I personally don’t have $900 to spend on a trendy jacket. However, I love to peruse higher-end shopping and online boutiques for inspiration. The styles that we will eventually see trickle down to our favorite budget retailers started somewhere – and that is in the brains of innovative designers and brands like Phillip Lim, Iro, and for Love and Lemons. Here’s where I do my research.
BURGUNDY LACE DRESS | PINK FEDORA | PHILlIP LIM BAG | FLORAL WRAP DRESS | ILLESTEVA SUNGLASSES | RAILS FLANNEL | IRO STUDDED BOOTIES | ELIZABETH AND JAMES FAUX FUR BOMBER | RAG & BONE HEELS | COLD SHOULDER RUFFLE BLOUSE | MOTHER DENIM
So the name I like to use for these “original styles” is incubator items. Gigi Hadid buys a fabulous bomber from an NYC boutique and wears it out on the street. People freak out. In 6-8 months you start seeing similar versions in Forever 21, Zara, and Asos.
If you want to be ahead of the game, check out Blue & Cream’s website. They have a highly curated catalog with styles that are the “first of their kind” or “incubator items” that you can start looking out for now, before they become too mainstream. Or even if you just like to see what a lot of recent styles are based on (like original colors, cuts, and details). A lot of celebrities shop at Blue & Cream’s brick and mortar stores, so I love to see the selection on their website to stay ahead of the trend curve.
For instance, I am positive you will see velvet pastel bags everywhere this spring. Ruffle florals are a huge hit already, but where and how did they begin? And faux fur in casual bomber form is seriously giving me inspiration, especially because faux fur usually makes me think of fancy outfits!
I actually found out that these Justfab boots were a copy of the IRO style AFTER I had already bought them! I’ll just pat myself on then back for having some innate fashion sense right there, haha.
I also really like educating myself on trends on Shopbop’s trend page, The Zoe Report, and with magazines (I love InStyle and Vogue). Where do you like to investigate top trends?
–Roxanne
Currently Sipping: Pumpkin Spice Tea
Such great tips Roxanne, thanks for sharing!
Nistha
https://www.fashionistha.com/my-work-wear-look-ft-stylenook/
That is so interesting! I love this tip and finding out about incubator items. I love a good trend but also don’t like spending a lot on things that I’m not so sure if they will turn into classics. Thank you for sharing! Sierra~Beautifully Candid
You have a lot of good suggestions and the styles, colors, fabrics and trends to keep an eye out for in the bargain stores where i like to shop!
Thank you!
Love this 😀
bisous
http://www.gallech.com/
I loved reading this Roxanne!! You’re so smart, and what a perfect way to look fashionable and save money!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com