Fashion 411 – A Sneak Peek at Spring

January 21, 2007 njaiyo 0 Comments

Dear Tina,

I need your fashion Rx fix for my spring wardrobe! I am a boot-aholic, I binge on any booties I can get my feet into. Unfortunately, I still have that perfect pair eluding me: the kind I can wear in the summer without sweating and something perky enough that I won’t look like Dr. Zhivago in a sundress. Can you help a girl with an addiction that she needs to stomp out? -Heel Hunter

I hear that this spring is all about French Chic

-Tina Tang-

Dear Heel Hunter,

Tell your feet to have no fear! This spring lots of designers are turning to lacing (think strings, not curtain trim.) Laced up boots that can be loosened to slouch and let in some air are the solution to your wardrobe woes. I found a pair I’ll be pairing with my floaty frocks at Anthropologie: in a buttery yellow, they easily live up to their Rising Sun name. And at a cool $98 dollars, these kicks will leave you and your wallet anything but scorching.

Dear Tina,
I love to try new fashions, and I hear that this spring is all about French Chic. Every runway look I’ve seen is littered with bowlfuls of bows. I adore the look, but am afraid to plunge headfirst as I happen to be quite the tomboy, no skirts or cutesy ties for me, please. Can you suggest a look worthy of the Riviera without drowning me in ruffles?

-Trendy Tomboy

My Trendy Tomboy,
Fret not! A little bow here or there won’t make you look like a Shirley Temple. You can add the French Chic by wearing a cute pair of flats (with bows on them) with your slacks. Or, add your own ribbon and tie it around the waist of your button down or shirtdress. Juicy Couture makes some cute (but slighty pricey bowed flats) that can be found at Nordstrom.com for $235. The tan Diane Von Furstenburg dress from Nordstoms.com illustrates how you can tie a bow to a shirt/shirt dress to add that French romanticism.

Dear Tina,
Can you help a college student with a tightly closed wallet? I can’t budget in a new winter coat as I bought a new black one only last year, but I’m already bored of it. I thought a basic black would take me anywhere, but I feel so bland in it. Is there anyway you can think for me to spruce it up without totally damaging my bank account? – “ strapped

Dear Strapped,

This is such an easy problem to fix! As a jewelry designer, I am constantly looking for new ways to use my “Fried Rice” pieces, aka my leftovers that I am bored with just on their own. For the cheapest way to change up a coat, get some new buttons. You’d be surprised how much they add to a coat. Go down to your local fabric store to get gold ones for a military chic style, or funky charm ones to give it a boho feel.

If you’re not into that look, try this trick: Take a wide band belt and band it around the outside of the coat. It may sound weird, but a thick belt instantly creates that fancy “czarina” look, and as a plus, it will keep you warmer until your checkbook thaws again.

Target carries an xhilaration brand belt for $21.99

Tina designed a nature inspired necklace where 100% of all the proceeds go to The American Forest Organization, where every dollar donated plants a tree.

The ReLeaf Necklace, which retails for $85, is a sterling silver branch that utilizes Tina’s trademark double sided design and reminds us what’s important “Peace, Love and Recycle.”