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You don't have to be Brad and Angelina to be “on safari” — the safari look is back and better than ever for spring and summer! A favorite of great designers like Yves St. Laurent, safari-inspired styles are classic and forever chic. Pick up a few pieces now and we guarantee that you'll love them for years to come. Your best choices are all right here in this week's edition of The Trend Report.
The crisp, polished and tailored safari-style jacket is one of our favorite picks this season for women of all ages. Not only is it incredibly flattering (it skims and shapes all the right places), but it's also ready and willing to work with all of the season's new trends, from the pretty white shirt to cropped pants to woven leather accessories. Pick one up and it will effortlessly add a style upgrade to your wardrobe.
Trend tip: Extend the length of the safari jacket style and what you have is one pretty gorgeous shirtdress — another hot pick for the season.
The bead trade
Trend tip: Chic little tanks like this one can be had for as low as $39. So save your fashion dollars for better, more lasting investments (at Nordstrom.com).
Short stories
Keep it short — cropped pants, Bermuda shorts and even short shorts (if you've got the legs for them) are the way to go “down below” this season. And yes, cropped pants and Bermuda shorts are being dressed up and worn to the office! To keep things in the safari spirit, look for tailored styles with a bit of hunt-inspired detailing like cargo pockets or leather trim. Pair them with espadrilles or woven leather heeled sandals, along with a woven leather belt for your fashion fix.
Trend tip: The trend is to wear cropped pants or shorts and heels sans hose, of course, so invest in self tanners and “no hose” leg color correctors to get your gams on track.
Jungle love
No need to keep your safari looks beige and boring! Go for a jungle-themed print in a blouse or skirt to inject a little something wild into your wardrobe. Print options range from the very safe, simple and chic look of jungle leaves or flowers in two-color combinations, to lavish jungle scenes on brightly colored silks. Pick a very simple shape to showcase your print, such as an easy jewel-neck blouse or a mid- to below-the-knee flare or A-line skirt.
Trend tip: If you're truly trendy, one of the fun summer looks we love is that of a floor-length sundress or caftan in a jungle-inspired print. Pair it with flat sandals and it's a wonderful new way to dress for day.
In the bag
One of the secrets to pulling off great safari style is to make sure that your accessories are absolutely on trend. That means you need a great looking woven straw or leather bag, a brown leather belt and (ideally) a pair of brown woven leather sandals. The mix of straw, wood and rich leather accessories and detailing with the neutral colors of safari-inspired clothing go a long way to building this chic yet casual look. And you can take that trend secret to the bank!
Trend tip: You don't have to pay a fortune for a great-looking handbag — this woven straw and leather safari stunner from Isaac Mizrahi for Target is only $24.99. Let the fashion hunt begin!
Judy Gordon is a New York-based style consultant and the “Today” show’s style editor. She has been covering the fashion and beauty beat for the past decade. To learn more about Gordon, you can visit her Web site, TheTrendReport.com, which highlights style trends in America and across the world.
firstVIEW is the primary supplier of photos to Fashion Friday. Go to www.firstVIEW.com for the latest pictures from top fashion shows around the world, including New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Milan, Brazil, New Zealand, South Korea and more.
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