Free to be you!

It’s summer! And here at DownTownGirl we believe that means only one thing; it’s time to let go, and let flow! Fashion is always a means of expression, an art form, and summer is the best time to show that off to the fullest. This week’s trend has to be textured summer prints. Worn well, this trend can give curves to a square figure, and can whittle the waist of more curvy physiques. There are no rules here; it’s all about expressing yourself and being free to be who you are! Wear prints head to toe or wear one item of print. Just be sure to show off your best features, a well-tailored look is always a fashion do! So give a try, and you will be the trend setter in your own right.

What he wore

What I wore

Check back in next week to see what DownTownGirl chooses as its next summer trend!

The last few weeks of spring

With spring time drawing to an end, enjoying the bright and fun colour trend is essential. This week, at DownTownGirl, we decided to explore the pastel jeans trend. Pastel is definitely a more muted version of the “bright” trend. But it packs just a big a punch! Mix and match different colours and textured tops, try layering or just keep it simple with a great white shirt. This trend is very versatile and forgiving. So whichever look you settle on, just be sure to give this trend a try.

What I wore

Let your fingers do the talking

Fashion, like all art forms, is not restricted to what you may perceive to be its boundaries. Fashion can take form in the more predictable ways such as over-sized hand bags and 20’s inspired sunglasses, right through to the more obscure, such as nail art.

Fashionistas around the world have embraced this trend and you can rock this look too. For those who are on the more reserved side, you can start off this nail trend by wearing trendy colours and designs: Such as these lilac and grey nails, or this colour blocking pattern.

If you’re feeling more adventurous though, you can start off with this mutes lace over-lay pattern, or just jump right into this trend and let your creative side show.

I, on the other hand, plan on embracing this season’s most on-trend colour- Neon- and going full on glam!

Whichever look you decide to wear, do it with confidence and just let your fingers do the talking.  

Take a Wedge out of Summer

With summer fast approaching, the best way to get a foot ahead of the fashion curve is to be a part of this great revamped trend: Wedge Heels! This trend not only looks great, but Wedge Heels are also really comfortable, so you can go as high as your heart desires.

This shoe trend is so versatile. It elongates the legs, transcends age and personal style, and can work with both day and night.

So ladies go ahead and get yourself a pair of wedge heels, whether you’re going to the beach and just a night out on the town, you will look amazing.

Quit It or Keep It: Peplum Edition

Peplum is just making its way onto the racks of South African fashion stores, but it has made a real impression on the DownTwnGirl team. But does Peplum have staying power? It is very hard to Not look god in Peplum. It accentuates all the best female features; makes the waist appear smaller and gives almost all women a beautiful hour-glass figure.

But there are rules to follow here. Ladies, make sure that the Peplum is the correct length in proportion to the garment it is attached to. It should Not look like this:

Styling is also very important when it comes to pulling of Peplum. Like the great Coco Chanel said, “when accessorising, always take off the last thing you put on”. This seems to apply to Peplum. A more simplistic, tailored Peplum outfit works best. Remember the Peplum is an accessory itself.

So should we Quit It or Keep It? I say Keep It! Just follow the two DownTownGirl rules for wearing Peplum, and you will look fabulous!

Act like a lady

Feminine apparel has been making the rounds on the run-ways all across the world. None has made a greater impact than the Peplum trend. Peplum- meaning small over-skirt- is usually attached to jackets and dresses or skirts. It adds not only a feminine touch to every outfit, but also an air of sophistication, elegance and strength.

Peplum is a great addition to every woman’s closet because of the way it frames the female body. It helps highlight the smallest part of most women’s bodies’, the waist, and also flaunts and accentuates the hips; give women a beautiful hour-glass figure. So go ahead and give Peplum a try. Whether you are petit, tall, and curvy or have a square shape, there is a Peplum look for you!

Check in n Wednesday to weigh in on whether we should Quit It or Keep It: Peplum edition!

I am Not my hair

From the unruly to the over-styled and immobile, hair can quickly take over a woman’s face and outfit. But like the song goes, our hair cannot and should never define us. Rather our individual sense of style and our creative side should mould the hair, like the winds shape the branches of a tree. But, there are a few rules to be adhered to. The shape of your face should be your first thought. There are 4 basic shapes: oval, square, rectangular and round. Always speak to your stylist about this so they can adapt different haircuts and styles to your face. Next, you need to evaluate your lifestyle. You should be able to maintain your look even the day after a salon visit! Lastly, ladies please remember a simple rule: if a bird tries to lay an egg in your hair, you’ve probably gone a step too far.

Let’s hope these people take these rules into account the next time they visit their hair stylists!

Hair today, gone tomorrow

The one and only accessory that all women have is their hair. Be it short or long, curly or straight natural or flown in from Brazil. All women have it and it truly is our shining glory. Spring trends apply to our hair styles too. Spring is a time to be playful and take risks, not only with our fashion choices, but with our hair too. So here are DownTownGirl’s Top 3 picks for best spring/summer hair trends.

Curly

Short

Braid/Dread-lock/Oh-Natural

So go on ladies, let your hair down, try something new, or just chop it all off!

Check in on Wednesday to see what hair styles should be kept under wraps!

Quit It or Keep It- Makeup Edition

So you were feeling bold, and decided to try out this season’s hottest trends. Well that’s all well and good as long as you stick to the DownTownGirl makeup rules.

When indulging in the Natural makeup look; be sure to find the foundation, lipstick, eye shadow and blush shades and tones that perfectly match your own skin tone and under-tone. Or you might end up looking naturally sick, instead of naturally radiant and fresh.

For bright eye shadow, take time to find out how to properly apply it. This way you can avoid the racoon eyes or worse yet, the clown eyes!

Lastly, for those who did not get a chance to read Sunday’s article, let me reiterate: Never wear a bright lip AND a bright eye shadow. Or you just might find your face on the next Quit It or Keep It edition of DownTownGirl.

Be sure to check back in on Sunday to find out what our pick for next week’s trend will be!

Putting you best Face first

Getting the spring fresh look is often left to just the outfit. The makeup you wear, though, is just as important and makes as big an impact! Spring trends for makeup ranged from nudes all the way to very bright eye and lip makeup. So when you’re getting ready tomorrow morning, why not try something new with your makeup?

Try going neutral: This gives the face a fresh and young look to it. Use gold’s and browns, anything that complement’s your natural tone and shows off the fresh-faced new you!

Try bold eye shadow: Pick a colour that compliments your skin tone. Now apply the darkest shade of that colour to the outer corners of your eyes, and then go lighter as you reach the centre of your eye. Apply a little of the colour on your lower eyelid to make your eyes really pop!

Bright lips: Choose pink, peach or red in a shade that suits your skin tone and you’re sure to make a statement

DownTownGirl  makeup tip: Be sure to wear either a bright lip OR a bright eye colour.

Check back in on Wednesday to see how NOT to wear spring makeup

How bright is too bright?

Retro styling has brought us many great trends, neon being among them. But like everything else in life, there are always two sides to the story. From ill-fitting neon blazers to the ridiculous Borat bikini, you have to be sure that you are wearing the trend and not the other way around.

So, now having seen the dark side of neon, what’s your verdict?

Quit It or Keep It?

Flashing neon lights!

Spring is one of my favourite seasons. We get to try new colours, silhouettes and styles. What I tried this week was a healthy sized helping of NEON! From neon clutch bags to neon painted finger nails, the 80’s are back! This trend can be over-whelming at first, but you do NOT have be a stylist to know how to pull this fun and funky trend off.

Go classical: Wear a sleek neon shirt paired with an on trend peplum skirt

Go vintage boho chic: Wear a whimsical floral skirt and simple white tank, and bring in the neon trend through your accessories

What I wore: Let the neon do the talking by pairing it with simple cropped white denim

So go ahead, give it a try, it is spring after all.

The first week of spring has passed, and that means; the bitchy side of DownTownGirl has to sound off! Check back in on Wednesday to see the Neon edition of Quit it or Keep it!

Spring has sprung

Roses and lilies are blooming on our skinny jeans, and skirt hems are getting shorter by the day. After weeks of hiding our legs under layers of stockings and long skirts, it’s finally time to bring out those raver blades!

On this, the first week of spring, celebrate this bright time of year by rocking one of this season’s brightest trends; white! Wear it as one statement piece or go head to toe white!

What I wore

From all of us here at DownTownGirl, we wish you all a happy Spring Day!