7 Ungathered Fashion Trends to Avoid

Happy Friday Fashionistas! It's excellent to be back after a nice, restorative vacation last week. Having been rested and refreshed properly, and practiced self-care like the gathered lady that I am, I am ready to get on my game and solve the problems of the world. In that spirit, I am going to compliment Bree's 7 Heavenly Fashion Trends for Fall 2013 with the converse: 7 Ungathered Fashion Trends to Avoid (in no particular order). 

It is my opinion that in the absence of a highly organized and funded International Fashion Police agency, The Gathered Lady can make a "citizen's arrest" on the following list of faux pas. Not necessarily because these trends are ungathered in and of themselves, but because they are particularly difficult to pull off without looking like an ungathered poser. As in all things fashion, our advice is a guideline, but never an unbreakable rule. All instances of these trends being worn should be judged on a case by case basis. Just don't be surprised if people stop and point you get convicted of fashion crimes! 

1. Socks and Sandals. 

See? Makes NO difference what type of sandal you wear. Attempt at great risk of silent ridicule.This trend will never go away and is as old as time, and neither will the complaints from the visually victimized. And it doesn't matter what type of sandal you wear, or how young you are (unless you are in elementary school or something, and then your parents should be confronted). FYI, this was voted the worst fashion trend of 2013 in the UK this year. Apparently it's a plague over there. Let's stop the outbreak now folks and cancel this one. Leave this one on the runway and back away slowly. 

2. Graphic Leggings.

^^What you think you look like. What you ACTUALLY look like.^^MMkay. I think the pic above says it all. Graphic leggings are a fashion trap of sorts. It seems like it's going to be a fun, dramatic statment piece, and then it morphs into this hard to match fashion challenge. Trust me, I fell for this one (but DID NOT leave my house!). Not to mention that if you're not a 2-dimensional airbrushed model photo and happen to be a human being, you will have to deal with the problem of 3-dimensional subcutaneous fat deposits -- aka muffin top, jelly rolls, cellulite, and baby back ribs. We advise caution here. Discretion is the better part of valor. Live to fight another day and stop scaring babies in strollers. 

3. Overalls/Shortalls. 

Every single person in this collage looks like they just wandered in out of the cabbage patch.This trends shows a disturbing zombie-esque ability to raise from the dead. As this one is a personal pet peeve of mine (I had a long overall phase in my fashion-challenged past), there is not enough bad to say about it. Don't do it. Unless you're headed to the Fall Harvest Festival in character as a rube. Even with heels and jewelry -- this is one that is impossible to dress up unless the overalls are made from a different material than the usual denim.  This trend is for fashion virtuosos only --  and even then you could make the worst dressed list! 

4. Power Clashing 

You could easily look like a truant clown. Refrain. This trend is another trap, and it reminds me a lot of the pinterest paradox or the "easy" home improvement projects shown on HGTV. It all looks so easy... until you attempt to repeat said outcome! Even with detailed instructions, the power clash is a delicate balance best left to the runway and professional personalities unless you know what you're doing and there is an appropriate occasion to rock this one. (Hint: Work is never a good place for power clashing unless you want to power clash with a pink slip, especially if you interact clients or customers. Fashion and entertainment industry fashionistas are exempt from this rule, but should still use extreme caution.)

5. Pajamas, Rollers, Silky Caps, Slippers, and other Nonsense as Activewear

There are no words. Go to your home immediately. Fashionistas, as obvious as this one is, it's something that I have to deal with in this list becase far too many people out in the world are guilty of this. A little public shaming could go a long way here, if you ask me. I also find it unforgiveable that Hollywood sometimes plays around with this, which encourages the People of Walmart types that are more normally guilty of this. Shame on all of you! Go home and put on some shoes, brush/comb that hair, and put on some actual clothes. The world is not your living room! Groom thyself immediately! 

6. Harem pants, Hammer pants, drop-crotch... oh my!

Who really looks good in these? I demand to know: who looks good in these? I'm of the opinion that they don't really flatter any body type. Also, for the skinny types that do get away with it, what do you do with all that extra space in the free poopy pouch included in the back? These confuse me, and I'm not the only one not dreaming of Jeannie with this damn pants. Use caution- these pick up right where gaucho pants left off! And I don't know about ya'll, but gaucho pants turned me from hottie to Horton-hears-a-who in 0.5 seconds flat. #sideeye

7. High-Wasted Denim Shorts 

A denim gamble.I struggled with whether to list these. They can be fab, and often are... on the right body type. Unfortunately, my eyes do not deceive me that there is a plague of people not able to determine whether these shorts can be a part of a healthy balanced wardrobe. Being some retro combo of a stovepipe pant and a mini short makes them intriguing, but they bring the cons of those clothing items along with the pros. I see scores of women out there wearing ill-fitting, too-tight shorts that muffin up top, wedge in the bottom, and roll in between the thighs. These things will have you doing that yank 'em dance every time ya'll! Look before you leap! Prefereably in the mirror with a dose of reality. 

Well there you are. Practice caution with all of these trends, and you can't fail to be a gathered lady. And tell your friends! 

Are there any ungathered trends we've missed? Email or facebook us and share them! 

7 Heavenly Trends... for Summer 2013!

This past Saturday marked the first official day of summer. You know what that means- a new excuse to shop for summer trends! We've compiled a list of hot fashion styles that you'll definitely want to attempt rocking. We've already spotted some of the looks in our Fashion Spreads! Although some of these trends may be on the daring side for the more conservative fashionistas, they all can be incorporated into daily style in a tasteful way to add playful elements to your look. Keep checking back, we'll be breaking down some of these in further details with "How to Rock..." posts. And for you fashionistas who are already wearing these trends, submit your pics to thegatheredlady@gmail or tag us on facebook, twitter, or instagram @TheGatheredLady #getgathered and if we like it, we'll share it! 

1. Graphic Prints

These bold prints take the work out of spicing up outfits. Choose your level of commitment to style-boldness with low-risk simple accessories like purses and tops or take more risks with dresses and pants. Also, graphic print shorts are guaranteed hot-ticket items this summer.

2. Leather

I'm sure you're thinking "Leather?! Ain't nobody got time for that in this heat!!". Don't worry, this trend is reasonable in that it's mainly skirts, shorts, and panels of leather that are being incorporated into clothing. Very temperature friendly. If you're still nervous, may we suggest wearing looser fitting leather, cool and roomy tops, and open toe shoes to make this style most practical. Check out how these ladies from The Gathered Fashion Spread & Nordic Poetry rock it for summer.

3. Neon

Poor Neon colors. Despite there attention seeking presence, they're only welcome in small doses and in trend cycles unlike their relatives Primary and Pastels. But seriously, neon colors can really add an amazing pop of color to your outfit. I opt for neon shoes, thin waist belts, finger nail accents, clutches and necklaces as my top choices to wear neon. I'm especially in love with my neon flats in citron color! Amazing! My neon fashion attempts with flats and belt4. Plastic & Lucite Accessories

Something about Plastic and Lucite that feels futuristic and metropolitan. Which is pretty cool, however this style is one to purchase in small doses. This look has been popping up since Spring, and recently was heavily featured in the Robin Thicke and Pharell music video 'Blurred Lines' by the models. Most women however don't look like 5'10 models with minimal body fat. Medium and fuller figured fashionistas may fare better with accessories rather than the plastic shirts and jackets. I've already purchase some lucite single strap sandals and am plotting when I can appropriately wear them!

5. Braids

Braids have made a serious comeback with celebrities like Beyonce and Amy Adams making them sophisticated and stylish again. Not just a hairstyle, braiding in clothing and accessories fits nicely with the tribal and graphic prints that have been a hit on the runways and in street style. I've been playing with the idea of box braids, but I may settle for braids in my sandals which is just as cool!

6.  American Rugged Charm

We won't go so far as to start singing "I'm proud to be an American", but we will give props to the American flag and this daring fashion trend of incorporating it and what I've deemed "rugged American charm" into outfits. This style can be seen in Native American print work, eagle themed shirts, as well as cut off denim shorts, summer cowboy & ankle boots, motorcycle tees and American flag prints. If part of you has a hard time wearing this fashion because you're worried about the underlying narcissism of American-pride  propaganda, just remember years back when Brazil flag shirts were all the rage. This isn't the first nation's flag theme to become a trend, so you might as well live it up while you have a pass and it won't be associated with any Larry the Cable Guy type fashion! LOL.

7. Nail Art

If you haven't noticed the hugely popular nail art trend, you're either a toddler, in a nursing home, or an alien. Even though you've seen it-- have you tried it? We've picked out what's popular this season, and coincidently it mimics some of the other trends like neon, graphic prints, and American. If you're too conservative to go all 10 fingernails, opt for a spicy pedicure or try the trend of painting your ring fingers a different color or design that the others. I personally love the attention to finger and toenails and have been sporting the cat and oval nails for over a year. I'm dying to try more graphic prints and neon colors, but only on my ring fingers for now!

Happy Monday! See you Wednesday. Now go get gathered with these trends!

Fab Summer Color: The M.A.C. Fashion Sets

My fellow gathered fashionistas, if you're a M.A.C. lover, you need our newest find in your life ASAP. M.A.C. released a new collection of Fashion Sets earlier this month, and they're banging. They took seven classic colors inspired by fans from around the world, and created a matching Lipstick, Lipglass and Nail Lacquer for each. The seven fabulous and regionally inspired colors are Chestnut, Girl About Town, Myth, Rebel, Russian Red, Snob (pictured above), and Spice. The colors are gorgeous. Even if you aren't a M.A.C. fangirl (the foundations can be rough on sensitive ethnic skin), these palettes are worth a gander. You should be able to find at least one you absolutely love no matter your skin tone. I'm all about Myth at the moment. The lippies and glosses (or glasses, in this case) retail for $14.50 each; the nail colors come in at $16. You can get a full set for $45. maccosmetics.com

 

palettes