Your wardrobe – with a royal zing!

April 29th, 2012 . No Comments »

Do you ever wish you could own Kate’s wardrobe? I know I do. Every single piece!

I absolutely love Kate’s style. The girl has taste. From her choice of colours, to the fabrics, down to the perfect fit. It’s not surprising, that Kate-worn creations are snatched up and sold-out as soon as they make a public appearance.

Well, there’s good news if you love Kate’s, or another fashion icon’s, style  – there’s a way to draw inspiration from it and invigorate your wardrobe with a new look!

Here’s an example – I absolutely loved the dress Kate wore to a recent movie premiere – the colour combination was stunning for a brunette, and the colours, not ones that I would normally pair. The dress was of the palest shade of lavender – which happens to be my favourite colour – and to add an extra zing, was embellished with turquoise, gold and yellow clusters. The colours looked fresh!

I thought to myself, I know I own lavender – lots of it  – so why not pair it with a Kate-inspired  mélange of turquoise, gold & yellow? I rummaged through my wardrobe, and discovered a casual look that combined the colours I loved on Kate (below)!

If you find a colour combo or style you love, on a fashion icon you admire, chances are you don’t need to look further than your own wardrobe to try it out. It’s a great way of wearing something that you’ve always worn, in way that you’ve never worn before!

A refreshing combination: pale lavender and turqoise.

Turquoise, gold and yellow clusters.

A casual lavender Tee with a royal-coloured twist!

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An enchanting dress.

April 22nd, 2012 . No Comments »

My sisters recently re-watched “The Sound of Music” – one of the first movies we saw as little girls. So when I showed one of them my design (below), it reminded her of Liesel’s dress.

If you’ve never watched “The Sound of Music”, do it for the Liesel and Rolf gazebo scene, and the dress. The dress was the centre point – no bias here of course =) - it gave the entire scene an ethereal lightness and infused each step with an airy finesse.

What was so special about it?

The dusty blush colour? Layers upon layers of the finest pink chiffon? The barely-there bows carefully placed to not overwhelm? Or maybe the gentle ruching in all the right places? Or the fairy-like skirt that was designed to twirl?

I think it was a fusion of the above. It all came together in a dress that was…enchanting.

It’s one of those timeless dresses that makes it onto every girl’s wish list, whether she’s 16, 36 or 96. It embodies an objective kind of beauty, undeniably feminine and delightfully innocent.

So if you don’t yet own a Liesel-esque creation, watch the scene and be inspired!

Designed to enchant.

Liesel and Rolf in the gazebo scene from “The Sound of Music”.

The gentle ruching and tiny bows.

Liesel and Rolf. And the dress, of course. =)

An enchanting dress.

What made it enchanting?

The dusty blush colour? Layers upon layers of the finest pink chiffon? The barely-there bows carefully placed to not overwhelm? Or maybe the gentle ruching in all the right places? Or the fairy-like skirt that was designed to twirl?

A fusion of the above, I think, made Liesel’s dress…captivating.

If you’ve never watched “The Sound of Music”, do it for the Liesel and Rolf gazebo scene, and the dress. The dress was the centre point – no bias here of course =) - it gave the entire scene an ethereal lightness and infused each step with airy finesse.

It’s one of those timeless dresses that makes it onto every girl’s wish list, whether she’s 16, 36 or 96. It embodies an objective kind of beauty, undeniably feminine and delightfully innocent.

So if you don’t yet own a Liesel-esque creation, watch the scene and be inspired! I know I was.

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Breeze into spring!

April 15th, 2012 . No Comments »

A gentle breeze on a seaside saunter, fresh leaves flickering on trees, a warm sunny afternoon –  this weekend spring was in the air! To celebrate its arrival, I’m dedicating my first spring post to fluttering skirts. By fluttering, I mean the breezy, dance-inspiring, misty, blissfully-coloured and lightweight as an ocean breeze kind.

While most of my blog posts give concrete advice, this one is simply meant to inspire. So out with the trouser, in with the flutter! Look for lightweight and flowy fabrics like misty silk, lightweight cotton or draping rayon. And tiny flowers are a must – I’ve been told that there’s nothing more feminine than a sprinkle of flowery confetti on a breezy A-line skirt, or dress.  And I must say, I agree.

To spring – let it breeze in a flowery new trend, and inspire a feminine silhouette!

Flower confetti by Ladey.

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Style defined.

February 18th, 2012 . No Comments »

Style is a look you define over time; it’s an expression of who you are. It’s a way of dressing that accentuates your most flattering attributes and gives a sneak peek into your unique personality and taste.

Your style creates a picture about you, and the more accurately this picture reflects your unique qualities, the more likely it is that you’ve successfully defined your style.

In the words of Katherine Anne Porter: “You do not create a style. You work, and develop yourself; your style is an emanation from your own being.” You’re simply defining something that’s already a part of you.

You don’t need to be born with it. If you’re not one of those people who walks into a clothing store and instantly zooms in on 5 or 6 items that are “so you”, don’t get discouraged! Here are a few tips that will help you get started:

- Take the time to think about all the items in your wardrobe that you enjoy wearing;  maybe you like the colour because it brings out the blue in your eyes? Maybe someone has complimented you on something you wore. Is there a shirt you love because the neckline is just right?

- Make a list. Now that you’ve identified a list of clothes that are “so you”, let it be your style guide – bring it along next time you go shopping, or are wondering what to wear.

- Ask for advice. I’m sure most of us can think of at least one friend or co-worker who always looks “put together” and seems to have an effortless knack for dressing well. Ask them for tips or bring them along next time you go shopping.

Having a great sense of style, also means developing a sensitivity to what’s appropriate for the occasion, which sometimes calls for adjusting your style. When you’re invited to a dinner party or a wedding, your attire needs to convey a message of respect for the host and the occasion. I’m not saying you need to suffocate in a pinstriped suit or stilettos (unless that’s your style!), but you do need to step it up a notch. So if you usually wear T’s and jeans, swap your cotton T-shirt for a nicely fitted silk one, and your jeans for a pair of beautifully fitting dress pants. Add an accessory and some nice flats, and you’re stylin’!

Finding your style is an evolving process of discovering what works for you and what doesn’t, and the great thing about defining it, is that unlike a fleeting trend, it lasts for a lifetime!

Here are some examples of women who have figured out what works for them, and have been effortlessly stylish ever since. =)

Queen Rania of Jordan.

Grace Kelly.

Katie Holmes.

Oprah Winfrey.

And of course Kate!

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Trends. To follow, or not to follow?

December 31st, 2011 . No Comments »

Trends are great for sparking creativity, inspiring new ideas and putting a unique spin on how clothes can be worn from one season to the next. They’re a wonderful source of inspiration for designers and fashionistas alike. And so they should be!

What trends should not be, are a guide to seasonal “must-haves” for everyone who considers themselves fashion-savvy. To the contrary, I’ve seen too many trend-inflicted fashion casualties to ever equate “stylish” with “trendy”.

Let me explain. Keeping up with what’s “in” – great, seeking inspiration from trends – fantastic, indiscriminately adding each “hot trend” as it pops up, to one’s wardrobe – potentially disastrous.

Let’s take leggings for example – they burst back onto the high-end fashion scene in 2005, and became a born-again hit both on and off the runway. For a variety of reasons though, leggings are not for everyone, especially if worn instead of slacks. Aesthetically speaking, the legging-trend is not universally flattering, as is the case with most trends.

That’s why each should be carefully scrutinized before being introduced into one’s wardrobe. Ask yourself; does this work with my body type? Will it accentuate my most flattering attributes? Will it overpower my personality, or will it blend right in? Will I feel like me when I’m wearing it?

If you’ve answered “yes” to all the above, sounds like the trend will work well for you!

Here’s to a New Year and a new outlook on trends!

Curious how to discover and embrace your own style ? Check back for my next blog post: Style defined.

A fitted capri pant from Giorgio Armani’s Spring/Summer 2012 Collection.

Audrey Hepburn – ever stylish in her black cigarette pant.

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A hint of lace.

November 11th, 2011 . No Comments »

There’s something sublime about fine lace, and knowing how to wear it tastefully is an art.

Beware of a very fine line.

When in doubt, opt for a touch or a barely-there-hint.

Unless it’s lingerie, be very careful about pairing silky fabrics (silk charmeuse, dupioni or satin) with lace – when in doubt, it’s best to avoid the two together. The shine coupled with the intricacy of the needlework can make the prettiest dress look busy and tasteless.

Lace loves matte or gently lustrous (not shiny!) fabrics – if well matched, the pairing can look regal – think Kate Middleton’s wedding dress!

Don’t over do it.  Layering is often the key. If the top layer is all lace, keep the bottom layer in the same color – an elegantly understated look.

For a classy alternative choose two deliberately contrasting colours, like navy and cream. Be very careful with the colour selection though – I promise you that pairing green and red would not achieve the same effect! Just take my word on this one!

Please enjoy tastefully!

Audrey – ever elegant with a hint of lace.

Audrey wearing a lace mask.

Kate Middleton in a contrasting Reiss dress.

Princess Mary in an elegant dark on dark lace ensemble.

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Pearls of wisdom.

November 5th, 2011 . No Comments »

If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, then a lady’s are pearls.

There’s something undeniably exquisite about the creamy lustre of a single strand of pearls. And the beauty of it is, that it may be worn with an array of ensembles: from business casual, to cocktail, evening, and of course for that very special occasion.

Just about every Coco Chanel creation was embellished with pearls –  a strand, cluster or a cascade. The woman knew her style and loved her pearls!

There really are no rules! Well, maybe one. A pearl, or pearls need no further embellishment. In their simplicity, they command respect. They demand a plain canvas – if you’re wearing pearl’s, keep it simple, stay clear of busy patterns and anything that even remotely resembles sportswear.

And remember one thing  - if a diamond screams luxury, a pearl whispers elegance.

Coco Chanel and her pearls.

Jackie Kennedy looking ever like a lady in double strand of pearls.

Princess Mary of Denmark.

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Fits like a glove.

November 4th, 2011 . No Comments »

After taking a break from my style musings, today I was inspired to return. The inspiration? A warm compliment from a young lady who found the tips in an earlier posts helpful when shopping for her perfect coat. Thank you! Delighted to hear =)

Today was chilly, so I thought about gloves.

What a perfect occasion to remind all the stylish young ladies that gloves are a must. Not just to protect delicate hands, but to add a little finesse. Gloves after all are to a coat, like a feather to a cap.

So rule number one: a glove must fit like a glove. It should beautifully embrace your hand, just enough to allow ease of movement, but not to look sloppy, or on the other hand, suffocate. Elegance lies in an effortless fit – the photos below should give you a better idea of what I mean.

When in doubt, stick to basics: black & chocolate brown – investing in a pair of each will allow you to coordinate with almost every colour in your wardrobe.

Not just any gloves will do – soft, beautifully finished leather is a must. No substitutions or faux alternatives will suffice.

And finally, when paired with a coat, make sure your coat sleeves are long enough to cover the top of your glove without exposing the wrist or arm.

And c’est tout! Bon chance!

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A pretty cocktail dress.

February 3rd, 2011 . No Comments »

A cocktail dress should make you feel beautiful. It should inspire confidence, a spring in your step, a radiant smile and the occasional eyelash flutter.  If it doesn’t, it probably wasn’t meant for you.

A ladylike cocktail dress is definitely more formal than a simple summer dress (or any cotton dress for that matter), and less formal than an evening gown – which tends to be on the longer side.

Pay close attention to the fabric – a lady’s semi-formal evening attire should always emanate elegance and refinement – and nothing says it better than a cocktail dress made of fine silk taffeta, organza, chiffon, satin or even lace.  The fabric of the dress and the style will determine whether or not it belongs in the elite “cocktail” category.

And ladies – please remember: wearing nylons for an evening out is an absolute necessity – sporting bare legs is quite simply a fault pas.

So slip on a pretty pair of heels, sprinkle on an accessory or two and the night is yours to shine!

A pretty cocktail dress by Ladey.

Oscar de la Renta

Antonio Berardi

Oscar de la Renta

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The perfect cardigan.

January 25th, 2011 . No Comments »

Cardigans – oh so not “granny” – that is if you know how to wear them! And believe me, wearing one is an art.

First of all, make sure that it fits – fit is the quintessential ingredient of a ladylike garment.

When buttoned-up, the cardigan should lie flat against your body – no bursting in the button holes please. =)

For an effortlessly-looking sleeve, try one of these options:  if the sleeves are long enough (and they should be – I like mine to fall 2cm before my knuckles) you can wear them “as is” – no roll-ups needed. If they happen to be a touch too short, or if you’re looking for a more casual look, opt for the rolled-up sleeve – just make sure you keep it below the elbow.

If you’re wearing a blouse or dress shirt with some elegant cuffs, you can prep things up by rolling the cuffs over the edge of your cardigan’s sleeve (see illustration bellow), for a look that blends understated elegance with style. Finally, you can leave just a glimpse of the cuff peeking out from under the cardigan’s sleeve for gently polished look.

There is nothing less comfortable, and not quite ladylike-looking than having to constantly pull down and adjust your cardy, simply because it doesn’t feel like it’s covering enough. It may be a combination of aesthetics and comfort; nevertheless I believe that a cardigan should end at least 8 or 9 inches below your natural waist like, or two-thirds of the way down between your natural waistline and your hipbone.

And what to wear underneath? A pretty blouse or fitted dress shirt is a given; a nicely fitting (high quality!) long, or short sleeved- T with a touch of stretch is a fine alternative.

So out with the “granny”, and in with the classy – for a lady, not just any ole cardy will do!

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