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AUTUMN/WINTER 2011 |
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Fashion goes swinging
again this Autumn/Winter and the 60s comeback is a head-to-toe
affair: sloping shoulders and bracelet sleeves, polonecks
and mod pants, knee-high boots and bee-hives, clean-line
tunics and retro knits. This trend is all about shape,
shape, shape, so keep it simple and go for sharp lines,
block colours and minimal detailing
From elaborate artistic swirls
and opulent winter florals, to the humble polka dot,
this season is a master class in print and pattern.
If youre a print novice start with some dots
and work your paintbrush upwards. Intermediates make
an impact by mixing your motifs with monochrome, and
if youre a little braver then get clashing.
This Autumn/Winter 2011 is also
having a menswear moment with mannish coats, oversized
boyfriend sweaters, trouser suits, brogues all abundant
on the catwalk. This gender shake-up was full of retro
references
And we did say this is the season
of elegance so make sure you blur the boundaries and
give your androgynous looks a feminine twist. The
seasons return to elegance is goes back to Forties
ladylike sophistication. So its a fully dressed
affair fur shrugs, pearls, gloves and a slim
belt are all required extras.
Keep the look modern, by avoiding anything too frilly
or fussy and play with bold accessories.
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Borrowed-from-the-boys Tailoring
This season you must borrow from the boys and that means
literally masculine tailoring
details such as cummerbunds, silk ties, pinstripes and
overcoats all featured in looks this season to give
some manly punch. Weve said it before but well
see it again(!) add in a feminine spin to keep
the look sensuous and not City-boy.
This is how its done
feminise the exacting style and rigid line of this trend
with fabrics and decoration. The monochrome colour-block,
slight curved shape and
leather sleeves give the masculine overcoat a feminine
fashion edge and the grey oversized coat is softened
with fur tand softer cut trousers.
Trend and shape your body:
Use tailoring details to clever effect pinstripes
to
create lean, long lines, cummerbunds and belts to show
off your waist and ties to draw focus upwards and add
height.
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The pencil skirt
Forties Flair fully revolves around the pencil skirt
smart and super-sexy, a form- fitting pencil
is a key staple for autumn. Think polished elegance
with a touch of kink.
Take Hitchock era sirens as your point on reference.
Trend and shape your body:
Pear shapes opt for dark pencil skirts and use additional
extras such as a fedora or fur tippet to draw attention
upwards. Top- heavy shapes opt for this seasons
metallic or lace pencil skirts for added volume and
depth down below.
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Jewel Colours
Fashions palette has moved on from Summers
acid brights and paintbox pops of colour to colours
that dazzle like prized gems. With names like amethyst,
sapphire, emerald, ruby, garnet and citrine these
hues will make any look rich and sophisticated. Wear
one colour from head-to-toe to make maximum impact,
juxtaposed with this seasons monochrome for a
little sobriety or in one of this seasons hottest
bold colour pairings as seen here at Monsoon.
Trend and shape your body:
Tonal tights and shoes will give a colourful look an
extra flattering dimension. Lighter jewels add volume
while darker ones diminish it.
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Pussy Bow Blouse
Nothing says ladylike sophistication faster than a tie
of a pussybow. A blouse in rich, muted colour is the
last word in understated elegance and will add that
just-right-now
simple, elegant vibe to any look.
Steer away from the predictable
interpretation with the use of unexpected colour combinations.
This colour blocking blouse does just that, keeping
the look fresh and modern.
Trend and shape your body:
Colour will draw focus wherever it is placed as will
a pussybow which will also add volume. If youre
bigger up top then mix your trends and team with 70s-esque
wide leg trousers to balance things out.
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Heritage
Dust off your wax jacket, British heritage designs are
having a moment- think Lady of the Manor at her country
pile. Tweed, plaid, herringbone, tartan, quilting all
featured heavily on the catwalk. And the way to wear
it? Reformat classic country house style by mixing like
mad!
To make the look work in the real
world, keep colours tonal and use subtly different shapes
and patterns like this look from House of Fraser
the stripes and chevrons and a grey, black and white
palette keeps the look in check!
Trend and shape your body:
This can be a bulky trend so pick one statement piece
if the volume all gets too much. Belt up to give a modern
cinch and keep your true silhouette on show.
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Artistic
The most beautiful ornate designs this season were worthy
of gilded frames rich intricate designs inspired
by Faberge Eggs and Ming vases. On the catwalk pieces
were worn together in exceptionally elaborate looks
but you can create your own masterpiece with one beautiful
statement piece.
Frame your own figure beautifully
by wrapping around a waist belt and mounting on ,a black
background.
Trend and shape your body:
Dark prints work well with solid darks to create
a
minimising effect for curvy bodies.
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Cocoon Shape
Get cocooned in classic 60s couture in a line up
of voluminous padded dresses, coats and skirts. Lines
are softer and curving with rounded sleeves, puffy shoulders
and bell-shaped skirts. Choose a ballooned shape to
exaggerate your shape to beautiful effect puffy
shoulders will enhance narrow, sloping shoulders; round
bracelet sleeves flatter arms and bell-shapes skirts
cover hips and thigh and show off waists.
Dont blow up the balloon
to burst though a more deflated option is more
flattering. Wear heels to lift the look further.
Trend and shape your body:
Colour blocking is easier than it looks just make
sure you dont create a hard horizontal line across
the widest part of your body higher or lower
and you will be fine.
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Shift Dress
The shift dress is the quintessential Sixties ingredient.
Ditch the excess and keep the style recipe simple and
pared back for an effortlessly chic look. Look for a
dress with a Mod-erne twist..
The way to work the modern shift
is with heels and minimal jewellery such as a sleek,
bold cuff. With the fitted shift dress becoming one
of next seasons strongest
staples commercially as
strong as it gets shift with prints that called
to mind Monets waterlilies; inky florals in the
richest scarlet; and panels with bra fastenings at the
back to show a tantalising window of flesh.
Trend and shape your body:
Dresses that glide over the body work brilliantly on
all shapes and create a toned smooth look if worn with
an ATIR body shaper, a must have in every womans wardrobe
check out www.atir.ie
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