Tips On How To Wear Autumn/Winter Trends 2010/11 For Women

Do you want to be wearing this season’s trends whilst staying stylish and not be a fashion victim?

The only way to achieve this is to be conscious of your body shape and dress accordingly. So here are a few guidelines on how to wear some of this season’s trends.

COLOUR – Wearing the right colour can takes years off. So what do you do when this season’s colours aren’t right for you? You mix them with shades which are right and always wear these shades nearest to your face. The main colour trends are:

* Camel – a very stylish classic colour, especially good for women with warm complexions. Blend with autumnal accent colours such as browns and rusts for soft warm complexions. On warm bright complexions team with bright warm colours such as gold, creams and corals or a bold pattern such as leopard print.  If you have a cool, high contrasting colouring then team with dark navy (another on trend colour). The camel colour can look striking on blonde women with warm highlights such as honey and caramel, but can also look good on cool blondes if teamed with off white or pale pink.

*Navy – navy is the new black. It has the same properties as black i.e. can be slimming, but is not as harsh on the complexion. The trend is to be a very dark navy and this is best on women with cool bright complexions. Women with warm dark complexions can also wear dark navy, but the navy needs to be more muted rather than bright and bold. For the paler complexions a faded navy would be more complimentary.

*Army green – another classic neutral colour. Compliments warm and muted complexions the best, but neutral enough to team with berry shades to suit your own particular colouring.

FABRICS/DESIGNS & PATTERNS – consider your body shape and proportions when choosing fabrics, designs and patterns.

* Fabric trends are knitwear, fur, leather and lace.

Knitwear is not just restricted to cardigans and jumpers this season, but also dresses and skirts so you can cocoon yourself from top to bottom. Oversized jumpers and chunky knits will add bulk and are better on the slim boyish figures. For the curvier or fuller figure layered fine knits are better, or the retro twin set with pearls.  Polo necks will be on trend, but for the larger bust add a long necklace to break the space.  Polo necks will shorten long necks and oblong shaped faces.

Fur (real and fake) will be not just for coats and jackets, but for leg warmers, boots, handbags, scarves, hats and even as embellishments.  Textures will vary from long shaggy yeti style to short chunky teddy bear style. Patterns will be plain, chevron and animal print. Most furs are usually bulky and so will draw attention to that particular area.  For the slim boy shaped figure, wearing a thin leather belt around the fur coat/jacket will add curves. For the curvier, fuller figure go for just fur trimming (only in the areas you want to bring attention to), fur stoles or look for thinner less bulky fur coats/jackets.

If you are not in to wearing leather pants, dresses or skirts, then go for clothing with just the leather trimmings or panels. Shearling will be big for jackets and boots giving the classic aviator look especially if teamed with skinny pants or a calf length slim pencil skirt. Shearling is also good at keeping you warm and cosy in the winter months without overheating.

Lace, a popular trend this summer, will continue in to autumn/ winter. Stiffer lace looks better on the straight boyish figure, keep the softer finer lace for the curvier figure.

*Pattern trend is florals and animal prints. The placement of the pattern depends on what you want to bring attention to. If you have large hips you will probably not want attention drawn to this area, therefore the pattern should be on the top half in order to draw the eye away from the hips.

* Design trend is heavy embroidery, beadings, feathers and pleating. Remember these will add bulk and will draw the eye to that area.

BELTS – Thin belts. A girl’s best friend as is much kinder to short waisted women than a wide belt.

HAIRBANDS – give the 60′s feel which is on trend.  Wear with fringe if face shape long, without if face shape round.

HANDBAGS – No shoulder bags, the trend will be to carry structured handbags in the hand or over the elbow. Look elegant and get the trendy 50′s look by wearing with gloves.

JEWELLERY – The trend is still to wear a large statement piece, especially the necklace. But remember to wear only one large statement piece unless your bone structure is large. Pearls add to the retro look.  If you have angular facial features, choose jewellery with angular details e.g. squares, triangles. If you have softer contoured features, choose circles and ovals for the detail. Also consider your face shape when choosing jewellery.E.g a round face will look good in longer earrings as they will lengthen the face, round earrings will only emphasise the roundness of the face.

JACKETS/COATS – A variety of styles to suit all tastes and body shapes: the Aviator style with shearling collars, the plain understated military styles and the classic camel coat. Capes are also on trend from long flowing cloaks to short capelets

DRESSES/SKIRTS –A-line skirts just above the knee, a flattering shape and a flattering length for most women. If you don’t like showing your knees then go for the wide full 50′s skirts which stops just below the knee. Both these shapes are great for the curvier figure as nip in the waist but also can camouflage the straighter boyish figure. The longer 50′s look can make your legs look slimmer whilst the shorter A-line skirt will lengthen your legs.

SHOES – Flats or low heels are the trend.  Combined with the calf length dresses, this is only good news for the tall ladies who want to look smaller .So in order to make the legs look longer you need to rely on other tricks such as: wearing the same colour for your tights and shoes, keeping the shoe front low, wear pointed toes, no ankle straps and keep the shoe free of accessories such as bows etc.