Fashion – Page 2

The Dream Outfit You Can Wear to Bed: Tips for Rocking the Pajama Trend

March 4, 2013 By Harpermac

Rise and shine, lazy daisies, your dreams have finally come true: pajamas are not only acceptable to wear outside of the house, they’re actually one of the hottest trends of the season. Although this trend definitely gives you the freedom to be a little lazier, you still want to make sure you look good. So, trade out those skin-tight skinny jeans for comfy PJ pants and exchange those devilish high heels for some ultra-soft slippers to get your wardrobe ready for the warm and carefree spring.

1. Find the Right PJs

The “right” PJs will depend mostly on the look you’re going for. Although your five-year-old plaid pajama pants might be the comfiest pair you own, remember that you will be going out in public wearing whatever outfit you choose. For the perfect balance of comfy and cute, choose sophisticated, tailored pajamas for a look that flatters your frame with no Spanx necessary. Silk is always a great material option to give your outfit a more opulent, structured feeling that remains smooth to the touch. To stray a bit from the sleepwear look, while still embodying this trend, look for harem-style cuts for a vogue fashion statement.

2. Dress it Up

Since most of us don’t typically wear jewelry to bed, accessories can make your outfit look much more styled as opposed to sloppy. If you’re not yet comfortable fully exposing your sleepwear style, you can ease your way into your comfort zone by throwing on a jean jacket, blazer, trench coat or vest to add more stiffness to a softer look. Heels are another excellent way to add height and shave off a few pounds, since pajamas aren’t typically the most slimming style trend. If you want to further emphasize your figure, add a waist belt to trim your middle and show off your femininity with colorful dangly earrings and sparkly statement necklaces.

3. Wear Separates

Most celebrities and fashion icons have gone all out with two-piece pajamas, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to. If you’re more comfortable rocking just pajama pants or just a pajama top, stick with this route first and only change your style when you feel comfortable. Your favorite sweatpants can look runway-ready by simply adding edgy studded shoes and a leather jacket to the mix, while rocking an elegant updo and a bold red lip. You can also make sleepwear sexier by tying the ends of a silk button-up pajama shirt and pairing it with curve-enhancing high-waisted pants for a stylish look.

With the OK from fashion leaders like Kourtney Kardashian and Sofia Coppola, it’s safe to say that wearing pajamas outside of the house is no longer a fashion faux pas. Despite how easy this trend might seem, it’s not actually a “roll out of bed” look. However, it’s probably a lot more comfortable and casual than what you’re used to. Make sure to compensate for this comfort by styling your outfit according to your unique fashion sense.

Interpreting Pantone’s Influence on Spring 2013 Fashion

February 26, 2013 By Harpermac

Do you ever wonder how fashion trends develop? When following the latest runway shows, similar styles and themes appeared to crop up among the major design houses. Although there are many forces that guide the fashion industry, when it comes to choosing an on-trend color palette, Pantone is the reigning queen. Twice each year, color specialists and fashion experts hold an exclusive meeting to decide upon a color palette for the coming season. The resulting Pantone color reports are essential viewing for any lover of fashion.

What Are Pantone’s Spring 2013 Colors?
For the spring 2013 season, Pantone’s color palette references fresh, beautiful floral colors. The colors aren’t as saturated as in years past, but have more boldness than basic pastels. They feature the beautiful Nectarine, muted Dusk Blue, lush Monaco Blue, dusky African Violet, vibrant green Tender Shoots, bright Lemon Zest, punchy Poppy Red, a refreshing Grayed Jade and calming Linen. Also included is the hue named 2013 Color of the Year: Emerald. Incorporating any of these colors into your wardrobe is sure to keep you on-trend for the spring season.

How to Wear the Pantone Colors
In general, it’s best to stick to just one or two key colors in any look. Unless you’re wearing a colorful floral frock or another print, having too many colors in one outfit overwhelms you. Several of the Pantone colors naturally pair well together: Lemon Zest with African Violet, Monaco Blue with Tender Shoots or Nectarine with Dusk Blue.

To incorporate these hues into your favorite looks, find a great pair of fitted ankle-length pants in a punchy shade. Poppy Red pants look timeless and classic when paired with a white button-down shirt. Or find Monaco Blue pants for a fresh take on regular navy blue. If you’re wearing bold colored pants, pair them with neutral ballet flats and a simple top. Add your favorite necklace and stud earrings to complete the look.

Fresh New Looks with Fashion-Forward Colors
One of the freshest ways to wear this season’s hottest colors is with fun prints. Floral prints are big this year, cropping up in blouses, dresses and shoes. Find a frock with African Violet, Tender Shoots or Dusk Blue to look ultra-chic. Add some tougher accessories like a fitted leather jacket or sexy booties to keep the floral look from becoming too girly.

Another hot trend this year is stripes. Look for a Red Poppy striped rugby-style shirt to pair with tailored linen shorts. This unexpected pairing looks fresh, modern and chic without losing your casual cool-girl vibe. Alternatively, find a striped boatneck dress with three-quarter length sleeves in Emerald or Tangerine to create an ensemble that flatters nearly every figure. Pair it with a fitted blazer and cute heels, and add chandelier earrings to complete the look.

When experimenting with Pantone’s spring 2013 colors, less is more. Updating your wardrobe can be as simple as winding a Monaco Blue scarf around your neck or finding a great pair of Poppy Red flats. Adding one or two key pieces into your regular wardrobe rotation helps you stay on-trend without breaking the bank. Or invest in a gorgeous Emerald structured leather handbag for a piece you can take everywhere. Adding one or two pops of color to each look will keep you looking fresh and modern.

Keeping Your Festive Spirit Alive After the Holidays: 3 Wardrobe-Enhancing Tips for Staying Stylish in the New Year

January 29, 2013 By Harpermac

The bulk of the holiday season is officially in the past, and that means no more dorky Christmas sweaters or sparkly sequin New Year’s Eve dresses. How’s a girl supposed to have a little fun with fashion once these festive items are no longer appropriate? Although you may feel like your outfit selection is dreary without these quirky pieces to choose from, there are plenty of ways to keep the fun spirit of the holidays alive in your wardrobe without looking like you don’t own a calendar.

1. Overload Your Accessories

Accessories can transform any basic, dull outfit into a fabulous, eye-catching look. If you’re used to a subtle pair of studs or just a simple necklace for your everyday outfits, add a little more color and pizzazz with accessories to keep your holiday spirit alive. Attachable embellished collars are a popular fashion item this season, which can make your outfit preppy and pretty in no time. Wear them with your favorite bold colored sweaters for a pop of sparkle and texture. You can also give your wardrobe more festive flavor without spending a fortune by going to Claire’s for fun feathery hair accessories, animal print scarves and glittery belts for a fun accent.

2. Brighter is Better

Maybe your wardrobe is feeling a little “blah” because you’re only choosing between blacks, grays and beiges. Although every wardrobe needs these colors represented, they tend to drag your mood down when it’s all you ever wear. When you’re looking for a fashion pick-me-up, go for bright colors like hot pink, sunny yellow and classy royal blue. Bold and vibrant colors give your outfit that brand new look, which keeps you confident in your style all year round.

3. Experiment with Textures

Color isn’t everything when it comes to choosing the right outfit; texture is also an important element for finishing off a stylish outfit. Lace is definitely in this season, and is a perfect choice for giving your look a subtly sexy touch, while still staying appropriately covered. Velvet is also a fitting post-holiday fabric to stay cozy and add a unique, opulent shine. Lucky Brand has a great selection of velvet jeans right now, while Victoria’s Secret carries beautiful long-sleeved lace tops that are perfect for a bottom layer in the chilly winter weather.

Without the holidays to distract from the dreary winter weather, it’s easy to get down in the dumps and bring your wardrobe down with you. However, you don’t have to abandon all hope and high spirits just because the Christmas lights are down and you’re back to the daily grind. These fashion tips will help you replenish your wardrobe with more of the festive spirit you brought to the holiday season, which will keep you going until warm spring finally arrives.

Hot Colors for Dreary Winter Days

January 22, 2013 By Harpermac

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Winter’s palette tends toward dreary: Outside, the sky is grey, the trees are bare and nothing grows. When the world around you is cold, dark and damp, a little pop of color can enhance your mood, giving you that little lift that helps get you through the day.

Warm Colors That Work for Winter

Chartreuse adds a hint of unexpected color that’s more chic than sunshine or butter yellows. This acid yellow green color works best in small doses, so rather than go full-on chartreuse, try it in an accessory or layer a chartreuse tank under your basic black blazer for a cheery pop of color.

On the yellow spectrum, lemon is also in. This shade’s a little less wild, so you can really show some color. Try fun winter wellies in lemon yellow, wear a lemon-colored dress to a nighttime event or include yellow in a separates look.

Neon pink turns up the dial on a classic feminine color, giving it the necessary oomph to add flair to your winter wardrobe. Look for flaming flamingo, magenta, fuchsia or hot pink. For a sophisticated work outfit, pair a neon pink or even fuchsia shirt with a black or charcoal pencil skirt for a pop of color that doesn’t lack in sophistication. Or try a neon pink statement necklace, winter scarf or beanie.

Orange is still in, so extend the life on some of those orange shirts, sweaters, earrings and scarves you may have picked up for fall trends. Orange can be tricky to pull off in a head-to-toe style and may look too Halloween-y if you match it with black, so try pairing this hue with camel and beige neutrals for a classy take on pumpkin colors.

Cooling it Down a Notch

Not every woman’s a warm color fan, especially when it comes to the brighter shades. If you prefer blues and purples, these are still great accent colors to wear in winter.

Emerald green is bright yet classy and was just named Pantone’s color of the year for 2013. Rich greens like this evoke the coming days of spring, helping you remember that you can get through winter! This shade works equally well for daytime events and nighttime ones; Angelina Jolie wore an emerald dress to the 2011 Golden Globes, for example.

Teal also works well as an accent color for winter. Teal and its cousin turquoise pair well with hot reds and pinks, yet work equally well with sophisticated blacks. Try a teal skirt with a cozy black sweater, or wear teal tights or legwarmers to give your legs some love on a dreary day.

If you’re not much for bold colors, start with a hue like teal to build some confidence. After you’ve put a few looks together, work in some of the bolder hues. You don’t have to go head-to-toe to give your wardrobe some much-needed color in the depths of winter. Even a splash of color will lift tired spirits.

What’s In for Jeans in 2013

January 7, 2013 By Teresa Te

The jeans never goes out of style. Yes, it has evolved through the years but it remains popular among people, young and old alike and there’s always that suits one’s mood. Most, if not all, surely has a pair in his closet.

Many of you know the traditional well known brands such as Levi’s, Pepe, Calvin Klein, Wrangler and Replay jeans. The newer brands are Diesel, Jack & Jones, Armani, Versace, Esprit, Guess, Tommy Hilfiger and Donna Karan.

The versatility of jeans is what makes it very popular among users. Whether it’s the classic blue denim or the black one you wear, it can be matched with any top from a plain white shirt, polo and blouses to sweaters, short coats and jackets.

The fall/winter season saw dark colored denims (brown, burgundy, plum and wine) in vogue although designers were also okay with earthy tones and the deep blue jeans. But for this year, here’s what we’ve gathered as to the trends for the spring season and throughout the year. [Read more…]