Malik Fashion Blog
Style Is Substance
Be in vogue with trendy bags
There have no been more democratic seasons in the bags fashion trends: fashion houses show variety of bags in size, color and style. And the designers have done a lot to make their followers happy! Practically in every collection miniature models has been shown together with large bulky bags, super extravagant models and, certainly, the classic purse size celebrity bags. All types of materials are used for construction of this female accessory: woven and knitted fabrics, glossy leather, rough leather… The only job the designers have left for you is the complicated task to choose the most appropriate bag for you and the particular occasions. Pretty tough choice!
If there is a need to be summarized, the major fashion trends in bags are:
- Micro Bags: Generously decorated they are always a better option for the evening. They have to be big enough to give a shelter to your favourite lipstick, gold puff box, an, certainly, your mobile phone. Fashion brands: Chanel, Celine, Dolce & Gabanna.
- Clutch bags: these handleless bags are ideal for evening. There is a big meaning in clutching such a trendy bag: you may show your perfect manicure in combination with fine jewelry on the hand. The combination is very feminine and elegant. Option for real lady. Fashion brands: Pucci, Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren.
- Hobo bags. They are ideal for everyday use – you may put all you would like inside! Despite of their size they absolutely give additional charm to your clothing. Many women with weight problems prefer them, as every figure looks smaller near a hobo bag. However, this bag type is not suitable for delicate and short women. Fashion brands: Prada, Zac Posen, Chloe.
- Fabric bags: Usually they are cheaper and easy to care – some of them may be washed even in a washing machine. The bags can be entirely of cloth, but when they have leather handles and edges, or other leather accents they are extremely beautiful. Fashion brands: Celine, Fendi, Burberry.
- White bags: Remember that white is the color of the season and “all in white” is particularly in vogue. White handbags suit any outfit and are very practical. Backpacks, clutch bags, purses and even athletic bags in white must be combined with your “all in white” styling. Fashion brands: Dolce & Gabanna, Pucci, Fendi.
- Knitted Bags: Decorated with flowers, beads or playful trims, crocheted bags are ideal in combination with espadrille shoes and fashionable summer dresses. Fashion brands: Ralph Lauren, Dolce & Gabanna, Christian Lacroix.
- “Animal” Bags: They are made of artificial leather and are perfect if you are follower of the eco fashion. Choose imitation of python or alligator skin to show how trendy you may be whilst defending the wild nature. Fashion brands: Versace, Dolce & Gabanna, Zac Posen and Valentino bags.
- Bags with colorful decorations: Huge buckles, colored beads, zippers, pendants and gold: you may find some or even all these accents to one single bag! One thing is certain these bags create a great mood! Fashion brands: Fendi, Ralph Lauren, Christian Lacroix.
Street-wear Bags
Mainly vintage and retro, all sorts of bags models can be seen in the street. The backpacks shapes or the ones resembling wallets will be chosen for casual and relaxed looks. The briefcase bag, in addition, will accessorize a preppy outfit and its many pockets make it very functional. Less practical – as required to be hold – but just as trendy, the trapezoidal and very, very big grandma bag can still be seen in the street, although it did not appear on the catwalks this year. According to the greatest designers, small sizes are back in fashion and women may have to revise their ambitions if they want to carry all their daily survival kit in a purse.
Besides the eternal black and brown, best of leather, the range of colors is expanded and it now includes all shades of beige, camel and caramel, and gray. For more assertive tones, you can pick, without any hesitation, red or green and you will not be the only passer-by wearing such a bag. As it was to be expected, the Fair Isle pattern invaded the market: Norwegian motifs and embroidered tapestries with a retro feeling cover all the bag. More discreet, tartan and leopard prints are also part of the street-wear trend.
Nails, pompoms, embossed leather, quilted fabrics, straps, jewelry like chains, all these features can be found on street-wear bags. The banana shaped bag called fanny pack is no longer reserved to tourists and nerds. After being a long time hung on the neighborhood bullies, the most controversial accessory gets a makeover. Flashy denim, canvas or monogrammed leather, fanny packs can be seen nowadays not only on star and clubbers, but also on ordinary women and men. It’s no longer just an ugly, but highly functional accessory as a lot of efforts have been invested in its design.
Blazer – Must Have For Work
29 days
When women want to look professional, they often wear an elegant skirt or trousers, a white shirt and a blazer. The latter is our main focus point as it can transform any outfit into an outfit for work or a business meeting. So having a blazer around can be extremely useful. You can wear it over your shirt or blouse and it is also a great way to slim your waist and make you look more feminine.
Blazers have been around since the 1800s and they first started being worn at sport clubs. Then they were extremely popular as school uniforms and each school had a jacket with a certain color and design. However, fashion took an interest in blazers in the 60’s when most people had a blazer with stripes. Then in the 70’s there was a big trend that was showing blazers with a lot of buttons and pockets.
Nowadays, blazers are indeed fashionable but not because of some trend or another, because they are timeless fashion items. Every woman should have a neutral colored blazer in her wardrobe, not only for work but also for casual meetings and even when they go out.
When choosing your blazer you must first decide what you are going to use it for. If you just buy it or have it made to use it when you go out, you can go crazy with the colors or materials. However, if you want a blazer that you can wear every day at work, you should make sure that it has a neutral color that matches your pants or your skirt. It doesn’t have to be the same color as your other clothing pieces; actually that’s not even a good idea. If your pants are black, you can choose a lighter color and vice versa. You should also know that there are two types of blazers: the straight one and the one that will complement your waistline. Depending on your body type you can choose what blazer you want. You can make sure that you blazer stands out somehow by adding a broche or a pin to it. This way your outfit won’t look boring. Choosing a blazer is not a very hard process but remember that you don’t have to always buy it; you can have it made and adjusted according to your size and wishes. This way you will look amazing in it.
The Pencil Skirt – Always In Style
62 days
by Malik
in Fashion Trends
If there is one item that will always be in style, that is definitely a skirt, to be more exact a pencil skirt. What is a pencil skirt? The pencil skirt is a skirt with a straight cut that is just below the knee. A lot of women favor the pencil skirt because it is a great way to dress for work. This skirt will never be too short for your office but isn’t too long so that it makes you look old.
Christian Dior came up with the modern pencil skirt, creating a revolutionary fashion item. There are many ways to wear a pencil skirt because it is quite a versatile item but the classic way to wear it is with high heels. There’s nothing more feminine than a woman wearing high heels and an elegant pencil skirt that matches the rest of her outfit.
If you are planning to make or buy a pencil skirt you should always have in mind the fact that the pencil skirt shouldn’t be extremely tight. Make sure that it is a bit lose for your own comfort. If you are going for the classic look, your pencil skirt should be simple. That means that it shouldn’t have any pockets, zippers, or strange patterns on it. If you want a more modern pencil skirt, try one with a simple pattern but avoid those skirts that seem to have too many elements on them. A lot of women avoid wearing a pencil skirt because they believe they are designed for slimmer figures, but this is completely wrong. You can wear a pencil skirt even if you have more curves or you are overweight. Just make sure that it is below your knee and you get a model with a higher waist so that you can hide your tummy.
Don’t forget about stockings when wearing your skirt but avoid fish net stockings, they are everything but elegant. You can choose stockings with a pattern just make sure it is a simple pattern and the stockings have a neutral color. You will also have to add a shirt or a jacket to your outfit to make it look even more elegant, even though you can wear the pencil skirt with any kind of top you want. Don’t be afraid to combine colors and create really unique looks because that’s what it will make you stand out in the crowd.
T-Shirt – Can’t Live Without
T-shirts are probably an item that everybody loves and wears. They can be worn almost everywhere and they are extremely comfortable. I don’t think there’s anybody in the world that doesn’t own a t-shirt. It also comes with a lot of advantages because you can get it in any color or design you wish. There are also many types of shirts depending on your purpose: long sleeved, a classic, no sleeve, etc. So, you have a lot of models to choose from.
T-shirts started being popular in the 19 century and their name derives from their shape. They were first used as uniforms for different companies and even the U.S. Navy. However, fashion gained an interest in T-shirts almost in the 60’s when they became widely popular among teenagers and young adults. They were seen as a method of expressing oneself and they often came with different images that were reflecting the society in that time. A lot of young people started wearing the now popular bands T-shirts and many companies were using them to promote their business or products.
Nowadays, you can use T-shirts to express yourself even more. Message T-shirts are extremely popular and they make for a great gift. You can design your own T-shirt with your favorite message and an image you like. However, one color T-shirts are also a great choice and they can be combined very well with a pair of jeans for an everyday look.
Choosing a shirt is not a very complicated process because the main focus is the material. The best material is cotton or organic materials such as hemp or linen. You should avoid T-shirts made of polyester, acrylic, rayon, nylon or acetate or triacetate. Those are not comfortable materials and may irritate your skin. Materials like cotton or linen are healthy for your skin and you will notice that you don’t sweat in them so much. Make sure that you keep that in mind if you are choosing a T-shirt for your workout or one that you will wear in the summer.
You can combine T-shirts with anything, from skirt to jeans and even leather pants. You can create your own T-shirt and you can express yourself freely when wearing one. A T-shirt is one of the simplest pieces of clothing but it’s probably also one of the most versatile and you should always keep one around.
High-Heels – Classic and Chic
130 days
High heels are probably the most popular timeless fashion items. Even if the trends are all about flats, even if everybody is promoting comfort and sport items, high heels never die. High heels will probably be a fashion item forever. Jimmy Choo, Prada and Gucci are very famous for the shoes they have, especially the high heeled shoes.
High heels have been around since Ancient Egypt so they are probably the definition of “timeless fashion accessory”. Even if there are a lot of people against high heels, most women are definitely big fans of these.
Although high heels are amazing and they can make your feet look better, there are some things you need to consider when you are buying a pair of shoes: make sure that they fit well, make sure that they are made of leather or materials that will not harm your skin, and make sure that the heel is comfortable enough for you to walk with. You should also remember that a lot of researchers found out that wearing high heels for a long time can cause foot and tendon problems and they also have an increased risk of sprains and fractures. On the other side, there are enough reasons to make you want to wear them.
It is said that high heeled shoes make a woman’s legs appear longer, your foot appears smaller, you are definitely taller and you will have a better posture. Also, it seems that women who wear high heels have more toned legs.
The most popular type of high heels is stilettos. Stilettos are probably the most uncomfortable high heels to wear. However, they probably look the best. A stiletto heel is a very tall and slim heel. If you want to dress sexy, these are the right type of shoes for you. If they also have metal heels, they will probably look even better. Paired with a short dress or skirt, they will look absolutely gorgeous. If you are very tall, you should probably avoid really high heels and stick to medium heels. Contrary to the popular belief, wearing extremely high heels while being short doesn’t really make you look taller; actually, you should never wear exaggerated heels because it draws attention to how short you are.
Even if a lot of feminists are against high heels, considering that they might objectify women, we all know that we can’t live without them. This fashion item is definitely a must if you want to be elegant, feminine and sexy. Remember to wear your high heels proudly even if you are having a bad day.
Ten Must Have In Your Wardrobe
163 days
by Malik
in Fashion Trends
Jacket. Whether it is a patchwork, with hood, with very wide sleeves, high collar or round shoulders, elegant or sport one, the jacket is always a must have. Particularly hot is the trend of combining short-waist jacket with trousers or skirt with high waist.
Dress. At least one, but better more, as despite the low temperatures, the dress always points your elegance and femininity. The best is a knee-length one, as it look s great with both shoes and boots. Use belt to emphasize the waist or go for empire waits, which always make you look with longer legs and larger breasts.
Jeans. They always are among key fashion garments. Every season the cuts are different but if you go for classical cut, you will have no problems with your free time or long outing during weekends. The best models have lycra or spandex inside, which make your comfortable when travelling long time.
From the male wardrobe. Shirt, pullover and even tie or tailcoat is something that you can “steal” from male wardrobe and to use it in different occasions to diversify your look. One light idea is to combine elegant ladies suit with classical or butterfly tie.
With two hooks. Knitwear has always been a symbol of the cold weather. Wool, mohair or cashmere are on fashion in all their varieties. High collar sweater or jacket resembling a vest? You decide.
Sexy tops. Though you can be a follower of the sport style in fashion, you should have at least a couple of sexy tops that underline your sexy, feminine look. Choose tops made of soft and delicate fabrics like lace and silk, with many frills and ribbons. Neckline with a V-shape is always a good opportunity to show a bit of your cleavage. Whatever you choose, remember the keyword: femininity.
Volume and patent leather. Every woman should have in her wardrobe at least one pair of shoes, belt, bag or any other accessory from a patent leather. The other must have is a big bag, that in case of necessity can collect the entire ladies “arsenal”. The big bag is useful when travelling by plane or walking in the park with kids, as well as when it is simply on feshion.
Hats: for all. If you want to be visible everywhere and become the star of the day, put a hat. Go back to the 1920’s, wearing mini hats, typical for the romantic British aristocracy. You may use tight head as well or simply decorate your hair with a band with a feather. If you are a lover of the more contemporary style, opt for a leather beret or cap from a Scottish fabric.
Jewelry: the classics of all seasons. Bold jewelry accessories are a hit. Large stones (not necessarily valuable) or inlays give the necessary chic to any outfit with which they are coupled. Do not forget to add a bracelet with shining stones. At the end – pendants and necklaces: the larger and noticeable, the better. The y give a summer shine to any clothes.
The new accessory: the colors. One of the hit trends during the cold season are … the colors of precious stones. Amethyst, ruby, emerald is the new gray and black. Experts advise to combine the intensity of those shades with the color of your skin – lighter tones for light skin and more intense shades for women with a tan
Tips for choosing eco friendly clothes
179 days
by Malik
in Fashion Trends
There are so many advertisements, which call you to behave eco friendly. How you can select and maintain your clothes, thinking about the nature on the Earth and its inhabitants? There are some tips, which can help you to be more responsible for our present and future.
Buy organic clothes. You have noticed the label “organic cotton” on many pieces of clothing. Any time you can, chose organic instead of regular cotton. The regular one is modified and needs a lot of pesticides and fertilizers to grow. People, working in such fields become ill due to the chemicals. Organic cotton is more expensive, but it saves humans and the planet.
Don’t use dry cleaning. Always go for clothes that can be washed in a washing machine. It saves energy and water. Don’t buy clothes that need regular dry cleaning – this treatment uses a lot of dangerous chemicals. Washing by hand is also not eco-friendly, as you need lots of water, which is drinkable…
Think about second hand clothes. It doesn’t mean that you have to go in trapping. If you have a sister or friends, change your clothes between you. Thus every season you can have some new items without giving a penny.
Learn to wash and dry. The best is not to use detergents at all, but it is not possible. Therefore chose items, which can be used in cold water and are eco friendly. Use the washing machine when it is full – only in this case the water used by the washer is less than the water for hand washing. Forget about dryers – they just use energy for nothing and destroy the clothes in no time. If you will buy new washing machine invest money in eco models, which use less energy when working. Use the sun radiation to dry your laundry and don’t switch on heaters.
Donate your old clothes. This is very important when your clothes are eco friendly and quite new. For sure there will be persons that need more pieces of clothing and have no financial abilities to buy them. Look for places where you can donate your nice clothes, which you don’t use anymore.
Forget about sweatshops. If you think the clothes you like were made in sweatshops, don’t buy them. You would never like to work for no money, especially your children. Don’t support such legal sweating with your money!
The new materials. When buying clothes of new materials, keep your mind open. Bamboo fibers are quite new on the market, soft and cheep. But the bamboo forests take away the land from the real forests. Is it good for the whole environment on the Earth? Think twice.
The useless pieces. There are so many useless pieces of fabric at every home. Do you know how many efforts are needed to transform the raw fiber material into a fabric? Do like the designers: they are making clothes of different pieces. Remember the patchwork designs as well and create new nice things for your home, instead of throwing the clots out
What Hair Color To Choose For 2011
219 days
by Malik
in Hair Style
When it comes to hair colors, not everybody looks great with a specific one and when the trends tell you that a certain color is fashionable it can be quite hard to go for that color if it doesn’t suit you. Dying your hair in a color that doesn’t suit you but its fashionable is definitely not the solution; you should always try to adapt the trends to your needs and never adapt yourself to the trends.
Red color is one of the trendiest colors this season but it definitely doesn’t suit all women. If you are a bit more daring you can choose the “reddest” color there is but make sure that you don’t have blemishes or other imperfections because even the smallest imperfections will stand out with that color. If you love red you can choose softer colors like orange, honey red, blondish red, etc. If you want darker colors you can always go for black with red reflexes.
Brown and dark colors are also in fashion. Black color is amazing but only for those with white skin or a little bit of tan. Otherwise, you should avoid blacks and opt for a softer version like a dark brown or a very dark red. Browns will work for any kind of skin shades and it’s the safe color to go for this year. If you want a conventional look and you don’t really like standing out too much, different shades of brown will keep you in the trends without making you look like you tried too much.
When it comes to blonde, you have such a big variety of colors to choose from: honey blonde, grey blonde, dark blonde, etc. Make sure that the color suits you and if you want something edgy you can always choose the unusual shades of blonde like the grey and silver ones.
The evergreen of the sunglasses
264 days
by Malik
in Sunglasses
??Forget the shoes of the highest class or haute couture dress! When it comes to luxury, you can really afford, go for fashion sunglasses. It was very long time ago when sunglasses were used primarily to protect of the harmful UV rays. Today they are accessories of full value and indicators for the followers of the fashion trends. The truth is that fashion in sunglasses tries to change every season, like the clothes. However, there are evergreens, which are always on top. Moreover, it is not only matter of trendy chick, but also on face shape and particular requirements of every person. So you can find here brief description of “evergreen” forms and types of sunglasses, which can help you to make your better choice for the next season.
Big shapes. Plastic still dominates over the metal as it concerns the materials used. The classic colors are black, pure white or their contrasting mixture. The glasses are dark and iridescent. Particularly suitable for ladies are gold and brown, in combination with shiny accents, stones and even real pearls from Malaysia.
Colored frames. They are often combined with metal elements and allow to express individualism. Red, black, brown, grass green, orange or yellow bear the idea of spirits and extravagance in fashion in eye-wear. The models are clean and stylish line, but they are noticeable to others.
Wrought iron frames. They are made from special metal coating that is anti-allergic. Usually the sunglasses are decorated with original ornaments. So-called polycarbonate frames have elegant designs like the classic retro models of old wood. Common combination is that between metal and plastic.
“Linda Farrow Vintage” glasses. These are the favorite accessories of Hollywood celebrities. Her collection is a romantic reference to 1970s. Metal frames are bold gold plated and plastic, but all they are in bright colors – white, pink, red. The typical round glasses are replaced in some models by geometric shapes, octagonals, heart-shaped glasses or butterfly wings.
“Pilot glasses”. They are reminiscence of the 1930s vintage collections. Follow the vision of Tom Cruise in the classical movie “Top Gun”. The leading models are from the Ralph Lauren’s collections.
Disco style glasses. Do not forget the colorful and “artificial” look of the disco-style. With this summer fashion trends the disco style is back not only in clothing fashion trends, but also in accessories, shoes, and even makeup. Bright neon colors and geometric shapes are Hollywood hit.
“Marilyn Monroe “ style. This is a special offer for those who want to be one step ahead of all suggestion. The style of 1950s or the so-called “cat’s eyes”, gained popularity thanks to Marilyn Monroe. These types of frames are included in the collections of Vera Wang, Bulgari and Gucci. On the top of the fashion trends are fully transparent but thick frames.
One thing is sure – your summer wardrobe has to include different types of sunglasses. Use various shapes, sizes, colours and details to complete your particular outfit and to highlight your individuality.