Fine Lines

    This season fashion is paying a nod to mod with bold, dominant stripes.  They're popping up everywhere and represent one of the trendiest looks for Spring/Summer 2013!  Once having connotations of being too preppy, striped fashions are now edgy and chic.  Vertical, horizontal, thick, skinny, or diagonal-  there's no escaping this trend.  Designers are incorporating stripes of every size, color, and fabric into mod inspired blouses, skirts, pants, dresses and casual tops.  Believe it or not, these stripes aren't just a clothing trend- they're being seen in unexpected fashion items too, like floppy hats, Espadrilles and tote bags.
    While we are all familiar with the timeless nautical stripe this Spring fashion goes beyond the typical sailor look.  Designers like Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, and Michael Kors are making bold statements with stripes in patriotic red, white and blue, as well as unexpected colors like yellow and green.  Whether choosing a striped look for day or night, work or play, Michael Kors has you covered.  Check out the looks below for some "fine line" inspiration.

while most looks rely on bold stripes, you’ll see that the trend is just as effective when the stripes are thin - See more at: http://www.fashionising.com/trends/b--striped-clothing-fashion-trend-3948.html#sthash.EOAOBdSa.dpuf

while most looks rely on bold stripes, you’ll see that the trend is just as effective when the stripes are thin - See more at: http://www.fashionising.com/trends/b--striped-clothing-fashion-trend-3948.html#sthash.EOAOBdSa.dpu

Weekend Jetsetter- this look is characterized by thin, playful lines.  I recommend the green and navy shirt dress below, which strikes the perfect balance between sexy and sporty.

Striped Knit Dress
$89.50

Striped Boatneck Top $59.50
Bandage Skirt $165

Party Girl- have a cocktail party, wedding or office function to attend? Try this pleated, vertical stripe dress on for size. The colorblocking detail in this dress screams Mad for Mod!

Colorblock Shantung Dress
$1995

Working Girl- looking for a way to spruce up your boring work wardrobe?  Add a little color and flare with some bold stripes. This season jackets and blazers are big and many are made with striped patterns, as well as bright solids. Layering stripes with a jacket is a great way to make a big fashion statement. Try pairing a jacket with striped pencil leg trousers or for a more casual and edgy look, consider pairing that jacket with striped shorts.

Solid Panel Striped Ponte Dress
$1095

Gabardine Tuxedo Jacket $295
Striped Shantung Pants $1295

Everyday Girl- star in stripes for Summer with this bold navy and optic white nautical inspired tote.  The large size gives you plenty of room to carry around those everyday essentials and affords you the extra space to fit your beach towel, sandals and bikini for some fun in the sun later.

Marina Canvas Grab Bag (Large)
$198

Figure-conscious women everywhere have always been leery about wearing stripes because they assume that stripes make their bodies appear larger than they actually are.  It's time to debunk this myth.  Believe it or not, stripes can actually fix some of the figure flaws that plague most women.  Below are a few tips on choosing the right stripe for your figure...it's time to show off the best and hide the rest. 

Vertical stripes - I'm not quite sure why the vertical stripe hasn't gotten as much time in the sun as its better-known cousin, the horizontal stripe. Once you overlook its referee uniform tendencies, you'll see that awning stripes are super flattering. The petite woman can elongate her figure with vertical stripes.  If you're short in height, but have a heavier build choose a smaller, thin stripe.  If you're on the petite and thin side wearing a bold, wider stripe will give the illusion of that curvaceous figure you always wanted!
 
Horizontal stripes - For the slim woman seeking to look a bit more curvy, wear this trend with bold and wide stripes.

Diagonal stripes - Diagonal stripes can be worn by most figure types, but are especially wonderful for the plus size women, as well as tall women with boyish figures. Diagonal or chevron stripes that are somewhat askew (they come in at the middle and point up to the waist) can compliment and slim a curvy build.  At the same time, they can make a slim woman look even slimmer.  When wearing this trend in a top, the stripes should point toward your best assets- either your waist or your bust and neckline. The key to wearing the diagonal stripe is to think of the direction of the stripe as a road map to your best assets.

The biggest rule of thumb when wearing stripes is not to overdo them.  Mixing striped patterns can be very tricky.  The key is to select one color stripe and build around that color with a complementary one, such as the darker tone in the stripe. Layering stripes can be fun, but remember too much of a good thing can ruin an outfit. Stripes speak loudly and you don't want an outfit that screams for the wrong kind of attention.

The natural inclination for layering nautical pieces in an outfit is to do so with complimentary colours (read ‘navy and white’). And I can’t fault that logic. It’s the easy option. But may I offer up one piece of inspiration that differs from the safe? Clashes of stripes with other patterns or prints, for example this shot of Nataliya Piro in Cosmopolitan magazine mixing (admittedly non-dominant) stripes with florals. The stripes don’t dominate, but in a crowded room the look certainly will. - See more at: http://www.fashionising.com/trends/b--striped-clothing-fashion-trend-3948.html#sthash.EOAOBdSa.dpuf

while most looks rely on bold stripes, you’ll see that the trend is just as effective when the stripes are thin - See more at: http://www.fashionising.com/trends/b--striped-clothing-fashion-trend-3948.html#sthash.EOAOBdSa.dpuf

while most looks rely on bold stripes, you’ll see that the trend is just as effective when the stripes are thin - See more at: http://www.fashionising.com/trends/b--striped-clothing-fashion-trend-3948.html#sthash.EOAOBdSa.dpuf