Archive for the ‘Trends and Trend Spotting’ Category
White is always a spring/ summer trend. It never goes out of fashion. What changes is how you wear it, what you wear it with and which of the latest items you accessorise it with.
As secure and safe it might sound to buy white there are a lot of mine fields to step into. Many of us are so concerned with the latest fashion trends and items that a lot of us forget that a fashion trend doesn’t only have to suit your body shape, size and colouring but also the occasion, weather and season. You just can’t wear all the fun and colour of spring and summer when it is cold and raining outside. It makes you look sad and desperate and turns someone who is a fashion savvy into a fashion victim, because they can’t adopt to the weather condition. Fashion is only fashion when it not only looks right on you but also when you look comfortable and at ease. Something you never feel when trembling of being cold, getting wet and soaked because not dressed for it, getting all the dirt on your white outfit that comes with bad weather. White is a colour that requires sunshine to come out to its full potential- in cold or warm weather. Also, white only looks good when it looks white and clean otherwise you look very quickly shabby in your outfit.
A solid white outfit is not always a winner for everyone’s colouring;
Dominant Colour Light:
A fantastic choice. You can wear white from top to to if you like and if it is appropriate.
Dominant Colour Deep:
Not best to wear it as solid colour near your face, because it is too light for you and it will wash you out. Unless you wear your e.g. white top or shirt with a jacket or coat in a deeper colour. The deeper colour has always be stronger or in majority versa the white colour. Or to be sure keep keep the white to your lower half.
Dominant Colour Warm:
It is a bit of tricky one. If you got porcelain skin and red hair the pure white will provide a good contrast to your hair. But if you don’t have that type of skin it will easily clash with that and your hair together. Therefore you need to “warm” the white with yellow driven colours such as brown, green, orange, yellow, coral, tomato red etc- meaning you need to combine it with any of these type of colours when wearing white.
Dominant Colour Cool:
One of the best colour and absolutely must for this group. It will balance your white hair and make any outfit sharper- especially when wearing some nude/neutral colours with it.
Dominant Colour Clear:
As well one of the must colours for this group. It will almost always guarantee a contrast effect with any other combined colour.
Dominant Colour Soft:
White is an essential accent colour for this category to ensure that the overall look doesn’t look to muted.
Some adivce when buying your white item in question:
- The white shirt: Always a winner no matter what age or season. It should be part of every woman’s wardrobe. A white shirt makes muddy/ nude colours look sharper and by wearing a cardigan, jacket etc on top of it you always can tune and soften the pure white to suit your colouring.
- White top/ T- shirt are a must as the white shirt in a woman’s wardrobe. It is a great neutral weapon to dress up or down an outfit and will give any outfit always a lift. A classic that shouldn’t be missed in anyone’s wardrobe.
- White Dress: Is a beautiful choice for a summer outfit. But be careful the more formal, elegant and in a maxi version the more festive it will look. Many times it looks like women are taking a wedding dress out for a stroll. Try to choose your white dress right for the occasion, in a style that can’t be mistaken for a wedding dress and/ or choose it with colour and a pattern combination or mix it up with accessorising it with an contrasting theme or style. Avoid to dress in white from head to toe unless the occasion requires it. Also, the older we get the less forgiving a pure white dress will look on us. I guess it goes with the territory ” not that innocent anymore…”.
- White Jacket: As well a must for any woman’s wardrobe, but should be worn only in sunshine or in a warm climate. Not only one looks being on the wrong side of the planet but also the whole look can you turn look naff.
- White Coat: Always a favourite for the summer! But proves in the UK not always a great investment buy since the sunny and warm days are here numbered. So, the more time you spend in a warm climate the better your money is spent on a white coat.
- White trousers: Injects instantly elegance and chique to your outfit. It can be a one of your wardrobe heroes that you can’t live without it, but be careful since white trousers are not very forgiving when not having an easy body shape to dress. It brings always attention and adds additional “visual volume” to that part of the body. So, make sure you can take it. Also, ensure you wear the right underwear with it, because many times the colour, style and make of your underwear can be seen by anyone but you. Not a good look at all!
- White shorts: It always brings a smile to our faces since it is always the synonym for sunshine, warm weather, fun, good time simply ” me time “. Watch out you got the right hemline for your thighs, calves and age. The thumb rule is the bigger and older they are the longer the hemline.
- White skirts: Almost nothing makes an outfit as instantly girlie or feminine chique as a skirt- depending on its style. Most of the times they are not best to wear with tights, therefore they should be only worn with warm temperature, a hemline that suits the leg and occasion and in a style that works your age.
- White shoes: Not always a hit. White pumps are best left for special occasions and white sandals and trainers are dirt sensitive. It is better to buy cheaper white footwear but two instead, so you have more and longer wearing the look before they look shabby. It is simply impossible to keep them out of any dirt, foot marks or scratches.
- White swimwear: Looks great on young, toned or both body. Wearing a white swim wear gets you very quickly into dangerous waters with your skin, body and size and age. If in doubt just pass on this one!
- White bags: As nice as they are in form of a clutch or shoulder or handbag or shopping bag they quickly pass their sell by date. They only wear with the right outfit, occasion, weather and also only when they are still completely untouched by any scratches and marks.
Click here to view more whites
Have a nice day,
Michaela
Sunday, March 7th, 2010
Tags: 120 PERCENT LINEN, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Acne, Adam, ann harvey, Anya Hindmarch, ash, Aspinal of London, Azzaro, Azzedine Alaia, Betmar Hats, Body Shape, Bottega Veneta, Browns Fashion, Burberry, Burberry Brit, Cette, Cheryl Cole, Chloe, Christian Louboutin, christopher Kane, Clare Tough, Clarks, Clear Dominant Colour, Cool Dominant Colour, Deep Dominant Colour, Derek Lam, Diane von Fuerstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana, Dorfman Hats, Fendi, Freda, Giambattista Valli, Hamilton-Paris, Ipanema, Jigsaw, Jil Sander, Lanvin, Laura Ashley, Light Dominant Colour, Lover, Marks & Spencer, Matches Fashion, Matthew Williamson, net-a- porter, People Tree, Personal colouring, Precis Petite, See by Chloe, Soft Dominant Colour, Sonia Rykiel, Stella McCartney, The Brit Awards 2010, Tightsplease, Tomas Maier, Uniqlo, Vanessa Bruno, Wall, Warm Dominant Colour
Posted in Body Shape, Clear, Coats, Cool, Deep, Dominant Colour, Dresses, Jacket, Light, Soft, Style Advice, T-shirts, Tops, Trends and Trend Spotting, Warm, White, White Shirt | No Comments »
From tropical brights, futuristic abstract to image,graphic, dainty and monochrome – prints are the answers to the nude, pastel and utility trends dominating spring & summer season. Prints are a wonderful way to add character, individuality and colour to your outfit- no matter what the occasion or weather. But when choosing your favourite print you shouldn’t only decide by the mood you are or which one you like best but always consider your body shape and dominant colour when choosing them.
Here is an overview of the different prints dominating this season :
Here is some know how to wear them:
- Your dominant colour is a decisive factor when choosing the pattern of the print. For example the brighter the print is near your face the more suitable it will be for a clear, cool, light than for a warm or soft. Unless you wear the brighter print on your lower half and tune it down with a calmer top.
- Floral prints are great to add roundness to rectangle, lean columns and inverted triangles ( on the lower half only!)
- While graphic & abstract & edgy print will counter balance the roundness for apples, full hourglass and pears ( only on top!)
- Horizontal lines are only for lean and tall bodies or body parts since they either shorten visually your body or add roundness.
- Vertical lines are super for short people but a no no for tall people since it will you elongate you further.
- Block prints are great- but watch out. They add serious attention to that body part and add volume to it. So, firstly make sure the colour combination suits you, secondly the pattern size are right for body shape size and thirdly that the patterns are sitting at the right place of your body shape.
- Artwork/ photographs/image have to hang like a canvas from the wall. That means if you wear it on top you need to be slim, lean and flat chested. Otherwise it looks like if that the artwork or photographs got dents, which is really not a good look at all. Therefore they are never a good choice for women with a bust or fuller bust or have a apple or full hourglass body shape. Don’t be seduced by the image.
- Last but not least make sure that the print you are using is suiting the occasion and the weather otherwise you look quickly out of place.
Have a nice day,
Michaela
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Tags: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Acne, Alberta Feretti, alexander Mc Queen, Anna Sui, Anya Hindmarch, Apple body shape, artwork prints, Beatrice Boyle, Big bust, Boden, Body Shape, Boohoo, Browns Fashion, Burberry, carvela, christopher Kane, Clear Dominant Colour, Collect London, Cool Dominant Colour, Deep Dominant Colour, Diane von Fuerstenberg, Dominant Colour, Emilio Pucci, Erdem, fcuk, Flat chested, Floral Prints, full hourglass body shape, image prints, Inverted triangle body shape, Issa, J by Jasper Conran, Jonathan Saunders, Juicy Couture, Kate Moss, kurt geiger, Lanvin, Laura Ashley, lean column body shape, Leaves of grass, Light Dominant Colour, Lipsy, Lisa Marie Fernandez, LK Bennett, Marc Jacobs, marni, Matthew Williamson, Max Mara, Miu Miu, monochrome prints, neat hourglass, Nicholas Kirkwood, Oasis, Paul & Joe, Pear body shape, prints, rectangle body shape, Roberto Cavalli, Rosa Cha, See by Chloe, Soft Dominant Colour, Stella McCartney, Tibi, Tory Burch, tribal prints, tropical prints, urban outfitters, Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, Warm Dominant Colour, Wolford, Zac Posen
Posted in Apple Body Shape, Body Shape, Clear, Cool, Deep, Dominant Colour, Full Hourglass Body Shape, Inverted Triangle Body Shape, Lean Column Body Shape, Light, Monochrome, Neat Hourglass Body Shape, Pear Body Shape, Prints, Rectangle Body Shape, Soft, Style Advice, Warm | No Comments »
There is a shape of trousers that has staying power among designers and high street: Harem and Peg or Jodphur trousers. You either hate or love them.They are combining both Arabic (harem-style) and Asian (fisherman’s trousers) influences, ultra-modern dropped-crotch, gathered waist and hem, slouchy cut- they can come in high waisted trousers or/ cropped leg.
I am sorry to break the myth, but they are not easy to pull off and only suitable for a few body shapes and who have a good set of legs. These trousers drape and add volume at parts of a female body where most women have already their natural female curves and really do not need the extra fullness, detail, attention, draping and volume on top of them. It is even more of problem when they come in a bright colour or in a strong pattern.
Here is some body shape advice:
- Style is noting without a fit and with style we need to create visual balance. Let’s keep in mind that the neat hourglass is the perfect body shape, because it is all proportional. The rest of the 6 body shapes need to do proportional dressing in order to create the visual balance.
- The Harem/Jodphur/Peg trousers are baggy in the crotch- some of them more than others. The baggier they are they not only add more volume to that area but shorten at the same time as well your leg length visually. Even more if they come with turnups!
- Therefore they are not suitable at all for the following body shapes: Apple, Full Hourglass, Pear. These shapes have already female roundness around their waist, tummy and thighs and don’t need the extra fullness. It is wrong to assume that the baggy shape will hide ones female curves. Instead they will just make them look rounder and fuller.
- But they are suitable for lean columns , rectangles, inverted triangle and neat hourglass. Lean Column can always do with extra volume and roundness to their body shape, while the roundness of these trouser shapes balances the edgy shape of a rectangle body shape. And it provides a perfect counter balance to the inverted triangle to balance with their broader upper body. The neat hourglass are in total ease to wear more or less what every they want.
- The baggier the shape is the taller you should be since they will shorten you in your leg line even more when they come in cropped style or in shorts.
- Also, the thinner you leg and calves are the better because the baggy style and drapes are only coming out to shine when they can create a contrast between their full style to a thin leg. Drapes need to “hang” and they will only do that when they have enough leg space. The fuller the leg the less “leg space” is in the trouser and the drapes start to change their shape by being “ stretched”!
- Some of them come as well with a high waist in that case the rectangle shape is out of the equation and will be only suitable for lean columns, neat hourglass and inverted triangles. A high waisted trouser style needs a waist and this is not what a rectangle has. Though a lean column doesn’t have much of a waist as well, but due to heir petite frame the drapes and bagginess of the trousers will “ create artificially one”!
- Last not least if Harem, Peg or Jodphurs are low in rise it is not creating a problem for the body shapes which are ok to wear them. But they will find another restriction if these trousers are mid or high in rise.
- The bagginess, drapes need space to shine. Even more when they are coming in a belted version. So, if the allowed body shapes have a short waist it will be as well a no no for them, because the volume of the trousers style will “kill the waist”. If you are high waisted the bagginess and drapes might create an unproportional shape. That means it most suitable for women who have a normal to a long waist.
Some style advice:
- Don’t clutter this look where it has already volume. Jackets and coats should not finish on the thighs or bottom. Keep lean on top and combine it with a cropped jacket or with a long coat that is lean in style.
- Choose shoulder details like puffed sleeves or batman or dropped sleeve style to balance with the broader bottom.
- Best for visual effect is when you choose shoes that keep about at least a 10 cm distant between the end of the trousers hemline and the beginning of the shoe top.
- Cross body bags go best with these type of trousers since it goes with the theme. Even if they site at the fullest part. Wear them right in front of you rather at the side.
- Always wear with a heel!
As I said these type of trousers are only suitable for a very few women, which doesn’t include me as well. So, if you are not one of the lucky ones but you must have them and you can’t live without them, I suggest you wear them then at home for comfort only instead- in the manner they were intended when created:-)
Have a nice day,
Michaela
Saturday, February 20th, 2010
Tags: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Apple body shape, Body Shape, Diane von Fuerstenberg, full hourglass body shape, Harem trousers, Inverted triangle body shape, Jodhpur trousers, lean column body shape, Miss Selfridge, neat hourglass body shape, Pear body shape, Peg leg trousers, Rachel Zoe, rectangle body shape, Topshop, Vionnet, Vivienne Westwood Anglomania
Posted in Apple Body Shape, Body Shape, Full Hourglass Body Shape, Harem Trousers, Inverted Triangle Body Shape, Lean Column Body Shape, Neat Hourglass Body Shape, Pear Body Shape, Rectangle Body Shape | No Comments »
It is a zoo out there! From loud, futuristic, bright, graphic, abstract, floral, tropical, tribal, artwork or monochrome- this season seems to cover it all.
In order to give the prints a current look and feel wear them with sharp shoes or edgy jewellery. Try to mix and match rather than opting for a matchy matchy look. If this is too daunting play safe by wearing a simple white T-shirt with a heavy printed skirt or combine a pair of jean shorts with with a peppy print top or choose a work outfit with a peppy print shopper bag to jazz it all a bit up. But keep in mind to wear prints only where you can take the drama! Prints add volume and attention, so put it only where you can take it.
Here are some print ideas for all 7 body shapes:
Inverted Triangle
Click here for more recently added products for inverted triangle
Lean Column
Click here for more recent added products for the neat hourglass body shape
Rectangle
Click here for more products recently added for rectangle shape
Apple
Click here for more recently added products for apple shape
Pear
Click here for more recently added products for pear shape
Neat Hourglass
Click here for more recent updated products for neat hourglass
Full Hourglass
Click here for more products recently added for full hourglass shape
Have a nice day,
Michaela
Monday, February 15th, 2010
Tags: Abstract Prints, Alberta Feretti, Anna Scholz, Anya Hindmarch, Apple body shape, Artwork print, artwork prints, Beatrice Boyle, Block colour prints, Boden, Body Shape, Boohoo, Browns Fashion, Burberry, Chloe, Christian Louboutin, Collect London, diane von, Dorothy Perkins, Dotty prints, Emilio Pucci, Emma Cook, Erdem, Faith, fcuk, Fendi, Floral Prints, full hourglass body shape, futuristic prints, image prints, Inverted triangle body shape, Irregular Choice, Issa, Jason Wu, JETS by Jessika Allen, Jonathan Saunders, Juicy Couture, lean column body shape, Liberty, Lipsy, marc by Marc Jacobs, Marc Jacobs, marni, Matches Fashion, Max Mara, monochrome prints, neat hourglass body shape, net-a- porter, Nine West, Oasis, Pamela Mann, paul & joe sister, Pear body shape, Pearl Clarke, Peter Pilotto, rectangle body shape, ROBERTA DI CAMERINO, Roberto Cavalli, Rosa Cha, Shakuhachi, Stella McCartney, swimwear, Ted Baker, Thakoon, Topshop, Tory Burch, tribal prints, tropical prints, urban outfitters, Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, Yoox, Zac Posen
Posted in Apple Body Shape, Body Shape, Full Hourglass Body Shape, Inverted Triangle Body Shape, Lean Column Body Shape, Neat Hourglass Body Shape, Pear Body Shape, Prints, Rectangle Body Shape, Style Advice | No Comments »
Friday, February 5th, 2010
Tags: 14th of February, Acne, Agent Provocateur, Austique, Bloch, Boohoo, carvela, CRISTIAN DORIGATTI, diane von, Elle Macpherson Intimates, Fontanelli, Forzieri, Giambattista Valli, Iron Fist, Irregular Choice, Issa, Jimmy Choo, Jonathan Aston, Jones Bootmaker, Juicy Couture, kipling, kurt geiger, la perla, Lanvin, Laura Ashley, Mimi Holliday, net-a- porter, Robe di Firenze, Shuh, Stella McCartney, Ted Baker, Tonino Lamborghini, Topshop, Valentine's Day, Vionnet, Virginia Johnson
Posted in Dresses, Hot Pink, Lingerie, Red, Shoes, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Over the last few years, printed t-shirts have emerged as statement pieces within the world of fashion and it is proving its staying power for spring/ summer 2010. From big, bold pictures to eye-catching phrases, these casual yet stylish pieces are now nothing short of wardrobe must-haves and have proved over and over a hit with designers and the high street. You can choose this season from cropped to long or from oversized T- shirts to T-shirt dresses.
But the trend of printed t-shirts is, in actuality, a revival from the 1950s, and is something that has reappeared and been reinvented .
T – Shirts are used and worn to make a statement of some sort like declare political, musical or social connection for everybody to observe or stating personal beliefs, team affiliations, hobbies or just to express how one feels that day about something.
T-shirts are favoured, because in a word they are comfortable, affordable and you can easily add these stylish pieces to your wardrobe. Whether you want to make a statement with a bold or funny phrase, or let the pictures on your t-shirt do the talking.
But before you get go and by your statement T- shirt in question, here are some tips to consider.
- The bolder and bigger the print and picture on the T-shirt the better it is for women with a small chest and leaner upper body.
Picture prints should be worn like a framed canvas hanging from the wall- straight and without and crinkles caused by an uneven surface!
Eye catching phrases or pictures are adding volume to your upper body as well as putting the limelight on that part of the body. And it is not a good look when pictures or prints look crimpled on you- you wouldn’t want such a picture hanging from your wall, so why do want to want to wear and opt for such a look? Statement T-shirts whether in print or picture are meant to be understood and noticed by everyone who sees you and not just by asking what you are wearing or by pulling down the T- shirt .
- Women with a bigger chest and roundness around waist and tummy should opt for small prints on the neckline or/and go for statement prints and pictures on their back instead.
- Women with broader shoulders and arms should opt for styles where the print are not starting or finishing off near the arms, shoulders and above the bust. Opt for straight T- shirts or T-shirt dresses versa fitted ones.
- Pears and women with bigger hips and thighs should be avoiding any form of printed long T-shirts or T-shirt dresses, because they will follow the body line and therefore highlight any uneven and unbalanced body part. Their hemline with its print will add volume and attention to an area where you want it the least.
- Women with a bigger bust or/and short and wide neck should opt for lower necklines. Choose at least a jewel neckline if not even lower.
- It is always good to make a statement in print or picture, but if it is a fashion statement keep the colours in check you are wearing in your T-shirt. They have to complement your dominant colour otherwise what is the point wearing a fashion statement that looks wrong.
T-shirts have become such an essential in our wardrobes that they are not anymore worn just with jeans and trainers. Instead they are nowadays worn as well as a replacement for a blouse when wearing a suit, blazers, tuxedos, high heels, totes, clutches or any other formal or glamorous clothes. It is all about adding an edge and personality to your look by mix matching styles and tuning the formal & elegant look down and make it more street.
Have a nice day,
Michaela
Sunday, January 31st, 2010
Tags: 7 For All Mankind, Abaco, Acne, alexander Mc Queen, Alexander Wang, Anya Hindmarch, Apple body shape, Austique, Beatrice Boyle, Big bust, Body Shape, Brian Atwood, Browns Fashion, Chloe, Christian Louboutin, Citizens of humanity, Collect London, Current Elliot, Diane von Fuerstenberg, DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana, EBONY AND IVORY, Emilio Pucci, Erdem, Faith, full hourglass body shape, Inverted triangle body shape, Jil Sander, Jonathan Aston, Jonathan Saunders, Juicy Couture, Lanvin, lean column body shape, marc by Marc Jacobs, Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, neat hourglass body shape, Necklines, net-a- porter, Oasis, Paul Smith Black, Pear body shape, Personal colouring, Print T-shirts, rectangle body shape, Ronnie Wood, Rupert Sanderson, Sam Edelman, Small bust, T- shirt dress, T- shirts, Ted Baker, Topshop, Twenty8Twelve, Valentino, Vanessa Br, Victoria Beckham, Vivienne Westwood Anglomania
Posted in Dresses, Prints, Style Advice, T-shirts, Tops, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Who doesn’t feel ready to ditch the winter clothes and last season behind and embrace the new spring and summer collections? Especially now that the excitement of sales are almost behind us!
Although slowly but surely the next collections are hitting the shops we still don’t feel ready for all the spring and summer looks- it is just too grey, cold and wet outside and really doesn’t go with the theme of the clothes. One would feel utterly undressed or wrong for the occasion. Quite right!
So, why not ease the way by wearing clothes in the colours of hot pink, fuchsia or magenta? It is a fantastic investment buy because you can combine with any colour, dress it up or down, create different feels, looks and themes. Last not least it is the perfect colour to path the way from winter to summer from last collection to the new one.
- Fuchsia/ Black: Glamorous, edgy, sophisticated
- Fuchsia/Grey: Feminine, formal, elegant
- Fuchsia/ (navy) blue: Cools the pink, takes the nudge down, adds masculinity to femininity
- Fuchsia/ neutral colours: romantic, elegant, soft
- Fuchsia/ lime green: fresh, fun, strong
- Fuchsia/ orange: bohemian, creative, excotic
- Fuchsia/ purple: creative, feminine, indulgent
- Fuchsia/ red: daring, glamorous, sexy
- Fuchsia/ white: summer here we come!
Find your perfect piece for your wardrobe, body shape and body size. Make sure you wear it the colour at the right part of the body so it can take the spotlight. There is no point for buying a piece because you love but doesn’t play up to your strengths. A beautiful outfit can only follow a woman’s body line, shape and size- it can’t make you into something that you are not.
Click here for more Fuchsia/Magenta/ hot pink
Have a nice day,
Michaela
Monday, January 25th, 2010
Tags: 3.1 Phillip Lim, Anya Hindmarch, Aubin & Wills, Austique, Boden, Body Shape, body size, Camilla and Marc, Carrera, Christian Louboutin, Denis Colomb, Diane von Fuerstenberg, DKNY, EBONY AND IVORY, Emilio Cavallin, fuchsia, hot pink, Jil Sander, Jonathan Aston, Juicy Couture, la perla, Lanvin, magenta, marc by Marc Jacobs, Matches Fashion, net-a- porter, Notte by Marchesa, Rainbow dresses, RM by Roland Mouret, Sergio Rossi for Puma, shudoo.com, Spring/Summer trend 2010, Tory Burch, Transparenze, Uk tights, Vanessa Bruno
Posted in Hot Pink, Magenta/ Fuchsia, Purple, Style Advice, Uncategorized | No Comments »
When dressing for your shape, colour and occasion you need as well “to dress yourself” from the inside in order to ensure that you feel good about yourself. Both aspects need to be addressed – none can co exist without the other. No clothes or make up will be able to cover up a lack of sleep, a bad diet that is lacking of the right nutrients to make you feel good and look energised. Also it will have the unpleasant side effect to add additional pounds to your shape and mostly when that happens you put it on where you don’t want it. It is not about wearing Size 0, which I do not support, but about feeling good about yourself- no matter the size- with no regrets. Looking and feeling as good from the outside as you feel on the inside can be influenced by the right diet for your shape but also by the right workout for your shape. Every shape has different criteria good and bad therefore it is only logical that when we workout we need to apply different sets of rules to address different parts of the body we like to keep build up, slim down or just keep in shape. Someone who is a for example a. pear- carrying the weight on hips, thighs and calves will need to choose a different regime in diet and work as someone who is e.g. an inverted triangle who have broader shoulders or/and upper body than in comparison to their bottom . So, it is natural that their diet and workout plan has to vary from each other.
Our guide will help you find the perfect regime for your shape choose the right diet for your body shape!
- Inverted Triangle
Your build is characterised by:
- Straight and squared shoulder line
- Little definition between waist and hips
- Flat hips and bottom
- A bottom half that seems smaller than your top half
Advice
Doing a mixture of cardiovascular and resistance exercises will help. More resistance exercises on your lower body will be necessary, to obtain a balance between lower and upper.
Essential diet tips
- Stick to foods that are moderate in unsaturated fat – to avoid piling on the pounds – and high in calcium.
- Incorporate a balance of low G.I carbohydrates with lean proteins.
Essential exercise tips
- Lower body exercises like squats and lunges.
- Upper body toning exercise.
- Incorporate moderate to high amounts of cardiovascular exercise
- Lean Column
Your build is characterised by:
- Narrow shoulders
- Flat chest or small bust
- Small and non-defined waist
- Narrow hips and flat bottom
Advice
An exercise routine should include exercises to enhance gluteus and shoulder muscles. This will help curve out the shape of the body. Also do whole body
Essential diet tips
- Make sure you include plenty of lean protein, like fish and turkey; complex carbs, such as wholegrain rice and pasta; and calcium-rich foods, like yoghurt and tofu in your diet.
- Avoid carbonated soft drinks and cut down on starchy foods like white rice and potatoes.
Essential exercise tips
- No activity is off limits for your shape, but abdominal and back exercises should be high priority.
- Three days a week of formal exercise with lots of rest in between is ideal level.
- It’s important to exercise intensely and really tax the muscles during each workout in order to achieve good muscle tone.
- Rectangle
Your build is characterised by:
- Straight shoulder line
- Straight hips and bottom
- Very little waist definition
- Straight ribcage
Advice
Short fast bouts of cardiovascular exercises are recommended. High repetition resistance exercises may help tone and define shoulders, waist and hips.
Essential diet tips
- Eat a high protein diet to help muscle development. i.e fish, chicken, eggs and dairy products.
- Include RDA (recommended daily allowance) of omega 3 and 6, to help with joint suppleness during extra resistance training.
Essential exercise tips
- Upper body cardiovascular exercises will help define shoulders. Boxing training may help this as well as helping definition of the waist.
- Compound resistance training will help shape and strengthen of the middle part of the body.
- Exercises such as squats, deadlifts and pressing movements will help.
- Apple
Your build is characterised by:
- Rounded shoulder line
- Curved back
- Fullness around the middle
- Flattish bottom
Advice
Apples shapes should concentrate their exercise regimes on cardio activities to bring the body back to proportion by reducing upper body mass, while core- strengthening exercises will help to trim the waist further.
Essential diet tips
- Eat a moderate amount of healthy fats found in grains and oils, as well as lots of fruit and vegetables.
- Replace brown-coloured whole grain foods with smaller quantities of white.
Essential exercise tips
- Do high reps with low resistance for the upper body and high reps with moderate resistance for the lower body.
- Best exercises include step and spinning classes, racquet sports, abdominal crunches, kick-boxing and skipping.
- Worst exercises include all upper body exercises that involve using heavy weights.
- Pear
Your build is characterised by:
- Full hips or thighs
- A defined waist
- Shoulders that may slope and are narrower than your hips
- A top half that appears small
Advice
Doing cardiovascular exercises for quadriceps, hamstrings and gluteus for long durations will help. An example of this could be cycling or running. It would also help to do heavy resistance training on the upper body.
Essential diet tips
- Stick to foods that are low in fat – to avoid piling on the pounds – and high in calcium.
- Lower your salt intake to reduce water retention and cellulite in problem areas.
Essential exercise tips
- Use aerobic activities to slim your lower half and then strengthen the upper body with weights and resistance training.
- Best exercises include push-ups, chin-ups, leg lifts, jogging and dancing.
- Worst exercises include rollerblading, stepping and high resistance weights.
Neat hourglass
Your build is characterised by:
- A defined bust
- A defined waist
- A neat bottom
- Neat hips
Advice
Doing moderate to high intensity cardiovascular exercise will help tone the whole body. Carrying out resistance training at high reps and low weight will also help.
Essential diet tips
- Eat lean protein, such as skinless chicken breasts, and lots of leafy green vegetables, like spinach, broccoli and cabbage.
- Avoid foods high in sugar and limit your intake of eggs, dairy products and nuts.
Essential exercise tips
- Focus on losing weight and inches first with high reps and low resistance exercises, then slowly incorporate weights if you want.
- Best exercises for your shape include fast walking and slow jogging with no incline, jumping jacks, swimming for distance and stationary cycling with light resistance.
- Worst exercises include step and spin classes, leg presses and thigh machines on high resistance, weighted squats and lunges, and running or rollerblading on incline.
- Full Hourglass
Your build is characterised by:
- A full bust
- A small waist
- A rounded bottom
- Rounded hips
Advice
To help fat burning do interval training or circuit training. This will help burn excess fat around the body.
Essential diet tips
- Eat lean protein, such as skinless chicken breasts, and lots of leafy green vegetables, like spinach, broccoli and cabbage.
- Include lots of antioxidants and minerals to help break down fats within the body.
Essential exercise tips
- Use interval training and circuit training to help burn fats and tone up the whole body.
- Include exercises that help strengthen both lower and upper back.
- Include toning exercises like light resistance training for the whole body.
Click here for more advice
Have a nice day,
Michaela
P.S: Net- a- porter is now available on Joy of Clothes
Friday, January 15th, 2010
Tags: 3.1 Phillip Lim, adidas by Stella McCartney, alexander Mc Queen, Alexander Wang, Anna Scholz, Apple body shape, Aubin & Wills, Boden, Body Shape, Bottega Veneta, Brian Atwood, Burberry, Christian Louboutin, Converse, Diane von Fuerstenberg, Dorothy Perkins, Faith, Fiorentini Baker, full hourglass body shape, Inverted triangle body shape, Issa, J Brand, Lanvin, lean column body shape, Marc Jacobs, Matches Fashion, Michael by Michael Kors, MiH Jeans, Miu Miu, neat hourglass body shape, net-a- porter, Pear body shape, Personal colouring, rectangle body shape, Sky, Stylebop, Topshop, Tory Burch, Vanessa Bruno, Vivienne Westwood
Posted in Apple Body Shape, Body Shape, Dresses, Full Hourglass Body Shape, Hot Pink, Inverted Triangle Body Shape, Jacket, Knitwear, Lean Column Body Shape, Leggins/Tights, Neat Hourglass Body Shape, Pear Body Shape, Power Shoulders, Purple, Rainy days, Rectangle Body Shape, Style Advice, Tops | No Comments »
Colours can really liven up our whole look and if we get it right, make us look fabulous from the outside. But what about the inside?
The natural colours in food are produced by the antioxidants and nutrients they contain – all of which are fabulous anti-agers that also fight illness and disease. But going for a colourful diet doesn’t automatically mean that artificial colourings are good for you. Instead stick to the natural colour rainbow of food.
There’s no disputing that fruits and vegetables are healthy and that you should eat as many as you can. They are low in fat, calories, and sodium, have no cholesterol, and are high in fibre. Fibre helps fill you up so don’t feel like eating more, and it also helps move the digestive process along. Of course, these foods are also full of vitamins and minerals that provide your body with energy.
Fruits and vegetables are full of phytochemicals, which are chemicals that come from plants and provide color to the food. There are more than 12,000 phytochemicals in nature, and eating fruits and vegetables, rather than using supplements, is the best way to make sure you are getting enough of them in your diet. Each colour food has a different type of phytochemical that helps your immune system function properly.
Next time you eat a meal see how many colours are on your plate of food. Get colour in your diet and into your wardrobe and you’ll have bundles of energy and an enviable glow from the inside and outside.
Here are some examples of how to make the colour diet work in your diet and in your day to day wardrobe, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to follow.
Eat by colour, dress by colour!
Dressing in Red
Red – it is the colour of power, sexiness and energy. Wear red and you feel confident, dynamic and in control. Every woman should own a pair of red shoes. It not only transforms you from the inside by affecting how you feel about yourself but it will make you look more confident on the outside, transforming every single outfit – they’ll be the icing on the cake!
Red Fruits and Vegetables
The phytochemicals in red food are called carotenoids and anthocyanins. One of the most abundant carotenoids is lycopene. Lycopene helps reduce damage from free radicals in your body and it also prevents heart disease, cancer, prostrate problems, and reduces the skin damage from the sun. These red foods help memory function, urinary tract health, and make your heart healthier,
View all red items in our shop
Dressing in Blue
Blue commands authority and trust. Wearing blue creates positivity and tranquility around you. So if you don’t need to wear blue suit to work, then you should have a pair of good quality blue denim jeans in a timeless cut and style. These will work for you at anytime with anyone – every woman needs a pair of jeans she can trust and rely on.
Dressing in Purple
Purple expresses creativity and underlines your individuality. It’s a good alternative to black and navy. Next time you buy a new coat or a dress for special occasion try buying it in purple. It’s a colour which can be worn by everyone no matter what colouring, body shape, age or season we’re in. But it will give your look an individual touch and will help you stand out from the crowd.
Blue/Indigo/Violet Foods
The blue, indigo, and violet foods are great for their anti-aging properties. These foods have tons of antioxidants, which are called anthocyanins and phenolics. They help improve circulation and prevent blood clots, so they are great for the heart and can help prevent heart disease. They are also known to help memory function and urinary tract health and to reduce free radical damage.
View all blue items in our shop View all Purple items in our shop
Dressing in Orange
Carotenoids are the powerful phytochemical in orange foods, and they are what give these foods their colour. Carotenoids repair DNA and help prevent cancer and heart disease, as well as strengthening our vision. These orange foods also give us the right amount of vitamin A, which keeps our eyes and skin healthy, and protects against infections. They are also known to boost the immune system. Some of these also cross over with the health benefits of the yellow foods below.
Orange Fruits and Vegetables
The phytochemicals in red food are called carotenoids and anthocyanins. One of the most abundant carotenoids is lycopene. Lycopene helps reduce damage from free radicals in your body and it also prevents heart disease, cancer, prostrate problems, and reduces the skin damage from the sun. These red foods help memory function, urinary tract health, and make your heart healthier,
View all orange items in our shop
Dressing in Yellow
It is the colour of happiness and injects a taste of summer into any wardrobe, but sometimes we shy away from wearing too much yellow. Many women find it clashes with their skin tone. So, finding the right yellow for your colouring will help to lift your spirits. A spring/summer must have is they yellow cardigan – it will lift your spirit and image and is ideal for any wardrobe combination. If you’re not sure about wearing so much yellow near your face then experiment by wearing smaller amounts e.g. as part of a shirt pattern, a scarf or some jewellery .It always brightens up your complexion and will make you look and feel happy.
Yellow Fruits and Vegetables
Yellow foods are high in antioxidants like vitamin C. Vitamin C keeps our teeth and gums healthy, helps to heal cuts, improves the mucus membranes (like when we have colds), helps to absorb iron, prevents inflammation, improves circulation, and therefore prevents heart disease. Some of the darker ones cross over with the health benefits of orange foods.
View all yellow items in our shop
Dressing in Green
Green conveys freshness and reassurance. Wearing green will reflect imagination and a sense of feeling alive and enjoying it. So, make the most out of it next time you go shopping – find your best shade of green and make it work for you e.g. when choosing an emerald green blouse or teal top or accessorizing your look with lime green jewellery.
Green Fruits and Vegetables
These foods have the phytochemicals sulforaphane and indoles, which both prevent cancer. They are also good for the circulatory system and have good vitamin B and minerals. Green vegetables also help with vision, and with maintaining strong bones and teeth. Some of the yellower green vegetables have carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin that help to prevent cataracts and eye disease, as well as osteoporosis.
View all green items in our shop
Dressing in White
Wearing white will always soften your appearance but it is also the colour of purity so it will give your look a kind of “pure feel” but it also works well as a contrasting touch when combined with any other colour. It is the ideal colour to wear in hot climates since it reflects light. So, no woman should be without a good white summer blouse, dress, skirt or trousers. In business every woman should have a couple of good white shirts that suit her body shape and neckline. They are timeless and fantastic investment buys, because they will never go out of fashion when bought in a classic style.
Greenish/White Foods
The strong phytochemical in these whitish/greenish vegetables is called allicin, and it is an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral chemical. Some white foods prevent cancer and heart disease, and lower cholesterol levels. Celery is often dubbed as a useless vegetable because it has no calories, but it does have minerals like good sodium that help keep the joints healthy. Also, the selenium in mushrooms is healthy as well. This group helps maintain low cholesterol levels in your body as well as a healthy heart.
View all white items in our shop
Have a nice day,
Michaela
Saturday, January 9th, 2010
Tags: Alicia Silverstone, Body Shape, outnet, Personal colouring
Posted in Trends and Trend Spotting, Uncategorized | No Comments »
“Elegance does not consist in putting on a new dress.”
Coco Chanel
Wearing a bright colour in your dress will enable you to wear it for daytime occasions, but also for evening engagements- you just have to combine the right accessories. Dress these coloured dresses up or down by wearing them with boots, flats or high heels or nude tights, coloured or patterned tights or with chunky necklaces and bracelets, or with hats or scarves or with a faux fur jacket or fancy dress coat. The choice is yours.
These dresses are great to add your signature style, by dressing them up or down or with your individual style and making them your own. Therefore they make great investment buys since you can create so many looks with them for different occasions and make them work as well in different seasons.
Have fun and experiment with colour, but since these dresses come as block colours you need to make sure you wear the right colours for your colouring, body shape and proportion. Colours bring the spotlight on you and the darker the colour the longer you will appear visually- and vis versa. But also bright colours are adding volume while darker shades are more slimming.
Dressing in the right colours is about creating balance and harmony between your own colouring and the colours you wear, in both clothes and make-up. Balance and harmony is achieved by wearing colours that have similar characteristics as our colouring so that the undertone, depth and clarity are in a similar range. It’s an easy way to look good, feel good and co-ordinate your wardrobe. Not only that but wearing the right colours can help you achieve a younger, healthier and groomed look.
Click here for more info wearing the right colours
- Know your dominant colour before choosing your dress in a rainbow colour
Click here for more info
- Know as well your body shape before you are choosing your favourite rainbow colour- otherwise you might be in for a bad surprise.
Click here for more info
Wearing your favourite colour and wearing the right colour for your colouring and body shape might not always be the same thing. Keep also in mind that little changes in your hair such as highlights or lowlights in your hair will affect your dominant colour. This means a colour that may have looked great in the past, now doesn’t work so well because your hair colour has changed or skin matured. So, don’t try to force it and try something new instead – embrace change rather than seeing it negatively. If there are colours that look great on you, but for one reason or another you don’t like the colour on you or at all, then just don’t wear it. As important as it is to wear the right colours, it’s also important to feel comfortable with the colour choice you are wearing.
Shop for more dresses in rainbow colours:
Also, this the last blog before Christmas. We will be back with more blogs around the New Year! I am wishing you all a merry Christmas and a relaxing and happy time. All the best for the New Year- hopefully you will have a fantastic beginning.
Have a nice day,
Michaela
P.S:
Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
Tags: 3.1 Phillip Lim, alexander Mc Queen, Armand Basi, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Black Halo, Body Shape, Coco Chanel, Dominant Colour, fcuk, Matches Fashion, My wardrobe, Nanette Lepore, Nicole Miller, Ossie Clark, Paul Smith Black, Personal colouring, Roksanda Ilincic, Roland Mouret, Sarah Jessica Parker, See by Chloe, Vivienne Westwood Anglomania, Yves Saint Laurent
Posted in Body Shape, Dresses, Power Shoulders, Promotions, Purple, Red, Style Advice, Uncategorized | No Comments »
