One-Piece Swimsuits That Beat a Bikini Any Day: The Love List

By Maria Denardo


The bikini has been striking fear in the hearts of women since its invention in 1949, but it looks like those days are numbered. In a 2013 study, 53 percent of U.S. women surveyed said they were planning to wear a one-piece swimsuit over the summer while 29 percent said they were going to sport a tankini. Surprisingly, only 18 percent opted for a bikini. What does that tell us? On the beach, more really is more. Amen to that.

Cull Your Wardrobe for a Good Cause This July

Nathan Tunbridge

If you needed a reason to cull your wardrobe, Country Road just found you one. The retailer has teamed up with Red Cross for its new initiative, Donate to Win,  encouraging us to support the charity by sending our pre-loved Country Road faves in its direction.

We understand it’s hard to part with certain wardrobe staples, but, by donating your second-hand Country Road clothing to the Red Cross, you will be rewarded with a $10 voucher, which can be used with your next $50-plus purchase at any Country Road store. You’ll also go in the draw to win one of five $500 Country Road gift cards. 

Donating to the Red Cross not only prevents textiles from heading to landfill areas, but also helps the charity by keeping popular items in circulation within Red Cross stores. The campaign is a great way to help your community by giving back and, as they say, one’s trash is another’s treasure. Can’t you just see someone’s face lighting up when they fall in love with a skirt you’ve had tucked away in your wardrobe attracting dust for years?

Oh, on the flip side, if you missed out on something from Country Road in a previous season that you really, really wanted, we recommend scouring all Red Cross stores during this time. It’s your best bet!

The campaign runs until July 20.

Ciara Is Topshop’s New U.S. Brand Ambassador

By Jihan Forbes




New boo and now a new gig. Ciara has been killing it as of late and her latest endorsement is just another notch in the singer’s belt of fashion creds. Topshop has named the crooner as its latest brand ambassador for the USA, which Cici revealed with an Instagram post yesterday. In the image, we see Ciara with Topshop CEO Sir Phillip Green, grinning from ear to ear. It is the smile of a woman who just made a nice stack of cash.
Ciara is a perfect choice – she’s modern and she’s something of a muse for designers, particularly Riccardo Tisci, with whom she has quite a friendship. Ciara has already cemented herself as something of an R&B It girl in the fashion world, recently appearing in a campaign for Roberto Cavalli.
We can’t wait to see what fierceness Ciara serves up as the face of Topshop!

Red Carpet Trend: 22 Stars Wear Feathers

By    Ellen Freeman



Forget fur, stars are having a love affair with feathers. And with all the impressive plumage flocking to the red carpet lately, it’s clear that a major feather trend is taking wing. Feathers may be tricky to pull off at the office, but on the red carpet they provide a dramatic flourish with an air of haute luxury. Feathered gowns, capes and even jumpsuits are causing a flutter among celebs who can’t get enough of the glamorous adornment. Click through to see how Eva Longoria, FKA twigs, Naomi Watts and more feathered friends are wearing this red carpet trend.

5 Things You Missed This Week on theFashionSpot

By Alison Baitz




It’s a gloomy, unseasonably chilly Friday here in the Northeast, but that’s no matter, we have the Internet to keep us warm. As per usual, it’s been a knockout week here at theFashionSpot. Check out the five articles you simply must read before you start your weekend. From celebs bucking gender norms in the coolest ways possible to great new options for at-home fitness, we have you covered.

1. You’d totally work out more if you only had a bit more time — and a killer fitness studio nearby, right? Yeah, same, which is why our latest obsession is streaming workout videos. They bring the top-notch trainers and routines right to you, whether it’s something akin to alone time with Tracy Anderson you crave or just a killer class from the comfort of your own home. We’ve rounded up six great streaming options.
2. The red carpets of the Grammys and the Oscars are for everyone but the CFDA red carpet is for true fashionistas. Click over to see our exhaustive roundup of all the best looks, from fave celebs (Kimye) to designers (Tom Ford, Donna Karan) and fashion insiders (Miroslava Duma).
3. Look, people like to poke a bit of fun at Jaden Smith — with mega-celebrity parents, you’d be a little untethered to the real world, too — but we have to give the young star major props for his bold choice of prom attire. The young Smith donned a cool black and white dress while attending prom with Amandla Stenberg of The Hunger Games. A fetching duo indeed.
4. Heidi Klum said auf wiedersehen to 41 this week and to celebrate, we collected 10 of the weirdest, wackiest moments from the supermodel’s Instagram. Prepare yourself, there’s plenty of zany near-nudity and celeb cameos ahead.
5. Huge news over at Vogue Italia: Steven Meisel, longtime shutterbug for the mag, has left. Though VI debuted four different non-Meisel covers for its China issue, tFS forum members were not at all impressed. Click on over to read what they had to say.

The 32 Best Maxi Dresses for Every Budget

By Maria Denardo

Ask a table full of women what they think about maxi dresses and you’ll get a firing squad of opinions. They’re frumpy or they’re fabulous. They travel well, but they eat your feet. They’re hot as hell or they’re as comfortable as can be. Love them or hate them, there’s one thing we can all agree on: Maxi dresses are here to stay. Luckily, there are hundreds of options to choose from, no matter what you’re looking for. Here, we’ve rounded up the best of the best for the lovers, the haters and everyone in between.

How to Wear Culotte Jumpsuits, Spring’s Trickiest Trend

                                                                                                                              

By Maria Denardo

Gather ’round, folks. Yes, we’re talking to you: The worshipers, the non-believers, the skeptics and everyone in the middle. Today, we’d like to take a moment to spread the gospel of culotte jumpsuits. It goes a little something like this.

Since culotte jumpsuits tend to be voluminous at the bottom, the top should be fitted to create balance. If you’re still feeling out of whack, belt your waist to enhance or highlight your curves. It works like a charm.

Think of your new culotte onesie like a midi skirt. The hemline should fall about mid-calf for a woman of average height.

Not every jumpsuit is created equal, especially where culottes are concerned. If you’re bustier on top, you won’t want to try a strapless design — you’ll get zero support. If you’re bottom-heavy, a jumper with a stretchier fabric has your name on it. That way, the jumper moves when you do. And if you’re 5 feet 10 inches or over, make sure you keep an eye out for tall sizes — you’ll need to avoid wedgies at all costs.