New Looks for Summer Fashion

1.Safari/Tribal

Get ready for adventure with the newest tribal and safari looks this spring including beaded jewelry, animal prints and safari jackets.

  Wear It: Head-to-toe tribal looks too costumey. Opt for a touch of explorer chic and pair it with something modern: a tribal print dress paired with metallic sandals, a safari jacket mixed with white jeans, etc.

 2.Statement Shoes

Statement shoes sometimes defy logic (cage-effect booties or insanely high heels) but they always attract attention.

Wear It: Statement shoes go with just about anything as long as it doesn't compete with the shoes. Try a little black dress with glitzy sandals, rolled up boyfriend jeans with funky wedges or create your own over-the-top ensemble.

3.Ruffles

Ruffles top our list of favorite summer fashion trends. From softly cascading ruffles to frills of layers at the hem, you'll bring out your girlie best in ruffles. Wear It: Ruffles draw attention to whatever part of the body they are worn on, so save ruffles for the neckline (draws attention to your face) or hem (makes your legs looks sexy.)

4.Bare Shoulders

Whether you bare it with a strappy top or let a shoulder slip out from your top, the bare shoulder is a summer-perfect look. Wear It: Show off toned arms with sleeveless and strapless looks this summer. If your arms are less than perfect, keep the look sexy with an off-the-shoulder top (all women have great shoulders to show off!)

5.Bright Bag

Bright bags are not just for the beach or baby wipes anymore. Yellow, orange, electric blue and hot pink bags are the perfect antidote to serious dark "It" bags. Wear It: Mix and match your brights: wear a hot-pink bag with electric blue or bright yellow with grass green. Or if high-powered colored combos aren't your thing simply wear with classic black and white or neutrals to make everything look new.


6.Asymmetry

Add a touch of drama to your look with one-shoulder asymmetrical looks.  
Wear It: If you haven't tried a one-shoulder asymmetrical look yet, you'll be surprised by how sexy and diva-like it feels. Try anything from a special dress to a simple top in a one-shoulder style to refresh your look.


7.High-Low Hem

High-low hems -- a longer dress that cuts up above the knee in the front and touches the floor in the back -- adds a bit of can-can retro flair to evening wear.
Wear It: There's nothing subtle about a high-low hem, so make sure the rest of your dress doesn't compete with the drama of the hem. Keep legs bare for the sexiest look and finish off with amazing high heels.


8.Nude Shoes

Nude shoes make your legs look miles long. We love it!

Wear It: Nude shoes are the perfect neutral, so pair them with any color. Keep your legs bare for the most flattering look.

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Flattering and Trendy Plus Size Style Tips

If you are slightly plus size, it doesn’t really mean that you cannot dress up very fashionably. Fashion isn’t as biased to slim people as it was a few decades ago which is why it isn’t hard to find plus size style tips. There are several changes one can bring into their wardrobe to ensure they are on top of the fashion trends and are abreast of the latest innovations in apparels. One of the most important plus size style tips is to opt for a monochromatic outfit. Adding contrasting colours and textures especially with over-shirts, pull-offs, blazers and cardigans could be a good idea to look very trendy. Adding vertical lines is one way of looking slimmer and taller and one of the ways of doing it is by leaving the cardigan or blazer buttons open. 

 You can add vertical lines through various other accessories like long scarves with dangling loose ends, narrower belts and long necklaces and pendants. Longer rather than wider skirts and shoes with heels depending on your preference are part of the right combination. V-necks elongate the neck adding an extra vertical line and thereby providing the look of a taller person. Off the shoulder tops and align skirts will make you look slimmer and taller. Strappy shoes would add to the image as well.

In fact, one of the most common plus size style tips you will receive is to not avoid sleeveless garments as they give the appearance a slight boost. If you aren’t comfortable you can always throw a shawl around the shoulders. Plus size people are always advised to avoid completely baggy dresses as they give out all the wrong signals. If you have top heavy figures you can always go with zebra skirts and black turtlenecks. Stretch fabrics are also pretty good.

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Six signs of spring : Get six fresh fashion ideas for spring.

'70s influence

This season fashion is paying serious homage to the '70s -- and the trend is most evident in shoes, where groovy, earthy wood heels aren't just for clogs anymore. Find this pair by Miz Mooz for $102 at Poppy & Stella, 728 S. Broadway. Call 410-522-1970 or go to poppyandstella.com. 

            Snakeskin

If many of spring's biggest trends are playful, snakeskin is anything but. The reptilian look, in real and fake iterations, is sophisticated -- even a bit tough. Snake is easiest to work into an outfit with accessories and designers are using it for everything from shoes to belts, bags and jewelry. Find this for $185 at Lori K, 10411 Stevenson Road, Stevenson. Call 410-580-0081 or go to shoplorik.com 

 

Hot pink lips

It's a girly-girl's dream come true. The season's most fashionable lips will be glossed in the pinkest of pinks. Find Stila's Long Wear Lip Color in Caprice for $22 at Stila counters and stilacosmetics.com.

Stripes

Stripes are one of the easiest ways to achieve an of-the-moment look. Sometimes sporty, sometimes nautical, they're always fun. Find this rugby-inspired silk dress from Marc by Marc Jacobs for $498 at select Nordstrom stores and at nordstrom.co

Polka dots Seeing spots? They're back in all their retro glory. The polka dot is a fresh look that works for anyone. Big, bold dots for the daring. Tiny discreet ones for everyone else. Find this Yoana Baraschi dress for $285 at Cupcake, 813 S. Broadway. Call 410-522-0941 or go cupcake-shop.com

Pops of color

After so many months of gray skies and leafless trees, who isn't craving a curative dose of pure color? The doctor says work it into everything for spring and summer. Find the pompom wrap for $198 at Lori K; the pink patent clutch for $22.95 at Double Dutch, 3616 Falls Road (410-554-0055, doubledutchboutique.com) and the purple Me Too Purple flats for $79 at Poppy & Stella. 

 

 

 

 

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Return of the broad-brimmed hat

Hats are showing up more frequently on runways, in film and on the street. The newest have broad brims.

The men's wardrobe arena is a place where even the slightest change in lapel width unfolds at a glacial pace. So it's worth noting that the standard-issue stingy-brim fedora is giving way to its broader-brimmed brethren on the menswear runways, magazine covers and the big screen.
 

The most high-profile example may be "The Adjustment Bureau," a romantic sci-fi thriller currently in theaters. The film not only includes the highest fedora-to-actor ratio of any film in the last four decades, but it employs the humble hat as a small but significant plot device.

"It's exciting to see hats in so many places — on the street and on the fashion runways," Walicka Maimone says.

The runways she's referring to are the recent fall-winter 2011 menswear shows, where hats of nearly every conceivable silhouette and fabrication cropped up. There were Tyrolean-inspired caps at Etro, Western-style hats at Dsquared2 in Milan, extra-broad brimmed hats at Lanvin in Paris and quintessentially British bowlers at Rag & Bone in New York.

If you're still not convinced that there's a broader-brimmed renaissance in full bloom, capping off the current pop-culture hat trick is no less a style barometer than the cover of Vanity Fair magazine. Staring from the cover of the April issue is Robert Pattinson — he of the preternaturally perfect, carefully choreographed coif, framed in a generous halo of hat brim.

The boom in broad brims isn't confined to the catwalks and the fashion magazines, say the folks at some of the country's oldest hat brands.

"There is a trend toward larger brims and more Western styles," says Pam Fields, chief executive of Stetson. "A few years ago it was all about the stingy brim. These styles are still selling quite well, but larger brims are making a comeback." (A stingy brim or a "shorty" is generally considered a brim 11/2 inches wide or smaller, 2 inches is standard and anything above 21/4 inches in width is a broad brim.)

Ben Goorin, a fourth-generation hatter and president of the San Francisco-based Goorin Bros. hat label, concurs. "We've been adding wide-brim fedoras this year because last year we had a lot of people coming into our stores and asking for them."

Goorin says the move toward the wider brim began in earnest in the middle of 2010. He traces the genesis to the same crowd that was quick to embrace the stingy brim. "When the more fashion-forward people — the hipsters or whatever you want to call them — started realizing that everyone was starting to wear them, they realized it was time to move on to something else. So now they're going back to the classics from the 1930s and '40s, when fedoras first came out."

Prices can range wildly, based on fabrication and brand. Expect the newly trendy broad-brimmed fedora to cost $36 to $200 — a small price to pay, perhaps, if you consider what Goorin says he's noticed about his customers:

"The wider the brim," Goorin says, "the more confidence the individual has."

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The DressnFashion 5: Sarah Jessica Parker dress, Babette trunk show and more

SARAH JESSICA PARKER DRESS We all know that SJP (Sarah Jessica Parker) is a fashionista. So it makes complete sense that she was draped in one of the hottest colors of the season for the cover of Elle Magazine's January issue. The emerald green silk dress by Halston Heritage is available at Cupcake, a high-end boutique in Fells Point. "It's the must-have item for 2011," says Lisa Schatz, owner of Cupcake. Another neat factoid: SJP is the president and creative director for Halston, according to Schatz. Find the Halston Heritage dress for $325 at Cupcake, 813 S. Broadway St. Call 410-522-0941 or go to www.cupcake-shop.com.                                                                BABETTE TRUNK SHOW                                      Babette, the Oakland-based fashion line that has been around for more than 40 years, is having a trunk show featuring its fall collection this weekend at The Store Ltd in the Village of Cross Keys. A representative from the designer will answer questions about the collection. "Babette offers women of all ages and lifestyles unique and exciting clothing in fabulous fabrics both practical and innovative," says Betty Cooke, who has co-owned the store since 1964. The Babette Trunk Show runs 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at The Store Ltd, 24 Village Square in the Village of Cross Keys. Call 410-323-2350.     HUNTER BOOTS Hunter Boots, the popular British-designed footwear, is a favorite of the Hollywood elite -- and their children. (Oscar nominee Michelle Williams' daughter, Matilda, was recently sporting a fuchsia pair.) Wee Chic, a children's boutique in Greenspring Station, carries the boot in yellow, navy and fuchsia. In addition, Wellies socks, which allow the boot to function as year-round wear when paired with the boots, are also sold at Wee Chic. "We love any product that is the perfect blend of functionality and fashion," says Bridget Quinn Stickline, owner of Wee Chic. "They are well made and pretty much stand up to anything that a child can do. That is the right marriage for us." Find Kids First Hunters for $50; Kids Original Hunter for $75; and Wellies socks from $17-$22 at Wee Chic, 10751 Falls Road, No. 101 in Lutherville. Or call 410-878-7400.

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Fashion Icon: Fashion attracts attention and more so if in good taste

 

What is a fashion icon, well it is a person who is looked upon by others as being most fashionable in the way they dress to impress and present themselves in the latest trendy designer gear. A fashion icon regardless of how they feel, will, 24 hours a day, dress up to the nines to uphold the title they have been labelled with. An avid follower of fashion will normally duplicate what their favourite celebrity is wearing, therefore, choosing to ignore what is more ideally suited to their own image and budget. Duplication in the form of replicating what your idol is wearing, should only be copied if the boot fits so as to speak i.e. shape and size

Example: A size 8 figure hugging frock may not look quite as good on the female frame - which measures up to a size 18. 

 

In the UK - Victoria Beckham wife of David the famous footballer has been named the ultimate fashion icon - beating supermodel Kate Moss into second place, with pop rival Nicole Appleton taking the vote for third place. However personal preference in desired clothing and appeal may differ in opinion from different individuals on this ballot, there will be those who applaud Victoria Beckham being crowned a fashion icon, while on the other hand there will be those who oppose the result.

Without doubt - fashion icon Victoria is most profoundly stylish, trendy and chic dressed in expensive designer gear from Italy Paris London, but so is her pretty bank balance. Fashion traits of Mrs Beckham are very desirable to say the least, so desirable that women replicate themselves based upon her wardrobe with devastating consequences, i.e. debt.

They say money can not buy happiness, but it sure can put a smile on your face when it makes Prada and Versace designed garments more affordable. Former band member of the spice girls, Posh Spice (Victoria) has also had a taste of modelling - she went under the spotlight at the London Fashion Week wearing designs from one of her favourite designers Maria Grachvogel.

When following suit of others especially a fashion icon - you need to remember that whatever clothes you wear will always be considered as a second hand idea. In other words you are not the first to dress in the latest new chic designs because; your fashion icon has beaten you to it.

Put the shoe on the other foot. Fashion icons are no different to you and me; they too browse fashion magazines and shop in fashion boutiques for clothes to wear, so therefore this is an opportunity to turn the tables round in your favour. If you are of the creative type, then get out the sewing basket and start making your own creations. If you are not handy with a needle and cotton then find someone who is to help make - what it is - you have in mind.

Getting your ideas noticed by a fashion designer can be a difficult task, but do not let that deter you. Promote your own personal ideas to those who matter, by becoming a fashion icon in the eyes of friends and family. Fashion attracts attention and more so if it is in good taste where your personality shines through.

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Prom Dresses

The prom night is one of the most important nights for most teens in their high school days. This is the night that one is filled with expectations about meeting and interacting with new people, dating, partying and sporting new prom dresses. Expectations are therefore always on the rise on a prom night for most teens. Girls literally end up being frazzled planning and deciding for the right kind of prom dress. After all, its easy to get carried away with the number of pretty prom dresses that are available in the malls but have you really picked a prom dress that fits you like a glove and enhances your features as well? Chances are, you have probably picked a prom dress that is a sure winner, but does that really make you look va va voom? One mistake that happens unknowingly is the selection of a prom dress that does not really flatter your body type.

Know your body type:
Always check out your body size before you pick up any prom dress. With the perfect measurements you only need to stick to your size when you pick out any prom dress design. Think about your positive and negative points. Highlight the positive points to tone down the rest of your figure.
Different types of Prom Dresses:
Here’s the lowdown on some of the styles of prom dresses that are available. This should guide you to find one that suits you and flatters your personality as well.
Bubble Prom Dress:
The bubble dress is a flirtatious kind and this funky kind of dress can suit any teenybopper who wishes to relive some of the designs from the olden era. The bubble dress is ideal for those on the slimmer side, as it tends to add volume to the body. This flared out look should come together at your knees. This is what gives it the bubble shape.
Strapless Prom Dress:
A strapless prom dress would look gorgeous on somebody who has beautiful and broad shoulders to flaunt. Strapless dresses can look fantastic when they are long and short as well. If you have an hourglass figure, you can go in for a body hugging kind. For those who do not wish to display their legs, they can add a fun element to the strapless dress by wearing a tiered style. This can get you a classy look without really baring it all.  
Short Prom Dress:
If you have worked out the year round in the gym, then you can definitely flaunt your toned body in a short fitting number. Go in for a chic silhouette in pastel tones so that it does not look over the top. A short dress looks fabulous with tie up sandals. If you wish to be the stunner, you can wear it with knee high boots.
Fishtail Prom Dress:
The fishtail dress is one of my favorites as well. Wearing such a dress can be truly flattering to your body. These dresses hug the waist area and flare out at the bottom. Wear a fishtail prom dress and go to the prom in true red carpet style!
Halter Neck Prom Dress:
Be it long or short, a halter neck can add some pizzazz to any boring design! You can never go wrong with a halter neck for the prom night. This style would suit women with toned arms and a well maintained back as well. The lower half of the dress can be flared or fitting, the choice is yours!

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Fashion Trends 2011

Silhouettes are looser and more free flowing with ample use of fabrics like linen, chiffon, organza and Georgette. Here we are going to discuss in detail about fashion trends 2011.

Upcoming Fashion Trends 2011

Painterly Prints
One of the latest spring fashion trends for 2011, is the emergence of prints. Unlike last season, prints are very much in vogue, although they are much softer and not so in your face. Watercolor prints and painterly prints in both bright and pastel colors were seen in runways of major of fashion designers and design houses. Both Loius Vuitton and Missoni have great design of dresses and blouses in painterly prints. Animal prints are also one of the best fashion trends for spring 2011 and the best way to wear animal prints is not from head to toe, but to use it as accents, in trims.

Color Blocking
Color blocking is also a huge spring summer 2011 trend, and rich jewel tones like emerald, sapphire blue and eggplant are some of the best hues for color blocking. Color blocking can be seen on dresses, tunics and accessories like scarfs and stoles. Color blocking patterns in blouses and tunics should ideally be paired with neutral hues like beige and camel. The color blocking trend is very hot this season as seen in the apparels in Prabal Gurung Spring 2011, Jill Sander Spring 2011 and Gucci Spring 2011. To make this trend work for you choose shades that are flattering to your skin color. This trend is also great for camouflaging problem areas like flabby arms, wide hips and thunder thighs.

Lace Details
An emerging trend for spring fashion 2011 was the use of lace, both head to toe and as trim. A full body lace dress is sophisticated and feminine, and an ideal dress to wear for the evening. Lace can be used from head to toe, but the silhouette is more sleek and body hugging. Voluminous lace dresses are things of the past. If you want to use this trend in your wardrobe but are unsure how to wear lace, then layering a lace blouse with a solid hued shrug or camisole works very well. You can also use lace in sleeves and hemlines of dresses and tunics.

The Color Red
Another hot spring fashion trend 2011, is the color red. Red hues like crimson, watermelon red and dark berry red are the hottest colors for spring. This season ditch the little black dress and go for the little red dress instead. Choose a shade of red that flatters your skin tone and eye color, and get ready to turn some heads. If wearing red from head to toe sounds too bold to you, then pair a watermelon red top with tan colored trousers or brown colored A- line skirt. You can also incorporate this beautiful and bold hue in your accessories like red pumps, brick red belt or a watermelon red scarf.

Modern Jumpsuits
Jumpsuits and playsuits have made a comeback this season as seen at Carlos Miele Fall 2011 and Yves Saint Laurent Spring 2011. Whether it is floral printed jumpsuits or leather jumpsuits as seen in Hermes 2011, jumpsuits are a must have apparel for this season. You can choose strapless playsuits or halter neck jumpsuits in fabrics like linen, cotton, jersey, silk or sheer fabrics like chiffon and organza. These fabrics have a lot of body and movement, and gives a jumpsuit a more modern look.

These were some key fashion trends 2011. Other new fashion trends that are going to be hot this season are floral maxi dresses, nautical inspired dresses and tunics and ruffled tops and skirts. Now that you are aware of current fashion trends, you can update your wardrobe to look your fashionable best.

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Prom Dresses 2011

2011 proms are going to rock this season!! Original 2011 prom dresses in great styles and amazing price, quoted for each of the masterpiece is now present right here at Shops.com to be a part of the ultimate prom 2011 fashion. It has to be as effortless as it could without compromising on the looks as well and that is what Shops.com is all about, to get exactly what is desired with perfect fit and effortless shopping for best 2011 prom dresses. One prom dress bought right here lets you come for more of the 2011 prom dresses lined up without the apprehension of being a mere copy of what any other girl wears for proms. There are remarkably beautiful 2011 prom dresses, sexy prom dresses and bridesmaid dresses to steal the show and make you look not just the other girl but someone who has her own style and personality. Exclusively designed by renowned fashion expert Andy And who is very well known for his exclusive couture designing is happy to bring in the dazzle, glamor and exuberance for the upcoming prom with 2011 hot prom dresses.
Italy’s best team of couture designers have been designated to work on each of the masterpiece to give that most cherished makeover for proms 2011, exclusively for Shops.com. How about the ruched styles and sleek show stealer 2011 prom dresses? Or dresses for that sexy appeal or you want to have slits in your attire for a glam effect? Shop.com exclusive catalog categorized as 2011 prom dresses gives you the answer. Look for the ruched sleek styles, go for dresses with amazing slits with the asymmetrical hems as well and get 2011 prom dresses in surprising season friendly colors. The fabrics are rich in quality with no compromise whatsoever. The designers travel a lot in search of exclusivity in the fabric.
The sizing and color chart can solve your ordering woes. Unique Sizing and Color Charts to search by size, color, price and style is right there for shopper’s convenience to make the quest for 2011 prom dresses even more delightful. Prom dresses 2011 are not in Missy sizes choose 2011 hot prom dresses one size bigger and you could be sure of exclusive fit guaranteed.

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