LOOKS WE LIKE: T.D.D. STYLE FILES

Trending.

LA is a city of trends. Trends that come and go as quickly as the busloads of aspiring starlets seeking fame. For example, one minute a club with a "sexy, fresh" angle, like no lights or electric eel aquariums, will be the hottest thing on the nightclub circuit. Then the following month no one can remember its name. LA lives and breathes "the next big thing" as the city that has carved its own global footprint as the place where dreamers come to flourish and everyone is clamoring to be part of the famous elite, those who set the trends and don't have to follow them.

Fashion offers one of the most prominent platforms for trends to be showcased and encouraged, as everyone wears clothes every day (or so we hope). What you wear can say a lot about who you are, want to be, or aspire to become. As fashion observers, we are not strangers to spotting new trends. Spring trends are currently upon us with the season right around the corner. We've picked out two trends we've been seeing a lot of recently and given them our own flavoring.

*And keep in mind that not all trends will be flattering to your body type, so pick the ones that make you say, "Shoot, I'm looking pretty darn good in that!" and not "Whaaaattt am I thinking?!" :)

• • •

LOOK No. 1«« Don't be afraid to mix patterns! »»

One trend we have seen quite a lot of locally, as well as on style blogs, is the mixing and matching of patterns. But be wary, mixing patterns can often be an art form. If poorly executed, it can look as though you got dressed in the dark. The trick is to pick patterns that have a linking color or color family and no clashing loud colors.

This means that if you have red stripes, pick another pattern that has either similar red tones or complimentary colors. We chose this deep red cotton crew neck sweater with thin peach stripes to complement the red accents and earth tones in the floral print skirt.

We decided to "Anthropologie" it (yes, it's a verb now) and throw in a pair of vintage, genuine leather Frye boots for that rustic, flea market feel. Ladies, if you do not own a pair of Frye boots, invest! They are a bit pricy, but will last a lifetime and never go out of style. Ever. And you will love them with all your fashion heart.

IN THIS LOOK

Sweater | Rubbish

Skirt (actually a t-shirt dress) | Varga

Tights | H&M

Boots | Frye

Ring | Vintage

• • •

LOOK No. 2 «« Roll your cuff, keep it loose yet classy! »»

Another trend we've been spotting all over the fashion world is women in tailored dress pants with the cuff haphazardly rolled and paired with heels. The uniqueness of this trend is that it takes a traditionally "stiff and business" piece like the dress pant and adds edge and character by loosely rolling the cuff as though you are going to dip your toes into the ocean tide pools or play with your golden retriever in the grass. The rolled cuff gives an air of "I'm cool enough to pull this off," while adding the heels reminds us that you are a lady and do mean business. It also accentuates feminine ankles and lightens up an otherwise stuffy and boring outfit. We topped it off with a striped button down blouse for a more polished look, with the candy cane, panel stripes lending a unique sense of vintage charm. But a loose-fitting James Perse t-shirt or fun-print, delicate sleeveless top would look lovely as well for a casual day look. We added the yellow bag for an accent to inject a bit of personality into the look, but stick to your trusted "everyday tote" or subtle clutch just as well!