If you are looking for a mini makeover, a super-hot update to your spring 2013 is a gladiator boot. Shown at multiple Spring 2013 collections, this fun and sassy shoe is super fun and eye-catching. While they may look intimidating, they are actually pretty easy to wear. Here are three ways we think this spring trend 2013 looks fashionable.

1-With a slit a la Anne Hathaway at the Les Miserables premiere. She paired Tom Fords super sexy thigh high boots with a long dress with slit so just a leg peeked through. The look was intense but still kept her covered up so she didn’t like too provocative.

2- With a knee length skirt. Most designers at Spring 2013 Fashion Week showed their sandals with skirts that skimmed the tops of the knees. A short skirt went a little too risqué, so this was a good choice for  the runway because it made the look much more wearable. Check out Altuzarra’s country chic look below.

3- With an oversized or sporty ensemble. A loose dress or shirt balances the look of these boots by mixing covered with exposed. Alexander Wang’s styling was spot on when he put the girls in super sporty looks that weren’t revealing. The oversized dresses also kept the girls from looking too bare which wouldn’t be a good look for day.

The key to wearing these sexy shoes is to stay covered up. A short or bare dress is too revealing and will make the boots go from sexy and classy to trashy. You want to look like a modern Greek goddess – not a 50 Shades of Grey bondage girl. Try them in a nude or tan tone if the black cutout ones seem a little bit too intense for you, and be sure to have tanned legs (spray on is great!) so you don’t get a checkerboard effect.

If you need help styling a new trend you want to try, contact us at NYIC. We offer makeovers and styling sessions for all kinds of women and styles.

One hot trend right now mixes designer and street all in one piece. Enter the fake designer shirt. T-shirt companies like NYC Paris have taken well-known designer names and tagged  them with funny sayings like Celine Me Alone. Rodarte, a popular brand for style savvy girls, got smart quick and made their own spoof of a designer shirt with their own brand. Radarte logos have been seen on celebs like Beyonce, Kirsten Dunst, Rhianna and Kanye West.

So what kind of girl can pull these off? It seems the coolest of the cool. Comme’s de Garcon’s Adrian Joffe told The Guardian. “It doesn’t bother us at all, it’s really funny. I’ve only seen it on really cool people.” Seems like the fashion brands themselves don’t have a problem with it. It seems like a great way to get some great advertising! So what do you guys think? Are these tees totally fun, or totally cheesy?

A dominant trend for Fall 2013 men’s fashion was big and fuzzy. Furs in all shapes, lengths, colors and volumes were included in tons of shows and lent to the luxe theme of the season. Etro gave a nod back to the 80s slope style with a fluffy white fur jacket and moon boots to match. Fendi’s fur hoodie was perfect for a more modern and laid back look while Canali went retro with a 70s style brown patchwork long coat. Louis Vuitton and Ann Demuelmeester made long pieces for the super chic guy in sleek leopard print and shiny black.

Menswear designers channeled the Dark Knight with shiny leather skins all in black. Maison Martin Margiela did almost a direct interpretation with his long utility cape that flapped down the runway. Many designers including Hermes and Bottega Veneta went with fitted black leather pants, but paired them down with sweaters and knits instead of going for the intense rocker look. Leather was also used in very classic and conventional ways where we saw tons of staple leather jackets that could be paired with almost anything. Givenchy added a little twist with raglan sleeves and Prada went Italian chic with a long and simple men’s leather coat.

For Spring it was stripes, but for Fall and Winter designers went with another ultra-classic print: tartan. Mostly used in suits and coats, the colorful lines of this Scottish pattern stood out in an entire ensemble or on basic separates. Valentino and Moschino covered their men head to toe in classic tartan colors white Jil Sander and Damir Doma used unusual shades in oversized scales on overcoats. DSquared2 dressed their man up super dapper with a tartan blazer layered over a casual business look.

Shades of red were seen all over men’s fashion week shows in deep, dark burgundy. From single coats to entire ensembles, this deep shade of Bordeaux looked luxe and luscious for fall. Maison Martin Margiela did an entire head to toe look in the hue, and John Varvatos made an ultra-chic, long, double breasted coat with black leather sleeves. Gucci’s deep oxblood red coat continued a trend from last Fall while Canali updated a simple business look with a beautiful maroon overcoat. We saw a modern Hugh Hefner at Alexander McQueen who draped his guy in a patterned red robe with matching pants and then topped it off with a red velvet blazer.

The women’s trend from the past few years of wearing pajama tops as day wear has finally crossed over into men’s fashion. Silky, patterned robes and jackets forayed onto the Fall runways in bright colors and opulent fabrics. Dries Van Noten and Louis Vuitton wrapped their men in intricately patterned robes while Dolce & Gabbana and Etro used a floral pattern and an Asian print, respectively, on classic tailored jackets. Alexander McQueen’s black and gold long jacket was a fresh take on an ancient Chinese style and had the simple sophistication of an expensive smoking jacket.

The overall theme for men’s fashion month and Fall 2013 was of opulence. Sleek leathers, expensive furs and luxe colors and fabrics were all used in simple silhouettes to add a modern and luxeury look to simple separates that most men already own. Buy one or two special pieces next season and work them into your current wardrobe to stay on top of Fall fashion trends for men without having to overhaul your entire closet.

Black and White–Ease from the dark shade of Fall/Winter 2012 into more…black! And white, that is. One of the simplest yet boldest looks for Spring 2013 is black and white. This spring trend isn’t just found in outfit combos, but in single patterned pieces as well. American designers led the trend with Michael Kors, Philip Lim, Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang and Narciso Rodriguez all showing the bold, contrasting look. The combination of dark and light is a fresh take on spring’s commonly white palette and it looked took a new spin on the often bright color blocking used during spring.

Sheer Touches– One of the most consistent 2013 fashion trends seen in almost all of the shows was a classic one for spring – sheers. Designers made it different during fashion week by showing sheer fabrics as an accent or panel, rather than doing an entire see-through piece. Reed Krakoff and Preen by Thornton Bregazzi used paneled accents for a little sexy touch while Akris and Giambattista Valli used wispy silks to add length to otherwise short dresses. Prabal Gurung went with the layered look by adding capes, tails and long sheer tops over pants and skirts. The pieces had a light an airy feel that got us excited for warmer weather.

All Ruffled Up– While they didn’t dominate entire collections, ruffles definitely had a place in many 2013 fashion shows. Oversized and full of flounce, large ruffles adorned shoulders, necklines and high cut slits at Gucci, Chloe and Balenciaga. From bold and voluminous, to smaller feminine accents like in Givenchy’s baby blue sheath and Gareth Pugh’s bold red cape, these pieces were made with a light, airy feel that is synonymous with spring clothing.

The Far East– Taking cues from Japanese kimonos, different designers used Asian influence in different ways. Dries Van Noten adapted muted Asian prints into a few of his grunge looks while Emilio Pucci used both the fabrics and silhouettes of traditional silk robes throughout his entire collection. Both the shiny textiles and vibrant patterns were a staple at shows like Etro, Aquilano Rimondi and Prada. From embroidered dragons to obi style belts, traditional Japanese attire definitely made quite a debut.

Colored Skins– Many designers took leather, a commonly black textile, and adapted it for spring in bright and powerful shades. A luscious cranberry leather jacket at Marni and blush leather coat at Miu Miu made us all swoon for feminine shades while the mustard yellow ensemble at Mulberry took unconventional colored leather to a whole new level. Texture also came into play at Hermes with their aqua blue crocodile print leather shorts and shirt. A subcategory of bright color blocked leather pieces added a more youthful touch at both the Proenza Schouler and Fendi shows.

Be Professional– Many designers put something out there for the chic career women and made the ensembles perfect for spring and summer. Short suits were a consistent theme in many of the shows and the looks had a large range in color, print and silhouette. Designers stepped away from the classic black and grey hues of colder months and gave us some fresh and fun office wear. Marissa Webb did a youthful take on tweed by accenting it with teal stripes, and Michael Kors’ classic American style gave us a great rugby look perfect for any prep. Tory Burch put out pieces in bright and fun prints and even the classic slouchy knitwear designers at Helmut Lang created something both professional and spring appropriate with a paisley printed short suit ensemble.

We saw lots of creativity and inspiration at the 2013 Spring Fashion Weeks, but these six stood out to us at the top trends for spring. Intense runway looks don’t mean that you can’t rock them your own way! Wear all black and white separates (which you probably already own, by the way) for an look that will always match, or layer sheer clothing over a basic outfit to create layers appropriate for spring fashion. A ruffled blouse or skirt should be worn with slim pants or a top so you don’t get overwhelmed, or pair a kimono style to with slim black pants for your next ladies night. We love the colored leather trend, but if you are not feeling bold try adding it into your look with a purple or blue leather bag. If you work in a casual office, a short suit is the perfect way to go from work to cocktails or dinner. Wear it with a light blouse so you can button up during the day and remove your jacket at night. Pretty much any look you like can be adapted to your own personal style. Spring is the perfect time for a wardrobe makeover, so pack up those heavy coats and get ready for some freshness.

Bathed in Blue—Blue became the new black at the men’s fashion shows. From sapphire and cerulean to chambray denim suits, we saw the bold hue in every shade it comes in. Bottega Veneta paired a light blue denim suit with a bag and sunglasses to keep it fresh for spring, while Hermes kept their pieces in darker shades that could transition into fall. The bright sapphire blue at Roberto Cavalli was not designed for the shy guy, but at Giorgio Armani he kept his men’s suits more casual and loosely fitted in an easy to wear denim blue.

Fatigues— This is one men’s trend that you may already have in your closet. Army fatigues! Designers for men’s fashion week used them in both classic and new ways. Valentino gave a crisp short trench jacket a fresh print and Kenzo abstracted army green shades into an interesting leopard print. Dries Van Noten went hunter chic by pairing an army print shirt and jacket with bright orange slacks, creating a contrast that bewildered the eye. Commes de Garcon went super classic with light army print shirts and pants accompanied by long grey jackets to keep the look light.

Bright and Colorful—Suits came with a powerful punch at many shows. From bright purple to neon yellow and every shade in between, these pieces stood out as a new spring staple. John Galliano’s oversized red and orange madras print was a bold look with the pattern adorning the jacket, pants and shirt of a single ensemble. Mugler went a little bit softer with a seafoam blue suit with sheen, and Hermes put out a muted lime suit that paired nicely with a grey shirt. At Salvatore Ferragamo they went all out and created entire ensembles using a mix of punch colored jackets, pants and accessories.

Shine On—Super bright and super shiny, colored metallics were a fun new trend at mens fashion weeks. Versace and Lanvin used classic metallic shades with their copper and silver suits, while Burberry Prorsum went full-fledged by doing neon pinks, blues, purples and greens. Roberto Cavalli kept the colors a little more chic by pairing a shiny blue blazer with a light blue suit.

Doubled Up—While a good suit is always in style, unique silhouettes and applications can make them unique and fashion forward. We saw tons of double breasted blazers accompanying slim slacks done is traditional greys and blacks. Blamain and Bottega Veneta’s black and grey double breasted suits looked sleek and polished. Gucci added a little interest with a grey patterned suit adorned with wooden buttons and Canali wen all out mobster inspired with a striped suit topped off with a fedora hat.

All Stripes–Designers went classic American prep with red, white and blue striped clothing. Jean Paul Gaultier made it modern by finishing his looks with a turban which also lent to a creative contrast. Marni mixed different colored stripes in separates and classic preppy American designer Tommy Hilfiger put out bold suits with oversized striped patterns. Dolce and Gabbana’s horizontal striped blazer was shown with grey slacks and dark loafers for an interesting contrast that read Italian businessman on the bottom and mariner on the top.

While men’s fashion can seem a bit bold and tough to wear, they key is to take certain looks or colors and incorporate a little bit of it into your outfit. Instead of a sapphire blue suit, try a navy one with brown loafers and a neutral button up. Neon suits aren’t work appropriate, but a neon tie can be fun and add interest to an after work event. Wear a metallic silver blazer with black pants and a shirt to a holiday party, or buy a pair of striped pants that will be the perfect nautical print for a casual beach house event. Army can be worn almost any way, but make sure to mix it with polished pieces so you don’t look like your 13 year old self. Confidence is the best accessory, so whatever trend you decide to try just make sure you feel good in it and you will look good no matter what.

Lucky for you, we’re doing all the work. So, you get to enjoy the trends and highlights of Fashion Week on us! We’re examining the trends that we saw from runway to runway and focusing on the ones that can be worn in your day-to-day life, because face it, not all the runway looks can be replicated in the office or out with friends.

Here are our favorite trends from New York Fashion Week 2013 and how to wear them in your regular life:

1. Military Bottoms: These are not your usual skinny army cargo pants. These have some room for movement and are made with a lighter textile. Rebecca Taylor and Rag & Bone both showed the new military-esque pants.

2. Folk for Days: Floral-patterned embroidery was seen on the models of Prabal Gurung and Suno. The bright tone of this aesthetic is a welcomed change from this winter’s darker hues. Well, almost. Most of the floral patchwork was sewn atop of black dresses or dark green suits making the contrast between the colors a splendid site.

3. Overexposed Prints: These tech-created prints look like sunspots, bleach stains and bits of overexposed in a photograph. The sun-kissed looks were seen all over from Creatures of Comfort to Rachel Comey. This fun take on print-making makes wearing a dress with a peek-a-boo ray of sunshine feel warm and perfect for the spring and summer seasons.

4. Quilt-Making: Quilting was seen on everything from skirts to coats this season. It reminds me of those classic Chanel bags, but less pronounced. On the 2013 runways, leather dresses and skirts were a quilting favorite. The new quilting is more subtle and was best utilized by Elizabeth and James, Theyskens’ Theory and DKNY.

5. Sexy Sweatpants: This must sound crazy. How, how can sweatpants be any kind of sexy? Well, they can when the pants are leather. Everyone needs a break from skinny pants and leather sweats are a great new shape for pants. Not to mention, they look awesome with booties. Who did it best? J Brand, Christian Siriano and Charlotte Ronson all featured a look reminiscent of a bad girl in gym class. Don’t knock it before you try it!

Which of these trends are you eager to try and which are you going to skip? See you after London Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week when we have more fashion week trends to show you.

Lips:

Say good-bye to neon. Hot pink matte lips are being replaced with dark wine colored lips for fall (Merlot? Yes, please!). As your summer tan fades away, a dramatic berry colored lip color will add a nice contrast to your paler complexion. Remember not to over do your eyes if you are wearing a bold burgundy lip or you risk looking too vampy.

Eyes:

We agree, Anna Hathaway made an amazing cat woman this summer, but the dramatic cat eye liner and shadow is definitely out for fall. Instead, try a softer more romantic version. It is still best to use a liquid liner for this retro-style eye. Rather than a heavy line on both the top and the bottom of the eye, simply line the top lid and create a small, romantic wing at the corner. Forget the shadow but load up on the mascara to complete the look.

Nails:

Forget the mundane pastels and neons of late. This fall, nail trends are not just about painting your nails one color but making artful designs. Think of your nails as a blank canvas for your creativity and edge to shine through. Polka dots, tribal designs, flowers, houndstooth, anything goes.

Hair:

Shaved sides are out. Although, Rhianna and Cassie pulled off this punk rocker look well, we are ready for a new do. If you are itching for a change (or just want to chop some of your locks off), try a vintage or flapper inspired bob instead.

Hair color:

If you loved the brown to blond faded ombre look of spring and summer, don’t fret, ombre hair is hanging around for at least one more season. However, fall trends show the traditional dark brown to light blond being replaced by multiple tones of pinks and blues.

There is no denying that fashion and art have a very close relationship. The mere fact that the MET puts fashion designers and their “pieces” on display alongside some of the world’s most famous artwork is a testament to this (we still can’t stop thinking about the Alexander McQueen exhibit last year!).

If you saw the Schiaparelli and Prada exhibit at the MET this summer, you might remember Schiaparelli and Prada’s conversation on the issue of whether or not fashion is art. Schiaparelli has always maintained that fashion is art, but Prada, in her true rebellious style, disagrees and insists that fashion is not art.

Here we take a look at two of the most recent fashion designer/artist collaborations and how their collections measure up.

Louis Vuitton and Yayoi Kusama. Kusama is a Japanese contemporary artist well known for her dense use of polka dots. Kusama currently has an exhibit at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Louis Vuitton is not only sponsoring Kusama’s exhibit but has collaborated with her on a new line. The collection, which partially launched on July 21st, is centered around the artists signature bold spots, which cover every item from shoes to dresses to handbags.  While the clothing line might be a little too bold for most of us to wear (mustard yellow and bright red are not the most universally flattering colors), the 5th Ave window display is definitely a sight to see.

To take this line from the runway to the real world, we suggest accessories. We love the hand bags which are bound to spice up any outfit. We are also eyeing the chic black flats with the black and white polka dot bow.  Keep your eye out, the second part of the Louis Vuitton-Kusama collection will be unveiled at Selfridges on August 24. Although, we are sure it won’t be hard to miss.

Christian Dior and Anselm Reyle. Reyle is a contemporary German artist known for his abstract paintings. Dior and Reyle collaborated on a line of accessories this past spring. It is hard not to miss the overwhelming camouflage theme throughout the line. If you take a look at  Reyle’s “foil painting,” one of his most famous works,  it almost mirrors that bright camouflage design found on all of the Dior pieces.  This collection fits nicely into the neon and tribal trends of late, however, it appears Reyle has merely used his signature design and printed it onto Dior’s signature Miss Dior handbags and shoes. The same goes for the make-up that is also part of the Dior-Reyle collection.

Two major fall trends we’ve been spotting are leather – skirts and tops – and metallic – nails and shoes. Styled together or separate, leather clothing and metallic accessories are a must for fashionistas this fall.

Here, we have rounded up the crisp weather looks that we are eyeing for the upcoming months. Start shopping and planning now for your crisp weather wardrobe makeover!

Peplum tops

They were huge for spring and summer but worn with a cropped blazer and leather mini skirt, they are still going strong for next season. For a more office appropriate look, pair your favorite peplum with black trousers. Or, throw on your basic peplum with a pair of print trousers (which brings us to our next trend, see below).

Print trousers

These are a great statement piece for fall! If you are new to prints, opt for solid-colored blouses so that your fabulous pants do all the talking. However, if you are daring, you can mix prints. Just remember to keep colors in the same family and that stripes go with practically everything! Balance is key. With a slouchy trouser wear a tight fitting top. With a more fitted trouser wear a looser blouse (or peplum top!). If cropped, pair with a great oxford. If ankle length, wear with a wedge.

Jewel tone cords

Mix up textures and add some edge by wearing your jewel tone cords with a leather motorcycle jacket. Skinny ankle cords look great with printed or metallic oxford flats (remember to keep the shoes in the same color family as your pants) or ankle booties (which just happens to be our next fall fashion trend, see below).

Ankle booties

We agree it is too early to think about squeezing your bronzed legs into a knee-high boot. That’s why we love ankle boots! They are easy to slip on and easy to style with almost anything. A basic suede flat bootie is an everyday fall trend essential. They go with everything from your skinny jeans to your printed dresses. In addition, make sure to get an ankle boot with some flair or some height to wear for a night out. Worn with leather pants, black ankle boots not only make a great date night outfit but they elongate your frame.

Metallic Accessories

While we love the metallic trend for fall, don’t over do it with the accessories. Stick to one or two metallic details at a time. A metallic nail polish with a matching metallic belt looks ultra chic with a lace LBD for a night out. Or gold metallic pumps and a bronze tote worn with trousers and a blazer is just right for the office. Just remember, metallic accessories shine on their own so tone down the rest of your outfit when sporting this fall trend.

Stay tuned, fall is not even here yet, so there is more where this style advisory came from!

Famous designers from different countries have created Olympic uniforms representing their home teams. These will be  showcased during the 2012 summer games.

While some designers created looks strictly for the opening ceremonies, others have gone above and beyond to create performance wear lines athletes can actually compete in called “team kits.” With the whole world watching, we can assure you these Olympic Games are are going to mirror a true fashion runway show!

Here we take a look at 7 different countries’ Olympic uniforms (with our favorite being first) and the renowned designers who created their unique looks.

1st Place:

Jamaica (opening ceremony and team kit) designed by singer and designer Cedella Marley (Bob Marley’s daughter) in collaboration with Puma.

Marley said she used some of her father’s songs as inspiration for her designs. The line is vibrant and upbeat with flashy prints, a reflection of the Caribbean country’s culture.

2nd Place:

United Kingdom  (team kit) designed by Stella McCartney in collaboration with Adidas.

“I always was excited from a design point of view in pushing boundaries on design technology so having access to materials that were cutting edge in the sporting arena and also working with different fabrics, ” said McCartney.

3rd Place:

Republic of San Marino (opening ceremony) designed by Salvatore Ferragamo.

In true Italian chic style, the line covers everything from sportswear to gala event with an emphasis on sophistication and craftsmanship.

4th Place:

New Zealand (opening ceremony) designed by Rodd & Gunn.

The line has a 1960s retro feel with the white trimmed blazers and busy patterned dresses.

5th Place:

France (equestrian team kit) designed by Hermes.

Hermes created tailored riding jackets using flexible technical fabrics to be worn by the show jumping and evening team.

6th Place:

United States (opening ceremony) designed by Ralph Lauren.

Although Ralph Lauren is under fire for these uniforms being made in China, we still think the red, white and navy designs represent true American patriotism and athleticism. However, we must question the berets, they look très French.

7th Place:

Italy (team kit) designed by Giorgio Armani.

“”Fashion represents a great Italian flag for the whole world and it is a beautiful idea to combine it with sports,” said Armani.

The London Olympic uniforms really represent a wide array of cultural styles and it’s incredible to see such big name designers coming forward to show their support.