Style Bytes

My boyfriend gave me Fashion Now 2 for Christmas. I never told him I wanted it, but he already has fashion books in his own collection, so I guess it came naturally to him. I never got the first edition, so I was of course very pleased to recieve this. The book is great to learn more about the big designers. It’s not always easy to keep track of everything, but this book is loaded with interviews, pictures and background information. It works well as a book to flip through when you’re bored or to read from cover to cover. Even though I love the book in many ways, there are some designers missing that I would love to know more about. I guess at this price you can’t get it all. Still, all fashionistas should have this book. It’s $39.99 on Amazon.

As as start of the new year I have made a list of cravings for 2006. I always keep a list of things I want and/or need, and here are some of the ones to come.

Short shorts

Black and white polka dot chiffon dress

Striped sweather

Ribbon to tie around the waist

Tiered skirt or dress in white or beige

Flower patterned dress

Baggy dress, either it’s girly or boyish

Suit and white shirt if you still haven’t got one

Socks, knee highs, colorful tights and leggings (all to wear with heels)

Bright summery colors like mint green, soft pink and yellow

Beige and black combo

Anything in white laces

See through dress, either it’s chiffon or laces

Nice underwear to wear under the see though dress

Platform heels

Nice flats for days with a lot of walking

Anything 60’s, even though 70’s and 80’s will work in some ways

And if you didn’t get it from the above keywords: dresses, dresses, dresses.

Some recent cutouts from my scrapbook. All from Elle, some the Norwegian and some the American.

There are sales all over right now, and sometimes it’s hard to figure out what to go for. Here are some keywords.

Quality In stead of buying lots of cheap stuff extra cheap, go for quality. This is the only time many of us can afford some of the more pricy stuff, and usually the quality is way better.

Shorts We have seen these in stores for a while, and they will be just as trendy next year. Grab them while you can!

Leather handbags The tan leather handbags will work next year as well, but black leather will last forever. Mango has a nice handbag that looks a little Chanel on sale right now.

Winter coat These can be expencive so buy one now while they’re on sale. There’s still some months of cold weather to get through (at least in Norway). Also look for a trench coat for spring if you don’t already have one. There’s nothing more timeless than that.

Jeans Also a garment that can cost quite a bit, so look for them now. Last sale I bought an extra pair of my favorite. Remember that the waist is rizing, so don’t go for the low ones.

Knits Woolen sweathers and any sorts of knits never go totally out of style, and there are tons of them in stores right now.

Shoes Nice heels won’t go out of style too fast. Platforms will last another year, so look for those as well. Sneakers are also great to get on sale. Above are semi-expencive heels from Mango.

Basics and classics All sorts of basics and classics that aren’t mentioned above. Suits, white shirts, black pumps…

Think spring Take a look at the spring collections and have a look at what colors and styles you would like to go for. Some of this you will be able to find at the sales now.

I always check out Mango during the sales even though I never shop there normally. They have some semi-expencive stuff in good quality, and usually have the best sale of all.

I bet most of you have tons of dresses in the closet that are rarely worn. In stead of buying a new dress for the New Years Eve party why not go for some new accessories in stead? A dress you can wear on special occations, but nice accessories can dress up any outfit at any time. The little black dress is a perfect example of a dress you can pump up with some new accessories. My suggestion is to put a little extra money in new accessories rather than a new dress, and here are some ideas, all from Anthropologie.

I finally got around to make my own version of the Marni hat from their 2002 fall collection. Even though this collection is 3 years old, that hat still works because of all the buttons we see right now. I bought a knitted brown slouchy hat from H&M and sewed on some colorful buttons.

The buttons look really small on the picture but they’re much larger in life. When I get sick of the buttons I will take them off and use the hat for a more Burberry Prorsum look from their 2006 spring collection.

And so are the polkadots! The so loved and hated pattern was seen frequently in the spring collections. This time the polkadots are more sophisticated than ever and I bet a lot of polkadot haters will be turned around. Here from Y&Key and Kenzo.

Secondhand stores often have a good selection of cute polkadot dresses, so have a look there before going for more expencive garments.

This time I will take you guys window shopping at the same store, but over different weeks. I have been taking pictures of this store’s display, but have been too busy to do anything about it. So here they are all at once. This is Fretex next to where I live. Too bad to waste a chance at window shopping, right? I can imagine I’m not the only one that is broke after all those Christmas gifts purchases.

Colorful tights are so right. Animal prints as well.

Tulle and knits for snowy days. Black dress touched up with a little color.

Green winter outfit with snow boots. Yellow dress for spring with colorful leggings underneath.

Since we’re in a very vintage mood here at Style Bytes these days, be sure to stop by Debutante Clothing as well. They give 15% off on all items until the end of the year for all customers that has signed up for the newsletter. If you haven’t signed up already you can do so here.

I’ve come across a few more affordable vintage stores since my last post on the topic, so here they are:

The Bees Knees Vintage

Nice prices, great design and fun pictures make this a store worth stopping by.

Drop Your Drawers

This store, with the funny name, doesn’t have anything for sale at the site at the moment. In the meantime you can shop Ebay for their stuff. Starting prices are between $10 and $15.

Peppermint Vintage

A great selection of beautiful items, all at prices that make you smile! Dresses are around $30.

The Vintage Vault

A store with a pretty big selection, but with a lot of the same pleasant prices as the others. Some things you will have to pay more for here, but you can make many bargains as well.

Fashionista Vintage

Many goodies here. Check out this fun Frye leather vest for $35.

Vintage Treasures Galore

Also a pretty big store, and you can get some awsome dresses for $20.

I’m impressed by the number of great stores out there, and if you know of more that deserves some attention, let me know!