Archive for November, 2011

There’s a reason why fashion conscious women look forward to Christmas almost as much as present-hungry children do. After all, it’s the one time of year when unashamedly dressing to impress is not just acceptable but practically mandatory. Summer wedding season is fun – but you have to worry about overshadowing the bride. Same with birthday parties – excluding your own of course. But at Christmas and New Year’s you’re free to really pull out all the stops with the most stunning evening dresses you can find. With that in mind, here’s our guide to the hottest trends for this party season.

We all like to think that we’ve got our fingers on the pulse when it comes to fashion, but some of the more elaborate trends that emerge from the red carpet are simply too high-maintenance for the real world. We should know – we’ve tried practically all of them! That’s why it’s such a relief to see a simple, no-nonsense and eminently flattering design like the shift dress making a huge comeback on the catwalks in winter 2011.

The surprise indian summer of last month might have lulled you into a false sense of security, but it’s time to face facts – winter is well and truly here. It’s not all bad news though, the cold, dark days might be a little bit depressing, but they give you the perfect excuse to splash out on a luxurious winter coat to get you through the party season. Remember, you can change your outfits every day, but your winter coat is something you’ll most likely be wearing every day, so you want to be sure that you’re wearing something that’s comfortable, flattering and versatile. Here’s our pick from the Freemans catalogue.

You’ve got to be either very brave or very foolish to attempt to rock bare legs in mid-November. Either way, while hardiness may be commendable, weather-chapped calves and an agonised expression won’t win you any fashion brownie points, so if you don’t want to pack away your skirts and dresses until summer, it’s time to introduce some leggings into your wardrobe. Some women avoid the leggings look for fear of looking like an extra from an 80s dance flick, but as long as you know how to wear them – and how not to – you should be fine.

You’ve got to love Strictly Come Dancing. From the high-kicking routines and camp set-pieces to Craig Revel-Horwood’s withering put-downs and Brucie’s dreadful jokes, it’s pure seasonal indulgence. Plus, from a fashion perspective, it’s great to see women of all ages and body types getting the opportunity to glam-up in some truly fabulous gowns.

Obviously, we don’t all spend a great deal of time tearing up the dance floor, but so long as you don’t go raiding Russell Grant’s collection of gold sequinned jacket and trouser combos, there’s plenty of fashion inspiration to be drawn from some of the stunning evening dresses on display.

When you really want to make an impression at a seasonal party, there’s nothing quite like a Halter-Neck dress. From flirty cocktail dresses to elegant evening gowns, halter neck dresses come in a range of cuts and styles to suit almost any occasion. We’ve been rooting through the catalogue to pick out some of our favourites

It’s a common misconception that fashion and comfort are incompatible. Although we do occasionally need to suffer for glamour – unless you’re one of those freakish people who really can walk in high heels without feeling any discomfort whatsoever – there’s no reason why our everyday outfits should cause is any pain. That’s where stretch jeans and stretch dresses come in.

Bonfire night is one of the first major events of the holiday season, and in many ways it’s a handy precursor to Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Firework events up and down the country will be lighting up the sky – and as November 5th falls on a Saturday this year, the parties are bound to be extra festive. So it’s the perfect opportunity to show off some spectacular winter fashion.

Obviously you’re going to need some protection from the elements while you’re enjoying the fireworks, so a warm winter coat is an essential. Military-style coats are a huge trend at the moment, and they’re a great combination of fashion and comfort. This Frill Military Coat can be tied in the middle to emphasise your waist and create a feminine shape, while this Flashlights Style Jacket with piping detail has a real continental feel.

The colour black can be used to make a number of statements. It can be sexy and playful – think the classic little black dress – or no-nonsense and business-like. While bright colours and eye-catching patterns are generally better suited to summer dressing, winter fashion is all about simplicity. However, there is a risk with darker outfits that you can end up looking too severe. To really get the best out of a black outfit, and to avoid looking as though you’re attending a funeral, just follow a few simple rules.