FASHION ALERT: peplum skirt

PEPLUM SKIRT

Peplum is one of the latest trends originating from Britian. Peplum is basically a flared ruffle that is attached to the waistline of either a dress, jacket or blouse. 

Seem like a flashback? That’s because the peplum was popular during the 80s, and has only just recently made a reappearance.

However this time the peplum has taken the world by storm. Jackets, skirts, tops, coats, everything. From slight subtly peplums, to big statement peplums. What peplum item is your fav?

Every store, from retail through to online are selling the latest ‘peplum trend’. 

Click here for a classic plain peplum skirt:  

http://www.forevernew.com.au/Ella-Peplum-Skirt.aspx?p23348&cr=082648

Or if you would like to try something a little more out there try this patterned peplum skirt:

http://www.sheike.com.au/LACE-PEPLUM-SKIRT-23308

Finally for some tips on how to wear the peplum trend properly watch this video for some tips:

ICONIC ITEM: SHOULDER PADS

They have remained an iconic item since the 1930s and have effortlessly made their way through the 2000s. Even though they were alienated from the scene for a decade or so, they easily manage to rise back up to the fore. So for our readers who have only recently caught the fashion fever, shoulder pads are basically a fabric-covered paddling which are inserted on the shoulder area of jackets and/or jumpers to create an illusion of having broader shoulders. So you may ask why have they been such a dominant fashion item. Well the classy and dominant nature they provide the wearer gives one a sense of superiority and class. 

Shoulder pads were extremely notorious during the 1940s and 1980s. However they have some history in the other decades. They really peaked during these decades as they really compliment blazors, in which they were really popular during those days. 

Shoulder-Pads worn in the 80s

Shoulder-pads are targeted to a wide spectrum of customers. The elite of society are extremely familiar with shoulder-pads, even to the extent they have became a item of casual attire. They are an extremely popular item as they dress up any casual top, dress or sweater for any formal events. Not only are shoulder pads popular with famous celebrities such as Posh Beckham and Rihanna, but they are of high demand for the middle class aswell. The photo below show the transition shoulder pads insinuate to an outfit and the various ways they are creatively utilised.

So, how do celebrities pull off this classic item? 

Rihanna is known for her risk-taking! A little bit too much for Ri-Ri or she can pull it off?!
Check her out : http://style.mtv.com/2010/12/02/rip-rihannas-shoulder-pads-2009-2010/

Posh Spice looking fiercer than ever !

Now, for some funky looks that you can pull off during the day and night!

Perfect look with this dress complimented by leather tights!

For the fashion divas who like to take risks!

Fierce look with any jacket

    

EVERYONE HAS A GREAT PAIR OF JEANS THEY LOVE!

JEANS!

Everyone’s favourite clothing item, whether your female or male jeans are the perfect clothing item for everyday wear or even to dress them up with a nice top or accessories.

From Levis, to Nudies from the original to the new brands, the emergence and change of jean types, styles and colours! Invented in 1873 by Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss for the wear of miners or workers due to the demin fabric and became popularised in the 1950’s with James Dean’s movie Rebel Without a Cause, soon teenagers began a youth rebellion and wore jeans as a statement.  It was not until the 1960’s where jeans became more accepted as a casual wear and in 1970’s as general fashion. 

Brands such as Levi, Wrangler and Lee have been widely popular since the beginning of the jean revolution! The various jeans styles starting from: 

   Flared jeans

These jeans are fitted at the top and expand at the bottom a great style and vintage look!

Wrangler are well known for the High Bells.   Check them out here
http://www.wrangler.com.au/website/Fit_Guide_t/Womens_x/Hi_Bells/default.aspx

      Skinny leg

A comfortable body fitting jean that shows off your curves!

Find classic Levi Skinny leg jeans here!

http://us.levi.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13065974&&cp=3146849.3146909.3699766.3146903

Bootleg

During winter the bootcut jean is a great choice for when wearing boots under your jeans!

Find a great paid of Nudie Jeans here!
http://www.shopstyle.com.au/browse/bootcut-jeans?fts=nudie+jeans+women

     Straight leg

For a jean that is not too tight but still show off the curves the straight leg jean is perfect! Get a pair here!
http://www.jeanswest.com.au/simone-slim-straight-jeans.html

     High rise

Sitting where the belly button is these jeans are great to shape your legs and make you look taller!

http://www.leejeans.com.au/fit-guide/girls/high-tube.html

       Low rise

For a jean that sits underneath the waist line, low rise jeans are what you’re after!

http://www.justjeans.com.au/JU_navIWCatProductPage.process?Merchant_Id=2&Section_Id=920&pcount=&Product_Id=1758968&Level1Click=Womens&Level2Click=Denim%20Jeans&Level3Click=Just%20Jeans

I'm sure you all have a favourite pair of jeans you love.  Dress them up or dress them down, jeans are a great fashion item that will never grow old!

FASHION ITEM THAT HAS STOOD THROUGH TIME: THE HANDBAG

HANGBAG, PURSE, POUCH, CARRIER, TOTE, SACK, POCKET- whatever you chose to call it, its been around since forever and its here to stay!

 The earliest handbags have been verified historically were small sacks carried by gentlemen containing pomanders (scented seeds and oranges), flint and money.These were called "pockets" and were hung by thongs from the back of the girdle. Pockets were often cut and stolen from behind by thieves and were soon nicknamed "cut purse".
Early modern Europeans wore purses for one purpose, to carry coins. Purses were made of soft fabric or leather and were worn by men as often as ladies, the scottish sporran is a survival of their custom.
The term 'handbag' began appearing in the early 1900s. Initially it was most often used to refer to men's hand-luggage. Women's accessory begs grew larfer and more complex during that period, and term became attatched to womens accessories. The post war economic boon of the 1950s catapulted handbags into cult status. 

Major designers such as Vuitton, Hermes, and Channel enjoyed a culture where accessorizing and color coordinating were held to an almost moral standard. 

1960s and 70s saw a rise of youth culture rules of “appropriate” dress relaxed in response to the women’s’ movement and the rise of the youth culture. As the rules of correct dressing began to breakdown, the narrow long clutch was one of the earliest types of handbags to make the transition into the age of informality and youth fashion because it had always been thought suitable for a youthful look. The small and dainty shoulder bag with long chains or thin straps also began to dominate because it kept with informal child-like qualities of the miniskirt.

90s saw a unisex bags for the first time, a concern with health and fitness sports bags and shoes were an additional group of accessories that influenced high fashion. Major changes occurred in 21^st century where modern bags have evolved to include the ‘man bag’. Handbags, which for so long had been associated with the feminine are now becoming more popular with men. Both the modern man and woman can strap on or sling over a hands-free bag and go. We now see women carrying bags which the size of luggage bags, it has become a fashion accessory where people are paying thousands of dollars to get themselves the latest designer bags. Bags today are continually changing from large to small, men, women, unisex, strapped and no straps – the limits are endless!

BLAST FROM THE PAST - the 90s

Welcome to the 90s......

The 1990s, what an amusing era of fashion, which has continued to be reflected in the fashion trends in the recent years. 

Early in the 1990s neon colours, leggings and exercise wear were the fashion items to have, which were an alternative to the grunge. 

Leather in response to the movie ‘Catwoman’ made an extreme appearance and continued to be popular throughout the decade. 

The mid 1990s three major trends influenced the fashion industry, in addition to the influence of the Spice Girls.

The hippie look influenced all aspects of fashion including dresses, turtleneck shirts, lace blouses and gypsy tops. 

Designer clothing also made an impact during the mid 1990s. Women everywhere were wearing designer clothing including Yves Saint Laurent or Chanel. Famous pieces were worn to give off an image of wealth and included items such as notable handbags, fur coats and shoes. 

The thick heels and platforms were the third major trend for the mid 90s.

BLAST FROM THE PAST: THE 1970s!

MINI SKIRTS, MOOD RINGS, BELL-BOTTOMS, PLATFORM SHOES, DISCO GLAM ROCK—a time to rebel, a time to act carelessly, a time for hipsters to be free, and disco to be born, ONLY IN THE 70s.

1970s fashion saw a continuation of the unruly mini skirt and pushed the limits to a whole new level where women had the freedom to wear what they truly wanted. Fashion was spreading worldwide and new trends were being set.  Fashion ranged from extremely long to excessively short with the introduction of new fabrics and patterns. Men wore high waisted trousers, tight shirts and long moustaches.  In the 70s fashion was diverse and continually changing yet always had an element of shock!

A period of liberation for WOMEN

We saw a strong movement in fashion for women in this era as they broke the norm. Bras and corsets were condemned as symbols of oppression and conformity and were rejected by the majority.  Women took to their own advantage this newly found freedom and began to wear traditional male clothing such as baggy trousers, jackets, oversized shirts, ties and hats. From the 1960s, women continued the bell-bottoms, mini skits and long hair but also embraced midi or free flowing maxi skirts as well as the introduction of THE hotpant.

Big Bold and Brave for MEN

The Hippie style continues for men and Big bright ties and fitted shirts with collars were embraced. Men grew long beards, side burns and moustaches and let their hair hang long. Bell-bottoms and flares were exaggerated and high waist pants. There were major campaigns for bells pants and they became quickly recognised worldwide. 

Era of the DISCO

Popular music genre ‘disco’ spread and its own fashion craze began. Young people congregated in nightclubs dressed in new disco clothing which was designed to show off the body and shine under dance floor lights. Made from stretch fabrics like lycra and spandex and decorated with shiny sequins. Women shone in short ‘hotpants’ body suits and towered in platform shoes while men wore revealing open neck satin shirts and flared trousers. This style was immortalised in the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever staring John Travolta further popularising this disco look. 

Overall the 70s was a time where almost anything was accepted, for many the uglier, brighter and chunkier the better off and for others the simpler and more feminine the better- yet no matter what, it was a time to make a statement. It was a strong unbridled time, with various cultures and subcultures coming into the open at once. Pessimism abounded as militant feminism, Civil Rights, the Watergate scandal, and the Vietnam War brought gritty reality to the forefront. These influences gave designers new ammunition, and the public was eager for the latest fashion wave. 

FASHION ERA: THE 1960's!

THE 1960's!

From the sophistication of women, to the emergence of the mini skirt and hippies the 1960's had it all!

The 1960’s fashion era was the emergence of many diverse trends.  In the early major fashion trends such as the pillbox hat, short boxy jackets, geometric dresses.  For evening wear women would wear full skirted gowns with low décolletage and close fitting waists.  The colours they wore were very bright, with lots of frills and cravats added to their clothes and stiletto heels were widely popular. 

  

During the mid 1960’s designer Mary Quant introduced the mini skirt pushing out the long skirt lengths.  It mostly had an A-Line shape and was sleeveless.  Also, designer Andre Courreges started the “space look” starting the trouser suits, white boots, goggles and box shaped dresses three inches above the knee.  These were very luminous colours with shiny fabrics.  London at this stage where fashion leaders known as the Mods (the Modernists) where many young people would follow their trend and also stars such as The Who and The Kinks.  This was high fashion clothing as they were classy people who wore slim fitted pants or slim shirts with down collars.

Models such as Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton had a great influence on women in the 60’s, with styles such as the velvet mini dress with lace collars and wide tent dresses.  Also the micro mini dress with flared skirt long wide sleeves was normally worn with tights.  Wearing clothing that had separate pieces emerged rather than wearing an outfit for a specific occasion.

Lastly, the hippie movement was began in the 60’s.  This is where they wore bell bottomed jeans, tie dye, batik fabrics, ankle fringes, halter neck tops.  This was a controversial look, depending on what was worn.  For example, short skirts with knee high boots was controversial at the time yet accepted.  This look represented peace and love, with ribbons in their hairs, floral patterns on their jeans and skirts and actual real flowers worn in their hair.

Overall, a very diverse and crazy era of many altering styles that further made way for different fashion trends in the decades to come!

WELCOME TO FAB FASHION TALK!

Hi bloggers!

To show our love and passion for fashion as a group we thought it would be a great idea to share our favourite fashion ideas on this blog!  
Our blogs will range from simple things like our most loved fashion items, to the most iconic fashion trend setters.
We would love for you to share with us your favourite fashion trends or extend on what we have have discussed, we would love to learn new things about fashion trends you admire!
We hope you enjoy the information, photos and videos we share and can not wait to have your ideas shared as well!

FASHION TALK: 1980s !

When did the ladies effortlessly accomplish a funky style of a miniskirts, a baggy sweater and leg warmers?  Yep, only in the 1980s. The best way to ignite fashion talk, is by reminiscing on the past. The 1980s depicts the introduction of some new funky, exciting and yet quirky trends. What other decade could successfully accomplish wearing trendy skin-tight pants one day and then baggy "MC Hammer" pants the next? Overall, it was cool to mix and match colourful colours like bright yellow and red, obviously something that would alienate you from society today!



So what were the major trends? Firstly, a big hit was shoulder pads- which was an iconic item that will be discussed deeply in another post. Mini Skirts had their days in the 80s. Denim being the most popular, followed by knit and leather miniskirts, were being worn by all women.

Additionally, leg warmers were a big hit in the 80s, especially to compliment the miniskirts. Now for some jewellery. Big earings that would touch your shoulders were extremely popular. 

Other trends that were considered to be fashionable by top celebrities to middle class citizens included fingerless gloves, parachute pants, member jackets, stretch-stirrup pants (a big blunder) and finally oversized tops which re-entered the market in the late 2000s.

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