New Year’s resolutions be damned. What I’m interested in right now is getting all ready for Spring 2012.

So is your wardrobe ready for the upcoming spring? Do you know which clothes to toss out and which ones to keep? If you’re still figure out how to do some spring cleaning in your closet even before spring itself arrives, here are some suggestions on some items you might want to keep:

• Keep all light clothing that are predominantly or have more than a hint of the top colors for Spring 2012. WeConnectFashion says that these colors are poppy, geranium, orangeade, canary, grass, tiffany blue, hyacinth, ink, honey, and sandstone. So unless your wardrobe is incredibly monochromatic, you’ll probably be able to keep a lot of key pieces that you can mix and match with newer items.

• Aside from items that are of the above color, you should also Fashionising advices that you keep your wide leg pants, tuxedo jackets, high slit dress, leather harness,and clothes with the 60′s Peter Pan collar. Just make sure that when you do take them out for spring, you pair them up with more spring-friendly items. This means trading your leather boots for sandals, lighter garments (i.e. cotton), and lighter colors (including the top colors for spring 2012).
• Last but not least, don’t toss out everything else just because they won’t do for spring. Remember, what won’t do for spring might be great for next year’s fall/winter fashion. Just store them and take them out for the next season. If you do find that most of the things you put in storage just doesn’t cut it next year, then you can always give them away then.

Photo Credit: Spring Colors 2012 via WeConnectFashion

Whoever said that fashion is limited to your clothes and accessories? A true fashionista appreciates style in everything, even in cable TV boxes!

Earlier this month, Sky+ decided to celebrate their 10^th year anniversary by offering a really unique, and very stylish, collection of limited-edition Sky+ HD 1TB boxes. The collection consists of 10 boxes, all beautifully designed by big-name artists and fashion designers including British luxury lingerie retailer, Agent Provocateur, and fashion illustrator and artist, Julie Verhoeven.

The designer boxes are available for sale to all Sky customers for £249 (new and existing), with a whopping £200 discount, with each box priced at only £49, given to existing Sky customers that will upgrade to the HD pack. Existing HD pack customers also enjoy a discount, though not as big as that of customers who will be upgrading their packages. Price of the designer boxes for the HD pack customers is £149 each. Oh, and a free matching remote control comes with each box.

Check out some of the designer boxes. I picked these out not because they are my personal favourites, but because they pretty much cover the whole spectrum of pretty varied box collection.

Box by Celia Britwell

Box by JayJay Burridge

Box by Roksanda Illincic

Box by Solange Azagury-Partridge

Photos courtesy of Sky

If you are a fashionista on a budget, then you don’t have to sacrifice style just because your purse strings are a little too tight for the big names. Fortunately for you, you can find all the right accessories for the right prices, if only you know where to look. I put together this list of great sources for brand name accessories because, from one fashionista to another, I know what it feels like to go through accessory withdrawals, and I just can’t stand to see anyone in that kind of pain. Here are my tips for how to find brand name accessories for less:

Discount stores. Every chain discount retailer (think TJ Maxx and Ross, for example) has an accessories counter just loaded with every type of accessory you can imagine, and from all the big names. The great thing about shopping at these stores is that you can also shop the other departments to put your completely discounted head-to-toe look together, all in one place.

Members-only shopping sites. Register at sites like hautelook.com, ruelala.com, bluefly.com, ideeli.com, and gilt.com (just to name several) to have brand name blowout sales delivered straight to your email inbox. Shopping on these sites, I have purchased big-label designer sunglasses, handbags, jewelry and more at discounts of up to eighty percent . . . without even having to leave my home.

Off season accessory sales. Off season sales are sales that take place either right before or right after an item is officially in season (current), and you can find really great deals by purchasing your accessories when they are out of season. Ask your favorite department stores when they will be having their off season sales for the brand name accessories you want, and don’t worry – no one has to know when you bought them.

Online auction sites. Of course, eBay is a standard go-to any time you want to find anything for a discounted price. But did you know that there are other auction websites where you can look for brand name bargains? Try shopgoodwill.com (yes – Goodwill has an auction site with everything from Dooney and Bourke purses to fur coats), bidz.com, and propertyroom.com.

Now that you know where to go to find brand name accessories for less, you don’t ever have to suffer again – and you won’t have to go looking a payday advance online to pay for them either. Just remember that shopping discount means you won’t have as much of a selection and it can be hit or miss, so you will have to make it a point to check these resources regularly for all the best, most discounted finds. Happy shopping

Fur Trends Return

Boots, hats, capes, you name it and it’s got fur. While furry boots were hot last winter, the trend goes a step further by covering everything imaginable in fur – from coats to sweatshirts and even the lining of your pants or skirts. Of course, you’ll want to opt for faux fur and honestly, you should keep it to a minimum or risk looking like the abominable snowman or worse – Bigfoot.

Stylized Ankle Boots

Knee high boots were all the rage last winter and can still be seen on some runways, but the real trend is ankle boots. To be more specific, models are strutting their stuff in open-toe ankle boots and yes, some are covered in fur. The most popular trend however seems to be two-tone ankle boots, which are a throwback to the 20s.

70′s Appeal

Winter 2011 embraced the 80s, but this year people want to “boogie uggie uggie till they just can’t boogie no more.” From bell bottoms in 70′s burnt orange to paisley prints, the 70s are back in full force. You’ll even see calf-length dresses paired with close fitting polos. Have you ever heard the phrase “everything old is new again”?

Roaring 20s

While alcohol may be found in abundance these days (unlike the 20′s), some winter fashion would lead you to believe that you’ve stepped back into the roaring 20s. Everything from flapper dresses to retro hats are back in fashion – especially for those who enjoy the club and nightlife scene in major cities across the world. Thankfully, though, you don’t have to reenact some of those crazy dances to rock this look.

Learning to Embrace Texture

One of the biggest things you will notice this winter is the abundance of texture. Shirts with multiple flaps of fabric, flowing skirts and even furry boots are all the rage. You’ll even see fabrics like cords and felt coming back into style. The more texture you can wear, the better. Models seem to be pairing different textures, but it doesn’t always come out right. Make sure you pay attention to your overall look before walking out the door in silk and courderoy.

Winter 2012 promises to be another year filled with fashion faves. Whether you’re taking a step back in time or covering yourself from head to toe in faux fur, it promises to be an exciting year.

One way you can fuse your love for fashion and exotic sealskin is by buying your clothes directly from Greenland. While there is a ban on the use of sealskin all over Europe, you can shop to your heart’s content for clothes that use sealskin in Greenland without any guilt since the ban does not include Greenlandic sealskin.

Using Greenlandic sealskin is ethically acceptable because none of the seals that provide the skin were killed for the purpose of harvesting the skins itself. The seals are captured and shot in the wild for food, with the harvest of their skin considered only as a secondary reason, after all why waste perfectly good skin?

Two of the rather popular designers in Greenland are the mother and daughter team of Rita and Nickie Isaksen of Isaksen Design. Proud of their heritage, they always manage to incorporate their culture into their designs, not just through their choice of colors, but also with the use of ethically harvested sealskins. Their use of the sealskins is also very smart, using them mostly as accents to make an otherwise plain piece pop. Their Autum/Winter 2011 collection focuses on comfort and functionality using muted grays, blacks, browns, with white and red accents.

Image Courtesy of Isaksen Design Autumn/Winter 2011 Collection

You might have already heard that Pantone, an internationally-recognized company in the field of printing, fabric, and paint color measurements, has declared honeysuckle as the color for 2011. From 2010′s relaxing turquoise, we now shift to a bright, reddish-pink hue. It’s somewhat difficult to imagine what honeysuckle looks like if you’re not very familiar with the botanical equivalent, so try to think of it as being more intense than your usual cotton-candy pink but a little less piercing than hot pink or fuchsia.

Since it is after all the color of 2011, incorporating it into your wardrobe is a must if you want to keep yourself updated. It isn’t really supposed to make you luckier this year (if you don’t want to get all metaphysical about it), but it may be bright and stimulating enough to give you more energy. Color experts claim that since honeysuckle belongs to the red family, it is a good color for getting one’s adrenaline going. It also makes the wearer seem more alive, or as the expression goes, appear to be “in the pink of health.”

If you’re fashionably fearless, going for a wardrobe overhaul in favor of this bright hue isn’t really a problem. In fact, you may already have several articles of clothing in this shade. If, however, you don’t have a lot of pink in your closet, or if you’re not sure about how to add it to your collection, don’t worry. After all, many designers and brands have already come up with their designs and product offerings in this bright and cheerful color. You’re bound to find something that suits you perfectly.

Sweet like honey

Honeysuckle, according to Pantone, is a “brave new color for a brave new world.” Well, isn’t that just a great attitude to adopt for the new year? If you want to imbibe the vibe, this is the best time to do it! Spring is fast approaching, and this season is poised to usher in loads of new designs, whether it be for dresses, tops, skirts, shoes, and every manner of accessory.

Why not start off by getting yourself a flirty little honeysuckle dress? If you’ve been feeling a bit down all winter, you can break away from that dreary frame of mind by shocking your wardrobe to life. And have you noticed how well honeysuckle compliments green?

Speaking of green, if you’re the active type who enjoys the great outdoors, then add some spring to your step by donning a pair of brightly-colored trainers. On rainy days, you can still go out and brave the puddles in a pair of honeysuckle rain boots. It’s a great way to have some fun with your outfit. Besides, all the confidence you exude in your playful get-up might just attract other people to you like little hummingbirds.

Keeping the balance

Okay, so while you may be open to wearing honeysuckle, you may be afraid of having too much pink on. Well, wearing the color doesn’t mean that you have to start looking like Penelope Pitstop. There are still a million other colors out there! The best for the coming season (and I daresay for the entire year) are warm colors. Pantone’s spring and summer forecast makes mention of metallics such as bronze and gold. In addition, the recommended palette for spring includes nice greens, ethereal silver and light pink shades, as well as an earthier russet. Have fun with these colors!

In the professional setting, you might have to go for a more understated look. You can choose to go for a more muted color scheme and, following the example of Olivia Palermo, add a bit of life with a nice pair of honeysuckle heels. If you like wearing gray and black, either for work or for casual events, you can simply tie a bright pink scarf around your neck. Scarves are wonderful for subtly adding life to outfits because they are so versatile. If you’re wearing pants, the scarf can even double as a belt. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different looks until you find one that you are comfortable with.

Little bursts of color

Incorporating honeysuckle into your look doesn’t just mean buying a piece of clothing. You can add a bit of eye candy here and there in many different ways. For instance, why not spice up an otherwise plain outfit by getting a chunky piece of jewelry in this year’s color? One of the great things about this is that finding earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and other such accessories does not have to be expensive. Cherry quartz beads, for example, are quite reasonably-priced and come in shades which are as close to honeysuckle as you can get.

The next time you decide to get a manicure or pedicure, while you might not be able to find a polish called “honeysuckle” very easily, you will certainly be able to find a shade of reddish-pink which comes pretty close. For a clean and classy look, have your nails trimmed and filed before painting them. Really long nails in such a bright color may be too much, depending on your outfit and make up.

Lastly, pucker up and smooth on a juicy layer of color on your lips. For everyday use, you can simply put on a sheer pink gloss. It may not always be wise to pick an intense pink shade for your eyes, unless you are going to be in a fashion show or  stage performance. Stick to a lighter, more neutral color for the eyes and go for a more natural, peachy shade of pink for your cheeks, such as Orgasm by Nars.

Real men wear pink

Just because women have more things to think about and more options than the men doesn’t mean that men can’t be a part of the trend for 2011. Men can incorporate honeysuckle into their wardrobe and still look very manly. It’s quite easy to find casual shirts in different shades of pink, so go out there and find one in a design that you like. Office wear should not be a problem either. You can get a plain pink tie as an accent, or if that’s a bit too much pink, choose a striped design which offsets the bright pink with more “masculine” colors such as navy, gray, or brown.

2011 is certainly bound to be an exciting and interesting year. You can definitely make it more fun for yourself by being bolder and braver — even in (and especially in!) fashion. So go out there and check out the new finds, or rummage into your closet and rediscover the bright pieces you have either forgotten or were too afraid to wear. At the end of the day (and of the year, for that matter), it doesn’t really matter how much honeysuckle you wore but really how much you’ve been able to reinvent yourself and create your personal style.

]]> http://www.fashionhookup.com/2011/07/wearing-honeysuckle-how-to-pull-off-the-color-of-2011/feed/ 0 http://www.fashionhookup.com/2011/05/holiday-shopping-party-dress-tips/ http://www.fashionhookup.com/2011/05/holiday-shopping-party-dress-tips/#comments Mon, 09 May 2011 09:09:15 +0000 Fashion Bug http://www.fashionhookup.com/?p=267
It’s time to dress up, ladies (and gentlemen)! If you’re one who normally prefers to dress “down” rather than “up”, you now have the perfect opportunity to show some sparkle by dressing up for all those parties and get-togethers in the coming weeks. And the simplest way? Through a good party dress.

Good things about The Dress:

1. You just throw it on – no need to worry about matching/coordinating as with separates.

2. There’s just something about wearing a dress that makes a woman feel instantly feminine and good all around (provided it fits well).

3. Dresses are easy to find and surprisingly cheap these days.

4. For even more penny pinching, use an old “Little Black Dress” and  simply glam it up by adding on some statement jewelry like some chunky jewelled cuffs or an interisting necklace. If you still don’t have that LBD wardrobe staple (shame on you!), do yourself a favour and buy one today. Try Top Shop for some cool LBD’s that will last years. H & M also has finds that will keep your Christmas budget lean and healthy.

5. Lastly, don’t forget good undies.  A good dress will look even more fabulous on you when you make the effort to wear the “streamlining” kind like shapewear. Its not cheap, but unless you are a pilates fanatic with  buns of steel, it is so worth the expense.

In Laos I discovered the most beautiful scarves. Gorgeous designs, intricate weaves, they were so many to choose from (at great prices), and best of all they were soft and wearable.  I went crazy in the Luang Prabang night market (a veritable treasure trove of scarves and embroidered linens) and came home with 10 scarves for me plus some for presents (which the recipients loved). What an amazing place that was.

But back to scarves. Since then, I’ve rarely been without my beloved scarves (great for all weather I’ve discovered since the sweltering heat of Laos).  I find that it completes my look and adds that little extra bit of style. Even my fashion-forward 6-year-old loves scarves, and I must say they look fab on her.

In Hollywood, scarves are almost a necessity (for the stylish at least), as seen on Nicole, Lindsay, Jessica et al. In fact, they’ve all been wearing them since last spring, by both men and women. There’s even been a book written about celebrities and their knitted scarves aptly called “Celebrity Scarves“, written by Abra Edelman. Aside from great photos of the celebs in their own creations (people like Daryl Hannah, Rosario Dawson, Eartha Kitt, Portia de Rossi and Parker Posey), it gives instructions on how to recreate the scarves yourself if you happen to be a knitter.

Image via ArtofCute

Not convinced? Ask fashion designers from the United States and Europe, and they will tell you that they keep tabs on what is happening in Japanese fashion. This stems from the fact that some worldwide trends actually began in Japan. A classic example would be the popularity of camouflage patterns in clothing. I am willing to bet that you have at least one article of clothing in a camouflage pattern! And I bet that you didn’t know that this trend originally started in Japan!

Perhaps the same “wiring” that makes Japanese engineers and inventors the best in their game makes Japanese designers and trendsetters successful in creating unique and fashionable clothing. Indeed, it has reached a point wherein big brands recognized worldwide have placed a premium in clothing made in Japan. In the denim industry, in particular, Japan-made materials are considered to be the best in the world.

The Japanese look is not limited to clothing, however. In fact, it is more of looking at the whole get up – from clothing to hair accessories to bags to shoes to umbrellas to bags. I wouldn’t be surprised if we hear more of Japan in the global fashion sector.

To truly experience Japanese fashion, try visiting the homeland. For example, Japanican recently had a Japan tour, which included a free ticket to the trendy Tokyo Girls Collection fashion festival. The next Tokyo Girls Collection event will probably happen in March 2010 so keep an eye out for the announcement of that tour.

Photo courtesy of mynippon.com

Fall and Winter saw us painting on some pretty luxurious shades of caramel and darker jewels. These were excellent for driving away the cold and getting us to feel all warm and festive for the holidays. For Spring, however, these may be just a tad too overwhelming. For a brighter and lighter feel, you might want to think of transitioning from the darker, richer shades to those which resemble candied almonds and Easter eggs. It’s time for a change!

In Full Bloom

Spring is all about color bursting forth from the earth. Get into a brighter and more cheerful mood by painting on some sweet pastels and bright pinks. If you can pull it off, you might even want to combine colors or use different shades for a bit of nail art!

Remember how we told you all about the Color of the Year for 2011? Well, this season, you can certainly be in fashion by picking out a honeysuckle polish. OPI’s Flower to Flower comes very close to this year’s most happening hue.

For something a bit more subdued, Orly’s Chantilly Peach makes a great substitute. It gives just the right sort of gloss with a bit of sweetness. It’s a really good option for those who want to wear a bright color without being too loud.

On the other hand, Essie’s French Affair, which is a mix between lavender and pink, adds just a bit of mystery without losing the playful vibe of the season.

For a refreshing, citrusy boost of color, there’s Lemon Fizz by China Glaze. What’s great about this color is that it suits a lot of skin tones, because it’s bright enough to look alive, but the shade isn’t too dark so as to make it look gaudy. If you want to channel the energy of the first bit of Spring sunshine, this is a great color for you.

Chilling Out

If pink is not your thing, but you still want to go for something light and playful enough for the season, why not go for blues and greens in their more pastel hues? For instance, OPI’s Breathe Life is a silvery-blue polish. It’s a great color to wear if you’re going for a light, airy vibe.

Another cool shade to wear is mint green. Re-fresh Mint by China Glaze is definitely the way to go for those who like this color. It’s the best shade for those who’d like to welcome the green of Spring without succumbing to a grass-stained look.

Sophisticated Classics

Of course, there are just some colors that never go out of fashion, regardless of the season. Even as you go out and get those pretty pastels, make sure you still have a couple of bottles of the indispensables. Nudes and reds just look beautiful and classy, period. If you want a relatively neutral color that still suits your Spring mood, check out Essie’s Sand Tropez.

To distinguish from the deeper, more jewel-toned reds that were all the hit during Fall, try to go for a brighter shade of red with the tiniest hint of orange. Orly’s Haute Red might do just the trick.

Changing your nail color is one of the easiest, most effective ways to change your look and mood. In the coming season, make sure you don’t miss out on the opportunity to liven up your appearance by experimenting with some new colors. More importantly, don’t forget to have fun and flash those new nails with confidence!

Photos via orlybeauty.com, nailtechsupply.com, naildepot.ca, harpersbazaar.com, and essie.com