Archive for July, 2010

The summers neutral trends and tones of beige, cream, camel and white are great but sometimes they can leave us longing for just a little bit of colour. There is no better time to wear eye popping colours like fuschia pink, lime green and electric blue as the sun will illuminate the colours making them glow even more. Bright colours have a tropical feel about them, think tropical flowers, tropical fruit and green rain forests. They are just the right colours to get you in the mood for summer holidays or some great summer weather in the UK.

For those that are a little wearing of  wearing  bright colours, there are some great brightly coloured accessories, why not try a bright yellow clutch bag with your little black dress for a bit of a change. You could also wear some really eye catching red shoes with your ultra versatile beige shift dress. Prints are also a great way to wear bold and bright colours. Look for a white background if you want a slightly more subtle look,  a black background for a more distinct look and a print that mixes lots of bright colours for a really eclectic looks. Floral prints work really well in all sorts of colours and never really go out of fashion but there are a range of other alternatives around including abstract and tribal prints. For the bravest of brave, try combining prints for an outfit that if chosen carefully will look absolutely amazing.

If you are a colour lover,you could always try block colours. As before combining with white for a subtle effect, black for a striking look and clashing colours for the brightest look of all. Try orange and pink, purple and yellow or green and red for some amazingly bright outfits that will catch everyone’s eye.

If you are wearing an outfit with large areas of one colour, for the best effect you should try and pick colours that really compliment your colouring. Generally if you have a warm skin tone, you will look best in reds, oranges and yellows. If you have a cool skin tone blues, purples and pinks will look best on you.

These purple cotton shorts are a cool and casual way to wear bright and bold colours. Try combining them with your choice of pink, yellow, green or white t shirt.

This v neck floral top features a beautiful combination of colours that is bound to make you and the people around you feel really happy. It looks great with white trousers but can also be worn with jeans or black trousers for a smarter look.

This contrast tie black yellow crinkle sleeveless dress looks amazing as the black intensifies the rich yellow colour. The yellow around the bottom of the skirt is also a great way to balance out wide hips.

For a special occasion, this cerise flower detail dress is a great way to wear bright colours and is incredibly elegant. Wear with either black or neutral coloured shoes depending on the look that you want to create.

As we enjoy the beautiful sunshine and summer weather, the autumn and winter may seem like a long way away, but the shops are already gearing up for the season ahead and filling there rails with lots of beautiful autumn and winter clothes. As usual there are plenty of different fashions and trends from which you can easily find a style that will suit your body shape, personal style and lifestyle.

Winter fashion is often dominated by talk of winter coats and party dresses and this year is no different. But for most of the designers this year, there collections have moved into a whole new era of wearability. Gone are the days when designers could design just for their own artistic pleasure. In these hard economic times their collections need to sell and this was clearly evident in the elegant and stylish clothes that were also really classic and wearable. This winter looks to be another season with plenty of neutrals and minimalism, yet again we can all safely stick to the saying ‘less is more’.

Maxmara has always led the way in this classic, neutral style exhibited in their luxurious camel coats that have always been incredibly popular. But there will also be some brights with a peppering of bold reds, mustard and lemon yellows and electric blues seen on the autumn winter catwalks.

There will be some new silhouettes for the autumn, well they are not exactly new as they originated in the fifties and have come back into fashion periodically ever since. The rise of interest in vintage clothing could well be responsible for this interest in pencil skirts and a line skirts with nipped in waists, both of which are perfect for an hour glassed shaped lady.

Womens trousers will be incredibly flattering this winter with boot cut and straight cut styles dominating. These trousers are great for women of any age and shape and do an amazing job of lengthening the leg.

There will also be plenty of romantic and faded florals, animal  prints and lace in black, nude and even pink. Some times some or all of these looks will combined for an eclectic and bohemian look. This was clearly evident on the catwalks of Ralph Lauren, Kenzo, Paul Smith and Dries Van Noten.

Capes will be back in fashion, as will maxi dresses and maxi skirts. Ladylike handbags were also all over the catwalks and classic styles ruled. Waists were cinched with skinny belts and sky high heels were complimented by a new style of much more practical and wearable mid height heels.

For all the sensibility and classic style around for the autumn and winter, there is still some fun to be had. White fur was used to create yeti like outfits. There were also black and white fur coats, shaggy fur coats and glossy black fur for a dramatic and very warm look. There was also a dose of  theatrical style which combined bright colours in a flamboyant and chaotic way. This look was unsurprisingly seen at Jean Paul Gaultier, Jean Galliano, Vivienne Westwood and Dior amongst others.

When you donâ??t have much money to spend on clothes, it can sometimes be difficult to work out how you can manage to look stylish and keep your wardrobe looking fresh and up to date. But there are plenty of people that manage to do just this and there secret is that they know which pieces of clothing to buy and when and where to buy them. They never waste their money on buying clothes that donâ??t fit or suit them or that they simply never get around to wearing. Here are some of the top tips on how to get a really stylish wardrobe on a budget.

Recognise what clothing looks good on your body shape â?? by recognising which clothes really suit you, it doesnâ??t matter how much money you spend, you will always look stylish. You will also avoid mistake buys.

Buy a few well fitting basic pieces that can be accessorised for different looks â?? It is so much easy to put together a stylish outfit and get dressed in the morning when you have basic items in neutral colours. They are so much more versatile and work for so many more outfits and occasions.

Top up with low cost fashionable accessories to keep your look fresh and up to date - accessories are such a great way to follow a new trend. They allow you to try it out without spending too much money and if they go out of fashion next year then it wonâ??t be the end of the world.

Find retailers that sell quality clothes to last at a great price â?? shop around for prices on the internet but also pay attention to quality. Buying poor quality clothes is definitely a false economy as they may fall apart and begin to look shabby quicker. If you wear clothes that are great quality it will show and you will save money in the long run as they will not need to be replaced so quickly.

Shop in the sales to get even better value â?? If you are in desperate need of some new clothes then why not try shopping in the sales, you will get much more for your money and if you choose classic styles they wonâ??t go out of fashion quickly. Roman Originals has some great sale items which are both up to date and stylish.

Ensure the clothes that you buy are suited to your lifestyle â?? It is no good buying lots of pairs of high heeled shoes if you never wear them. As nice as they may look, they are not working for their money if they just sit in the wardrobe every day. Decide what you spend most of your life doing and what type of clothes you need for this activity and concentrate on filling your wardrobe with these items.

Find new ways of wearing the clothes that you already have â?? if you start to get bored of your wardrobe, there is no need to replace it all, top up with a few new items then try combining and wearing the clothes that you already have in new ways. For example day dresses look great when layered over a long sleeve top.

We all love a party and deciding what to wear is part of the fun.  Most ladies wear dresses to parties, but which should you choose a long or a short party dress. It depends on the party that you are going to and your own personal preferences but both party dresses have their advantages (and disadvantages).

Long dresses are great for formal parties including black tie, but you can also wear maxi dresses for less formal parties including barbecues and garden parties. It is really all about how you accessorise. To dress it up add a great pair of heels, some beautiful jewellery and a clutch bag for a more informal look some sandals and a slouchy bag will look great. A long dress is elegant and sophisticated and great for covering up your legs if you would prefer not to show them off. A maxi dress or three quarter length dress with an empire line is also great for hiding a large tummy and any sort of long dress with an a line skirt will cover up larger hips and thighs. The only problem with long dresses is that are not quite as practical or easy to dance in as short dresses.

The length of a maxi dress will usually look best if it is balanced with a fairly fitted top. This will show off your shape a little and stop it looking like a tent.

long party dress

This beautiful and very eye catching long green biased cut evening dress with sequins is ideal for a black tie event or formal party. It is an unusual colour and has a very flattering biased cut and empire line, both of which help to create tat perfect silhouette for the evening.

Shorter dresses are great if you like dancing and want to be free to move around as much as possible.  They are generally not suitable for black tie or really formal events but can be worn to almost any other party. Obviously shorter dresses are best suited to those with slim legs but donâ??t rule them out if your legs are not quite as slim you would like them to be. By picking just the right skirt length and wearing with a pair of heels of wedge shoes, you should be able to look great in a shorter style of dress. The most flattering length is usually about knee length. You should balance out the shorter skirt length with a higher neckline for maximum elegance. For example if you do choose a dress that is above the knee in length, choose a dress with a high neckline.

short party dress

This sleeveless black lace shift dressis not only a great alternative to the very popular little black dress also known as the LBD, but it is right on trend for this season with black lace over a red lining for a fun and elegant style. The satin ribbon is  a great way to high light a slim waist and the length is short enough to be young and fresh but long enough to be flattering for most people.

Fashions and trends come and go but there are some classic styles of womenâ??s clothes that never go out of fashion. The British summer can sometimes seem so short that we donâ??t get much of a chance to wear our summer clothes. Picking summer clothes in classic styles is a great way to ensure that you will have a great summer wardrobe for next year and the year afterwards. Classic styles are also classic for a reason, they are pieces of clothing that have stood the test of time and become staples in so many womenâ??s wardrobes because of their wearability, versatility and and ability to flatter.

Empire line dresses

Dresses are so cool and comfortable for the summer and the empire line dress is probably one of the most comfortable and flattering styles around. With a seam than runs just underneath the bust and fabric which skims over the stomach and hips, it is great for covering any lumps and bumps or a round stomach. The empire line also has a romantic feel to it. It works well with both a short skirt or baby doll style or a floor length maxi dress and just about anything in between.

Shift dresses

When it comes to summer office wear, the shift dress has always been and will always be one of the favourite choices. It creates a smart and streamlined silhouette and can be worn with a suit jacket if a really smart outfit is needed. Shift dresses are also available in all sorts of gorgeous prints and bright summery colours which can be dressed up with a clutch and heels for the evening or a special occasion.

White blouses

What could be more cool, crisp and summery than a white blouse. A classis style of white blouse is a must have for any summer wardrobe as it goes with almost anything and looks instantly stylish. Wear with jeans for laidback chic or a patterned skirt for lunch with friends and a navy skirt for work.

Linen trousers

Linen is the ultimate fabric for summer clothes. It is a natural so lets your skin breathe and feels cool against the skin. It is perfect for keeping cool in hot weather and a loose fitting pair of linen trousers can work well for both work or casual wear. Just add a chic summer top and some delicate strappy sandals for an outfit that always looks amazing.

Classic clothes are a great investment as they will last you for many seasons to come. You donâ??t have to worry about wasting money on clothes that will be out of fashion by next summer and you will also look great in styles that flatter and compliment the figure.

This Ladies Linen Embroidered Summer Blouse in white is both cool and stylish. It has a very flattering cut and some pretty embroidery. Wear it with your choice of summer skirt or trousers.

These sage green linen look casual drawstring trousers go with so many different tops for a relaxed but very stylish summer outfit.