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Men’s Fashion Tips For 2013

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While men’s fashion may not change as dramatically or as quickly as women’s fashion, there are definitely changing tides that need to be observed. In the course of updating your fashion, a popular approach worth considering is finding accessories and other smaller updates to equip a classic style with modern fashion trends. Men have more freedom than ever before when it comes to accessorizing, meaning there is plenty of creativity that can go into this process.

And with so many options available, men can pick and choose their additions to cater to their personal style and fashion preferences. In 2013, practicality will be embraced. Here’s a quick rundown of the top accessories for men this year.

Bags

Purses and handbags are no longer just for women. While designers aren’t comfortable enough to market these items as “man-purses,” that’s more or less what they are — designer bags that men can use to store various items. These bags more closely resemble a backpack and are typically slung over the shoulder, but they offer beautiful designs and colors that will look fashionable whether at work or play.

Shoes

The big trend in 2013 is that dress shoes are taking a backseat to alternative forms of footwear, in particular the boot. Matching boots with suits and other semi-formal attire — as well as casual clothing. Of course, that doesn’t mean dressy mens shoes are going extinct — you’ll still want to have some dress options available in your wardrobe. Your best bet is shoes in an Oxford style. Make sure they’re built for comfort and support, offering a reinforced heel and good arch support to keep your feet in good shape. [Read more…]

Interpreting Pantone’s Influence on Spring 2013 Fashion

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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.

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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.

From Cluttered Closet to Trendy Wardrobe

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Have you ever gone to your closet to put together a trendy outfit, only to find that it was so jam packed you couldn’t locate a single thing? Somewhere between the formal you wore to your sorority outing and the pair of jeans you haven’t been able to squeeze into for years are outfits that scream fashionista, but you cannot find them. That happened to me this week, and it has pushed me into purge mode! As I prepare to purge, here are some tips I am going to use.

How to Decide What to Lose

The hardest part about this project is going to be choosing what to keep and what to purge. After all, trendy girls clothing and outfits can often be created with old pieces if you know what you are doing, so it’s not always obvious which pieces should be purged. So, I have set up some basic ground rules. First, if I haven’t worn it in a year, it gets tossed. Also, if it is too small or too big, I am purging it. Finally, if it is damaged beyond a simple button, it goes.

How to Decide What to Keep

Now, what will I keep? I am looking for pieces that have character or are obviously trendy. Unique fabrics, basic solids for layering and slacks and skirts that fit well have to stay. Since bold colors are in this year, bright pieces will be keepers. Also, sweaters and jackets will stay, unless they are way too outdated, because these can dress up a simple outfit quickly. Finally, I plan to keep a few dresses, preferably those in the hot maxi or above-the-knee lengths. Once I am done, I will make a list of the pieces of girls clothing I need to buy to complete my trendy wardrobe.

What to Do with the Purged Items

Next, I need a plan for my purged items. Instead of just tossing them, I’m going to donate them. I know you can just dump a bag at the local Salvation Army, but I want to go above and beyond. After all, it feels good to have the opportunity to help people who are in need. To make this happen, I plan to talk to some friends who are also purging, or who need a little push to purge, and organize a clothing drive. We will partner with a local charity organization that needs the clothes and uses them to help local families directly, so we can be certain our items are getting the most use. We will collect items from our friends and offer one big donation to the charity organization of our choice.

I am looking forward to being able to open my closet and clearly see the outfits available to wear, without having to dig through my old college sweatshirt and the t-shirt from my high school senior trip. This plan is exciting to me because not only will I have an easier time picking a trendy outfit, but I am also going to be able to help the community at the same time. This has turned a boring chore into something I am actually looking forward to doing.

Lindsey is a professional writer living in the Indianapolis area and she writes on behalf of Sears and other deserving brands. She specializes in writing guest posts on social media and education. Currently, Lindsey is completing work on her master’s degree

Wearing Honeysuckle: How to pull off the color of 2011

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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.

New York Fashion Fashion Week Finds

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Zac-Posen-Fall09-189-de-73813485The New York Fashion Week kicked off last week on Thursday, and it seems that the trends are already very evident. In spite of the pall that has been cast by the prolonged economic crisis, the best of designers seems to have outdone themselves with bright bursts of color. Regulars were present at Bryant Park in Manhattan early, even though the most interesting shows do not usually run till the weekend.

So what awaited the early birds? Paolo Messana writes of beautiful colors invading the fashion week:

Opening the shows was New York’s own Michael Angel, who sent out a collection of waistlined mini-dresses with no sleeves, but with epaulettes.

France’s New-York based BCBG Max Azria brand followed with a line of also tiny close-fitting dresses cut in a patchwork of fabrics, multicoloured in part, plain in others.

Colour was taste of the day, and in a poll released in the influential Women’s Wear Daily newspaper, designers picked their five favourite colours as violet, yellow, turquoise, coral and red.

Bottom of the barrel were beige, olive green and petrol blue.

More than the color, another trend that seems to be making a comeback – bra tops, cropped shirts, midriff tops. What does this means for you fashionistas out there? Well you better get it on with your crunches and other exercise routines. That is, if you want to wear what’s going to be the in thing in the next several months! For those who are not into baring their bellies, at least you have the option of wearing colorful clothing.