iwantmk.comLuanne Storer,IBC

You may be wondering, “Why is this girl so obsessed with the Oscars?”  I have been relentless in my pursuit of perfecting the Oscar fashion trends, and this is why:  What other event is the culmination of ridiculously talented designers fused with the most influential trend setters (celebrities) on the planet?  The Oscars comes at the time of year when spring collections are kicking off, and the styles that are seen on the red carpet always have a way of popping up.  If you take your cues from this venue, you are way ahead of the fashion curve!  That is why I am devoting some quality time to our friendship with Mr. Oscar, knowing that you and I will undoubtedly reap the benefits in spades of style.  That said, let me proceed as planned, with the next trend from my original post, “Top Trends from the Oscar Red Carpet,” Texture.  I narrowed it down in my original post simply to “pleating and ruching”, but I have expanded this piece to include all textures.  This is a tantalizingly tactile trend to those of us who have super senses.  When an item looks scrumptious to the eye, it makes you want to reach out and touch it, making it far more goose bump-worthy than than an ordinary dress or top.  As a refresher, here are some examples we saw at the Oscars:

    Marisa Tomei in Versace              Alicia Keys in Armani Prive          Diane Lane in Dolce & Gabbanna

 Vanessa Hudgens in Marchesa     Taraji P. Henson in Roberto Cavalli           Mary Hart in Mon Atelier

And truly, there were even MORE!  Now that you are dying to rub your face about Vanessa Hudgens’ bosom, (but not in a weird way…), you can see that the idea of texture is all in the details.  Marisa Tomei’s Versace is pleated to perfection, looking  like an intricate and precise origami project, while Mary Hart’s is crinkled and wrinkled haphazardly for an uncontrolled and unexpected air of easy glamour.  No two textured pieces are identical, so they all look original and unique.  Let me introduce you to some pieces that you will love as dearly as the dresses above, but your pocketbook will appreciate them all the more.

Banana Republic Silk Georgette Dress $150.00  This gorgeous dress is not only beautifully ruched at the bust and waist, it is made of the most beautiful, finely crinkled silk Georgette.  If you take a look at the site, you can zoom in on the fabric and see for yourself.  Not to mention, the bright, sunny yellow is a color must for spring.

Piperlime Wanted ‘Drape’ Pump $50.00  The quintessential neutral pump to get you through spring.  This is a ‘go-to’ staple that will look great with many items already in your wardrobe.  The neutral shoe is huge this season, and the ruched detail here is what makes it so interesting yet understated.

 Pink Ice Puff Floral Purse $49.99  This puffy purse is obviously a funkier choice, but an excellent way to perk up any casual weekend outfit.  The bright blue and scrunched up texture are unexpectedly chic, and fiercely fun!

Victoria’s Secret Pleated Silk Blouse $48.00  Ladylike and demure, the pleating on this blouse is ultra feminine, and in a word, ‘pretty’.  Don’t we all love pretty?  The soft fabric with the barely bright color just works on everyone.  A modern take on a classic, this blouse’s possibilities are endless.

   J. Crew Ripple-Ruffle Tee $39.50  This tee is so simple and easy, yet the cute factor is significantly amped by the textured neckline.  Such a small detail adds so much.  It suddenly becomes so much more than a gray tee shirt; it’s a statement piece.  Dress it up, dress it down, dress to impress.

Heavenly Couture Sheer Ruffled Blouse $17.95  An absolute steal, the ruffles make this stunning blouse sexy and soft at once.  Can’t you just see them bustling about in the spring breeze?  Gorgeous!

Surely these items are immediate motivation to get texturized!  Thankfully, this season we are seeing this trend everywhere, from the catwalk to the sidewalk, and you simply must take advantage of the opportunity to draw all eyes, and perhaps hands, to you.

Because fashion should be fun, not fundamental!

Katie