Fashion Lust

2006-09-25T00:39:00.000-07:00

Fashion TV Bikini Photoshoot

Bikini photo shoot for Fashion TV with Singaporean fashion models, Mia Tan & Jo Wee. Taken at Coral Reef Beach Resort, Mactan, Cebu, Philippines with the film crew of the International Academy of Film & Television (IAFT)

7 Spring Fashion Tips

2006-09-21T10:02:00.000-07:00

Well you definitely need a compass for this year's Spring and Summer fashions. While flirty and fun is "in," don't forget tailored and chic. In fact, it is ok to mix the two. Here are the Spring's fashion trends:

Spring dresses are definitely the item to have this season. Very much inspired by the 50s and early 60s, you can find vintage or new fashions right on the rack in every major clothing store. Look for little ruffles, flowing fabrics, big buttons and belts.

White is everywhere. Be careful with this one as some complexions are not cut out for stark white. If you are nearing middle age, try using white in your accessories instead of brilliant white jackets or skirts. Everyone should be cautious about what we call Minnie Mouse shoes and please don't break out the white pants, skirts and shoes until after Memorial Day. I don't care what anyone says. Some rules are not meant to be broken.

Chunky shoes and platform sandals are still the rage this season. Be careful when pairing with your 50s inspired dress or you will look like you came straight from a rummage sale and not the fashionable trendy shops. Of course some might say that is the trend too.

Chunky necklaces are still in this season as well. Natural woods and brighter colors play a part in the spring continuation of this fall trend.

A line and tulip skirts are all over the spring fashion scene. Watch the length and the belting. A line skirts are great camouflage for larger hips.

Tops are flirty with ruffles, cinching under the bust, and belting or gathers at the waist. These looks are great with jeans, loose fitting trouser style pants, and skirts but can also be paired with a tailored jacket and skirt or pants for work to add a little femininity to your tailored work attire.

Although many chiropractors and doctors may protest, the handbags are available in big and bigger. As always though there has to be balance between what you are wearing and the size and style of bag you are carrying.

Remember no matter what styles you choose, you should always make sure you have other pieces (we recommend three) already in your wardrobe with which to coordinate. Also, be cognizant of the styles and how they look on someone of your age. You can make yourself look like mutton dressed as lamb if you try to be too trendy or too flirty with your styles. Always be aware of shape and color and how it relates to your body. We will say it just this once in this article. Just because they make it in your size does not mean you should wear it. Now enjoy the spring weather and flowers and have fun accessorizing your wardrobe.

Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles, is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, LLC, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area, providing life management services. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops. Ms. Books is the Vice President for the International Concierge & Errand Association. For more information about the author and ON THE GO 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net

Technorati : fashion, fashion tips, spring fashion

Ten Fashion Must Haves Spring Through Fall 2006

2006-09-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

Be smart! Wait a minute, you are smart! You've let OldCrappyTee.com perk up your wardrobe with crazy cool Old Crappy T-shirts, now we can help you choose a few new wardrobe selections to carry through the Fall season that are in step with current fashion. Choose a few practical purchases, and make room for a few compulsive ones too!

Eleven Fashion Must Haves Spring through Fall 2006:

1. Blouses are back!

Girlie dressing has returned with blousy style in ruffles, flounces and fancy neck-ties. Sleeves are unique, maybe a bit blouson with gathering at the shoulders. Isn't fabric luxurious? Pick your slinky tops with bare shoulders and/or your bare back. Your waist can be loose or fitted. Tops can be plain or decorated.

2. Bags with structure.

Put away the slouch bag for now. Bags in 2006 see a trend toward dome shapes, contrasting trims and buckles. Accessorize your smart new bag with some bling! Try adding handbag charms for a more designer look.

3. Updated Accessories.
Find hip slung belts (they can be glitzy), super skinny to 2"-3" thick. Pick up a pair of large framed sunglasses with color tint lenses. Fresh jewelry is sparkly, chokers are beaded with loose strands cascading, earrings are hoops or big and beautiful. Choose shoes with fantastic color, be they flat slides or strappy stilettos. Last but not least, a very large sun hat (think Sophia Loren).

4. Military feminine.
If you can get your hands on it, please do! Plan to wear your boots and look Eastern bloc mysterious undercover agent unbelievable. Blue-grey and steely colors form smart top-coats with faux fur trim. Narrow army coats sport distinct buttons and epaulettes. Soften your hard-as-nails look with a hint of lace cami that peeks out from underneath the lapel of your trench, or a surprisingly gorgeous fabric pencil line, to the knee or just above, slits at the side or back.

5. Tailored suiting.
Play classy at work and put your curves into straight tailored looks. Create the complete look for fall with charcoal and brown tweeds with leather accessories, up-dos and strong jewelry. Keep an eye out for some tweed competition in the form of rich brocades and jacquards.

6. Midnight blue.

If you don't go navy, go lighter than navy! These blues partner beautifully with neutrals and all other colors. A simple, classic, understated outfit might comprise of a midnight blue fancy top and your favorite dark blue jeans. Bags with structure.Put away the slouch bag for now. Bags in 2006 see a trend toward dome shapes, contrasting trims and buckles. Accessorize your smart new bag with some bling! Try adding handbag charms for a more designer look.

7. Silhouettes with contrast.

Go for a slim line with volume on top or bottom. If you go for volume on the bottom, go retro, but more subtle with a 60's style tulip skirt. If you go for volume on the top, remember to keep the bottom slim. Try a boxy to the waist jacket with a zipped front opening.

8.Dresses with drama.
Get into the swing of a dance dress, or pounce on a cocktail-length dress. Look for volume down below and sexy detailing atop the bust-line like ruching. Your dress can be hip-hugging and sexy with bare shoulders or a bare back or both. Or a skirt and top suit that will give you a dressier look.

9. Prints, prints and more prints!

Forget the minimalism of the 90's. Try out great new designs or florals either head to toe or, say neck to waist if you're feeling a bit non-committal. Waist to ankles wear your jeans or plain bottoms or skirt. Eventually you'll be print literate. Pull out those scarves, and think about purchasing a few fresh for the upcoming seasons- even if you just don it on your bag.

10. Blouses Victorian style.

Dress up to go out with authentic vintage style. Not from your great- aunt's collection, but from days of the less recent past. Go all out lacey and sheer or frilly and feminine. Add a Victorian look to your favorite white shirt . . . button it up high, and add a bit of ribbon or lace at your neck!

About The Author

Robert Carney is publisher and owner of Old Crappy Tee. To stay informed on the latest t-shirt fashions, visit www.oldcrappytee.com.

Technorati : accessories, bags, fall 2006, fall fashion, fashion

What Celebrities and Other Fashionable People Will be Wearing This Fall...and How to Get the Look

2006-09-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

Every year around this time, I grow tired of my summer clothes and the way my bare thighs to stick to my leather car seat. Thankfully, just as I'm dreaming of cozy sweaters and tall boots, warm fires and chilly nights, designers introduce their fall collections, magazine editors plaster the goods across glossy spreads, and models and actors start to wear them.

If you're like me and you're dreaming of cool weather fashions, here's a sneak peek at what's hot for the coming season. These are the top trends that came down the runway for fall-and the ones that are showing up on your favorite stylish A-lister. Adopt these looks if they suit you, or mix and match the trends you like-the ones that fit your body and your personality. Get a leg up on shopping now, and, come fall, you'll look super chic-just like your favorite star.

Styles

Ruffled blouses: In stark contrast to the menswear-inspired suits designers are showcasing for fall (more later), the ruffled blouses they're pushing are sweetly and seductively feminine. This season's styles are delicate, gauzy and soft, with lots of ruffles, lace, full sleeves and demure buttons. Before you turn your nose up, however, you can make these delicate blouses edgier by layering them under the season's stylish cropped jacket. (The layered look is in for clothes this fall, trust me: You will look so hip.) Or, do as Kate Bosworth does, save the world from sugar shock by pairing an ultra-feminine top with jeans. Which leads us to our next fall trend…

Skinny jeans: I understand that fashion fluctuates, and that it's time to retire the bootleg, but I don't like the skinny-jeans trend. The low-rise, flared-leg jeans of yesterday are much more flattering than the super-sleek, skinny, slouchy-ankle (called "the skinny stack" according to People magazine) jeans of this season. Stars and celebrity stylists apparently disagree. Celebs like Jessica Alba, Kate Moss, Ashlee Simpson and Carmen Electra are already sporting super-skinny jeans, typically with heels or occasionally flats (for the more long-legged). Let's hope this trend passes quickly, but in the meantime, if you dare, opt for heels and a top that hits at the hip to add length and balance to your super skinny jeans.

Leggings: Leggings looked stupid in the 80s and they can look just as unflattering now if you don't wear them right. Get the look down, though, and modern leggings are fresh; thankfully they're not paired under jackets with giant shoulder pads, baggy tunics, bad perms and oversize matching plastic earrings. (Men especially hated this look. I don't really remember men commenting much about women's fashion, so this trend must have been especially ugly. But I digress.) If you want to wear leggings, make like stylish celebs Jessica Alba and Sienna Miller (who always look cute) and pair black, mid-calf-length leggings with ballet flats and an oversize, belted tunic or minidress. (Key word: belted.) Don't wear brightly colored or ribbed leggings, and steer clear of shiny ones unless you're going running. As well, don't throw a super slouchy tunic on top or you'll just look sloppy. And, for Pete's sake, unless you're Mischa Barton-skinny, don't wear leggings with a cropped top. Leggings underneath a cute little dress or belted tunic or sweater is the way to go with this trend.

Military Jackets/Menswear: Okay, finally a fall trend I can totally support. There is nothing sexier than a gorgeous woman in a masculine suit (remember Kate Hepburn? Madonna in her Vogue video)? Stars like Charlize Theron and Penelope Cruz look stunning in menswear-inspired suits. It's the contrast of striking femininity against tough masculinity. To wear this trend well, keep your hair loose and your makeup soft, and be sure to add bold jewelry. My favorite suits for this season are black or gray pinstriped pantsuits, preferably with flat-front trousers and a jacket with a deep V-neck. As for military jackets, I like them in blues with gold accents, paired with jeans and the season's hot new ankle boots, or even flats.

Flounced Skirts and Modern Minidresses: Show off great legs (think Halle Barry and Sarah Jessica Parker) in this fall's short skirts and dresses, along with those super hip aforementioned ankle boots. Just keep the rest of your look sleek and toned down. To feel like an adult and not a tot or, eek, a woman of questionable morals, pair minis with opaque, dark tights and flats or boots. And for goodness' sake, do not wear a revealing top. As for flouncy, balloon skirts, you can get a little bit more creative with your top, depending on the skirt length and style. As a rule, pair a more detailed, ballooned, feminine skirt with a less dramatic top and vice versa. Wear these with heels. One note: Steer clear of this season's jumpers, unless you want to look like a Swiss milkmaid or a Catholic schoolgirl.

Colors

Somber hues: As you've guessed, somber hues like gray, black and brown are in this fall. Along with muted colors, embellishments are at a minimum, but that doesn't mean you can't add a great piece of jewelry, like a pearl brooch or an oversize cocktail ring, to the mix. Or punch up the somber mood of fall fashions with faux animal skin shoes or a bag, or anything oversized and gold, like a big gold chain necklace or hammered cuff.

Red: According to Vogue, red is the new black. (Check out the mag's September spread with Christy Turlington.) How to wear it? A stunning allover piece, like a red dress in a warm hue, or a red tunic, is gorgeous. If that's too much, red patent leather boots or strappy leather sandals add a splash of red without going overboard. Head to toe red or red accessories still sound too bold? Try bright red lipstick, bright red nail polish, or a little clutch in, you guessed it, red. One note of caution: I wouldn't recommend the red military jacket unless you're calling the hunt.

Jewelry

Clothes are somber this season, but there is an upside: jewelry isn't. Now's the time to bring out (or buy) bold metallics and yellow gold. Hammered gold oversize earrings (like chandeliers, hoops, and dangles) are in this season, as are hammered gold cuff bracelets and wide gemstone cuffs in a bright hue like carnelian or aventurine. Black is also back in a big way. Try a black pearl necklace or a strand of demure white pearls tied with a black ribbon (there's that sexy contrast again). Or a black beaded bracelet or black pearl dangle earrings. And forget the long, layered necklace look for now. It's all about one statement-making piece. Try tying your pearl necklace in a loose knot before putting it on, or, to really make it fresh, thread a cocktail ring, class ring or bold brooch on your pearl necklace. Remember, with bold jewelry, you are making a statement, so keep other jewelry to a minimum. This season's fashions are the perfect backdrop to statement-making pieces.

When choosing fall fashions, remember, wear what works for you, not what works for your favorite celebrity. Now go get creative!

About The Author

Amy Drescher

A graduate of the Gemological Institute of America's Graduate Pearls program, Amy Drescher is a fashion writer and accessories buyer for http://www.moonriverpearls.com. She welcomes your questions. Reach her at adrescher@moonriverpearls.com.