Life & Style Blog - Trends
22 February 2012, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Image source: Watch from Fossil, Wallet from Myer, Shoes from Politix
Twain reckons clothes make the man, and some guy called William of Wykeham said manners maketh them, and while I'm loathe to disagree with a 1300s scholar or America's most beloved author, I've got to say that I believe accessories maketh men. Why? It's all in the details: a guy with great accessories is more likely to have a discerning eye - basically; it's a great taste indicator. Maybe it's more commentary on my upbringing, but a childhood surrounded by finicky dudes in Italian leather has always left me judging men by their shoes. And for guys, accessories are largely articles you can hold onto for years, so it's worth investing in something worthwhile.
Wallet
Hey Costanza, your wallet should not appear to be a pocket-sized tumour. Simplify, go for a leather bi-fold and don't carry everything you've ever owned in it unless you've got a girlfriend to carry it in her purse for you.
Watch
Every dude has heard about the importance of a nice watch or two – having written a fair bit about luxury watches in my time (heh), I can confirm that the industry is mind-boggling. Niche sports star endorsed, diamond encrusted bezels, sapphire glass faced – the choices are epic. But to boil it down, men should have at least two watches: one dress for fanciness, one casual for everyday wear. Depending on your penchant for Kanye-West style bling, a dress watch should be streamlined, slim and with an elegant, less complicated face. Your casual watch can be the crazy chunky one that tells you stuff you don't need to know, like how far you are above sealevel or whatever.
Shoes
Now, I know you've all got dress shoes – boring or not, they're probably OK. But are you still wearing trainers with your jeans? Unless you're Jerry Seinfeld, stop that! Get yourself a clean pair of canvas laceups, some boat shoes or a moccasin. Please do not wear socks with your moccasins.
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Category: Featured
Tags: Fashion, Fossil, Myer, Politix, Trends
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26 January 2012, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Now, I know we're all looking forward to Australia Day – heaven knows, it's probably the only public holiday where heavy drinking and sun exposure are written into the constitution, but it's also a holiday dented with potential pitfalls around which you must tread carefully. This year, I've seen more stalls filled with cheaply Chinese-made miscellany emblazoned with The Flag than ever before, and it's all too easy to let the Australia Day spirit take you to an ugly place (and I don't mean Perth's annual riverside glassings).
Yes, accidentally looking like an intolerant nationalist bogan is a real issue faced by innocent civilians Australia-wide on January 26. Our Australian flag, ordinarily a pretty snazzy looking fellow, is dragged each year through the mud by over-enthusiasm and beer – leaving both you and the flag worse off. Luckily, I'm here to guide you through minefields that begin as a temporary flag tattoo on your face, and end with you shivering in the shower at 6am attempting to remove permanent marker-ed "oi oi oi" from your arms lest any of your students see it. With green naturally being the safest and red the closest to becoming an honorary member of Toadfish Rebecchi's clan, here's a handy guide for when the Australian Flag goes too far. Remember, no means no. We're all in this together.
Threat level: Australia Day - the Flag
Hanging in your yard from a flag pole
Draped around for decoration
Used as a kicky toothpick topper to spear 70s cocktail food
On beach towels, tablecloths, stubby holders
Colours zinc-ed in stripes onto your face
Entire flag including southern cross zinc-ed onto face
As a sarong
On the base of double pluggers
On a t-shirt
Temporary tattoos (1-3 applications)
Temporary tattoos (4+ applications)
On a t-shirt with accompanying "oi oi oi" style text
Bizarrely printed on a sombrero
On bikinis
Sewn into a strapless dress
Novelty car flags
Novelty car flags (Jan 28 onwards)
Late night drunken lower-back tattoo turning temporary to permanent
On a t-shirt that encourages anyone to "love or leave" the country
Tied to the back of a sweaty, shirtless man screaming the lyrics to Khe Sanh without backing music
What do you think? Comment here
Category: Featured
Tags: Fashion, Trends
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25 November 2011, by Rachael Ciccarelli
My favourite way to say "come at me with all the champagne and cheese-based food you've got, festive season" is with a little party dress (and with the accessories/ hair/ makeup to match, naturally). It's a mood lift, an instant transformation – I guess when you're dressed to impress, your agenda is clear: I'm here to celebrate and there's nothing you can do to stop me.
And because the month of Catch-Up-Marathon (formerly known as December) is about to begin, you'll know that partying is not limited to the nights. Celebrations during Catch-Up-Marathon know no time frame; all they know is that it's really important that you share this special time of reflection with casual acquaintances, business contacts and distant relatives.
With this in mind, I offer two categories of festive frock:
Partying while the sun's out
Tokito Peplum diving birds dress, $89.95, Myer; Cooper St Quartz dress, $179.95, Myer; Printed drape dress, $249.95, Witchery
The obviously Miu Miu inspired Tokito number and printed Witchery dress are perfect for any time you might want to look stitched up, in charge of your life, or a bit mature. They're fun, bright prints (that you might want to break with a waist belt), but the cut is still conservative enough for day. The Cooper St is one of my favourite iterations of the now-somewhat-worn maxi dress - a midi dress; that is, slightly above the ankle. This dreamy number is for any time you have to stand on grass (you can wear flats with it), anything with your family or pseudo family, and any event where the meal is big as it'll hide the bloat.
Partying after dark
Mint lace 50s dress, $129.95, Portmans; Frankie dress, $199.95, Sportsgirl; Assymetric gather drape dress, $269.95, Witchery.
I can't go past a little cocktail dress for the evening. They're always cute, can be dressed down and worn during the day once you're over it as an event dress, and they come in shapes and sizes fit for all styles. Whether you're a vintage lover (Portmans), like to shimmy and shine on the D-Floor (Sportsgirl) or want to evoke your inner goddess (OK, that's worst thing I've ever written. Maybe you just like drapey stuff because it's forgiving and elegant), there's a little skirted something with your name on it.
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Category: Featured
Tags: Fashion, Trends
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21 November 2011, by Rachael Ciccarelli
I don't spend a great deal of time envying men; they die earlier, are prone to baldness, have reproductive organs with poor defence mechanisms… but when it comes to swimwear, I'm Kermit green. "What length of boardshort shall I wear?" they ponder, pulling on some overly branded, brightly coloured thing and heading toward the beach. Meanwhile, it's altogether more complex ordeal for the ladies, right down to when you even set foot in store in the first place (hot tip: do go in the morning before the post-lunch bloat sets in).
Naturally, you have to try to know whether you should buy - but have a look at what flatters your body shape as a starting point, it'll save a bit of heartache.
Quirky Circus Noosa Frill bikini, $69.95, All About Eve Betty set, $59.95, Miss Shop Spring Fling bikini, $59.95 (Images courtesy of Myer)
APPLES
- Take advantage of your slender legs - wear just about any shape on the bottom.
- Add volume to your chest with ruffles or structured cups.
- Consider a tankini or one piece to glide over your belly; contouring pleats or dark solid colours are a good idea if you're battling the midriff.
PEARS
- Brief shaped bottoms are key to flattering pears - triangular shapes across the butt will lead the eye down your leg instead of flat across.
- The glut of high waisted bikinis out and about are great for pears. Try a darker, flatter coloured bottom with a bright clashing printed top.
- Give a triangle or string bikini tops a try - these work best on small to medium chested ladies, so make the most of the crocheted, 70s styles on offer.
HOURGLASSES
- As ever, hourglasses should accentuate their waist. Super high waisted bikini bottoms or one-pieces that hug your middle are your best bet.
- Give your gals the support they need with padding, fixed straps and everything else you'd usually wear to create a nice bust line.
- Halter and sweetheart necklines do wonders for hourglass shapes - they draw the eye up to your face and flatter the bust. Avoid bandeau - it's a busty girl's worst enemy.
ATHLETIC
- All of those triangular string bikinis are going to look great on your lean bod, athletic types. You can wear boyleg bottoms if you feel the need for a bit more coverage, but make sure they're mid to low rise.
- Go all out with clashing crazy colour, there's heaps of it about and it'll add volume to your bust or butt if you require.
- Avoid solid colour or one piece swimsuits, they'll fall flat on you unless there's cut-out detail.
What do you think? Comment here
Category: Featured
Tags: Fashion, Trends
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