tunes&trends

It seems like we’ve exhausted every possibility on how to wear leather and how to wear country inspired clothes, but… on overlooked fashion accessory for guys and girls alike are belts.

Leather belts with the huge chunky belt buckle are definitely stereotypical country style accessories. They seem kind of crazy and a little out there, but they definitely fit with tons of country looks. It’s a nice statement accessory to pair with white jeans and a tank top when it starts warming up or even with blue jean cut-offs when the temperature gets to be unbearable. Below is a picture of country artist Luke Bryan rocking a leather belt with a larger-than-average buckle.

The belt buckles don’t need to be all decked out in bling of course! They can be very simple like the one picture on Luke Bryan and for those who aren’t quite used to the size, thinner belts can be worn especially with summer time dresses.

A belt like this one would be perfect with a white sundress or a soft floral print dress as well. You don’t have to feel like you have to “go big or go home” with belts. Just wear whatever you’re comfortable with! Are belts a necessary accessory in your fashion wardrobe? Let us know!

A summer trend that’s been in style for quite a while- rhyme intended- is leather jackets. It’s a bold fashion move, maybe easier to sport at night than during the day, but definitely all the rage right now. It may seem a little punk rock, but country singer Miranda Lambert is definitely all about this trend.

And it’s not just the leather jacket-it’s all leather! She rocks leather pants at concerts or leather bustiers or even leather on leather. There’s no such thing as too much! She’s really taking country to the next level with this trend and you can too. In the image above, Lambert’s look appears a little edgier than typical country trends, but in the look below she opts for leather pants and pairs them with a tank top that reads “Whiskey bent and hellbound” which reminds everyone of country music considering many country songs contain lyrics about whiskey.

In another image, Lambert is seen once again sporting leather, but this time in a vest. And to ensure the country music inspiration is ever-present, she pairs her leather vest with cowboy boots- metallic cowboy boots like those seen in previous article Boot for Thought.

While it’s been a trend for a while, leather jackets as well as other leather articles of clothing, are becoming more and more popular, especially for country singers. What’s your favorite type of leather? Let us know!

Lighten up your country style this summer by turning your dark plaids into light checks. This look has been showing up on the runways and the streets during fashion week  in anticipation for nostalgic and simple trends. The look is inspired by country style linens such as tablecloths and curtains. Today it can be adapted many different ways to suite anyone’s personal style.

    

On the left, this trendy spectator has paired her motley checks with a modern color blocked bag and differing horizontal stripes bringing her country style blazer into the 21st century. In the middle, Anthropologie’s take on summer checks revolves around personalizing the simple pull over dress.

For the customer this dress could be a staple item in their summer wardrobe. Victoria Beckham’s line takes the most traditional approach to the country inspiration. A mix of color and asymmetry paired with white sneakers gives the look a deconstructed nonchalance that has one dreaming about mornings on the farm.  This trend is just emerging but will be perfect for summer barbecues and get-togethers. Let us know what you think, or how you plan to sport your summer checks.

 

When we think about fashion influencing music, we often do not think about the opposite side of that equation: music inspiring fashion. This is exactly the case for Jean Paul Gaultier’s 1989 song “How to Do That”. This is a retro song where the music video features Jean Paul himself, with designs, models, scissors and models. The basis of the lyrics of the song is an interview done by Gaultier.

This video shows a little bit into what the design process looks like, although it may not be realistic, it is a version of what the design process looks like. This video shows that not only do music stars want to go into the fashion industry, but fashion stars also want to make forays into the world of music. This song is very Gaultier as it has haute couture aspects along with cutting edge and different fashions. A song, and the video that goes along with it is another way for Gaultier to express himself in a different medium.

It may seem cliche to say, but country singers actually wear cowboy boots! It’s a real country trend, it’s out there, and it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t talk about it.  Whether it’s on stage giving the performance of a lifetime, or just roaming the paparazzi-filled streets, cowboy boots are key for any country singer- or country inspired look.

In the picture above, country artist Carrie Underwood is wearing black and brown cowboy boots at a performance. While some people may think of cowboy boots as being a more masculine shoe, the heel on her boots turn the shoes obviously feminine.

It’s easy to find country looks on country singers but these boots are actually appearing on runways too, showing that country-inspired trends are high fashion as well. 

These boots shy away from the typical country cowboy boot look and are slightly metallic with a silver trim. They’re still obviously adopted from a country look, but they are a little more stylish and a lot more feminine!

For a transition between typical country and high end country, find a pair of boots like these and pair with a fun spring dress! If you’d rather stick to a more typical country look, go for it! Let us know what you think!