Autumn/Winter Trends 2015

This season trends are featuring bold new silhouettes, modern and high quality materials, as well as bright colors and styles. We see comebacks of retro and classic shapes, bright colors, sporty touches, turtle-necks, oversized silhouettes, cozy knits, cozy robe coats and pretty ensembles worn with pants. The color palette is divided in two contrasting camps, where the one is autumnal and the other one is bright. We see typically wearable fashion essentials with touches of creativity. 

Squares

Gorgeous Autumn colors

Mix wit copper Hues of brown have been out of favour for a while,  This new copper color looks fabulous on many 40+ women. Combine it with other colors such as orange, red, yellow and white.

Asymmetry

Bohemian Flair 

Bohemian Flair Lots of prints and designs exuded a bohemian vibe, which are perfect for the more romantic among us.

Marsala and lace

Moss green 

Monochromatic looks

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  Turtlenecks

The great thing about turtlenecks is that are not just a stylish garment but also a functional one, as the high neck will keep you warm and protect you against the wind chill — which is especially great if you’re headed to an outdoor event.

The turtleneck design lends itself well to layering so you can pair it with a leather jacket for a more edgy look, wear it under a plaid coat, a structured blazer or even a cute sleeveless dress. And pair it with a pencil skirts, or fit-and-flare skirts, a pair of mom jeans or wide legged trousers.

There are so many ways to rock this trend and make it your own and the turtleneck is such a versatile piece, which will ensure that you can mix and match it with almost all the pieces that you already have in your wardrobe.

Midi Lengths: Huge on the Catwalk and Fringe at Retail

Midi Lengths: Huge on the Catwalk and Fringe at Retail

Read this very interesting article by Angie.

For three years in a row, midi length skirts and dresses have appeared on the runways of fashion week in New York, London, Paris and Milan. Fall 2014 fashion shows are currently in full swing, and as far as skirts and dresses go, midis are dominating the catwalks, both in pencil and flared silhouettes.
Note that midi skirts and dresses can be as short as just over the knee (knee-cap-covering), or as long as lengths that cover the calf muscle.
I have been pinning NYFW looks to my Fall and Winter 2014 inspiration pinboard. Lets take a peek at the catwalk:

• Asymmetrical colour block with oversized moto. 
• Long loose layers. 
• Flared midi with short oversized coat.
• Fit-and-flare frock with longer jacket. 
• Avant-garde layers with cropped tailored jacket.
• Front vent pencil with oversized pullover. 
• Arty, loose and oversized. 
• Tailored top and pleated midi with messenger. 
• Volume with flare and beanie. 
• ‘70s Boho with a sporty touch. 
• Modern boho. 
• Fashionably frumpy. 
• Kilted and graphic. 
• Chartreuse tailoring. 
• Gold bubble with preppy pinstripe. 
• Sporty pencil and haute hiking boots.
• Hard-edge volume.
• Pleated midi with cropped and oversized round-shouldered jacket. 
• Paneled midi with oversized cropped jacket. 
• Tailored sweater dress. 
• A-line with boxy top.
• Pinafore and a newsboy. 
• Round-shouldered shell top with a wrap midi and mid-calf boots. 
• Sack midi. 
• Vented with slouch and texture. 
• Classic. 
• Swooshing full skirt with fuzzy crop top. 
• Retro with leather. 
• Swooshing black drama.
• Pencil with high-low pullover, flat mid-calf boots, and lace boot liners. 
• Hooded wrap pencil. 
• Paneled with a bomber. 
• Trumpet with round-shouldered jacket. 
• Glorious colour. 
• Sleeved frock with inverted pleat. 
• Graphic preppy with a sporty and romantic touch. 
• Bad fit is cool. 

Despite all this catwalk action, midi lengths are still awfully scarce in retail stores. At best you will find the odd midi pencil skirt and a few very expensive designer pieces. Minis and just-above-the-knee lengths rule retail.
When slim-fit cropped pants appeared on catwalks a few years ago, retail made the style mainstream right away. So some trends do filter down at the speed of light. Others take a while, and some don’t filter down at all.
I would love to know why retail is keeping midis a fringe trend. On some level, it seems that the powers that be believe consumers — and that means you and me — won’t like the length. That would mean plenty of markdowns, less revenue and lower profits. If this assumption is correct, then they’re making an excellent business decision by NOT allowing one of the largest catwalk trends to filter down to retail. But if their assumption is wrong, it’s a huge missed opportunity.
Granted, I do think that midi lengths are harder to style because of the potential frump factor, and they often require heeled footwear. And many of the fits and proportions shown on the runways this season are challenging, conventionally unflattering, and in some cases quite dowdy. Yet I believe that midis can look extremely elegant. And at the moment they look ultra fresh and “new” amidst a sea of short skirts and dresses. Minis are fine for leisure time, but they seldom work in an office environment. At least you can shorten the length of a midi, but you can’t lengthen a skirt that is already too short.
It’s anyone’s guess as to whether midis will gain popularity in this and future seasons. Perhaps the trend will trickle down slowly, just like wearing booties and flat oxfords with skirts and dresses took years to become a mainstream look. Or perhaps midis will stay fringe. Either way, I support the idea of having a variety of skirt and dress lengths in stores. Providing minis and maxis without the in-between length is not variety.

Find the Perfect Summer Dress for your Body Shape

Summer Time is here!
Women do not come in cookie cutter shapes and their beauty is in their uniqueness. When it comes to finding sundresses that enhances each body type, that uniqueness can sometimes be a hindrance. On average there are five main body shapes. Each silhouette requires a different style of summer dress to accentuate their assets and hide their flaws. Women of all shapes can find flattering summer dresses by following a few simple rules and accessorizing well

Rectangle/Brick Body Shape should focus on femininity and the illusion of curves when shopping for summer dresses. Adding volume mixed with feminine accessories will highlight the female form of a woman with a boyish body shape. Pleats, ruffles, and flowing fabric are simple ways to add volume to sundresses. Add a belt to make the impression of a curvy waist and some beautiful feminine accessories like high heels and jewelry. Summer dresses with interesting necklines, such as a trapezoid or a V shape can add curve and shape to a smaller bust. Avoid rounded collars and tight fitting dresses that emphasize the small size of the bust.

Curvaceous Body Type Women with generous curve need to avoid bringing attention to problem areas and accentuate their curves. Fluid fabrics and long silhouettes work best with this body type. Summer dresses that are too form fitting or stretchy will emphasize problem areas without showing off assets. Accessories are essential to any look and curvaceous girls cannot afford to be without a great pair of heels. Small prints add flair without being over the top and interesting neck lines show off curves in the right way. Leggings can add interest and length to a woman with a large bottom and bust. Leggings work well with flowing blouses or sundresses.

Petite Body Type
 Looking long and lean is something to strive for as a petite female. Short, structured summer dresses with high heels are the perfect option to add that illusion of length. Avoid sundresses with ample cuts or too much fabric. A petite woman will get lost in a flowing maxi dress but will stand tall in an asymmetrical cut dress. Accessories that are too big will over power a petite woman. Long scarves and necklaces can add length to petite women when paired with short summer dresses.

Top Heavy/Apple Body Type
The top heavy woman has a generous chest and slim hips and legs. This type of woman should draw attention to her assets with short sundresses. V-shaped necklines slim a large bust and hemlines above the knee show off legs. Simple lines and simple accessories are essential to a top heavy woman’s closet. Busy prints, boat necks, square necks and belts worn to high should be avoided by the top heavy woman as they only accentuate the width of the bust. Pear Shape Body Type

Pear Body Shape should look for sundresses that emphasize the bust and are slim through the hips. Women who are slim on top and have large hips are considered pear-shape and should avoid summer dresses that are straight cut or tight fitting. Interesting necklines accentuate the bust while a flared skirt with make the hips look narrower.

Fun fabrics and bright colors and accessoriz with hats, sunglasses, jewellery, sandals.

HAVE FUN!!! 

How To Choose the Best Swimsuit For Your Body Shape

If you're athletic :

Better: suits with bust-enhancing details. You can go wild with the embellishments at the hips and bust line. Rings, jewels, ties and bows are all good things for you.

If you're athletic, a ring-top bandeau flatters and a wild print is va-va-voom!

If you have a short torso...

For a longer, more elegant look on top, toss the boring tank and try chic details. 

Avoid boy shorts and skirted bikinis as they draw the eye downward and can make you look shorter.

A solid, one-piece suit with a plunging neckline creates a continual, long appearance and is absolutely

If you have a short torso,punchy hues draw your eyes up to your collarbone.

If you're lanky...

in a swim-team-esque one-piece for a hot little ruffled number that gave her sizzling curves.

You are very lucky that you have the body to wear those cute, ruffled tops that are so hot right now, so go for it. And as for bandeau tops, only you can wear those well. You can also show off in those tiny, tri-tops that the big busted girls only dream about.

Boy shorts are just the thing for your slim hips. Oh, and those cute, ruffled skirts and cover-ups? They’re made just for you!

If you're lanky, a front tie top makes you curvier.

If you're apple-shaped...

Never settle!Fab legs, fab smile, fab makeover!  An obvious one is if your tummy area isn't the greatest, then don't wear a bikini, go for a tankini, which is a swimsuit that is in two parts, or a one piece swimsuit. Kaftans, sarongs and cover ups are all fantastic options to team up with your swimsuit and can pull the whole thing together

If you have a little pooch...

Hey, we?ve all got one! But a sleek red suit smooths out the belly and flatters everywhere.

You’ve probably already heard that vertical stripes can visually lengthen the body. Well, here’s another trick. Wear a solid bottom bikini with a printed top. This will draw the eye upward and give you a longer look.

If you have a little pooch, chevron stripes slim you.

If you have a long torso...

When you have an extra-tall upper body, prints and cutouts are your friends. Try horizontal stripes and nappy fabrics, such as stretch terry and velvet.

Play up your figure by finding a suit that is cut high on the thigh

If you have a long torso, side-tie details help curv-ify

If you're pear-shaped...

Color blocking is an easy slim-down trick. By putting the slightly lighter color on top

Another thing to consider that may seem counter intuitive is to wear a high cut leg. This is because if you choose a low cut leg it may be drawing a line across your widest part, thereby creating a center of focus, so go for a higher cut and draw the eye upwards.

If you're pear-shaped, an asymmetrical cut flatters.

If you're curvy... A boy-short suit is a no-no. Opt for feminine styles, they flatter while still offering support and coverage?nice!

Play up your figure by finding a suit that is cut high on the thigh. This will make your leg look much longer. If you have curvy hips, then all the better. This cut will accentuate your smaller waist and give you a flirty look.

If you're curvy, ruffles on top showcase curves.

If you're busty...

 You need supportive cups. Halter-top bikinis can be a good choice by offering support, while providing some sexy cleavage too. Look for styles that are banded around the midriff and can be tied in back and around the neck. This style will give you some lift and will allow you to make adjustments for a personal fit.

Avoid anything with unnecessary details such as stripes.

 

If you're an hourglass...

No bathing suit should give you muffin top! The solution? Avoid anything that cuts you off mid-hip.

Always remember that you are aiming for a balanced silhouette. 

Two Piece Swimsuits

Many swimsuits come in two pieces so you can choose which top and bottom go together, this is particularly helpful if you are a pear shape as you can then purchase a darker coloured bottom and pair it with a top that is a complimentary brighter color and or pattern. Being able to purchase separates also means that you can even purchase different sizes ie. a ten top and a twelve bottom.

Swimsuit for Swimming

If you're into swimming, definitely get a one-piece. Find one that doesn't cut into the shoulders, has comfortable, stretchy fabric and doesn't creep up the backside. Forget bikini strings. You just don't want anything to come undone while you're doing laps or snorkeling off a crowded beach.