Chaos Theory: Winter Blues & Why Primrose Yellow Will Be the Color of the Summer

Image: The Dolls Factory 

Chaos Theory is a trend forecast series that, like its scientific counterpart, focuses on the potential changes and shifts in what's trending in fashion before they happen. 

I've mentioned it before in earlier posts, but I am so glad it's finally springtime. It only stopped being cold in Houston a few weeks ago and I already feel happier. Though I, thankfully, don't suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, I do get a pretty obnoxious case of the winter blues and constantly long for warmer weather and sunshine. Also, once Twitter caught on to the temperatures rising, many users shouted their hoorays and jokingly claimed to crawl out of their winter holes. It truly is a great moment for us spring and summer lovers. And though it may be painfully obvious, yellow is one of the best colors for these seasons.

Though Primrose Yellow was on Pantone's trend forecast in 2017, it often takes up to two years for a trend to make its way to the mainstream and I believe it is finally getting its shine. I first noticed it on Kate Spade's website and instantly had a feeling that it would be one of the primary colors this summer. I also made sure to scourge my favorite websites for Primrose Yellow products and was mostly unsuccessful, but the few things I did come across (see below) were beautiful.

It is interesting to note that color trends often shift from one tone to another. For instance, the shift from the almost universally loved Millennial Pink to hot, neon pink as seen on Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Tracee Ellis Ross. The next shift just may be from the almost marigold Gen Z yellow that was the go-to color for any Urban Outfitters shopper last year to the brighter and bolder Primrose Yellow.

If you're looking to celebrate your increased serotonin levels like I am, a few brands have already begun offering Primrose Yellow wares. Kate Spade has Primrose Yellow crossbody bags and a cardholder and accessory brand Elleme offers a pricier, but pretty yellow bucket bag. Yellow can be a hard color to wear, but if its on your accessory, its much easier and fun to pull off!

Fashion Mechanics: A Vintage Ralph Lauren Jacket Look

Images: Chelsea Todd

Fashion Mechanics is a series about my personal thoughts, feelings, and connections to pieces in my closet. It explores the deeper meanings of, attachment to, and sentimentality of fashion.  

This may be crazy of me to say, but I think this jacket is one of my all-time favorite pieces, ever. I first saw it on Instagram on the account of a vintage seller here in Houston, Yoko Vintage, in 2018. Not too long after, some friends and I were vending at a pop-up event in East Downtown. Yoko Vintage was also there and somehow, it was among her wares that night. Even while I was dealing with customers, I kept my eye on it to make sure no one snatched it. When I was finally able to step away to see it up close, it was even more beautiful. The owner tailored and re-purposed it herself! Anyone who can sew has my respect and this jacket was so amazing that it was an easy purchase. I  also love supporting local artists and business owners and Yoko Vintage deserved every cent of my money. 

I've worn this jacket to some important events over the past year. It was my go-to for my best friend's bridal shower, my younger sisters' high school graduation, and Distant Worlds, the Final Fantasy orchestra show (we've already established that I'm a nerd). It is honesty that jacket. 

One of my favorite things about this jacket is that it is loud, but still subtle. It's a bright, almost neon green, with gleamy gold-tone buckles, but it still has the look of a classic, somewhat preppy jacket or coat. It's something I reach for anytime I need to look good, but can still get away with showing off my personal style and I'm never getting rid of it. 

Style Profile: Juan, the Vintage Shopper & His Love of Pharrell Williams

Image: Chelsea Todd

Style Profile is a series on Millennial and Gen Z consumers' fashion choices and preferences, personal style, and takes on where fashion is headed. 

Juan is a student at University of Houston. Here, he discusses his style inspirations, favorite looks and pieces, and how much he loves Pharrell.

On his favorite brands and designers: For designers, I guess I like Pharrell Williams and what he's doing with Adidas. And Adidas is probably one of my favorite brands too.

His style inspirations: My style inspirations are definitely Pharrell and A$AP Rocky. I love both of them. Everything Pharrell does is unique and next level. He's amazing. He's got a book that has all of his creative ventures in it called "Places and Spaces I've Been." You should read it, it's crazy.

On his personal style:  I love rocking vintage. Stuff like vintage hip-hop shirts and Vans. Hoodies, sweatshirts, and things that are cool, but comfortable. 

On following trends: One of the last trends I got into was super destroyed denim. I remember A$AP Rocky and Playboi Carti rocking that look a lot. That might be how I got into it.

A recent purchase he's fallen in love with: Probably this vintage Nas hoodie I got from a thrift shop on Montrose.

On shopping in-store versus online: I'm definitely an online shopper. The store is okay, but for most places I just like to get in and get out. Unless it's a thrift store. I'll go to one of those. 

His all-time favorite outfit: The jean jacket and layered hoodie look is my favorite. 

Daily Links for April 25: Keds Joins the Sustainable Footwear Party, H&M Begins Disclosing its Garment Factories to Consumers, and More

Image: Barrett Ward on Unsplash

1. Keds, like Everlane and Adidas, is hopping on the sustainability train. Its new collection features a limited edition zero-waste shoe that is made from the scraps of the other shoes in its collection. - Read more on Glossy

2. H&M announced that it will be disclosing information for each of its garments about the factory they came from. This information included production countries, addresses, factory names, and more in an effort to "make it easier for customers to make more informed choices while shopping." - Read more on The Fashion Law

3. Poet and critic Hanif Abdurraqib shares an essay about his passion for sneakers and how being an expert can lead to a feeling of isolation. But sacrificing your passion for people you love and sharing it with other people is a much better feeling than being a lonely expert. - Read more on SSENSE

4. If you're like me and have trouble keeping your favorite white sneakers clean and pristine, Fawnia Soo Hoo breaks down how to properly clean and care for them. - Read more on Fashionista

Fashion Mechanics: A Nostalgic Look Featuring the Adidas Yung-1 Frieza

Images: Chelsea Todd

Fashion mechanics is a series about my personal thoughts, feelings, and connections to pieces in my closet. It explores the deeper meanings of, attachment to, and sentimentality of fashion. 

There's always that one thing growing up that all of your friends loved, but you aren't as familiar with and can only understand subtle references and some character names. For me, that thing is Dragon Ball Z. It's a show I never got around to watching because I was too busy with Nickelodeon to catch a lot of Toonami, but have this love, respect, and appreciation for. 

Most of my close friends love anime and so do I, but I find it hard to keep up with and many anime shows don't keep my attention these days. But last year when Adidas announced its collaboration with Dragon Ball Z, I instantly perked up. The two pairs that stood out the most to me were the Goku inspired shoes and the Frieza inspired shoes that I couldn't help but purchase. In my defense, I waited until very recently to get them on StockX since the price kept fluctuating between reasonable and annoying. 

Even though I never quite watched Dragon Ball Z, what I love most about these shoes is that they remind me of my friends. They remind me of how we used to (and still) nerd out about anime and video games and everything else. They're also purple, which was my absolute favorite color growing up. Interestingly enough, they also have a pop of pink, which is my current favorite color, making them a perfect mix of old and new. They come close to curing me of my FOMO when it comes to Dragon Ball Z. But I also suppose it's never too late to watch!

Style Profile: Nya, the Sporty Casual Gen Z'er Who Loves a Pop of Pink

Image: Chelsea Todd

Style Profile is a series on Millennial and Gen Z consumers' fashion choices and preferences, personal style, and takes on where fashion is headed. 

Nya is a high school student who likes to keep it sporty casual. Here, she shares some of her favorite brands, purchases, and talks about what she loves about the current state of fashion. 

On her favorite brands: One of my favorite brands when I was younger was Baby Phat because I loved Kimora Lee Simmons and how much of a boss she was and still is. I also really liked House of Deréon, Beyoncé's brand. Another favorite write now that's an essential for me is American Eagle. I'm really tall, so they make jeans that fit me really well. Being tall, it's hard to find stuff that actually fits.

On her personal style: My style really depends on my mood, so sometimes I'm sporty and wear leggings or if I'm going out, I like something dressier. But overall, I dress pretty casually. Graphic t-shirts, shorts, you know. I love a sweat suit.

On following trends: If I see something I like, I just like it. It doesn't have to be a trend.

On her favorite influencers: Beyoncé. She always does something outside the box and stays ahead of the game. When she does something, it's always an instant hit.

A recent purchase she fell in love with: I got this really cute pink Champion sweat suit a while ago and it's probably one of the things I like to wear the most.

On shopping in-store versus online: I prefer to shop in-store so that I can try things on. I hate getting stuff that doesn't fit.

Her favorite outfit of all-time: My favorite outfit of all-time was one of my birthday outfits. It was a dress that was pink and sparkly and super girly. I love getting dressed up for events like homecoming or for going out to dinner, so it was literally perfect.

On where fashion is headed: I like a lot of what I'm seeing in fashion. All of the 90's and 80's inspired looks that are popping up are really cool and I can get with it.

Blog: 5 Books About Fashion that Will Educate, Inspire, and Make You a More Informed Consumer

Image: Unsplash

It's almost summer, my favorite season! Which means that it's time to finally lay back, relax and break open a new book. I didn't know it until I did a deep dive on Amazon a few years ago, but the fashion industry has a plethora of resources and reads that do everything from educate to inform and inspire. While they're not exactly beach reads, I'm sharing some of my favorite books about fashion design, consumer behavior, trend research, and more: 

1. Getting Dressed: Clothing and Imitation in Clothing and Everyday Life by Carrie Yodanis. Though I'm still working through this book, I have to say it was one I was very excited to read. In it, Carrie Yodanis, an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of British Columbia, explains that although we often think the way we dress is a result of our own personal identity, there are still several social influences at play including race, class, and gender that shape our personal style. Imitation, conformity, and how we dress and why are the main themes of this book. Check it out on Amazon. 

2. Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth Cline. In this book, Elizabeth Cline discusses the monster that is fast fashion and how it has changed the way Americans dress and how they value clothing. She also breaks down how cheap clothes are impacting us environmentally, economically, and more. Take a look inside or purchase it on Amazon. 

3. The Incidents: "Insert Complicated Title Here" by Virgil Abloh. Designer of Louis Vuitton Men's and Off-White and friend of Kanye West, Virgil Abloh hosted a lecture at Harvard University about his personal design shortcuts, "cheat codes," and how he created his iconic quotation mark branding or "personal design language." However you may feel about him or his designs, there is no doubt that he is one of the most iconic fashion designers of the present. As a fellow artist, it is interesting to see one of the most well-known African American designers of this time sharing his processes and artistic thoughts. Even if you're not a fan of his, this is still worth the read if you love fashion design or are looking for artistic advice. It's a short book and is available on Amazon. 

4. How to Research Trends by Els Dragt. This book has been vital for me in starting my career path in trend research. Within the first two chapters, you'll soak in so much information. I recommend it for anyone interested in trend forecasting or research, or even if you're a fashion enthusiast who'd like to know how the trends you consume are developed. It is ready for purchase on Amazon. 

5. Ways of Seeing by John Berger. While this isn't exactly a fashion book, John Berger offers his perspective on art and art criticism. I'm also still working through this book (one day I'll finish them all, I promise), but so far it has proven to be an interesting take on we view art and therefore, evaluate it. Originally a televised series on BBC in 1972, it was formatted into a book soon after. It's very affordable and available on Amazon. 

6. The Conscious Closet by Elizabeth Cline. Journalist Elizabeth Cline returns for her second book with a 322-page how-to for the fashionable consumer about how to consume consciously. She touches on everything from capsule wardrobes to building an ethical closet and how to keep up with trends while still being environmentally aware. The kicker about this book is that it hasn't been released yet. Look out for it on August 20th!