The major designer’s 2010 Cruise Collections made their rounds last week. Cruise collections (also called resort) are pre-season lines designed for the time between January-March when well-heeled wealthy folks traditionally went on luxurious cruises to tropical locales–the better to avoid the bitter cold, my dear.

As I am obviously not one of those trust-funded types, my reason for following the cruise collections is a bit different and clearly self-serving: designers are showing clothes meant for warmer weather when the weather is actually warm!

This means I can take inspiration from the looks created and immediately apply them to my wardrobe, as opposed to having to watch Spring shows in February and wait for the weather to warm up. Which means I’m actually a season ahead! Ha! Take that, fashion industry!

Here are a few of my favorites:

You can integrate these key pieces into your wardrobe and have the look down pat in no time:

From left: Crispin & Basilio skirt, Revolve Clothing; skinny jeans, Forever21; Print dress, Kate Moss for Topshop; Cuffed shorts, Gap; Dramatic necklace, Forever21; Alexander Wang slouchy tee, LaGarconne; Bally strappy heels, Intermix; Boy by Band of Outsiders tailored blazer, Oak NYC.

Just because the only “cruise” I’ll be going on depends on traffic on I-75 doesn’t mean I can’t participate in the fashion fun!

Read these, too:
Wear it Now: Fall 2009
Style: Philip Lim Copycat
Show ‘Nuff: Paris Fashion Week

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I remember buying this top on a thrifting adventure a few years ago, but I don’t remember why. Most likely, I figured I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to buy what was basically a tee shirt made out of gold sequins. Really, what self-respecting thrift-loving fashionista could?

Only, I haven’t really worn it. A crazy halloween costume doesn’t count (I was Rick James, bitch). Neither does dress up around the house, which happens just as often as it did when I was five. So, inspired by the 3.1 Philip Lim fall show, I tried to figure out a way to make it work.

Shirt, blazer & belt, vintage; trousers, Luxe.

Have you ever figured out a way to wear the unworn items in the back of your closet? What did you do with them?

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Oh, what I wouldn’t give to have been in Paris during Fashion Week, cavorting with Carine & Co. while swigging champagne at some seedy Parisian dance club in Le Marais. Maybe I would’ve had a chance to ask Kanye what was up with his girl  Amber Rose…who is she, again?

Back to the point:

Not really naughty, but not necessarily nice, either, I’m really feeling cobalt blue right now. The cool shade adds a bright punch of color to an otherwise (mostly) neutral season.

Some were sparkly, some were slouchy, some were oddly reminiscent of a cross between a business suit and a military-style onesie. I’ve always been a fan of one-pieces–just make sure you use the bathroom before zipping it up.

It was lovely to see such controlled glamour strutting down the runways in styles reminiscent of the fabulous femme fatales of the forties (alliteration is fun!). Bring on the shoulder pads, nipped waists, and smoldering stares.

So, basically:

Why does Paris Fashion Week just feel different? Did you have any favorites?

Whew, Fashion Month is over! Why am I so exhausted? Really, it’s not like I went to New York, London, and Milan…

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Two Fashion Weeks down, two to go! London was, as usual, the wild card of the group, with a number of up-and-comers fresh out of Central Saint Martins showing their designs on the runways.  Tales of fabulous parties in hole-in-the-wall pubs filled with drunken, dancing (Br)it-girls make me want to say things like “What’s all this, then?”  in a (really bad) faux-British accent!

Let’s get this party started:

Houndstooth and checks and tweeds, oh my!  Traditional English gear mixed with modern accessories (golden damask thigh-high boots = YES) creates a fresh but familiar silhouette.

Fancy wearing your art instead of hanging it on the wall?  These modern masters have made it easy by splashing their creations in colorful abstract prints. In this case, looking like a full-on Monet is a good thing.

Am I the only one who watches Dynasty clips on YouTube on a regular basis? Seriously, Krystle, Alexis, and Dominique’s wardrobes were the inspiration for more fashion fantasies than I can count, linebacker shoulder pads and all. Plus, some days I’m all about a good catfight!

The sheer glamour of the Graeme Black show made my heart palpitate. As much as I loved all the grungy black leather and hooker boots stomping down the runways at the New York shows, I usually prefer to glam it up a bit (see Dynasty reference above).  The coolly lavish colors and textures of these Baroque-inspired looks provide an interesting counterpoint to the casual sportswear shown elsewhere.

As for the London Equation:

What did you think? Did you attend any parties?  I need to live vicariously through someone…

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