Trend Report 2011

Pixie Haircuts

            Love it or hate it? That was the main question regarding twenty-year-old Emma Watsons’ debut of an incredibly short hairstyle in August 2010. After completing the final film of the Harry Potter saga, the British actress drastically traded in her long locks for a cropped ‘do. She told Entertainment Weekly, “Oh my God, it was the most liberating thing! The stylist just grabbed the back of my hair and took a whole ponytail of hair out. It felt amazing. I love it.”

Stars such as Carey Mulligan, Ginnifer Goodwin, Halle Berry, Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, and Presentation’s own Sophie Wood took to embracing the cut as well. The short hairstyle accentuates one’s youthful characteristics while adding a touch of femininity and charm. The upkeep sure is easy as well! Sophie Wood says, “It is so much easier to maintain. I only use a quarter of the shampoo I was using before, and I can just wake up and come to school without worrying about it.”

If you are wondering what type of face shape is best for this cut, aim for long and oval shapes. The short cut balances out the long dynamic of one’s face. If you have a round face, it is probably not a good idea to get a pixie cut—the cropped style may make your face look even rounder than before! 

If you are ready to take a style risk and experiment with a pixie haircut, try donating your hair to Locks of Love, a non-profit organization that provides hairpieces to individuals under 21 suffering from hair-loss due to a wide variety of medical conditions. You will help to give confidence to a young woman at Locks of Love, and your risk may pay off!

Tumblr

            2,918,439,427: the number of total posts on Tumblr.com as of January 25^th 2011. Around four years old, Tumblr is a website allowing individuals to share the things they love, create, and think. Users can post text, quotes, photos, videos, and other media on a personalized website while customizing their pages with a variety of colors and background themes. It can be completely private or totally public, where family members and friends may view and contribute to one’s blog. Users may choose to “follow” other tumbleblogs and click the reblog button, automatically reposting the content of another’s tumbleblog to their own. If you see a great photograph or video clip on someone else’s tumblr, you can reblog it on your own page! The photographs are high resolution, the mobile ability allows for a free iPhone app, and best of all, it is free! Joey Andrews, a sophomore, enjoys the simplicity and customization of the website. “I like how I can freely express my likes and dislikes so easily. It’s especially fun to find pictures of beautiful locations you’ve always wanted to go to.”

            Whether one has a strong love for a certain genre of music or a passion for fashion, users can easily find entertaining and fun posts to reblog on their personal profile. It covers a wide variety of interests, an aspect that has attracted millions of users already. As The New York Times puts it, “Tumblr makes blogging blissfully easy.”

Combat Boots

            If you are looking for chic, vintage, lace-up boots, then combat boots are for you. Wear them with skinny jeans and a burnout tee or pair them with a floral dress to balance out the grunge look. They can range in heights, from the smallest ones covering the ankles to the tallest reaching all the way up to one’s knees. Black and brown are the most common colors, and the comfortable boots add just enough edginess to any wardrobe. Rachel Bilson, Sienna Miller, Jessica Alba, and Rihanna are just a few celebrities who enjoy wearing combat boots out around Los Angeles. They are perfect for a cold day, a shopping trip, or simply spending time with friends.

            If you are interested in buying some combat boots, you do not have to look very far. Target and Forever 21 both sell black and brown boots for $30, while Urban Outfitters, a pricier option, sells combat boots ranging from $70 to $200 in a variety of different styles. DSW offers brown ones for $55, and ALDO charges around $80 to $120 for a pair.

Trend Report: All About Prom

The month of April is rolling around and we all know that means Prom season! You asked your guy in the cutest way, memorized the date and bought your bid. Now all that’s left is the most complex element for girls to execute perfectly: their outfit! Though you may be freaking out about what kind of dress to buy, what shoes to wear and how to do your hair, don’t have an emotional breakdown quite yet. The Voice has all best ideas to make your outfit (and night, of course) one to remember.

Dresses: there are only so many in our area and thousands of girls. No one wants to show up in the same dress as someone else, but even if you do, at least you’ll be confident in the dress you chose. The first dress trend is bright and colorful. Make yourself stand out and look striking while doing so. This is different from typical black and will show your date you’re confident and comfortable being bold.

If bright isn’t for you, another trend this prom season is gold dresses. Gold is timeless and very elegant. Whether your dress is full gold sequins or a faded gold shimmer, the color will make you look more mature.      

If you are not into the long prom dresses, you’re in luck. 2010 prom is welcoming short dresses. You will gain more attention in a short dress, since a long one is classic for prom. It will show you are more edgy and are not afraid to stand out and show a little leg. No matter what kind of dress you decide on, the number one most important factor is that you feel comfortable in it.  All dresses can be tailored for a low price to fit your exact size, so if one area is not fitting correctly, you don’t need to change sizes. Also remember that the size does not matter because all designers use a different scale. Just keep in mind that confidence goes a long way, so if you’re happy in your dress, everyone else will love it as well!

Shoes: You found your dress, but now you need some matching shoes. The first step to finding your perfect shoes is to take into consideration the type of dress you have. If your dress has a design already on it, a simple colored shoe is the way to go. If your dress is a solid color, feel free to go as crazy with your shoe design as you want! Just don’t overdo your look and make your appearance too busy. Sparkled shoes are in this season and bring a little pizzazz to your feet (they also help show off your new pedicure)!

If you are a shorter girl or just want to look taller, buy shoes that are similar to the color of your skin tone. This elongates the look of your legs and is very in this season. If you wear stockings, make sure to take them into consideration when picking your shoe color. Finally, if your dress allows you to show off your shoes, you may want to consider heels with straps that wrap around the leg. They draw in immediate attention and are not only in on the runway, but for prom as well. Many of these types of shoes come with the bonus that they help support your feet so that you are more secure in your shoes. Consider these elements when you are shopping for your prom shoes.

Hair: Your look is almost complete, but now something must be done with the un-brushed, knotted ponytail on the side of your head. A total transformation can be made by yourself, your parent or a professional hair stylist. If you are looking for an updo style, messy buns are very trendy this spring. When properly executed, they look elegant yet not to showy. The runways are especially fond of the side bun, so feel free to remain with your lopsided, Pres hair ways.

As many of us have seen, another hair trend is braids. Whether they wrap over your head, are only in your bangs, or reach the back of your head, braids are one of the most popular looks for prom this season. They are easy to do and keep the hair out of your face. 

Finally, the half-up look is always big for prom. You can have the best of both worlds with your hair up and down. This will keep the hair out of your way, but still display your beautiful head of hair which is usually covered by a hoodie. Again, no matter what you do with your hair, make sure that you like it. If you don’t like one element of your outfit, you can wind up ruining your entire night! Don’t be afraid to try something new or ask your hairstylist for a few changes.

Pres girls, you are now ready for your 2010 Prom. With a lovely dress, perfectly matching shoes and a hairstyle to complement them both, you will surely be a star of the night. Remember when finding these elements out for prom to stay calm, breathe and most importantly, have a good time!