The party season is here, but what will you wear? We address the yearly problem of how to dress to impress. This year’s Autumn Winter 2012 trends are easy to spot (see our September issue) and there really is something to suit every style and every body shape; peplum styles to suit athletic figures, luxurious wraps for juicy apples, curve conscious styles for hourglass shaped bodies and A-lines or fit & flare styles for pears. The high street is not short of some amazing outfits and there’s lots of choice to help you prepare for the party season…
What to wear…
Little Black Dress
A style essential introduced by Coco Chanel in the 1920s, the classic little black dress is always in fashion and always looks fabulous. It can move you seamlessly from the office to a party, all with the addition or removal of the right accessories (see this month’s style question). Invest now and the right LBD can be worn again and again with a contrasting belt or colour-popping heel!
Modern Metallics
From ultra glam, to a slight sparkle and sheen, metallic is a key trend for all to wear this party season. We attended the Harvey Nichols Manchester’s Autumn Winter 2012 Fashion Show last month where they showcased a fun, quirky and striking look through a mix of metallic with bright designs.
Dark Romance
Powerful purple, rich colours and brocade patterns are all perfect for the upcoming party season. Look for
outfits that enhance your silhouette and scream ‘luxury’.
Top tips when selecting an outfit…
• Know your body shape, then follow a few simple rules.
• Take a pair of heels and wear good underwear when shopping for the perfect party piece.
• Remember to accessorise; you don’t always have to go the whole hog and buy a new outfit for each occasion; a new cape, wrap or cardigan will instantly add some party punch to an existing outfit or dress.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment. A trouser suit isn’t just for the office, you can give it a chic twist with a satin pussy bow blouse worn under the blazer and glittering eye-catching earrings.
Have your style questions answered
If you have a style question that needs answering head to our Facebook page (Rag Trade Style) now for advice or email them to info@ragtradeproductions.co.uk and we will post them in the next issue.
Q. I will be relying on my LBD to get me through the party season but how can I make it stand out among all the other little black dresses AND make it look different for each occasion?
A. You can’t go wrong with a LBD, it’s a wardrobe staple and there are several simple ways you can change the look. But first, make sure you have selected the right dress for the right occasion; some have more style and suitability than others.
If the dress is daywear avoid anything that clings to the body, instead opt for styles that skim your curves (i.e. shift dresses that fall just below the knee). For evening events the dress can be slinkier but should still remain structured and well shaped. Consider the following to help change your look:
HOSIERY. The right tights can even out your skin tone on your legs and provide the finishing touch to the look. For eveningwear, sheer black or grey tinted tights are a good choice. Coloured tights could also work with a black dress provided the colour matches with other accessories and suits your skin tone.
COLOUR. Although the LBD is a staple favourite, adding colour and texture to your outfit can give you confidence and ensure you stand out from the crowd – attention-grabbing red, blue and canary yellow dresses were all on display at this year’s Emmy’s.
SHOES. Shoes can provide contrasting colour or style to the LBD and as a result become the feature piece of your outfit; people’s eyes will be drawn to them with your black dress as backdrop.
DAZZLE IN DIAMANTE costume jewellery. Statement jewellery is such a strong trend for Autumn Winter that [paired with simple necklines] earrings and necklaces can really stand out. Instant glamour!
BELTS AND SCARVES. Provided the style of the dress can handle the addition of a belt or scarf, it can provide an effective contrasting feature.
BAGS. The bag is going to stand out against the black backdrop so treat it as part of the overall look. Try a dazzling or sparkling colour to dress it up for the evening.
GLOVES. Timelessly elegant, long gloves are one of the most beautiful accessories trends for Autumn Winter, so if you don’t mind wearing them they can really dress up a LBD.
