In Our Modest Opinion...

According to ELLE.Com

Spring /Summer 2011 Fashion Trend is on the brighter side of things

Designers looked to acid tones for their spring collections, from electric yellow to flouro orange. Not just for the thrill seeker, these neon colors work wonders!

 

Closet Essentials

What’s in your closet? As the weather changes, many of us re-evaluate our closets - throwing out the dated looks and sizes that don’t fit, replacing them with new pieces. Each season trends come and go, but there are always those key pieces in any great well-rounded wardrobe. 

 

What are they?  We’ve compiled a list of Funky Frum closet must-haves to make sure you’re in-the-know.

 

1. Berets: Cotton berets are a perfect accessory year-round. One will keep you modest and add some spunk to your outfit. A beret made of cotton is good because it is easy to wash, store, and can be worn any time of year. Black and white are essential, but keep one handy in your favorite color too (to brighten up a dull day!).
2. Black Skirt: You can never go wrong with a black skirt - easy to match and ideal to wear to work, holiday events, or a night out. A black skirt never goes out of style and can be appropriate with any outfit and for transitional seasons. Since there are millions of different black skirts on the market, pick one that blends with your style, fits really well and can be worn with multiple tops. Of course, having multiple black skirts never hurts, either.
3. Basic Tops: We all know how wonderful and hard working our layering tops are! A closet stocked with neutral colored shells, ¾- and long-sleeve tops is good to go.  Basic layering tops always come in handy - whether it is chillier than you expected, you’re in a rush and or you want to make a short sleeved top more modest. Keep black, brown, white, and ivory handy and you’ll do well with whatever comes your way!
4. Black Heels: A good, well fitting pair of black heels is a must-have. Black heels can be worn with almost any outfit, and they take a basic outfit up a notch. If you only have one pair of heels in your closet- it should be a pair of black pumps.  Just like the basic black skirt, black heels also come in a million different varieties. A dull finish, a patina finish, or a shoe made of satin offer different looks, so choose accordingly: a dull finish is the most universal, patina is girly, and satin is evening appropriate.
5. Go-To Outfit: You should have a go-to outfit in your closet. An outfit that makes you look and feel great, that you can wear to work, when guests come over, or just out with family. This outfit should exude your personal style, fit marvelously, and make you shine.
6. Scarf: Having a great scarf in your wardrobe is a wonderful idea because there are so many things you can do with it. Wear it covering your hair, as a headband, around your neck, as a dickey under a jacket, as a belt, or tie it to your bag.  Find a great print in the colors that most dominate your closet. For more ways to wear a scarf, check out Texere Silk.

Incorporating Color Into Your Wardrobe

One of the funkiest things about Funky Frum is that we offer our customers a wide variety of styles - from basic black to polka dot prints and vibrant colors. While some of our customers are unsure of color, some find that they’ve just fallen into an all black rut - - and they want more.

Funky Frum fashionistas to the rescue.  We’re here to help you incorporate color into your basic wardrobe and advise on what will suit you best!

With the millions of colors in the spectrum, where does one start when trying to find colors that work for them?

1)      We say to think about what colors you are naturally drawn to – whether cool blues, warm reds, or neutral browns.

2)      What garments/colors garner you the most compliments: is it that green blouse that makes your hair look ravishing?

3)      Finally, consider your personal colors - do you have dark or light hair? Olive or pale skin? What are your natural undertones? Are they yellows or blues?

Answering these questions will help determine a general color palette - cool (blue, green, purple) or warm (red, orange, yellow, fuchsia).

Once you’ve determined your general color palette think about the tones of the colors. 

1)      Jewel tones look excellent on everyone (and are always popular in fall and winter). 

2)      Pastels look good on most people, with the exception of those with very pale skin.

3)      Bright colors look best on tanned and darker skin tones; they can be quite harsh if not worn in small quantities on paler skin.

The next time your husband/boyfriend/roommate is lost looking at drills in Home Depot, wonder over to the paint section and look at all the paint chips. Holding them up to the underside of your arm will help determine if the color is a good, natural match for you.  Find some colors that work and have them handy when shopping.

Now that you know what colors to wear, how do you go about incorporating them into your outfit?

1)      If color is something that you’re still unsure of, try starting by adding a colorful accessory – a piece of jewelry, scarf, belt, bag, or hat. This is also a great, inexpensive way to bring color to an all black wardrobe. (We especially love our Flower Scarf and hats.) 

2)      Next, consider tops - easy to wear with a black skirt or under a basic color jacket or sweater. Our ideas? The Classic ¾ Sleeve tops always come in fun colors as well as the basics and they are easy-to-wear/easy-to-wash and very well-priced. Other tops at Funky Frum are Red Label and Sweet Pie. Shimmer is a great option for those that like a neutral palette but want to add some fun. 

3) Skirts will demand a little more attention. We offer great color skirts, such as Plumberry, Jazz, and Material Girl; or, another way to add color subtly is via a printed skirt, such as Geranium which is mostly basic with a pop of purple.

Color is something that can be embraced by everyone!  It can do wonders to your skin, eyes, and hair, and also be great conversation pieces. Even if it’s only pink lipstick or red shoes, adding a touch of color should be fun and exciting. Start with these simple suggestions and one day you may find yourself purchasing a bright colored trench coat!

Top Fall Trends

1. Metallic and Sequins

Bring out your glitz and glamour! This fall is all about shimmery metallics and twinkling sequins, with designers showcasing many ways to make you shine. This trend isn’t just for the evening though; mix understated pieces with your daytime look for something special - headbands, tights, and tops are great for this (see couture headwear designer Jennifer Behr or our Shimmer top for inspiration). And for the evening, anything goes so you can wear as much shimmer as you feel comfortable with! Our Runway Inspirations? Bill Blass, DKNY, and J. Mendel

2. Ruffles

Ruffles have been popular on the runways for many seasons now, and this fall is no exception. In heavy fabric they can look much like a European sculpture, and they exude femininity in soft fabrics. Soft ruffles on a shirt are a perfect look for any woman to wear during the day; in general, we recommend keeping it simple - like the subtle tops and jackets by Bill Blass, Diane von Furstenberg, and Givenchy or our own Forever Young vest (which can be worn well under a cardigan). For night, let the ruffles run free! Our Runway Inspirations? Elle Saab and Valentino.

3. Feathers

Feathers dominated the runway with many designers showing them as fringe on sleeves, hems, and all over coats. Not ready to frock like Big Bird? We completely understand! Thankfully, feathers are really popular in headwear this season which allows you to more subtlely incorporate this trend into your closet. Our favorite headwear designer Louise Green showcases feathers as headbands and as accents to her wonderful hats, and couture headwear designer Jennifer Behr uses feathers as amazing sculptural head pieces and as delicate chignon decoration. Our Runway Inspirations? Louise Green and Jennifer Behr.

4. Rustic and Classic Americana

This fall designers channeled an all-American, classic and comfortable look into their collections. They drew inspiration from style icons such as Katherine Hepburn and Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy. The look is comprised of a mix of plaids and warm sweater knits, tailored trousers, and simple A-line skirts, and the outfits are topped off with a knit hat and simple, sleek accessories. Great Funky Frum pieces that follow this trend are the Forget-Me-Not skirt, the Curtain Call sweater, and the Lifesaver knit cap. Our Runway Inspirations? Diane von Furstenberg, Halston, and Ralph Rucci Chado.

5. Lady-like

The lady rules again! Designers continue to debut lady-like looks with classic tailoring that will make you feel feminine, smart, and sleek. While designers have added hints of menswear, the look is all woman. Classic silhouettes that focus on an hour-glass shape, delicate details from brooches to hats, and simply lush fabrics characterize this look. To feel like a lady in Funky Frum pieces, check out our Material Girl or Fancy Delancy skirts, and our Sweet Pie top.  Our Runway Inspirations? Michael Kors (our fave), Bill Blass, Bottega Veneta, and Oscar de la Renta.

Dressing for Your Body Type

While being unique is something to be thankful for, it sometimes feels more like a burden than a blessing. Especially when it comes to finding (and fitting) clothes! At Funky Frum, we understand the frustration of putting together that perfect look so we have compiled some great tips and outfits to help you out.

The key to a perfect look? A perfect fit. 

Just because you can button it, doesn’t mean it fits. For any article of clothing, fit the widest part of your body and then have a tailor make any necessary adjustments. The small extra cost and time is worth it, and it will keep you from tugging at things to keep them in place all day! And, having clothes that fit well makes you feel much better.

Also, dress for the body you have now - not the one with which you hope to kick off the New Year. If you do lose weight, having a tailor fix the pieces you love is much easier than buying a whole new wardrobe. To make finding pieces with a good fit easier, Funky Frum has added size charts to many of our product pages; so take a look, take your measurements, and find the best size for your body!

THE STRAIGHT FIGURE (aka Rectangular Shape)

Proportions: Bust-waist-hip measurements are fairly equal

Goal: Give this figure more shape.

How to Achieve: Sweat the small stuff - - it’s all in the details (such as gathering, belts, or seaming) actually matter. 

Technique:

1) Gathering in the bust or hip areas adds the slight volume you need to achieve balanced proportions.

2) Belts cinch in a top or dress to distinguish your waist.

3) Wearing a jacket with a nipped-waist will also achieve this look, especially when worn over a dress with princess seams.

4) A fitted, straight skirt will hug the hip and thigh giving you insta-curves and a draped A-line skirt will add good volume (but make sure to pair with a fitted top so that you aren’t overwhelmed with fabric).

The Funky Frum Look:

Tops ~ Cake Cone, Strawberry, Edible Flower, or Lemon Lime

Skirts ~ Lemon Ice, Butter Pecan, Banana, or Dreamsickle

Sets ~ Cookies and Cream

THE CURVY FIGURE (aka Hour-Glass Shape)

Proportions: Bust-hip measurements equal, waist smaller

Goal: Accent what you have, while maintaining your balanced figure 

How to achieve: Follow your natural curves

Technique:
1) The perfect garment for you is a wrap top or dress. Try a faux wrap with a built-in undershirt to give you the look you want without compromising coverage.

2) We don’t recommend super-low-rise items - they will accentuate your hips. 

3) Watch the proportions and details - too much on top or bottom will make you look unbalanced.

The Funky Frum Look:

Tops ~ Bubble Gum, Neapolitan, or Pineapple

Skirts ~ Red Velvet, Fiji, or Citrus Splash

Sets ~ Mango Chill

MORE ON TOP (aka Top-Heavy, Inverted Triangle)

Proportions: Bust measurement larger than waist-hip measurements

Goal: Create balance between your top and bottom

How to achieve: Keep the light, bright colors on the bottom

Technique:

1) A wrap (think shawl) is a great way reduce the appearance of heavy arms and disguise a busty bodice. 

2) Wear darker colors on your top half and lighter colors on the bottom to keep the focus away from your chest line. 

3) Wear skirts with more detail and a simple top. 

The Funky Frum Look:

Tops ~ Bubble Gum, Raspberry, or Tahiti Monarch

Skirt ~ Berry Blast, Fresno, or Cherry Jubilee

Sets ~ French Silk

MORE ON BOTTOM (aka Bottom-Heavy, Triangle Shape)

Proportions: Hip measurement larger than bust-waist measurements

Goal: Create balance between your top and bottom

How to Achieve: Incorporate details like ruffles into your tops and wear darker, slimming colors on bottom

Technique:

1) Look for tops with structure, ones that sit above the hip line and are looser on bottom so they don’t stretch across your hip. 

2) Tops with neckline details are wonderful for you - ties, bows, ruffles - as they draw the eye upwards. 

3) A long skirt with swing to it will help hide thick legs and make you look taller; and the movement will keep the skirt from sitting on, stretching across, and accenting your hips and thighs.

The Funky Frum Look:

Tops ~ Irish Cream, Marshmallow, or Dark Chocolate

Skirts ~ Drumstick or Peppermint

Sets ~ Cappuccino Chip

The Trend We're Dye-ing to Try

Call it Tie-Dye or Painterly, Dip-Dye or Ombre - whatever your fancy, our Red Velvet skirt is on par with one of this summer's hottest trends. Similar styles have been seen on the fall, summer, and resort runways from designers like Rodarte and ADAM to J. Mendel and Celine.

Ombre (sometimes called dip-dye) is a French term that means “shaded” and is usually a multicolor stripe with colors graduating from light to dark. Albertta Ferretta shows ombre throughout her fall 2008 collection; here is one of our favorites.

Tie-Dye is also being done in stylish new ways - unlike the shirts you made at camp as a kid! While being a close cousin to ombre, tie-dye is more fun and fresh. Veronique Branquinho uses tie-dye on skirts, dresses, and tops in her 10^th anniversary fall collection, and the results are incredibly soft and feminine.

Painterly prints are also very in style this season. Some designers, like Dolce & Gabbana, actually painted on their fabrics for a rich effect. Here, Matthew Williamson uses paint stroke effects on tops in his spring 2008 collection:

Even accessories are getting in on the dyeing fun! Shoes from Miss Coco show the ombre effect, and Yves Saint Laurent made the perfect handbag to match our skirt:

Our Red Velvet skirt comes in an easy to wear, lightweight cotton, and flattering A-line shape. The black to red shading makes finding a top match simple: go for one of our basic solid tees or, for a bolder look, pair it with a small patterned top. And, you can finish it off with one of our headwear pieces - the Cherry Cloche for a lady-like look or the Geometric Silk Scarf for a more modern mood. The Red Velvet skirt is a sure trend-winner at an unbeatable non-designer price!

Stylish Tips for Staying Dry

April may be long gone, but Mother Nature must not have gotten the memo. The rain’s persistence can be a real annoyance (think curly hair disaster) – that is, until you realize that you can capitalize on all of the absolutely adorable rain accessories of the season and still look just as fashionable. (Some of them even look chic sans moisture!)

Galoshes

…a great way to keep your feet dry and play around with prints you may otherwise be too afraid to wear. Everyone’s doing it – so you won’t be at a loss of places to pick up a pair. We found some fun picks at shoes.com.   

Umbrellas

Rain doesn’t stand a chance against these portable wonders. But this season, umbrellas have become just another accessory to complement a stylish outfit. A throw back to the ladylike days of the early 1900's, carrying an umbrella is a stylish way to dress up an outfit - rain or shine.

The Trench

Stormy weather and breezy nights can send a chill through your body, which is why a trench coat is the perfect solution for spring. If you can't get your hands on the most famous of trenches (Burberry), find any belted trench for a hot spring look. Wearable for years to come, the trench is offered in varied styles from waterproof (or resistent) to ones without a lot of water function, like our very own Orange Sorbet.

Top 10 Spring Trends

1. The Long Dress

Looks like our customers were ahead of the curve on this one!  Long, cascading dresses are the thing to have this spring. Many are made of lightweight materials, which help take them into summer, and you can always layer with one of our Snapdragon tees or a little crop cardigan if you need more coverage. (We love our Butterscotch dress!)

2. Organic/Green

Going green is the thing to do right now, which is why new organic and earth-friendly clothing lines are popping up everywhere. Some of the lines are made from recycled materials, while others grow their cottons in a pesticide free environment. Earth friendly clothes can be unfriendly to your wallet, so if you aren’t looking to pay more for your clothing, you can still ‘go green’ by ditching plastic bags and using a canvas tote for all your shopping needs. We even have them here at Funky Frum... so stay tuned to purchase one soon!

3. Embellishments

This winter you could find shirts and dresses covered in sequins, for spring the style is a little more subtle. Tops are bejeweled along the neckline or around the cuffs. With abstract-patterned rhinestones and detailed beading you won’t need a necklace when wearing one of these blouses. The look is dressed up, but not over-the-top.

4. Dip-dye

Dip-dye, sometimes referred to as ombre, is generally when a garment’s color graduates from light to dark (ie from light grey to black). This fabric effect is big on tops, dresses, skirts and jewelry giving them all a more laid back vibe…some even border on hippie-ish.

5. Bright Colors

Yes, by bright colors we mean the florescent hues that were so popular in the 80’s (thankfully they are not being paired with shoulder pads this time around). We know that some of you aren't going for the bold, but we guarantee that a little brightness will go a long way. (Check out Banana Split for a chic yellow skirt!)

6. Ruffles

Tread lightly on this trend. Ruffles in moderation give a beautifully soft, feminine look, but in excess you risk looking like your five year old niece or, worse yet, like you gained a few pounds.

7. Wrap Shirts, Dresses, You name it

Wraps keep coming back, and for a good reason – they are SO incredibly flattering.  These tops and dresses allow you to chinch your waist at just the right place and they hide what you want to be hidden. They are also perfect for our new moms because they are adjustable.  (For the wrap look without sacrificing coverage, we love our Coconut Cream skirt and Mango Chill dress!)

8. Graphic Prints

Designs fit for an art museum. Bold modern prints pop up on clothes and jewelry with the likes of cubism, Dada and Warhol adorning dresses and tops this season. Necklaces will be large – very large, and garnished with jewels and metalwork. The pieces are fun and can be found in appropriate styles for all ages. (Some of Funky Frum's favorite prints are Berry Blast and Gummy Bear skirts.)

9. Floral

Spring’s florals are coming on strong. The colors are vibrant and cover every inch of a garment (meaning there is little to no white). The look is a bit of a throw back to the ‘70’s, but with a softer, feminine feel. In order to not look like grandma’s sofa, one floral piece at a time, please.

10. Earth Tones

Albeit, earth tones are the very juxposition of our number 5, bright colors, but fashion works in mysterious ways. Colors of creams, olives and khakis will be seen everywhere in the spring and are easily dressed up or down. Earth tones transcend all boundaries and will be in style long after its ‘trend’ label goes away – so think INVESTMENT! (Some of our classics? Check out Cheesecake, Pistachio and White Chocolate.)