Inspirational fashion trends for Winter 2013

Inspirational fashion trends for Winter 2013

Life is what happens while you are TOO busy making other plans. - John Lennon

I would like to begin my fashion journey and hopefully inspire a few souls.

Winter in SA isn't always the best but there is always winter fashion to keep you smiling.



I spent some time looking at retail stores there are so many gorgeous pieces in store. Beautiful Aztec leggings and over sized knits :) . Shopping for winter clothes can be overwhelming decide what you going to splurge on and what items you buy at relatively ‘cheap’ stores (items that are trendy and not investment pieces).

Some advise on winter’s classic buys: 

• Invest in good leather boots, if you wait until the middle of winter you may get them on the sale price. Go Brown or Black they go with everything and are most versatile.
• Scarves are a nice mix and match piece
• Leggings can be worn with dressed, over sized shirts or jerseys. They are the MOST comfortable piece of clothing for winter.
• Layer it up, without adding to much bulk. Layer top and jerseys in colour over denims.

Check out my inspirational list for this winter. 

Before I get to the buying bit I had to do some research on outfit ideas. I have a specific inspirational styles that I like to stick to. Hopefully you can find that inspiration. Happy Shopping!

Studded leggings / Over sized Knits

Pleather / skinny jeans and more studs

Animal prints / Boyfriend Jackets

Denim 

Denim / Layering

How to wear a jacket for 2012

How to wear a jacket for 2012

Jackets are garments that can take you from casual to smart or even dressy.
It’s not a coat, although it will offer some cold weather protection. It can be lightweight, structured or drapey.

It’s the ultimate layering piece when you need to give your outfit a bit of a boost. The thing with layering is that as soon as you add that extra layer, it changes and lifts your entire outfit. You’ve immediately added interest with just one piece.

 An interesting outfit is all about contrasts. Jackets are contrast enablers. Imagine the contrast of a casual dress with a structured jacket. Equally the same, a structured dress worked back with a draped jacket works just as well. The right length jacket should help to create shape.

Now the Boyfriend Jacket is in for winter and even bigger for spring! You have to have one...
A "boyfriend jacket" is a type of guy like blazer is a must have for this spring. The boyfriend jacket is a bit slouchy, and a little longer than a classical blazer. Pair  a boyfriend jacket with jeans and a T-shirt or a great mini skirt - it's a great comfortable casual look.

You will have loads to choose from, in solids colours, stripes, and preppie plaid, single breasted and double breasted .With regards to fabric, this season trendy boyfriend jackets are being made of anything from cotton, twills, to silk. The fabric will somewhat dictate what the jacket should be worn with. 

Oversized boyfriend jackets can be worn belted with skirts, as well as with pants. The look definitely projects strength, tailor made for women. 

The sporty boyfriend jackets are lightweight as well as casual, Worn with shorts, and or with a t-shirt, and straight legged cropped pants for a day out with the girls'. Another way to wear a boyfriend jacket is over a dress, for a cool night on the town.

A boyfriend jacket in neutral colour, layer over your strappy evening dress or printed sheath dress. Add a couple pieces of chunky jewellery, and a fabulous shoe...

 A classic dark solid boyfriend jacket is  perfect paired with a classic crisp white button-up shirt or a simple t-shirt , on the bottom - jeans or pencil ankle length pants. Kick the outfit up with one of your favourite pairs of shoes, and an oversized brightly colour handbag.

  

Combine Colours from your existing wardrobe

Combine Colours from your existing wardrobe





Ever wonder how to combine colours together to create eye-catching and colourful outfits? Most of us cannot afford to buy a new wardrobe, I have great pieces in my wardrobe already so by playing around we can develop different colour combinations.

The colour wheel is an excellent wardrobe tool. You can download or use the colour wheel I have on this blog to help you colour right. Figuring it out isn’t too complicated.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

You can make the following combos using the colour wheel as your guide:

1. Colours directly next to each other (i.e. yellow and yellow-orange; yellow and yellow-green; violet and blue-violet, etc.)

2. Colours that form right (90 degree) angles with each other (i.e. yellow and red-orange; blue and violet-red; green and orange, etc.)

3. Colours directly across from each other (i.e. yellow and violet; blue and orange; red and green, etc.)

4. Colours that form a T (i.e. blue, orange, and violet-red; yellow, violet, and red-orange; yellow, blue-green, and red-orange, etc.)

5. Colours that form an X (i.e. blue, orange, violet-red, and yellow, violet, blue-green, and red-orange, etc.)




















Since brown is a neutral, it will go with virtually any colour on the colour wheel. For example pair a chocolate brown with cobalt blue or fuchsia or bright red—such a fun and bold combo. Of course white, black, and the hues of blue found in denim are also neutrals that go with just about anything.




As for accessories, go crazy with colour hats, bags, shoes, or scarves. When choosing jewellery, pair gold (or gold-toned) jewellery with your warm colour outfits. Warm colours have a yellow, gold, or orange undertone to them. Wear silver (or silver-toned) jewellery with your cool colour outfits. Cool colours have a blue, pink, or red undertone to them. Colours are broken down by hue, temperature, intensity, and tone any single hue can be either warm or cool. Just look at the undertones.



You can also use the color wheel when coming up with color combinations for your makeup. It can help you decide which makeup color to wear so that you don’t match your eyeshadow with your outfit.





And there you go—a breakdown of how to use color combinations to spice up your wardrobe..

How to wear Colour Jeans

How to wear Colour Jeans For Ladies and Gents

“I’m very happy that bright colors are in and with that colored denims are definitely the hot trend. But what exactly would I wear with them? Do I keep everything else neutral? Rock the color blocking trend? Depending on your personality (and courage), you can wear your new pants in a numerous of ways.


Check out these suggestions:


1. Colourblock it up:
We all know colourblocking is hot for winter, so take out that color wheel and match your bright jeans with a contrasting top. 
For the wintertime pair purple pants with a mustard top….

….or red top and bright blue jeans:

2. Pair them with neutrals:
When all else fails, balance your bright denim with a neutral. Think a black blazer, white top, or a cream blouse
Work it out:

3. Make it pop with a pattern:
Leopard, stripes, florals, or polka dots, set off your jeans with a punchy print. 
Note: If you shy away from printed tops, you can always opt for a patterned shoe.

4. Denim on Denim
Along the same manner of the neutral tip, pair your hot jeans with a denim shirt. Add a bold shoe for extra flair.

This trend is HOT! 
Please share your look with me and if you attempt to try any of the above tips post a photo, I would love to have a look.