Depending on the piece of clothing that you choose, you can usually adapt it for the colder weather with the addition of tights, leggings, scarfs, boots and cardigans. It is worth thinking about colours as some colours will work well with warm opaque black tights others will not . Generally lighter colours are more difficult to wear in the winter but this is not  a rule. The clever addition of patterned or coloured tights and a brightly coloured cardigan can transform a floral summer dress. The thickness of clothing is also an important consideration when deciding which outfits will take you into autumn and winter 2010. A medium thickness will tend to work well for both summer and winter. Anything too thin or flimsy may look a little strange in the middle of winter. Jersey pieces are excellent as they can be worn on their own in the summer or layered for extra warmth and an interesting effect in the autumn and winter.

There are a number of key trends that will be sticking around for autumn and winter and these include neutrals, animal prints, lace and draping. There are also plenty of classic items that look great no matter what is in fashion including shift dresses, cropped cardigans and tailored jackets. These will not only last into winter this year but will also last for many seasons to come. Shift dresses are ideal for wearing with a long sleeved top underneath or with a cardigan and tights.

This animal print jumper looks great with black trousers or a skirt for the winter and lighter neutral colours for the summer.

This black sleeveless shift dress can be worn with bare legs for the summer or with tights and a brightly coloured cardigan for the autumn and winter.

This beautiful crochet cardigan is an elegant way to add a little warmth to a huge number of different summer outfits for the winter.

This jade brown dress is just the sort of colour scheme that can work equally well for summer or winter. Try wear with a jade green cardigan and neutral coloured tights for  a great outfit for a special occasion.

This long sleeve light weight waterfall cardigan is really elegant and can be worn over any number of outfits to keep warm on a cool summer day and will take you right through to the autumn. It is a key colour for this summer and fits in really well with the seasons minimalist palette but will also look great when worn over  a brightly coloured dress or floral blouse. It has been reduced to just £25 in the sale!

With Autumn only  a few months away, it is a great time to invest in a coat in the sales. This ladies longline tailored coat or jacket is the ultimate in sophisticated outerwear. Its long length and funnel neck make it incredibly flattering. It has ivory piping detail which makes it ideal for smarter occasions like church weddings or outdoor events in the autumn when you need a bot of extra warmth. Wear it with a dress or tailored trousers or skirt and blouse. It is now just £19 in the sale!

A line skirts are the perfect way to hide larger thighs. This beautiful Ivory black contrast print floral skirt is a really striking design and would look great for all sorts of summer, autumn and winter occassions. The bold combination of black and white will make you stand out from the crowd and will look great when combined with either a black or white top. For an outfit that will really turn heads, you could also try wearing with a red top or adding some bright red accessories or shoes. Thos skirt is now £14 in the Roman Originals sale!

The maxi dress is definitely one   of the key trends for the summer and the maxi dress looks like it will also be sticking around for the winter. This contrast tie black yellow crinkle sleeveless dress is ideal for all sorts of parties what ever the season. Add some wedge heels and a cropped cardigan or bolero when the weather starts to get colder and you have an amazing outfit at  a really amazing price of just £25. The empire line of this dress is universally flattering and covers a multitude if sins.

The best investments when shopping in the sales are usually the most versatile items. These narrow leg casual cream trousers are not only a key trend but they are also so versatile, they will go with almost any top. Try combining with bright patterns and prints for a really bold look or muted neutral shades for a more subtle effect. These trousers look great with flat shoes or a gorgeous pair of tan leather sandals. They also come with a detachable plaited belt which can be worn with lots of other outfits. These trousers are now reduced to just £15!

The little black dress has always been a popular wardrobe choice due to both its versatility and simplicity. This summer the black dress has a rival which is really on trend and just as versatile and wearable as  its darker counterpart. White dresses have a certain innocence about them and are a refreshing  change to the summer’s must have  bright colours, patterns and prints. The colour white is one of the key shades this summer and is perfectly in keeping with the huge minimalist trend that we are seeing everywhere.

If you are worried that white looks a little bit boring then you shouldn’t be. Bright white can be just as eyecatching as bold and colourful prints and it can also act as  a blank canvas for all sorts of bright and colourful accessories as well as being worn on its own for a much simpler look. Rather than focusing on colour a white dress can be interesting on a whole different level. A more subtle variety of interesting textures can make a white dress incredibly stylish.

One thing to look out for when searching for the perfect white summer dress is transparency. White fabric can be see through and show your underwear which is not  a great look. Always hold white clothes up to the light before wearing them to see how see through they are. For dresses and skirts, you should look for either thick fabrics or thinner fabrics with a lining. You should always ensure that you wear some white or skin coloured underwear.

White is an ideal choice for the summer as it is bright, light and will keep you cool in the sun. White also looks amazing with a sun tan and will make tanned skin look more obvious.  You should aim to keep your white dress really clean and white to ensure that it always has maximum impact. You can buy products which will restore your whites to there original brightness to keep them looking great.

This beautiful white crinkle cotton dress (pictured above) is perfect for the summer. It has a combination of crinkled cotton and silver embroidery. It is lined to avoid it being see through and has wide shoulder straps making it easy to wear without revealing bra straps.

For a simple casual look try wearing your white dress with a pair of brown or tan sandals. You could also add wooden beads or bangles and a brown leather  belt. For a much brighter look you can try combining a white dress with almost any colour. How about lots of multi colour necklaces or a bright red pair of shoes. If you want to really work the boho trend, then a denim jacket, some gladiator sandals and a fringed bag are just what you need.  Silver accessories including metallic sandals would also look great or you could add a big straw hat and straw or coloured beach bag for a cool and elegant holiday outfit.

Avoid wearing with all white accessories as this could look too much.

Asides from your own wedding day, the next dilemma we have to face is when our children grow up and decide to get married and so the mother of the bride (or groom for that matter!) you will be the second most important person at the ceremony. You will have guests approaching you all day to congratulate you on having such a wonderful daughter or son, you may be called upon to give a speech in the absence of a father, and as a mother you tend to ensure the smooth running of the wedding so that the bride or groom aren’t distracted with any minor hiccups. And whilst you’re doing all this, you want to show everyone just how super stylish you can be!

Being a mother of the bride doesn’t mean it’s time to go shopping for a mother of the bride clothing which you would see your own mother wearing- quite the opposite! So to help you choose the perfect outfit for your daughter/son’s big day, here are a few tips to help you. First of all, don’t opt for plain colours on plain dresses- especially if the bride is wearing white, cream, or ivory. Choose something in perhaps a darker colour such as fuchsias, greens and blues, or even vibrant purples like aubergine. Try not to be too flashy- too much exposed skin or overly shiny fabric can easily upstage the bride. If you are going to a hot country for the ceremony, a small dress which has an off the shoulder look and knee length skirt won’t look flashy for the settings as long as you keep it moderate. Check out your favourite designer as buying a dress from their collections means that you could wear your outfit after the wedding, so it won’t seem such a costly expense. But in order for you to be able to wear it again, try thinking outside the box and opt for a classy evening dress or a smart trouser suit rather than having lots of flashy sequins which isn’t really stylish for other events.

If you want to look more stylish than traditional, then avoid bridal shops. Bridal shops tend to only stock traditional mother of the bride outfits and haven’t yet caught up with the times of having younger mother of the brides, so they tend to carry ugly, sequined disasters in horrible muted pastel colours. If you are looking for special detailing on your outfit, lace is an excellent option as it is right on trend this season and seems to be continuing to be popular. A big trend hot from the catwalks is feathers, with designers such as John Galliano and Gucci proving big fans. Feather embellishment has already been seen on many A-List celebrities and would look fantastic if worn properly by women of mother of the bride age, but too many feathers at this age could make you look like a bird.

Another suggestion if you are looking for something different is to perhaps try using a college or university student who’s studying fashion designing- you will benefit from their fresh fashion knowledge and you could be the first person to wear something from this future famous designer! At the end of the day, no matter what outfit you choose, you should always compliment it with the most elegant of accessories. It is usually traditional for the mother to wear a fancy hat, but these days it’s all about head pieces or fascinators. An elegant pair of strappy, small-heeled sandals will always look the best with whatever outfit you choose, and don’t over-do it on the jewellery!

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.

]]> http://blog.romanoriginals.co.uk/2010/07/26/go-for-bold/feed/ 0 http://blog.romanoriginals.co.uk/2010/07/25/trends-for-autumn-winter-2010/ http://blog.romanoriginals.co.uk/2010/07/25/trends-for-autumn-winter-2010/#comments Sun, 25 Jul 2010 14:55:03 +0000 Sally http://blog.romanoriginals.co.uk/?p=2817

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 don’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 don’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 – by recognising which clothes really suit you, it doesn’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 – 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 won’t be the end of the world.

Find retailers that sell quality clothes to last at a great price – 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 – 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 won’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 – 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 – 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.

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.

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 don’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.

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.

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 don’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.

There are so many of us ladies out there who just want to look and feel great in our clothes; feel fashionable and feel confident. In recent years we have started to discover the secret to looking fabulous- Body Shapes. If you know your correct body shape, then there is plenty of advice available on the types of clothes that you should wear, and the types that you should avoid. Of course, every single one of us looks different, and two pear-shaped people may be one taller than the other, or have a few more wobbly bits than the other. However, finding your shape isn’t always the exact case, but if you can find the one you are most similar to then you are already half-way to a better looking and more confident you!

Here is how to tell which body shape you are: The four most common shapes are Apple, Pear, Hourglass, and Rectangle. If you are an Apple shape, your upper body will be bigger than your lower so it is important to draw attention from your waist to your legs. Jeans are an excellent way to do this especially if they have back pockets to give your bottom a slight curve. Avoid tight/skinny jeans as they will make you look even bigger on top, avoid dark tops with lots of patterns, and wear A-line or short skirts 1-5inches above the knee. And wear the correct sized bra- four breasts is really unattractive!

For Pear shaped people (the most common) you usually have a smaller upper body than large so it’s important to find a balance between the two. Fitted tops in bright and light colours with different prints look fantastic and A-lined or flared skirts make your hips and legs look slimmer. With jeans and casual trousers, you should always stick to wide or straight legged types in darker colours. If you want to draw attention to your smaller top half and away from your hips, necklaces and earrings is a great way to do this.
If you are lucky enough to have an Hourglass figure, then you will have a perfect balance as your shoulders and curvy hips are equal in size. Do not be afraid of patterns- embrace them! They will completely accentuate your figure and make you look just wonderful! V-neck tops are probably the best look with some stretch denim jeans as they will accentuate your hips and narrow your waist even more than usual. For skirt lovers you should wear ¾ length or full length skirts, and the most important thing to remember is not to hide your fabulous figure with baggy clothes!

For Rectangle shaped ladies you will already know that you have a great pair of legs which you should proudly show off by wearing trousers or jeans with a low-rise, and back pockets to make your bottom look curvier. You can get away with wearing any type of skirt, pencil probably looking the most glamorous! Because your figure is straight up you should avoid wearing vertical patterns unless you want to look even thinner than you are (which isn’t always a good look) but go instead for scoop neck or v-neck tops to give you more of a curvy figure.

Hopefully this will give you an idea of what you are and what you should wear, so go and embrace it, have fun and look great!