And I, for one, certainly hope it's going to be a hot one this year! Even though we are in the deepest of deep recessions, clothes are still needed so the key to style ownership for 2009 (and, quite frankly is how we should always be thinking) is to know what you look good that suits your body shape and personal style, invest wisely and maximise on what you have. It's about being selective and cost conscious with an eye on quality over quantity.
Here are my Top 10 Tips for what to look out for Spring/Summer 2009:
1. Colour Yellow for 2009
It's already featured in this issue of Stylise and brings with it a warm injection of optimisim into the fashion world and the high street. Introduce the colour with any of this seasons items or why not just a simple scarf, jewellery or belt? If you can carry it, team this colour with golden, bronze and shimmering metallic tones.
2. Dresses
Finally time to get out of tights and leggings and show off those legs. Or if you still prefer, team with jeans or trousers but ladies...it's dress time! One of things I often hear from my clients is a desire to feel more feminine and there is nothing more so than wearing a dress and there are enough out there to suit any body shape.
This season look out for 60's A-line shift dresses, the Grecian drape styles, maxi, kimono and kaftan style dresses, one-shoulder designs, tulip or cocoon tiered over straight skirts.
One shoulder Draped Dress - Warehouse £70, Foral Placement Batwing Dress - Warehouse £60, Grecian Dress - Oli £65, Colour Block Dress - Karen Millen £160.
3. Romp around in the jumpsuit!
Just when you thought we couldn't bring anything else back from the 60's...the jumpsuit is back and it's big. These were extremely popular and I can still remember wearing my mum's maroon number. These have come back in all sorts of shapes and styles with varying trousers lengths and widths, in every material there is and incorporating the latest sleeves, necklines and trends so you will be spoilt for choice! Persoanally I haven't ventured into trying one on yet but these are sure to be a fun and versatile piece!
4. Sleeves and Shoulder emphasis
This season sees a lot of interest in the shoulders and arms with sleeves of every design making a comeback. Look out for kimono and kaftan draped sleeves, batwing, cap sleeves and puff shaped all in a variety of lengths. Good news if you do prefer to cover up your arms but choose wisely so as not to take your over all look out of proportion and over-emphasis larger framed arms.
5. Wear it in blocks and wear it bold!
While yellow is the chosen colour of the year, this time of the year always brings with it bright and vibrant tones. Favourites are fuchsia pink (one of my favourites!) and orange and strong colours continuing from the Autumn - purple, jade, cobalt and midnight blue. Neutrals for this season see a return to black and dark navy and an abundance of soft beiges and creams.
Mix and match bold colours in block pieces, not so much to shock but elegantly lift the spirits! But if you are more conservative then team block colours with neutrals and accessories.
6. Trousers (...this one is not for everyone!)
The newest styles are harem pants and carrot top and peg top trousers. Often these have a dropped crotch and so can look amazing or hideous...depending on how you wear them in line with your body shape. It is important to balance the top half and emphasise waist with a belt.
Carrot top trousers Promod £18, Striped Peg Trousers Promod £27, Canvas harem trousers £27
7. Sheer fabrics
The love of see through pieces and sheer fabrics continues and this trend does lend itself to be worn in many ways depending on your wardrobe personality. For the more daring out there you may be fine using it to expose a bit of lingerie but for others, it can be a flattering for a more modest cover up. Look out for layering, draped and ruffles in dresses, trousers, tops, blouses and accessories.
8. Draping
I love this trend as, again, it can be worn by a variety of body shapes since there is a flattering focus on the waist or side waist. Retailers everywhere are picking up on this from day to formal wear with an eye on modesty. Draping effects are created by folds, neat pleats, tucks, and bow ties all in the seasons hot colours.
Pink Wrap Dress £30, Purple Drape Drape Wrap Tunic - Dorothy Perkins £25, Navy slinky draped dress - Principles £59, Red Pleat Neck Batwing Top - Wallis £25
9. Fringing and Embellishment
Remember the flapper dress trend of 2008, it's now moved on by taking it's key element - fringing and interpreting it in a very modern and chic way so it positively moves with you. If you've got the legs you can carry off the shorter hem line with fringe detail. Otherwise anything with any kind of fringe or embellishment detail is must wardrobe update and if you can't buy it then why not think about adapting or enhancing an item you already have.
Orange Gold Embellished Neck Top - Debenhams £18, Embellished Fringe Sleeve Top - TopShop £40
10. Accessory update
Apply all of the above colour and fashion trends to your accessories, including shoes, belts and bags - particularly the fringing and embellishent. Belts are wide and heels are still high...in fact teetering high!
Flavio Fringe Sandal - TopShop £40, Grey Fringe Shoulder Bag - Debenhams £60, Butterfly Clutch Bag - Karen Millen £120, Klaudia Shoe - Dune £85.
There is a definite liking of haberdashery ornamentation on accessories to add fun and even revive garments in an easy and cheap way. Favourites are flower, butterfly, dragonfly, tribal and animal motifs and wooden and natural beading - add these creative 3D forms on neck and waistlines but to really be noticed this season...dress your hem lines, particulary with rose detailing or fringing.
Jewellery is big, bold and beautiful with costume items, retro designs (think 80's!) and colourful cuff bangles, thick and thin...mix and match and wear as many as you want (careful if you are shorter on the arms though)
Apache Seed Bead Bangle - Accessorise £10, Summer Flower Brooch- Accessorise £8, Swarovski Crystal Dragonfly brooch £26.00, Nefertiti Embellished Bib Necklace - Accessorise £20
So there you have it, a whistle top tour of what to look out for to update your wardrobe - have fun exploring what's out there!
For more information on Min's services, offers and workshops, please visit www.imaginestyle.com.
Here are my Top 10 Tips for what to look out for Spring/Summer 2009:
1. Colour Yellow for 2009
It's already featured in this issue of Stylise and brings with it a warm injection of optimisim into the fashion world and the high street. Introduce the colour with any of this seasons items or why not just a simple scarf, jewellery or belt? If you can carry it, team this colour with golden, bronze and shimmering metallic tones.
2. Dresses
Finally time to get out of tights and leggings and show off those legs. Or if you still prefer, team with jeans or trousers but ladies...it's dress time! One of things I often hear from my clients is a desire to feel more feminine and there is nothing more so than wearing a dress and there are enough out there to suit any body shape.
This season look out for 60's A-line shift dresses, the Grecian drape styles, maxi, kimono and kaftan style dresses, one-shoulder designs, tulip or cocoon tiered over straight skirts.
One shoulder Draped Dress - Warehouse £70, Foral Placement Batwing Dress - Warehouse £60, Grecian Dress - Oli £65, Colour Block Dress - Karen Millen £160.
3. Romp around in the jumpsuit!
Just when you thought we couldn't bring anything else back from the 60's...the jumpsuit is back and it's big. These were extremely popular and I can still remember wearing my mum's maroon number. These have come back in all sorts of shapes and styles with varying trousers lengths and widths, in every material there is and incorporating the latest sleeves, necklines and trends so you will be spoilt for choice! Persoanally I haven't ventured into trying one on yet but these are sure to be a fun and versatile piece!
All-In-One Jumpsuit South £39.00, Drape Front Jumpsuit Warehouse £85Sporty Jumpsuit Together £68.51, Formal Jumpsuit Diesel £89.00
4. Sleeves and Shoulder emphasis
This season sees a lot of interest in the shoulders and arms with sleeves of every design making a comeback. Look out for kimono and kaftan draped sleeves, batwing, cap sleeves and puff shaped all in a variety of lengths. Good news if you do prefer to cover up your arms but choose wisely so as not to take your over all look out of proportion and over-emphasis larger framed arms.
5. Wear it in blocks and wear it bold!
While yellow is the chosen colour of the year, this time of the year always brings with it bright and vibrant tones. Favourites are fuchsia pink (one of my favourites!) and orange and strong colours continuing from the Autumn - purple, jade, cobalt and midnight blue. Neutrals for this season see a return to black and dark navy and an abundance of soft beiges and creams.
Mix and match bold colours in block pieces, not so much to shock but elegantly lift the spirits! But if you are more conservative then team block colours with neutrals and accessories.
6. Trousers (...this one is not for everyone!)
The newest styles are harem pants and carrot top and peg top trousers. Often these have a dropped crotch and so can look amazing or hideous...depending on how you wear them in line with your body shape. It is important to balance the top half and emphasise waist with a belt.
Carrot top trousers Promod £18, Striped Peg Trousers Promod £27, Canvas harem trousers £27
7. Sheer fabrics
The love of see through pieces and sheer fabrics continues and this trend does lend itself to be worn in many ways depending on your wardrobe personality. For the more daring out there you may be fine using it to expose a bit of lingerie but for others, it can be a flattering for a more modest cover up. Look out for layering, draped and ruffles in dresses, trousers, tops, blouses and accessories.
8. Draping
I love this trend as, again, it can be worn by a variety of body shapes since there is a flattering focus on the waist or side waist. Retailers everywhere are picking up on this from day to formal wear with an eye on modesty. Draping effects are created by folds, neat pleats, tucks, and bow ties all in the seasons hot colours.
Pink Wrap Dress £30, Purple Drape Drape Wrap Tunic - Dorothy Perkins £25, Navy slinky draped dress - Principles £59, Red Pleat Neck Batwing Top - Wallis £25
9. Fringing and Embellishment
Remember the flapper dress trend of 2008, it's now moved on by taking it's key element - fringing and interpreting it in a very modern and chic way so it positively moves with you. If you've got the legs you can carry off the shorter hem line with fringe detail. Otherwise anything with any kind of fringe or embellishment detail is must wardrobe update and if you can't buy it then why not think about adapting or enhancing an item you already have.
Orange Gold Embellished Neck Top - Debenhams £18, Embellished Fringe Sleeve Top - TopShop £40
10. Accessory update
Apply all of the above colour and fashion trends to your accessories, including shoes, belts and bags - particularly the fringing and embellishent. Belts are wide and heels are still high...in fact teetering high!
Flavio Fringe Sandal - TopShop £40, Grey Fringe Shoulder Bag - Debenhams £60, Butterfly Clutch Bag - Karen Millen £120, Klaudia Shoe - Dune £85.
There is a definite liking of haberdashery ornamentation on accessories to add fun and even revive garments in an easy and cheap way. Favourites are flower, butterfly, dragonfly, tribal and animal motifs and wooden and natural beading - add these creative 3D forms on neck and waistlines but to really be noticed this season...dress your hem lines, particulary with rose detailing or fringing.
Jewellery is big, bold and beautiful with costume items, retro designs (think 80's!) and colourful cuff bangles, thick and thin...mix and match and wear as many as you want (careful if you are shorter on the arms though)
Apache Seed Bead Bangle - Accessorise £10, Summer Flower Brooch- Accessorise £8, Swarovski Crystal Dragonfly brooch £26.00, Nefertiti Embellished Bib Necklace - Accessorise £20
So there you have it, a whistle top tour of what to look out for to update your wardrobe - have fun exploring what's out there!
For more information on Min's services, offers and workshops, please visit www.imaginestyle.com.
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