Archive for the ‘Monochrome’ Category

Peppy Prints!

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.

Photo by: AT1/Xposure/starmaxinc.com 2010 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2/18/10 Kate Moss at Fashion

Here is an overview of the different prints dominating this season :

  • Animal Print

  • Graphic/ Abstract

  • Image

  • Flora & Fauna:

  • Monochrome

  • Brights/ Colour blocks

  • Tribal

  • Tropical

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

Monochrome Mania

Keep it simple and stylish with black and white classics  no matter what the occasion.  Be careful where you adorn yourself with these bold patterns, because they add volume and bulk to that body part.  Make sure you can you can cope with the additonal volume by knowing your body shape. It is all about visual balance . Every body shape has a different aim to attract the right focus and attention. This trend is the perfect example for displaying your know how of fashion rather being a fashion victim by trying to show off you are wearing the latest trend.

Here are a few examples how to wear this monochrome trend for each body shape. Some body shapes can wear the same items.

  • Neat Hourglass

Aim: You have the “ideal female” figure, and almost anything goes. Best to wear shaped and fitted lines in order to follow your body line.

  • Full Hourglass

Aim: To follow body line – Key here is not to hide your curves, but as well not to add bulk to them.

  • Apple

Aim: Keep details in top and lower thirds – don’t add bulk to your fullest part.

  • Pear

Aim: To enhance your upper body in order to balance with your lower half.

  • Inverted Triangle

Aim: You need clothes which make hips look broader, to balance out your top with your bottom half.

  • Rectangle

Aim: You need to create the illusion of a waist.

  • Lean Column

Aim: To  give the illusion of feminine curves on hips and thighs.

You can shop for  more monochromatic styles on:

http://www.joyofclothes.com/shop/?clear=all

Or for advice how to dress acording to your body shape, please visit:

http://www.joyofclothes.com/style-advice/?clear=all

Watch Lilly Allen making the monochrome style slick  in the  “It’s not fair” video

Have a nice day,

Michaela

Friday, September 4th, 2009