FabSugar UK

10 of The Best Jumper Dresses

FabSugarUK — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:30:38 +0000

Wow it really is winter isn't it? I can't seem to leave the house without at least five tops and two pairs of socks, not to mention countless layers on my legs! My current uniform (minus the layers for warmth) is a big jumper dress, leggings and over the knee boots. Despite looking like an extra from a pantomime, I find this is the most effective way to stop shivering and to keep warm!

To show my love for the jumper dress I have rounded up ten of the best currently available to you. There are lots on offer from £25 to £520. In my experience, the more you pay the longer the knitwear will last. Cheap knitwear is great for a quick fix but you risk bobbling and holes emerging sooner than you might like.

Typically, my favourite is one of the more expensive; thegrey, blue and purple jumper by Freda (£440). However, I also really like the Jumper Dress by Ivana Helsinki at Topshop (£55). See below for more examples.

Style for Style: How to Wear Tartan Tights

FabSugarUK — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 12:00:48 +0000

You'd have to have been on another planet since February to not know that tartan is bang on trend this autumn. Appearing on the catwalk at House of Holland and D&G the trend has now filtered to the High Street and to tights! I decided to try out a pair to find out how to wear this season's hottest trend.

I chose a tartan pair by Pamela Mann (£7.95) and was initally very excited by the prospect. They're quite bright which is a bit shocking and they weren't as thick as I expected. I wanted to make the tights look as punk as possible so I teamed them with a pair of buckled ankle boots.

I wore them out to a party with black shorts and a black vest keeping the attention on the bright tights. I also tried them with a knitted pinafore dress (right) which mixed textures. I found the knitted dress was more flattering (possibly because it was slightly longer) and also thought that if you wore flat knee-high boots that it would be a good daytime ensemble. What do you think of the tights?

Trend Alert: Military

FabSugarUK — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:00:05 +0000

Trend cycles are getting shorter and shorter but the military trend seems to have come back round quicker than ever. Just a few years ago (in 2005) we were all wearing cropped military jackets as seen on the catwalk at Balenciaga, and now the style returns. For Autumn 2008 military detailing appeared on the catwalk at Alexander McQueen, Temperley London and Colette Dinnigan. The style has already been adopted by celebrities including Beyonce Knowles and Peaches Geldof.

The best and easiest way to work the trend is with a military jacket or waistcoat with stitching detail or brass buttons. My personal favourite is a jacket with naval cuffs from Urban Outfitters (£180). If you're investing in a coat for the season then a military style will be on-trend and flattering. However, be warned, this kind of coat will date relatively quickly. The silver lining of course being that the style will undoubtedly be back round in a few seasons time!

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Style for Style: How to Wear Stirrup Tights

FabSugarUK — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:00:28 +0000

Stirrup tights (aka ski pant tights) have been on my radar for a while. Queen of leggings, Lindsay Lohan, was wearing the trend a while ago but this week Katie Holmes stepped out in a pair. I wanted to try the tights for myself to see just how wearable stirrups really are.

Never one to be subtle, I chose a bright purple pair of tights (£5.95) from LoveColour-LoveTights.com. I'm not a big fan of footless tights and generally only like them with a bit of a heel. There's also no point wearing stirrup tights with boots so I opted for a heeled sandal to fully show off the ski pant detailing.

I then added a jumper dress for an evening look. I'm a big fan of jumper dresses (they cover a multitude of sins) but equally good would be a black shift dress or bubble skirt. Stirrup tights are great for winter as they allow you to wear sandals without getting that horrible sandals-tights combo (visible seem across your toes) whilst still keeping your legs warm. I liked the tights and the look they created but they pinched the heel of my foot slightly and you might end up with numb toes.

Long Gloves for Bonfire Night

FabSugarUK — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:00:09 +0000

With all the US election excitement today you might have forgotten that today is November 5th! 'Remember, Remember the 5th of November gunpowder, treason and plot!' Today is Guy Fawkes night in the UK when we all get cosily wrapped up and head out to watch fireworks and keep warm around a bonfire.

It's a great excuse to pile on the layers and try out winter accessories (maybe for the first time) like hats, scarves and gloves. This season we've already fallen for the charm of a leopard print scarf, but what about keeping our hands warm? There are a lot of Princess sleeve coats around right now but unless you want cold wrists you're going to need long gloves or arm warmers to wear the style. Below are some of the best long woolen gloves currently available from just £6.

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Trend Alert: Feathered Friends

FabSugarUK — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:00:57 +0000

Feathers were an unusual addition to the catwalk for Autumn 2008. Adding texture to an ensemble they appeared on the catwalk at Burberry and Alexander McQueen to name a few. Despite sounding slightly gross, they actually work well and the trend has since been embraced by the High Street.

Adorning jackets, dresses and even shoes it seems fashion will well and truly ruffle your feathers this autumn!

Kate Bosworth has already stepped out in a feathered dress and Kate Moss wore a McQueen feathered waistcoat earlier this year. I'm loving the Alberta Ferretti feather trim coat (£710). Just make sure you take care when washing your feathered items!

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Style for Style: How to Wear Wetlook Tights

FabSugarUK — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:00:00 +0000

PVC or wetlook leggings have been en vogue for several season now. They instantly update a look, are comfortable and go with an array of different outfits. However, this season the trend has stepped up a notch with the introduction of wetlook tights.

I decided to try a pair of purple wetlook tights by Aristoc (£15). The tights are possibly easier to wear in black but I love the aubergine colour and it matched the floral print of my dress perfectly. Unlike opaque tights, wetlook tights do not stretch much which means they are not super comfortable. The close fitting style actually makes them more flattering (trust me!) as it creates a smooth silhouette and they stayed up all night.

For more on wetlook tights just read more.

I recently spotted wetlook tights at Inbar Spector's Spring show where she teamed them with sheer ruffles and gothic styling. I think a sheer dress or skirt would look great with the tights if you're feeling adventurous.

I wanted to wear the tights to the 2008 Spectacle Wearer of the Year awards hosted by the lovely Gok Wan so I kept the look quite dressy with patent heels and a floral dress. However, I also found that the tights looked great with a black t-shirt dress and chunky pirate boots.

Style for Style: How to Wear Lace Tights

FabSugarUK — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:00:45 +0100

Last week I suggested ways to wear coloured-opaque tights, and today I'm continuing the tights focus with on-trend lace. Lace appeared on the catwalk at Prada where it shaped everything from skirts, dresses and handbags, but how does that translate to mere mortals like us, you ask?

There is a lot of lace on the High Street nowadays, but wearing them in the form of tights is an easy way to look stylish without going all out. They are also classy and look incredible when paired with another Autumn trend; tartan. I decided to team a pair of Fantasia tights by Jonathan Aston (£10) with a traditional tartan mini skirt for an Agyness Deyn-style punk look.

For how to wear white lace read more.

When I first saw white lace tights, I could think of nothing more than turning them into a pair of fingerless gloves like Madonna's in the '80's, however, I finally styled myself in a ensemble that's both chic and easy to wear. This Sweet Rose Lace (£11) pair reminds me of what I used to wear as a little girl. I matched them with funky t-bar heels and a Prince of Wales check knee-length dress so that I didn't look too Lolita. Which of these two different lace looks do you prefer?

Style for Style: How to Wear Opaque Colour Tights

FabSugarUK — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:00:03 +0100

This season as we see the return of the skirt we also see a rise in importance of tights. Tights (also known as pantyhose on the otherside of the pond) come in all colours and prints for Autumn 2008 including in the key trends of tartan and lace. Over the next few weeks I'll be suggesting ways to wear the new seemingly-scary styles by sharing my own legs with you!

Firstly I'm going to tell you about opaque bright coloured tights. This is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to stay on trend right now. I tried a royal blue pair by Jonathan Aston at mytights.com (£5) first and decided to team them with another primary colour for the biggest impact. Despite being told that I slightly resembled a smurf I liked the colour and they made me feel like Katie White from the Ting Tings. Although they are a relatively cheap style they were still thick enough and the colour pigment was certainly adequately bright!

To find out about how to wear red tights read more
The second tights I tried were a Pretty Polly Nanopaque pair in Mulberry (£10). They almost had a wetlook appearance making the colour seem stronger, although when on the wetlook quality was not obvious. Unlike the previous blue pair paying more for this style really did pay off as the colour was thicker and did not reveal my own flesh tones at all.

If you are feeling really daring then wearing red tights with a clashing pink dress or shoes would create a great look. However, I wanted to make the tights accessible so wore with a short black bubble skirt and black t-bar heels. This played down the bright colour slightly. Unless you are intending to clash the red I would avoid wearing with any shades other than monochrome.

I wore with patent heels to add extra texture but flats would look cute too. It would be difficult (although never impossible) to wear bright coloured tights for a smart event. If attempting this then I would show a glimpse of colour by teaming with a knee-length skirt and boots. They're great for casual wear and look really funky with trainers such as Converse. Stay tuned for more tips on how to wear this season's tights!

Trend Alert: Over the Knee Boots

FabSugarUK — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:00:09 +0100

Thigh-high boots have always been strongly associated with prostitutes, you only have to take a look at the Pretty Woman poster to see that. However, this season they're being aimed at even the nicest of girls as they're teamed with paisley and jersey dresses adding a subtle yet sexy edge.

Revived label Halston got the ball rolling on the catwalk as they paired a stretch-suede pair with a soft jersey dress (followed closely by Tommy Hilfiger, pictured). These boots, despite being £1095 have already sold out but fear not, there are alternatives! Tamara Mellon of Jimmy Choo spoke to The Sunday Times about their take on the trend called 'Heaven' (which doesn't help to deviate from the stripper link). She explained, "They make women feel strong, confident and sexy. They also elongate the legs."

If you intend to attempt the trend then it is never acceptable to wear them next to bare flesh. Instead team with tight trousers or thick tights and a skirt which finishes just above the boots. Also, approach patent pairs with caution. I'm already lusting after the Bertie version (£125), see below for other options.

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