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Archive for April, 2010
We all want to look good. One of the tricks used by stylists to make their clients look their best is to hide, disguise and draw attention away from their least favourite bits and highlight their favourite parts. There are lots of different ways to do this, perhaps you could wear a mid length skirt to show off great legs or a v necked top to highlight your decolletage. Accessories and particularly jewellery are great for highlighting, the more sparkly, colourful and eye catching the better.
Here are some of the ways that you can use accessories to highlight your best features:
Hair - Do you have beautiful hair? If you have glossy long hair, hair accessories or sparkly hair clips will look great and draw the eye towards your hair and accentuate its glossiness. For a more formal outfit a fascinator is the perfect way to highlight both the hair and face.
Ears -  Not a part of the body that many would state as the favourite, but ears can look great with a pair of sparkly stud earrings. This look works best with short or cropped hair as it shows off the ears the most.
Face – frame your face with beautiful colours that will reflect onto your face and make your complexion grow. Try out different options until you find the colours that really suit you best. Wear earrings, short necklaces, hats and scarves in these colours.
Neck - Both necklaces and long drop earrings are a good way of putting the focus onto a slender neck. Choker style necklaces work particularly well. A scarf will usually cover or hide your neck but a small scarf tied at the side can have the same effect as a choker.
Decolletage - medium length necklaces particularly those with a pendant will draw attention this area. They work with low cut or scoop necks.
Wrists - delicate arms and wrists look great when decorated with chunky bangles or delicate sparkly jewellery. For the summer why not wearing lots of different colour and texture bangles for a fun and eclectic look.
Hands- make your hands a feature with chunky, sparkly, cocktail rings. At the moment there are so many different styles and colours to choose from, including flowers, beaded styles and butterflies. Carrying a clutch bag and paint your nails will also draw attention to your hands.
Waist – A belt or very long necklace is the best way to show off your neat waistline. Brightly coloured belts do the trick perfectly or a long string of beads which draws the eyes downwards. Another way of highlighting your waist is by carrying a handbag that hangs at about waist height.
Ankles and legs - If you would like everyone to notice your lovely legs a beautiful pair of heels is the key, think bright colours, patent or embellishments, anything that will grab peoples eye.Â
Making the most of what you have got is common sense really, so when you next decide on which accessories to wear with your outfit think carefully about what you will be highlighting and what you would like people to notice. Don’t forget to cover and disguise the areas that you don’t like using dark colours and draped fabrics.
There is currently an abundance of patterns and prints in ladies clothing but there is often a lot of confusion amongst women as to which patterns and prints suit their style, shape and age. Consequently many of these stylish, printed clothes are being overlooked in favour of plainer pattern free alternatives. However, this can often result in women feeling like the contents of their wardrobe is very boring and longing for a bit of life to be injected into it.
This can be done quite easily with the addition of a few statement fashion pieces which feature a print or pattern. One of the biggest trends of recent times, when it comes to patterns and prints, is animal print but many women shy away from these particular prints as they believe them to be unflattering. Traditionally animal print, in particular leopard print, was viewed as something quite cheap and tacky. However, this is no longer the case and animal print has experienced something of a renaissance. Although there are many items of animal print clothing which still look quite cheap there is also a vast amount which looks stylish and classy. Care and attention must therefore be given to choosing a piece of animal print to ensure that any purchase made by a woman results in her looking sophisticated and tasteful.
For those trying to introduce animal print into their wardrobe or for those who are uncertain of the trend it may be advisable to start off small. For example why not begin by opting for small clothing additions such as animal print cardigans. Cardigans are great staple items which should be present with every womanâ??s wardrobe.  If the right animal print cardigans are chosen then they can be worn with a multitude of other fashion items including black trousers or alternatively it can be worn over a dress. Animal print cardigans are a subtle way of reflecting this trend but for some women cardigans arenâ??t quite subtle enough. For those women it is advisable that they rely upon trimmings, belts and other accessories to reflect the animal trend.
Animal print accessories such as belts represent a great way of injecting this particular trend into an outfit. In addition to this it is great for women who are unsure as to whether they are able to carry this particular trend off or not. Accessories are versatile and can therefore be worn with a range of ensembles but more importantly they are extremely understated, consequently allowing the wearer to ease herself into this trend gently.
Although animal print was previously seen as something cheap and that many thought that the women who wore animal print somewhat resembled Bet Lynch but this is no longer the case. Rather animal print can be seen as classy and sophisticated and moreover it can add a youthful feel to an outfit. However, it is still recommended that time is taken to find the right piece of animal print clothing and that not too much animal print is worn at once, one item of animal print clothing per outfit is sufficient.
It is that time of year again when our thoughts turn from rainy April afternoons to summer holidays, sun, sea and sand. After such a cold winter, most of us just can’t wait to jet off some where hot for a week or two of relaxation. Others prefer to explore the many delights of the UK, where hopefully the sun will also be shining. One of my favourite parts of holiday is deciding which holiday clothes to take with me. Holiday clothes often differ from our run of the mill usual clothing partly because of the weather but also because we want clothes that will make us feel relaxed and on holiday, out of our usual surroundings we are often tempted to try something a little different perhaps a little more colourful than our usual choice of clothes.
When packing for holiday, there are lots of different things to consider. If you are flying you may be limited by how much you can take with the airlines luggage allowance. Make sure that you check this out before hand to avoid costly charges at check in if you have over packed. If you are limited on space, try and pack a few really versatile pieces that can easily be washed out and will work for lots of different situations. A kaftan or tunic top for example can be worn over a swimming costume or bikini as a cover up or with a pair of trousers for a smarter evening outfit.
Choose clothes that can easily be packed without creasing. If you do have items that crease easily try putting them over a beach towel or another piece of clothing and rolling. When you arrive hang any creased items in the bathroom while you have a shower, this will save on ironing (who wants to iron on holiday?).
Keep in mind that even in hot countries the weather can sometimes be changeable. Pack some a few long sleeved tops or a thin cardigan just in case. You may well also need extra layers for the journey home. You will also need to think about what to wear if the weather is really hot (which is hopefully more likely than it being cold). Loose clothing is probably the easiest way to keep cool. Light weight trousers are a good option if you are out and about sight seeing and long skirts also make a really elegant and comfortable option.
For the evening on holiday dresses are a great choice. Especially if the weather is really hot. For some people holiday is the perfect opportunity to get a bit dressed up each evening and after a day in the sunshine, you will probably be feeling extra glamorous. There is no need to wear high heel shoes on holiday in the evening (unless you want to), a pair of metallic or jewelled sandals will work equally well.
Finally, during the day, it is wize to protect yourself from the sun, a wide brimmed straw hat not only looks incredibly chic but will stop any skin damage caused by the suns rays to the face , neck and chest. If your hat is too big to pack, then wear it on the plane and put in the overhead locker during the flight.
Whilst many of us spend a huge amount of time, effort and sometimes money looking stylish for work or in the evening, many do not give the same level of attention to what they are wearing in their leisure time. If you look good, you will usually feel a lot better than if you haven’t made an effort. It is possible to look just as good in casual clothing as you do for work just a little more relaxed. Whether you are taking a walk in the country, watching the football with family on a Saturday afternoon or looking after children, there are plenty of clothes that strike just the right balance between chic and practical.
Many people spend a large proportion of their lives wearing casual clothes yet their wardrobe does not reflect this at all and they have very few stylish pieces of casual clothing. One of the problems with casual clothing is that it is often comfortable but shapeless and so is not flattering for anyone. When choosing casual clothes you should apply the same rules as you would for smart or evening wear in terms of finding clothes to suit your body shape. You should also pay attention to which colours you are wearing and whether they really suit you.
Here are our top 5 choices of stylish clothes for spring:
Casual trousers- a great pair of casual trousers is the basis of most casual outfits. Comfort is usually a key concern with casual trousers and an elasticated waist is the most comfortable option. Look for light weight fabrics and neutral colours for maximum versatility. You can work out which style of trousers suits you best and choose from cropped, boot cut or narrow cut. The fit of the trousers is also important, they should not be too loose or too tight. Denim trousers are particularly hard wearing and a very stylish but casual alternative to jeans.
Polo Shirt - wearing a t shirt with a collar is a great for a slightly smarter casual outfit. This Ivory red floral collar T shirt is a really original style and looks both sporty and feminine at the same time. You can turn the collar up for a flattering look that covers your neck and draws attention to your face. Â
Gillet -for those slightly cooler spring days, a gillet is a great way to add warmth without adding too much bulk. Try wearing a padded gillet with a contrasting coloured long sleeved top underneath. A reversible gillet that has 2 different colours is a really versatile option. Â
T shirt -the most comfortable and versatile casual tops to wear are undoubtedly t shirts. Look for t shirts with a bit of shape to them in slightly thicker fabrics with a little stretch. Patterned t shirts all look really stylish and striped t shirts are a big trend for this spring. If you want to make your t shirt the feature of your outfit, look for one with decorations like ruffles, flowers or pin tucks.
Fleece - on really cold days or evenings a fleece jacket is a great way to keep warm. They are available in choice of colours and styles and are very practical for most outdoor activities. A slightly fitted style of fleece is a flattering choice and different colours and textures can add interest to your outfit.
Intergrating jewellery into a piece of clothing is an interesting concept opening up all sorts of creative possibilities. It is an idea that has been tried out by a number of designers with varying success. The beauty of wearing your jewellery already attached to your clothes is that you don’t have to think about putting it on and you will never forget it or lose it. As it is attached to the clothes it will also stay in just the right place.
Holly Fulton is one of he most recent designers to integrate jewellery into her clothing with her art decco inspired collection featuring perpex breastplates and jewels attached to satin backed crepe dresses. Holly is a graduate of the Royal College of Art and has become just as well known for her jewellery as she has for her clothes. She holds a British Fashion Award in jewellery design so it doesn’t come as a surprise that she wants to include some of her jewellery in her clothing collection. Her collections have been described in the past as jewellery in the form of clothes including pieces almost entirely covered in crystals, bold shapes of perpex embellishing dresses and hand enamelled discs sewn down the front of dresses.
One of the most common forms of jewellery integrated into clothing is when a solid necklace is used as the neckline of an evening dress, this is a great way to add interest to a plain little black dress. But it is also possible to wear more casual and everyday tops with jewellery being used as an embellishment, usually around the neckline.
This navy top with a gold chain attached around the neckline is a great daytime piece. The gold and navy fit in so well with this seasons nautical trend and the detail of the chain is delicate and feminine. Suprisingly the top is machine washable, which is great as who ever gets enough time to hand wash anything? This top would look great with a pair of simple whote trousers for a great summer time look, no jewellery needed.
For a very different look the chain and satin detail around the neck of this magenta jumper has a similar idea of attaching jewellery to clothes does so in a much more uniform way. This top looks great with either a black pair of trousers and heels for the evening or even a pair of smart jeans for a sparkly and elaborate daytime look. It looks best without a necklace but you could add some small earrings or a sparkly ring if you just can’t live without extra jewellery.
Another completely different look but with the same idea of intergrating jewellery into a piece of clothing is this tunic with a pendant attached. The black pendant pefectly compliments the animal print pattern and the v neck of the tunic hanging to just the right height. By far the easiest way to wear this tunic is to wear over a pair of black leggings for a comfortable, flattering and stylish outfit. It coudl work equally well for both daytime or a fairly casual evening party.
This embellished top does not actually have an integrated piece of jewellery attached to it but the dimante detail looks as though it could be a necklace. The delicate corneli design on this piece of knitwear has a striking but classic look.