The Talk: The Perfect Coat Winter Coat
By Joshua Stowell
Monday 19th October 2009
In an era of recession chic, how does one go about purchasing the perfect winter wardrobe? We all know the staple of any winter outfit is the perfect coat for every event. For starters, there is that dashing black topcoat; the one that you take off to reveal your perfectly cut suit as you step out of the raw, arctic elements. This is followed by the coat that looks perfect with loafers and jeans. In these tough financial times, chances of owning both of these fashion classics are pretty slim.
Showcased on runways for the winter season is a plethora of men’s outerwear options that will save you both money, and the effort of having to find multiple coats. As I picked through the Burberry Prorsum and Calvin Klein spring/summer 2010 collections, the classic black trench stood out as a focal piece. It came in several different styles, from the classic, three button mid-thigh hemline, to a more vampire-esque silhouette, complete with high collar and cape.
When selecting a coat, one must also consider whether to go with the trend of the season, or to stay classic. The recession is obviously influencing designers, because it seems that this season’s trend is steering us back toward classic pieces.
Dark colours (such as black, grey, and navy blue) match almost everything, and in simple cuts and styles they are a worthy investment in a timeless piece that will never go out of style. Even in times of economic recession, one can still look their best, and the designers have acknowledged that this season.
If you think that the big labels are the only sources of quality outerwear, you stand corrected. Cheaper brands, such as Topman, have marvellous collections for a fraction of the price. The killer question plagues us every season is whether or not to try out the trends or stay classy with the classic? This A/W it’s easy: classic is in.
Monday 19th October 2009
In an era of recession chic, how does one go about purchasing the perfect winter wardrobe? We all know the staple of any winter outfit is the perfect coat for every event. For starters, there is that dashing black topcoat; the one that you take off to reveal your perfectly cut suit as you step out of the raw, arctic elements. This is followed by the coat that looks perfect with loafers and jeans. In these tough financial times, chances of owning both of these fashion classics are pretty slim.
Showcased on runways for the winter season is a plethora of men’s outerwear options that will save you both money, and the effort of having to find multiple coats. As I picked through the Burberry Prorsum and Calvin Klein spring/summer 2010 collections, the classic black trench stood out as a focal piece. It came in several different styles, from the classic, three button mid-thigh hemline, to a more vampire-esque silhouette, complete with high collar and cape.
When selecting a coat, one must also consider whether to go with the trend of the season, or to stay classic. The recession is obviously influencing designers, because it seems that this season’s trend is steering us back toward classic pieces.
Dark colours (such as black, grey, and navy blue) match almost everything, and in simple cuts and styles they are a worthy investment in a timeless piece that will never go out of style. Even in times of economic recession, one can still look their best, and the designers have acknowledged that this season.
If you think that the big labels are the only sources of quality outerwear, you stand corrected. Cheaper brands, such as Topman, have marvellous collections for a fraction of the price. The killer question plagues us every season is whether or not to try out the trends or stay classy with the classic? This A/W it’s easy: classic is in.
Skinny VS Boyfriend
By Emilie Walker and Heather Vice
Monday 19th October 2009
Monday 19th October 2009
Skinny
One of those fashion trends we all have a love-hate relationship with. But once you painstakingly squeeze yourself into them, they can potentially turn the girl in the mirror into a goddess! Skinny jeans (and leggings for a lighter option) can work wonders in the way of your figure: not only do they show off your bum and make your legs feel skinnier, they have that miraculous ability to make you feel so much sexier! There’s no better way to love your body than to flaunt it: the skin-tight quality of skinny jeans and leggings will instantly transform your outfit. They also hold the power of versatility...they go with almost anything! One can dress them up with a sleek sparkly top and heels, dress them down with an oversized shirt, make them into casual wear with a sweatshirt and flats, or tuck them into boots: so many options which make them an essential basic item for a girl’s wardrobe. With the option of skinny jeans or leggings, there are two fabulous ways to flaunt those legs, indoors or outdoors, for a night out or for going to class! And for those beauties who feel they can’t pull off skin-tight, fear not, they now come in all colours and sizes!
Baggy jeans, however... Why wear your boyfriend’s jeans when they conceal those beautiful legs and overall hide your figure? In a time and place where we are lucky enough to be able to finally flaunt our beauty and be feminine, it’s such a shame to willingly give that up, no matter how comfy those boyfriend jeans are. Oddly enough, they also seem to make it more tempting to not make an effort at all, to just throw on a baggy top as well for the sake of it, and not even bother with make-up, which more often than not leads to you feeling less than sexy… (especially when you happen to run into that guy who makes you blush). Baggy jeans also tend to have a mind of their own: they will fall halfway down your bum, drag on the ground and fray at the bottom so fast they’ll have you reaching for the skinny kind in no time. So save the comfy feeling for pyjamas, and show off what you have!
Baggy jeans, however... Why wear your boyfriend’s jeans when they conceal those beautiful legs and overall hide your figure? In a time and place where we are lucky enough to be able to finally flaunt our beauty and be feminine, it’s such a shame to willingly give that up, no matter how comfy those boyfriend jeans are. Oddly enough, they also seem to make it more tempting to not make an effort at all, to just throw on a baggy top as well for the sake of it, and not even bother with make-up, which more often than not leads to you feeling less than sexy… (especially when you happen to run into that guy who makes you blush). Baggy jeans also tend to have a mind of their own: they will fall halfway down your bum, drag on the ground and fray at the bottom so fast they’ll have you reaching for the skinny kind in no time. So save the comfy feeling for pyjamas, and show off what you have!
Boyfriend
When fashion-forward stars like Katie Holmes and Madonna first began sporting them, we still rolled our eyes. The baggy "boyfriend" jeans seemed like a juvenile rebellion against the skin-tight jeans and leggings the mainstream squeezed its way through life in.
But then we realised that maybe what we were experiencing was jealousy at the freedom that extra leg-space provided. We were intrigued, and baggy jeans have since walked into mainstream apparel chains and our wardrobes. The washed-out jeans that used to make up our cosy weekend uniform can now be teamed with romantic blouses and blazers, chunky belts and flats to create a fashion-forward everyday look - with all that extra room!
As waistlines are (finally!) shifting back up, from dipping dangerously low this past decade, the leg widens in all the right places. The boyfriend jeans won't drag in the dirt like the classic boot-cut, but will allow you to move freely in the casual-chic air they emanate.
Like just about any other female fashion piece, it doesn't matter so much that you're wearing boyfriend jeans - what matters is how you wear them. The wider jeans can be rolled up to just above the ankle to inject some femininity and bring us onto the cusp of fashion. Many of us have discovered also that they finally present the perfect opportunity to show off those belts we've almost forgotten the use of! Of course, the nature of jeans implies that they can be worn out (rolled up, with eye-catching heels) and to class, making them a versatile piece to match all our favourite pieces. And for the moment, to keep us comfortable, and at the same time on the cutting edge of fashion.
Away from style, and considering fashion statements, let's smile at the thought of Coco Chanel applauding us for donning a pair of boyfriend jeans. The tireless adjusting of our outdated skinnies has us fed up, and we're ready to try a more emancipated style. Why continue flaunting our bodies' every bump when there is a much more fashionable alternative out there?
Although their colloquial dubbing, "boyfriend jeans", might upset the feminists out there - Why do they have to be stolen from the boys? Can't they just be girls' jeans, that happen not to stop our blood circulation? - their fast spread through the fashion world must stand for something. It just simply isn't possible for everyone to have a benevolent boyfriend with a spare pair of jeans lying around!
Granted, we don't have to chase after every trend from the word go, but loose jeans have established themselves now, and it looks like they are here to stay. We're out of excuses. Let's get on those comfortable jeans, and hopefully one day we will look back at those years spent in tight jeans and be relieved that we've transitioned out of that period without a scratch.
But then we realised that maybe what we were experiencing was jealousy at the freedom that extra leg-space provided. We were intrigued, and baggy jeans have since walked into mainstream apparel chains and our wardrobes. The washed-out jeans that used to make up our cosy weekend uniform can now be teamed with romantic blouses and blazers, chunky belts and flats to create a fashion-forward everyday look - with all that extra room!
As waistlines are (finally!) shifting back up, from dipping dangerously low this past decade, the leg widens in all the right places. The boyfriend jeans won't drag in the dirt like the classic boot-cut, but will allow you to move freely in the casual-chic air they emanate.
Like just about any other female fashion piece, it doesn't matter so much that you're wearing boyfriend jeans - what matters is how you wear them. The wider jeans can be rolled up to just above the ankle to inject some femininity and bring us onto the cusp of fashion. Many of us have discovered also that they finally present the perfect opportunity to show off those belts we've almost forgotten the use of! Of course, the nature of jeans implies that they can be worn out (rolled up, with eye-catching heels) and to class, making them a versatile piece to match all our favourite pieces. And for the moment, to keep us comfortable, and at the same time on the cutting edge of fashion.
Away from style, and considering fashion statements, let's smile at the thought of Coco Chanel applauding us for donning a pair of boyfriend jeans. The tireless adjusting of our outdated skinnies has us fed up, and we're ready to try a more emancipated style. Why continue flaunting our bodies' every bump when there is a much more fashionable alternative out there?
Although their colloquial dubbing, "boyfriend jeans", might upset the feminists out there - Why do they have to be stolen from the boys? Can't they just be girls' jeans, that happen not to stop our blood circulation? - their fast spread through the fashion world must stand for something. It just simply isn't possible for everyone to have a benevolent boyfriend with a spare pair of jeans lying around!
Granted, we don't have to chase after every trend from the word go, but loose jeans have established themselves now, and it looks like they are here to stay. We're out of excuses. Let's get on those comfortable jeans, and hopefully one day we will look back at those years spent in tight jeans and be relieved that we've transitioned out of that period without a scratch.