FabSugar

Fab Body Guide: Elongate Yourself

FabSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:00:08 PST

You've all heard that black makes you look slimmer and taller. While that's true, it's not the only trick in the book. There are a dozen other ways to elongate yourself without having to look goth. Take a look at the real-life examples below. For The Spirit LA premiere, Eva Mendes chose a Bill Blass maxi that, because it grazed the carpet, made her appear taller. Vertical stripes, as shown in the center editorial, and long cardigans, like on Katie Holmes, can also do the trick. Proceed for more tips.

Maxi Dresses: Like in Eva's case, maxi dresses give the illusion of tallness because they provide one straight line from top to bottom, without any interruptions.
Long Cardigans: It's a misconception that everything long makes you look tall. But a long cardigan, past your waist, is one casual way to do it. The darker the color the better.
Long, Wide-Leg Trousers: Be sure to find a style that grazes the floor, and preferably covers your shoes. They're never to be worn with flats, only high heels!
Platforms: It's no secret that platform shoes can literally add inches to your height. For a more subtle approach, choose a shoe with a hidden platform.
Vertical Stripes: Unlike horizontal stripes, which cut you off, vertical stripes keep going and going.

To see more tips, and to shop a widget of elongating pieces,

Trench Coats: A thigh-length trench coat is a slick, sophisticated way to appear tall, especially when worn with over-the-knee boots. Avoid anything longer than the knee, please.
Over-the-Knee Boots: Speaking of over-the-knee boots, ones with high heels will give you an extra boost. Just be sure to wear them with demure clothing; you don't want to look sketchy.
Dark Colors: Black, dark brown, navy, dark gray - these moody hues and others like them are right for looking slim and tall.
Long, Skinny Scarves: Throw on an extra long, extra skinny scarf to take the focus away from your outfit.
Turtlenecks: These give the illusion of a long neck, so they're perfect for those who have a short one.
High-Waist Styles: Whether its skirts, shorts, or pants, if you have a flat tummy, high-waisted styles can make your torso appear inches longer.
Opera Gloves: Unlike cropped gloves, opera styles go past your elbow and make your arms appear super slender.

Source and Source

Lanvin Fall 2012

FabSugar — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 07:23:04 PST

Feminine opulence pervaded the Lanvin Fall 2012 collection, and how gorgeous it was. Elbaz has always stressed the importance of designing for women, and in this collection, women's curves took center stage, with the focus on the waist. The defining factors? Peplum, balloon sleeves, and lots of belting and draping, which weaved themselves mostly into dresses, but outerwear and richly-hued furs as well. The show opened with a series of jewel-hued pieces - sleek shifts with ruffled details at the neck or down the back, peplum tops paired with slim pencil skirts - then moved through a sexy series of black outfits of leather and fur fit for the edgy city chick. The final act was the most theatrical - dresses were embellished with lace and jewels, or done in rich velvet, or layered with ruffled, jewel-toned furs and accessorized with opera gloves. Finally, the jewelry: statement necklaces fit for a queen, but sure to decorate the necks of fashionable girls everywhere next season. Click to see the whole collection, as it's a beauty.

Trends: Bejeweled dresses, peplum, ruffles, opulent dressing, belting, elbow-length gloves.
Colors: Purple, blue, red, hunter green, gold, gray, black.
Key Piece: Bejeweled, curvaceous cocktail dresses; the peplum tops, the jewelry.
Accessories: Big, fit-for-a-queen statement necklaces.
Who Would Wear It: Fashion-forward glamour girls - Natalie Portman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Julianne Moore.

Christian Dior Fall 2012

Marisa Tom — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:06:08 PST

Most girls spend their childhood days dreaming of fairytale endings and prima ballerina flights of fancy. To this point, we imagine the Christian Dior Fall 2012 lineup brought to life so many of those diaphanous frocks and ballgowns conjured up in our heads. Creamy pinks and pastels, full-skirted silhouettes, and strong ballerina references - right down to the ankle-strap heels - punctuated the collection. There were silky knotted-at-the-nape dresses, super-cinched waists (belted, at that), tailored peplum tops with rich stone embroideries at the neckline, and an aprés-dance sweater-over-dress look cute enough to inspire us all to hit the barre. The equally feminine accessories - wide belts, opera-length leather gloves, luxe beanies, portfolio clutches, and pointe-shoe-inspired heels - provided a well-rounded polish to each frothy lilac, pink, and muted gray creation. Rich in cut and girlie proportions, the final gowns proved to be worthy of the princess-like ensembles that preceded them - both in red-carpet wearability and elegance. It was a perfectly ladylike showing of nipped waists and sophisticated, flowing silhouettes, with just the softest pops of paisley and houndstooth prints. See below for more Christian Dior details.

Trends: Full-skirted silhouettes (often belted), cinched waists, peplum, pale pastels, and ballerina-inspired frocks.
Colors: Dusty pink, gray, lilac, black, creamy beige, ivory, and pops of midnight blue.
Key Piece: Diaphanous full skirts, belted, and topped off with ballerina-worthy ankle-strap pumps.
Accessories: Ankle-strap pumps, slick wide belts, opera-length leather gloves, portfolio clutches, and cashmere-knit beanies.
Who Would Wear It: Ladies who can't live without an ultra-flirty silhouette, like Sarah Jessica Parker, Emma Stone, and Natalie Portman.

Ann Demeulemeester Fall 2012

Marisa Tom — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 10:24:52 PST

Don't be deterred by Ann Demeulemeester's Fall 2012 tough-girl exterior and Edward Scissorhands-inspired coifs, this collection was chock-full of gorgeously elegant dresses, skirts with expertly deconstructed pleats, and perfectly structured outerwear. Like our antihero Edward Scissorhands, we think this blue- and black-hued lineup shows off a mean-looking exterior at first glance, but the sum of its parts are acutely beautiful with a serious dose of edge and excellent tailoring upon further examination. Be sure to take note of the standout styles: high-necked, floor-sweeping frocks paired with leather opera-length gloves, slick leather pants tucked into slouchy thigh-high moto boots, and biker-inspired jackets featuring slim sleeves and asymmetrical folds. See below for more Ann Demeulemeester details.

Trends: Deconstructed pleats, strong outerwear, long sweeping dresses, thigh-high boots, and leather pants.
Colors: Black and midnight blue.
Key Piece: No Winter wardrobe should be without one of Ann Demeulemeester's utilitarian-chic coats.
Accessories: Opera-length gloves and thigh-high boots.
Who Would Wear It: Ladies who prefer strong silhouettes and a dark color palette, like Rooney Mara and Liv Tyler.

Bottega Veneta Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 11:20:17 PST

For Bottega Veneta's Fall 2012 collection, Tomas Maier showed us his take on wearable luxury, highlighting sleek suiting, sharp coats, and an impressive batch of evening wear. “The look is covered up and the materials are virtually impenetrable, yet the effect is powerfully physical,” said Maier. Day wear focused on tailored coats, cropped trousers, and skirt suits featuring brooch-adorned jackets, refined blazers, and knee-length pencil skirts dipped in purple, black, and navy hues. Meanwhile, '40s-inspired shift dresses were injected with a modern touch via sliced leather insets and statement prints. The latter was featured on a striking cap-sleeve dress with a bold corset belt. Evening wear honed in on Maier's love for texture; velvet and feathered cocktail dresses and peplum gowns emoted the perfect sense of opulence, with just the right amount of mystique. For his die-hard bag ladies, Maier provided a range of reptilian-print satchels and leather clutches featuring the brand's iconic woven intrecciato technique. More details from the collection below.

Trends: Peplum, velvet, cropped trousers.
Colors: Black, purple, gray, mauve, orange, brown, navy.
Key Piece: The feather and jewel-embellished dresses were beautiful.
Accessories: Knee-high boots, opera-length gloves, reptilian-print and woven satchels, jeweled brooches, ankle-strap pumps, sheer socks.
Who Would Wear It: Victoria Beckham, Julianne Moore, and Diane Kruger; women who crave ladylike polish with a modern edge.

Alberta Ferretti Fall 2012

Marisa Tom — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:17:11 PST

Alberta Ferretti kept it simple and sleek for Fall 2012, both in color palette and in silhouette, but "simple" certainly doesn't equate to "boring" here. The plethora of sheer purples, royal blues, and crimson reds told a very rich story - one that we envision a strong, sophisticated, albeit ultra-ladylike style setter won't be able to get enough of come next cold-weather season. More specifically, the seashell-textured bodices attached to diaphanous chiffon ball skirts, monochromatic feather embellishments, and delicate sheer cocktail dresses all exuded a sensuous glamour that rightfully belongs on the red carpet. Oscars, anyone? The attention paid to lengthening shape via vertical paneling and textured piping was a strategic styling move, but more importantly, it's just a super flattering look. Whether you're a total girlie girl or more strong-willed in your fashion preferences, there's a pronounced shoulder, frilly beaded detail, and slick topper to fit the bill.

Trends: Delicate sheer sheaths, menswear-inspired outerwear, pronounced shoulders, and vertical paneling.
Colors: Purple, black, white, crimson, and royal blue.
Key Piece: The presence of pretty purples built into feminine pieces like this sheer cocktail dress were a sweet surprise. Also, we loved the intricate bead-and-feather detailing found on a handful of the black frocks.
Accessories: Round sunglasses, opera-length leather gloves, pointy-toe boots and pumps, and luxe clutches.
Who Would Wear It: We picture Rooney Mara taking on the stronger silhouettes and celebs like Kate Beckinsale and Leighton Meester donning the floor-length gowns.

Rihanna, Adele, and More at the Brit Awards - Which Look Reigns Supreme?

Chi Diem Chau — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 12:50:22 PST

The Brit Awards are happening right now, and the red carpet is starting to fill up with enviable looks from some of our favorite songstresses. Adele made an appearance wearing a black Burberry gown - very similar to the Giorgio Armani dress she wore to the Grammys - and Rihanna paired leather opera gloves with a sexy beaded Givenchy gown, while Nicole Scherzinger stunned in a studded yellow Versace creation. There's more to check out; peep the slideshow to see Lana Dey Rey in Vivienne Westwood, Florence Welch in Alexander McQueen, and an age-defying Kylie Minogue in a bright blue stunner by Yves Saint Laurent. Tell us which red-carpet look gets your vote in the comments section, then hop over to FabSugar UK to vote on all of the night's looks.

McQ by Alexander McQueen Fall 2012

Marisa Tom — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:01:48 PST

Tonight's McQ by Alexander McQueen lineup was a breathtaking showcase of stylized beauty and fashion fantasy. Considering this was the diffusion line's first-ever showing during London Fashion Week, we'd say the bar has been set pretty high. Immersed in dark tones, rich fabrics, and even richer embellishments (think velvet embroidered onto sheer lace), each nipped-waist dress marched out onto the leaf-ridden runway with just the right amount of retro nostalgia and tough-girl attitude. Standout pieces ranged from the super-structured outerwear and signature tartan plaid dress with sheer lace detailing to the brocade-felt skirts and chunky harness-inspired belts. If the impeccable designs alone weren't enough to move you into a state of awe, then tales of the spectacular finale certainly will. As model Kristen McMenamy took her final turn in an ivory lace gown, all went dark except for a spotlight overhead. From there, gold flecks were showered over her from above, she found a rope hidden beneath the foliage, and she pulled herself to the end of the catwalk where a dark enchanted forest awaited her. I promise, I am not making this up. High drama and poetic undertones aside, this collection was exquisite and featured all the tell-tale tailoring that we've come to revere from McQueen wares. Get the breakdown below.

Trends: Tulle ballerina skirts, nipped-waists, embellished lace and velvet, wide belts, long gloves, and super structured outerwear.
Colors: Black, crimson red, ivory, military green, and pops of colorful floral applique.
Key Piece: The nipped-waist shapes ruled, especially the final ivory lace dress.
Accessories: Chunky wide belts, opera-length gloves, fur neck wraps, and lace-up combat-style boots.
Who Would Wear It: The girl who loves a strong, yet ultrafeminine silhouette like Jessica Chastain, Rose Byrne, and Zoe Saldana.

Issa London Fall 2012

Marisa Tom — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 03:49:51 PST

Issa showed off bold graphic prints against softer feminine silhouettes for Fall '12 - a perfect combination of bright and ladylike. Abstaining from customary Spring florals, Issa opted for two distinctly different designs: a 1960s-inspired paisley pattern and a Far Eastern-influenced screen print. The colorful prints took shape in kimono-style caftans, knot-cinched dresses, tunic-and-trouser combos, and jumpsuits – all of which had a totally wearable retro-fun vibe. In addition, we spotted an emerald green, Kate Middleton-worthy wrap dress and a funkier fur-enhanced, cap-sleeved frock that were just begging to be added to our Fall must-haves list. While Issa maintained its casual, eclectic feel, the collection, as a whole, gave us even more reason to believe that the dress-over-pants trend is coming back, the resurgence of opera-length gloves is real, and Asian-inspired silhouettes are here to stay. For more details, see below.

Trends: Japanese-inspired silhouettes, '60s prints, dresses over pants, and fur-enhanced sleeves.
Colors: Green, red, blue, brown, gold, and black.
Key Piece: The form-fitting emerald green wrap dress and the Asian-inspired metallic sheaths with fur capped sleeves.
Accessories: Fur cossack hats, fur handbags, strappy gold sandals, red-and-black T-strap heels, and riding boots.
Who Would Wear It: Issa's core group of fans, including Kate Middleton and Madonna.

Elie Tahari Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 10:18:32 PST

Elie Tahari was all about "real women" for Fall '12, and to further prove that point, he enlisted his friends, family, and staff to model the collection. Amongst the casual, party-like setting - his "models" were spotted sipping champagne and even cradling a baby - Tahari showcased a jewel-toned mix of separates and some luxe accessories. Jackets and blazers were refreshed with tonal pairings, trousers ranged from slim to wide-legged, and smart sheath dresses were elevated with laser cutouts. Meanwhile, an array of leather and fur touches injected a modernized touch across the board. Highlights included a purple asymmetrical leather jacket paired with a cobalt silk top and cropped trousers, and a tonal colorblocked blazer. More details from the collection below.

Trends: Colored fur, peplum.
Colors: Blue, navy, purple, black, fuchsia.
Key Look: The purple asymmetrical leather jacket and fur accessories.
Accessories: Ankle boots, patent pumps, leather opera gloves, fur clutches.
Who Would Wear It: Everyday working women looking to add a chic touch to their look.