Trend #1: Bermuda Shorts
Yay!! No Daisy Duke's this spring. The hemlines have dropped for shorts this spring and summer and fuller figured women can rejoice! Bermuda shorts, so long as they fit correctly can be flattering on every type of body, no matter your shape or size.
Tip #1: Don't do denim bermudas
They look dated and aren't as flattering as other materials. Your bermudas should be structured enough that they aren't clinging to your every curve, if they are, you need to go up a size, or look for a heavier weight fabric. If you are feeling particularly fashion-forward, then I'd say go for it, but generally the slouchy boy-type denim bermudas are the only ones that look modern.
Tip#2: Pair with heels for the best look
If you are short, have short legs (like me), or have a full bum, always wear a bit of a heel with them. Stacy London (stylist from What Not to Wear) wears bermudas beautifully and, despite her thin frame, you'll never catch her in her bermudas without high heels.
Tip #3: Choose darker prints and colors
Especially if you are fuller figured, a darker color, or a print on a black background (not a white one) will always slim and flatter.
Tip #4: Be careful of where your top hemline falls
The top you pair with bermudas should be no longer than the top of your hip. If you were to pair a tunic or an equally long top with bermudas, it equals instant frump. Try it sometime if you don't believe me, even with high heels.
Trend #2 Mod
This year's mod is more 2013 than it is 1960.
Tip#1: Keep mod simple
One of the easiest ways to do "mod" is to simply wear black and white from head to toe and incorporate a black and white stripe somewhere.
Tip #2: Beware of the dated mod look
Steer clear of white boots, white tights, giant bug-eye sunglasses, and spider eyelashes Ala Twiggy - I don't care if it looked great on the runway!
Tip#3: Take the simplicity of mod to learn how to mix prints
Wear your black and white stripes with a black and white floral. Mixing prints is beautiful, when the color palette is kept the same. Black and white is fail-proof.
Tip#4: Keep mod modern
The key to making mod modern is tempering the look with modern touches. If you are wearing a vintage mod dress from the 60s, make sure your hair and accessories are modern. If everything looked like the 60s; hair, bag, shoes and dress, you'd look like you were in costume. Likewise, the beehive hairstyle is back (updated, mind you) but to make a beehive work, your clothes must be inherently modern.
Trend #3: Cutouts and Sheer Panels
Garments were slashed and paneled whenever they could be on the runways this spring!
Tip #1: Negative Space
Remember this rule: Where ever there is negative space (cutouts or sheer panels) your eye is drawn to that area. Be careful only to purchase garments that highlight your best features, the paneling must be in the right places for your body.
Tip #2: Not all cutouts/sheer are stylish (or classy)
Cutouts and sheer panels can go terribly wrong if made poorly, or if the overall look is trashy. Use your discretion and stay away from garments that look more uncovered than covered. Less is truly more, and much more sexy.
Tip #3: Remember the legs or cleavage rule
Cutouts on the top? Keep you lower half covered. Cutouts by your torso, keep your cleavage and legs covered (for the most part). Trust me, it's sexy enough already.
Tip #4: Temper the look
These looks are so overtly sexy that natural makeup and hair looks best. You'll look like you're trying too hard with the hair, and the makeup, and the nails, and the sheer, and the cutouts, and the stilettos, you catch my drift. Yves Saint Laurent always said, "Elegance is restraint." He was right.
Trend #4: Stripes, stripes, stripes! (See photo above)
Stripes are becoming less preppy, and more edgy. I can't get enough of them lately.
Tip #1: Learn how to rock horizontal stripes
I see so many women on the street who have not chosen the correct horizontal stripe for their shapes. Go by this rule: The wider and shorter you are, the narrower your stripes should be. Test this theory out by trying on a thick horizontal stripe, and then trying on a thin, narrow stripe. The thin stripe is 10x more flattering.
Tip #2: Mixing stripes is easier than you think
You don't necessarily have to stick to the same colors since the pattern is the same this time. The general rule here is, don't wear the same thickness stripes. Choose a narrow stripe Breton top and pair it with a thicker striped scarf, in the same colors, or not!
Tip #3: Railroad stripes are your friend
They were huge on the runway and they are pretty flattering on everyone as they run vertically. A railroad stripe is a faded white chalk stripe on chambray (light blue) material. Think of a train conductor's overalls or hat.
Tip #4: Beware the striped pant (or skirt)
I don't recommend stripes on the bottom for most people. Vertically striped pants look cool on boyish frames, especially if you have short legs - they lengthen. But vertical striped pants are not the best for those with fuller legs, as the stripes contour to the shape of the leg and don't follow their natural straight line down.
Trend #5: Neon
Neon is here to stay for a while. The Runways were ablaze with the juiciest of colors for spring.
Tip#1: Do not be afraid of neon colors
Neons can be injected into any wardrobe with accessories - buy a neon shoe, get a neon clutch, or even a neon cell phone case. Dip your toe in the water!
Tip #2: Don't overdue neons
Don't become a Glo-worm (remember those?). Neons are best in small doses letting one piece in an outfit stand out and maybe adding a small neon accessory if you like to mix it up a bit.
Tip #3: Neons look gorgeous with neutrals
Cream, beige, grey, black, white, camel. Don't be afraid that your neon items won't go with anything!
Tip #4: Purchase trends like neons wisely
One of my clients had to have every passing trend, in numerous pieces. We got rid of about $800 worth of no-longer-trendy pieces she no longer wanted to wear. I always advise my clients to buy trends as inexpensively as they can find (and is up to their quality standard) and in small doses. Something small and inexpensive will be fun for you to wear while the trend is popular, but then you can give it to GoodWill no problem once it's over. It's the only way to participate in trends and keep your closet under wraps. You don't want your investment pieces to be trendy - you'll want them around for years to come!
There are so many other trends this spring! Here is a quick run down of some others and how to wear them:
Lucite: Lucite jewelry looks fashion forward and modern with white for spring. Get a lucite bangle, a lucite necklace, or small bag with a lucite strap.
Asian Influence: Look for a short kimono at a flea market and wear open over a simple tank and skinny jeans on a spring day! Asian chic!
Leather: Leather in spring? Yes. Pick up a cute A-line leather dress or skirt from H&M, TopShop or Zara. Quality is OK for the look and the season, and price isn't astronomical.
Exotic: There were lots of worldly influences other than Asian for this spring. Think beading, exotic prints and safari-inspired outfits.
Florals: Florals aren't anything new for spring but for this year they are modern (in black and white) or very tech-looking. Think Mary Katrantzou.
Remember the #1 rule of styling yourself is dress for your body and have fun getting dressed! Style doesn't have to cost a thing!
Thanks for the tips! Very helpful !!
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