There’s no escaping the leather jacket this winter and why would you want to?

A leather jacket is the best way to inject instant street cred into your outfit. But a black leather jacket is so 2009, all the cool kids are wearing blue leather this year – Blake and 90210’s Jessica Stoup show us how:

Blue tones soften the tough biker jacket look and make the trend accessible for those of us who just can’t pull off black.

Want one? Lucky for you we’ve scoured the international streets to find this leather hottie from Parisian label Sarah Wayne:

Blue leather jacket: $440
Available at: www.europeanwardrobe.com.au

Oui oui!

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This month I have chosen Rachel Bilson for my StyleSeen pick. Rachel has become somewhat of a style icon for young women ever since her days on The OC, playing spoilt, rich teen, Summer Roberts. And, like her alter ego,  rarely does she put a foot wrong when it comes to fashion. Rachel is always photographed  looking trendy and chic, even when she's out on her day to day errands like, grabbing a coffee or walking her dog. Rachel can pull of any look from cute and sweet to sexy and rock chick.

Want to get this look for less?  Check out some cute finds below!

The nautical stripe is making a big comeback, and rightly so.  This Parisian look is versatile, fresh, casual and very chic.

If you are concerned about the horizontal stripes making you look bigger, then you just need to choose wisely.

• The wider/thicker the contrasting stripe is-
• The wider/thicker it will make you appear.
• The narrower/thinner the contrasting strip is –
• The narrower/thinner it will make you appear.

This is called the ‘Ladder effect”.

When the rungs on the ladder are close together it will make the viewer run their eye up the body, creating a visual illusion of length.  Now who doesn’t want a longer thinner body?

I’m going to come right out and say it… I’m a bit of a Hilary Duff fan! Even at the age of 22 I will unashamedly admit to watching a repeat or two of Lizzie McGuire. And before I’m judged by the Hilary haters out there, it’s usually only late at night when nothing else is on (or maybe there is I just choose not to notice).  I was also pretty excited when I found out she was starring on Gossip Girl, and maybe I listen to her music every now and then, and maybe I was annoyed that I missed out on tickets to her concert. Okay, now you may be thinking I’m more than just ‘a bit’ of a fan. Well…you may just be right!

I chose Hilary as my pick for this month’s ‘Style Seen’ because I always seem to love what she’s wearing. She has her own sense of style; her look is carefree, casual, and trendy all at the same time. The way she presents herself is relatable to young women and I find her outfits are easy to recreate. Although she will be found wearing the pricier version of clothes most females wish they could afford but can’t, I have managed to track down some clothes and accessories, which will allow you to emulate her style without leaving you penniless.

In Order Left to Right

Zipper Tank $29.95 General Pants
Abbey’ Skinny Pant $59.99 Jeans West
Mafia Booties $130.00 Santini
Jersey Stripe Scarf $49.95 French Connection
Black Frilly Saddle Bag $59.00 birdmotel.com.au
‘Creamy Lips’ Ellis Faas Makeup $52.00 Mecca Cosmetica
With Love’ Hilary Duff Eau De Perfum Spray 100ml $49.95 perfumeconection.com.au
Pearl Studs $9.99 Diva

If you’ve been living under a rock you might not know New York Fashion Week set the Damrosch Park runways alight from February 11 to 18 showcasing the trends that we’ll all be wearing when autumn rolls around this year.

Of course there was black, there always is, but refreshingly black is not the new black and some of this year’s collections featured even more of the jewel coloured accents that began to emerge in Autumn/Winter 09.

On Aussie shores, David Jones recently released their Autumn/Winter 2010 catalogue featuring lots of (you guessed it) colour, including everything from orange to fuchsia.

Head to toe colour can look AMAZING, especially if you’re Miranda Kerr, but if the thought of all out colour instils images Grimace and Papa Smurf, go for colour accents instead – think LBD and hot pink clutch, black pant suit and killer red pumps or black skinnies and multicoloured handbag.

Here’s some we prepared earlier:

From sweet parisenne styles to a new even bolder twist on the 1980’s power dressing.
Yes mum, I know ‘It’s all back again and if only you hung onto that jacket.

Pencil skirts are everywhere.  Be sure to match your pencil skirt with a top that gives you some horizontal detail at the neck, head or shoulders.  That way you will be balancing your body.

A lot of red and purple this season, works great on darker toned ladies.  If you have lighter hair and tone be sure to carry the stronger hues with your lipstick, maybe match jeweled tones with neutrals to bring it back a peg.  Don’t let the colours wear you.

Luxe is best worn with a mix of fabrics, break it up with a sexy jersey.  Animal prints look great on warm toned women.  A cooler based lady could try the slate animal prints and match it back with a bold red.  You will see a lot more nudes, tones that are close to your own skin look great when it is framed with a contrasting piece of jeweler, scarf or collar.  

Images from the David Jones fashion week.

A stylish lady with a beautiful simple outfit.  Buy keeping the top and bottom ½ of the outfit both light Gwyneth has lengthened the look.

Her height allows her to wear the jeans slightly cut off at the ankle.  If you are short in the legs then opt for a longer pair of jeans.  

The structured Jacket has created a good wide line across the shoulders.  Which is what you need if you are of  the triangle/pear type body. Be sure not to wear the Jackets hemline at the widest point of your hips.  This seasons current Blazers are a great way to gain that extra balance between the hips and shoulders.  

The boyfriend style jean is a loose relaxed silhouette. 

Great for the triangle/pear types that don’t always want to squeeze into the straight or skinny styles.  

Megan has followed the light tones all the way through her outfit and the bootleg creates balance for a larger hipline.  Katie has followed the dark tones through her outfit and the hat gives her a focal point that leads your eye up to the face, which helps with the lengthening we all want to achieve.    The tom boy effect is sexy if you keep it simple.   If you want a more feminine feel, opt for fitted tops that will emphasize your top half.

Caaren Hulme from www.stylizit.com.au With background as a costumier, designer and stylist for film, TV and theater, Caaren Hulme is now providing the same quality services and expertise to men and women everywhere.

OK! So it’s Christmas and I know-you know!

I am not going to tell you what to buy because chances are you already know that too.

 

I LOVE this time and I HATE this time all in one. I hate that the shops are so busy and well there is not always a joyous vibe going around with the shoppers, have you been into the carparks? Ha.

But I do LOVE how my daughter gets so excited to see Santa but when she does she gets really scared. I love the thought that I get to see my family who I don’t see very often. But will I actually get time to enjoy it? That’s up to me!

 

It’s crazy busy I know! What I would like you to do is take 2 minutes now and see if you are Naughty OR Nice?  I guarantee you, you will laugh out loud! Then send it onto your partners to see how well they know you! You might even give them an idea or two :0)

 

Are You Naughty OR Nice?

 

Something tells me that it is going to be another long hot summer.  Keeping cool, fresh, dry, wrinkle free and on top of things can be a struggle if your boss won’t update the air con.  Or the kids need your taxi driving skills taking you in and out of the car all day long.  A cool body brings on a cool mind that is my motto.   

Cottons, silks and wools are the three traditional natural fibers that offer natural breathing capabilities. Keeping the wearer fresh and cool.  But have you ever considered looking at Bamboo as an alternative fabric.  Bamboo is also a natural fiber which claims to be anti microbial, thermal regulating, anti fungal, anti static, hyper allergenic, breathable and absorbent, keeping you drier and fresher.  It is the new “green” fiber, farmers claim that soil erosion is reduced and pesticides are reduced with the farming of Bamboo.

I really was impressed when I read the reports about Bamboo.  But what impressed me more was its touch. Wow, it is the most beautiful fabric to touch, they make many baby products from Bamboo and it is now time to celebrate some of the local Australian labels that are making a go from this fantastic fiber.

You may be looking for a beautiful sundress that can take you from the beach to a summer’s evening’s meal out, or a vest that will keep you in check for a business lunch, or for that awesome pair of exercise pants that you thought you would never find.