Upon noticing different fashion & style blogs as well as perusing social sites I have seen some fashion items trending across the interweb. Some I really love and others, are just plain scary & seriously lacking creativity. Never being a slave to fashion & 90% of the time opting for comfort over trends yet not compromising on style – let’s just put that out there, I feel it is quite important to keep your eyes peeled on latest styles making its way onto the scene. In this day and age with the Rand not doing so well and inflation rates increasing rapidly, the cost of living does not cater for a ‘fashion account’ never mind that clothing retailers in RSA have a ridiculous mark up on their garments including local designers. Well, especially local designers. Therefore it is quite difficult to keep up and maintain your fashion expenditure on the standard income pay cheque unless you have been blessed with a huge trust fund or daddy-mommy bank.
Setting monetary value aside, I have compiled a list of the current ‘on-trend’ styles for this gorgeous season currently winking at us but still placed in hiding. I have assigned a risk rating on each one when comparing the pros & cons.
Monochrome
Everything black-&-white especially with the latter being “the new black” and sporting itself everywhere including making a comeback in pumps & stilettos (especially in the pointy variety). Never been a fan of white shoes as I find it rather ‘bridal’ but I feel it will grow on me as it has been on the run way.
The black & white trend is the easiest to adopt as everyone has these elements in their existing wardrobe however this trend takes on a whole new twist with various options – dots, patterns & stripes. My favourite would be the stripes EXCEPT the vertical kind which in my opinion results in women either looking like zebras or NFL referees. Also, shopping for stripes at the big retailers puts you at risk of running into another body with the same ensemble. What is a heard of zebras called? Way too hazardous if you ask me.
Risk Rating = 6/10
Denim
Aah the usual suspect, trending in every season, every year, every WHERE since its production in the 1800’s . I am a big fan of denim! It comes in many shades, types and styles. Denim suits everyone barring if you wear it correctly. From jeans to shorts to jackets. You really can’t go wrong with this one. If you find someone grunting at your denim ensemble then either A) they’re jealous or B) seek fashion revival therapy. The must have denim item this season besides the grand daddy – the jean pant – is the denim shirt. Can be worn casually, dressed up or even formally to the workplace.
Risk Rating = 0/10
Cropped
Cropped tops made a sneak peek appearance last summer as it had a tough job on banishing memories of the ‘midriff top’ back in the 90’s that everyone tried to steer clear from as women were reaching a ‘covered is more appealing’ mindset. From being paired solely with high-waisted bottoms, it has grown to full blown ‘show me your belly’ stature. Cropped box tops, cropped corsets, cropped tanks, fringed vests & bra-lets will all be spotted this season giving the sunny season some eye candy. There is one MAJOR rule when it comes to wearing cropped anything : know your body type, only toned tummies are allowed on this one folks unless you’re doing super high-waisted skirts or pants, you can get away with it. If you’ve been busting the gym for that 4 pack, now is the time to let it shine.
Risk Rating = 7/10
Skirts & Dresses
Basically anything goes with this one. From the mini skirt to maxi, the mullet skirt, skater dresses. Something anyone with any body type can maximise and do it well. Especially on trend is the high neckline maxi dress. I don’t quite get why I would want to wear a turtle neck in the summer time but I guess if you’re really insecure about your neck (like who wouldn’t be? O_o) you can hide it with this trend.
Risk Rating = 1/10
Prints
This one has morphed into a beast of its own. From subtle little designs to big & bold patterns being sprawled across the entire fabric. Floral, global prints, Aztec and basically anything graphic you would use as wallpaper can go onto your garments. Printed leggings are especially popular since winter and getting more colourful as the seasons change. Combining prints also has caught on and part of me has not quite grasped the idea of interchanging various prints and combining them into one massive ball of chaos. I find it quite confusing. Is this the lazy person’s version of ‘matching’? Such contrasting colours & prints put together to make “one” provokes my visual senses to want to enter into a boxing match with my brain. I think it is safe to stick to one printed item at a time paired with solids, makes sense don’t you think? Plus the huge floral prints remind me of antique couches my grandma had to match her curtains. Wonder if it’s the same fabric some warehouse had stored in their vault? I have to also make mention the global prints that have been around for centuries in different cultures and now made its way onto the runway. I guess it makes people feel like Mandela or a Nigerian queen – feeling their deep African roots or something. Wonder if bush buck skins will make an appearance next…let us wait & see for that one.
Risk Rating: 7/10
Leather
Leather in Summer? Had to ask the question. Unless its aimed at ‘At night only’ as sitting in the African summer heat sweating my kahonas off is certainly not attractive. The old vintage biker leather or pleather (depending on your budget or animal rights perspective) will still always be a winner as well as leather-like leggings. More recently leather skirts have been introduced and adds a great textured touch to any outfit. The only real risk in this case would be tearing your leather pants otherwise this trend risk impact is minimal.
Risk Rating: 2/10
Hair
The still fashionable hair trends for summer is Ombre (pronounced om-bruh in French or om-bray in Spanish) and been sported by many celebs in Tinsel Town. This one took a while to grow on me but in the end it caught me hook line & sinker. It’s basically the best of both worlds: being blonde & brunette. The perfect combination to naughty & nice…intelligent & fun. One major bonus that spurred me to take the plunge, being a brunette & all (as well as my good friend with virgin hair that has never been dyed in her 32 years of existence) was that very little maintenance was needed. Your natural hair colour could grow out without you having to touch-up the roots. In other words, its the lazy person’s hair colour. BONUS! Its been a slow one to catch on over here but it will definitely still be popular for a while to come.
Other hot hair trends are dip-dyeing, bright hues (pinks & purples), balayage (hair painting/sweeping) and platinum blonde hair. Don’t think my tresses will survive being platinum with vast amounts of peroxide. Ensuring your dyed ends are kept healthy, hair masques & treatments are recommended as well as timely hair trim visits. Also the correct colour stylist & salon could separate you from dazzle or disaster so please choose wisely as I have seen some horrid renditions of the ombre trend.
I got mine done @ YLD Hair Salon in Muizenberg.
Risk Rating: 5/10
In closing, I think wear whatever you feel is right for you and your body. You need not be a slave to fashion but let your individuality shine through what you choose & flaunt it without fear of being scrutinised.
Lissa Says... 