Guest Blog
25/05 2010
FINISHING TOUCHES
Blog by Bullring Birmingham
This season, we have invited Gok Wan to Bullring to show you how to dress up and show off with this season’s plethora of exciting new trends to inspire and accessories to covet from Selfridges new luxury accessories department which launches at Bullring this September.
Whatever the occasion, give your look the ultimate lift with one of AWs essential finishing touches designed to inject new life into your look in an instant. From the most desirable knee high boots to the hottest leather clutch bags, it’s time to embrace the new season style and succumb to sensual fabrics, intricate embellishment and red hot colour.
For lasting impact in the style stakes, remember texture, pattern and a sense of luxury informs this season’s nostalgic fashions, and accessories follow suit. Whether you choose the ‘grown up’, demure and sophisticated 1940s ladylike route from Wallis, or opt for the more youthful ‘don’t-mess-with-me’ super cool eighties route from Topshop, bold and beautiful neckpieces, irresistible bags, polished shoes and boots, eel thin belts, decadent brooches, jumbo scarves and frivolous headgear will all be on your wish list this Autumn to ensure you nod to the trends of your choice with aplomb a plenty!
Sumptuous silk, sheer chiffon, butter soft leather, opulent velvet, whimsical lacework, sturdy tweed, wet look plastic, rich suede and luxe knits all score big visual points across all accessory categories, while stud embellishment, intricate crystal beadwork, scattered sequins, romantic ruffles, tapestry, homespun appliqué work, flirty feathers, antique pearls and tough in-your-face zips and chains vie for attention in the dressing up department.
In addition, there’s an exciting array of animal, floral, paisley, ikat, houndstooth, icon photo and geometric prints and patterns to impress with, and a kaleidoscope of delicious colours from bold brights right through to soft nude hues, rustic tones and shimmering metallics, that are brilliant for jumpstarting the dramatic black and urban grey that will dominate the modern fashionista’s wardrobe through the winter months.
This season, there’s something for everyone and experimentation is key. So let the dressing up begin and have some fun finding a look that works for you!
Key pieces:
1) The Neckpiece – go for big, bold and beautiful preferably with a heavy dose of sparkle.
2) The Headpiece – whether it be a cap, a bow, a trilby or simply a leather hair band, your head needs decorating this season. Its time to get creative.
3) The Chain Handle Handbag – use as a clutch. Choose leather for day and gem encrusted for evening.
4) The Over The Knee Boots – opt for flat, cone or chunky stack heels to avoid them looking trashy.
5) The Boyish Lace Up Brogues – the perfect finishing touch to this seasons drop waisted dresses and droopy coats inspired by the 1920s Bloomsbury group intellectuals.
6) The Skinny Belt – accentuate your waist with this seasons 1940s inspired ladylike tailoring.
7) The Elbow Length Gloves – wear for an instant injection of quintessential Parisienne chic.
8) The Animal Print Court Shoes – add grunt to any look at any time.
9) The Knitted Scarf – layer up with jumbo scarves and generous snoods. Its time to get cosy…
10) The Patent Caged Sandal – an instant jolt of sex appeal for evening attire.
Top Styling Tips:
Don’t follow each trend slavishly – use accessories to balance things out. Try wearing this season’s boyish lace up shoes with a sheer evening dress and sexy knee high boots with a flirty feminine print dress.
Pair bright splashy prints with black opaque tights to ground the look.
Don’t over accessorise when wearing dramatic shapes. Let them speak for themselves and keep shoes and bags simple and elegant.
Go bold with accessories to keep a grown up tailored look contemporary and fun.
Don’t forget the power of make-up as an accessory this season. For the ultimate in grown up sex appeal, master the art of beautifully precise, intensely vibrant scarlet red lips. Keep eyes nude, brows groomed, and skin pale, then add lashings of mascara for a flutter to be proud of and carefully sweep on your perfect pout – voila! Alternatively, go eighties-tastic with powerful glam rock smoky metallic eyes for a dramatic style with tons of attitude.
Keep hair off the face with a slick and sexy low, tight bun or sweep up into an elegant, loose chignon or, alternatively, opt for loose tumbling waves aka Veronica Lake. For added drama, decorate hair with Kirby grips, flowers and embellished slides.
Gok Wan will be hosting 3 live shows a day at Bullring from 24th-26th September. For tickets visit www.styleinthecityevent.co.uk and for information check out www.centreofstyle.co.uk
