Falling for Fashion

With fall just around the corner, I want to discuss just a couple reasons that most of us should be excited about this fact… fashionably at least.

1. Structure

Finally, with all the flow and thin fabrics of summer we can get a little structure and starch back into our wardrobes. This is a plus for the majority of women AND men out there. Even a bit of structure to clothes (i.e. jeans, fall jackets, thicker blouses and dress shirts) are easier to play with to create illusions helping to making waists or hips or shoulders look smaller.

2. More Fabric

Fuller skirts, longer sleeves… a better look for the greater part of the population.

3. Leggings and Leg Warmers

Comfortable, yet professional. Playful, yet sexy. Leggings come in such diverse colours, patterns, sheerness that it is hard not to have fun with this accessory.

4. Suede

Personally, my favourite part of fall. The look of suede is rich and warm. And until it snows, not too much risk of ruining it with moisture. My tip: break down and purchase the suede cleaner and protector.

Other fall things to get excited about: fur, animal prints, blazers, jeans, chunky heels, chunkier accessories, funky hat, straighter patterns, etc!

B.

How to be a Haute Mama

Pregnancy brings new life to the world, but can really take its toll on a woman's wardrobe. Here are some fashion tips if you are expecting:

- Avoid geometric patterns once you start showing. Straight lines and prints make round tummies look bigger. Go for large, round patterns such as floral or polka dots.

- For a formal or semi-formal occasion, find a dress with an empire waist. Do not accentuate with a belt. Accessories should emphasize your smallest part, so wear a statement necklace or funky shoes. Remember that it isn't only your stomach getting bigger. You may have to lower that dress hemline you were used to wearing.

- Go for flat-front pants. Pleats will be distorted by the O shape you will become.

- One or two button jacket only. Three or more button draws attention to the stomach and makes it look longer.

- Shiny fabrics are the enemy. They scream out where the body bumps. Avoid! Avoid!

- A draping neckline (cowle) will do wonders for you.

Hope this is helpful for all you mothers-to-be.

B.

The Herstory of Shoes

It's been too long since I wrote solely about shoes (pun intended), so I decided I should do some research on their herstory. Here are some very interesting facts:

Shoes have almost always signified which social class a person belongs to. In ancient Greece, aristocratic women hired slaves to carry around up to 20 pairs of shoes because shoes were meant to be worn to suit ANY occasion (I wish...).

In fashionable Europe elaborate footwear showed that the wearer did not and could not perform any physical labour. These are the original, genuine "loafers".

Women began wearing high heels in France in the sixteenth century. In Venice they took the heels so far that they more resembled stilts, and people were hired to help women in and out of their gondolas. Word on the river is that the men that created the shoes did so so that their women could not travel too far without them. Eventually, the stilt-like "shoes" were banned because so many woman had fallen to their deaths.

Pointed shoes also originated in France. Much like their exaggeration of heel height, points on shoes got so long that they often had to be stuffed to the toe and tied to the wear's leg below the knee.

It wasn't until 1818 when shoes were created to be worn on different feet. Before this, either shoe could be worn on either foot. Reminds me of modern day Uggs. Blah.

It is usually assumed that the Italian's were the inventors of the leather shoe, but the first genuine leather shoes were produced in Spain.

We all love our shoes but really.... falling to your death. That's a little bit extravagant.

B.