Archive for January, 2009
A Woman's Fashion: Tops, Part I
Think tops for women are just one category of clothes? Wrong! In fact, fashion tops for women come in a variety of styles. This is obvious to the fashion designers of the world, but perhaps less so to the rest of us. Without further ado then, Beverly Lane brings you the top seven tops from the world of women’s fashion:
#1 A woman’s fashion: The strapless top
Strapless tops are simple but effective. Usually reserved for nighttime or daytime formal wear, the strapless top is a great choice for the warmer months when you won’t miss the extra material. Go for a simple one-color look with a body-hugging shape for maximum impact.
#2 A woman’s fashion: The one shoulder top
The asymmetrical look really gives one shoulder tops a quirky, fun sensibility. The one shoulder top is a great choice for a fun, lighthearted outing like a Sunday in the park or a daytime concert or music festival. Some stripes or a bold print will complete the look.
#3 A woman’s fashion: Vests and camis
Vests and camis are a bankable favorite when you want a cute look for summer, say for a day at the beach. They can look ultra-girly with a loose fit and a flowery print, or more sleek, modern and athletic with a body-hugging fit and stripes.
#4 A woman’s fashion: The T-shirt
What can you say about the T-shirt that hasn’t been said a million times before? Not much! Except that they’re a casual tops fashion classic on par with the mighty blue jeans. Grab a graphic print for a fun look, or opt for a looser fit and some frills for more of a pretty/girly look. Either way you’ll look great.
#5 A woman’s fashion: The tunic top
Tunics are so versatile, they’re always a safe bet if you’re not sure how formal you want to be. Perfect for a date or a night out with the girls, they also combine really well with almost any accessories. We like the look of a close-fitting tunic in a colorful fabric with some chunky jewelry, but try your own ideas – you’ll find it’s pretty hard to go wrong!
#6 A woman’s fashion: Shirts and blouses
Shirts and blouses are, of course, a wardrobe staple, especially for work wear and smart casual and formal ensembles. You can never have too many of these tops! Keep a couple in basic black and flat white, and some with a colorful pattern or print too.
#7 A woman’s fashion: The long sleeved top
Long sleeved t-shirts and tops are perfect for those transition months of the year when you need the extra warmth of a sleeve. They’re also great under a jacket for when the temperature really drops. Don’t forget that the long sleeved top category includes the hoodie, which is perfect for a comfortable, casual occasion like a mid-week trip to the movies, and the cardigan, which works so well for long nights in. It’s always handy to have a comfy long sleeved top on hand for when you need to run to the store in the morning for bread and milk as well!
Five Designer Shoes Essential for Every Woman
Most women in this world agree that shoes are crucial to the successful completion of a truly stylish look. But unless you are a shoe critic or fashion editor it may be tough to keep track of the available brands and their latest styles. The classic, timeless labels as well as the emerging daredevil designers evolve with ongoing fashions and it can prove quite the challenge to know what brands to consider at any particular point in time. Right now, there are five designer shoes you should know if you take your shoes seriously.
Tory Burch is one of contemporary fashion’s most prominent icons, and her designer women’s shoes define the most important trends of today. Whether you are a vintage diva, a bohemian star or come straight off the Paris runway, you can never go wrong with a pair of Tory Burch Reva shoes. Like every shoe from this versatile label, the Tory Burch Reva is a perfect example of traditional yet transitional design with on-trend accents.
Juicy Couture, the must have clothing brand from California, have launched a shoe collection that no respectable fashionista should ignore. While they at first were most recognized for their unique take on the tracksuit, this label today also has an eye for the right accessories – which is why Juicy Couture shoes are all the rage today. It doesn’t matter if you boast a casual, athletic wardrobe or have a dressier, chic fashion sense, add Juicy Couture flats to list of stylish must haves. Smart, fun and fashionable, these designer shoes are also comfortable like few.
Marc by Marc Jacobs deliver the perfect designer shoes for days when we dare to be different. Known for his signature individualism, Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes are often in bright and unusual colors and materials, and feature uniquely round toes and chunky heels. They work well with classic and more subdued styles, but you can also easily wear them with the more daring pieces in your wardrobe. You will undeniably turn heads wherever you go.
Steve Madden is a designer that sets trends. The influence that his shoes have on fashion is unmistakable, and if you want to make sure your wardrobe is complete you cannot avoid a pair of fashionable Steve Madden flats. Whether you need shoes for work or something for casual nights out on the town, these come in everything from stylish black leather to gold snake. Light and elegant with a defined edge, Steve Madden ballet flats make perfect springtime additions to any outfit.
Ugg shoes are classics that no woman should ignore. Light and flexible to wear, they will not only keep your feet cozy and dry, but also show you know your fashion. Don’t let the comfortable look fool you, Ugg footwear is fashion runway footwear – and for springtime there are more fun, fashionable colors than ever before. Pink, pool or purple shades look as good buttoned up as slouched down. If you don’t already have a pair, get one.
Whatever brand and model you choose, none of these designer shoes should be ignored. As you set out to acquire your next pair, make it easy for yourself by shopping in one of the places that hold all of these exquisite brands. Stores like Jildor that have been around for a while know their designer women shoes well – a valuable quality when you are about to invest in your most important fashion accessories.
Audrey Wilson is a writer on the latest fashion for women ranging from skirts to blouses. Her passion, however, lies in casual and ladies designer footwear.
Designer Handbags for the Trendy Woman
You know the latest trends from the hottest designers. You make sure to follow what all of the Hollywood elite are wearing and carrying on their shoulders. You are the epitome of a trendy woman and very in-the-now. So what are you wearing this season? With a plethora of new bags hitting the scene, it can be difficult to find the designer handbags that are right for you. Take a look at this helpful overview to get some great ideas and inspiration.
Trendy Designer Handbag Colors
2009 is more about color than previous seasons. Of course, black is at the top of the list and this will likely never change. In 2009, as is the case each and every year, black is a staple in both wardrobe and handbag collections. Few women can say that they own a purse that isn’t black, whether it’s your everyday handbag or one for a special occasion. This year, blacks and browns are both quite popular and, in fact, can almost be interchangeable.
Whether we are talking tan or sand, sable or chocolate, brown is a perfect color because you can easily wear this neutral in every season. In warmer months, tan or beige goes quite well with just about any outfit. Lighter browns tend to be worn with finer fabrics and fancier occasions. Of course, your darker browns can warm up a winter white outfit, or coordinate perfectly with a number of reds and other fall and winter ensembles and coats.
Eggplants and other deep purples are also tremendously popular this season. In fact, purple of all sorts made a comeback last year, and continues to remain a trendy color for the 2009 season. Because it is such a strong, vibrant shade, it is perfect for a handbag color. You can accentuate a black and white combination or highlight a warm, deep brown outfit with a number of purple-toned handbags. You have endless choices this season, even though purple is a strong singular color.
Trendy Designer Handbag Styles
As far as casual bags are concerned this season, tote bags and hobo handbags are still quite trendy. The Manhattan tote, by designer Jim Thompson, is one of the most popular bags in this category. This roomy bag will make most of us breathe a sigh of relief, as we tend to carry around everything but the kitchen sink on a daily basis. A lady must be prepared! Whether it’s for business or pleasure, a smart woman knows that she needs various critical items on her person at all times.
The Manhattan Tote has been seen on many celebrities’ shoulders; including the fashion forward Jessica Alba. The bag is a limited edition that comes in brown, black and green, and offers an enormous amount of carrying space inside.
Of course, you are not limited to this particular tote; many tote bags are trendy this season. Louis Vuitton has an absolutely gorgeous line for fall, and Gucci does too. The shoulder bags and hobos that Gucci put out last year are still quite popular this season as well. While whites and brights were the name of the game for Gucci this summer, this season offers some beautiful subdued leathers, complete with his signature tassels, hardware and of course the famous Gucci label.
Trendy Eco Designer Handbags
Another trend this season is the use of environmentally conscious materials and production processes. Suddenly, it has become très chic to actively care about our environment through our purchases, and this applies to our handbags as well. Many designers are creating custom-made beautiful bags from recycled materials, and you would never know the difference!
Stella McCartney, for example, has a gorgeous clutch this season that is completely vegan. Although her bags are pricey, they’re now made from materials you can feel good about! Donna Karan, too, makes an incredible black zippered bag this fall that is not only funky, but is made from organic lambskin. Be sure to check out her “Gotham” collection. How great it is that celebrities and designers alike are realizing the need to convert in this area by going green? It not only helps spread the word, but we get some gorgeous handbags out of it too.
Trendy Designer Evening Bags
For evening bags, the basics are still the best way to go this season. You cannot go wrong with basic blacks, sequins and shimmer. Whether you prefer a small pearly sequined bag or a tiny black box to go with your evening gown of choice, the classics are still the trendiest, and we don’t see this going by the wayside anytime soon.
The fall season of 2009 is carrying many of the looks from the summer forward, but it’s incorporating deeper colors and rich fall tones. By keeping these easy tips and guidelines in mind, you’re sure to stay trendy and happy all season long.
