Neon Green with Envy

There are so many great trends this season that it’s hard to choose a favorite, but black and white is definitely at the top of the list. Here are three of the best black and white looks from the Spring 2013 runways:

Photos: Style.com

The Alexander Wang look (left) is very androgynous, but nonetheless fabulous. I am obsessed with the Chanel (center.) It’s so grandma-chic and instantly conjures images of the brand. One of my favorite things about Chanel is how true they stay to their style. A trained eye can usually tell if something is Chanel within the first few seconds of looking at it, which is exactly how it should be if your fashion house has been around since 1909. My favorite of the three is the Marc Jacobs sequin maxi dress (right.) It brings three trends, sheer, mixed prints and black and white, together to create an ultra chic gown. (Sidenote: I love that Marc Jacobs used flats on the runway…a man after my own heart.)

Although I love the simplicity of a completely black and white look, I fell in love with this Antonio Berardi neon blazer and it just fit perfectly. Black and White + Neon + Ombré = Sleek & Chic. I love the clean lines of this outfit. Although there is a clear grunge influence, thanks to the moto jeans and the graphic t-shirt, the jacket and accessories pull it together into a streamlined, grown-up grunge ensemble.

ANTONIO BERARDI jacket / PIERRE BALMAIN jeans / CÉLINE t-shirt / ALEXANDER WANG heels / MULBERRY bag / GEORG JENSEN cuff / ACNE sunglasses

Non-platform, ankle strap sandals have been hot for a while now and can dress up a casual look without making it look like you’re trying too hard. The cuff is so fabulous and when I wear a statement piece like this one, I try to keep the rest of the jewelry to a minimum. I think it lets both the outfit and that one piece really sing.

Printed Pants

Printed pants are great for throwing a chic outfit together in a hurry. All you need is a basic top and some accessories to look like a trendsetter. Here’s one of my favorite looks for printed pants:

MOSCHINO pants / VIONNET top / ALEJANDRO INGELMO booties / MARC JACOBS bag / BALENCIAGA watch / ALEXIS BITTAR earrings / JENNIFER MEYER ring / KAREN WALKER sunglasses

The graffiti printed Moschino pants add urban flair. I paired them with a simple, chic top and some edgy booties to keep that cool girl vibe flowing throughout. When wearing a print it’s advised to play off of the colors within it for only one accessory…if that. You can stay safe and keep everything neutral, but a pop of color can be a nice way to break up the outfit.  Just be sure to keep the rest neutral or you could end up looking like you skipped the mirror.  (By the way, I’m absolutely obsessed with this Balenciaga watch…but who wouldn’t be?  So amazing.)

If this look is too downtown for your taste, don’t fret.  Printed pants can be done in pretty much any style.  Here’s a more uptown version:

PRABAL GURUNG pants / JUNYA WATANABE sweater / WALTER STEIGER pumps / VINTAGE CHANEL bag / ZADIG & VOLTAIRE cuff / HAIDER ACKERMANN scarf / HOUSE OF HARLOW sunglasses / OASIS earrings

Simply amazing. Zoe Saldana wore these pants to the fall 2012 Prabal Gurung runway show.  They are from the spring 2012 RTW collection and stole my heart the moment I saw them.

Zoe opted to wear them with the ankle zipped open to show off her Nicholas Kirkwood for Prabal Gurung pumps.  She paired the pants with a turquoise blazer from the same collection and looked oh so fabulous. Perfect amount of class with a little bit of edge.

If you’re more of a bohemian girl, you’ll love this look:

YVES SAINT LAURENT pants / ACNE denim blazer / TOPSHOP top / L.A.M.B. shoes / 3.1 PHILLIP LIM bag / IRENE NEURWIRTH earrings / RAY-BAN aviators

I do realize I use the term “bohemian” loosely considering these are $2000 pants, but even rich girls need some hippie style in their repertoire, no?  Pairing loose pants with a crop top is a good way to avoid swimming in fabric.  Adding a denim blazer (a more polished play on the denim shirt) is a great way to transition this outfit from day to night.

Here is a more affordable version of the printed pant look:

RIVER ISLAND pants $47 / WAREHOUSE top $37 / ZARA clutch $30 / RIVER ISLAND pumps $85 / TOPSHOP earrings $10 / WEEKDAY rings $10 / NIXON watch $68 / DOROTHY PERKINS belt  $8 / JACK MARTIN sunglasses $13

Again, I picked up the color from the pant with the clutch and put two trends together: printed pants and neon. This outfit comes to a total of $308 dollars with nothing costing over $100.  Proof that you can still be chic on a budget.

Black and White Jacket

I’m a huge fan of these Chloé blouses.  They’re simple but chic.  The nude-blush color breaks up the black and white and the Marc Jacobs bag adds a much needed pop of color.

Though this jacket is slightly reminiscent of Cruella de Vil, pairing it with the patterned pants breaks it up a little.  I love it with the matchy-matchy shoes (which I’m obsessed with!)

I love T-strap right now, and these ones in particular are very chic and sophisticated.  I think t-strap can end up looking slightly too girly if done the wrong way, but leave it to Phillip Lim to get it right!

Shirt SEE BY CHLOÉ

Jeans CURRENT/ELLIOT

Jacket KELLY WEARSTLER

Bag MARC JACOBS

Shoes 3.1 PHILLIP LIM

Earrings CHANEL