The Way To Wear it

Tuesday 15 February 2011

Black and White

I was inspired by this super cute outfit I spotted on a girl at Vintage Threads at the beginning of the month. This season everyone is talking about bright colours but black and white is one of those looks that doesn't go out of fashion and although it hasn't been championed as a Spring/Summer trend it was seen at runway shows such as Givenchy and Chanel.

Her look reminds me of Gareth Pugh's Spring/Summer '11 collection with her hair pulled on top of her head. I absolutely love her Office shoes! I sometimes forget what a great high street store that is and in the miserable weather we had she was brave to wear heels. The cardi was great too, with stripes on one side, blocks on the other. It was the interesting details in the shoes and the cardi balanced with a block black dress that really made this outfit work. I like how she has added just a splash of colour with her red bag. It is nothing like anything I would ever carry, with a patchwork bag there is always a risk of looking like a 1990's hippie, but she pulled it off.

Gareth Pugh Spring/Summer 11

Thursday 20 January 2011

Back to my other blog

Just to let all my readers know I am posting on my other blog much more regularly at the moment. So check that one out, it's stylespotterfashionblogger . Come Feb I will be super-posting on both but for the next week or so I won't have the time!

Thursday 28 October 2010

The Way To Wear It: Country

And to the second of my Britain's Next Top Model trends; Country Chic.

The high street has gone mad for this trend! Its wearable with the main influences being country pursuits. It's easy and it's practical but should be worn with a ladylike/glamorous twist. It's okay to look like you have been inspired by the queen out for a ride but you don't want to look like you're heading to Badminton horse trials.

The colour palate include shades greys, browns, greens and dark reds. If you are a print lover stick to florals or horse related ones in autumnal colours. The key pieces for this look are the Aviator Jacket, the most famous one being the Burberry but there are loads on the high street. Other items to invest in would be chunky knits and tan boots; they'll add to the look this season and are likely be pulled out of the wardrobe for next winter.

The Way To Wear It; On The Catwalk

Make your body-warmer work by styling it with something other than bootcut jeans. Make sure it's fitted and a dark colour like this one seen at Dries van Noten.

People may ask where your horse is but Ralph Lauren makes Jodphurs work by teaming them some heels and jewellery.

That famous Burberry aviator. It's warm and it's stylish; a great alternative to our leather jackets. Wear with Jeans during the day and then throw over a dress at night. Be brave and step away from black, some of the best aviator jackets out there are in greens and browns.

Wear the look to work. Stick to the colour theme but choose smart trousers and a well tailored coat, as seen here at Gucci

The weather has really turned over the last few weeks and everyone is dying to get into a chunky knit. This look seen at D&G would be made wearable and perfect for cold winter conditions if worn with some skinny jeans.

The Way To Wear It; Next Season

Hermes take inspiration from Horse Riding every season (they make great saddles, hats and whips). Through in a bit of African Safari inspiration and the look has evolved for next season.

At 3.1 Philip Lim, he put his models in white wedges, made the knits thinner and bared there legs to make the look more appropriate for summer.

The Way To Wear It, Inspiration: The Royal Family meets Country Pursuits.

The Way to Wear It At BNTM LIVE

Tuesday 26 October 2010

The Way To Wear It; LadyLike.

Last weekend I spoke at Britain's Next Top Model Live. The title of my presentation was 'Wear The Trend Your Way' where I spoke about key trends of the season and how to incorporate them into your own wardrobe so as to stay on trend while adapting the looks to your own personal style.

As promised on 'Style Spotter Fashion Blogger' (where I posted a general overview of BNTM Live) I am updating 'The Way To Wear It' with the looks I discussed.

Phew... anyway, for the first look: 'Ladylike'.

This Autumn/Winter fashion took inspiration from the women of the past and we have begun to want to start to look like women again! We stopped burning our bras a long time ago and have realised that sometimes it feels nice to take our jeans off (even if they are very comfortable) and wear soft fabrics and flattering feminine shapes.

With inspiration from so many eras of women there is a look for everyone; you can be an Audrey, a Dita, a Marilyn or a Victoria Beckham; each one of their looks embraces femininity in many different ways!

The Way To Wear It; On The Catwalk

Victoria Beckham knows what she as a woman wants to wear; flattering shapes and killer heels. The waiting list for these dresses proves that Victoria's Breakfast At Tiffany's style dresses are what women have been waiting for.

At Louis Vuitton Marc Jacobs showed us there is a clearly a vintage inspiration. The gloves, the prints, the dress shapes. This show was aimed for women who are proud of their femininity.

Prada showed how classic shapes can be better for curvier girls. Think clinched waist, think Mad Men.

At Chloe we saw that femininity is not always about wearing a skirt. The right fabrics can make trousers and a sweater become feminine. Opt for silks and cashmere.

The Way To Wear It; For Next Season

Bring the trend forward to next Season. Bright/Pop colours are going to be huge. Miuccia showed us how to make them ladylike at Miu Miu.

Alber loves to dress women. The fabrics, the jewels, the elegance. In Spring 2010, he wanted to show how much he adored a woman with natural elegance and beauty.

At Valentino there were great shapes, soft fabrics and bow details.

The Way To Wear It, Inspiration: female icons both past and present.

The Way To Wear It; The look spotted around BNTM Live

How to make your leather shorts lady like: team with a soft blouse a wide brimmed hat and some lippy. A 70's inspired feminine look.

Pearl Earrings and Glossy Hair = an instantly sophisticated and elegant look.

This Girl shows us how to make the ladylike look young. This dress has got great detailing but teamed with a relaxed bag and ankle boots she makes it less prim and more cute.

Saturday 23 October 2010

Tuesday 28 September 2010

The Way To Wear It; Block Colours

As the fashion weeks are running I have been looking at what I hope will be big for next season. There has been a lot of white (seen at Dolce, Peter Pilotto and Preen), a boho look with lots of fringing (Pucci and Roberto Cavalli) and summer blacks (Armani), but I have also noticed that block colouring has been on the catwalk of some of the most influential shows such as Prada.

It's easy to turn to black in the winter but when the sunshine comes out most of us are desperate to get into bright colours. There has been a huge amount of white on the catwalk for next season but it’s the block colouring that has got me most excited. White is very impractical - the dry cleaning bills will be enormous so I am definitely going to stick to the bright colours that have been on the runways. If you want to stay bang on trend then go for orange, blue and green; my favourites! There are so many different tones so stick to one that will flatter your skin tone. If you want to wear orange lay off any orange fake tan, you don't want your face to clash with your clothes!

The Way to Wear It; On The Catwalk

Jil Sander: Amazing modern shapes

Issa: If you're more petite be careful that the colour doesn't swamp you and opt for a fitted dress.

Halston: Go for matching colour trousers and top.. only if you're brave!

Prada

Gucci: mix up block colours

The Way To Wear It: Inspiration.

The Darjeeling limited.

The background colours in the film are magnificent. For those of us who are unable to be inspired by the colours of India by going there this is a great film to watch.

Shop The Look; Save

Armade Dress, Reiss, £129, www.selfridges.com

Blue Aristocrat Patfor Shoes, KG by Kurt Geiger, £150, www.liberty.co.uk

Pleat pointelle halternect Tunic, £40, Topshop, www.Topshop.com

Wear over a light cotton peg leg Trousers, bangles and some wedges. Team the look with a turban if you're brave.

Shop The Look; Splurge

Sleeveless Knit Dress, Stella MacCartney, £545, www.brownsfashion.com

Aysmmetric Satin Dress, £755, www.netaporter.com

Patent Tote, Yves Saint Laurent, £735, www.selfridges.com

Silk Drape Top, £210, Anglomania, www.harveynichols.com

Tuesday 21 September 2010

The Way to Wear It; Country Chic

Well, I apologise for my lack of blogging but I am now back and on blogging form, I hope!

As winter is setting in and the fashion world is getting us excited about summer already, I have decided to take a step back and look at one of the most wearable winter trends 'country chic'. Greens and camels are all over the high street and where Barbour jackets used to be 'for country use only', in recent years they have become more than acceptable on the high street. Designers have began to think about everyday practical chic and have put an elegant twist on what would previously have been farm wear, making a sort of cross between farm-wear and granny chic but somehow making it work.

The essential for this look is to make sure you keep it feminine and fashionable. While it does allow us to be comfortable, ugly wellies, badly fitted jeans and a fleece are a definite no-no. However brogues, turned up trousers, a cape and a khaki coloured head scarf are the way forward. Keep the colour palate of greens, greys and browns, throw in a bit of tweed and wool and make the look your own. The look can be kept as classic and elegant as a twin set and pearls but don't be afraid to add some fabulous shoes or a head scarf to make the look more contemporary.

The Way to Wear it, On the Streets

Team the look with other trends of the season as seen here, to gain a quirky look to the trend, but beware stick to two trends at max or it can look less stylish and more 'try-hard'.