Dresses are everything and everywhere this summer. There is a dress for every occasion that you can think of, yes even shopping for groceries. Dresses have become very popular this season because they are fun and easy to wear.

There are many dresses to choose from. Maxi or mini, solid to wild, this season dresses are all about wearing the right dress at the right time. You may even consider buying more than one.

The first thing you must consider is the silhouette of the dress. This shouldn’t be too hard as many styles are in fashion. Lighter fabrics should have an airy flow and stiffer fabrics should be tailored, but not fitted. Dresses are forgiving and flattering.

Dresses are long to the ankle, medium to above and below the knee, and mini to the thigh. This choice is your personal preference. Most dresses will have a narrow waistline higher than your belly button. This higher waistline allows for your body to look longer and slimmer.

There is a volumous shape of the dresses. Regardless of the fabric and print, the bottom half of the dress will appear rounded like an upside down letter U. Many dresses will incorporate pleats and ruching to enhance this silhouette. Prints are big and tiny, wide and thin this season.

Although the minimalist look is still in fashion, dresses are bold with personality. Consider a simple classic style in outrageous print. The floral print is everywhere, from hundreds of hard to see tiny flowers to one big flower. Floral prints can create a soft or loud impression.

Colour block dresses look best with a heavier fabric. The colour block look is the opposite of a floral flowing look. Colour block can be one to three colours, maybe four. Stripes fall into the category of colour blocking. Try to keep the amount of colours under control, as this is a steam lined modern look.

I have already mentioned how fabric is important to how the dress falls. Lightweight cotton, chiffon, and silks allow the dress to flow. Linen, heavier cotton blends, with Lycra are great for the tailored and colour block looks.

There are also some new fabrics making a comeback. White lace and eyelets have become very popular. They look delicate, but are a substantial fabric. They are pretty and bohemian with a touch of class. Embroidery with ruffles and rosettes, give a simple look some sophistication.

There is definitely a trend of how ladies are wearing their dresses in relation to the time of day. The all white look is very modern and trendy and can be dressed down for day and up for evening. A muted colour palette is popular during the day. After dark looks, include hot pinks, yellow, teal, and orange. The colour of the dress creates a vibe.

Wearing a dress this season is about personal expression. Grab a pair of wedged espadrilles or flat sandals and go have yourself a dance. There is something musical about wearing a dress.

Adieu,
Mattie

Are suits in fashion for spring?

Yes, suits are back in style. The good news is that there is a variety of ways ladies can wear their suit, from casual to professional and everything in between.

The main silhouette to look for when buying pieces, is the suit should be body conscious and consist of soft lightweight layering pieces. The silhouette can either be straight, curvy and even angular. This flexibility allows many body types to incorporate the suit into their wardrobe and still maintain a sense of style.

Many different pieces can create the suit. An important trend to keep in mind, is that minimalism is in fashion. The style of the blazer needs to match the trousers. Also, the fewer amount of colours that you are wearing the more in fashion you are.

The full two-piece matching suit is the trendy look. This look goes back to the nineties, when the power suit was the fashion item. The look is a blazer that is structured and not fitted. The trouser is also tailored, but not skinny.
The suit look is all about the blazer matching the trouser. The blouse or top need to be as simple and lightweight as possible, otherwise it will make the silhouette bulky. This minimalist look, with structure, opens the possibility of a great belt. The belt and shoes need to match. The suit is a coordinated look.

There are many ways to pull off the suit without looking too serious. To create the illusion of a suit, the colours need to match. Taupe falls into the brown family and grey falls into the black family. Different tones of the same colour are considered one colour.

Pants should look like trousers this season. They should be tailored with a loose fit. Even if the fabric is lightweight, it should not cling to your leg. Narrow and wide pants are in fashion. Both are flattering because they have a higher waistline. Narrow pants have pleats from the waistline but still maintain a narrow, yet slightly balloon leg with tapering at the ankle. Wide pants are straight from the hip down. This volumous look is quite trendy right now, especially with a fitted top.

Blazers have become very popular and are the jacket in both professional and casual wear. Blazers are also structured. They should be comfortable. The sleeves are shorter and fitted. They are single breasted, with not too many buttons. The length ranges from the top of the hip to just under the hip line.

For an edgier look, the shoulder can be pronounced with a rounded curve or angular edge.  Most lapels are narrow to collarless. Mix and match the pieces and see which looks best on your body type. Blazers can be worn with everything this season.

Jeans and casual pants are still in fashion. Jeans are medium to darker washes. The fit of your pant should look like a trouser, not a faded, vintage pair of pants.

Hoodies and yoga pants are out, unless you are hanging out at home or going to the gym. Ladies, fashion has stepped it up a notch!

Adieu,
Mattie

This season is one of those seasons when designers start to try new ideas and thus create a new direction of trends. There is a large variety of colour being introduced and retailers are waiting it out to see what the fashionistas are going to buy.

There is a lot of newness and experimentation in colour. If you look carefully, there are some trends developing this season. Most of your choices will depend on your personality and lifestyle.

My only word of warning is don’t jump on the colour bandwagon so fast. Since there is a wide variety of a colour, I suggest we divide them up into sections, professional, sportswear, and accent colours.
I am going to start with a professional attitude about colour because most ladies are going to sway this direction. The colours to look out for are neutral. They are sand, white, black, deep blue and pink.

Professional clothes need to look light, not heavy. There should be one piece that is lighter in colour than the other piece. I would choose one predominate colour and then another, not as dominate. Even though it is spring, the dominant colour should be the darker colour.

There is also a minimalist trend of tone on tone, which is best applied with the colour white and sand. White on white is very popular this season. Gold trim is used to break it up with a luxury element.  Sand is the new black and can go as dark or light as you prefer. I really like the sand tones because they range from taupe, to moss to creamy hues. Beige is not boring.

Sportswear has a lot of intensity going on. Three colours to an outfit are very common. Colour blocking has been introduced this season. This is where one piece has two or more colours on it. Black and grey will work with two other vibrant colours to give your outfit some balance. Colour blocking works best with no more than three colours.

I find colour blocking very trendy and possibly short-lived, so don’t spend too much money on these pieces. A better alternative is to buy pieces, each with one bold colour and wear them together to create a colour block effect. Crazy colours to look out for are bright yellow, hot pink, and lime green. These colours should also look vibrant slightly on the neon-punk side.

There are many new colours that I would suggest as an accent at this time. These colours can be applied to both professional and sportswear. They haven’t made the status of trendy, but they are still fashionable. Orange, electric blue, red, and purple have become a colourful neutral. They can be subtle like a headband to a statement piece like a glossy handbag. Colour has the tendency to create luxury without costing too much.

My only rule this season is that professional clothes will differ from casual. There is a difference in presentation. I think this has happened because ladies like to dressing up and enjoy their sportswear, but not at the same time.
Adieu,
Matti

By now we are all tired of winter, but it is not Spring yet. This is a time of year when I like to experiment with new trends that I have overlooked in the Fall. Since some things seemed too trendy many months ago, now they are worth a try.

Knits have been very popular, in both lightweights as well as chunky. I like the lightweight knits better as they are form fitting. Chunky is good if you plan to wear it as an outdoor piece. The best way to wear lightweight knits is as a layer piece. A v-neck sweater or a button front vest works best with a lightweight t-shirt or fitted shirt under. This look can be casual and stylish without looking formal.

Chunky knits work best with leggings and skinny to straight leg pants. Jeans are great, but I always like to wear cords in the winter, just for a change. Chunky knits need to be as fitted as possible and slightly longer, to the hip, so that it can have a complimentary look.

There are still some knit options for those who don’t like wearing sweaters. Knit hats have become very trendy and fun. Since it is not an expensive item, try a new colour that stands out on its own. The beanie can have a luxurious look with the colour and pattern. These warm hats come in chunky, fine knit as well as crochet. They can also be tight, loose, with earflaps and with brims. There is a beanie for everyone.

Another affordable knit item for this time of year is the knit cowl scarf. Some of you might be wondering what that is. It is a big scarf that forms a circle. It is not a long rectangular piece. You can hang it long over your neck and in front. But most ladies double it up around their neck and form a cozy neckpiece.

The shirtdress has come back in fashion. Again, it looks good with leggings, and skinny to straight leg jeans. I prefer a darker pant with the look of a shirtdress. This look is a little trickier than a sweater because of different body types. The shirtdress looks like a long shirt, but is not. It is slightly loose but mostly fitted all the way down to your bum.

You must a wear a belt on the outside to incorporate the whole look. If you wear leggings then make sure the shirtdress goes to mid thigh. Heavy boots with chunky ankle socks sticking out pretty much finishes the look. Almost all of the shirtdresses I have seen this year are plaid in combinations of blue, red and black. The shirtdress is a great weekend, casual look.

Because of leggings, socks have become trendy as they are seen as a part of the outfit. Socks are another way of having fun with fashion at a relatively low expense. Socks should be the same colour as the shoe or boot as they are an extension of each other.

There is a lot of room for individuality in trendy pieces. Try on new things as see what you like.

Adieu,
Mattie

Coats are big again. And, the sales are on! There are so many styles of coats to choose from, consider buying more than one. A good coat is always in fashion. Coats are about attitude this season. There is a sense of design, as you will find beautifully cut coats.

Everyone should own one good coat, because the weather does get cold. A thick cotton hoody will not keep you warm. Besides, a hoody is not a coat. Since we don’t have many months of cold weather, you should consider a classic style. Also consider a style that you really like so that you can wear your new coat for many winters to come.

Most of the coats this season have rounded shoulders and full sleeves.  Coats also have a fit-and-flare silhouette that allows women to look stylish, comfortable and feminine. Faux fur is trimmed on almost every style of coat.
The most abundant styles are the professional or conservative look. These are the classic styles that you should consider investing in.  The easiest choice this season is the camel, single breasted, three-quarter coat. It is sensible and reflects an air of sophistication.

Other conservative coats are the hooded toggle coat, which is still structured and comfortable with a bit of casual fun. The big pockets make it easy to carry things like your keys, wallet, gloves or anything else to free your hands.

Double-breasted pea coats are traditional and never go out of style. Funnel coats are new this season. They have a big rounded collar and an a-line swing to them. A navy blue, double-breasted, military detailed (with brass buttons) trench is also quite popular.

For those of us who putter around and still want to look good, coats are also fun this season. A hooded parka in a shiny, colourful fabric is very cool this season. Consider a new ski jacket that doesn’t need to be worn only on the mountain. Don’t forget the toque, either in a matching or complimentary colour, which will give you a bit of an après ski look.

For the not so wet days, consider leather and suede. Padded lining looks best on a leather coat and shearling looks awesome on a suede coat. I have seen both these styles in tan to browns and black. They are either cropped at the waist or drop to a three-quarter belted look.

If you are keen for a trendier or an additional inexpensive coat, there are more styles out there. Wool capes buttoned or belted are very popular this season. Don’t forget the beret and the long leather gloves to keep warm.
The easiest way to be trendy with a classic style (that some people consider boring, but I don’t), is to add a scarf. Silk patterns and chunky knits, in solid colours to wild prints will definitely add trendiness to a simple coat.

Wearing a coat is a polished look. I consider a coat an investment piece. Take the time to find something that you can proudly wear often. Don’t forget the accessories to help you keep warm.

Adieu,
Mattie

Dressing professionally has come back in fashion. Even the casual look has the “New Chic’ styling. The New Chic is minimalist and practical. Luckily it is a comfortable tailored look. Ladies want to look professional without being uncomfortable and having to spend too much time putting outfits together.

The black pant is not only a staple in every woman’s wardrobe, it is now also a trendy piece. The lean black pant is the easiest piece to work with this season. If you don’t have a pair, then I strongly suggest you go buy one or even two. There are many styles to choose from, so take the time to see which fits best, because you are going to wear them often. Black has a style that can be dressed up as well as made casual.

The fashionable styles are the boy fit that has a narrow leg with slat pockets. The trouser has a straight leg that is wider from the thigh down to the ankle and the true straight looks like a pair of jeans. Anyone can wear any of these three styles of black pant. There is a new fit that is curvier, it has a higher rise to accommodate a fuller hip area and still has a slight boot cut to create a lean vertical line. The new curvy pants are forgiving and worth a try.

Trendier black pants are also available. There is a modern style that is an exaggerated boot cut. And of course the skinny’s are still very popular. There are two types of skinny’s, there is the traditional ankle length and the mid calf that complements the trendy boots this season.

From the black pant you can build a professional wardrobe. White blouses and shirts are great pieces to start coordinating with. Although white shirts are everywhere, opt for something with colour, from pales to bold. Both will work this season. If you really like white, look for vertical stripes to add interest to you look. Minimalism does not have to be boring.

White blouses are pretty this season with their pleats and ruffles. There are three quarter sleeves that contribute to this season’s lean look. The collarless blouse is new and looks pretty chic. The white blouse and shirt can also be worn outside of the pant with a black skinny belt. And, if you want to be really lean, the same styles can be found with the black blouse.

If you want to wear a blazer have some fun with it. Blazers are cropped, to the hip, with 2 or 3 buttons that add to the lean vertical look. Shoulders are rounded to add some femininity. Windowpane checks and tweeds in brown and grey are great additions to your professional wardrobe, if you want to add some texture to your look.

Urban dressing is popular this season as it creates a sophisticated look. We all have things to do, why not look important while we are doing them?
Adieu,
Mattie

The overall styles are very similar to last fall. Some of the new trends are found in the silhouette, trims and how to wear certain colours. These changes will distinguish you from last years crowd. Although black is popular, there are injections of colour that can excite your fall wardrobe.

The silhouette this season is clean and neat with few angular lines. It is called the “New Chic”. The New Chic is easier said than done. It is a minimalist approach, which means less is more. Each piece counts and should have an element of style.

There is definitely a waistline this season. Belts are not as edgy, they are a part of the outfit that contributes to a curve of the body. Jackets, blouses and dresses have a variety of cut and fit that fall either above or below the natural waistline. The new waistline is flexible and forgiving.

The silhouette is long and slim with a few slight curves. There are no extreme lines this season. When the waistline is cropped high the bust line looks rounder. This not an A-line shape as skirts or pants are tailored from a skinny to a fitted.

This streamline silhouette includes shoulders that are bigger. They are not pointy, yet they standout with a rounded finish. It is the new trend with all jackets and coats. Don’t be surprised if you see shoulder pads. The emphasis of the silhouette is on top from the shoulder to the flexible waistline. The hip line is tapered, almost not existent.

Although black is very popular this season, I would strongly suggest some addition of colour.  Camel is a classic colour that you are going to see everywhere. Try a suiting look with a white soft blouse and black shoes and a thin belt and you are styling. Tweeds are a stylish print and should have camel as their primary colour. Coats and jackets are the easiest way to add camel to your wardrobe. Camel chunky cardigans are going to be very popular this fall.

Another classic colour is grey, which will work for you exactly like camel. It is also a clean look. Both colours are not dark, which will lighten up any black pieces. If you want to be a little cheeky, silver is very trendy in fabrics and threads, but not too much.

Navy and royal blue are also in fashion this season. Electric blue is the trendier version. Electric blue matches with black, camel and grey so it is an easy piece to add to your wardrobe. Because it is a bold colour try it in small doses until you get used to it. It looks great in patterns like checks, stripes and tweeds

Need more colour? Scarlet red, mustard yellow and plum are your go to colours. They are trendy and vibrant. These colours are on everything from shoes to scarves.

There is a sense of confidence this season in having the ability to consolidate different pieces of your wardrobe into The New Chic. Fashion should look like it comes natural to you.

Adieu,
Mattie

Dresses are lots of fun this season. They are fresh with new ideas and there are a variety of styles for many body types. Everyone can wear a dress this season. The only question is, which one of these unique styles fits my personality!
The LWD (little white dress) is a classic for every summer season. Many ladies shy away from the LWD, for many reasons. I feel you should embrace it for summer. A dress in one colour is contemporary and white is a confident expression of your personality, because you can accessorize it. This season white has a very modern approach in that it is artsy and minimalist at the same time.

The creative part of the LWD lies in the details. The neckline and hem is edged with swirls of ruffles or pretty lace. Laser-cut rosettes and eyelets embellish the simple white cotton. Pleats are also popular creating volume and shape to the silhouette of the dress.
This dress is down-to-earth, in a mod and prim sort of way. It is not a cute or pretty dress, although it is cheery. Most of the lines and shapes are simple and not overwhelming. This dress can be short to the knee or maxi to the ankle, with emphasis on a raised waistline.
If white is too stark for you, then ivory and pastels presents a luxurious opportunity. Ivory and light coloured pastels complimented with transparent gauze like textures, allows the dress with a sense of lightness. A lightweight flowing silhouette is the main theme in dresses this summer.

An all white dress does not have to be presented in one colour. An edgier LWD is covered with a bib of turquoise crystals, colourful stones, and also embroidered with tiny wooden tiles. Add black graphic stripes and swirls to the pattern and it will give your outfit a look of sophistication. Red accessories will punch some style right into the mix. Prints are also very popular this dress season. They are a blurry floral print that looks like ink patterns blended onto the dress. Minimalist does not mean plain. It means a few smart choices.
Other trends of dresses to consider are military styling with big angular pockets belted into a cinched waist in shades of khaki and beige. This can be a fun look with contrasting elements. Lace and transparent collars, cuffs, hems and even a rope belt with tassels soften the look with lots of style.
The American West theme with creamy lace blouses and tiered maxi skirts, with country eyelet may not be a dress, but together it creates the silhouette of a one piece. Mixing and matching your pieces with a personal flair is always in fashion.
Go to work, go for lunch, do whatever you feel like doing in a dress. Summer dresses are both casual and fancy at the same time. The dress styles are not feminine this season, they are structured with a soft rounded out feel to them. Why not look attractive and be comfortable at the same time?
Adieu,
Mattie
Mattie a la Mode is a monthly fashion advice column. Mattie is a freelance fashion writer and personal stylist.

Yes, the power suit is back. It is definitely a season of tops and bottoms that coordinate, with a modern spin. The power is in the style.

The new suiting look is lightweight with layers. Each piece needs to be tailored, not necessarily fitted. Which is great because this silhouette is more forgiving. The overall silhouette is fluid, which means the lines are soft and not rigid, as tailoring can be. The best way to describe the new suiting movement is if you are standing in the wind, your clothes should move with the breeze. If the clothing is stiff, it is too heavy for this fashion season.

The professional look is sleek and tailored, more feminine than masculine, but definitely not girly. Start with the classic white cotton blouse. The modern version is more like a blouse, than a shirt. Look for pleats, ruffles, lace, and almost transparent fabric with rounded shoulders. The sleeveless blouse with a scarf neck is making a comeback in a very Parisian way. Luxury fabrics, like silk and chiffon, are popular in the new pastels. Blouses are stylish and not plain, therefore creating the soft suit. This is a new professional suit that doesn’t need a blazer for balance.

Trousers are classic in that they are tailored and simple. Your choices are a straight and narrow cut or just straight, but not too wide. Skirts are more fun this season as they are either solid or patterned. The soft skirt suit includes the stylish blouse with either a pencil skirt or a pleated skirt.  I prefer the rounded skirt nor only because it is more comfortable and forgiving, but also because you can choose funky, yet still professional colours and patterns. A red skirt with black and gold stripe will look awesome with a white blouse. If you choose a patterned blouse, then a solid skirt is the way to go. There is nothing wrong with style in the workplace.

The blazer is sneaking into wardrobes disguised as outerwear. It must coordinate, so try and find a neutral colour like black or charcoal pinstripe, or brown suede or leather. Blazers are lightweight and not bulky. They are short to the waist or hip line. They have a boxy cut, and the buttons are ornate. Blazers contribute to the new soft power suit. They complete the look.

This season we also have the casual suit. The safari suit is the best place to start because it is easy to visualize. Military influenced looks in khaki dresses, vests and belted jackets are popular. Try to not look like you have just walked out of an army surplus store.  Denim is also popular in dark and chambray with shirts, pants, vests, and blazers. Don’t mix khaki and denim as they are each a different look. Military and denim pieces are street influenced, yet fashion forward styling. Press your pieces to not look scruffy.

The best part of this season is that you can mix and match your professional clothes with your casual clothes as long as the colour palette matches. Not only creating a modern look, but also a trendy one.
Adieu,
Mattie

This spring season you will need to get creative in how you wear colour. Spring fashions have an overall all look of having put a variety of pieces together to create an ensemble. The big trend this spring season is how you use colour to wear the new trends.

The first trend that you will notice is how the whole outfit is one colour, or shades of one colour. This unison of colour palette creates the shape of spring fashions. The best way to get this look is with layering pieces and to think outside of the single colour box.

The colours that best enhance this look are white and nude. White is crisp and self-explanatory, but nudes need a bit of explaining. Nudes can range from yellow, khaki, and pink undertones of beige, an undertone for every personality.  Nudes are not boring this season, they can be quite challenging for the consumer. There are going to be many shades of beige this season.

Many women are not keen on wearing light colour pants. The best way around this is with grey pants with the white outfit and bronze or khaki pants with the nudes. The trendy way to wear one colour so that you don’t look boring is to cinch your outfit with a belt in a complimentary colour that is darker that the whole outfit. This creates the body-hugging silhouette of spring.

Another new trend is how the fabric plays a role with the colour and styling choices. Khaki has heavier cotton pieces with a military silhouette.  These pieces are best found in jackets, pants and even ribbed under layers. Denim has become popular as an indigo colour. I am seeing denim shirts tucked into denim pants. Indigo is neither a dark blue colour nor a washed out colour. It is right in the middle and quite a bold statement. The new denim suit may stem from the 70’s but it definitely has a modern look.

Pastels are very popular this season and they come in many shades.
They have a breezy look and are worn in lightweight organza and chiffon pieces. There is a huge range of pastels from pale aqua, citron, and coral to silver, pink and gold. Pastels are so light in their colour that they look almost colourless, which is why nudes are so popular this season.

Floral prints are always popular in the spring. Florals have the traditional washed out feminine look. There are also bold blue, green and purple swirly floral arrangements for the not so feminine type. The cool thing about the floral patterns is that you can mix and match them, as long as you keep the colour palette very close in range.

This spring season you need to consider your outfit as though it is a casual suit. The look is consistent and fluid creating one look with many pieces. What you are wanting is to look in the mirror and say to yourself “Oh, that all looks good, together.”

Adieu,
Mattie