PVC and bondage

Sigh. Neither worked in the 1980s and they still don’t work now, (well thats what i think) but, alas, fashion is cyclical. Some times I feel you just have to hunker down and ignore fashion trends, opting for style instead.

PVC should stay in the dominatrix’s lair, never to resurface in fashion again. On the runway, yes. On the street, no. You’ll sweat, you’ll stick. It won’t be pretty. If you must, go to fetish shops or Gareth Pugh for PVC and on the High StreetHit Camden Market or any charity shop for 1980s castaways.

But then who am I to comment?

The line between the office shoe and the fetish heel has become increasingly blurred; while the popularity of the ubiquitous Herve Leger bandage dress has simultaneously become widespread, meaning the super-short and super-tight is more commonplace than ever. The taboo, in many ways, is not so taboo anymore. Fashion has pushed the envelope and perusing the Spring/Summer 2009 runways, it's not hard to spot the bondage and fetish inspirations behind many of the clothes; making this yet another of 2009's fashion trends.

So even though I think it wrong below is a some one better way to wear it

Paper bag Anyone?

Paperbag Waistlines at Issac Mizrahi, Zac Posen, and Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Style tip? Spring 2009 is characterized by selective volume - on slouchy pants, poufy sleeves, and and bubble shaped skirts. The paperbag waistline is a fresh take on selective volume - plus the naturally high waistline can visually elongate the leg and make you look taller (or allow you to wear cropped pants).

What do you think? Would you wear pants with a paperbag waistline? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Zip it!!!

I'm definately into zips at the moment, especially chunky exposed ones. They're popping up on blogs and catwalks all over the place at the moment and I'm hoping a fair few will make their way into my wardrobe :)

Head Band

High Fashion Week in New York revealed - the headband is the "hottest" hat! Fine vintage accessories help create a complete image. The headband is not as pretentious as a hat and can be combined with casual styles. However, it will look particularly striking with evening dresses.

Style tip? Headbands have been around for a couple of seasons now. But this season’s headband is more embellished, more ornate. Pair this headband with something equally floaty and feminine.

What do you think? Would you wear headbands? Share your thoughts in the comments!

LOOKS OF THE WEEK

So what do we think is hot for Summer 2009?

There are a number of summer trends, but here are the ones that I think will score highly in the office and dating department.

1. Cocktail Shorts
A variation on last year’s theme of Business Shorts. Silky shorts become glamorous, baggy and even shorter, in this latest trend in sexy evening wear. Unless you want to distract the waiter, steer clear of these on a first date!

2. Fluid Flares
In complete contrast to last year’s sleek silhouette, elegant wide-legged or flared trousers are practical and wearable for most figures. Teemed with a fluid jacket, this is a much more sophisticated and feminine style, allowing you to swish through the office or wow your prospective date. Great for covering up arms and legs too. Influenced by the 1930's and 40's, wear them belted and slightly higher on the waist, to stop them slouching. Top flares off with a straw trilby, Linday Lohan style, for added effect.

3. Grecian Gowns
This has to be a favorite fashion trend this year as “goddess dressing” can work well with so many shapes and sizes. With a variation on styles, Grecian glamour is achievable with tunics, toga-style mini dresses or floaty and sophisticated full-length gowns.

4. Something See-Through
With the season’s transparent fabrics and soft layered looks it is easy to feel like a princess. This year designers push the trend for sheer fabrics to the limit but go for loose and floaty rather than tight and clingy. Radical see-through skirts and pants are best avoided unless worn with boy shorts underneath. Sheer blouses work well if tastefully worn over camisole or pretty T-shirt tops.
If you want to make a good impression in the office or on a date, remember, subtle is sexy; vulgar is not! With spring and summer's softer, flowing styles there is plenty of choice this year for all shapes and sizes.

5. Statement Shoes
If you are on the short side, then a pair of statement shoes will be a prerequisite to accompany the flowing trousers or a long floaty dress. Witfhout a pair of four-inch stilettos or chunky heels, it is unlikely that you will have the height to truly carry off these styles.
Statement shoes don’t have to have be high to be trendy. Sophisticated ballet flats look great for the office. This year there is an amazing array of styles and heights; the only golden rule is they must have this season's fabulous decoration.

6. Stars and Checks
Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Gucci and Jaeger are just some of the main fashion houses giving their outfits the star treatment , according to Marie Claire. Scattered star print frocks, star appliqué on jackets and dresses, with brooches and bold necklaces providing a twinkle.

7. Full and Flared Skirts
Knee-length flirty and feminine skirts provide an air of practicality, flaring out from narrow belts and fitted tops. Admittedly these fall more into the dating than work category but are a marked improvement on the wearability of last year’s unwearable bubble skirt!

8. Pajamas
“What could be softer than clothes fit for sleeping in?” declares Sander’s in Marie Claire. Lingerie-inspired slip dresses are the order of the day and designers Marc Jacob and Stella McCartney are major influences in “duvet-day-dressing.” However, the pajama trend is not for the faint hearted, as walking around, showing off your underwear, may send the wrong message to your beau! Definately impractical for work but seriously saucy!

LOOKS OF THE WEEK

Fashion takes an exotic turn with an explosion of tribal looks.

Globe-trotting trends borrow elements from African, Asian & East Indian fashion like tribal prints, safari clothes, bold colors and patterns, chunky jewelry and turbans.

The global village of fashion is one of the hottest places to be this spring, and designers primed your wardrobe for a safari adventure with a wild assortment of African field jackets, safari suits, zebra and leopard prints, khaki, and chunky tribal jewelry. And round out the style with a dash of colonial military attire. Once you've had a taste of tribal styles, the fashion powers that be sent you off to the Far East for a taste of Bollywood glam.

Spot It: The tribal trend consists of strong, graphic prints (black and white graphics mixed with darker prints is a recognizable element) combined with warm, earthy tones (black, browns, deep reds and oranges) and natural accents (straw, wood). Safari looks usually have a khaki jacket, belted with front pockets.

Wear It: Because the prints are often oversized and strong, they work best on simple shapes (shift dress, tunic) or in soft, draped fabrics (cotton gauze). Natural accents -- a wood armful of bangles or a beaded cuff -- or matte (not shiny) metallics set off the look perfectly.

Pop goes the color this season with minimalist neon pastels

As the sun starts to warm up the land (or may be thats me still dreaming) the dark dull colours of winter faid and out shine the neon bright colours of spring so good buy Plum!!

Look for dazzling acid bright neon colours, the confident 80's brights of yellow, tangerine, coral, scarlet red, purple, cobalt blue, ultramarine, emerald sea green, and hot bright fuchsia pink. Also keep an eye out for Yellow and gold - some of the most important colours on offer in many clothing lines this season.

Expect to see plenty of vivid ultramarine and electric blue. The dazzling bright electric blue shorts shirt dress left is courtesy of Oasis SS07 Catwalk Show. Electric colours are often mixed silver and other metallics in the luxury sporty look

What’s hot this Summer and Fall 2009? Neon and it was evident as it showed up brightening the runways at New York Fashion Week. And while European lines on the other hand featured less of these bright shades, they certainly enbraced the neon trend in last month’s issue of VOGUE.
“This season’s explosive new shades pack a powerful punch. Tangerine, citrine and dynamic neons make for a tangy combination, as bold colour- block dresses light up the night.”

If you have read anything in the past couple months in industry publications you can see all the fashion influential designers such as Gucci, Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga, Diane Von Furstenberg experiment with these styles and color.

According to my very credible and unidentified sources; “Bold colors will continue to dominate fashion trends. Bright oranges and blues were present on most catwalks. Whether worn as part of the outfit or as an accessory, these statement colors will undoubtedly help fashionable women and men express their style and personality.”

Yes, don’t let your boyfriends or gay husbands escape this trend, embrace it! I especially loved the neon pink scarf seen at fashion week wrapped around a very handsome Hilfiger model. Hot neon scarfs are a guarenteed way to stay warm on cool fall nights. And oversized geometric jackets and shalls were seen draped around the female models stretching neon into (count it) three seasons for fashionistas with vibrant, vivd florescent color

While I am not so sure about the neon lipstick, I do know that a splash of neon color can instantly update and refresh your wardrobe. This is also an ideal way for ladies used to blacks and neutrals to try out hints of color through accessories or a new skirt with a white/neutral top.
One fashion writer consurs and gives caution, “Neon is on the rise. But don’t get too excited, you don’t want end up like nineties roadkill. Instead, what you’re aiming for is a subtle flash of neon, a wonderful spring glow. Chances are you’ve already thrown out brightly colored scarves, blouses maybe even your neon Pez dispensers. You only need a small amount of color to make a statement. Bright colors can be mixed and matched too for a bolder look.”

If you aren’t all over neon, start by mixing and matching becasue even the most confident diva can have a hard time puilling off a complete neon outfit. Be smart, use age appropriate colors and ladies, it feels “wrong” in front of the mirror, chances are you might be right.

Fringed Fashion: Spring/Summer 2009 Flapper Trend

It was as if a single, defined element was plucked from 2008's flapper revival, elaborated upon and then modernised. That element was fringing; and if there's one thing every girl should be partying in during Spring/Summer 2009, it's that perfect fringed piece.

Who designed it

On the Spring/Summer 2009 runways, this burgeoning trend was prominent. Alexander McQueen's pieces were more to the structured side with sinew-esque fringing slinking around the body. Jil Sander's fringing was long and free-flowing, Alberta Ferretti's delicately pretty; while Gaspard Yurkievich took inspiration more from the Burlesque than the Jazz Age.

How to wear it

It depends largely upon the style and themeing of the piece. A pair of long, toned legs work wonders for a short fringed skirt; those lacking need to be a tad more cautious. The appeal of fringing also owes alot to the way it moves, so pay careful attention to buying quality fabrics that shimmy and shine and don't clump unattractively together.