Fabricjam Streetstyle Fashion Blog: Lily Cole

Tuesday, 18 November 2008

Lolita Fashion

Lolita fashion is a fast growing trend influence on the runways and streets right now. It's feminine, chic, easy to wear and really comfortable; most definitely a style to embrace! Just don’t think ‘promiscuous girl’ when you think of Lolita with regard to Fashion as the essence of this style is quite the contrary. The primary influence for Lolita Fashion is “the Victorian child” with that extending to a ‘child-like’ appearance in general. Typically, you’d have a little less skin on show and look more on the pretty, girly, Victorian or deliberately plain side – certainly not ‘overtly’ sexy (unless you're venturing toward Goth-Lolita).

You really don’t need to go all out “Japanese Lolita” with frilly hat’s an umbrella’s when attempting this style. It works well when you take your favourite key Lolita pieces and mix them up with a bit of your own style; thus keeping a Lolita feel but adapting it to the 21st century! Of course there’s nothing stopping you from going all out Lolita either! No doubt it’ll be a head turner!

Old fashioned Vintage dresses, High necked blouses, Ruffles, Lace, Frills, Floral’s, Tights, Bows, Short mid waist skirts, Cardigans, White Socks, lace-up Oxford shoes, Shoe Boots, Ankle Boots and Mary Janes are some key pieces that perfectly represent the essence of Lolita Style Dress. These are uber-chic when accompanied with more modern pieces like skinny jeans and oversized handbags. Experiment with your own wardrobe staples to get a look that suits you best.

For your hair, try plaits including alice-band plaits as Sienna and Mary Kate Olsen do it. Pony tails are cute too as well as a fringe or a bob (or both as Alexa Chung does it!). You can even save a some time and leave your hair looking a little unkempt, like you’ve just been playing outside!

This is a great trend to try out and it's so easy to carry off. For a bit of inspiration I’ve rustled up some celebrity candids where the Lolita influence is apparent.

Model Lily Cole with socks and Mary Janes

Alexa Chung in Victorian Style attire, and Peaches Geldof in a cream Blouse complete with neck bow and a cute black dress

Tv Presenter Fearne Cotton with a cute cream coat, red tights and red lace-up shoe boots

Tv Presenter Fearne Cotton in a Vintage Lace Dress

Alexa Chung in a little girl style dress and cardi

Sienna Miller in a vintage dress and Lace up Boots

Sienna Miller in a cute child-like short dress and shoe boots

Gwen Stefani's stepdaughter Pearle Lowe in a Polka Dot dress with socks and Mary Janes

Pearle Lowe in White tights and Mary Janes

Chloe Sevigny in Vintage with socks and shoe boots

Model Agyness Deyn with a pretty Cinderella style skirt and heels

Gwyneth Paltrow in a cute dress and pony tail

Gwyneth Paltrow in a gorgeous Cream Vintage dress

Kelly Osborne goes Victorian in a black girly dress and heels

Friday, 5 September 2008

Layering for Autumn

As the warmer weather fast disappears, I deemed this topic to be quite appropriate. Layering is a great styling method for this season and through Winter!

When done right, layering your clothing creates an effortlessly cool look that's comfortable, unique and versatile. It's also a really great way to get more wear out of your favourite bits all year round!

I like to take inspiration from shots of a few 'old hats' who's efforts usually come out right, such as Mary Kate Olsen, Sienna Miller, Gwen Stefani, Kate Moss and even Kiera Knightley. You can also take some inspiration from the catwalks and layer your career wear too! We all know plain office suits went out a long long time ago, and seeing as some of us spend most of our time at work, why not spice up your office gear with a little layering?

I must warn you that even though layering can look fantastic - it can also go quite terribly wrong, resulting in a look that's mismatched and rather unflattering. So learning how to do it right is key.

I have 15 simple practical tips for achieving fantastic results when attempting this trend. We all have such unique features which we prefer to emphasize as well as varying body shapes and colourings, so you can take on board the tips which work for yourself. For me, fashion is all about retaining your own individuality whilst experimenting with new idea's and pushing a few boundaries. I don't believe in hard and fast "fashion rules" for all.

So here are my top 15 tips for layering effectively:

1) Work with a base of one or two simple key colours, then add a few bits that brighten up the outfit, such as a colourful scarf, cardigan, top, Jacket, leggings, tights, shoes, handbag, purse accessories or a hat

2) Remember black makes you look thinner and if you're wearing a few items, this can be helpful

3) Stick to skinny jeans, tights, leggings if you are wearing more items on your top half, this being to keep some of your shape in view. If you're wearing "boyfriend" style jeans, then keep the top half fitted with a vest, fitted cardi and perhaps a bomber jacket if it's chilly

4) Scarves, Pashmina's and wraps look great with layered clothing, especially if you can find some unique bold colours, designs and prints. Right now I'm loving animal prints

5) Different kinds of Hats can be pulled off easily with this look, so experiment a little

6) Dresses or long tops over skinny jeans look stylish

7) Smaller more fitted bomber or vintage, 50's style jackets retain a slender look

8) When going for a bigger jacket, try keep the rest of your clothing a little more fitted to ensure some of your silhouette is visible

9) The 'androgynous' style works when layering, but too much in this style will extract all femininity

10) Ruffles on tops, dresses, necklines etc are great eye candy and can be a perfect key piece

11) Remember too much is never a good thing, so if you're going for a really bold key item, then keep the rest a little more low key

12) Colours are exciting and get you noticed. Be adventurous, but use your common sense... some colours just don't go together!

13) As with any style - work with your own body, accentuate your best bits

14) Break all the rules if it looks good!

Last but certainly not least, and this may well sound like a cliche but I consider it a vital key to the success of any outfit:

15) Be comfortable, confident and like yourself in whatever you're wearing as that has a huge effect on your posture, walk, facial expressions and the overall look of an outfit. Never underestimate the importance and benefits of accepting yourself and loving you just the way you are.

Here are some examples of 'Layering' done well, with a few snaps from Paris Fashion week 2008 at the end, feel free to comment:

Mary Kate Olsen