Fashionably Yours

I just attended the New Look spring summer preview and must say, its one of the most refreshing, laid back collections coming out of High Street this season.  Tops are cropped and skirts are full, while dresses are given a fun twist, with bright popping prints.  Now that’s the kind of summer fun I’m looking forward to!

New Look Spring Summer 2013

New Look’s line, Eastern Trail’ is inspired by the diversity and vibrancy of the East, as the name suggests. Think paisley prints (my favorite!) maxi skirts and embellished sandals for a summer chic look.  Summer sequins are striking and intense in fuchsia, neon yellow and ruby, with a neutral base of khaki to really make them pop.

Love this Kelly Brook crop top at New Look SS '13

Denim is re-energized with studding, embroidery and crochet. The essential distressed denim shorts will be an SS13 must-have, teamed with a utility jacket for an urban edge and statement necklaces to add a contemporary feel to the look.

New Look Spring Summer 2013

Accessories continue to play a key role in printed rucksacks, eye catching bangle stacks and platform wedges. Blue dominates as the color of the season, with variations of teal, turquoise and deep navy in rich ikat, tribal and geometric prints. But white ofcourse, remains my personal favorite and a major hit in my spring summer closet.

New Look Spring Summer 2013

Another key look is 1950’s ‘Pleasantville’, where femininity was celebrated and glamour coveted. Waists are cinched, skirts full and lips suitably scarlet. The colour palette for the collection is a mix of sugary pastels and sorbet tones blended with muted neutrals to add a road trip feel.

New Look Spring Summer 2013

50s statement jewellery is evident with cuffs and necklaces being juxtaposed against cotton slogan tees, while embellishment continues to enchant on collars and dazzle on denim, underlining this look as feminine, flirty and fun.

With the crazy seasonal events to attend, I’ve been suffering from the “Don’t have anything to wear” syndrome. So I headed out to Forever 21 for my usual fashion fix and here’s what I came up with- I’m loving this season’s statement looks, from leather to metallics to generous splashes of red, so I styled up some key pieces to update my closet and get it Fall-Winter ready, just in time!

The little Red Dress:
After the classic LBD to last summer’s ubiquitous LWD, it’s the turn of the LRD to shine in the spotlight. Brazen, bold and absolutely beautiful, everyone from Marchesa to Valentino and DVF to Jason Wu have been painting the catwalk red and how!

The Little Red Dress: Fall Winter '12 Fashion Favourite

I picked up a gorgeous crimson hued dress, nipped at the waist and paired it with an off-white envelope clutch and white- and gold pair of earrings. Simple and classic but sure makes a statement this season!

Little Red Dress from Forever 21

Little Red Dress from Forever 21

Leather Love:
Leather will always be a Fall winter staple but this year the obsession goes beyond the regular jacket to skirts, tops, gloves and accessories- It’s everywhere you look! The likes of DKNY, Givenchy, Calvin Klein and Hermes have shown us just how amazingly sexy leather can be this season.

Leather love: Fall Winter 2012-13

I didn’t want to go with the traditional black leather outfit because I have a ton of them already, but I picked up this leather skirt in a lovely shade of grape. Paired with a peach woven shirt and a dull gold choker necklace, I thought it made for an interesting combination and a different take on the traditional black leather look.

Loving the leather skirt: Forever 21

Dull gold choker necklace: Forever 21

Heavy Metal: 
Metallic tones are tough to carry off but I’ve always wanted that one statement metallic skirt in my closet. Paired with this season’s favorite studs and spikes, the metallic look is way cooler that it ever was! Designers like Jean Paul Gautier, Jil Sander and Blumarine and Roberto Cavalli show us how to put a stylish sheen to the Fall winter closet!

Metallic trend: Fall Winter 2012

Even though I’m more partial towards metallic gold, I opted for a cool silvery tone this time- just for a change. I found that it looked amazing against an electric cobalt blue top and a black cropped tux blazer- Perfect for a night on the town!

Metallic skirt and cropped tux: Forever 21

Silver metallic necklace: Forever 21

It’s amazing how I’ve never come out of Forever 21 empty-handed! There’s always something in there for any conceivable occasion. I was on the lookout for some work wear and I’m not a fan of the old, boring shirt-and-trousers look – I believe work wear can be fun too. This season, I’m incorporating a lot of reds along with neutral colors and my current favorite, electric blue.

9 to 5 work wear: Forever 21 style

9 to 5 work wear: Forever 21 style

Loved the red checked trousers at first sight and simply had to pick them up! I teamed it with a lovely sand dune hued cropped jacket and a light cotton vest inside.  I added a few dull gold long necklaces and topped off the look with crimson lips- They never fail to ‘dress up’ any look!

9 to 5 work wear: Forever 21 style

I’m in love with peplums and already have 4 dresses/ tops with these girly trimmings but this neon yellow peplum top instantly caught my eye. I matched it with a lovely electric blue tux blazer (long and single buttoned) and a black/ grey pencil skirt that simply had to be picked up. I loved the contrast and accessorized with a silver serpent- inspired bracelet and a long metallic necklace.

9 to 5 work wear: Forever 21 style

9 to 5 work wear: Forever 21 style

It might be better known for its casual and party wear but Forever 21 really surprised me with its amazing work-wear pieces… it all depends on how you put it together, I guess. Loving my new work closet!