For many of the 100,000 plus fans attending this now four day musical festival in California’s Coachella Valley, it was all the  over 100 musical acts that graced the stages this past weekend.  Music, though, never lives in a vacuum, so the major fashion magazines took their cameras into the crowds to check out the street style. 

Keeping in mind those temperatures can reach over 100 degrees, and many were attending and camping out for the four days, there still seemed to be some various fashion trends coming out of the masses.

Legs were bare with seas of shorts shorts.  While denim seemed to be favored by celebrities, shorts all around held their own.  Stripped shorts, brightly colored shorts, and shorts with big boots all caught the camera eyes of the magazines.   It seemed the very fashionable went one step father and rebelled against the low-waisted denim on seasons past, as special mentions were made of those sporting  high wasted coverage.

Along with the short shorts, were many short little dresses.  Sleeveless tanks, t-shirt dresses, floral numbers and vintage inspired chic all made the camera smile. Often a loose dress was paired with a belt and, due to the music festival aspect, many a fanny-pack as well. Baby doll  were given special mention as the majority of legs did remain bare, but long dresses also go some attention as well.

Hats were all around. Again, probably having to do more with the endless beating sun, though this pair in Cowboy straw covers had to know they were saying something.  Still, many hats of many different styles made it to the publish pictures.  Along with hats, various headbands were seen. Thick ones, thin ones, head bands covered with flowers.

The undergarment of choice, again, think heat, was the bathing suit. If the bathing suit was only partially covered up, then that was Ok as well,  For some it was just an oversized t-shirt, some had cut up their t-shirts into huge sleeveless tops,  And for many others, the bikini top was the shirt.

Barefoot, flip flopped and sandaled all stood in line, but the season hot gladiator trend held court and also seem to garnish a fine percentage of pictures as well.  The low cut “bootlette” of this spring was seen as was almost any manner of boot baring lots of leg. Boots  were paired with just about anything.

As this was a music festival, and all music festivals have the roots in the Woodstock of the 60’s, the classic hippie wear could not be forgotten. Therefore, from the simple Indian influenced hippie type dress to a classic all over Woodstock acceptable assembly, one might think that they travelled back in time

Maybe it’s because diversity is a trend or perhaps it is one of 7^th Avenues’ answers to ‘going green”, but earthy tribal prints are making waves for this spring and summer and the hottest of all are Ikats.

Tribal patterns are often all over prints that take their influence from various forms of nature. A form of a leaf, flowers, bone, or the pattern of an animal skin is often standard patterns.  More African patterns feature primitive art motifs that would have previously found their way onto cultural art or primitive masks and now are making their way down the runway and into stores.

The color pallets for these fabrics are based on natural printmaking and traditional dying techniques, so greens from plants, bark, husks, lichen, and berries bring a natural feel all over. For instance, the dyes from onion skins create a wonderfully warm golden mustard color which can then paired with a black for a dramatic positive verses negative effect.  Fashionable tribal fabrics often pin a strong bright color against the neutral tones with dark browns and blacks.  Even if the fabric is obviously not hand dyed from nature, the full tribal patterns can bring out the animal in us all.

Ikat Prints are everywhere! 

The hottest of all prints this year are Ikat prints. Ikat, or Ikkat, is a style of weaving that uses a resist dyeing process similar to tie-dye.  While almost all of the tribal prints have  their roots in  an original people and their culture, Ikat is credited to Malay- Indonesia.  In the Malay language, Ikat translates to means “to tie” or “to bind” or “to knot”, which is the technique used.  In principle, Ikat or resist dyeing involves the sequence of tying and dyeing sections of bundled yarns to a predetermined color scheme prior to weaving. Technologically, this weaving refers to thread-resist textile. The threads, which are colored, are then woven into the fabric.

The traditional Ikats from Malaysia are actually much more complicated than the fashionable textiles baring their name this year. While in fashion terms  “Ikat prints” tends to hand a zig zaggy tribal look to it with only one or two colors.  The look is more akin to a simpler weave of the dyed threads, or taking a piece of fabric, tying it off to resist the dyes, and that produces the effect like this scarf.

Clothing made from Ikat inspired fabrics are literally everywhere this year.  From the top designer’s runway collections to the local stores, Ikat is making huge ways. Airy summer dresses, cute tops, long skirts, short skirts, bathing suits, scarves, and even underwear are screaming Ikat all over.

While famous for the designer names in the legendary “Back Room”, and known for the great deals on discounted women’s apparel, there is much more to Loehmann’s.  The name brand discounts are not just limited to clothing. Loehmann’s also carries designer sunglasses, jewelry and intimate apparel with the same fabulous discounted pricing.

Not just Ray Ban, Retro Sunglasses:

This spring, retro sunglasses are all the rage.  Traditional wayfarers, fun tortoise shell colors, and  glam cat eye shapes can be seen on the runway, on Hollywood stars and in your local Loehmann’s right now.

Designers such as Betsey Johnson, Max Studio, Escada, Furla and many more start as low as 19.99.

 Shine on with Discount Jewelry!

Wearing your heart on your sleeve has never been so easy with this year’s inspirational Jewelry.  The final touch to any outfit is the right accessory.  A fun necklace or bracelet can brighten up your look and make you shine.

Charm necklaces and earrings such as these by Cousin Claudine and Seventh Sense are priced from 14.99 to 29.99 where normally they would be between $55 and $65 elsewhere.

These Cynthia H goldtone and leather braceletes are up to 50% off department store prices.

Live in the Moment, Love who You Are, and Laugh out Loud with these spectaular savings.

What’s on the Inside? Discount Designer Intimate Apparel:

 Loehmann’s also has designer intimate apparel collections with the same great savings you know and love.  Recent exclusive purchases in intimates included selections from Vera Wang and Calvin Klein priced up to 70% less than department stores

Plus so much more!

Designer handbags, men’s sportswear, swimwear and designer shoes that you know, love and must have can all be found at Loehmann’s.  Visit our New Arrivals page to keep up to the minute on new selections.  For even more savings, enough good things cannot be said about the “Insider  Club”.  It’s a well kept secret so “Shusssshhhh…”, but you’ll never miss your favorite designers again!

The designer bag is, hands down, the most definitive accessory to personalize your style.  There comes the question though of how much will you be willing to pay for the next “must-have” bag?  

 If you’re like us, the four digit price tag of these beauties is more likely to scare you off.  Fortunately, Loehmann’s summer collection includes designer handbags at a fraction of the price.  Whether it is a clutch, a hobo, a messenger or a wristlet, the search for the most chic summer handbag should definitely start at Loehmann’s. 

 Loehmann’s designer handbag collection presents decorative spring-into-summer purses that truly express the spirit of the season.  I mean, picture this - a printed or embroidered tote with a red-hot floral theme and a combination of terrycloth with silk ribbon ties.  Oh, what a fabulous way to brighten up your wardrobe!