TheReal CStyles

Spring/Summer brights offer a lot of trends and varieties making this season even more wonderful and splashy. Designers all over the world agree by showing off sunny and vibrant ensembles from zesty orange, yellow, red, lilac, aquamarine, among others. Head-to-toe citrus ensembles are being seen on the runway with wearable pantsuits and skirtsuits that can be worn tone-on-tone a la Marc by Marc Jacobs’ Spring/Summer 2012 Collection or as separates matched with other bold hues a la Jil Sander.

You too can rock this trend by keeping it straight and narrow all the way whether you take on the look head on or go for smaller doses. Keep in mind also to wear muted shades if you have pale skin and go for brighter ones if you have darker skin.

The print-on-print trend is one of the hottest fashion items seen on the runways and magazines- a fusion of cheeky yet put-together fashion. This trend could range from trendy, preppy, tongue-in-cheek  touches with polka dots, animal prints, and floral details that is sure to create an eye-catching allure.

To achieve this look, consider your body frame as smaller patterns would look best for petite bodies while bolder designs would work great for those with larger frames. You can also wear prints in complementary colors (colors beside each other on the color wheel like red and violet) or contrasting hues (colors opposite each other like yellow and violet) for a statement-making yet harmonious look.

Another way to wear the print-on-print trend is to keep colors in the same family for similar prints like what the actress Laureen Uy is wearing in the picture above- a black and brown animal print button-down paired with brown shorts with black polka dots details.

You too can choose and work out your own pattern play of choice, be it casual to sexy and spruce up your wardrobe basics for a fun, piled-on print outfits.

The Print-on-Print Trend

Nowadays, many people has become much more interested to fashion since the past few decades, most probably because of the Internet, fashion bloggers, and high street shops that abound everywhere. Fashion is indeed glamorous, exciting, and always evolving while style has become an impression of a person where you can get a peek into his or her lifestyle. The fun of dressing to the nines has spread to a whole generation that led to these fashion styles to live by:

1. Excessive accessorizing or excessorizing. Pile accessories, the more is definitely the merrier. Do not fear to mix your metals like silver with gold as in the picture above. Excessorize around your necks, wrists, ears, or even your head.

2. Boyfriend jeans. The boyfriend jeans is one of the trends for this year’s spring. Wear it with a peep toe heels or strappy sandals for an added chic look. Get more inspiration from the boy’s wardrobe like boots, pantsuits, trousers, blazers, and tuxedo jackets.

3. Pop of color.  A surprising shot of color goes a long way to complete your look. The message is sent most effectively when a pop of color is placed in the most strategic location of your outfit- it can be your bag, shoes, jacket, or even as simple as the color of your lipstick.

Aside from her significant other, a woman has a strong and inherent love affair to none other than her favorite fashion item- her shoes. Over the last decades, women’s shoes have significantly evolved and progressed from being just protective coverings for the feet to being functional, stylish, and high fashion. Indeed, a woman cannot have too many shoes as it is probably her most favorite item to shop for.

Shoes are fun to collect for most women as they wouldn’t  require dieting to fit them and a perfect pair of shoes can instantly add glamour and confidence to the wearer. The addition of physical height to a woman wearing high heels also elevate her confidence as it changes her posture requiring a tautness on her legs and buttocks, making her legs look longer and and her figure more slender.

In mastering the art of wearing high heels, put the height of the heel at inverse proportions to your outfit. For example, 3-4-inch shoes would work well with a mini dress while as wearing higher than these may look too heavy for an over-all look. Choose the correct type of heels for your feet and body structure. Also important is not to forget to get a pedi and opt for a pair of shoes that fit comfortably, swollen feet wouldn’t sound sexy after all. Lastly, never leave your house without confidence, which is the heel attitude.  ♥

If  you are stylish and nature loving, you might as well join the green trend that is sweeping across the globe today to help reduce our carbon footprints. Looking fashionable has never been so cool with the efforts of helping save mother nature. Fashion items made from fabrics with natural fibers like cotton, jute, wool, silk, and hemp have been grown with a minimum amount of chemicals like pesticides, genetically modified seeds and other toxic materials. Supporting the use of these fabrics and limiting those made out of harmful chemical elements preserves the health of nature and of humans too. A fabric can only be claimed as authentic organic if it has gone certification from organic agricultural standards through any one of a number of bodies that do this.

In addition to this, you could also go green in fashion by recycling or using vintage finds from your existing materials, fabrics, or fibers. Even top fashion labels are reusing vintage fabrics, collaging different materials, and coming out with interesting, unique, and funky collections.

You too can start helping save the environment by supporting organic items and revisiting your closet (or even your mom’s or grand mom’s) if you are the crafty type, or opt to get help with a couturier. It is with high hopes that organic fashion be not just a trend but a lifestyle that we choose- a chic way to be sustainable and eco-friendly indeed!  ♥

Grunge fashion originated from alternative rock music in the 1980′s popularized by bands like Pearl Jam and Nirvana.  It was later referenced in the 1990′s from the economical downturn and hardships experienced during those times. The uncertainty of the future, the rebellion against capitalists, youth culture, street music and fashion gave rise to the laid-back, loose, punk, and seemingly androgynous fashion trend in the 1990′s.

Nowadays, grunge fashion continues to live on evolving into a more polished and glamorous version. Although a disheveled look in grunge fashion is key, the details, silhouettes, and sumptuous materials took this fashion trend into a modern mash-up and more sophisticated level. To get the look, mix pieces that typically don’t match together or may appear kitschy at first glance, but when examined carefully reveal a notable, purportedly unkempt look that evokes of refined statement and high fashion.

Start your new year with a bang by saying hello to beauty resolutions that will help you achieve your desired look by becoming consistent in maintaining it. Staying beautiful becomes much more exciting as you get older when beauty spoilers start appearing, so be one step ahead or you may be overwhelmed if you are not ready for them. Here are some tips to preserve your youthful, gorgeous and glowing look:

Put generous SPF daily. Don’t give your age away from your skin’s condition. 1 teaspoon is the recommended Sun Protection Factor (SPF) amount for the face and      neck, 2 teaspoons for both arms, and 6 tablespoons for both legs. 30 is the minimum SPF for daily use. Put on your SPF 20 minutes before sun exposure.

Avoid foods that stain. Foods with dark pigment like red wine, soy sauce, and coffee will make your teeth not as white as pearls. If you must, drink water immediately    afterwards to wash it away. Instead, eat apples, carrots, and cucumbers that cleanse teeth with their slightly acidic compositions.

Remove all traces of makeup and dirt before going to sleep.  Lack of proper cleansing can clog the pores as sleeping is when our skin regenerates. If the skin is not clean, it can stop new cells from resurfacing resulting to breakouts and uneven complexion.

Use eye creams for under eyes. The skin under the eyes is very delicate and thins as we age, the reason we need to constantly condition and treat them. This is also one of the spots in our body that is first to show the tale-tell signs of aging. Proper treatment will help eradicate signs of wear and tear of the skin.

Throw out old and expired makeup. Remember that ideally, the lifespan of mascara is up to 3 months, concealer and foundation after a year, and eyeshadow and powder after 2 years. Bacteria accumulate overtime in makeup which can lead to irritation breakouts.

Stock up on antioxidants. Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin a E and beta carotene found in squash, tomatoes and carrots protect cells from oxidation. Avoid also too much drinking and smoking as they decrease blood flow, making your skin look stressed and sallow.

It’s the holidays! The cold biting temperature and festive mood are on the air and it is just the perfect time to snuggle under your comforter or that ultra soft sofa in the comfort of your living room (especially with your hunky boyfriend beside, but that’s another story!). The holidays is just so charming and there is a certain lightness that works in everyone. This season, use the cold weather as an excuse to bring out your inner stylish woman by wearing that ultimate cover up: the leather jacket. This is absolutely a pleasant constant piece in your wardrobe that you can wear in different looks this Christmas month.

The leather jacket is great to wear with basically just about anything like a simple tee, tight jeans, and sneakers. You can also pair it with a graphic shirt, a denim skirt, and biker boots for a tough girl look. I love how my favorite blogger Chiara Ferragni of theblondesalad wore the biker babe look:

You can also rock the classic black jacket with stylish and dainty pieces like a silky or transparent feminine top, eyelet skirt, skinny jeans, and pumps in bright shade for a surprise pop of color. This is best worn by another favorite and amazing blogger Andy Torres of stylescrapbook. You can wear this look for the office or for dinner and drinks after. Talk about rockin’ dangerous and gorgeous!

And lastly, make a fashion statement by mixing girly and tough in a feminine little white dress with stylish details like lace, some ruffles or eyelet. This is absolutely a classic, an outfit that you can wear with almost anywhere and still give you that ultimate chic vibe. I found this lovely model (I don’t know her name) while browsing the net, and fell really in love with her outfit. Start experimenting on your own look and make that leather jacket a new staple on your wardrobe.

Holidays prove to be the best time for all things joyful and a season of merriment. The holidays may not be in full swing just yet, and you haven’t gotten started with few items to tick off Santa’s list, so it would be nothing short of wise to follow some fashionable tips as your guide for shopping this season.

Shopping for the holidays does not mean making a major budget realignment and spending more to the point of being bankrupt later. To make a good fashion sense, do it in a way that you can manage and keep up in the long term. Make a little research and know where to go for the good buys, follow the tips below, and start having great shopping deals:

Plan. Make a shopping list, budget (checks, cash, credit cards), a shoulder bag to keep hands free for shopping. Go online beforehand to check upcoming sales and discounts, the opening and closing hours of the store, and the sizes and styles they carry. Wear comfortable clothes and foot ware so it would be easier for you to try on garments.

Go for quality. Try the garments on to check if the fit is perfect. Some brands make clothing specifically for outlet stores, read the tags to see if the item is marked as second choice. Inspect all items carefully before you leave the store to make sure that what you get is usable.

Prioritize. Make a list of the items that you are willing to buy before the trip. This way, you will avoid impulsive buying and getting items that you do not really need.

Stick to your budget. Do not lose sight of what you came for and check if you are willing to spend on a specific item before looking at the price tag. If it exceeds the amount that you are willing to pay and can afford, walk away and look further.

The little black dress, immortalized by the legendary actress and quintessential fashion icon Audrey Hepburn, is one of the few essentials to make a woman’s wardrobe self-sufficient. The little black dress never goes out of style as long as the cut is stylish and flatters the figure of the wearer. Nothing says more exquisitely feminine than the little black dress that is subtle yet evokes of an unmistakable air of sophistication that indeed made it an undisputed benchmark in design.

Pieces that are both timeless and distinctive are most welcome in every woman’s wardrobe. After all, a woman’s wardrobe speaks volumes about who she is and reflects her personality. In choosing the perfect little black dress for yourself, consider the silhouette that will work best for your body, do some quick research on your specific needs. Simple cuts usually are the most flattering and elegant like a sheath cut, an A line or halter cut neckline. Show off your best features and remember that you as the wearer of the dress is the more important feature rather than the dress’ trendiness, style, or design.

The little black dress goes perfectly well for an evening event, the earlier in the day occasions, formal and even casual depending on the accessories that you will wear to put them together. Sophisticated, polished, and effortlessly fashionable is the woman that wears the perfect little black dress. She stands out in a crowd with contemporary style sensibilities, distinct feminine elements, and an aura of aristocratic stance.