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!

How do I get Beach Confidence?

Stylish swimsuit coverups can be our best friends at the beach this summer. Many women feel shy about baring too much in a bathing suit or bikini, but throw on a swimsuit coverup, and it's problem solved!

Macy's

This sheer coverup has a flattering V-neckline and cap sleeves to show all the bits you want and hide all the rest.

The great thing about beach cover-ups is that there's little difference between sizes because they are mostly all a loose-fitting short dress style. Perfect news for those of you who own light -weight shirts that no longer fit for daily wear with jeans - just throw it on as a cover up!

Have a root around in your wardrobe and look out for the following items that could be used as beach wear, you'll be surprised...

• Cotton summer dresses

Ozzie Cozzie Co.

• Long length shirt
• Sheer blouse
• Maxi dress

Next

• Over-sized tee
• Your man's cast-offs!

Getty Images

So have fun on the beach this season with a Savvy confidence that shines!

For You, Mum

Sunday May 13^th is the time to set aside especially for that special lady in your life. Mother’s Day is fast approaching and we’re all scrambling madly for ideas of how to show the women who make our lives better just how much we appreciate them. At Savvy Style, we believe the best way to show you care is by bringing things back to basics. If you think about the things your Mum/auntie/Grandma has taught you over the years, it actually becomes quite easy to think of ways to return the favour. Just take a look…

Remind Her: She's Fabulous at Every Age

If ever there was a woman who made you feel good no matter what your age or what you were going through at certain times in your life, it’s your mum. So gift number one is simply: tell her how beautiful she looks!

For a Mum Who Sparkles

Dressing up in your mum’s jewels is an old favourite. Now you can replace all that lost/broken treasury of hers! This is not your average beaded necklace, but then again, it’s not for your average mum. She will love this stunning sparkling piece from Samantha House, or other stand-out pieces like this encrusted rings from Tayma Fine Jewellery. 

Samantha House

Tayma Fine Jewellery

Not Your Daughter’s Jeans

Mum’s know that keeping it simple is always best. That’s why we love denim line Not Your Daughter's Jeans who have taken the concept of the ‘mum jean’ and made it savvy. These are chic, slim, and unbelievably flattering. This gift goes hand-in-hand with gift number one, too; she really will look fabulous wearing these! 

NYDJ

Wonder Woman!

These stunning silver cuffs are an instant classic she can wear with everything. Now she can look like the superhero she is!

Michael Kors

Hermes

Rainbow Clutch

Bring colour to her life, like she does for you. These Prada clutches do it all. They make a statement, accessorize with everything, and give a fantastic colour pop. Whether she's dressed in her occasional best or relaxing in weekend denim, one in her favourite colour will make her outfit.

Prada

Savvy Style

No matter how wise, she is never too old to learn some new tricks. Bring the season’s best styles to her in a way she can use them for her own shape and tastes. We have it all at our studio, Savvy Style HK. Just give us a call to find out how we can give her the gift of style! (2522 2592).

 

Box It

Chances are, she has collected quite the array of jewellery and trinkets over the years (mainly from you) and will need somewhere to store and care for them. The best way to organize your jewellery (or your wardrobe for that matter) is to have a place to store everything that gives it space, protection and an appropriate stage to showcase itself to you when you’re trying to choose what to wear of a morning. We make all our best decisions in a well organized environment and it’s the same for style! This Ralph Lauren box should do trick and it makes a beautiful gift in itself.

Ralph Lauren

We hope you’ve found some inspiring tips to treat your mum this May.

Have fun with your mum and stay Savvy!