Minimal Instincts

Akris Spr '11 RTW

Cacharel Spr '11 RTW

PPQ Spr '11 RTW

Chloé Spr '11 RTW

Celine Spr '11 RTW

Jil Sander Fall '11 RTW

Peter Som Fall '11 RTW

Michael Kors Spr '11 RTW

Derek Lam Spr '11 RTW

                                    (runway photos courtesy of Style.com) 

Quite frankly, less really can be more.

Runway for Real Life Options:

at Old Navy, $17.50

at Banana Republic, $175.00

by DKNYC, at zappos.com,  $79.20

at J. Crew, $138.00

at Gap, $59.50

at United Colors of Benetton

at talbots.com, $139.00

at Gap, $39.95

Nude Awakening

Araks Spr '11 RTW

Cerruti Spr '11 RTW

Costello Tagliapietra Spr '11 RTW

Chloé Spr '11 RTW

Christian Cota Spr '11 RTW

Giambattista Valli Spr '11 RTW

Lanvin Spr '11 RTW

J. Mendel Spr '11 RTW

Anne Valérie Hash Spr '11 RTW

3.1 Phillip Lim Spr '11 RTW

(runway photos courtesy of Style.com) These fleshy tones covered Spring ‘11 runways at least seven times over, like your own skin does your bones. They do seem to wash out the models; yet somehow, these nude creations are delicately beautiful in their own monochromatic ways. The prettiest part about the neutral hues is that, when the right shade for your skin tone is worn, they resemble an almost seamless extension of your own skin. The effect is litteraly quite natural looking, and a puff of blush, a pink flick of the wrist over the lip, and a feathery mascera wand through the lashes is just about all you need to complete your nude look, without actually going out undressed. If all nude is just too beige for you, try a brighter color on your lips, or wear a pop of color somewhere. Or, try on a cocktail dress in a great color that flatters your complexion and pair it with some nude pumps (this is also a great leg-lengthening technique), or try a colorful sundress with nude wedges for a more casual look. 

Runway for Real Life Options: 

at Loft, $39.99

by Nation LTD, at piperlime.gap.com,  $86.00

by Alexander McQueen, at 6pm.com, $507.00

at Gap, $59.95

by A Wear, at us.asos.com, $51.72

at modcloth.com, $54.99

by Mrkt, at DSW, $79.95

at Banana Republic, $59.50

by DV by Dolce Vita, at zappos.com, $87.00

at michaelkors.com, $315.00

Butterflies Flutter By

 

Top left to right: John Galliano Spr '11 RTW, Carlos Miele Spr '11 RTW, Alexander McQueen Spr '11 RTW; Middle: Naeem Khan Resort '12; Bottom: Blumarine Spr '11 RTW, Sportmax Spr '11 RTW (all courtesy of Style.com) 

These delicate creatures graced various designers’ Spring ’11 and Resort ’12 ready-to-wear runways, in mostly bright colors and in both flowy and structured silhouettes. Butterflies are beauties in nature, but sometimes their beauty gets muddied through apparel and accessory interpretations. They can become overdone, gaudy, and unnatural looking. However, if you pick an elegant print and a silhouette that’s right for your body, these insects can be fun and flattering. You’ll actually want them residing in your closet. 

Runway for Real Life Options:

by ASOS, at us.asos.com, $60.34
at Forever 21, $22.80
by Tinley Road, at piperlime.gap.com, $36.99
at Anthropologie, $79.95
 at ninewest.com, $26.00
 by Kate Spade New York, at Lord and Taylor, $148.00
 by Moschino Cheap and Chic, at endless.com, $340.97
 by Etienne Aigner, at DSW, $29.95