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Trend Alert: The midi skirt

  • posted December 15th, 2011
  • Fashion

yellow-skirt

Remember when you swore you would never turn into your mother? Well it may be about to happen, but in the nicest  – and chicest – possible way. That mainstay of the sensible woman’s wardrobe, the mid-calf length skirt, was one absolute surprise winner on the spring/summer 2011 catwalks as diligent secretary-style models showed that you don’t have to flash the flesh to look sexy. This summer it’s one of the hottest trends around and here’s my guide to making it work.

1. Banish thoughts of prudishness and focus on the details. A tightly belted waist at Fendi and Louis Vuitton ensure an hourglass silhouette.

2. A slinky, tight fitting pencil skirt as at Celine is best paired with heels or long boots for a Jessica Rabbit wiggle. Alternatively try a pleat midi skirt with wedges. I’m a big fan of this bright yellow pleat skirt from Selfridges.

3. It’s all in the attitude. Work it ladies!

Featured skirt: Yellow pleat midi skirt at Selfridges

Style tips on how to be sexy

  • posted September 5th, 2011
  • Fashion

black-lace-dress

Lets face it girls we might want to be stylish but we also really, really want to be sexy. So as your personal stylist I’ve been chatting with some of fashion’s most important designers to get their advice on how to look seductive this summer.

One of my absolute faves is Marios Schwab. No wonder the label’s fans include such fashion luminaries as Kate Moss, Clemence Poesy and Chloe Sevigny. This Spring/Summer’s collection has a rebel spirit vibe, plus there are gorgeous lingerie dresses daubed with lace work and tattoo patterns. Since the label began in 2005, the name Marios Schwab has become synonymous with definitely sexy, body hugging silhouettes and elegantly erotic designs. Take this lace-panelled dress as a case in point. It’s tightly fitted and darkly mysterious, with gorgeous detailing.

Here are some of Marios’ excellent top tips on how to dress sexy:It’s all about what is revealed and what is hidden when you get dressed.

Don’t be a slave to trends. Keep your individuality.

Featured: Marios Schwab lace-panelled dress

Trend Alert: Brocade (part one)

  • posted September 2nd, 2011
  • Fashion

roulo-sweater

Capricious? Us? Surely not but we just got our pretty little heads around spring/summer’s brightly coloured and floral trends when suddenly it’s that time of year again. Our social diaries are full of party invites and after-work drinks that call for something a little more Be Beautiful and Damned a la Kate Moss, a little more Bianca Jagger at Studio 54, something a little more…well… fun. Plus all the fashion people are talking about the new season trends and by new season we mean Autumn/Winter 2011/12.

Cue the regal allure of those oh-so-opulent brocades. From sharp-edged shouldered, wow-em dresses at Balmain (paired with lace up boots for added edge) to statement coats at Cavalli and Maxmara, looking OTT has never been hotter. Whether you take a cerebral approach as at Marios Schwab or go out and out flashy, it’s magpie time: the more lavish the better. As Donatella Versace says More is More and this winter it’s time to dig out your embellished evening coats, textured tops and shimmering trousers, not to mention those itsy bitsy, two-tone brocade dresses for the ultimate in Baroque chic.

One of my favourite brocade dresses is this gorgeous black strapless brocade dress from New Look. In animal print brocade it has a fab Fifties shape and will look great with a light tan, as well as come winter. Plus it’s in the sale so snap it up!

Trend Alert: Summer shorts

linen-shorts

As we move into the summer months even the British weather seems to be perking up. Time to dig out those summer shorts girls and show off your legs. This season’s shorts are smart enough for the office but cool enough for a party and frankly as far as I’m concerned you can never have enough. They look chicer than a mini skirt and are far more practical too. Whether you’re cycling or sunbathing, many this season also have a retro pin-up girl air, which is bang on trend.

My pick of the crop are these ultra gorgeous high-waist shorts from LA-based designer Seneca Rising. The perfect length to flatter your thighs the dusty orange shades looks hot with this summer’s khaki, grey or nude colour palette. I love this label, which takes tomboy shapes and styling and gives them a feminine edge. These shorts are a great investment piece too and are sure to see you through a summer of picnics, beaches and city living.

Featured: Shorts from Seneca Rising at FarFetch

- Isabel Dexter

Style Clinic: Leopard print

leopard dress

This season the international catwalks in Paris, London, New York and Milan were awash with the hottest print of the summer – leopard print. Channel your inner sex kitten in this sumptuous print, beloved of bar maids and Kate Moss alike. In the first post of my new Style Clinic posts where I answer a pressing style question of the season, we look at the coolest-for-cats style in town.

Q: What in the cut off point in age terms on leopard print? I love it but I’m scared that at 42 I’m past it.

A: As a former personal shopper and stylist I’m a true believer that we need to forget that old ‘mutton dresses as lamb’ phrase. Age is not a factor that needs to determine what we wear, especially if it’s something you love. As long as you take into account shape, quality and fit a print should never be too ‘young’ no matter what your age.

Leopard print is huge news this season and everyone should be trying it. Every single way they like. For the brave a fabulous leopard print dress is just the ticket. Try this leopard print maxi dress for a touch of Seventies glamour. It’s in the sale at the moment and would look ultra chic with simple accessories. The long, flowing shape is really flattering too, no matter what your age!

featured:  Leopard print dress Dorothy Perkins

- Isabel Dexter

Style Tips from Bobbi Brown

camo-jewelry

It should be summer but the weather is so changeable at the moment most fashionistas are struggling with their wardrobes right now no matter how style savvy they are. Recently makeup maestro Bobbi Brown has been sharing her tips for stylish dressing with the fashion crowd and I thought I’d share some of my favourites with you. It’s definitely (fashion) food for thought!

1. Take inspiration from your friends. When I was a teen we didn’t have that many celebrity magazines to follow the latest fashions so I’d look at my girlfriends instead. There was one who wore the perfect combat jacket, sending me on a mission to find myself the same one.

OUR TIP: Try this amazing vintage camouflage combat jacket.

2. Pay attention to your shape and who you are. At 5ft tall I look better in clothes that are cut for my body and I’m always going for the unexpected when it comes to style.

3. Wear things that make you feel good. Look at what others are wearing on the street. I’d rather pair a stack of sparkly bracelets with jeans than a dress because the contrast is what makes it interesting.

OUR TIP: Add some bling a la Bobbi with these gorgeous sparkly bracelets to spice up a casual, daytime look.

- Isabel Dexter

Style Clinic: Holiday wardrobe

As the summer sets in this is the second of my series of style clinic posts with a focus on holiday dressing. Packing for a trip can be stressful but shopping for it is certainly fun! Here’s the latest burning fashion question and some of my top tips for sexy, sultry summer dressing with a difference!

Q: I’m going on holiday to an island off Spain where the temperatures are high in the day but plummet at night. Last year I ended up ruining all my outfits with endless layers to stay warm. Can you suggest something that means I won’t freeze to death but will still look sleek and stylish?

A: Instead of packing bulky layers that will take up a lot of suitcase space and will also look too wintery invest in some smart summer dressing. The first thing is to seek out some handy, lightweight cashmere cardigans to wear over pretty dresses. I love this cardigan from Crumpet. The draping gives a feminine air and the cropped sleeves keep it summery. Plus it’s ultra flattering and will work with pretty much everything in your wardrobe.

Featured – Cashmere cardigan Crumpet

- Isabel Dexter

Style Icon: The Queen

greenandbluedress

Move over Pippa Middleton! I know since the Royal Wedding we’ve all been gushing about her great figure and classic British style but actually there was another style setter there that day and I’m not taking about Victoria Beckham! No her Majesty the Queen, Britain’s favourite granny and a credit to the nation has been called many things but fashion icon may be a new one. In fact though, especially on her recent trip to Ireland the Queen was rocking many of this season’s latest sartorial trends.

Colour-blocking, currently the hottest look off the runways at London, Paris, New York and Milan, has always been a look of our monarch. Emerald green is a favourite colour and while you may want to forget the hat, gloves and handbag, channel the look with a beautiful emerald green dress. I love this tiered, one-shoulder green dress from Jaeger at John Lewis.

Alternatively, follow her love for cornflower blue in a modern version of the queen’s signature style. A bright blue frock will do the trick and this belted blue dress from Preen’s collaboration with Debenhams is just the ticket.

Featured dresses:  Jaeger green dress at John Lewis, and Blue dress Preen edition for Debenhams

- Isabel Dexter

Beauty Trend Alert: fashion forward

  • posted June 20th, 2011
  • Beauty

stephencollinsbelt

The good news for this Autumn/Winter 2010? Well mostly that the beauty world has gone back to basics. Glowing skin, plump lips and clear eyes, not to mention glossy and natural hair, is on everyone’s wish list as we start to face the colder months. After seasons of attention-grabbing beauty looks on the international catwalks at Paris, London, Milan and New York, with frankly scary creations that you could never wear to your local pub, let alone to the supermarket, it’s a relief that natural is now back on the beauty radar.

This season is all about beauty looks that complement the clothes. In my two part post I will show you how:

1. Follow the same colour palette as the clothes that really count this season. Camel translates into honey-toned hues. Try a nude lipstick, such as Clarins Joli Rouge in simply nude.

2. Mirror colour blocked outfits with bold lipstick and eyes in the same textures.

3. If you’re wearing high-shine patent leather then mimic this in your makeup. Glossy, dark red lipstick, such as Guerlain Kiss Kiss or deep scarlet shiny nails will up the ante on your outfit. A shiny belt, like this Stephen Collins black patent leather belt and a bold lipstick will instantly update your look.

Featured items: Clarins Joli Rouge lipstick  in Simply Nude, Max Factor foundation in honey, Guerlain KissKiss lipstick, and Stephen Collins patent leather belt

Short Work

borwnshorts

With all the summer events and parties coming up perhaps it’s just me but is everything in your wardrobe, including those favourite summer dresses, looking a bit uninspiring? If so then please let me direct you towards this season’s hottest solution and a whole new trend to boot; the smart short.

Early adaptors include Alexa Chung, Eva Herzigova at the Cannes Film Festival and of course Kate Moss. The best thing about a great pair of tailored shorts are that they look sexy without being sluttish, smart without being overdressed and they are also flattering. They’re a great look for a casual-ish summer wedding too if you want to look like you’ve made an effort but still stay unique. Most of all, shorts are fun and summer is all about dressing like you’re here to play.

My favourites pick of the bunch are these gorgeous belted shorts from Republic. The tobacco shade is bang on trend for this season and they look they walked straight off the runway. Add a dash of fake tan on your pins and you’ll be hot to trot, no matter the occasion!

Shorts from Republic

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