With May just around the corner, it’s time to start packing up those bulky Winter clothes and get your wardrobe ready for Spring!  Maybe you already have your Spring/Summer wardrobe stashed away, ready to be flaunted under the sun, but if you’re like the ladies I know, you’re waiting to pick up those few new pieces that really flatter you.  Here are some of my suggestions to get the sensual silhouette that’s perfect for your body type.  Don’t forget!  You don’t have to have a perfect body to love and wear the latest fashions; you just have to select clothes that are flattering to your unique shape!

1.  Curvy

If you have a beautiful voluptuous figure, the 1950s should be your go-to decade.  Thanks to designers of the era like Christian Dior, the ultra-feminine fifties look was dependent on a full bustline, small nipped waist, and rounded soft hips.  You should look for dresses that provide a fitted bodice and a waistline at the natural level, with a full knee length skirt. It is a versatile silhouette; pick a pretty floral for daytime, or a sophisticated black for night.

Chanel, Spring 2011

2. Thin

If you are naturally thin, you should be looking to past decades like the 1920s, when young and androgynous fashions were in style.  This Spring, there were many Twenties’ references on the high fashion runways.  If you are slim, you can definitely wear the straight-cut, tubular shapes that don’t cling to curves.  Thin women also have the luxury of wearing menswear-inspired silhouettes very well; if you are adventurous, you can always wear a tailored pantsuit in lieu of a dress for a super chic look.

Prada Spring 2011

3. Tall

Having long legs is a definite asset for Spring 2011.  Many designers showed 1970s-inspired collections (think of Marc Jacob’s signature line, and Louis Vuitton’s collection).  With a tall figure, you can wear the 70s-style, high-waisted trousers really well; team them up with wooden platforms for a retro-inspired look.  Also, the long maxi skirts of the seventies are making a comeback; these are super flattering on a tall body, and are a great way to beat the heat of Summer!

Marc Jacobs Spring 2011

4. Short

The short woman should look to the 1960s for sartorial guidance this season.  With a petite frame you should keep hemlines above the knee to avoid looking stumpy.  The sixties were famous for the miniskirt; they are flirty and fun but also help to visually lengthen legs.  Pair a miniskirt with some ballet flats for an easy summertime look.  Also, the ankle-length cigarette pant of the early Sixties works well on a small frame, and is office appropriate.

3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2011

Want to ask me about fashion?

E-mail me! alexis@nowthatslingerie.com

Photo sources:

Chanel: www.style.com

Prada: http://rawdenimbar.blogspot.com/2011/01/trdb-spring-2011-runway-drool.html

Marc Jacobs:  http://bedazzlesafterdark.onsugar.com/Marc-Jacobs-Spring-2011-RTW-10998853

Phillip Lim: www.style.com

1. Prada

It’s no secret that Miuccia Prada is a trendsetter extraordinaire; concepts and styles set by her house always are copied repeatedly throughout the fashion world. For spring, Prada showed a wonderful collection whose focus was really on color and print.  Dresses cut from saturated, primary colors were adorned with graphic baroque prints, as well as playful banana and monkey prints.  The major trend of this collection, however, were the stripes. Based on her track record, it won’t be hard to find stripes adorning everything this season (including your knickers)!

4993 Andie Sleeveless Tank Dress by Papillon Blanc

2. Louis Vuitton Marc Jacobs continued his retro-obsession with a fun and campy disco inspired collection. These glamorous and decadent ensembles would look right at home in a dark Paris nightclub circa 1978.  Silhouettes were slick and modern, inspired by a mix of art deco sophistication and Chinese traditional cheongsams.  The story here was really the fabrics; colors were bold, metallic and shiny; black was combined with strong purples, reds, and fuschias. There were great floral prints as well; the iris motif made an appearance everywhere on the LV runway.

Arianne Lingerie 5191 Phoebe Floral Cotton Bustier with Padded Underwire

 Designer Peter Dundas showed a super sexy, 1970s inspired collection of draped bohemian dresses mixed with tightly tailored, menswear inspired pantsuits.  The house of Pucci has always been known for their unique prints, and spring proved to be no different. The prints Dundas used evoke the colors and landscape of the Mediterranean; sea-foam blues and sandy whites were combined with sunburnt oranges, reds, and browns. Trimmings were a big part of this collection: there were lots of ruffles, pom-poms, and laced details.

3. Emilio Pucci

Bra Doctor Lingerie 1591 Nudepersian Printed Pleasures Blue Bra Doctor Balconette

4. Christopher KaneKane’s spring collection was a unique juxtaposition of classic silhouettes combined with outrageous color. The look was that of the early 1960s; think of the prim and proper Chanel skirt suits worn by First Lady Jackie Kennedy.  Kane’s version, however, was executed in neon colors straight out of the 1980s.  The standout fabric of this collection were the leathers used for structured skirts and jackets, laser cut to look like delicate lace. Thanks to designers like Kane, lace is a major trend for spring.

Arianne Lingerie 9248 Miriam Short-Sleeved Cotton Top with Lace

5. Lanvin

Spring, according to Alber Elbaz this year, is a simple, yet elegant chic. This collection contained many wearable and comfortable looking clothes; even the killer Lanvin stilettos were replaced with stylish flats and sandals.  The clothes had the look of a ‘second skin’; fabrics were soft and form fitting, and there were lots of natural earthy tones in beige, browns, and taupes. Fine pin tucks and pleats were a design feature, as were asymmetrical silhouettes.

220042 Angel Flirt Silk-Cotton Camisole with Ruffles by Blush Lingerie

Happy Springtime everyone, and please feel free to comment on  trends you think are important this season!

Information source:

www.style.com

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