May 5, 2012

A vote for vintage fashion

Make mine one of a kind

Last weekend a girlfriend and I embarked on a shopping excursion to some of our favourite Sydney stores in search of some new kicks and threads. We did independent boutiques, chain and department stores and we swooned over (note: swooned not bought), some designer fashion and high end lingerie. Meeting up beforehand we had brunch and drew up lists of what we needed. Practical things like stockings, t-shirt bra, fine wool jumper and work appropriate blouses were front and centre on our ‘must find’ focussed minds. As well as these items both of us hoped we’d get something special to spice up our wardrobes.

Well we weren’t disappointed (except perhaps that our budgets didn’t allow for an unbridled shop in the vein of Julia Roberts on Rodeo Drive in Pretty Woman), and happily ticked off a number of things on the list before dragging our tired bones home. The best part of all was scoring some super gorgeous vintage fashion finds that made the day feel like a huge shopping triumph! It’s all very well to get some new tights and crisp work shirt, but when a unique piece of vintage fashion that fits perfectly turns up it’s like a rare yet affordable treasure is yours!

I bought an unbelievable beaded, sequined top that will be perfect for a night out on the town worn with skinny black pants and high heels or pencil skirt and high heels . I am in LOVE with it and it ranks with my favourite vintage fashion finds. I also found a super chic 70s era metal and wood necklace that will be amazing with everything from denim to simple shift dresses and more boho looks. My girlfriend scored a dream vintage fashion find with a gorgeous hourglass shaped 50s frock with a blue rose floral pattern on it: divine.

vintage fashion trends

This vintage dress would like great with a primary coloured belt and red lips. Image by Gustavo Minas, Flickr.

Vintage fashion do’s and don’ts

  1. When it comes to vintage fashion the sizing is invariably much smaller than clothes made today. Don’t beat yourself up about it!
  2. Do buy that special vintage fashion piece even if it’s only appropriate for cocktails parties and special occasion. There are always a handful to go to every year and then you’ll have something really unique to wear.
  3. Don’t buy something with stains you’re not positive will come out but do give your vintage fashion find a visit to a (quality) dry cleaner before and after wearing.

Post to Twitter Post to Facebook Post to LinkedIn Post to StumbleUpon

Leave a Comment

Filed under Fashion

Tagged as , , , ,

April 26, 2012

Fabulous Autumn Fashion

A change in the weather…

It’s true that Sydney has its fair share of sun worshippers who get rather glum when summer ends and cooler weather moves in. As for me, I miss gadding about in beach fashion to be sure but do see the change in season as an opportunity to inject some life into my wardrobe. I love the opportunity to pull out items I haven’t worn for months and justify some seriously satisfying shopping. Whereas summer fashion means skimpier attire, autumn fashion allows for a lot more options because it requires more clothes! So don’t mourn the waning sun but rejoice in the variety that autumn fashion affords.

autumn fashion tips

Autumn is here. Image by Suicine, Flickr.

Top 10 Autumn Fashion Tips

  1. Stockings – once bare legs aren’t a daily must you can give your gams some serious style with many gorgeous lace, patterned and coloured stockings on the market. Wait for winter to pull out woolly ribbed numbers and get into the semi-thick stockings featuring perforated designs.
  2. Ankle boots – the Chelsea boot is my current favourite and worn by loads of London style icons who know how to do rock chic right. Flattering and trans-seasonal, ankle boots are the perfect autumn fashion shoe.
  3. Colour change – time to leave whites and brights behind and appreciate the beauty of earthy muted tones. Forest green, rust, taupe and grey marle are classic autumn fashion hues.
  4. Bronzer – compensate for the lack of sun with subtle and artfully applied bronzer. This wonder makeup gives a lady a healthy glow when your tan starts to fade.
  5. Patterned pants – a huge fashion trend, patterned pants have been seen on major catwalks and high street stores and are a chic choice for work or play in autumn.
  6. Layering – autumn fashion calls for clever layering to deal with the changeable weather and indoor/outdoor style requirements. Consider proportion and volume when putting together your layered look.
  7. Nails – now you’re not spending every other day at the beach you can get back into showing off glossy painted nails, safe in the knowledge they won’t chip off within 48 hours.
  8. Blazers – not too cold, not too hot – the blazer is the goldilocks of jackets when it comes to autumn fashion.
  9. Knits – knit dresses, skirts, cardigans and wraps are sophisticated style investments for when a cold snap sets in.
  10. Leather – leather is not particularly warm but it is heavy and windproof friendly so don’t wait until winter arrives to show off your favourite leather jacket or pencil skirt when autumn is the time for leather lovers.

Post to Twitter Post to Facebook Post to LinkedIn Post to StumbleUpon

Leave a Comment

Filed under Fashion

Tagged as , , ,

April 17, 2012

Colour trends: Red Alert!

Seeing Red

When it comes to wearing colour, I’m a pretty open minded kinda girl. Sure, I like to don black and other neutrals as much as the next fashion savvy lass but if you’ve been reading the odd post of mine you’ll know eclectic fashion is my cat nip. Having said that, although I like to swing from Dita Von Teese vintage pin up one day – to boyfriend jeans, t-shirt and the blazer the next – before moving onto some fluro poppy coloured concoction with a wink to the 80s….one colour trend I’ve found difficult to wear historically is red.

I think this mostly stems from being a pale skinned person, associations with red not being a very modern fashion colour and mostly appropriate for couture gowns to be worn at the Academy Awards or masked balls in Venice. Recently however I’ve fallen in love with this fiery colour trend after seeing it pop up in a variety of wearable ways. Valentino is of course famous for his high voltage red gowns but recently this colour trend has been picked up by a gaggle of designers like Calvin Klein – who has done sexy minimalist pieces such as the smashing column dress worn by Jennifer Lawrence last year and Emma Stone’s simple shift at his runway show. Stéphane Rolland and Michael Kors have also been rocking red, with Halston doing some great resort wear in an orangey version of this colour trend. Still need something for the Oscars? Leave it to Elie Saab to wow is with a lacy number in wine red for his Spring/Summer 2011 collection.

fashion colour trends

Karlie Kloss rocking red - and how! Image by hugo971, Flickr.

Top 4 tips on how to translate this colour trend

  1. Dresses – if there is one time to wear red it is out of the work place to a party, bar or other event. Keep the design unfussy with spaghetti straps and no frivolous detail or patterns.
  2. Accessories – think cherry red suede ballet flats, skinny belts, Birkin inspired bags and neat clutches.
  3. Colour blocking – one way to wear red to work and make it super modern – colour block with pink and orange or maroon.
  4. Hair – Karen Elson, Paloma Faith, Emma Stone, Jessica Stam, Florence from Florence the Machine – these fashion focussed ladies show this red hot colour trend is not just restricted to clothes!

Post to Twitter Post to Facebook Post to LinkedIn Post to StumbleUpon

Leave a Comment

Filed under Fashion

Tagged as , , ,

April 12, 2012

Perfect Paisley: 2012 Fashion Trend

 A Pattern to Ponder

Sleek minimalism, sports-tech chic, grungy boy meets girl looks and super romantic styles; when it comes to clothes I like to think I’m as eclectic as fashionistas come! Of course, I draw the line at fashion trends that do my figure no favours but since there is smorgasbord of sartorial delights to choose from my attitude is: why wear a riff on the same thing every day?

This is one of the reasons I adore patterns and am always jazzed when a new fashion trend emerges that celebrates the possibilities that come with print. Last year there were florals aplenty, especially considering the growing popularity of vintage influenced clothes from the 50s and pink rose-patterned  80s wear.  This year, one hot print setting fashion trend magazines and bloggers into a spin is paisley.

Less obvious than florals and more sophisticated than checks, spots and stripes; paisley has been turning up on Stella McCartney and JW Anderson’s catwalks in silk pyjama-esque ensembles. Jill Sander – one of my favourite designers when it comes to elegant, simple cuts – delivered the print in typical tailored pieces which made the pattern look fresh. For a more bohemian spin on this fashion trend, check out Matthew Williamson and Emilio Pucci – two designers who know how to do hippie luxe with aplomb.

Pattern fashion trend

Mix paisley with other patterns too. Image by A Forest Frolic, Flickr.

Fashion trend tips: how to wear paisley

  1. Silk and satin blouses boasting a paisley print can go from office to high end restaurant easily and mix in well with tweed and monochromatic separates.
  2. Long skirts and maxi dresses in paisley are bang on for urban bohemians and can be worn with sandals, heels and with chunky knit cardigans in cooler weather.
  3. Committed to block colour separates? Paisley is the perfect print for scarves – a subtle and very cool way to translate this hot fashion trend.

Post to Twitter Post to Facebook Post to LinkedIn Post to StumbleUpon

Leave a Comment

Filed under Fashion

Tagged as , , ,

April 10, 2012

Hair trends: Bang on!

A Fringe Affair

Is it just me or have you noticed a lot of ladies have gone the chop lately? I’m not talking about the all-locks-off pixie cut hair trend spurred on by celebrities like Michelle Williams and Carey Mulligan but rather, more women are choosing to frame their faces with a fringe! Also known as ‘bangs’ in other corners of the globe, fringes are the current In Thing when it comes to hair trends. Fringes accentuate your eyes (even moreso with cat eyeliner) and with so many styles to choose from it’s tempting to give this contemporary hair trend a go.

But! Be aware: fringes are a funny thing – they can completely transform someone’s look from dowdy to chic but can also go disastrously wrong very quickly.  Mostly it depends on face shape and hair type so take this into consideration if you’re considering a fringe this season. All of us have taken torn out pics to the hairdresser when you want to make a change in the hair department but to avoid fringe induced depression take note of whether your model pic has a similar type of hair and face shape to you. Sadly, most of us will not walk out looking like Helena Christensen no matter how good the hairdresser but we can approximate the hair style we covet by choosing something that suits. Below are my top tips for understanding this hair trend and picking a fringe that fits!

Fringes are a hot hair trend

Fringes on the catwalk. Image by hugo 971, Flickr.

Hair trend tips: Top 3 fringes

  1. Hands down the most flattering fringe is a mid to long length side-swept fringe. Check out pics of actresses Emma Stone and Kirsten Dunst for good examples.
  2. Ladies lucky enough to have large features (big eyes, pouty lips, strong cheekbones) look great with the ever popular heavy bang. Zooey Deschanel and model Freja Beha Erichsen both wear this style with aplomb.
  3. The edgiest hair trend in the world of fringes comes from Girl With A Dragon Tattoo star Rooney Mara. Micro-fringes are hella hot right now and can be worn by those blessed with fine features like Mara! As the actress has proved, while this hair trend is not for the faint hearted it works with leather pants and tatts as well as a sleek Givenchy gown.

Post to Twitter Post to Facebook Post to LinkedIn Post to StumbleUpon

Leave a Comment

Filed under Fashion

Tagged as , , , ,