Oxford Coma

My living room looks like the waiting room at your doctor’s office. No, there aren’t Kleenex wielding snifflers waiting for their appointment on a row of hardback chairs, there are just a ton of magazines. Elle, Vogue, Bazaar, Lucky, Town & Country, Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, In Style, Boston, Self, Body & Soul, Conde Nast Traveler – the list goes on and on. And those are just my subscriptions; my husband is also a magazine nut. It’s not that I love killing trees, I just love ripping out the pages and following the trends. I love finding out what I’m allowed to wear at 28 (thanks Harper’s Bazzar) what Rachel Bilson thinks is cool (InStyle), what magazine Nina Garcia is working for this week (Marie Claire?) and which new designer Anna Wintour has chosen as the next best thing.


There are some super cute and wearable trends out this season (Hello Florals!) But, there are also some horrible looks that I recommend avoiding:

#1 Oxford Shoes

Don’t do it. Unless your first name is Oliver and last name is Twist this trend is not for you. The only shoes with laces you should be wearing are the ones that help with your traction on the treadmill. Even more concerning, they are dedicating an entire category to “oxfords and mocs” in the women’s shoe section of JCrew online. Be afraid, be very afraid.

#2 See through Bags

Unless you work the perfume counter at Macy's and are required to carry around a clear purse, please let this trend quietly go back to 1991 where it belongs with other crystal clear things – like Pepsi. And, if I’m going to be lucky enough to purchase a Prada bag, you better believe it’s going to be made of hi-quality leather and not plastic vinyl.

#3 Safari

Is it just me or is this in every other season? If you’re 6’2” and 110 lbs then yes, the khaki shirtdress will work for you. Otherwise, you risk looking like an off-duty beekeeper or Bindi the Jungle Girl.