrics. So what's the theory on plaid's current proliferation? After 9/11, New Yorkers' plaid was spotted through the streets of New York (maybe it was just Fall?), and now the troubled recession times have brought it back.
But, there's another theory. Plaid, along with beards, is a reaction against the metrosexual man of the aughties. Gone is the overgroomed, clean-shaven man, and here is the burly, plaid-wearing dude. I say as long as he doesn't become an urban new-age caveman, he can wear as much plaid as he pleases!
Source: Flickr User bunchofpants
Hit the road this Fall in chunky knits, over-sized cardigans and endless layers. We spotted this gypsy-chic trend from designers like Rachel Roy, Catherine Malandrino and Yigal Azrouël. Check out our FabTV pick for the next must-have accessory as seen on the DVF runway.
