Women in farming is a red-hot trend. Gap fashion aside, women’s growing interest in sustainable, small-scale farming is leading to farmer’s markets full of healthier food for communities. And while the ActionAid report looked at women in agriculture in other parts of the world, rest assured, it’s a phenomenon that’s bringing food that’s healthier food for people and the planet here in the United States, too. The last United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) most recent U.S. Ag Census showed that women small-scale farm owners are the fastest-growing demographic surveyed.

So once again, women save the world.

While some organizations that support women in agricultural industries are quick to point out the feminist symbolism, it should be noted that gardening and horticultural clubs are as 1950′s American housewife as an apple pie cooling in the kitchen window.

And it starts early.  If you’re on the University of Michigan campus, you can join groups like Cultivating Community, a student group for those interested in small-scale organic gardening and sustainable food systems. But of course, it’s open to men and women.

So get growing!

-B.C.Bodnar

Rihanna and Leighton Meester looking chic in their heels and socks.

When I think of socks with heels, I instantly think of Dorothy with her ruby red slippers and adorable anklets. I don’t typically think of Paris and Milan runways. However, walking down the streets of Manhattan, I’ve noticed a trend that I felt needed some SHEI discussion: heels with socks.

I’ve seen countless women with fabulous (and I mean fabulous – Dior, Louboutins, Jimmy Choo) heels topped off with ankle socks. The trend, however, is far from new. College Fashion said:

The socks and heels trend is definitely a look that’s been in and out for a while, showing up everywhere from runways to the streets. It was most recently popularized when Burberry Prorsum sent the look down the runway at their 2008 and 2009 shows.

Kelly Osbourne, Alexa Chung, Rihanna, and Leighton Meester [why are you so cute all the time?] have been spotted trotting around Hollywood and NYC in heels and socks. Lucky Magazine’s advice?

When both pieces are black, this combination looks like a chic, streamlined bootie—just be sure the sock is a thin, not bulky weave and that it hits a couple of inches above your ankle.

When asked her opinion on this trend, a friend of mine who works at a couture, clothing company in New York City responded:

I love the style and have been seeing a lot of it at work and that’s typically where I see upcoming trends. I’ve seen bright-colored, floral print socks that come up past the ankle with black, strappy stilettos.

My opinion? I’m always interested in the hot, upcoming trends, but even I don’t think I’m fashion-forward and daring enough to appropriately pull this off. I’d do a bit of research and shopping before walking out of the house wearing this particular look.

Dorothy was so ahead of the times.

Who would have thought that Dorothy would have been ahead of the trend nearly seventy years ago? I always knew that “yellow brick road” was synonymous for “runway.”

[Photos courtesy of InStyle.com & The Guardian (UK)]

At Balmain, Christophe Decarnin put his own twist on the trend though sticking to his glam rock roots.  Models strutted down the runway sporting the razor-shouldered blazers and day-friendly sequins he has become so famous for.  This time around, the jackets were festooned with perfectly gaudy epaulets and eclectic badges.  Armor-like beading and slashed pieces provided the perfect wardrobe for a very glamorous battle.

At Alexander Wang, the look was decidedly less flashy.  The young designer’s models carried forth a barrage of khaki though Wang’s talent for beautiful draping made them look as if they’d slipped out of prep school to join the military.

Editorial spreads have been heading to the front lines too.  Shot by Nino Muñoz, Gisele stuns with her polished, pin-up glam in the May issue of Vogue Mexico.  At the other end of the spectrum, Carmen Kass took a turn as the queen of desert warfare in Mark Pillai’s June spread for Harpers Bazaar UK.

Lucky for us mere mortals, the trend is super wearable.  No matter what your personal style is, the simple key traits leave much room to explore.  A great staple of the trend is the military band jacket.  Ranging from edgy leather to preppy canvas, you are definitely are free to pick your poison.  Army green also plays a big part, and designers are looking at the world through olive-colored glasses, so you won’t be hard-pressed to find the perfect piece.

If you’re worried about taking the look too far, try mixing rugged pieces, with softer ones.  For example, try a khaki cargo boyfriend short with a flowy, feminine tank.  Classic pieces in unexpected materials (think silk camp shirts) are also a good way to ease into the trend.  Before you head out of the door, be sure to top your ensemble off with a healthy dose of this seasons fabulous studded jewelry.

Drafted by I Am Grace featuring Rebecca Minkoff bags

Photo borrowed from NotSoHumblePie

Macarons should not be confused with macaroons, a thick, coconut cookie known for its moist chewiness.  No no no, macarons are of Italian origin but they’ve been thoroughly Frenchified.   One cookie consists of two round wafers sandwiching a butter-based cream.  The smooth tops have a crisp texture which, in a perfect macaron, yields to the airy moisture beneath.

Much like the cupcakes they are said to dethrone, macarons are available in a variety of flavors and colors.  In fact, it may be the exotic possibilities that will prove to solidify the macaron as a staple in the American pantry.  Chocolate or raspberry can be found in rich shades but the deep purple of creme de violet and vivid yellow of those made from Meyer lemons are equally stunning.  Moreover, chefs are quickly adapting macaron recipes to something more familiar to the American palate – doughnut macarons are worth taking a closer look at, as are apple pie ones.

But the proof is in the pudding.  Macarons were a notable prop in Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette (2006) but more recently, Macaron Day was celebrated in New York City on March 20th.  And the rise of macaron carrying bakeries has been noted in the past couple of years as well.  If you needed real proof – even Sex & the City has exiled the once popular cupcake treat from their official SATC tour.

Not sure where you can get them in Ann Arbor as of this writing, but if you’re looking for a good recipe, I recommend this one from NotSoHumblePie – you’ll have to convert the measurements but the thoroughness is impressive.

Happy Macaron’ing,

-B.C.Bodnar

Shabayeva’s latest collection premiered at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York on Saturday February 13; built around a theme of aviation, it featured feathers, hand-painted detailing, wool, leather, fur, and… well, yes, if you looked at the terrible pun titling this article, Tupperware.

Shabayeva has an incredible talent for mixing the feel of soft femininity with a sartorial confidence of the detailing in each piece, and her emphasis on the essential luxe that imbues her work makes even the materials that make up the plastic container holding last night’s leftovers classy, chic and stylish.  It’s because of every other news report that one can even realize that it is not just fabric and feathers that Shabayeva uses to create her art, and the seamless integration is really inspirational–what else can we do with unconventional materials in clothing?

Think about it–a plastic dress, while not exactly biodegradable, is sort of like a redesigned plastic bag.  It can be worn for years, and if you gain a few pounds, the gown can stretch with you (just not back the other way!).  You find and buy a snazzy looking one, and it’ll be in style forever–you can pass it off to your daughter, who’ll give it to her daughter, who’ll… for the next 500-1,000 years, or however long a plastic bag will take to disintegrate.  Scientists haven’t figured it out yet.

What’s your take on plastic-wear?  Does this bring back too many memories of technicolored vinyl pants that left too little to the imagination, or are you psyched to cut up some old lunch boxes right now and start assembling your own DIY-plastic-detailed-dresses?  Are you gonna take other cues from Irina Shabayeva, and try incorporating some animal exteriors into your clothing?

(I recommend pulling the feathers out of your pillowcase if you can’t find any foot-long behemoths on your local carrion, and with the overabundance of obese squirrels on campus, you’re living in a city-wide fur factory).

Ninny C.

Is it just me, or is “Ginger” taking over the world?  No, I’m not talking about the greatest hair color of all time - I’ll save that for another day.  Literally the flavor of ginger, as in the tuber used in food and medicine.  Traditionally popular in holiday baked goods, you can now find many post-holiday beverages and more flavored with this spicy root.

Your most obviously recent experience with ginger was probably as a gingerbread cookie.  Delicious? Yes.  At the very least, you probably have some warm memories that involve the story of the Gingerbread Man…Frightening? Perhaps.  But as an ingredient, it’s come a long way from a simple Xmas dessert.  It seems ever popular in faux-Asian recipes today but hasn’t stopped there.

More excitingly – ginger is popping up in beverages again, and not just those of the teetotaling kind.  The kids seem to be especially fond of Gin & Ginger these days and of course, the ever popular infused vodka or typical frilly cocktail.  But be warned – anything labeled “Ginger Beer” is most likely NOT alcoholic.

And because there’s no stopping them – ginger tea, usually paired with a citrus flavor is also hitting store shelves near you.

Cosmetic and botanical companies, like Burt’s Bees, have also been quick to include ginger in various products.  It, again, seems to be especially popular when mixed with citrus to create “revitalizing” scents.  I find this amusing because according to Wikipedia (the source of all truth in the Universe), ginger actually has sedative properties.

Now all I can think about is how much I want a Vernors.

-B.C.Bodnar

Also known as "shemagh."

Unless you’ve never made it out of the boonies, you’ve no doubt seen girls and guys walking about town with woven check scarves around their necks, commonly paired with a pair of Chuck Taylors and skinny jeans. Officially known as a keffiyeh, they are much more than a fashion statement and their history has brought about a fair amount of controversy in the United States.

The keffiyeh originated in the Middle East as a comfortable shield from the arid conditions. Often worn by peasants working outside, most of the world associates the scarf with the former President of the Palestinian National Authority, Yasser Arafat, who always wore a black and white keffiyeh.  As a result the scarf became a symbol of the Palestinian liberation movement in general.  Additionally, organizations known for terrorist acts, such as Hamas and Hezbollah, are often portrayed wearing keffiyeh.

This link to the Palestinian movement, in combination with the surging popularity of the keffiyeh in the United States, created a few misconceptions and some conflict. Most notably, Urban Outfitters was forced to pull their version of the item from their shelves in 2007 amidst accusations that the clothing chain was supporting terrorism.

Despite these charges, the keffiyeh remains incredibly popular as a fashion accessory among teenagers and young adults in Western nations. For the majority of these scarf-wearers, the keffiyeh does not represent solidarity with the Palestinian liberation movement, and has instead joined the ranks of other garments associated with combat (camouflage and khakis, anyone?) as simply a hip thing to wear.

Tintype Photographs by David Sokosh for the New York Times

The New York Times recently published this little article about the invasion of 1890′s and fin-de-siecle fashion creeping into the male wardrobe.  Look familiar? Well it should!  Way back on June 11th (exactly 5 months previously!) SHEI posted an article about Steampunk – I told you it was “gaining steam”!

More commonly known as “New Victorian”, this aesthetic does go beyond men’s fashion, as does Steampunk and you can’t overlook the similarities.  Both are about reclaiming styles and design motifs from the turn of the century.

 Look for lots of vests and charcoal/gray colors as well as heavier and more durable materials like corduroy.  Check out this slide show with more trends + hunky male models.  According to the NYTimes, part of the appeal, at least here in the States, is that 

“ the clothes relate not to the runways or the estates of Europe, but to America’s heartland in ways that few fashions do. Country and city men alike have rediscovered old-school American brands like Filson, Orvis, L. L. Bean and Duluth Pack.”

As long as I don’t have to wear a corset and I get to see men in knee breeches, I’ll be happy.

-B.C.Bodnar

GQ - Three's a Trend: Short and Sweat

The classic suit has been around for over four hundred years, and as each successive decade goes by, it has become increasingly casual in retaining tradition.  In 2008, Dolce & Gabbana introduced the idea of interchangeable sleepwear and business attire, and this season, you have the sophistication of suits paired with the simplicity of sweat-shorts.

Granted, if you’re a stickler for tradition and shy away from weirdness, that sweat-shorts came down the same Thom Browne runway as these atrociously sheer pants may turn you off, but for a casual-formal, photogenic and fashionable stroll down the beach with your girl after an evening at some fancy, brouhaha bistro by the sea, this is a perfect outfit.  Got a business meeting after some serious racquetball and no time to change clothes?  At the very least, put on some deodorant and grab a matching jacket.

If 3.1 Philip Lim and Band of Outsiders aren’t part of your normal wardrobe staples, pick up a pair at Old Navy or from Artificial Flavor (on sale!).  If you’re a man who’s man enough to push up his sleeves, pull out the machine and recycle, just grab an old pair of sweatpants you’ve outgrown at the ankle, lop off a couple inches and hem your own pair of sweat shorts.

Ninny C.

Mr. Jones Watches - The Accurate

This season, the women will be piling on the bangles and the watches to flaunt their winter flair, while men can show off their sense of style less ostentatiously.  Instead of taking a whole novel to impart a message on style, London-based designer, Crispin Jones, needs only a watch face.

Launched in 2008, Mr. Jones Watches are genuinely unique with a signature sleek design.   Regardless of what your personal style is, the witty, tongue-in-cheek quirks of these internationally lauded wristwatches will give you a dynamic personality:

• The Decider – For the indecisive.
• The Cyclops – You smile every time you see a rainbow.  :)
• On Foot – Usain Bolt, get ready for a show down.
• The Watcher – Not for the paranoid.
• The Accurate – You like keeping it real.
• The Average Day – For the MLIA wannabe.

Even if you’re not ready to invest in a Mr. Jones, a watch is an essential item for all wardrobes – especially men!  Here’s a quick guide for before you buy:

1. Think about your lifestyle, and where you’ll wear your watch.  Your digital sports watch with the tricked out timer, heart rate monitor, compass, night light and water resistance is not conducive to making a good impression at a business meeting, nor is wearing your five-grand Rolex on a regular basis a guarantee that people won’t find you pretentious.
2. Generally the most distinctive part of a watch, the face is also where the prime function of the timepiece is displayed; hence, take some time to contemplate what you’d like to see every time you check how many minutes are left in lecture.  Do you want Roman numerals or Arabic numbering, or a running digital analog?  Do you want numbers at all?  What kind of colors are you thinking of?  Traditional, for business, or bright and trendy for a casual timepiece?  [A note for for big men, go for the bigger face, else it may look like you're wearing a woman's watch even if the label says men's standard; most watchmakers are also starting to lean towards bigger watch faces regardless, so finding them won't be a hassle.]
3. The strap–make sure it fits your wrist; one of the most unfortunate sartorial scenes to be parley to includes an excited boy, a pricey Omega, a loose band, and a resounding thud and crunch.  Beyond that, don’t be afraid to experiment with different materials and colors.  Many watches are now two-toned, and come in a variety of eye-catching hues.  For longevity, however, stainless steel and leather are trusted bests.

Ninny C.