Bottom Heavy

If you have a figure that is bottom heavy, meaning you carry your weight around the bottom half of your body, then an A-line dress is what you are looking for.  Alternatively, an empire waist (where the dress is fitted to the bust area, but then comes out beneath that) is also a great choice for bottom heavy ladies.  The reason these styles are so good is because an A-line dress and an empire line dress will emphasise the upper body, taking all of the attention away from the bottom half of the body.

Top Heavy

If you are heavier on top then do not go for anything that is too revealing or cut too low.  Wearing a low cut dress will draw the attention to the top of your body.  The best style of neckline is something with a high scoop neck or a square neck.  Additionally, you do not want to buy a dress made in a fabric that will hug too closely to your skin. 

Boy Figures

For those ladies who are small with a very boyish figure (straight up and down) then you want a dress that hugs you tightly.  Additionally, go for something with frills and gathering as this will give you shape.  Be careful not to choose a dress that is too loose, because it is likely to drown you.

Length and Style

A general rule to follow is that if you have strapless dresses or one that is low cut then do not choose a dress that is shorter than just above the knee.  If the dress you choose is less revealing up top, then do not be afraid to choose a shorter style.

Finally once you find a style that fits why don’t you introduce some colour into your wardrobe like the dresses below.

Colourful dresses

The department store Hema claim that the push up bra Andrej Pejic is modelling can boost women’s busts by two cups.  This is illustrated by the fact that Andrej’s no-cup chest does appear to have been enhanced to a B cup in the advertising campaign pictures.

The campaign pictures have only recently been released.  However, they have sparked a huge reaction and response, with Pejic’s agent referring to the campaign as revolutionary.  Fans have been using online forums and social websites to comment, many believe the HEMA campaign is outstanding, stating that if a male model can look good in a push up bra, it must work.  

It is believed that a male model has never modelled women’s underwear for an advert campaign before.

Andrej Pejic other fashion shoots

Donna Karan exclaims “This collection was about the empowerment of women, their words of wisdom and their ability to be strong and take a stand without giving up their femininity.” And she explains this is what has influenced her to bring back the bold statements pieces such as the famous, knee length skirt.

Other designers, such as Gaultier, kept it sexy and included a slight modern-edge to the collection, by adding a revealing thigh-high slit to pencil skirts, while Jonathan Saunders used a series of unexpected colour combinations to help and an ‘upbeat vibe.’

Whatever your fashion style, you would be stupid to miss out on ‘forties fashion’ this season. For those who aren’t as confident when it comes to fashion, you could always start by adding just a few pearls to an outfit. Once the confidence is gained, you can always go the extra-mile and go for the complete look!

Forties fashions

The key to conquering this look would be to avoid going OTT. One shining piece is all you need to ensure your look is stand-out without looking like you are from out-of-space. You should aim to mix you metallic piece with simple shirts, basic knits and matte, leather accessories.

It is important to remember, you don’t have to wear this look to ensure you stand out from the crowd. Metallic jewellery in the form of necklaces or cuffs can be a nice addition to an outfit, without being too much. You don’t have to steal the show.

On the other hand, it can be nice to stand out, especially if you have a nightlife event or a special occasion to go to. Sequin dresses, can be bold statement, and are proving to be very popular this season. When wearing a sequin dress, you should wear minimal jewellery and minimal make-up; you don’t want to distract the attention from your lovely (and most likely expensive) dress!

If a dress isn’t really your style, but you really want to try out the look, then be a bit different. There’s certainly nothing wrong with pairing up metallic jumpers or a blazer with a pair of tailored trousers! Go for it!

Metallics and glitter

Bold colours are back with a vengeance for this autumn/winter season.  This means that coloured trench coats are all the rage too.  If you are feeling particularly brave, try a statement trench coat in a colour such as red, orange, bright blue or green.  If the thought of wearing a coloured trench is simply too much to bear, you could opt for a camel coloured trench coat instead.  A natural coloured trench coat is a beneficial addition to your wardrobe as it can work in harmony with almost every other colour in your wardrobe. 

Trench coats are available to suit even the smallest of budgets.  However, as it is a versatile piece, it is often worth splashing out on this fashion must-have.  The trench coat is reluctant to leave the catwalk and so is one of the best investments you could make.  A trench coat that is well-looked after can be your body armour in times of rain or shine.

Trench coats

All Belted Up

Belts are the fundamental style accessory, serving both a functional and decorative purpose.  The range of leather belts available today is stunning; this season, over-long belts additionally knotted at the waist, as well as extremely narrow belts have been seen in a number of designer collections.  Equally popular is the wide-width belt, used as a waist-cincher to enhance one’s figure.

One trend that is making waves is that of vintage leather belts, the vintage look being achieved either through recycling or by finishing.  Vintage blue leather belts and woven belts are an essential in one’s wardrobe.  Other vintage belts seen on the fashion-conscious are the 1970s skinny kitch and classic black leather variety.

The cowgirl and biker trends are also hugely popular this season with studs enjoying a comeback.  Wide leather belts with simple buckles and cut-out decorations complete the cowgirl look and add a dash of adventure to one’s outfit.  Oversized buckles are another rage this season; these belts add class to any outfit and turn the most ordinary ensemble into something glamorous.

Finally, for that ultra-sophisticated evening glamour look, try a python-skin leather belt or an animal print, three-hook belt, sure to add a touch of chic to any night time outfit.  A leather belt can jazz up day wear or bring instant elegance to a tired trend, so stock your wardrobe with this style enhancer now.

Snaky Sleek

Sophisticated and very grown-up, the python print makes a bold statement and is a trend most fashionistas have embraced this season.  The simplest way to add python print to your wardrobe is to grab yourself a simple python print handbag.   A new trend this fall is the wool python bag; python skin backed by wool to give it a fabric-like finish.   Available in evening clutch, doctor’s bag and removable cross-body strap styles, these trendy handbags are the perfect addition to your wardrobe.

Besides python print bags, other items that will definitely grab attention are python print silk blouses and python print knee boots.  While python print silk blouses look great in bare neutral prints, a few designers are also getting bolder by incorporating the print in striking shades like blue.  The best way to wear these blouses is to pair them with white trousers or dark-washed denims.  Complete the look by teaming the outfit with leather pumps.  With python print, it is better to let the outfit do most of the talking, going minimal on accessories.  Python printed dresses look stunning with neutral military jackets or cargo vests, so make the most of these style enhancers.

Python print shoes range from trendy clogs to pointed toe pumps, plus the eternal favourite, python print knee-high boots.  Pair these with monochrome, neutral coloured dresses to achieve a standout look.  Coordinating python print with python print can be a huge fashion faux pas, so remember to keep things simple.

Well it’s not as hard as you think, there are numerous different styles and trends available in stores so you can find a style to suit your size and shape. Picking the right dress for your shape is important because it can make the difference between fashionable and frumpy. It’s a good idea to experiment with a number of different styles to see what do and doesn’t suit.

Once your dress is sorted the next step is shoes, you need to remember there is a good chance you will be on your feet for a while so making sure your shoes are comfortable is important, but then so is style. Wearing your shoes in first can help and so can gel insoles for extra comfort. Make sure your shoes complement your outfit, sometimes an outfit can be thrown off with the wrong shoes and accessories.

Final touches such as jewellery and makeup are designed to complement and finish off your outfit so don’t go too over the top. If your dress, shoes and bag stand out on their own adding jewellery and making your make up do the same can be too much. For busy outfits simple make up and jewellery will look a lot better. However if you have a rather simple dress and accessories then maybe statement jewellery and make up can finish off the look.

Gender Bender Style

One of the biggest features of the winter scene has undoubtedly been the tomboy style, with boys’ and girls’ wardrobes seeing many common pieces of clothing.  Fashion trends like the 80s-inspired boyfriend jeans have accustomed women to the loose-fitted, baggy look, and this autumn-winter collection takes the look further with suit jackets, shirts and even men’s flat shoes.

A few designers have chosen to break the monochrome of the all-masculine look by adding plunging necklines to silk shirts and heels along with sparkly trousers.  Another feminine twist has also been seen in the form of gilded embroidery and ornate sequin work.  Decorative work has been used to add a touch of ladylike charm to the otherwise severe men’s tailcoats and riding jackets.

Among the line of jackets and coats for winter 2011 are aviator jackets and Russian-style military jackets in intense colours like electric blue or deep green.  The androgynous look is in this season and audiences across runways the world over are getting a taste of gender shake-up.  So with those feminine curves hidden under layers of jackets and overcoats, be ready to look and feel like one of the boys.

All That Glitters

The big version of the humble sequin, used on many of this season’s outfits, has given rise to a 3-D mermaid-like trend that is fast catching on.  Part of the appeal of the high shine trend is that it suits all body types and is easy to put together.  A word of advice from fashion gurus however, is not to go overboard with the high-gloss sequin look by matching outfits with sequined accessories.  Rather, the balancers to this look are sensible shoes, minimal make up and sleek, simple hairstyles.

Designers chose the monochrome look again this season as the base for their sequined creations, with sheer whites and opaque blacks making a bold style statement.  Seen on the ramp were off-the-shoulder floor-length gowns made for red carpet glamour as well as short-hemmed mini-skirts and sheath dresses perfect for partying in.

Speaking of accessories, sequins have made their appearance on a number of sleek creations with effects like rhombus shapes, triangles, mother of pearl, fabric dots and gelatin paper sequins.  Jazz up your wardrobe with these shimmering designs inspired by the Roaring Twenties and make an uber-chic statement this season.