THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS

Hey fashion lovers,

This is your friendly stylist writing about something very classic this week it is none other than the little black dress and how to spice it up.

No closet is complete without a fabulous little black number, but if you’re looking for new ways to wear a black dress. Black is a neutral colour that looks great with a variety of other outfit choices, so you’re sure to find a new look or two that you’ll turn to all the time. The only problem is, with so many ways to wear a black dress; you might have a hard time picking which one to try first.

I love my black dress. I wear it to so many events; I might need to invest in a new one. Where do you wear your favourite black dress? Do you make it fancy or stay with a minimal look?
Here we go with some awesome tips to spice up your little black dress.

·       WITH LOTS OF JEWELLERY - Bling looks awesome against the backdrop of a little black dress. Next time you’re headed out a slinky dress, pile on necklaces, bracelets and fancy earrings. Silver and gold are go-to options, but don’t stop there. There are plenty of ways to ramp things up by wearing pink, turquoise, and lime green and yellow. Mix and match the colours to create new and different looks every time you wear your favourite black dress.

·       WEAR BOOTS - Maybe you always throw on a pair of heels with your black dress, but it might be time to branch out to a new look. Pair your favourite with a pair of tall boots with spiky heels. Black is a classic choice, but red, purple and blue look great with a black dress too.

·       WITH A BELT - To accentuate your curves, wrap a belt around your little black dress. Choose one in black for a seamless and classic look. Or, go ahead and choose red, bright blue or pink to add a little spice to your favourite black dress. Chain belts are a fun way to add personality to your dress too. Simply drape it at your hips and watch the heads turn

·       HEAD BAND - A headband is a fun and modern way to add oomph to your little black dress, but still look different from all the other girls in town. Try one with a demure silk or felt flower. Try one that wraps around your head with a feather in back, a la the 1920s, if you’re headed to a cocktail party. A plain, but sparkly, headband is ideal for a dinner party or work event.

·       SCARF - Nothing says chic like a great scarf. And it adds that little something extra to your black dress. For work, try one with a small pattern, such as flowers or plaid. If you’re headed out on the town, go for something in bold, punchy colours or patterns to make your look one that will leave everyone talking.

·       PRINTS – prints are always fun and the best way to tell about your fun side. You can spice it up with a printed short jacket, waist coat, bag, clutch purse or a pair of printed shoes.

If you have few functions lined up if you got no time to shop again and again try these tips and change your looks with the same black dress..Believe me you are going to love the fact that you can look so cool and different at the same time.

Love fashion, experiment and test your creativity with your very own wardrobe. Have a great weekend ladies.

Write to me on crazzystylist@gmail.com

Love,

Raffealla

HIPPIE REMIX

Hey beautiful people,

This is your friendly stylist Raffealla writing again this week about something very interesting and I like to call it the Hippie remix, as many Asians like the bohemian and hippie look and love to style up with large prints, baggy clothes, details jewellery and earthy to bright shades.  I will be sharing some tips and also some information you would like to know.

Did you know that, the bell bottoms were originally made for military uniforms?
A fashion icon in the 70’s, the flared pants are back on the 2013/2014 runways. With their flared out bottoms, these pants gently go straight down making us feel somewhat wild and somewhat gypsy. Did you know that, once again, the bell bottoms were originally made for military uniforms? It is believed that they were first used by the US Navy in 1813. Later on the bell bottoms were adopted by the hippie culture, then they became popular again in the 90’s and now they are back in style in the 2013/2014 season.

·        They are a versatile garment and easy to match. Why don’t you go to the office today in a hippie remix version? Open your closet and pick a blue striped, long sleeved T-shirt with a boat neckline.

·        Let’s play down a bit the pants’ military origins. Your flared pants: dark denim or blue cotton, they are both perfect, pick the one you are more comfortable with. Heels or flats? The answer is outrageous heels and XL eco leather tote bag (chic)

·        Large geometrical shaped printed dress? Wow perfect get a thin gold belt and accessorized with some feather earrings and some chunky bangles and you are ready to go.

·        We all love floral prints so try some miss matching colours and floral prints with a contrasting colour scarf, necklace or shoes and spice up the hippie remix look.

·        How about you spice up your old pair of sneakers? Get some vintage laces, metal studs, colourful beads and decorate the shoes the way you want.. Make it crazy as much as you can.

·        Why throw you old jeans? Lets up cycle it to a funky hippie bag or pair of funky shorts. Cut the edges and work on the raw edges with thread tussles and go totally pochohunters.

·        Head bands and hair accessories can help you to easily get the bohemian look even with a simple white shirt and jeans… try out some interesting forehead bands, feather clips, feather and coloured hair extensions, fake braided hair clips, huge floral clips with touch of funky feathers.

·        How can we forget the cool casual look t-shirt and jeans...well we all love it in fact that is my most favourite look, spice it up with the t shirt scarf  some chunky accessory pieces may be some bead necklaces, bangles, rings and bracelets and you look rocking.

·        All the beautiful people out there love makeup.. Dark blusher, nude lipstick dark eyes with feather lashes...!! You look perfect and some coloured eye liner, colourful eye lids with contrasting mascara... !! Wow you face is so colourful that it will be worth to stare.

·        Accessories play a strong role in getting the bohemian look specially few necklaces on simple plain dress with a printed clutch bag, contrasting shoes, couple of rings, bracelets and may be spice it up with an armlet .. You will exotic, beautiful, spicy and ethnic.

The hippie remix is beautiful when you do it right and you never get sick of the look. So try these things out for a party, cocktail, fashion show, outing with friends or even when you are going on shopping. I am sure that you will love the look.

Fashion is seasonal, style is eternal so create your own style as fashion and style is not democratic. Have a wonderful weekend.

Write to me on crazzystylist@gmail.com.

Love,

Raffealla.

THE WHITE SHIRT

Hey beautiful people,

The weather is getting warm and warmer every day.. And who can avoid the classic white clothes. Specially the white shirt. I found something you might not know about the white shirt and different ways of wearing the classic white shirt.

Sexy and intriguing, the white shirt will lend you that unfailing elegant allure for this 2014 spring. Worn only by the rich up to the end of the 1800’s, the white shirt was a symbol of those who could afford not to work, since its whiteness had not to be ruined.
Since before the Middle Ages the shirt has existed as a piece of clothing, but then only as underwear for men or as a night gown. In the early days the shirt had neither collar nor cuffs, but a hem that could be tightened and buttoned. And you always put it on by pulling it over your head. In the Middle Ages one could choose between fixed or detachable collar. The garment was often made out of linen and sometimes silk. In the 18th century the shirt was no longer worn only as underwear, the collar grew into enormous proportions and was decorated with embroidery and lace. Later the the collar grew back to smaller sizes again.
At the end of the World War 1 the shirt went through a major transformation. It was only at that time the modern shirt with buttons all along the front became popular, even if the first buttoned shirt was registered by Brown, Davies & Co as early as 1871. In the 1930’s the shirt with the fixed collar revived and it has been with us ever since. Twenty years later the nylon shirt was introduced and during the same period of time the more daring short sleeve shirt became high fashion. In the 1960’s the chest pocket was introduced as a consequence of the vest under the suit jacket becoming more and more uncommon.

·        Long sleeved, men’s style, short sleeved, with a low-cut neckline or elegantly embroidered, you have a wealth of options, for a day at the office full of meetings and appointments choose a high waisted skirt, a white shirt and a nice pearl necklace, nobody will be able to resist your charm.

·        White shirt is chic but you can make it ultra chic within seconds, spice it up with a well tailored blazer and some vintage broach pins with vintage ear studs and bracelet no one can resist the looks its classy, chic and elegant and mark my words you are at the center of all that attention.

·        Why not wear a bow tie with a classic well tailored white shirt? When masculinity meets feminity through style it does wonders.

·        Have you ever tried a one sleeve shirt? Well if you haven’t its time get a old shirt cut one sleeve off sew and finish the edges and fold the other sleeve and spice it up with a stylish vintage necklace.

·        For a cocktail with your girlfriends choose a pair of vintage jeans, a grey jersey tank top and a nice white men’s shirt.

·        It will make your tan beautifully stand out. If you are alone and wake up one morning feeling like staying home in delightful idleness, try to wear a big shirt with a snug pair of shorts and go bare foot and you are ready for a girls time with your friends.

·        Find a baggy see through white shirt wear a printed corset and use the over sized shirt on top of it. Look is very chic!!

·        Define your waist with 3-4 thin belts and make sure all the belts are miss matched so the white shirts and the colour contrast will get you more style attention.

For me there is nothing more comfortable and classic like a white shirt. With the climate white helps you to breathe more and be comfortable. I hope you will try some of these and enjoy .Have a great week ahead.

Write to me on crazzystylist@gmail.com.

Love,

Raffealla.

POLKA DOTS - SPEAKS A LOT!

Hey fashion forward ladies,

This is Raffealla your friendly stylist.. Shalini Nawanjana wrote to me last week saying she likes to wear polka dots but looks silly and very costumed but it is her favorite print.. Ok now this happens most of the time with office wear and many other dress codes so I thought of writing about it to solve her problem.

Ways to wear polka dots and not look silly are definitely worth looking into and that’s exactly what I’m planning to do right now. And let me be honest, you don’t want to miss out on this great pattern simply because you don’t want to risk overkill. Polka dots were a huge success this spring and summer and they’ll probably appear a lot more in the future, which is why we absolutely must discuss sensible ways to wear polka dots right about now.

Has wearing polka dots ever been a problem for you and, if so, how do you manage to make this pattern work for you in a chic, trendy, non-costume way?

·        A free-flowing, feminine polka dot blouse is one of those ways to wear polka dots that can never ever be considered silly, especially if you opt for one of the latest cuts and good-quality fabric. It’s a classic look designers tend to find inspiration in quite often and will work particularly well for you in case you’re smaller on top and in need of prints that could balance out your figure.

·        Collar necklaces are still super hot, allowing you to chic-up great many pieces of wardrobe in a budget-friendly way and you can safely craft or purchase a polka dot collar to mix and match.

·        A polka dot scarf is a very versatile accessory you’ll use for years to come and can always enjoy in a brand new way. Use it as a bag accessory in order to soften up a sturdy, classic work bag, wear it as a headscarf for a vintage inspired look or simply incorporate it into your outfit either as a belt or neck-wear every time polka dots make a comeback.

·        A small dose of black and white polka dot pattern could help you show off your creative personality even in the most fashion-restricting situations. A pair of small spotted studs or vintage-effect pendant earrings for example, won’t clash with your business attire but help you incorporate a pattern you couldn’t wear on a larger scale.

·        Large polka dot pattern definitely looks cool on a chunky t-shirt dress, making it go from a rather unremarkable piece of fashion to a statement piece that needs very little accessorizing to look absolutely stunning.

·        Let me share a little secret with you. Every time I see a girl carrying a polka dot umbrella I have this urge to meet her. Seriously, a polka dot umbrella really stands out in the most positive of ways and kind of makes me want to have a chat with the fun person carrying it. And make no mistake about it – a person carrying a polka dot umbrella is definitely a lot of fun.

It’s always fun to try out new prints and polka dots are something you can go crazy with and just like Shalini I am a polka dot fan too cause it’s very fun to wear, trendy, classy and always stands out.

ALBEELI - rajasthani gypsy girl

Style tips for skinny girls

How to stretch small shoes

 Hello shoe lovers...!

If you've ever fallen in love with a pair of shoes even though they're just a bit too small, you've probably looked for ways to stretch shoes without damaging them. I started looking because my mother got me a beautiful pair of shoes but I messed up my sizing and couldn’t exchange the pair, anyway stretching the shoe was the smartest idea, but if you have a pair of shoes that pinch a bit but feel like they'll still fit better than a size or half-size up if they just get used to your feet, never fear! There are lots of safe ways to stretch shoes without changing their shape or structure!

·       The natural at home method

One of the easiest ways to stretch shoes when they don't quite fit is to wear them around the house. Even if they're not comfortable, wearing them while you're on the computer, running the vacuum, or just lounging on the couch will help stretch them. If possible, you can also put on extra thick socks – or several pairs.

·       Frozen foot wear

You take a few Ziploc bags and fill them halfway full with water, check to make sure they don't leak, and then shove them in your shoes. Depending on where they're too small – narrow toes, narrow width, not quite long enough – you can situate the bags so they target those areas. You'll want to keep them in place somehow; rubber bands work best. Then you shove your shoes in the freezer and give the water time to turn into ice. As it does so, it expands – and so the bags expand in your shoes. When it's frozen, you'll either pull out the bags or give them time to thaw. After that, you have to wear the shoes a while. They'll be cold, so you might want to wear socks again.

·       Spray stretching solution

Most shoe shops, especially cobbler shops, sell stretching solution. You just spray it according to the directions; some go inside, some go outside. You'll still have to wear your shoes around the house, but the solution helps them stretch easily. Now, some sprays can mess with the colour of your shoes, so definitely read the directions. If you want to make your own, some footwear fashionista’s recommend mixing up a spray bottle containing one part rubbing alcohol with one part water, or rubbing down your shoes with alcohol, and then wearing them. You can even soak your socks in alcohol and wear them with your shoes.

·       Hair dryer magic

Going back to number one, pull on some thick socks, or several pairs, shove your feet in those pesky shoes, and then get to work with your hairdryer. Use a hot setting but don't put the dryer flush against your shoes; you don't want to scorch them. As they heat up, make sure you wiggle your toes and flex your feet to help the process. As they cool, try them without socks. If they still pinch, just repeat the process.

·       Invest on a shoe stretcher

Shoe stretchers are great, and if you find you frequently buy too-small shoes, getting one makes a good investment. You just have to choose one that's the same size as your foot, paying attention to both width and length. Most of them are adjustable, which definitely helps. The only problem is that this method takes several days, but it's also one of the safest ways to stretch shoes.

We all love shoes so much that it becomes a must to know all the shoe tips, so that fashion is unlimited.

Try these tips at home and write to me on crazzystylist@gmail.com

Love,

Raffealla.