Drawing attention to our waists, wearing a belt is a simple way to pull together a figure-flattering outfit.

It’s a little accessory that can make a major impact. The belt was seen widely on spring’s waist-focused runways, most memorably at Alexander McQueen and Burberry Prorsom. Doing wonders for most women, a seemingly pedestrian belt has the power to creates curves where there might not have been before and add polish to even the most casual of outfit. While last year’s belt of choice was the skinny, the waist-cinching wide corset-styles were unquestionably this season’s pick to pull together a look and add a pop of color to an outfit.

Burberry’s s/s 2012 pleated green midi dress with standout beaded woven belt

The need to hold one’s pants up has made belts indispensable for men since the 16^th century. Military girdles – bands worn around the waist to hold weapons in place – are considered the first belts documented in clothing history. By the 1850s, the concept had infiltrated women’s styles when dresses were adorned with sashes made in matching fabrics. By the 1920s the lowered waists of the flapper fashions meant belts were dropped too, but by the time women embraced pants in the 1930s, women’s belts were back.

Yves Saint Laurent and his muse Betty Catroux, both wearing low slung belts with their safari styles

Whether it’s a cowboy, gaucho, obi, ribbon or belly chain, certain kinds of belts can instantly signify a time and place in fashion history: prim and proper, the skinny belt secured the ladylike shirtwaists of the 50s housewife; the low slung hip belt accentuated Yves Saint Laurent’s iconic safari jackets in 1968 and chain belts gave the appropriate amount of bohemian swagger to the disco divas of Studio 54.

70’s Style icon, Ali Macgraw wearing a popular chain belt

Some women take an accessory and make it all their own. Inspired by her favorite J Crew styling, Michelle Obama has been known for wearing various widths of belts over shift dresses, cardigans and even coats. And while it seems impossible to imagine, some belts have the ability to reveal everything. Just ask Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen. As the designer rumored to be designing Kate Middleton’s top-secret royal wedding dress last year, she was identified at the last minute as she arrived at the Goring Hotel by her distinctive studded leather belt doubled through the belt loops of her cropped pants.

Michelle Obama sported a wide plastic belt by designer Sonia Rykiel for her Oprah cover

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Now & Then: The History of Fitness Wear

Now & Then: The History of the Paisley Print

Now & Then: The History of the Pencil Skirt

Now & Then: The History of the Cocktail Dress

Now & Then: The History of the Trench Coat

Now & Then: The History of the Bold Brow

Now & Then: The History of the Cuff

Now & Then: The History of Turtlenecks

Now & Then: The History of Tights

Now & Then: The History of Skinny Jeans

Now & Then: The History of the Chevron Stripe

Now & Then: The History of Penny Loafers

Now & Then: The History of Go-Go Boots

Now & Then: The History of the Poet Blouse

The post Now & Then: The History of the Belt appeared first on EcoSalon.

Designed to suit the needs of a soldier on the battlefield, the trench coat has evolved into a staple for stylish civilians.

The trench coat. No other item of outerwear embodies the understated yet self-assured vibe of our Parisian style fantasies. Can you imagine Catherine Deneuve, Francoise Hardy or Jane Birkin strolling around the 4th arrondissement in anything else?

But like Birkin, the trench coat isn’t actually French – it’s a British invention. Thomas Burberry, a former draper’s apprentice, developed gabardine – a rugged, water-resistant twill – in Basingstoke, Hampshire in 1880. After submitting a design for an army officer’s raincoat to England’s War Office in 1901, he was commissioned to create a gabardine coat for the British Army’s officers serving in the Boer War in South Africa.

Françoise Hardy epitomizing Parisian style in her trench – chic, understated and elegant.

By World War I, Burberry’s design had been perfected. Shoulder epaulets allowed officers to attach rank insignia without damaging their coats. Button down storm flaps prevented water seeping down into the soldier’s coats after firing their rifles and a D-ring was attached to the the belt in order to carry a firearm or sword. Worn by half a million British troops while fighting at the front, the name “trench” stuck. The tried-and-tested military design elements remain unchanged to this day.

The mannish allure of Catherine Deneuve’s trench underscores the femininity of the outfit beneath.

Used again by soldiers fighting in the harsh European winter battlefields of World War II, the style was adopted by Hollywood celebrities and volunteer entertainers performing for the troops overseas. Demobilized, the coat quickly became synonymous with every 1940s film noir protagonist and his beautiful, but conniving femme fatale.

Emma Watson is the modern day face of Burberry’s best-selling trench.

Remaining the company’s best-selling item to this day, Burberry celebrated the 97-year-old fashion icon by launching Art of the Trench, a photo-sharing website described as “a living document of the trench coat and the people who wear it.” Featuring dedicated images, past and present, of people sporting the Burberry trench coat, the Art of the Trench showcases images from professional fashion photographers including celebrated fashion photo-blogger Scott Schuman, better known as The Sartorialist.

With its ability to transform its wearer into either sultry Raymond Chandler heroine or insouciant Parisienne, this lightweight cotton coat might well be the perfect pick for the new season after we put away our heavy winter coats.

Jackie O knows – the trench coat is a timeless classic that’s worth the splurge.

Also Check out:

Now & Then: The History Of The Cocktail Dress

Now & Then: The Bold Brow

Now & Then: The History of the Cuff

Now & Then: The History of Turtlenecks

Now & Then: The History of Tights

Now & Then: The History of Skinny Jeans

Now & Then: The History of the Chevron Stripe

Now & Then: The History of Penny Loafers

Now & Then: The History of Go-Go Boots

Now & Then: The History of the Poet Blouse

Now & Then: The History of Ladylike Gloves

The post Now & Then: The History of the Trench Coat appeared first on EcoSalon.

A weekly roundup of EcoSalon’s top stories.

It’s hard to compete with Chevrolet and those sexy new ads for the $32,780 Volt voiced by George Clooney, but Ford argues the game plan isn’t really about competition, but rather cooperation when it comes to its soon-to-be released Focus and other electric vehicles. In Ford Revamps Fleet For The Plug-In Revolution, we take a look at what Ford and other auto giants are up to.

We love our moms but sometimes we have to scratch our heads and ask “What the hell did she just say?” In Word To Your Mother, we celebrate all the weird things moms say that we love them for regardless.

Urban homesteading is more doable than you think. With more people vying to be self-sufficient and sustainable while living in cities, there are a number of ways to cultivate ones own food, and even keep chickens while not angering the neighbors. In Making Homesteading Approachable, writer K. Emily Bond shows us some ways to do just that.

Covetable, high end labels like Missoni, Burberry and Margiela have maybe never been within financial reach for you, but there are ways around that. Design loving bloggers and their latest low impact, low price projects are enabling more and more D.I.Y’ers to achieve exclusive runway looks. Writer Rowena Ritchie provides you with the information how-to in her article D.I.Y. Your Own Missoni, Burberry and Margiela.

Mother’s Day is this Sunday and you might be sending mom some flowers right? Think twice, the U.S. Labor Education in the Americas Project reports that in Colombia and Ecuador, the two largest cut flower exporters to the U.S., workers earn poverty-level wages. What’s more, 55% of women workers in Ecuador have been victims of sexual harassment, and 66% of all workers suffer from work-related health problems due to handling dangerous pesticides. Your floral purchase ensures they get more of the same treatment. Folding in from public pressure, flower giants FTD and 1-800-flowers, are offering at least five arrangements and three fair trade gift baskets for those of you that care. In This Mother’s Day, Say It Without Sweat Shops, writer Andrea Newell provides us with links to shop for mom consciously.

Image: Oakley Originals

The post The Friday Five, Vol. 10 appeared first on EcoSalon.

Fall’s top fashion trends are running us ragged trying to keep up. Are we going demure and aviator-ready or punking out with neons and crazy bare midriffs?

One thing is for sure, we’ve got a lot to choose from, which is good if your life is multi-faceted or you’re one of those women who entertains her every fashion whim.

One thing I won’t be surprising you with is that scarves are still really in and so is what color? You guessed it, purple.

If you trust me, I’m going to ask you to settle in. Where we’re going, most women have never gone, for this fall fashion foray is going to be made sane through sustainability. Some might say that’s a paradox, but sister, the times are a-changin’.

1. The Caped Crusader

Let’s just get this elephant addressed. If you wear it right, you can escape the label of Red Cross nurse or Little Red Riding Hood. If you’re wearing this trend, you are very fashion forward, a risk-taker and a woman willing to laugh adversity in the face.

I love Ryann

2. Neon

Tough to tell what we should do with this one, after all, it’s hard to get it to look authentic when it’s really been done. but I like Feral Childe’s spin on things. A word of wisdom: jelly bracelets, jelly shoes or neon wayfarers in addition to a larger piece of neon (like the shirt below) takes one from trend into (gulp) teenager.

Feral Childe’s Pleated Tunic

3. Pretty In Plaid

Working men wear it, lumberjacks wear it, why aren’t you wearing it? It’s true, plaid is permeating the fashion pathways, no going around it. I actually think this is a fun trend if tailored or worn with a slim bottom. Plaid has a lot going on so think sparingly about what you pair it with. Or, play it safe and just buy a scarf or something from the thrift shop.

Vicarious by Nature

4. Alpha Female

Are you a biker babe or Amelia Earhart wanna-be? You’ll have to ask yourself this in earnest because the alpha female is in and tough. The twist?
She’s also sophisticated. Flat front trousers, polished biker and tuxedo jackets, crisp white shirts and cocktail rings with attitude. Take that.

Cropped Leather jacket from Allison Parris

5. One Sleeve

Is it on or off? This garment will keep them guessing but it’s fun and you’ll see it in t-shirt form as much as in nighttime’s hottest cocktail duds.
Wear it alone or with a long-sleeved t-shirt underneath to create a color block and get more wear. Like most of fall’s seemingly extreme trends, all you need is one strong piece, so be careful about going overboard.

Prairie Underground’s Olympia Dress

6. Statement Accessories

When all else fails, head to your  favorite eco or online boutique and invest in a few fall pieces like a great ring, statement necklace or clutch purse. Everything this fall seems to be about statements but not everyone is ready to partake. Accessories are our doorway to getting comfortable with stepping out of the box. Here are some of my more recent fall favorites.

Muichic, Jacquie Aiche, Alex and Ani, Ashley Watson

7. Shirred Shapely

Shirring (I’ve mentioned this before on EcoSalon) is actually a woman’s best friend. Hiding and disguising potential flaws in undergarments or bodily changes (we hope are temporary), the fabric can be moved around to do what you want. How’s that for a friendly trend?

8. Cagney, Lacey and the Gilded Age

If I wrote sitcoms this title would be the next big hit, I know it. Imagine it: Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly wrestling with yards of Victorian lace in a warehouse fabric cover up”¦maybe you’re not ready for this.

Okay, looking lady-like and affluent in Hermes scarves is one way of achieving this look but you can also dive a little deeper into the eco-pool and surface in rich silks and brocades, ruffles and high necks. You can also just buy something versatile and pretty in lace like this top.
You are Victorian, hear yourself roar.

John Patrick Organic Pullover Blouse

9. Ankle Boots, buckle boots, over the knee oh my!

Oh, in a perfect world we’d just live in boots. I love when the cooler months come and I can slip my favorite Frye Engineer boots on. Not eco, but I bought them 6 years ago and wear them like they’re never going out of style. There’s something to be said for the longevity of a piece being green to some degree.

These two new pairs of boots have wooed me, though, and I will battle my boot demons to keep myself in check this season.

10. Slouchy Sweaters

What would fall be without a go-to sweater? This fall, silhouettes are voluminous and cozy, almost coat-like. Actually, they’re too big to fit a coat over,  so best to layer under.

Pair it with a pair of skinny jeans and ankle boots for city and country street cred.

Park Vogel Batwing Sweater

The post Fall’s Top 10 (Sustainable) Fashion Trends appeared first on EcoSalon.