London, UK – Maxi and Art Deco Dresses show Romance is not dead at New Look this spring and summer. Last autumn, fashion fell in love with romantic lace; from the feminine and pretty day dresses, to more dramatic sweeping see-through gowns.

This season, spring fashion continues to embrace the feminine in other forms, with romantic ranges of dresses that capture the sunshine season ahead. The maxi-dress, rarely out of fashion, returns in bold and floral print to stand out under the sun. Flattering in silhouette and an easy way to show off the season’s love of patterned and flower print, the maxi dress encompasses everything that is beautiful about spring.

New Look, the high street fashion leaders in trend-setting styles, has long pioneered the value of the Maxi dress frequently lauding it as an essential item for spring and summer. Their current collection showcases dresses that make Romantic Heroines of us all. Their vintage rose print maxi dress and floral border maxi dress show the power of the flower print this season. Teamed with a pair of decadently dangling gold colored chain cascade earrings, the maxi dress becomes regal and perfect for parties, complemented by spring’s latest ‘up-do’.

One can opt for maxi dresses in pleated, patterned and block-colored forms, illustrating how many ways there are to wear this perfect item.

The Art Deco trend was another familiar force on the catwalk during the 2012 season, with more romantic draping silhouettes bejewelled and shimmering. Miss Sixty, carefully selected by New Look for their cutting edge designs, offer a range of party dresses that offer romance with a slighter shorter hemline. Their black Bow Dress is elegantly feminine, with a 20s Art Deco echo that feels very current and topical.

Spring is the season to dress in feminine fashion and make like a Romantic Heroine. New Look’s sweeping floral and patterned styles will inject every wardrobe with a little budding romance.

The article Maxi-Dress Returns in Bold Floral Print this Summer appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

Summer fashion is in the air in South Africa, and this season sees a refreshing take on print. This new version is a development from last season’s focus on animal print. It is bold, bright, and colorful, and you find it everywhere you go – from sports stores to fashion outlets. This new animal print finds inspiration from birds’ feathers.

It seems that the fashion of the summer season has turned South African fashionistas into birds of a feather. The trend of birds’ plumage first hit the catwalks with designers such as Matthew Williamson. The rustling designs of Williamson’s Spring 2012 collection were reminiscent of the presentation of wild, exotic birds.

The patterned details, bright colors, and sense of movement in his designs seemed to be inspired by our feathery friends. Scarves ending with long, loose tails and lengthy skirts and dresses with colorful prints are featured in this collection.

The Alexander McQueen Spring 2012 collection showcases head-to-toe ruffles, dense and elaborate enough to resemble feathers, headpieces that cover the entire head (much like the head of a bird, really), and bright, bold, exotic colors. Some of these outfits make one think that the designs in the dramatic film, Black Swan, still have a hold on fashion.

The recent Rio Fashion Week featured this style amongst celebrities and on the runway. Olivia Palermo, a fashionable celebrity, was seen on the runway with a bright, metallic-colored blouse, complete with layers of ruffles. The Agatha catwalk featured necklaces adorned with feathers and layered dresses in a variety of interesting colors, such as marble green, and the Animale collection used the basic black palette of the clothes as a foundation for rich and golden colors, using cuts that float as you move.

This plumage style has been adopted in a wearable form on the streets of South Africa. This fashion suits South Africa’s warm climate and lazy beach days perfectly. Necklaces and earrings with colorful feathers amongst an array of beads, or even just images of feathers, are making regular appearances.

Jewelry is also bedecked with charms and figurines in the form of all kinds of birds. Handbags and clutches have beautiful patterns of feathers and birds adorning them or simply a feather or two hanging from them. Everything from skirts to shirts are embellished with bright patterns of birds and their feathers. Feathers can even be found on shoes.

Fashion is all aflutter with this new trend of birds, and South Africa has swallowed the bait. Whether it is a hat arrayed with feathery patterns or a necklace with ornaments of birds dangling from it, this tropical trend has proven too exotic to resist. If this trend proves a bit too bold for you, try simply wearing a patterned skirt, or adorn your hair with a feather or two. It should be enough to brighten up the dullest of wardrobes.

The article Fashion in Flying Colors appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.

With the arrival of spring comes a new style guide from Spain to inspire your wardrobe for the season. The style is greatly inspired by the 70’s but will surely get you pumped up for 2011. These are the ten commandments for this spring:

Go for denim: It is going to be one of the most important fabrics this season and one which you definitely should add to your closet. Denim is a must-have but it does not have to be brand new – if you got something lying in the pile, dust if off and flaunt it.

If you dare go all the way, try for the complete look – shirt, skirt and boots to match. On the other hand, if you prefer the more subtle and classic look you can combine your denim with cream colors.

Get yourself a pleated skirt: This will be a hit for the season so make sure your wardrobe has one ready. Stylists are suggesting to tone down the rest of your outfit to focus the attention on the skirt – a tight-fitting t-shirt would be perfect.

If you plan to wear the skirt at night, bet for the long model that touches your feet – if you feel on the risque side, a knee-high model can be both daring and pretty. Keep in mind that not all girls can wear pleated, but if you are one of the lucky, these skirts are a fun way to spice up your style. And the shoes? Comfortable ballet flats will do the trick.

Roll it up: This year’s Spanish fashion will put a lot of emphasis on the straight and tight look but with the added detail of rolled-up hems.  It is meant to be the new style for casual wear so expect to see it on the streets and in cafes – not at the office.

Jackets, shirt or cardigans are equally fitting for the ‘roll-up’ – get those sleeves up to your elbows and you will look great this spring.

Whip out the blazer: Stylists love this piece of garment cause a blazer tends to match with everything. Designer suggestions for this season is an oversized model in light, cream colors. It will look chic and fresh with a short dress or a pair of high waisted pants.

White on white on white: Dolce & Gabbana have stated that this season will be overflown with lacy dresses, crochets and embroiders, all in white. This will be perfect for beachwear but do not be afraid to mix it up for an urban style – try an embroidered blouse with Bermuda shorts for a change.

Bring back the 70´s: For this year, designers have found inspiration for new trends in the 70’s and the game is on for new interpretations of that decade. It will be a great opportunity for fashion-lovers to come up with their own ideas – would you dare to put your hair up in a stylish bun or wear a neckline? How about showing up at work in a long gauze dress? Be bold and you will own the room.

Try the ‘picnic’ look: Spring inspired bright and colorful fabrics and combinations – you should draw inspiration from the sun, the sky and the blooming nature. ‘Picnic’ is fresh and outdoorsy as well as uplifting and fun. Show your skin in short and tops of printed fabrics and in bold colors. Now is the time to get some color.

Speaking of which, embrace the palette: You should not shy away from colors this season – white is crisp and classic but make sure your wardrobe gets its essential splash of rainbow. The Spanish stylish recommend mixing and experimenting with different colors and taking the leap into the more flamboyant colors should not be off the table. If you prefer not to mix, go for something exiting – like an electric blue dress.

Make the unusual usual: When was the last time you wore that clean-cut tuxedo? Whatever happened to the stylish uniform jacket? How about that slim-wasted jumpsuit? If you have a special occasion this season, why not make it a little more interesting with an outfit that is bound to raise eyebrows. If you got the body and the courage, try something a little unusual and you will be sure to pack in compliment. If you need something a little less formal, try combining your unique garment with something more subtle – like you brocade shorts with a comfy blazer.

Reach for the sky: Prada wants us to wear ten cm, striped, plato shoes this spring – not for the faint hearted!

If you prefer something more comfortable (but still stylish), Chloé has the perfect suggestion – go for ballet pumps; they are very versatile when it comes to matching and comes in many varieties. Great fashion does not always have to be hard.

The article The Ten Commandments For Spring, A New Style Guide from Spain appeared first on The Toonari Post - News, Powered by the People!.