Fashion: Jump to it!



£70 at Monsoon

 Starting in the 1960s the jumpsuit became an item of fashion and a clear favourite in the 70s disco era. It was worn in bright colours with flares and floaty sleeves. Now this Spring/Summer 2011 the jumpsuit is back. Jumpsuits are, after all, the in-thing at the moment. For proof, just look at Gemma Arterton, who turned up to a premiere for her film Tamara Drewe wearing a stunning Lanvin sleek black all-in- one, or Cheryl Cole who chose her black jumpsuit for an X Factor live show from the Azzaro Autumn '10 collection. From obscurity the item has now returned to fashion fabulous.

International designers and some of our Irish ones have been including jumpsuits left, right and centre in their collections. Harem-style jumpsuits are a fabulous one-piece wear to all. Team with flat shoes and ethnic jewels for the day or skyscraper platforms and statement-style jewels for the evening. Animal prints are fashionable - as are block and neutral colours.

Khaki embellished jumpsuit £165 Marella

 

 Think of it as a substitute for the dress. It's both casual and semi-formal wear, but you gotta be quite slim to carry this silhouette .Tall and slim women can look stunning in them. If you are overweight and wearing a wrong jumpsuit, it can be a fashion disaster, so be careful about the fit.

Marks and Spencer jumpsuit  £79/€109




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IT'S THE PERFECT TIME TO SPRING CLEAN THAT WINTER WARDROBE...

This is a dangerous time of year. You start thinking about changing jobs, leaving your partner, losing weight or ditching the drink. But if you can't bear to give up on the chocolate and red wine, chucking out redundant outfits and cosmetics is the next best thing - and with weather warming, spring-cleaning thoughts are budding.

So, if you are thinking of doing a spring clean – the best place to start is your wardrobe.

Do you have any idea what's really in your wardrobe? We're not talking about the clothes you wear on a weekly basis, on average, a mere quarter of your wardrobe. It's the rest of the stuff that makes taking something out of the closet feel like arm-wrestling.

First, if you're like most people, your closet is filled with multiples: 15 white shirts, 10 pairs of jeans, seven black dresses. Next are the impulse buys: the Gucci pants that never fit but were 75 percent off, the eBay purchase you hated right away but was too much trouble to return, the Chloe transparent blouse you're too shy to wear.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed.Start by getting rid of all the stuff that has been languishing at the back of your closet for God knows how long. Of course, it's not always easy letting go, and some of us have the shoulder pads to prove it. Things that you haven't worn in two years are definite nos. So is anything that doesn't fit. Tailoring can only do so much, and most of the time, it isn't worth it.

With each article and pair of shoes ask yourself: Do I love it? Does it flatter me? Is it appropriate for the lifestyle I have now? If you answer yes to all three, the item stays. If you answer no to any of the above, consider donating the item to charity, passing it on to a family member or friend, or using it as a dust rag for that other kind of spring cleaning.

Now that you have ten garbage bags full of clothes (or is that just me?), you can donate your castoffs - and any other home-related items. Share out the pieces you never wear with friends or take the really embarrassing clothes to a charity shop; after all one girl‘s trash is another girl‘s treasure. Exile to Oxfam anything bought on whim or under the influence of alcohol, heartache or hormones. Bundle up and banish all clothes that have somehow, by some cruel and unusual punishment of nature, shrunk in your wardrobe.

Remember, the only clothes allowed into your new, shiny, organised wardrobe that you don‘t regularly wear are those of sentimental value - wedding dresses for example - and timeless special occasion wear - such a vintage ball gown or a pair of hand painted shoes. What I want you to do is create a closet filled with timeless pieces that will work as hard as you do.

A balanced wardrobe should consist of classics, such as a fitted pencil skirt, a crisp white shirt and a cashmere sweater, which can be mixed with currents, like a pair of flattering denim jeans, a floral tea dress or a fitted leather jacket. Once you‘ve cleared your closet of clutter and tat, you will be surprised at just easy it is to get dressed in the morning.
　　



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TREND ALERT :EARN YOUR STRIPES

Bright, bold, fat or thin, stripes are all over the map this spring. Whether they turn up on playful skirts, fitted blazers or slim pants, the effect is fun and flirtatious. They're on everything from funky bags to glamorous evening dresses and will get you lots of admiring glances.


Are stripes readily available?


Just check out the rails in every high street store. From thick bold blocks of colour to slender pastel lines, it's stripes everywhere.


What designers are doing it?


A favourite of many top designers, both horizontal and vertical stripes were spotted on the runways, most prominently used by Moschino and Prada. There is a nautical dominance to this trend but it can also be used to emphasise military, 1950s glamour and 70s-inspired styles.


Why buy stripes?


They can be a girl's best friend; especially vertical stripes which help make legs, body and arms appear thinner.
Are they suitable for evening wear?


Stores such as Monsoon and Hobbs have a great range of striped eveningwear in store. For a dressy look, check out Monsoon for their stunning mauve and pink striped maxi - match with a floppy hat for a seventies inspired look.


And for everyday?


Striped T-shirts come in all colours. Good old Pennys ( what on earth would we do without them!) have a range of T- shirts, cardigans and sweaters in navy, red and blue shades starting at only €10 - but don’t be put off by the low price, these beauties look like they sauntered off a yacht in the French Rivera.


 For a more daring look, Lipsy have a dynamic little top in navy and white with a red heart motif - very flattering for the smaller bust. And at Debenhams, Jasper Conran has an elegant stripe Mac, complete with a satin belt. At €120, it's on the pricey side but highly versatile - wear it to work and then straight out for a night on the town.


What about accessories?


Don't accessorise too heavily. Cut back on the jewellery - one piece, such as a chunky ring or a thin necklace will do. Try to keep the design as plain and simple as possible. M&S have a great range of jewellery to suit all occasions, from big diamante rings to delicate beaded necklaces - and all at very reasonable prices. House of Fraser have a great choice of scarves too. The coral & white stripe scarf, €160 Love Moschino, is my personal favourite but there’s a wide selection of other designs throughout the store.


How can I keep the cost down?


You don't have to buy a whole outfit. Accessorize have a cute navy blue stripe bow shopper, €21.99, which will instantly update a plain outfit. Or for a fashion bargain, head to TK Maxx or Pennys where you can always find something special - without having to spend a fortune.






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A classic trend that's nautical but nice...

Queen Victoria is widely credited with popularising The Nautical look in 1846 when she dressed the four-year-old Prince of Wales, known then as Bertie and later as King Edward VII, in a sailor suit. As the story goes, on a royal cruise, the Queen became so besotted by the blue striped uniforms so much that she asked the tailors to make one for her little boy.

Subsequently, miniature sailor suits became de rigueur, particularly amongst the children of the aristocracy--as late as the Eighties, Princess Diana and the Duchess of York, like many English society brides, chose sailor suits for their page boys. But it took Coco Chanel to bring the nautical look into the world of high fashion. She opened her first boutique in Deauville, France, in 1914, with sailor blouses, wide-legged pants, striped knit tops and straw boaters. Since then, the seafaring look has rarely been far from the catwalk.

You might not know how to sail and you may not have a yacht on the French Riviera. But don't let a little thing like that stop you from looking fabulous. Considering its widespread appeal, even the most landlocked of fashion lovers can indulge in a nautical fancy. All you need add is a crisp horizontal stripe, a smart brass button or a scrap of rope. Most of us possess something a little bit nautical in our wardrobes when we dig deep enough, however land locked we are.

A striped T-shirt, deck shoes, navy or white wide leg trousers, a fisherman's smock, a kerchief to tie around the neck? If stripes aren't your style, add any accessory featuring a rope detail or look out for nautical prints in the form of cute anchor motifs or sailing boats. Long-sleeved Breton T-shirts, chunky cotton knits and linen trousers bridge the gap between summer and winter, while ensuring you have a few classics in the wardrobe all year round. Just remember not to go overboard with a head-to-toe sailor style. Nobody wants to walk into the office to shouts of 'Ahoy sailor' as you stroll down the high street.

 

 

HOW TO WEAR IT

*A smart navy blazer can be teamed with white for a literal nautical translation, but will hold its perennial style for a number of year.

*Add a touch of sailor-girl chic with a naval blue and white palette. Rather than going for a full-on look, invest in one must-have piece, such as a pair of cropped trousers or culottes, or a stunning blue skirt or jacket.

* White jeans could be teamed with a striped sweater for day, and a striking chiffon blouse or fitted striped waistcoat for a modern evening look.

*Nautical suits just about everyone; there's not many fashion trends that can do that.
That's why it‘s firmly anchored here now, and no doubt will be back in port again soon.

*The little details can make a difference, and accessories are the easiest way to update your wardrobe without spending a fortune.

* A chunky rope belt or a navy scarf looks authentic tied around the waist.