FabSugar Australia

Try Before You Buy: Sex and the City Inspired Wardrobe Tips

FabSugar Australia — Mon, 31 May 2010 15:45:00 +1000

I blame Carrie Bradshaw for a lot of the craziness hanging in my wardrobe right now. Oversized flowers, tutu skirts, a smorgasboard of headgear, and a selection of some pretty loud footwear. Sound familiar? Yep, I'm sure you fell for it too. As we've been looking back at some of the upcoming clothes from Sex and The City 2, as well as some of the classic wardrobe items from the series, I thought it was high time we zoned in on how to get SATC beautiful, without being arrested by the fashion police. Ready?

Headgear is a cute aternative to jewellery. Notice I said alternative? If you're rocking a sparkly headband or turban, tone down everything else.
Go forth and clash prints! But remember, this is reality and not a TV show. If you look in the mirror and feel like a clown, add some block colour.
Corsages are still a go-go, but update their style by sporting smaller, more vintage-style designs.
Team heels with everything. OK, it might not be the most comfy choice, but there really is no easier way to look dressier/flirtier/Carrie-er.
Play with silhouettes. Full skirts were favoured by Carrie, but she also loves figure-hugging slinky numbers. Both shapes flatter so choose what works best for you!

Try Before You Buy: Denim on Denim!

FabSugar Australia — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 15:00:00 +1000

Fashion trends always have a way of creeping up on me when I least expect it. Hello, denim on denim. When the trend first hit catwalks and magazine spreads I was the first to dismiss it. Double denim? As if! That was of course until last weekend when the fashion penny finally dropped. Without even consciously being aware, I reached for my chambray anorak and teamed it with my trusty Cheap Monday skinny mid-blue jeans. Just like that, the trend suddenly made sense and I was undeniably hooked. Now before you shake your head at me, hear me out. DOD really is easier to wear than you think...

Mixing denim shades is OK! Chambray and lightwash denim looks suprisingly good mixed with darker hues. Hey, just ask Alexa!
Denim jackets aren't what they used to be! Try a moto-style zipper jacket teamed with skinny jeans for an updated rock look.
Layering is your friend. Break up a head-to-toe denim outfit with fresh white, stripes, blazers and scarves.
Don't limit DOD to jeans only. Team a denim vest with shorts or why not try an oversized chambray shirt with jeggings?

Denim on denim? Yes, you can!

Try Before You Buy: Date Night

FabSugar Australia — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:02:54 +1100

It's no secret that women dress for other women, and men in turn end up scratching their head in bewilderment at our strange and often ridiculous outfit choices. Two words are all it takes to back up this theory - harem pants. I read a funny article in The Daily Mail recently where a man admitted designer outfits on a woman can equal "a complete pain in the arse." Charming, I know, but this did get me thinking about the outfits and trends which women so eagerly put together, only to find get completley lost on a man. This is quite the problem if you're gearing up for a date on V-Day this weekend, so I decided to put together a little list of what to avoid when you're next preparing for date night.

Anything oversized. Yes it's comfy and can look cool in an Olsen type of way, but guys don't get it. All they think is "What's she trying to hide under there?"
Chunky, towering heels. Especially if they're hard to walk in. This will only make you look like you're happy to suffer for fashion, which of course you are, but guys don't need to know that.
Harem pants. Let's be real, they're not the most flattering of pants now, are they? Not to mention they'll think you bought them from the markets at Byron Bay when they're really Bassike's designer version.
Jingly accessories. Charm bracelets and chandelier earrings look great, but if you sound like a Christmas tree, it's time to step away from the jewellery box.
Clashing prints. Two words boys will NEVER understand, no matter how cool The Gossip Girl cast look in stripes and spots.
Anything goth-inspired. You think "cool", they think "freeeeak."

You've been warned!

Try Before You Buy: Ruffle Mania!

FabSugar Australia — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 17:10:40 +1100

I've spied a number of ruffles on the red carpet recently, which prompted me to get well educated on the best way to wear them. As cute, girly and frilly as they are, the sheer volume can overwhelm and take over an entire outfit, and person for that matter! The Golden Globes and recent Art of Elysium event were both frill-arama this year ̶ Chloë Sevigny went soft and layered, Jennifer Morrison chose to wear hers all over, Anna Paquin liked them short and fluffy, while Camille Belle went for maximum impact with bold, oversized frills. All so romantic! Keep reading to see how you can add a little ruffle into your wardrobe easily (without looking like a toilet roll cover). read more

If you're going for ultra-volume, keep ruffles on one-half of your body only. Choose a full, frilly skirt and team with a plain tank, or go for a ruffled blouse and work back with something more streamlined. Ruffle on ruffle screams meringue.

Opt for a dress with cascading ruffles on the sides rather than the front, similar to Chloë's Globes gown. This is much more flattering than adding extra bulk to your bust or stomach line.

Soft fabrics such as silk, chiffon and lace may lose their frilly shape after a while. Be sure to launder and iron garments as instructed (and make sure you hang them in your cupboard with ample space so they don't get squashed!).

A ruffled skirt or top can be mixed with something more tailored such as a jacket or pants. Mix pieces into your existing wardrobe so you don't take the trend too literally (although Camille does look cute!).

Larger, longer ruffles are best for maxi-lengths, while shorter, frillier styles look best on mini-dresses. Try on a few different styles so you can work out which proportion suits you best.

Good luck!

Try Before You Buy: Stop, It's Colour Time!

FabSugar Australia — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 11:33:01 +1100

Hot on the heels from UK reports which suggest the colour black is less than flattering on most women and will only highlight wrinkles (yikes), I thought it would be a good time to workshop how to wear bright colours. This may seem easy enough - what's so hard about a little yellow, pink and red, you cry? Well, quite a lot. Colours can scare the bejeezus out of us neutral obsessed folk, and rightly so. Clashing hues seem so right on Carrie Bradshaw and the runway, but on the street, not so much. Take note of our little style guide and make sure you rock a cocktail of colours with confidence this Summer.

Start slowly and experiment with pastel shades rather than heading straight for brights - lilac, aqua, pink and peach all provide a splash of colour and look pretty mixed back with denim or crisp white.

Consider your complexion. Darker skin tones tend to suit contrasting brights and neutral hues, while paler skin tones look best in deep colours such as red, green and rich blue.

Interpret runway looks to suit your everyday style. Clashing neon prints may work for Proenza Schouler, but in reality, something a little more subtle could be best. Mix dark and neutral colours with brights for a more wearable look.

Don't be afraid to try different colour combos. Aqua and red go surprisingly well together, as do purple and yellow. Be brave, experiment, and see what works for you.

Ease yourself into colours by starting with key accessories. A coloured shoe or clutch can add maximum impact to a plain ensemble.

Try Before You Buy: Short Shorts

FabSugar Australia — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:00:00 +1100

Get your pins ready, ladies! As the weather heats up so do hemlines, but have no fear! Worn with confidence, shorts can be the ultimate go-to wardrobe piece, providing more modesty and comfort than your humble skirt. Take note of our failsafe guide and remember--try before you buy!

Take the walk and bend test! If you feel them ride up as you step and bend forward, chances are they're a size too small. Remember comfort is key.

Steer clear of thin fabrics which crease easily. Silk can look great but be a nightmare to wear so always choose styles with a little weight.

Pockets can be ultra handy but add unnecessary bulk. Choose styles without for a more streamlined look.

Team blousy, oversized shirts with slim-line shorts to balance the proportions, and vice versa.

Look out for scalloped edges, leather styles and pleated waists for a more special, evening look.

Shorts can suit all seasons - wear with sheer tights and ankle boots when the weather cools down, or stick to cute sandals and heels for Summer.

Good Luck!

Try Before You Buy: Jumpsuits

FabSugar Australia — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 12:00:00 +1100

Proceed with caution ladies - this trend can go horribly wrong! As adorable as they are, when worn incorrectly jumpsuits can be as unforgiving as an adult wearing nappies. Great for huggies, not so great for you.

Here's the FAB guide on how to work a jumpsuit with confidence and style.

What to look out for:

Fabrics which are streamlined but not too fitted - It's all about balancing the slouchy vs. fitted effect.

Block colours or fuss free prints - Anything too detailed will just look awkward when worn all over.

Strapless styles - All the fabric on your lower half needs to be balanced with something more revealing on top.

What to avoid:

Ruffles and pockets - They'll only add bulk to all the wrong places.

Full length styles if you're petite - Opt for a shorter playsuit instead.

Sheer, floaty fabrics - Leave the chiffon to your blouses and go for something a little more opaque.

Good Luck!

Try Before You Buy: Sheer

FabSugar Australia — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:22:57 +1100

Can you do sheer? It can be a tough look to master, but with careful styling (and undergarments!) the look is soft, romantic and ethereal. Claire Danes took a risk with sheer at the recent UK premiere of her film Me and Orson Welles. Her black chiffon dress is floaty and lovely, but in the wrong light, exposed a little more than I'm sure she cared to share.

Here's Fab's tips on how to work sheer with confidence.

Have the appropriate underwear handy - sheer often means a ligthweight fabric, so make sure you stick to seamless knickers and avoid any unnecessary lumps and bumps on your bra.

Get slippy - invest in a nude and black mid thigh slip. These will save you in moments when you realise a dress is a little more transparent than you'd hoped.

Keep it fuss free - avoid jewellery which can easily snag the delicate fabric.

Take the daylight test - It may seem opaque enough in the changeroom, but the reality of daylight may tell otherwise.

Nipple covers are handy - yep, they sound strange and look a lot like round band-aids, but they're the most inconspicous cover ups when a bra just won't do.

Don't fear sheer!