What I Wore: Outfits from this week

We have had the strangest weather – from bright, sunny and 65 to wet and snowy (?!) – all in a matter of days. Asheville is treating us well and is beginning to feel like home.  I haven’t done an outfit post in a while (what photographable outfit does one wear while moving and unpacking, anyway? haha) so here are a few things I wore this week.

cardigan & skirt - old navy, t-shirt - express, lavender docs - thrifted

hand-dyed raw silk kimono - ArtaCloaks

How to Wear it: Ombré

My most influential design professor often reminded my classmates and myself to use gradients with caution.  It’s a good rule to follow in graphic design and, perhaps, in fashion and beauty, as well.

In fashion, ombré generally refers to a fabric-dyeing technique that results in a subtle-to-dramatic color gradation.  Recently, this term refers not only to the clothes on the runway but models’ hair as well.

photo courtesy of Stazee's tumblr

As with the gradients one might attempt in Photoshop, ombré hair should also be approached with wariness – while this beauty trend can look amazing in photographs and on runways, in real-life it might seem as if you’ve just let your roots run wild…

This actually makes me wonder…  Is this some sort of ironic homage to the recession?  Wealthy individuals paying hundreds of dollars to get a dye job that looks like the hair of lower-income women who haven’t the means to maintain their own (at-home) color…?  I’m not sure of the implications.  I’d definitely like your thoughts on this, whether you love this look or hate it.

So, all subtext aside, maybe this (hair) trend is not for you.  There are still a lot of ways to embrace the ombré trend, from a fabulous ombré-inspired manicure to some sweet lace, color gradation tights from Urban Outfitters.

Click image to view set details via Polyvore