SS 2018: The Ultimate Trend Guide

While the fashion world is buzzing with Fashion Month stories, I decided to take a step back from the frenzy surrounding the ongoing fashion shows and focus on what's currently trending and is about to overtake our wishlist. Temperatures may still be a little low but Spring fashion is always shining a little ray of light on the gloomiest of days. If the clothes are sunny then maybe we can force Spring to come a little sooner? 

Fashion Conundrums: Mixed Prints

Hello fashion world,

I admit that activity on this blog has been rather minimal (if not non-existent) and I'm ashamed. Lately I've been placing all of my efforts on my other website, The Athenian Chic,which is more travel/lifestyle-oriented. However, maintaining this blog and fueling it with interesting content is on top of my priorities this year.

If there's one thing that keeps me from posting often is that there's a lot of work that usually goes into curating a post. I want the advice offered on here to be informed and well-rounded and actually useful to someone.

So following up on an idea I had back in December, I decided to start a series of posts on how to tackle various fashion conundrums and offer my personal take on them.

On top of my list of "tricky trends" was a styling practice I actually love which is none other than mixing prints.

Print mixing is admittedly a controversial trend and usually reserved for hardcore fashion fanatics. Most people tend to shy away for fear of looking clownish or out of place. It's definitely intimidating at first, but if you follow a few simple cues you might find another world of creativity hidden inside your closet. And that is the reason why I love styling. Fun, unorthodox pairings can make you re-discover old favorites or breathe new life into items you thought you had no use for.

Last Minute New Year's Makeup Ideas

Hello folks of the internets,

The new year is only hours away - if you're on this side of the planet at least (in case it's already 2018 where you are: HAPPY NEW YEAR! *fireworks*). And while the big event is usually held on the eve, the festivities can last a few days more so I decided to provide you with that much needed inspo in case you're stuck in a rut.

I get it - no one's super organized with a plan of outfits and makeup looks to wear for the entirety of the holiday season and by this time of the year, it's natural that the inspiration is running a bit dry since you've probably tried a ton of different looks already.

However my piece of advice is - and this is not just pertinent to makeup - NYE doesn't have to look a certain way and you don't either. A lot of times that fun we're supposed to have on that night can feel a bit forced. You don't have to dress in head-to-toe sequins and metallics and you certainly don't need to glam up if you don't feel like it. If NYE fun means jeans and a movie for you, then you do you! The guide below is meant to offer a couple makeup ideas if you actually do decide to go to that party or that fancy restaurant and simply want to try something new for a change. The options given here are mere suggestions, definitely not a must-do. I for one, over the years have decided to stop giving so much emphasis on that day and that has lifted so much of that "must-have-fun" pressure.

So to cut this short, here ya go:

Holiday Makeup: Emerald Eyes by fashionistalooks featuring eyeshadow brushes

Because gold and silver are for the weak. Jk. If you're not gonna bust out that fun colourful shade for NYE then when? That day is the perfect excuse to go all out and finally rock that risqué color you've always been afraid of. It won't look intimidating when paired with neutrals and a very fresh face and lip combo. Just make sure to build the intensity slowly. Don't start with a super dark opaque shade that will be a nightmare to diffuse. Start with a cream and keep adding powder eyeshadows on top, taking your time to blend in between and trust me, the result will be mesmerizing.

How To Wear White Jeans In Winter

Americans have a rule that says "no white after Labor Day", which is a holiday celebrated on the first Monday of September. Any white garment  remotely reminiscent of summer escapades after that mark is considered a fashion faux pas. 

However over the last couple of years this rule seems to have no bearing on modern, fashion-forward women - along with plenty of other fashion rules. The lines between what's season-appropriate and what's not seem to be getting more and more blurry as time goes on. Almost anything goes, as long as it's properly styled. 

My Holiday Gift Guide For Everyone

Hello folks of the Internet,

Are you in a festive mood yet? I'm a very Christmassy person but I only fully experience the spirit of Christmas once December kicks in and the tree is up. I know people in the States start the festivities a little sooner because of Thanksgiving and frankly, I'm a little jealous. 

It's truly the most wonderful time of the year. There's such a positive aura surrounding everything and anything Christmas-related that I just want to bask in all of it. The most important thing though is the act of giving and caring. It's not just about religion, it's a mindset. Christmas is the time to be kind (well to be honest, any time is the time to be kind). It's the time to be a little more thoughtful and a little less selfish. Everyone can benefit from this mentality and outlook, no one can lose.

Giving and receiving gifts is a very special tradition in my family. We have a whole ritual we've held on to for years and that I look forward to every December. The buying process on the other hand can become a little stressful. Sometimes you just get stuck, it happens to all of us. So yet again, Internet comes to the rescue. 

In this year's gift guide I decided to do little separate assortments that fit each style, depending who you're shopping for. Instead of grouping everyone together with the simple categorization being "for him" and "for her" I wanted to try to cater to different styles and tastes. 

Retro Gift Guide by fashionistalooks featuring Trademark Fine Art

Fashion Dupes: Fall/Winter '17-'18 Edition

Hello my lovely fashionable people,

It's been a hot minute since my previous post but I've been working on something that  required a lot of my energy and time and I wanted to present you something complete and well-rounded.

Fashion "dupes" are a rather controversial topic among the fashion community. Some claim that it's essentially theft of intellectual/industrial property and disrespectful to the original creators. Others say that they're democratizing fashion. Note that we're not talking about "fakes" here and illegal products that pretend to be of a certain brand in order to make money off the label. This is about high street brands namely Zara and Mango that draw their inspiration from designer items with much heftier price tags.

The key difference is that while wildly similar, the much more affordable versions of these high end goods are usually not quite the same. The design is "inspired by" the original not a downright copy. And naturally, the quality and craftsmanship are nowhere near the same. But sometimes when an item is too trendy to be considered an investment, is it worth it to dish out hundreds if not thousands of euros for what's gonna be a one-season affair? That's up for discussion. While there's no doubt that a camel coat or a Chanel bag never lose their value, there's plenty in the market now that might as well be a fashion fad and nothing more.

For the most of us however, it's not even a case of "investing" or not. For a college student, "investing" in the real Miu Miu pair of flats isn't even an option. So if Bershka offers a somewhat similar cute version, this uni student will take it.

So to cut this short, here is my round-up of the best fashion dupes on the market right now.

Luxury vs High Street I by fashionistalooks featuring kitten heel slingback shoes

6 Office Chic Looks That Are Far From Boring

Hello hello,

Fall is the time to regroup and get busy. And with my graduation from Law School on the horizon, I've been thinking about professional attire more and more. As my friends land their first internships and jobs outside of uni, I am often asked about tips on how to look more put-together and work-appropriate. For anyone who lives in their jeans and t-shirt, it's certainly a challenge. However, the whole endeavor proves to be even more tedious for anyone who loves fashion and dressing for fun. Flamboyancy is unfortunately accepted and appreciated in very few work fields, so unless you're in the fashion industry or the arts, you're in need of clothes that will be a little more business and a little less play.

The first things to take into account when dressing for work are the field and the office dress code, as well as the actual work involved. Is it mainly in-office work? Are there going to be meetings with clients? You have to factor all that in your outfit-picking process. If unsure about the dress code, my word of advice is go in a little more formal during the first week just in case, observe what others are wearing and follow their lead.

Most of the outfits presented below are for offices without extremely strict dress codes because the options there are quite limited. I gather that most places should be okay with outfits like the ones suggested.

THE HIGH WAISTED PANT

Office Chic I by fashionistalooks featuring flower wall art

Neutral tones and minimal silhouettes are pretty much as foolproof as it gets. High waisted wide-leg pants are flattering, lengthening and a staple that shouldn't be missing from any wardrobe. Mannish coats are abundant on the market right now, so invest in a classic piece that will add that extra polish to both on and off-duty looks.

Τhe Sex and the City looks that are more trendy than ever

It's no secret that Sex and the City was one of the most influential tv shows for fashion and pop culture in general.

F/W 2017-'18 Trend Report Part I

For many, the end of summer is the most depressing time of the year.

Not for fashion enthusiasts though. Because the end of summer coincides with the most exciting month for fashion, September. New collections flood the stores, September issues and blogs are filled to the brim with trend reports and fresh editorials and of course, Fashion Month kicks off, so it's safe to say that ispiration isn't running thin.

This is probably one of my favorite posts to make, because trend reports have this old-school feel to them that takes me back to my childhood, when I was skimming through my mother's magazines, marvelling at all the runway shots, memorizing designer and model names, absorbing it all in. There was a time in fashion where trend reports, especially the September ones were everything, the most important piece of the year. So, in respect of this tradition, I present you with all my favorite trends from my favorite collections with a short analysis for each one.

Throughout the collections, I think there's one element that jumps out the most: power. The new styles exude confidence, authority and self determination. Boxy shoulders, sexy boots, maxi coats, suits and bold color are defining a new fashion era with plenty of retro references that range from the 60s to the 90s and the early 00s.

Now let's examinate each trend one-by-one:

Altuzarra / Monse / Tibi / Bottega Veneta / Calvin Klein

Fall 2017 Trends: Power Suit by fashionistalooks on Polyvore

How To Update Your Style Mid-Winter

This time of year can be pretty boring. The inspiration runs thin. The weather is cold and dull, the holidays are well behind us, work and commitments beckon and you're stuck in your routine where nothing feels new or exciting.

Fashion can reflect that too. You're kind of over the glam Christmassy looks, the dark palette, the heavy knits but you're still (what feels like) eons away from spring and summer.  So what can you do to freshen up your mid-winter wardrobe? While the sales are still on, you can snag a couple of versatile pieces that will make the transition from winter to early spring that much easier. 

THE ROMANTIC BLOUSE

The Victorian blouse isn't going anywhere anytime soon. This ultra-romantic style will continue dominating our top choices in 2017 so grab a couple on sale now.

Romantic Blouses by fashionistalooks on polyvore.com