Where is the party? Who is having the party? You should ask yourself when putting your holiday outfit together.

Here is how I break down holiday dressing; business Christmas party, formal evening and friends cocktail party. Each party has their own characteristics. And this season, they all include bling!

Bling this holiday means, many gold bangles thin or thick with jewels. Gold is making a comeback. Cuffs and heavy neckpieces also make a great statement. Chokers are new this season. They come in black velvet or leather with a jewel or charm hanging in the front.

At the business Christmas party so many ladies tend to over dress and some under dress. The key to a business party is that it is a business event. You should be thinking smart and conservative yet still fashionable.

For business, I would recommend the black and white minimalist look. This look is very popular this season as each piece is stylish. The black pant should look like a tuxedo pant, tailored.  A cumber band in black satin can dress up the pant. The white or white and black patterned top should be soft in silk or chiffon. The blouse could be ruffled or have an exaggerated collar and cuffs. 

You may add a colourful blouse to this look, if you find that black and white is too simple for you. The key to pulling off this tuxedo look is to add a neckpiece and cuff bracelet that stands out and shines from a distance. After all, it is a party.

For a dressier or formal party I would recommend a dress. You can still have the tuxedo look by adding a sash belt and topping it with a smoking jacket. A smoking jacket looks like a blazer yet is softer and rounder. It is a lightweight jacket that has a satin lining, with or without a print.

Dresses can be long or short. Many dresses have a vintage silhouette. The biggest trend in dresses this holiday is in the fabric. Although the black dress can have a simple shape, it is the organza, lace, velvet, and beading that allows you to step it up a notch. Either the whole dress can be in a luxurious fabric, or some of it, like the collar, the sleeves, the cuff, the hem or belt.

Saving the best for last. At the cocktail party, you can definitely go all out. Take some of the business and formal ideas and jazz them up with a funky pair of shoes and slightly go overboard with the bling. Glitz and glamour is the look you should be going for.

Some of the trendiest items this holiday are black leather skinny pants. Fitted jewel tone dresses with studs and jewels encrusted on them. Sheer tops with sequins are daring, (please consider an appropriate under layer that is just as trendy). Silver and gold lame tops are popular. Keep the lame in moderation, you should shine, not your outfit.

This holiday season you can mix and match your pieces and have a new outfit every time you go out.

Happy Holidays

Your handbag and your shoes do not have to match. But, if you like the look, go for it, because matching your accessories is still a stylish thing to do.

Either your handbag or your shoes should match your outfit. The look of an ensemble is in fashion, even at the casual level. Not everything should match as it may start to look monotonous. Either your shoes or handbag should be a statement piece.

A statement piece is an item from your outfit that stands out on its own, with style and personality. This season’s statement pieces are modern with texture, lines and colour. Even though this may sound busy, it is a minimalist look. Shoes and handbags are sleek and controlled. Don’t forget your boots.

Every fall, boots are extremely popular. If you haven’t bought a pair in previous years, then you may crack this season. There is a boot for everyone. Boots are available in every texture. Leather and suede are most popular. There is also affordable faux leather and suede.

The colour of boots is not as bold as handbags this season. Black, all shades of brown and even cognac to burgundy are trendy this season. Boots are all about the lines, making them look very stylish.

Look for boots that allow you to feel awesome.  The retro stiletto tall boot is always in fashion. Consider it an investment piece.  Booties with a wedge heel and fringes or tassels look hip. Lace up granny boots, to the lower calf, with a chunky heel may be the coolest boot this season. The slouchy suede boot is still in fashion.

If you are looking for some colour in your outfit, your handbag may be your best bet. Handbags in jewel tones are extremely popular. Because these colours are trendy you may want to explore the new mini bags. They hold your key, cel and a credit card.

The texture of the handbag is important. The texture should be smooth and modern or embossed and trendy. Embossed is the look and feel of animal skin. It is a faux impression of python or crocodile. This embossed texture looks great in red, green and electric blue.

Handbags have a defined shape. They are not slouchy, nor oversized.  The bag may have either a thin shoulder or a wrist strap. Ladies are holding their bag in their hand. Regardless of how long the strap is, it is wrapped around the wrist, like a bracelet.

The most fashionable shoe to look out for, are the Mary Janes and the loafer. Mary Janes should have a chunky or wedge heel with a funky strap and buckle. Loafers should have clean lines or a wing tip design with tassels and a chunky heel. This look is called “frumpy-fabulous” as these shoes are traditional and can look plain. This season, these two styles have very trendy features.

Statement pieces can also match your mood. They can be whimsical and clever which creates an attitude about how you like to look. After all, fashion is about attitude.

Adieu,
Mattie

Now that summer is almost over, creating the right transition wardrobe can be challenging. I say hold on to summer as long as we can.

The summer fashion has been casual with a sense of style. This style has come from either your overall look or statement pieces. As the weather gets cooler, you can still have that summer expression with pants and long sleeves. Remember, it is windy at night on the beach!

Keep wearing your summer fun and bold colours in your tops. Transition colours like khaki, beige, white or cream, and even denim will help you transition into the cooler fall season. Bermuda shorts, capris and pants are a great way to shift into fall.

A fun way to keep the summer feel is to have a colourful tank under your open shirt. The shirt can be your jacket, in a pattern, or solid white, or even any denim wash. The shirt is heavy enough to keep you warm, and light enough to not be considered outerwear. This layering look is very much in fashion.

If you are going to wear a shirt as a jacket, make sure it is tailored. Otherwise, it will look frumpy and not stylish. This season the silhouette was and is going to continue into the fall as body conscious. Don t worry, that does not mean form fitting. There will be plenty of room to breathe.

Denim vests are making a comeback and look great with a fitted t-shirt. They are versatile, as they look great with shorts, pants and a long or short flowing skirt. The look of the vest with shorts can look slightly masculine and dated. The best way to pull off this look is with wedge espadrilles in a funky summer colour.

Flip-flops are the best way to hold on to summer. The look is that you just got back from or going to the beach. Because summer should be a fun and colourful season, these shoes look best in any colour other than black, white or brown. The only exception would be if they were metallic. Havainas are the best looking affordable flip flop out there. Their design is artistic enough to generate a sense of style with what can be considered a cheap beach shoe.

Nail polish on your fingers and especially on your toes can also transition you into the fall season. Summer colours are fun and look great on your extremities. The Pirates of the Caribbean collection are trendy. These fun colours will match any business attire and most of the fall collections and still look summery.

Although most people think that sunglasses are for sunny days, you should consider protecting your eyes on most days. This summer sunglasses have been extremely varied. There are many looks for many personalities.  Not only is purple popular, but yellow and turquoise have also popped up. The frames are skinny and the lenses are large. The look is light, so even though the shades and the colour are large, you can see through them.

Hold on to summer for as long as you can.

Adieu,
Mattie

Now that you have put together a wardrobe for the summer and the sun has finally come out, try some inexpensive statement pieces. Statement pieces are individual items that stand out on their own, yet don’t clash with your outfit. These pieces can either be an extension of your personality, or something new that you are experimenting with.

Statement pieces can be expensive, therefore I will give you some cheaper ideas that won’t go over your budget. Whether you decide a narrow or flowing silhouette, with neutrals, floral or colour block styling, there are many summer ideas to add to your summer style. Some of my inexpensive suggestions can reap a big reward.

The easiest place to start with statement pieces is always jewellery. Of course, this category can be expensive, but if you try some of the discount designer stores I am pretty sure that you will find cheaper pieces. As well, it is summer and a time when many stores start clearing merchandise and put things on sale.

Accessories have a sense of girly glam. What I mean by this term, is that the styles are feminine and dressed up with a sense of current fashion. Something in your outfit must be trendy. This is a great way to wear last year’s dress with a new piece of jewellery.

Look for insects on your pieces. Not the real ones, but ornate butterflies, dragonflies, bees, and beetles that are either in metal or gems on your jewellery pieces. Sometimes they can be tone on tone with one type of metal, but most times you will find them with vibrant colours. That is why they are statement pieces. The most popular way to wear these insects is on a ring, necklace and hairpin. Hairpins are making a comeback this summer.

Gold is also making a comeback. Because of it’s colour attributes and can be more expensive then silver, ladies are not wearing a lot of it at the same time. Consider hoop earrings, but no necklace. Gold is a good example to exercise the less is more concept.

There is a summer gold with has a metallic rose tint to it, that is very trendy this summer. I consider this colour a transition into the gold that is looking popular this fall. The rose softens the bright gold.

Some ways to introduce this colour into your wardrobe is with make-up. Eye shadows and lipsticks have a gold shimmer with pink undertones this summer. Bags, belts, sandals, are looking pretty glam in the new rose gold.

If you are looking for something bolder, then a watch might be your best bet. Oversize plastic watches in every vibrant colour, including neon, are everywhere. They can have eccentric faces with funky square and circular details. I wear my oversize, hot pink, $10 watch with everything. And, no matter what else I am wearing, I get compliments on my new watch all the time.

Now that you have some idea of how to create a personal summer style, try something fun, that is cheap. There are many funky things going on in fashion this summer so beware. Invent your glam without going overboard.

Adieu,
Mattie

Before you consider your accessories, you must think about your outfit, this season. Are you going to be wearing a fitted or an outfit with more volume? Are you going to wear tone on tone or are you going for colour blocking.

The reason why the silhouette, the style and the colour of your outfit is so important, is because this season’s accessories match or complement your outfit to maintain the minimalist trend. This is not a conservative look. This is a pulled together look. The lady, who has invested the time and money to have everything match, is the fashionista.

Having said that, there are also other trends this season. Colour blocking is trendy, and it can easily be pulled off with pieces that have bold colour. A handbag in one of this season’s trendy colours will look great with a tone on tone outfit.

The Boho theme can be pulled off with bold accessories and a very simple outfit. This trend applies best to your shoe selection. Where the handbag does not have to colour match the outfit, the shoes do. The best thing about shoes this season is that they have an exotic and luxurious styling.

Let’s start with sandals. Sandals are the most popular shoe for spring. Sandals are flat this season, so that they can be stylish and comfortable. The heels are quite high for a dressier look. My personal favourite is the wedge heel in either platform or not. Platform heels include the whole shoe, not just the heel area. The heels are not chunky, they are sleek with textures like straw or cork. When it comes to the heel selection, the choice is yours.

The rest of the shoe can be conservative with a ballet slipper look or more flamboyant with a caged look. Caged means many straps of leather on your foot. The look is that of an intricate design, not bulky straps. Embellishments with bling like jewels and hardware are also popular on the sandal. Although you will find sandals in many colours this season, brown, black and metallic are the best colours to work with your outfit this season.

Handbags are classic and modern. They are definitely smaller and refined with rounded edges. The leather is shiny to add a touch of luxury. The leather is soft so that the bag isn’t stiff. The size is medium so that you can carry some of your essentials. The handles can be your choice as shoulder straps, short handles and even clutches with a wrist strap are in fashion.

Handbags can be as colourful as you dare. All handbags should have some hardware to add bling to your style. Bling can be in either silver or gold. The hardware of your bag should match the hardware of your shoe.

Accessories are a little tricky this season. Sometimes I choose the accessory first, making it the statement piece. Then, I figure out the outfit that will match the look I am going for.

Adieu,
Mattie

Actually, not only are both handbags and shoes pretty important this fall season, but also boots. These accessories are statement pieces. That means that they stand out with lots of style and personality. This season’s clothing style is so minimalist, that ladies are going to have to use their accessory to pack their fashion punch.

Keep in mind, that this season is very sensible and functional. So, crazy over the top looks are not in fashion. There is a hip, street-smart trend that has a very urban appeal. The accessory look is very downtown. You have things to carry and places to walk to, with as much style as you can carry.

There is an order of importance. Boots are always a must in every fall wardrobe. If you can manage one casual pair and one fancy pair, then you are good to go. I usually reserve black for fancy occasions and brown for casual outings.

Boots are definitely comfortable with lots of whimsy. Even the heels are comfortable as the wedge heel is still in fashion and can be found in pumps and desert boots. Riding boots have the same style as in the past, yet the colour of the leather needs to be rich in brown or black. The Frye boot puts a smile on my face as they are back in fashion with a vengeance and I used to wear them in high school. By far, the best casual boot this season.

For trendier boot styles, look for glossy leather with detailing. The buckles are shiny and noticeable. Many lace up boots have ribbon instead of regular laces. There are fur or fringe trim on ankle to mid calf boot styles. Boots and handbags really incorporate a lot of detailing this season.

The next in order of importance is your handbag. It is a great time to buy a new handbag because there is a lot of styling in the bag.  Handbags are structured with design elements. The Kelly bag is a great option for a fancy or professional look. The messenger bag is very popular this season. Both can be finished in regular canvas or leather as well as be embossed in a less than neutral leather colour.

The Kelly bag has hard leather handles with its classic frame. The messenger bag integrates contrast suede straps. Although both of these bags have traditional attributes, their detailing can really make a statement for you.

Shoes are pretty easy this season. The ballerina flat is available in every variation with bows and hardware. Loafers and oxfords are back in fashion from their classic styling to an edgier, contrast leather, bolder stitching, and wedge heel. The newest trend in shoes this season is the kitten heel. This vintage shoe is the hottest shoe for both professional and dressy looks.

Accessories are not about high fashion. They are not about how much money you have spent. Fashion is about the modern look with your personality and some edginess on the side. The right rubber boots and backpack will also work this season, as long as they have the right trendy detailing and colour.

Adieu,
Mattie

Accessories are not only important this season, they are important every season as they complete your look. This season jewellery is original and hip. There are many influences from different parts of the world. There is a sense of glamour in wearing something different and multi textured. Look for elaborate and bold pieces.

Exotic influences to look out for are Cuban, desert, and a bit of medieval touches. The Cuban pieces are big, bold and bright as though you are going to a party by the sea or at the pool. Desert looks have brown undertones with leather straps, beads and stones.  Medieval influences are new this season. They are black and gunmetal pieces with angular shapes.

Your best piece this season will be the necklace. Necklaces have many functions. Not only do they look nice and make an outfit work for you, they can also compliment or camouflage some of your features. Long draping necklaces take attention away from the hips. Many of the layered chains with beads resemble the traditional look of draped strings of pearls. The pearls have been replace with glass, metal and mixed gems.

Another modern look for your neck is the bib necklace, which emphasizes your face because it falls in the mid chest to neck area. This statement is bold because of the many layers and pieces that are very close together. Turquoise and coral beads are very popular and they flatter many skin tones. Glass and metal beads are delicate and edgy.
Bracelets are big and trendy this season. Bangles and cuffs draw attention away from upper arms.  The look for bracelets is the more bold and exotic, the better. Bangles are slimmer than cuffs. Look for art deco and exotic styles, that bring together leather, metal, Lucite, wood, and straw. The inspiration for bracelets is an exotic souvenir from a far away place. The beginner should wear one bangle or look for a wide cuff that resembles a stack of thin bangles. Mixing many bangles requires some fashion panache.

Earrings and rings are very similar in styling. They coordinate this season, if you like your pieces to match. The new theme to look out for is the medieval influence. When considering your earrings think long dangling pieces with abstract shapes that resemble rounded crosses or pointy flowers. New metals for both earrings and rings are oxidized silver and copper.

The trendiest look for rings is the Navette, which is an oval stone or shape that is pointed at both ends, like an elongated diamond. This ring comes in black gems as well as silver, gold, bronze metals. This is definitely an edgier look.

Accessories are a necessary indulgent. They adorn your outfit, compliment your features and look different every time you wear them, with a minimal investment. In a season when wearing a one colour outfit is in fashion, when not go for jewellery that stands out.

Adieu,
Mattie

In a season where classic styles are back in fashion, accessories certainly hold a different look. Shoes are funky with a quirky edge. Handbags have a classic style with exotic details. Think about practical pieces gone ultra trendy.

Every spring women are looking for the new style of sandals. Sandals are fun as you can start wearing them pretty early in the season, with loose fitting cropped pants, as long as the weather is dry. As the weather gets warmer add that pretty sundress and you are go to go. Sandals are flat this season. Which will be refreshing for your feet.

Sandals are chic with a provocative amount of detailing. Leather is popular with straps that wrap around the ankle like one or many anklets. There are exotic patterns and textures of the leather adorned with buckles and hardware to give your sandal an edgy feel. Sandals are one of the hottest trends this season.

If you want to wait for warmer weather to wear your sandals, then this season there is a new type of shoe that looks like a bootie with an open toe as well as an open heel. The best of both worlds. This is a pretty smart innovation where you can wear a spring boot. Many have openings on top of the foot, resembling wide straps, giving the bootie an airy feel and look.

Retro looks are back in fashion. Clogs have a rounded toe with a medium height wood heel. Many wedge heels can be found in a cork heel. In fact, if you don’t like flat sandals, then you can find a sandal style of shoe with the higher cork wedge heel. Now that’s a great example of a mixed up shoe!

Bags are pretty cool this season as they have classic shapes with a modern twist. Handbags really mix it up this season. What I mean by mix it up is that a classic style will have trendy details. The handbags to look out for are carrying bags. Satchels, saddlebags and mailbags are very popular this season. They can be found in their traditional shape adorned with lizard skin, African beads and jewels. Another new trend in handbags is in the leather, which can be bright or have a perforated design. The fanny pack is also making a discreet appearance, but only with the trendiest details.

Some fun bags to go with the trendy new shoes would be bags with wood handles, or straw weaves with flower embroidery. Although bags and shoes do not have to match, it is trendy if the details match.

For the more traditional fashionista, a small strap clutch carried on the wrist or a long strap petite bag carried across the body in a buttery natural leather, still has a flavour of fashion with sophistication. A brown crocodile vintage style bag with brass turnkey fastenings, slung long definitely goes against the trendy grain this season, yet is still in vogue.

This season is more about what new trend you are willing to try rather than your personal style. Have fun mixing it up!

Adieu,
Mattie

Christmas is only a couple of days away. Don’t worry if you haven’t got a dress or brand new outfit. Buy a statement piece to update your wardrobe and consider it a present for yourself for not having splurged on an expensive cocktail dress. As long as you wear all black, you are good to go. Jazz it up with your jewelery!

Earrings are long and dangle. Vintage and art deco styles are very popular this holiday season. All kinds of hoops are in fashion. Don’t go too colourful on your ear. Earrings should always look sophisticated.

Charm bracelets are still in fashion and popular this season as they also have the dangling effect. The cool thing about these bracelets is that you can add the charms you like therefor making it a personal or festive statement.

Cocktail rings are the ultimate statement because they are the least expensive and can be the most outrageous as they are not that big and not next to your face. You can get away with a lot of style experimentation. Jewel tones are popular, depending on your personality. There are dangling charms and art deco styles to choose from.

The cocktail necklace is the biggest investment as it is bigger and more expensive. Try buying something with style but not too over the top so that you can wear it often. Turquise is big, clasps are in the front, pearls are long and layering is trendy. There is much to choose from.

Enjoy your party!

Let’s walk the trendy walk to our next party. Yes, your dress is the first thing people will look at when you walk into a party. But no question, your shoes will be next to get the once over. It is ok to wear slightly worn shoes on a day to day basis, or even to the pub. But once the holiday rolls around, you need to get something new and shiny. The trendiest shoe on the market is the booty. It is sophisticated because it is full of style. There are so many varieties, from, suede to patent, open and closed toe, buttons, lace ups and zippers, not to mention the colour variety. Here is a great opportunity to experiment with your personality. And, these booties are easy to walk in. Boots…start walking.

If booties aren’t your thing, and I seriously suggest trying them on, try the cocktail shoe. Although the traditional cocktail shoe is a classic style, it is a modern shoe. There are many trendy styles to choose, from open toe strappy versions (with a fresh pedicure and no stockings please, or at least the seamless ones), to shiny textures with embellishments. Gold and silver are traditional and cosmopolitan all wrapped into one trendy and festive package.

No matter which style of shoe you choose, go to town and have some fun.