Fashion Alert: What to Look Out in Spring 2013

Alright, so we've got nearly two more months till Winter ends, and Spring will be upon us again. With that also marks the end of the Winter fashion for 2012, and the beginning of Spring 2013. Out with the warm Winter clothes, and in with the airy Spring wear.

Now before we roll out with what to expect in Spring 2013, let's have a look at the colours that will grace our Spring 2013 palette.

According to Pantone.com, these are the colours that will grace our Spring wear this year.

pantone.com

I don't know about you, but I love the colours. Especially Grayed Jade, African Violet, Linen, Nectarine and Lemon Zest (It's very hard to decide).

Following the gilded extravagance of Fall/Winter 2012, the fashion industry reversed itself to something a bit more... Basic. That is not to say, however, that the Spring line-up is anywhere near plain or boring. Au contraire, I personally found it quite interesting.

1. Warm weather leather, it's a thing.

Tibi
source: elle.com

It's been a big thing back in Autumn, and it would appear that leather is here to stay. At least for now.

Alright, I know what you're thinking - How can you stand such heavy material in such warm weather? But let's face it, have we ever let that stop us? Leather done right is sexy. You really won't ever regret on investing in well, anything in leather. For Spring 2013, less is more when finding a leather piece. Pick rich colours, and ixnay on fussing over the hair and accessories.

If you're that worried about the heat, try either a sleeveless leather dress, a sleeveless top or a skirt. You'll find yourself far more comfortable with an open shouldered piece, and even more ventilation with an A-line skirt. The more air circulation, the better. 

There is nothing bad ass or sexy when a person is hot, sticky and irritated. So the safest occasion to wear a leather outfit, would be when you know you'll be under air conditioning for at least 99% of the time.

2. Short Suits 

Emporio Armani
Source: thefashionspot.com

If you're still planning your Spring fashion shopping, put this on your list. A look fresh from the runways of New York, it is the ideal blend of both "guy" hot (Heelloooo legs!) and "girl" hot (think Annie Hall). 

I actually quite like it. Not as uptight as a pant suit, yet just formal enough for it to be office appropriate (IF your office environment is casual enough for this, casual Friday would be your best bet, you can even take it for happy hour after). I do believe Barney Stinson would approve.

It's actually pretty versatile, and a great piece to put on when you want to look somewhat dressier and comfortable at the same time. 

3. An Oriental Influence

From left to right: Emilio Pucci, Etro, Prada
Source: accessoriesmagazine.com

This is one Spring trend that I'm most happy about. Possibly due to highly biased reasons. As an Asian, I am extremely proud of my heritage and it made me really excited to find that outfits with Asian influences would be an "In" thing for Spring 2013. 

Think shiny, silky fabrics, kimono-inspired shapes, mandarin collars, origami pleats, poetic prints and embroidered dragons. These pieces are bound to give your outfit a touch of exoticism.

4. The Document Clutch

Prada
source: fashionising.com

Probably one of the most useful fashion accessories I've seen for this season, the document clutch is a godsend for all techno-savvy fashionistas. Just the right size to fit your laptop or iPad, these chic and practical clutches serve as a stylish and sophisticated accessory for both work and play. 

5. Transparent Accessories 

Bag: Stella McCartney
Shoes: Michael Kors
source: en.paperblog.com

Honestly, I'm not too sure about this trend myself. While I find a transparent bags pretty cute, I personally feel somewhat insecure when it comes to displaying the contents of my bag for all to see. The same goes with transparent shoes. Transparent heels can make you look like a stripper (especially when the heels are too high), and transparent straps.... You'd have to have pretty, well-pedicured feet to look good in them. However, I think transparent jewellery are pretty cool.

Till next time.

xoxo, darlings

Fashion Review: All Things Neon

First off, hello dear readers! I'm finally back. Happy 2013! Good to see that we proved the Mayans wrong. No asteroid or earthquakes got us so, let's brace ourselves for a great year ahead, shall we?

Now for the blogpost.

Back in Spring/Summer 2012, pastels were the IT colours in Malaysia. Just, Malaysia. The neon trend, as far as my powers of observation go, was never really much of a thing until quite recently. Personally, I love colours.

While I am a staunch believer in the fact that monochromes, and black and white are pretty much evergreen, they tend to get boring after a bit. A splash of colour in any outfit makes it stand out a lot more, don't you agree?

sosueme.ie

However, if you wanted my personal opinion, I would not be caught dead in neon. At least not all over me. Perhaps an accessory or two, but no, not my entire ensemble. I say this for one very simple reason:

1. Neon colours are essentially highlighter colours. I do not want to look like a highlighter.
2. Neon colours can make you look like a brightly lit sign post. I do not want to look like a brightly lit sign post.
3. Neon colours are extremely difficult to carry off. You need a certain skin tone to carry it off. Either really fair or really dark. I am tanned. Stuck in the middle, I am too lazy to figure out the colour scheme at the moment.

But that's my personal opinion.

I don't deny, however, that neon colours can make your outfit very interesting. Given that they give it a very attractive pop of colour, it's a great way to light up a plain coloured ensemble. You just really need to know how to wear the colour.

kryzuy.com

The safest way to wear neon, I believe, is as an accessory. That is not to say I am afraid of experimenting with my clothes, nor unwilling to wear bright colours. I am, but with certain conditions. It is an absolute fashion crime to walk out of your house looking like a highlighter. It really is.

So if you're a little safe (like me, I contradict myself), try wearing a simple black dress with a bright neon clutch, or a white top and jeans with a bright pink neon necklace or earrings. Choose a part of your outfit that you want to stand out, and you'll look amazing.

itscamilleco.com

However, that is not to say that one cannot look good when one is completely clad in neon. You just need a lot of guts and a very VERY good sense of colour coordination, pairing and a clear idea of what looks good against your skin tone, and what doesn't. It also helps when you have a certain type of personality. You cannot be an unhappy emo goth chick who looks like she is going to commit suicide at any time and expect to look good in neon.

lookbook.nu

Till next time, xoxo, darlings.