Ahhh the cardigan – the perfect light cover up! I can never have enough cardigans.
Best Looks: From left to right, Michael Kors, No. 21, Alexander Wang, Pringle ofScotland and Burberry. Photo: Garance Doré
A great part of any womans wardrobe. The practicality and convenience a cardigan provides is endless. Long or short, buttoned or unbuttoned, belted or not, without a doubt, classic cardigans are always in style….but some of the newer collections feature large knits with decorative fur & unusual asymmetry – some have no buttons or zippers.
You can choose to belt them or close them with a large safety pin (some would) or large broach.
They’re work appropriate but cardigans can also look sexy on top of light layers and soft fabrics.
There’s a style for every body type. Which is your favorite?
I’ve been feeling kind of blue lately – Cobalt to be specific. The shade creeps up from time to time and last year we started seeing more of this bright color.
Crazy for Cobalt: his season the intense blue made a statement on everything from cozy sweaters to swingy dresses. It seems to have edged out olive and rust as this fall’s most prominent hue.
How many shades of blue are there exactly? I don’t know but some editors seem to have a handle on it:
Meryl Streep to Anne Hathaway in “The Devil WearsPrada” – “You go to your closet and you select that lumpy blue sweater, for instance, because you’re trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don’t know is that that sweater is not just blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis. It’s actually cerulean. And you’re also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent wasn’t it, who showed cerulean military jackets? And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers.” …………………on and on she goes
With its cool undertones, cobalt complements everycomplexion from porcelain to dark chocolate.
Derek Lam
Best colors to pair cobalt with: neutrals like grey, black, white or a combo of either.
What can we say about the Motorcycle jacket that’s new?
Hardly a trend but the Fall runway introduced fresh colors and feminine touches. This season’s versions haven’t lost an ounce of coolness with their intricate network of zippers, still keeping the bad-ass vibe.
Even though, the look is more deliberate than in the past. You can toss one over a silky dress, casual denim or even pair them with coordinating bottoms (often made of leather) for a dressier feel. Jackets were also worn zipped, functioning more as a top.
Olivia Wilde
A big trend this Fall is contrasting sleeves and to mix it with luxurious fabrics like brocade or velvet for a different take.
Combining art & fashion with ‘Dior Impressions’ – a new design book about the ‘Master.’
Another fabulous coffee table book. Whether cut with ballooning bustles or embroidered with a multitude of chiffon petals, Christian Dior’s dresses evoked the light, color and fluidity in the work of the French Impressionists. And it wasn’t by chance. A lover of both art and flowers, Dior found tremendous inspiration in the plein air paintings of Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. ‘Dior (Rizzoli), a new book published to accompany an exhibition at the Musee Christian Dior in Granville, France, explores the 19th-century art movement’s role in shaping the fashion house – from Dior’s very first designs to a Raf Simons (the current designer) 2012 couture gown, the pastel colors of which recall a Monet canvas. K.N. for W Magazine.
Natalie Portman models for Dior
A little bit of fashion history: “The future has arrived and it’s all about dreaming of the past” the essayist and novelist Kurt Anderson once wrote. This was true of the 2013 Fall shows. Ideas from decades old collections showed up on the runways and felt entirely au courant. This was particularly central to Raf Simon’s second ready-to-wear collection for Dior. With a passion for art similar to Monsieur Dior, Simons embroidered early Warhol fashion illustrations onto dresses and embossed them onto clutches.
Charlize Theron wears Dior
It doesn’t take a student of fashion history to understand the allure of a coquettishly punk cocktail number, nipped in at the waist in the most feminine, flattering way. Fashion’s tendency to sample and recycle is certainly nothing new. So, when it comes to reinterpreting sartorial history, Simons says “it’s important to think of fashion as part of life. The past can inform, but nostalgia should not be a part of it.”
Taken from an article written by Karin Nelson – This Old Thing?
Some of the new selections offer easy volume, nipped-in waists and are covered in things we all love to receive…..flowers + baubles!
haute coutureJenny Packham
The dresses may be feminine and fanciful but the footwear is surprisingly utilitarian. If Mary Janes or Ballet Flats are not your thing, opt for wearing heels or ankle booties.
Kate Spade
To enhance the glamour, try wearing your hair off the face or pulled back into a chignon. Hopefully these dresses will sweep you off your feet!
Gwyneth Paltrow wears Isabel Marant – look at the shoes!
Alexander McQueen bias cut fit/flare plaid dress – elle.com
Call it schoolgirl chic if you want to, but Real Women do wear Plaid.
How can we ever tire of throwing on a plaid shirt over a pair of leggings or jeans as soon as the weather starts to cool. It’s such a cozy staple.
Photo – Garance Doré
An obvious call for weekend wear or casual engagements, although cute skirts, and a bit of pattern on shoes or bags can offer a new chicness that’s hard to ignore.
Stella McCartney BagGryphon pant – elle.com
But is plaid too prim? Hardly. Not with the modern take on tartan cropped jackets and separates. There might be something irresistibly naughty about a tartan
Reem Acra Dress – elle.com
baby-doll dress that skims the body in a quietly seductive way.
There’s nothing old-school about that!
Even the scotty dogs are looking
pretty good now!
Current-Elliott Jeans. Elle.comboucle jacket – elle.comPhillip Lim Sweater – elle.commarc by Marc Jacobs – elle.com
One should never rush when putting on a corsetDita von Teese, the queen of burlesque, adores her exclusive creations…. Cathie Jung, the Guinness World Record holder for the smallest waist, flies in to be fitted by her… Little wonder that the TyraBanks Show recently invited Canadian MelanieTalkington to talk about her meteoric rise as one of fashion’s leadingcorsetières. I’ve met Melanie on a handful of occasions. From tango, to a corset fashion show put on by a friend and a photography exhibit showcasing local fashion talent. I was mesmerized by her designs and the way the models looked & behaved wearing them.
You only need to wear a Lace Embrace corset once to appreciate the true experience they offer.
At Lace Embrace, they strive to ensure their corsets are an experience that will thrill you and embody your fantasies with a fit that is uniquely your own.
Each Lace Embrace corset begins with an inspiration from an antique corset. All patterns are verified with a sample product to ensure the correct historical shape is achieved. Upon attaining an authentic shape, a graded pattern is created to your measurements. Extra care is taken to ensure the corset moulds to your figure. All construction and placement of boning corresponds with the original corset. This precise method provides you with a corset made to support and shape your body in the same manner as the original.
Lace Embrace corsets combine the highest skill known to the art of corset making, actively working with historical and modern designs. With over 12 years of training and experience, they thrive on challenging designs of historical beauty and distinction.
BIO: Canadian-based Melanie Talkington’s unique, awe-inspiring corsets are wooing the world.
Vancouver, B.C. – With burlesque successfully crossing from fetish to mainstream and corsets becoming de rigueur, the world has gravitated to Ms. Talkington’s business, Lace Embrace Atelier. Her reputation as a corsetière developed through focusing her education on the art of corset making and reviving the lost art of foundation garments. Ten years later myriad people covet Talkington’s designs – often direct inspirations drawn from her antique corset collection, one of the largest in North America.
“I create reproductions of corsets that can withstand wear and allow people to have fun and feel beautiful,” she explains. “I intend to preserve my antique corset collection to one day open my own museum.” The Vancouver Museum has already featured her corsets for the 2003, unmentionables exhibition, as well as the Delta Museum in 2002.
Melanie is bringing back a lost art – and as women we should embrace that.
‘Sweet Promise‘ by blush lingerie Fall/Winter 2013 available in all sizes (large & small) at http://www.intrigueimports.com
“A good bra is like a good man: he’s gotta be good looking, supportive and he’ll never let you down.”
These are the kind of truths that Rebecca, the owner of La Petite Coquette (located in the heart of Greenwich Village, New York City) can throw at you in an everyday conversation. Re-blogged from Garance Doré.
And the thing is after talking, and mostly, trying bras with her, I kind of realized that in spite of all my efforts, my bra knowledge was very limited. It was time to take a lesson in bra fitting, and to ask her a few of the essential questions…
How do you figure out your size? I don’t believe in tape measures because they are not tried and true, it’s basically a gimmick. The most important thing is to go to your local lingerie store and try on bras. You need to give yourself 20-30 minutes to try on a few different styles. There is no standardization in bra sizing. Each manufacturer makes a different size. A C-cup in an American size is very different from a C-cup in a European size. You have to know how the bras fit.
jesus fernandez – ‘Camille’
What to wear when bra shopping? Wear a simple a t-shirt or tank top. If you’re looking for a t-shirt bra, it should look like you’re not wearing anything at all, it should be smooth, round and high. You don’t need to bring multiple tops. You know when it fits, when it’s comfortable.
How do you know the bra fits? The middle part of the bra should go flat against your sternum and the band should be in the middle of the back. You shouldn’t have spillage coming out. Always have your bra on the first hook, it should fit snug on your back so you’ll have places to go when it stretches out. The straps should not dig into your shoulder and they should fit snug.
How often should you be buying new bras? Bras always wear out but it’s the way you take care of them. If you hand wash and air dry them, they will always last much longer. Most women, I find, wear the same bra every single day. You have to rotate your bras. Don’t wear the same bra twice in a row– you sweat and the sides, back and straps stretch out.
What should you have in your bra wardrobe? Four to five bras for during the week, when you wear your work clothing, when you want your clothes to be smooth and fitting you well. You should have 3 or 4 sexy ones for when you want to go out at night or you are entertaining your man for seduction. Two strapless bras, one black and one nude (when you buy a strapless bra it should fit very, very snug, you can even go one size down sometimes).
jesus fernandez – ‘chica’ mujeres collection.
*Shopping online for a bra or bra/panty set can sometimes be a challenge but plenty of women do. There’s even a ‘panties by post’ website. The trick is that you either know your standard size & place the order or spend a few extra minutes checking out your size from the sizing chart for each manufacturer on the website you’re placing the order from (as each company is different). The difference in shopping for a bra online is that many times you’ll come across something extra special (artisan or vintage details) that you won’t be able to find in a department store or a lingerie boutique because they’re not your standard design.
Best brands for… Small or Average size Chests: Timpa, Eberjey, Chantelle, jesus fernandez, Simone Perele, blush. Large Chests: Freya, Chantelle, Simone Perele, Prima Donna, blush. Petite: Wacoal, Lula Lu Petites, jesus fernandez
jesus fernandez – (made by passionate artisans in Buenos Aires is very special). Available in North America online at – http://www.IntrigueImports.com
I love wearing skirts for Fall. It’s more easy to throw on a pair of pants or jeans when it starts to get chilly outside, but there’s something a little more special about dressing up a skirt with leggings & the right pair of boots for day or a great stocking (or bare leg) for night . What do you think?
Here are some of the latest for Fall/Winter 2013:
Floral lace skirt, only $54, asos.com
The Lace Midi
Keep the rest of your outfit slim and simple and let this embellished, bell-shaped style be your statement.
A lace skirt is so pretty no matter what length – straight or flare. Of course you can’t make the mistake of wearing a lace top with it – it would be overkill & could also look cheap.
The Box-Pleat Mini
Wool skirt, $398, Blue Label, ralphlauren.com
Extra-wide panels take this girlish silhouette from prep school to cuttingedge. The Fit: A high-waisted look is slimming; a tailored button-down or turtleneck balances the fullness below.
I love how they paired this Ralph Lauren number with a wide belt & booties in same color. Also the midnight stockings & turtleneck give it added polish.
The Kick Flare
Tulle skirt, $295, Jean Paul Gaultier, bloomingdales.com
Give your pencil skirt a rest (but not for long) and wear this equally tailored – but way more fashion-forward style to the office instead. Keep the polished look going with something unfussy, like a boxy crew neck sweater.
This style reminds me a bit of the tulip skirt (also in style). I’m happy because I hung on to a nice silk DKNY…..just in case.
It’s impossible not to feel put-together wearing this beautifully textured, ‘50’s-inspired cut. Keep it tighter on top with something like this sweater: a subdued fitted knit that feels appropriately classic. The Shoes: enhance the ladylike vibe with a sweet Mary Jane or pump in timeless black. Flats will make it look too dowdy.
ASOS skirt
Take the A-LINE
HOW TO WEAR IT
This classic skirt flaunts an early-’60s attitude, and the polished daytime look is ever-appropriate. But A-line obsession is rooted in the universally flattering, hip-and-thigh disguising shape that lets us have our cake and eat it too. And for that, it will always have a place in our closet.
There’s a prim, clean-scrubbed vibe to these skirts. So add a fitted little jacket or a basic belt, and carry a structured bag. And while it may be tempting to slip on a pair of flats, these skirts, especially those that fall below the knee, beg for the height of a ladylike heel.
(left to right) Michael Kors, Lanvin, Dolce & Gabbana, Victoria Beckham.
Pencil Skirts,especially in Leather are always so sleek and sophisticated.
from images
I love, love, love straight pencil skirts. This look works on all ages but especially good for older women because it’s so classic. Some women feel too curvy for this look, but embrace curves if you have them. They can work really well with a pencil skirt— think Mad Men (I’ve never even watched the show but know the look). This is an investment piece.
How to style it: This is such a versatile style whether you wear a button down shirt or cardigan over top. A crisp white tucked-in shirt is super classic and can be taken from day into night by adding bold jewellery and a red lip. Pair with open-toe or strappy shoes and don’t forget – ADDitude! Pencil me IN!
Last week we covered wardrobe staples that are worth splurging on – things that will always be on trend. Then we have new Trends for this FALL. Well, not really new (as in nothing ever is) but things you’ll be seeing more and more of this Fall. This was taken from the Huffington Post.
1. Capes
A model walks the runway at the Valentino Autumn Winter 2013 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week . (Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images).
It’s difficult not to, but don’t fear capes – how can you, they’ve sustained themselves through the Victorian era, the 1940s, 1960s, and now, 2010s? They’re also versatile: as proven by Valentino’s winter white offering (which is beaded and calf-length) and Jill Stuart’s RTW classic black piece (which she paired with trousers and oxfords), a cape can carry you through the season and various events. Merely treat it as you would a coat, and remember that if your grandmother could do it when she was young, so can you — just like *Lily Allen (see lyrics below) and Kate Hudson did in 2010.
A model walks the runway at the Tommy Hilfiger Women’s Fall 2013 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion at Park Avenue Armory in New York City. (Photo by Peter Michael Dills/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week).
2. Academically-Inspired
Back-to-school is synonymous with fall (obviously), but this time around, we grown-ups aren’t being left out. Case in point: collections by the likes of Tory Burch, who saw crisp button-ups layered underneath cardigans and worn with tweed pants. Meanwhile, the king of collegiate, Tommy Hilfiger, showcased a collection chalk-full of argyle suits, knit sweaters, and even a book print dress (though for the record, it’s tragically next-to-impossible to find online).
3. Over-The-Thigh Boots
Beyonce performs on stage during ‘The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour’ at the Barclays Center in New York. Beyonce wears a blue dress and boots by Pucci and hosiery by Capezio. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood Entertainment).
It’s been more than a few years since thigh-high boots re-introduced themselves, and this season is just another testament to their staying power. (Which makes sense – winter is cold, you guys, it’s okay to cover up.) On the celeb front, Heidi Klum recently donned a suede style in the spirit of Emilio Pucci’s collection, while Miley Cyrus has made headlines in hers. Though breathe easy, flat aficionados: you can wear a smaller heel or even a flat style if you’d rather not risk tumbling to your death like some of us would.
A model walks during the Temperley London’s RTW collection.
4. ‘60s Mod
The best kind of fashion lives forever, and adding to 2013’s eclectic nature is the season’s mod influence, which infuses capes, thigh-high boots (good news, us: it all ties in!) with bright colours (like Lisa Perry’s loud dresses) and Twiggy-inspired mini-dresses (as found in Temperley London’s RTW collection). But in addition to flipping through old fashion magazines and scrolling through Tumblr, you can also look to someone like Alexa Chung who’s been embracing the vintage vibe for many moons now.
5. Pleated Skirts
A model walks the runway at the Calvin Klein Autumn Winter 2013 fashion show during New York Fashion Week.. (Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images).
The vintage throwbackcontinues with pleated skirts which borrow from the ‘70s and early ‘80s with their high waists and pleats. Calvin Klein infused this look with the season’s leather trend (which we’ll get to imminently), while Celine did the same. However, earlier this year, Diana Argon showcased Marc Jacobs S/S take on the trend, opting for a floral pattern and ‘50s style which there’s still plenty of room left for as we ease into autumn.
A model walks the runway at the BCBG MAXAZRIA Autumn Winter 2013 fashion show during New York Fashion Week. (Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images).
6. Hats
Finally, fashion and function merge in the season we need them to the most. Tommy Hilfiger featured beanies in droves in his F/W collection, while BCBG Max Azria did the same, thus finally offering a reprieve from hatless-ness in freezing temperatures. (Yes, we’re concerned about the cold. We’re adults – this is how it works.) Meanwhile, styles like fedoras, bowler hats, and this also found places within the Fall 2013 landscape, thus making “hats” and all that the word embodies a go-to autumn trend.
7. Menswear Fabrics
Model Erin Wasson walks the runway during Chanel show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute-Couture Fall/Winter 2013-2014 at Grand Palais on July 2, 2013 in Paris, France. (Photo by Michel Dufour/WireImage)
When we say academic, you say tweed (“academic!” – “tweed!” – “academic” – “tweed!”), so with an influx of collegiate-inspired styles, we probably all expected to see menswear fabrics and patterns in droves, as is the true autumn way. Chanel dressed up the fabric in their Haute Couture collection through skirts and suits, while Alice + Olivia ran with argyle and plaid. Not that any of this is new: in 2010, Claudia Schiffer kept on-point with an argyle V-neck, making us wish we’d kept our vests from high school.
8. Emerald Green
Actress Sofia Vergara attends 2013 CFDA FASHION AWARDS underwritten by Swarovski at Lincoln Center on June 3, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Jennifer Graylock/Getty Images for Swarovski).
Declared the “it” colour of 2013 back in January, emerald green clearly stuck around for its F/W hurrah, appearing in collections by Phillip Lim, Pantone, and Carolina Herrera. This, of course, is after Emily Blunt wore it in 2012, and Sofia Vergara rocked the colour in June – thus ensuring that incorporating an emerald top, accessory, or a dress still gets a green light (eh?) this fall.
9. Oversized Coats
A model walks the runway at the Michael Kors Autumn Winter 2013 fashion show during New York Fashion Week. (Photo by Catwalking/Getty Images).
Where the rest of autumn sees fitted pieces, outwear remains at large. Following in the footsteps of capes are oversized jackets, which pay homage to the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. (Think of Kevin McAllister’s mom in the original “Home Alone.”) Designers like Michael Kors used the look to capitalize on the menswear trend, while Mulberry kept their pink jacket relatively fitted – much like Kate Bosworth’s boyfriend jacket from a couple seasons back which she paired with leather pants.
A model walks the runway during the Mulberry Ready to Wear Fall/Winter 2013-2014 show as part of the London Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2013/14. (Photo by Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images).
10. Leather (Not Just Accessories)
We all have leather gloves, leather footwear, and a leather coat (which you can pick up for next-to-nothing at thrift stores if a new model is too pricey), but what about leather … everything else? In the spirit of Ross Geller, designers have clung to the fabric in droves, with everyone from Chanel (see: the aforementioned leather skirt) to Vionnet (loose-fitting leather pants) to Mulberry capitalizing on the leather look. You can do the same: even a leather-embellished t-shirt makes a good wardrobe staple, and again, a thrifted leather car coat from the 1970s will keep you on-budget and autumn-ready.
Also trending NOW:
“THE FEAR” from Lily Allen‘s “It’s Not Me, It’s You” Album
I want to be rich and I want lots of money
I don’t care about clever, I don’t care about funny
I want loads of clothes and fuckloads of diamonds
I heard people die while they’re trying to find them
And I’ll take my clothes off and it will be shameless
Cause everyone knows that’s how you get famous.
I’ll look at the sun and I’ll look in the mirror
I’m on the right track, yeah I’m on to a winner.
I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore
And I don’t know how I’m meant to feel anymore
And when do you think it will all become clear?
Cause I’m being taken over by The Fear
Life’s about film stars and less about mothers
It’s all about fast cars and cussing each other
But it doesn’t matter cause I’m packing plastic
And that’s what makes my life so fucking fantastic
And I am a weapon of massive consumption
And it’s not my fault, it’s how I’m programmed to function
Forget about guns and forget ammunition
Cause I’m killing them all on my own little mission
Now I’m not a saint but I’m not a sinner
Now everything’s cool as long as I’m getting thinner
You can choose to belt them or close them with a large safety pin (some would) or large broach.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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