FASHION LIKES THE NUTCRACKER

The lights. The costumes. The music. The magic. The Season would not be the same without Sugarplums dancing in our heads to the ever popular Nutcracker tunes. This week, we focus on the iconic Nutcracker ballet seen continuously on stage every year throughout the world since 1892. Though not all of us can be as graceful as a ballerina, this week we focus on fashion inspired by this beautiful holiday classic. Whether you go see “The Nutcracker” ballet at the theater or only dance to the music in your head, you’ll feel a part of this holiday tradition with our top picks based on the iconic characters from the story.

“THE NUTCRACKER PRINCE”

Fight off the winter chill and emulate the ballet’s hero in a chic military-style jacket, snug leggings, and knee high boots. From DSquared2 to Rag and Bone, military jackets are one of this Season’s trendiest coats of choice. We like Hale Bob’s taupe beaded stretch Ponte jacket paired with grey ultra suede leggings and suede knee high boots from Sole Society. Switch up your look by changing the color of your pants each day from red suede, to winter ivory, to chocolate brown. If you prefer dresses over pants, you’ll look smashing in Hale Bob’s black long sleeve silk jersey wrap dress accessorized with chic slouchy ankle booties from Vince Camuto or classic shiny black knee highs from Franco Sarto. You are sure to win this holiday Season in a outfit inspired by the iconic star of “The Nutcracker” ballet.

“CLARA”

Like Clara, the heroine of the story, you will shine like a star in a luscious blush pink maxi dress this Season. Rather than go with traditional red and white, wow your “audience” in style with one of this year’s most popular colors. We love Liberty Garden’s pale pink embroidered cami crinkle maxi dress paired with matching delicate heels from Betsey Johnson and a “Nutcracker” themed handbag. Top with a warm grey cashmere sweater from Tibi, perfect for the chilly theater or a cold winter night. For true “ballet” fashion, go with ballerina flats from Steve Madden and a cozy ballerina wrap sweater from Diane von Furstenberg, perfect for any holiday occasion.

“THE BALLERINA DOLL”

Entertain your guests this year with an outfit inspired by the “Party children’s” favorite gift from Uncle Drosselmeyer. Look for colorful geometric patterns on blouses, skirts, and dresses to dazzle in style at your next holiday party or event. We like Hale Bob’s black and blue printed crepe de chine shift dress paired with warm black tights and black booties from Topshop. On dressier occasions, whip your hair into a topknot, swipe on a splash of cherry red lip tint and top with Eileen Fisher’s cozy velvet stole, embellished heels from Badgley Mischka, and a sparkling silver clutch from Rebecca Minkoff. Forgo the dress and try  Vince Camuto’s soft pastel colored geometric print sweater paired with your favorite jeans on casual winter days. However you choose to style, try the “ballerina doll’s” geometric patterns this Season.

“SPANISH DANCE”

Spice up your holiday style this in a fiery red look inspired by “The Nutcracker’s” Spanish hot chocolate. From dresses, to blouses, to pants, to shoes, brighten up your wardrobe this year with one of the Season’s favorite color schemes. We like Hale Bob’s long sleeve red lace dress with peplum topped with black patent leather pumps from Charles David, a velvet black clutch from Claire V, and accessorized with a handmade red rose hairpiece. We also like Hale Bob’s elegant red stretch silk  Charmeuse gown perfect for a night at the ballet, or go with Michael Kors’ red fringed cowl neck sweater paired with your favorite jeans for easy, everyday style. However you choose to style, add a pop of “Spanish” red to your wardrobe this winter.

“CHINESE DANCE”

Bring a touch of the Orient to your holidays with an outfit inspired by “The Nutcracker’s” Chinese Tea. Start with Hale Bob’s cute cropped floral pants in pink or mint paired with Liberty Garden’s pink “tattered” long sleeve shirt or go with a trendy mixed pattern style in A.P.C.’s striped tee and Ralph Lauren’s bright burnt orange overcoat as featured above. For your next holiday party event, we like Dosa’s “Chinese”inspired tunic dress paired with Chinese Laundry’s “ballerina” embellished flats and pearl clutch from Badgley Mischka. Brew a hot green tea and spread holiday cheer this Season in your “Oriental” style fashion.

“ARABIAN PRINCESS”

Like “The Nutcracker’s” Arabian Princess, bring an air of mystery and romance to your holiday Season this year. Start with Hale Bob’s wide leg crepe de chine pants in blue or grey and top with a blue beaded silk blouse with dolman sleeves. On casual days, go with Liberty Garden’s grey quilted jogger pants paired with the black long sleeve shirt with mesh inserts and embellished pointy toes flats from Kristin Cavallari. Sparkle in gold, Arabia’s favorite metal, at your next holiday party in Hale Bob’s gold sequined sleeveless dress accessorized with ankle strap heels from Betsey Johnson, gold box clutch from Moschino, and a spritz of spice from Marc Jacobs’ Decadence fragrance.

“WALTZ OF THE FLOWERS”

As mentioned in last week’s “Holiday Party Trends,” floral is trending for Winter 2015 and what better way to usher in a hint of warm Spring air than with a lovely floral pattern dress a la “Waltz of the Flowers.” We like Hale Bob’s coral knit maxi length dress paired with black open toed pumps from Kate Spade and a matching black leather jacket to protect against Winter’s chilly weather. Or keep to the Season’s warmer colors in Hale Bob’s purple rushed floral wrap dress accessorized with black suede booties from Tory Burch and an embellished floral stone cascade necklace from BCBGMAXAZRIA. Get ahead on the Spring trend and surprise with floral at your next holiday gathering or event. You’ll be “waltzing” down the streets in style.

Whether you favor Clara’s pink dress, or The Prince’s military jacket, or Spanish’s fiery red, or the Flower’s floral pattern, you can bring a touch of “The Nutcracker” to your winter wardrobe this Season. If you get a chance, attend your local ballet school’s annual production this year and donate to the live arts. You don’t have to be a dancer to be a part of the loveliness of the art form. Channel your inner ballerina dreams this Season, choose your favorite inspiring character, and twirl in style at your next holiday gathering.

 

 

 

BALLET IS FASHION

In celebration of last weekend’s National Dance Day across America, this week we focus our blog on how dance is infiltrating fashion and social media. While dance has always had a strong presence in the European culture, the U.S. has lagged behind when it comes to infusing the performing arts into mainstream media. With Vogue’s recent article on the rise of ballet in fashion as well as the trending crop of “Ballet Barre” and “Bar Method” workout programs, perhaps our country is ready to embrace the mixture of this cultured art form with everyday living. Take a look at our favorite “ballet” inspired fashion finds and start incorporating a little classical ballet into your everyday wardrobe.

  

PINK LEGGINGS

If the idea of chiffon and tulle are little too much for you, start your collection with the colors of ballet. From Altuzarra to Oscar de la Renta, the runways this year were filled with ballet’s favorite colors: blush, pale pink, and ivory. Part of a ballet dancer’s required performance wear includes pink tights, in order to lengthen the line of the leg in her pointe shoes. Take a tip from the stage, and grab a pair of pale pink leggings to add to your Summer collection. We love Hale Bob’s newest pink suede leggings now available at our online store Posh at Play. Pair with a cami and ivory lace Kimono from Liberty Garden for a sweet Summer style. Carry the look into the Fall months by topping with a cozy powder pink sweatshirt from Liberty Garden and low ankle boots.

 

ALL BLACK 

One of the simplest ways to achieve a dancer’s sleek figure is to dress head-to-toe in all black. In order to achieve the longest lines possible and a perfect shape, a dancer’s “go to” class wear outfit will always be either a solid black unitard or a black leotard and black stirrup tights. Get the look with this Season’s popular jumpsuit trend. From Giuliana Rancic at this year’s Grammys to Monica Potter at the People’s Choice Awards, celebrities are embracing the jumpsuit trend not only for everyday wear but also on the Red Carpet as well. Get your own sleek ballerina look with Liberty Garden’s black lace jumpsuit paired with your favorite black pumps for extra length. Or go “Athleisure” with Hale Bob’s black stretch Ponte leggings paired with a fitted black laser cut cami or stretch black lace bodysuit from Hale Bob for cooler Fall days.

 

TWO TONED

Maybe it’s the years of disciplined training as a student wearing the same boring black leotard and pink tights everyday to class. Maybe it’s not being able to afford a lot of new dancewear on a dancer’s tight budget. Or maybe it’s the drafty theaters that teach dancers to layer up. Whatever the reason, step into a professional ballet class and you will see an array of mismatched colors and layers on each dancer. Pictured above, professional ballerina Svetlana Zakharova of the Kirov Ballet nails the trending “two toned” look by layering her basic black unitard with a bright cap sleeve leotard and white practice tutu as she rehearses her role in “Swan Lake.” Get a similar style this Season with Liberty Garden’s two-toned Terry knit short sleeve shirt paired with Hale Bob’s black mixed media leggings. Complete your “ballerina style” with Ballet Beautiful’s newest satin ballet flats in pale pink or hot red, featured in this week’s Vogue.

 

GRAY SWEATER

Speaking of layers, if it’s one thing all dancers know, it’s to always bring along a sweater or sweatshirt. In order to prevent injury throughout the long day of rehearsals, a dancer’s muscles must stay warm and stretched. In every dancer’s bag, you will find an array of leg warmers, back warmers, baggy sweatshirts, ballet sweaters, knit shorts, insulated pants, and more. Get your own dancer style with a loose fit soft gray sweater and black leggings. We like Hale Bob’s Gray Ombre knit sweater paired with black faux leather leggings and ankle boots. For warmer days, layer your sweater with Liberty Garden’s cool ivory lace skort and Cole Haan’s Stagedoor Ballet flats specially designed by 3 New York City Ballet dancers combining functionality, form, and fit.

  

BALLET PINK DRESS

Channel your inner ballerina this Season with the epitome of elegance and grace in a pale pink dress. Since the color pink is trending this year on the runways, there is no better time than now to bring out this luscious and feminine color in style. You can go classic in a pale pink shift dress paired with tailored heels and a simple clutch. Or, modernize the look with your favorite comfy sneakers, a crossbody bag, and oversized sunglasses for an “Athleisure” style. If you can’t decide which look you like best, go with Hale Bob’s blush pink ultra suede shift dress perfect for work or play, dressy or casual. No matter what the occasion, you’ll look pretty in pink this Summer and Fall Season.

 

“CARMEN” RED

Another common color used in the ballet world is bright red. In ballets like “Carmen,” “Don Quixote,” and “The Nutcracker,” the color red is used to depict the playful or “fiery” personality of the character. What better way to express your inner “diva” this Season than with bright red. Get a similar look to Russian ballerina Svetlana Zakharova’s “Carmen” in Hale Bob’s long sleeve red lace dress with a slight flare skirt for extra sass. If red from head to toe is a bit much for you, try just a touch with Hale Bob’s red suede leggings paired with Liberty Garden’s lace back swing Tee or Hale Bob’s flowy long sleeve red silk blouse paired with your favorite jeans, perfect for now through the Winter holidays.

 

CLASSIC WHITE

Finally, if all the pinks and flowy fabrics are too “girly” for your taste, no need to fear. You can still get in on the “ballet” trend with a classic white A line dress, flattering on any size and figure. Go a la “The Red Shoes” by pairing your dress with bright red flats for a pop of color, adding a belt and handbag for perfect street style. We love Hale Bob’s classic ivory floral lace A line dress accessorized with Sam Edelman ballerina flats or “get on pointe” with Topshop’s NEW Pointy toe lace up shoes. We also love Hale Bob’s “Cinderella” tank A line dress with a perfectly fit “ballerina” bodice for a flattering figure.

One of the most demanding art forms, a ballerina’s goal is always to achieve the perfect balance of form, grace, beauty, pose, strength, and confidence with an air of calm and ease. Become your own ballerina this Summer and Fall with our great fashion tips. Whether you choose to wear blush pink or a tulle skirt or the newest lace up ballerina flats, you are sure to exude your graceful yet confident presence this Season wherever you go. Remember our Posh at Play motto and you can do no wrong this year: Be You, Be Fabulous, and always Be Feminine.