Fall/Winter 2012 Fashion Trends | by BecomeGorgeous

Today we have a guest post from Diana of BecomeGorgeous.com. She is reporting fall and winter trends hot off the runway and did her homework! Enjoy the eye candy and inspiration (you can click on any image to see the up-close details). I am definitely cray cray over the beautiful Baroque embellishments //

With summer already a memory, it's time we start thinking about our cold-weather wardrobes. So, new season, new trends! From Asian-inspired and military to statement-making baroque and Gothic, discover the hottest fall/winter 2012 fashion trends!

BAROQUE
It seems that designers excelled this season at embellishing clothes with to-die-for details. The result? A look-at-me-now baroque approach that catches the eye from the very first glimpse. You can see it at Dolce & Gabbana, Balmain, Aquilano.Rimondi. (Collage is above)

MILITARY
Yes, the military trend reigns supreme once again and seems to be more fashionable than ever (Altuzarra, Tommy Hilfiger, Moschino, Victoria Beckham, Salvatore Ferragamo). This season, besides the already popular coats, we could also spot some incredibly feminine military-inspired dresses and skirts.

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Petite Fashion Challenge #19: Ombre Crochet Maxi Dress

Pitaya ombre pastel crochet tank maxi dress // H&M nude long tank top (underneath) //

Target pink beanie (gift from Dad) // Aldo nude pumps // Rue 21 wide woven belt //

Genius Outfitters dainty gold skull necklace (from Hawaii) //

Bracelets: Poshlocket Celeste gold and silver (c/o), Forever 21 pearl // 

Rings: green amethyst - Oklahoma medieval fair, silver statement - Erin Wasson Low Luv (thanks Suzy), turquoise cluster - gift //

Island Girl Hawaii neon yellow nail polish in Aloha Color //

Photography: Cassandra Morecroft King

Congrats! You made it to the great reveal of Petite Fashion Challenge #19: what did I have cooking for you guys? I call this look, THE MAXIMALIST. So as any of you may have guessed, I took my Trend Benders challenge too the extreme and went all-out. First off, maxi dresses are always a challenge for us petites. Tripping over your hem all day long, pulling down the entire dress with it, tattering the bottoms, sound familiar? The whole idea of maxi dresses is to let loose and take in all the chill vibe that comes associated with the slanky silhouette and length. On top of this comes another trend - ombre (and pastels while we're at it). Ombre is really cool - I have always been inspired by watercolours since I was young and avidly painting at every opportunity. The pretty purple and blue alternating drew my attention. Summer friendly crochet material? This shifts this dress all the way into the impractical-trend-why-did-I-buy-this zone, unless you have something handy to wear underneath (I went with a long nude tank top and black shorts). Leave it to me to have 4 trends or so in one piece going on.

Thanks to everyone who participated in PFC #19! It's been a pleasure to host and I can't wait to join the fun and creativity on many more to come. Here is the list of participants and their Trend Bending outfits. Please add yourself - you have until the end of September!
1. Click the “Click here to enter” button to add to the list.
2. In the “Link it to:” field, please provide the url of the specific post.
3. In the “Caption or Title:” field, please write the title of your blog (ie. Pandaphilia).
4. In the “Thumbnail field:” select pull from Web and follow the instructions to select your image.

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Guest Post by Glitter and Gold: Hot Spring Trends

Today on this hot, hot Midwest spring day, we have a wonderful reader and guest blogger, Ashley of Glitter and Gold. Yesterday I received a nice email from her asking to contribute and her insight brings a nice change of pace to just outfit posts and food pics. She's here to tell you about some hot spring trends, which are all about the brights, structured versus flowy, and having fun with your spring-melts-into-summer style. Please show her some love and check out her fun collages and fashion reports! I spy with my little eyes several pieces that I would like to flaunt during my SoCal post-graduation summer :)   P.S. Happy birthday to JJ ! ♥  

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What are essential spring trends? For me the few trends I can't live without are messenger bags, pleated skirts, espadrilles and well a good pair of raybans. With all of this stuff you'll look trendy all throughout the few months of warm sun and sandy beaches.

BAG

Messenger bags! Who needs boring tan colored messenger bags, it's summer. Spice up your wardrobe with bold colors and shapes. I love this bag because it's so unique and can turn a boring outfit into something really fun!

A great long pleated skirt is one of my favorite trends. I think this will be a great piece for the spring and summer because these skirts are long and flowey.

{ Sandals + Espadrilles = Want them }

{ Blue+ Raybans = AMAZING!}

I love raybans! Well doesn't everyone! Latley I have been thinking that I need to great a pair of RayBan sunglasses for summer.

Pics, 1, 2, 3, 4

STLFW 2011 Runway: Macy's Find Your Magic

St. Louis Fashion Week 2011: I was really impressed by the Macy's show on Wednesday 10/12. Everything from charity to what-to-wear-to-a-Cards game was St. Louis oriented. Luckily we're having a warm fall and the layers are appropriate for our colder days. SEQUINS, faux fur (INC), equestrian/Euro vibe! Every single pair of outfits was well coordinated and Macy's finished off with their classic red incorporated into every ensemble. Afterwards, shopping was opened and we could buy the things we found on the runway (with discounts too)! This show made me feel like fashion is accessible to anyone (including guys!) and if you rock what you're wearing with a smile, you're set in style.

The stage was T-shaped. The models would walk out in pairs, one heads to the left and other to the right. Then they took turns walking to the end of the catwalk, where I was able to snap some shots of every outfit with my T2i kit lens (18-55 mm zoom). They were so freaking tall and I absolutely love that they smiled as they strutted. The lighting was great and considerate towards the media, and I liked the purple/pink aura. Last but not least, the music was popular, commercial Top 40 songs (Party Rock Anthem, Last Friday Night, etc). Read my post about the pre-show party and shopping details.

Brands featured: Bar III, INC International Concepts, Alfani, Rachel Rachel roy, Michael Michael Kors, Kensie, Andrew Charles, Miss Me Denim, Coach, Jones 24/7 and more. Hair by Salon Papillon. Makeup by Urban Decay

Photography: Me

This took many HOURS to edit. Please link back and respect the watermark!

Enjoy this visual runway adventure through fall's wearable styles! (in chronological order)

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Leather and Lace

H&M leather biker jacket (Euro 4) // Forever 21 lace dress (S) //
Xhilaration oxford flats in Cognac (5.5) // Forever 21 multi-strand chain necklace //
From China real pearl necklace // Aldo snake coil ring (5) //
Nail polish in Estee Lauder Autumn and Sally Hansen Commander in Chic //
NYX lipstick in Snow White //

Photography: JJ

GOOD GIRL, BAD GIRL. There's nothing nicer than that serenity in the cafe before the 11:30 rush, listening to whatever indie music they had rolling out of the ceiling, sipping at my piping hot thermos coffee and enjoying an overpriced slice of pumpkin cheesecake slowly with no work on the table.

Last Friday's outfit (9/30): I'm a sucker for dichotomy. Lace and leather together are an odd but compatible pair, and to make it even more extreme I threw on pearls and chains for accessories. Paired with a perfectly deep red lip (NYX in Snow White), it was easy to transition from fall-appropriate school outfit to study party at my friends' dorm. It was an epic night of yogurt & egg white (and sugar?) facial masks, watching The New Girl and Psych, and painting our nails.

Meanwhile, most of that weekend was spent being increasingly sick. "Blehhh" does the job in summing up how my body still feels, but I have to push through a lot of work as per usual. Surprisingly with minimal cold meds, I pulled through relatively unscathed. KEEP CALM and CARRY ON my wayward son.

Many random shots around campus, JJ practicing Chinese yoyo/diabolo, flowers near Brookings Hall. It is prime time for fall, but the past week has been gorgeously sunny in the 80s. The leaves are falling and it's magical everywhere. I want to do a shoot tomorrow in the fallen leaves. Between work and more work - this is the busiest week yet of the semester. Will be updating with STL Fashion Week coverage - so excited! Looking forward to seeing fresh faces and listening to many sartorial stories.

Rest in Peace, Steve Jobs. Your story has just begun. 

Readers - how do you incorporate polar opposites into your outfits?

Back to Schoolgirl

Pitaya/Ezra bunny print peter pan collar top (S) //
Faded Glory pleated plaid mini skirt (S?) (old from high school) (buy midi version) //
H&M polka dot socks // Xhilaration oxford flats in Cognac (5.5) ($20) //
Aldo snake coil ring (5) ($2, $8) //

Photography: JJ + Thomas Roach (wingtips photo)

MY LAST FIRST DAY OF CLASS. Well, until med school. Yesterday's (8/30) outfit combines old and new pieces, taking full advantage of the exploding suitcase I lugged back from home in preparation for fall and my blog sale. This bunny print peter pan collar shirt was one of the Pitaya sale finds from Missouri Tax Free Weekend - I love that it's cute, opaque with a sheer lightness, and my favourite colour. Can't beat $9 for a boutique find either. The skirt is definitely from high school haha-dressup-days when my friends and I all got schoolgirl skirts for transforming into Catholic schoolgirls (of course we covered up more than this). It was odd because I've been a public schooler all my life and we had some of the weirdest strict rules and dress codes (unfun). This is what I love about college. Socks and shoes recycled from last fall. Aldo's rings are so small my finger was stuck for a few minutes trying them on! Size 5 fits great on my middle finger, taking into account my huge joints.

Nostalgia! The first leaves are starting to fall in St. Louis!!! Riding uphill-ish to class is a struggle for my atrophied leg muscles after an exercise-less summer but it gets me to class in 5 minutes from my off-campus house. Meanwhile, allergies are kicking in :( Senior year, here we are so soon. In addition to eating healthy and trying to have a regular schedule of sleep, library study, and exercise, I vow to have more fun and go out more. Yesterday, I hit the library for about 7 hours between classes (ugly gap to be filled with research and meetings later). Clean slate, pretty caught up. How long can I keep this up? xD

My blog resolutions are to:

- Catch up with all my reviews

- Morning photoshoots in 5 minutes before class, every day

- Post every day

- Set up that blog shop!

- Reply to comments

P.S. Shoutout to my friends Jane and Francis for following :) You guys made my day! 

Readers - what did you wear for back-to-school?