welcome to elaney!

The last time we wore a choker it was from Claire’s and had a ying yang on it.  And we’re pretty sure it was styled with some sort of white Gap tee, Old Navy blue jean shorts, and Keds combo (geez, emum.  A little help then.  No?).  Apparently, chokers are back and back big for fall.  As much as we love clothes, we are definitely more of an “everyday woman” dresser, but occasionally we get intrigued by funky fashion trends (gaudy cocktail rings and high waisted jeans to name a few).  The blogs are telling us that chokers are back and not just for high fashion.  What do you think?  Any interest in attaching a large leather dominatrix-esque band around your neck?

Lots of fun trends for Spring 2011.  From big bangles to preppy accessories to trench dresses (who knew?), there are tons of ways to keep ourselves entertained and taking pictures of ourselves in dressing rooms with our cell phones.  Oh please, don’t act like you don’t do it.

One trend we aren’t digging?  These high waisted flare jeans.  Yes, we know that our love affair with tall boots and skinny jeans is a bit disproportionate to the rest of the population.  Yes, we know that some men (Dr. Love) have reservations about skinnys.  But honestly, skinny jeans are probably on my list of the 10 best things to happen to me in my twenties (yes, red wine is on the list too – duh winning!).  So, trendy readers, you can have your high waisted flare jeans!  We’re on our third pair of J Brands with no plans for change.

Fall is in the air (Happy September!), and it is time to get your new wardrobe in gear.  As many of you know, we famously loathe blow drying our hair and are often spotted slumming it in the summer going a little more a natural.  As soon as fall arrives, we are ready to shop until we drop, and let’s start with shoes!

Clogs and mules are everywhere!  Who woulda thought?  According to Refinery 29, the hot to trot footwear includes the structural boot, the work-to-drink heel, the updated clog, the pumped up pump, and the mule.   From Refinery 29:

1. The Structural Boot:
Everyone knows you have to invest in one pair of boots each season, so we highly recommend you consider these Pura Lopez lovelies. The gray color is seriously stylish and will look good with all of this season’s most important fall colors.
Pura Lopez Gray Suede Wedge Boot, $415, Satine Boutique, 8134 West Third Street (at Crescent Heights Avenue); 323-655-2845.

2. The Work-To-Drink Heel:
TenOverSix is one of the best in-house boutique brands ever, and these heels prove it. We love that one of our fave shoe lines collaborated with the genius Anndra Neen, making these adorned wooden wedges even more stunning.
Cortez Wooden Wedge, $430, available at TenOverSix, 7427 Beverly Boulevard, (at North Vista Street); 323-330-9355.

3. The Updated Clog:
The new way to wear clogs this fall is to pick a pair in rich brown with a cute little kiltie touch, like this perfect shoe specimen from our friends over at Madewell.
The Westway Clog, $168, available at Madewell, 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard (at Avenue of the Stars); 310-772-0428.

4. The Pumped Up Pump:
These Slow and Steady Wins The Race heels are deceptively simple: They look like a classic pump, but they’re actually waterproof. So, literally, save them for a rainy day!
Slow And Steady Wins The Race, Water Repellent Pump In Red, $100, Ooga Booga, 943 North Broadway #203 (between Norfolk Avenue and Lincoln Boulevard); 213-617-1105.

5. The Mule:
These open-backed mules are perfect for the end of summer. Just pair them with a mini and an oversized boyfriend button-up now and slip into opaque gray tights for when the weather gets a bit chillier.
Western Mule, $440, available at Opening Ceremony, 451 North La Cienega Boulevard (at Rosewood Avenue); 310-652-1120.

Perhaps it’s the “royal we” sensibility that we’ve all come to know and love around here that makes us empathize the the solidarity of the gladiator…sandal. Sign of a good trend?  Grows on you year over year (think skinny jeans).  We are still loving the gladiators!  What about you?  Are you in?  Or are you with Varina, ”Goodbye, my love, my life. Goodbye, good-bye!!”

Steve Madden – DV by Dolce Vita – Target
Target – Bumper – Bumper
Urban Outfitters – Bumper – Airwalk

Jeggings, we’ve decided…we want your love.  We want your ugly.  We want your (fashion) disease.  We want your everything. As long as it’s free (emum?).  A nice girl at Anthro recommended these jeans-leggings two weeks ago, and while it was sort of fun to prance around in the dressing room in them, we just couldn’t pull the trigger.  1) you have to feel gooooood about yo body to wear these and 2)  they are pretty ridiculous.  However, Kell on Earth was talking about them this week (don’t think anyone who has seen Kell on Earth is going to wonder what elaneymedia.com might think about Bravo’s new wonder), so…done.  You can’t be in your twenties forever.  Why not?  What do you think about jeggings?  Do you want their ugly or do you think they’ll lead to a Bad Romance?

Style.com is reporting that sheer materials are big for Spring 2010.  We kind of think it looks like Britney Spears became European and got an office job.  What do you think?  Will you be incorporating sheer into your wardrobe?

When we first heard about socks with heels, we felt that the emperor had new footwear.  But we can’t lie.  We think it’s kind of cool.  Now, please be warned, you cannot wear this with high waisted skirts and ruffled blouses.  And dear middle aged readers, sorry, but this might not be for you (see rules for who can wear colored tights).  If you have a sort of Asian, street style, you’re fine.  If you don’t and you want to try it out, we suggest a short or poofy skirt and top.  You can style them kinda like low boots.  And with all things completely off the wall…be subtle, but confident. What do you think?