Style Blog

Fashion is a constantly evolving cycle of styles, with each generation adding their own flair and style to each era. Although fashion designers will constantly come up with new variants and styles, there is no doubt that they may well be influenced as we are ourselves up to a certain age, by the genre of music we listen to and appreciate.

An example of this is the late 70' and 80's which in many ways, as viewed from this time, could be perceived as the rebellious era. With numerous influences from previous era's such as Mods and rockers, then emerged the punk era, with the enigmatic Sid Vicious through to the new romantics such as Duran, Duran and Spandau Ballet. Each of these influences had a dramatic effect on the fashion of their era, and it could be said that in reality in many ways fashion is a mirror of the current musical influences that prevail within a time period.

Another example would be, the 80's pop icon, Boy George, whose band Culture Club, won notoriety and fame not only for its music but also for what was considered at the time as extrovert dress sense which included make up, with a flair that had not been seen before.

Modern culture as perceived during each time period is influenced by many factors which include the ways our music idols dress. Grunge, Sk8ter and such styles are now widely recognised and provided for, by relevant designers within the field and reflect modern tastes, however as indicated, fashion evolves and changes with ferocious speed and what is deemed acceptable in social terms can change dramatically.

There is no doubt that the advent of the internet and social media has dramatically altered the fashion world, with the ability to gauge interest, test potential styles and target specific consumer groups with a tailored approach which only a few years ago would have been time consuming and expensive. Indeed, with the ability to affect social influences with social media, fashion can almost be directed in certain ways to create the desire prior to production, which for the fashion industry as with any other is an excellent benefit.

In terms of where fashion is going, no body really knows, although now it is far easier for both designers and consumer to ascertain trends and potential areas of interest with much greater accuracy than ever before.

Every girl should have a capsule wardrobe of the key items needed to go on holiday. Read through this checklist before you go away to make sure you have everything you need to enjoy your break in style.

Sunglasses:

Hopefully, you are heading to a hot destination, where they have something called the sun. I know this sounds crazy, as we seem to have lived in perpetual darkness for around nine months, but in some parts of the world it is actually rather warm. As such, ensuring you pack a good pair of sunnies to protect your blinkers from the UV rays of the sun is a sensible idea. Plus, it means you can read on the beach or go for long walks in direct sunlight without getting a headache.

Bikini:

It seems the quilted look is back. So if you want a squishy, squashy soft jacket that keeps you warm and dry in the rain but doesn’t make you look like the local farmhand – invest in a high quality quilted jacket. This season, they’re not bulky like the bubble coats of yesteryear. It’s all about finding a jacket that’s quilted, yet still sleek and relatively thin. Waxed jackets are super popular at the moment and many people are combing the two trends – a waxed, quilted jacket is bang on trend at the moment.

The Barbour quilted jacket is by far the most popular among celebrities right now. Everyone from Daniel Craig, to Drake, to David Beckham and Tom Cruise has been seen in theirs this year. They’re usually teamed with a retro patterned sweater or a tailored, formal shirt and jeans or light coloured chinos. They give a man an air of ruggedness, but still let people know that he’s ahead of the style game.

Barbour jackets are fairly expensive though, with the most sought after products coming in at around £150. If you can afford the price tag – by all means, go ahead and snap one up. If you can’t, you’ll have to join the rest of us and opt for a snazzy alternative. Here are some of the best quilted coats for men on the market today.

Blue Inc, Tobacco Quilted Jacket £27.74The colour of this jacket really pops. Get this – it’s got corduroy shoulder patches. If any jacket were perfect for making a man look like lord of his own manor, this is it. It’s lightweight but durable and it has a lot of useful zips and pockets. Team it with a pipe and a pair of jodhpurs – then watch those horse riding beauties come calling.

Creep, Goose Down Jacket £186If you thought a Barbour was expensive, check out this Creep coat. It is utterly gorgeous though, with one mustard coloured half and one tweed patterned half, says Men’s Health magazine. It’s filled with goose feathers, which explains the sky high price tag. Goose down is officially one of the most comfortable materials out there. The inside of this coat is luxurious too – it has a wool finish.

Henri Lloyd, Black Jacket £120As the Guardian points out, this quilted jacket has something very ‘Hollywood’ about it. The fit is quite a skinny one, so this jacket will best suit the more rakish fashion hunter. It’s jet black with a sheen that almost looks leathery from afar. Steve Mcqueen, eat your heart out.

Retrofire, Quilted Khaki Jacket £31.99 This is an absolute steal considering its price tag. Again, it’s bang on trend – khaki and camouflage prints are huge this season. It has stylish faux leather elbow patches, plenty of pockets and a suede coloured trim around the arms and neck. It’s lightweight and would look fantastic teamed with black corduroy trousers or dark coloured, skinny jeans. Khaki tends to be very versatile though, so pretty much anything will look good when teamed with this quilted jacket.

Uniqlo, Compact Jacket £50 This has a more classic look – it looks like the retro quilted jackets of the 80’s and early 90’s, rather than the rural ones of this season. It will suit those who don’t quite gel with the idea of looking like a land baron. This quilted jacket is a bold red colour and it squeezes up small enough to fit in a rucksack of backpack. Actually, it’s a great coat for walkers, campers and those strange people who like to holiday in cold climates.

Author Bio: Dav is a men’s fashion designer and style blogger. He recommends The Officers Club for affordable, high quality men’s coats.
 

It is no secret that buying an engagement ring can be a scary process. After all, not do you have a monumental number of things to think about, but you also have the added pressure of ensuring that you make your partner happy. When it comes to buying an engagement ring, the things you need to concern yourself with include; your partner’s ring size, your budget, and their taste. A great place to start is with the latest trends in Hong Kong engagement rings. If you can ensure that the ring you pick is fashionable then you have already won half of the battle.
Before divulging the latest trends it is worth bearing in mind the fact that you will have a lot more success if you opt for a custom made engagement ring rather than ones readily available in stores. After all, it can be very difficult to find exactly what you are looking for when browsing around the shops. However, if you use a bespoke jeweller then you will be able to tell them the latest trend you like and give them a bit of information on your partner’s taste. They will then be able to come up with great designs for engagement rings and then create the perfect ring for your partner. Custom made jewellery is always the recommended option when it comes to a special piece of jewellery.A popular style is a halo setting, where there is one large diamond in the middle of the ring and smaller diamonds then surrounds this. This is extremely popular because it makes the centre stone look bigger and brighter. Not only is this a benefit, but halo setting rings possess an old-school glamour vibe that is very in keeping with the vintage trends hitting the dizzy fashion heights at the moment.

Another popular style is the look of an eternity band. This means that they do not have one big centre stone in the middle. Instead the pattern and the diamonds are consistent all the way round the ring. This is a popular option because it symbolises love that will last for a lifetime.

Thankfully, it is not hard to find a place where you can get the service you need for the perfect engagement ring. The Haywards team is happy to help. The experienced jeweller can create Hong Kong engagement rings suited your partner’s taste and the latest trends. Their monumental number of years in the industry ensures you are in safe hands.

The summer months are always full of exciting events. I am sure there are many of you with plenty of dates in your diary or you are planning on attending some fun events with friends. Whether you are off to the races, perhaps a wedding, a holiday or even a garden party or two, you are sure to have some fun months ahead of you.

But with so many different summer occasions going on, what to do wear for all these events? Have you planned out your wardrobe? Or are you thinking of just purchasing your outfits throughout the season? If you have a number of different things going on during the coming months, then it is best to plan ahead and start organising your wardrobe as soon as possible. You don’t want to be left without a stitch to wear do you?

If you are searching for some formal outfits for summer, then we have created a few outfit ideas for you to try. Below are some looks we have put together for you to take inspiration from. Browse our ideas and see if you can find something suitable for your summer events.

At The Races

Make sure you are looking smart and stylish for your day at the races with this look. No ladies day outfit is complete without a fancy hat and a stunning dress. This look ticks all the boxes for a day at the races.

Knee high boots don’t ever seem to get outdated. The kind of versatility that boots offer cannot be matched by any other footwear. If you wish to really create an everlasting impression on the onlookers, it is not just enough if you wear such boots, but you should know what to wear to match these boots to create a trendy fashion statement. If you’ve just purchased a new pair of knee high boots, but are not aware of the right clothes to pair them with.

Here are few great ideas to create a fashion statement.

• Wear them with a long A-line or pencil skirt to present a feminist look. When paired up with a summer dress or long skirt and a high ponytail, you can look truly gorgeous to create that romantic feeling. Create that magical charm on your opposite sex with your girlie charisma and pure beauty with this simple yet effective blend of long skirt and knee high boots. If you are a thin legged lady, loose boots made of a bulky material should be enough to do the trick, like a pair of slouch boots.
• Are you planning to go out for dinner from your office? Choose knee high black boots with little heel. You can wear them to office and from there go directly to the dinner party, as they look good at all places. Leather boots with platform heels look great with casual skirts for a breezy and relaxed attitude.
• For a more casual or smart look, team up these boots with a sweater or empire as these can actually complement the whole look. This can help you maintain the stylish appearance without being too much over the top.
• If you want to wear jeans with your boots, you need to choose one of the skinny types. Pair up your skinny jeans with knee high boots to present an appearance that will look chic for every occasion. However, you should have the legs to carry off this style successfully because it will not be suitable for everyone. Avoid wearing baggy jeans with such boots, because they look cluttered.
• Leggings also look great with a pair knee high boots, making the ideal casual outfit. If you opt for this style, make sure that you wear a top that extends beyond your waistline so that you don’t expose too much. This outfit will give the perfect casual look for your weekend outing with friends.
• Knee high lace-up boot models are perfect for lovely girls who wish to expose their shapely and beautiful legs. They look good for partying and have some thrilling fun.
• On the other hand, for women who are dominating, black leather boots look great to give that striking look. Black boots with stilettos look very stylish!

Irrespective of whether you are a party freak or mama’s girl, a pair of sexy knee high boots will surely add a world of charm to your style quotient. So, go ahead and try them out this winter.

Author Bio: Quincy Margaret is a fashion consultant with more than fifteen years of experience working with leading fashion firms in New York, California, and New Jersey. She is a specialist in creating bold and unique fashion accessories.