You can’t really beat a bit of sparkle at this time of year, smatterings of glitter and sequins can really make an outfit feel magical. Even if you only wear your sequins at this time of year, they really are an investment because you can bring them out year after year.
Plus at this time of year it isn’t that hard to find some shiny, sparkly clothes because they are all over. Clothing from Vila, Vera Moda, Miso and Lipsy are offering fabulous sparkly selections perfect for the festive season. Whether you go for a full out glitzy dress or low key sparkly top, there is no excuse not to mix some sparkle, glitz and glamour into your winter wardrobe.
Below we have a selection of sparkly tops, skirts, dresses and accessories from Republic which are perfect for a night out however sequins and sparkles don’t have to be restricted to evening wear. There is no reason why you can’t add some sparkle to your day wear either. For example opt for a sparkly hat, scarf or gloves to give you outer some glitz or some glittery pumps. Even layer up with a sparkly jumper, cardigan or jacket, dressed down with casual jeans or denim skirt.
For all you handbag fans out there who are eternally engaged in acquiring an enviable collection of practical and stylish designer handbags, here is the round-up of the best that 2012 has in store:
Prada’s 1950s Car Print collection definitely tops the list and is available in clutches and totes.
For some undersea elegance, try out the pearl-embellished seashell bag from Chanel.
For those who still prefer a shoulder bag, the any-hued envelope bag by Phoebe Philo will be a great choice.
Looking for practicality and the ‘fab’ factor? The Louis Vuitton patent leather bag, shaped like a shopping basket will give you both.
Philip Lim still creates bags that are simple, uncomplicated and to die for.
For those fashionable evenings, sling on a patchwork snakeskin shoulder bag by Derek Lam, which carries his signature Ram’s head clasp.
The gigantic orange tote by Victoria Beckham is sure to turn heads for its minimalist design and practical size.
Chic purses by Marc Jacobs that feature block colours and top handles will give you a big entrance at any occasion.
These bags are highly anticipated on the fashion circuit and should be in stores soon.
American fashion designer Ralph Lauren is best known for his signature Polo Ralph Lauren clothing brand. Throughout his school years, he was known for selling ties to fellow students. Upon graduating from high school in 1957, Lauren stated in his yearbook that his desire was to become a millionaire. Lauren attended Baruch College in America where he enrolled on a business studies course. He remained at the college for two years before dropping out of his course.
After a short stint in the United States Army, Lauren found employment as a salesman in a clothes shop. Lauren never received formal fashion school training but, in 1967, with the financial support of Norman Hilton, a clothing manufacturer based in Manhattan, Lauren launched a necktie shop in which he sold ties he had designed himself. He sold these garments under the label, Polo. His collection of ties grew into an entire collection which truly redefined American style. Lauren’s commitment to producing high quality products that encouraged consumers to participate in an active lifestyle without boundaries was the key to his success.
Lauren was awarded the COTY Award for his menswear line in 1970. He followed this by releasing a line of womenswear – a collection consisting of tailored suits in a classic men’s style. He embellished these suits with his signature Polo emblem. Lauren released Polo’s infamous short sleeve mesh shirt in 1972. Each garment featured the distinctive Polo logo and was made in 24 different colours. Just over a decade later, a Polo Ralph Lauren flagship store was launched. By 2007, Lauren owned 35 boutiques across the USA.
In addition to his passion for fashion, Lauren is a well-known automobile enthusiast. Lauren’s estate in New York is home to a large portion of his 70 automobiles. His cars, many of which are rare, have won awards at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance show.
In 2011, Forbes estimated Lauren’s wealth at $5.8 billion dollars. This would make Lauren the world’s 173rd richest person.
For men showing a bit of leg does not mean putting on a skirt, this seasons must have are roll ups, chino trouser, corduroy trousers or Voi jeans. It’s a great way to enhance your silhouette and showcase fab socks and shoes whilst still been stylish. Celeb stylings from the likes of Matt Smith and Wild Beasts have made this trends which works well with geek chic a fashion must for autumn/winter.
The best trousers and jeans to wear are those with a slightly tapered leg, they look neater when turned up and also easy to roll as well leaving no unsightly bulkiness or creases. Some go to brands which have a great denim collection include Farah, Firetrap and Polo Ralph Lauren. If you already have some ultra-skinny fit jeans then these can work too, saves buying more trousers just for one trend.
You don’t have to finish of this stylish and retro look with just the roll up trousers, add some retro glasses and a tidy waistcoat for a dressy look. Or you can dress it down with a nice college retro sports jacket like the ones seen at Franklin & Marshall. This mixes college and geek chic so you can work the top mens trends this season in one fail swoop!
The one piece jumpsuit is fast becoming a favourite party wear piece for autumn/winter 2011-2012. A continued influence of the seventies has resulted in the one piece making waves on catwalks all through the autumn. Trend-setting designers have worked magic with chic fabrics like velvets and sheer, making the jumpsuit the coolest thing to be seen in this season.
One Piece Wonder
Silk, beaded fabric and satin based jumpsuits have been gracing catwalks this autumn with the minimal accessories look perfectly complimenting the wide-legged glamorous jumpsuits. Some jumpsuit trends seen on the ramp this season include sleeveless options in jewel tone, fine halter neck straps and a long-sleeved version in black lace. Designers also took the jumpsuit out of the evening wear category and styled it for a fresh new daytime look, with voile replacing satin and oversized pockets and sturdy leather collars completing the ensemble. The one piece’s versatility allows it to move easily between evening and daywear, and the jumpsuit looks equally classy whether worn as a strappy version with sandals or as an alternative to the cocktail dress.
Accessories are all-important to completing the look of the one piece jumpsuit. A one piece worn as evening wear can be combined with high heeled metallic sandals, a thin leather belt and a clutch bag for that classy look, while a summer print playsuit can be worn with an oversized bag, flat sandals and layered charm necklaces to create a relaxed holiday effect.
Comfy and chic, stylish and yet playful, there is a jumpsuit to suit every mood, from jewel toned evening wear and skin tight body con pieces to teen inspired bulky and bold printed pieces. Whatever the look, the jumpsuit fashion trend is here to stay. Upgrade your wardrobe this season with this seventies classic.
Work wear is having a huge influence in menswear fashions and nothing has more of a rugged appeal than denim or chambray shirts and both have a vintage, worn style which makes a nice change from checked shirts which have been really popular recently.
Chambray shirts have been around for a long time, it was developed in Cambrai, France which is where it gets its name from, back in the sixteenth century to be a hard wearing and durable material. Since then it’s been popular and even symbolic with everyone from Sailors, farm hands, prisoners to cowboys and mechanics.
If you’re looking to update your casual wear then why not check out the selection of Republic shirts, they have a great offer of denim and chambray shirts which can give your wardrobe a much needed update.
Chambray is easy to wear and it is so versatile, although typically chambray shirts were made a pale indigo blue, recently there has been a rise in other shades such as red, white and grey. Denim shirts too offer a nice change from the norm, with denim the double denim can be a bit much especially if you have jeans and a shirt in the same shade. Mix it up a bit by wearing your denim shirt with a pair of corduroy trousers or chinos. Add a shot of colour to the look with a pair of coloured trousers to make more of a statement!
There’s nothing more frustrating than having full pockets. The good news for men is that the man bag is swiftly coming in vogue with the new Brighterman and Mulberry autumn/winter collections. Once a taboo, in recent years men have been coming to realise the benefits of using a man bag. Not only is it far more convenient than using your pockets, but it also allows you to have much greater control over the trousers you wear. This is especially true if you prefer skinny jeans, as they don’t tend to have a lot of pocket room, and there is nothing more unsightly than bulging pockets.
Holdall Bags
Probably the most popular form of man bag at the moment. The holdall bag is designed to be a very lightweight bag that can be used as either a general luggage bag or to simply carry around common necessities, such as a wallet, phone and keys.
Most holdall bags come in a neutral colour such as black or brown. This makes them very versatile when it comes to matching your man bag with an outfit. Holdalls have been used with a variety of different looks, from business suits to the alternative rocker look.
Canvas Bags
These bags are arguably not as classy as the standard holdall bag, and don’t have as long of a life expectancy. However, they can be a great way to complete your look if you don’t want to spend a lot of money or if you are looking for something a bit less formal.
Canvas bags come in a large variety of styles and can be worn with any outfit. If you prefer to wear bright colours then the canvas bag can offer a much wider selection than the holdall, you aren’t bound to mainly black and brown.
Believe it or not, the man bag can be seen as a badge of masculinity. They can be a great way to compliment other pieces of leather, such as shoes and jackets and are quickly becoming a favourite amongst businessmen and people that work in a position of power.
Kim Jones, designer at famous French fashion house Louis Vuitton, debuted his new menswear collection at the recent Paris Fashion Week. Kim Jones has only recently stepped into the role as men’s style and studio director at the company. The former designer at Umbro, Dunhill and Topman presented a polished collection of contemporary, travel-inspired menswear with a sporty twist. The collection was greeted with rave reviews from style critics.
Jones describes his new collection as being inspired by the American aristocracy and the way in which they travelled back in the 1960s. His “jet set” collection combines Ivy League styling with luxury sportswear. Jones’ collection also takes notes from African flavour, as it was in Africa that he spent his younger years. Peter Beard, an artist known for documenting Africa and its wildlife, is said to have partially inspired Jones’ ideas.
Look out for the stunning check patterns on Louis Vuitton’s spring/summer collection designs. Blues, reds, blacks and whites were the colours of choice for this fashion house. Tan bags and sandals featured heavily on the catwalk – two must-have fashion accessories that will brighten up yet bring practicality to spring 2012.
Knowing how to effectively blend colours together is one of the most important aspects of men’s fashion. When buying new clothes it’s always a good idea to kit yourself out with the basics. This means neutral colours such as; navy blue, black, white and grey. These colours are universal and are able to be blended with a whole host of others. You will probably find that Gio Goi jeans also work really well with any colour its accessorising right that will tie I the colours you wear.
The Current Trends
One of the most recent fashion trends is the colour brown. Many designers from across the globe are creating collections that rely heavily on different shades of brown. These are then layered on top of one another to create a unique and interesting look.
Monochrome is another style that seems to be taking the fashion world by storm. Monochrome is a style that purely relies on black and white. People can then elaborate on their outfits with the help of accessories like watches and necklaces.
Currently on the rise is men’s outerwear. Again, many of the big name brands such as 883 Police, Diesel and Calvin Klein are focusing heavily on the use of brown with their overcoats and leather jackets, especially during the autumn/winter seasons.
Accessories make an outfit and are sadly very often overlooked. With just the simple addition of an accessory you can add character to an entire outfit.
Popular Accessories For Men
The most important fashion accessory for a man has to be his wallet. Even though 90% of the time it can’t be seen, you should always take it into consideration. There are hundreds of different styles of wallet to suit any style and it’s recommended that you choose a colour of wallet to match your shoes.
Necklaces, bracelets and watches can also be another great edition. Leather necklaces and bracelets are currently on the rise, as are colourful, plastic watches. Even just adding a belt or some cuff-links can improve your overall look and make you stand out amongst others.
Continuity is a very important aspect of wearing metal accessories. It’s recommended by fashion experts that you don’t use too much of a contrast when dealing with metal, such as gold and silver. This can be very obvious, and if you are wearing neutral colours, can ruin the entire style of your outfit.
