Lust: What Defines Sexy?

In a world where fashion has evolved from corsets and voluminous layers of heavy skirts to long-sleeved, turtle-neck Sunday bests; from white stockings to shoulder padded uniforms; from shapeless and modest clothing to skin tight leather, snakeskin, cleavage, and backless pieces, “sexy” has been constantly redefined.

We’ve gone from Coco Chanel’s long-sleeved classic black dress to Snookie’s tiny skirts, massive cleavage (which, unfortunately, is a great understatement), and ripped clothing in today’s fashion magazines. Granted, Snookie is never praised for her “high fashion sense,” but it is still evident that “sexy” in the minds of many young women equates more skin.

Fear not. The fashion industry is fighting back.

Full-length skirts, oversized sweaters, floor-length dresses, men-inspired women pieces, boyfriend sweaters, chunky knits, and everything else that suggests a cozy, comfy, and sleaze-deprived ensemble is taking center stage on the runway. Each piece is evident in nearly every collection and moves elegantly from day to night, winter to spring.

Even the red carpet’s best dressed are fighting back. There’s a right way and a wrong way to cover up.

Sexy is dressing comfortably while maintaining and displaying your shape, leaving things to the imagination but giving them something to go off of, and covering up while revealing yourself. It’s sounds completely contradictory, but it is utterly simple.

Dries Van Noten pairs a flowing floor-length vibrant purple skirt with an oversized jungle green top and manages to exude utter cool rather than a grandma-dressed-as-Barney look by playing with textures, an asymmetrical hemline, and black sunglasses.

 

Sheer tops with floor-length dresses shed some skin but keeps it controlled. Sheer layers also make a longer piece so much more interesting while a leopard-print coat immediately adds a dose of youth.

Belting at the waist or donning eccentric colors also defines waists and curves as shown on Fendi’s twist on wearing a belt and layering lengthy skirts.

Fashion allows us this incredible flexibility with our own bodies and looks. It’s amazing.

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Author Bio:

Ray is a passionate writer whose obsession with fashion has skyrocketed to a nearly unhealthy rate. But she’s fine with that. Who in the blogger world isn’t? She meshed these two passions into a single word that now embodies her life: Fashionwrites.

 

Love: Australian Designers

Everyone looks to Paris or New York for the latest trends and styles but have you considered Australian designers? Karla Spetic is an Australian designer with the simplistic chic that might characterise BCBGmaxazria mixed with all the colours and cheer that comes with a LV resort collection. But of course that alone cannot explain entirely what the brand entails.

Karla Spetic has a very cheeky way of playing with different colours, textures and shapes that lends it an almost childish and daydreamy air but its chic simplicity ensures that it does not become un-sophisticated. It caters for the little girl inside each of us who likes to squeal with delight at candy hues and yet it also caters for the chic fashionista who knows how to handle her own style. No wonder her ‘10 Autumn/Winter collection was titled “Dreamer”.

 

Karla Spetic two ways by crossthat featuring ankle pants

 

 

I just love her two toned cardis. Wear it with a cute little skirt and you get something casual and girly. Wear it with impeccably tailored slim black pants, fierce accessories and towering studded heels and you get to prevent your outfit from making you look too hard and cold.

Not every Karla Spetic piece is suitable for everyone. Whilst her clothes have designs and cuts to marvel at adoringly, I can imagine that it might not fit with everyone’s style philosophy. But her ability to turn heads without fail is a quality that one can definitely lust after.

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Written by Monica of crossthat.com

Love: Spring Trends 2011

As winter releases us from her icy grasp, its finally time to ditch the fairilse knits and embrace a bit of spring slash summer loving. And what’s not to love? All will be revealed.

THE NEW MAXI

Although maxi skirts and dresses will continue to fight for prize position in our wardrobes in S/S 2011, it will face tough competition in the form of its latest rival. I introduce – the midi. The midi has steadily been creeping its way from the catwalks onto the high street but it looks set to reign supreme this forthcoming season. Swinging pleats are the choice of the day styled with graphic print tees or pretty, sheer blouses and lady-like heels. By night, I would team asymmetric lines and graduated hems with block platform sandals and maybe a dash of leather to contrast the delicate fabrics.

A FRINGE and FLARE AFFAIR welcomes us back the Seventies. Think a 21st century take on the decade mixed with all the goodness of tribal chic. As trousers remain popular, it is no surprise that the pivotal item channelling this trend is the kick flare. I do think it will take substantial time for these to replace the skinny jean though. Resist conformity and team pale denim bell bottom flares adorned with patchwork detailing with knitted tank tops with the IT shoe of the year – the platform.

The flare goes hand in hand with fringing and it has no limits. My initial reaction is ‘oh really’ but the other day my best mate rocked a lush fringed biker jacket, so maybe it’ll rub off in time. Pringle showcased the trend with shoes while Betty Jackson went the extra mile with her black ostrich feather trousers as did Matthew Williamson with his bejewelled, tasselled dresses and fringed skirts. Bags, shoes, coats, skirts – you name it you’ll find a fringed equivalent.

PRINTS

Think the brighter and busier the better a la McQueen. Bright abstract graphics and architectural geometrics steal the style limelight. If you cannot resist a standard safe-bet though, throw cut-out suede or crochet over crazy florals to capture the folksy feel, plaster yourself with playful polka dots and flatter yourself with feathery patterns. All at once. More is definitely more this spring.

A BURST OF COLOUR

Move over nudes, statement rainbow hues are the colour choice of the season. Shocking tangerines and vibrant grass greens reign supreme. Brave block colouring in riotous neons à la Christopher Kane.  As before, the brighter the better. Pop colouring will extend its efforts to the make-up counters of the high-street. Light pinks and oranges on the eyes coupled with blueish-black liners and topped-off with strong red lips will prove a popular look. Judging by the general theme of S/S ‘11 fashion weeks worldwide, unnatural hair colours look set to become a big trend this forthcoming season too. A welcome burst of colour, hurrah.

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Author Bio:

Helen is a twenty-one year old vintage fiend and founder of http://areyoudressingupordressingdown.blogspot.com. A blog in which she shares her light-hearted fashionable experiences, musings and opinions on anything from her personal experiences to her latest purchases.

How To: Carry a Big Bag

 

As you know, I’m a weekly columnist over at The Bags Blog. Be sure to check out my latest article on how to carry a big bag (think Speedy 35) without losing everything to the space vortex at the bottom. Space vortex… I think my geek is showing 😛

Love: Prabal Gurung NYFW Nails

I am completely and utterly flabbergasted by these glorious nails, hand painted by Jin Soon Choi for the Prabal Gurung fall show!

Inspired by Chinese calligraphy, they’re definitely eye catching but not garish and even more perfect when you look at the collection they were shown with.I’m thinking of trying a DIY version with Konad stamps and black and white nail polish, first I need to buy this template (m66)…

Take a look at how the black and white gradient feel of the manicures compliments the black and white pieces from the fall collection – perfection!

Lose: Recap on Ugly Swimsuits with Rihanna + Shoe Challenge

Does anyone remember these awful We Are Handsome swimsuits that I posted on a few months back? Just like every other bad fashion trend, celebrities have embraced them (really, should we be surprised?). Check out Rihanna and Diane Kruger in a suit that makes any joke you can think of just too easy.

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Shoe Challenge Outfit #2

363 days, 48 pairs left

I bought these Report boots on clearance two or three years ago for $7 and thought I’d never wear them except for brushing snow off the car. Turns out they’re the most comfortable shoes I own, go with everything, and I get tons of compliments every time I wear them. Sometimes shoes can surprise you 🙂

This photo cracks me up, I’m always falling in the crack in the center of my couch! 😛

Lust or Lose: Chanel Mirror Sunglasses + Shoe Challenge

When I first saw these glasses, I was sure they were a joke, but the more I look at them, the more I can see the usefulness of a pair of sunglasses with a built in mirror. After all, I’ve spent the last years of my life frantically looking for a reflective surface every time I need to check my makeup (doorknobs, windows, and the blank screen of my Droid are personal favorites). I’m just not sure if I want a gimmicky mirror attached to a pair of $740 sunglasses. Not to mention that Chanel is known for classic and classy styles… I just can’t picture Coco whipping off her frames to use a hidden mirror.

So what do you think? Would you rock these glasses or are they a shame to Chanel’s legacy?

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Shoe Challenge Outfit #1

364 days, 49 pairs left

I realized after I took the picture that you can bareeeely see my shoes, so I snapped an extra picture with the shoes intact.

BCBG Cranberry Pumps w/platform, these make me soooo tall and I love them!

Love: The Case for Designer Handbags

Ever wonder just what a designer bag has to offer? Granted this is a fashion blog, so if you’ve found yourself here you’re probably already a fan of the timeless labels. But if you’re still on the fence (or trying to bring your significant other over to the dark side for a last-minute Valentine’s Day gift) check out my latest article over at The Bags Blog for the excuse you need to go buy something fabulous 🙂

Love or Lose: One Nail Different

I read in Cosmopolitan that celebrities are doing one nail an eye catching metallic while leaving the other nine a muted color. At first I thought it was an April Fool’s Joke, seriously, who would paint one nail a different color? But after I gave it a try for a  night out, I have to admit that the creative manicure set off my cocktail ring beautifully and made it look as though I’d spent ages planning it all (really it was a happy accident). Still, I’m not sold on this look for everyday, what do you ladies think? Would you rock this trend? (see my version below)

Love: How to Buy Authentic Handbags Online

I’m so proud of my latest post over at The Bags Blog!

Everything you could ever want to know about buying handbags online and avoiding fakes 🙂