Finding The Perfect Jeans: The Inverted Triangle

I’m not exactly what you would a call a jeans person, unlike some of my friends who practically live in theirs and own literally hundreds of pairs.  At this stage in my life, I have about 4 pairs in my closet (the ones pre- my last pregnancy are folded up in storage in the hopes the one day….), two blue (one dark with lighter stiching, one my all-round comfy Levis), one white (not used very often), one black (I got this soon after having the baby, so its fit now is very odd) and one “skinny”.  With all that skinny-jean craziness last year, the consumer victim that I am, I purchased a pair that I have to say I never liked much.  Why? It was so darn uncomfortable!

So when I found the “Jeans That Fit” videos in Video Jug (love that site!), I was pleased to find that the reason skinny jeans and I never meshed was because I was an “inverted triangle” and the big rule of that is :“No Skinny Jeans!”. Aha!

In the video, Natasha from the The Blue Jeans Bar in L.A. shares her jeans expertise, giving three simple tips for each body type. For me, the inverted triangle, which pretty much means I am top heavy, with broad shoulders and slim below, here’s what she said:

1. CUT: go for wide leg, boot cut, low rise, contoured waist

2. COLOUR: go for whiskering/ distressed fromt area to widen hips, lighter wash and fading in the knee area.

3. STYLE: go for stiching in the front pockets, cuffs to draw the eye down and balance the look.

and of course, the rule of : No Skinny Jeans!

Other body types featured on the videos are the apple, pear, boyish and hourglass shapes.  Watch and learn!

Emma Watson: Fashion Entrepreneur

Emma Watson is no stranger to fashion. Indeed, one look at her and you’d know that she has her own fashion sense, which actually appeals to a lot of people. This young actress is not sitting idle, though. Instead of being a mere consumer, she has crossed to the other side and has launched a clothing line. Yeah, she also models for Burberry and Chanel by the way.

That isn’t her biggest achievement in the fashion world, though. Going back to the clothing line I just mentioned, Emma has partnered up with People Tree, a clothing brand that prides itself in being ethical. People Tree has a very good reputation in terms of excellent fashion sense and dealing only with fair trade products.

Emma has lent her artistic talents to People Tree, coming up with her own artwork. The people from the company praise her dedication to the clothing line and say that she is really serious about the project. It looks like the young star is paying more than lip service to the line. More than being involved in the design process, she has also enlisted the help of friends and family members to pose as models for the clothes.

From her end, Emma says that she has no aspirations to become a fashion designer. Her only motive in getting involved, she says, is her passion for the cause. She says that she really cares for trendy fashion as well as fair trade. Big words from a young girl, but hey, it looks like she means it!

David Beckham: Fashion Consultant

I, for one, am NOT surprised at all. Anyone who takes just one look at David Beckham will know that this guy has more fashion sense than a lot of average people (men or women) put together. Heck, I probably do not even have ¼ of his fashion sense!

According to wifey Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice to fans), her husband is a great fan of dresses and that she consults him all the time. But wait – I am not even talking about what Victoria is supposed to wear for dinner. She consults Beckham about her dress designs for her own fashion range, which has met huge success. Celebrities like Danii Minogue, Elle Macpherson, and even Heidi Klum are said to be big fans of Victoria’s designs!

So is being a fan of sexy dresses enough to make David Beckham his wife’s (informal) fashion consultant? Maybe. After all, women want to wear these dresses to look good and make heads – men’s heads – turn; and if someone like David Beckham appreciates those designs, then I am sure other men will as well!

On another note, have you seen Victoria’s Fall Collection? There are 23 pieces – the dresses are there of course. The clothes have been described as stylish and sexy but demure at the same time. Colors range from cobalt blue to magenta. For more of her designs, visit her web site here. I might not be able to afford them, but looking and wishing will not hurt one bit!

The Japanese Fashion Influence

The Japanese culture is so rich and dynamic, that it is not a surprise that its influence has extended throughout the rest of the world. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Japan is the leader in cutting edge technology, but have you ever dwelt on the thought that Japanese fashion is also starting to become felt in the area of global fashion?

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

Nigella Starts Fashion Trend

Do you watch a lot of TV? I really don’t watch much, but when I do, I often come across cooking shows with some of the most popular celebrity chefs out there. That’s how I came to know about Nigella Lawson.

More than being a genius in the kitchen – as critics and fans say – Nigella has also gained fame and renown for being one of the most attractive celebrity chefs. Me thinks that if she were to go for another career, Ms. Lawson might very well go into fashion.

I don’t know if you have heard about it – or seen it – but Nigella has been sporting a very fashionable look lately. Dubbed the “hourglass look,” the chef’s chosen style is H-O-T. It is not really new. The hourglass look has been sported by many before her, but somehow, she has made this look her own.

Nigella has Vivienne Westwood to thank for this new look, in part at least. She started her transformation from the kitchen’s Wonder Woman to a flaming bombshell with some really well chosen pieces from Westwood’s Anglomania collection. She did not stop there, though. Soon, she picked up a piece from Katya Wildman, and this is what did the trick, I think.

This dress has, in fact, become a best seller for The Dispensary, a Notting Hill boutique. I am pretty sure that you want this dress for yourself as well. If you want to take a look, visit the web site of The Dispensary. Just be ready to shell out ₤160 to ₤180.

Get Retro Through Your Sunglasses

I love sunglasses for three very good, easy reasons:

1. They can snazz up an outfit or look in an instant -Without glasses- ordinary Olive/ with the new Oliver Peoples – Jackie O!

2. They are the cheapest form of wearing a designer label - $250 for the latest Prada shades, $800 for the latest Prada bag

3. They serve a practical purpose – Protecting your peepers from the sun while holidaying in Martinique or from the undesirables while on a sidewalk cafe in Paris.

On Vogue’s website, I found a great article on the latest sunglasses trends, and the retro styles were decidedly my favorite for the season.  Here are my picks!

1. Ray-Ban Clubmasters – I love the candy summery colors of this Retro style, like the red ones pictured above. They’re much cooler than the Risky-business-Wayfarers I think, and can instantly make you feel and look like a Hollywood ingenue. From $120 at Ray-Ban.

2. Lacoste Limited Edition Capsule Eyewear – Stretchy Lacoste shirts are a useful weekend staple for any girl’s closet, and their limited edition sunglasses made for their 75th Birthday are a great accompaniment. I especially like the clean, understated look of these pristine white ones. The men’s versions are even more retro, with a CHiPs feel.  Sooo worth pulling over for!

3. Lulu Guinness Ingrid Sunglasses – I love, love Lulu’s ladylike styles which make me want to don a shift dress and have tea and mini sandwiches with my French poodle. These Ingrid sunglasses have the most adorable polka dots which are perfect for the summer. Around $150

Project Earth Day: Fashion For The Earth in NYC

With Earth Day coming up on April 22nd, Fashionistas will be happy to know that there will be an event not just about planting trees, recycling or turning off your lights. On Thursday, April 23rd in New York City, the 3rd Annual Fashion show called “Project Earth Day” will take place, showcasing the latest in eco-friendly fashion and sustainable practices and design.

Instead of the usual dreary stuff we normally associate with “green” clothing, expect to be wowed with creations fashioned from sustainable materials like organic cotton and hemp, soy, bamboo, corn, wood pulp, recycled items and biodegradable textiles. Apparently, last year’s show was a huge success, and this year’s show is meant to be even better.

Organizers of the event are the Emerging Green Builders (who are part of the U.S. Green building council), young professionals and students dedicated to green building of the future. The fashion show will also include a competion featuring students work, who stands to win a mentorship and cash prize of $1,500.

“…In these modern times, individuals, companies, and even countries often consume more than they produce, using resources and creating waste in disproportionately large shares. This has seemed to work until now, but things are clearly not as they seem. The time has come for us to shift the weight and take a step back to consider a different reality – one where size is relative and small changes can have a huge impact. True sustainability is ultimately a carefully achieved balance between commerce, humanity, and the environment…”

This exciting event will take place from 6pm on Thursday, April 23rd at Open House, Mulberry Street NYC. To purchase tickets, click here.

Green Undies From Marks and Spencer

I love the idea of green undies. I suppose it’s because they are the one article of clothing closest to our skin, and when one reads all this awful stuff about how these ordinary products are actually treated with scary chemicals and made under dodgy conditions, it makes sense to be extra careful.

So when I found out that Marks and Spencer, one of my favourite brands of undies since I was a child, had built what is probably the world’s most eco-friendly factory in Thurulie (not far from the capital, Colombo), Sri Lanka, I was excited and pleased.  It’s amazingly a 100 per cent carbon neutral, 100 per cent green, 100 per cent ethical factory – in a lush, green, tropical setting that looks more like the latest eco-friendly boutique hotel rather than a factory. Apparently, after seeing Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth”, M & S chairman Sir Stuart Rose made a plan to actually do something about climate change through his business, creating a “5-point 100 step initiative” which involves things as simple as reducing plastic bags and hangers to building amazing factories like this.

The undies are very reasonably priced too. Like the “Per Una” Organic briefs above (panties) which range from £2.00 – £6.00 or under $12. Bras are no more than about £15 or $30.