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Valentine’s Day: Five Fiery Dresses
No matter what your Valentine’s Day plans have in store, a killer, unforgettable getup is essential for setting the right precedent for a romantic evening. Whether you’re getting wined and dined by a new love interest, enjoying a romantic night at your favorite spot with your long-time valentine, or boycotting the entire scene and going out with friends, one of these dresses will be sure to fit the bill.
Luxurious Lace
Lace is one of the most sultry of textiles making it a great option for a sexy Valentine’s Day ensemble. A short, formfitting, slinky red lace sheath dress like this look by Free People would be the perfect piece to wear for a romantic evening. It would wear just as well with heels and decadent jewelry for a swanky date night as it would paired with booties and chunky accessories for a less dressy night out.
Sexy Satin
Satin, with its seductive sheen and coy ability to hug and highlight the curvaceous female form, is an obvious pick for a Valentine’s Day getup. Try a romantic dark red satin like tulip red satin in a perfectly tailored dress like this Karen Millen design for a sophisticated-sexy look.
Charming Chiffon
If you are one of the lucky ones who happen to live in an area where you don’t have to battle the cold weather elements on Valentine’s Day, you could opt for a lightweight, flowing bright red chiffon dress. This flirty, charming, easygoing look says that you’re a no-muss, no-fuss kind of girl that is up for anything.
Velvet Vixen
Often associated with romance and opulent spectacles, velvet is an incredibly comfortable and luxurious looking fabric that clings sexily to the body. For a classy Valentine’s Day evening, try a dark burgundy stretch velvet dress for a sumptuous look.
Jaw Dropping Jersey
The perfect combination of comfort and sex appeal, a bright red jersey knit dress exudes just the right amount of jaw dropping seduction without being over the top. This look is perfect for impressing a first date, or for enjoying a night out with friends.
Chic Celebrity Street Style
Some celebrities are known for having a chic sense of style at major events and award ceremonies, but the truly sartorially savvy celebs are those who manage to keep up a fashionable appearance even when they are (or think they are) out of the limelight. Here are some snaps from the street of some seriously stylish celebrities who were out and about over the past couple of weeks.
Amal Clooney
Lebanese-British lawyer, activist, author and Mrs. to the legendary hunk George Clooney, Amal Clooney was seen grabbing a cup of joe as she flip-flopped her way around town on an errand run in a white lace cropped tank and baggy floral printed light-washed denim skinny jeans.
Heidi Klum
German supermodel Heidi Klum grabs take out with her chic daughter in a casual ensemble, a blue/red plaid flannel button up over a grey tank, dusty blue stretch denim cutoff skinnies and grey suede pointed booties.
Jason Segel
Actor Jason Segel was spotted at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah this past weekend bundled up in a casual jacket with a deep blue/brown plaid flannel scarf for extra warmth and a dash of flair.
Jennifer Garner
Actress Jennifer Garner was spotted looking nerdy-chic as she walked the city streets with books in hand in a casual pale blue check shirting button-up paired with sensible white stretch twill trousers and strappy sandals.
Lauren Conrad
Actress and fashion entrepreneur Lauren Conrad rocked the streets of California in black stretch denim skinnies paired with black ballet flats and a tucked-in white leopard print satin charmeuse button-up.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Renowned style maven Sarah Jessica Parker ditches the stilettos for casual sneaks on her off days. She was recently spotted walking with her daughter donning a pair of super chic deep sky blue velour cuffed skinnies that she paired with a casual sweater and a deep blue denim jacket.
Trend Alert – Fashion Leggings
Leggings have made their mark as a long-lasting trend in the women’s wear realm, and the longer they stick around, the more patterns and prints appear on the super comfortable garment. No matter what your preference, whether it be neutral animal print, bright geometric shapes, or feminine florals there is a fashion legging out there for you. Here are some examples of fun fashion leggings with links to buy similar fabrics from Fashion Fabrics Club Online so you can make your own at home:
Solid Black
A solid black legging made from a stretchy knit like tuxedo black jersey knit (97% cotton, 3% Lycra) is perfect for those who want a more versatile piece out of their leggings. They can be paired with a cute pair of sneaks for a sporty-chic look, or worn with boots or flats for a casually cute outfit.
Cheetah Print
Having a fun yet subdued animal print legging like white/black cheetah jersey knit (97% cotton, 3% Lycra) in your wardrobe makes for an easy, no-brainer night-out outfit that looks super stylish when paired with a simple black or white fashion tee and your go-to pair of heels.
Chevron Stripe
If you’re going for a more “look-at-me” appearance, opt for an eye-catching multi colored chevron stripe legging like ITY black/blue chevron jersey knit (97% polyester, 3% Lycra). They look particularly fun when paired with a killer pair of suede moccasin boots.
Geo Tribal
The geo-tribal print legging made from a fabric like ITY teal/orange stripe jersey knit (97% polyester, 3% Lycra) is the perfect mix of sophistication and flamboyancy, especially when used as the focal point of the outfit and paired with a neutral-colored top and shoe.
Floral
When paired with a slinky tunic and flats, an ivory floral jersey knit (95% polyester, 5% Lycra) pair of leggings can look very feminine and flirty. On the other hand, wear them with an oversized tee and a chunky pair of ankle boots and you’ve got yourself an edgy 90s-punk rock look.
Multi stripe
A pair of multi-colored, mixed stripe leggings like ITY black multi stripe jersey knit (97% polyester, 3% Lycra) provide an easy-to-pair basic that adds a colorful, chic element to an otherwise plain outfit.
London Collections Men
This past weekend the British Fashion Council put on a series of showrooms and fashion shows in London called London Collections: Men (LC: M), which brought together well-known and emerging menswear designers from around the world to debut their collections for Autumn/Winter 2015. The renowned event, now in its 6th year running, brought in fashion elite like Vogue editor Anna Wintour and high profile celebrities like rapper Tinie Tempah. With inspirations ranging from the abstract and artistic, to the athletic and sporty, to traditional London tailoring, the collections that were shown at LC: M were so diverse and innovative that there was a look for nearly any man’s style. Here are some of Fashion Fabrics Club’s favorites.
Astrid Andersen
Astrid Andersen has a signature in menswear that she describes in her own words, “To create a look that is masculine, using street attitude and hip-hop references whilst playing on more feminine materials and colours.” Her A/W 2015 collection did just that, incorporating slinky, shiny Velour fabrics into her line of men’s athletic-inspired streetwear.
Belstaff
Belstaff, known for providing “the fearless explorer and the fashion enthusiast alike
Oliver Spencer
English menswear brand Oliver Spencer, known for the “luxury artisan” look, showed a collection of thick tweed matching suits in neutrals colors like navy/tan tweed, black/white suiting, and navy blue tweed, showing off the softer side of sophistication.
Hardy Amies
Creative director of Mehmet Ali stayed true to the Hardy Amies legacy by showing a classic line of traditional London tailoring in black/tan plaid suiting and navy blue plaid suiting paired with varying top coats and dress shoes.
Topman Design
Topman is known for always being on-trend with a youthful and colorful overtone, which was demonstrated at LC: M with a 1970s-inspired collection of bold and bright oversized black/yellow plaid suiting and red/white plaid suiting.
Richard James
As one of the “new establishment” tailors on Savile Row, the London menswear brand Richard James aims “to produce classic, refined clothing of unsurpassed quality and push the boundaries through design, colour and cut.” This autumn/winter, the brand used bold reds and a variety of saturated blue hues paired with dark blue denim jeans and sneakers to create a casual-chic look.
Printed Knits for 2015
Knit fabrics are incredibly comfortable, breathable and super flexible due to their loose and stretchy knot construction. Making their debut in undergarments and leisurewear, the unstructured nature and soft feel of knit fabrics made them perfect for clothing that sat close to the skin and was first categorized as strictly casualwear. Modern day fashions, however, (with many thanks to Coco Chanel for incorporating jersey knit into her couture collections and thereby revolutionizing the way people looked at the fabric) are rife with knit fabrics in all categories from casualwear to formalwear. For 2015, we are seeing a variety of printed knit fabrics being incorporated into all types of clothing, from geometric designs to natural floral patterns to animal prints. Here are a few of Fashion Fabrics Club’s favorites, with links to buy similar fabrics on our site.
Striped long sleeved shirt
A lightweight sage green stripe jersey knit long sleeved t-shirt with a scoop neck and single breast pocket is an easy-to-wear top that pairs well with jeans or leggings for casual days out.
Maxi skirt
Continuing the maxi length skirt trend from seasons past, we are seeing a lot of medallion printed stretch jersey knits like taupe/ivory jersey knit being used to create an earthy yet elegant boho chic look.
Long sleeved skater dress
A feminine floral printed, medium weight knit like tan floral jersey knit makes a fun and sassy skater dress that is incredibly comfortable to wear, and provides just the right amount of flirty movement.
Wrap dress
A cute, small print black and white butterfly jersey knit fabric made into a wrap dress is a killer combination of pattern and silhouette that flatters nearly every body type. A sporadic looking pattern from afar, the tiny butterflies can only be seen upon close speculation, making the fabric not only flattering but also fun to wear.
Raglan shirt
Even though raglan tees are usually associated with baseball and casual contexts, the addition of an exotic print like this smoke grey snakeskin knit turns the garment into a stylish and chic piece that can be dressed up with a skirt and heels.
Slinky leopard print dress
The ever-popular leopard print is continuing it’s strong trend through 2015, especially as a pattern on knitted fabrics. A sophisticated grey leopard print jersey knit in a form fitting dress makes for an elegant yet fierce look especially when paired with a gorgeous pair of heels.
Houndstooth
Houndstooth is a classic weave pattern often used in suiting apparel and outerwear. Recently the geometric print has been incorporated into other garments like dresses, leggings and sweaters in unique ways, using the timeless print to create fun, modern pieces. Here are some of Fashion Fabrics Club favorites from the current collections!
Sheer Button-Up
A colorful houndstooth plaid chiffon fabric makes a fun, lightweight blouse that can be worn under a blazer at work, or on it’s own with jeans for a more casual look.
Maxi Dress
The ever-popular maxi dress is another unique use for a lightweight black/ivory houndstooth charmeuse. The small repetitive houndstooth pattern is an eye catching and flattering print for the sophisticated full-length garment.
Striped Dress
A stretchy, colored houndstooth like pale blue houndstooth ponte double knit can be mixed with another geometric pattern to make an incredibly visually striking, comfortable dress like this Michael Kors three-quarter length dress.
Stretchy Leggings
Using a stretchy fabric with a houndstooth print like black/pink plaid activewear for a pair of printed leggings is a great pick. The overall look is super chic while maintaining ultimate comfort.
Faux Fur Sweater
A fuzzy faux fur houndstooth like blue/black houndstooth plaid faux fur makes a fun focal piece garment that pairs nicely with slacks, jeans or a skirt.
Striped Overcoat
A chunky, mixed print houndstooth fabric like
black/white houndstooth wool coating that incorporates multiple houndstooth patterns of varying sizes in one material makes a striking appearance both far away and when viewed close up.
Casual Knit Sweater
Houndstooth even looks great in casual wear. A colorful houndstooth in a soft, comfortable knit like teal green/black jersey knit makes for an easy to wear jumper that displays a classically cool affinity for style.
Collarless Coat
For a super classic, chic look, use the traditional black houndstooth suiting in a tailored coat. It can be worn in any season and can be paired with a number of different garments.
Falling for Fleece
Fleece is a wonderful winter fabric. Made from 100% polyester fiber, fleece has great heat insulation properties despite its light weight, and it has a cozy, super soft napped surface. Needless to say, fleece is incredibly comfortable to wear. The fuzzy fabric is easy to sew and makes a great option for adding a layer of warmth without the bulk of a heavy fabric. Here are a few pieces from this winter’s collections that incorporate comfortable fleece and would be easy to make at home, complete with links to buy at Fashion Fabrics Club Online.
Fleece Sweater or Cardigan
A plaid patterned fleece like blue plaid fleece or pink plaid fleece make a great looking cardigan, especially in an asymmetrical pattern like this one-button cardigan from Bobeau.
Plush Robe
For an elegant, sleek looking robe that feels as comfortable and cozy as your favorite sweatshirt, use a plush fleece in a dark, rich color like wine/berry red Sherpa fleece.
Pajama Jumpsuit
One-piece pajama jumpsuits have become incredibly popular in the leisurewear sector, particularly for young women. They come in a range of fabrics from cotton jersey to thermal to flannel to fleece; they sometimes come with a hooded top and/or footed bottoms. For a particularly in-style bodysuit, use an animal print fleece like brown cheetah fleece, bonus points if you incorporate a rear flap!
Wellies
If you ever plan on wearing your rain boots in the winter months then a pair of willies, or boot socks, are essential to avoiding frozen toes. Pick a nice neutral color like dark navy blue fleece so you can pair them with all different colored boots and outfits.
Vest Zip Up
A minimal zip up vest in a neutral grey like light grey fleece is a great addition to a man’s winter wardrobe due to its incredible functionality and versatility. Pair it with a flannel and jeans to chop wood outside, or with a button-up, jacket and khakis for a casual day date.
Sweatpants
Everyone, both men and women, should have a pair of drawstring smoke black fleece leisure pants in their closet. Much more classy looking than sweatpants with the same comfortable feel, they are a wardrobe staple.
Cashmere this Holiday
Cashmere is well-known for being a luxury wool. However, coming from the hair of the cashmere (or kashmir) goat, rather than the fleece of sheep, cashmere is actually not technically classified as a wool fiber in the textile industry, rather, it is simply characterized as a “specialty hair fiber.” Cashmere has unique characteristics (namely, an incredibly soft touch) that make it a highly sought after fabric, often used in high-status, prestige clothing items. Lucky for you, Fashion Fabrics Club is having a massive sale, allowing you to get this luxurious fabric for a fraction of the normal price.
Cashmere garments cost a pretty penny, but buying yards of cashmere fabric and making your own designs at home can save a bundle of money. Here are some simple designs that would be easy to make yourself, complete with links to buy the cashmere fabric from Fashion Fabrics Club Online. These would all make great gifts for your loved ones this holiday season!
Men’s V-Neck Sweater
Every man needs a luxurious cashmere sweater in his wardrobe. Lightweight, yet still warm and incredibly soft, it is perfect for layering on cold winter days. Try it in a bright orange cashmere like this sweater from Nordstrom.
Unisex Solid Woven Cashmere Scarf
A black cashmere scarf will never go out of style. This unisex luxury accessory is the perfect gift for anyone. Try embroidering their initials in the corner for an added personal touch!
Women’s Robe
Give her the gift of snuggles with a super soft and warm heather grey cashmere robe. Perfect for wrapping up while sipping tea with a good book by the fire on those snowed-in days.
Women’s Gloves
The perfect gift for the woman who has everything, a pair of black cashmere gloves are a great addition to the winter wardrobe of any woman, no matter what her style may be.
Men’s Vest
Another male wardrobe mainstay, the classic half-zip vest (seen here in charcoal grey cashmere) is a great winter companion. He can dress it up by layering it over a button up and pairing it with slacks or wear it casually with jeans. This super versatile piece is a great gift for any man of style.
Talking Tweed
Tweed is a wonderful fabric for winter garb; it is versatile, durable, warm without being bulky, and has a classic weave pattern that makes it a timeless choice for a number of different garments. This winter, we are seeing tweed used in classy outerwear for men and women and also in dressy, tailored skirts and dresses with contemporary accent features. Here are a few of Fashion Fabrics Club’s favorites from this season’s collections, with links to similar tweeds in the FFC inventory.
This gorgeous color-blocked parka features black tweed arm sleeves and zipper plackets, a black/grey tweed suiting body, and a fun faux fur detachable hood. This jacket is perfect for casual or semi-formal occasions.
Lighter weight tweed makes a great option for a sophisticated winter dress. This sheath dress cleverly combines black/white tweed suiting with floral black lace in an extremely flattering silhouette that accentuates the curves of the female form. Pair it with black tights and a killer pair of heels and you’ve got yourself a highly versatile look that can go from work to play.
A classic tweed jacket is a necessary wardrobe staple for any man, as it offers incredible warmth without the bulk or heavy weight usually associated with warm winter wears. A single-breasted brown/beige tweed jacket is a great option; it is a semi-formal look that can be paired with a number of different outfits and colors.
A tweed dress suit is a great winter outfit; you can wear it with flats to the office, or dress it up with high heels and statement jewelry for a stylish, sophisticated look to wear to a classy party. Try it in an antique gold tweed suiting like this Teri Jon look for a sleek holiday ensemble.
This asymmetric BCBG black/brown tweed wool suiting skirt is an edgy, modern take on the classic tweed skirt. It can be paired with a wide array of other garments and accessories to dress it up or down, from heels to booties, and button-ups to blouses.
This luxurious looking jacket juxtaposes dark beige tweed suiting with suede arm sleeves and pocket flaps and a lavish oversized fur collar for a completely unique, overall opulent but not ostentatious statement coat. Perfect for classy holiday get-togethers.
British Fashion Awards 2014
On Monday, December 1st the highly anticipated British Fashion Awards were held at The London Coliseum, in partnership with Swarovski. At the award ceremony, British fashion and accessories designers, celebrities, models, editors, professors, style mavens and trend setters come together to celebrate the burgeoning talent in the British fashion industry, and to award notable British fashion players for their successes over the past year. The entourage of ensembles that adorned the elite attendees was no short of exquisite, as to be expected. Here is a collection of radiant looks that some of the most famous faces chose to wear to the prestigious event.
Cara Delevingne
The hottest model of the moment, Cara Delevigne, sported a sultry sequin Burberry gown with a thigh-high slit and black side panels to accept her Model of the Year Award.
Rihanna
Though not of British origin, Rihanna flew into London to announce the winner of the Isabella Blow Award for a Fashion Creator, which was awarded to her good friend Edward Enninful. She chose to wear an over-sized black velvet Stella McCartney blazer to the event, with very little else (true to Rihanna form).
Oliver Cheshire
Model Oliver Cheshire wore a sleek navy Marks and Spencer suit (that appeared to be of a silk/wool gabardine material) with black satin lapels in the shawl collar variety. He paired the bespoke suit with a white button up, a large black butterfly-style bow tie and patent leather oxfords.
Karlie Kloss
Notable Victoria’s Secret model Karlie Kloss hurried over to the British Fashion Awards after her Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show rehearsal across town, doing her make up in the cab on her way to the event. She donned a luxurious backless silver silk gown that lavishly trailed to the ground behind her and showed off her statuesque physique.
Emma Watson
British actress Emma Watson showed off her style in a plunging neckline, floor length Misha Nonoo jumpsuit (that appeared to be white charmeuse) paired with an oversized navy Christian Dior blazer with black satin lapels. The style maven was awarded the winner of the British Style Award at the ceremony.
Victoria Beckham
Women’s wear designer Victoria Beckham paired two pieces from her own collection to wear to the awards, a chunky black knit sweater and a flowing, pleated white maxi skirt and a gold chain link belt. The former “Spice Girl” and wife of famous retired soccer player and now model David Beckham won the Brand of the Year Award.
Suki Waterhouse
Model and actress Suki Waterhouse wore a sheer blue chiffon Burberry number with a button up top and a ruffled skirt that layered a variety of blue hues to give in an ombré look.
Charlotte Olympia
2011 British Fashion Award winner and luxury women’s footwear/accessories designer, Charlotte Olympia opted for a stunning black lace belted gown with a fringed skirt and standout accessories to wear to this year’s awards ceremony.
*All photos from britishfashionawards.com
SPRING 2015 MENSWEAR
TREND REPORT – SPRING 2015 MENSWEAR
The designer collections at the spring 2015 menswear fashion shows displayed a wide array of looks and styles, hitting everywhere on the spectrum from traditional to the avant-garde. There was one thing they all seemed to have in common however, the suit, putting it in the spotlight as one of the most pivotal trending pieces for men next spring. Spanning from slim tailoring to slouchy silhouettes, the spring suit was seen in a number of different fabrics from hyper casual denim to conventional pinstripe suiting to lustrous silks. Here is a look at some of the most eye-catching suits shown at the spring 2015 collections.
A. Sauvage
Sauvage showed a collection of “lifestyle suits” in slim silhouettes, in bright hues of yellow suiting and red and also in dark green and black. The designer gave the suits an added edgy attitude with leather-trimmed lapels and paired them with large graphic printed button-ups underneath.
A.P.C.
A.P.C. showed thigh-length, boxy suit coats in gray/blue wool suiting, sterling grey suiting and grey plaid lightweight suiting paired with pewter grey denim jeans for a modern, casual-meets-dressy look. The designer displayed how to easily dress up jeans and dress down the suit coat by pairing them together in all-over grey looks using the button-up underneath to add a hint of muted color to the outfit.
Alexander McQueen
McQueen’s head designer Sarah Burton used abstracted swirls of color like electric blue and bright yellow across white suiting, and combined variations of grey plaid suiting in coats, jackets, and trousers to make avant-garde pieces that look like pieces of wearable art.
Bespoken
Bespoken showed the more casual side of the spring suit by making refined denim/cotton suiting in gray denim, black jacketing and color blocked blue denim in slim, tailored silhouettes paired with sneakers.
Christopher Kane
Christopher Kane played with stripes in his modern, minimalist looks using black stripe cotton suiting and smoky black brushed suiting for accenting pieces like knee pad embellishments.
DKNY
DKNY paid tribute to their New York roots in their Yankees inspired menswear line using a navy, gray and white color palette in a variety of slouchy silk suits of silver dupioni, dark blue silk suiting, and black textured suiting paired with baseball jersey-looking shirts underneath.
Dunhill
On the more traditional side, Dunhill showed preppy suits reminiscent of 19th century European tailoring. The designer showed suits in glen plaid of tan, hunter and brown, and all-over royal blue dupioni, as well as double-breasted jackets of white silk dupioni, all paired with tasseled loafers.
Gucci
True to Gucci form, the designer showed crisp, shiny, tailored looks with two-button jackets in navy blue silk dupioni and black shantung.
Comfortable and Stylish Travel Wears
The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day are the most frequently traveled, as friends and family get together to celebrate the holidays and ring in the New Year. Despite the mode of transportation, whether by plane, train or automobile, the need for a comfortable travel outfit that still looks chic once you arrive at your destination remains the same. So, Fashion Fabrics Club has compiled a list of chic travel garb that will keep you stylish and in ultimate comfort as you travel to various holiday festivities and family parties over the next month and a half.
Travel Shawl
This incredibly soft and fuzzy polyester mircrofiber travel shawl feels like you’re wrapped up in a blanket, and the big pockets offer plenty of space to keep a few travel necessities like an iPod and boarding passes while doubling as cozy hand warmers.
Pashmina Wrap
A cashmere pashmina wrap is an essential travel accessory. Easily going from a scarf to lightweight blanket to elegant shawl, it’s the perfect versatile piece to bring with you on your travels. For a more dressed up look, use a black lace accent on the border like this Nordstrom wrap.
Stretchy Denim Leggings
With the appearance of sexy denim skinny jeans and the feel of stretchy yoga pants, black stretch denim (97% cotton, 3% Lycra) leggings are the perfect solution for traveling in comfort and style.
Jersey Knit Tunic
A rayon/lycra jersey knit long tunic top can be paired with tights, leggings or skinny jeans and any number of footwear. The fabric a super comfortable and breathable and the loose, flowing style is incredibly flattering. Pair your look with moccasins for the ride and then switch to a pair of fashion boots or heels when you get to your destination to dress it up.
Hooded Thermal Drape Sweater
A cozy thermal knit fabric in a draped hooded sweater style combines comfort with a cool, relaxed and stylish look. Glam it up by pairing it with a tank, skinny jeans, boots and a large statement necklace.
Lightweight Wool Sweater Dress
A sweater dress is the ultimate easy comfort outfit for traveling in style. Throw it on with tights and shooties or tall boots and you’ve got a fashionable look with little thought or planning involved. Opt for a black/grey wool sweater knit fabric for a sleek look that could work for any number of casual or dressy events.