How to Assess a Fashion Look - Part 2
In Part 1 of
How to Assess and Update a Fashion Look you've just learned how to get the
top of your body looking up to date. Now after reading about choosing
jewellery as discussed below move onto assessing the lower half of the body.
Check for changes in jewellery.
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Earrings in particular set
the tone of a look. |
Are the studs tiny or increasing in size, flat, button, drop
or chandelier? Are they real or fake? Is the metal or metal trim
used yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, platinum, silver, pewter, enamel,
titanium or copper? Is the metal shiny, bright, dull, oxidised, brushed,
textured or matt?
Pearls come in and out of fashion with regularity
and every woman should own some for certain occasions. Are the pearls cultured, seed, freshwater, South Sea, Mabe,
unusual shapes or combined with diamonds, shells or crystals? Are precious or
semi precious stones being used? Right now in
2008 coloured gemstones
are in demand.
Ask yourself does jewellery have an antique or estate feel, a
South western look or Oriental or ethnic approach? Is it tribal and
eclectic ethnic in approach? Is costume jewellery the
height of fashion? Does crystal, cubic zirconium, diamante, jet, jade, glass or
bugle beads feature heavily? Do chunky wooden beads, seed beads, buttons, ceramic beads, plique à jour enamel pieces, lac
jewels, feathers, wires, yarns, sequins and ribbons play a part? Are
pendants mixed and hung from ribbons, chains or torques. Do you need to purchase an
enhancer clasp to multiply the variety of ways you can wear pendants.
Are brooches, bangles, bracelets, charms, chokers, pendants,
stick pins, stranded necklaces, wire torques, tiaras or dress rings the rage? Is
a watch the only adornment? Is it a fob watch, a dainty bracelet style, a
charm watch, or is it a timepiece style which has
interchangeable coloured rims or coloured straps. Does the watch
face have a special finish such as a mother of pearl face or does it have
pictorial elements, gem embedding, a diamond or diamante rimmed face. Look at the way these
jewellery items are worn. Are
they worn sparingly or in abundance. Would a brooch converter make a
brooch you love extra versatile and enable it to be worn also as a pendant.
Have you more income than in previous years and do you now need the subtle look
of wealth. Read my
bespoke jewellery page.
Check now to see if low or high necklines are a feature. Is
the bust exposed by scoop, V, square, sweetheart, shawl, strapless, shoestring
straps or a keyhole style? Are collar looks turtle, tie, shirt, collarless,
stand or mandarin? Are shoulders bared, are arm tops covered, is the back or
nape of the neck displayed?
Is the bust full, uplifted, softened or flattened. Is cleavage
in fashion or would it seem outrageous just now? Are the shoulders narrow, wide,
oversized and footballer padded , shoestring strapped, or cut in and haltered? Is the armhole becoming
drop shouldered or batwing.
Where is the waistline? Is it in its natural position, nipped
in, straight or bloused or is it dropped twenties or sixties hipster style? Perhaps it's empire lined under the bust. Is it narrow or wide belted,
buckled, sashed, gathered, straight, shirred, laced or set on a peplum. Is
it pleated from the waist or from a dropped band, basque or hip yoke.
Getting the sleeve length or style on a garment correct can
really make a fashion look up to date. Check are sleeves flopping over the hand. Are they wrist, bracelet, seven eighths, three quarter or elbow length? Are they
narrow, loose, cuffed, bloused, full, angel, caftan, bell, short, opaque, sheer,
overlaid or solid. If the sleeves of coats and jackets are above
wrist, check out the snazzy effects that longer length contrasting gloves can
create.
If sleeves are puffed and you are over 18 do be careful!!! Be
very very careful.
~
Here deduce the perfect length that is not only in fashion,
but which also suits your hip, thigh and waist silhouette as well as your leg
length.
Look out for mini, micro, mid thigh, above knee, on the knee, below
knee, mid calf, calf, below the calf ankle, long, floor length and trained. Styles will vary from pencil, straight, stretch, flared, swing,
handkerchief, gored, knife pleated,
boxed pleated, sunray pleated, circular, draped, wrap over, ra-ra, asymmetric, split,
gathered dirndl, slouch, shirred, elasticated, frilled, bustled, tiered gypsy, bias, crosscut and
soft pleated and divided. As the millennium progresses we notice that skirts have gained
considerable
volume. This trend is set to continue as the new fresh silhouette line
has appealed to bored consumers. But does that fulsome and tulip rounded skirt
enhance your pear shape, or kill your main best feature of slim hips?
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If you feel you have thicker
than average calves be brave and ask yourself
which draws more attention to the calves, wearing the current length that MOST other people wear
or hiding the calves under yesterday's fashion. |
Next look at the legs. Are tights or stockings in fashion or
is it a bare satin smooth natural look. Is hosiery sheer, opaque, patterned,
dark, black white, pale or coloured? Are tights plain, thick, textured,
patterned, glossy, shiny or matt?
Do fishnets have standard or large holes. Are lace look tights all the
rage.
Are socks really being worn with heeled pumps. If they are, do
you really want to wear this fashion. If you do fine, but just remember how you
might feel now about past fashions like leggings and leg warmers.
Are trousers narrow, drainpipe, straight, flared, boot cut,
split bottom, belled,
palazzo, Capri, Gauchos, cuffed, pleated, Oxford, wide waist cuffed, elasticated,
belted, hipster, high waisted Spanish, stretch, pedal pushers, cropped or styles of
shorts?
Are shorts hotpants, Bermuda, South Pacific, cheek showing,
baggy, cuffed, elasticated or flared like skirts. Are these all styles best
avoided with your figure or best kept restricted to your private garden patio
rather than the high street or nightclub.
Are the fabrics plain or patterns in denim, light tweeds,
smooth wool suiting, crepes, natural cottons, linen or ramie,
batik, stretchy, corduroy,
velvets, silks, seersucker, spots, stripes, checks, tartans,
tweeds, sheers, herringbones, satin
twills, crinkle,
brocade or slinky fabrics?
Check the heel and toe shape in most footwear illustrated. Pay
special attention to the heel shape. Recent looks have shown cone shape, kitten
heels stilettos and no end of other dynamic heel styles. Materials used in footwear
are diverse and include patterned print leathers,
coloured patents, cloth and rope. Most importantly since 2005, real or mock croc,
snakeskin, salmon skin or alligator skin effects in leathers and hardware trims
such as biker belts and zip inserts have been very fashionable. These materials
all continue to be important through 2008 and 2009. 2008 spring summer
footwear ranges use floral printed materials to create very modern looking
shoes.
Shoes are making statements right now.
Wedges high and low strapped, or thonged combined with natural materials like
rope and raffia have been strong fashion footwear since 2005-2006. Now the
wedge and platform sole reaches new heights and is often combined with a peep
toe.
Look at the colours and types of
finish given to leathers. Is it leather? Or is canvas, cloth or plastic the
option? Is patent in or out? In 2008 most definitely yes to patent and in
every colour available. Are shoes trimmed with buckles, bows, diamante,
satin, animal print or tortoiseshell effects? Are they strapped or T strapped, single
Greek/Roman thong style or flip flops, sling back or
enclosed, peep toe, platform or wedged, laced up or buttoned. In 2008
Gladiator sandals low cut, or rising up the calf are set to take the world by
storm.
Are boots getting attention. Are they Cowboy boots, thigh
boots, flat boots, Victorian lace up boots, biker or riding boots, kitten boots, suede or
Chelsea boots. Check for the same feature you look for in shoes. If they are in
mode, ask yourself realistically are thigh boots really you and do you want
photographs of yourself wearing them to be shown ten years down the road.
Is there some other trend that will make a 'now' statement
just as well for you the individual? Recall in the past the influence of green
Wellingtons, patterned Wellingtons, Uggs and other fur varieties, Doc Martens, Nike trainers,
crocs, flip flops and Dr Scholl sandals - do you hate
those photos when they get dragged out?
Additional things to watch are use of fasteners. Are zips the
focus? Are covered buttons and rouleaux loops a feature. Is frog fastening and
fur combined? Are badges, emblems and gold braids the look? Look to see pocket placements and types, jacket lengths, curvature
or not on jacket lower edges, lapels and pockets. Is the jacket to the
knee, seven eighths long, hip length, waisted, nipped and cropped or a brief
empire spencer style? Try to spot the colour schemes
that appeal to you and which will suit your colouring most.
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Finally take a look at that special factor which will be there
- you just have to keep looking through those magazines and suddenly it will hit
you.
It might be the depth of a cuff or the shimmer of iridescence on body or
fabrics, but you will
spot it if you look carefully. |
In the late nineties fabrics such as devore velvet, Pashminas,
silk blended with cashmere, linen, beading, cowl necklines, girly dresses and cardigans,
diamond solitaire studs and pretty neckwear were some of the factors that made
one of many looks. Linen, chiffons,
tweeds and
brocades have also been
strong features of fashion throughout the noughties.
By contrast urban functional looks such as sportswear, techno fabrics, fleeces
and back pack bags have been just as popular and fashionable too, but it may just
have not been a look that appealed to you. Find the look you like and be
confident with your very own style.
Handbags, scarves, shawls, capes what and where do they
feature. Articles on bags frequently appear in Sunday style sections and
accessories are a great treat as you never need to diet to wear a handbag or
scarf! There are lots of bag articles on fashion-era and you can see some
pages about
designer bags here.
This does not have to mean corsetry it means get the right
slip, or the right bra for the garment, or the right type of panties or line
free hosiery. Tactel slips from Marks and Spencer give a very smooth clutter
free outline under clothes and are very useful under semi-opaque dresses.
They also sell pants that leave no visible line beneath trousers or other close
fitting garments.
Always wear flesh toned items
under white trousers. Thongs are just passé.
You can read more about Spanx
Power Pants here.
If you are full cupped think about investing in a
good bra from Figleaves. Your breasts will uplift and it will take 10 years off your
figure.
If you do not own a flesh toned bra seriously consider getting
several as they are very versatile. Lejaby make a great sweater bra that
gives a smooth round look to cups under fine sweaters - try the Nuage style
which is flesh toned, but for a tanned rather than an untanned skin. If your garment demands it, get a basque, but be
sure to get fitted for it and just remember that such items are worth the money
when you can double them up as bedroom items.
Whatever items you choose do seriously think about whether the
underwear enhances the clothes on top. Ugly ridges and sightings of bits of
straps are just that - ugly. The fashion for showing underwear straps is only
attractive if you convince yourself just that and you are in the bloom of youth
under twenty. If you must show your bra straps at least make sure they
match the garment colour. Every high street store has pretty bras in a
wide range of colours that at least tone with an outfit. An alternative is
the plastic detachable strap, or you can use all the latest gimmicky tapes most
bra departments these days stock.
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Just remember you are
an individual and you need to be comfortable with your style and find your best
most flattering now look.
What suits your sister or best friend or elongated
magazine model may do nothing for you and vice versa. Be true to yourself and be
your own woman and become a fashionista in your own right. |
In the end it's up to you - go high fashion,
label mad, anti, classic, vintage or thrift shop. There will be something
to make you the individual, feel part of the zeitgeist.
Get that hair and those shoes updated and you will feel
instantly more attuned.
The list of fashion trends is endless, you will find many
for the current year discussed in my
Trends section.
Happy fashion trend spotting. On another page I discuss my
TICKS rule I invented to
help myself go through the reasons why I should or should not buy an item. You
may find Pauline's Fashion TICKS
Rule helps you too. TO
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Page updated 10 Jan 2008
For more information on ladies and teens fashion trends go to:-
Archived Sections
Go back to Part 1 of How to Assess and Update a Fashion Look
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Female Outlines eBook
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