STYLE GUIDE

Saturday, September 13, 2014

THE NEW SEASON EDIT......

It's somehow liberating to embrace the new season, and this AW/14 offers so much to explore.

From 'huggy bear' fur's and need it 'NOW' knitwear, to fairy tale dressing and 'east bloc' reigns
(Think Marlene Dietrich circa 1930's.)

 The possibility of reinvention thrills, but also horror beckons, when everything you own, just doesn't seem quite right anymore?

So, in the next few weeks NET-A-DRESSER will translate the runway inspired trends,  pointing you in the right direction to the best pieces on the high street this season.

1 EASTERN BLOC.

Prada: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015

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Christopher Kane: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015

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This is the new power dressing now.

 Dangerous seduction and a "don't mess with me" attitude......
(Get noticed in the boardroom or bedroom this season!)

2 SWEATER DRESSING

The Row: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015






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Monster knits feature heavily this season.....Just think how much you can save on the heating bills?

Chunky knits will work with just about everything in your wardrobe, from pencil skirts to mannish tailoring.

3  UNLEASH THE ANIMAL

Celine: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015


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Vanessa Bruno: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015

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Leopard, snakeskin and a plethora of animal prints take a big centre stage this Autumn Winter......

 Subtlety doesn't feature.
  Just clash your animal prints in a more is more kind of way.

4 A SIXTIES MOMENT


Valentino: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015





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DSquared2: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015





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As always every new season we look forward as well as back.
 And catching the eye once again, the most popular decade of all time....... Those swinging sixties.

5 FAIRY TALE'S

Dolce & Gabbana: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015






Alberta Ferretti: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015


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Become a 'cape' crusader..... Little Red Riding Hood has never looked so tempting.

Shakespeare's mischievous sprite Puck, comes to mind in Alberta Ferretti's feather dresses.

6 FLUFF & FUR.

Gucci: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015

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Paul & Joe: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015

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Touchy feely fun fur. This season there is no shortage of the fluffy stuff.......Take inspiration from the 70's with Starsky and Hutch, and 'Huggy Bear' styling.

 Too young to remember? Then look them up.


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Snoop Dogg as Huggy Bear.

7 GREY MATTER.

Michael Kors: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015




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Derek Lam: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015




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'Shades of grey'......From dove to charcoal, marl's and metallics,
grey is your new go to neutral this season.

8 NORMCORE 
AKA.....'PERFECTLY BORING'


Jil Sander: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015





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Hermes: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015


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'Normcore?'.......They are calling this a trend, well maybe?

  For me this is perfect 'under the radar' investment dressing. 
Not necessarily recognisable by it's season or by the designer. 
Just beautifully cut wearable pieces, that effortlessly work in any wardrobe.

Whatever it's 'moniker', it's got my name written all over it..... except for the price tag!

9 WINTER BOHO

Burberry Prorsum: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015

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Emilio Pucci: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015

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Boho does winter.  
Floaty dresses have a new take this season, just throw on some fur, or a blanket wrap, and you are winter ready.

Don't be afraid to do a mash-up of your prints and textures.......

10 METALLICA

Isabel Marant: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015





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Saint Laurent: Autumn/Winter 2014-2015

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Jewels, sequins, embellishment, and shine.......Sparkle by day or night, the Isabel Marant and Saint Laurent way.

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Monday, February 17, 2014

ESSENTIAL WARDROBE UPDATES..........Spring clean your closet!

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It "should" go without saying that we all have the perfect wardrobe staples, just waiting there as the backbones of our personal style. But so often we will be drawn into yet another trend, and splurge all on a one season wonder, and forget about investing in the pieces, that you will return to time and time again........

Buy now wear forever.......well almost?

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One woman who knows how to make wardrobe essentials work is Phoebe Philo of Celine.

A cluttered wardrobe, makes for a cluttered mind. My advice would be to do a wardrobe detox, and the start of the new season is the perfect time.

Get a freestanding rail ready, and the bin bags too!

THE RULES

1. Edit your clothes twice a year. Put away past seasons wardrobe, and be ruthless with the wardrobe monsters! Separate the baddies into charity shop piles, and if its a designer item try to sell it. The two year rule usually applies, if you haven't worn it by now, you probably never will. Where to sell? Try.... Vestiairecollective this Paris based site re-sells luxury fashion brands.

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2. Be realistic about your lifestyle? Do you have a wardrobe of party clothes, but now your a full time mum? Yes of course you want to rock the yummy mummy look, but those sequined and lycra little numbers hiding in the dark corners of your cupboard, may have to go!

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Elle Macpherson gets it right.......

3. Is there anything in there that you have been waiting to have altered or repaired? If so find a good dressmaker, and get it done now. Sometimes a small alteration such as a hem length can give clothes a whole new life.

4. Ask yourself why am I not wearing it? Is the item too small.......Has the garment hung in your wardrobe for years waiting for you to lose weight? Well its probably time to "man up" and let it go.

5. Do the same with shoes, underwear and other accessories.

6. Now, you should be left with the clothes you love, and have a purpose in your wardrobe. Put all similar items hanging or folded together.

7. This is where you will be able to see what is missing from your essential wardrobe?

8. Always make considered future purchases. Can I make it work in many different ways, and for different aspects of my lifestyle?

9. Make a list of what you are missing? 

10. Here to help are the key pieces that will never go out of style, or loose there Street Chic appeal.

THE BUILDINGS BLOCKS

 Leather biker jacket Mango £119.99

 Grey cashmere, the ultimate luxury piece Equipment sweater £325

 Suede pumps Saint Laurent £370

Classic sunglasses Ray-Ban Wayfarer £120

  Mid rise skinny jean J Brand £205 

 Tailored black blazer Mango £59.99

 Saint Laurent Bag £1180

 Silk jersey Tee Cos £39 .....go for a couple of white one's too.

 Leopard print pumps Mango £44.99

Silk Shirt Mango £39.99 

Add to this list a great coat, ankle boots,

Sophisticated, timeless black coat Joseph £595

Boots Tory Birch The Outnet were £320 now £160

.........and just in case you get asked out, or manage a night off from the little darlings!

The ultimate, definitely no carbs now (see last post) little black dress Herve Leger at the Outnet Was £1335 Now £675 

Sorry for so much black, but these are staples, that are easy to add seasonal colour, texture and accessories to, without breaking the bank.

 However, If black is not your thing, you can always do the wardrobe essentials with either navy or a neutral tone.........good luck!

X X X

FRIDAY 29 AUGUST 13


Welcome to NET-A-DRESSER's Autumn/Winter 2013 essential style guide. Packed full of catwalk inspired looks to update your wardrobe.


Here are the most exciting, influential and wearable key trends to kick off the season.......

THE MYSTERIOUS WOMAN.

Draped in cloaks, and sophisticated fabrics, wearing dark and rich renaissance colours and cuts. She has an enchanting, but eerie seriousness about her, will you succumb to your dark side?

Givenchy : Autumn/Winter 2013

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THE ANDROGYNOUS WOMAN.

She borrows from the boys, or even her father? Wearing razor sharp tailoring, over sized coats, big angular shoulders, and deep pockets. Mafia inspired pinstripes with "Great Gatsby" elegance.

 Stella McCartney : Autumn/Winter 2013

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THE HITCHCOCK HEROINE.

This femme fatale has a retro nod to the forties with cinched in waists, pencil skirts, forming an hourglass silhouette. Tweed's, lingerie details, fur on bare skin, wool and cashmere knits..... She is demure, but sassy. Think 1940's icons such as Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Katherine Hepburn and Grace Kelly. This look has an eternally seductive power.

Bottega Veneta : Autumn/Winter 2013

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URBAN SPORTSWOMAN.

The sports luxe trend continues, bomber jackets, caps and backpacks and trainers. This season she adds suede and metals to fast track this look.

Max Mara : Autumn/Winter 2013

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GLAMOROUS REBEL.

The 80's vibe is back.......Blondie circa 1989. A little punk, a little rock and some heavy metal thrown in too. With studs, mesh, plaids and tartans, patent's and leathers, this look is all about a laid back rebelliousness, but with a couture twist.

Saint Laurent : Autumn/Winter 2013

   

    

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WHAT TO WEAR NOW.........?

The sun may still be (sometimes) shining, but autumn clothes are well and truly in the stores. The savvy shopper knows that if you want the best, you have to get there first.

 Let me guide you through the new season now, at some of our favourite high street shops.

OASIS
..... HAS THE "PERFECT" BIKER JACKET.

This Oasis stitch detail leather jacket £168 will be your go to jacket of the season.

 Dark and fabulous lace over nude dress Oasis £60

RIVER ISLAND

Get your grunge groove on......the rebel is who we all want to be this season!  River Island red check over sized shirt £25.

Classic Black Pea Coat River Island £55



Black faux leather pencil skirt River Island £22.

ZARA

Pure silk blouse also available in black. 

(Get them both....at this amazing price!) Zara £39.99

Red hot asymmetric pointy shoe Zara £69.99

Be one of the boy's in this pinstripe Zara Blazer £59.99.........If you don't want to do the whole androgynous suit look, just team with skinny or leather jeans, and a crisp white shirt!



 NEW LOOK.

  

Over sized coat at a very undersized price! Black 100% wool boyfriend coat at River Island £39.99.

 Chunky patent chain loafers New Look £22.99



MANGO

Love at first sight........

My first purchase of the season was this chunky knit faux leather sleeved long cardicoat at Mango £59.99  (Can't wait to wear it properly........I put it on in the morning chill, but comes off later, but a girl's gotta try!)



Oh so wearable!.......Leather Boots Mango £129.99

Leather sport's inspired mini skirt Mango £59.99

WAREHOUSE

Zip backed sweatshirt dress from Warehouse £36.  Wear now with post summer bronzed legs,  and a chunky boot.

H&M

 Faux Leather jeans..... H&M £24.99

Chunky knit you can't live without H&M £29.99

Fun Fur. No apologies, more black I know! But, available in cream too. Personally I think the black looks so much more expensive....... H&M Sheepskin look coat £79.99

ISABEL MARANT BRINGS FRENCH CHIC TO H&M

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I for one am wildly excited to see the collection that Parisian designer Isabel Marant has created for H&M. The hugely successful Isabel Marant label  has long been associated with effortless Paris chic style. Mixing urban attitude, boho glamour, and rock chic.

 But for many, or most of us, sadly, her designs can be financially out of reach.......

Well no more. From November 14th 2013 Isabel Marant's signature style will be available to the masses with her collection for H&M.  It will feature a wardrobe of must-have pieces. The collection will have clothing and accessories for women, teenagers and for the first time men too. My VHM (Very Handsome Man) is definitely getting a Marant mens wardrobe makeover this season! 

In Isabel Marant's words.........

“I am flattered by this collaboration: H&M works with the best designers and this invitation is an exciting honour. I aim at creating something real, that women want to wear in their everyday lives, with a certain carelessness, which I think is very Parisian: you dress up, but do not pay too much attention and still look sexy. 
The collection is infused with this kind of easiness and attitude.

 Everything can be mixed following one’s own instincts: my take on fashion is all about personality" 

says Isabel Marant.

Form an orderly queue NOW!

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Let the season begin.......

X X X

 Image Stella McCartney SS13



FRIDAY 23 FEBRUARY

 
  YES, the fresh modern mood of SS13 is here even if the weather isn't yet?

 And while the rest of the fashion pack are already embracing next season , the rest of us mere mortals want to get to play with the new spring looks! 

The trends that will work easily this season are the clean, clear colours, stripes, white, and the new retro shapes. 

 And so I have put together for you the key pieces that will work for you off duty, in the office, lunch or night out, and everything else in between. 

 Start to work these looks into your wardrobe now, and they will give you great mileage right throughout the season.

The key TRENDS that stand out as so wearable right now, and a great transition into spring are one of mine and of course Coco Chanel's....... Stripes, seen everywhere on the catwalk this season, but oh such a timeless addition to your wardrobe

Next pure White simplicity stands out every time, and this season a huge trend and one well worth buying into. 

Monochrome, everywhere on the SS13 catwalk.

Minimalism, again this is just such a perfect look to invest in, and I will show you how to get this look at a budget conscious price. 

There is also a strong 60's vibe coming through, which you could have some great fun with. 

Try Neapolitan pastels and Lego colours.

 Another look that is so easily incorporated into your wardrobe this season is Sports Luxe, that easy laid back American vibe that just looks so cool!

Metallics will shimmer and shine this summer, adding a space like quality to your summer wardrobe.

So for how to nail this summer's hottest trends, and how to get the look for less ........ take a look at my blog.

Have a great summer,



Helen xx