Stylish with Substance

A new hair style is one of the best ways to do trends. Why? Hair is usually changed every couple to a few months, that means you can update your style with the season, and also not be late to the game. You don't have to worry about Winter when Autumn is approaching, either - and that allows for some ease and a lot of fun.

Of course trends never have to be drastic, especially with hair. But what else is so easy about looking current with your tresses is you can wear anything, and depending on the styling-time, always look fresh on "top". If you want to be instantly recognized as stylish, whether you work in fashion or just like that appearance, this change can make that happen.

But there need be "signature" hair looks for a season, and not just the typical clothing/accessories stuff. And of course you've got to either know the 'do trends or research, so I'm doing that for you now.

Autumn 2009 Hair Cut Trends:

- Whether one has straight or curly hair, above-shoulder lengths that are drastically longer toward the front are popping up everywhere.
- Right now is a safer time (maybe) to dare for bangs - simply because they're in!
- Keep it long:

• - Upgraded braids. Mix braids in with looser, other-styled or "down" hair to make it more grown-up and today.
• - Or you could just keep it long and loose and still be trendy. Try accessorizing or home-curling for some variety.

What about color? I wouldn't suggest switching color for a trend, but while we're still recessionistas, I'm calling the go-natural a trend. Unless you hate your color or your grey, I think born-with is always most beautiful.

Photos: 1, 2, 3

No, this "rockin'" fashionista is not Ashlee Simpson getting another MTV reality show and a fashion line (does she have one already? Oh she will - of t-shirts or of whatnots). She just happens to be a lookalike but yes, she is filling the fashionable shoes of sorts of Lauren Conrad on the network.

This is Jazmin Whitley, emerging (obviously about to become famous) fashion designer, not rockstar. And she has a new show coming to MTV; "House of Jazmin". I supposed the former music station at least likes rockstar style? That skirt is nearly identical to a Forever 21 item I thought looked so "on stage". But anyway... Jazmin Whitley's line is actually called, Li Carli. Inexplicably non-eponymous - I mean her (real??!!) name is Jazmin (what ze-flaire) and she went with something that sound's like another chica's name?

I mean for me, I even go by "Ella" partly because too many heard "Lauren-Noelle" and asked me if there was no "L" in "Lauren". LE SIGH. Ha ha.

But the thing is, the show is named after her name. Guh.

Apparently "Li Carli" is her grandparents' last name. (By the way, mine have the name Hominsky, sounds so ... professional.)

Do I sound jealous that this 20-year-old girl was picked for this major show on design? ... First in what will likely be a series of rotating stars, like those "love" disasters the channel puts out. Nah, how could I be chosen at this point, after all? No really.

Maybe I'm just annoyed because she seems really unintelligent (ok, moronic) in her interview to W. What'd she say? Oh "like ..." x21.

The show will likely be painful. And unlikeable. And that could bring the jealousy. Although I think that's what reality shows are supposed to be. No I mean the painful part.

Igh. I would so love to check it out just for the style factor. I watched The Hills just to try to catch glimpses of LVs, Chanels and Balenciagas. Sometimes. (No I only watched it sometimes.) So maybe it's just a good thing that I don't have cable - not until the big Fall season starts. I'm saving money.

Because I don't have such a big, well-paying job.

Yet. ;-)

Can't you tell I'm in a great mood? I'm so happy.

OK I'm a dork. :-)

If you're shopping for kid's shoes for the upcoming school year, you know you need to save for those growing feet. And if you're a college student, you now you need to both save and look "cool". We have a coupon to save 15% off of shoes.com: "BTSSHOES09

Above are products either actually related to the Twilight film(s) and novels, items that might appeal to fans, similar items from inspired products, or merely seemingly-unrelated wares that have become all-too related. (Including that sports fan t-shirt ["Team", geti t?].)

Scroll to the right to view more pages. Inspire thought? Leave a coment!

For more on the inspiration of this post, and how I gathered the theme to find these goods, read my article "Twilight Apparel a la Nordstrom more Teenybopper than Vampire".

@ First Look: The Twilight inspired line coming to Nordstrom would fit in more at Delia's than with the store's mid-range/upscale image. Sadly, it's also too alone suited to the megahit's wild youthful fan base than anything more in tune with vampires or older admirers of the film and genre.

"Team" Tees Preview:

Right before and after the original film debuted, "Twilight" was also what a vamp-y trend-merely-film-inspired was called amongst the do-it-themselves fashion creators. Etsy.com was filled with Victorian-era inspired beauties like frilly wrist cuffs and luxe oldschool gothic jewelry (Read: no Hot Topic).

Example products from Fall 2008 by Little Sparrow Nest and Talula. Click images to view their respective shops.

But just like that keyword was thrown about, Sparkly Vampire mania has hit, and punched, and bitten  - extremely hard. Now the "underground" beings inspire further "Tra L.A. L.A. Land" carefree attitudes with this oh-so Junior's style.

The "glitter" from Hollywood glitz is spreading. Aside from the Nordstrom Junior's Department styles, the most recent evolution of this living trend has surfaced online from former-or-semistill-undergrounds, the indies...

Example Etsy.com clothing "Twilight" search

Another sad(ish) truth of today is that the movie-fangirlishness has brought graphic tees to Etsy as well, not that that's entirely bad and the items & slogans are not bad - or, beauty being in the eye of the beholder, at least they're not of popular-teenshop aesthetic. Fortunately, a lot of the designs are pretty dark - a stark contrast to this mass market promotion-in-sheep's-cotton-clothing at the department store.

At least we can help show fans that they have choices.

If your fashion style has a sweet tooth for notebook-doodles over Edward Cullen, by all means, shop mainstream.

If you crave something just a little more juicy or bittersweet, then do check out Etsy or other indie venues/shops. You can probably even do some hunting and find some "vamp" items, still.