Outfit Idea #19. Over-sized Pocket Skirt.

Hi darlings,

I am very excited to share this creation of mine with you. It's been so busy on my end that to complete this number I had to literally steal a minute here, a minute there, sometimes sacrificing other chores. Now, it is finally ready and cannot wait to be worn. I made this skirt with a Vogue pattern. My skirt is of mid-calf length and has extremely baggy pockets and extra  long sleeves for belt ties. I installed metal snaps on the fake cuffs so they look real :) I just love how different and unapologetic this skirt is! 

I wore it with a crisp white dress shirt, the black rope necklace and laced up sandals. The fabric on this skirt looks like it's denim but it's actually linen dyed to look this way. That's why even though gathers add bulk, the skirt is still very flowy and has lots of movement.

Midi length skirts have been trending since about a year or so ago and are in full bloom in the runways for Spring.

Spring 2014 RTW

Since a long winter awaits, I adapted the same skirt for the colder months. I wore it with a plain black turtle neck, black high-heeled boots with a sparkle and a statement necklace. Add a shiny clutch and this outfit becomes office party-appropriate!

And I just LOVE this necklace I got from Topshop. I think it perfectly completes this strong look!

How about you? Have you started planning your party outfits yet? If you have, make it loud and unapologetic! 

Outfit Idea #15. Silver Jumpsuit.

Hello dear all,

Life has been busy on my side of the computer screen. But as it happens, if you work hard, you tend to party just as hard. So today I wanted to share with you my very adaptable outfit: silver jumpsuit. It is adaptable because you can wear it in the summer as well as in winter, to the club as well as to a more casual event. I made this jumpsuit from Burda Pattern 7552 and fell in love with it. It is so easy to wear and look chic in.

Here I wore it with nothing but a silver belt and silver necktie jewelry. It was perfect for a summer lounge party for my friend's birthday! Yay! 

But then winter came - boo! - and I still wanted to wear this cutie out. So I just replaced my sandals with the tallest boots I had, wore a black leather statement belt, threw a black jacket over my shoulders and was ready to rock-and-roll the frosty night away!

If you are unsure whether jumpsuits are a thing of the past, never fear. Pre-Fall and Fall 2013 shows were abundant with jumpsuits. And they are cuter than ever. 

Some have taken on an office chic attitude, others continue to bring summer memories with summer florals, yet others look as utilitarian as jumpsuits were initially intended to look. One thing is certain: jumpsuits are the next best thing to a dress! You threw it on and - voila - you are fully dressed, and stylishly at that!

Which style of jumpsuit would you pick?

Trend Alert. Wear Those Pants!

Hello trend-watchers!

Today I wanted to talk about pants and the various styles that popped up on the Pre-Fall and Fall 2013 Runways. Designers have presented us with such a variety of styles that there is no shortage of options to satisfy every mood, taste and occasion. Here is what I saw.

Stay in Your Pajamas

Feeling lazy and blue? No need to get out of those comfy pajamas. Just throw on a stylish jacket, grab a flashy clutch and you are ready to rock.

Wear them Wide and Bright!

Nothing says "I'm in a playful mood" as much as these bright, wide-leg trousers.

Crop that Cigarette Habit

The brocade embroidered floral prints make these skinny cropped pants more than suitable for a special occasion.

For a luxurious look, pair metallic pants with fur and you will not go unnoticed! From slouchy to skinny, there is a great variety of these shiny numbers to choose from.

Metallic Lux

Now that I have my slouchy florals and shiny skinnies, I need to make wide-leg bright and cropped cigarette brocade trousers. So excited! Which are your favourite styles?

Image source: style.com

Trend Alert. Bright Colour Suits You!

Thinking of acquiring a new tailored suit for the upcoming season? Here is an idea: why not get it in a punch of bright colour? Pre-fall and Fall shows were vibrant with a whole spectrum of colourful  tailored suits.

After all, "dress code" does not always mean "colour code" and any office could use some colour therapy. All you need to be aware of is

• a pant cut suitable for your body shape (thankfully, the trend ranges from cropped cigarette to full flared trousers) 
• and the colour flattering for your complexion (the one that brightens your face and lights up your eyes).

With these tips behind your belt, you will enliven the dullest cubicle maze. And that's always suiting!

Trend Alert. All Lined Up.

Hello trend-watchers,

Another day - another trend. Today I wanted to share with you what I thought would be an overarching styling detail for Fall 2013. Seen on dresses and shirts before, contrasting collars and plackets are evolving into sharper style lines. For upcoming seasons, designers are turning these emphatic lines into trimming and piping details accentuating pockets, armholes, necklines, hems and seams.

This trend is not reserved for dress shirts solely. Dresses are being styled in a similarly sharp way:

Coincidentally, yours truly just came back from Holt Renfrew where I spotted this dress by Michael Kors:

As you can see, the trend is on and it's high time to make a sharply lined number for yourself. A self-made alternative to this trend can be easily found in a Vogue patterns collection.

V8855

And if you are interested in making a dress with contrasting style lines, you do not even need a special pattern. All you need to do is simply cut a bunch of really long bias strips and apply them over top of any seams or edges you wish to accentuate. Here, you are the designer!

Happy designing!

Image source: http://www.style.com/,
                      http://www.mccall.com/home.html

Trend Alert. Colour Blocked Dress.

Hello trend-watchers,

Today I am starting a new series of posts about what is happening in the fashion world. More precisely, I want to share with you my personal finds of what is trending on the runways. Pre-Fall  2013 runway shows have just finished their rounds. With so much visual information out there it can be confusing to distill the essential "in" elements. That is why I spent hours watching the show photos and have come up with a few pointers as to what to prepare for this Fall.

The most fashion forward among us may think that a colour-blocked dress has long become history, however, designers refuse to give it up and have cooked up a whole fresh batch of these brightly spotted numbers.

They come in various cuts and lengths, and the lines have become more fluid. If you are looking to get one of those for slightly less than what a designer label will cost you, then you may want to check out these Vogue Patterns. 

V1326

V1329

The beautiful thing about making a runway-inspired item yourself is that you can modify and adjust it whichever way you please. You are not obliged to stick to the pattern you use. You can always shorten or lengthen the sleeve or the hem, change the neckline, or shift a style line. I am not even mentioning the fun and freedom you can have with the colour choices!!! The options are endless!!! So although we have already seen similar dresses these past couple of seasons seems like they are here to stay (at least for now). If that's the case why not experiment and have fun with them!!!

Happy trending!

P.S. Check out my own take on a colour blocking dress here and top here.
Image source: style.com