Wednesday, May 13, 2009

2009 Fall Fashion Trends


Power, shine and sparkle are the watchwords for the comming fall season as top designers react creatively to a struggling economy.

It will be the year of big shoulders when a retro 80's theme becomes an inevitable result of last year's Greek goddess look with the accent on padded blouses, or dresses and gowns accentuating the dramatic, broad shouldered look.

On the red carpet, look for copper and other metallics to be a big eye catcher as "sparkle and shine" becomes a theme incorporated into everything from haute couture gowns to sequined purses and hair pieces.

Not that PETA will be any happier, but leather also will be "the new fur" this fall with emphasis on a tough, rock-n-roll look fashioned into coats, pants, skirts and jackets.

As leather is worked into everything, boots make a natural comeback with edgy, thigh-high boots among the most powerful statements of assured sexuality. Belts also will be a signature trend of the 2009 Fall fashion season varying from sashed dresses to big buckled coats to thin, feminine belted skirts.

Continuing a traditional trend for warm fall colors, red will take the lead with deep rose and rich burnt sienna grabbing the most attention, followed by more subdued feel-good honey yellows and warm olives.


More about 2009 Fall fashion trends around the Web:
 


Monday, May 11, 2009

The Look of Summer - White Jeans


Nothing says summer like crisp white jeans that start appearing in stores around Memorial Day.

Of course, white jeans aren't for everybody and it's not the most practical color for keeping clean. 

Maybe more importantly, white is an unforgiving color when it comes to revealing any lumps and bumps in your silhouette. (And while some fashion experts recommend going a size up - if you're not careful you might end up looking like a hospital orderly.)

To achieve the the well-tailored white jean look, begin with a straight leg pair. For casual evening wear, opt for jeans that come partly over the heel of your shoe to add the illusion of length to your legs. Again, you can avoid the Hospital Employee Look by pairing your white jeans with dark colored shoes.

While wearing white jeans, tops should be fairly straightforward, as well. Above all, avoid shirts or blouses in wild colors or patterns. Simple black-and-white is a stunning look, or opt for warm grays or earth tones with rich gold or silver accessories.

Finally, keep 'em clean! Help preserve that whiter-than-white look of summer by either having them professionally dry cleaned, or presoak them overnight in a stain remover before washing.

With a little thought and planning,  white can be the ultimate expression of cool and sophistication as you head into a hot and fun-filled summer.

More about wearing and caring for white jeans around the Web:




Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Just for Fun - 1930's Predictions on Fashion


This YouTube video has spooky predictions on pants and transparent knit for the ladies, and for the guys: they'll be wearing tools and communications devices like portable radios and telephones! And check out that funky wedding dress...

Well, they almost got it right. 

Most of this stuff was already being worn by Madonna in the 1980's. 











Monday, May 4, 2009

Audrey Tautou Stars in "Coco Before Chanel"


The story of Coco Chanel's rise from obscure beginnings to  fashion icon is causing buzz worldwide with the recent Paris premiere of the new movie "Coco avant Chanel" (Coco before Chanel) slated for release worldwide this summer.  

Starring Audrey Tautou of "Da Vinci Code" fame, the movie is inspring millions of fashionistas - who've already lapped up the movie trailer - to further bone up on more details of the life of the milestone French designer who turned the fashion world on its ear in the early 20th century.

How Chanel made her mark 

Thanks to the scrappy little Frenchwoman with the boyish figure, gone were the breath-defying corset and frilly 19th century designs in favor of the now classic boxy look, and more comfortable clothing made of jersey - a material which until then was used exclusively for men's underwear.



A pioneer in women's liberation decades before that term was even coined, Coco endured an early impoverished childhood and strict convent orphanage upbringing. But rather than serving as a major influence on her adult world view, it only inspired a complete rejection of women's servitude and dependence in a man's world. 

Chanel into the 21st century

As the moving picture was to photograhs, or Picasso to painting, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel threw old ideas aside for a revolutionary new approach to fashion that still resonates.

Perfectly embodying the modern woman's ideal of financial independence, Chanel rose to become a major influence on women's tastes in fashion throughout the Western world.

Since her passing in 1971, Coco continures to inspire detailed biographies, a Broadway stage musical and, of course, a major influence on other fashion designers -  as seen  Karl Lagerfeld's classic reinterpretation of the elements of Chanel style in 1993. 

In movie parlance, Coco still has "legs" with a fresh new installment of Coco fixation about to hit theaters.

More about Coco Chanel around the Web:




Saturday, May 2, 2009

Summer 2009: The Butterfly is Back in Fashion


Butterlies are back for the 2009 summer season, with the emphasis ranging from on dark classic colors to sweet, gentle but sophisticated motifs.

While knockoffs have already been spotted that take the butterly emblem to more girly-girl levels, we like the look that stays true to the runway featuring more subdued spring-like colors, or boldly dramatic but stylish evening wear with an oriental motif, seen in the likes of the 2009 Tibi collection or Collette Dinnigan.

Diane von Furstenberg and Badgley Mischka also used butterfly themes in their Spring/Summer collections.

We think the butterly is the perfect motif for expressing stylish feminity this year, coupled with a drive to emerge from your winter cocoon - and to break out - in the new summer symbol of 2009.   

More about 2009 fashions around the Web:


Friday, May 1, 2009

Best Sunglasses to Fit Your Face Shape

Choosing just the best sunglasses for your face shape shouldn't have to be rocket science, but it usually pays to take the extra time before buy a color, style or shape that works. All it takes is experimentation.

You can cut down the time it takes to choose the perfect pair by following the "rule of opposites" to complement and soften the shape of your face. For example:
  • For square faces, round or teardrop shaped shades (think Aviators) look best as they tend to soften the forehead and jawline.
  • For round faces, create the illusion of length by choosing traditonal frames, squared-off edges or rectangular shapes.
  • If you have an oblong face, round or square frames will work best.
  • Lucky you if you have an oval face, on which most anything goes from circular shades, shields, aviators, square or rectangular.



A word about sunglass width: we'll assume you don't have a hoard of paparazzi following your every move so never try to go Hollywood. And never choose frames that are wider than your face.

Again, there are really no shortcuts for finding just the right sunglasses that fit all face shapes. Our final recommendation? When it comes to choosing the perfect shape, follow the general rule of opposites, but try on as many sunglass styles as you can before you decide on the best sunglasses that suit YOU.

More about sunglasses to match your face shape around the Web: