Fashion Trends

I was once told that high heels were invented by a man because they make a woman’s walk and shape more alluring, i.e. when you step into a high heel it automatically changes your posture: breasts out, bum up, and they make your hips sway just so.

The truth is (although there is some debate on the matter) that high heels go as far back as the Egyptians in 3500 BC for ceremonial purposes. In ancient Greece actors wore different heights of high heels (called Buskins) to depict different class levels and or importance of characters. In Ancient Rome prostitution was legal, and one of the ways female courtesans were readily identified was by their high heels.

Since the early 1900s, high-heel design has run the gamut of styles. Today high heels are a fashion staple. I personally love high heels and have found that the key to a good high heel is their last, a comfortable last can make a high heel wearable for hours. Some of the designers whom I love and often make the comfortable heels depending on the last are: Jimmy Choo, Ysl, Louboutin & Costume National. I also have found that inexpensive high heels can also be comfortable as long as their last is the right shape. If you have a pair of shoes that are really comfortable take a look at their last and when shopping aim for high heels that have a similar shape. A platform generally makes for a slightly more comfortable heel because of the weight distribution.

My biggest peeve that I see way too often when it comes to high heels is woman teetering along in high heels whom don’t know how to walk in them! This looks terrible and completely counters the allure of the high heel and they just look awkward and completely un-sexy. Plus learning to walk correctly in high heels is important for the health of your body. High heels as most of us know are not easy on the feet, knees or back for that matter. Learning to use your core and walking with correct posture wont fix this but will definitely help counter some of the negative effects. So ladies if you don’t know how to walk in high heels properly I suggest you either learn how or reach for those flats.

How high is too high? Well if you can’t walk in them then they are too high! The trick to walking in high heels is to use your core to hold your posture and to let your hips naturally sway as you walk. If you get a new pair of heels and your not confident walking in them yet, please do yourself a favor and practice walking in them in your house before you set foot out that door. Once you have that walk down then by all means hit the streets a-strutting!

By:
Trinity Rose
www.illume.me

For the past few seasons we have embraced dark and edgy trends. Opting for deep colors, hardcore embellishments like studs and spikes and 80’s glam rock styles. Well, this season that’s all about to change as the fashion tides are moving to a more feminine and soft look. We want you to enjoy being a girl and embrace your feminine side so we put together a few ideas to help you get this look.

Stick To A Feminine Color Palette Feminine colors include pastels, neutrals and of course the cliche, pink. Look for pale shades of your favorite color and stay away from anything too dark. Neutrals like tan, beige and ivory will be your friend and can be paired with any pastel shades like pistachio, Tiffany blue and soft pinks. Try a shade you never wore before, it may surprise you!

Chiffon Dresses Chiffon is the fabric of the seasons (and seasons to come) the flowy, feminine fabric is being used by designers from everything form mini dresses to skirts. A beautiful strapless chiffon dress will look stunning at night with an undo and chandelier earrings while a chiffon skirt can be paired with a white t-shirt and statement necklace which makes for the perfect weekend look. Editor’s Pick: Silk Chiffon Dress By Ivy And Aster

Add A Ribbon Belt An easy way to add a feminine touch to your blouse or dress is to tie a satin ribbon belt around your waist. Ribbon belts are beautiful and come in every color imaginable and some even have embellishments making it extra glamourous. You can find ribbon belts pretty much everywhere but you can probably find the best deals at wedding dress stores, they tend to have the prettiest ribbon belts which are priced just right or even on sale. Editor’s Pick: The Evita Belt By Jenny Yoo

Crystal Headbands Crystal headbands are becoming more and more and popular and they’re not just for little girls anymore. Accessories designers are making grown up versions of this childhood favorite using decadent Swarvoski crystals, ostrich feathers and high quality beads. You can wear a headband no matter what hair style you have. If you like this trend but not are too keen on headbands you can try crystal barrettes which you can just clip on. Editor’s Pick: Ice Crystal Headband by Jennifer Behr

Dainty Costume Jewelry Dainty costume jewelry can be found everywhere from high street stores to luxury department stores. Look for necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets that feature pearls, ribbons, flowers, charms and other girly details. The best way to wear them is to just pile them on one on top of the other. When choosing jewelry choose a metal that you wear the most for instance if you wear mostly silver jewelry and most of your handbags have silver hardware opt for silver plated costume jewelry. Editor’s Pick: Oscar De La Renta Pearl and Crystal Embellished Necklace

Millissa Mathai

The season’s are changing before our eyes and new fashion awaits us. Delicate floral prints, lots of lace and simple neutrals are the protocol for SS11 but the most talked about trend for Spring is Color Blocking. What is color blocking? Color blocking is basically contrasting colors which are juxtaposed, creating visual interest and modish vibes. You can easily incorporate color blocking into your wardrobe this season, here’s how:

Try A Pair Of Color Blocked Shoes Shoes are always a great way to spice up your wardrobe without breaking the bank. A great pair of color blocked sandals in punchy hues such and pink and orange or turquoise will update your whole look in a flash. Go for color-blocked wedges to hit two trends at once. Color-blocking is huge for Spring so you’ll be able to find color-blocked heels easily at every price point. Editor’s Pick: Pour La Victoire Patent Leather Sandals, Saks Fifth Avenue

Mix and Match Tops and Skirts An Easy way to color block is to pair a solid skirt with a solid blouse in contrasting colors. Gucci showed a peacock blue top paired with a purple skirt and the combination was simply stunning. This outfit is professional enough to wear to work while still maintaining its fashion credibility. Editor’s Pick: Gucci SS11 Collection Tops and Skirts

Keep It Youthful With Stripes Stripes in bright colors are fun an youthful. A bright colored striped top will pair well with many things from slim black cigarette pants to your favorite skinny jeans. Look for a stripped top which can be worn with leggings for added versatility. Editor’s Pick: Alice and Olivia Striped Danielle Top

Color Blocked Handbag A color blocked handbag is a great investment piece as you can wear it with many different outfits. If you’re just trying out the color-blocking trend a bag would be a great way to showcase your sense of style without being a fashion victim. Bags in shades of blues and pinks mixed with metallics would be your best bet to be in sync with SS11 color trends. Editor’s Pick: Prada Pink and Silver Color Blocked Handbag

Go For A Modish Mini Dress A mod mini dress is a great way to try the color blocking trend and is something you can wear now during the end of winter with black tights and black booties and also in the summer with just chunky sandals and over sized sunglasses. Editor’s Pick: Jil Sander Mini Dress

Stick to Black and White Black and white color-blocking is always classic and classy. You can wear a white and black color blocked dress, top or skirt anywhere no matter what the season or occasion. Look for a mini dress to keep the look fresh and modern. Editor’s Pick: Herve Leger Color Block One Shoulder Dress in Black and White

Millissa Mathai

An element of romance accompanies times of war – love for our troops, dedication to our country, a fascination with foreign lands and lonely soldiers. The fashion industry uses this inspiration time and again as both accents and focal points in a continual resurgence of summer’s paramilitary trend.

Sporting the military trend takes too much testosterone for some women and tired khakis and repeat cargos create fatigue. To keep the look fresh, designers paired paramilitary pieces like strong shoulders, camel chinos and combat-inspired boots and sandals with more feminine pieces and exposed skin. See also: legs. Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton and DSquared² paired olive and camel toned military-inspired jackets with short skirts and dresses. The look replaces and updates the classic cardigan for breezy evenings or chilly air conditioning. For our part, we fell in love with Marc Jacobs expertly tailored coat and forest chiffon skirt and Aquilano.Rimoldi’s soldierettes in white (left). To try the look for less, check out Gilt.com’s McQ olive army blazer or the Ernie Brinie sample sale.
For footwear, all over Soho ladies are pairing the formerly intense footwear with floral dresses and feminine skirts. Elle editor Joe Zee says go ahead and rock cargo boots at the beach. To keep it light on the feet, try Rag & Bone’s beige canvas combat boot or beige strappy wedges.
Emma Dinzebach