Saturday, February 12, 2011

Spring Fashion for Everyday People


As someone who is considered fashionable, I have a lot of my friends asking me for advice. The thing about fashion is that it is all relative really. I cannot teach anyone my personal style anymore than they could teach me theirs. I like to know what the latest trends are but I don’t necessarily follow them. I buy the things that I am comfortable in, and I am always confident leaving my house. That is what makes me fashionable. That is what makes me a trendsetter.

As winter comes to an end, stores are bringing out new clothing in anticipation of spring.
The following is some of the latest fashion as seen on the runway.

1) Boyfriend Style apparel:





















This is my personal favorite. I have never had the desire to wear really tight clothing or extremely high heels. During the summer you will probably find me in a pair of boyfriend jeans and some flats. This trend is for those of us who enjoy being comfortable and chic.

2) Sheer tops:



 Lace is the perfect way to dress up a casual outfit. They also add a feminine romantic feel. I don’t own one but it does look cute.


3) All White:



 Dressing in white from head to toe is not very practical, but it does give a fresh appearance. This look may work for some, but seeing that I am accident prone I don’t think it is for me.


 4) Stripes or nautical:



Stripes are perfect for spicing up a dull outfit. I actually love stripes. Strangely I don’t own a single thing with stripes on it.


5) Bold and bright colors:



Mixing and matching bright neon colors is the perfect way to turn heads .You can also mix them with neutral colors for a more natural look. I definitely don’t have enough color in my closet. I plan to change that.


6) Tons of Accessories:


Accessories are great to liven up an outfit. I have a ridiculous amount of accessories. I am always wearing hats and sunglasses.


 7) Girly or feminine



Pink, floral, dresses and skirts normally make reappearance in spring. You can never go wrong with any of these. I think wearing dresses and skirts is my favorite part of spring.


Dressing for your body type:

I imagine there are women who decide fashion is simply not for them because they do not look like models. We are not all tall, thin supermodels. Shopping may feel a chore for those of us who don’t know our body types. When you constantly try on things that are unflattering it is easy to believe that your body is the problem. The real problem is what we are trying on.

There are basically 5 body types.

 • Hourglass
Your hips and shoulders are perfectly proportioned while your waist is much smaller. Clothing that accentuates your waist is the most flattering. Avoid high necklines on tops.

• Pear Shaped
Your hips are wider than your shoulders. Shoulders are smaller than the waist.
Wear bottoms that are dark colored. Avoid patterned or puffy bottoms. Wear tops with puffed sleeves, shoulder pads, or wide collars. Focus on buying separates.

• Cone Shaped:
Your shoulders are wider than your hips. Hips are also smaller than your waist. Wear darker tops and heavier bottoms. Stick to buying separates. Avoid shirts with thin straps.

• Apple Shaped):
Your shoulders and hips are even. Your waist is undefined.
Draw attention to the neckline. Wear darker well-fitted clothing.
Avoid really tight or really loose clothing. Avoid white.

• Athletic shape
You are thin but not curvy. To create a shape, wear clothing than defines the waist. Wear tight tops with loose bottoms. Or wear tight clothing with a lot of layers.
Keep these rules in mind and shopping should be a lot less stressful. But knowing how to shop is only half the battle.

With the economy in such a terrible state people are trying to save money. Luckily there are several stores where you can get the latest trends at a fraction of the price. Some of my recommendations are H&M, Forever21, TJ Maxx, and Marshalls. There is also a men and kids section in each of these stores.

The key to being fashionable is finding the elements that complement you best. Buy things that you are comfortable in, not what everyone else is buying. That way you can build your own personal style. Good luck out there.