So it seems Cory Kennedy’s been up to her usual tricks. Partying til 6 in the morning and getting herself noticed by hitting all the hot music venues wearing a montage of stylish gear. As her popularity grows, you can’t help but wonder what is it about her that people find so interesting? I’ve concluded that there are two points of intrigue. Her style and her lifestyle.

Style-wise Cory possesses both the ability to throw together an outfit that ends up looking effortlessly cool and somehow manages to make a pair of $700 boots look like she found them behind a dumpster. It’s a strong combination of both and neither of which should be taken for granted. And although the later may seem like a downfall, it’s exactly the opposite. Taking a high fashion item and pairing it with casual pieces makes it wearable throughout her inner circle. Cory’s following is a young, hip crowd rather than women of refined sophistication. So the “downgrade” she brings to high fashion couture is actually an introduction of versatility..Giving the ok to hipsters everywhere to step out of their black grubs and embrace a look that’s loyal to their code of artsy rebellion while appearing fashionable.

Here Cory Kennedy wears a simple tshirt, wild screen printed leggings and Emilio Pucci rain boots. She doesn’t reserve the Pucci boots for a special occasion or even a wet, rainy night. Instead she pairs them with a colorful outfit and ends up looking rad.

Cory pulls it off because she dresses like she doesn’t give a shit when she clearly cares a great deal about fashion and devotes a lot of time and energy to branding her style. And people have taken notice. Needless to say, she’s working with a well fortified wardrobe to start. So even if she dresses every morning by picking up the first article of clothing on her floor, chances are it’ll be a coveted funky piece to work with. She obviously has a love of shopping, a daring take on fashion and a steady cash flow to support it all.

This Spring, we’ve all had a wake up call- thanks to the skinny jeans. Every trend is not for everyone. Lesson learned. So, I have to stand my ground with suspenders.

I’m not a masculine dresser even when the trend calls for it. I don’t own a boxy shirt dress and will never wear a man’s tie. The closest I’ve come to dressing manly may be the little boy’s polo shirt I have in bright yellow, which of course is a few sizes too small. Therefore, I’ve decided I will not be partaking in the suspenders trend when it invades the streets this fall. Although it leans towards masculinity, that’s really not what turns me off. Frankly, I think it looks goofy and seems more like a costume than fashion. Sure it looks ok on the models, but not great. And what doesn’t look decent on a 5’11” frame with 34 inch hips swaggering down the runway? I can’t help but be reminded of an over-sized clown suit with floppy shoes and a big red nose- a look that clearly can’t be taken seriously. So I’m hoping it passes quickly, because in my book- suspenders have been vetoed.

Although the side pony has lived at the top of the ‘fashion don’ts’ list for years now, I’ve changed my mind about it entirely. And lately, I’ve been wearing my hair in a messy side ponytail and experimenting with ways to keep it looking cool. I think the key to successfully pulling off this look is to follow a few simple rules.

1) Wear it messy. This plays down the look and gives it an edgy, alternative feel rather then a prissy, polished look.
2) Wear it low. Do NOT pull a Stephanie Tanner and wear your ponytail high up on the side of your head. I’m predicting this slumber-party look will be forever out.
3) Wear it just off centered, rather than drastically pulled to the side. Almost as if it’s accidental. Simliar to how you sort of tilt your hat to the side, rather then rapper style circa 1991.
And I hesitate to list the final reason, only because I trust that my readers know better..but for the sake of stating the obvious…
4) No scrunchies.

With the romantic babydoll dresses now in full swing, the loose, messy side ponytail completes this look. So keep it casual and play with the style a bit. Don’t skimp on pulling out loose pieces to frame your face, add a flower hair accessory, braid it, twist it or dread it. For especially long hair, wrap hair ties down the shaft placed 2-3 inches apart and pull at the segmented sections to make it appear fuller.

T-shirt designer Atypyk has caused quite a stir with their ‘Be Tough’ t-shirt which includes a trompe l’oeil print in the back. It seems UK officials are offended and have made statements regarding the seriousness of gun culture. And as expected, the publicity it received has made the t-shirt even more popular. I personally like the t-shirt and don’t think it’s over the top or socially dangerous in any way. I dig the blunt silhouette, placement of the print and the subtle ‘don’t f with me’ message it reveals. It’s certainly a shirt I’d add to my wardrobe for the days when my mood applied.

As a trend watcher, I’m always intrigued when a very specific trend catches on. And this spring, orchids are the talk of the town. The exotic flower has worked its way to one of the most apparent trends of the season. Whether it’s orchid jewelry, hair accessories, the most coveted bridal bouquet, a patterned print or orchid scented perfume, the orchid has become the classy alternative to a simple rose. This elegant flower is available in an array of colors and shapes and because the trend has seeped into all areas of fashion, it’s easy to add orchids to your spring wardrobe.

As we have seen, beachy textured hair has resurfaced as a popular look for spring/summer. The effortless, thrown-together look of full soft waves, just a hint of frizz and a whole lotta just-rolled-out-of-bed, is an easy way to sex-up a casual look. This beauty trend is topped off when an orchid hair accessory is added to the mix. Taking the already sexy ‘do and boosting it into the realm of “I should be strolling the beaches of Bora Bora right now.” These subtle details go a long way- making you appear unfussy and natural but overtly feminine. And that continues to be my style mission of the season.

Now that I’ve found my perfect party dress, my attention has shifted towards finding a flirty babydoll dress. The babydoll theme is thought-provoking since the style, (hence the name) is mimiced after little girls’ clothing. This can either look really cute or really stupid. So, if you’re shopping for a babydoll piece, perhaps you should bring along a friend.

The dresses, camis, nighties etc are sexy, but more in an ‘I want to take your innocence way’. Even the stylists at the fashion shows often put the models’ hair into pig tails or have them carry a giant lollypop or lunch box as a prop to complete the visual concept. And it works. On a simple level the styles are cute and playful, but when you think about why they are sexy, it’s a bit strange when realizing that on some level designers are tapping into the taboo male fantasy of being attracted to a little girl. Knowing this, can make it even more fun to wear. When you slip into your little girl inspired ensemble, you can also assume the part in a flirtatious role-play (all subtle and played into merely on a subconscious level).

Below is a collection of designer babydoll dresses which I am basing my search upon; finding a dress similar to these styles but at a price I can afford.

First stop: Ebay. Try to focus on the dress only rather then the model or atmosphere. As an Ebayer you often have to use your imagination, on how you’d rock the piece. Shopping online can be challenging enough since you can’t try it on or feel the fabric, but shopping for vintage online can be even more difficult.

Group 1: I like the pastel colors, gingham pattern and candy-striper style. But dress #1 looks a little too Dorothy from the Oz…May be to over the top.. Out of this group, my pick is #3. I like the color for the warm season and the lace peeking out of sleeves. My only hesitation would be where the bustline hem would fall on me. I’d prefer the hem to start right under my bra rather then mid-way. This is one of those times I wish I could try it on.

Group 2: I love wearing white in the spring/summer and since the babydoll dress attracts enough attention on its own, I may want to work within a neutral color pallet. Dress #1, I like lace on the pinafore and the wide neckline, but I’m looking for more of an empire waist, rather then a drop waist. Dress #2 and #3: the material looks cheap especially on #3, it doesn’t look soft and flow-y. And this cut is leaning more towards peasant-y instead of babydoll-ish. Must stay on track. Moving on..

Group 3: Dress #1 is awesome without the sleeves, so I have to factor in the alterations. Dress #2 I like the subtle print and cut, but might be too long..more of a prairie look. #3: Like the cut, ivory background and muted terra cotta colored floral pattern. Folks we may have a winner!..And since it’s ebay, I could always buy 2

Sometimes I wish trends would take just a wee bit longer to catch on. This way all the cool chicks in-the-know can enjoy them, without looking ‘trendy’ and it’ll give us at least a season before the look is played out. I blame the teen clothing companies. They must send trend spotters to fashion shows to comb the upcoming season’s hottest fads. Because it seems the fashion secrets leak almost instantly and every window in the mall tween shops are filled with styles I thought were fresh. Knowing this, it makes it even more challenging as a bargain shopper, who definitely scours the sales racks for good finds. And I must say having to rebuild a wardrobe every season gets darn pricey because God forbid I look ‘SO last season.’

For instance, spring/summer 2005 was all about Bohemian chic. If you are not aware of this, then please crawl back under the rock you’ve been hiding under and call it a day. I happened to really like this look, since I have an affinity towards hippie-ish things..not in the dirty Liberal way, but in the flowing skirts, chunky jewelry, long hair way. With this trend, long wooden beaded necklaces and peasant skirts came full-force. This season; the popular trends of the moment are the long necklace with circular links and bright prints on similar-cut skirts and dresses. This is really just a new version of a trend that marked the look of last summer but instead of a laid back hippie chic, she becomes a sassy Brazilian Lolita.

Ok..what to do..In order to disguise last year’s trends, you have to trick the world (and maybe yourself) into thinking the item is new. I do this by wearing an accessory with an outfit opposite of what it was worn with before. Instead of wearing head-to-toe Boho, just wear the beaded necklace, but pair it with another, maybe shorter gold necklace with charms or a variation of the inter-locking links I mentioned before. As for your favorite wispy skirt you lived in last summer, you don’t have to kiss it goodbye entirely. Just hike it up and add a high-waisted belt or bright sash. Since silhouettes are trending at the moment, the style is ‘now’, even though the skirt may have been last year. Wear this with a colorful, bold printed top and you’ll be back on top of the fashion game. There’s my style advice for the day..consider it a gift from me to you.

This spring- be sure to find any excuse to wear a party dress. I’m not sure if I’ve been watching too many episodes of Sex in the City or if I’ve been seduced by the flirtatious dresses from the Spring 2006 fashion shows, but I’ve decided that this season, I’m going girly. But the anti-polished version. I am lightening up the makeup, (clean skin, flushed cheeks, shimmering eyes and a little gloss), beachy hair and living in dresses and skirts that move. Because there’s nothing wrong with wanting to feel pretty.

The party dress is not to be confused with a cocktail party dress..and here are the differences.