Archive for January, 2010
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Will you be My-Valentine?
My-Wardrobe is giving shoppers a helping hand–and a little treat–for cupid’s holiday. Shhhh….keep the grumbling to a minimum…we’ve got everyone covered, whether you’re partnered up, or flying solo this season, the online boutique has just the thoughtful pressies you need. And you can receive an extra bonus in the form of free shipping on all standard UK orders on shoes, bags and accessories (all of our favourite goodies) until 14 February with the code: FREELOVE.
Because our hearts don’t come cheap, we’ve selected the very sweetest rosy treats above. Pucker- up, we’ve had our eyes –and hearts- on those Lulu Guinness bags since autumn, and now its just a matter of choosing between pink and red. Decisions, decisions. Lucy Hutchings delicate drop earrings are chic and sophisticated. Wear with upswept hair and a sexy dress for V-day. And if you need a little holiday humour to cheer you up, what better way to accessorise the blues away than with a pair of Gold Lady Dragon slingbacks by Vivienne Westwood?
If you are shopping for your better half this holiday, check out my-wardrobe’s collection of smart menswear. We’d dress any guy in these cool grey and black outfit add-ons…it could be more like a Valentine makeover. Mulberry’s cross-body bag is our perfect pick, but this only fits if your guy is comfortable with the man-bag situation. This could be a present you purchase for him that has more use to you (read: best buy). A Burberry scarf is always a flawless bet, and D&G’s toiletry bag upgrades an old standard. And even if they do not realise it yet, accessories are a man’s best friend, that’s why Simon Carter’s rectagular watch and Person’s sharp aviators are top choices. Slip the Paul Smith cufflinks on our Valentine just as your stepping out for dinner to add a romantic touch.
Shop all gifts for him and her on my-wardrobe.com
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Outrageous discounts
No under- £200/ £100 themes this week, just the best, highly discounted designer deals we could find for you to update your wardrobe. The Outnet never ceases to amaze/impress/ convince us that we just have to have that new cardigan/dress/ insert basically any piece of clothing or accessory here please. And this week is no different. Here are a few of our hand-picked finds that will fit quite nicely into this season’s trends.
In England, a trench is worth more than a new handbag (we thought this was shocking too when we first discovered it), it easily sees more light–or grey days to be accurate–than any other single piece of fashion we own. What brand is already at the tip of your tongue? Burberry’s our guess, synonymous with luxurious British apparel, this is one line that knows how to design a coat we love. Burberry Prorsum’s slick silvery trench is reduced by 65%, which means it’s easy to justify as a necessity.
A bold accessory is all it takes to brighten an outfit, and Alexander McQueen, the sartorial king of statement-making wardrobe pieces, has a lovely pair of awe-inspiring leggings now under £200, guaranteeing your legs get double-takes. Cavalli’s leopard print belt is also a fantastic option, wrapped around a silky knit dress or cinched at the waist of a fitted pencil skirt.
There’s nothing like a signature knit, great pair of heels and some sophisticated shorts to amp up your seasonal wardrobe. A comfy cardi is essential in any closet, and Tomas Maier’s light knit looks perfect for curling up in. And from autumn to spring, the ankle booty is fast becoming a style staple. We’ll stick to Narciso Rodriguez’s wide strap heel for all evening outings. Stella McCartney’s classic shorts are sure to get more wear as the weather gets warmer.
And where would we be without a playful party dress? We adore this floaty printed dress by Roberto Cavalli, it leaves us aching for Miami nights.
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1 jacket, 3 ways
Oh, can a little jacket go a long way! It’s time to look for a jacket that works for anything and everything, and that can make (not break) an outfit. We suspect this jacket by See By Chloé is just the answer.
First we had to find the right colour. The fact that our pick is grey makes it less obvious than black and more practical than white – plus it’s a smart addition to any hue. It’s made of jersey, which gives it a relaxed feel, whilst the cut makes it smart enough for the office. So why not team it with a silk top and fitted skirt to show you mean business?
If you’re opting for a night on the town, choose either a figure hugging dress or a delicate, loose fit – it all depends whether you see yourself as a Dita or an Alexa. Because this type of jacket is slightly boyish it toughens up your look, contrasting perfectly with both style options. Just add some statement jewellery and killer heels.
But let’s face it: a jacket and jeans are a match made in heaven. For an off-duty yet effortlessly cool look, all you need are some boyfriend jeans, a casual top and a comfortable pair of flats.
Put a structured jacket at the top of your wish list and let it do its magic – your wardrobe will thank you!
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Chanel spring couture
Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel Couture dazzled Paris with a comprehensive collection of tailored tweeds to toga-like silk gowns in spring’s sugary sweet hues. Without a black dress or dark suit in sight, Lagerfeld infused his ice-cream coloured palette with iridescent silver details—double hems traced with tiny shards of shattered mirrors, shimmering tights and molten metal finger-less gloves. Down to silver booties with platforms lined with pearls, Lagerfeld’s art is in the detail, and this collection truly shined.
Models with heart-shaped up-dos (and a trace of Daphne Guinness’ coiffure) opened the show in Lagerfeld’s impeccably tailored separates. Jackets looked as though they had been carved to suit each individual frame. Colourful culottes added a playful touch for spring, followed by sweet mini dresses that floated effortlessly about the girls. Molten silver swirls crawled up from model’s shoulders to decorate their necks, whilst frothy chiffon bubbles swept around their legs.
Gorgeously draped gowns in eggshell, lilac and rose were supported by winding silver lace embroidery. Glittering embellishments sparkled against pale silk.
Categorising Lagerfeld’s direction is difficult if not impossible. Spring’s pastel hues mix with space-style silhouettes, traditional tweeds and elegant gowns. This couture line up appeals to a range of interests, reaffirming Chanel’s relevance and influence in fashion.
The runway was graced with 65 looks, so it was difficult to pick a selection. Instead we’ve divided the line into a few key looks from each theme.
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Label to watch: PPQ
Spring is in the air – or so it is for most labels anyway. We have our eye on uber cool British label PPQ. Coggles is ahead of the game and stocking their new collection – we defy you not to be tempted by at least one of these darlings…
Founded in 1992 by music lovers Amy Molyneaux and Percy Parker, PPQ of Mayfair is one of the hottest brands on the London scene, known for its bold prints and mini cocktail gowns and loved by many a celebrity (if Alexa’s in, we’re in). Once an insider’s style secret, it has inevitably become a must-have in every hipster’s wardrobe. Youthful yet classic, edgy yet sophisticated, PPQ has all the elements that a modern day fashionista needs.
PPQ’s Spring/Summer collection was spot on – playful, dramatic and completely wearable. We’re particularly in love with these pieces. Is this black and white jacket not perfect for a day in the office and an after-hours event? We bet that jacket will make our most reliable colour duo (black and white, that is) a full-on trend this season, along with this super chic dress. For those of you looking for the perfect LBD, search no more: we guarantee this model will make you feel like a princess.
If you want to add a splash of colour into your life, what about that vermilion frilled dress? Now wouldn’t that make the sweetest entrance? C’mon, treat yourself, you know you want to…
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Devilish blue beauty
Spotted: a Ms. Dita Von Teese looking absolutely smashing in a devilish blue dress at the Elie Saab spring couture show in Paris this week. Dita in all her Old Hollywood/ screen siren glory can do no wrong when it comes to style. We don’t ever recall seeing the burlesque stunner in anything less than her best. No trackies, or jumpers, and certainly not in a pair of beat up old trainers. No, Dita is from the school of ladylike dressing, where one is always perfectly put together, with a made-up face and a fresh mani/pedi to match. This kind of maintenance takes determination and dedication. We have to hand it to her.
But back to the dress. Dita looked subtle yet sexy in a royal blue fitted dress, and it started us on a train of thought. If you’re not one for a jacket and trousers, a smartly tailored dress is really all it takes to convey confidence and power… and a bright blue smartly tailored dress calls all eyes to the wearer. Of course a raven mane and crimson red lips don’t hurt either. We can’t all be Dita, but we can all unleash our little devil in a blue dress.
Below are our very favourite sapphire frocks, from the high street to designer wear.
Shop all blue dresses on LynkU.
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Bags of love
There’s nothing more rewarding than doing a bit of good whilst we do what we love most: shop. Let’s not forget it is National Heart Month, after all. Leather goods company Radley is giving us the chance to help with Handbag Amnesty, in Association with The British Heart Foundation.
The campaign, just in time for Valentine’s, is appropriately called ‘Give and Be Given’. All you have to do is pop into one of Radley’s shops or go online and donate an unwanted bag of yours. The bags collected by Radley will then be sent to the British Heart’s charity shops all over the UK. And here’s the ‘Be Given’ part of it: Everyone who donates will receive a £30 discount on any new bag of your choice.
Last year Handbag Amnesty was a huge success – it raised a whopping £36,000, an amount which will surely be surpassed this year. The event will take place on the 1st of February and run throughout the month. So out with the old, in with the new. Start rummaging through your old bags and make space for some brand new models by Radley.
Buying a new bag and helping the British Heart Foundation? It’s a sure thing.
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Valentino’s Eden
For their third couture instalment at Valentino, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli have recreated the Garden of Eden in swathes of chiffon and pleating. This brilliant tribal dream was gingerly splashed with lemon and rouge, and wound with bright pink accents and seductive sheer black. Grounded in nude hues, Valentino’s fairy nymphs were wrapped in layers of whispy silk down to their feet bound with delicate ribbon. And of course there was an ever-so-slight trace of crimson, paying homage to the house.
With flames of citrus yellow and pink dancing behind as they walked, the models were styled with gauze blindfolds and dusty blue shadow brushed along their shoulders (a la Avatar?) A nude jumpsuit stood out with beautiful salmon and hibiscus-coloured butterfly wings floating after it. There was certainly a cyber fantasy unwinding in florescent hues and sharp shapes, amidst a stage set with delicate ruffles and a soft floral motif.
The mood was decidedly younger across the runway, which was filled with sheer chiffon draped over sky-scraping hemlines. Chiuri and Piccioli are testing the boundaries of tradition and elegance set by the past regime, and introducing a new style in an effort to broaden the Italian line’s appeal. The duo have taken Valentino down an interesting route, and we’re intrigued to see what path Autumn/Winter 2010 will follow.
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Jump In!
Although we’re still piling on our winter layers let’s not forget spring is around the corner, and what better way to look forward to the good weather than getting our closets in order? One of our favourite trends is jumpsuits: they were big last year and they’re back again. What’s not to love? So easy to wear, so effortlessly cool… Whatever your style or mood, there’s a jumpsuit out there waiting for you. Our tip? When in doubt, go for black – and don’t forget your killer heels.
We adore Stella McCartney, and when she gets her hands on jumpsuits we can only jump–excuse the pun–with joy. A black bow-waisted version is perfectly office friendly, while this other sequined jumper will have you shining on a night out. We simply can’t take out eyes off her lace version – it doesn’t get any sexier than that.
For those of you who are brave enough to show off your pins (and face the cold), playsuits are set to conquer our spring wardrobe – All Saint’s version screams ‘cool’, whilst Rebecca Taylor’s silk jumpsuit is oh-so-sweet.
If it’s a little bit of sporty chic you’re after check out Alexander Wang’s laid-back short jumpsuit – it’s got that boyish, laid back feel to it. Jaeger’s playsuit believe it or not was inspired by ski wear in the 60’s and 70’s. We don’t recommend you take it to the piste though, a cocktail party will do.
Shop all jumpsuits now on LynkU.
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Must Have: Harems
Once ridiculed as the uniform of infamous rappers of the 1990s– the harem is now seen as a fashion staple. These ultra slouchy trousers are not only whimsical but flattering. Harems certainly make a statement with their fluid volume, but this season they can be worn with ease and style.
Afraid to try out a trouser that’s so bold? First you should find a drape that works for you. Whilst this style may not work for everyone, this season’s harems come in a variety of textures and fabrics, making them more accessible to fasionistas on and off the runway. You can try anything from silk to metallics, even light cotton if you dare to wear the look casually.
Heels are a must for this style, give yourself a boost and add a super glamorous feel to the style. Pair with a waist-cinching belt or blouse to contrast the excess material of the bottoms. Be careful of accessories, the harem says enough on its own so jewellery can be kept to a minimum.
Who can you pull harem inspiration from? London’s own Jaeger has made the billowy bottoms a feminine wardrobe must, easy and accessible to wear. Whilst they are usually styled to look ultra romantic, the harem is a great addition to any wardrobe and any style.
Check out these runway looks to make your own voluminous statement.
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