During the job hunt, I’ve come across several positions that require you the FM 100 Hue Test. It’s a test of your color knowledge. Basically, you look at each row and arrange the colors by hue. Hue is a more scientific way of saying “color”. Each hue is the distinct wavelength frequency on the spectrum.

The color squares at each end cannot be moved and should be used as your guide. When the squares are all jumbled up at the beginning of the test (see above), the task looks simple. Looking at the first row, you can clearly see pinks, greens and tans. But start grouping them according to hue and it gets infinitely more challenging. If you’re up for it – go ahead and take the test for free at X-Rite. The first time that I took the test I received a perfect score of 0… my subsequent results have averaged around 7. The test is helpful because at the end it shows you the areas that you have the greatest trouble with, and if you’re interested in working with color you can work to strengthen your abilities in that area.

For my final project in Product Development, I will be creating a small collection of knits using the dress above, from Diane von Furstenberg’s 2010 Resort collection, as my color inspiration. This afternoon, I have an appointment in the color library to select my swatches. The color library is basically a brightly lit room that contains drawers full of fabric arranged in a somewhat confusing system of hues and tints/shades/tones. I am bringing a back up tear sheet, just in case I have difficulty selecting the right swatches or get home and suddenly hate my palette. Siiigh. Hopefully, I can make good use of my hour.

More info on color here.

Hiroko Masuike for The New York Times

This morning, The New York Times published a fairly interesting article by Ruth La Ferla on fashion’s new lean towards androgynous dressing, called “It’s All a Blur to Them”. The article argued that

“Women have been incorporating trousers, biker jackets and combat boots into their wardrobes since Amelia Earhart swapped her pearls for a flight suit. But increasingly, it is men who are making unabashed forays into mom’s closet, some for fashion’s sake, others for fit.”

As far as I can tell, this is pretty much fact – although historicaly speaking Amelia Earhart may be getting a little too much credit. A ride on the L train could provide you with plenty of proof when it comes to the Androgynous lean in fashion but I would argue that it’s really a more specific look than something that is happening EVERYWHERE. Class, race, culture, and sexuality are all influencing factors. And before anyone misunderstands me, I am not suggesting that this trend neatly belongs to one specific group of people – because it certainly doesn’t. I believe that there are particular silhouettes that are popular right now that are naturally androgynous but that these silhouettes, while appearing globally, are not yet mass market – they still belong to the hipsters of the world.

I am finally back from a much needed blogging break. This summer has been inredibly strange and for the last month and a half, perhaps longer, I haven’t really had things that I felt like were interesting enough to share. I’d say that at least the last ten posts have been “phoned in” and that’s not okay. If you’re not committed to blogging then don’t do it! What’s the point, right? Anyway, I’m feeling refreshed now and I’m ready to add some new features to the blog. So bear with me as things on the site start changing – I promise, Trendology is on the verge of greatness. Or at least, better-ness.

I’m perfectly content with the jeans that I own. They’re mostly skinny and fit into all of my boots. I also love my leggings, for those occasions when I like to fel a little more “free”. Why on earth, would I want to combine the two? These pants are made from coton -spandex blends and are most likely going to be unflattering on the majority of people. But for those of you who do purchase “jeggings”, let me be the first to say, air on the side of caution and don’t act like they’re real pants just because they’ve got belt loops. No one wants to see all of that.

On Monday, when I was leaving my Intro. to Fashion class, I got stopped by a photographer from Mpdclick – a fashion forecasting company.

It was kind of funny because as part of my class, we all had to go around saying what area of fashion we were thinking about going into now that the semester is over and I said forecasting. Their site is pretty cool but it’s subscription based; if you’d like to take a look at their “Street Trends”, you can hit them up on their facebook – my pic is in the “New York May 09″ album! the last thing I’ll say about this is – I’m in love with this yellow blazer. Best $5 that I’ve spent in a really long time.

In other news- if you’ll now find Trendology listed in the Trendsetters section of the Shop It To Me website. Shop It To Me is a really amazing personal shopping service; you share your brand preferences and size information and they keep you updated on sales. It seems like shopping just keeps getting easier, right? If you’re in need of an invite to the site, I’ve got them!

Alright- time to study for my retail math exam! Happy almost weekend!

The panel discussion explore[d] the complexities and sustainability of fast life and fast fashion in the 21st century. In an effort to reinvigorate a tactile consumer experience, innovative designers are developing slow clothing built to last and ethically manufactured with a thoughtful approach to the creative process.

I am so angry with myself for forgetting about this free event and missing out on what I’m sure was a great discussion. Many of you know that I’m becoming increasingly obsessed with the idea of Green Fashion and while Green Fashion is not the same as Slow Fashion, they both seek to keep us fashionable while saving the earth.

If you were at the event or have any information on Slow Fashion that you could pass along, I’d love to hear from you!

Once upon a time, I used to really think that Lindsay Lohan was stunning. Hot even.

I thought she had a great sense of style and always looked glamorous, even when she was dressed down. I loved her partnership with Rachel Zoe, although recognize that it was around this time that Lohan’s personal life seemed to be falling apart and her weight dropping to scary lows. Recently, while watching her final appearance on Ugly Betty, Linde and I were talking about Lohan and how she hasn’t looked healthy and fabulous in a long time.

So imagine my surprise when I saw her spread in Harper’s Bazaar. It finally appears as though Lindsay is getting back on track, at least as far as her look is concerned.

I, for one, am a huge fan of the glam-grunge look — when it’s done with care and consideration– and I think it was in this shoot. The stylists thought about her body and how to accentuate her curves, something that I don’t think comes across in candid paparazzi photos of her wearing ten haphazardly thrown on layers. While fragments of Lindsay’s orange spray tan days remain, it’s much more palatable in this context. In fact, I really love some of these photos. Lindsay has finally re-earned my stamp of approval.

Denim Jersey Foldover Pant with Animal Print Waistband, $75.00

So Low started as a company that made undergarments that would work with the low rise pants craze rather than against it. From there, the company has branched out and started making lounge and sports wear. The clothes are available on the company’s website as well as Bloomingdales, Olive & Bettes, Shopbop, and National Jean Company and have been spotted on everyone from Gwen Steffani to Kirsten Dunst, Lucy Liu, and Heather Locklear.

Nikki points out that the appeal to these clothes seems to be the fold over band which allows you to adjust the rise of the pants.I don’t know though… I just don’t get it. Can anyone shed some insight into this??

Who What Wear

The Bowler hat (aka the derby or the billycock) is a felt hat with a rounded top that was invented in London around 1849. The style has endured and although it was, at one time, associated with butlers, the bowler hat is now massively popular among stylish women looking to add a little bit of edge to their outfits.

Bowler Hat, Urban Outfitters, $38

Many of our favorite celebrity/model muses have been spotted wearing the Bowler everywhere from grocery shopping to red carpet events. I happen to think there is something undeniably sassy about a lady with a bowler hat tilted towards the back of her head. This hat can take an otherwise common outfit and pump up its impact by giving it a rock edge.  As Who What Wear noted, the bowler hat also garnered attention on the runway shows of Sonia Rykiel and Limi Feu, showing that it is a style that can also be worn with a bit more sophistication and suggesting that it is about to become even more popular.

Source: Just Jared

I loved the look that Rachel Bilson had at the launch of her new line Edie Rose (more on that later). Although the tie is distractingly long, I think she pulled off this style masterfully. Using the hat and tie to pull together this boyish look, Bilson manages to channel the spirit of a proper young boy without looking like she was wearing a costume. The curvy skinny jeans and layered (pearl?) bracelets are a very nice touch.

For good tips on how to wear this style and where to find the perfect Bowler, be sure to check out Who What Wear. They have an incredible site with a lot of amazing information.

This isn’t the first time that we’ve seen companies try to directly market the clothing that is being worn on tv etc. The CW network has developed a store on their website that capitalizes on the fashion buzz from Gossip Girl. You can  browse their store and buy the items that will help you emulate the styles of your favorite character whether you are on Team Blair or Serena, or maybe even rooting for Little J.

The CW is in a partnership with Starbrand which is a more comprehensive website that allows you to browse the styles seen on an eclectic collection of tv shows and movies including Gossip Girl, America’s Next Top Model, The L Word, and She’s The Man. Not to mention the long gone, O.C. - people are still referencing Marissa‘s style on that show.

The website allows you to look at character profiles, browse the fashion by character, episode, season, and brand. You can also find out information about the set designs, stylists, and beauty information. Essentially, they’ve gone out of their way to make sure that they can market just about every aspect of a shows to you, the consumer. It takes the idea of selling a lifestyle to the next, most cutting edge, level.

Now we can only hope that sooner or later these companies start marketing “Looks For Less” sites with the same fervor,to those of us with tighter budgets. No matter how badly I’m crushing on something from Phillip 3.1, it’s just not gonna happen right now.

Images courtesy of  The CW, Fox, The OC Files