Friday 30 October 2009

Must have winter fashion accessories

I’m always saddened by the end of summer especially when the clocks are turned back and darkness falls so early in the evening. But yesterday I was driving along and the wind was blowing the brown golden leaves everywhere. For miles I could see stretches of grass covered with these golden leaves and I thought what a heavenly picture. I suddenly thought, “I do like autumn”. I guess I do not look forward to the raking up of the leaves but yesterday was such a refreshing day with the sun shining, mild temperatures and a swaying wind that it almost felt like late spring / early summer.
ladies tights While the trees are baring all by shedding their leaves, it is a time for us ladies to cover up and create layers of fashion to keep warm and look stylish. By now most people are doing their wardrobe cleanout and relinquishing summer wardrobe must haves to dark crevices of the wardrobe or suitcases. I on the other hand, am mixing and matching my summer blouses with my summer dresses and tunics to create a unique but ultimately warmer look.
winter boots
I always look forward to the challenge of layering up my summer dresses with must have winter fashion accessories which include long sleeve jerseys, roll neck polos, leggings, tights, large woollen scarves, skinny jeans and boots.

Thursday 29 October 2009

The black shift dress

black shift dressThe shift dress is one of your classic must have wardrobe that can be worn year round. So there is no need to relinquish this dress to the back of the wardrobe come Autumn. Here are some stylish ways to layer the shift dress for extra warm. You can wear the shift dress with merino lightweight polo neck. This flared sleeveless dress also looks very sophisticated with red polo neck which is very festive for the christmas season. Alternatively you may choose to layer your shift dress with this
Pure Cashmere Scoop Neck Cardigan or this long wool cardigan

red cardigan, christmas cardigan
flared dress lon red cardigan, wool cardigan

Tuesday 27 October 2009

Christmas partywear

I am looking forward to all my christmas dinner parties this year and am busy going through my christmas partywear wardrobe. For sure I am reusing some of last year's party dresses. My little black dress is always a handy favorite. I am simply going to give it a new lease of life with this african recycled glass cylinder necklace. Lucky for me I can remember to which event I wore each outfit. So this year it is about simple ensuring that I wear them to different christmas parties.

But I do find that I mostly have party dresses and since each year I try to add at least one new piece to my party wardrobe, then I will be going for this Chain Neck Belted Jumpsuit. It is certainly chic and sophisticated not to mention classic. I do like the feminine silhouettes and most importantly it is a timeless garment to be worn to many dinner parties to come.

Monday 26 October 2009

Christmas wine gifts

I am not much of wine drinker but when I do indulge it is not about dulling the senses but about truly enjoying wine that delights the palette with its rich blends of fruit and spices. So I do like to keep my wine rack stocked for those special occasions. That way I always have a special bottle of wine handy to give to my host when invited to someone's house for dinner.


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Christmas wine gifts
With Christmas not far off, a gift of a bottle of wine can come in handy for those you neglected to include on your Christmas gift list but who surprises you with a gift. Investing in a case of wine can save you face and money for Christmas as Marks and Spencer is currently offering 25% of all wines and free UK standard delivery on all orders.

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xmas dinner wine
For those of you planning an elaborate Christmas dinner party, this is the perfect time to stock up on your christmas dinner wine or your festive party mix case with something for everyone including wines, roses and reds.

Sunday 18 October 2009

Style DNA and Sex and the City

What is your DNA when it comes to style? We are all familiar with the term DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) as it relates to medicine, paternity and solving crimes. When it comes to style, fashion and DNA we are not concerned with the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and some viruses as defined by Wikipedia. Instead, style DNA relates to our socialization, personalities, preferences, likes and dislikes, education, career choices which influences and shapes the way we dress.


Sex and the City - The Movie, Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha Jones, Charlotte York, Miranda Hobbes

The four major fashion personalities are classic, romantic, dramatic and natural. I would also include artistic here to cover the hippy or Bohemian dresser for whom there seems to be no fashion rules. Better yet, let's label this artistic personality an innovator of fashion as anything goes. How are these fashion persoanlities represented in our four main female characters in Sex and the City - Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda?

Sex and the City looks - Carrie and Miranda
Miranda is your classic dresser, she does not need "must have" designer fashion like Carrie and Samantha but goes for smart investment clothing that will stand the test of time. Some may argue that Miranda's wardrobe is in keeping with her profession of being a lawyer and her choice of clothing is as practical as she is - inkeeping with her personality. This is true. Thus, her wardrobe as may be the case for most of us, is an extension of who we are as a person, our belief systems our values etc.

The Sex and the City Girls - Charlotte, Miranda, Carrie and Samantha on a night out
Traditionally, the classic personality likes clean lines and smart, well tailored suits of the highest quality. Classic styles like shift dresses and wrap dresses is preferred by this personality over ephemeral fashion trends that becomes dated over time. Basically, the classic personality invests in a timeless wardrobe. As I am sure you have observed, Miranda when not dressed in dark, well tailored work suits, opts for neutral colours like in her living room below, which is characteristic of the classical fashion personality.

Sex and the City - Miranda's living room
In the later seasons of the show we do see Miranda in more vibrant colours to accentuate her red hair. But again the choice of clothing is timeless styles. With a classical wardrobe no one can say, "oh that's so 90's" because the classic wardrobe never goes out of fashion. The key to a classic wardrobe is quality, classical shaped clothing and neutral colours including navy.


Sex and the City - Miranda Hobbes played by Cynthia Nixon

Sex and the City Cast Members - Charlotte and Miranda
Charlotte on the other hand is your romantic fashion personality. She is your rich park avenue type girl who can afford to indulge in the arts and thus manages an art gallery while she awaits her betrothed.
Sex and the City - Charlotte York played by Kirsten Davis
For her everything must be pretty and matching from head to toe. She likes bows and frills and prefers skirts and dresses over trousers. Gored skirts and dresses cut on the bias are favorites while low plunging necklines like sweetheart necklines and V-necklines is a staple. Gingham trimming and floral designs are always in season for this personality who adores pastel colours. She is ultra feminine, dainty, needy in personality and in need of rescue by a knight on a white horse.

Sex and the City Cast - Carrie and Charlotte

Sex and the City - Charlotte's apartment

With all these fashion personalities their sense of dress transcends their abodes and so we see that Charlotte is the homemaker, your regular Martha Stewart with dining etiquette and napkin placement down to a science. Her apartment pictured above is immaculately decorated with attention to detail. While Charlotte's wardrobe can be classified as classic, I think the scale is tipped towards the romantic fashion personality.


Sex and the City - Samantha Jones, Carrie Bradshaw and Miranda Hobbes
Samantha is your dramatic dresser. She craves attention and always wants to be turning heads in her direction. She goes for bold, flashy, architectural designs in her clothes, bags and jewellery as it is all about impact. Her jewellery is always statement jewellery and she likes her bold colours. She is not conservative like Miranda the lawyer - with the classic wardrobe, but prefers bold colours in keeping with her high visibility public relations profession. The more alluring the cut and style of clothing, the better for Samantha. Even her apartment has the alluring touch with bright red cushions.

Sex and the City - Samantha Jones living room space

Sex and the City - Samanatha and Carrie
Carrie is your artistic fashion personality or Miss Originator herself. She likes her designer fashion and is a slave to fashion especially when it comes to shoes. She shops at PRADA and designer sale outlets and opts for a designer wedding dress by Vivienne Westwood. I mean who wouldn't if given the opportunity.



But Carrie also represents your bohemian, luxury bohemian, folk fashion tribes who love the eclectic look. With Carrie anything goes. She mixes and matches everything designer and non designer to create her own look. She has more than a double personality when it comes to fashion and her style DNA is as fluid as her writing constantly moving between fashion personalities.

Sex and the City - Carrie Bradshaw -eclectic look - played by Jessica Sarah Parker
Sex and the City - Carrie Bradshaw -vintage look - played by Jessica Sarah Parker
She is your miss vintage fashion, miss bargainista and shoewawa all wrapped up into one. Not to mention she has her classic wardrobe days, her dramatic wardrobe days and romantic wardrobe days.
Sex and the City film set - Carrie's living space
Her living space is as eclectic as she is with mismatched furniture. Carrie is a free spirit who cannot be pinned down and this is reflected in her style of dress.

Pictures used are from http://www.hbo.com/ and http://www.sexandthecitymovie.com/

Thursday 15 October 2009

Leather sandals

I just came across this Dr. Marten's Women's Louisa T-Strap Sandal which is made using the technology of ‘air cushioned sole’ invented by Dr. Klaus Maertens of Germany. This leather sandal looks absolutely comfortable and aesthetically, is appealing. There is nothing better than a fabulous looking footwear that is well made and comfortable at the same time. I could see myself wearing this sandal for years to come.Dr. Marten's Women's Louisa T-Strap Sandal, leather sandals
At the exceptional price of £18.00 down from £60.00 plus free shipping, I don't think there will be many sandals left soon. Click here to buy now Dr. Marten's Women's Louisa T-Strap Sandal

Tuesday 6 October 2009

The argyle sweater and your winter wardrobe

The Argyle sweater is another classic item for your winter wardrobe. It is truly a winter wardrobe must have and an ideal christmas gift for him or her.

When it comes to classic fashion, the argyle sweater is right up there with your shift dress or legendary wrap dress which can be worn for years and years as it never goes out of fashion.

You can go for your traditional looking argyle sweater but there are lots of variation now to your argyle patterns with the clever use of bright block colours which can be quite unusal, unique, funky and fun.




If you can get your man to wear pink then this Ben Sherman V neck pullover made of 100% soft cotton with embroidered logo on sleeve is a perfect christmas gift for him and quite trendy too. This is your classic rib-knit v -neckline sweater in anthracite grey and pink.



This Tommy Hilfiger Sweater offers a new pattern for your classic arglye sweater. The blue, beige and yellow really works well together in this 100% cotton v-neck sweater. Again the logo is embroidered on the sleeve which is always a classy detailing.


Great match of colours here in this straight fit Pepe Jeans pullover. This modish design sweater is your most luxurious so far, in terms of fabric, as it is made of 30% Lambswool 27% Viscose 10% Baby Alpaca 3% Cashmere.



Christmas argyle sweaters for her include this Pepe Jeans cardigan. This slim fitting v - neck cardigan is 100% wool.


Tommy Hilfiger sweater vest with argyle pattern on front and one colour (grey) on the back is made of 77% cotton, 12% linen and 11% silk.



Navy and yellow classic Tommy Hilfiger Knitwear Sweater 100%cotton with logo disc on sleeve. a great christmas gift for her. For more christmas gift ideas for her go Munique Fashions.

Friday 2 October 2009

Update your winter wardrobe

british tweed coat, winter coat, winter coat for the classic fashion personality, winter wardrobe must have I have been writing this week about fashion personalities and how our style of dress is a reflection of who we are as a person.

For instance “Classic” is a fashion personality group that is defined by a timeless wardrobe. The classic personality is conservative and likes tailored high quality clothing. She goes for clean lines and traditional fabrics like tweed, silk, wool blends, cashmere etc.

The neutral palette is her friend and she loves navy. While seasons come and seasons go, her wardrobe will stand the test of time as her smart investment wardrobe choices never go out of fashion.

This classic British Tweed Coat is just the kind of coat the classic personality would add to her winter wardrobe. Though she may opt to wear the Ruched Waist Shift Dress and Cable and Bobble Scarf in a more conservative colour.


cashmere tunic, winter wardrobe must have, cashmere tunic for the classic fashion personality
This Cashmere Tunic made with a luxuriously large amount of cashmere will fit right in with the classic personality's winter wardrobe. Accessorize with this Danielle wool & woven cotton bag in georgeous turqoise and chocolate brown. This classic winter bag is another great winter wardrobe must have for your wardrobe.
wool and woven cotton bag in turquoise and brown, winter bag, winter wardrobe must have for the classic fashion personality This Swishy Applique Skirt will go well with yellow or pink woolly jumper and smart yellow boots.
wool skirt, winter wardrobe must have, classic fashion personality