Posts with tag London Telegraph

Italian names may rule the fashion industry, but that doesn't mean that the average joe is some kind of fashion dynamo. According to Giorgio Armani -- he's a shirtless slob. At least, that's what he told the Telegraph about the rampant casualness going on in the Italian fashion centers these days.

The 73 year old Global Fashion Leader thinks that Italy's hold on fashion elegance is slipping as a result of its increasingly lax attitude towards personal appearance. From the article:

"It is time to straighten ourselves out, we are too slovenly... Everything seems to be allowed, even eating and drinking in a church square while stripped to the waist."

Here's the truth: Men look sexy in knitwear. Whether it's a paper-thin cashmere sweater or a textured wool pullover, there is something about seeing the masculine form swathed in cozy yarn that is irresistible. I even like the male turtleneck, although my husband insists there is nothing worse. It comes as no surprise, then, that I was thrilled to see scarves playing a central role in couture menswear collections for winter 2008.

The new way to wear your scarf (men, listen up -- you'll be ahead of the game!) is to "fling" it around your neck and shoulders haphazardly, rather than knotting or tying the scarf, as has been popular in the past. Knowing men, I would venture a guess that the fling has been popularized more out of function than fashion, but you never know. At any rate, scarves are being shown with everything, from the classic blazer/trousers combo to full three-piece suits. Always dangling loosely around the shoulders, the scarf looks like it will be making a play as the men's accessory for 2008.

So what do you think, men? Will you be stocking up on scarves for next winter, or is Belichick outerwear more your style?

Raise your hand if your bedroom, at one time, contained at least one item from Laura Ashley. I had a pink bedspread with a delicate floral pattern and a country blue dress with a lacy Peter Pan collar. Even if you didn't personally own any Laura Ashley merchandise, the chances that you've never heard of the design icon are slim. Ashley built a Victorian empire in the 1960's, and didn't lose steam until the early 90's.

Well, she's back. Not Ashley herself, but her design presence and label name will be resurrected this month in "Bramble Brooch", a line inspired by the same elements that originally inspired Ms. Ashley: the Welsh countryside and frilly, feminine silhouettes. Oh, and also the designer's entire archives, all carefully preserved in computer format. The new Laura Ashley designers will work from over 15,000 old patterns, redesigning or changing fabrications in order to complete a brand new line, one which will be available for purchase starting in April, 2007.

So, next time you hear someone say "fashion always comes back around", you can rest assured that they are speaking the truth. The newest Laura Ashley "Bramble Brooch" line will more than likely bear a striking resemblance to your personal collection of Laura Ashley, circa 1982. If you have any old pieces in storage, now might be the time to shake the mothballs off and put them back in the rotation.

Since the 2006/2007 fashion season could easily be described as the Year of the Dress, it only makes sense that longer coats have become a major trend as well. I know you want to run right out and buy one, but because choosing a length, style, and print can be difficult and overwhelming, we at Styledash have taken the guesswork out of your decision and done some research for you. So here's the skinny on the long jacket:

Princess - The princess line (fitted, with a slight flare at the bottom) is universally the most flattering style for women of all shapes, sizes, and ages. Tailored throughout the midsection with eye-catching lapels at the collar and just a hint of an A-line flare at the hemline, this type of jacket can be worn with jeans, trousers, skirts, and dresses (make sure your skirt/dress hemline is shorter than or about the same length as your coat).

Tulip - The tulip shaped coat works best on taller gals, the double-breasted shape can be great for, well, girls who are looking for all the 'breasted" help available, if you get my drift.

Belted - Belted coats are pretty timeless, and can be worn closed with the belt tied in front, or open with the belt loosely knotted in back but can be bulky if you choose a heavy fabric.

Now that you know what style works best for you, you're ready to move on to fabric selection. While I would never debate the usefulness of a black or navy coat, I think we can all agree that branching out into brighter paisleys, plaids, and prints can't be all wrong. One of the best ways to wear a printed coat is buttoned up over your most cozy and comfortable basics. The fun fabrication of the jacket will become your entire outfit, allowing you to slip on a pair of boots or kitten-heeled pumps and go. A coat that not only allows me to wear my old-but-incredibly-comfy turtlenecks but also cuts down on my getting-ready time? I'm on board.

Size does not matter. Fit is all that matters. Repeat after me, "The size on my tag DOES. NOT. MATTER. All that matters is how I look in the clothing!"

In a recent London Telegraph article, one lucky woman received the makeover of a lifetime. Penny Moorhouse, who is the marketing manager for her family's auto repair business, said she felt frumpy, overweight, and style-less before she was chosen for the makeover project. After the transformation was complete, however, Moorhouse sang a different tune.

"I learned so much on the day (of the makeover) and had so much fun trying on the clothes. I realize I'd been fixated on wearing size 12 and it's not the size that matters – it's the fit. It was a revelation to discover that sometimes a 14 or a 16 can look better. All stores have different sizing systems anyway."

In my boutique, we generally carry sizes 0-14. Why don't we carry a 16, you ask? Well, it's because most manufacturers don't make a 16. That doesn't seem fair, you say. Why wouldn't clothing designers and manufacturers make clothing that fits the general public? Isn't fashion a for-profit industry?

Good question.

I have plenty of customers who see a top, love it, and leave disappointed because we didn't have it in their size. I feel awful knowing that many times, the customer thinks that we chose not to carry a size 16, rather knowing the truth, which is that the manufacturer did not create a size 16.

I feel an inclination to blame the steadily shrinking size 0 celebrities for the puzzling sizing guidelines designers seem to follow. With designers now going as far as to produce negative sizes for a tiny population of even tinier celebutantes, the average size-16 Everywoman tends to get left out, despite being in the sizeable majority.