Big SS11 Trend - Pajamas

I’ve often said it; the second I scoff at a questionable fashion statement, it’s guaranteed to become fashion’s latest big thing!

Last year I remember turning my nose up at shearling jackets and lo and behold we haven’t been able to move sideways for the past 6 months without being accosted by a woolly fleece.

And now, it seems, my disinclination towards the practice of wearing one’s pajamas outdoors is also in vain, as ‘outdoor indoor wear’ is Spring-Summer 2011’s ubiquitous trend. According to the top trendsters, it seems that this sartorial statement – which began in the aisles of Tesco et al – will dominate the rails this season.

Marc Jacobs, Alexander Wang and John Galliano (see SS11 picture below) were all inspired by pajamas this season:

Photo credit: Dan & Corina Lecca, featured on HarpersBazaar.com

I’m yet to be convinced of this trend as I’m of the opinion that the only time pajamas should be outside is on a washing line. What do you think? Will you be sporting your pajamas with pride during Summer 2011?

Yours in style,
Caroline

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AW10: Hair & Make-up

AW10 HAIR TRENDS:

• Classic Inspirations: There are no pioneering looks this season, rather we have reinventions of classic styles. The emphasis is on structured, stylized and glossy locks.

• Ponytail: This may sound like an easy style; however, it can be a little tricky to execute. The ponytail must be high, full, thick glossy and exceptionally neat, without so much as one hair out of place!

• Flick: This look harks back to the days of Charlie’s Angels. A soft, outward flick around the frame of the face is relatively easy to create and will suit most face shapes. To create the flick, use either heated rollers or a round brush and a hot hairdryer.

• Poker Straight: Hair straighteners have been out of favour for the past few seasons; however, they’re back with a bang! To create this look perfectly, the hair must look flat, without being limp. Plus it must look sharp and shiny so no split or raggedy ends!

AW10 MAKE-UP TRENDS

• Minimalism: This is a clean and polished look. Have one focal feature such as smoky eyes or a bold lip.

• 1950s: In a nutshell, this look embraces red lipstick (matte or glossy), winged eyeliner and lashings of mascara! Add a 21^st-century twist to your eye-liner with a fish-tail finish (a flick with a 2-pronged finish).

• Grunge: In contrast to minimalism, this look favours strong lips and eyes. In terms lips, go for berry tones. You may prefer to go for a nude colour lipstick, with a coat of gloss, which will work too. For eyes, colours such as mink, khaki, brown, toffee, caramel, gold and rust are popular, with a mandatory sweep of eyeliner on the upper lash line and waterline.

• Alpine: You couldn’t get a more different look t o Grunge than Alpine. Alpine is all about achieving a clean-living, fresh-faced healthy glow. Go for a luminous foundation to achieve dewy skin. Choose a light pink shade of blush, nude or pink on the lips and shimmery or pearlescent shades on the eyes such as pinks and silvers.

Alpine Beauty: Bobbi Brown Denim & Rose Palette

• Understated eye-lashes: Finally, many catwalk shows shunned the heavy ‘lashes look’ for AW10. Be light-handed with your mascara, or dare to go bare for the most fashionable finish!

Yours in style,
Caroline

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AW10: 10 Key Pieces

In our Top 5 Key Themes for Autumn-Winter 2010 post, we highlighted the fact that this season’s trends are nothing if not diverse, which, on a positive note, means that there’s bound to be something that matches your taste!

I strongly advise my clients not to buy every trend that hits the high street this season. Embrace the fashion trends by incorporating one or two key pieces that will have you looking up to date, without screaming ‘fashion victim’.

All the items featured in this post are from designer website, Net à Porter.

AW10: KEY WARDROBE LOOKS

Capes: Not just the preserve of cartoon superheros! Capes are everywhere this season, and are a fabulous alternative to a Winter coat. Example: Matthew Williamson Poncho (€923.52):

Flying Jackets: Aviation fashion from the 50s is very much in season right now, and the lynchpin of this look is the flying jacket. These cozy jackets are have a leather exterior and a shearling interior. I’m guessing that they will be a huge hit in our not-so-temperate Irish climate! Example: Helmut Lang Shearling Jacket (€1,000):

Skirts: Sticking with the 50s theme, full and flared skirts from the dance-hall days of yore are hugely popular this season. Elsewhere, tulip, peplum, wrap-around, cross-over, A-line, gathered, pleated and straight-styles – of every length – are also very popular. Example: Burbury Crossover Skirt (€395):

“City” Maxi-Dresses: Maxi dresses were everywhere this Summer and this popular trend is carrying forward into the Winter. You’ll notice that this season’s maxi dresses have evolved into a more clean and chic style (dubbed “city style”) and are more structured than their bohemian predecessors. If you’re unsure as to what style suits your shape best, why not check out Style By Caroline’s Guide for ‘Dressing to the Maxi’. Example: Rick Owens Lillies Wool-Jersey Maxi-Dress (€370):

Leather Leggings: I’m blaming Elle McPhearson of Britain’s Next Top Model Season 6 for bringing this look back into fashion. Not for the faint-hearted, this look can be unforgiving not to mind hot to wear. Nonetheless, if you’re determined to try it, there will be plenty of options on the high street soon. Example: Helmut Lang Leather Leggings (€855):

Blouses: Romance is alive and well, with this season demonstrating a huge amount of love for feminine blouses. If you’re slim on top, then go for broke on embellishments such as frills, bows, colours and patterns. Stick to plain styles if you’re bigger or bustier on top. Example: A.P.C Polkadot silk blouse €190:

Woolly Jumper: This season designers are enjoying a tryst with Alpine influences, in particular knitted jumpers. Cable knit is particularly popular. Example: Michael Kors Mohair & Wool-Blend Sweater Dress (€838.45):

Footwear: Boots dominate this season’s footwear trends; shoe boots, fur and fur-lined boots, over-the-knee boot and lace-up boots amongst most popular styles. Wedge styles (boots and shoes) continue their reign of popularity, but this season it’s all about architectural styles e.g. curves, stacked heels and cutouts. Elsewhere, the platforms and heels are getting higher this season, but those who hate high heels will be pleased to see that kitten heels and chunky heels are also making a comeback. Example: Roberto Cavalli Fur-lined Boots (€1,245.53):

Handbags: Continuing with the retro theme, you’ll notice that ‘granny bags’ are very popular this season – look out for the trademark boxy shape, short handles and envelope fastening. Popular fabrics include; crocodile skin, tweed, fur, brocade and leather. Example: Phillip Lim Convertible Iridescent Leather Bag (€431.38):

Jewellery: Again, older styles are popular when it comes to jewellery e.g. chunky styles, gold (including rose gold), brooches, chandelier earrings, knuckle-duster rings, stacked rings etc. Example: Michael Kors Rose Gold-Plated Chronograph Watch (€315.94):

Hope you enjoyed this quick overview of the fashion trends for this season. I certainly enjoyed putting it together! As mentioned at the beginning of this post, all items featured are designer garments from Net à Porter; however, if they are a little beyone your budget – as they are mine – don’t worry, you’ll see plenty of High Street versions hitting your local stores from this month onwards.

In the meantime, I’m going to daydream that I can afford the above!

Yours in style,
Caroline

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AW10: Top 5 Themes

I have great confidence in Autumn-Winter 2010 trends and I’m very much looking forward to seeing the designer looks replicated on the High Street.

Why the unabashed enthusiasm? Well, the reason is that the trends this season are very diverse, unlike last year’s 80s overload for example. No matter whether you are a classic, romantic, rebellious or vintage dresser, you’re bound to find something that appeals to you.

Here are my Top 5 Key Looks:

• Minimalism: This is a back-to-basics trend, incorporating classic, exquisitely-cut pieces with a timeless quality.
• 1950s: Just picture the fabulous ‘dance hall’ scene in the film musical Grease, and I’m sure you’ll appreciate why Fashion is showing a fancy for wide, full-circle skirts! You’ll also notice 1950s aviation chic hitting the high street soon (think Katherine Hepburn – wide-leg trousers, buttoned up shirts, flying jackets etc).
• Alpine: This ‘Christmas Card Chic’ look embraces all things cozy. Alpine influences such as chunky cable knits, shearling/sheepskin jackets and gilets, leg warmers, fur-lined boots and leather accessories are everywhere this season.
• Grunge: Noughties grunge is a lot more glam than the original nineties grunge. You could almost call it ‘glunge’! The fabrics are soft and luxurious (silk, velvet, cashmere etc.), however the look is hardened with deliberate clashing e.g. an oversized jumper paired with a long, elegant skirt. Muted colours, biker boots, studded jewellery and a hefty dollop of attitude complete this look.
• Romance: Romance has carried over from last season. Look out for whimsical frills, flounces, ruffles and bows.

1950s style is on trend for AW10Grease is the word…when it comes to wide-circle skirts!

I will do separate posts soon on key wardrobe pieces, plus hair and make-up looks for this season.

Yours in style,
Caroline

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Style by Richard Lewis

Award-winning Irish couturier, Richard Lewis, unveiled his Spring-Summer 2010 collection at Dublin's RHA Art Gallery on Wednesday and created quite a stir with his wry witticisms on Irish Style (or lack thereof) during the reign of the Celtic Tiger.

"Looking forward to a new decade in fashion, I found myself looking on the last decade with dismay", he quipped. Denouncing the vulgarity of exposed flesh and achingly high heels so prevalent in the noughties, Lewis proceeded to unveil a collection "almost bordering on plain".

Plain, yes. But the collection is also effortlessly chic, with an air of understated glamour. It seems to say "dress to invest", in contrast to the "dress to impress" excesses of yesteryear.

Keep an eye out on www.richardlewis.ie for swatches (not available when this blog post was published),

In an effort to hammer home the point that Style predominates Fashion, Richard compiled "10 Style Commandments" to help Irish women to hone their sense of style:

1. Let your head look to fashion but your heart look to style.
2. Always wear the dress - never let the dress wear you.
3. Dresses should hang on your back, not your wardrobe.
4. What you wear inside can be more important than what you wear outside.
5. Check once in a full-length mirror, then enjoy the evening.
6. If your shoes hurt, it shows on your face.
7. The only initials you should wear are your own.
8. Clothes are not life and death.
9. The best accessory is a smile.
10. Rules are made to be broken.

Richard Lewis' collection is available at his flagship store at 22 South Frederick Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. See http://www.richardlewis.ie/ for more details.

Yours in style,
Caroline

Nautical, But Nice!

Yesterday I spent a very enjoyable hour in the Crescent Shopping Centre in Limerick perusing the new Spring-Summer fashion collections, and, in addition to the trends du jour that I reported in my January posts, I observed 3 common denominators:

1. Very short waistcoats (a bit like bras they're so short)
2. Jeggings - and LOTS of them.
3. Long t-shirts, featuring horizontal navy and white stripes.

I'll dedicate a separate blog post to #1 and #2, but I'll concentrate on the third for now.


Curiously this theme was noticeably absent from the Spring-Summer 2010 Designer collections; yet, if you visit any high street store at the moment, you will immediately notice a dizzying array of navy+white stripey t-shirts (see example pictured left, from Dorothy Perkins). It seems that although couturiers are bored of this trend; we buyers, clearly, can't get enough of it! Preppy and resilient, it has become a perennial Summer fashion favourite amongst Irish ladies.


But does this trend suit all Irish women?

The answer very much depends on what shape you are. Remember, horizontal stripes draw the eye widthways. So, if you top half is bigger than your bottom half, this style is likely to make your top half appear bigger than it is. Horizontal striped tops, like that pictured above, best suit those who have narrow torsos, neat bustlines and narrow shoulders.

If you love the nautical trend but horizontal stripes don't suit you; look out for vertical pinstripes instead which will elongate your look.

Yours in style,
Caroline

Fashion Trends for SS10

Fashion Quizmaster:

"Caroline, describe Spring Summer 2010 fashions' in 5 words."

Caroline:

"Romantic, playful, flirtatious, glamorous and bold."

Fashion Quizmaster:

"Ding ding ding, you are correct."

Caroline:

"Can I have a star in my copybook please?"

Fashion Quizmaster:

"No, you are at least 20 years too old for stars and anyway I am a figment of your imagination. Get blogging will you and stop trying to be clever!"

Harsh eh. Gosh, Fictitious Fashion Quizmaster is no fun. Thankfully, SS10 is lots of fun - wait til you see what trends lie in store!

Predominant themes: Elle Magazine summarised the overriding themes perfectly; “flou and flirtatious”! Romance and 60s Trompe L’Oeil dominate; by stark contrast however there’s also a newfangled fusion of military and tribal...figure that one out!

Sporty Chic: In contrast to the romantic influences dominating the SS10 collections, there is a dissident luxe-sportswear movement in evidence too. Tennis, golf, soccer and dance uniforms influence this season’s fashion in the form of pleated skirts, cropped pants, hot pants, sweat pants, hoodies and crop tops.

Pretty fabrics: Soft and feminine with an ethereal or vintage feel. Popular fabrics include; crochet, lace, sparkle, tulle, jersey which of course you will prettify further with ribbons, bows and There’s also lots and lots of sheer fabric about. In-keeping with the romantic theme, you’ll see lots of flounces, folds and draping too.

Prints: Bold prints (particularly trousers) are very much en vogue. Expect to see plenty of tribal and ethnic prints on the rails very soon.

All-in-one ensembles: They were very much in fashion last season and they’re back again, albeit with shorter hems and brighter colours. I’m talking about all-in-one numbers i.e. jumpsuits and playsuits!

Borrow Your Boyfriend’s: Boy shorts and boyfriend blazers are all over the place. Make sure to balance out the square masculine look with feminine accessories.

Jeans: Ah the poor crathurs are in an awful way this season - distressed, torn, ripped, patched and faded. You’d feel sorry for them.

Underwear: Defying it’s very name, underwear is very much on show this season, starting with visible bra straps (have a look at the fantastic www.brastraps.ie if your bras need a creative lift!). New this season also are ‘hotpantaloons’ which are described as bottom-revealing bloomers (in lace of course). Elsewhere, knee-high and over-the-knee socks will be huge.

Swimwear: Like underwear, swimwear seems to be tiny this season. I won’t go on any further; it’s simply too cold to bear thinking about baring!

With that, I'm off to destroy all my leftover sequins and shoulderpads from AW09! Here's to a fun, frivolous and fantastic fashion season ahead.

Yours in style,
Caroline

Make-up Trends for SS10

Continuing with our theme of Spring-Summer 2010 fashions, here are the make-up trends that I'm marvelling at right now:

Luminous skin: When is luminous skin not in fashion I ask! Use light-reflecting foundations, powders and highlighters for a fresh-faced,healthy look. Avoid product overload however or else your skin will just look shiny.

Sunkissed Skin: Ah you gotta love a bit of bronze! Tinted moisturiser, bronzing powders, bronze/gold shadows etc.

A Tale of 2 Eyebrows: This season’s brows are either very strong or else bleached out. Talk about a dichotomy! As your eyebrows frame your face, the bleached look is hard to carry off. Strong brows are a more flattering and easy look, in my humble opinion.

Lovely Lips: Strong lip colour is very much in fashion. However, like the eyebrows, nude colour is also en vogue. The common thread seems to be a matte texture; keep the gloss to the eyelids (see below).

Smokey eyes: We’re finding it hard to relinquish this Winter favourite. Make an easy transition to Spring by choosing lighter hues (e.g. inky shades, petrol greens etc.).

Glossy Eyelids: This is a great editorial look, but perhaps not the easiest day-to-day look. Nonetheless, nothing will have you looking trendier this season than a slick of gloss over your eye-shadow.

Yours in style,
Caroline

Hair Trends for SS10

Like this season’s style trends (see upcoming post), the hair trends for Spring-Summer 2010 are whimsical, romantic and verrry verrrry feminine (apart from a glaring grungy gel look, but more of that later).

Having scouted the catwalks, here are the Top 5 most fashionable looks:

• Long, straight hair: This look is sleek, glossy and oh-so-healthy looking. Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock (pictured below) sported this look with aplomb at last night’s People’s Choice Awards in LA.

• Long, wavy hair (side parting): This style sounds deceptively easy; in actual fact, it can be difficult to achieve a balance between waves and curls, likewise waves and frizz! Similarly it can be challenging to maintain this look. Nonetheless, if you do wish to try it out, arm yourself with a can of hairspray and good large rollers. Look at how well Penelope Cruz carried off this look at the New York premiere of Nine (pictured below).

• Plaits / braids: I don’t think I’ve worn a plait since primary school, but having seen the relaxed side plaits sported on the runways, I’m tempted to give plaits another try. The key to getting this look right is to ensure that the plait is ‘strategically messy’ i.e. it shouldn’t be too neat, but it must not be downright raggy either. Wear with a side parting.
• Classic Updos: Think soft chignons and sleek twists. Very Jackie O / Audrey Hepburn. The look is gentle, feminine and chic.
• Slicked-back hair: Ooooh, I’m not too sure about this one. Basically, you take a dollop of gel and work it through the hair for a slicked-back wet look. It’s very hard to wear though as you could very easily look like you haven’t washed your hair for a fortnight!

As for accessories, the following items will be all over the high street shortly:

• Minnie Mouse hair bows: Thank/blame Lady Gaga for this trend. Since Cheryl Cole wore a super-sized bow on X Factor last November, the fashion mags have been going mad for them.
• Feather headbands: In as many colours and sizes as you can imagine!
• Ribbons: Chic made simple. Buy a roll of ribbon from your local draper supplies store or haberdashery for tuppence and make your own simple band to suit your outfit.

Yours in style,

Caroline

Colour trends for SS10

This colour palette for Spring-Summer 2010 is good enough to eat. Not my words, rather the esteemed opinion of Vogue Magazine, who deem ‘ice-cream colours’ as being the hottest hues this season. However, if your teeth are aching at the thought, why not opt for less saccharine neutrals like tan, taupe, khaki, or the perennial Spring-Summer favourite, bright white?

Carrying over from last season, grey is a popular choice, as are metallic shades (gunmetal, pewter, silver and bronze).

So far, so safe. Thankfully, banality is avoided with a strong performance from one my favourite shades, green. Apple, emerald, kelly and teal are the fore-runners, but you can be sure that the other 36 shades of green are lurking about somewhere too. Elsewhere, cobalt blue and bright yellow are flying the flag for my newly-adopted home county.

In terms of finish, there’s no holds barred this season with matte, mute, luxe and lustrous all popular choices.

For a detailed overview of this season's preferred colours, I suggest that you check out the Pantone Colour Trend Report for Spring-Summer 2010. http://www.pantone.com/downloads/articles/pdfs/Pantone-FCR-sp2010f.pdf

Yours in style,
Caroline

Ring out the old, ring in the new

’80s-inspired fashion. Anyone else getting a wee bit tired of it?

You couldn’t look sideways over the Christmas without being blinded by sequins or impaled by pointy shoulder pads. Joan Collins c.1984 would have struggled to compete!

However, all good things must come to an end, or as my wise mammy would put it, “enough is as good as a feast”. And in the same way as I can’t look at a Quality Street without feeling queasy, I’ve had more than my fill of all things 80s.

While I have yet to find an antidote for Quality Street excesses, at least my ‘80s hangover’ has been cured with the long-awaited arrival of the Spring-Summer 2010 collections! Having cast my critical eye over this season’s spread, I’m glad to report that there’s lots to laud and applaud. Best of all, there’s not a sequin in sight!

Stay tuned for more...

Yours in style,
Caroline

When the Coat Met the Cardigan

This season has been all about fashion mash-ups. First we had the "Snood", pioneered by Burbury (the product of a hood and scarf liaison), then jeans and leggings jumped on the bandwagon with "Jeggings" and now the latest fashion fusion is the "Coatigan"...

Essentially a cardigan moonlighting as a coat, the Coatigan has been a celeb favourite for a few months now and there are a plethora of variations on the market to suit every shape, taste and budget.

Broadly speaking, there are 2 main Coatigan styles - chunky knit (think 'lagging jacket') and slim knit (think 'cozy sophistication').


VARIATION 1

This chunky woolly number (pictured below) is from Warehouse, http://www.warehouse.co.uk/. It is deliciously warm (especially on a frosty day like today) but could you imagine trying to wash it? The weight of the thing!

Choose if: You're cold obviously! This style suits anyone who is narrower on top (slim shoulders, small bust) as the bulky material won't make you look chunky.

Avoid if: You have broad shoulders or a large bust as ths style will only make you look bigger. Also, avoid this length if your hips are wide as this hem-length will draw attention to your hips.


VARIATION 2:

This slim-line version from Marks and Spencers may not have the cuddly factor of the chunky Warehouse version, but it's imminently more washable and, dare I say, wearable.


Choose if: You need a classic Winter Warmer to throw on over almost any outfit. Most people can wear this shape very well as it drapes the figure beautifully, and the soft belt draws subtle attention to the waist.


Yours in style,
Caroline

More Folly than Jolly!

I came across a bizarre story yesterday on http://www.ananova.com/ which is so outlandish that it must be true...

Doctors at the Harley Medical Group (major UK cosmetic surgery operator) have experienced an influx of women looking have have Botox injected into the soles of their feet!

Are they hoping to eradicate wrinkles in their feet?
No.

Are they hoping their feet will sweat less? (Botox is often used to stop excess sweating.)
No.

Well what could they possibly want Botox for then?
Believe it or not, they're using Botox to prevent pain associated with wearing high heels! This new technique is known as "foot fillers" and costs a whopping £240 a go, for results that doctors say only last 2-3 months.

Now, I love my high heels as much as the next girl, but would I inject a poison into my feet to eradicate the associated pain? Not on your nelly!

Instead, I avoid all toe woes with following combination;

• Penneys' Foot Consolers*.
• Scholl Cooling Foot Spray.
• A supply of fabric plasters & Compeed blister plasters.
• A pair of flat shoes in my handbag (if all else fails).
• Basin of cool water (for bathing my feet when I get home).

*These sole-savers are just fantastic. Essentially each Foot Consoler is the same shape as the gel inserts e.g. Scholl's Party Feet. Like a gel insert, the Foot Consoler sits in your shoe under the ball of your foot. Unlike a gel insert however, it stays put by way of a secure, discreet strap. Another reason for favouring Foot Consolers over gel inerts is because they are made of cotton - which means that they don't become slippy, and as result there's less chance of you coming home with one/none of them! Best of all, they are an absolute bargain at only €1.50 for 2 pairs (available in Penneys).

Botox-schmotox eh!

Yours in style,
Caroline

Giving thanks for my DKNY Cozy

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

My one and only true Thanksgiving experience was in New York last year, with two of my favourite people in the world! Over the course of our visit, we indulged in every cliché possible; a huge turkey dinner, the Macy's Day parade, the Rockettes Christmas spectacular...and of course the post-Thanksgiving sale at Macys.

12 months on, and given the day that's in it, I must express my gratitude for my favourite NY08-Thanksgiving-sale-purchase, my DKNY "Cosy". A rich royal purple in colour, and made of the softest Merino wool, my Cosy has been a loyal companion over the past few months of dreary weather.

Not only is it extremely soft and warm, it is also incredibly versatile as it can be worn in no less than 12 different ways. See the DKNY look-book for inspiration on how to wear your cozy, http://www.dkny.com/womens/collection.php?view=cozylookbook

If ever there was a good wardrobe staple, this is it (for me at least). It's so easy and comfortable to wear and it will transform any look. It says it all really when it looks as good over a simple pair of jeans as it does over classic little black dress!

My DKNY Cosy was quite pricey at $160 but, given the amount of times I've worn it, it owes me absolutely nothing. Plus, given that the DKNY Cozy has been around since 2003 and is even more popular this season than ever, I consider it to be a great investment purchase.

There are plenty of lookalike versions on the high-street, but if you have the cash, I suggest that you get one that is made of the highest quality fabric that you can afford. If it's anything like mine it will be worn again, and again, and again.

Yours in style,

Caroline

Shoe-bootiful!

How can you stay snug and warm this Winter, whilst staying band on trend? Tis easy - buy a pair of 'shoe-boots'.

Shoe-boots are very easy to wear and look great with opaque tights, leggings or even under trousers.

Check out my most recent purchase from Dunnes Stores - a fantastic (and dare I say extremely comfortable) pair of purple, velvet, platform shoe-boots for a bargaintastic €18!

The above shoe-boots are also available in black and grey from Dunnes. They are flying off the shelves so get there asap if you want to bag yourself a pair.

Rules for Wearing Shoe Boots

If you have short legs: Ensure that the colour of your shoe-boots matches your tights / leggings / trousers, which will give the illusion of a longer leg. Avoid wearing shoeboots on bare legs with a skirt/shorts (unless the shoe-boots are a nude colour), as your legs will look very stumpy.

If you have long legs: You lucky thing, you can easily carry off wearing a contrasting colour shoe-boot to your tights / leggings / trousers! With your legs, it's always a good idea to 'break up' the leg length by wearing boots, shoes with ankle straps, colourful footwear etc. as this will make you appear less leggy (and your legs won't look like stumps I promise!)

Yours in style,
Caroline

Conical or Comical?

Pioneered by Marylin Monroe in the 50s and reincarnated by Madonna and Jean-Paul Gaultier in the early 90s (Blonde Ambition tour), the Conical Bra is making a comeback...thanks to Monsieur Gaultier himself as it happens!

His show at Paris Fashion Week on 3rd October (pictured below) featured a spectacular array of conical bras, and Gaultier was keen to promote their bosum-boosting-benefits: "instead of filling oneself with silicone or collagen, why not try these prostheses, which can be taken off," he chuckled, "It's perfect!"


It's amazing how quick a trend can filter down to the high street. Whether it be for fashionable reasons, or the functional reasons purported my Gaultier, UK chain store John Lewis are reporting a 33% upsurge in sales for these pointy creations.

Conical or comical?

Yours in style,
Caroline

Waist Not, Want Not

Waistcoats, waistcoats, everywhere I look there are waistcoats. I’m not talking about ‘dapper gentleman’ ones. No such luck. I mean ladies’ fashiony waistcoats. Flicking through Grazia and the like, it appears that you’re at nothing this Winter unless you are sporting a woolly torso-toaster…

.. or a teeny, low-cut denim delight…

So who can wear this style?

CHOOSE IF... the top half of your body is smaller than the bottom half. A slim-fitting waistcoast can balance out your proportions, aswell as drawing attention to your neat upper half.

AVOID IF...the top half of your body is busty, boxy or large on top avoid this style as it will do absolutely nothing flattering for you.

Conclusion

Waistcoasts are hard to wear, in my opinion. Unless you have quite slim proportions, they can make you look bigger than what you are. Also, they can be quite ‘boxy’ and therefore don’t always enhance womanly curves.

All in all, I think this trend is best left to the youngsters (i.e. anyone who wasn’t around for the original 1980s experience).

Which reminds me, there is a photo at home somewhere of me in 1994 (old enough to know better) looking a fright in a massive REVERSIBLE waistcoat…denim on one side and thick brown chord on the other. Imagine! Of course I wore it with the mandatory Levi’s 501s. *Shudder*

Moving swiftly back to the present, if you really want to ‘get waisted’, check out http://www.asos.com/ where they have a plethora of styles.

Yours in style,
Caroline