Performance artist Dita Von Teese attended the opening of the LA Antiques show yesterday, wearing a floor-length full skirt with her trademark cinched waist and a sweetheart neckline. Despite the retro style of the dress, Dita managed to make the look modern. Maybe it’s because we’re so accustomed to seeing the star in vintage styles, or it might be that contemporary designer runways have shown heavy ’50s influences this year.

Louis Vuitton Fall 2010 RTW

While, Dita has the likes Jean Paul Gaultier and Vivienne Westwood gifting her beautiful dresses (both new and old), the rest of us have to rely on other sources for our style fixes. Thanks to the retro craze of the ’00s, we no longer have to go diving into must thrift store bins to find cute vintage clothes. In the last decade specialty stores popped up online and in cities everywhere. And retro style isn’t only for red carpet glamour or high-fashion runway. Even Dita get’s casual from time to time. See her here at the Coachella music festival wearing sailor pants and a bustier top.

There’s no need to be top-to-bottom retro however. Even though Dita pulls it off, it’s not for everyone. Instead, punctuate and otherwise modern wardrobe with a few key vintage items. For most of us, we’ll get the most mileage out of casual vintage dresses and separates. Stay modern and on trend by looking for long “maxi” dresses, tiered ruffles, high-waisted shorts and – if you can find them – snap up a pair of saddle shoes. You’ll and personality and flair to your look, and as a bonus you’ll save a ton of cash!

photos: zimbio.com, style.com

One of the most inescapable trends this season is the skintight jersey t-shirt mini dress. These will be found everywhere this spring – from the mass market bargain bins to the most overpriced ready-to-wear boutiques. These dresses have a wonderful simplicity that makes them easy to wear in a variety of ways. But as most are made without the benefite of lining, darts, or even a bit of ruching, they are certainly not so forgiving of figure flaws. So any attempts to wear this (without some strategic layering) should be preceeded by fashion-inspired fitness prep… else, plan to have a few pairs of Spanx on deck.

Above L to R: T by Alexander Wang, Theory, James Perse

HOW TO WEAR IT:

If your body’s up to the challenge (and the attention), keep it super simple. Wearing it with flats for flip-flops and accessorize with a statement necklace. Be careful wearing this look alone with heels. The line between sexy and trashy is razor thin here.

To hide love handles or back chub layer on a vest or a blazer. These pieces are also popular this eason and will be easy to find. Get something oversized to turn down the vamp factor and get more room to play with high heels.

For tomboy types throw on a denim jacket and some sneakers (Chuck Taylors are perfect). The jersey fabric is comfortable enough for a anyone still in girly training wheels.

Unisex clothing is more relevant now than it’s ever been. But a new phenomenon sparked by Stella McCartney’s collaboration with GapKids might call for a brand new type of clothing: Uni-age. Perhaps more designers could create fashion and children’s jewellery that that adults would love, too. After all, I’ve never heard of an infant girl actually requesting frill pink things.

After the success of her first collaboration with GapKids in the Fall — which had adults clamoring and Carla Bruni wearing one jacket onstage — Stella McCartney is returning with another round for Spring 2010, in stores and online March 30. Of adults squeezing into the pieces, she says: “I think it’s great. It’s a compliment. It’s something that we thought might happen. I certainly got a couple of the large sizes myself. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with it. It’s great to have that kind of interest; it’s just a compliment that everybody wants it.”

I wonder which piece from the new collection grown folks will be coveting this time. That toddler’s anchor sweater is pretty cute. Maybe I could get it to fit over my thigh…

Via Fashionologie
photos: Nitrolicious, Huffington Post

What problem? Well, the fact that there aren’t any these day. Sure, Coco, Daria, and Lara are popular but that last batch of real super models was hatched back in the ’90s. Think Cindy, Naomi, Linda. The difference, as Anna Wintour insightfully pointed out at a forum this week, is that two decades ago models were allowed to look like full grown women. By contrast, today’s catwalk queens are often scooped from freshman year in highschool and expected to maintain the physique of a 13-year-old to fit into the ridiculously small sample sizes.

The forum, held at Harvard University Business School, was called “Health Matters: Weight and Wellness in the World of Fashion” and featured designer Michael Kors and model Natalia Vodianova among it’s speakers. Kors earned a rounded of applause from the audience when he promised not use models younger than 16. “The age of models really has to become a priority,” he said. “We need to give these girls a chance to grow up.”

Kors was on a roll at the forum, pointing a fact that should elicit a resounding DUH from anyone with enough brain active to read this post. “The reality is that women who buy designer clothes are 30-plus. The visual has to match the reality. Girls dressed up in their mother’s clothes? Guess what, it’s not attractive.” As glad as I am to see a turn around in attitudes at the top, it irks me to no end that this statement is some sort of epiphany.

I’m not so sure it’s progress so much as where we are in the cycle of fashion and the broader culture. Still, I’m psyched that “adults are in vogue” just in time for yours truly to hit the big 3-0. Not that I’m expecting to see any size 8s sashay down the runway any time soon. Nope. Someone my size, though below the national average, can only expect the limited reaches of plus size fashion advertising to speak to me and body… image.

I suppose I can’t expect the powers that be to look after my feelings when they rarely even do so for there star figures. Vodianova, who was the only one among the headliners to have first hand experience on the “issue,” has had her contributions to the discussion reduced to a side note in the mainstream reporting of the event. The model, who started modeling relatively late at 18, reportedly shared her own experiences with anorexia and encourages practices like age limit to protect young models. “Their sense of self-worth is handed over to a bunch of people who don’t care about their self-esteem,’’ she said.

Via The Cut & TheCrimson.com
photos: catwalkqueen.tv & nikulainen.eu

There’s something going on in the fashion world. An uprising is brewing and the Wintours and Lagerfelds on high are being forced to recognize that their body ideals are destructive and unrealistic. The people are angry (low calorie diets tend to make you cranky) and ready for change. And like so many rebellions in history, when the people start to stir the powers that be throw them a bone to try to quiet them. Enter Vogue Curvy. No, it’s not a magazine, it’s a section of Vogue Italia’s online presence found at vogue.it/en/vogue-curvy.

Vogue Curvy is devoted to … women with figures. That section leads with a video interview with Crystal Renn, who talks about how amazing life became when she decided to stop starving herself and eat salad with salmon and walnuts on it. Source: The Cut – nymag.com/daily/fashion

A quick look at the site and I found it sparsely appointed and featuring content more than two years old. Then they have the nerve to list Liz Tyler as a curvy icon! If you’re looking for inspiration for plus size fashion, Vogue Curvy will probably not be your best bet. Like most “separate but equal” efforts, these facilities are outdated and underfunded. I should mention, too, that the launch of this new mini-site is simultaneous to the launches of Vogue Black and Vogue Talents – which are devoted to black people in fashion and emerging designers, respectively. The message from the biggest fashion franchise in the world: it’s okay if you’re fat, black, or unknown, but we don’t have room for you in our stately halls.

What’s next? A “fat” section at fashion shows for anyone larger than a size 4? Will a size 6 with long legs and a good girdle be considering “passing?” Can the separate but equal routine work in the longterm? American history says the answer to that is a resounding NO.

My outlook isn’t entirely cynical. I realize that many movements start with superficial, well-intentioned-but-awful measures. Ultimately, however, we can’t rely on a franchise whose High Priestess is the likes of Anna Wintour to provide us with meaningful angles on fashion for average women. Thankfully, the blogosphere is officially on fire and there are plenty of plus & real-size fashion blogs that translate fashion Culture into advice for the average woman. Here’s a quick reading list:

Black Cat Plus
Fat Chic
The Manfattan Project
Big Girls Browse
The Budget Fashionista
Fat Girls Like Nice Clothes Too
Pretty Pear
Le Blog de Big Beauty
Fatshionable
Fat and Fab Chic

Here at The Fashion Cult, we may seem to obsess over extravagant runway item and red carpet dresses, but we’re well aware of the more down to earth side of fashion. Accordingly, we’re in the process of building a listof essentials, which the average jane can use to build a strong style foundation. In the meantime, here are a few tips to keep in mind while you do your spring shopping this year.

WHERE TO SAVE:
First and foremost, you should never spend big money on items that are overly trendy. That is, the pepto-pink lace double-breasted blazer with lame accents on the shoulders might be big fun this season, but come this time next year it will be look horribly dated and is likely to end up in the bin. Remember – no matter how expensive the garment, if it’s not relevant it’s prone to looking trashy. There are plenty of ways to participate in trends without breaking the bank. Visit stores like Topshop, H&M, and Target to pick up pieces that are hot now, but sure to cool off within months. Even better if you catch one of these stores on sale. Another good place to go for trends is your local thrift store. This is especially true if you’re looking to emulate retro-inspired trends. You might even stumble onto a hidden gem like a piece of vintage Dior for 3 bucks (true story!).

WHEN TO SPLURGE:
While I always enjoy a good deal, I firmly believe that a good wardrobe consists primarily of high-quality staple items. This means that you will need to invest a bit more cash in the pieces your wear consistently season after to season. Now unless you’re a celebrity, a socialite, or the unfortunate recipient of a weekly wedding invitation, things like jewels and evening wear may not make it onto your list of staples. For most modern women staples include things like a pencil skirt, a signature scent, and a pair of nice jeans, however your essentials should reflect your lifestyle so tailor it accordingly. If you absolutely must splurge on a special occasion item, opt for something that’s got classic shape and style.

For more shopping tips, visit Shop-Anon.com