Archive for August, 2010
The beauty of classic pieces of clothing is that they never go out of fashion. They are a great investment as you can be sure that they will not go out of fashion. But classic clothes have also earnt their classic status usually because of their wearability and ability to flatter. They are the sorts of clothes that are practical for every day life and yet still look incredibly stylish. They are just the sort of clothes that women love to wear and that make them feel great which is why classic styles never go out of fashion. There is also sometimes a certain amount of history attached to classic pieces of women’s clothing. For some people their nostalgic value is also very important, perhaps they are clothes that people can remember their mother or other members of the family wearing.
For many ladies summer is a great time for trying out new trends and going a little overboard with bright colours and prints. The hot weather seems to make just about any outfit work. But the autumn and winter is more a time for solid, stable and dependable clothes. Clothes that are suitable for the colder, wetter and windier weather that we are sure to experience in this country. That doesn’t mean that you can’t have a little fun with your clothes in the autumn and winter, why not try adding fun and quirky accessories to your outfit.
The Trench Coat
The trench coat is about as classic and British as you can get. Obviously it is perfect for wet and windy autumn weather and versatile so that it will go with just about anything from jeans to work wear. The trench was originally created by Thomas Burberry  during World War I for  officers in the British army to wear, the name trench coat coming from the fact that it was supposed to keep them warm and dry in the trenches. The trench coat design has been reinvented many times over the years but still retains many of the original features. We love this white and black contrast detail belt trench coat.
The Black Cocktail Dress
Every lady needs a black cocktail dress. This is the ideal solution for all of those ‘can’t decide what to wear’ dilemmas for an evening out. It can work for all sorts of semi formal occasions from parties to dinners and can be accessorised in a number of different ways depending on the look that you want to achieve. For a really classic look, all this dress needs is a pair of black heels and a diamond necklace. We love this classic style velvet evening/ cocktail dress in black.
Polo Neck Jumper
Sometimes when the weather is really cold, there is nothing else for it than a polo or roll neck jumper. A classic black polo neck jumper is ideal for layering with other pieces of clothing to create a really warm and very stylish outfit. Wear your polo neck under shift dresses, with trousers and carigans or even underneath short sleeved tops for a great layered effect.
In the current economic climate, couples looking to get married have so much to think about and budget for, not just the wedding and honeymoon but also perhaps buying a new house and furniture after the wedding. Whilst a really expensive and elaborate wedding is great, many people would prefer to spend their money in others ways. It is completely possible to have a very special and memorable wedding day without spending lots of money. As the saying goes ‘the best things in life are free’ and this counts for the company of good friends and being together which are the most important part of a wedding day.
But even on a budget many people will still want to have a traditional white wedding. You can have the perfect wedding on a budget by carefully considering each of the items that contribute towards your big day. By prioritising what is most important to you, you can decide where to spend the money and where savings can be made. For example, if it is really important that you have lots of guests, it may be a much more cost effective to hire a hall than use a hotel and ask family to help with food. There are plenty of savings to be made in doing things yourself or perhaps letting family members help out a bit.
One area where most brides will not want to compromise is with a traditional white wedding dress. This is such a vital part of the dream wedding for most couples. A simple white dress can look just as amazing as an elaborate style of dress sometimes even more so. Looking for dresses that have been reduced in the sale is a great way to get a great dress at a great price in the sale.
This Evening/Bridemaid/Prom/Wedding Dress in White ticks all of the boxes in terms of being sensational and floor skimming. It is a really classic style with a corset bodice and a line skirt which is about as flattering as you can get for most body shapes. It also has some interesting features like front pleats, embroidery and beading. This wedding dress is also amazing value as it has been reduced to £60 in the sale.
This very beautiful Taffeta Bridesmaid/Wedding/Prom Dress in White is a three quarter length style with a mock cross over bodice and flattering empire line. It has a taupe ribbon rose under the bust line and removable straps and a net petticoat so that you can adjust the dress to suit your own taste. This dress has been reduced to just £15 in the sale but hurry as there are not many left.
This gorgeous Ivory wedding dress has intricate embroidery and beading on the front and a lace up back. Another flattering style of dress that will look amazing on brides of all different shapes and sizes. It can easily be adjusted for the perfect fit. Â The dress also comes with a matching shawl.
Whilst sometimes it can be very tempting to resort to wearing the same dark shades of black, grey and brown all of the times and these colours can look great, too, much of the same thing can get boring. They say that variety is the spice of life and adding a bit of colour to your wardrobe is a great way to add some spice to your life. You do not need to abandon dark colours all together, autumn and winter are the perfect time to mix punchy bright colours with black or other dark colours for a really eye catching combination.
Choosing the right colours
Using colour to create outfts that look great is all about finding just the right colours for you. There will be a whole range of colours that will look great on you but there will also be some colours that do not suit you as well. You can recognise which colours look great by holding them against your face. The right colours for you will make your complexion glow whilst colours that do not suit you as well will make your complexion look drained. If you are not sure on which colours to wear try looking around you at people with a similar colouring and see what colours they look good in. You could also try looking at old photographs of yourself and work out which outfits look amazing on you.
How to combine colours
How you combine different colours will completely change their look. Mixing any bright colour with black or contrasting colours will increase its intensity. Mixing a bright colour with white will obviously lighten up the look but have you also considered mixing colours that are quite close. Mixing complementary colours will give you a subtle but very stylish look and is also a great way to start introducing colour to your wardrobe.
Experiment to see what looks best
There are all sorts of rules that you can follow with regards to wearing and combining colours. You can never really know how an outfit will look until you try it on though. Experiment with different looks using colour. If you are a little nervous of wearing too much colour then try a print with a little subtle colour or try adding one or two coloured accessories. If you have great legs, coloured tights are also a great way to add colour to an outfit.
This Long Sleeved Twist Front Black And Magenta Dress is a great winter staple. It would work equally well for work, casual or lunch with friends. The print is a fairly subtle way to wear colour but if you want to make it more eye catching, you could always add some bright pink or blue accessories.
This Navy Rose Print Shift Dress with Shoulder Detail makes the most navy and blue. By combining them with white, they really stand out for a stylish look.
This purple checled coat is a great way to add colour to your winter wardrobe.
Everyone loves wearing florals in the summer but as we move towards the end of the summer the best florals to invest in are those that are versatile for different seasons and different occasions. You wouldn’t necessarily think of wearing florals in the autumn or winter, but they are a great way to brighten up and outfit and make you feel instantly happy. Of course, in order not to look out of place in your florals for the autumn and winter, you should choose pieces that look great for any season. By buying versatile florals in the summer sales, you can get yourself a great bargain that you can wear all year round.
The trick to picking out great florals that will work for the colder weather is choosing darker colours or colours that can easily be worn with black or coloured tights. Very light or pale coloured florals may not work so well because it will be difficult to find something suitable to wear on your legs and they will also probably look out of place on a cold and windy day.
Floral dresses in slightly heavier fabrics will work well for the autumn and winter as will floral blouse which can be combined with a winter skirt or trousers. A brightly coloured cardigan is also a great way to add a bit of warmth to a floral summer dress and make a stylish and cosy outfit for the autumn and winter.
Floral dresses that are suitable for occasions are particularly versatile for different seasons. You can often wear a great floral occasion dress in the winter even if it is a little lighter than you would usually wear for a winter day dress. Try adding a pair of coloured tights for a really eye catching outfit.
Floral shift dresses work really well for a vareity of seasons. Wear with bare legs in the summer. For the autumn and winter, you can wear a long sleeved top underneath or a cardigan or jackey over it to keep warm and thicker opaque tights and boots.
This ladies sleeveless floral evening dress in black is a great option for any season and works well as both evening wear and occasion wear. Add a cropped cardigan, bolero or jacket for a bit of extra warmth.
The autumnal colours of this brown sleeveless sunflower print dress looks great for any season. This dress would look amazing with mustard yellow tights or cardigan.
Bright floral prints on a dark or black background work particularly well for the autumn and winter. Team with black tights, shoes and cardigan for a sophisticated daytime outfit or a great party outfit.
By carefully choosing your clothes, it is possible to build a great versatile wardrobe to work for all of the different seasons. This is a great way to invest your money wisely and get maximum wear out of all of your clothes. It also cuts down on storage. Florals are a great option for spring, summer, autumn and winter. Look for deep and rich colours to ensure maximum versatility.
Layering clothes is not only a huge trend at the moment but it can look great, be a practical way to dress and have lots of other benefits too.One of the best things about layering is that it can be used to create lots of different outfits with the same clothes. One top or dress can be transformed in so many ways depending on what you choose to layer it with. It also is a great way to create interest in a outfit. Different colours and fabrics can be layered over each other to create all sorts of interesting effects. A wardrobe that is built around layering pieces is a very versatile wardrobe that can easily be combined in different ways according to the weather of occasion.
Adding layers can adapt a piece of summer clothing for the autumn or winter. Think about wearing a summer dress over a long sleeved top or adding a long cardigan with a belt for a flattering and trendy look. Layering is also the perfect way to dress hen you are unsure of what the weather is going to do. If it is colder than expected you can add another layer. if it is warmer than expected just remove one layer. Layering is also a very flattering way to dress as long as you get it right. Layers help to create a smooth outline and skim over any lumps and bumps.
With all or these great reasons to layer clothes, you will probably want to start planning some layered utfits right away. But layering is not always quite as easy as it looks. There is an art to layering clothes and some tricks that you can use to ensure that your layered outfits look great.
- Everyone can easily have a go at layering by trying it in its simplest form. Try adding a vest top under a shirt or blouse, a short sleeved top over a long sleeved top or a dress over a polo neck jumper.
- Usually thin layers work best as they can be layered with out creating too much bulk although on the coldest of winter days, you may get away with layering thick knits.
- Think carefully about how the colours, textures and thickness of fabrics will work together. Lots of different textures will make an interesting outfit, layering in the same colour will have a really subtle effect and lots of similar colours worn together will often look great for example different shades of grey.
- This about lengths, arms and necklines and how they will work together. It usually works best if you layer shorter layers over longer ones. Short sleeves worn over long sleeves and low necklines over high necklines all give a really interesting layered look.
This purple and orange print cap sleeve gather neck top would look great when worn over a long sleeved t shirt.
This navy flower print sleeveless occasion dress would also work well when worn with a long sleeved top and cardigan.