The Year in Review

December 30, 2015


I've decided to do something a little different from my usual Top 10 It Girls of... countdown this year. While there are plenty of It Girls to talk about, I wanted to do a recap of all the big fashion moments of the year, from the runway to the red carpet and everywhere in between.

So here's a look back at all the best, worst, craziest, most WTF-worthy, Instagrammed, talked-about, tweeted-about fashion moments of 2015.


Gucci, Reloaded

How many times will I rave about Gucci under the creative reigns of Alessandro Michele? The limit does not exist. Michele transformed a struggling heritage house into the must-have brand for fashionistas everywhere, and his quirky designs have heralded in a new attitude towards dressing. Minimalism, meet your match.


The Instagram It Girls

Love 'em or hate 'em, you cannot deny the rising starpower of Gigi Hadid, Kendall Jenner, and their band of Insta-famous misfits. These girls ruled the runways, snagged huge magazine covers, and got everyone talking about how fashion models should be valued in this new era of social media. No matter your thoughts, expect to see these girls continue to rule in 2016.


The Most Shocking Designer Exits

Fashion has always been a game of musical chairs, but it seems that 2015 was especially full of designer exits from esteemed fashion houses. Alexander Wang parted ways with Balenciaga after only a few years. Raf Simons stunned everyone with his announcement that he was stepping down from Christian Dior after a similarly short time. And Alber Elbaz, longtime head designer of Lanvin, announced he was leaving (the jury is still out on whether he was fired or chose to leave on his own accord). There haven't been any announcements on the replacements for these designers, so it will be interesting to see where Balenciaga, Christian Dior, and Lanvin go from here.


Zendaya Becomes a Force of Fashion

Zendaya has become a true It Girl this year. She has absolutely crushed it on the red carpet, from her much talked-about Oscars look (in case you forgot, Fashion Police member Giuliana Rancic commented on how Zendaya's locs must have smelled of "patchouli oil and weed", launching a whole controversy) to her recent appearance at the Star Wars: The Force Awakens premiere. I love that she's not afraid to experiment with innovative styles and fun shapes like this Rosie Assoulin ensemble, and she's proven herself to be not only a style icon but a role model for young women everywhere. She even has her own Barbie! Talk about #lifegoals.  


Fashion Proves It Has a Sense of Humor

We knew everyone's favorite fashion satire Zoolander was filming a sequel (it's coming out in February) but I don't think anyone expected Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson to appear, in character as Derek Zoolander and Hansel, respectively, at the Valentino Fall 2015 runway show. The world's two top (fictional) models rocked the runway in high fashion looks, and the crowd went wild. Seriously, even my friends who know absolutely nothing about fashion were talking about it. I love moments when the fashion business is able to laugh at itself, and kudos to Valentino for pulling this off. 


Neutral-Wearing Badass Heroines

In film fashion, nudes and sand colors were the ultimate trend amongst movie heroines. From Mad Max's Imperator Furiosa to Star Wars: The Force Awakens' Rey, neutral colors draped loosely across the body were the styles of the year. We even saw how costume design influenced real life fashion, with the Yeezy Season 1 collection, Rick Owens, and more featuring minimal colors and dystopian-style draping in their designs. 


Lily James Rules the Red Carpet

Talk about a Cinderella story! Okay, Lily James has always been beautiful, but in 2015 she transformed into a full-fledge fashion star, rocking her Cinderella press tour and looking like a real-life fairytale princess. Up next, she's starring as Elizabeth Bennet in the amusing Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and I can't wait to see the gorgeous red carpet looks she'll pull off then!


Scary Good Fashion

Plot-wise, the freshman Ryan Murphy horror comedy satire TV show may have left something to be desired, but there's no denying that the costumes of Scream Queens were amazing. Not since Gossip Girl have their been so many amazingly over-the-top teen drama queen looks to drool over, and The Chanels definitely made me dreaming of creating a pastel-clad squad in my sorority. I'll take the pink furs and leave the serial killer to the Kappa Kappa Taus.


Rihanna Slays 2015

Who won 2015 in the fashion world? Some may say the Jenner girls, some may say Taylor Swift, but to me the answer is obvious: Rihanna. Rihanna has always been a fashion risk-taker, which I absolutely love in a celebrity, but in 2015 those risks totally paid off. First, she dazzled in a girly Giambattista Valli Couture gown at the Grammys. Then she turned heads everywhere at the Met Gala in an incredible marigold silk and fur trim coat by Guo Pei (she also launched 1000 memes). In a day and age when celebrities are so afraid of being named "Worst Dressed" that they err on the side of boring, it's so lovely to see Rihanna not give an F and just go for it. 

So there you have it! My top fashion moments of 2015. What were your favorite moments from the past year?

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2015


Merry Christmas, everyone!

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas weekend filled with festivities, great presents, good food, and wonderful company. I'm so thankful for anyone who takes the time to read my blog, and I wanted to take this moment to say thank you to all my readers! You are all amazing.

Don't forget to take some time for yourself these next few days, and may your holiday be festive and fashionable!

Sincerely, Lindsey | The Fashion Barbie

Trending | Tennis Court Style

December 21, 2015

M Missoni | CG Chris Gelinas | Stella McCartney | Tory Burch | Jil Sander Navy | Giuletta
Athleisure has taken a turn for the preppy.

Polo shirts, bright primary colors, and box pleats are all trending on the Spring 2016 runways. I know it feels like winter just got started, but spring styles will be in stores just after New Year's, so it's never too early to prep for the newest trends!

As always, balance is key when crafting the perfect tennis-inspired ensemble. A contrast polo with a pencil skirt is a smart office look, while a tennis dress mixed with a leather jacket and flatform sandals is an inventive off-duty look. Unless you're on your way to Wimbledon, this mix-and-match balance is essential!

Shop Preppy Sporty Looks:


Will you be rocking tennis styles off the courts this year?

The Fashion Force Awakens

December 18, 2015


In honor of what could be the biggest movie release of the decade (aka Star Wars: The Force Awakens), I thought it would be fun to celebrate all the best intergalactic fashions of the Star Wars films. These movies have been incredibly influential for a lot of fashion designers, from the Mulleavy sisters at Rodarte to Hood by Air (more on Star Wars' fashion influences here and here).

The costumes from the original trilogy are simple but incredibly iconic: you can't say "Princess Leia" without immediately conjuring up an image of her classic cinnamon bun hairdo, and is there a more easily-recognizable villain look than that of Darth Vader? I think not.

The prequel trilogy, for all of its pitfalls, stepped up the fashion game with the introduction of Queen Amidala. As an intergalactic royal, her costumes were inspired by geisha culture and ancient Chinese empresses. It may border on cultural appropriation in some instances, but they were pretty cool outfits, not gonna lie. 

So here are my favorite fashion moments from the films so far!

The Best Moments in Star Wars Fashion

Is it really a Star Wars fashion recap without the most iconic buns in cinematic history?
Luke Skywalker really rocked the Yeezy Season 2-style minimalism before it was even a thing
Say what you want about the prequels, but Queen Amidala had the most incredible fashion sense
TBH every hairdo of Princess Leia's is iconic, including this milkmaid halo braid
These geisha-inspired costumes were perfect for a chic intergalactic queen
Darth Vader knew the importance of a signature look, and black really complimented his complexion
Note to self: have matching handmaidens flanking me at all times #SquadGoals 
The whole "Slave Leia" thing was always really weird and problematic, BUT she did own the bikini look
Rey, one of the protagonists from the newest film, already making her mark in a simple nude wrap tunic that Haider Ackermann would fawn over

Who's your favorite Star Wars style star?

Shop | Perfect NYE Dresses for Under $100

December 16, 2015


Finals are finally over! Sorry about the lack of consistent posting the past few weeks, four papers and one exam will do that to a girl. But I'm on winter break for a month and can't wait to get blogging again!

Anyways, Christmas is coming up very soon, but right after that is the biggest party night of the year. That's right, I'm talking about New Year's Eve! No matter what your plans, you're going to need a dazzling dress that's better than the rest, so I've rounded up some of my favorite fashionable party dresses. The best part? They're all under $100!

Shop NYE Dresses Under $100:


What are you planning on wearing this New Year's Eve?

Obsessed | Gucci Pre-Fall 2016

December 11, 2015

Gucci Pre-Fall 2016
Is it really a big surprise that I, Lindsey, lover of all things whimsical and over-the-top, am obsessed with Gucci now that Alessandro Michele has taken over and breathed new life into the storied brand? What was before very much about sex appeal and sultriness is now about a love of clothing and dressing for oneself, and I for one couldn't be happier. Michele's Gucci reads like the dream wardrobe for Luna Lovegood or Edie Bouvier Beale (two of my fashion icons, as you probably know). Cat-eye sunglasses, actual cat sweatshirts (are they ironic or so unironic that they are in fact ironic?), bird motifs, and so many clashing prints that it shouldn't work, but somehow it all does.

For Pre-Fall 2016, Michele showed a whopping 82 looks in a Pompeian Villa, connecting a plethora of historical references to the far past, and yet somehow making it all feel modern. There were Medieval and Art Deco decorative motifs, 50s glasses and beatnik styles, 60s go-go boots and mod influences, 70s denim, and 80s silk bomber jackets, all swirling and mixing together to make something that is so perfect for the 2016 girl.

Perhaps what I love most of all is that while it initially appears that Michele is catering to a very specific group of women, upon further reflection one can see how so many of these pieces could be worn by a number of "styles" of women. When mixed together in this rather particular styling, the collection speaks to a vintage-loving, Man Repeller follower with a brooch collection and a penchant for wearing berets, but individually these clothes can be utterly transformed by the wearer in order to suit her needs and particular style. Because when you get right down to it, the new Gucci is all about individuality, taking these pieces and reinventing them for oneself in order to express one's own sense of style and self.

I love what Michele is doing, and I don't think I'm the only one.

My Favorite Looks:











See the rest of the collection here.

Do you like what Alessandro Michele has done to reinvent Gucci? Let me know in the comments!

December Wishlist

December 4, 2015

Gucci sweater | Madewell skirt | Tom Ford flats | J. Crew sweater dress | Charlotte Olympia purse | Kate Spade bangle
Feeling preppy tennis vibes as of late. Gucci heritage sweaters, dark plaid, polished flats with an unexpected edge, and so on. And of course, I can never resist a Charlotte Olympia kitty.

Sorry I've been slacking with posting these past few weeks, finals and all that, you know the drill. I'll try to post as much as I can though!

What's on your December wishlist?