Prada, Fendi and Marc Jacobs are intent on making fashionistas introduce some perspex transparency into our space-age wardrobes. Rescu. has the ultimate guide to making it chic, not 2001: Space Odyssey.
Transparency is a very 60s sort of trend. Think Mary Quant minidresses under transparent overcoats, and Twiggy posing in see-through boots.
However, it’s all gone a little more futuristic and a little less Austin Powers. Rescu. has the tricks and tips to make it work for you.
First off, embrace the quirkiness of it. It’s never going to be more than a pretty trend, so don’t let it overtake your wardrobe.
Secondly, full-length transparent dresses with a pair of beautiful, all-coverage underwear are experiencing a major vogue due to Katy Perry, who’s embraced the trend multiple times – but it’s not exactly appropriate workwear. Work with transparent materials – don’t do the (now very outmoded) long transparent skirt over a mini, but layer materials over interesting black basics underneath.
Diaphanous is your friend – and is particularly interesting when paired with big chunky knits and serious boots for autumn-winter.
Play with textures. Always, always check mildly see-through materials in the light, too – you want to be showing exactly what you planned, and no more.
As for the more edgy perspex look, it’s full speed ahead for London fashionistas who’ve embraced the see-through hoodie and raincoat in a big way, sometimes with a series of printed embellishments on the latex. This is a cute cover-up for the rainier autumn.
However, the real place perspex and transparency shines is in accessories. Look for clear bags, sunglasses, bangles and heels. A see-through heel is a very charming touch – Louboutin’s chunky perspex heels are famous among socialites, with one employing him to fill them with love letters from her husband.
Embracing the space-age isn’t difficult – just avoid multiple transparent items in the one outfit. You’re a woman, not a walking editorial.
Image: Prada 2012 transparent handbag.
She’s not yet a household name, but if the trend predictors in London and Paris have anything to say about it, she’s almost the new Naomi Campbell. And she’s an 18-year-old from Rose Bay, Sydney.
Julia Nobis, the hard-rocking blonde bombshell (she’s now renowned for her Nine Inch Nails T-shirts at castings), is the next big thing – and the hype is now overwhelming.
After all, not every fledgling model is hired to do a Calvin Klein exclusive for their very first fashion week. That, if you’re not familiar with fashion, is about as likely as a snowstorm in Darwin in December.
Nobis also walked for Louis Vuitton and Burberry Prorsum, and is now one of New York casting powerhouse Michelle Lee’s top picks for THE model to watch. Add that to New York Magazine’s accolade as break-out model of 2011, and you have a heady combination.
So what will Nobis do next? The Lara Stone-esque star is signed to Ford, but everybody is watching her next move with baited breath – particularly since she’s threatened to throw it all in and do medicine at university.
Rescu. will keep you posted on her meteoric rise.
Image: Julia Nobis.
Jeans are simply not de rigeur for the working woman. They also, alas, have a reputation of laziness among the more fashion-forward. You’ll never achieve elegance in the daytime with a go-to uniform of jeans and a shirt.
However, finding pants which don’t have the seductively all-fitting, comfortable qualities of jeans can be incredibly difficult. Here’s RESCU’s ultimate guide to finding the trousers for your shape, wardrobe and build – no personal tailor required.
Step one: step outside the black box. Formal working pants don’t have to be black, black, black. If you wear them too much you’ll look like a secretary.
Step two is finding a cut which suits. This is often the most difficult part: boot-cut versus skinny makes life a lot simpler than figuring out the proper cut of a less familiar fabric.
Wide-leg pants are very cool at the moment, and almost universally flattering, particularly for plus-size women. They create a very long leg. However, don’t let them swamp you and don’t wear them at a point on your hip which doesn’t do you justice.
High-waisted wide-legs can be very flattering for the stomach. They need to be very, very long – and worn with heels.
Cigarette pants are almost exclusively for the women with very small bone structure, although they aren’t flattering to the flat bum – if you’d like more oomph behind, find a style with back pockets or designs to give the illusion of more bulk.
Cropped pants are for those who want to celebrate their shape, curvy or otherwise. Smaller women should wear them slightly looser to give a more casual feel; curvier ladies should look carefully at where they hit on the body, cutting off above the ankle, and wear a shoe which makes the most of the downwardly drawn gaze.
As for fabric: linen and cotton are great for wider-leg trousers which move, stiffer fabrics for stiffer, thicker cuts. However, a thicker fabric doesn’t necessarily mean a thicker silhouette if you dress it right; experiment with tailoring. A wide-legged brocade pant is a classic worn by socialites the world over.
As for colour, the world is your oyster. Pastels are very in this season, but can risk being sickly-sweet on a grown woman’s legs, so opt for richer, stronger colours, particularly jewel tones. Lace trousers are also very in, and particularly chic for work.
And don’t be afraid of prints! Just because it seems like an in-your-face idea doesn’t make it impossible. Just look for something which doesn’t overtake your outfit and works into your wardrobe.
Always bring along the type of shoe you’d like to wear with the pants, so you have an accurate view of your leg in all shapes. And visual aid always helps – when shopping, have a firm idea in mind, or a picture from a magazine with ‘that’ shape. It will help the shop assistants no end, and you’ll drive home happy.
Image: Proenza Schouler 2012 pink trousers.
