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In 1886, merchant Michael Braun and corset-maker Johann Gottfried Spiesshofer became the first firm in the world to make a bra commercially available to women. The business started out with just six sewing machines and six employees has gone global, with 37,500 employees working in over 120 countries – and it is still in the hands of the families of its founders. Just in time for their anniversary Triumph  is celebrating their history tailoring the female form with a limited edition collection of vintage-inspired corsets, bras and knickers that celebrate the nipped-in waists and high-waisted styling of the past.

It couldn’t have happened at a better fashion moment. Currently fashion and fashion designers are embracing vintage inspired lingerie that promises to streamline a woman’s figure and to craft a fabulously feminine silhouette, which proves to be hit with lingerie devotees and retro fashion-followers alike!

Michaela

Best options:

• The balconette bra- where the cups are horizontally and low, exposing the top of the bust and giving a high, rounded shape. The straps are set wide to give maximum exposure

• The plunge bra- where the cups are cut diagonally and the bridge is low, so that the breast are pushed together. The lower and narrower the bridge, the more cleavage you will get.

How to wear them:

• Plunge bras are ideal for V-necks, while balconettes go better with scooped or round necklines- covering up this kind of cleavage can create a “four boob” effect under clothes.
• Avoid balconettes if you have got sloping shoulders. As the straps are set far out on the shoulders, they will keep falling off.

Michaela

• More Fashion Option for Cheryl:

• Click here for more metallic fashion
• Click here for more one shoulder dresses

Dannii Minogue nailed it again with both of her outfits. What I love most is that she shows such a diversities of looks and keeps true to her style. The amount her hairstyle changes  surprises us week after week . On Saturday she looked simply stunning in her red a-symmetric Carla Zampatti dress. It emphasised all the right places and she was pairing it up with a classy and  modern hair do. She was seen a few times in this hair style and will become – I am sure- her iconic hairstyle.Her chosen Annoushka earrings complemented the the dress style to a “T”- without stealing the attention. Sunday she dazzled us with another look – but again true to her style. Her black halterneck dress with an asymmetric skirt line was by Halston and was working her full hourglass body shape to perfection. As well as her shoes and her “Medusa” kind of hairstyle were picking up on her metallic belt in her waist line. It all looked classy and effortless.

• More Maxi Dresses in Red and Black for Dannii:

• Click here for more LBDs
• Click here for more dresses by Halston

Cher Lloyd was sporting finally a look that is true to her personality, age and how we saw her at the beginning of the show. It was simply more credible than turning her into something was she is not. She is at an age where she can mix match styles, colours and fabrics as she likes- simply because she is a teenager and teenagers do experiment with styles, looks and push the boundaries. I love her look in the black dress with the printed hosiery. Her pink hairband pulled the whole look from fierce with attitude to sweet.

Katie Waissel wore in her first song a black All Saints dress and fierce Marcus Lupfer embellished tights. Though it works for her neat hourglass body shape it just looks frumpy with her new brunette short hair cut. It ages her and it doesn’t suit her. She should trust herself and go back to the hairstyle she work when came on to the show. It was authentic and shouting more drama queen than Audrey Hepburn. Her nude lacey drop waist dress in the second round looked simply dreadful on her. The colour of the dress with her hairstyle looked tired, the drop waist dress is overpowering her short height and its loose fit makes it all look shapeless on her. It looks like if she is wearing someone else dress that doesn’t suit her in size and style.

• Click here for more fashion by Markus Lupfer

Rebecca Ferguson wore in the first dress an animal print dress by Roberto Cavalli. The print works great for her colouring and her personality. Unfortunately the figure hugging a-symmetric dress is quite the opposite what a pear shape should be doing. The attention has to stay on the upper body but not highlighting their biggest part with attention seeking styles. Combining this dress with black long leggings worked great with her age and also with her make up and made it all look current. In her second song she wore a LBD by Gareth Pugh and Christian Louboutin heels. The patent figure hugging dress is again not ideal for her body shape, but wearing her hair on her shoulder line it she makes it work. Because it emphasises the upper body versa her lower one and balances it out with her lower half. She simply looked stunning.

Similar outfits for the Saturday and Sunday show:

• Click here for more Roberto Cavalli fashion
• Click here for more animal print fashion

Michaela

The “little black dress” is essential to a complete any woman’s wardrobe. As a “rule of fashion” every woman should own a simple, elegant black dress that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Because it is meant to be a staple of the wardrobe for a number of years, the style of the little black dress ideally should be as simple as possible: a short black dress that is too clearly part of a trend would not qualify because it would soon appear dated.

The rise of Dior’s “New Look” in the post-war era and the sexual conservatism of the 1950s returned the little black dress to its roots as a uniform and a symbol of the dangerous woman. Hollywood femmes fatales were portrayed often in little black dresses in contrast to the more conservative dresses of housewives.

The generation gap of the 1960s preferred in general a miniskirt on their versions of the dress and designers catering to the youth culture continued to push the envelope – shortening the skirt even more, creating cut outs or slits in the skirt or bodice of the dress. Many other women in the 1960s aspired to simple black sheath dresses similar to that designed by Hubert de Givenchy and worn by actress Audrey Hepburn in the the film Breakfast at Tiffany.

The 1970s did see a few little black dresses. The popularity of business wear during the 1980s brought the little black dress back into vogue. Coupled with the fitness craze, the new designs incorporated details already popular at the time such as broad shoulders or peplums: later in the decade and into the 1990s, simpler designs in a variety of lengths and fullness were popular. The LBD remained itself simple in cut and fabric in the grunge culture of the 1990s.  Starting in the late 2000s the fashion trends of the 1980s returned to favour. That meant the return of body conscious clothing and the re-emergence of black. All these things have brought the LBD back, and as now it is popular as ever.

You know when you got the right LBD, because the Little Black Dress is right, there is nothing else to wear in its place.

So, which one is right for you?

This is mine!

Click here for more dress options

Michaela

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.

Have a nice day,

Michaela

It is important to feel comfortable in your lingerie, which doesn’t mean boring but simply it needs to suit your size, outfit and occasion. Please be aware that is not a good look for the office to see your black lace bra “shining ” through your shirt or putting your animal printed thong on display by wearing no undershirt or a too low rise trouser. Lingerie should always complement your look and the occasion. So, keep different styles for different occasions- which is also much more fun since it will give you the opportunity to wear different fashion styles.

So, indulge yourself in this festive season with all what the lingerie fashion has to offer.

Top 3 Rules for Lingerie:

• Sexy rule: Wear lingerie that fits your size- on top and bottom.
• Feel comfortable in your lingerie. It is really spoiling your look and ruining your day (and night) when the lingerie you are wearing is restricting your movements, because it is too tight or small or wrong fit or shape. It will make you body conscious, distracting you all day and night long and will make you feel bad about yourself.
• Update your lingerie regularly, so it suits the season and fashion trends. It is really spoiling the look wearing the latest clothes and your lingerie is from a few seasons before.

Have a nice day,

Michaela

Coco Chanel

Colour cannot only affect your mood and your energy but also how you are seen by others, from your partner to your friend or boss.  It has a definite psychological and emotional impact on us. Being aware of the emotional impact that the colours you wear will have on others is an important consideration and can affect the people with whom you are meeting. (This advice is most relevant for Europe and America).

Black/Navy/Grey. Navy and black are true “power” colours. Black is the colour of sophistication and power. However, whereas women can wear all black during the day, on a man, all black is best reserved for a black-tie affair unless it is broken up with a white or coloured shirt and tie. Dark colours tend to make a person appear thinner and taller. Wearing a dark skirt with matching trousers and shoes will make a short woman appear taller.

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, 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…

Red is the most active and energetic colour and a powerful accent colour for men. It is the colour of the initiator; no wonder red foulard ties are considered “power” ties. For women, red is an excellent choice for jackets, blouses, and dresses but it is usually too strong in a suit. Red is the colour of power, sexiness and energy. It also subconsciously transmits an aura of success. Wear red and you’ll feel confident, dynamic and in control- taking on its strength and dynamism.

• Click here for more on colour symbolism and for dressing for a corporate enviroment

The Red Book of Advice:

Red is big this season and you have the choice to wear it at work or when out and about.

• Every woman should own a pair of red shoes- an instant updater no matter what the occasion and looks great with formal wear or just a pair of jeans.
• Red bags- you just can’t go wrong whether you choose a workbag, handbag, shopping bag, clutch bag, shoulder bag, rucksack. Choose one that that suits the cause and your personality.
• Red gloves, hats, scarves, belts all great choices to inject energy and dynamism to your day.
• Red lingerie: Looks always glamorous and desirable.
• Red coat or jacket will see you through a grey season and will keep look energised.
• Red Dress- never goes out of fashion. But keep lines sharp and don’t over accessories. Let the dress do the talking.
• Don’t be afraid mixing different reds with each other- it is better to go for obvious different red tones than to go for similar red tones. It will give you a dated & tired look and show you are trying to hard.
• Best is to make red to a focus point. But remember when creating a focus point it should highlight a feature what is flattering about you. Don’t just buy something because everyone has it with the risk it will show cast a feature that is not the best on you. Know what your best feature is before putting the limelight on it.
• As always know your body shape before you start shopping. Red clothes will only bring you fun and success when dressing right for your shape. Otherwise it will do just the opposite.

Shop more for items in red on Joy of Clothes

Have a nice day,

Michaela

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.

If you like more information, click here to read more on calf sizes

Have a nice day,

Michaela

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.

http://www.joyofclothes.com/style-advice/clothing-guides/calves/overview.php

You will find information on how to dress to different calf sizes, how to create/keep visual balance

http://www.joyofclothes.com/style-advice/clothing-guides/calves/create-visual-balance-between-proportions-and-calf-size.php

and to dress to your body shape depending on your calf size.

http://www.joyofclothes.com/style-advice/clothing-guides/calves/guidelines-for-your-body-shape-depending-on-calf-size.php

or click here to find more hosiery on Joy of Clothes

Have a nice day,

Michaela