The FiFi Report is a little short this week because I am out styling and presenting shows at Westfield Burwood!
Summer is nearly here and it’s to think about your wardrobe: it’s time to shop for summer. What are the key pieces you need to invest in, to actually go out and buy?
Read on for FiFi’s the indispensable shopping guide to the must have pieces everyone should have in their closet for Summer 2010.
What: Summertime leather.
Which: Please don’t get in a lather about leather for summer. We are not talking about a big leather jacket and melting in the heat. It’s about light pieces in unexpected shapes. It’s about leather that is as soft as butter and that is as light as linen (Well, almost). Think leather T shirts, A-line leather skirts, and dresses. I would ignore leather pants unless your name is David Hasselhoff or you are a model wearing Balmain. You could try small pieces of black leather but best to go for easy, earthy tones of choc brown, cognac, caramel and cream. Delicious without the calories.
Why: Leather covers all the major trends of summer . Military? Tick. Minimalism? Tick. Soft pastels and nudes? Tick. Because leather is chic with a funky edge. Because leather, quite simply, looks new and exciting: isn’t that what we love about fashion?
Wear: Mix it up! Head to toe leather in summer? I don’t think so. Toss a leather Tee with linen trousers, a leather skirt with a crisp white shirt or try layering a soft leather sleeveless jacket over skinny jeans. It’s about leather that is soft and feminine and sophisticated. Tip: Put away your biker jacket. Save that for a rainy day with The Village People.
Where: Kate Sylvester, Karen Walker, Aurelio Costerella, Ellery, Balmain, Givenchy and of course the one and only Celine : I die for all of it!
What: Shorts.
Which: So you might see the word ’shorts’ and get a little scared. You might ( try) to screw up your face and say what?! Moi? Shorts? But please don’t cry. Or be afraid. Shorts can be very flattering. Sure, some shorts are tiny bits of fabric joined together and perfect for anyone born after 1990 but for the rest of us shorts should be knee length and tailored. Go for dark flattering colours like black, navy or choc brown. They should have a narrow cut. Walk past those baggy things. You want shorts that are just classic trousers that have had plastic surgery.
Why: Because it’s time to bring your ankles out in the day light. Because it’s a great way to wear the sporty trend without getting a sweat. Because showing lots of legs is a big trend for summer and this is the perfect way to get exposure with out being X rated.
Wear: With a blazer if you are heading to the office or with an embellished tank and seriously glamorous stilts (Often known as shoes) for evening. On weekends try shorts with a denim shirt or a relaxed grey Marle tee. Tip: Think of shorts as you would your classic pants but with air conditioning around the ankles.
Where: Sportsgirl, Witchery, Cue, Country Road, Scanlan & Theodore, DKNY at Myer and CK jeans and Current elliot, Acne at Net-a-porter.com
What: The (white) shirt .
Which: The shirt is back. Oh, so you didn’t know it even went away? Bless. This season minimalism has returned so you want a clean, understated shirt. Most probably a white shirt but oxford blue or taupe is fabulous too. It could have a button down collar and pockets on the front. It might be in crisp cotton or floppy 70s’ silk. It could even be in denim. It might have military details like epaulettes, French double cuffs or simple ¾ sleeves.
Why: Because we love the juxtaposition of a clean, white shirt back with colour-drunk florals and groovy digital prints. Because white works with every colour from khaki to brights. Because who doesn’t want to wear white? (um, er yummy mummies doing finger painting).Because a white shirt works for all ages. Because white next to your face takes 10 years off. Which is why all the models on the runway look about 10.
Wear: With something unexpected. Try it with cargo pants or an over the top embellished maxi skirt. Try a white shirt for day with an oversized jewel necklace, with jeans and mad heels. We love a blue oxford shirt with chinos under a sharp shouldered blazer. Tip: Wear with the collar tucked in the lapel. You are not a newsreader.
Where: Karen Walker, Kate Sylvester, Country Road, Trenery, Jayson Brunson, Celine as well as Chloe and of course Equipment at Net-a-porter.com
What: The Utility jacket
Which: The jacket, you will be happy to know, is still a key piece for summer. The blazer and boyfriend jacket are still important but it’s time to inject a bit of cool in your wardrobe with a utility jacket. By that I mean a jacket in khaki or in beige. It could be a cotton peacoat with brass buttons or trench style with epaulettes, front pockets and a belt. It could be military style with serious beading, buttons and shoulder pads. It could be a khaki trench. Please no camouflage print unless you are trying to hide from the paparazzi.
Why: Because khaki is a fabulous neutral and loves toning down summer’s brights. Because it’s the antithesis of pretty florals. This is a good thing. Because you can be on fashion’s front line wearing the military trend without going into battle. Because muffin arms love a cover up for summer.
Wear: Toss it over something pretty and feminine like a sequin top, a lace cami or pretty floral dress. You want to counteract the toughness of the jacket. Try a utility jacket with skinny jeans, harem pants, shorts or with a frou frou frothy ruffle skirt. Wear with towering heels to sex it up. Tip: Please don’t wear a utility jacket with cargo pants unless you are off train spotting.
Where: Country Road, Cue, Ellery, General pants, Sportsgirl, witchery Bettina Liano,Edun at http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/97448 but of course it started at Balmain … We loved Dries and his utility trench seen here at Style.com
What: The ‘Nude’/white drape dress
Which: Nude is big for summer. Now you can blush too. In fact, all those delicate non-colours - white, rose, beige, pastel pink, soft lilac and baby blue - are the big fashion shades for summer. Soft and pretty, they naturally lend themselves to sweet lady like dresses. What looks new? A dress in soft pastels that delicately drapes, twists and turns. You want a dress in wispy organza, billowing chiffon or fluid silk. You want a dress that is almost goddess inspired. Sheer, light and as frothy as a Katy Perry. A no-brainer.
Why: Because after the tough chic of winter it’s refreshing to slip into a pretty, floaty, feminine dress. Because wearing a dress is as simple as throwing it on and walking out the door. Because draping skims over muffin tops and bottoms. Because isn’t nice to wear something to match your gelato?
Wear: Find the right shade for your skin tone: some people seem to fade wearing beige but can come alive in soft pastel blue. It’s about contrast of hard and soft so you want to add the tough heels, or cinch in the dress with a tough leather belt. Don’t want to look too girly or shapeless? Try a tailored dress with sharp shoulders. Tip: Keep to simple shapes and steer clear of mad crazy details that look like a meringue. Save that look for the wedding to George Clooney.
Where: Portmans, Witchery, Camilla and marc, Scanlan and Therodore, Willow, Lanvin, and Donna Karan
Loading ...