Fashion ballet

Natalie Portman as Nina Sayers in Black Swan.

Thanks to Black Swan, ballet style is finding its way back onto the center stage of fashion. Dancers and their lithe, graceful figures have long been envied and exalted by the fashion industry, but this spring, we're expected to see a lot more dance-inspired looks on both the runways and the streets. The New York Times recently highlighted this in a 'Ballerina Chic' slide show, where you can view the inspirations behind the costumes in Black Swan (designed by Rodarte) and glimpse how ballet was big in the Spring 2011 shows, and will therefore be all over retail in the coming months.

A department store opening in the U.K. last year, featuring a resplendent ballet theme.

Feeling the dance wear craze coming on? You can get started now... Just pop over to American Apparel for leotards and tights, dust off those old dance shoes and pull on a cozy shrug... You'll be pirouetting en pointe in no time!

Here are a few ballet-inspired looks I cooked up on Polyvore... I love seeing an array of pinks and grays in dance wear. Nothing screams "dancer off-duty" quite like a slouchy gray sweater, sweet ballet flats, and a giant pink bag!

Prima Ballerina by erincathleen featuring long sleeved tops

Of course, I had to include a nod to the darker side of dance, as depicted in both "Swan Lake" and Black Swan's sinister version of the tragic tale...

Paint it Black by erincathleen featuring a feather handbag

But if you find Black Swan to be too twisted a portrayal of a dancer's life, why not look a decade back to Center Stage?

Nina Sayers, meet Jody Sawyer... Now who would win in a dance-off?

Center Stage is a much lighter take on the world of professional ballet, and is one of those films that's so bad, it's good! If you care more about costumes and dance sequences than actual acting, this flick is sure to delight!

An Academy Award winner it is not, but who needs Oscar when you've got happy feet? And, you know, a normal-ish psyche...

Well, I don't know about you, but I'm ready to lace up the toe shoes and don some legwarmers... Dancing makes for great exercise, especially during the winter months when it's too cold to go outside (I'm a cold-weather wimp and won't work out in the snow... unless, of course, I'm skating!). So... Anybody dare to wear a tutu?

California Dreamin'

The blustery New England wind can blow all it wants, but I'm keeping warm with daydreams of sunny California. Since the story I'm working on is set in L.A., I decided to create a West Coast-inspired Polyvore set... and fantasize about hopping on a plane, flying off into the sunset! Here are some looks I envision my fictional character wearing... shopping for vintage at Wasteland, cruising the Venice Beach boardwalk, hiking in Runyon Canyon... ok, so these are not exactly hiking clothes, but you get the idea. Here is my dream wardrobe for L.A., where I wouldn't even have to think of a winter coat!

La La Land by erincathleen featuring a black hat

Yes, I'm in total denial that winter is on its way. Tell me, what do you dream of wearing when the weather turns frosty?

A perfect fall

It's a gorgeous sunshiny day, but like many of you, I'm already daydreaming about fall. Naturally, I took to Polyvore to design my dream cool-weather ensembles. Today's set includes the perfect dark floral dress (from Rebecca Taylor, no less), an Anthropologie cardigan (practically a fall staple in its own right), Miu Miu Mary Janes for a hint of Italian chic and, while we're at it, a Valentino bag... because, hey, if you're gonna dream, might as well dream big!

Who's that lady? by erincathleen featuring beret hat

I hope this fall's throwback to seventies, ladylike-chic is here to stay. I'm loving the return of some Victorian, romantic favorites, too: lace, ruffles, riding boots and structured handbags. A dark floral-patterned dress could easily go from summer to winter (with the right opaque tights), while a slouchy cardigan in a deep crimson is perfect for the crisp Autumn air. The same cardigan could easily pair with a leopard-print mini to create a fun play on proportion. And for the topper? The season's quintessential add-ons: ruffles and lace. Pair with Miu Miu's prim Oxford-Mary Jane pumps, and the look could go from apple picking to apple martinis in no time flat. An animal print scarf ties in all the colors, and would perk up any neutral ensemble, like a few brightly-colored leaves against a gray sky. This scarf, from Mulberry, is only vaguely leopard; I like the subtlety and warm tones. Layering a lace shrug or adding a cute crocheted cap? Totally cute options. To toughen up the look (but only slightly), swap the sweet pumps for studded or lace-up riding boots. And don't forget your must-have autumnal accessory: a sumptuous tote, in a fall-colored pattern or neutral hue, ideal for the lady who lunches and the one who runs the office.

So, it's still a little early, but... What excites you the most about fall?

Rainy days and nights

The rain has finally stopped, though the day is still a bit cold and drizzly. I'm sick with chronic sinusitis (ew) and am about to start a second round of antibiotics. The sunshine and warm weather we're supposedly due to experience Easter weekend can't arrive soon enough! I'm hoping the solar charge will renew my strength, Superman-style. We shall see.

No new outfit posts till I'm healthy! Pale and red-nosed (though frequent) is not a good look for me. :P Instead... Polyvore! I'm afraid I too often let my little collages fill in all the blanks... when I've got nothing relevant to say... uhh... Polyvore!

This post does, however, reflect my mood. A little quirky, a little bluesy, with a dash of Lewis Carroll-esque whimsy stirred in for good measure. Drink me:

Teatime by erincathleen featuring Fendi shoes

Items in this set:
Quotation: Yumi Kim Love Blossom Silk Dress, $205
Field Game Cardigan, $120
Molded & Melded Tee - Anthropologie.com, $48
Raffia and suede pumps, $695
Paraty medium python bag, $3,825

I never wrote my "Favorite Things: March." So I'll be lazy and combine months for a "Favorite Things: Spring." Then it's back to Green Cotton blogging, and hopefully some good news to share at the end of the week.

Everyone stay warm and dry! The sun is coming!

Polyvoredom

The rain is falling softly as I sit here working on my fashion week runway report for Green Cotton (a little late, I know, but it's tough to find the "eco angle" each season. We try!). I did take some outfit photos earlier today, following my second job interview (for the same job I interviewed for a few weeks ago, natch). Since I've got official blogging to do tonight, I will share my new photos sometime over the weekend. But here's a little hint at my outfit inspiration, shown in these cheery Polyvores (created during a fit of boredom or two)...

You Are My Sunshine by erincathleen featuring Forever21 tops

Just the top part by erincathleen featuring Kohl's cardigans

These looks are very Pollyanna to me. Pollyanna-vore? Oh, the puns are never-ending. Well, "Pollyanna" is one way to describe my current temperament. I'm ready for cheery spring blooms and oodles of sunshine. If you've got any, won't you send some my way?

Here's something you really can do for me. I'm sort of new to all these social networking apps, but I have since added Blog Lovin' and Google Friend Connect to my site. Won't you do me a favor and add me? I will appreciate your gesture ever so much. :) You can find links on my sidebar, or just click on my RSS feed. Clickclickyclicky. You just made my day!

And, of course, if you would like me to add you to my blogroll and I haven't done so already, let me know in the comments! I will catch up with you ASAP. Thank you so much for your visit!

Trippy hippie luxe

Wow, another week flew by... I can't believe it's already Thanksgiving time. Then, as a semi-hippie-liberal vegetarian, I don't exactly gear up for this particular "holiday." A day of gluttonous feasting while most of the world goes hungry followed by a day of gluttonous shopping and retail employee trampling... God bless the U.S.A.

>_<

Ahem. I'll step off my soapbox. You know that I don't think shopping is evil; it's just that the dark magic of Black Friday seems to turn people evil. I know-- I've worked retail during the past two Black Fridays. But although I call myself a hippie, I'm not exactly anti-establishment (hellooo, Free People!). I still love - ok, that's an understatement - to shop, so I've decided to leap ahead of the greedy crowds to come and start my Christmas shopping early. So much more relaxing!

And to go along with my lazy, hazy mood, I created a Polyvore that captures my current fashion/aesthetic fixation... Boho rock, baby!

Boho Rock by erincathleen featuring Juicy Couture accessories

I wonder what the rest of the world does on Black Friday. In America, the consumer lust is disgusting... but are there psycho Black Fridays shoppers all over the world? (Hmm, something to Google...) I find myself wondering what Japan or France or Germany must look like during this crazy pre-Christmas buying bonanza... How do you all spend - and what do you spend on - this infamous occasion?

Topaz and trinkets

Tomorrow is my 25th birthday, and I'm spending it with my grandparents in my home town... something I haven't done since I was probably three or four years old. I'm excited! I'm actually blogging "on the road," sitting in my old favorite neighborhood coffee shop. I just downed a cuppa "chocolate decadence" coffee. Mmm...

So, in honor of my upcoming birthday, here's a Polyvore featuring a few of my favorite things... and a decidedly November color pallette.

November Champagne by erincathleen featuring Jessica McClintock clutches

Items in this set:
Anthropologie dress, $158
Minoubebe.centerblog.net top
Rupert Sanderson shoes, 495 GBP
Ciao Bella flats, $79
Jessica McClintock clutch, $58

Une lazee Sunday

It's still pouring here, but I'm enjoying the quiet peacefulness of a drizzly day. To celebrate father's day, my dad and I kicked back and watched a Vincente Minnelli marathon-- An American in Paris followed by Gigi. Bliss! I adore all the colors and musical sequences in each film. Inspired, I made this little collage in Polyvore:

Une Parisienne by erincathleen featuring Lulu Guinness bags

If only these divine clothes were a little more affordable! Perhaps if I search diligently, I can find some suitable vintage equivalents. Le sigh.