For The Bold and Beautiful: How to accessorize for the changing seasons

Accessorizing an outfit this fall/winter should be bold, fun and fearless. You can take an extremely simple piece and turn it into a great ensemble. Some exciting ways to upgrade your looks as the cold weather drags on is to add that pop of color.  Key colors this season, that are excellent accents to your outfits, would be; Oxblood (this is a brown red), Merlot (similar, but more of a purple tone is added to the brown), deep navy, red-orange, turmeric, camel, deep sky blue (darker shade of a pastel blue), a bright stock blue and Ivy (a deep moss-like green). When it comes to the use of color, most people refrain from it, especially in the colder seasons, because they don’t know when to use what colors. The great thing about fashion retailers, is they’ve already set your trending colors for you. If it’s in the stores, you honestly can’t go wrong. However, here is a simple easy trick to mastering your use of  color combinations;

A color wheel. This guide tells you everything you need to know and more. With the simple act of google, you can find out what colors are complementary to one another. For example, Orange. Directly opposite of orange is blue. These two colors are very often seen on the runways and they look incredible together. Another simple trend is to keep your chosen color pallet monochromatic (one color) but play with your levels of light and dark. Here’s a couple accessory trends that you can play a colorful, creative, and a monochromatic twist on. 

Color-blocked handbags

A simple way to master your use of color this season is the art of color blocking. Designers have created their own color collage of these hues and interpreted them to best fit your needs all into one handbag. Co-ordinate your handbag with at least one common color in your chosen pieces to make this look work wonders.

Tod's A/W'15

Thin waist belt

A colorful outfit can always be accessorized with a colorful accessory. Adding a thin tailored belt at your waist is an easy way to make the waist appear thinner and add an extra bit of style and sophistication to your outfits.  Pick a color that is  used the least in your chosen ensemble.

Etro A/W'15

Over-Sized Waist Belt

For an even more exaggerated and unique twist to your outfit, try an over-sized waist belt. Colorful or not, this belt is guaranteed to enhance your look and create that visually appealing narrowed waist.

Pascal Millet A/W'15

Wrap Belt

Wrap it around your waistline, over the last layer and tie it to once to one side. Once again, you have another way to enhance your narrowed waist and give that outfit an extra pop of style by co-coordinating your belt with the color of your boots.

Luisa Beccaria A/W'15

The Brooch

This oldie is still a goodie. Pin whatever your heart desires onto a solid color garment, a knit dress, poncho or wrap cardigan for that personalized touch.This gives you the opportunity to play with your pieces by pinning them in different drapes.

Les Copains A/W'15

By: Eleni Kapetaneas

Lamania Boutique

How to Transition Your Day to Night Look by Enhancing Your Best Assets

On Monday, November 9^th, 2015, Lamania Boutique held a beauty tips event with our very own style expert, Anna Jackowska and Arbonne Cosmetics Beauty expert, Vanessa Juandoo. A perfect way to end a rough start to everyone’s week, the event began with wine and tips to figuring out simple ways to identify our body shapes. With comparisons to celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé Knowles, Oprah Winfrey, and Cameron Diaz, the 4 most common identifiable shapes are; pear, apple, straight, and the most desirable by many, the hourglass.

In case you missed out on the event here are some helpful tips;

Pear:

The pear shaped body type is easily identified by a more rounded bottom ratio than the bust. The hips are wider than the shoulder and bust line, creating a fabulous curve with that defined waist. When finding an outfit for a pear shaped body type, you want to choose necklines that make the appearance of your shoulders seem wider. When it comes to wearing the most complimenting tops, choose brighter prints and colors to draw less attention to your hips. Focus on defining your waistline by belting your garments at the most narrow part of your torso. 

Apple:

The apple shaped body is easily identified by a more rounded shoulders and torso. The bust and hip line are similar in width. The best way to dress for an apple shaped figure is to create an empire waistline. This line is right under your bust line, it will compliment your lady bumps and draw less attention to your mid-section and accentuate those legs.

Straight:

The straight shaped body is easily recognized by the similarity in length of the shoulders, bust, waist and hip line. The figure is considered boxy and have a seemingly athletic appearance. The best way to dress for a straight body figure is to accentuate the model like legs and visually enhance the waistline for a more curvaceous and feminine appearance. Belt your garments at the waist, and wear necklines that help widen the appearance of shoulders, to aid in creating the hourglass shape. 

Hourglass:

This hourglass body shape is easily identified by the curves. The shoulders and bust are similar in width in comparison to the hip line, all complimented with that narrow waist. Your body is one of the easiest to dress for, just keep showing off all those curves by belting at your waistline, necklines that show off those collarbones, and wearing fitted garments that truly show off all that you’ve worked hard to keep in shape. 

At Lamania, while we were in the midst of a makeover in the dressing room, Vanessa Juandoo, educated us on the importance of a beauty cleansing routine. The do’s and don’ts of your regime for day and night included: Step one: cleanse, Step two: tone and Step three: restore your skins elasticity with the right lotions for day and night.

-          You should be going through your routine morning and night, as tough as it can be sometimes applying an SPF based lotion for day to protect you from the harmful rays and environmental bacteria.

-          Apply an anti-aging or firming night lotion for bedtime to restore that youthful look while you endure your literal, beauty sleep. 

When our volunteer- model stepped out of the dressing room, in a body-con dress, she had everyone in awe. The dress featured the perfect positions of print accentuating her curves, and elongating her length. Her makeup routine featured a slight smoky eye, liquid liner, touch up on mascara, beautiful blush, and berry lipstick. Such a simple, sexy and completely transforming day to night look. 

The evening was full of surprises and prizes!

Come join us for our next style and beauty tips event at Lamania. See more details at www.lamania.ca It’s a great opportunity to meet local industry professionals, shamelessly ask experts for style or beauty advice and network with women that just love fashion. We’d love to meet you!

Lamania Boutique

Eleni Kapetaneas