Posts Tagged ‘trench coat’
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.
Audrey Hepburn is a true style icon and probably one of the biggest of our time. Her style is admired, copied and written about by so many. But what is it about her style, that makes her so iconic?
Audrey Hepburn’s style was simple and classic. She wore clothes that complimented her body shape perfectly. She never over accessorised or wore colours that didn’t go. Perhaps the beauty of Audrey Hepburn’s style lies in its simplicity. Her style is not quite simply about what she wore though, there is also something about how she wore it. She was both witty and elegant both traits which contributed to her overall look.
There are so many pieces of clothing that we still associate with Audrey Hepburn. For many of them Audrey Hepburn can at least in part be credited for their lasting popularity and status as classic pieces. Top of the list would have to be the little black dress. This was featured in the film Breakfast and Tiffany’s and ever since it has become a must have item for all women, not just because of its style but also its versatility. An Audrey Hepburn style little black dress is inspiration for both day dresses and evening dresses and looks great with a string of pearls or some bold and chunky jewellery. The original little black dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s was by Hubert Givenchy and whilst most of us probably can’t afford a Givenchy dress, there are countless similar styles in the high street shops.
Capri pants were another of Audrey Hepburn favourites, most notably worn in the films Sabrina and Funny Face. Again the popularity of capri pants is very much about their simplicity. When worn with a simple shirt or top in a contrasting colour, they make an instantly elegant and stylish outfit. Ballet flats are another Audreyism that is still very much in fashion. The gracefulness and practicality of these shoes just can’t be beaten.
Hubert Givenchy designed many of Audrey’s clothes for films such as Funny Face (1957), Love in the Afternoon (1957), Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961), Paris When It Sizzles (1963), Charade (1964), How to Steal a Million (1966), and others. Whilst Audrey Hepburn was immensley feminine, she was well known for wearing clothes inspired by menswear. When she appeared in Roman Holiday with short hair and wearing full skirts cinched at the waist and shirts with button down collars, women everywhere copied her.
She was also known for her amazing handbags, turtle necks and trench coats, all classic pieces that every woman wants to own. Audrey’s style differed greatly from some of the other icons of the fifties including Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor. This was mainly due to her figure, she was much taller and more slender. Instead of trying to create the popular curvy look, she emphasised her slim frame and delicateness. If you are inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s style, here are some great pieces of clothing, that you will love.
This spring and summer there will be two very strong but contrasting trends. Bold, bright and busy including all of those tribal, floral and abstract prints sometimes all mixed together in clashing eclectic outfits. On the other hand there is an abundance of minimalist, neutral and pastel shades for spring. Which ever camp you fall into there is plenty of choice in all sorts of different styles to suit all shapes and sizes. Perhaps you will follow both trends by mixing some of the seasons neutrals with some full on patterns.
This seasons neutrals come in a variety of hues ranging from white, cream and beige to warmer pink, peach and rose tones. There is also a great palette of cool pastels to choose from. Ice Cream, sherbet or candy colours are all great descriptions of these colours. They are sweet but not sickly sweet. Cute but not too cute. Perfect for those who want to look feminine but in a sophisticated way.
You can take inspiration from how these neutral and pastel tones were worn on the catwalk. There were plenty of both military and safari influences with crisply tailored jacketsin shades of beige, camel and stone. From Celine to Oscar De La Renta safari shorts, utility trousers and tailored jackets were all hot looks.
At Jil Sander, the master of minimalism clean lines and tailoring in unbleached shades of hessian and hemp had unfinished edges for a raw, earthy feel. At Chanel the neutral colours were balanced by textured fabrics in classic Chanel style.
From Calvin Klein to Dior, Versace and Tommy Hilfiger to name but a few there were sheer and floaty creations in sugary pastel shades. Baby blues, pastel pinks, pale yellow, spearmint and lilacs all gave a very sweet and feminine feel which was balance by thigh skimming skirts and splits. There were also plenty of frothy and frou frou dresses in shades of cream, white and rose. The swirls of ruffle and tiers of pleats seen at the catwalk shows of Valentino, Gianfranco Ferre, Roksanda Ilincic, Roberto Cavalli, Chanel, Fendi and Chloe (the list goes on) were as romantic and feminine as it gets but carefully balanced by their neutral colours for a fairytale frock heaven.
Then there were the underwear inspirations. Flesh coloured and cream corsets were very visible at Bottega Veneta, Dolce and Gabbana, John Paul Gaultier, Louise Goldin and Just Cavalli. Wearing ones underwear on the outside seems to be all the rage. But if this look is too much for you a delicate satin camisole or corset top worn with a jacket is a far more wearable way to work this trend.
Finally, we couldn’t talk about neutrals without mentioning the ever popular trench or rain coatsas seen on the catwalks for spring and summer at Charles Anastase, Pringle, Burberry Prorsum, Sportsmax, Dior and Marc by Marc Jacobs. Each version had its own slightly different features. The Burberry Prorsum mini trench worn with a short skirt and socks and sandals may well be one of the biggest looks for the summer.
A great way to wear this trend for a really relaxed look is to combine neutral stone and beige tones with pastel and baby blues and tan leather accessories. Most of us will look good in some sort of neutral, but you may need to try a few before finding the perfect shade to suit your skin tone.
Spring is just around the corner and it will soon be time to pack away those woolly jumpers in favor of some lighter clothes. As we move into Spring, we naturally want a bit of a change and to update our looks. Each season fashions and trends change but there is no need to change your whole wardrobe. By updating with just a few key pieces, you can look fresh and up to date without breaking the bank. Spring summer 2010 is all about modern classics, so anything that you buy this year is likely to last for many years to come. Here are five key pieces that will bring your spring wardrobe right up to date.
Trench Coat -The Burberry Prorsum catwalk was full of classic trench coats for spring summer 2010. Whilst the trench coat is right on trend this year, it has never really gone out of fashion, probably because it is so versatile. Perfect for keeping dry in those April showers and it goes with just about everything from jeans and casual to work wear.
Nautical top - Navy blue, stripes and nautical detailing again are right on trend this year but this classic look is timeless and chic. A nautical top like this stripe detail top is the ideal casual top for wearing with jeans or smarter trousers for instant sophistication. Think Coco Chanel, the French Riviera and sitting aboard a private yacht.
Floral blouse - Florals are every where this year and the brighter the better. A floral blouse is the perfect way to add some feminine charm to any outfit. Wear with jeans for a casual but eye catching look or with a suit to add some colour to your work wear. If you really want to be the centre of attention try wearing with a brightly coloured skirt for an eclectic and trendy outfit. Again, a key investment that is likely to be in fashion year in and year out.
Classic shift dress - This is the ultimate in flattering and timeless chic. The perfect shift dress can be worn with simple accessories for daytime or work and dressed up with heels and some sparkle for the evening. It can also be transformed with a patterned or coloured scarf. If plain black is not your thing, there are plenty of other colours shift dresses to choose from including this seasons must have neutral and nude shades.
Wedge shoes -If there is one must have pair of shoes for the season, it is the wedge. The perfect way to add some height and glamour to an outfit without the discomfort and impracticalities of stilletos. There are all sorts if stylish wedge shoes to choose from including cork and raffia. Ideally a neutral colour will go with all of the outfits in your wardrobe and allow you to get maximum mileage out of just one pair.
So spring summer 2010 is also about classic looks and investing in key pieces that will never really go out of fashion. These pieces can easily be accessorised to create so many different looks and are ideal for so many different occasions.