Sweater Dressing

While the weather continues to stay cold here in Hong Kong, now is the perfect time to break out that cable knit sweater you've been trying to figure out how to wear without looking dowdy. The easiest way to pull this look off stylishly is to pair it with a flattering skirt (mini, maxi, full or a-line, whatever looks best on your figure) and your highest heels. Comfortable, chic and warm? Now, that's the kind of outfit we love most.

Image: Hanneli

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Stripes

Breton stripes are by no means "new". They were revived in the summer of 2010, but never really went out of style. For a while, people shunned the stripe for fear that it would make them look larger. Ludicrous! It depends on the thickness of the stripe and the cut of the garment. A thin stripe in a slightly loose cut looks wonderful on all figures, while a skin-tight thick stripe is certain to make even a pole look large.

Image: Tommy Ton for Style.com

The great thing about this trend is that it's been reinterpreted in a hundred different ways: modern-cut shirts, loose cardigans, casual racerback dresses, you name it, they've made it. The other great thing? It's available at so many different price-points and it looks good on everyone, no matter what your colouring.

Image: Madewell

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From Behind

Call it a failure of the common household mirror but, sometimes, it's easy to forget about how an outfit looks from behind. That's no excuse! Take inspiration from Italian stylist, Giovanna Battaglia, who chose a simple trench with an interesting crushed texture, best appreciated from behind. These are the subtleties which make a stylish woman so stylish.

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Nothing Better

Sometimes, there's really nothing better than a white shirt. So easy, so simple, so classic, so chic. The white shirt made a huge "comeback" this season in silk, cotton and even bleached denim, and it's sure to stick around for decades to come.

Image: Elle China

Image: Zara

It's been seen on everyone, everywhere, but if you ask me, no woman -- young or old -- does the white shirt better than Lauren Hutton. The King of Fashion, Tom Ford, himself recently asked Hutton to model the perfect white outfit in his recent SS '11 womenswear show (below, right).

Images: Top, Francesco Scavullo for Vogue
Bottom, WireImage for Life.com
Right, Terry Richardson for Tom Ford Womenswear SS '11


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April Showers

To me, this outfit is a fashion-manifestation of April Showers, when there are still days of grey skies and light rain, but also the promise of blooming flowers on the horizon. Dree Hemmingway looks delightful in this easy combination of a pale floral skirt and grey marle sweater. The best thing about it is that it's easily recreated from existing items in every woman's wardrobe.

Images: StyleStalker


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White Out!

White is the colour of the season! Elegant and eye-catching, this trend is best styled in a head-to-toe fashion. From Chloe to H&M, simple white pieces are showing up everywhere, so it's easily achieved for any lifestyle, on any budget.

Chloe Resort '11 via Style.com

H&M Spring '11

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Clean Celine

For the coming SS11 season, Celine definitely has the most appealing accessories on offer. With clean simple lines done in luxurious materials, Phoebe Philo offers up pieces that are the epitome of chic. The best deal of the season comes in the form of the Trio bag; quite literally, these bags feature a trio of removable pouches snapped together, with a long cross-body strap. These bags are so versatile, you can snap one off and use it as a clutch for a night out, or snap them all together and sling it over your shoulder for a casual, chic look during the day. They come in a rainbow of colours; from lipstick red to sunflower yellow. It also comes in a mock-snakeskin pale rose pink.

Image: Bag Craze

Image: Paul Wetheral for UK Vogue January

The $6,000 - $6,600 price tag is very reasonable for such a versatile bag from this luxury brand. However, if you you're still finding the price hard to swallow, the high-street shops have cottoned-on to this minimalist trend and are offering up great alternatives this season. Check out Zara for good quality luxurious-looking bags inspired by Celine at excellent prices. The beauty below was $559, available now on sale at just $399! Run, don't walk!

Image: Zara


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Perfect Skin!

Summers in Hong Kong can be brutal; with the humidity and high pollution levels, it's easy for skin to get clogged with dirt. During these bright hot summer months, it is vital to take good care of your skin. Dr Murad recently came out with an oil-free Skin Perfecting Lotion, whichminimises pores so that they don't easily get blocked with black heads. Meanwhile, algae and Queen of Meadow extracts hydrate the skin without causing break-outs from skin sensitivity. The lotion is also great to apply on a nasty sunburn, as retinol encourages cell regeneration and arnica soothes irritation.

Dr Murad Skin Perfecting Lotion, 50 mL for $340

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Simple Suiting

Editor-in-Cheif of Paris Vogue, Anna dello Russo (below, centre), set the standard for suit-dressing recently in Milan. This trend is best worn in simple, solid colours, with strong lines and clean shapes. The minimalist trend works best in camel, navy or cream shades.

Image: Tommy Ton for Style.com

Image: Madame Figaro Greece

For their Spring line, H&M interpreted this chic style in their own way, with classic pieces such as blazers, slim-cut trousers and grey marle sweaters done in slouchier, more relaxed cuts, suitable for everyday wear (see below).

Image: H&M

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Taking a Cue From the Boys

Ladies, take a cue from the boys this season and go for a brogue style instead of ballet flats; they'll add an unexpected, sophisticated twist to your usual casual weekend combo.

Image: Style.com

The super stylish Golestaneh worked the look extremely well, wearing her Zara brogues casually with jeans and muted colours.

Images (Top& Bottom): Golestaneh Blog

Try Hong Kong's very own Pedder Red for a great, well-priced option.

Image: Pedder Red

Or try a cool updated twist on this classic style by designer-extraordinaire, Alexander Wang. Called the Ines Oxford, this style is available now in patent nude leather at Lane Crawford.

Images: Alexander Wang

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Add a Scarf for Colour

Men, add some colour to your wardrobe this season. All over Europe, rainbow colours showed up on accessories arounds the necks of some of the nation's most stylish men, in the form of textured scarves. Alternatively, try a pocket square for small pop of colour if scarves aren't for you.

Image (Top and Bottom): Tommy Ton for Style.com

The look works just as well casually as it does with a suit; it's the material of the piece that sets them apart. For more formal attire, go for silk, wool or cashmere; casual scarves usually come in cotton or linen. The most important thing is to go for something with texture in terms of a pattern or a mix of different textiles.

Image: Tommy Ton for Style.com

This look is easily achieved at the high-street stores. Try Zara for scarves in interesting textures and easy-to-match colours; the three below are all on sale now for just $149.

Images: Zara

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