1) Show skin – selectively.

I love the flirty, boho look of this one-shouldered top!

Showing skin is a surefire way to capture any man’s attention, but you want to make sure that the wide-eyed, mouth-agape face he’s got on when he first lays eyes on you means, “Oh-My-God-I’m-On-A-Date-With-a-Goddess!” and not because your outfit lacks subtlety (and coverage!).  Remember: Less is more! The key is to only expose ONLY one part of your body at a time: legs, shoulders, cleavage or back – never all at once. The one-shouldered look is here to stay for a second summer, and with the right bra, provides the perfect way to strut your stuff (and some bare skin!) elegantly. The Triumph Full Fashion Diamond Jacquard Bra is convertible, meaning you can go strapless or, for more support, switch up the straps for one-shouldered support!

Triumph Full Fashion Diamond Jacquard Convertible Bra

2) Go bold in brights!

A dress as bright as this eye-catching green number is guaranteed not to be forgotten.

Color is another way to make a real statement. When a woman wears a bold color it shows that she is daring, confident and strong – now that’s a memorable impression! Spring is also a great time to experiment with color because it is everywhere! Pinks, greens, blues, yellows and oranges are filling the racks of all the stores right now, so you have plenty of options!  (Click here to read one of my previous blogs to find the most flattering colors for your skin tone.) This bright green, cotton dress is a perfect look of casual femininity that looks polished without trying too hard. If you do choose a minidress or skirt, however, be sure to wear full-bottomed seamless panties! That way, if by super-embarrassing chance you trip or your garment rides up, you will avoid totally flashing the world and (most importantly!) your date. The Naturana Lingerie Young Design Brief shown here is a great panty that guarantees coverage and comes in a pretty deep blue color!

The Naturana Lingerie Young Design Brief

3) Dress comfortably!

April Cotton Camisole by Arianne Lingerie

How is your lovely personality supposed to shine through if all you can think about is how your belt is digging into your stomach? And nothing is worse than trying to hold a conversation with someone while you sit there and sweat profusely in the heat.  Ick! With Summer just around the corner, a beautiful, loose-fitting and lightweight camisole can provide the perfect top to wear for a first date on a hot summer evening! This April Cotton Camisole by Arianne Lingerie is made with breathable 100% cotton and has adjustable straps, giving you a Bohemian flair no matter where you go!

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So, there you have it ladies; follow these instructions and go out and flaunt it!

Happy dating!

Rachel

I’ve often been told that I was born in the wrong decade, and I am compelled to agree!  My father raised me on classic rock and the genre has, therefore, remained my favourite since childhood. In my opinion, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Fleetwood Mac, The Mamas and the Papas and earlier work by Neil Young and Aerosmith, just to name a few, have produced some of the greatest music to date.  My contemporary music interests often channel a 70s vibe, too! MGMT, for example, has a distinctly Psychadelic-Rock sound that is chillingly evocative of Pink Floyd, and the Indie-Folk movement often carries strong Cat Stevens/Neil Young undertones (think Mumford and Sons and Bon Iver). As much as I love the music, though, 70s fashions have also thoroughly captivated me.

Think about it – flowy, feminine dresses, flared pants that enhance the female form, dreamy flowered tops and funky, eye-catching graphic prints – how fun is that?! Fashion designers have agreed with me for the past few years, but past collections have focused largely on the bohemian look, when in reality, one of the greatest things about fashion in the 70s was its variety! What sets this year’s 70s revival apart from any other are the its multiple interpretations this time around. I’ve got four personal favourites: 70s Glam, Bohemian, Fancy Dress and clothing with an Edgy, 70s-inspired twist.

Here are three gorgeous trends that successfully embody each style. This is so great because it means that everyone can partake in the 70s revival and stay true to their own personal style at the same time!

1. Maxi Dresses

The bright orange number on the far left is a stunning example of the 70s Glam look and a great example for a bold and fearless lady who gets a thrill out of making a statement wherever she goes, as all eyes will undoubtedly be drawn to the bright citrus colour and decadent neckline. My Bohemian selection is a super-pretty and ultra-feminine option for anyone who likes to keep in touch with their girly side. What’s so great about this look is that it can be dressed up for, say for a date, or down, simply by adding a stylish jean jacket. The Fancy black, assymetrical dress is a gorgeous 70s-inspired look that is attention-grabbing, while still appropriate for any formal occasion, and finally, for an Edgy, more casual, funky look, take a walk on the wild side with a maxi in a bold, geometric print like the one on the far right!

2. Platforms

These Glam shoes are made of luxurious, coloured suede, making them an excellent addition to any outfit that needs a pop of colour! The Bohemian wedges shown here are super comfortable, and add a feminine touch to any casual outfit. These Fancy pink shoes show a formal interpretation of the platforms trend, and finally, the Edgy pair on the far right (my personal favourite) are wild and a little crazy, while still extremely fashionable and wearable!

3. Fringes

The breathtaking Glam necklace shown here is classy and timeless, easily integrating itself into many an outfit. The Bohemian beaded bag is an equally versatile piece, as well as an incredibly practical option considering its size and the comfort offered by the long shoulder strap! The Fancy black, fringed skirt is fun and flirty while still maintaining a professional look and the incredibly Edgy black leather jacket at the far right shows loads of attitude and and actually looks great paired with an uber-feminine dress and heels!

As you can see, the choices are endless when it comes to the 70′s trend! Whether you are a diva, a free spirit, or going for a classy or totally edgy look, you can still put a fun, eye-catching spin on your look. And as a final note, this look can be great if you’re shopping on a budget! While high-end designers are indeed tapping into the retro look, true vintage is always available… And personally, I get quite the thrill out of a good bargain.

Peace and Love, my friends!

Xoxo

Rachel

What are YOU doing this summer? Weddings, parties & weekend getaways are already filling up my calendar.  I enlisted the help of some girlfriends to help me sift through my closet, and donate things I haven’t worn in ages.  Now, the quest to find the right clothes for each occasion– a serious challenge for any woman! My goal is to escape the darker tones from Fall and Winter past, and invite some color into my wardrobe… all while taking advice from the pros and top designers (and sometimes, my girls).

Sunshine 2-Way Reversible Top with Bell Sleeves by Papillon Blanc, available at Now That's Lingerie.com

Quit playing it safe with basic colors! Stand out from the crowd– whether at barbecues, weddings, beach parties, or on a dinner date– with head-turning prints that make a bold statement.  Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Furstenburg, Betsey Johnson and other designers include eye-catching colors and mesmerizing prints in their Spring 2010 runway styles.

Papillon Blanc’s newest Ready-to-Wear collections are walking canvases of rich colors emblazoned on luxurious microfiber fabric.  Stunning dresses and tops incorporate warm blends of amber, rose, gold and cool turquoise tones, with splashes of basic white and black for contrast.  Abstract floral and paisley prints definitely break the monotony from your usual basics, but are still versatile and demure enough to wear anytime: to weddings, dinner dates, cocktail parties or work engagements.  Tone it up or down with your hairdo, jewelry, shoes and bag, but keep the volume low: bring out only one color with your add-ons, or stick to basic white, taupe and black to really emphasize the uniqueness of your outfit.

Fashion tips, trend alerts or advice?  Share them with us!

Comment here, on Twitter, or contact me at
lisa@nowthatslingerie.com.

See you soon with a sneak peek of what’s in store for Fall fashion!
Lisa

It’s hard for most anyone (other than models, of course) to look classy when wearing an ultra-short dress or skirt.  Thankfully, the rest of us can be satisfied with knee-length dresses and skirts that reveal just a flattering peek of our thighs!  If your outfit is a bit sheer and you don’t want to reveal that much skin, try wearing something else underneath.  Arianne’s Kelly collection has a 19″ half-slip with a lacy hem on the bottom for skirts, and a basic, opaque 35″ full slip for dresses, with adjustable spaghetti straps.

Kelly 19" half-slip with lace hem, Kelly 35" adjustable full slip, both by Arianne and available at Now That's Lingerie.com

Plus, try wearing some invisible underwear to eliminate any panty lines!  Take a look at Elita’s aptly-named Invisible collection.  This way, nothing but your beauty will detract from your sexy outfit!

Elita low-rise Invisible panties (thongboy and thong shown), available at Now That's Lingerie.com

Check out last week’s Style update: Ruffle-Mania!
Stay tuned for your next style update: Boyfriend Blazers (& what to wear under them)!

Questions about fashion and beauty?  Ask me!
e-mail me at lisa@nowthatslingerie.com!