Style Harmony

You cannot help but notice the colourful window displays at DKNY, Topshop, Warehouse and many more. Colour blocking is a hot trend now and what a fun and simple way of styling your wardrobe. Colour blocking is basically coordinating two or more solid colours together to create a colour block look. Your accessories, shoes and handbag can also be in different solid colours. Colour blocking can also help “transform” most figure shapes to look like an hourglass shape.

Look at the above picture which I’ve put together. To achieve an hourglass shape from a:

V-shape body: Keep the top fitted and in dark colour (halter neck narrows down the wide shoulders with its diagonal straps) and widen the hips with a flare skirt in a bright colour. Dark colours recedes and make the space appear smaller while bright colours do the opposite.

Inverted V-shape body: Wear tops in bright colours. To extend the shoulder width, choose horizontal necklines and puffed sleeves. Bottoms should be in slim cuts and darker colours.

Rectangular body shape: Extend the shoulder width and hips to make the waist appear smaller. Use light and bright colours from top to bottom to widen the areas and a contrasting colour belt to narrow down the waist.

Oval body shape: Needs to widen shoulders and hips by wearing V-necklines and flare sleeves and bottoms. Camouflage the tummy area with a loose low waisted top in darker colours, preferably.

Colour blocking is a great way to camouflage or enhance your body shape where it is needed.

Tell us if you like this trend or not.

The playsuit is a big trend in this spring/summer season. It is easy to wear and great for our hot climate. A playsuit in spring’s brightest palette of blues, pinks or yellows will be perfect for a poolside barbeque party, weekends and stroll in the malls. As the weather is quite unpredictable these days and to keep warm in the air-conditioned environment, throw on a crop jacket (see picture, right). You can also wear a studded belt (picture, left) to give it a funky look. Complete the outfit with wedgies or strappy flats and lots of bangles or a cuff. For bags, my choice will be a long strappy leather or chain purse. If you have a curvy shape, then go with a design that is waisted/banded so that your best asset (your waist) is enhanced. If you have a rectangular body shape, then a loose cut like the model in the pink playsuit will be perfect for your shape. Personally, I will recommend a longer length, say just above the knees or capri-style for those above 40:-) 

I think the belt is the most under-appreciated and under-used accessory in our wardrobe. If you want to update your style, the belt is an excellent choice for starters. It is versatile, flattering (depending on where you wear it on your body) and affordable. If you are high-waisted, wearing your belt lower such as at your hips will elongate your upper torso. If you have a straight and narrow body shape, wearing a belt will give the illusion of a defined waist.

Belt up for a defined waist

It can also instantly update a look – for example, the 1980′s floral romper looks chic with a belted waist. If you are well-endowed, wear a thinner belt. Wearing a thick belt when you are heavy chested like Kim Kardashian will make you look like you have no upper torso and hence, your body will look unproportionate. Invest in a great leather belt today!

Update the style with a belt

With the weather temperature soaring up, it is time to hit the pool or the beach. Question is: Are you bikini ready? Well, if you are not, do not fret. You can still look fabulous in a one-piece swimsuit in the correct colour, fit and style. Besides comfort and functionality, you should select styles that fit your body shape. For example, vertical lines are always slimming and lengthening; and so are diagonal lines. Large floral prints and ruching are also good for camouflaging the tummy. A high leg cut will also give the illusion that your legs are miles long.

I was proudly showing off photos of a new Morrocan dish I had learnt recently to my niece when she remarked, “I bet you went out to get new serving plates just for this!” I looked at her sheepishly and said “Yeah, but…they were at 50% off!” Can you imagine serving an exotic Arabian cuisine on plain white dish plates…unthinkable! The aroma of the spices and rich colour of my Moroccan olive and lemon chicken well deserved a nice earthen red plate and vibrant patterned ceramic serving plate. With some candle lights thrown in, they completed the Moroccan inspired theme. Everything in the table setting harmonises with one another, resulting in a pleasing look. The same principles apply in our dressing. What we put on everyday needs to balance and harmonise with our skin tone, body shape, personality and your goal for the day! They all need to tell the same story so that you will look well put together and send out the right message that you want to others.