Who's The Best Copy Cat?

It's always fun to see how quick fashion brands such as Zara, Topshop, Forever 21, Nastygal and many more are "inspired" by runway collections. They tend to make styles more wearable, but sometimes go to the extreme of being straight copy cats.

Here are some comparisons between the runway original and main street copy. What do you think? Who do you think is the best copy cat?

1 - Mother of Pearl vs. Topshop

2 - Rag & Bone vs. Nastygal

3 - Alexander Wang vs. ASOS

4 - Chanel vs. Pixie Market

5 - Tom Ford vs. Zara

6 - Marc Jacobs vs. Zara

7 - Celine vs. Zara

Spring 2014 Trend (6): Sheer

Floaty and airy, sheer inserts/sleeves/skirts are everywhere. From Fendi, Dolce Gabbana to Burberry Prorsum, designers dared to bare. Being it sporty mesh or ethereal  lace, it can add a dose of sex appeal to an otherwise demure look or simply lend some lightness to the overall feel. Transparency is a must for this spring's wardrobe. Even T-shirts, cropped tops, and baggy sweaters have adopted mesh or fishnet inserts to add a touch of sexiness.

We all know that it's always more elegant to leave a little to the imagination. A furtively revealing suggestion of skin is much more sartorially liberating than baring all. The most sophisticated take on the sheer trend is showing a little skin with peekaboo panels and translucent fabrics.

For everyday wear, I prefer a more conservative take on the sheer trend. I like skirts called "leg veils" (Tibi, French Connection, ASOS, Zara, another Zara), tops with mesh or lace sleeves (Anthropologie, Zara, another Zara), and dresses with strategic sheer inserts (Anthropologie, Free People, another Free People). Transparent blouses (Zara, Joie, Free People) are also on my list, but I will wear them with a cami underneath. I'll leave bold pieces (like this) at the beach or pool side.

How are you going to embrace this sheet adventure?

Photo credit: Fabsugar, Cosmogirl, style, Vogue

Spring 2014 Trend (5): Collarless Coat

Hey, fashion minimalist! Here comes the good news: collars are taking a back seat in the fashion department. Long and short coats are both appearing without collars and create a clean and simple silhouette with a vintage-inspired vibe. Choose a coat that is sleek and classic, and features stylish borders, buttons and hems.

This coat goes with almost anything that has a slim silhouette, especially skinny pants, tights, and short skirts. And if you want ultra classic and chic, pair it with a sheath dress -- think Chanel. Most collarless jackets have a rounded neck and a boxy shape. If you already have a boyish figure, a well tailored jacket that ends above or at the natural waist will look youthful and sporty. If you have a bigger backside, go for a longer jacket; a cropped jacket will draw attention to your butt. 3/4 length works on almost all body shapes.

Collarless coat is a classic style that have come back and will stay for years. So it worth the investment. For us commoners who do not find everything in Chanel or St. John, a stop at Zara may give you quite a few options. This season, Zara offers collarless coats in black, white, mint, nude pink,  light pink, yellow, blue, orange, and even in patterns. For a shorter version, this Alice + Olivia jacket also looks graceful and timeless.

Photo credit: Chictopia, essentjewels, yesstyle, allwomenstalk 

Spring 2014 Trend (4): Tea Length Skirt/Dress

Not quite a midi, not quite a maxi… the tea-length lands just at the shin. Seen on the runways of Alice + Olivia, Proenza Schouler, Christian Dior, Tracy Reese, Rebecca Minkoff and many more, tea-length skirts deliver a Grace Kelly like elegance to Spring 2014. It's time to wake up your inner princess.

The days of the micro-miniskirt are over. The voluminous ladylike silhouette is here to stay. Tea-length frocks are elegant, sophisticated, and romantic. They can easily add a touch of chic retro to any outfit you choose. This length is perfect for the office and out on the town. In fact, you could easily transition one of these skirts from a day look to a night look with the right top change and some funky jewelry.

Tea-length skirts can be paired with a cropped top, fitted jacket and sandals or wedges to create a stylish feminine look. Despite their wider silhouette, the tea-length skirt is still flattering because of the way it falls against your body and moves with you. Revamps of the tea-length skirt include body conscious pencil skirts or even a mermaid silhouette. However, the classic A-line tea-length skirt is coming back this spring. Wearing heels with tea-length skirts help elongate your legs and give your look that extra fabulous touch.

Being petite myself, I had been biting my fingers for quite a while on trying this new trend. It could be a hit or miss. I planned to try out some low budget pieces before make a splurge. H&M and ASOS would be my first stop... But alas! I stopped by Club Monaco a couple of days ago, and got this baby! It was so airy and dreamy that it doesn't look long or heavy on my petite frame at all! I look really tall and leggy in it. Club Monaco also has tea length skirts in black. Take a look and try them out!

Photo credit: InStyle, pearl-lang, hercampus, fabsugar

Spring 2014 Trend (3): Cropped Top

短上衣今春继续流行，该减肥的减肥，不要错过啦！虽然短上衣有点装嫩的嫌疑，成熟女性还是可以把它穿得很风情很优美的，关键是搭配高腰裙或高腰裤，只露一点点小蛮腰。

Need yet another reason to lose that last ounce of undesirable fat on your belly? Cropped tops have been seen everywhere in the 2014 S/S fashion shows, including main street brands such as Tibi and Tracy Reese. Now it's on the shelf of Nasty Gal, Urban Outfitters, Zara, American Apparel, Express, Bebe, Free People, and many more . Are you ready?

Worried that you will look way too teeny? The secret of creating a polished look is revealing just a sliver of skin. Pair it with high-waisted skirts or pants. Need inspiration? See how others wear it and look like a woman...

Photo credit: Style, Vogue, Street Peeper, NY Mag, FashionVibe, Atlantic Pacific, Sea Of Shoes, Garance Doré, Le 21ème, Harper’s Bazaar, Grazia It, Dans Vogue, Bisous Natasha, Wayne Tippets, The Front Row View, & Fab Sugar

Spring 2014 Trend (2): Metallic Shoes

上周提到了金属色的鞋子，这个风也是从去年就开始刮的，今年愈演愈烈，除了银色的镜面鞋，今年还出了不同的颜色和质感，金属色不光被应用在高跟鞋上面，还广泛出现在平底 坡跟 牛津 和运动鞋上，可以说是全面开花。金属色的鞋子非常好穿，几乎能搭配任何颜色和风格的服装。只要没有用力过猛，可以画龙点睛，迅速提升整体的时尚感。

You can't call yourself a shoe maniac if you haven't got a pair of metallic shoes yet. Metalwork was a huge influence to the SS/2013 catwalks. The shoes are the easiest way to re-introduce metallics into your wardrobe in preparation for spring. The trend of metallic shoes stays strong this year.

While silver pumps have been a running favorite so far, this year we see the trend expanding in color (silver, gold, rose gold, gunmetal, or even colored metallics), texture (e.g. cracked, perforated) and style (flats, sandals, oxfords, sneakers, wedges, flip flops, etc.). Pick whatever excites you. The good news is: metallic shoes go with almost everything! Just keep in mind that the beauty of metalwork is their subtle statement factor. A hint of sparkle goes a long way in a simple day-time ballerina shoe, while effulgent heels will add a fancy, fairy-tale feel to an evening look.

Almost all premium shoe designers offer wide range of metallic shoes: Nicholas Kirkwood has metallic pumps in both high heels and low heels. Giuseppe Zanotti offers a two-tone pair with an edgy heel design. Absolutely beautiful. Saint Laurent and Brian Atwood, instead, have a fun play with texture. Prada adds a cute bow to its sleek silver stilettos. Jimmy Choo continues to offer its highly acclaimed Agnes, and has extended its metallic collection to super chic and sexy Able Metallic Suede-Toe Pump, Black Silver. Only interested in classics? One can't go wrong with a simple pair of Manolo Blahnik, either in high heel or in mid heel.

At a more accessible price point, JCrew offers a suite of metallic shoes. Besides its highly successful strappy mirror metallic pumps, it also offers Viv metallic flats, Lucie slingback flats, Lillian metallic low wedge, Tybee metallic slide sandals, Rio metallic sandals and many more. Among all these, this Viv mirror metallic bow flats really stands out! Everly pumps and Valentina pumps have been updated with new texture, but I prefer the simple sleek mirror metallic version offered last year. Club Monaco also has a silver pair this year on the shelf. And of course, Kate Spade is always a brand to check out if you want a less expensive substitute for premium designer bags or shoes.

Too shiny and too edgy for you? A pair of stilettos with a metal toe-cap (or other metal details) can have just as much as an impact. Isn't this Nicholas Kirkwood pair cute?

Photo credit: bittersweetcolours, pinkavenueblog, oliviasstyle, vintagebeautyxox, wendyslookbook, crazystylelove, fashionindie, chictopia

Spring 2014 Trend (1): Sporty Chic

2014年春季流行什么呢？随便写点吧。其实大部分都是去年春季的延续。。。:)

今春运动风继续流行，随着大众品牌的全面加入，今春会比去年更盛。运动风需要将女性的妩媚和酷劲糅合在一起，关键是怎么混搭：不要全身运动服运动鞋，那样的搭配过时了，需要一两个简单的运动元素（比如数字大T恤，运动外套，运动卫衣，运动长裤）搭配女性元素（比如高跟鞋，裙子）；棒球帽+运动衣+运动鞋的搭配就没多大意思了哦。下面有不少可以借鉴的图片。文章结尾有不少大众品牌推出的运动元素单品。

The Sporty Chic look has been brewing since last spring, and will take a full blossom in 2014. It is designed to mix femininity with street glam to create a downtown cool girl style. Add a baseball cap, number tee, bomber jacket, sweatshirt or a pair of track pants in your outfit to get this look. Make sure to keep things simple and focused. Mix-n-match is the key: mix some feminine pieces (e.g. skirts, heels) unless you want to look as if you are indeed heading towards a basketball court.

Finally, don't under-estimate the powder of Athletic Striped Pants! They have been everywhere! Last year, stripes or panels, whatever name you call it, updated almost all tuxedo pants and added sporty fun to this formal classic. This year I've seen them on denim, leather, Khaki and many more. Check out Wendy's latest outfit. Even a lady like Wendy cannot resist leather panel pants... :)

Think that's too funky and not main street fashion? Look at the list below. Do you still think so?……* _^

JCrew Cotton Twill Embroidered Crest Baseball Cap

JCrew Linen Baseball Tee in Color Block

JCrew Linen Baseball Tee in L'Amour Triomphe

JCrew Linen Baseball Tee in Ca Va

Free People Colorblock Bomber

Free People Hickory Track Pant

Club Monaco Vienna Bomber

Club Monaco Jonie Dot Bomber Jacket

Club Monaco Jonie Bomber Jacket

Zara Trouser Pant Suit with Lace

Zara Grey Velour Trousers

Zara Jogging Pants with Zips

Zara Combination Trousers with Cuffed Hem

Rag & Bone Aviator Bomber