Spring 2012 Sees Return of 'Roaring Twenties' Fashion

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With 2011 officially over, thoughts are turning to what lies ahead in the next twelve months. Judging by the Spring Collections that were revealed in the final months of last year, one of 2012’s more prominent trends is going to draw inspiration from one of the most glamorous and artistic eras of fashion: the 1920s, and in particular 1920s America. Interest in the 20s has been increasing since the success of period dramas such as Boardwalk Empire and, to a lesser extent, Downton Abbey, and with a new film adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby planned for release at the end of the year, clothes, accessories and hairstyles of the decade are returning to runways and to the high street. Although 1920s pieces have briefly appeared on runways over the past few years, the time has never been right for the style to take off on a larger scale; 2012 may be that time, as many of society’s current interests are compatible with the ethos and attitude that the 20s have come to embody.

In this seminal American novel, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses vivid description of colour and texture to communicate the glamour of the period.

When one thinks of the 20s, the first image that probably comes to mind is that of the iconic flapper girl. The 1920s marked a huge period of change for women, released from restrictive clothing like corsets and crinolines, able to rebel against the “accepted” image of femininity that had dogged them for years. 1920s women received a boost in confidence, shortening hair length and hemlines, smoking cigarettes in public and thinning the line between genders as they adopted a flat figure and boyish clothing. This hint of androgyny is already present in current fashion, hence it is a perfect time for revival of 20s clothing such as tailored suits and sports jackets. The flapper girls of the 20s were seen as dangerous “New Women” who indulged in excessive make-up, alcohol, and listened to jazz. Their boyish figures were offset by sensual red lips and dark eyes, whilst they reeked of luxury and decadence, dripping in lace, pearls, and feathers. The first association of these aesthetics with the word “flapper” came with the 1920s film The Flapper, starring Olive Thomas, who like various other actresses of the period adopted the look in a professional capacity.

Like Olive Thomas, actress Louise Brooks built her career on the flapper image.

As for the kinds of clothing that defined the period, almost everything that could be changed was changed, and drastically so. Long skirts were shortened, whilst soft outlines and curvy figures were hardened and flattened. Some women went as far as to bind their breasts in order to enhance the straightness of their silhouette. What is commonly called a “flapper” dress is the simple 20s shift dress, often embellished with fringe, tassels, or beading to create movement as the woman walks, drawing all eyes in the room. Clothes themselves were loose and comfortable, but their material was thin and light, hinting at the sensual form that lay concealed beneath. Chiffon, silk, and crepe were popular fabrics, whilst colours remained muted; pastels, creams, and other soft shades. Dropwaist skirts and square shoulders were popular for the way they gave the illusion of height and dominance – women who could finally pursue careers began to learn the meaning of power-dressing.

Accessories were also extremely important in the overall look and feel of the 20s. The newly adopted bob hairstyles were short and sophisticated, but also simple. They were livened up with jewelled or beaded headbands, or a silk scarf wrapped and tied around. Gloves enhanced the image of glamour and luxury, either in lace (in different colours, including white and red) as well as fabrics like silk or satin. Accessories could be large and powerful, an expression of femininity that contradicted the androgynous aspects of the style, constantly causing a male onlooker to question the nature of the woman before him. The bob hairstyle, of course, was the most obvious rebellion against conventional female appearance and was delightfully easy to achieve. The dramatic shape of the style framed a woman’s face, drawing attention to the allure of those red lips and smoky eyes.

Expect to see elements of 20s fashion appearing in high street stores over the coming weeks; in fact, many already have, especially accessories. They have already caused quite a stir on the runway, with Ralph Lauren’s 1920s inspired collection for Spring 2012 catching the attention of several critics and bloggers who have quickly made the connection between the era in fashion and the upcoming film adaptation helmed by Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrman. With many potential 20s trends already popular in the world of fashion such as block colours, fur, square cuts and angular silhouettes, 2012 is sure to produce an interesting modern take on the era of Fitzgerald’s novel.

- Kat Humphries

Sources and Further Information:

Ralph Lauren 2012 Spring Fashion Show – 1920s-Inspired Fashion – petite.about.com

1920s era roars back in fashion and in film – denverpost.com

1920s fashion: women’s & men’s 20s fashion trend – fashionising.com

The Great Gatsby: return of 20s fashion – fashionising.com

Ralph Lauren offers timely take on The Great Gatsby – guardian.co.uk

1920s splendour for 2012 – Carey Mulligan and The Great Gatsby – fashion-mommy.com

Looking ahead: trends 2012 – thisislondon.co.uk

Corset Shopping

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Although this article is listed under Alternative Trends, over the past few years the corset has gradually been working its way into the mainstream. An item of clothing that some associate only with squished internal organs and fainting, the corset is in fact one of the most comfortable and versatile pieces you could add to your wardrobe. Flattening any lumps and bumps, improving your posture, and even in some cases reducing your waist size, the corset is as relevant today as it was when first introduced, although under different circumstances. Originally a tool for constraint and limitation of the female form, corsets can now be utilised as objects of female empowerment, accentuating your figure and adding a touch of sophistication and elegance to any outfit. If you are considering buying a corset of your own, there are some important factors to consider. This article is designed to guide you through the world of corsets, helping you distinguish between real and fake, choose between the varied types of corset design, and find a size that fits correctly.

Real Corsets

The first and most important thing you need to know about corsets is that real corsets come with steel bones. Although there are many pieces of corset inspired clothing out there, if you want the genuine article then you need to be able to tell the difference. Lingerie stores such as Anne Summers and La Senza sell undergarments in the style of corsets, some with plastic boning, but these are generally flimsy and do nothing to hold in or flatten the body. You can also find imitation corset tops which utilise some of the features of corsets, such as back lacing, clasps on the front or even boning, but again this is usually in plastic which does not have the strength and durability required for a real, cinching corset. Steel boning comes in two types; the first is spring or flat steels, which consist of flat steel boning, sometimes covered in a plastic coating, which comes in different widths and is resistant to bending or losing its shape. Spiral steels consist of tiny spirals which are flexible but don’t permanently lose their shape; they are often used in the bust seams or other parts of the corset that need to bend when it is worn. Only steel boning can perform the functions a corset requires; plastic boning is too weak and can warp easily, and even potentially snap when under pressure.

Types of Corset

Once you’ve managed to identify real corsets over imitations garments, you will find that there are also a variety of different corset designs to choose from. The main two distinctions you will encounter are overbust and underbust, which in themselves are relatively self-explanatory. Underbust corsets are worn around the waist and extend to just below the bust, pulling in the tummy whilst accentuating the breasts and hips. Overbust corsets cover the bust, and come with different necklines; a popular cut is the sweetheart neckline, which cups the breasts offering firm support. This type of corset is better for taller figures. Whilst the length of corsets usually reaches down to just below the stomach, longline corsets go lower and can help to avoid unflattering lumps as the flesh beneath the tightened corset is redistributed. Highback corsets have the same benefit but at the top of the back, where flesh can also have the tendency to bulge. Every corset wearer’s body is different, so if you can identify any personal areas of concern before purchasing a corset you will know what type to look for.

Left: a gothic overbust corset. Right: an underbust corset worn over a shirt.

Corset Sizing

The sizing of a corset is much more important than almost any other item of clothing. Corsets aren’t generally given standard sizes, and you will need to know the individual measurements of your bust, waist, and hips if you want to get one that fits you well. Corsets are sized in two inch increments, and if you are looking to cinch your waist then it is recommended that you buy the waist size 4 inches smaller than your own. You won’t necessarily always wear the corset tightened to its full capacity, and you should definitely avoid doing so in the first week after purchase to give the corset time to be “broken in”. If you are naturally quite petite, you may only wish to reduce your waist size slightly and concentrate more on smoothing out your figure. For fuller figures, particularly if your waist size is greater than 36 inches, you may wish to go 6 inches smaller instead in order to cinch your waist more. Many corset retailers also list the length of the corset at front and back so you can choose one that suits your torso. If you would prefer a corset that fits you perfectly, you can always opt for the more expensive option of a custom-made corset rather than one “off the rack”.

Why Wear a Corset

There are many advantages to owning and wearing a good corset. The aesthetic value alone is quite significant; corsets can help you to achieve a smooth, hourglass figure, accentuating the natural curves of your body. There is also a natural flair and sophistication to a corset, whether you go for a gothic edge or a more glamorous piece. Corsets are a great deal more versatile than one might think, especially in a neutral colour like black. They can be worn with a skirt, on top of a dress or even with jeans for a more casual look. Underbust corsets in particular can be utilised almost as an accessory, worn on top of any type of top or dress to cinch the waist. There are other more long term benefits of wearing a corset; your posture will naturally improve, whilst some corsets are specifically designed to reduce waist size over time. This should always be approached with caution, however, and you should consult your doctor before embarking on a course of waist reduction.

Celebrities in Corsets

Over the past year an increasing number of prominent figures have converted to the corset, and been pictured wearing them out on an evening, in videos and promotional images, and even on the red carpet. With fashion trends growing more extreme, celebrities are able to push the boundaries further than most. Lady Gaga has inspired other singers to experiment with dramatic clothing; Rihanna was recently pictured in a spiked leather corset. Other celebrities have embraced the corset in the past for particular marketing campaigns or because they wanted to evoke a particular image; when Christina Aguilera re-invented herself for a new generation, she opted for burlesque glamour and utilised items like corsets. One of the most famous corset-wearing celebrities is of course Dita Von Teese, often called the queen of burlesque, who has built her career on an hourglass figure with a tiny waist.

Rihanna goes for an extreme corset with punk spikes, whilst Myleene Klass chooses an elegant white corset. Sophie Ellis Bexter’s red corset gives a sensual edge to the otherwise monochrome image.


Where to Buy Corsets

Real steel-boned corsets are slightly harder to obtain than most clothing and can rarely be bought in mainstream retail stores and chains. You might look for specialist clothing stores in your area, or head somewhere like London where they are more plentiful. Alternatively, most corset owners choose to buy online. eBay has been growing in popularity as a source of corsets, although you always have to be careful that you are getting something real and well-made. In the UK, one of the best online corset retailers is the aptly named Corsets UK: with a consistent offer of 3 for 2 across the majority of their corsets and free UK shipping when you spend over £100, their site is a great place to get high quality corsets at relatively low costs. Be aware that when it comes to corsets you get what you pay for, and you are likely to pay rather a lot. You’ll be hard pressed to get a good steel-boned corset for anything less than £60, unless of course you take advantage of one of the great Daily Deals at Corsets UK, where items that retail for around £75 are often reduced to something like £25. You can like their Facebook page to be constantly updated on the latest items included in the offer, at www.facebook.com/CorsetsUK.

- Kat Humphries

Sources and Further Information:

Corsets UK Blog – corsets-uk.com

Tips for Buying a Real Corset – battyboop.hubpages.com

How to Buy a Corset – mischiefmydear.com

The Skinny on Corsets – sheknows.com

Celebrities love corsets – timeidol.com

Buying Clothes on eBay

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There are a great many benefits to shopping for clothes online, and eBay has been steadily growing in popularity over the last few years as a source of great fashion at bargain prices. With the effects of the recession taking their toll, the British public need more than ever to count their pennies and keep expenditure at a minimum. This is part of the reason that eBay is a sensible option, but one of the other key factors is the variety and range of clothes that are available at the online auction site, constantly growing and being updated. Whilst at first you may associate the notion of auctioning items and of eBay itself with second hand goods, this is only a very small selection of the clothes on offer. Some people sell on brand new clothes that they’ve never worn, or even opened (unwanted Christmas presents, for example), whilst numerous small, independent stores sell their wares through eBay, many of which are handmade. At the eBay fashion outlet, a dedicated section of the website, you can also buy designer clothing and accessories at a discounted price, either directly from the brand or from a trusted retailer. If you’re looking to conserve your cash in 2012 without sacrificing the clothes you love, eBay shopping is a useful skill to develop. There are, however, a few things that every savvy eBay shopper needs to know.

The Basics

If you’ve never shopped on eBay before, whether for clothes or for anything else, this section is to help you get to grips with the very basics. If you’re already familiar with the eBay search and purchase system, feel free to skip ahead.

One of the great and convenient things about shopping online at a site like eBay is that you can look specifically for an item you want, rather than have to browse endlessly through shelves and racks of clothing. Typing in key words, for example “red cardigan” or “size 7 heeled boots”, will shorten the shopping process immensely. You can also shop for brand names, if you know of a particular make you like. Once you have found an item you want to buy you need to identify the seller’s sale options: although the primary mode of purchase is bidding on an item, which is relatively straightforward, there is also the even more straightforward option of “Buy It Now” as well as the option to haggle under “or Best Offer”. In the case of the latter, you can make what you think is a reasonable offer for the item and the seller will either accept or reject your suggestion. Be realistic: there is no point making an offer drastically below the “Buy It Now” price, as it is highly unlikely the seller will accept. If you bid on an item or purchase it via “Buy It Now”, you are entering into a binding contract to then pay for that product if you win the auction. If you do not do so, you may receive an unpaid item strike from the seller, which harms your eBay reputation and can cause other sellers to refuse to do business with you.

Sizing

One of the major issues that potential eBay buyers have with the process is the risk of inappropriate sizing. As any woman knows, there is virtually no such thing as standard sizing; often a size 12 in one store may fit perfectly, whilst the “same” size in another is far too tight or too loose. This is why shopping for clothes that you cannot try on first can be a little risky. If you’re spending very small amounts on clothes, there isn’t much point being overly cautious; if it doesn’t fit when it arrives, you haven’t lost much and could pass it on to a friend or even re-sell it yourself. For more expensive items, however, you should try to be as sure as possible that the item will fit. Buying clothes like jeans can be problematic; blogger Miss Conduct recommends that you only buy items that have to fit one measurement, such as skirts (which only need to fit around the waist) or items that can be a little loose without much harm done, like a t-shirt or cardigan. Lilit Marcus at thegloss.com gives another invaluable piece of advice: buy a measuring tape, and use it. Often eBay sellers will list specific measurements rather than standard sizes, and if you know yours then you can match them up and only buy clothes that have a strong likelihood of fitting you well. Another cheeky tip from Miss Conduct, if you want to buy particular brands online, is to try on designer clothes in their official store so that you know your size in their range before sauntering home and buying the same items for half the price.

Pay attention to all the information the seller provides about an item, and don’t be afraid to ask for more details.

Handmade Items

There is a huge appeal in buying handmade items online in that you know for a fact that the clothing you are wearing is entirely unique. Even if a particular seller makes numerous copies of the same item, they usually include a short notice explaining that no two pieces will ever be identical. This can be both a blessing and a curse; you should be aware that if you have bought an item based on a picture of the first one the seller created, the iteration of the item that you receive could be quite different. Buying directly from retailers who produce handmade goods gives you the opportunity to buy many items that simply don’t exist anywhere else on the market, and some of them will even be one-off items, never to be replicated. Whilst buying brands like Topshop and H&M puts you at direct risk of turning up at a party or nightclub in the same outfit as someone else, when your clothes and accessories are bought online you can know with almost 100% certainty that you will look unique.

Vintage Items

Buying genuine vintage clothing is another reason that many consumers turn to online shopping and to eBay. Buying vintage from specialist stores can be costly, whilst bargains can be snapped up online if you know where to look. However, Miss Conduct warns that many vintage pieces, particularly those from the 50s/60s, are meticulously tailored to fit very closely. It is likely that these kinds of items will either fit you perfectly or not fit at all, the former being altogether more likely. Lilit Marcus emphasises once again the importance of the measuring tape in this situation, which will come in very handy. Additionally, never be afraid to contact the seller directly if you need more details. Most eBay sellers are extremely polite and eager to help, and as long as you correspond in a friendly manner they will probably reply in the same way. If a seller is brusque or defensive with you, you may want to think twice about buying from them; refusing to answer a question suggests they may have something to hide.

Fashion Outlet

The eBay Fashion Outlet is a dedicated section of the eBay website where over 30 outlet stores sell over 200 designer brands at discounted prices. It is described on the website “like shopping at an outlet village, but from the comfort of your own home”. You can search through the outlet by brand or by store, and each item is displayed with an indication of what percentage of the original price you are saving when you buy it. Brands featured in the outlet include Joe Browns and Gio Gio, with current discounts of up to 75%. The eBay fashion homepage also offers dedicated seasonal collections to help you shop the latest trends, as well as digital publications, like catalogues, showing off clothing that can be purchased on the site. When the recession struck, eBay began to record a huge increase in customers purchasing designer clothes from the outlet: a spokeswoman commented, “They’re people who still want to go to all of the leading social occasions looking like a million dollars – but at a quarter of the price.”

Many top name brands can be found at unbeatable prices in the eBay Fashion Outlet.

Refunds and Scams

Another concern that many consumers have with shopping online is what would happen if they were not satisfied with the item they received, or if they were the victim of an unfortunate scam. Scams do happen, and although sometimes you can obtain a refund through eBay, this is not always the case and there is a real risk you could lose money. Sticking to sellers in the same country or even local area as you can reduce this risk, and it is always extremely useful to check seller ratings and feedback from other buyers before committing to a purchase. Jess Zaino, fashion correspondent and personal stylist, says “the most important thing in shopping online is you really need to look for the feedback, because when you look for the feedback you’ll be able to tell if the person is trustworthy, of what quality are the clothes they are selling”. If the item you are buying is supposedly designer, legitimate sellers should be willing to show you serial numbers and additional photographs. If you want to make sure that you can return an item you are not happy with, possibly because it doesn’t fit or because it was misrepresented in its listing, each unique seller and each store in the fashion outlet operates under its own postage and returns policy. You should thoroughly investigate these before making a purchase. Sometimes, though, you just have to suck it: mistakes are made, and you may end up with an item that looked perfect in the picture but somehow was all wrong when it arrived. Give it to your most hated relative for Christmas next year.

So that’s it – a quick guide to buying clothes on eBay, whether you want to find that perfect piece, save a few pounds or gain access to your favourite brands. Always be careful when making purchases online; eBay payments are best processed via PayPal, and you are covered by eBay Buyer Protection when you utilise their service. Creating an account is quick and easy and will allow you to make secure payments to numerous sites across the web.

- Kat Humphries

Sources and Further Information:

Affluent Turn To eBay Clothes Shopping – auctionlotwatch.co.uk

How to buy clothes on eBay – Miss Conduct’s Blog – boston.com  

eBay FASHION – ebay.co.uk

Scams and Steals: How to Buy Clothes On eBay – thegloss.com

Shopping For Clothes Online – videojug.com

Imelda May

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Everyone likes to see something a little bit different on occasion – variety is the spice of life, after all. That’s why rockabilly singing starlet Imelda May is a real breath of fresh air in the world of fashion. This lovely Irish lady has gradually been attracting mainstream media attention ever since she appeared on Later… with Jools Holland in 2008. Her second studio album, Love Tattoo, was released shortly afterwards in 2009 and met with huge critical and commercial acclaim worldwide, prompting a successful tour and a similarly received third album, Mayhem, in 2010. Combining retro 50’s vintage with glamour and just a hint of the burlesque, May’s style oozes sophistication and sex appeal, and really sets her appeal from those female singers who look dress like carbon copies of one another, sporting whatever fleeting trend is popular at that point in time. Part of May’s appeal stems from her confident, rebellious attitude – this is the woman who shops at charity stores and, when asked if she had a personal stylist, replied “God, no. Why would you?”

Cinching at the waist is one of the many aspects of May’s style that was inspired by 50’s fashion.

For although May’s increasing exposure is of course down to her musical talent and unique appeal, her individual sense of fashion has really caught people’s attention. The genre of her music, rockabilly, is evidenced in that style. The form hugging clothes she often wears are reminiscent of the 1950’s, a time when, as May herself has said, fashion went with the curves of the body instead of against them. She is often pictured in pencil skirts and halter necks when dressed for the stage or screen, whilst in her free time she claims to enjoy the comfort of angora sweaters and torn jeans. Her colour palette is bold and rich: reds, greens, and even gold. On her recent Mayhem tour she performed in Oxford in a yellow and black striped dress which few could pull off so successfully. She also loves animal patterns and polka-dots, and is often seen in leopard print. Her impact on the fashion world has already been felt: she appeared on the cover of the Irish Sunday Times Style, and Italian designer Roberto Cavalli flew her out to Milan to perform at his private party during Fashion Week.

May’s stage outfits are often striking.

The other iconic aspect of Imelda May’s style is her hair. The retro quiff she sports is a completely unique quirk, especially with its peroxide blonde streak running through it. This contributes to the very arresting appearance that May presents, offset by her lips and nails which are often painted a vibrant red. Her style utilises elements of the burlesque and of vaudeville in order to create something that is truly peerless in the world of modern fashion. Following her success over the past few years, May reappeared on the show that started it all, Later… with Jools Holland in 2010, performing the titular single from her album Mayhem. See the full performance in the video below.

- Kat Humphries

Sources and Further Information:

Imelda May – fashionfinder.asos.com

Imelda May Biography – imeldamay.co.uk

Imelda May: Girl got style – independent.ie

Imelda May’s Glam Rockabilly – motherjones.com

Imelda May – en.wikipedia.org

Slim Legs and Suspender Tights

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It’s a trend that has been growing and developing for quite some time now, but the simple fact of the matter is that suspender tights are massively in this season. Suspender tights, also called mock suspender tights or mock stocking tights, are tights that are designed to look as if you are wearing a pair of stockings with suspenders. That means that they usually have an opaque or patterned section up to just above your knees, and then are nude or tan except for a styled on set of “suspenders” that connect the lower section to the waist of the tights themselves. Some might ask why bother – if you’re going to look like you’re wearing suspenders and stockings, why not just wear them? But it’s winter, it’s cold, and in all honestly there’s something about all and out stockings and suspenders that just goes a little bit too far down the raunchy spectrum for everyday wear!

Mock stocking tights are convenient because, as the website of brand Henry Holland puts it, you get “all the comfort of a pair of tights, but oozing with the sex appeal of suspenders”. Whilst celebrities like Rihanna and Katy Perry can get away with sporting stockings and suspenders as part of their performance ensemble, for the rest of us we need a more demure alternative. When Lily Allen first wore a pair of mock stockings way back in October 2009, she may not have realised that she was at the start of a huge fashion trend. Since then, other celebrities who prefer a more subtle look have been spotted wearing similar designs, including Pixie Lott who wore a pair at V Festival earlier this year, and Jessie J who wore them for her appearance at 2011′s Brit Awards.

Lily Allen was at the start of a new trend when she was snapped wearing these simple suspender tights in 2009.

Lily Allen was at the start of a new trend when she was snapped wearing these simple suspender tights in 2009.

This style of tights combines some of the most popular trends currently ruling the world of fashion – firstly, lovely legs are 100% in. Short skirts or shorts with a lot of leg on show is a favourite look for 2011, but there are practicalities to consider when the weather gets colder. Another big trend of the season is underwear as outerwear, and the sexy lingerie-esque feel of mock stockings captures this perfectly. Fetish and bondage inspired trends (moderated for everyday wear, of course) are another element of the style. Finally, the idea of trompe l’oeil fashion, French for deceiving the eye, has been consistently popular all summer and carried over to fall fashion. Trompe l’oeil fashion utilises illusion and visual deception in order to make something appear in such a way as it is not – for example, as if you’re wearing sexy stockings and suspenders when actually you’re wearing a pair of comfy tights.

The Henry Holland Super Suspenders are the simplest and most popular design of suspender tights.

The most popular range of mock stocking tights to have been developed is that of Henry Holland, in conjunction with Pretty Polly. Everywhere you look for opinions on mock suspenders you will find some references to the Henry Holland brand, which are worn by celebrities and the general public alike when they decide to sport this trend. One thing to remember is that, as with most elements of slightly risqué fashion, what other items you choose to combine with your suspender tights is extremely important. As long as you wear them with confidence, no one will mess with you. As Jillian Gillogley of wowdewow.co.uk rightly suggests, “putting on a pair of tights in the new bare leg”. Henry Holland’s range of suspender tights are available from many different retailers, or you can shop directly from the brand website at http://shop.houseofholland.co.uk/collections/tights.

Sources and Further Information:

Lily Allen reveals her racy suspenders on a knees-up with her boyfriend at The Daily Mail

Henry Holland suspender tights at HenryHollandTights.co.uk

Tricky trend: Suspender tights at mystreetchic.com

Showing a Lotta thigh at wowdewow.co.uk

The Maxi Dress – A dress for all occasions

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The Maxi Dress. A trend that has swept over the fashion industry. Whether they be skin tight, stripy, strapless, floaty, floral or tribal, they exist within every fashionista’s wardrobe. The reason why…they can be worn on all occasions.

Due to the versatility of the design they are appropriate for a whole number of events,here are some examples:

Holiday in Greece – a floaty, floral, brightly coloured, strapless maxi worn with gladiator sandals and aviators whilst you swan down the beach front.

Guest Graduation Ceremony – a deeply coloured, shimmering, strappy maxi worn with a cropped lace cardigan and dainty, jewelled sandals would make anyone stand out in those proud graduation photos.

Christening – a strapless, pale pastel maxi worn with nude jewelled sandals and a long gold necklace along with a flower in your hair.

The great thing about maxi dresses is that they suit most body shapes and sizes. Whether your apple, pear or another type of fruit shape these floor sweeping dresses can make you look a million dollars.

They can also be worn by women of all ages. Buying a maxi also allows spending binges on bright, blocky bangles and long, dangly earrings which complement the maxi.

And finally, if you’ve still got a few weeks till that much needed leg waxing appointment the maxi dress is the perfect cover up for those summer BBQ’s.

The Best Style of Jeans for your shape

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This is every girl’s biggest task. Finding a pair of jeans that fit perfectly. No one wants jeans that highlight their muffin tops, make their bum appear saggy or create the image of thunder thighs. We want jeans that show off those luscious legs, highlight your svelte curves and give you a pert rear.

So here’s a mini guide to which figures suit which jeans:

Hourglass figures – Try to go for jeans that have a small waist measurement but slightly larger at the hips. Also go for slightly flared jeans to balance out your hips.

Apple shapes – Go for jeans that are a lighter colour to add shape and again go for flares to flatter those curves. When choosing jeans go for a higher waistline to give the appearance of a flatter tummy.

Pear shapes – Choose darker jeans from dark navy to black this will make your legs look slimmer and sleeker. Go for flares that will take the attention away from your thighs.

Boyish shape – Wear skinny jeans to show off your slim figure; however look for ones with back pockets with a flap to make your bum look curvier.

Lots of retailers are working harder to ensure they have a style and shape of jean to suit every woman so if you end up trying on 30 pairs of jeans in one visit…it’ll be worth it when you’re strutting your stuff down the high street with admiring glances from envious women looking for their perfect jeans.

Top 5 Places to buy bargain clothes online

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With the credit crunch still affecting us pretty severely, shopping has become less and less of a pleasure and more of a chore these days. Shopping for clothes in particular can make you feel a little bit guilty. What once used to be an exciting treat now feels like an unnecessary expense! If that is the case, you want to make sure that you are finding the best bargains out there when it comes to new clothes. Affordable doesn’t mean unfashionable, either. If you know where to look then you can find some great stylish clothing, in accordance with all the latest trends, at quite remarkable prices.
Shopping online is one great way to beat the credit crunch. High street stores can rarely match the prices offered by online retailers and department stores, who often also offer free or at least cheap postage and packaging directly to your door. You can also bypass some of the more expensive high street stores by utilising the clothing available from supermarkets, which is just as fashionable as many top name brands. Here are 5 top websites where you can buy bargain clothes online.

1) www.clothingattesco.com – Yes, it’s Tesco! Why not? A lot of the clothes produced by supermarkets like Tesco follow all the latest trends but are available at affordable prices.

2) www.lovefashionsales.com – Up to 75% off fashionable, stylish clothing. You don’t buy directly from this site – instead you sign up to their email alert system, and they let you know about all the best value offers on top fashion clothing online.

3) www.everything5pounds.com – Boots, dresses, jeans and many more items all for just £5, with loads of new styles added daily.

4) www.ellos.co.uk – Great Scandinavian fashion for both men and women at competitive prices.

5) www.bargaincrazy.com – Stocks a wide range of bargain priced products, including furniture and electricals as well as clothes.

How to wear headscarves in the summer

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Throughout the summer, you may have noticed that both high street and online fashion retailers have begun to stock some gorgeous silk and linen headscarves. These items are coming back into style in a major way, essential accessories for your summer wardrobe that are hot on the runway and also popular with celebrities. There are a variety of different ways to wear a headscarf, and now they are coming back into fashion you may want to familiarise yourself with a couple in order to try out this trend. A good headscarf is best in a light, thin material like silk. It needs to be between 24” and 36” on each side to make sure that it folds comfortably into a style that will hold. Here are a couple of suggestions for how to wear a headscarf this summer, and a few images of celebs working the trend!

For the Hollywood starlet style as sported by Bridget Jones, fold the scarf diagonally into a triangle shape. Place this over your head with the point of the triangle pointing backwards, away from you. The flat centre of the longest edge of the triangle should be just above your hairline. Wrap the scarf around your head under your chin and wrap around so that the loose ends are at the back of your neck, not too tight. Tie loosely and pair with big sunglasses for a glamorous 50’s look.

Secondly, the low bun wrap style is a little more casual and will work well on places like the beach this summer. You can pair it with one of this season’s most popular styles, boho chic. Start by pulling your hair back into a low ponytail. As above, fold the scarf over diagonally to form a triangle and place the centre of the folded edge at the top of your forehead. Wrap the scarf around to the back of your head and tie it beneath your ponytail. Then tuck in your ponytail and wrap the scarf around into a tight bun. You can pin it in place if necessary, and tuck any escaped strands of hair underneath the scarf.

Be Grungy and Be Feminine!

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Grunge was a pretty dismal trend in fashion the first time around. When we think of grunge today, a lot of people have many unattractive associations with the movement such as drab, dull colours and greasy hair. However, that wasn’t always the case, and certainly isn’t the case with the current revival in grunge fashion, especially for women. This summer, remnants of the grunge era such as cut off leather jackets, heavy dark eye make-up and messy, casual hairstyles have resurfaced to create a new hybrid style, just in time for festival season.

Getting grungy whilst maintaining one’s femininity is no easy task. Grunge in general is quite a masculine concept, and was associated originally with a style of music that was male-dominated. However, a lot of the clothes now being produced to meet this demand for a new grunge style have kept many feminine elements. Vest tops with slightly lower, curving necklines and dark denim shorts with studs embody this new grunge but also show off feminine assets such as the legs and chest. These are consistently popular items of women’s clothing with a grunge twist. ‘Grungy’ sweatshirts an item that can be worn in the Summer to cover up or in winter with some twisted or ripped skinny jeans. These sweatshirts are usually baggy with slashed necks that hang loosely off the shoulders. You could also consider digging out an old faded sweatshirt from years ago, or looking in charity shops. Although sweatshirts for women are widely available on the high street and online, there is something special about customising one with history, and faded will always look good!

Once you’ve got the clothing, consider the next dimension of your grunge look – hair and make-up. Grunge is about looking good but not putting in too much effort. Originally, grunge developed not as a conscious style but just because the musicians who embodied it weren’t overly concerned with primping and preening their appearance. It was a contrast to the overly flashy aesthetic that existed in the 80’s, in the same manner it’s revived popularity goes against the bright, colourful fashions that dominate this summer. Back-combing your hair and mussing it up before going out will help you achieve an effortless grunge style. You want to look as if you’ve made no effort, but look brilliant nonetheless!