Colored Denim for Summer

My general rule on trends is the following -- if I was around the first time the trend was popular then I'm not allowed to wear the trend when it comes back. However, there just has to be some exceptions to any rule. Such is the case with the colored denim trend. I remember when I was around 13 or 14 (when colored denim was trendy last time) I think I owned a green denim jacket (ewww). But I just couldn't resist all the delicious colors that I'm seeing everywhere now -- coral, turquoise, sea foam... I broke down and bought a pair of Joe's jeans in "cobalt". At first I wasn't sure if I was able to pull them off (they're bright!) but now I see that they're actually quite fun and versatile for work and weekends.

Here are some totally fun colors from the store window at Mario's downtown.

Here's my Joe's jeans ($99 from Nordstrom), black light blazer ($50 Nordstrom Rack), white v-neck t-shirt ($28 Caslon) and Kooba bag.  You can't see in this picture but I'm wearing Cole Haan black strappy espadrille wedges ($119).  The only piece that's new this season is the jeans, everything else is recycled from previous seasons.

Fav Trend - Orange, White and Grey

While flipping through an issue of Lucky magazine I spotted a new fav spring trend: Orange, white and grey. Once it caught my eye, I started seeing it everywhere. Why, what a lovely way to give the neutral combination of grey and white a bunch of colour? I've been looking for these colours in my own closet and trying to put together such combinations.

Grey Cardigan at Banana Republic

Club Monaco Spring collection 2009

Smart Trend: the Tankini

During a recent family vacation to Hawaii I gained a new found appreciation for the simple genius of the tankini. I was uncomfortable at the thought of seeing my 14 year old niece in a bikini at the beach since I still think of her as a sweet young girl. When she showed up in a cute Roxy tankini I breathed a sigh of relief. It was fashionable and completely age appropriate. Her mother, who is in her early 40's and just recently dropped her baby weight from her youngest child, also chose a tankini. Her suit cleverly accentuated her curves while you're flat playing down her tummy area. And my mother who is 61 also wore a tankini. It's amazing how a little smart thinking transformed the traditional one piece into a figure flattering design that appeals to multiple generations. The unforgiving one piece makes you look prepubescent if you're flat chested and makes you look like the Michelin Tire Man if you've got a bit of yummy fat. The tankini, on the other hand, works like a tank top that is just long enough to go below the tummy which is a problem area for many women. It's usually not as tight as the one piece but offers the coverage of a one piece for those who are self conscious about baring their mid-section. On top of that, there's plenty of necklines and print for everyone. The bikini still is the summer icon but the tankini is for real girls, and women.

Raisins Tawny tankini top - $42.99 (additional 50% off). Raisins and Roxy are both popular brands for girls.

Kenneth Cole rushed tankini top - $66.00

Tommy Bahama 'Tahaana Damask' tankini top - $88.00

Olian Maternity Halter tankini - $24.90. Even expectant mommies can wear the tankini!