Style Reflections

Trends for summer/autumn 11/12

Chris.Maines — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 02:59:48 +0000

With the warmer weather trying to break through it’s well time to be thinking about your summer/autumn wardrobe girls! The first job is to review and revise last years closets. Try on and recyle, repair or replace any items that having been packed away or pushed to the back of your wardrobe during the winter months. Then you can get a clear view of what you need to shop for to refresh your summer wardrobe.

The trends this season are:

White White White. Now just treat this as a blank canvas to show off your bright accessories and never feel that white is boring.

Maxi. ANY age can do maxi and look good, whether it’s skirts or dresses. If you are a little older remember to avoid baring too much up top and look for scoop necklines and cap sleeves rather than skimpy shoestring straps. A show of skin keeps proportions good, but bare arms balance the silhouette

Bright colours, especially citrus. Keep these to accessories if you are on the shy side or not sure the colours suit you. Colour blocking is all about putting colours of the same tone together such as sunshine yellow and orange – but keep everything else neutral to avoid over styling.

If you’re not into brights muted and neutral shades and minimalist tailoring are still looking good this year

Snakeskin prints. Very chic and easy to do with a scarf or strappy sandals

Flats or wedges in brights or neutrals are the comfy choices for the hot weather

So plan the outfits and look out for the terrific bargains around with lots of sales starting before Christmas and don’t ever drive past DFO South Wharf without a quick peek in !

Merry Xmas and A Happy and Stylish New Year to you all !

Banish Black

Chris.Maines — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 08:34:50 +0000

Being based here in Docklands I get to see lots of the workers who toil away in the large organisations around Bourke, Collins, Spencer Street etc. and I am always dumbfounded as to why so many brigh,t strong, intelligent women are dressed head to toe in black. I’m sure they would say it is just for ease but I doubt this. There are so many easy ways to sort out your workwear with a section of the wardrobe taken over with suits, pants, shirts etc. that all mix and match any which way so it’s just a case of grab and go in the morning.

Black in moderation can speak volumes in terms of authority, competence etc. but head to toe just makes everyone (even those that actually suit black) look pale, drab and very tired. Surely not the impresssion that you would want to communicate in the workplace.

I am amazed how many women believe it is characteristic of the fashion in our city when there are such fabulous local designers and retail stores out there with great workwear in chic colours and tones to create outfits around basics in navy, burgundy, grey, and brown instead of boring old black.

So, girls, spring is here so cast aside the funeral gear and liven up your looks with some colour. You never know you may get noticed by the right people in the office and be recognized for the bright young thing you are!

US and Hawaii Shopping Trip

Chris.Maines — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 01:54:53 +0000

Having come back recently from a trip overseas to Las Vegas and Hawaii I can tell you that for your shopaholics the US is a great place to head off to right now. Our Aussie dollar is strong and the prices of everything from boots to bras is so good you will be glad you only packed a couple of pairs of knickers and a toothbrush to go.

Vegas, of course, was great for the high end shops in the centre especially around the Fashion Show mall but out on the north and south ends of the town are the outlet centres that are well worth a visit. A shuttle bus runs up and down the Strip to take you there for $2 a ticket. I visited the South centre and got some great Donna Karan and Kenneth Cole bargains. There is also Coach, Osh Kosh Michael Kors and various outlets selling end of line high end shoes etc. Also not far out of the town (taxi about $10) are several TJ Maxx stores that are WELL worth the visit for a variety of designer clothes and especially bags and shoes. Got a Ralph Lauren sunhat for @20! Check out a store on the strip called Ross Dress for Less for a few finds also.

Hawaii has a great outlet centre in Waikele – a good hours car ride from Honolulu but there is also a bus from the centre. This place is brilliant and well worth the effort with Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, BCBG Maxazria, Saks Fifth Avenue (got some fab Burberry sunnies for $100 here), Michael Kors, Coach etc. etc. and the prices were fantastic. Coach were giving $100 vouchers off all the already discounted stock as you walked in the door!

We had a ball and didn’t spend a fortune. That’s my kind of great shopping holiday!!

Hawaii was ev

Zaramania !!

Chris.Maines — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 01:27:04 +0000

It’s time girls, the workmen are all packed up and the new Zara store is .. OPEN Taa Daa!

Ooo it feels so good to have a bigger one than Sydney doesn’t it?

I have to confess to not braving the stampede today I might just wait a couple of days when, no doubt, they will have completely restocked the store possibly by the third or fourth time. Having had a good mooch around the Sydney store recently I can tell you you are in for some treats and surprises and I reckon there’s a good chance that Zara will even challenge those affected by MBD (the Melbourne Black Disease) In any case I bet there has been some heavy brainstorming in the boardrooms of David Lawrence, Witchery, Veronica Maine etc. because, believe me, they have got some serious competition here.

Zara’s clothes are well priced, well designed and take all the current trends and make them very wearable for all ages. You can’t get much closer to a magic formula than that. Many of the basics are in soft muted colours very reminiscent of those favoured by the dark haired Spanish beauties from the country of its birth. Accessories are all created to mix and blend with some pops of electric colours and creative designs to keep the looks individual and eclectic.

You’ll find a great mix of workwear, smart casual and party outfits and if you love European styling and je ne sais quoi, then I reckon you will be hooked very quickly so best cash in all your pesetas and prepare yourself for the explosion of style that is ZAAARAAA!

‘STYLE YOURSELF’ WORKSHOP ONE

Chris.Maines — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 22:32:06 +0000

Wednesday 13^th or Thursday 14^th March 2011

5.30pm – 8pm

The Hub, 80 Harbour Esplanade

Note: Google maps is WRONG The Hub is between Collins and Bourke opposite Myers, look for balloons on the fence

Cost $50 person

Email: chris.maines@StyleReflections.com.au or phone 0422 770481 to book a date

PROGRAMME

Image Matters – get it right for work

Perceptions of personality and behaviour

Clothes Communicate – be in control

Crazy lines – get the look you want from the body you have

Colour my season

Face shapes for hair and jewellery

‘What’s wrong with this?’ (Bring along an outfit or item for an opinion)

Hub Event great success

Chris.Maines — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 06:53:27 +0000

Thanks to everyone who attended and got involved in the recent ‘Style Yourself’ sessions at The Hub Docklands during the Fashion Festival. I hope lots of you went away inspired to review and refresh your wardrobes.

The Hub was a little difficult for some of you to find especially as Google maps has got it completely wrong! But in future I shall tie a bunch of balloons on the railings to make it easier and, remember, it’s opposite Myers.

Lots of questions, lots of ideas and interest and a few surprising facts and figures I think sums it up.

The workshop proper is now available at the same venue so click on the links to get details and – I’ll see you there for more style tips and tricks! Chris

Style Yourself at Docklands

Chris.Maines — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:48:54 +0000

I plan to extend the business into Docklands with two free ‘Style Yourself’ training sessios to take place at:

The Hub @ Docklands, 80 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands on Wednesday 16th and again on Thursday 17th March 5-6pm.

This coincides with this years L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2011 and the hope is that before you get carried away with enthusiasm for the new autumn/winter collections, you will come along and learn a bit about choosing the right designs to flatter your shape.

The focus of the sessions will be on:
- Understanding the importance of image
- How the lines and design of a garment can create illusions
- A simple way to work out your general body shape
- Which clothes and designs flatter you best.

Docklands is playing host to many of the runway shows and exhibitions and if it’s a while since you visited the area you’ll be impressed at how smart and vibrant the place is. So click on to the link to find out more details of the free ‘Style Yourself’ event and come on down to the docks!

Find out more about what’s going on and read about the ‘Style Yourself’ event in the feature article in the Docklands News at www.docklandsnew.com.au and the Fashion Festival website at http://www.lmff.com.au

Best City Sales

Chris.Maines — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 23:28:15 +0000

There are bargains everywhere at the moment but I am finding that some places are exceptional so here are my current recommendations for the best bargains around:

South Wharf DFO Docklands

Country Road : There are racks of gorgeous clothes by Country Road and Trenery some at 50% off the reduced price. In addition there are some great boots and shoes to be had as well as menswear and baby clothes

Burberry: For a real investment piece check out the bargains in Burberry. They have the iconic trenches as well as some great bags and a few kids clothes.

Mossimo: Some great bargains at their recent ‘nothing over $25′ sale

Bras n things: Have a whole range of maternity bras at $5 as well as some really pretty undies for all ages

Fossil: Some good buys in jewellery and their signature country style bags and accessories

Spencer Street Mall at Southern Cross Station

Zoe Wittner: In my opinion still give us the best styles of quality shoes at the right prices. I recently paid $37.90 for a pair of sandals rrp $160 – now that’s a bargain. There is a superb range of styles to choose from and a good choice of sizes.

Ginger Tree: Always a good place to find a bargain whether it’s here or Bridge Road. They have some great items in the sales such as cropped linen jackets at $39, a range of Trent resort at much reduced prices and lots of maxi and evening dresses to be had for a song.

Lovisa: Have got lots of cute jewellery at $5 a go

Cue: Some beautiful pieces at a fraction of the normal price. (Just love the cut and style of their clothes, unfortunately they tend to be for smaller sizes and not my rounded size 14)

If you get a great bargain somewhere else let me know, I promise I won’t tell anybody else!

Sales shopping savvy

Chris.Maines — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 23:04:54 +0000

Wonderful! It’s sales time again and there are some mega bargains to be had out there. There are also some mega mistakes to be made so watch out ladies.

My best advice when shopping in the sales is to ask yourself whether you would buy the item if it was full price first off. If you would then go ahead, if you wouldn’t then ask yourself a few more searching questions before parting with your cash, aka

Is this an experimental style that I have wanted to try but was not willing to pay full price for? In which case I don’t mind if it doesn’t work because I can afford to speculate the outlay.

Do I love this garment but it doesn’t quite fit right but I am sure I can get it altered at a reasonable price?

Is the colour/style not quite right for me but I can work it in with at least 3 other outfits in the wardrobe?

If it’s not quite right when I get it home can I gift it to a friend/daughter/mum because I know they will love it?

So you can see it may be sensible to reflect over a coffee if you’re not too sure. Most shops will put things aside for you for a couple of hours whilst you ?go to the bank/go to the loo/put some money in the meter etc.

So happy hunting girls and before you go out there check out my recommendations for the best hunting grounds in the city.

Net-a-Porter.com

Chris.Maines — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:00:00 +0000

For those of you who love to browse or buy the top end designers then look no further than net-a-porter.com. You can buy all the latest trends and designers online at this UK based company or just subscribe to their newsletter to receive regular updates of the styles that are hitting the runways this season.

The company is well established and has a superb reputation for quality online retailing. They also give very comprehensive information around sizing etc. to help you order and they have a returns/exchange policy if you need to change something.

Their end of season sales are well worth a look with many great bargains to be had and those of you who shop online and like to splurge now and then will make it a regular site to view. Beware, however, you WILL find heaps of things to drool over!!