All Bruised Up

I always swore by the rule that black and blue should never be worn together so as not to look like a bruise. Times have changed and for the better, now it is perfectly acceptable and a fashion MUST to pair black with blue whether it be royal, cobalt or navy.  The best dressed awards are now going out to the celebrities wearing these two complimentary colors so the mainstream is not far behind.  Be prepared to see a ton of black and blue combos this fall and winter.  You can also achieve this look by wearing black shoes with a blue dress or pairing gunmetal jewelry (which is also going to be a huge fall trend) with a blue top or dress.  Here are some of our picks for achieving the trend.

Jay Godfrey Asymmetric Dress - $345

Victoria's Secret Bandage Sweaterdress - $88

Available at Hadley Emerson: Skirt -$68, Necklace - $48, Earrings - $36

Available at Hadley Emerson: Dress - $98, Earrings - $42

Coming Soon to Hadley Emerson

Available at Hadley Emerson: Dress - $288, Earrings - $32

BCBGMaxazria Colorblocked Strapless Dress - $298

Forever 21 Strapless Pleated Tunic - $19.80

 

Coming Soon to Hadley Emerson

Coming Soon to Hadley Emerson

The Jort

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly trends can go in and out of fashion, particularly when it comes to denim.  One minute a certain style of denim will be all the rage, and the next minute it will be so last decade.  But don't hurry to throw away those pieces because they will always come back.  I had one such experience as a freshman in high school that will forever be burned in my memory.  The year was 1996 and I had been reading up on upcoming trends, one of which was the jean jacket which had been out of favor since the late 80s.  I, of course, wanted to be groundbreaking and purchased myself a stylin' new jean jacket.  I very strategically planned its debut and rolled into school with a little swagger in my step that day.  As I was sitting at the lunch table in a packed cafeteria, I heard my name yelled by one of the guys in my class.  He remarked "the eighties called and they want their jacket back" and the cafeteria erupted in laughter.  I was mortified and banished the jacket to the back of the closet.  Fast forward two months and suddenly other girls are sporting denim jackets around school.  Either I had sparked a trend or was just at the forefront.  The moral of the story is to not be afraid to be the leader of the pack even if it means getting called out at the lunch table. 

Eighties denim is back in a big way, especially the jean short or jort as they are affectionately called.  These shorts come in many shapes, styles and washes so find the pair that best flatters your figure.  Here are some of my favorites this season. 

See something Hadley Emerson that you like but don't live in the Chapel Hill area?  Feel free to give us a call at (919) 537-8264 and we can arrange a shipment! 

J Brand Mako Cuffed Short - $158

 

















J.Crew Bermuda Short - $59.50

Easy Money Jackpot Short - $68

AG Pixie Roll Up Short - $186

AE Boy Fit in Dark Denim - $34.95

Denim Boyfriend Short available at Hadley Emerson - $56

Denim Jacket available at Hadley Emerson (a throwback to my 1996 wardrobe staple) - $80

Going Solo

We are all about asymmetric one-shoulder fashion right now.  We think a single shoulder is better than two because it is a great way to show off those sculpted deltoids without showing too much skin.  One shoulder is a great alternative to strapless for those who need a little more support than a strapless bra can  provide.  Try taking your strapless bra and use an attachable strap across the one shoulder. 

So how do you wear a one-shoulder dress so that you look like a greek goddess without feeling like you're wearing a toga?  If the dress is not already fitted then add a belt to cinch your waistline.  In general, stay away from wearing a necklace unless the dress is plain, but a great pair of earrings can complement the look adding just the right amount of flair.  One shoulder flowy tops are best paired with skinny tailored pants or short shorts.  This trend will be sure to make you look classy and feel sexy.  

One Shoulder Gold Detail Dress available at Hadley Emerson - $352

Theory "Vivien" Ikat Dot Dress - $315

Ella Moss One Shoulder with Ruffle Top - $48.99

Classic Black One Shoulder Dress available at Hadley Emerson - $98

La La Love Dress in Midnight Teal - $34

One Shoulder Purple Top available at Hadley Emerson - $78

T Bags One Shoulder - $151.20

Phoebe Side Drape One Shoulder Jersey Dress - $288

One Shoulder Romper available at Hadley Emerson - $188

Crystal Clear

Lucite jewelry is as hot as North Carolina's 100 degree summer heat. This trend is so hot that even the Sex & The City 2 stars have sported this look.  Lucite is a clear favorite because it is lightweight, easy-to-wear and goes with any outfit.  These translucent jewels are not seasonal, so you can wear them well into fall and winter.  Feel free to dress these accessories up or down depending on your look.

Sweetie Pie Jewelry "Molly" Necklace (as seen in InStyle) at Hadley Emerson - $74

Lee Angel Lucite Drop Earring - $68

Sequin Lucite Ball Cluster Necklace - $28

Sweetie Pie Jewelry "Lena" Bracelet at Hadley Emerson - $36

Kate Spade "Blowing Baubles" Cluster Ring - $95

Sweetie Pie Jewelry "Harper" Earring at Hadley Emerson - $32

Ben-Amun Lucite Cuff - $105

Kenneth Jay Lane Double Layer Lucite Bead Necklace - $79.99

"The Beach"

Does anyone else find it baffling that in North Carolina when you ask someone about their weekend plans, almost everyone says that they are going to "The Beach."  I guess it is similar to the folks in NY/NJ who head to "The Shore" or the Midwesterners who go to "The Lake" or "Up North" for the weekend.  Nobody ever tells you the name or the town of the beach that they are running off to (e.g. Wilmington, Myrtle, Outer Banks, etc.) and I know that these places are not necessarily very close.  Having grown up in Maine, it was perfectly normal to go to the beach for the day, but most people don’t stay overnight.  I want to ask where and what exactly is “The Beach?"  Is there one beach that everyone flocks to once Friday rolls around?  Where is this beach that you speak of and how do I go about getting a season pass?  If you are someone who is planning on going to “The Beach” this weekend, you better make sure you have the right outfit because everyone worth knowing will probably be at “The Beach” as well.  Here are some beach appropriate cover-ups and purses that we have picked out so you can look fabulous all summer long.

Romper Available at Hadley Emerson- $158

Free People Tiered Jeweled Dress - $118

Available at Hadley Emerson- $148

DVF Nobi Coverup - $285

Available at Hadley Emerson- Dress for $108, Clutch for $32

PJ Salvage Bridgehampton Babe Printed Tunic - $66

Available at Hadley Emerson- Tunic for $108, Purse for $335

Victoria's Secret O-Ring Bra Top Dress- $14.99

Something New?

Finding a dress to wear to a wedding can be a daunting task.  I try to stick to the following rules of thumb when choosing an appropriate dress for a wedding.  The first rule of thumb is to NOT wear all white to a wedding, some white is acceptable but be careful about the amount of white.  There is no sense in competing with the bride for attention.  I generally try to stay away from wearing black during a daytime wedding, but it is perfectly acceptable for an evening wedding.  If a wedding invitation says "black tie," I opt for a long evening dress and heels.  Beads and sequins on a dress can also be a great way to create a dressy look.  At a "black tie optional" wedding, it is appropriate to wear a cocktail-length dress but it should be something more formal than a cotton sundress.  Bright colors are fun for the summertime, but try not to steal the show with something too flashy.  Lastly, when in doubt, choose a fancier dress over something more casual.  Below are some of my favorite dresses that I think would be perfect for a variety of weddings.  Hopefully you can buy a few classic dresses and wear them to more than one wedding.

Available at Hadley Emerson - $110 (Great for a day/evening wedding)

 

Available at Hadley Emerson - $338 (Great for day or evening wedding depending on accessories)

Laundry by Shelli Segal Silk Chiffon Dress - $124.95 (Perfect for a day or night wedding depending on accessories)

Available at Hadley Emerson - $180 (Also available in pink, both are great for an outdoor or daytime wedding)

Milly Ruffle Wrap Dress - $350 (Easy to dress up or down)

Black and White Gown Available at Hadley Emerson - $208 (perfect for a black tie wedding)

The Beat of a Different Drum

You don't have to play the drums to sport the tribal trend this summer. You can look just like the celebrities in these exotic fashions. Pair with simple accessories to make the designs standout.  Don't get too crazy, a single piece will be a great fashion statement by itself.  These bold patterns and crazy colors are sure to make your friends roar.      

Strapless Dress available at Hadley Emerson-$268

Charles by Charles David Motif Sandal - $80

Brown Ikat Dress available at Hadley Emerson-$118

Ann Taylor Loft Animal Print Smocked Button Down - $44.50

Tibi Spiral Zebra Dress - $190