Posts Tagged ‘little black dress’
The start of a New Year is the best time to take a fresh approach to your life, and make some positive changes to your lifestyle. There is no better way to start than with your wardrobe, as this is central to how fabulous you can look and feel. If your wardrobe is clutter free, you will feel more organised and ready to embrace the year ahead.
The best way to begin, is to lay out all of your clothes on your bed, and decide on which items you want to keep and which you no longer need. There are probably loads of clothes you could put on sites such as e bay, and make yourself some extra money in the process. Otherwise, there will be charity shops willing to take them off your hands, or you can always give to friends, or have a swap style party. Ensure everything in your wardrobe still fits and suits you, and get rid of anything else. Keep some key wardrobe essentials, such as a blazer, white blouse, everyday women’s trousers and a little black dress.
Decide whether you want to totally revamp your whole style, or if you just want to make some subtle changes. If you are looking for a complete overhaul, then seek inspiration from styles you admire, for instance, are there any particular celebrities whose styles you like? If so, try and replicate some of these, until you find one which suits your individuality. If you are going out to shop for new clothes, try and buy items which you can mix and match, to create different outfits. This will not only save you money, but will also ensure your wardrobe is not overflowing. There will also be items which you can use to create everyday and going out outfits, simply by adding some accessories.
Be positive about yourself and your style. The new year is an ideal time to reflect on the year just passed, and grow and learn from it. If you decide to make some serious changes to your style, then you have to wear it with confidence and a smile. There is no doubt that people can carry off almost any style, as long as they have the confidence to see it through. Think about celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker, who has been seen in some of the most strange creations we have ever seen. She manages to successfully pull off almost any outfit, as she can make any look her own. The fundamental reason for this, is that she has the ease and self assurance to do it. Always remember that you are fabulous and let your style be the first thing people notice and appreciate about you. Experiment and have fun with your style. There are loads of amazing clothes out there just waiting for you to go out and try on, so don’t be afraid to try new creations. Even if you are on a tight budget, there are lots of other options, including online sales, which are particularly viable around and after the Christmas period.
Catherine Zeta Jones is a stunning Welsh actress, famous for her enviable figure and elegant style. At the age of 41, Catherine still knows how to work the red carpet, and has many spectators awaiting on her arrival at events, just to see what outfit she will be wearing. Married to Hollywood actor, Michael Douglas, who is 25 years her senior, she has a look which is inspirational to many women.
Catherine boasts long, luscious brunette locks, which she is ever changing into different hairstyles. Sometimes she will be seen wearing her hair in a chic, straight style, other times it will be in a casually wavy style, while for other occasions, she is seen wearing it in an ‘up-do.’ Her love of make-up shows, as she is rarely seen looking less than immaculate. She is lucky enough to boast an enviably slim figure, with long, toned legs, which she regularly shows off by wearing little black dresses to red carpet events.
It has been said that she takes a lot of her style inspiration from Victoria Beckham, and is regularly seen wearing outfits which are not dissimilar to hers. She has also been seeing wearing outfits which are replications of none other than the nation’s sweetheart, Cheryl Cole. Even though she clearly takes ideas from these style icons, she succeeds in making the looks her own, and can carry off many key trends, which some younger woman would struggle to accomplish. Her style has not been without some faux pa’s, but in general her look has grown and blossomed, since her tom boy look, which she adorned at the beginning of her career.
A regular feature in style magazines, Catherine is a natural beauty whose look always seem quite effortlessly glamorous, which makes it easy for women to relate to. Her short dresses for occasions, are usually teamed up with illustrious accessories, which are relatively understated. She has also been seen with gorgeous floor length gowns, which show off her curves and give her look a more glamorous edge. She is also often photographed in casual outfits, including jeans and leather trousers, sometimes with over-sized sunglasses, to keep the look stylish.
Recently, Catherine attended the 2010 Tony Awards, wearing an outfit which definitely caused heads to turn. She wore a navy draped dress, which crossed off two of the trends for this season. She teamed this up with a pair of mustard coloured Yves Saint Laurent heels, which went surprisingly well with the flattering dress. Her style is relatively in-extravagant, making it easy for us to replicate with looks from the high street.
Women of any age would seek inspiration from Catherine’s style, but she is especially inspiring for 40 plus ladies, showing that age is irrelevant when it comes to style. Catherine has been at the top of the style stakes for a long time now, and is set to continue, as her look continues to evolve over the oncoming years. Her style is definitely one to keep an eye out for.
As the New Year starts, we all tend to make a list of resolutions, most of which we stick to for a day and then forget all about. This year, why not make a resolution for your style. You’ll be surprised at the small differences you can make, which will do wonders for your confidence and help you feel organised for the year ahead.
The first thing you should do is have a good clear-out of your wardrobe. We tend to keep clothes in the hope that we will eventually fit into them, and needless to say, we never do. Get rid of clothes which don’t fit you; take them to a charity shop or give away to willing friends. You may even be able to swap the clothes for other pieces. If there are clothes which you don’t wear, or no longer like, then get rid of these too. Start with a fresh wardrobe, and you’ll feel a lot better and much more organised. Make sure you have some essential pieces of clothing in your wardrobe, which you can alternate to create different outfits. Some ideas include; a crisp white blouse, empire line dress, pair of everyday trousers, and of course, the little black dress or some day dresses.
Another resolution to make, is to stick to a clothing budget. It may seem like a boring resolution, but it will stop you from overspending on your style. Work out exactly what you can afford to spend each month on your fashion, and buy key pieces which you can wear for different occasions, and can adapt to make other outfits. You can even save up each month, and buy one expensive item every so often.
You should also think about a resolution to keep your finger on the pulse, and stay up-to-date with the latest styles and trends. You can do this by taking time out to read fashion blogs, or sign up to newsletters for fashion websites and retailers. Style magazines are another way which you can keep on top of the latest trends.
A resolution which will save you a lot of time (and money) is to ensure you always try on clothes before you purchase them. Obviously this is not possible if you buy them online but you can try them on in the comfort of your own home and return them if they don’t fit. All to often, we will buy clothes, discover that they don’t fit us, but then never bother to return them. It’s such a waste of money!
Another idea is to be more creative and experimental with your style. Rather than always playing it safe with your style, try out new trends, colours and create your own identity with your clothes. We can actually become bored with ourselves if we wear the same types of clothes all the time, so think outside the box and try a change of image. Learn the benefits of accessorising, as it can completely change your outfit, and make it suitable to wear for different occasions.
The little black dress is well known for being any ladies wardrobe essential item, but it is now being given a run for it’s money with the introduction of the little white dress. The LWD is fast becoming a firm favourite this season, and is versatile enough to wear from autumn through to summer. There are many varieties and ways to wear the LWD, to adapt to suit the occasion. This look is becoming more popular with celebrities, who have often been seen this season, adorning their white dresses for red carpet events. It can be difficult to get this look right, so careful consideration needs to be made when trying this trend.
The little white dress oozes innocence and purity, so wear suitable feminine accessories to make this look your own. A little known secret about the LWD is that it can have the same, if not more of a slimming effect than the little black dress. The key to wearing this look well, is to wear the correct style to suit your shape, and to suit the occasion.Â
If you have quite a petite frame, then you are better off with a short white dress, such as a baby doll or cocktail, which will sit above your knees. This, together with a pair of high heels, will make you appear taller and more slender. The LWD always looks better with a tan, so a nice spray tan before you get ready, will really make this look more flattering. Wearing a white dress with really pale skin, can make your appearance seem slightly washed out.
If you want to hide any extra tummy bulge you might have accumulated over the festive period, a looser dress, such as a maxi, will look better for you. A white crinkle cotton sleeveless summer dress (pictured above) is a great look for during the spring/summer seasons, which will hide any problem areas. An a-line strapless dress will also flatter any figures, and will draw attention to your bust. A belt is a good addition to your little white dress, as it will accentuate your waist and make you look slimmer. This can also be said for the wrap dress, which can be suitable for all shapes and sizes, as you can adjust the wrap to create a waist. If you add a necklace to your outfit, this will also draw attention away from problem areas, and towards the bust.
Ladies with a tall, slender frame will look fabulous in a tight fitted white dress. A slit up the side will show off your legs, if this is an area you are proud of.
During the winter months, you can add a cape or fur coat to your little white dress, to keep you warm during the cold weather, for a look ideal for nights out. A pair of heels is also an essential addition to your white dress, for during the party season. If you are looking for a casual look, then a pair of knee high black boots will go well with a little white dress.
When it comes to sorting out your wardrobe, it’s a good idea to have some classic pieces of clothing, which you can alternate for different occasions. They also have the benefit of staying timeless, so they never go out of fashion.
Jeans
A pair of jeans is an essential item for any ladies wardrobe, and you can dress them up or down, depending on where you are wearing them. Always make sure you have a pair of jeans which suit your body shape and you feel completely comfortable wearing. Blue and black are the classic colours for jeans, and will go with lots of different outfits. You can wear a pair of jeans with a drape or cowl top and pumps or ankle boots, for a stylish everyday outfit. If you are looking for an outfit for a special occasion or night out, a pair of jeans will go well with a ruffled or one shoulder top, and a pair of heels.
White Blouse
A crisp, white blouse is another essential piece of clothing for your wardrobe. You can wear this staple item with a pair of smart everyday trousers for a look for the office, or team it up with a pencil skirt and belt for a style to wear for after work drinks. A white blouse doesn’t need to be kept for everyday wear; you can also alternate it with a pair of leather trousers and heels for a night out.
Empire Line Dress
Empire Line Dresses have sustained trend for a number of seasons now, and are a great piece to keep in your wardrobe. You can wear an empire line dress for all different occasions by simply choosing costume jewellery to suit. Empire Line Dresses are flattering for almost any body shapes, due to their high waisted style, and the fact that they skim the hips.
Little Black Dress
No wardrobe can be complete without a little black dress. The LBD is an essential piece for all ladies, and is a classic outfit which will never go out of style. If you’re stuck for something to wear for a night out, you can always rely on your little black dress to save the day.
Fitted Blazer
A fitted blazer is another trend which will never go out of fashion, and it can really help make an outfit more stylish and smart. Fitted blazers can be worn with many styles, including jeans, trousers and a skirt. This piece of clothing can be worn as part of an everyday outfit, or for a night out. The classic colour is black, but you can find fitted blazers in many other colours.
Black Everyday Trousers
A classic pair of women’s trousers is a good piece of clothing to keep in your wardrobe. You can wear these for work, or dress them up with heels and appropriate costume jewellery, for a look outside the office. You should ensure your black everyday trousers are in a style to suit your body shape, and make you feel confident and comfortable.