Thursday, March 8, 2012

How To Accessorize

Every shoe obsessed woman loves
 her bags and accessories as well!
  Today's guest blogger Hannah Gale shows us 
how to use accessories to make our outfits!

Accessories can make or break an outfit. A wild pair of stilettos and a bright, oversized clutch can instantly bring a little black dress back to life, or they can do the opposite – turn a simple yet graceful piece into something trashy and garish.

It’s always been said that you should match your shoes to your handbag, but I’m about to throw out the rule book. For me, it’s not so much matching, but ensuring that you’re accessories work as a team, often in styles and colours that co-ordinate.

For example, a red patent handbag and matching pair of court shoes, would for me, be a fashion nightmare. Instead I’d team that handbag with a pair of black heels, because black and red are a known colour pair. They don’t try and outshine each other, they are seen as classic colours and therefore match but in a more subtle way.

It’s not just colours either. You wouldn’t team a pair of trainers with a sparkling clutch, or a floor-sweeping gown and strappy sandals with a slouchy satchel, they contradict each other too much.

Here’s my top 3 handbag and shoe combinations for this summer, for a little bit of accessory inspiration, because let’s face it – we all have off days.

1. The platform heel and oversized envelope clutch – This look is one for the fashionistas, it’s the on-trend combo for 2012. I love it because it’s got an element of practicality to it – the shoes are more comfortable and the bag space more generous. This look conveys a glamorous image, and although great for evenings worn with a nice dress, can also be worn with jeans and a sweater for an A-list daytime look.
 
Heels: Miu Miu
 
2. The summer sandals and the hobo – For me this look is best when it has a tribal edge. It’s the perfect downtime combination when the weather’s warm, great for lazy days at the beach. It’s practical and comfortable, and this look can be worn easily regardless of age, my favourite colours to go for here are brown, with splashes of neon and metallic to liven it up.

3.The wedge and statement bag – this one is a typical summer look. A great pair of strappy woven wedges and a big summery statement bag – this can be a bright colour, or a fun floral print. This is a great look for going for dinner, or to the movies, and always puts a smile on my face because warmer weather is on the way. I think this is also a great combination for work as it’s smart and yet colourful.
  

Hannah Gale from BagServant.co.uk – An online handbag destination which features bags from high-street to vintage and designer. As well as featuring your favourite brands, we also blog about hot new styles, our favourite trends and celebrity style.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

5 of Hollywood's Most Memorable Red Carpet Fashions of 2011

Award season...yup it's that time again...
 no doubt we'll see lots of interesting fashions!
 Today's guest blogger Emily looks back
 at some of 2011's most interesting Red Carpet looks
 
http://style.mtv.com/2011/12/16/best-lady-gaga-fashion/

You have to wonder if there was some sort of back room contest taking place to see who could produce the most over-the-top red carpet outfit in 2011. While no one could rival Lady Gaga’s meat dress from the 2010 Grammys, there were certainly some memorable entries that we saw last year.

1. Helena Bonham Carter

This eccentric British actress never disappoints in providing us with a breather from the dull and predictable. Her outfit of choice for the 2011 Oscars was a quirky, black velvet dress by "Alice in Wonderland" costume designer Colleen Atwood. The corseted dress was a nod to the 18th century and her demented Goth fashion leanings. The finishing touch was a lot of leg accessorized with a Union Jack garter belt.
HollywoodReporter.com
 
2. Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga’s wore an Alexander McQueen costume to the 2011 Bambi Awards that was dubbed the “Post-Apocalyptic White Swan" by the fashion media. The head-to-toe creation is armored on top and intricately layered with tiered ruffles from the waist down. Lady Gaga managed to give the bold dress extra shock value by replacing the lace headdress originally featured on the runway with a helmet that matches the metal bodice.

3. Nicki Minaj

The only way to describe Nicki Minaj’s 2011 Grammy Givenchy outfit is to compare it to the “Bride of Frankenstein” meets a leopard. Her hair was a platinum skyscraper with a random black streak that suddenly produced a leopard print short fringed hairdo. The animal print theme continued with a high collared dress that tied at the neck and leopard print tights, gloves and boots. 
Hollywood Reporter
 
4. Katy Perry

Katy Perry floated down the red carpet 2011 AMA awards looking like an angel - literally. Her Giorgio Armani, Swarovski encrusted gown was made of white satin and featured a long, cascading train and wings on her back. The look was slightly bizarre, ethreal and beautiful but fashion critics were not impressed with this red carpet choice. What fashion critics fail to realize is that this diva dresses for impact that will keep them talking.

5. Jesse J

British songtress Jessie J turned heads at the "2011 VH1 Soul celebrates Divas" award show with an edgy haircut and a gaudy Falguni and Shane Peacock dress. The confusing and revealing black and gold floor-length gown featured heavy gold embroidery and the grandma panties and bra awkwardly concealed her lady parts.

While 2012 is still new, without a doubt we have already seen some stunning outfits. Only time will tell if they can outdo any of these radical outfits for 2011! Snooki already has pulled out some interesting
personalised t shirts and bootie shorts of course and if the rumor is true that she has a little guidette in the oven, there may be a whole new generation hitting the red carper soon!

Emily is a blogger who enjoys writing about the latest fashion trends and celebrity gossip.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Animal Print Shoes

  We know you've got animal magnetism, 
but it's the animal... print that is...
 on your feet that everyone's talking about this season!
 Today's guest blogger Liberty
 helps look at the latest in animal print trends!


Animal print is an enduring trend, and seems to be big news on the catwalk season after season; from the classic leopard print to mock- snakeskin and zebra stripes. While some of us are brave enough to pull off the top-to-toe animal print look, others would prefer a more demure take on the trend, and that’s where shoes can be the perfect way to showcase it; by providing a playful flash of print you can add a bit of sophisticated edge to any outfit. The best thing about animal print is that it can be dressed up or down, and it works well as a pattern on both flats and heels.


Five Of The Best

 
Give a seductive edge to your footwear with these multi-tone shoes by Christian Louboutin. With their exotic-skin print, these heels will be the most prized pieces in your accessory repertoire; and the graphic approach to leopard print makes them stand out from the norm. Wear with a simple black top and a colour-pop skirt. 
Put a fashion-conscious foot-forward in these bi-colour high heel shoes by Chloe. With their contrast-tone python panels, these luxe accessories are the perfect homage to the textural trend, and the chunky heel is hot right now, too.
 
Punctuate your look with some serious style in these black and leopard-print Scarlett embellished shoes by Sam Edelman. Slip them on with thigh-skimming shorts for a fierce finishing touch to any outfit! 
 
Step into summer and tap into on-trend highlighter hues with these faux python and neon sandals by Stella McCartney. Add vibrant denim and a rainbow stripe top for a fashion-forward daytime ensemble, or pare it down with a black dress for a simple but effective evening look.
Last but not least; keep a stylish step this season in these multi-tone leopard-print shoes by Tory Burch. Wear these fashion-forward flats with chic urban apparel for a spot-on finish.

Liberty is a UK based fashion blogger currently writing on behalf of Matches Fashion, who sell designer dresses and shoes.

All images courtesy of Matches Fashion.