Showing posts with label scarf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scarf. Show all posts

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Grey's Desirability

As far as wardrobe staples go, I've covered both black and white. Now it's time to shine the fashion spotlight on the gorgeous shades of grey in between.

This moody neutral colour is far from dull this season as it's showing up in many shades on tons of trendy clothing styles.

Even though my love for grey may not be as extreme as this, I'm still craving a few grey items right now - specifically boots and bags - to add to my wardrobe.

Grey is powerful enough to stand on its own but I think it looks even better when it's paired with brighter colours like pink, purple or yellow.

Below are some chic grey clothing and accessories for your consideration.



Back Linen Dress
Price: US$34.00



Gray Drawstring Chain Tote
Price: US$36.99
(use code FFATTRACTION at checkout for 10% discount)



HAMAK Side Zip Jacket
Price: US$42.99




Grey Lurex Tier Cami
Price: UK £20.00 (US$34.66)



Cropped Capelet
Price: US$38.00



Pointelle Scarf
Price: US$10.80



ASOS Grey Stud Detail Skinny Jeans
Price: UK
£28.00 (US$48.60)

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Fashion Inspiration - Pure Plaidness

Plaid is yet another trend to be resurrected this fall season and it's back in a big way. Generally associated with the rebellious grunge era in the '90s or traditional Scottish clothing, plaid is making a break from these fashion stereotypes to become a chic and trendy pattern anyone can wear.

This striking cross-hatched pattern is versatile as it can made even more dynamic by using bold hues and dramatic tonal contrasts or toned down with subtle, sophisticated colours. Depending on the look of the item, plaid may propose a diverse array of style options including youthful, classic, quirky, elegant, edgy or casual.

Models strutted down the Fall 2008 runways of Badgley Mischka, House of Holland, D&G and Sass & Bide clad in stylish, attention-grabbing plaid garments.


photos courtesy style.com and nymag.com


Jessica Szohr of Gossip Girl looked cool and casual in a plaid button-down at a Dazed and Confused magazine party last week while her co-star Taylor Momsen was dressed in a cute plaid dress on the set of their show. Diane Kruger wore a plaid tie-neck blouse to Tommy Hilfiger's Spring 2009 show and Rihanna wore a plaid ruffle front top with a white vest while out shopping with UK singer Duffy.


photos courtesy uk.popsugar.com, justjared.com and forum.santabanta.com


Some of the greatest fashion inspirations come from real people who are photographed by various street style blogs around the world. The great thing about this pattern is that it's gender-neutral so both girls and guys can work their favourite plaid pieces with style and confidence.



photos courtesy facehunter.blogspot.com, styleclicker.net, saopaulostyle.blogspot.com,
damstyle.blogspot.com, thefashionist.se, thesartorialist.blogspot.com
and the-intersection.blogspot.com



As many of you may already know, Chictopia is also a fantastic source of real life fashion inspiration. These Chictopia girls utilize different plaid items to effectively express their fabulous, individual senses of style.


photos courtesy chictopia.com/user/blog/kirstylee, chictopia.com/user/blog/jmdarda, chictopia.com/user/blog/Snowshoe, chictopia.com/user/blog/rose01545, chictopia.com/user/blog/jfehrenbacher and chictopia.com/user/blog/taghrid.


Jump on the plaid-wagon this fall with these gorgeous and affordable items below.


Click on name of item to go to product page.





Romy Plaid Vest
Price: US$32.00



Plaid Shortie Sock
Price: US$4.99



Plaid Fleece Cape
Price: US$39.99






Plaid Buckle Flat
Price: US$22.50



Plaid shirred-yoke skirt

Price: US$32.99


Update - Fabulous fashion blogger, Couture Carrie also did a great post on the plaid trend, more specifically bias plaid! She rounds up some inspirational photos of bias plaid on the Fall 2008 and Spring 2009 runways, ad campaigns and various other sources. Check it out!

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Heraldry à la mode

Sometime last year, I bought an eagle crest military hat pin from Ebay (see photo below). I love interesting accessory pieces like this that have a story behind them; they always make for really great conversation starters.

Initially, I wanted it because I thought it would look cool on my hats and blazers but I realized there was more to it than just a cool design so I was inspired to research the history and meaning behind this art style known as heraldry.




Heraldry is "the practice of designing, displaying, describing, and recording coats of arms and badges." It is generally believed that heraldry began as a means of distinguishing the participants in a battle since the soldier's faces were hidden behind iron and steel armors.


photo courtesy teachnet.ie


European armorial bearings first came into being during the Middle Ages but tribal, national and family emblems were in existence long before this time.

The number of heraldic symbols, or charges, has significantly developed over time and this makes it impossible for me to list all of them here. The definition of a charge is "any figure or device represented on the field of an escutcheon (sheild)"


Charges can be separated into two broad categories, animate and inanimate. Animate charges are beasts, birds, fish, insects, reptiles, humans, monsters and mythical creatures. Two of the most well known animal charges are the eagle and the lion.


photos courtesy heraldicclipart.com and dclips.fundraw.com


Inanimate charges include crosses, various military objects, nautical objects, crowns, trees, plants and flowers. Two well known inanimate charges are the battle axe and the fleur-de-lis.


photos courtesy library.nd.edu and smartershoppingonline.com


All charges have special individual meanings behind them that referred to things such as the personal qualities of a soldier or a description of various situations encountered during battle.

The colours commonly used in heraldry are gold, silver/white, red, blue, green, black, purple. Orange and maroon are also used occasionally. Each of these colours also has a special meaning such as peace, hope, military strength and sovereignty.


photo courtesy sairafblog.com


Today, heraldic art is widely used for decoration in fashion but it is also still used for traditional purposes on national, provincial and state coat of arms as well as logos for various government, academic, corporate and sporting institutions.

Below are some great, affordable items that feature decorative heraldic-style elements.


(Note: click on the name of item to go to the product page)

Military Pin
Price: US$4.80








Crest Drop Earrings

Price: US$9.99

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Fashion Inspiration - Brilliant Accents

I love bright colour and and am always inspired by it, but you don't have to be covered from head to toe in it to make a statement. One of my current trend obsessions is the combination of splashes of lively, bright colours with neutral colours.

For example, check out these neon accented looks from the S/S08 runways of Costume National, Marc Jacobs, Anna Sui and Jil Sander.


photos courtesy style.com


On the streets, intense colour highlights on clothing and accessories help these girls stand out from the crowd. The mostly muted colours of their outfits help to balance out the blindingly bright colours for a great mix of playfulness and sophistication.


photos courtesy damstyle.blogspot.com, hh-streetstyle.blogspot.com, hoyfashion.co.uk and streetpeeper.com


Each of these fabulous ladies below incorprates this look to suit their personal style. Laia rocks out her neon green miniskirt (
Geometric Sleep), Silje looks lovely in her turquoise blue jacket (Silje's Fashion), The Seeker brightens up with vivid red shoes (Searching the Inner Me) and Nourahshammari's yellow clutch adds a pop of colour to her simple and chic casual outfit (Nourahshammari's Chic Blog).




Some of you might remember, I even tried this look myself a little while ago with a dark patterned wrap blouse over a bright yellow dress and black accessories.




If small doses of bright colour is what you're looking for, check out these items below.




Dodogogo Mondrian Motif Knit Dress with Necklace
Price: US$62.00
http://www.yesstyle.com/Product.aspx?pid=1011060356






Canvas T-Strap Stacked Heel
Price: US$18.99
http://www.gojane.com/25689.html


Asos Star Print Tassle Scarf
Price: UK £4.00 (US$8.65)


Leather and Turquoise Stones Bracelet with Toggle Clasp
Price: US$3.99
http://www.amazon.com/Leather-Turquoise-Stones-Bracelet-Toggle/dp/B000VHVC9K