trendspotting: beetle prints

Taking my last post on beetle wing-inspired iridescence one step further, it seems that these creepy crawlies have served as design inspiration this fall beyond just a color story. Prints depicting the insects appeared in a surprising number of collections. I'm not sure what it is about them--perhaps it's their surrealistic quality (another Fall '13 trend) or maybe designers suddenly realized that they make for an intriguing, kitschy print. Whatever the case, I am down.

Though the Lanvin ensemble above was the only beetle-covered look to walk their runway last March (other bugs appeared in jewelry-form throughout the show), the print packed a powerful punch and has proven to be an editor favorite.

 

The collection with the most extreme case of beetle infestation was, by far, Tory Burch. The designer developed not one but two prints--teal scarabs and a museum-worthy array of species in blues and greens--that were featured on everything from silk tops and scarves to small leather goods and even an iPhone case. Jeweled beetles embellished sweaters, smoking slippers and a tasseled evening bag, and appeared in jewelry form, as well.

 

McQ Alexander McQueen produced a creepier take on the print, which has appeared on body con dresses (like the one above) and the line's signature lightweight scarves just in time for Halloween.

              

Madewell is also on board the trend with this vintage-inspired silk scarf. And how funky is this satin Marco Bologna bomber jacket?

The bugs even made a cameo Kenzo's quirky Fall '13 ad campaign! 

So tell me, are you down with Beetle Mania?

Peace, Love and Neon,

Marisa

want this now: winter wish list

For the first time in my life since my middle school babysitting years when I first earned enough money to buy MAC lip gloss and A&F t-shirts, I have gone a considerable amount of time without shopping. Over the course of the Fall 2010 semester, my wardrobe purchases are as follows: a $24 army green military shirt on sale at LF and a $3 friendship bracelet from Urban. A whoppin' $27.

Not a penny did I spend when I went home to NYC in October for Rebecca's birthday--a weekend we filled with return trips to the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show, the 25th St Garage flea market, and Pippin, Rebecca's favorite vintage jewelry store. No trip did I make to Newbury with the intension of shopping for things I didn't really need but could definitely use to spruce up my closet.

This is what you get when you decide to spend all 700 of your dollars on a plane ticket and jet off to Europe for five days, working a mere 11 hours a week and earning less than $9 an hour. Figure the math and you'll see there wasn't, and still isn't, enough even for me to pick up a few oversized men's button downs at Goodwill.

The other night, Olivia joined Alex and myself for sushi chez nous and asked me what items I was currently coveting. When I thought about it, I realized I had spent all semester avoiding stores and seductive online shopping sites as to evade what I've been missing. Of course one's natural reaction--as humans are curious beings--is to subsequently embark on a fashion blog and web store binge and catch up.

{image from i want to be alexa chung}

Yesterday, I spent the evening teasing myself by browsing blogs and deducing all that I would buy, should buy, had I the money. I want to be alexa chung was particularly torturous, showcasing perfect pairs of skinny jeans, flats and loafers, tons of uber-stylish, comfortable heels, and babydoll dresses galore.

So after much blog browsing, general style analyzing and the return of my usual spending impulse, here's a list of the items I am currently coveting, dedicated to my fabulous and stylin' friend Olivia:

{the aforementioned second-hand oversized men's button downs, as well as some new in silk, ASOS}

{the perfect dark demin super skinny skinnies, Madewell}

{army green cargo skinnies, J. Brand on Shopbop}

{A black Temple Topper, image by Hanneli via The Man Repeller}

{This turban-inspired knit earmuff headband, Urban Outfitters}

{leopard loafers, Zara}

Speaking of leopard, my fashionable grandlittle Emily was wearing this Nasty Gal blouse at a friend's birthday the other night, and I nearly ripped it off her body and ran. (Oh hi, Temple Topper.)

And I still have yet to purchase a chambray button down! Am I really that far from the times?

At this point, the best I can do is hope for some belated Hanukkah gelt or look into pooling all my Geddes money next semseter-- too bad I'll be simultaneously saving up for a life as a real person in NY! Hopeless? Probably.

Peace, Love and Neon,
Marisa