Summer Fashion Trends

Hola from beautiful Barcelona on the east coast of Spain! Fashion in Spain is very different to Australia… like REALLY different but very refreshing. The Spanish ladies love their lightweight, flowing dresses packed with organic colours (have not seen one mini-skirt in 2 weeks thank God) and then accessorised with endless jewellery plus a pair of killer heels almost cracking the floor beneath them.

As for the gents, slim, lightweight metallic-coloured suits seem to be in for their office wear. To compliment the suits, a slim-fitted shirt and slim tie never fail to please. As for night attire, embroidered tops with a fitted pair of jeans and a good pair of Spanish or Portuguese leather shoes. A simple clean and elegant look gets the lady tourists frothing at the mouth.

The brand I want to focus on in this dribble, is Barcelona’s own Mango a.k.a MNG. Many of the ladies would be familiar with the main Australian store in the Galleries Victoria in Sydney. You will be able to find what I am seeing in Spain now, in MNG Summer 09/10 in Sydney which I find down right impressive. Unfortunately, for us guys, we will have to wait for the HE (Homini Emerito) collection to hit Australia if at all… I heard a rumour but not sure how reliable that source is but fingers crossed. Feel free to enquire Mango directly about the menswear, perhaps it will speed things up! In the meantime, for an alternate for the menswear, Calibre and Satch have some similar pieces coming through.

In Spain, it seems as if it is a religion to shop at MNG. As I sit sipping on a cold smoothie analysing the MNG shop front I ask myself – what recession? If it is affecting Barcelona I have yet to see it. People in Spain really go that extra mile to make themselves look the very best and they do this admittedly to which I say; Bravo! A lot of people I met on my journey have said they save up to buy simply the best. Why? Because it makes them feel better. This does reflect through the Spanish way of life via hospitality, friendliness and generosity, a very happy bunch of people. Adios from Spain!

Sandals Designs

Women`s Sandals

Women's Sandals

Women's sandals are one of the best reasons to celebrate warm weather and summer. And now with all the options at ShoeMall, there's even more reason to start celebrating!

If you're confident with the way your feet look and want to show them off, you'll find just what you're looking for with barely-there, beautifully designed sandals. You'll be the envy of the room when you walk in with one of today's gorgeous women's sandals!

Check out brands like Volatile, Yellow Box and Steve Madden. You also won't want to miss BCBGeneration women's sandals and Jessica Simpson women's sandals for a start in finding the perfect look.

If you're looking for a little more coverage but no less style, ShoeMall has plenty of women's sandals that accent your foot and outfit while leaving more to the imagination.

Many of these sandals feature fun, unique detailing like rouching, flowers, or vibrant prints and fabrics. They'll still show off your great pedicure! Find this type of style with Kenneth Cole Reaction women's sandals and Charles by Charles David women's sandals.

And for truly laid-back women's sandals that are great for poolside or a quick run to the grocery store, you can't do better than looks from Reef, Skechers, Roxy and Sanuk.

Shoes Fashion For Men

Men's Dress Shoes

Today, men's dress shoes have moved beyond the expected (some might think "boring") black or brown lace-up. Though not quite as varied as women's selections, Shoe Fashion carries thousands of men's dress shoes to suit any guy's situation, mood or wardrobe - from traditional to trendy.

Classic men's dress shoes such as wing tips, loafers and oxfords are constantly being revived with a twist by shoe designers; they may have an edgier cut around the toes or a thicker sole. And just like with most things, technology has increased the expectation of formerly stiff, uncomfortable men's dress shoes: comfort, affordability and activity levels need to meet the demands of the modern man.

men's dress shoes are a perennial favorite due to their top-shelf construction, nuanced style and gorgeous leathers. They carry everything from a classic dress heel to snakeskin-textured leather for the guy who wants to be noticed. men's dress shoes have been part of the American lifestyle for more than 125 years. Offering styles that have been around since the company's beginning with new models reflecting today's trends, you'll find world-class craftsmanship and the flair of a bygone era.

With an equally impressive résumé, for over 113 years Shoe Fashion has been synonymous with quality men's dress shoes since their beginnings in a small workshop in Chicago. Today, men's dress shoes are still valued and respected worldwide.

Contrary to their name, men's dress shoes can be loafers, as long as they still look professional and polished. Many men swear by those made by Fashion, whose signature sleek styling is bursting with urban attitude.

To really get the most out of your men's dress shoes, be sure to keep them clean and polished and looking their best. Have a shoeshine kit on hand: you'll need a tin of wax polish, a horsehair shine brush, shoe polish applicator, cotton balls and a shine cloth to really do it right. And it's worth the effort, because polished shoes reflect well on you.

Dress Shoes Fashion

Different Types of Dress Shoes

Dress shoes come in many styles, and each has its place. The particular constructions and colors one chooses are surely a matter of personal style. Nonetheless, there are a few conventions one should keep in mind when selecting shoes for purchase, or deciding which pair to don on a particular day. In general, the sleeker the shoe, the more formal; black is generally more formal than brown. Lace-ups rank ahead of slip-ons, and closed lacing is a notch above open lacing. (In the closed lacing construction, the sides of the shoe emerge from the top side by side and fan slightly outward to form a V where the laces tie them together. A shoe with open lacing has separate side pieces folded over the tongue to meet at the center). Broguing--rows or patterns of perforations--take shoes down in formality, the more so the more there are.

The Oxford Dress Shoe
The gold standard of dress shoes, the Oxford features round toes, usually with a cap, and closed lacing. Plain cap-toe Oxfords are the most formal option for business wear, and can do double-duty as formal shoes. Oxfords with broguing along the cap's edge, or trimming the uppers, are still formal enough for a worsted wool suit; 'full brogues' are more appropriate with tweed or flannel. If you own one pair of dress shoes, they should be black Oxfords; Allen-Edmonds Park Avenue's, made in the United States, are an irreproachable selection and well worth their price.

The Wingtip Dress Shoe
The wing-tip, with a brogued cap coming to a point at the center of the top curving back and down along the sides, is suit-level in black and business casual in brown. In the United States, it is associated by many with Ronald Reagan and the eighties in general, and in any country it is going to draw some attention to itself. This is not necessarily a bad thing, of course, but it does reduce the shoe's potential for frequent wear: while you might wear the same pair of brown Oxford's three days a week without anyone noticing, the man who wears wing-tips more than weekly risks having them integrated into his reputation.

The Derby and Blucher
The derby is similar in shape to the Oxford, but bears open lacing. It is still appropriate for wear with a suit, and supports a khakis-and-blazer look more naturally than the Oxford. The blucher is a slightly sleeker open-laced shoe of similar versatility. Plain or with a brogued cap, these dress shoes will match a suit in formality; with more decoration they carry a blazer well. In suede, rather than smooth leather, these are among the best shoes to wear with jeans or khakis.

Boots
Dress boots bring some ruggedness to dress footwear, making them a worthy option in the winter. In addition, their slip on and off feature along with superior comfort make them a favorite among travelers and those not requiring the formality of the oxford. In the same family, but of a more regional nature, is the cowboy boot. Although men like former Texas congressional representative Charlie Wilson could pull this off, most men might want to skip on this unless they are an oil magnate.

Loafer and Monk strap
Slip-on shoes are casual by nature. Those appropriate for business casual wear include bit loafers, with a mettle link across the middle; monkstraps, with a buckle closure; and penny loafers, with a slotted leather band across the top. Tassel loafers, which are exactly what they sound like, are accepted as business formal in some circles while relegated to weekend wear in others.

White Bucks
White bucks are Oxfords made of white buckskin, a rough leather than in reality is not exactly white. They are the traditional companion to the seersucker suit, and equally complement such summer fabrics as tan gabardine and white linen. Thus, they could be called professional between Memorial Day and Labor Day, or during whatever one considers summer.

Black Tie Dress Shoes
Patent leather Oxfords are the most formal of men's shoes; they are standard with a tuxedo, and clash with most everything else. Opera pumps, shiny black slippers with a bow on top, are another option for formal wear.

Tops Fashion

Making the Right Choice with Tops

Tops are one of the most favorite pieces of every female and ironically, it isn't given much thought before buying one. Here are few pointers which can help you pick just the right top as per your physical appearance and style.

Sleeveless Tops
Sleeveless top look best on females with toned arms. Though it can still be carried if you do not have super toned arms, but its a big no-no in case of flabby arms.

Sleeveless Tops

Halter Tops
Halter Tops should again be preferred only in case you have toned arms and a lean sexy shoulder structure to flaunt. Women with broad shoulder frame should avoid picking up halters.

Halter Tops

Strapless Tops
Strapless or bandeau tops suit well to females with toned figures and relatively small bust. It looks extremely graceful on lean physique but looses the charm if somebody with a large bust tries it on. Women with heavy physique or large bust should avoid strapless tops lest look bulgy.

Strapless Tops

V Neck Tops
A V-neck top is a universally suiting garment which looks good on all body sizes and shapes. One can never go wrong with a V-neck top, a modest V-neckline is found perfect for day time while a deeper one with little embellishments can make a smart choice for an evening party. The only word of caution with V-neck tops is not to go too deep with the neckline or else it would ruin the look.

V Neck Tops

Long Sleeve Tops
Long sleeves tops are a nice option for women with flabby upper arms, veins or similar issues. Though with most of the party tops being sleeveless, finding a long sleeved or ¾ sleeved top can be a real challenge. Semi-transparent or sheer sleeves can be a nice alternative.

Long Sleeve Tops

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Celebrity Fashion

Celebrity Style The Return of the Jean Jacket

Reese Witherspoon Jean Jacket

Every so often the jean jacket makes a comeback, and this year seems to be one of those years. Cropped denim jackets

Chloe Sevigny Denim Jacket

are popping up again on celebrity frames from Reese Witherspoon to Jessica Simpson. Reese’s short print dress with a classic denim jacket is paired perfectly with aviators and famed fedora, and is a great casual look for day-time get-together.

On the other hand, Chloe Sevigny makes her denim jacket more modern with the jacket hem at her waist, and short gathered camoflauge dress. Both the jacket and the dress hug Chloe at her waist making a great focal point. With the basic clean solid colors Chloe makes the jean jacket slightly sophisticated.

jackets arent just for female celebs. Zac Efron has been seen sporting denim on denim recently in Tinseltown. Normally, denim on denim is not a good mix, but black rinse jeans with a classic denim blue jacket makes a good match and gives it a rocker edge.

If you dont have your denim jacket from a few seasons ago, or just need a fresh updated piece,