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

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

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

Cocktail dressing is very popular every year. It is a time for ladies to go into their closets and pull out all their special clothes to put together an outfit that says I feel good about myself and I want to have fun!
Unfortunately “less is more” does not really apply this holiday season. Because most of the fall styling is minimalist, yet stylish, cocktail dressing is slightly on the flamboyant side. Women want to dress up and that is the look for holiday.
Fabrics inspire the styling of the outfit. Velvet, lace, leather, and metallic are the predominate fabrics to look for. Fabric exudes a sense of luxury. Don’t worry there are cheaper versions everywhere if you are on a budget.
Skirts, vests and blazers can be found in black velvet giving you a formal yet soft look. If you don’t want a velvet holiday suit choose one piece. A dark purple velvet crush blazer can give your outfit a pop of colour and style, without going over the top.
Blouses with lace trim are very popular and versatile this season. The lace should be primarily around the collar, ruffled down the front of the blouse and off the cuffs. Lace and velvet match this holiday season. Think about putting them together.
Leather and metallic are edgier fabrics to choose. Although everyone can pull off leather, metallic fabrics are more challenging. Choose your leather pieces, the same way you would choose velvet. If you are going to invest in leather pieces, choose classic styles and colours so that you can wear these pieces for seasons to come. Leather can be professional, trendy, or casual depending on the complimentary pieces you choose to incorporate into your outfit.
Metallic is definitely trendy this holiday season, and don’t be surprised if you see it everywhere. Gold metallic pieces in a tank top, a blazer, or a skirt are simpler pieces to choose. The key to metallic is chose one piece and that gold is the colour. Wear it with black or white. Your jewellery should match and most importantly, the metallic fabric must be lightweight and flowing. This is not a stiff look.
So what should you wear to a company party? Well, that depends on the atmosphere and your personality. If you are looking for a conservative holiday outfit, here is a smart idea I can share with you.
Men’s fabrics in a ladies’ silhouette might sound boring at first, but this trend has become very popular this fall and has crept into holiday wear. Tweeds cut in a feminine silhouette, as well as, a fitted tunic with a lace blouse, is dressed up for holiday and professional simultaneously.  A cocktail dress with a fitted tuxedo jacket or even a black pinstripe blazer is another good option to be professional with your holiday dressing.
Holiday dressing is a time to have some fun with your clothes.
Happy Holidays!
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

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