Full skirt 50's.

The 50's are back ladies! And Grease is the word, think below the knee skirts, cinched waists and sweetheart necklines. Louis Vuitton sent swinging full skirts one after another this season, whilst Lanvin experimented with full skirted dress coats. This is a flirty feminine look giving you that pin up, hour glass figure. This look is a favourite of stars like Dita Von Teese.

How to work the look:
To pull off this look it's all in the fit of the garment, in all areas bust, waist and hips because in this time women made their own personal couture pieces by hand using patterns as it was cheaper to make than buy. So when channeling this trend pay attention to detail. Great places to get original 50's garments is vintage and charity shops (but beware body shapes have changed dramatically over the years and sizes have varied so don't be offended when a dress says your size and it doesn't fit.) Bring a little light back into your winter wardrobe by wearing floral prints and pastel colours. where this look with cute cashmere cardigans, pearls and gloves. Still a bit of a rebel at heart? Want to toughen up this look? Try adding harsh statement accessories like a studded waist belt, if it's a just a full circle skirt try wearing it with a wife beater or continue in the theme of 50's but try wearing a corseted bra. For a more petite figure you can choose between small or large prints but for fuller figured girls stick to a larger print. Also when it comes to bag choices try vintage box like bags with envelope fastenings and satchels.
The colour palette:
Soft hues of pink, blue, green, yellow and creme. Try prints and texture to add interest to the look.

The new military.

The new military has jumped ship and taken inspiration from the Navy. Designers from Gareth Pugh to Vunderkind displayed definite inspiration being taken from the Navel forces doing varied approaches to the pea coat. This look is quite a masculine style because of the nature of the jacket, it's boxy shape and double breasted fastenings give it a strong silhouette, But designers Christopher Bailey at Burberry and Christope Declarin at Balmain approached the Navel inspiration with a more literal take using rich, warm fabrics in a deep navy colour and using signature gold fastenings like original Navy uniforms.


How to work the look:
This trend is a great look for men in particular because it's a great formal look but with a twist added detail like gold buttons on a tailored blazer just add more interest without being to flamboyant. This is not to say this look isn't for women also, it's a great androgynous look for girls rocking a pixie crop and aren't scared of looking a little more like Oliver than Olivia Newton John in the 50's trend. Tips on picking up the best statement pieces for this trend is take it upon yourself to pop into your local vintage shop and charity shops as you might find an original Navel garment. Pair new with old in this trend, pair a brand new pair of cigarette trousers with old leather brogues, loafers or deck shoes and a another great staple to have in your wardrobe both men and women is a soft woolen navy pea coat, the thing you need to remember when it when searching for a perfect pea coat make sure it is the best fit for your body because of the nature of the box like shoulders it can add more bulk to your silhouette that you don't need.
The colour palette:
The most obvious colour to this trend is navy, pair this colour with white and rich, deep shades of red and purple with gold accents.

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Pro or faux fur.

When it comes to fur I know there is always some debate between the pro fur and anti fur fashion FREAC's and this A/W is going to be no different as real and faux walked the runways (above: Top-faux. Bottom-real.)

How to work the look:

I personally love fur I've always felt it brings such glamour to any outfit, there's something that just screams luxury when you see someone wearing fur. Now I am personally pro fur, but I am aware there are anti fur fashion FREAC readers and that is why I have shown a mix or real and faux, but whatever you choose here are some pointers as to how fur should be worn. Dress up fur by wearing it over a cocktail dress on a night out and go totally 70's with the look do gold over sized jewellery sequins or a bold printed dress and sky scraper wedges or platform stilettos. Or opposite to that dress the look down by trying the girlie grunge look and layer your fur jacket over a maxi dress, sweater and cardigan all belted. Bit of a risk taker??? why not try working two looks into one and go A la Balmain and try a fur cape.

The colour palette:

When it comes to fur I'm not such a big fan of coloured fur, but it can be done sometimes but approach coloured fur with caution, as for natural colours like black, brown and white these work best as a staple piece for your wardrobe these won't go out of fashion EVER!

Colour of the season : Purple.

This coming A/W2010/11 was bursting with jewel colours like crimson, amber, emerald and gold, but there was one colour in particular that reappeared in numerous runway shows and caught my attention as the colour of the season, mauve purple. This is a great colour to go with pretty much any of the other top trends as your splash of colour in the form of a silk scarf, bag or arm length gloves.

How to work the look:

This is a great A/W colour because it's a great colour to either work up like Miu Miu pairing your look with your make up or accessories or work the look down by using it subtly in jewellery, make up and bags etc. Basically this look is yours to go as extreme as you wish.

The colour palette:

The colour palette for this look is very vast pair it with the other jewel colours of the A/W looks in fact one of my favorite pairings is amber and mauve the clash beautifully, but basically go wild fashion FREAC's.

Girlie Grunge.

Girlie grunge I personally love this trend! It's so easy to do, because it's so eclectic.Think texture, prints and layers for this look. Take all your floral print tea dresses and maxi dresses from summer and work them into your winter grunge look by chucking a chunky knit cardigan or sweater over the top.

How to work the look:

Wear t-shirts under dresses layer slouchy cardigans and scarves. If your a girl who likes to show off her figure work these layers but take a thin leather belt and knot it round your waist. Lace up boots with slouchy socks are also great to add more print and texture. Hair should be messy and care free try putting a few random fish tale pleats in your hair and messy buns.

The colour palette:

There's a mix to this trend, mix bright florals and prints with khaki's creams, blacks and browns.

The Cape.

The cape is a repeating trend that we see walk the runways every couple of years, this is a look some tend to approach with caution, as to the untrained eye it seems a little "out there" but this is a silly approach as the cape can be a great asset to your in the winter months as it helps to streamline your body. The A-line shape skims straight over your shoulders and out hiding any lumps and bumps underneath, the only body shape that should approach the cape with thought are broader shouldered girls as this is the part of the body the cape takes shape from.

How to work the look:
This is a voluminous look on your upper body and should be paired with a slim bottom half to balance out the look. I think there's a touch of glamour to wearing a cape, which is nice to either work the glamour up by wearing body con dresses, high collared shirts and pencil skirts or dressing it down with skinny jeans and boots.
The colour palette:
You can go anyway really when it comes to the colour, but in my opinion, I'd go for black as this will never go out of fashion and after the trend fades this year place it at the back of your wardrobe till it repeats again and this way if there's a colour of choice in the following trend your safe with black.

The Aviator.

The aviator trend, taken straight from the films costume department in Burberrys case. The look consists mainly of the fur trimmed bomber style jacket, styled with leather boots as seen in Burberry and Vunderkind runway shows.

How you can work the look:
Best place to look for the jacket before they hit the high street is a vintage store or even charity shops, you could also have a look on eBay.
On cold but sunny days throw on a pair of Ray-ban aviator sunglasses to accentuate the look further. Wear with cigarette trousers or a pencil skirt like Burberry, the key is to wear a sleek bottom half as the jacket can be rather voluminous. For girls best to look for a belted cropped style to define your waist.
The colour palette:
Browns, blacks, khakis and creams.
Adding a colourful top or accessory can be a nice addition to your look.

A FREACy vision.

I don't want to point fingers or anything but had Dazed and Confused been keeping tabs on the I AM A FREAC page ?

LOOK!

Which one is the real cover, and which one should be!?

It's not the size that counts, it's how you use it.

When it comes to heels, I personally prefer seeing a girl/woman in a huge 6" platform heel, but if your like most girls this is a little much to ask of you, I mean at least we don't ask you to rock a 12" platform boot like Lady Gaga(above) on a night out on the tiles, but there are ways to resolve this.
If you still want to strut like The Saturdays in a massive stiletto then try going for mary janes for extra support, if you have long legs your lucky to have the option of colours and black but if you don't have legs like a supermodel, go for a nude colour that can best suit your skin tone, best in either a patent or suede. By doing using nude this lengthens your legs giving the illusion of supermodel pins. When working the 6 inchers invest in a pair of Scholl party feet or a similar brand alternative. Also look for a cushioned sole in the platform area of the shoe especially.

Other alternatives can actually result in you not loosing any height in heel by choosing to try a wedge instead, in actual fact a suede peep-toe wedge is one of my favorite shoe styles, there's something elegant yet total rock and roll about them. Wedge's are also allot more comfortable to wear and walk in as it distributes the weight out more evenly on the feet putting an end to the "Bambi walk". I personally love these and there so affordable.

The other alternative is just wearing a heel that makes you feel comfortable, but I do recommend in buying a pair of high shoes to even just practice in at home until you feel comfortable enough to strut your shit on Saturday night!

Good luck girls!

Boys sorry this post wasn't really aimed at you! (unless your into drag in which case "gurl strut yo' stuff!)

Above

Top : Lady Gaga in 12 inch platform boots arriving at Heathrow airport.

Middle : Nude mary jane - Christian Loubitoun

Bottom : Metallic platform wedge - Louis Vuitton

Toughen up.

When it comes to formal wear, I don't know about you but I always feel a little uncomfortable looking so smart, that inner child in me just wants to mess it all up.
So I came up with a solution that helps me and I hope it can help you.
Toughen up a formal look by adding little rock and roll touches, the simplest thing can help, mess up your hair, for girls some messy black eye Shadow.
These are small touches, but there are bigger and tougher things you can add!
Try wearing leather biker gloves or lace fingerless gloves, fishnet tights, ankle boots depending on the length of your dress or for guys wear a pair of boots instead of a pair of traditional brogues.
Jewellery and bags can really help too go for hard straight lines, high gloss, metal hardware on bags and big over sized gold or silver jewellery depending on the dress or suit. This is to be done with consideration if you have an over powering printed dress or lots of detail try and stick with black or metal accents as this won't be as overpowering as more colour or prints.
For guys you may be thinking it's allot tougher(no pun intended) to make a formal look less formal without the age old "I'll not wear a tie and leave the shirt button undone" but again it's all in the accessories try wearing a bola tie or a thin ribbon or if your a jewellery type of guy try wearing an edgy necklace. Also the messy hair applies for guys too, it can really help you feel less "groomed".

Above
I'm wearing
Tuxedo - Topman
Shirt - Uniclo
Silk scarf - Hermes
Fingerless biker gloves - Hellfire
Ribbon - Haberdashery store
Boots - H&M
Bag (just seen)- Chloe