Keeping up with the latest fads/trends can be costly and time-consuming. You risk becoming a slave to fashion mags, or at worst, a fashion victim. Don't wear all the latest looks just because they're "in" only to discover you look like a clone of all the others being held hostage by that latest HOT look! 

Alison's advice...

Buy only a few pieces of the latest HOT look or colour as a way of injecting new life into your existing classic wardrobe. Invest money updating a key item - like choosing a cropped, fitted jacket and ditching that 80's power-suit, or buying a really great handbag for a  luxury finish to any outfit. Don't invest a lot on the latest fad or you could find yourself quickly looking like yesterday's news with no money left to board next season's trend-train! Most trends hang around for about a year - some a little longer - fashion cycles about every 20 years which is why so many 80's looks seem to be (frighteningly) back in vogue now! Be careful!

Here's my latest selection of looks that appear to be HOT right now (summer '06). Below that, you'll find what I consider to be NOT so hot! Just remember, hot quickly becomes luke-warm, and we all have our own tastes/opinions. What works for you and makes you feel great is the most important thing, no matter what I (or "THEY") say!

Scarves A lovely silk scarf (or ten!) is a must in anyone's wardrobe. These are really huge at the moment, but we all know they've never really been out of style. They're the perfect way to update your look, tie in a colour or pattern, or add a little pizazz to any handbag. Try tying loose and low underneath a shirt collar (my feminine take on the man-style cravat) or even use them as a belt. The possibilities are endless! Al gives scarves a big 10/10 - a long-term, can't-go-wrong wardrobe investment.

                                                                                                                                    Metalicus

Available at LILY ROSE at Kenmore Village, this great range of body-stocking clothing has a cult following - no two pieces are exactly the same! It's been around for a while now but it's not your average run-o' the mill stuff - you can't buy it just anywhere! It's strictly a boutique range so when you find a local stockist you'll be very pleased you did - just as Alison is!  LILY ROSE at Kenmore Village stock a great range of Metalicus along with a fabulous range of unique accessories, jewellery, bags, homewares and gifts, so put them on your MUST VISIT NOW list! 

Al gives the Metalicus range a 9/10 while Ros and her friendly staff at LILY ROSE get a 10/10. A great place to shop when you're looking for gorgeous accessories or gifts for that special someone!

 

g r e y is Gospel this winter! 

·          Choose a shade that flatters you - Pale grey can make you look washed out so to give it a lift team it with white or soft pinks near the face, or opt for a darker charcoal colour closer to your face. Layer different shades together to create an interesting palette - white, black, grey, charcoal. Yum!

·          Grey works well with other colours like red (make it a real red though! No muddy reds please!), chartreuse,  teal and even soft pinks and blues.

Al gives this colour story an 8/10 - but don't forget to mix some white in there for freshness and sharpness.

 

Boyfriend jeans
The word from Denimology is "Even though every magazine and newspaper is pushing skinny jeans as the must have of the moment the simple fact of the matter is that not everyone looks good in a pair of skin-tight jeans. Another style that is far more forgiving is the boyfriend cut which is tight around the rear but relaxed in the legs." The look is baggier, which is probably a LOT more flattering on 99% of the bodies who've been trying to squeeze into "ice-cream cone silhouette" skinny jeans!

 Al says a big "Yaaaay" and happily gives any cut other than  skinnies a healthy 9/10

White was in almost every designer's runway collection for Spring/Summer, and the great thing is for winter it doesn't have to disappear either! White lightens up and brightens up everyone's wardrobe Team a classic white shirt (french cuffs are really stylish!)  with black man-style pants for a really sharp, stylish look; Or with a black knitted vest over; Soften it with a scarf tied loosely under the shirt or team a white turtleneck under a black or charcoal shift dress with black opaque tights....and then there's always a crisp white shirt with bootleg jeans to be perennially stylish!

Al gives white a fresh, light and breezy 10/10 for any season!

 

 

 

Crocs   Eeeeeeow! I see these as summer's version of Uggg Boots! Fashionable for about 3 seconds, but there will surely be a host of people still wearing them years from now (sigh). Almost as unflattering as the velcro-strapped sandals seen on many a backpacker, these chunky (albeit probably very comfortable and good for your feet) appendages will have you looking anything but cool, despite the heavy marketing hype telling you otherwise. Leave the clogs and plaits to the Dutch national costume, or in the garden where they belong! Except on children under 7 (who can look really adorable making their tiny feet look huge) Al gives this latest look one big, ugly, chunky 3/10

Cheap Designer Replica Bags (aka fakes!) –  really obviously fake ones at that - give tacky a whole new meaning especially when carried by teens who've become slaves to the latest celebrity "it" bags seen in the latest tabloid mags!  An example? A Louis Vuitton with PVC handles and obvious flaws (a real one will never have a seam cut through the LV logo!), or pretend Gucci (you know the one...where the G and C are actually another letter, trying to pass as the real-deal).   Even if it's an A-grade fake, if you're 15 and don't have the income of Paris Hilton or Nicole Ritchie then it's unlikely you'd be paying up to $2,000 for the real deal. Everyone will just assume it's fake, and if it IS real...well lucky you!...but you will probably be the ONLY one who appreciates it's real beauty! A good quality, classic luxury bag in a butter-soft leather will look more individual, elegant and exclusive and set off any outfit with far more style! If you're not working full-time, don't have the income to make it believable or the rest of the wardrobe to carry it off, leave the designer replicas off your list -  Al gives tacky fakes a very genuine 2/10

Big 80's hair & overdone rock-chick layers

You know the look I'm talking about here....the big messy  teased hair that looks more like the rats have been sucking on your hair while you were sleeping or magpies started to build a nest on your head!  And SO LONG to chunky “rock-chic” layers that look more like your mates chopped off your locks as a dare while you were passed out drunk on their couch!   Al says "Get yourself a haircut, buy a straightening iron, slap on some smoothing serum,  do whatever it takes – just get rid of that deliberately scraggly mess or I’ll have to come over there with some hedge trimmers and sort you out myself!"   Let's move on to some more healthy, shiny flattering styles please - 4/10

Pets as Fashion Statements or handbags

Animals are not arm candy.  Carrying around miniature dogs, kittens, parrots, whatever, is not de rigueur; it's just plain WRONG!  Oh, and while we're here – dressing your dog up like you would do with your Barbie Doll is really not cool either. So please...just don't! 

 Al rates small animals carried in or AS a handbag  with a very claustrophobic 0/10

Nail Art and decals

Nails and hands, like shoes, can make or break any look. Bitten, ragged or dirty nails are certainly not a good look, but then neither is the extreme opposite - using your nails as a canvas for glittery bits and tattoo-like images. And as for extra-long acrylic/gel talons (or whatever material they claim to made from)...YIKES! Not to mention what damage you've done to your poor real nails underneath those overlays!                                               Al is afraid...very afraid!  1/10

Alison Triffett - Style Counsel gives permission for you to use the materials in this zone for your personal use only. All material and images are Copyright 2006. Unauthorised transmission, reproduction or dissemination of any text and images from this site is not permitted.