#Trends Spring 2014

Now that I am living in the UK, I obviously will be following the seasonal trends of the northern hemisphere, and so I will be writing about those trends. (Sorry South Africans... but you will have to file this important info away and bring it out when the next season comes around.) 

So anyway... Obviously there are always quite a few trends that designers follow for their collections, but I have picked out my five favourite trends for Spring 2014. These trends are those which I find more interesting and challenging. 

Obviously I love the monochrome trend, but this season, this trend is a remade version of last season's monochrome trend. So why not try some new trends? Especially when many of the trends for Spring 2014 have exciting colour palettes!

1. Raw Art

Think lots of colour, raw brush strokes and paint splatters.

2. High Shine

This is all about sequins, shimmers, chains and metals.

3. Sport Luxe

This trend transforms general sporting wear with chic fabrics and new silhouettes.

4.  African Chic

Think African prints, tribal colours and rustic textures.

5. Oxford Boys

This trend updates the simple button up men's shirt, and adds some sexy flare.

Lots of stores have their Spring/Summer collections coming in after the Winter sales, and I have already seen most of these trends. The sports luxe trend has been a very popular one in the high street fashion brands. 

xx

[ All images and information courtesy of www.style.com ]

#WatchLove Chunky Manly Watches

I absolutely love chunky manly watches. They add an androgynous element to any outfit. I would even add a chunky watch to a feminine flirty outfit, just for some edge. My style is all about mixing menswear with feminine elements. 

I have recently found a very reasonably priced manly Avanglion watch from Y.D.E. I love the mix of the black silicon strap and rose gold links, with the large black face.

And I [obviously] went searching online for some chunky manly watches. Here are my top 6 watches that I would love right now!

From left to right: Guess // Michael Kors // Fossil // Betsey Johnson // Michael Kors // 

Karl Lagerfeld

I have pinned numerous pictures of chunky watches onto my "Accessories" board on Pinterest. Here are just a few arm candy pics from my Pinterest account.

I say, definitely, "more is MORE"!

xx

#FinallyFound Valentino Inspired Shoes

How AMAZING are these Valentino shoes? I cannot get over how much I am in love!! They are just the perfect accessory to take a look from casual to chic. Their signature studded straps and patent leather pointed toes will add a chic edge to any outfit.

But until I can afford some of these beauties, I have settled with some black suede Valentino-inspired pumps I recently bought from Mr Price. 

They are super cute and chic. I dressed them with some ripped denims and a polka dot blouse. To keep the edgy element that my new shoes ooze, I added a black leather cropped biker jacket.

Cropped biker jacket - Jay Jay's

Polka dot blouse - Zara

Ripped jeans - Zara

Black pumps - Mr Price

Gold rimmed sunglasses - The Lot

Handbag - River Island

xx

#DesignerWear Balmain

I absolutely LOVE Balmain and wish I had the funds to splurge on their beautiful garments. The trends of their latest runway shows are wide shoulders, cinched in waists, draping and high waisted pants; every trend that I follow and try to incorporate into my daily looks. 

I have taken four Balmain garments and showed how I would style each of them into an 'everyday' outfit that can be worn off the runway.

The Blazer:

Instead of pairing the blazer with an all white outfit like on the runway, I wanted to make the outfit look more chic. So I paired the blazer with clean cut leather shorts and a white beaded tank. I kept a monochromatic palette so that attention would not be taken away from the gold blazer. 

Gold blazer - Balmain

Beaded top - Rattle

Gold plate belt - Stella McCartney

Earrings - Bowie

Leather shorts - Valentino

Black oxfords - Alexander Wang

The Skirt:

I love to pair ankle boots with a skirt, it adds more edge and an androgynous feel. The oversized coat contrasts with the delicately draped silk skirt.

Cropped sleeveless top - H&M

Chain necklace - Curb

Oversized coat - Agnona

Skirt - Balmain 

Gold chain bracelet - Michael Kors

Buckle Boots - Jeffrey Campbell

Gold watch - Forever New

Black bag - Zara

The Trousers:

Since these trousers are quite sporty, I paired them with items to make the outfit more chic and elegant. The fur gilet adds texture and the accessories add to the chicness of the outfit.

Grey tank - Gloss

Cream fur gilet - Calypso

Gold chain necklace - Treasure Doing Business

Black draped pants - Balmain

Bead and cross bracelet - Luis Morais

Flower earrings - Dorothy Perkins

Nude heels - Valentino

Spotted clutch - Proenza Schouler

The Knit:

 I love this high necked teal knit with wide set shoulders. It gives off a very futuristic feel which is why I paired it with a simple skater skirt, Chanel bag and bow ring to make the outfit more feminine. 

Teal knit - Balmain

Leaf earrings - Dolce & Gabbana

Chain and quilted bag - Chanel

Watch - Marc by Marc Jacobs

Skater skirt - Twisty Parallel Universe

Gold bow ring - Guess

Black booties - Sam Edelman Porter

xx

#OnlineShopping ShopBop

I have just discovered a NEW (well, at least new for me...) online shopping site!

SHOPBOP

It is an online shopping site that sells designer clothing, shoes, accessories and ALL things fashion. It is based in the US but has a free international delivery service (Yay!).

One small problem is that the clothing that is sold on this site, being designer brands and all, is quite expensive. But there's no harm in having a look, and doing a "virtual" shop... with "virtual" money.

Not only is the range of brands so extensive, Shopbop also supplies a fashion feature or lookbook for every day of the month! So not only can you find key designer pieces to complete an outfit, you can also get ideas for your next outfits, updates of the new trends and how to wear them, and SO much more. It is basically like a magazine. Where you can buy the whole outfit that you see. Right away. From your computer. 

So if I had to chose only one entire outfit, this is what it would be:

1. Theory sweater
2. Marc by Marc Jacobs bag
3. Rachel Zoe link necklace
4. Stella McCartney sunglasses
5. By Chance faux leather skirt 
6. Coclico boots

If I had to choose only one of these items, it would definitely be the Coclico boots. I would LOVE to have those in my closet. They would just make every single outfit perfect.

Enough dreaming.
Here are some features from the Shopbop site advertising various collections.

You see?  Just like a magazine. But better!

Go visit Shopbop now.

(Here are some other online shopping sites to browse...)

xx

#Trends Oversized Masculine Coats

The September issue of the UK Vogue features Miranda Kerr modelling this season's hottest coats and jackets!

All these coats are hot off the Autumn/ Winter 2013-2014 runway and follow the trend of being oversized and quite masculine. A lot of faux fur and leather trimmings are also featured.

And so... in keeping with this great winter trend, I decided I needed my own oversized masculine coat... 

Instead of purchasing one, I designed and sewed one exactly to the specs that I wanted: grey with leather trimmings, an oversized collar and a zipper down the front instead of buttons.

And here it is. I also added some monochrome leopard print lining to make it more exciting.

This is the perfect coat since it is so versatile, perfect for day AND night, and of course, it is super comfortable and warm!

My day time look:

Grey coat - Jemimah

Leopard print leggings - Rubia

Quilted bag - River Island

Black Boots - Luella

And my night time look:

Grey coat - Jemimah

Grey tank - Zara

Black leggings - Topshop

Black chunky necklace - Forever New

Ankle strap heels - Forever New

xx

#Editorial White Wash

I came across an editorial in the February 2013 issue of Harper's Bazaar which I LOVE!!

It's all about pairing an all white outfit together in a very minimal way, and still having a bit of edge.

And the location that is used for this shoot is just DI-VINE!!

My favourite is definitely the Louis Vuitton shot and the Stella McCartney shot.

xx

#Editorial Pretty Pastels

I am obsessed with the pastels that was shown on the Spring/Summer 2013 runway. I know it is winter (in South Africa) at the moment, but a little taste of summer does no harm.

In the June 2013 issue of the British Glamour, a pastel editorial is featured, and appropriately named "Just Add Sugar". This is probably one of my most favourite magazine editorials that I have seen, so I thought I just HAD to share it with you.

Here are the pages from the editorial, with the garments shown at their respective runway shows.

xx