How to wear Pretty Pastels

How to wear Pretty Pastels

WEARING PASTELS

It’s true what they say; all things old become new again and isn’t that true for the timeless, ever-so feminine and beautifully classic pastel trend. Pastels always find their way onto our radar at this time of year. Pale, romantic and pretty pastels are a simple yet playful colour palette to keep in your closet. Soft and gentle, pastels can give you the ultimate feminine look. Pastels are a reoccurring feature in summer fashion so it's no great surprise that they are back on the high street again. However, this year sees even paler tones.

Look for colours such as pale yellow, blush pink, icy blue, or light lavender, it's both pretty and appropriate for the season. Feminine and pristine this trend is probably one of the most suited to summer as it looks beautiful combined with subtle ditsy floral prints. This trend will ensure that you look cool, girly and stylish. 

Here are just a few fashion tips to help you wear this popular trend:

I am a massive fan of casual dresses which come up in pastel hues for that luxe carefree look. If you’re looking for the ideal way to look sweet and pretty, then aim for a solid pastel dress. A delicate pastel piece can be used in a variety of ways and is unbelievably versatile. Add a tan bag for the perfect finishing touch.


One of the easiest ways to wear pastels is wearing prints, if you prefer not to go for an all-over print choose one pastel printed item such as a skirt and team this with a neutral coloured top with no print! 

You can separate an all over pastel outfit by keeping neutral shades in your accessories. Turn to tan or grey in particular with belts, shoes, handbags and hats. These break up the colour and help you avoid looking washed out.


Pastels can be mixed with darker colours such as navy and grey. These muted tones are a great slimming technique if you’re worried pastels highlight problem areas.  

Wearing pastel coloured pants would be the most timeless option. It can easily be worn with a neutral top; white, grey, black, etc. All depending on the chosen colour! try wearing your trousers with pumps of the same colour but in a darker shade. 

Choose one colour and stick with it throughout your outfit. Pastel coloured clothing itself looks good without too many finishes – the simpler your pastel tone clothing, the better.

You can never go wrong with denim, and pairing your pastel top with a pair of jeans, it adds a touch of sweetness and modernity to the look. A darker wash will give it a more formal look, so if you want something fresher, a lighter wash like chambray will do the trick.

Wear Pastels as Accessories, Wear a neutral outfit-it makes pale accessories really pop.  Choose a statement necklace or a light-coloured handbag. Cream and beige tones are the most versatile of all the pastel shades. They go with any other pastel or neutral shade. 

Yet another way to tackle the pastel trend is to colourblock.  Wear Pastels with Other Pales but Make sure all your pieces are in the same colour family and Make sure that pastel tones you pick do not look like a continuation of your skin.

The most important rule of pastel shades is not to overdo it with all the sweetness. Instead, try to tone it down by accessorising your pastel clothes with pieces in black, white or other neutral tones. Beige and grey shades will also help you balance things out.  

Here are a few chic pastel pieces that will ensure you are on trend this season.

ASOS UK Cord Jacket in Pastel Blue

ASOS UK - Pastel Stripe Rib ruffle bodysuit top

ASOS UK Pimkie Pastel Pink Ripped Detail Skinny Jeans

Zeagoo Women's Loose Ruffle Sleeveless Chiffon Pastel Blouse

AX PARIS Bodycon Midi Dress Pink

DOLCIS BEATRIX Sandal Pastel Pink

CALL IT SPRING Mateare Sandals Blue

For a little more inspiration, take a look at how these fashion bloggers are styling their pastel colour this season.

Elle fanning pastel fashion

Kristina Bazan - Paris Fashion Week street style

I hope these style tips on wearing pastel colours has given you some inspiration! Till' next time xo





WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Editors notes:  This post was originally posted in August 2012 and has been updated

RECAP - MELBOURNE FASHION WEEK

RECAP - MELBOURNE FASHION WEEK

Melbourne Fashion Week took over the footpath of Swanston Street for its annual week long offering that launches the beginning of Spring and Summer and the social season in which Melbourne comes alive. 

Suit: Jack London

Shirt: Department 5

Socks: Gucci

Shoes: Ben Sherman

Bag: No Name

Sunglasses: Arockonalens

The fashion obsessed flowed into the Melbourne Town Hall to view the latest offerings from both designers and retailers with their glasses of champers in hand. It is always a great environment to catch up with your fellow stylish friends, see familiar faces behind a camera and meet new and exciting people that your normally only communicate with through your instagram feed. The MFW Bar meant serious business inside with its set up and exhibition space, which unfortunately did not flow outside to the claustrophobic outdoor area on the footpath either side of the entrance. 

Courtesy: Mamamia

For dedicated fashion addicts there were a handful of people on the street that peaked my interest. Hoards of bloggers, influencers and wannabes presented their best offerings for the camera's as they circled the block. As you know the louder and more individual you are in your clothes, the more likely you are to peak the interest of the papz and be snapped. In this case I felt like I was stuck inside a photo shoot for a menswear suit catalog. After a week of viewing the street styles I was left with the impression that Australian menswear fashion is still relatively conservative, with not much evolution between seasons or even years. Thankfully there were standouts from the ladies who bought their A game to the footpath injecting understated chicness and colourful combinations whilst braving the chilly nights.

Shirt & Blazer: James Harper

Pants: Department 5

Shoes: Lacoste

Bag: Doucals

Sunglasses: Gucci

Trends that dominated the footpath outside the shows:

Street Luxe - The number one dominating trend was the mixing of streetwear with high fashion. Of course all black ensembles were everywhere, and the opposite. All white was also present like a flock of seagulls searching for a potato chip. 

Florals - As Miranda Priestly so eloquently put it, florals for Spring. Groundbreaking. Let's move on.

Belts - Belts were everywhere. Some good, some bad and some that I will be happy to never see again. If I see one more GG gold belt I think I will scream as it has replaced the tiresome YSL tassel bag that every woman has been renting for the last year.

Men in Suts - When it comes to men's suits there were some stylish accessories to set off the slim tailored fits that were on display. Plenty of pocket squares and lapel pins which showed individuality of the wearer. There were minimal pleated trousers which have been huge in Europe for the last two years and plenty of loafers with no socks. Special shout out to the gents who took the stuffiness out of menswear and wore something a little different and didn't play it safe. Bravo.

Pretty Ugly Shoes - Delighted to see so many wonderful shoes with different hardware and embellishments in a variety of styles both on men and women. Thigh high leather tan boots on women with chunky heels were a regular staple. The elaborate shoes would not normally be considered pretty but the vulgarity and opulence was beautiful and refreshing to see in Melbourne. ADORE!

Fur - Fur accessories adorned everything from earrings to bags and shoes. Poor little critters will live on for seasons to come after being dyed in fabulous colours providing a lux

vibe to ensembles.

Blazer & Coat: Oxford

Shirt, Tie, Pocket Squares & Shorts: James Harper

Sweater: Ted Baker

Socks:  Gucci

Most of the shows were exactly as I feared, producing safe visions of well groomed and pruned ensembles ready for the horse racing season in a few months. The flare for dramatics or igniting a point of difference was eliminated by many big designers that played it safe and delivering much of what they have for the previous seasons. However there were a few examples of inspiration and creativity that will be burned in my mind for a while. Don't forget to follow me on Instagram for updates

Garage Runway - As much as I enjoy a good summer dress, there was a lot of black and muted tones or uninspiring patterns that were constantly reused. I understand ethical fashion and the need to be wise with materials, but without variety comes boredom. I have seen so many dresses inspired by Queen B's baseball bat twirling dress to last me a lifetime. 

Menswear Garage - Alike the aforementioned it was held in the basement of the Melbourne Town Hall, the likes of Amxander, Jack London, Autonomy, Chris Ran Lin and Dom Bagnato sent styles down the runway that unfortunately did not peak my interest. Following European trends with oversized bumbags across the chest and numerous patterned materials that were reused for different pieces, there were a few nice pieces but nothing that made me gasp. The overall vibe of the show was trying to be edgy with the model selection, music, skateboards and styling, that it all felt the same. I left a little deflated after this showing.

David Jones - The creative styling team behind the show should be commended for creating safe ensembles that would peak the interest of suburban housewives and gents who require a suit for the races. A huge retailer like David Jones do know their target audience very well and this showcased their knowledge of their consumer, right down to the YSL heels or The Kingsman inspired gentlemen that will soon appear on movie screens.

Premium Runway Four - Finally an injection of what fashion means to me. There were opulent embellishments, tassels, fabric choices, voluminous sleeves and dramatics in the styling including a little homage to good old Formation film clip. The line up of deisgners meshed well together although once again there was a little too much black on the catwalk for my liking, but it is Melbourne after all and black sells. 

Premium Runway - Closing - The saying "Leave the best to last" was true of closing night of the festival with some inspirational displays sent down the ice melting runway. In a week that started off rather underwhelming it was good to wrap the festival up on a positive note with some of Australia’s most popular labels such as Romance Was Born, solid stand out for me.

After a few seasons not attending what was Melbourne Spring Fashion Week and rebranded MFW, it was pleasant to see new ideas influence the program and inject some much needed innovation into the festival. Melbourne has serious pride in it's events and the team behind Melbourne Fashion Week should be commended for staying current and on trend whilst producing a solid program. A huge shout out to the volunteers who spent 12 hour days holding the festival together. Round of applause.

I believe that some of the designers need to lift their game if they wish to retain current supporters of their brands, or attract new customers. By the end of the week photographers were not on the streets, media pit at the end of the runway appeared a little thin and there were many empty seats in the town hall creating an underwhelming atmosphere. With Melbourne Fashion Festival receiving an injection of funding from the State Government recently it will be interesting to see if the fashion capital is big enough for both Fashion Week and Fashion Festival. Let the catwalk battles begin.

How to wear a White Blazer

How to wear a White Blazer

(UPDATED CONTENT)

HOW TO WEAR A WHITE BLAZER

I love a crisp white blazer.  It is Spring's answer to Fall's essential leather jacket. With white being a strong trend this season, the white blazer is ready for its spotlight!  White is a very elegant and timeless colour but neutral so it goes with everything.

Wear a White Blazer with gem tones, neutrals, and animal or other prints. Or Use a White Blazer to create a backdrop to showcase texture like prints, leather, rouching, and pleating.  Whether it’s for a day, work, or evening, a White Blazer can pull an outfit together. Here are my styling tips:

Play with layering and wear a tunic and skinny jeans, or colour block with a rich toned blouse and skirt. 

Pair a white blazer with a whimsical Spring dress for an effortlessly pulled-together outfit or the blazer-and-shorts look works perfectly on both petite and tall girls. The Structure of the blazer really balances the feminism, softness, and casual vibe of floral pieces. 

For those who think floral is too girly, and want to try something sexy. You can pair a white blazer with animal prints! The pure and clean white blazer makes the wild and sexy print dress so stylish. Keep the colour palette neutral, like black and white, then add a bold coloured bag to brighten up the whole look.

Instead of the usual LBD, try out a blazer and jumpsuit for your next party. The black-and-white contrast demands attention.

A white blazer looks amazing paired with pastels and pair with tough accessories for a cunning ladylike look.

A blazer can instantly add polish to a pair of jeans. Create a casual, yet sharp look with a white blazer, flared jeans, a flowy silk top, and pointy-toe pumps. Perfect for a casual work environment or your next lunch date.

Wear white on white. This is one of my favourite pairings. It looks sweet, elegant yet modern and chic.  Too scared to rock all white? Totally don’t blame you by the way – I am like a stain magnet. Go for all black topped with a white blazer instead.
SHOP MY PICKS

Maison Margiela Crepe Blazer

Paule Ka Belted Blazer

UINSTONE Women's Shawl Blazer

HyBrid & Company Double Notch Lapel White Blazer

Here are some ideas of how to wear a White Blazer:

  

I hope these white blazer style tips have given you some inspiration! Till' next time xo

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Basic Fashion For Teenage Guys - Tips For Girls Only.

Basic Fashion For Teenage Guys - Tips For Girls Only.

TEENAGE GIRLS FASHION

 The teen years can be a confusing stage, especially when it comes to individual style and fashion. Instead of trying to always fit in with the peer group, as most teens do, it’s also about being an individual and making your own mark. If you have a teen girl at home, you’ve probably already seen her fretting over what to wear and how to style her look.

As a mom, here’s your chance to update your girl with some interesting and very ‘it’ fashion styles that are all the rage right now. Check out some fun and fresh fashion tips for teens that they love to try out.

Here is a list of fashion ideas for teens that will let your teen girl find her own style and be comfortable with it:

1. Colorful Layering:
    Layering is one fashion trend that is always in rage, and goes perfect for all age groups.

    Help your teen try out all her colorful clothes at once, without them looking too in your face.

    Ask your teen to wear a colorful vest and style it with a colorful shirt or jacket on the top.

    Let her pair it with plain denims and sneakers, and a colorful cross body bag.

2. Striped Simple Crop Top:
  Crop tops have come back with a bang and lots of teens as well as adults are wearing it all the time.

    Your teen can wear a cute striped crop top in neutral tones, such as a black and white striped one, and pair it with a simple pair of denims.

    To keep the focus on the top, ask her to keep the accessories or makeup to a bare minimum.

3. Winter Color Match:
    Your teen can use some bright colors in her winter wardrobe to make sure the look is structured, yet vibrant.

    Ask her to pair any two items in her outfit in a color of choice, such as a bright teal woolen cap with a bright teal woolen scarf.

    Make sure she keeps the rest of the outfit is in neutral or light tones, so that the focus remains on the color coordinated ones. A plain white tee or shirt with a basic pair of denims will go great. This is one of the best fashion tips for teenage girls.

4. The Basic Vest:
    The basic vest is one fashion accessory that should be a must-have in your teen’s wardrobe.

    A basic vest in the shade of white will always help her coordinate her other clothes around it.

    Let your teen try out a white vest with a blue pair of denims and simple or bright tie-on sneakers.

    She can also use a number of accessories on her hand to create the layered effect.

    The best part about this look is that your teen can always add another layer on top, by using a scarf, a shirt, a tee or even a jacket.

5. Classic Blue Denim Jacket:
    Make sure your teen has a classic denim jacket in her wardrobe in the shade blue, as it is one fashion accessory everyone should have.

    She can either go for a more form fitted one jacket or one that is a little big for her size, as both will look great when paired up with other clothes.

    Your teen can wear the jacket over a dress, over a regular skirt and top, over a vest and denim combo, over formal attire, or even as a buttoned-up jacket with a black pair of denims.

6. Shorts And Stockings:
    Teens love wearing shorts, and it is one fashion item that your girl can always use to make a stunning style statement.

    Help your teen dress up a simple pair of blue denim shorts by wearing a netted stocking underneath.

    She can team it up with a white crop top and a colorful pair of tie-on sneakers.

    To give the whole look that much more edge, ask her to add a cap and aviators. This is the best teen fashion tips.

7. Vibrant Pair Of Glasses:
    Big and chunky frames of glasses have come back to make a major style statement, both for teens and adults alike.

    The best part about using glasses as a fashion accessory is that your teen can choose the type of look she wants to create.

    You can help your teen choose a pair of glasses that are either same in color or have multiple colors in them. Also, ask her to choose colors that are more vibrant instead of dull, as they will help to brighten up a plain look.

    Your teen can use the glasses with her formal wear as well as easy and fun casual wears.

8. Arm Candies:
    Styling your arm with the right type of accessories is a big fashion statement, one where your teen girl can actually mix and match her different bangles and bracelets.

    From chunky bracelets and bangles to the more dainty and feminine ones, your teen can go for a super stylish layering effect to add character to a regular and plain outfit.

    Let your teen decide what type of look she wants to wear for that particular day. She can take a pick from leather bands, braided bracelets, chunky jeweled bangles, wooden bangles, beaded bracelets, charm bracelets, wristlets, shell bracelets and many many more.

    Make sure that if she wants the highlight to be around her arm, she needs to keep the other accessories to a minimum or not wear any.

9. Pretty In Boots:
    Let your teen girl have a gala time dressing up her outfits by choosing some cute and fashionable boots to go with them.

    These days, boots are available in a variety of colors and styles, not just the blacks and browns of earlier times.

    Ask your teen to pick two pairs in her favorite colors. She can wear them with outfits that she wants to color coordinate with her boots. Alternatively, she can use them to add some spunk to plain and neutral colored outfits.

10. A Girly Dress:
    Make sure your teen has at least one girly dress in her wardrobe.

    Floral patterns, pink or lavender hues and frills or laces will work best.

    She can wear her dress as it is, or dress it up with jackets, stockings, leggings and more.

As a mom, let your teen girl explore and enjoy the world of fashion, even as you guide her through some interesting ideas that will help her create her own individual fashion identity.

What are those three fashion essentials that you feel your teen girl should have in her wardrobe? Do share about it here.