Metallic’s have become a must in everyone’s wardrobe and it is a great way to lift one’s outfit or mood at day or night. You can add shine by choosing clothes in fabrics such as sequins, metallics, lurex, studs or jewels. Anything goes – even for the day.
The trick for the day is to keep it to a small amount where the purpose is more to lift’s ones complexion. It should be used more as an accent “colour” rather to make a “shining “impression.
The best way to wear “Glam” and “Flash” now is to wear just one shiny piece-small or big- at a time. Remember that metallics draw attention to whatever body part you wear it on, because the light reflection will grab attention. So, make sure you are highlighting a flattering part of your body otherwise you will just achieve the opposite of “Glam”.
It can be at times quite challenging to keep the choice appropriate for the occasion ,current and right for your body shape.
Here are the top 3 tips how to wear them:
Keep it current by accessorizing your metallic’s with the right clothing that will neutralise the shine, so nobody will have flash backs from “80ies” when seeing you. Metallic tops or trousers look great with knits, T-shirt and jeans- mix match your look rather going for matchy matchy! Click here for more info
Know your personal colouring when choosing between silver & gold metallics. It can badly clash when choosing the wrong metallics too close to your face. Click here for more info
Body shape! Don’t be fooled by the item because it looks so nice, or it is the latest or everyone wears and has it who is hip and in. Highlight body features that can take the lime light. Remember metallics need space to shine and breathe, but they will also add “volume” to the part in question. So, make sure it highlights the best of you where you can take the clutter, volume and glam. Click here for more info
Fashion is architecture: It is a matter of proportion
Coco Chanel
Make the most out of the new season’s knits. The big cardigan is the new cover up and the waist belts will give you an edgy layer look.
Some quick guidelines how to keep the look in the moment:
Mismatched texture and fashion style- contrast is key
Multi layers for the oversized look ” a la just have thrown these clothes on”- Allow layers to peek out, combined with cheerful or icy colours in order to keep the look sharp. Be careful you don’t look messy, uncoordinated and unproportional.
Layer over coloured tights, funky leggings, skinny jeans.
Make sure that your knitwear looks current in order to avoid a dated and dull look
Also, please caution this oversized, layered look is not best for women who are apples, full hourglasses, pears, big busted, non balanced in proportion.
But here are some ideas how to enjoy your knits for any body shape. Keep your dominant colour as well in check for maximum impact!
“There is no such thing as an ugly woman- there are only the ones who do not know how to make themselves attractive”.
Christian Dior
From slate to cloud to dark charcoal- the new greys can be found in any clothes item.
Many of us are shying away from grey- because it can look quickly aging, boring and will show bad quality in fabric in comparison to black, dark navy or purple. But it is a fantastic basic and neutral colour for any outfit, occasion or personality if you know what to do and what not to do. Grey is not as forgiving as black and has to be handled with care and thought when dressing yourself.
Grey is the colour of teamwork, agreement, and passivity. In a darker charcoal shade, grey is a true power colour. In a lighter shade, it becomes more relaxed. Grey is a good choice for people in sales, banking, or finance and it is ideal in combination with other colours to personalise according to colouring, body shape, scale and proportion. However, grey is not a colour to be worn on its own – it will make you look “robot like” ie lacking any own personality…
Grey is a great alternative for those who should not wear black near the face
Don’ts
Dressed all in grey in a corporate environment can send the message you are lacking of imagination and personality.
Same goes for combining grey with white or ivory or black.
Avoid wearing different shades of greys in different outfits together – it can work, but very rarely and it is so easy to get wrong.
Don’t combine grey with any soft or mudding colours- it looks aging, your look will be dated and overall it won’t give you a confident boost wearing your grey.
Never ever wear a washed out grey in any of your garments. Remember grey shows quickly bad quality and together with a washout tone…let’s not go there!
Does
When wearing grey from top to toe e.g. coat, dress, suit remember it needs a sharp or /and tailored look.
Grey needs colour- a strong dynamic bright colour. You can choose a dramatic look, but you can also be subtle in your choice. Important is that you have focus point and your look looks energetic, fresh and modern.
Studs and Sequins are fantastic ways of adding an edge, glamour and sparkle to your outfit. They are especially great when wearing them in or with grey knitwear. It will transform your look instantly.
Grey can look nice with beige, but remember keeping it sharp e.g. with a white blouse. Add personality with a statement accessories, so you look will look sleek and elegant rather dull and dowdy.
Mix match your grey with different fabrics or fashion.
A little advice here- grey looks best when you are groomed. Too much make up & big hair and it will remind everyone quickly of the 80ies and will just drain you. Even if you wear a strong colour in your grey look- the colour needs to be balanced with a groomed understated look.
Grey and lipstick- you can say the more grey or neutral your outfit & look is the stronger and bolder you can be in your lipstick choice.
Keep our body shape, height and proportion in mind when choosing your grey and when combining it with a dynamic colour. Darker greys are more slimming and will make you look more taller. When accessorising grey with a dynamic bright colour keep in mind to choose a ” positive “body feature that will make you feel comfortable and confident to show off by creating a focus point.
Last not least Grey makes a fantastic investment buy!
Here are some ideas what to buy in Grey and how to mix match them:
“I don’t understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little – if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that’s the day she has a date with destiny. And it’s best to be as pretty as possible for destiny”
Coco Chanel
Not only the “40ies” but as well suspender, hold ups and stockings are back in fashion. The interesting twist is how to wear them- is not just by night- but also by day. Some brave ones and who have the legs to show are making a fashion statement with it. London retailers such as Figleaves and Agent Provocateur say they experiencing currently a boom, because women are experimenting with lingerie and hosiery. Apparently it is a Dita von Teese effect. “Women want to improve their mood in a recession”.
Wearing nice lingerie and hosiery can give women a fantastic boost in self confidence and as long as you don’t wear them for everyone to see you just have to focus on the right fit and size of the garment in question. As soon as it becomes part of an outfit, watch out that you choose them carefully. They need to suit your body shape, your leg line and the size of the calves. It is not about showing of the garment but instead showing how the garment is underlining the shape of your body, leg line and calf size.
When looking for luggage, choose substance and practicality over style without losing out on looking trendy.
For the traveller, luggage is a long-term investment. With hundreds of brands, styles and sizes to choose from, purchasing luggage can be a daunting task.
When purchasing luggage you should ask yourself a few questions:
How often will you be travelling? How often will it be used (once a week or once a year)?
Why do you travel?
Where will you be travelling?
Will it be used for personal or business use? Or both?
What kind of luggage would you be comfortable carrying? How do you prefer to carry it, by the handle, over your shoulder or pulling it on wheels?
How much will you be packing (enough clothes for overnight trips or bulky, heavy items)?
How much does it weigh empty? Do you need a hard- or soft-sided case (soft is lighter, but easier to damage; hard is heavier, but holds up better).
Costly or inexpensive? Expensive luggage is more likely to be targeted for theft. Cheap luggage falls apart sooner.
Single compartment versus multi-compartment? Non-sectioned pieces allow you to put things where you want. Divided luggage keeps items organized and in place.
Knowing a little about the different types of luggage available also helps. Suitcases are the most common, but business cases, duffle bags, garment bags and backpacks are also useful
The time of year has arrived when we start to wear tights. This season we see a huge variety from leg warmers and leggings to decorative tights. They come all in different styles and colours, so it is up to us to choose what suits the occasion, your personality and our body shape. As much as the style trend “shoulders” is something for the ones who can take the volume and attention on the top, this one is purely reserved for the ones who have good legs and calves and can take the spot light. It is all about keeping the visual balance.
Get some inspirations from Sarah Jessica Parker and Kim Cattrell in Sex in the City 2: (Please note clicking on the celebrity pricture will take you to our picture partner , all product pictures will lead you to our shop)
Dressing your calves requires a strategy, because you need to have an understanding of your build, you need to put the size of your calves in context with your bust, body shape, height and proportion .By modifying the lines of your clothing you can create visual balance whether you have small or large calves.
Here are some general tips and advice how to wear them:
In general the longer and leaner your leg the more attention it can take in colours, patterns and theme. Firstly because they need space to look good and also they add volume to your leg line and calf size. So, if you don’t have a long lean leg and calf, it will look unflattering and your leg and body shape will look out of balance.
If you have the proportion shorter body and longer legs, then dressing your legs and calves with leg warmers, leggings or coloured &patterned tights are your answers to get your visual balance in proportion. They will visually shorten the length of your legs due to the volume they add to your leg line.
Keep in mind also if you have small calves or a short leg you don’t want to go overboard with too big patterns. Keep them small to medium, so they don’t overpower them.
If you have a big calf stay away from any patterns and leggings, because they will just highlight the size of your calf. Opt instead for full length tights in dark uni colours- ideally in medium to high denier. This is not a style trend you can get right no matter how you try. This includes as well any form and shape of fishnets or seams on the back of your calf.
Read the Joy of clothes style guide on how to dress your calf.
This colour powerful colour combination can be dressed up and down as you need it. You can wear it with a fierce attitude, create a sexy look for going out , go for the rock’n’ roll chic look or do red power dressing for the day in the office. Choose one look and complement with colour blocks or bold current accessories. Best is to follow the road of simplicity and let the colour combination do the talking.
Here are some red & black garments and pieces that suit your body shape:
Think leather, printed rock T-shirt, studs, biker jackets, leather boots, rayban glasses, leggings, leg warmers, waist belts and over – the knee boots. Keep it current by mixing it up with day and night items, high street and designer labels , old and new.
Click on the clothes below to findwhich rock chic items work best for your body shape:
Dressing your calves requires a strategy, because you need to have an understanding of your build, you need to put the size of your calves in context with your bust, body shape, height and proportion .By modifying the lines of your clothing you can create visual balance whether you have small or large calves.
There’s no such thing as a plain woman. Everyone has attractive points, so my advice is to accentuate your best assets
Dita von Teese
A visually balanced body, regardless of weight or height, always looks most flattering.
Calves come in different sizes and shapes and each variation requires a different styling and dressing guide.
Small Calves : You need to add roundness to your calves by adding visually volume to it- clutter is here essential. That means e.g. you can wear heavy pattern tights with UGGs boots, coloured Wellingtons or other detailed boots togehter. Never wear a chunky heel.
Some ideas you can wear this season:
Medium Calves: You need to underline the shape of your calves without going over the top- don’t clutter – less is more. That means you can do one trend or style at a time- either you wear patterned tights with pumps or similar shoe style as long as they don’t touch the calf or you wear detailed or coloured boots, Wellington or UGGs boots without any pattern- keep it simple. You are most of time flexible with the size of the heel- depending with what you wear it.
Some ideas you can wear this season:
Big Calves: You need to minimise and lengthen your calves visually. So, never ever highlight your calves or even think of clutter them. That means no patterns at all, stick to dark uni colours and never wear calf boots or any detailed boots e.g. with buckles or laces. Keep it all lean and clean. Never ever to stilletto, kitten or any small heels.
Michaela Jedinak is the founder of Joy of Clothes, the easy way to buy the clothes for you, your body shape and your colouring . She is also the founder of Joy of Colour one of the leading colour and style consultancies click here to read full bio
