Shopping For Knits

This post is kind of an sequel of the previous post about this seasons knitwear. Here are affordable versions of the knit trends.


I love the cowl neck detail on Alice + Olivia Cashmere Cowl Dress $264 from ShopBop (left). K.A.7 by Katayone Adeli Thermal Sweater Dress $248 from ShopBop (center), is a great classic knit dress. The Nora Hooded Wrap Sweater $43.50 from Delias (right), can be worn with jeans and a long sleeve shirt underneath or sleeveless with tights.


Marc by Marc Jacobs Xavier Sweater $368 from ShopBop (left) is a pricier option, but a great statement chunky knit cardigan. Kimchi & Blue Snowflake Stitch Sweater $68 from Urban Outfitters (center) is oversized and cosy. It's perfect with black tights and high platforms. The Kimchi & Blue Arcadia Sweater Coat $88 from Urban Outfitters (right) is practical and looks great with a chinched belt.


Alexander Wang Tiger Intarsia Cardigan $649 from ShopBop (left) has a gorgeous tiger pattern. On with the animals, the Lux Equestrienne Sweater $58 from Urban Outfitters (center) is adorable. Lux Star Intarsia Sweater $34.99 from Urban Outfitters (right) has a quirky pattern.


Check out the knitwear runway looks in the previous post for some styling tips.



Photo courtesy: shopbop.com, urbanoutfitters.com, delias.com

This Seasons Knitwear

Walking the streets of rain and snow this time of year is no fun, but a cosy knit sweater makes all the difference and can warm you up in those cold days. This seasons knitwear come in three different versions, sexy, chunky and patterned.

Sexy

Body-conscious sweaters and dresses in fine knits are an elegant version of the knit trend. Short knit dresses look great with black tights and ankle boots. Wear with statement accessories to give some details.

Chunky

The seasons big and chunky knitwear is cosy yet sophisticated. Wear them with platforms to balance out the extra width, and a belted waist for a feminine shape.


Patterned

The best way to wear bold patterned knits i oversized, it just doesn’t look right when in actual size. Wear with high pumps to look stylish rather than nerdy, flats don’t work with this trend.


Neck detail

Don’t wanna take things too far, but still work the knit trend? Then opt for an oversized scarf, whether it’s a giant chunky one from Giles, patterned from Stella McCartney or just added neck detail in a Michal Kors’ cowl neck knit sweater.

Photo courtesy: style.com

The Skating Skirt

Inspired by ice skating figures, the skating skirt is a must this fall. The leading man of this trend is Christopher Kane (above), who showed voluminous dresses and skirts for fall/winter 07. They “were inspired by Scarlett O’Hara in ‘Gone with the Wind’ but made more modern for today – very short and sexy, focusing on a very tight, small waist”, says Tammy Kane, his sister and collaborator.
The definition of the skating skirt is high-waisted, short and flowy with a hemline that hits above the knee. Wear with a fitted top or a slightly loose blouse, and cinch your waist with a wide belt (like Ashley Olsen, above) to balance out the volume. Complete the look with black opaques and sky-high pumps.
A super short and flared skirt in strong colour or metallics is great for the risk taking. But for the ones who want to keep things simple, a longer, relaxed skirt is a more casual alternative.
What’s great about the skating skirt, is the variety. You can wear it with structured shirts, loose blouses, vests, light knitwear or printed or simple t-shirts to create lots of different looks.

Sophia Kokosalaki showed the skating skirt with layering a knit turtleneck, black blazer and a white vest. At Missoni the skirt was paired with matching dark grey tights, a loose blouse and a cropped jacket. Danielle Scutt had more glam going on with a metallic shirt tucked into a pink skirt.

Don’t expect the trend to go away anytime soon, because the skirts were also featured in the spring/summer 08 shows. Change the look for spring and go bare legged (if you can pull it off). Also, swap the wide belt for a thin waist belt – and don’t forget the high heels!

Get the Look

For a basic version of the skirt check out Derek Lam’s Flippy Felt Skirt $1250 from Net-A-Porter. For a trendier option, the Pu Swing Skirt $60, from Topshop is similar to Christopher Kane's leather skating skirt. Wanna go glam? Then try Theory’s Liddy Skirt $325, from ShopBop. It's perfect with it's structured shape. Go to Topshop online for more styles.

Photo source: style.com, elle.com, olsen-fan.net

Hair & Makeup Runway Trends

The Cat Eye

Dramatically lined eyes are bold yet flirty. Keep lips neutral.

Neutral Face

Dewy skin, pink cheeks and nude lips were all over the fall runways. With just a hint of tainted moisturizer, blush and a lipgloss in biege, you’ve copied the look.

Smoky Eyes

The smoky eyes are extremely sexy. This season it’s glittery gray and blue shades that are the hottest.

Statement Lips

A bright lip colour lifts the face as the days get darker. When lips are this bold, keep eye makeup minimal and hair away from face.

Sleek, Straight Hair

Center-parted, pin-straight hair was a big trend. Wash hair with shampoo and conditioner to make it smooth and shiny – it’ll look healthy and luxorious.

Twists, Buns & Braids

A pulled-back hair is elegant and looks great paired with fall’s structured clothes.

Veronica Lake Curls

The old Hollywood glamour curls were a big hit. Paired with red lips – they complete the femme fetale 40’s look. Looks best with a side part.

What's your favourite beauty/hair trend this season?

Photo source: Style.com

Colour Bleed

From the moment I laid my eyes on Prada’s fall 07 bags I was hooked. The way the color faded from a strong shade of brown, almost black, to a more lighter shade, was just wonderful. This painterly technique of ‘dégradé’, when one colour bleeds to another, creates a big statement. Avoid wearing with patterns or emballishment as it will take the attention of the actual piece and make the outfit too ‘busy’.

The beautiful Prada bags come in different shapes and sizes, and are both available in soft leather and patent. The shoes are just as wonderful as the bags - it isn’t strange these chunky curved heels have made a big trend.

Miuccia Prada showed knee-length skirts and dresses in plain shapes. For added glam, navy blue faded into metallic gold.

At Jonathan Saunders’, dreamy colour combinations were paired with black to keep the look simple yet interesting.

Alberta Ferretti kept shades light and worked with shapes as in the dress in centre.

Marc Jacobs paired beautiful colours together at Louis Vuitton, and the result were pieces to-die-for. The silk skirt worn with cashmere is a perfect combination of colour and texture. The dress in centre has strong colours and a strong volume shape, a great statement piece.

To get the look for less, check out Urban Outfitters’ version of the colour bleed trend. They aren’t as glam as Louis Vuitton’s silk skirt or Jonathan Saunders’ dreamy dresses but they’re perfect for layering and reflect the trend perfectly. Top, from left, Heartbreaker Ombre Racerback $28; Lux Murray Street Babydoll $54; Twilight Blues Ombre Cardigan $62. Bottom, all, Sublimation Ombre Thermal $32.

Photo sources: style.com, urbanoutfitters.com, prada.com

Toughen Up

This winter you can say goodbye to flowy frocks and welcome this seasons aggressive fashion with a sexy feeling. Think strong shapes, edgy silhouettes and powerfull dressing.

The New Goth

Black is, and always will be the classic colour. But know it’s time to shake things up a bit and mix different textures. Leather with softer, matter fabrics as seen at Christopher Kane, is a great look.



Studs

Studs, buckles, beading, zips and chains will surely add a good amount of attitude to your outfit. A fitted dress with beaded details, buckle ankle boots or a studded blazer are all great choices.

Biker Chic

The leather biker jacket has become a popular trend this fall. Wear with jeans for a casual look or with a dress to toughen up the look.

Androgyny


The man look has reached it’s highs with the tux, crispy white shirt and lace-ups. Work the trend wearing a blazer with sharp lines or go all the way and opt for D&G’s black tie-ish tuxedo with big shoulders and long sleeves. Avoid looking too manly, though – try adding a red lipstick for femininity.




Photo source: style.com