Fashionizing Sports

Cycling

Lucy Liu: Javelin

Boxing

The gymnast

Chanel: Shot put

Weightlifting

Sprinting

Sportswear as a fashion trend has been evolving for the past few years. Fashion and sports do not naturally tally. On the one hand, fashion is refined and uses pretty details on complimentary features, which is worlds apart from sportswear that traditionally focuses on technically advanced fabrics.

Recently, the role of fashion designers in the world of sports has changed. Three renowned fashion designers from three fashion superpower nations have designed Olympic kits for their country’s athletes – United States, Great Britain and Italy.

Classic: Team USA

American designer Ralph Lauren is the first designer to design an Olympic kit, and has designed on-duty and off-duty wears for the Olympians as well as uniforms for team USA’s opening and closing ceremonies.

Team GB

Also, Renowned fashion designer Stella McCartney who has launched a number of collections for sports group Adidas is the youngest designer to be contracted to design an Olympic games kit. The designer worked for two years to create Team Great Britain’s complete Olympic kit for Adidas range.

Team Italia

Italian designer Giorgio Armani has put together Team Italia’s formal wardrobe and sport wear for the London Olympics too.

Team Jamaica

Cedella Marley daughter of the late Bob Marley has also put together a kit for Jamaica’s field and track squad produced by Puma for the summer Olympics.

This summer, millions of people around the world will watch the London 2012 Olympic games and discover which country is dressed in the best Olympic kit, who throws the farthest and who runs the fastest.  

With the London 2012 Olympics in the coming weeks, we look forward to seeing what other team kits would look like.

Choosing the right bag for your body type

Nothing is more unflattering than carrying the wrong bag for your body type. Bags can help attract attention to or away from major areas of your body.

NOTE

1.    The wrong bag can make or break an outfit

2.   Choose a good bag because it could take pounds/weight off you or add to you

Shapes of handbags

·      Clutch bag

·      Slouchy bag

·      Pouch bag

·      Widgy bag

·      Squidgy bag

·      Round bag

·      Oversized bag

·      Rectangular bag, all these bags have varying lengths of  handles.

Choosing the right bag for your body type

Are you slim, plum, short, petite, busty, wide shouldered, wide-waisted, etc.? There are bags you should use and those you should stay clear of.

There are bags for all body types (shapes and sizes):

1.    Busty girls with broad shoulders

2.   Wide waist, big hips, big belly

3.   Large frame

4.   Slim/Tall

5.    Petite, Short

6.   Voluptuous, Curvy

      1. Busty girls: Avoid carrying bags with short handles. Short handbags would stop at the bust region, which would accentuate your bust and shoulders. Instead go for bags with long hands that would push the bag down to the mid-rift region (belly).

2.   Wide waist, big hips, big belly: Use bags with short handles that would stop under the arm; this will draw attention away from your large areas to other areas.

3.   Large frame: Carry structured bag, ones that have form. Avoid carrying tiny/small bags because they make you look bigger. Instead, go for medium sized bags or over-sized clutch purses.

4.  Tall/Slim ladies, go for a hobo bag; bags that are broad, slouchy, unstructured, rounded bags to add a bit off flesh to your frame.

5.    Petites/Short ladies should avoid wide, over-sized tote bags because they’d only make you look shorter. Go for long, lanky bags to give you some ‘false’ height.

6.   Voluptuous/Curvy? Go for shapes that are long i.e. rectangular bags

GENERAL TIPS

·      Wear the right style of handbag; it equates wearing the right fit of clothes

·      Use a bag that contrasts your body type/shape

·      If you want to flatter your waist, use one that would stop around your waist

·      To draw attention to your neck, shoulders or bust, go for under arm clutches or short handle bags

A great bag is an extension of your style, and an excellent way to express your personality when dressed.

Take a cue

Even Supermodels hit wrong fashion notes

Having been a model for so many years, and dressed by the best in the fashion industry..it would be expected that glamorous former supermodel Heidi Klum would always be en point.

However recently, she's been going down the radar

We know she'll soon regain her high taste in fashion

Simply Gorge..

Angelina looks simple but gorgeous as she and Brad 'secretly' wed..

Well...it's just an imaginary wedding by Alison Jackson who similarly set-up Prince WIlliams and The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding with 300 images.

 This is how she thinks the couple will prepare and appear as they tie the knot

lovely Bouquet

Running out of what to wear..?

Lady Gaga is at it again...

The Lady was seen leaving Japan wearing only a Chanel jacket and a fish net pantyhose

I'm still trying to determine where she draws her inspiration from!

Misusing Prints...

Animal prints have been on the fashion scene for a while now, and has been received with open arms. Like any other trend, many have pulled the prints off while others have abused and misused them.

Have a look... and be the judge!

Print Blunder: Joyce Bonelli

Who rocked their look  and who did not?

Marc Again..

I see petite fashion designer Marc Jacobs loves to commit some fashion blunders in the name of boredom...

Earlier in the year during Louis Vuitton exhibition, he was photographed wearing a pink polo dress and a black heel with diamond-detailed buckles

Here we go again.... At the MET Gala Marc was again photographed dressed in black lace button down shirt dress over white boxers with the same shoes from earlier on in the year

In the name of Boredom

Looks like Marc loves his diamond-buckled black heels

Style Tips for a Fashion Novice

 

While following fashion trends is a passion for people like myself, others see it as unnecessary or feel indifferent about it. If you are struggling or need help to get on board the fashion train….here are some tips for you!

 

1.    Keep up with Fashion Trends

2.   Look through you wardrobe to retain and ditch some of your old stuff

3.   Go shopping

4.   Look after your skin

5.    Accessorize

6.   Change your hair

To keep up with the latest fashion trends, go online, watch style-related TV programmes or channels, look through fashion magazines and fashion blogs. If you have been keeping up with my posts, you’d notice that I’ve gone through the last five seasons, and other tips. What you can do now is incorporate my earlier posts with what I’m about to tell you now, and you’ll sure be updated and on your way to transformation.

Ransack your wardrobe, identify the items you can keep and those that are no good to you, you could get a second opinion from your sister or a friend. Discard unflattering and old-fashioned clothing that do you no justice.

Go shopping for new clothes. I’d advice that you consult with a personal shopper for more professional help and advise if you can afford it. Alternatively, ask an open and honest friend to accompany you t help with advise on the choices and fit of clothes. Also, invest in items that are not only trendy, but also ones that could be worn beyond that season because fashion evolves but some trends stay. You really don’t have to shop expensive items; you could go for fashionable low-cost but quality stuff too.

Don’t forget to invest in a little black dress (LBD); it’s a fashion essential that would come in handy some day.

Don’t’ forget to shop clothes that complement your skin colour. If you are dark skinned, wear colours like peach, plantation green, tangerine orange, fuchsia pink, navy blue, royal blue, mustard yellow to mention few. If you are light skinned, you can wear red, black, purple, cream, brown, golden olive, various shades in pink like baby pink, rose pink.  

In addition to acquiring new clothes, it is advisable to adopt a new skin care regime. Wash your face twice a day; eat healthy to have a glowing and youthful look.

Accessorize with belts, jewelry (earrings, rings, bangles, purses, handbags, sandals, shoes, etc.).

You’d also have to change how you style your hair taking into consideration your facial features like the shape of your face. No more craziness with the hairstyles and colours!

When putting your clothes together, be careful to not wear too many colours. Wearing more than four colours at a go is over board.

Remember no to bare too much skin….its either cleavage or pins, the two would be too much out there.

And remember the Simplicity of Style…Less is More!

Knowing your limits with shopping: My Shopping Binges

Sometimes, I look around me and wonder what I was thinking acquiring the things I have from bags to shoes (you should see my shoe rack), accessories i.e. jewelry, belts purses, etc, most of which I haven’t used. I used to employ every financial resource in my disposal to ensure that I got any item I saw online or in-store to the point of cutting my feeding costs to allow me enjoy my daily or weekly shopping. 

A day or two would not go by without the postman coming by mine to deliver; There was even a lady from Royal Mail who was assigned to my area code that laughed so hard at my shopping binges, and my housemate was worried too. I remember a day when i almost passed out at TopShop...LOL!

Are you a compulsive shopper?

You are one if you…

1.    Buy things you want whether or not you can afford them

2.   Mood-wise, you are at your peak when you shop or have new things

3.   Keep buying things because you like them without having a need for them

4.   Splurge on shopping binges at the expense of your other needs

Just like one may be addicted to gambling, drugs or alcohol is the same way an individual maybe addicted to shopping.  

Oniomania is the term that describes the compulsive desire to shop. A compulsive shopper is one who has no limits on their need to shop, which could lead to deprivation of needs, and even bankruptcy or shoplifting.

Causes of compulsive buying

For me…I just enjoyed being on the high street, having new stuff, enjoying the deals…I’m short of reasons* EyesClosed

Other reasons may be…

·      People buy compulsively as a way of dealing with feelings

·      Some may have grown up in financial deprivation and shopping compulsively is their way of catching up for lost times

You could be on your way to recovery if you employ the following strategies…

1.    Leave your purse at home when going anywhere close to a mall and make sure you don’t carry your card with you (I tried this and even had to rush home and grab my purse…LOL! My case was critical)

2.   Pay in cash to track your spending

3.   Avoid storing your card details on shopping sites

4.   Make a Monthly Budget/shopping list that you’d stick to

5.    If you can, put a STOP to window shopping

I hope this helps…

I’m still on the road to recovery. Being back in Nigeria has helped although I still shop a lot online. :D

Trends I will & will not follow..

Fashion has evolved over the years, with its highs and lows, and no year being an exception. When fashion houses show case their designs on the runway, we know immediately what trends we want to stay and those we want to fade away almost immediately.

Looking back at fashion trends from the last 5 years, there are trends that have moved on to the next season, those I embraced and those that faded; that I would not be caught following.

Have a look…

2007 Trends

Trends that have stayed on and I was happy to follow/I still follow..

·      Bangs (Hair)

·      Bright colours were in; bold fuchsia, crop green, hot pink, vibrant orange

·      High waist pants/skirts

·      Ballet pumps

·      Belts: Obi belts, slim belts

The coming of the waist belts

·      Skinny jeans

·      Over sized handbags

Trends I disliked

·      Amy Winehouse eyeliner

·     The Turban

2008 Trends

I loved…

·      Maxi dresses

·      Ruffles

·      High top trainers

·      Boyfriend jeans

·      Sheer fabrics

I disliked…

·      Khaki

·      Pocket on shoes

Who ever came up with this *rollingMyEyes*

·      Knee high gladiators

Never going to be caught on these

·      Geeky glasses

2009 Trends; I loved the complete season trends, was one of my fav seasons.

I loved…

·      Sequins

·      Waist coats

·      Pleats

·      Harem pants

·      Colour blocking

·      Blazers

·      Asymmetric designs

·      Zipper accents

Dress accentuated with Zippers

·      Over sized necklaces

·      Mix and match patterns

I like

2010 Trends

What I loved…

·      Lace designs

·      Stripes were back

·      Jumpsuits and playsuits

Sequins on jumpsuit

·      Boyfriend blazer

·      Ripped jeans & Torn denim

·      Statement jewellery; necklaces

·      Pin stripe

I disliked…

·      Underwear as outerwear

·      Military fashion

2011 Trends

What I loved…

·      The plunging neckline

·      Tail dresses & tops; dresses or tops longer behind

·      Lace clothing

·      Pleats

·      Women tuxedo

·      Bell Bottoms

·      Stripes

·      Choker necklaces & Cuff bracelets

I disliked…

·      Crochet

·      Sheer maxi dresses

·      Tassels on clothing

Those things hanging on the lower part of the dress are the tassles

·      Wide leg pants

·      Punk fashion

2012 Trends

What I Love….

·      Tailored shorts

·      The colour 'Yellow'

·      Multi-toned prints

·      Ruffles and frills

·      High dress splits

·      Mettalic Gold

·      Statement collar

·      Peplum: skirts, tops, dresses

·      Reinvention of the halter neck

Lovely Halter neck Dress

·      Bangs, here to stay (Hair)

·      Colour blocking

·      High waist skirts: pencil or A-line

·      Layering: I quite like layering depending on how its done

I like..

·      Detachable collar

·      The head scarf

 

What I dislike

·      Crop tops

·      Ethnic/tribal fashion

·      Mesh & perforated clothing

·      Art Deco fashion

·      Layering; I dislike this layering on sheer fabric...its uneccessary

 

From this, it is obvious fashion is recycled.  This is entirely my opinion...what are yours?

What trends would you follow, and which would you not follow? 

Holla!

xx