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Archive for December, 2010
Shoes are a must have fashion accessory and many women have more than just a few pairs of them. So what shoes should you wear for a special occasion?
 Type of Occasion
First of all, think of the type of event that you are going to. Is it a wedding, birthday party or evening out? What you wear to a wedding will be considerably different to what youâ??ll end up wearing to your friendâ??s garden party. Keep your look feminine but not overdressed for the type of occasion.
Wedding
If youâ??re going to a wedding then think about whether itâ??s going to be inside or outside. If itâ??s inside, then opt for nice heels, not too high that you canâ??t walk in them but high enough to accentuate your legs. If the wedding is outside, then itâ??s best not to wear heels or choose a pair of wedge heels that will go with occasion dresses. Chances are youâ??ll be stood on grass at some point so youâ??ll only end up sinking in to the mud. Opt for a chunkier style heel, or even go for flat, satin ballerina style pumps.
The Birthday Party
If youâ??re off to a birthday party, then check your invite for the dress code, this should give you some idea. Generally, to a birthday party you can wear heels, thereâ??s no need for stilettos but women generally look their best when wearing heels.
A Dinner Date
A dinner date with your partner can leave you wondering what shoes to wear. If youâ??re going to be sat down all evening, donâ??t think that your shoes wonâ??t matter because they do. Maybe opt for less sparkly shoes and go for a pair of plain black heels to go with your dress.
Off to a Ball
If youâ??re off to a very special occasion such as a ball, then you know that what you wear on your feet is equally important as what dress you will wear. As you will be on your feet most of the night, donâ??t go for really high heels that will leave your feet aching afterwards. How about going for flatter heels, but get a lovely glitzy pair that will really be shown off when you enter the limelight.
The Garden Party
Chances are that you will be on grass and heels + grass do not mix very well. Wear a pair of ballerina style pumps, nowadays they come in a variety of different styles and colours and can go with absolutely any outfit you want to wear.
Party in the Summer
If youâ??re having a party in the summer months, then wear a pair of glitzy heeled sandals. They will look ultra feminine whilst making you feel really summery.
 Party in the Winter
A winter party is a difficult one as you want to look great, but want to keep your feet warm at the same time. Wear a pair of sheer or black thick tights with your dress and then wear a nice pair of heeled shoes. Go for shiny ones as this will make you feel more glamorous.
Grey Shift Dress With Detatchable Black Patent Belt
One of the most important trends from 2010, which will carry on for 2011, is the minimalist trend. As the name suggests, the minimalist trend involves clothing which is understated and unassuming. The idea behind this trend is that less is more, so we are looking at outfits which have crisp cuts, and are free from busy patterns and fabrics. These outfits won’t be attention grabbing in the usual sense, but will stand out as a result of their fresh and unique characteristics.
Some of the top designers such as Calvin Klein and Dolce & Gabbana have created designs which follow the minimalist trend, and are made up of outfits with clean lines and cuts. There is no one particular colour which works for this trend, but some of the most common include grey, black and camel. Neutral shades are also commonplace with this trend, and white is looking to be one of the most popular colours for 2011. This is not a rule though, you can also carry off the minimalist trend with bright and vibrant colours.
Outfits to look out for with the minimalist trend, include suits and dresses which are simple but also have a luxurious feel to them. They may have a post modern look, and have sharp geometric cuts which will add to their unique quality. The beauty of this trend is that it gives the impression of someone who isn’t trying too hard, and is relaxed and comfortable in their style. Within the minimalist trend, you can also incorporate another key trend, which is colour blocking. You can particularly make use of neutral colours together, such as camel and ivory.
If you are looking to try this trend, but are not sure where to begin, some ideas of outfits to wear include; a crisp white shirt and plain grey skirt, a camel coloured jumper with fine detail and a subtle seam line, a pair of camel coloured everyday trousers and a simple dress in colours such as grey, white and camel, with subtle details.
When trying this look, it is also a good idea to keep your make up and accessories quite minimal. You want to dress the whole appearance down and keep it fresh, so stick to neutral coloured make up and a look which is fresh and uncomplicated. All too often we see ladies who are heavily made up, so this look is a refreshing change and will make you unique from the crowd. As small waist belts are so popular this season, it is a good idea to add one to your minimalist outfit and this will also help to accentuate and make the most of your waist. If you are opting for a camel coloured outfit, then a similarly coloured handbag will go really well.
The great thing about the minimalist trend, is that it takes little effort and can result in a seamless and fabulous look. Anyone can try this trend, which is set to become more and more popular during 2011.
The festive period ultimately results in weight gain for most ladies, so it’s a good idea to start the New Year with clothing which will cover up your excess weight, until you find the motivation to lose it.
Start by making sure that all your clothes fit you. If you have put on enough weight to increase your dress size, then make sure you wear the correct size (remember â?? you can lose the excess over the coming months.) Wearing clothes which are too small, will only make bulges appear bigger, and will create an overhang with your tummy. Well fitting clothes will not only help to support you but will also help create a better posture.
Choose tops which sit below waist length, such as tunic tops, and skim the body, rather than sitting too tight like the long line black and ivory contrast cowl neck top (pictured above). If you want to hide any excess weight on your arms, wear tops which have long sleeves. Turtle neck style tops can help to disguise a multitude of sins on the upper body.
When choosing trousers, be aware of your body shape (and perhaps slight change in body shape!) This season, flared trousers are making a big comeback and they can be ideal for hiding excess weight on the lower half of the body. This style will keep you on trend for 2011 and will also help you feel comfortable and confident. Skirts/dresses such as a-line and maxi, will help hide some extra weight too, as they will skim the body and not cling too tightly. They are also styles which you can dress up or down, depending on the occasion.
No matter what outfit you choose to wear, you can always cover up any unsightly bulges with a big chunky cardigan, which will also keep you nice and warm during the Winter weather. There are lots of styles which you can choose from, including long and short sleeve and if you want something a bit different, then a waterfall cardigan is an ideal design.
A winter jacket will also help to hide any lumps and bumps. Some designs to look out for include, macs, duffle coats, parkas and swing style coats. Jackets which have plenty of room will allow you to wear an ample cardigan or jumper underneath, and will keep you warm and comfortable. The good thing is that by January, you will see lots of clothing sales, so you don’t need to spend a fortune on a decent winter jacket.
Stick to clothes which are darker in colour around this time of the year, as these will instantly help to make you look slimmer. Black is the main choice, but others will have a similar effect. Surprisingly, white can also be a slimming colour, and is an ideal colour to wear over the Spring/Summer.
When it comes to accessories, a big over-sized handbag will make you appear slimmer and will take the attention away from your tummy. High heels will also elongate your body, and give the appearance of a slimmer frame.
Mesh Floral Tape Orchid Detail Dress
You would be forgiven for questioning the person who would tell you that Sarah Jessica Parker is 45 years old; but she is and she looks amazing for it. Her petite frame, slim build and very athletic arms, give the impression that Sarah is a woman in her early 30′s. She has appeared in many films throughout her career, but is by far, most famous for her role in the hit American TV series, Sex and the City. This series focuses on the lives and loves of four female friends, and is adored by females across the world. The show not only catapulted Sarah’s career, but it also proclaimed her as a style icon, just like her fashionista character in Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw.
Sarah is known for her love of famous designers, and is often seen on the red carpet, showcasing an array of spectacular creations. Her style ranges from sleek, elegant designs, to incredibly ostentatious dresses and accessories. She is known to admire the creations of the late Alexander McQueen, wearing them at both of the Sex and the City premiers. She is also renowned for her love of shoes, particularly her Manolo Blahnik’s, which every woman would love to own, but most can’t afford. The incredible thing about Sarah’s style is that she seems to be able to pull off almost any outfit, even the most bizarre designs, and always looks fantastic. Her style shows off her quirky personality, and enviable individuality. She also has an incredible knack for accessorising her outfits, to make them look even more amazing. Her current style is a far cry from the ‘girl next door’ image she portrayed at the beginning of her career. She has grown and flourished into one of the most stylish celebrities of all time.
Sarah’s hair is long and wavy, and she often experiments with this aspect of her style too. The colour changes from blonde to dark, and sometimes she wears it slick and straight, whereas other times she wears it in its natural waves. She has also been known to wear it in an elegant ‘up do’ for special occasions. Her hairstyle is a big part of what makes her looks so special and is an aspect which gives her a lot of attention on the red carpet.
As she is pretty in a natural way, many women can relate to Sarah and take inspiration from her fabulous style. She takes the lead in couture and vintage fashion, and represents a role model for women of all ages. Her confidence and ease helps her to make any style look special, and she gives the impression of having a personality, which is extremely down to earth. Her evening dresses range from short cocktail styles, to the most incredible floor length, sweeping designs.
In 2004, Sarah’s contribution to the fashion world was recognised when she picked up a well deserved ‘Style Icon Award’ by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
She may be 65 years old, but Helen Mirren has the type of body that most 20-something ladies would envy. Her glamorous style has been the talk of the media for years, and is one which she has continued to develop, since her career began. Helen continuously turns heads with the elegant outfits she adorns on the red carpet, whether it be long, sophisticated evening dresses or short, classy dresses.
She is renowned in the film industry for being a talented actress, shown through her Oscar award, which she picked up for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth, in the film,The Queen. She has the ability to play in many different roles, giving outstanding performances, but it’s her style we are really interested in, how does she pull off such a fantastic look?
The reason why Helen is such a style icon, is that she wears her style with such ease and confidence. She is clearly, a very attractive lady, but she also has the self assurance to make the most of her look. It is sometimes difficult for older ladies to pull off shorter styles, but she does this by wearing lengths which sit at knee length or just above; avoiding the ‘mutton dressed as lamb’ look. She dresses for her age, but still manages to keep her look up to date and classic, and still manages to turn heads. Some of the styles we have seen her wearing on the red carpet, include a black long length, sleeveless gown, with bow and broach, a gorgeous gold beaded Christian Lacroix gown, and trendy metallic and floral dresses. Her style is elegant and graceful, but still manages to ooze sex appeal.
Helen has previously stated that the key to wearing a style well, is to ensure you feel completely comfortable in it. This is particularly true when attending important events, as it will instantly show to others if you do not feel at ease with your outfit. Helen has previously been named one of the sexiest woman in the world, and has even ranked ahead of supermodel Kate Moss in style polls. No mean feat for someone who is over 20 years her senior. She has also posed nude several times for films, including Calendar Girls, which shows the degree of confidence she possesses. A photograph of Helen in a bikini, taken when she was on holiday in Italy, has become almost as famous as her films. The reason for this, was that she looked incredibly toned with not an ounce of body fat on display, and this has inspired older women to realise that you don’t need to be young to look hot! It has also raised the question around age and beauty, and whether there is really any age when you can’t still be sexy. Helen is one of those women who just seems to get more attractive, the older she gets, without the need for drastic cosmetic surgery, which some celebrities depend on. Lets all hope we age this gracefully….