Fashion Trends for Summer 2023

Summer 2023 is here, and that means it's time to update your wardrobe with the latest fashion trends. Or is it? Just because something is on trend doesn’t mean it should be mindlessly adopted by us all. Before adding the latest ‘in’ thing to your wardrobe, there’s a few factors to consider if your goal is to look absolutely fabulous and stylish.

1. Will it suit your lifestyle?
2. Does it work with your body shape?
3. Will it highlight your positive features?
4. Is it age appropriate?
5. Does it complement your style personality?

So, with that said, here’s some of what you can expect to see in stores this summer.
1. Romantic Rosettes.

Romantic style personalities are going to love this one. These delicate floral accents have been popping up on dresses, chokers, and even swimsuits. Anyone remember the 80’s? Well, these pretty embellishments were popular then and they are making a comeback this year. Should you embrace it? Well, your body shape and colouring shouldn’t determine whether this trend works for you. It’s going to be all about your style personality. 

2. Sheer Clothing.

It’s usually only a daring few who feel comfortable exposing parts of their bodies generally only revealed at the beach. So, at first glance you might think this is a trend only for the Alluring / Sexy style personalities, but it is a trend which can be adopted by all body types and colouring. The only caveat may be how much skin you care to reveal and on what part of your body. So, if you’re sporting a lot of sun damaged or crepey skin on your arms, legs or décolletage, you may not want to go too sheer. After all, style is about highlighting our positive attributes and minimising any negative ones. A more universally flattering version of this trend is to layer sheer pieces over opaque ones. Do this to create an ethereal look that is current and contemporary.

3. The Peplum.

If you're looking for a flattering and stylish option, you may want to try this trend. It certainly adds shape and definition, making it perfect for those who want to accentuate their waist. It’s a great style strategy for rectangles with straighter torsos. It’s also a clever enhancement for inverted triangles by balancing their broad shoulders. However, if you have a triangle body shape, be careful. Peplums made of stiff fabrics that stand out from the body add unwanted volume to the lower half exacerbating horizontal imbalance. However, if the peplum is made of soft fabric which sits close to the body, the enlarging effect can be minimised.

4. Oversized Garments.

I can hear all of you Classics groaning at the thought but if your style is Natural Relaxed, then you’re possibly going to love this fashion trend for summer 2023. Comfort is the key word here. Baggy t-shirts and unstructured blazers will offer an effortless and casual look that requires little effort. The caveat here is if you’re carrying weight or you have a horizontally unbalanced body shape. Adding conspicuous volume isn’t a desirable thing for many of us. If you’re a size 8 and don’t mind looking a size 12 go for it but as a size 14, I’m not rushing out to look a size 18. How about you? A more figure flattering way to incorporate this trend is to wear one oversized garment with another more streamlined one. All over bagginess will make you appear heavier. However, if you choose to add a little volume only to your smaller half, you could actually create some visual balance. Think slim tank top with oversized pants. Or wide top over slim pants. So, before discounting the idea entirely, this trend may be worth trying on for size, no pun intended.

Summer is a time for having fun, socialising with friends, holidays and simply enjoying blue skies and sunshine. Summer fashion reflects this lighthearted time of year. So, don't be afraid to experiment with different trends and find what works best for you. Whether you're embracing sheer clothing, romantic rosettes or oversized pieces, be sure to enjoy your summer fashion with or without these fashion trends for summer 2023.

Do you have a classic style personality?

A classic style personality prefers timeless looks that are stylish year after year. They are not interested in throwaway fashion and would rather have fewer, quality pieces in their closet. It is epitomised by unfussy designs, regular shapes, thoughtful co-ordination and a degree of conservatism. They tend to gravitate towards well-cut pieces in good quality fabric. Their closet is likely to have a lot of neutrals, but they also appreciate classic shades like red, blue and green, and classic patterns like polka dots, animal print, and stripes. So, it’s no wonder that classic style personalities appear elegant, refined, and well put together.

Classic Style in the Real World.

Classic style personalities value good grooming, order, discretion and efficiency. In their personal interactions they appreciate attention to detail, good manners and good taste. They create an impression of reliability, professionalism and stability. They always look appropriate.
For these reasons, at work their style is well suited to corporate roles and office administration. Their style is compatible with professions such as lawyer, accountant, business executive, flight attendant and receptionist.

Famous Classic Style Personalities

Celebrities past and present with a Classic style personality include Kate Winslet, Audrey Hepburn and Kate Middleton.

Preferences of a True Classic Style.

• quality over quantity
• matching accessories
• neutral colours
• solid colours rather than prints, though polka dots and stripes are always acceptable
• streamlined silhouettes which are semi-fitted
• no more than two or three accessories at a time
• natural fibres like wool, cotton, silk
• tailored jackets
• collared shirts
• genuine jewellery in regular shapes like ovals and circles.

Things that a classic style shuns.

• revealing necklines and plunging backs
• very short skirts
• flounces and frills
• body hugging garments
• overly embellished anything
• shine and sparkle before 5 p.m.
• large statement jewellery
• clashing colours
• mixing patterns
• super high heels and super flat flats

So what do you think?
Do the items in these lists ring true for you? Maybe? An AbFab Style consultation includes a careful analysis of your style personality so that you better understand your preferences but more importantly, so you can make a conscious choice to cultivate the style that sits well with you. Learn more at https://abfabstyle.com/personal-services/style-analysis/

How to choose your best skirt length is a question many women ask. Once upon a time the length of our skirts was determined by social values, morality and religion. In more recent times fashion also had a say in where our hemlines finished, though it can argued that moral values strongly influenced fashion. As western society has become more liberated and religion’s influence has diminished, women’s hemlines have become shorter and shorter. In the past 100 years acceptable hemlines have moved from the top of our shoes to the top of our thighs.  But as the trend upwards continued unabated in the 20^th century, it wasn’t until the last 30 years or so that individual taste and preferences dictated the length of our skirts. Prior to this, women wore their skirts at a length deemed to be fashionable; few women dared to break ranks with the current trend.  In the 50’s if a woman wore her dresses above the knee she would have been branded as ‘cheap’. In the late 60’s however, if her skirts were knee length or longer a woman was dismissed as a ‘square’ or old fashioned. The length of your skirt had little to do with what suited your legs or your lifestyle, it was all to do with conformity.

Nowadays, I’m pleased to say it’s quite different. Most women would have a range of maxis and/or minis and/or midis in their wardrobe. Comfort and practicality can be as important as aesthetics when we decide the length of our skirts. However, if looking good is a priority, there are a few things to consider when determining how to choose the best skirt length for you.

1. THE SIZE OF YOUR LEGS

Hemlines in the main are horizontal lines and wherever we place such a line we broaden that area. So, if you have heavy calves, you would be advised to never end your hems at the widest part of your calf. Opt for above or below. Similarly, if your thighs are heavy, you do yourself no favours by wearing skirts that finish at the widest part of your thigh.

On the other hand, if your lower legs are thin it can actually be helpful to choose a hemline that finishes mid-calf as this can create the illusion of a little more width.

2. THE SHAPE OF YOUR LEGS.

If your legs are not particularly shapely, like my calves for instance then choosing to end your hemlines at a point where the leg narrows can create the illusion of a little more shape.

3. THE STATE OF YOUR KNEES.

If your knees are bony, knobbly, soft and pouchy (like mine) or just plain fat, then choosing lengths that are a couple of cms below the knee can be a wise move. In the words of the famous movie mogul, Louis B Mayer, “If it aint pretty, don’t’ show it”.

4. MARKS, VEINS AND BLEMISHES.

If you have something to hide, then this can also dictate the lengths you choose.

5. YOUR WEIGHT

If you are carrying extra weight and you don’t want to appear heavier than you are hemlines on or slightly below the knee are your most slimming option. Apart from being an elegant length, it helps to elongate your body thus helping you appear slimmer. There is an adage that says, ‘the shorter the hemline the wider the wearer’.

Finally, the length of your skirts affects your apparent vertical proportions. So, if you are quite short or your legs are shorter than your head and torso i.e you are short legged then skirts worn between mid-calf and

ankle can make you appear even shorter and/or even more  unbalanced. Shorter lengths can help you appear taller. Similarly, if you are long-legged with a proportionally shorter torso, ultra short skirts can make you appear even more vertically unbalanced – regardless of how great your legs may be.

Finally, here is a formula for working out your most flattering skirt and dress length. It comes from another stylist and personal shopper’s blog site, Missus Smarty Pants Blog Spot. You might like to check out her articles too.

 

Here is the "formula" for figuring out your most flattering length:

(You'll need a cloth measuring tape)

You’ll take 2 measurements: from your hipbone straight down the outside of your leg to the middle of your kneecap, and from the middle of your kneecap (outside edge) straight down to the middle of your ankle bone.

Here’s the formula:

(LONGER LEG LENGTH minus SHORTER LEG LENGTH) divided by 2 = X

X is the number of inches above or below the knee your skirt length should be.  If your shins are shorter than your thighs, raise your hem X inches above your knee.  If your thighs are shorter than your shins, lower the hem X inches below the knee.

Basically you want to visually equalize the length of the upper and lower leg.

So, I did it and here are my calculations...

Hipbone to middle of knee: 24"

Middle of knee to ankle bone: 17"

Difference = 7"

Divided by 2 = 3.5"

So, my IDEAL skirt length can go up or below my knee 3.5"..

by Missus Smarty Pants Style Blog

 

If you do this little calculation to work out how to choose our best skirt length remember however, all the other points I first mentioned. No point in wearing a length that suits your vertical proportions but makes your legs look wider or shows off wrinkly knees. Well, that’s what I think anyway. You may think entirely differently, and that is your prerogative.

Whatever length you choose to wear your skirts, do so with confidence and aplomb because you will never be stylish if you are not comfortable in your own skin.

Sharron-Del Wakely

Stylist, Colour Analyst and Personal Shopper

 

Call it a muffin top, spare tyre or whatever you will, many women, especially those of us over 40 carry excess weight on our stomach. I have met very slim women who are fit and trim but still struggle with a flabby tummy. There are a plethora of solutions offered on the internet, most of which involve diet and exercise, but regardless of whether you have tried a few of these, are in the process of trying  them or you have put it all in the too hard basket, knowing how to dress a flabby tummy can really help. So, here are AbFab's ten best dressing tips to help you look absolutely fabulous, even with a little pot belly.

1. Distraction. This involves drawing attention upwards and away from the trouble area. Do this by:

• Wearing eye catching necklaces and/or earrings
• Decorative or interesting necklines
• Interesting shoulder detail

2. 

   Define the waist.

Many of us succumb to hiding a flabby tummy beneath a big boxy jacket. Problem is we only succeed in making ourselves look big all over. Instead wear a jacket or top that nips in at the waist and is at least low-hip to crotch length.   Ponte and unlined stretch fabric jackets work well.

3. Don’t tuck in.

Soft flowing tops with a little wriggle room are a great way to hide what lurks beneath. They also help to elongate the torso. Remember, what looks longer looks thinner.

 

 

4. 

   Raise the waistline.

Choose empire line or raised waistline tops and dresses. However, avoid tops that are too loose and baggy. You don’t want to create the impression that you are pregnant. A fit and flare style skims, not clings to the slimmest part of your torso underneath your bust and then flares out over thr tummy.

5. Wear patterns. Patterns can be more slimming than a block colour because patterns confuse the eyes, they don’t know where to settle so they don’t settle anywhere. And as we don’t want eyes settling on our tummy, that’s a good thing. A few pattern tips include choosing:

• Medium sized patterns
• Deep to medium-deep backgrounds
• Angular patterns as opposed to circular.

6. Open Jacket or vest or cardigan.

When you wear an open jacket you are running two long vertical lines down the centre of your body and this is one of the most slimming strategies ever! As well as the vertical lines working their illusory magic, the jacket of course also hides the tummy beneath.  In summer, you can opt for a sheer, light weight fabric in a jacket, cardigan or vest.

7. Ruched, light to medium weight fabric camouflages a soft tummy. Look particularly for styles that have a ruched centre panel. The sides are smooth and only the central area of the garment is ruched. This is a particularly useful strategy for swimwear.

8. A medium to wide belt.

Preferably elasticised, wear a belt that can sit over the tummy area and ‘suck it in’. This works really well if combined with strategy No. 6

9. 

   Shapewear. I’m not talking about the whale bone corsets that our great-grandmothers endured. Today’s shapewear is pretty darn clever and pretty comfortable to boot. Try high waisted undies, slimming camisoles and slips or full body suits. Whatever you decide, make sure it is not too tight because otherwise you will put them on and take them straight off again. I have read that you should buy your shapewear in the same size as your clothes, or even a size smaller. However, I recommend going up a size, this way the garment will definitely fit, feel more comfortable and still smooth out the lumps and bumps. Give it a go and see what works for you.

10. Combine two or more of the above strategies!

Every year the Pantone Colour Institute declares its Colour of the Year. In 2016, for the first time ever Pantone has announced not one colour but a combination of colours; Rose Quartz and Serenity. This is an exquisitely beautiful pairing of two pastels, pink and blue. Together they are magical. They both have an ethereal and dream like prettiness reminiscent of a delicate sunset. However, like all things in fashion these colours will not suit everyone nor everyone's taste. As gorgeous as this combination may be, I know it will do little to flatter my deep, high contrast colouring and I will do better to leave it to others to embrace. So, who will suit this combination of pastels? Women with cool, light and medium contrast colouring will look stunning. If you're hair is silver/ash blonde, grey or brown, your skin is fair and your eyes are green, blue, grey or light brown this combo is a marriage made in heaven for you.

However, colouring is not the only consideration. Your Style Personality is an essential element of looking fabulous. Anyone with a strong dose of romantic femininity in their style will be attracted to these colours. But, even if you are blonde and blue eyed, if you shun most things girly, pretty and delicate then you will probably shun Rose Quartz and Serenity too.

However, there are many 'Classic', 'Creative' and 'Natural' style personalities who underpin their dominant style with some Romantic/Feminine and if this is you, then you should find ways to incorporate this colour story into your 2016 wardrobe. Even if you don't embrace the whole pink and blue catastrophe, a scarf, jewellery, shoes, bag and make-up all provide opportunities to update your look with the most on-trend colour of the year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check out the celebrities, past and present who would look absolutely fabulous in Pantone's Rose Quartz and Serenity.

Choosing the perfect pair of glasses can be a challenging exercise. There’s usually an overwhelming array of designs to select from, but the trick is knowing which ones to eliminate. When you do, the choices narrow considerably and the decision becomes much easier. The mantra of “harmony and balance” is just as valid for selecting glasses as it is for everything else that we wear.

The factors that affect whether frames looks fabulous on us are many, though they can probably be summed up under the headings of shape and colour.

Here are the important ones:

1. face size
2. face shape
3. internal facial lines (straight, curved or combination)
4. skin tone (warm or cool)
5. hair colour (natural or not)

So, no wonder it can be confusing. Let’s look at these factors a little more closely.

1. The Size of your Face. This is one of the easiest factors to get right. Small faces are usually overwhelmed by glasses with oversized frames and especially those which are much wider than your face. And of course larger and/or broader faces are underwhelmed by little frames.

• The Shape of your Face. Generally, if your face is rectangle or square with your temples, cheekbones and jawline forming a straight line glasses with a straight outside edge will be a good choice. Similarly, if your face shape is rounded or oval, then the outside edge of your glasses can also be curved.

 

• The Internal Lines of your Face. These lines are seen in your eyebrows, shape of your eyes and mouth as well as your nose. If the lines formed by these features are primarily straight, then frames that are angular and straight will flatter you. If the lines are predominantly curved, very rounded or oval shaped frames will suit you best. And if your face is a combination of curved and straight lines, then frames that are neither very straight nor very rounded will be best.

 

• Your Skin Tone. If your skin has a warm undertone then warm coloured frames will be your most flattering choices and the ones most likely to harmonise with your face. Very cool or black frames look disconnected and more obvious on those of us with a warm undertone. So consider gold, bronze and tortoise shell as best all-purpose shades. However, if you want more colour in your life and your glasses, then try oranges, purples, brick reds, olives and other yellow greens. Cool skinned people need to choose from silver, pewter, grey or black for versatile frames. Great colour options include blues, blue reds, blue greens, pink and purple.

• Your Hair Colour. If your hair is a deep warm shade such as brown with red highlights or a rich auburn, try darker warm frames; tortoise shell , dark brown, dark green or brick red could be perfect. If your hair is warm but lighter such as strawberry blond, golden blond or light brown consider gold, caramel, aqua or light yellow greens. Those of us with dark ash brown and black hair will look great in black, silver, burgundy or deep blue. Cool blondes and lighter ash browns will be suited to pewter, pink, blue, purple and blue greens.

 

 

 

 

 

Patterned pants are a very popular fashion trend this year. They are frequently colourful and just a little 'out there'. For the past couple of summer seasons, floral pants were the in thing, but in  Summer 2014/15, there has seen a shift away from flowers to abstract and geometric patterns. The colour options have been varied, and of course that's great because with a little discernment we can a find a pair of patterned pants that blend beautifully with our own colour palette. However, all that being said there are a few things to consider before spending dollars on this latest trend.

We frequently write about focal points and just as frequently about the need for balance in our visual image. Both these style issues need to be considered before we buy those colourful pants.
Rest assured, these pants are a focal point. People will notice them and they will draw the eye of the onlooker towards your lower half. For some of us this is a problem, not up there with world peace, but still an issue. If you are a triangular body shape and/or short legged and/or carrying a few extra kilos on the hips, thighs and bottom then the following tips are especially important. On the other hand if you have the good fortune to be tall and slim, these tips can still help you to look absolutely fabulous in your beautiful patterned pants.

1. Choose your pair of pants in a colour that works with your own palette. No point in buying something that doesn't work with the items you already own.

2. As these patterns often feature many different hues, choose the one which is most fabulous on you and base your outfit around this colour.

 3. To counter the downward attraction of these pants, do wear something eye catching on the top half. Choose a coloured top as opposed to a neutral shade or opt for an eye catching necklace, scarf and/or earrings. As well as taking the focus away from lower body figure challenges, this tip creates visual balance.
4. If you are hippy or short legged, avoid

elasticised cuffs. This style makes your legs appear shorter and wider. Instead select a straight or slightly tapered leg to elongate and slim your pins.

 So, with a little careful shopping and clever accessorising, there is no reason why we can't embrace this fashion trend and liven up our wardrobes and ourselves with a splash of colour!