Festive Dressing

It’s Christmas time! Time for a whirlwind of parties, presents, socializing and food. If you haven’t already done so, it’s time to start the hunt for that perfect party dress (or two!) for the season.  With so many styles to choose from, how do you pick the right one? Here’s a run-down of the party dress trends of Autumn/Winter 2012, as well as trends in hair, makeup and accessories. Plenty to choose from so don’t be shy and think out of the box! Go for something a little more daring. After all, Christmas and New Year parties are all about looking your most glamorous and va va voom. Have a great holiday season!

Styles/Cuts-Fashion always takes a bow to the distant past, reviving seemingly pre-historic trends yet adding a modern twist to things. Choose something vintage, ranging from 1920’s flapper styled dress, swinging 60’s shift dress to the classic 50’s A-line circle skirt. Holiday parties are an excuse to look as glittery as a Christmas tree without being caught by the fashion police. Have fun with sequins, metallics and winter floral prints.

Accessories: Number one must have accessory of the season? Downton Abbey inspired elbow high velvet gloves! Add this classic Edwardian touch to your party outfit. As for jewellery  go for a statement diamente chandelier necklace (especially if you are wearing a strapless style), or big, sparkly chandelier earrings. Carry a good sized clutch in a funky jewel tone or animal print. Just make sure its big enough to store all your essentials!




Shoes: Wear some pointy cap toe pumps, shimmery or retro T-strapped heels. Choose ones with a lower heel so you’ll last the whole night! Alternatively, wear some bejeweled or shimmery flats, or, carry them in your purse when the balls of your feet start to ache. 

Hair: Big is in! Try a 60’s bouffant updo, or go for big, volumous waves.

Festive Makeup: Go bold with metallic eyeshadows and/or dark berry red lips!








How to stay warm-Wear a stylish pea or trench coat in one of this season’s hottest colours over your party dress. Try a faux fur coat to look extra luxe.







P.s. We have official moved! Our new and improved studios will now be located at 5B Glenealy Mansion, 7 Glenealy, Central, Hong Kong. Watch this space!

Come and see us if you need a little help dressing up for this holiday season. We would love to help!

Click here to see our list of styling consultation services.

Simply give us a call at 2522 2592 or send an email to image@savvystyle.com

Investment Dressing

A dozen must have items in your Autumn/ Winter wardrobe that defy age and will last you a good 10 years 

“Fashion may come and go, but style is forever”-Yves Saint Laurent once said. These words couldn't be more true when it comes to shopping for timeless classics for our wardrobe. As much as we love the metamorphosis of the ever changing fashion industry, it is absolutely essential to include items which are ageless and will continue to look stylish, regardless of what’s in fashion at the time. We've compiled a dozen must have items in any women’s closet for autumn/winter, no matter how old you are.

       1.)    Fitted blazers with a nipped in waist in your best colour- This is a must have staple in everyone's wardrobe. Versatile and practical, you can dress it up or down, and it will never go out of style. Wear it for work with a skirt, or with jeans for play.

      2.)    Pencil skirts in neutrals-Slimming and elongating, pencil skirts look good on any body type. Wear them in colours which complement your skin tone.

   

           


            3) A tailor fitted suit ensemble- It is worth getting a custom made suit tailored made exactly to fit your height and body type. If it makes you feel confident and professional, it would last you a good many years to come. 

    


     
4)  A lightweight belted trench coat - Your best friend for winter. This classic cut will never be out of fashion. The trench will help you stay warm, and you can wear it over absolutely anything!

      




      5.)    A bright coloured woolen short or knee length coat- If you purchase a style you absolutely love, in a colour which flatters your hair, eye and skin colour, this will last you for many more winters to come.

     




6.) Good quality elegant straight leg trousers- This cut flatters all body shapes, and goes with almost anything. Purchase a pair in a fabric which is easy to move in and flows nicely with your shape.




   

      


      


     
      7.)    Multi-coloured cashmere, merino or cotton cardigans- These wrap ups can add a pop of colour to any outfit, whilst keeping you warm and cosy at the same time.

      





     

8.)    Simple clean line silk blouses- This soft, luscious fabric will keep you feeling comfortable the whole day. It's a great way to add colour and looks so good with a pencil skirt or under a blazer.

    


      9.)    A lightweight wrap dress- A woman's best friend. Shows off your womanly curves in all the right places. The beauty of this design is its room for those few extra pounds you may have gained during the cold months.

     



     

     






      10.)  A chic cocktail dress- Be it red, black or blue, invest in a cut which flatters your own body shape, highlighting your assets, concealing your flaws.

      


     11.) A pair of stretchy dark coloured slim cut jeans - Always make sure you own a pair of jeans with a little bit of spandex to show off your figure whilst remaining comfortable at the same time. Dark coloured denim can instantly make you look 5 pounds lighter too.

    




     
 12.) A pair of classic pointy toed pumps- This design will always remain in style due to its ability to lengthen a woman's leg, creating the illusion of a slimmer, elongated silhouette. Who could say no to that?

Downton Abbey Delight

All of us have fallen in love with TV’s latest craze-the vintage elegance of British upper class glamour of Downton Abbey. Whether it is the quintessentially Jane Austen empire waisted chiffon dresses, or the beautiful intricate lace detailing, it is without a question that this Emmy Award and Golden Globe winning show has sparked a huge wave of influence in the fashion world, making it a topic we must explore and discuss here at Savvy Style.

Just as Mad Men made a huge splash within the fashion empire a few seasons back, with designers emulating the show’s retro American 50’s wear, reworking it in their collections, Downton Abbey caused a resurgence of the use of lush, luxurious fabrics, and vintage, flapper inspired accessories.

But don’t worry, ladies, you don’t need to look like you just stepped out of the post-Edwardian era. Here are some practical ways you adopt the Crawley sisters look into your wardrobe.

Lace

Work in a little lace to your work ensemble by purchasing a neutral coloured lace pencil skirt. Just make sure nothing is see-through and that it is long enough to make it work appropriate! For dinners and drinks out, however, be a little daring and wear a lace top with a camisole underneath. Or even go for a fitted, lace dress in a dark navy or black. One of Savvy Style’s favourites? Gorgeous long delicate lace sleeves. 

Boden

Beading & Embroidery

Introduce some beautiful embroidery and beading into your autumn wardrobe by keeping an eye out for blouses and cardigans with such delicate designs. Pair it with something understated to keep everything in balance. Purchase a flapper inspired dress with sequins and intricate weaving for the evenings and special occasions.

J. Crew

Brocade

This is the must have fabric for the season. Wear it as a blazer (there are lots of lovely brocade blazers popping up in stores this fall) or as a pencil skirt for work. When the weather gets a little cooler later on in the year, you can even wear it as a full length statement coat.

Chiffon & Mesh

A fabric not usually worn on an everyday basis, introduce some chiffon dresses to your evening wear. Look for classic styles and cuts with a little vintage edge. Soft, flowy and feminine, this is a material that should be carefully taken care of. Try some empire waisted styles a la the Crawley sisters. Always remember to feel comfortable in what you are wearing.

J. Crew at Lane Crawford

Velvet

Wear a velvet camisole under your work blazer during the day, and a slinky velvet dress for your nights out. Or even try this season's velvet fitted jackets, like this one from the newest J. Crew line here at Hong Kong's very own Lane Crawford.

Accessories

When winter starts to roll around, why not try out some elbow high gloves? Inspired by the Crawley sisters, try satin or velvet for those special occasions, or even go bolder and try out some leather gloves (if Hong Kong gets cold enough) Another Downton Abbey-esque accessory? Vintage 1920’s women’s bowler hats for the colder months. If all of this is a little too much for you, then dip your toe in the shallow end and purchase some gorgeous pearl and diamante hair berets or broaches. Delicate, chandelier necklaces are also right on trend.

Style Icon: Kate Middleton

It is a well known fact that everybody loves Kate Middleton. Her timeless style is one which is adored the world over by women of all ages. Working women, stay at home mums, college gals-they all aspire to emulate her choice of fashion, making her a certified Fashion Icon and a favourite of Savvy Style’s. From classic shifts to elegant frocks, this princess knows exactly how to dress perfectly for every occasion. Always elegant, never under-dressed or over-dressed, Kate knows the shapes and cuts which flatter her body best. Let’s face it though-not all of us have sky high gams like Kate. So how do we incorporate a bit of Kate into our wardrobes? 

• Stick to classic cuts-Kate wears a lot of A-line skirts which are great for concealing larger hips or thighs, creating a slimmer silhouette. A classic shift dress is also a favourite of Kate’s and looks good on all shapes and sizes.
• Tailor it-Kate likes to maintain a sleek, tailored shape to her clothes. Copy her look by choosing structured, fitted separates to mix and match. Invest in a good fitting blazer which gives you a waist, and a fit-and-flare skirt to give you curves in all the right places.
• Heels-create the illusion of height with a pair of classic timeless pumps

Transition into Autumn!

Not only does Kate dress beautifully, but she also knows how to re-wear items in her wardrobe and transition them into a different season. As the warmer, humid months come to an end, take a look at how Kate transitions from summer to autumn effortlessly.

Wear your lightweight summer dresses into fall by simply adding a tight fitting dark blazer over. Add some sheer black tights to keep your legs warm inside the cold Hong Kong air conditioned offices, or for a night out during the cooler months. Trade your strappy, summery sandals and wedges in for a pair of deep coloured suede flats or pumps.

Add a lightweight cardigan or a pastel coloured blazer over your floaty summer dress. Or go for a glamorous brocade coat (hottest fabric of the season!) over your shift dress for work or to Sunday brunch over the weekend.

Key separates-add a light blazer over a summer tank top and a lightweight pencil skirt to work.

Wear a classic belted trench coat over your summer dress or office ensemble. Go classic and choose cream s Kate has, or choose one in one of fall’s most popular colours eg. Teal or cobalt blue. Here, Kate has chosen a pretty, feminine fit-and-flare cut to her trench, a common cut of the season.  Copy her style or go for a classic A-line cut. Add a pair of black opaque tights when the weather gets colder.

Add a velvet coat over your office dress ensemble, or over a cocktail dress for a night out. In addition to being one of the hottest fabrics of this season, velvet is warm enough to keep you from getting too chilly outside, yet light enough for autumnal weather. Pair your outfit with a pair of purple suede heels like Kate has, as it is one of the hottest colours for fall!

Would you like to know more about how to transition your summer wardrobe into fall? Savvy Style is here to help! Discover your best styles, fabrics, cuts which suit your shape, lifestyle and personality. Click here to find out more about our Style Consultations!

Confused about which autumn colours look good on you? Not to worry. Come and take a look at our Colour Analysis packages we offer to help you access your best colours.

Interested in a head to toe consultation on your most flattering colours, styles and makeup? And how to incorporate this season's trends into your wardrobe, cosmetics and accessories? Click to find out about our Total Makeover package!

Neon Brights for Summer

Neon brights are great for this season as they add pizzazz and vivacity to your wardrobe, helping you endure and hopefully enjoy the hot, humid Hong Kong summer. Here at Savvy Style, we understand how the combination of the steam room like heat and Hong Kong pollution can drive you nuts. But wearing bright colours can help put you in a better mood and help you enjoy putting your outfit together for work/play in the morning.

So how is a girl to decide the right shade of neon for herself? The key is to understand the undertones of your skin colour, and to work with it by choosing the correct bright colours which enhance your skin tone. 

·         Fair-choose colours that are slightly softer and milder. Steer clear of overly loud colours that tend to make you look more washed out than refreshed. Opt for warmer neons such as acid pink, fuchsia and coral that give your cheeks that “flushed” summer glow. 

 

     Olive-this is the perfect shade of skin tone for wearing bright colours, as the deep seated warm undertones of your skin allow more room for creativity. Lime greens, hot pinks and ultramarine blues would all complement your skin tone well. Best advice for you lovely Mediterranean skin toned gazelles? Have fun and experiment! 

·         Medium-medium skinned lasses are you girls who are neither fair nor tanned, but have slighter cooler undertones in your skin than your olive skinned friends. Go for cooler shades of turquoise, electric blue and royal purple which will flatter you best. 

·         Dark-you have the benefit of having a great coloured canvas to begin your neon bright ‘paint’ application. The chocolate tones of your skin make wearing bright colours a piece of cake, as the darker tones of your skin offer a great contrast to vivid neons. Choose tangerine oranges, bright lemon yellows and tomato reds to stand out from the crowd.

 

      Tip: Find colours which complement your personality. How do you go about this? Well, there is no standard rule of thumb, but the colours you choose should make you feel happy, confident and comfortable in your own skin.

Comfort AND Style – Sorted!

There are tons of comfy styles out there!

Who out there thought they were doing themselves a favour by opting for their flats over their heels? Us too! Turns out, casual ‘flat-as-a-pancake’ slip-ons could be as much to blame for knee, hip and back problems as those killer stilettos; especially when tackling the cobbles, hills and pot-holes of Hong Kong streets! Spikey stilettos are also hazardous on our uneven surfaces.

If you were already aware of this painful fact but had considered your alternatives to be ugly, dated and style-less, then think again. That’s right; you don’t have to look dowdy to feel comfortable. It’s our lucky day ladies; we CAN have it all when it comes to shoes! We have found the perfect balance between practicality and savvy style and we just love that all of these beautiful shoes are available to us in Hong Kong!!

The three most important rules to remember when choosing your shoes are:

1.    Material – keep it to leather if possible.

2.    Movement – even if it’s a summer sandal, get strapped in.

3.    Management – the broader the heel, the steadier you’ll walk.

With that in mind, we can start to have some fun with style…

Wow at work in these striking blue, leopard-print, or red suede shoes. On-trend and professional, you’ll make all the right impressions in the boardroom.

Aerosoles

Get casual in sherbet shoes and pair them with your equally colourful summer outfits. Men and women have a wide range of trendy flats to choose from when it comes to Hush Puppies. They’re like a hug for your feet.

Hush Puppies are available at Millie's in Hong Kong

Get ready for your holidays by getting shoes in bright colours or floral prints. Cork wedges will absorb impact and these strappy ones, by Rockport, are perfect for an outdoor party or strolling along the beachfront this summer.

Rockport promote 'walkability' this summer

Minty fresh is all the rage this season for bags, dresses, and shoes. Peep-toes are the perfect balance between sophisticated office wear and cute cocktail shoes. So not only will you love wearing them for their comfort but you also won’t be able to take them off since they’ll work with most of your wardrobe.

Chie Mihara delivers to Hong Kong

Still can’t do without a convenient pair of slip-on flats? You don’t need to deprive yourself. As long as you get a good padded insole and a shape that supports the natural arches in your feet, you can indulge in all the cute pumps you like!

Hahn do ballerina pumps without the ballerina pain!

You can also support your feet on the sand – just strap them up! Wrapping a strap around your ankle will not only help your heels but will also prevent blisters.

Chie Mihara

So what we are offering is: no wobbling, no squashed toes and no achy feet; with all the style. What could be better? Get looking online for your perfect pair of fashion savvy shoes and give your poor feet a rest!

Pack Your Troubles Away Summer is upon us and for many, this means it’s time to jet away to sun, sea and sand (or at least pack up a beach bag and head to Shek O!) Here’s how to strategically pack for your summer jaunts… Colour POP. With colour or neon, a little goes a long way! Skirts, dresses, belts, sunglasses and shorts are the best ways to work neon at the beach. Add accent to base neutrals (black, white, khaki and navy) with small pops of colourful or neon accessories and you’re instantly on-trend and standing out this summer. Neon swimwear Mango Sheer Sheath/Shirt. Classically cut, sheaths in whites, brights and prints pair easily with summer day wear AND (believe it or not) your swimwear! Perfect as a cover-up; pack them at the top of your case as the sheer fabric can crease easily. Choose one with a studded collar for extra glam that will transition into an evening outfit, too. Zara Espadrilles. These jute and canvas shoes are so versatile. They’ll keep you cool on the beach but also be sturdy enough for a walk or hike should you fancy it. What’s more, they’ll collapse in your suitcase until their almost flat, so you can save room for more outfits. Be daring and buy bright and bold colours to go with white skinny jeans. Pop them in a shoe bag to keep any dirt away from your clothes. Espadrilles Floaty Over-Skirts. Sheer wrap skirts made of a lightweight material are very summer chic. Try a skirt wrap that’s shorter at the front and longer at the back. These too will make great beach cover-ups and the sheer fabric takes up minimal space in your bag. Tuck a tight tank into the waistband of a pleated skirt to show off a small waist while camouflaging fuller hips.  Redopin Cuffs. Combine simple white tops or cotton summer dresses with a metallic arm cuff for instant savvy style whether on the beach or at the bar. Bronze goes great with a tan. This is the only accessory you’ll need to bring summer basics into the fashion world. Or for a chic look, get the new Tiffany cuff. Slip it in you travel bag and pop it straight on after going through security! ASOS Tiffany Canvas Bag. Use a large stripey or colourful canvas bag with rope handles as your travel bag on the flight or in the car. Pack books, iPod, makeup, snacks, sun care and bug spray and when you arrive at your destination, simply add a towel and your swimwear and you’ve converted it into a beach bag – 2-in-1! Ralph Lauren Colour Cream. Pack a Coral or Lychee make-up cream that will service your lips, cheeks and eyes. The 3-in-1 product will not only give your skin a hydrated glow but will also be a tiny dint in your packing and won’t break any rules at the airport. It’s your best friend this summer! Cream Blush Happy holidaying and stay Savvy!