By Pauline Weston Thomas for Fashion-Era.com
Choosing Fashions for 2006 Style Season's Wardrobe
I suggest that you read my pages on fashion trends and fashion colours as well as scrolling this wardrobe tips page.
Don't be caught panicking with 'nothing to wear'. Consistently review, clear out the failures and rebuild your wardrobe basics, that way you are ready for every climatic change. Maintaining your image is one way to develop self-esteem and feel more confident. If you want to look like those you admire, then you must do what those people do - work at it.
You don't have to be pin thin, but you must review your haircut, make-up and footwear choices before analysing the general fashion looks that will appeal and take you into a new season and to a new you.
Frocks are back. Women are buying them. I'll tell retailers a secret we women all know - it's that manufacturers have added sleeves to dresses.
Look out for cap, short, three quarters and long sleeves that adorn many of the 2006 styles. A dress can then be a useful piece in a wardrobe. This is truly good news for women who like the choice of dressing in a more feminine way when the mood takes them, but are beyond spaghetti straps for daily work wear dressing.
Key Trends of 2006 Fashion
Details are below, but KEY silhouette and theme trends to consider adding to your wardrobe for spring-summer 2006 include:
- White shirts, whitework blouses, white eyelet broderie anglaise decoration...
- Blush neutral tones
- Tulip and bubble silhouettes in skirts and dresses
- Sharp tailored knee shorts or cropped trousers
- Worn with snappy-boxy cropped jackets
- 60s duster coats
- Fuller skirts - slouch and puffball styles
- Hour glass waistdresses
- Shorter A-line tent trapeze-style minis
- Wide deep belts and ribbon bow focus on waists
- Square necks and newer cap sleeves
- Exotic print wrap dresses with high or dropped waistlines
- Volume sleeves with deeper cuffs
- Frills and flounces
- Belted dresses and belted trench coats
- Maxi skirts and maxi dresses
- Oriental fusion and GEISHA LOOKS gaining momentum to autumn
You are reading an original fashion article written by Pauline Weston Thomas© at www.fashion-era.com ©
Wearing More Volume
Increase the volume on one half of your body only. The rules for successfully wearing the volume look are still the same. So, to avoid hippo proportions and photographs, that you only want to burn, this what you should do.
When you select the more voluminous bottom half, whether a skirt, dress, coat or trousers aim to have a neat or close fitting top half. Alternatively, a looser more boxy top half should be teamed with a narrow more slim line bottom half, otherwise you may appear to have the silhouette of a pudding.
I think this particular look will be a winner, as it is clean, streamlined and fuss free.
You are reading an original fashion article by Pauline Weston Thomas at www.fashion-era.com ©
A simple clean look, like this, will make you appear far more sophisticated than you might in the latest puffed sleeves or shorts. If you hate your arms, cover up with a jacket or one of the new Duster Coats.
60s dresses were often A-line, smock like or frequently tent like. They were attractive because they were short and revealed a formerly much hidden erogenous zone the legs.
Now 60's A-line dresses are set for a huge revival.
A-line dress stylesalso lend a youthful air and very much suit the younger woman and teen girl.
But if you can get away with youthful, and ask yourself honestly if you can, the look is worth a try.
A sleek modern A-line shift with low shoes, and a sharp bob haircut will instantly revamp you.
Fabric is very important this year and helps create the princess debutante, more elegant streamlined look. So look for crusty broderie eyelet lace, brocade, shimmer and glimmer, black and white oriental fusion Geisha inspired prints.
You are reading an original fashion article written by Pauline Weston Thomas© at www.fashion-era.com ©
2006 Dress Styles
Cap sleeves have made a welcome reappearance for those who just cannot wear sleeveless frocks. This gorgeous sheath dress in the image to the left, is courtesy of Dorothy Perkins.
The design pays homage to elements of the Galaxy dress designed by Roland Mouret. Pure Glamour for spring 2006. This little black dress is so classic that you will have it in your wardrobe for a long time.
Black fitted dress £40/60
Green bow bag £12/17
Tulip line skirts are also set to be a winner with women. Whatever your size try on lots of tulip style variations, as a good fit is crucial to the skirt looking correct and flatter curves rather than making you appear lumpen and bulgy.
The tulip line is especially suitable for pear shaped women who cannot normally find dresses to fit because they spill out of the hipline. They may find the bulbous nature of tulip skirts will accommodate this, but still you need to be careful to get an exact fit as otherwise the shape can be ugly.
Bubble skirts draw attention to the legs so be sure you have great legs below the knee.
But for those who can reveal more, perhaps choose an asymmetric cut. A one shouldered, draped, goddess dress, leaves just one bare shoulder and covers all the bust. These leave lots of room for the imagination with the nakedness of a bared shoulder.
Or totally expose the shoulders whilst emphasising the waist with a fitted bodice and fuller skirt as in this lovely photo of a Dorothy Perkins red and white spotted dress.
From this look move to halter necks that again totally cover the bust, but leave toned bare shoulders visible.
Long floor and ankle length dresses in soft silky materials that move with the body work well with either one or two shoulders bared.
The Empire Line is a very feminine line and in this image from the Principles collection at John Lewis we see a lovely summer sleeveless empire version with a swirl fine pleated sunray style fuller skirt. This is such a romantic pretty dress and suitable for holidays, special occasion wear and romantic evenings.
Empire lines will be a definite silhouette feature of 2006 in fashion history terms.
Dress Wrap Fashion Trends 2006
Fashion Racing means certain styles are sometimes said to be so over even before they have been worn by many.
Fashion racing means its almost impossible to stay ahead so I say get to know your own body shape and go with the flow of what suits you and looks good on you.
The wrap dress has been a hit for several seasons, but this year it will reach a new mass peak, as dresses in all forms take on a new importance in dressing quickly and easily. Since most will have sleeves, they will suit all ages.
The transition to the spring summer look, will for many, be made easier by wearing these jersey Wrap Dresses or other lace dresses over jeans or leggings.
Alternatively wear thick textured tights or lovely legs!
The cinched waist and fuller skirts to this summer's dresses should suit pear shaped women. This year, mass manufacturers have taken the wrap dress to heart and you should be able to purchase one in any solid colour. Choose the right dress and you have elegant comfort wear in one item.
Unfortunately only 8% of women today have hourglass bodies. A recent study suggests that designers like to ignore this fact, which is why so many of us have to buy separates.
For many of us, buying a dress is therefore a nightmare, but you will find wrap dresses, for example in the above dress a more tolerant experience.
Observe how forgiving jersey and A-line dresses have a little size leeway as you control the degree of wrap.
Others have fixed wraps and are often high waisted or drop waisted and will be welcomed by those who are aghast at fashions current passion with hour glass waist emphasis.
A classic wrap dress like this can be a comfortable alternative to travelling in trousers when your holiday destination is many degrees warmer than home.
For warmth on an air conditioned cool plane, you can add other layers such as skinnies or leggings with a cashmere shrug and then remove the layers at your destination.
You are reading an original fashion article written by Pauline Weston Thomas at www.fashion-era.com ©
All White and the New Blush Neutrals
Feminine, modern and nostalgic are all words that describe the dress of today. Summer sees softness in antique effect white lace and whitework effects used alone or mixed with washed floral faded prints.
Eyelet fabrics are everywhere. White dresses can be simple shifts or more complex designs like the French Connection frock below.
Look for girlie white and neutral broderie anglaise and the PLWD (pretty little white dress). Choose to wear a dress over skinny jeans and thus get away with the skinny jeans that you thought you could never wear.
Make a summer white dress have a very different look by wearing boots to style it in an unexpected country manner.
Picture left is of French Connection Spring Summer 2006
White embroidered wrap dress £110,
Khaki silk camisole £55, Orange and amber necklace £30,
Gold chain and bead necklace £26,
Brown cut out boots £155.
Image courtesy of French Connection
As you can see, lengths can be mid calf, on the knee, maxi or mini. I prefer those images that show the dresses on the knee - they look so much more snappy, but being of average height, I feel clothes at the knee often balance me better, so I think we are attracted to outfits we can see ourselves wearing. You may feel longer or much shorter skirts suit your shape better.
Isn't it wonderful that we have so many options to pick and choose.
White on The Lower Half
Remember white comes in a range of tones from icy cool white to more creamy ivory white. Hold white items white against your face to see which tone suits your skin best. If you can't wear it near your face, because it drains your colour, opt for a skirt, trousers or cropped pants in white. Then you can add a darker top as shown in the image of wide trousers right.
The outfit left is from Matalan Women
and is available only directly from Matalan stores.
Spring Summer Spring Summer 2006 range.
Gold button jacket £28 Linen tie waist trouser
£14 Metallic clasp bag £12
It's not just the face that can be balanced with white on the lower half if white is too harsh for you.
Whilst a lot of UK women have a pear shaped or hour glass body, some of our visitors to the site are like myself - an inverted triangle body shape. So the bottom half is slender and the top half is sometimes a size or two larger for a broader or bustier upper body.
Styles that draw attention to the narrower hipline measurement of this body type include pencil skirts, dropped waist skirts, slim line skinny and cropped trousers.
These bottom garments when worn with a cropped jacket draw the eye to the proportionately slimmer lower half. Fuller skirts gathered from the waist may hide the best bit of this body type, so avoid these unless the skirt is set on a low hip basque.
These shorts shown on the right, are from Dorothy Perkins and are perfect for sightseeing. If you need something more formal, but still want to wear shorts, then a longer pair of knee shorts teamed with a jacket may be a better option.
Dorothy Perkins Spring Summer 2006
Black and white stripe top with crochet trim £22/35
White linen shorts £25/40
Braces £6/10
White also works very well this season with the preppy and nautical looks that team white with red and navy.
The result is a very easy to wear look that always gets compliment for its crisp, but relaxed jaunty air.
If white seems a fragile choice consider one of the neutral blush tones made up in lace and semi sheer fabrics. If you are fair, the blush tones may be difficult to wear. Try different weights of blush tones against your skin, until you find a blush tint that suits you.
Left is a Spring/Summer 2006 Womenswear
John Rocha antique lace and pintuck sundress £60,
for Designers at Debenhams Rocha.
The scarf is a J by Jasper Conran pashminetta £18.
Image courtesy of Debenhams PLC.
In keeping with that girly look, consider two alternatives such as fresh summer style ginghams or tablecloth style madras checks.
You are reading an original fashion article by Pauline Weston Thomas at www.fashion-era.com ©
Skirts
Shapes for summer also include the soft lines of the tulip and the bell styles. A crisper more minimal look is that of the A-line shaped sixties skirts. These modern skirts all finish around the knee so be careful to keep the length on the knee for that trend setter factor.
Pencil skirts have been in for several seasons, yet until this season, they have been quite hard to get hold of; much in the same way as skinny jeans have proved difficult to find until now.
Tulip Skirts
Tulip skirts are being sold quickly across the UK. This tulip skirt is from River Island and the top features puff sleeves a very young look. The bob haircut looks pretty good too.
River Island Spring 2006 - Womenswear
Metallic shirt and tie £29.99/50.50
Metallic linen tulip skirt £39.99/67.00
Beaded necklaces £9.99/16.50
You can wear the softer looks, which men love, when you adopt a fuller high waisted tulip shaped skirt and draw the waist in with a waist cinching belt. If your waistline can tolerate the look of increased volume, then the tulip skirt can draw attention to a neat waist and to good lower legs, whilst disguising the hip heavy.
Remember that theory of men seeking lifetime partners, the ratio they subconsciously look for is (0.7), small waist to round hips. Need all the help you can get - then this is your chance to show off your contours.
Fuller Slouch Skirts
In this new fashion era, fashion trendsetters everywhere will love wearing these comfortable and fashion trend setting shapes. This year the fuller skirt will take on a fresher look as individuals start to wear colourful contrast net petticoats to show just at the pushed out the hemline can can style.
Accentuate lower skirt fullness with a neat cropped jacket or a belted fitted cardigan as shown in the outfit available from 2006 Spring women's wear at John Lewis and from the collection by Principles.
The line which has proved to be growing in popularity in the past season is the full slouch skirt with fullness set from the hips.
Most women now have much thicker waistlines than in the 50s, so this fullness dropped to the hips is more flattering to wear than a skirt gathered directly from the waistline area.
This skirt style is also much more luxurious looking when made up in rich taffetas.
Some versions of the full skirt are softly pleated as the one below, whilst other skirts are gored in panels giving lots of hem width only.
These styles that get fuller from the hip can really increase the lower volume without adding too much waistline bulk.
Being fuller, these style variations are also very comfortable skirts in wear. I am sure they will be worn everywhere this summer, and at last will overshadow the gypsy skirt as a practical easy moving skirt for most women.
Other variations of the full skirt include sunray pleated skirts and these could be a good investment as metallic sun ray skirts should be part of autumn looks.
Bubble and swag skirts that look like Austrian blinds are a new style fined down from the puffball, but this last look may seem strange to many. The latter garment would have to look just perfect on you to make it a wise purchasing choice.
Celebrities have been seen wearing puffball skirt gowns in rich satin fabrics, but mainly to awards ceremonies, rather than as about town day silhouettes. So far most stars are confining the puffball look to event wear. You will find puffball and bubble skirt variations at ranges like that of Linea at House of Fraser.
You are reading an original fashion article written by Pauline Weston Thomas© at www.fashion-era.com ©
Hemlines
In general, hemlines are higher in keeping with the new simple A-line silhouette. Many skirt hems have opaque or semi sheer bands which create an illusion of a hem. It becomes hard for the onlooker to decipher if the hem effect makes the dress short or not.
This year, one aspect of fabrics that is worth note, is the way in which designers have layered different fabric weights.
Look out for garments with transparent or semi sheer areas and optical illusion effects such as dresses which give both an illusion of being shorter because for example a hem panel in semi sheer or sheer fabric has been used. From a distance the dress seems shorter yet this method of banding hems makes the wearer feel the dress is longer because it physically is longer.
Banded insertion hems of several inches depth were a feature of mid 1960's dresses and was one way that women were encouraged to gradually adopt shorter clothing.
One similar look is that of refined puff hemlines.
Although the gypsy skirt is supposed to be dead, the varying lengths of last year meant designers hedged their bets on lengths and every length from maxi to way way above knee mini is available for 2006. The plain maxi without its gypsy frills looks like it might gain favour with die hard Boho fans. Look out too for maxi empire line dresses.
You are reading an original fashion article by Pauline Weston Thomas at www.fashion-era.com ©
Trouser Looks Skinny Jeans
So you think you need some skinny jeans.... or even leggings. If you look as slim as this model in this photo courtesy of Matalan Women Spring Summer 2006 then they will look great.
Black skinny jean £14
Some think skinnies are on the way out already - another factor of fashion-racing. I say just do your own thing. If they look good on you wear them, if not choose from many alternatives.
Stop and consider that Miss Average is not Miss 6 foot Model and so remember there are plenty of other trouser styles to choose from apart from skinny jeans, including full capacious sailor stride styles as well as baggier boyfriend style jeans, knee length shorts, cropped trousers and culottes.
Choose those pants that flatter your figure not those that make a skinny model look even skinnier. Be realistic and choose a fashion that flatters not fattens.
Skinnies are now in most shops yet this style is less flattering to a great many women. The best skinny jeans are said to be from Sass and Bide. Many consumers are happy with affordable skinnies from high street stores such as Topshop, Dorothy Perkins or The Gap.
If you are larger than you feel looks good in skinnies, but you long to wear them, why not wear skinny jeans under a dress that perhaps goes to mid thigh or with a long white shirt.
Try several styles of dress over the skinny jeans. For you it may be a wrap dress that looks best, for someone else a baby doll empire line dress, for another a shirt and for another a smock top.
Find the style that flatters you and you too can wear skinny jeans. The biggest factor in choosing jeans once you have found a pair with a reasonable body fit is then just trying about seven or eight pairs of the same style until the perfect fitting pair emerge. Be fussy about fit.
For most people the problem with skinny jeans will be visible bulge thighs wider than the hips, so any dress that pitches mid thigh or longer should do the trick. This look can also be used with opaque or patterned tights.
Choose black, grey or dark blue skinnies or stop fretting and just buy equally fashionable very wide linen pants and look like a groomed continental lady.
Black jeans need to be black - nothing looks worse than washed out black jeans.
Necklines
Expect to see more deep semi square necklines and wide set collars in keeping with boxier jackets lines. Scoop and V necklines still abound as do bra slip dresses and halter styles. Deep low Grecian looking cowls are a change from the minor flippy higher cowls of the turn of the century. Deep low V necks remain popular on shrugs in particular.
Hour Glass Waists
With the waist really back in fashion and nipped in looks becoming more popular, it may be that some of you will need some Spanx style underwear, a few weeks of pumping iron or very good posture!
You will have to stay off the biscuits though to keep that hour glass figure that the 50s fashion with its fitted bodice and cinched waist requires.
Satin ribbon bows will emphasise waists and will appear on dresses, jackets and knitwear as cardigan belts or as jacket trims and this is a good and easy way to update many items.
Sleeves and Arms
Loose airy and flowing sleeves are a feature of dresses and of fulsome blouses. Draw attention to shoulders with bare shoulders or shoulder lines that are puffed with fulsome airy voluminous, often semi sheer sleeves.
Bell and puff sleeves are appearing on blouses and tops. It's not difficult for someone over 22 to look ridiculous in short puff sleeves, but the same women may get away with fuller blouson sleeves and deep cuffs. Many of the sleeves are full at both the top and the bottom and are reminiscent of romantic gigot and beret sleeves.
Cap sleeves have also re-emerged and will be most welcome to those who hate strappy dresses that reveal less than model toned arms and chicken wings of flesh. The dresses we have this year are for grown ups who long to have the freedom a dress can bring to a wardrobe, but who would never wear an arm revealing spaghetti strap number.
Three quarter or seven eighths sleeves have been around on jackets for a while and Duster coats generally have three quarter sleeves for summer styles.
Yet few manufacturers have addressed the need for a longer length leather glove that does not cost an arm and a leg. I did manage to locate a reasonably priced pair this winter in Debenhams and now Marks and Spencer will be adding a longer glove to their leather gloves range. I think we will be seeing much more of longer length gloves by autumn.
You are reading an original fashion article written by Pauline Weston Thomas© at www.fashion-era.com ©
Trims
Oversized buttons were featured by Burberry and this is a truly 50s look that can help capture the style of the moment.
Footwear
Platform shoes, wedge heels both high and low, bamboo cut out wedge heels, ballet pumps, Roman sandals, red shoes, pink shoes. Mary Jane strap pumps, buckles and flowers are a feature of footwear.
Bags
This is the season of the oversized bag and any tone of metallic bag There are also many oversized white bags, textured bags, tall tote bags and tweed clutches.
Update a bag this spring by adding a scarf to the handles or loop the scarf through any rings. Or buy one with a corsage trim or tassels or bobbles already attached.
I really like these bags shown left, image courtesy of Debenhams PLC Spring/Summer 2006 Accessories Preview. Star by Julien Macdonald Designers at Debenhams bronze gathered ring shoulder bag £30, and gold gathered ring shoulder bag £40.
Metallic Bags
2006 Style Hair
Tousled Boho hair is out, but bobs with a bit of lift a la Sharon Osbourne or Sienna Miller or Erin O'Connor are back in vogue.
Getting the hair right is the very easiest way to move easily into spring trends. If you have long hair wear it in a chignon or dress it in oriental style with decorative sticks like Kelly Osbourne does.
Fabric Choices
Whisper light translucent shimmering Organza moirι, silk jersey, taffeta, brocade, duchesse satin, fine cotton lawn and textured materials such as plisse are the fabrics to choose when selecting garments and accessories.
Metallics bring glimmer and shimmer to many materials.
Fabrics are quieter with more subdued greyed shades, but with a few clear colours like lily green and skyblue. The dazzle really comes from the metallics that compliment less zingy tones.
Keep anything you already own and in the sandy beige, cappuccino, pewter, taupe, off white, light grey, black, indigo and navy colour range and anything made of brocade, velvet and organza.
Review Your Wardrobe Closet for Spring Summer 2006 Fashion
Be ruthless as you go through that wardrobe rail for out of date fashion trends. If a garment is 12 months old and still taking up space, but unworn, reassess the item and relocate it fast to the Salvation Army. If you have not worn if for a year, the chances are 95% certain you will not wear it this year. My image planning and fashion tips Tips may also help you.
We wear only 20% of our wardrobe whilst 80% languishes waiting for that rare day when the weather is just so, or our weight hovers on the correct part of the scales and the occasion can match it. One problem is our wardrobes probably contain too much seasonal stuff that has had its moment, but we feel it is too good to ditch because
a) we delude ourselves we still could look great in it on days we don't feel bloated
b) it cost an arm and a leg
c) it's really brand new (may even have a tag still attached) because it never really felt right whenever we went to put it on.
Spring 2006 fashion buys should include lighter weight wool mixes, some heavier cottons and linen items for warmer days, plus a raincoat such as a fashionable trench. These are all useful basic items as the weather moves from cooler and damp to milder and warmer.
2006 Style OUT
As far as the fashionisti were concerned Boho had had its day by autumn 2005. As there are still so many influences visible in mass fashion shops you will have a hard job though to avoid it.
The easiest way to move on in fashion and wean yourself off too obvious Boho 2005 is to scourge your wardrobe of the tiered layered gypsy peasant skirt or just keep it for the beach as a swimwear cover up to pad up to the ice cream hut.
A transitional look is to adopt a full skirt as shown in the styles above and which is set on a yoke or stitched to hip, but with just one to knee tier softly pleated or gored rather than multi tiers of lower fullness. You could also opt for a maxi skirt, but minus the tiers.
Functional slips such as those by Spanx have been back in fashion for sometime by those in the know. The latter are not pretty pretty and mysterious, but they do perform the job of making a sleek foundation for the slimmest of sheath dresses.
If you are still hanging on to that suit with a long low hip or to knee jacket a la mid nineties/turn of the millennium, add it to a charity shop bag now.
Whilst we review our wardrobes spare a thought for your spectacle frames. Do yours need updating. Check out modern frames easily by browsing online sites such as Vision Express, Dollonds and Boots.
I thought you knew this last one - that belly flab is so passι. But still we see what I think of as slabflab when we are out and about and worse, certain celebrities in the know still refuse to give this up.
I've mentioned the slabflab look the last few seasons, but this look really is so past its sell by date that I shouldn't have to mention it again.
Yet still I see the odd person slavishly revealing all. So I will repeat once more that jeans hanging down exposing the pelvic line is not a good fashion look right now!!!
Why? Because not only has this look had its day, but the majority of people cringe when they see it on another. More importantly the bulge of flesh seen hanging over a low cut jean now has now officially entered new vocabulary. Teen girls frequently describe this bulge as muffintop. Both mean slabs of flab, both descriptions are most apt.
Slabflab overhang bulges are long gone and smooth contoured body curves a must have. No bulges are allowed over waistbands. All the best design houses are making lingerie ranges with slips this year.
Take a look at Figleaves and see slips by La Perla and others. Now that you know a ladylike slip is in, let's hope you'll agree that that the death knell to slabflabber fashions has been tolled for good.
The other equally irritating fashion faux pas is the visibility of a thong above the waistband and this has been defined by the same teen vocabulary as whale tail.
Yes put those backsides away please. Both these fashion faux pas are the most commented on hated fashions on my forum.
Beauty Thoughts for Spring and Summer 2006
This spring make up is more glamorous and flawless and the complexion to aim toward is a peaches and cream skin. Pale pre Raphaelite creamy flawless make up looks, paler lips and apricot to peachy pink rather than to rose pink blush, complement the sixties revival clothes ranges. Blush is back in fashion shades in fabrics and it's also back on the cheeks. Try for soft blush tones such as Dior's Fresh pink 809 to a warmer Sheer Blush no 10 by Armani.
The Geisha influence creates Oriental Fusion looks in make up with the palest of skins and understated eyes (see Selfridges below), but boldly painted red lips, and a move toward bolder corals for lips in the red range. A look that will surely appeal to Goths.
Along with these flawless looks of perfect skins, tattoo body ornamentation has lost ground.
Lips & Eyes
Look out for the May launch of Chanel's newest small accessory to be seen about town with - the luxury lipstick Rouge Allure.
Red is back so in the meantime try Chanel Rouge Hydrabase in a classic red called Fire. You may also like an intense pillar box red from Christian Dior Rouge lip colours in Indian Red at £15.50. YSL have a pure shine lipstick in colour 17 that is bold and powerfully red. There'll be strong competition in the Luxe packaged ranges from Tom Ford's new lipstick designed for an Estee Lauder range. For all day staying power Max Factor Lipfinity is impossible to beat.
Fashionable make up colours for spring eyes include light lavenders and violet eyes shades. Choose from Dior addict 591 gloss at £14.50 or Lancôme Petite Nymphe Juicy Tube at£12.50/
This season eyes will shimmer just as much as fabrics. Shu Uemura have a new eye jelly in gold which gives a glimmer of gold shimmer to the eye lid. Stila have a pale gold eyeshadow pot at £14 and if silver tones are more you try L'Oreal Paris Colour appeal platinum eye shadow in real silver. Lancôme too have a bronze eyeliner Le Crayon Kohl Waterproof 10 Gold with a metallic shimmer that will brighten day or evening looks.
Eyelash extensions are the latest beauty buzz must have accessory. Experts first demanded we had professional brow plucking, now the next craze is professional eyelash extensions. At around £80-100 an application this is a new competitor for salon fake tan treatments and botox injections. I'd go for the eyelashes any day. But watch you keep the eyebrows bold with a Brooke Shield strong brow shape. Brow templates are useful to achieve new brow looks.
Good Beauty Products
Good beauty items seem to find their way to most loving homes! Getting our make up off not only quickly, but effectively is what we all want. Good products to have in your bathroom for speedy easy and effective cleansing, include Eve Lom Cleanser at £45, Lancôme Bi-Facil Eye Make up remover to the somewhat less expensive Neutrogena Facial Wipes at £3.99. The latter wipes are very effective after a hard night out when you just need all the 'instant' help you can get to make the job easy.
For a skin boost try Champneys Spa Skin Care Chamomile and Rose Moisture Miracle Mask. This mask is wonderful for hydrating soothing and revitalising super dry skin over a 24 hour span. Most of all after using it your face is scented lightly with the aroma of a fresh summer rose and it will feel peachy silk smooth. The smell of this one is just delightful and leaves you feeling pampered and special.
Hands are often neglected until you get ready to go out and suddenly realised that you have been doing too many quick household chores without reaching for latex gloves. For hands that need an instant pamper try shea butter based La Source Hand Recovery at £12.50 or Hand and Nail Treatment cream by Clarins. This is also shea butter rich. From the Anew range by Avon order over the internet the Ultimate Hand and Nail cream at £8. For everyday maintenace keep up a routine with Neutrogena Norwegian Formula hand cream or L'Occitane shea butter hand creams.
This Spring Summer, look no further for all the latest new beauty products than the largest beauty hall in Europe at Selfridges. From surgical skincare that doesn’t require a knife, to customised beauty products plus the newest fabulous fragrances first, Selfridges is the one stop beauty shop.
For more information on the latest beauty products from Selfridges read below.
Hair
This sleek hairstyle almost reinforces the neatness of this crisp preppy style from River Island making the whole look work well together. Note the accessorizing of long rows of bead, chains and pearls all very late 60s and the nice contrast of the red bag against the clean lines of the navy and white separates.
Image left is courtesy of River Island Women's Wear Spring Summer 2006
NAVY TANK TOP £16.99 / €28.50
STRIPE SHIRT £24.99 / €42.00
PENCIL SKIRT £24.99 / €42.00
STUDDED BAG £19.99 / €33.50
PEARL NECKLACES FROM £9.99 to £12.99 / €16.50 to €22.00
Asymmetric bob styles look classy in a modern way and the asymmetric cut of substantially longer hair cut on one side than the other has taken off.
The groomed bob look is a fashion hairstyle has returned with a vengeance. The current most fashionable bob to have is the stylish cut that Sharon Osbourne has adopted. Add a former no no - just a little backcombing for a fuller more bouffant bob look, or opt to use jumbo rollers to give the look lift if you don't have time to get it blow dried at the hairdresser.
Choose a fringe as in the great healthy looking bobbed hair cut shown in this image from River Island.
I love my bob cut as it is so easy to manage and if I caught in the rain in still looks good as my hair is basically straight. If your hair frizzes easily this may be more of a problem. The secret of sleek bob is a great cut and youcan also use products like John Frieda's Frizz Ease to help smooth the hair cuticles so the hairs lie more parallel. My advice is find a hairdresser who knows how to cut a hair well, Ask around perhaps in a good designer shop in your local town, or ask a woman wearing a really good bob cut where she had her hair styled. Voila. You too can instantly update your fashion image.
Personally I prefer my bob with a more asymmetric look, but many people such as Erin O'Connor have a great dramatic bob cut with a fringe. The latter works especially well for brunettes. Now blonde is so back in fashion that even Erin O'Connor has said she may go blonde. I like her fine as she is.
Please note the Croydon facelift where a ponytail is scraped back hard and cruelly strained is a chav look, again well past its moment of glory.
Shape Changers' Detox Wrap
Another pampering item I like which I have not used particularly for the inch loss effect, but simply as an aid to making my body skin feel nicer, fresher and relaxed is the Shape Changers' Detox Wrap Kit. Again being a fan of pure scents of heady Bulgarian Roses I especially like the Shape Changers' Aromawrap Rose Damascena detox clay version. The orange-scented and original clay wraps also have good fragrance and are not at all synthetic smelling.
A Shape Changer's Detox kit is a good way to buy this if you don't want to visit a salon for a treatment. I have had this treatment done locally at a salon previously, but I investigated the kit for readers to discuss its availability and contents.
The kit I bought from QVC cost around £34 and came with a DVD explaining exactly how the detox was used. The kit price compares well with the price of a one off salon treatment. Vanessa Feltz has raved about this treatment and her resultant inch loss. I did measure before and after and did notice some small inch loss, but felt the most benefit was the therapeutic pampering effect it had on me.
The kit contained 10 sachets of clay in 3 aromas and also had 4 large clinging crepe style wide bandages. The Shape Changer's detox kit was described as enough for 10 partial treatments. Yes, it is enough for 10 treatments if you do either your abdominal area or your thighs. If you choose to do both then the kit is only enough for 5 treatments. Even so it is good value at around £6 each for 5 full treatments as you can do it easily in the privacy of your home. Once you are wrapped in the clay impregnated bandages you just need to relax and stay warm for an hour resting, reading a book or watching TV whilst the clay takes effect.
Some people are using these clay detox kits for girly evenings and hen parties when female friends help each other out with salon style treatments such as waxing and spray tans. Such treatments often require a helping hand. I'm not sure though how a glass of Champagne would affect the inch loss effect!!
New and Exclusive to Selfridges for this Season:
Selfridges beauty hall sells more beauty products than any other beauty hall in the western world and it is the third most successful beauty hall in the world. Selfridges houses one of the world's largest selection of beauty products - from big name brands to niche ranges and also world exclusive brands - Yves Saint Lauren, Decleor, Miss Dior, MAC, Bliss, Prescriptives, Benefit, Stila, Origins, Jemma Kidd all sell more products in Selfridges than anywhere else in the world.
Here are some new ideas from Selfridges for this season for Spring Summer 2006
LipFusion – a breakthrough phenomenon in lip enhancement that uses a patented technology that delivers a revolutionary collagen ‘injection’ that is absorbed into the lip tissue. The result is a remarkably full sexier mouth and all the beauty boosting benefits of collagen minus the injection. Available at prices that start at £18.50.
Colorlab – a customer blend line of make up bringing the cosmetic lab to the counter where hand-crafted, custom blended, fresh-made cosmetics are created. The range includes foundations, lipsticks and eye shadows. All products are botanically infused and are mineral based. Available from £15.
Scott Barnes Cosmetics – Celebrity make-up artist Scott Barnes brings his unique vision of natural beauty to every woman with his first make-up line exclusively at Selfridges from May 2006. The range will include treatment products and unique colour cosmetics including the star of the range, a shimmering body bronzer called Body Bling, Eye Ice, a shimmering loose powder eye shadow, gel like lip liners, a lip slick and Flossy Glossy lip glosses as well as cream foundations, pressed powders and a chic palette, a unique three colour- in-one blush compact.
Ice-Source – A revolutionary skincare system brings the Ice-Source cream’s temperature close to zero degrees in under two minutes. The temperature drop leaves your face visibly enhanced, radiant and younger-looking – primed and ready for make-up. Price £125.00.
StriVectin – a powerful anti-aging facial cream with highly performing ingredients. Available from £10.
Floris Natural Benefits – a combination of naturally derived ingredients carefully blended to create a beautifully luxurious range of skincare products for everyday use. The range includes an energizing body wash, a soothing skin balm, a nourishing hand and nail cream, gentle cleansing hand wash, an invigorating body polish and a shine-boosting conditioning shampoo. Available from Selfridges in London prices start at £13.50.
Zelens – an advanced line of cosmeceuticals formulated by leading expert in skin cancer and ageing issues, Dr Marko Lens, with packaging designed by Anouska Hempel. Zelens skincare range contains key ingredient Fullerene C60, a carbon molecule whose discovery was awarded a Nobel prize. Available now with day cream priced at £135 and night cream at £150.
Malin & Goetz – a new skin and hair care range for both men and women. The formulations are extremely kind to the skin, perfect for very sensitive skin and suited to all skin types. Available now with prices starting at £8.
Makebelieve - a revolutionary new product that allows a uniquely indulgent self tanning experience. A truly beautifully presented premium product, it offers skincare benefits together with the desired self tanning properties all this and a dreamy fragrance. Available from mid-March with prices starting at £25 for the face cream.
Also find this season’s fragrance-firsts from Burberry London, Marc Jacobs Splash, McQueen Kingdom Summer, Stella Summer and Missoni in the beauty hall of Europe.
Eastern Influence
The launch of Memoirs of a Geisha has increased the interest the West has with Geisha Girls and Japanese tradition. With their combination of beauty, style and pose, the Geisha girl style is set to become the vogue. Yohan Sigfusson make-up artist for Japanese cosmetics company Shiseido at Selfridges has studied the Geisha look and recommends the following products.
Pale and interesting – bow down to the greatness of the Geisha look - the pale faced look is perfect for January in Britain. Just add a layer of Shiseido Sheer Enhancer Base in White £22.50 for a radiant liquid base that will great a translucent finish, and then apply the Accentuating Colour Stick Blush S4 £21.00 to cheek bones to soften the look.
Oriental eyes – With celebrities such as Charlotte Church opting for liquid lined eyes, the Geisha girl eye lined look is set to be the top style for the season. Try the Shiseido Liquid Eyeliner in Caviar Black £17.50 and the Hydro Powder Eye shadow in White £14.50 to add a glaze of intense colour to eye lids.
Budding looks – if the Geisha tradition of flower arranging isn’t to your fancy then instead opt for rose bud lips, try the Shiseido Perfecting Lipstick in Real Red £15.00 and Lip Pencil in Red £11.50.
An Oriental Air – for a finishing touch to give a truly authentic aura add a spritz of Kenzo Oriental Flower £37.50 for 50ml. For a truly oriental treat try the SK-II eye and facial treatment masks launching 6th March exclusively at Selfridges. Developed by a Japanese Monk who recognized the powerful skin benefits of 'Pitera', a nutrient-rich liquid, the latest additions to the range will help preparing the skin for a clear almost translucent complexion. Sk-II Box of 14 Signs Eye Masks £45, SK-II Box of 6 Facial Treatment Masks £45
Press Report information courtesy of Selfridges.
You are reading an original fashion article written by Pauline Weston Thomas© at www.fashion-era.com ©
Spring 2006 Trends in Hats for Occasions & Weddings
Special Occasion Hat
So you have found the perfect occasion outfit and now there comes that dreadful moment of wondering whether or not to wear a hat. If you like wearing special hats or fascinators for weddings then just go ahead and wear one.
None will think it odd as a wedding is one place where you can always get away with it.
Still unsure - check if any other guests you know who are mutual friends or relatives will be wearing a hat or simply ask the bridal party.
The best general guideline that must be observed is that the hat chosen is correct for the season. don't wear a felt winter or tartan hat, however gorgeous to a summer wedding.
This lovely wide double-brim Sinamay hat with lily and feathers, in pink icing and rose is £175 from John Lewis.
For more hat style ideas check out the range for 2006 spring summer shown on this page. This selection of hat images are courtesy of John Lewis who have 27 department stores in major UK towns.
This page also forms a fashion history page of a selection of hats for the mid noughties.
Sinamay
About 70% of hats worn at UK functions are made from Sinamay. Most of the examples shown here use finely woven dyed Sinamay with feather or flower trim. Sinamay, Panama straw and silk are the materials for summer hats.
The abaca plant is a variety of banana plant and abaca fibre is extracted from this. Sinamay is banana plant fibre and when woven the material it makes is a gauzy lightweight natural material with a straw-like appearance. It can be used as fabric layers to create very light to more dense effects or used from preformed Sinamay hoods.
The open weave Sinamay is easily formed into crisp, but gossamer effect looks when steamed on a hat block. Often several layers are steamed together to get the correct stability, a denser material and colour tone effect for the hat type. From the variety of crown styles shown here you realise how important the hat block can be. Hats today can be made on (expensive) wooden hat blocks or using pre moulded forms such as those supplied at hatshapers.
The Sinamay material can also be over printed as in this black feather animal effect print hat from John Lewis. Animal print plate with comb and feathers, black/zebra £50.
Hat straw materials with the word para or pari in front of them simply mean a 2/2 weave or a herringbone weave. Sisals are made from the most simple weave of all a basic 1/1 weave.
Within this are grade qualities from 1 to 5 with 1 being the top grade. The higher grade has fewer imperfections in the weave as smoother combed fibres are used which results in smoother yarns and thus smoother end material. Couture hats use top grades. The lowest coarser grades are the sort used in floristry, crafts or cheaper beach hats.
Hats for Events from John Lewis
Get ahead in the style stakes with a great hat from John Lewis. Off to the races? Invited to a spring wedding? These interesting double-brimmed hats are bound to attract attention and admiring glances.
The pastel pink hat on the left is a lovely John Lewis example using a silk-covered Sinamay crown combined with a visible Sinamay brim. This Silk crown with Sinamay east to west brim, feathers and diamanté is in shimmer pink costs £175.
The John Lewis hat right has a double brim and is a Sinamay east-to-west double brim with feathers, in natural and gold at £155.
Barbara Suri, Buyer of Fashion Accessories at John Lewis said:
'Everyone in the hat trade is thrilled that Ascot will reopen for the Royal Meeting. It’s the perfect place to show off more exuberant creations...As you can see the season will open with soft neutrals and chalky pastels, then move towards stronger shades... Monochrome looks are a strong trend and navy looks set to make a comeback.'
Feathers are Fashionable
Feathers are still the favorite trimming, adding great movement and drama. A distinctive hat like this vibrant fuchsia pink feather-decorated hat right will help you stand out from the crowd. Pari-sinamay with chinchilla coque feathers, fuchsia hat is £195 and available from May at John Lewis.
Here we have a wonderful hat fascinator from John Lewis that is a similar color, but so totally different.
A real statement piece of frippery and for the woman who like to strut her walk.
Right - Sinamay Twist on Headband with Feathers & Quills, Fuchsia £115
This John Lewis fascinator disc is a bargain at just £25.
Or you can try one of the even more inexpensive fascinators or headbands for a look bound to turn heads. Choose from a range of colors such as these Alice Bands on the left with Feather Spray in Black, Ivory, Chocolate, Fuchsia & Red and just at £20 from John Lewis.
If you need any help, John Lewis fashion advisors can help you choose the perfect hat to go with your outfit.
For the ultimate luxury think of a hat by designer Treacy.
Luxe Designer Hats
One of the masters of hat making this past 20 years since 1985 has been Philip Treacy.
He has made 'creations' and they are creations, for several of the top fashion houses.
Peter Jones stocks this fabulous luscious red rose example at their store.
Please note this hat is not stocked at branches of John Lewis - just at Peter Jones. Red rose hat right by designer Philip Treacy is £595.
You can also contact Philip Treacy directly at his website.
2006 Fashion Must-Haves
- Sharp tailored knee shorts or cropped trousers
- White shirts, whitework blouses, white...and more white
- Blush neutral tones worn with snappy boxy cropped jackets
- 60s duster coats worn with fuller skirts
- Hour glass waist dresses
- Shorter A-line tent trapeze style minis
- Tulip skirt and bubble skirt silhouettes and belts
- Exotic print wrap dresses with high waistlines
- Belted dresses and belted trench coats
- Maxi skirts and maxi dresses
- Square necks and cap sleeves
- Volume sleeves with deeper cuffs
- Preppy looks
- Cowgirl looks
- Military on the wane --> bandstand
- Be careful with
- Frills and flounces - moderation may be best
- Oversized puffed sleeves
- Overdoing the cowgirl look - moderation, moderation!!!
- Hair extensions - great when freshly done, but nasty when past their sell by date.
You are reading an original fashion article written by Pauline Weston Thomas© at www.fashion-era.com ©