Bettie Page

With the advent of elastic, the necessity of garter belts became a thing of the past. But as we know in fashion, necessity is not always a priority. Recently, garter belts have been making a comeback, and not just as an item to be worn in the privacy of ones home. Paired with some more casual items, loose fitting jean shorts and baggy t-shirts, garter belts can add a tough-girl style to a seemingly simple outfit. And for you DIYers looking for a new project, grab a pair of old suspenders and get to work.

Erin Wasson x RVCA

Queen Michell of Kingdom of Style

Gala Gonzalez of Amlul

by: Tricia Rock

With the DVD release of its first six seasons and an updated CW remake, Beverly Hills 90210 has yet again become a source of entertainment and fashion inspiration for girls (and grownup girls) everywhere. References to the show in the fashion world began popping up in late 2006, around the time of the 90210 Season One release and Spring 2007 runway shows. The fashion blogging world was inundated with sightings of oversized blazers and floral patterns, many of which seemingly straight out of the halls of West Beverly.

Since then, 90′s influences in the fashion world have yet to cease. However, not an industry to stay static in its reference points, we’ve seemed to move from the first season of 90210 to the second and third. Light denim mixed with black leather jackets, cut off Levi’s jean shorts, lace bandage dresses, and loose knit sweaters almost seamlessly make the jump from 1992 to today. The Spring 2009 collections of Alexander Wang (bottom middle) and Givenchy (bottom left) make great use of the light denim / leather combination. Urban Outfitters (top right) is offering the 90′s favorite, Levi’s 501′s, in a distressed light shade. Kate Moss for Topshop’s (bottom, second from right) line of cropped leather motorcycle jackets sold out in a matter of minutes. And Erin Wasson’s collaboration with RVCA (bottom right) screams 90210 with its denim cutoffs and bustier tops. And of course I couldn’t leave out my favorite 90′s influenced fashion blogger Rumi of Fashion Toast. If you’re interested in incorporating some Beverly Hills 90210 into your wardrobe Rumi’s style is a great example of of how to utilize these trends without the fear of being mistaken for Donna Martin.

by: Tricia Rock

If you’re a thrift store junkie like myself, you probably know the drill:

1. Purchase clothing
2. Take out shoulder pads!
3. Wear clothing

But looking forward to spring and summer we may want to reconsider Step #2. Big shoulders are slowly creeping their way back onto the runways, making appearances at numerous Spring shows including Margiela (above top left), Proenza Schouler (above bottom left), and Balmain (above top and bottom right). However, the new big shoulder isn’t just an 80′s throwback to the shoulder pad stuffed power suit. For 2009 shoulders have a geometric edge that compliments a new era of structured dressing. So next time you’re tempted to rip that shoulder pad out of your newly thrifted purchase, take a second look because you may find some hidden, or not so hidden, potential.

Tibi and Lanvin

Balmain and Chloe

The Rathaus’ Tricia Rock

by: Tricia Rock

The combination of the holidays and a busy time at work have diminished my interest in fashion to almost none. This happens every so often and when I get into these fashion funks I find myself drawn to the more crafty, DIY side of fashion. One crafty trend I’ve spotted for spring that has peaked my fashion interest is, as Who What Wear calls it, the bib necklace. These crafty necklaces have been spotted in various places throughout the web from the avante-garde fashion photography of Todd Norwood at Calikartel (above top), to Anna Kathrin Rohr’s Copy of an Imitation collection (above bottom left), to the Spring 2009 runway at Marc by Marc Jacobs (above bottom right).

These photos have inspired me to create my own crafty bib necklaces, however, if you find yourself lacking in the DIY department, head over to the Necklush store on Supermarket. Pictured below are just a couple examples of the “necklushes” they have for sale. “These free-form loops are multifunctional too, you can use your Necklush as a necklace or scarf or possibly a headband. Most of the necklushes are cut cotton jersey material, and a few are with poly. We screenprint designs on to our necklushes, making the multicolored ones very limited!”

by: Tricia Rock