Vintage Couture

I love the current autumn / winter 2010 vintage trend. You can look both elegant, chic and trendy all at the same time.
The key elements needed to wear vintage are: floral, lace, paisley, polka dots, checkers, bows and ribbons, fringes, headbands worn in a hippie style, ruffles, pleats, tops / sweaters with flared arms, capes, high waist, anything that your grandma or grandpa used to wear!

Must accessories to add are: large brooches, trinket, lockets in a long chain, distressed leather belts and floral scarves.

THE VINTAGE LOOK:
Capes, caplets, cloaks, shawls: Adds instant elegance, and works cleverly with Gothic rock-chic looks. Vintage fur-trimmed are the pinnacle of elegance. There are some quirky, flirty, clown-inspired frills on the neck capes - but personally I'd rather keep well away from them!
Chunky knits: There's chunky knits and there's super-chuncky knits. To achieve the cosy vintage look - you will need either a chunky cardigan, a chunky street-style scarfs or a gorgeous jumper dress. Of course never do the mistake of wearing them all at once - otherwise you'll look like a giant woolen sheep! Add a belt if you want to nip in at the waist and wear with some comfy denim jeans.
Tights and stockings: I don't think those sheer fabric tights will ever go out of fashion. You can experiment with colours and and create you own personalised look. You can wear bright colours like blue, purple, navy, red to dress more quirky 70's vintage, or wear either black or cream/nude for a more subtle vintage look. Finally if your brave and can carry off the complete look - then opt for those 'lines down the back of you legs tights' for that je ne sais quoi.

See-though clothing: Subtle sheer fabrics like chiffon and lace allow some peek-a-boo but don't call out 'look-at-me' is a must. Delicate drapes adds texture, layering, movement and femininity. Lace gives the illusion of elegance and mystery.

Military fashion infusion: With pointed, pleated shoulder design and exceptional tailored design - no wonder the military look is still going strong. I think its an great idea to fuse vintage with military inspired band jacket à la Micheal Jackson.

The female dandy: A step up from the tuxedo and military fashion. Rooted from Great Britain's regency era. It screams elite, high status and wealth. Wear high collars, ruffles and bows blouses, cropped slim-cut jackets, waistcoats, tailored vest, frock coats, cliched waist and large brooches for added impact.

Remember pick one vintage item at a time - and let it be your centre piece. If wearing a boho dress - keep accessories simple. Plain jewellery and a leather bag. Add a modern twist by teaming with a plain belt, skinny jeans, plain cardigan and gladiators shoes or normal shoes.

...One day we'll all be Vintage! :)

If I was a boy?

Now this isn't a dig at the MALE of the species, so please don't get me wrong if your a male reader. Try to take it light-heartedly...

It's true what they say: "Men. You can't live with them and you can't live without them!"

"NOT FAIR!!!!!" Men/Husbands can just wear their clothes, grab the car keys and GO, whereas us Women/Wife/Mothers have to ensure the cooking, laundry & housework are done. Women have to get themselves ready as well as get the kids ready who coincidentally decide to have a tantrum at that precise moment; making it a mammoth task just leaving the house!!

And the men (not all men… the guilty men - u know who you are!!!!)…. just sit on their fat (or skinny) behinds watching TV or doing something pointless instead of helping you get the kids ready!!!

Every wondered why the Wife is running around the house and ignores or does not hear the husband’s request for a cuppa tea? ... it is because she’s reciting in her head:……

"Nappies: CHECK! Baby wipe: CHECK, Baby food: CHECK, Baby Milk: CHECK, Bottle: CHECK, Toys: CHECK, Extra clothes: CHECK, Extra Bibs: CHECK, Dummy: CHECK, Calpol & Medicine: CHECK, Pushchair: CHECK, Baby: CHECK!!!!! Windows shut: CHECK, Lights off, Heating off, Cooker/Oven off (NOT burning the house down: CHECK!!), … Brain cells left in the end: ZERO!!"

Often women do their make up in the car (and yes we’ve all done it at one point) That’s why us women have mastered wearing mascara and lip gloss whilst the husband drives @ 50 miles/per hour!! ... As always men blame their wife/girlfriend/partner for taking so long to get ready and then blame us for being so forgetful.

The truth is that we’ve had to remember & do a BILLION things just before leaving the house. And guess what us ladies always forget? Yep, your purse and mobile! ….Aaaarrrggghhhhh - the agony!

Just having a moan about men moment. It's good to let it out once in a while.

Fellow Ladies - your comments most welcome!
Men - comment if you dare!!

Love from *Asma* - (I'm really a nice person ....Honest!!!)

Boyfriend or No Boyfriend - Make a statement

I was going to post this ages ago, but was too nervous so I finally decided to make the plunge and post my first blog. I'm a new bird to all this blogging - so please go easy on me. Anyways enjoy...

I must say, I love the 'Boyfriend Jacket' look. Who would've thought this boyish image would catch on as a trend? As women we are so lucky, that 'mens' clothes look just as good on us as they do on the men that it's made for! In comparison, we briefly saw the male skirt/sarong but this was short-lived and did not catch on as a trend that everyone could carry off, except Beckham and the Scots of course! As for men - there are certain things you species just can't get away with wearing (Sorwi)
Anyways back to the subject, this boxy, loose-fitting blazer on women may look like a subtle form of cross-dressing but let me assure you it's not. Celebs of the likes of Keira Knightley, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and the Olsen twins have been spotted sporting this Boyfriend Jacket look.

I tell you- it's an instance confidence boost as soon as you wear it, and the best bit is - you don't have to be an office worker or executive or even have a BOYFRIEND! Whether you're at a meeting with colleagues at work, hitting
the shops in town with your friends, or at an evening party - this jacket is what you need, it's so versatile.

Remember you can't go solo... oh No... as much as the BF jacket is a statement piece in it's own right, it still requires dressing up or down.

PAIR and ACCESSORISE is the rule!

At the office: keep it smart - team with a white blouse, wide leg trouser and silk scarf.

On the town: keep it relaxed, casual and edgy - add some chunky bangles, scarf, and pair with skinny jeans or short skirt and black tight and boots.

Evening chic glamour: if you have a sparkly or all over sequin jacket even better. If not, wear pearl and/or chain necklace combos that are so this season. Add some sparkly bangles, and wear with jeans or team with a short dress, tight and some gorgeous booties!

Do you want one now? Well there's good news for some - you don't need to buy a new jacket at all. Instead of rummaging in your purse; - why not rummage through your neglected part of your wardrobe for that old work blazer that you last used or that one-off jacket purchase that you made and wore at that unsuccessful job interview! Simply roll up the sleeves once or twice exposing that beautiful splash of color from the lining, and Bob's your uncle (we know his not, it's an expression)!!!

Comments most welcome. :))))))))