Fashion Style You

As always from out of the weird, wild and wonderful designs on the catwalks, wearable trends have emerged and made their way to the high street stores.

Key styles in this seasons fashions are curves, especially curvy collars and pockets, and the summer trend for belted waists has moved on to outerwear now.

Colour is in too, especially pastel shades, pinks, blues and yellows abound, although white remains popular too as does the leather trench coat in all shades of blacks and browns.

pictured:
Mustard wool belted coat

More Winter Coats and Jackets from Dorothy Perkins

Popularity: 4% [?]

No matter what shades you wear, white should be always in your summer wardrobe simply because it’s so versatile, white works with everything.

Tips

Sharpen up floaty white numbers with a dark top layer such a shawl or waistcoat.

Go for a glamour look by wearing wide belts in glossy patent white leather and matching oversizes clutch bag.

Careful with the undies when wearing white, go for seam free nude panties to avoid showing all the world what you are wearing underneath, visible panty line has nothing on visible pants.

If you are blessed with a fuller figure wear loose floaty items rather than tight clingy items which are less flattering.

To continue wearing white as autumn rolls in mix with black accessories, shoes, bags, scarves etc, monochrome will be big this backend.

pictured:
Aftershock Black and White Paris Dress

Popularity: 2% [?]

There’s no space for boring colours this season, it’s back in the drawer for all those whites, creams and beiges and time to open that box again. You know the one, all those shocking bright colours and brave hemlines from the 80s that you thought were too bright to ever wear…well think again.

The bright fluoro look is back again so dig out those neons and step out on the town. You’ll sure to cause heads to turn with your dazzling colours.

Here are a few tips to make sure you get the look right:

• Wear shades of neon that suit your colouring.

• Warmer tones – oranges and yellows.

• Cooler tones – blues and pinks.

• Always remember; less is more. Experimentation can be a lot of fun, provided you don’t go too overboard.

Popularity: 2% [?]

A mirror has been invented that gives fashion tips while you are trying on clothes in a store. But unlike a human, the Magic Mirror knows what suits you and never gets bored.

Once the mirror sees what you have tried on, it will then suggest matching items, and if something does not fit, it will ask a sales assisant to fetch a different size.

Big Space, the manufacturers, claim that the Magic Mirror acts as a futuristic personal shopper and friend.

Vicki Stanfield, from Bolton, Lancs, was one of the first to try the mirror.

The 24-year-old said: “Shopping with my boyfriend is a bit of a nightmare because he doesn’t know what suits me, but this mirror knows my size and even suggests stuff.

“I can take as long as I like with this mirror whereas my boyfriend gets in a huff after an hour.”

The mirror reads a barcode on each item before displaying information about it on a built-in screen. Shoppers can then have a different size sent to them at the touch of a button. The mirror will also play fashion adverts while you wait for an assistant to deliver the clothes.

Bill Waterson, head of retail at Fujitsu, which is teaming up with Big Space to get the mirror in shops, said: “It is the nearest thing you will get to having your own personal shopper. “It will always have the time for you and never gets impatient. “You don’t have to distract yourself by finding stuff because the mirror does a lot of that for you.”

Mr Waterson added that the mirror “provided more wisdom than your average Saturday girl”. “It gives you considered recommendations of style options.”

The mirror, which was on display at the Technology Show at the NEC in Birmingham yesterday, is due to appear in stores next month.

Popularity: 3% [?]

On your wedding day your most important accessory could be the one that no one sees, your underwear.

The right bra can make all the difference to how your wedding dress fits, and how flattering it is to your figure. Buy a good bra before you are fitted for your dress, choose a plain style as lace and other trimmings may show through the dress, opt for light shades such as flesh pink, cream or peach as these will be less visible a dark colour.

Wear the bra at home a couple of times before the big day to ensure that it doesn’t cut in or ride up.

If you are planning a figure hugging, svelte type of dress, choose knickers with an ultra smooth fit, with no tell tale panty line. Sexy lingerie such as french knickers or camisoles are lovely but can be uncomfortable if wearing them all day so save them for the honeymoon.

If you need a big full hoop wired petticoat to give your skirt volume and width the best option is to look around the bridal wear hire shops so cut down on expense.

In the hosiery line you will need to choose between cool and glamorous stockings or warmer and more comfortable tights, buy a couple of pairs in case of emergencies, lots of places stock stockings and tights decorated with hearts or bows. If you are planning to flash a bit of leg for the photographs don’t forget a garter worn just above the knee.

Shoes, even though they will hardly be seen if wearing a long wedding gown, are extremely important, very high heels are out, you don’t want to teeter down the aisle, or get the heels snagged in your dress when you try to stand after prayers, however shoes with a low heel may be better than a completely flat pair after all you will be on your feet for a very long time, both during the wedding and at the reception. Make sure the shoes you choose are non slip and remember to break them in by wearing them around the house a few times.

Other accessories such as lace gloves and parasols can be found in all good bridal shops, these little touches are purely for decoration but can be a nice touch to complete the ensemble.

Jewellery items should be kept simple, a low cut dress could leave your neck looking a little bare so pick a simple gold chain or a string of pearls. Earrings are best kept small simple studs or drops in pearl or gold are best.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Accessories can turn a plain outfit into something glamorous. The following tips will help you stand out from a crowd:

Handbags are a great accessory. They do not have to match your outfit, and are a great way of jazzing it up. Classic leather bags are a must, as they never go out of fashion.

A small funky evening bag is a simple way to change your daytime look for a night out.

Belts are a great accessory. The latest trend is that belts which are very tight or very wide are out, and the slimmer the belt the better.

Shoes are a good way of changing your appearance. High heals can give the illusion that your legs are longer.

Scarves are always in fashion, and they can transform an outfit and are great at redirecting attention from your body to brightening up your face.

Finally, jewellery is a great accessory and it does not have to be expensive. Jewellery is always worn better in a balance. If you are wearing a big necklace only wear small stud earrings, and big earrings should not be worn with a big necklace.

Popularity: 2% [?]