Trench Dressing

    

 

One of the timeless statement pieces a women can have in her wardrobe is the trench coat.  From it's original use during World War II in the military to the magical films of Audrey Hepburn, trench coats have allured us for decades. Since then, the trench coat has been designed in an array of different styles and shapes like 'The Little Black Dress', but the trench coat has ultimately remained a fashion favorite. A great trench coat can add just the perfect finishing touches on an outfit or even make a casual outfit more chic. And lets not forget that this spring and fall trend works for all body types as there are plenty of different styles to fit you and your style needs.

Today's Trench Coat Outfit 

 The Outfit

Trench Coat: H&M

Teal Blouse: Zara

Navy Pants: Target

Trend Alert: Fifty Shades of Green!?!

Trend Alert: Fifty Shades of Green? by natasha-rodriguez-1 featuring Pantone

Maxi Skirts; The New 'Wear Anywhere' Yoga Pants?

    It's plain to see that the maxi skirt and even dress has taken over the fashion world. Everywhere you turn you'll see someone showcasing the popular hemline. They're comfortable, versatile, easy to wear, and can be incredibly chic, but is this just all in our heads? Have maxi skirts and dresses morphed into the new yoga pants?

 

    From kids to grown women, yoga pants are a quick item to just throw on and tackle the day in. But lets face it ladies, no matter how comfortable they may be they are certainly not chic or fashionable. You don't always need to be wearing those sexy new heels you bought or those slim trousers to be fashionable, especially when going out to do some errands, BUT you don't and shouldn't be wearing those old yoga pants (that haven't even been to a yoga class). The fact of the matter is that we CAN be comfortable AND fashionable!

Why We Love The Maxi

• Versatility: Dress it up or dress it down, this hemline can do it all.
• An arrary of different maxi skirts: Whether it's clingy, flowy, stretchy, edgy, retro, or classic, there's a maxi for all styles.
• Comfy: Like yoga pants, maxi skirts are comfortable, you can walk freely without havng to tug and adjust your outfit.
• Easy to wear: Seriously you can wear them anywhere and everywhere. Instead of wearing those worn out yoga pants put on a maxi, it's even easier to throw on or off.
• Fashion all year round: Maxi skirts and dresses are one of the few items in your closet you can wear throughout the seasons, you just need to know how to style it.

Why Yoga Pants Are not Everday and Everywhere Pants

• They are Yoga Pants: they are ment to be worn to yoga, and to exercise in. Let's face it, we all know everyone has a pair and doesn't wear them for their intended use.
• Casual (in a "hey, just on my way to the gym" kinda way): Stop wearing yoga pants to work, to dinner, lunch breaks or anything that requires actual pants/clothes. There is a time and a place for yoga pants and in those times I promise you there are better alternatives 
• Not too flattering: One size does not fit all with the yoga pant trend. Every single body is beautiful so why hide it in some frumpy spandex pants. 

    So if everything maxi is becoming the new 'wear anywhere' yoga pants, so be it! Unlike actual yoga pants, we look put together. In our minds we know we're wearing something as easy as yoga pants but when it comes down to it we look like we can head on over to the next Fashion Week. And right now the maxi trend is not going to max out anytime soon.

VIVA THE CROTCHLESS YOGA PANTS!

Trend Alert: Bold, Adventurous, and Tempting Stripes

Trend Alert: Stripes by natasha-rodriguez-1 featuring a white black dress

New Summer Statement Necklace!

You can always spice up a simple outfit with a wonderful statement necklace, being comfortable in casual clothing but still looking and feeling fabulous! So go out and find your next statement necklace with more sparkles and brighter colors than ever this summer. 

I found this great find at Macy's today on clearance, for only $5.10 when it was originally $24.00. The gold wire threading, the dark coral color, and the price made me fall head over heels. I simple can not resist a sale/ clearance price; weaknesses of a bargain shopper. I can't wait to pair this with some high waisted shorts and a flowy white button down or with my white flared jersey dress from H&M.

http://www.hm.com/us/product/12524?article=12524-D

Wrap it Up!

Head wraps and turbans have been a great fashion accessory since the 1940s.We've seen it on Sophia Loren with her silk head wraps and royal blue turbans, the runways' Spring 2013 collections, and now on the streets. For me this is definitely the perfect summer accessory that can be worn by the pool, running errands, or just out on the town. The best part is that it also shields a bad hair day from everyone while looking stylish.You don't even need to go out and buy new head scarves and special headbands, all you need is a scarf or long piece of fabric!

Boho inspired with a turban style head wrap.

How to tie a scarf into a turban head band:

1. Grab your scarf or piece of fabric
2. Fold it in half depending on desired thickness
3. Place it on the back of your head
4. Bring the ends of the scarf/fabric forward and overlap
5. Cross again, bringing the ends back from the side they originally came from
6. Tuck the ends in so they are not visible and then you have the finished product

Note: You can wear your hair down with the turban tied scarf or put your hair up and make a messy bun like I did above. 

Remember, be bold with colors this summer; pick head wraps and turbans that are bright or light pastels.These head scarves can incorporate so many different colors, styles, patterns and materials.You can go for a boho chic look or even retro, the point is that there is so many ways you can wear a head scarf so try them all! 

The Magic of White Eyeliner

We've seen make-up artists paint the 2013 Spring/Summer runways with the magical white eyeliner. As a beauty must-have and ultimate tool, it truly does have its magical properties. White eyeliner instantly brightens up the face by creating the illusion of larger eyes and when added to he cupid’s bow (the little dip), of your upper lip, it can make them appear fuller and more luscious. So be daring and swap out the usual go-to smoky eye for a bold white cat eye. 

The Added Magic Look

White eyeliner added to inner corners of the eye and lower waterline with black liner on top.

You can even double the white liner with your usual black or brown to keep the wide-eyed look, just add a little to the inner corners of your eyes and the lower waterline then add the black or brown eyeliner. Don't forget to blend!

 The Subtle Fresh Faced Look

Opens your eyes and wakes up your face.

Apply the eyeliner across the top lash line of your eye and smudge it outwards, make sure to cover the whole lid. This will help to make your eyes look larger and your lashes longer.

 The Cat Eye look

Make your cat eye even more dramatic with white eyeliner instead of black.

Add the liner to your top lash line, then line the lower waterline. Make sure to blend liner into the lashes with a angled brush. You what to layer with a liquid white liner after to make the look last. Now it's time to create the winged-out edge, close your eye, and trace a finger along your upper lid’s crease, moving outward, continue to drag the liner back to the outer corner of your eye and thicken the line as you go. 
 

D.I.Y Summer (Hi-Low) Cropped Tees

      From the catwalks to the city streets, the crop top has sparked much interest. First of all, cropped pieces are the subject of a tricky trend this season and it's not hard to see why. On the catwalks we see models with bare midriffs and perfectly toned stomachs, but lets face it, we all do not have that perfectly sculpted middle. But sometimes, tricky trends aren't actually so hard after all; you just have to work out a way to cheat and make it your own. There are ways for everyone to wear and enjoy this fashion trend, for example pairing a crop top or t-shirt with a high waisted skirt, pants, or shorts. Flashing the higher-midriff zone is a good way to create the suggestion of a toned stomach without revealing much at all, with just a perceptible slit around the waistline of a skirt, pair of pants or shorts, it offers the perfect illusion. 

    

Now not everyone has the money to go out and fill their closets with cropped t-shirts and tops so below if a quick guide on making your own. Take those old baggy t-shirts you have laying around and make something new! Experiment to see which length is best for you and start rocking the cropped top trend.

The Little Black Dress Revealed

In fashion we are always looking for the next big trend, but there is one essential style fact that we have all grown up to learn. Like an old wives' tale the little black dress has been passed down from one generation to the next, being revamped and added to with each passing year. Its silhouette has certainly changed since Coco Chanel made it ubiquitous and 1926 American Vogue marked it as the shape of the future, but the LBD remains a fashion must have.  

Ladies rely on the LBD to add some elegance to their wardrobe and make them look extraordinary; the key part today is knowing how to stand out among the growing sea of little black dresses.  

1.  Start by finding the perfect LBD for you   

   You want something that flatters your body and shows off you best attributes. Remember not all little black dresses are created equal, some are just more suitable for others so don't get discourage if you don't find that LBD that fits your needs. Here are some key points on finding the perfect LBD for your shape. 
    
   
   
   Pear Shape: try a halter dress, the cut with show off your shoulders creating the illusion of a more balanced shape because the width of your hips will appear smaller.
    
    
    
    
    
   
   Petite: go for a sheath dress, the clean cut shape of the dress will make you look taller and leaner. 
    
    
    
    
    
    
   
   Apple: a shirred dress is a go-to style for you, the gathering effect will define your waistline, making it appear slimmer then your top and bottom halves.
    
    
    
    
    
   
   
   Curvy/Plus Size: a wrap dress looks great on every body type, but especially this one. The structure of the dress hugs the slimmer areas of the body like the shoulders and waist. It also remains looser around the lower half of the body.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   Hourglass/Figure Eight: accentuate your middle with a V-neck dress. This opens up the chest area and draws the eye downward making the waist look narrower.
    

2.  Accessorize

   Dress up your little black dress and make it your own.
   
   
   • Add some jewelry: the LBD is a great backdrop for showing off your favorite jewwlry pieces and its a way for you to show off your personal style.
   • Wear nylons/pantyhoes: they even out your skin tone on your legs and provide the finishing touch to the look.
     
   • Pick the perfect pair of shoes: Choosing the right pair of shoes is a significant part of the look because the shoes can provide contrasting color or style to the dress.
   • Grab a bag: The bag doesn't have to match the shoes or other accessories but it should blend well with the color scheme. A small clutch bag is a lovely, discreet look and a handbag should be good quality and clean while a larger bag can work for casual wear, provided it's in excellent, clean condition.
   •  Lets not forget about make-up: all your accessories should have a color theme. The same goes for your makeup. Make sure your nail polish, eye shadow, and lipstick match your wardrobe. 
    
    

There you go ladies, a little guide for your little black dress!

Peplum; Love it or Leave it?

       As we all know fashion trends come and go, but some stay with us through the decades... 

      For those who love a good fun fact, the word Peplum originates from the Greek word for 'tunic and in fashion terms it refers to a short overskirt attached to a fitted jacket, blouse, skirt or dress.     Models have been strutting down the runway in everything peplum, and for a good reason too! Peplum is one of the most flattering trends we've seen to-date and works for any body type. 

      When it comes to peplum, one size really does fit all. Whether it's adding curves and structure or showcasing someones already voluptuous body, this trend is definitely here to stay. This extremely versatile trend can be worn at work, at a party, date-night, or simply going out to do some errands.

  


 

Go for an edgy look, add leather pants or a leather peplum top. 

 

 

 

 

 

Get the Retro look and step back into the 1950s or go Mod for a Twiggy inspired outfit

 

 

 

 

 

Try something a little more flirty with a low back and soft pastels for spring 

 

 

 

 

 

Just hanging about? Just add a simple peplum top and a pair of jeans and you have a comfortable yet stylish look

 

Add some structure with a peplum jacket. Even Audrey Hepburn herself would adore this outfit.