OBSESSION OF THE MOMENT: Looking TIE-DYE Terrific
We often make fun of our parents' fashion sense, but I love when fashion can take a trend from pathetically passé to fabulously fresh! I seem to recall birthday parties of my youth where our parents convinced us it would be a fun activity to create some do-it-yourself-dip-dye t-shirts. I also seem to recall that the final product was hideous beyond imagination. I remember thinking at one point that tie dye patterned anything was actually the antithesis of fashion, and perhaps even its arch-rival nemesis.
But maybe our parents wanted to impart that fun-loving free-spirit that came from the same generation that made tie-dye so popular. Unfortunately I was born a little too late to experience the flower-child fad, but that music-motivated mania generated an entire era focused on love, art and living life. I personally find it incredible that inspiration like that can be re-born and expressed in our modern mode of dress by borrowing some signature statements from our past. I know when I'm rocking that late 60s early 70s Hippie-vibe, I feel like I'm expressing that more artistic, laid-back yet passionate part of me that wants to enjoy the sunshine, relax and love the ambiance around me. Whether I'm attending one of California's many music festivals, dancing at a local bar or day-drinking on the grass surrounded by other fun-loving folks, tie-dye is a trend that tends to take me back to that devil-may-carefree spirit of the past.
You may have noticed that tie-dye has been making a come back as of late and popping up in pieces from purses to pants. I have been surprised at how many ways it's possible to fashionably toy with tie-dye and even more amazed at how many of them I actually want to buy!
One of the first pieces I fell in love with is this Jersey Navajo Maxi Dress by Young, Fabulous & Broke. I think I'm repeatedly drawn to this brand in part due to the way the name so accurately sums up my currently sad situation, but I know I'm also attracted to the way this brand consistently makes effortless pieces that pack a serious style punch.
The tie-dye element is subtle but omnipresent in this flowy frock. I think the way this particular tie-dye pattern is printed is incredibly flattering, not to mention the boost to your bust given by the flutter-layered top. This was most recently available on Gilt for $99 down from $194. If you're a member, you can join the waitlist and hope that this sexy style makes a return.
I am also a frequent J Brand wearer and I think one of the most fashion-forward fabulous ways to wear a trend is on your legs. I love these J Brand 810 Twisted Plum tie-dye skinny jeans...
While these are only to be worn by those fond of the outrageously out-there, I like to bring out my inner rocker and I think these jeans exude that essence perfectly. Pair them with nude pumps and a white tank to rock at an outdoor summer occasion or a black blazer and booties come cooler weather this fall. Available on sale now for $158 down from $198 at Neiman Marcus.
A great way to display your dyed duds this summer is in a swimsuit. I personally think swimwear fashion is vastly underrated and quite possibly own more swimsuits than undergarments. Victoria's Secret is a great place to go for fashionably fun yet attractively affordable swimwear deals. They often carry some of my favorite outside brands as well and I additionally appreciate that they frequently offer the possibility of purchasing your tops and bottoms separately (since I am never the same size in both) allowing one to make their own mix-and-match creations. I recently purchased this Cia Maritima swimsuit on clearance on the site.
This dress isn't on sale but begins at a bargain at only $120 at Neiman Marcus.
Closer to the other side of the spectrum is this W118 by Walter Baker "Carla" Blue tie-dye dress.
Recently available on RueLaLa, I love the way this piece pairs a fantastically feminine silhouette with the bravely bold use of the fad. Available for only $68.90 down from $158 (demonstrating once again my adoration for flash sale prices).
Lastly, if you feel more timid about tie-dye than I do (given it's horrific history in fashion), try styling yourself with a light summer scarf that presents the craze in a less-than-crazy way. I personally love the below from Free People:
We often make fun of our parents' fashion sense, but I love when fashion can take a trend from pathetically passé to fabulously fresh! I seem to recall birthday parties of my youth where our parents convinced us it would be a fun activity to create some do-it-yourself-dip-dye t-shirts. I also seem to recall that the final product was hideous beyond imagination. I remember thinking at one point that tie dye patterned anything was actually the antithesis of fashion, and perhaps even its arch-rival nemesis.
But maybe our parents wanted to impart that fun-loving free-spirit that came from the same generation that made tie-dye so popular. Unfortunately I was born a little too late to experience the flower-child fad, but that music-motivated mania generated an entire era focused on love, art and living life. I personally find it incredible that inspiration like that can be re-born and expressed in our modern mode of dress by borrowing some signature statements from our past. I know when I'm rocking that late 60s early 70s Hippie-vibe, I feel like I'm expressing that more artistic, laid-back yet passionate part of me that wants to enjoy the sunshine, relax and love the ambiance around me. Whether I'm attending one of California's many music festivals, dancing at a local bar or day-drinking on the grass surrounded by other fun-loving folks, tie-dye is a trend that tends to take me back to that devil-may-carefree spirit of the past.
You may have noticed that tie-dye has been making a come back as of late and popping up in pieces from purses to pants. I have been surprised at how many ways it's possible to fashionably toy with tie-dye and even more amazed at how many of them I actually want to buy!
One of the first pieces I fell in love with is this Jersey Navajo Maxi Dress by Young, Fabulous & Broke. I think I'm repeatedly drawn to this brand in part due to the way the name so accurately sums up my currently sad situation, but I know I'm also attracted to the way this brand consistently makes effortless pieces that pack a serious style punch.
The tie-dye element is subtle but omnipresent in this flowy frock. I think the way this particular tie-dye pattern is printed is incredibly flattering, not to mention the boost to your bust given by the flutter-layered top. This was most recently available on Gilt for $99 down from $194. If you're a member, you can join the waitlist and hope that this sexy style makes a return.
I am also a frequent J Brand wearer and I think one of the most fashion-forward fabulous ways to wear a trend is on your legs. I love these J Brand 810 Twisted Plum tie-dye skinny jeans...
While these are only to be worn by those fond of the outrageously out-there, I like to bring out my inner rocker and I think these jeans exude that essence perfectly. Pair them with nude pumps and a white tank to rock at an outdoor summer occasion or a black blazer and booties come cooler weather this fall. Available on sale now for $158 down from $198 at Neiman Marcus.
A great way to display your dyed duds this summer is in a swimsuit. I personally think swimwear fashion is vastly underrated and quite possibly own more swimsuits than undergarments. Victoria's Secret is a great place to go for fashionably fun yet attractively affordable swimwear deals. They often carry some of my favorite outside brands as well and I additionally appreciate that they frequently offer the possibility of purchasing your tops and bottoms separately (since I am never the same size in both) allowing one to make their own mix-and-match creations. I recently purchased this Cia Maritima swimsuit on clearance on the site.
The swimsuit was on sale for $35.99 down from $55 for the top and $58.99 down from 90 for the bottoms. The suit is still available from Victoria's Secret.
For an off-brand option available as well try the Victoria Secret The Abbie triangle top in an amazing neon-green tie-dye print and combine two trends! The print is actually available in the style shown below, as well as various options for tops (try the bomb-shell push-up halter for enhancement or the belle bandeau for tempting tube-top tanlines).
Snag this style steal here.
There are also plenty of dresses that vary on the stand-out scale of strut. I like the way the Michael Kors dress below delicately demonstrates the trend in an almost belt-like fashion around the waist creating a nice nuance of tie-dye times gone by.
Closer to the other side of the spectrum is this W118 by Walter Baker "Carla" Blue tie-dye dress.
Recently available on RueLaLa, I love the way this piece pairs a fantastically feminine silhouette with the bravely bold use of the fad. Available for only $68.90 down from $158 (demonstrating once again my adoration for flash sale prices).
Lastly, if you feel more timid about tie-dye than I do (given it's horrific history in fashion), try styling yourself with a light summer scarf that presents the craze in a less-than-crazy way. I personally love the below from Free People:
You can potentially purchase this piece by visiting the Free People site and forking over a mere $38.
My encouragement of the return of such a controversial craze might make you question my fashion sense, but I think it's possible to turn almost any disastrous fashion debacle into a positively on point outfit and I love that so many designers have been taking just that approach with tie-dye these days. I hope tie-dye takes you to that Hippie-heaven of yesteryear. As for me, I'll be donning my favorite piece and prancing down the promenade while that rebellious rock anthem "Who are You?" plays through my mind. "Who who who?" you may ask... My answer: a dare to be different fashionista with a rock-and-roll soul.
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