Fashion Fever - Winter Threads

Get the look with the latest fashion reports from our resident fashion guru - Belinda Tartaglia.

Hello Fashion Followers!

It's sure cold outside so time to heat up the fashion forecast.

Cowgirl - yea-hah!

Bootleg denim, tan suede and natural earthy tones all dominate this style. While anything in leather including fringing from bags to belts, with an edgy rough side is the essential item to complete this look. Don't forget the all-important accessories from earrings to bangles that have an "American Indian" theme and incorporate sterling silver with aqua turquoise stones.

Suede Leather

Jackets, belts, bags and boots. Suede and leather are big for the Winter season ahead. Colours like tan, brown and black are the best buys.

Seventies Sexy

We've had the 1980's, now the return of all things sexy. This look is suburban girl-meets-roller girl. Candy stripes, hotpants, flairs, knee-length pencil skirts, disco glitz. Faded denim and printed 70's t-shirts. Cool man!

Mod Chick

This is a 1960's inspired look that is very feminine and fun. Combine knee length pencil skirts, with pointy flat shoes or team these shoes with a shorter-than-short mini skirt! Printed floral shirts and hound tooth chequered jackets. Mod Chick is very bold and bright with colours like yellow, brown, pink and blue.

Hippy Chick

Floral skirts, corduroy jeans and skirts with frilly detail. It's all a relaxed, free spirited look.

Touch of Goth

A rock n' roll attitude with a touch of Goth. Black is back. Black faux fur teamed with satin skinny pants and slick stiletto heels. Long coats with suede hotpants in very black and stiletto heeled long boots. This look is not for the faint hearted, it's very sexy and concentrates entirely on the colour black.

Jewellery

1920's -1930's inspired necklaces including black beaded chokers and rosary beads. Chokers with velvet ribbon and silver cameo medallions are elegant and can dress up any outfit.

Hair Now!

Hair and shoes are the two things that can totally make your outfit wicked! Those who love their hair with some flair, will be pleased to know that for hair the 70's is back!

For Long Locks: long layers and a blunt fringe is the way to go. It is creative and sexy.

Medium Length Hair: a messy bob, with plenty of layers and flicks.

Short Hair: long and short layers along the crown, with wispy layers around the hairline.

If you are growing out a tragic haircut opt for hair extensions. Never fear because now hair extensions are longer and better than ever!

Shoes

Boots, boots boots! Knee high length boots, "runched" leather boots and ankle boots are always popular in cooler seasons. Be daring and team with mini skirts. Black, brown or beige are this season's must-haves.

School Is In

The kids of the streets of New York - the city's underground superstars of funk - take centre stage this season as the ghetto lifestyle they indulge in, takes fashion back to the roots of street cool, to the days when hangin' in the hood and the school gym were what life was all about. The new collection from Lee is a mix of streetwear with a hint of 70's cool and high school memories.

Brownie-Girl

Thinking of changing your hair colour? Blondes, this season brunettes rule. A brown shade with a hint of copper warmth is definitely the colour to be. If you're feeling daring, go brunette!

Fashion News

Rising Star

Tina Kalivas, a designer who hails from Adelaide will be creating 8 pieces for a scene in the upcoming James Bond film.

The 28-year-old designer who worked alongside Alexander McQueen is launching her ready to wear range named "The Midnight Sun". The ready to wear and made to order range includes designs made from leather, patchwork coordinates and silk chemise dresses.

The designer is inspired by nature, 70's rock and multiculturalism. The range itself has an old-world feel with a sci-fi edge. Definitely a rising star in the fashion world.

STYLE-O-METER

COOL

- Pink
- Turquoise
- Faded denim
- Gold

FOOL

- There's no such thing as being foolish this Winter! Be fearless and EXPERIMENT!

SNEAK PEEK for Spring/Summer 02-03

And rumoured to be HOT for Spring/Summer 02-03

Spring 2002- pretty in pink! Pink hits a new wave; anything from liquid eyeliner to nail polish will be in shades like fuchsia, hot pink and baby pink.

Golden Girl: shades like bronze and gold will be on everyone's lips this season. Accessories, bags, shoes and sunglasses will be in rich metallic shades.


FASHION DISASTERS OF THE MONTH!

Got a fashion dilemma? Can't decide which outfit to wear with those trendy shoes you bought? Well never fear because I am here to attend to all your fashion blues!

Dear Belinda,

My friend is such a great girl but she has no fashion sense. Sometimes she wears the daggiest things. She gets it wrong all the time. How can I get her to look "with it"?

Signed Fashion Friendly

Dear Fashion Friendly,

It's important not to be blunt about this delicate situation. Just be discreet and pick out a few things that you think she will like. Point out the hip and happening styles in the fashion world and see if she likes them.

Perhaps you could introduce her to some accessories, they can really funk up an outfit! There are some really colourful winter scarves and beanies available that look excellent when teamed with dark or faded denim.

Try some long earrings in either silver or turquoise. These earrings can really give a different edge to any outfit!

If all of this fails, it's probably because this is her identity that she feels comfortable with. She is obviously not a follower and that is a good thing.

To be a true friend, offer advice only if your friend asks for it.

Dear Belinda,

Please help! My boyfriend is really sweet but has absolutely no idea how to dress. His idea of "trend" is to wear the same daggy old holey tracksuit with mismatching socks almost everyday. That's OK when we are at home but he insists on wearing the same "outfit" even when we are out with friends! I don't know where to start with his wardrobe. Do you have any suggestions on current male fashion and how I could tackle this sensitive subject?

Signed Miss Hide-Me!

Dear Miss Hide-Me!

We have a serious problem. It's time to tell your man that tracksuits are a no go, especially when you are out with friends. His "outfit" could result in an instant damper on your evening out.

Matching socks are a necessity .Go for black cotton as they go with any outfit and (if you're lucky) they don't collect fluffy bits!

Ditch those daggy trackies, regardless of how attached to them he is. Replace with new trackies.

I have taken into account his desire for comfort so here are some tips to trendy up your man without cramping his style.

In a male's Autumn/Winter wardrobe there should be 5 basic items, which may carry him through to Spring. I suggest:

1. A classic pair of jeans - a good cut, like Levis, Lee or Marcs denim jeans.
2. A leather jacket - a basic tailored cut in black.
3. Shoes - for comfy feet, a cool pair of trainers in black or white leather and with a squared toe. Check out Diesel, Campers or Converse.
4. Knitted jumper - a classic polo or a chunky style jumper look great when teamed with leather.
5. Shirt - tailored, in bold navy, grey, brown or pinstripes. Team with denim and trainers for a relaxed yet stylish look.

Good luck! Remember it's not the clothes that make the man, it's the man that makes the clothes!

Dear Belinda,

I love boob tubes, but the problem is I'm flat chested. Every time I wear a boob tube something embarrassing happens, like it slips down while I walk! Have you any suggestions for preventing it from slipping?

Signed Booby-less.

Dear Booby-less,

You need to invest in a strapless bra that has support, and gives you some extra padding! There are a range of bras that are strapless, that give you support and some "oomph" in the cleavage department.

I suggest you go to your nearest lingerie store and get a fitting. There are many bras on the market now, which give you a natural cleavage. There's the "water bra". It contains bags in the cup of the bra filled with water, for extra cleavage and comfort. The "wonder bra" lifts and pushes the cleavage. If these don't do the job for you then there are gel like cups that can be inserted into your brassiere that give you extra padding and enhancement.

Next time you are wearing a boobtube, try pinning it with safety pins (from the inside of the garment) under the armpits to your bra. It will prevent a nasty slip down and an embarrassing moment.

Well now it's Ciao from me, stay tuned next month for more fashion tips and hot looks and of course YOUR fashion disasters!

Belinda Tartaglia