What to wear to an outdoor concert

Allie from Seattle, WA sent in a question:

“Jennnnnny what should I wear to the Gorge this weekend? (outdoor concert amphitheater, 85 Degrees+) I don’t want to wear just regular old jeans shorts and a white tank. I need something cheap, cute, trendi, and comfortable.”

You should definitely skip the jean shorts. In hot weather they feel really heavy PLUS they’re totally predictable. (I bet most of the girls there will be wearing them.)

Most likely you’ll be dusty, sweaty, and will spill something on yourself/be spilled on by the end of the concert. Leave the expensive things at home.

Readers of this blog know I have a love-hate relationship with Forever21, but I am going to pull together an outfit from their site because cheap + cute + trendi = Forever21.

I like these cotton shorts. They’re lightweight and cuter than basic shorts. ($18 at F21)

Keep the top simple with a fitted tank.

Avoid billowy tanks with the above shorts. The shorts have some volume to them so the top should be fitted.

You also don’t want the top to be so long that it covers the shorts. That would be tacky and would lead to your friends whispering to each other, “is Allie not wearing shorts? Gross. Who wants to say something to her?” ($9 at Forever21)

Wear a lightweight flat or sandal. You may want to avoid flip-flops or strappy sandals depending on how dusty/dirty it is. Having dirty feet is never trendi.

Cheetah Flats ($16.80 at Forever21)

Then have fun with the jewelry. I thought this elephant necklace was a total steal at $5.80.

Or do big earrings. But don’t do both- a busy neckline and busy ears completely detracts from your face and your outfit instead of complimenting it.

If at the end of the night your outfit is totally ruined, tell your self it’s OK because it cost under $50.

Have fun! Let me know what you end up buying.

-Jenny

Can you dress yourself?

Most people would answer, “Yes, of course I can dress myself!”

I would argue that you can’t.

I’m on one end of the spectrum- I spend my whole day thinking about fashion, looking at it, talking to people about it, writing about it. I often forget that general America doesn’t know how to dress themselves.

While traveling last week, I witnessed hundreds of fashion atrocities. A short list:

- Nylons with thong-toed shoes
- Sheer white dress with bright yellow granny panties
- T-shirt with a hole on top of the left shoulder, paired with short sweatpants and Adidas sandals (I think I saw this “look” at least 15 times in the airports)
- Bathing suits 5x too small
- And the worst…white socks with black shoes AT A WEDDING.

I witness things like this and am shocked, even though I know I shouldn’t be after a week of people watching in 4 different states.

One of the other thoughts that comes to my mind is how honest are we with each other? If your friend attempted to walk out the door in a fashion “no-no”, would you stop him or her? I know I would. I would stop any of my friends and acquaintances.

Oh, for the sake of humor, you let it happen, snap a picture, and send it to me so I can share it.

-Jenny

Uggs + Crocs = Cruggs

Disclaimer: I’m sorry if this post offends some of you Ugg/Croc wearing folk.

I own a pair of Uggs, but bought them when they were only available in Australia years and years ago. I officially stopped wearing them the second a knock-off version showed up. Does that make me cooler than you? Probably. Now I only wear them to take my dog outside and even then, I’m mildly embarrassed.

I don’t own Crocs, but was tempted for 5 minutes last summer to buy a pair that looked like a ballet flat. I didn’t end up buying them, thank GOD.

People, these shoes are HIDEOUS. Don’t believe me? Here’s my mini pro/con list for Uggs and Crocs.

Pros:
- Comfortable
- Relatively durable

Cons:
- Ugly
- Make feet look swollen, fat, and 6 sizes larger
- Worn by 67% of Soccer Moms (Uggs)*
- Worn by 87% of Gardeners (Crocs)*
- Knockoffs readily available
- 100% Gross*

* Stats are 100% made up.

Anyway, that’s my opinion on them. Feel free to disagree!

I bring this up because some “genius” out there thought it’d be great to breed the two ugliest shoes.

Crocs + Uggs = Cruggs

Help me, people. I’ve had enough…I’m ready to have a Croc & Ugg bonfire party. I’m sure the melting Croc material will tear a hole in the ozone from the fumes, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take to eradicate these eye sores.

Thanks to Vivian for pointing out these monstrosities.

-Jenny

It was a group decision.

I’m visiting family on the east coast, but wanted to take a second to do a quick post.

I was shopping at a department store yesterday and was torn between 2 pairs of shoes. I am attending a wedding on Friday and needed a pair of shoes, preferably in a gray color.

It was either these pumps in a grayish color ($69 at Macys)

or these BCBG shoes in dark grey ($97 at Nordstrom)

I was TORN. My gut was leaning towards the first pair (more conservative and “safe”) but the second pair was so feminine and much flashier. I had one on each foot and was debating. THEN something interesting happened.

No less than 6 women approached me and told me to go for the BCBG shoe. These women ranged in age from 13 to 75 and they all told me to go for the sexier, less “practical” shoe. Even though it went against my gut, I followed their advice and bought the BCBG pair.

And I’m so happy I did. I truly believe the wisdom of a crowd (in this case, the wisdom of 6 women shopping in the shoe department) is always going to be better than the wisdom of someone, even if that “someone” thinks they are an expert.

Thanks, ladies, for the help!

Happy Monday,
-Jenny

Travel in style

I am packing for a trip to the East coast this next week (so anticipate fewer posts) and traveling always means a few things for me.

1) Flight delays
2) Horrible food
3) The overwhelming realization (time and time again) that Americans are slobs when they travel.

Why is it that when we travel, we all dress like we’re a) going to pull weeds in the yard b) trying to get the final use out of the threadbare shrunken sweatpants c) rolled out of bed d) just freaking gross.

As friendly as I’m sure this gal is, I feel like this is the epitome of how Americans’ dress while traveling:

I know traveling isn’t comfortable, but in my opinion you don’t have to sacrifice style for comfort.

Here’s a few of my favorite options for travel apparel:

Cute flat shoes (NOT FLIP FLOPS) that are easy to slip off for security.

Sam Edelman, $89.

Seychelles, $70.

Dolce Vita, $130 (For a little more ‘pop’)

Dresses. YES! Dresses! They are extremely comfortable, especially when you puff up from the salty snacks and altitude. The key is to keep it simple. You don’t want to look like you’re going to tea with the queen or hitting the clubs with your girls.

For summer travel, I like these dresses:

Fire Swiss Dot Dress, a total bargain at $38.

James Perse Halter Dress, a comfy bamboo/cotton blend for $145.

This To The Max dress is so effortlessly sweet and feminine. The dusty lilac color is right on too. $86.

Perfect totes. Anyone carrying a backpack in an airport is just LAZY. Go out there and find a fantastic tote.

When you’re traveling, you need a tote that can hold your laptop (if needed) a cardigan, water bottle, snack (I try to avoid the salty plane food), book, iPod, makeup/mini toiletries.

This tote has great angles and a perfect color. I’m drooling over it a bit, but still can’t justify the price tag. Ferragamo, $952.

This Devi Kroell for Target tote is gorgeous and affordable at $49.99. The light gold-tone color will cover a decent amount of wear and tear and will compliment almost any outfit.

This Francesco Biasia tote is $199 (marked down from $398) and there’s only 1 left! The ruffled handle is different and the color will keep you alert on the long cross-country flights.

Now I, my friends, must go pack and plan for my flight tonight. Hopefully I don’t violate any of the no-no’s I’ve written about in this post.

-Jenny

Insider Scoop: What the Buyers are Buying

April Star Davis is an amazing jewelry designer that has been featured in InStyle and other fashion magazines numerous times and will be in Lucky in September.

She was showing her designs at an Accessories Show in NYC last week. She let me know what buyers from Anthropologie, Free People, Henri Bendel and writers for Womens Wear Daily and OK! liked the most.

She said 2-tone silver & gold jewelry is a REALLY strong trend. These two items of hers had huge orders and generated a lot of interest. And YOU get to find out about them before they’re shown in stores!

14K gold-filled with hammered sterling silver lotus pendant earrings, about 1-1/4″ long. ($70) Buy here.

14K gold-filled and hammered sterling silver lotus pendant (about 1-1/3″ long) necklace. ($75) Buy here.

Thanks for the inside scoop, April!

-Jenny

Quick Question…

I love the fact you are reading this blog.

But how did you find it? The blog stats jumped (and when I say jumped, I mean they increased 35x over what they usually are) and I can’t seem to track where you all are coming from.

Can anyone tell me?

-Jenny

Ask Trendi: Denim help!

I am in the market for two great pairs of jeans, at $200 or less per pair. I want one standard boot cut pair with a low–but not TOO low rise–that I can easily dress up or down. I also want a pair of wider-legged trouser-style jeans. I prefer dark washes to light washes. I’ve got long legs and am thin but also pretty curvy/muscular (years of soccer and track), so finding the right fit has never been easy.

My goal is to spend some money on quality jeans and not have to think about buying jeans for the next couple of years!

-Trista

So Trista wants 2 pairs of jeans that will last the next few years.

#1: Boot cut jeans with a low-rise, but not so low she’s advertising her taste in underwear.
#2: Wide leg trouser jeans.

Her challenges:

#1: Long and thin legs with a muscular build
#2: Need to last for the next few years

Let’s start with the boot cut jeans.

The ‘Thumbelina’ Odyn Jeans ($168) meet all your needs: Under $200, boot cut, low-rise without being too low, and the color won’t go out of style for the next few years. Jennifer Garner, another gal who is tall, thin, but muscular, wears these jeans.

Bonus: The details include Asian silk lined front pockets and orange silk lining on the inside seams which looks adorable when the jeans are cuffed.

I was walking behind a girl last week as I was heading out of the office and I was totally transfixed on her jeans. The fit was amazing so I shouted out, “What kind of jeans are those?” and her answer was “William Rast”.

Cameron Diaz (as we all know, JT’s ex) and Jessica Biel (JT’s current girlfriend) wear these jeans and they are both gals who are thin, but have curves and muscles too.

The ‘Sadie‘ jeans by William Rast (aka Justin Timberlake) have a straight leg (not boot cut), and have a good wash and a classic cut. The only drawback is the price ($215) and the embroidery, if it’s not your thing.

From what I’ve seen, these jeans are extremely flattering and a pair of William Rast jeans are on my shopping list for this fall.

Now let’s look at some wide-leg options.

I really like Gold Sign’s ‘Orchid’ wide leg trouser ($215). The color is super dark, the rise is higher (but not so high they could be considered ‘high waist’ jeans), and there is minimal detailing on the jeans so you’re not distracted by massive embroidery on the back.

These Hudson jeans ($185) are another choice of Jessica Biel. Jessica Alba and Brooke Shields also wear them. While they’re not especially trouser-y looking, the wash is dark and classic and the back pockets add a nice touch without being too distracting.

I hope this helps! Good luck and Happy Shopping!

-Jenny

Hey, check it out!

We started a new sister blog, YouAreTrendi.

WeAreTrendi is the fun & friendly fashion ramblings of us here at Trendi.

YouAreTrendi is the exciting, fashion-industry-changing, heart and soul of what we do.

I think you need a little of both in your life, so make sure you check both blogs out.

-Jenny

Trend Report- Spring/Summer 2008

From Infomat

Cover Girl
A true beauty. Cover Girl. Blue and lilac tones of sea dreams and ocean haze shade classic pique tops and shorts for a fresh take on sporty style. Rinsed chambray fabrics soothe the skin on the hottest summer days. Seersucker stripes are layered to create new design accents. Cream and yellow hues of bathing cap and beach umbrella highlight honeycomb weaves. Peach and pink tints of delicate shell and natural coral give gingham checks a softer look. Pretty as a picture. Cover Girl.

Sheer Delight
Sheer beauty. Sheer Delight. Pink and blush tones of pearly petal and crystalline dewdrop color layers of diaphanous chiffon. Airy filouche fabrics envelop the skin in softness. Ethereal separates are crafted from panels of lille lace. Peach shades of candle glow and romantic light are combined on flocked yarns to give surfaces a hazy appearance. Coral and copper hues of spring sunset and floating flame are blended to create moirŽ effects that look like moonlight reflected on the water. Sheer perfection. Sheer Delight.

Graphic Nature
Graphic design. Graphic Nature. Orange and blue tones of freehand tangerine and chalk dust fill in stripes of all shapes and sizes. Luxurious charmeuse shirts and skirts feature geometric orb motifs. Slick lacquer finishes and abraded yarns are combined for an artistic mix of textures. Purple and green tints of expression violet and muse lime give indigo washes a new intensity. Yellow and pink hues of watercolor sun and pastel blossom shade playful polka dots. In tune with nature. Graphic Nature.

Caribbean Passion
Experience the passion, Caribbean Passion. Red and orange hues of sweet watermelon and fresh mango enliven prints featuring tropical hibiscus flowers and palm fronds. Crisp poplin separates are essential for weekend getaways. Uneven canile weaves resemble bamboo. Pink and yellow tints of flamingo and lemon slice are found on voluminous skirts of maline that move with island breezes. Green and blue shades of key lime and paradise cove are found on eye-catching flamme yarns. Love in the tropics. Caribbean Passion.

Between the Lines
Between you and me. Between the Lines. Pink and orange hues of fuchsia flare and tangerine pop are side by side on sleek sateen. Bayadre fabrics are used to craft visually enticing outfits. Glistening bayko yarns give dimity a stylish sheen. Yellow and green shades of electric sun and light show lime outline large circle motifs and fill in dainty dots. Blue and brown tones of mocha blast and diamond sky give rugby and ticking stripes cosmopolitan style. Go in between. Between the Lines.

Foreign Intrigue
An air of mystery. Foreign Intrigue. Blue and green hues of brilliant sapphire and incandescent sage are highlighted on scrollwork prints. Hand-blown glass beads sparkle on top of chinoiserie embroidery. Charkhana muslin is paired with nylon ripstop for a mix of old-world and modern textures. Vibrant yellow and orange tints of gilded saffron and opium essence are used to shade hemp blends. Pink and red tones of faceted tourmaline and lacquered ruby glisten on dupioni silks. A foreign affair. Foreign Intrigue.

One of the big trends is the use of Orange. Check out this article for more on how orange will play a role in your wardrobe in the Fall and Winter of 2008/2009.