2011 Fashion Trends

2011 has been a splendid year for the fashion industry in Nigeria and abroad. So many fashion trends were introduced. For some that follow fashion trends and usually 'must' buy everything that's in, well am sure they spent lots of money buying some stuffs they might end up not wearing again. But for those that know how to mix and match, well it won't be a waste. We had trends like colour-blocking, vintage (or retro chic) , prints, street chic and so many more to mention a few.

                        Street Chic
I particularly like the street chic style, though it wasn't a big hit here in Nigeria. Street chic has this care-free attitude which I love. Dressing street chic isn't as hard as it seems. Though some people look effortlessly chic every single day, once you know the basic guidelines for dressing, being street chic can be a reality.

How to do street chic.
Cultivate your own sense of aesthetic. Everyone is unique, and therefore, everyone has diverse tastes. Know what you like in music, literature, movies and art. Incorporate these things into your style. To cultivate this, immerse yourself in different genres and be open minded to different people.

Know what colors look good on you. To figure out which color type you are and which colors look good on you go to http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/Tutorials/CindyBuschColorAnalysis.htm. Once you got that figured out, wear these colors all the time.

Learn about proportion. The key to being street chic is balance. If you're wearing a loose top, pair it with a tight bottom. If you're wearing something baggy on the bottom, go with a lean shirt. The same goes for shoes. Chunky heels look out of proportion on petite girls, while stiletto heels look weird on girls with chunky calves. This also applies to showing skin. Only flaunt one part of you body. you want to look chic, not trashy (unless that's the look your going for). 

Don't forget what's underneath. Always buy quality underwear in your size and basic colors like black and nude. You should have seamless knickers too in these colors. Wear the black one under dark colored clothing, the nude one under the light colored ones.



Accessorize! Necklaces, bracelets, rings, belts, bags, scarves and headgear. Pick whatever you like. There are lots of stores with different styles to suit your taste. Layer them if you like. I love bracelets and bangles. I love stacking them in different colours, shapes and sizes. Sometimes, more is actually better. At least when it comes to certain types of jewelry. Who can resist a wrist stacked with different bracelets, each an individual statement in its own right, as a way to pile on a little personality. These things make a basic outfit look stunning. When done right, accessorizing can be your best technique into looking street chic.

Choose a point of fashion. As in, 'Today, I'm an 80's raver' or 'Alice in Wonderland' or whatever.
Be creative, be whimsical and have fun!

The good thing about the street chic style is one is free to wear whatever and one will always be different.

                         Colour-blocking
Now this trend was a hit in Nigeria with everyone mixing colours. Some got it right while some didn't. It's all about mixing colours, not just any colours but bright, bold, solid colours. It isn't a trend for everyone; it's for those who are daring. The idea behind color blocking is simple in theory: pair solid - yet somewhat unexpected - blocks of color with each other to make a cohesive outfit. You can either go monochromatic, pair bright colors with muted colors or contrasting and complimentary colors. Accessories like handbags, shoes and jewelry can also feature color block designs to help complete and pull together any color block outfit.

 

Jennifer Lopez in Gucci

 

Leighton Meester in Missoni and Kristen Stewart in Balenciaga Resort

 

                                                            Camilla Belle in Gucci  

                                                          Dries Van Noten

           Tips for pulling off color blocking:

• Team colors from the same family together for a cohesive look – think bright pinks with vivid fuchsias, turquoise with royal blue;
• Keep warmer tones like orange and red together;
• Go for a neutral-toned shoe to keep it simple
• Opposites Attract: think purples with oranges; lime green with melon or rosebud pink for a jarring, but pleasant, combination;
• Work accessories into the mix. Select a contrasting shoe or handbag.

  Mix it up

• Work regal purples in with contrasting, fiery oranges;
• Try lime green with melon or rosebud pink for a pleasantly jarring combination;
• Go to town on the look with a loud, contrasting shoe or handbag.

Now its time to try your hand at color blocking. And just remember: this trend is more about attitude than the clothes. If you choose to go with it be ready for a few stares from onlookers that are either amazed at your fashion sense or your courage. Either way, happy blocking!

                                        
                 Vintage

There was and there is still so much noise about this trend. People everywhere are caught up with one of the hottest fads to sweep the planet since sliced bread, and it is not even something new. Vintage clothing is making a big comeback everywhere and people are raving about how old can be so in and new. What is it about vintage clothing that people cannot get enough of and why is it so popular?

For us to better understand what vintage is and how to spot vintage clothing we have to first know the story behind its slow rise to the fashion scene. Typically, vintage clothing is something that was created back from the 1920's to the 1980's. Items of clothing like shirts, pants, tops, vests and other clothes worn in those eras are considered vintage. Other items like boots, shoes, accessories and other materials that were created for the purpose of being worn are also vintage items.

Vintage clothing is a generic term for new or second hand garments originating from a previous era. The phrase is also used in connection with a retail outlet, e.g. "vintage clothing store." Generally speaking, clothing which was produced before the 1920s is referred to as antique clothing and clothing from the 1920s to 1960s is considered vintage. Retro, short for retrospective, or "vintage style" usually refers to clothing that imitates the style of a previous era.

Most vintage clothing has been previously worn, but a small percentage of pieces have not. These are often old warehouse stock, and more valuable than those that have been worn, especially if they have their original tags. Although there has always been some demand for old and/or second hand clothing, the awareness, demand and acceptance of this has increased dramatically since the early 1990s. This increase in interest is due in part to increased visibility, as vintage clothing was increasingly worn by top models and celebrities, e.g. Julia Roberts, Renée Zellweger, Chloe Sevigny, Tatiana Sorokko, Kate Moss, and Dita von Teese.

Vintage garments designed by the following designers are particularly sought after - especially when they are representative of the designer or the era: Coco Chanel, Paul Poiret, Mariano Fortuny, Elsa Schiaparelli, Jeanne Paquin, Madeleine Vionnet, Jeanne Lanvin, Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, Claire McCardell, Cristobal Balenciaga, Emilio Pucci, Yves Saint-Laurent, Ossie Clark, Biba, Mary Quant, Pierre Cardin, Halston, Giorgio Armani, Zandra Rhodes, Vivienne Westwood, Thierry Mugler, Gianni Versace, and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Generally speaking, clothing older than 25 years is considered to be vintage, though opinions vary on this definition. Many sellers of vintage clothing consider even more modern pieces to be ‘vintage’, provided that they are particularly representative of the era in which they were made.

With all these explanation, I would say that vintage is second hand or what we call 'okrika' here in Nigeria, well that is if you are buying the one that has been worn by someone else from a previous era.  

           Here Drew Barrymore is wearing a dress she bought at a vintage store for $20. So great!
                                                         

            Kim Kardashian wearing a reworked version of her mom’s vintage Valentino (1984)

                         Julia Roberts in vintage Valentino (1982) at the 2001 Oscars.

 Note that vintage isn't all about the dresses, bags or shoes. There are also vintage accessories or jewellery.
Here we have celebrities wearing vintage diamonds and jewellery at the Oscars.

1.} British actress Carey Mulligan, the Best Actress nominee wore a stunning pair of 19th century cascading diamond earrings from Fred Leighton.
2.} Presenter Elizabeth Banks also wore a vintage Fred Leighton - an understated diamond headband.
3.} Julianne Moore wore 2 diamond and platinum Bulgari (circa 1930) - from their historical archives collection.

 4.} Vera Farmiga wore a pair of 1920s diamond clip earrings vintage Fred Leighton and a 1960's diamond cluster cocktail ring.
5.} Sarah Jessica Parker wore 19th century diamond cluster earrings.
6.} Maggie Gyllenhaal's bracelet is a Fred Leighton 1940's diamond cluster statement bracelet.

7.} Charlize Theron wearing a vintage marquise diamond wave bracelet by Harry Winston.
8.} Jennifer Lopez wore vintage Cartier diamond clip earrings circa 1934.
9.} Meryl Streep wore a magnificent Fred Leighton Art Deco diamond and oynx bracelet teamed with a silver purse.

Have been able to talk about some of the fashion trends that rocked 2011. So which represents you better?

 

Too Many Shoes?

It was a beautiful afternoon. Preparing to go hang-out with friends later in the evening, I picked up one of my beauties, cleaning it while dancing to the song coming out of my music player. Then my mum burst into my room.
"Did you take one of my bags?", She asked.
"No, I didn't.", I replied.
Then she saw my sandals. "I wonder how you get to wear shoes this high. Don't they hurt?", she asked.
"No, they don't. They are actually comfortable.", I replied.
Still thinking I took her bag (am the only girl with three younger brothers. So my mum & I are the only females in the house), she started searching. Then she saw them; my must have fashion accessory - SHOES.
"My God!!! What are you doing with all these?", she asked.
"Wear them", I replied non-chalantly.
"To where?", she asked. "Out", I replied smiling. "Mummy, you see there are shoes for different occasions", I added.
"I hope you don't spend all your money on shoes", she said.
"At least I make them. So......", I said. "If only you knew...", I thought and smiled mischievously.

This is usually the conversation I have with my mum each time she sees my collection. She doesn't really understand why a young lady, like myself, should have so many foot-wears.

Really, can a lady have too many shoes?
 
 
NO, NO, NO.... A lady needs foot-wears for different occasions and outfit. She needs shoes to go to the market, to hang-out with friends, to church, work, to the beach, to the cinema, to go clubbing, to see a friend in the neighborhood,....She needs foot-wears that must go with her pair of jeans, dress, shorts, cute short skirts, etc.The truth is one gets to wear two or three foot-wears more than the others. But hey, there is no harm in owing lots of shoes and one can still get to wear them some day. There are  
                                         times  I just look at my shoe collections and I smile.

It's good to know that men, OK let me correct myself here, gentlemen...So it's good to know that gentlemen also know that there is need to invest in foot-wears and am really happy about this new development. Gone are those days that you see some men with just two or three shoes; some usually have one. But am glad, really glad that they are beginning to have more shoes & they are really taking care of them.

Some have several in different colours and shapes. They are also aware that there are formal and informal shoes. Oxford, lace-ups, etc are categorised as formal shoes. Sneakers, converse, loafers, sandals are informal foot-wears. Loafers can also be formal it all depends on the outfit and since most organisation here in Nigera 'dress down' on fridays, guys can wear them. 
 
I must say that when it comes to foot-wears, some gentlemen are competing with ladies (one of my brothers has so many shoes that he just packs them in a corner in his room because he doesn't have space for them again). 

But can they ever win or beat we ladies in this "Shoe Race"? No they can't. NEVER    : p



(all shoes are from ShoeFetish by Ronke Adeshina)

Finding the Right Shoes

The wrong shoes can cause or aggravate foot ailments. The right shoes can often prevent - but cannot correct - problems. So wearing the right shoes is vital to foot health. Follow this checklist when you buy shoes. Be sure they measure up.

SHOE CONSTRUCTION

• Leather is best because is breathes like skin and molds to your foot. But cheaper canvas is fine for fast-growing children. 
• Soles should be strong and flexible with a good gripping surface. 
• Insoles should be cushioned to absorb the jolts of walking on hard surfaces. 
• Arch supports distribute weight over a wider area. Rigid shanks also give added support. 
• High heels are fun and look good, but they should not be worn too long at a stretch or for much walking. Besides cramping the toes, they change body posture, making backaches more likely.

THE RIGHT FIT   

• Only you can tell if shoes fit. If they aren't comfortable, don't buy them! 
• Don't plan on shoes stretching with wear. If you already own shoes that are too tight, ask your shoe repair shop if they can be stretched.  
• Because feet spread with age, have your feet measured every time you buy shoes. Both feet should be measured as they are often different sizes. Always buy shoes for the BIGGEST foot.  
• Go shoe shopping late in the afternoon. Feet swell to their largest then. 
• Size depends on shoe make and style, too. Don't insist you always wear one size if the next feels better. 
• The toe box should be roomy enough so you can wiggle all your toes. 
• Your forefoot should NOT be wider than your shoe. 
• The heel should fit snugly and the instep should not gape open. 

SHOES FOR CHILDREN   

• Good shoes are especially important to avoid problems in developing feet. 
• Because shoes serve only to protect children's feet from injury, none are needed before a child walks.  
• High-topped infant shoes do not support ankles - oxfords and tennis shoes are equally good. 
• Check OFTEN to be sure shoes aren't too small. Children's feet are so flexible they can be crammed into shoes two sizes too small - and the child may not complain. 
• Don't have children wear hand-me-down shoes. They are permanently molded to the original owner's foot.

Unfortunately, most shoes today are narrower in the front than the foot is. You can check this by standing on paper and tracing around your bare foot. Compare the outline of your foot with the sole of your shoe. If your shoe appears too narrow, you may be inviting foot problems. Choose only shoes that feel comfortable - you are the best judge of that.

Our marvelous feet evolved for flexibility and strength - not to be stuffed into shoes. When people roamed the earth barefoot 4,000 years ago, foot problems were not the rule. Today, we need shoes to protect our feet from cold, injury, disease, and pounding on hard pavement. But too often we choose shoes for style rather than comfort and function.

Remember:  Good shoes are part of the good care your feet deserve.

How to Walk in Heels

I know there are some ladies that do not need to read and learn how to walk perfectly well in heels like my humble self  *batting my eyelashes and smiling*, but there are some that find it hard to take two steps in them. So for those who do not know how and want to know well this is for you. For those that can walk miles in heels, well you still need to read this and learn one or two things and maybe who knows help someone who desperately need to walk in heels.

Well ladies the first thing to know if you want to walk well in heels is to know your shoe.

 

Know Your Shoe

 

 

THE BODY: If a stiff shoe causes blisters, spritz this area with water and use your fingers to mold the softened leather to the shape of your foot or try special inserts to reduce friction.

THE BREAST: The inner arch of the heel, which affects stability. The farther forward the arch, the less you will feel off-balance.

THE SOLE: Slipping on slick floors? Pick up a pair of sole protectors or score the soles of your heels with a key to create extra traction.

THE TOE BOX: If your toes feel pinched, have this area stretched out at your local shoe repair shop.

THE INTERIOR: If you suffer from low arches, slip in supports to relieve pressure on the balls of your feet. 

 

Take It Step-by-Step

1. POSTURE: Heels pitch weight forward, so for balance, keep your head up and shoulders back. Tightening your core will offset some of the pressure on your feet.

2. STEPS: Striding in a normal heel-to-toe motion can snap a stiletto or twist an ankle. Instead take short steps, going down evenly on the ball of the foot and heel.

3. WEIGHT: As your weight shifts fully onto a foot, spread your toes in the shoe slightly; this will help to distribute the weight onto the ball of the foot.

4. HIPS: When you're feeling off-balance, you tend to stiffen up. For an easy, attractive momentum, let your hips swing in small, sideways, figure-eight motions.

 

Tone and Train Your Legs

Foot experts warn that the unnatural slope of stilettos puts unnecessary strain on feet and lower leg muscles.  Try to let your feet rest. Let them breathe. Wear flats in slippers, shoes. There are varieties to choose from. From loafers to brogues,embellished slippers and so many.

Take Time to Soothe and Repair

Refresh tired feet with a tingly foot treatment.

Knead away sore spots and stimulate blood flow to help your feet recover from a day in uncomfortable shoes. You can do this by using a Porcupine massage ball.

Slip on a pair of moisture-gel padded socks for an instant at-home spa treatment. There are different types of softening socks you can choose from.

Keep calluses and rough spots at bay with a callus stone. 

 

Here is one last tip: You love high heels, but you find them uncomfortable?
Well try on pairs with a platform of at least 1 inch, which decreases the relative heel height. Or borrow this trick: Have a repair shop add foam padding to the inner soles of your stilettos. The extra cushioning is well worth the cost.

So ladies go get those heels and start strutting in them *wink*wink*.

Ronke Adeshina: Shoe Care

Ronke Adeshina: Shoe Care

Some hints and tips on caring for shoes.

The appearance of old scuffed and worn brown leather shoes can be improved by the application of scratch polish sold for use on polished wooden furniture.
To clean suede shoes - instead of using a wire suede brush which takes off the top layer of the leather try using masking tape.
	To clean nubuck leather use a very fine sandpaper - brings it up like new.
To clean patent leather shoes rub in petroleum jelly and leave for a while to soak in. Then buff up with a soft clean cloth.  This will not only keep them shiny but also prevent them from cracking.
	To keep leather soft and supple, apply a little castor oil and leave to dry, then clean in the usual way.
Castor oil is also useful for waterproofing the underneath of leather soles.
	If crepe soles become sticky, put talcum powder on them and this will resolve the problem.
Shoe/Boot zips getting stuck - run a lead pencil down the zip and they will run smoothly.
	If crepe soled shoes become stiff put them in a warm oven (70 to 100 deg) for a minute and they will become flexible again.
To stretch tight shoes, pack with potato peelings and leave for 48hrs.
	If you are unable to tighten shoes laces because your feet are not "deep" enough - pad out under the lace area with a small piece of rubber.
To give an antique look to a light pair of shoes, polish with a much darker polish than the leather colour.
	To create a pair of "flamenco" dance shoes, put carpet tacks in soles at the toes and heels. Be careful the tacks do not go through the inside of the shoe though.
If lace ends fray making them difficult to thread - hold end over a lighted match for a moment, this should fuse the fibres together.
	To freshen up an old pair of shoes buy new laces, perhaps in a contrasting colour.
If laced shoes are uncomfortable over instep, loosen laces from the bottom up then put  the lace ends back through the second from top holes before tying.  This will give more room over foot but will allow the laces to be tightened enough to hold the shoe on.
	To prevent shoe laces untying put polish on laces and leave to dry overnight, then rethread into shoes - should hold O.K. now.
If brightly coloured leather becomes faded in certain areas, use an oil pastel of the same colour over the affected areas then top up with a neutral wax polish.  Buff up and hey presto!
	To stretch shoes, slip a leak-proof plastic bag into the shoe, fill with water, ensuring it fills the shoe completely.  Close securely and freeze.  The water expands and stretches the shoe. I put a shoe that is too tight on and put rubbing alcohol (surgical spirit) on the tight spot and walk around with the shoe on.  It has worked for me for many years. It has never hurt the leather.   Jean Beideck
White salt stains on leather shoes are extremely difficult to remove and the treatment risky. You could try, however, mixing a mild washing-up liquid with an equal amount of white spirit and enough water to make a creamy solution (1:1::4 ratio).  Work this over the entire shoe, giving extra attention to the salt mark, before rinsing and gently drying.  This will remove the polish and, with luck, the salt stain.  Repolish when completely dry.   As any treatment only removes the surface salt line, the stain may well reappear.     (culled from Hints and tips by Bervie McCrea)

Shoe Care

Shoes protect and shield our feet whenever we are on our feet in the outdoors. We wear our shoes when we go out for walks, strolls or running. However, in most cases, we do not take the effort to put in the little effort it takes to care for our shoes. A little effort in doing so can help extend the working life of our shoes a long way. The following are a couple of steps that you can take to care for your shoes.

One sure way of caring for your shoes is to keep them clean. I do this all the time. Once I return from anywhere I go to, I make sure I clean my shoes before I store them. Doing this makes it easier and faster to clean the shoes the next time am going to wear them. Whenever your shoes get dirty (e.g. you get caught in the rain), the dirt will eat into the protective layer of your shoes. This causes coloration and hastens the wear and tear in your shoes. As such, after each use, if your shoes are dirty, give it a good clean before you store it away. Also, in most cases, cleaning it right after use takes much less effort than cleaning a pair of shoes that has already got dirt set on it for a long time.

Besides cleaning your shoes regularly, you can also take preventive maintenance. For example, you can apply a good layer of water resistant protective 'cream' and stain remover before first use. This normally extends the life span of the factory applied protective layer of your shoes. For leather shoes, apply protective material like polish regularly to nourish the leather and keep its shine. This also helps to keep the color consistent. Another method of preventive maintenance is to use foot spray deodorants in your shoes. Foot sprays protect your shoes from bad odour (for those whose foot smells. This is a topic for another day)
You should also wear socks whenever possible while you are wearing your shoes. This is especially so if your feet sweat easily. Socks help to absorb the sweat and prevent sweat salt layers from form in your shoes. However, try not to wear the socks for too longer periods without washing. Ideally you should send your socks to laundry after every use.

The next thing to do is to take notice of the wear at the tips and soles of your shoes. If you actively use your shoes and wear is fast, you should consider applying reinforcements (e.g. changing the bottom layer of the sole) before the wear eats into the main body of sole. Also, if you drive regularly and find that the wear in your shoes are constantly made worse by the friction applied on your shoes while driving, you can consider keeping a cheap 'for driving only' pair of shoes in your car.

Finally, you also need to take steps to protect your shoes when you are not using them while you are at home. As most people have multiple pairs of shoes, most of their shoes are kept in the shoe rack waiting the shoes' next use. These shoes should be kept in boxes to prevent dust collection and prevent them from ending up being chewed your pets. The boxes also protect the shoes from getting crushed if you have limited space at home and keep all of your shoes lumped together in a closet.To know where a particular shoe is, you can take pictures of your shoes and label each boxes with the pictures. To be more creative, you can draw pictures of your shoes, colour them and put them on the boxes to know where a particular shoe is.
Also, before putting your shoes into boxes, you should also use shoe trees to protect the form of you shoes. Shoe trees maintain the original shape of your shoes and prevent them from being crushed. You can easily get this accessory from shoe stores nowadays. In fact, some shoes come with trees right from the factory.

Basic Little Steps To Take To Care For Your Shoes

Polish your leather shoes regularly to preserve moisture and maintain shine.
 
 

If the heels of your shoes are worn down or cracked take them to a cobbler to see if they can be fixed.

 

Waterproof suede and nubuck shoes and use a soft bristled brush to lightly lift away dirt.

 

 Fabric or canvas shoes can often be cleaned by hand or machine washing. Fill them with crumpled newsletter after washing to maintain their shape while drying.

Rotate your shoes by wearing a different pair every other day. This will help your shoes last longer and wear less.

 

Constant rubbing against your skin can cause uneven wear of your shoes. Try changing the thickness of your socks until you find a pair that keeps the shoes from rubbing you the wrong way.

As you can see, the above suggestions are very easy to follow and you may even find that you are already doing so. Remember that a little effort goes a long way in protecting the life span of your shoes.