Fashion Blog: 2013's Sixties: True Elegance Revisited In Modern Day Style

I never tire of looking at pictures from the sixties. For me, true iconic sixties style came in the format of Jackie Onassis, Natalie Wood and Elizabeth Taylor with their polished elegance, luxe accessories, perfect hair and black cat eye liner. I still aspire to the prim and neat Hitchcock heroine style, I feel bold and modern in the sharp sixties monochromes... and I'm excited to see vibrant shades added to today's sixties inspired pieces.

Public Domain Images.

Vintage stores, Goodwill and charity shops are fun for quirky pieces but it's near impossible to find that polished couture styling of sixties, to do this you have to go "specialist vintage" and pay a premium for a one off, carefully loved piece from 50 years ago that may not translate into today's world that well.

2013's trend for the sixties shapes and patterns enables a revisit to the era on modern day terms, from quirky girl about town looks or the opportunity to invest in some timeless, beautiful pieces worthy of Jackie O herself.

Couturenet Picks...

Eight perfect pieces from my-wardrobe.com to create a personal sixties collection of breathtaking elegance with a modern edge. Great clothes that you will be able to wear often and suit today's women when a polished look with a statement piece works without being too "dressy" and out of place.

1. The goes with everything sunglasses

Tom Ford Cat Eye Sunglasses £259 UK, $427.35 USA. In Black or Brown.

These super slick but intriguing sunglasses are a perfect investment piece, they complement the other clothes chosen perfectly but also add something special to an already established wardrobe as a very valuable update.

2. The Statement Dress

 Brunns Bazaar Marylyn Dress £190.00 UK, $313.50 USA.
City chic and fabulously monochrome. For day wear with ballet flats and evening with killer heels shown in the image.

3. The Monti Carlo Print

Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti Tile Print Shorts £180.00 UK, $297.00 USA.

I just love these shorts too much, a serious summer staple. Neat tailoring, high waist and super chic pared back with a classic white top.

4. The Sophisticated Spring Dress

Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti Crochet Lace Shirt Dress, £322.00 UK, $531.30 USA.

The lace, the colour, the long sleeves and shirt dress style make this a perfect piece for day or evening, showing just the right amount of skin to make this chic and wearable rather than "too sixties".

5. The Ulimate Summer Luxe Hue

Richard Nicoll Collard Silk Jacquard Stella Tunic £420.00 UK, $693.00 USA.

The coral colour and draping silk fabric radiate effortless of-the-moment chic, perfect with a tan and the summer sun.

6.  The Very Modern Classic

See By Chloe Cobra Effect Silk Shirt Dress £486.00 UK, $801.90 USA.
A classic pussy bow dress in a modern bright fuchsia colour. This is a super-luxe piece is worthy of the mainline Chloe collection at a See by Chloe price. So well worth buying.

7.  The Beautiful Piece in Your Wardrobe

Red Valentino Gem Embellished Brocade Coat £685.00 UK, $1,130.25 USA.
A real show stopper, I would easily wear this as dress as well a coat if the occasion required something almost royal!

8. The Goes With Everything Clutch Bag / Shoulder Bag

Raoul Taupe Janine Leather Shoulder Bag £330.00 UK, $544.50 USA.
Such a touchable colour and gorgeous looking! The box shape is a versatile one, as a shoulder bag it looks effortless draped over white jeans and as a clutch it looks like a cherished piece unveiled for special occasions. This bag will complement each outfit featured here and anything already in your closet without any hesitation.

I am still deciding which pieces to buy, I think the tile print shorts will sell out fast, they are just too wearable, look stunning and are great price. I am so drawn to the accessories and the See by Chloe Dress. I'm still on the fence, I just want them all! In true investment dressing style I am going to think about what I will be doing this year, weddings, events, trips, work and holidays and then base my purchases on this.

See more inspirational pictures and glamorous buys from my-wardrobe.com on the Couturenet.com Pinterest Board : 2013s Sixties Trend with My-Wardrobe.com

Fashion Blog: UPDATE The Net-a-Porter Sale has now started in the UK

I recently posted about the net-a-porter.com sale in the USA, always beginning weeks before the UK site launches it's sale. This week the UK net-a-porter.com sale has started too. There are lots of wearable pieces and good quality items with huge discounts. The items are relevant too, as it all just seems like yesterday the new Spring Summer 2012 collections were fully stocked into the market place and now they are on sale!

Although tough, I am ignoring the slow infiltration of the Autumn/Fall 2012 pieces appearing online and in-stores! I still want to see and immerse myself in these beautiful summer colours, the corals, tans and whites that are so uplifting.

I am still continuing my longstanding and wholly devoted love affair with Chloe. I recently jotted a note about the quality of my Spring Summer 2012 Chloe Silk Dress.

There are some great Chloe items here with 50% off.

This Chloe Brushed Silk Shirt (Was £495. Now £247.50. 50% OFF) is a great buy, the peachy colour is already thinking ahead to the 2012 Fall Autumn Winter Collections which see the summer corals and oranges dulled down onto duskier softer shades. This Chloe shirt is a wear now with shorts and wear later with pants piece, to create two very different looks.

Fashion Blog: It's Nice To Be Appreciated… Especially With A Chloe Dress!

I really wanted to highlight the quality of this Chloe Tonal Pleated Dress. It's the part of high end fashion that you never really see unless you actually wear something or go and have "a good look with your hands" in a boutique. The breathtaking looks that glide down a catwalk are the just the beginning of the whole "quality experience". The fabric, the cut, the detail and the interior are often never seen. You simply can't experience this from a show or a magazine.

1. The first thing you notice about this dress is the perfect pleats that will stay in place, they hold their blunt shape at the bottom beautifully. They are also the correct size (width) pleats, to flatter, hang flat and not look bulky. The dress is 100% silk on the outside.

2. The next thing you notice are the tan tones with just the right amount of white and coral. This proportion of colour and the hues chosen by the designers at Chloe are a big part of what will keep this piece a wearable item for the future that will always look special.

3. The sleeves are just the correct length, perfect stitching, perfect colour proportion again with just the right hint of coral. The shoulders are a good width and structured too.

4. Hidden buttons, with the correct weight of fabric and stitching around the button holes to ensure when fastened the front of the dress looks flat and doesn't sag.

5. Structured collar. The collar looks just as delicate as the rest of the dress, but careful construction ensures it maintains is structured shape, it's not floppy. This adds to a polished look.

6. Designed interfacing, structural elements and lining. Again the quality here is outstanding with every stitch perfectly performed even though these parts of the dress will not actually be seen.

7. The feel of the dress when it is worn. It's a feeling of walking on air, a weightlessness. You don't don't have to make it work. I guess thats why it would be called effortless chic.

To sum up… the fabric, the cut and the colour palette make this dress something unique, this is down to the bits you can see and the bits you can't! Never underestimate the hours of design and development that goes into each piece that you see in a runway show to make the items look the way they do.

This dress is elegant, it's stylish and the perfect piece for summer from outdoor events, weddings and drinks evenings. It's the perfect investment piece as the coral and tan subtle hughes will out live the acid tones offered this season. There is tan in the Autumn collections, so will carry through well.

I was very overwhelmed and honoured to be given this dress as a gift. It's nice to be appreciated... especially with a Chloe Dress!

Please forgive the creases in the dress in the photos, I wore it, packed it, it's travelled and then unpacked again, so not too bad considering so much action! It's now on it's way to have the creases gently steamed away.

This dress in the SS 2012 Chloe RTW Collection, a runway piece.

Available to buy at MyTheresa.com
SS 2012 Chloe Colour Block, Tonal Pleated Dress.
Europe € 3,101.00
UK £ 2,740.00
USA $ 4,373.00
Made in France.

For A Cheap 'n' Chic Alternative…
Look for items with coral and tan tones (even if you have to buy two separate pieces to achieve this) and avoid shiny fabrics. I spotted this Vanessa Bruno Dress (Original price £445. Now £155.75. 65% off.) 100% silk with cotton trim on TheOutnet.com, the dress has the same tonal and draping qualities of the Chloe dress and would look perfect with a coral jacket and a dash of white.

Fashion Blog: The Net-A-Porter Sale has started.

The Net-APorter sale has started... With so many summer months still ahead and the sale starting at the beginning of June it's the perfect time to buy something perfect for this season.

Couturenet Picks...
My object of desire is this Chloe 70's style, crepe dress, real 70's Bond Girl style! Was $2,400. Now $1,220. 50% off.

The Net-A-Porter Sale has only started in the USA at present, not the UK.

Fashion Blog: Designer Investment Pieces Under £150. 75% Off Marni at TheOutnet.com

There's something very special about Marni, the pieces are like works of art, each one perfect and detailed, you can literally buy one piece and it remains a statement piece for years to come. Along with the bonus that with the correct care a Marni item of clothing or an accessory looks sumptuous and brand new every time you wear it. The pieces are timeless, I think of Marni as a more adventurous version of Prada. TheOutnet.com have just listed a whole dream wardrobe of Marni pieces at up to 75% off, there are some beautiful coats and jackets included. Click here to see the whole closet of Marni delights.

Couturenet's favourite investment pieces under £150 are shown below.

1. The Yellow Silk Dress. A great statement piece, perfect for this season and spring next year due to the versatile fabric and and the right shade of yellow. This is an investment piece despite its trendy colour, it is a high end designer piece at a very low price, so you will be saving a fortune by avoiding buying a current season designer dress at around £750. Also you will wear for at least a year and a half. Investment Piece: Saving money by buying out of season stock and cost per wear value.

2. The Grey Dress. A wrap style dress, perfect as a day dress with a medium width belt, the V shape at the neck is very flattering and body lengthening. A true Investment piece it would be a go-to day dress with high volume multi wear. Investment Piece: Cost per wear value.

3. Tan Leather skirts x2. Great neutral tan colour, perfect for teaming with yellow for this season and spring, but also a good wardrobe staple for many years to come down to the quality. Designer leather is better quality than high street in terms of longevity and looking brand new after multiple wears. Two styles show A-Line and pencil to suit your shape. Investment piece: Cost per wear Value and long term keeper.

4. All Seasons Sandals. These are a great style for autumn and spring, not too summery and not too wintering, the neutral colours are perfect too, dark grey or mushroom brown. They have a classic high quality style about them with a little edge, the thicker heel as a luxe look to these. Investment Piece: Cost per wear value and long term keeper.

Marni is Italian sizing so an IT38 = UK6, USA 2 & French 34, IT40 = UK8, USA 4 & French 36,  IT42 = UK10, USA 6 & French 38 and so on. Marni shoe sizes are generous.

Fashion Blog: Designer Investment Pieces... Up to 75% Off Chloe At The Outnet.com

This is a great opportunity to buy a designer investment piece at a quarter of the price, that will look amazing on, keep for years (with care) and will astound you when you feel the quality of the fabric and experience the outstanding flattering cuts to these pieces. Chloe is of the highest class for style and longevity of garment.

You can see all the Chloe pieces here.

This is a perfect opportunity to buy something special like a jacket, coat or dress. Don't keep these for best (you'll never wear them and regret it!). Buy something that you can enjoy and wear regularly - be well dressed in luxe eveyday. Couturenet picks below with 75% off.

 

Fashion Blog: USA Shopbop.com's Most Popular Pieces Right Now

Take a look at shopbop.com's most popular pieces right now. Couturenet loves the Tibi Dress and the ALC Leather Jacket, two great investment pieces.

The Tibi Dress makes a statement, it's a great stand alone piece that needs little adornment and works for all seasons, day to night. The colours and print make it perfect for this year and straight into next Spring and Summer too.

The ALC Leather Jacket is sumptuous and luxurious which makes it a keeper! It will add this feel to create chic smart outfits and casual but luxe looks too with a patterned dress or cashmere underneath.

Super Offer: Extra 20% Off Clearance Pieces at Flannels

Flannels Manchester has always been a big hit with me, I like their buying. Each season their collections are really high quality in both fabrics and style. Their sales are really good too as they only stock good quality brands. Flannels are offering and extra 20% off their clearance pieces online. Friday 26th - Monday 29th August. Enter Code SALE20 at the checkout.



I like these stylish sandals by ASH £80 (£64 with the 20% discount). Reduced from £165. The thick ankle cuff is in line with the resort 2012 collections, so great for this year through to next.

Fashion Blog: Investment Piece Bargain : Alexander McQueen Black Wool Blend Pants Now £147. Was £420.

Just in at the Outnet.com! Alexander McQueen Wool-blend Tuxedo Pants. Reduced from £420 to £147.

An excellent investment piece, the Alexander McQueen fit and tailoring is outstanding. No visible seams! I have a pair of these trousers, they really wear well and the lustre lasts after dry cleaning.

TheOutnet.com has full product measurements too to ensure you get the right size. Sizes IT38, IT40 and IT42 available at the time of jotting down this note.

View them here theoutnet.com

Fashion Blog: Luxe High Street Find : H&M Shirt Dress for £24.99

High Street Find. A surprisingly well constructed Shirt Dress from H&M £24.99, in stores now to buy.

Whilst I am not expecting it to be a durable classic, the qualities I noted that made me buy this dress are: 1. Looks like matt silk. 2. Good fit across shoulders, underarms and sleeves (the sleeves are roomy). 3. Nice seams, quality metal buttons and a good length. The whole dress hangs nicely. Side seams are fluid and sit flush to your figure. If the quality lasts until spring 2011, it is on trend with the DKNY SS2011 Collection when I will add one of the gorgeous DKNY big scarves.

I have worn this all day to run errands, it has stood the test of a day, styled with quality accessories to bring this dress up to the mark. I have kept the original tie belt that came with the dress, but I will be substituting this for a dark brown leather belt, the Alexander McQueen Wide Classic Belt, a perfect investment belt that will go with everything and revive many archived classics.

Download the iPhone App, if you shake your iPhone you will recieve 20% off a purchase. HM.com