Global Traveler Pt 2 (and other things!)

So from where we last left off I'd gone through the building process. This post will be predominantly be about the styling of my 5 mannies and some of the tweaks I've made to it since.

Given the current trends of chinos and brights in menswear I decided to give one last shout to the declining denim trend. While denim is still a strong look (when worn correctly that is- even double denim*) it has started to thankfully give way to some different trends that arguably can enhance the odd key piece which my styling aimed to emphasise. Denim in small doses.

So moving swiftly on I had decided to use a mixture of shades and textures ranging from dark wash with emphasised seams to more stone-washed and relaxed styles in both bottoms and shorts. Denim colours also featured, as when used on differently textured fabrics they can provide a bit more depth to an outfit and break up the hardness of the denim fabric itself.

The first of a 5 I styled was a no brainer. I decided to go with a great pair of denim shorts & a checked shirt (tucked with a belt to retain a cleaner silhouette). Finishing the outfit was a trim pair of tan boat shoes and rolling the sleeves of the shirt to highlight the white tee underneath. This broke up the overpowering colour of the shirt and drew attention away to accessories such as the blue & red belt, used to bridge the colour gap between the shorts and shirt. This overall came out as a really lovely preppy but kind of casual outfit for a summer afternoon out.

Next mannequin was dressed in a dark denim shirt and rust coloured chino. Sadly the pic doesn't give the embellished seams that were a big factor in choosing the bottom half of the outfit. As the seams were a gold-ish colour going one metal tone to accompany it was in my mind the right choice as the outfit was kept warm as darker denim can be overpowering. Pro tip for dark denim- autumnal colours like browns, rusts & oranges tend to work well as they don't over power the harshness of the denim.

Lastly I made a somewhat fashion Faux Pas. I double denimed. Not so much in material but in tone. The mannequin up top was dressed in a pair of denim shorts with a lavender tee underneath to give a little bit of tonal freshness then topped with a Linen denim coloured jacket. This to me attended to the main rule of double denim. If you're going to do it, use different tones that offset each other. Never try to mix and match as you'll only look like a poor 80's throw back (unless y'know that's what you want). Finally adding in the travel bag was a key choice, as the accessory breaks up the colours of the outfit but also adds a more stylish element as accessories like this have become a key feature for the more fashion conscious man.


I'm going to stop here for now as I'm aware this is going to be a long post if I keep up this up. For now have a nose at these pics of another window I was doing at the time which is to coincide with the theme of white. It was a quick installation that required me to use linens, laces and suitable home product to tie in. The result I'm told is probably one of the best i've done. So I'm a little chuffed with this one! Enjoy!

In the pics are some wicked little bits and pieces (notably the jar of pegs & ice cream cone pen from Paperchase)

Love this window set, and am going to get some pics of it before It is disassembled giving way to father's day.

Top 10 Party Dresses For Christmas 2011 Part 2!

So here it is the final 5! As with the previous post I will post the links to the various websites for your viewing and possible buying pleasure! Hope you like these ones guys, there are some real special treats here!

5)http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_008010572060_-1?breadcrumb=Home%7EWomen%7EDresses

At number 5 is this gorgeous dress by BEN de LISI brought to you by Debenhams. I put this at number 5 simply because of the back detailing. No other dress I have found has had this much sculpting and detailing at the rear of a dress. This is one of those impressive subtle uppercuts most boxer's get in when closing a match!
The beautiful bow that sits in the centre of the back almost obi-like provides a simple yet elegant central eye line so as the rest of the detailing does not get over complicated.
Add in the pleats above and the small swathe of fabric below, simplicity is retained whilst embellishing in all the right places. This dress is pure elegance with it's 50's A-line cut and will give any man more reason to look back after you pass him by!

4)http://www.monsoon.co.uk/claudine-lace-dress/invt/15315603/&bklist=icat,5,shop,women,dresses,eveningdresses

This beautiful little number had to go forth as it proves to all how being feminine can come from the most understated of dresses.  This little LBD with it's small but powerful splashes of baby pink provide such a simple yet elegant look. With a lace finish to really hit home the femininity of this piece, it's the subtlety that claimed it it's position. You don't need to have a massive princess dress, or swathes of fabric draped over you to look feminine and sexy in a dress. All you need, as this gem proves, is the right accents or colour, texture and cut to really show off that cracking figure!

3)http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=3981912&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208523&parent_categoryId=203984&pageSize=200&refinements=category~%5B209717%7C208523%5D&noOfRefinements=1

Ok forgive me on this one. I understand this isn't strictly a dress and nor does it conform to the majority of my criteria but in all honesty playsuits are and will always be for those leggy women who want to show off their height by making their legs look like the go on for miles!
The reason why i popped this one in was because it has so much appeal to the market at the moment. Think Samantha Jones (Sex & the City) with it's Gold rhinestone embellished bodice. Teamed with it's billowing legs, shows that even if you're tall then you can get away with looking fabulous without resorting to flats or a maxi dress.
Topshop have played a blinder with this one, as after looking around they seem to have one of the nicest jumpsuits on the highstreet. Granted Linea by House of Fraser do a good job (if a little understated) but this one won out with it's glam/bling opulence! If you want to look glam and different this Christmas then jump into this jumpsuit and strut girls! A guy loves a girl with confidence and this screams just that!

2)http://www.selfridges.com/en/Womenswear/Categories/Dresses/Evening/Copperfield-gown_238-2001420-COPPERFIELD12162141/

Selfridges at some point had to make the list. Yes they're high-end, yes they're expensive but i said there had to be wiggle room... even if it is £1,965!
It was such a hard choice for the top two. The beautiful lines this has made it a top contender from the start. It's classic fishtail cut is the epitome of style and class; simple, elegant and more then enough of a statement with it's flared base. But what really stole the show for me? How sassy it looks in red! Go and have a go with the colour change feature- seriously looks amazing in either colour! I find this so hard to get sometimes when you cross colours with dresses, some just don't cross-over well enough and can look cheap in something other then the original.
Roland Mouret has done a superb job with this dress, from its simple yet beautiful lines to the rolled accent under the neckline. If you ladies want to look the picture of elegance, the epitome of style and the sexiest lady in the room then this is for you! (That's providing you can afford the price tag! Sorry girls!)

1)http://www.lipsy.co.uk/store/sherri-hill/sherri-hill-beaded-corset-maxi-dress/product-is-DR05860_011

And finally we come to our top spot! This one I will explain.
I have had a very rough relationship since I was introduced to Lipsy London this year. Their dresses typically feature more body con then anyone else (aside from New look!) and tend to gear their clothing to a younger demographic. However what sold this piece to me was it's break from the norm 9much like number 10 the Hobbs military dress).
It screams fun but at the same time highlights all the key areas of the body. From the top down, it's subtle sweetheart bodice lovingly frames the bust which is then delicately shaped with the rest of the upper body by the inbuilt corset. As you reach the waist a midriff empire line slashes you in two and then a beautiful gradient cut-away front guides the dress softly backwards to frame the legs. Finished with a small train at the rear, this piece could be worn for any office party or red carpet event!
What i also love about this piece is that for once Lipsy haven't gone overboard with the bling. This dress is subtle enough with it's beads to make sure the key areas of the waist and bum are accentuated just enough for it to provide volume to your frame where you need it. The dress shows thought, design and care. This is why it is at the top for me.

What i have taken away from this is not only are there some cracking pieces out currently for you ladies to try and show off to us lucky guys but also there is a lot more thought, design and care coming into dresses for the highstreet. Big names are realising that more thought is needed with key pieces to collections and mass production is by no means a way to dress the masses unless you can churn out gold! To that end the pieces I've listed all show that even from big chains or little boutiques there is finally some divergence away from money making Prom or poorly fitted middi dresses. Although not a massive difference it shows that change is on the cards if you really look for it.

I hope you've enjoyed this, the first top 10 I hope of many! If you have any ideas for my next then please drop me a line via my twitter account (twitter.com/Kurstylr or @KuroStylr if you're already a follower) or drop me a line here in the comments section! Always glad to hear from you guys!

Many thanks guys! Hopefully will have some highstreet gems for the boys next week! So keep watching ladies and gents!