Posts Tagged ‘Fashion’

What is Style?

/ Fashion / 16 Comments

What is style? How do you discover your style? This is a hard question to answer if you have never thought about what look you want to portray when you get dressed. And it’s not always about what you put on your body that tells a story, it’s the way you wear your hair, apply your make-up and accessorize.

 

Sometimes what I like doesn’t always suit me. For example I wish I could wear kaftans but unfortunately they make me look huge! Short shorts are also a no no for me but it’s a look I’ve always wished I could wear.

 

But there are many styles that do suit me and I’m not scared to try a trend. When experimenting, be bold and wear it with confidence. I don’t always follow trends either. You can waste money on trends that are here for a season and gone the next and as a stylist it’s important to look your best and ensure that the clothes you wear are Tran seasonal and will last a number of years.

 

This is why I always encourage clients to change their accessories because they are a cheap and easy way to follow a trend and they can be easily stored away until the next time they are back ‘in’ fashion.

 

I am always inspired by looks from past era’s and sometimes I wish I was born then because the dresses in the 1940’s, 50’s and early 60’s would have suited me to a tee! But rather than wishing I go back in time and wearing these beautiful figure flattering dresses, I just need to start wearing them now and inspire others with my style.

 

My grandma has been wearing these lovely cream Chrysanthemum earrings which are so sweet and they are the type of earring that can be worn with the most simplest of outfits but make it look stylish. Instead of hunting the shops to find a pair, I made some. I have listed them on my facebook page and will sell them in my shop on madeit.com.au. Inspiration can come from young and old! (If you want to purchase a pair, check out my store http://www.madeit.com.au/storecatalog.asp?userid=59226)

 

 

When discovering your style, look in magazines, books, shops and next time you’re at your mall – people gaze! Some people have the most amazing outfits that can inspire you. Don’t just follow the trends, wear what suits you and what you love.

 

 

New Year Sales and Autumn/Winter 2012 Trends

/ Fashion / 20 Comments

January sales are the perfect time to buy clothes, accessories and shoes at a reduced price. I always love this time of year because of the bargains, but unfortunately it can also be draining on the credit card if you don’t have a plan of attack on what you need for your wardrobe.

If you are a budget fashionista like myself you would have already looked at what your wardrobe lacks and made a list of things that you need. You would also have made a list of items you will need for the coming Autumn. Winter 2012 trends are also another hot topic. The question is how can you buy for Autumn/Winter 2012 when you don’t know what the season trends will be for that season? Well I’m about to tell you!

My list included a black dress for all occasions, new t-shirt bras, black footless tights, pair of jeans and some smart casual tops both short-sleeve and ¾ sleeve to wear with jeans and cargos – easy casual wear for a mum running after a toddler.

As most mums know, gone are the days you could stand in your wardrobe and um and ah over what to wear. When the sun breaks, the day has started with little mouths to feed and you don’t have the luxury of ‘creating’ a cute outfit and trying on 3 different pants to get the right ‘look’. My outfits need to be comfortable, but fashionable, but not too trendy that I will cry if I get mashed banana or stamp ink on them.

I headed to Target where there was HEAPS of items reduced. This was where I found my gorgeous black sheer chiffon overlay dress with a necktie and brown belt. It was a steal at $30 (reduced from $59) and it’s a dress that I can dress up or down depending on the occasion. My t-shirt bras came from David Jones and were Simone Perele brand. They were originally $99.95, reduced to $29.95. When it comes to bras, you really need to get fitted for the right size and quality is of the upmost importance as you wear them everyday. David Jones and Myer have a free measuring service and their sales are always worth having a look at.

For my jeans, I can’t talk enough about the Katies Ultimate Denim range, especially if you have been pregnant. For me, after I had my daughter, I started in a size 16 and I have slowly gone down each size to a size 10. For $49.95 these jeans are a MUST HAVE for all women. They really do cinch in your tummy and butt to make you a size smaller than you really are.

My final shop was at Witchery and I can’t buy enough from this shop. To be quite honest I RARELY buy full price here because I often think the prices are hefty for what you get BUT when they have sales, they are worth popping in and browsing the racks.

At present Witchery have a promotion that if you buy two items you get the third free even on sale items. So here I bought a stunning ¾ sleeve animal print dress, a batik print tunic, a batik print tee, footless black tights and 2 ¾ sleeve t-shirts for Autumn.

Being a stylist and knowing my shape and colours means I  don’t have to fully apply trends for Autumn/Winter 2012 because when I wear what suits me, I will always look on trend anyway. BUT if you are quite fanatic about trends, here are the predictions from the runway for Autumn/Winter 2012 –

  • Tailored wool coats with a feminine detail  –  For inspiration look at the Duchess of Cambrige aka Catherine Middleton. Burberry has some gorgeous designs but for budget fashionista’s like myself, wait for the department stores to bring in their 2012 range.
  • Colours in the shades of moss green, deep grape and mauve as well as blue based greys and cherry pinks and reds. ‘Burnt’ colours will also have a look in so look at your burnt orange, mustard, red based browns and charcoal and black.
  • 70’s bohemian and and sophisticated glamour from 2011 will also impact 2012.
  • Wide leg pants, bell bottom and bootleg are the pants to wear for the season. In most cases, opt for the bootleg as the wide leg and bell bottom will overwhelm most body shapes unless you are tall and athletic
  • Patchwork jumpers/jackets and pants – try this trend sparingly!
  • Sheer blouses and maxi dresses (hint, my black dress from Target is perfect for this trend layered with a tailored wool coat)
  • Dare I say it winter jump suits
  • Knee high boots and ankle boots

Be a Knock Out using Block Colours

/ Style tips / 49 Comments

Don’t let colour block you out! Learn to wear colours that make you a knock out! Be a knock out using block colours.

 COLOUR BLOCKING IS THE NEW SEASON TREND FOR SUMMER 2011/2012 but which colours suit you?

 Colour Parties are an affordably great way for you to find out what colours suit you. Host a party for 2-10 friends and learn what colours you can wear well and which ones to avoid.

 The colour trends for this summer are watermelon, coral, tangerine, aqua, red, hot pink and vibrant purple.

 When colour blocking, only mix two to three colours max so that you don’t look like you’ve come out of the ensemble of Joseph and the Technicolour dream coat!!

 Pair unlikely colours together to make a fashion statement, for example tangerine and purple, yellow and blue, orange and red, aqua and red… the possibilities are endless!

 As well as the recent launch of “Colour Parties”, I have been very busy mastering the art of creating resin bangles.  I have made block colour bangles and palette bangles that contain ribbons relating to each season. I can post the bangles Australia wide. Feel free to order by email or fill out the online form.

Winter Fashion 2011

/ Style tips / 17 Comments

It’s been a while since I wrote on my blog about fashion. There seems to be a lot happening in the world lately and part of me felt bogged down with the burdens of others and the fact that so many people had either lost their lives or their livelihoods due to the recent natural disasters that have hit countries around the world. I live in Brisbane and it was hit by the worst flooding in 30 years in January. Not only was Brisbane flooded but 75% of the State of QLD. I wasn’t affected by the floods but some of my friends were and I felt selfish writing about fashion and how to stay ‘trendy’ and up to the minute with current fashion styles when these friends had lost their entire wardrobes, shoes, accessories and well basically all their belongings.

Having also been busy being a mother to my 11 month old daughter, I got stuck in a rut fashion wise. Whatever was clean and fitted was generally chucked on – and essentially fashion should be easy when you are running around after a baby but when you are also a stylist, you would expect that they would have it ‘altogether’ with their clothing ensembles. Unfortunately I haven’t.

It wasn’t until I went away on a much needed holiday to the Gold Coast in April that I got my shopping MOJO back and I realized that while people have lost ‘things’, ‘things’ can be replaced with better and new ‘things’. (Same can’t be said for photos and items that hold sentimental value, but I am generally speaking fashion here).

I love the Winter fashion 2011. The colours of khaki green, Cadbury purple, dark grey and your basic black and white are the colours of this season. Burnt Orange is another favourite and the lovely thing about these colours is that they all go well together. Leopard print and vintage florals are also fabulous teamed with these colours.

When it comes to shoes, flats are in HALLELUJAH! Loafers are the new heels which really excites me because since becoming a mum, I can’t seem to walk well in high heels. They are also a safety hazard when running around after your baby!

Jeans are my live in staple during winter, but I have also bought a pair of skinny cargos in khaki which will give my jeans a rest and can be worn dressed up or down.

So what will I be wearing this winter 2011?

Skinny cargos or jeans with a basic long sleeve tee teamed with a leopard print or floral print scarf. My patent leather cinnamon loafers from Wittner will also been worn to death as well as my black knee high boots – no heel of course.

If you want to update your wardrobe, but don’t have a lot of money, look at your department stores like Kmart and Big W. They offer some great current fashion styles that will suit any budget.

 

 

Christmas Party Dress Dilemna

/ News, Style tips / 10 Comments

Brilliant Brights and Batik Ethnic prints are the trends for this summer season. For this years Christmas party, why not invest in an LCD – little colour dress in a vibrant colour of choice. Don’t know what colour to choose? Why not get a colour analysis and be pleasantly surprised by the number of colours in the rainbow that flatter your skin tone.

For dress inspirations check out http://www.frockaholics.com.au/. If you need something a bit cheaper, Target has a great range of budget friendly summer party dresses that can be dressed up with the right accessories. If you need to find that ‘perfect’ dress, give me a call.

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