The new collections by Irregular Choice and Iron Fist are set to be the trend setter for this coming season.
They are quirky, sweet, individual and will give you for sure a one of a kind look in your outfit. The shorter you are the leaner and cleaner you should keep your wardrobe outfit. The taller you are the more focus points you can integrate in dressing your body shape. But you don’t have to complicate it- just let the shoes do the talking by keeping your outfit neutral or natural.
But before choosing your favourite design or shoe keep in mind that 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.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.
February 14th can be overwhelming. Whether you have something planned or you plan on pretending it’s just an ordinary day, it’s hard to ignore the general giddiness going on around you. Even if you don’t have someone special in your life, Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to let loose and enjoy the day.
Spoil, indulge and adorn yourself by buying something nice and pretty- even if it just for your eyes only! It is important to feel good about yourself and especially on such a day. And on the bright site you can’t get it wrong by buying the wrong gift for yourself! Here are some ideas for for Valentine’s day, which can be worn and used as well on “non” Valentine’s days. But as always dress to your body shape and personal colouring.
You have the dress, the bag and your cover up- but which shoes will you wear with it? Are you going for a matchy match, rock chick ,glamorous or edgy look? Stand out of the crowd for the right reasons by choosing your perfect heel according to your proportion, calf size and body shape.
Some know how:
Big calves
Don’t be tempted by choosing a high stiletto heel shoe, because it looks great and fits your shoe size when not having the right calf size. The thinner the heel the smaller the calf must be. Heels should be seen like an extension of your calf size! That means stiletto heels are mostly for women with a small calf. Also, avoid any delicate pattern or ankle straps or details or bright colours around your calf. Keep simple and clean without any embellishments or drama. This is not the part that should be highlighted but instead played down.
Short in height
Being short in height you should be opting for shoes that are lengthening your leg line and not visually shortening it. So, stay away from ankle boots, calf boots, that cover up the front face of your foot . The more details a shoe has the more space it needs to “shine” and “breath”. If you can you should wear always wear a bit of a heel not matter what the occasion – with exceptions e.g. sport etc. Ballerinas are not your best footwear.
Proportion
You need to choose wisely when you are not in proportion meaning having either a longer body and shorter legs or shorter body and longer legs. In general if you have longer legs and a shorter body it is best to avoid heels in your shoes because it will make youeven more unproportional. Similarly if you have a longer body and shorter legs flat shoes should be only worn where it can’t be avoided and then it is best to keep them simple and clean. Keep in mind that coloured heels and design heels can shorten your leg line, so make sure you wear them with dark long trousers. Calf boots, ankle boots, ankle straps are only for women who have the legs and can afford to shorten visually their leg line. In this case it is only an option for women with a shorter body and longer legs.
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:
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
Uggs Boots domination is growing daily whether you love them or hate them there’s for sure no escaping them – Uggs have become one of the favourite choices of footgear amongst celebrities and women in the UK. There are so popular that you can see them even worn in summer. Women have now the choice between homey uggs, classic uggs, and fashion uggs but also they have now also entered the world of bags and gloves. Uggs Boots have become so phenomenal in their brand recognition that they now define the category. As a result many other companies started to do their own range of “Uggs Boots”. So, the question is do you “uggi”?
(Please note clicking on the celebrity pricture will take you to our picture partner , all product pictures will lead you to our shop)
Here is some advice how to “uggi “right.
Uggs Boots are wide in the front and around the calf .They came in ankle, calf or knee length and in different colours and prints. The Uggs boot look everyone is aspiring to is the contrast between the long & leggy legs and the wide Uggs boot embracing the calf with its width and volume around the calf. So, not where the Uggs boot seem to be part of your leg line or highlighting a short leg or bigger calf. It doesn’t mean those women can’t wear Uggis, but the choices are limited and come with rules.
Here is some general advice:
Short in height
Opt for ankle or calf boots in deeper and darker colours. Avoid any heavy prints, busy or too light colours or any knee high Uggs.
Tall in height
You can afford to shorten your leg line by wearing busy colours, prints on your Uggs and you are flexible as well on the type of Uggs. But also the finishing touch will be dictated by the size of your calf. The smaller it is the more freedom you have the bigger it is the more restricted you will be in colours and patterns.
You got the choice how you like to “uggi” the world. Keep in mind the shorter you are the less flexibility you have to shorten your leg line. So, keep it to ankle, calf length boots in uni colours. The busier the boot the shorter you will look visually and therefore unproportional.
Stick to uni deep colours- no prints or fuzz that will add additional volume to your bigger calf. Choose ankle Uggs Boots only and ideally wear trousers over it- but only if the trousers have a wider leg line e.g. boot cut, flares, wide leg. You don’t want to wear an unflattering stretch over look that just underlines what you are trying to hide: your big calf.
Lean Column/ Rectangle:
Uggs Boots are ideal shoe wear to add visual roundness to their “edgy” frame. The size of your calf will determine the fine tuning of what to wear in the end.
Neat Hourglass
They can wear any style and type the like and are only restricted by the size of their calf, but also what is appropriate to their “age”. Only because it fits it doesn’t mean it looks good overall.
Full Hourlgass
Be careful you don’t add to much roundness and volume to your leg line. Keep in neutral rather too trendy. Again keep in mind here your calf size.
Apple:
Normally this body shape have fantastic legs and a fuller top. Though someone could say you are therefore flexible in your choice, I would be careful in choosing your Uggs Boots, because you don’t want to create the look of a heavier top and bottom, which is connected by thin legs. It will make you look like a “dumbbell”. Therefore you want to choose the middle ground that balances your top but also doesn’t overpower your leg and calf size.
Pear:
Unfortunately- including me- not the best choice of foot wear. Firstly because it is adding more volume to the bottom ( which is exactly the opposite rule for us) , which makes our leg line fuller rather than leaner. Also, most pears have bigger calves which makes us even more restricted in the choice of our Uggs boots. That they are heel less doesn’t help here. My advice here. Opt only for neutral, classic ankle boots in a deeper colour range where you keep them underneath a wider leg line.
Inverted Triangle
They are ideal for this bodyshape guideline. Uggs Boots create volume and width that balances nicely with their broader shoulders and create visually the illusion of the right body proportion. In general it is their field day, but watch out here as well if you are short in height or have a bigger calf. You will need then as well to do proportional dressing.
It is a style trend in ‘09 you can’t ignore and there is a leather look for you no matter what your size, shape or budget. Work this look by dressing it up or down or combining it with other style trends. Wear it with the colour red, studs or with leggins . Alternatively wear a biker jacket or biker or ankle boots. If you have got the legs wear the the over the knee boots.
Kate Moss leads the way … (Please note clicking on the celebrity pricture will take you to our picture partner , all product pictures will lead you to our shop):
Don’t get caught out in the rain. Sooner or later we will be showered with rain- even if we don’t know when, how long or how heavy the rainfall will be , but we can be always certain it will. So don’t despair and be prepared instead with fun and stylish rain proof items that will see you through the day with a smile. At these times you want clothes that are stylish as well as practical, versatile, multi tasking and low maintenance .
Jennifer Garner with daughter Violet having a fun day out in the rain (Please note clicking on the celebrity pricture will take you to our picture partner , all product pictures will lead you to our shop):
Find the items that work for your life style and personality.
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
