I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little - if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny. -- Coco Chanel

Sunday 24 October 2010

Coco Chanel: “Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman.”


I don’t know about you but I’ve always loved Coco Chanel’s mottos, in fact I love everything about her; from the little black dress and tailored jacket to her quilted handbag and classic perfume.

I believe her quotes should be an inspiration to all women out there. She believes in elegance, originality and thinks that everyone woman out of politeness should always make an effort. In my opinion, if I see a woman walking down the street and she looks chic and has made an effort I will remember her and think to myself she looks nice, this is also what I would like people to think when they see me. It doesn’t take too much to fix your hair, touch up your make-up and dress up a little; you will definitely feel better in yourself.

Coco Chanel is still continuing to influence the way we dress now and this is because classic styles never fade. Some women are born stylish then again some women develop it, so if you want to be classy and fabulous like Coco Chanel, simply follow a few simple rules. Don’t worry it doesn’t involve buying a designer wardrobe; you don’t need money to acquire style.

Take inspiration from stylish and tasteful women like Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and definitely not from Paris Hilton. If you don’t feel like dressing in a little black dress and heels with a strand of pearls to the shops then simply save this for an evening out and dress in a stripy sailor style top, (which is another classic Chanel garment) and piece it with some trousers and don’t forget the classic stands of pearls again and an elegant Chanel inspired handbag.

Another point Chanel put across was that yes clothes were to be stylish but they also had to be practical. An outfit which is comfortable yet still looks chic anywhere would be a tweed suit. If you don’t want to go all out then dress a tweed jacket trimmed with ribbon with a classic shaped skirt or some tailored trousers; piece these with some black and white pumps or courts. Spray a little No5 perfume to your neck and then you’ll look and feel fabulous.

Once you’ve got style; just make sure you never lose it.


(photo sourced:counterfeitchic.com)

Wednesday 20 October 2010

Military Fashion: from aviators to capes.

Military is huge this season, from aviator jackets to heavy duty utility pieces in army and bottle green, camel and khaki all finished off nicely with the classic buttons. Military is a trend I’m sure you’ll have noticed comes and goes but every time it returns it seems to evolve with more exciting fresh designs for us to get our hands on.




Military is a trend that is inspired by the way women dressed during the war, quite masculine and not something women of the day particularly liked wearing. However designers this season are creating the opposite effect on women today, with their gorgeous designs women are gladly embracing military styling, making many women feel empowered when they are dressed in it.

Designers are taking elements from the original look by making it practical and durable but enhancing the look by crafting statement garments with special attention to detail. Don’t get this look wrong though it’s not just a masculine look, unique finishing touches on particular garments instantly adds an element of girlishness to the look.

Military pieces were at its best on the Autumn/Winter 2010 Burberry, Oscar de la Renta and Louis Vuitton runways, showcasing an array of what will soon be hitting the high street. You’ll soon see a lot of military, but styled in many different ways from double-breasted jackets, military capes to huge buttons and bottle green skirts with button detailing. Influential celebrities such as Victoria Beckham and Cheryl Cole have already been spotted taking on the military trend. Cheryl’s been embracing military styling ever since her video ‘fight for this love’ was produced, where she is dressed in a statement red military jacket.




Head straight to Top Shop for a camel coloured cape with military buttons to be bang on trend or if you’re a student and simply can’t afford £95 for a coat this year (even if you do get 10% discount), simply head straight down to your local haberdashery store and pick up your own brass buttons to customize onto last year’s coat. However you decide to dress this look, the military uniform is sure going to be demanding you’re attention this season!

Tuesday 19 October 2010

Wish List!

I don't know about you but i'm already thinking of things I want for christmas:)
It started after I saw this gorgeous necklace on the Accessorize website!



Isn't it sooo cute! I've been wearing the same single strand of pearls from a charity shop as my everyday necklace for ages, so when I saw this I thought I want this to be my new everyday necklace! =)

Only £12 from Accessorize. Although, thinking about it I dont think I can wait for christmas, I may have to buy it now!

x

Sunday 17 October 2010

Trend Report: what to wear this season

If you were lucky enough to experience the fashion shows first hand then you probably won’t need a trend update, but for those of you who could only watch the catwalk videos in the comfort of your own desk, may want a little reminder of the huge trends you’ll expect to see this season. So, now all the international fashion shows are sadly over we can all start thinking about stocking up for Autumn/Winter. ..

Just a few weeks ago we were still hoping we could stretch out wearing our pretty summer dresses and bare our legs for that little bit longer, well luckily you still can! Bare legs were everywhere on the catwalk, if worn with dresses and skirts.

If you don’t feel like baring all, what about taking inspiration from the gorgeous Pixie Lott and covering up with some cute over the knee socks, to keep it classy but also cute wear with a mini dress that covers up on top.


(photo sourced:theonlinefashionagency.com)

A key trend this season was the womanly look that welcomed killer curves. Prada and Louis Vuitton went all out with this classic look and filled the catwalk with figure-hugging dresses and lady-like blouses, which by the way are meant to be huge this season. Pussy-bow blouses are flying off the rails already, maybe because they are just so versatile and are a much more glam touch to complement you’re jeans as opposed to a basic tee.

To compliment this feminine look, curls are the way forward this season and all shows flaunted the curl whether models had short hair, fringe or layers everyone was showing them off. From seventies chic at the Oscar de la Renta show to swept over curls at John Richmond’s, everyone’s hair made a statement.


(sourced:fashion-style.becomegorgeous.com)

A trend that revealed its autumnal colours was the berry trend; the catwalk was drenched in sumptuous berry hues. To embrace this trend simply invest in a few key colours from this palette to brighten up you’re wardrobe. The great thing about this shade is, it’s a colour blonde and brunettes alike can look great in.

Other major looks for the season were fur, lace, velvet, capes, A-line mini dresses and expect to see lots of black but these were just to name a few. Whatever look you decided to embrace this season, you’ll be sure to look good with the amount of styles to choose from.

Tuesday 5 October 2010

Plus size models take to the runway for Paris Fashion Week

Plus size models seemed to steal the show on the Parisian runway at this year’s spring/summer 2011 show. As we know Paris Fashion week is renowned for being unpredictable and PFW seemed to make headlines again this year, not just because they celebrated plus size models but also because of the diverse line-up of models that were used throughout the show.

Don’t get me wrong though, there were still the waif like models apparent and it seems there always will be, but by seeing a few healthier looking women you are able to imagine more of what it would look like on a normal woman, rather than on a coat hanger. Seeing the average size 14 plus size models against the skinny ones proved just how thin they really were and some would say it’s nice for a change to see women that aren’t conventionally beautiful.

Paris catwalks were graced with the presence of The Gossip’s front woman Beth Ditto, who livened up the show by strutting down the catwalk revealing two different skimpy outfits, one of which was a tight fitted floral design and another created by Jean-Paul Gaultier.



This proved a far cry from the typical ‘plus size model’ which seems to be a size 14/16 and some would say Beth Ditto at a size 28 is just not healthy either. Many though were a healthy medium. Zac Posen had well known model Crystal Renn on his runway and at Balenciaga, designer Nicholas Ghesquiere sent five months-pregnant actress Miranda Kerr down the catwalk looking radiant as ever with her little baby bump. Zac Posen even announced backstage how he wanted to make clothes for women who love life and also love their food.


Miranda Kerr (photo sourced: http://www.blogcdn.com/www.stylelist.com/media/2010/09/miranda-kerr-on-runway-240bes093010.jpg

I very much doubt this means that the tall, slim and stereotypically beautiful need to start worrying but at Paris Fashion Week this season’s designers have shown particular interest in plus size models, but who knows? I guess we’ll have to wait till next season to see what’s changed.

Friday 1 October 2010

Home Sweet Home: my decorated room in pictures

I'm really into all things cute and homely for my room, I mean my house has been filled with all things with sayings from 'Home Sweet Home' to 'Love' for a while now and since I have my own new room and new house now, I thought I would decorate in a similiar style too as I think it can really make a room feel that bit more homely...

I've been stocking up for a while now from pretty shops, such as My House www.myhouseiow.co.uk go check the website! This is just some of what they have to offer...

(sourced: www.myhouseiow.co.uk)

Also another shop close by that offers everything from interiors to accessories is Live Like This, check out the quirky things this shop has to offer on their website...


(sourced:www.livelikethis.co.uk)


I've tried to make my room look as nice as I could and I will definately be filling up more throughout the year but at the moment this is what my room has turned out like... (ignore the dodgy furniture and slightly blotchy walls)




My flower garland, My House
'LOVE' garland, Sass and Belle


Scented hanging heart, My House
Chair, Ikea, £2.50!!
Polka dot brolli, Live Like This


Table & Lamp, Ikea, £5 and £3 (I'm a bargain hunter)
Postcards, Paperchase


Here are my hand painted pegs holding up my photographs on a strand of brown string!

and lastly some art work given to me by Ellie Rose Shenton, studying Fashion Illustration at LCF, because she knew how much I loved it =) So one day when she's a famous Fashion Illustrator I can say... I had one of her first pieces of work ;)

Are you loving the shabby chic look? Have you bought something pretty lately to liven up you're room?

=)

xx