Fashion Forward Wardrobes: Investment Pieces Worth Keeping in the Closet

In England, as in most of the western world, we have a very throwaway culture when it comes to fashion. Recent research in the UK by Big Yellow reveals that despite spending over $130,000 on clothes in our lifetime, two-thirds (63%) of us view our purchases as purely functional and throw away rather than something that could make us money. But the reality is, our wardrobes are an investment. If we're smart with our purchases (and store them securely), the clothes we buy today could be worth much more tomorrow.

Maison Martin Margiela for H&M

Here are some top tips to help you find and store investment pieces:
1. Seek items that are only available for a short length of time. H&M collaborations with high end designers, for example, quickly increase in value.

2. Look at pieces from the emerging breed of new designers. British examples include Olivia Rubin, Louise Gray and Holly Fulton. They will grow into fashion icons of the future and the cost of items from these type of collections will rise rapidly.

3. Classic pieces always stand the test of time but won't necessarily become sought after in the future - wacky, quirky, fun and controversial pieces are more likely to command interest (especially if they have a designer name attached such as Vivienne Westwood or Alexander McQueen).

4. Store your clothing in an environment with a controlled temperature to avoid damp, mould and mildew getting onto the clothes (such as a storage facility). Never store in the attic or cellar as these are prone to extreme heat in the summer & a freezing cold atmosphere in the winter which will ruin the clothes instantly.

5. Art, colour and embellishments reign supreme with fabulous prints and/or sparkles always attracting attention with collectors.

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Drew writes for Big Yellow Self Storage in the UK. Read more tips on storing handbags and shoes on their blog.

A Guide To Choosing Which Statement Piece Of Jewellery Will Suit You

We all have a piece of statement jewellery somewhere in our closet or nightstand. We may just not actually wear it as much as we thought we would. Statement pieces can do a number of things, from communicating your style to others or promoting a great cause to spicing up a boarding wardrobe or inspiring other people. How do you choose a piece of statement jewellery that you love and will wear often?



Original Photo

Finding the Inspiration
Browse local shops to get a feel for the jewellery styles that are out there right now. Flip through magazines to see what the stars and models are wearing. Looking in your own jewellery chest - there may be something buried that you forgot about! Look at websites online that have unique jewellery, like Etsy or Pinterest.

Decide Which Piece of Jewellery Suits You
Huge, dangling earrings aren’t for everyone. Some people can’t stand the feeling of rings on their fingers. Figure out which jewellery you love and which you can do without.

• If you live somewhere warm and spend most of your days barefoot, an anklet or toe ring may be your signature statement piece.
• Do you want statement jewellery with an edge? A piercing - or two! - could be just the spark you’re looking for.
• If you have cropped hair or wear your hair up often, earrings or a short necklace may be just the statement piece for you.
• Do you often wear plain, long shirts? Throw on a long, dangling necklace to vamp up your style.
• Unless you wear long sleeves or huge sweaters often, bracelets can make great statement pieces.
• Hate the feeling of anything on your wrists? Show off a new manicure with pretty rings on one or several of your fingers.

Personalise It!
Really want to make a statement? Find jewellery that’s personalised with a quote, image or favourite saying. You can even choose a piece yourself and bring it to engraver to personalise it. Gold, silver, pewter, copper and even leather accessories can all be personalised.

Play Around With Colour and Fabric
Not every piece of statement jewellery is huge and colourful or small and silver. Play around with different metals, coloured stones and beads and fabrics for chains to figure out what suits you best. You may even decide to layer a few smaller pieces to create one large statement necklace or bracelet. Don’t be afraid to mix and match. Remember, finding a statement piece is expressing your individuality and style.

With the right statement jewellery, you won’t have to spend more than a minute at your jewellery chest. You’ll know exactly what to grab, whether it’s a favourite pair of earrings or a show-stopping ring. If you’re looking for a new piece of statement jewellery, browse small boutiques, which usually have the most interesting pieces. It's just a matter of what statement you want to make!

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Sally writes on behalf of The Jewellery Editor, a blog operated by Maria Doulton (who is the Jewellery Editor). The blog provides the latest commentary and expert opinions on luxury watches & jewellery, keeping us up to date with the latest trends for bridal jewellery sets and luxury brands.

Peplum! Peplum Everywhere!

Peplum is the skirt style for the Spring!

The little black Peplum dress: Eva Longoria dons a waist-huggling peplum skirt with a fitted librarian collar at the top.

Just because it has a ruffle does it mean its enough to cover a bulging muffin top, a precursor to wearing a dainty peplum is still a slim waist.

Not even Kate Middleton is spared from a royal version of the Peplum. Perhaps she is still hiding the royal baby bump?

A Spring 2012 runway staple: What an extra fluffy ruffle can do to reinvent the skirt or even hot pants! It's not exactly a tutu, but a plum peplum can make your workwear fit right into an impromptu cocktail event.

NYMag takes on the streets of New York and waxes poetic about the versatility of this year's Peplum trend. Watch this video!

Mugler Menswear: Spring Summer 2013 Fashion Show

Something wicked comes from Mugler this spring ... a piece of the backstage action-

Meeow!!! or Rooaaarr!?

Here's one FB comment that perfectly defines Nicola Formichetti's moving Menswear Collection:

I am in awe - these are the dream outfits that challenge the boundaries of mens fashion, rather than just staying within the realms of the comfortable, wearable and safe. They may not be for every man, and society as a whole may not be quite ready for the vision and scope of such as these, but when you contrast menswear with womenswear, it is clear that there is a place for such a collection to step forward and bridge the gap between the style and expression of the masculine population. It is times like this that one must regret that he is not economically placed so as to invest in the future of fashion!
- Stui Smith

YESSS Mr. Stui I soo agree with you!

Georgina Bloomberg vs her Big Daddy: New York Soda is OUT!

Thank you Georgina Bloomberg for defending our bad choices from the tyrannical rule of Mayor Bloomberg the Elder.

As Mayor Bloomberg plans to ban the sale of soda within reach of New Yorkers, his little princess Georgina has this much to say about his move:

"His intentions are good. And, it's the kind of thing that the public will thank him for in twenty years, however, people should be allowed to make their own bad choices."

Surprisingly, Georgina has a far better idea- if... "he would lower the cost of healthy food instead of banning unhealthy food. If people were able to afford to eat nutritious food, I think they would make better choices."

Ya go girl! Now big daddy just got PAWNED!

Hennes & Mauritz Plans New Retail Stores for 2013

The house of Fast-Fashion, Hennes & Mauritz has announced that it will open a new franchise of freestanding stores for 2013. H&M's new retail chain is rumored to be their solid attempt to embrace the high fashion market, so expect the new label to come with hefty price tags.



"Like COS, which today is very successful with good profitability, the new chain of stores will be independent and complement the other offerings from the group," H&M CEO Karl-Johan Persson said. "We have great faith in this new brand and we see considerable potential for further initiatives."

The top secret project does not take off from their expensive in-store Collection of Style (COS) line. No brand name for this new store concept has been revealed yet, but the new retail stores might as well be dubbed H&M Luxe.

Life After Lohan: Esteban Cortazar Finds His Way Back to the Runway

After his trauma dealing with Lindsay Lohan and her attempt at a collection at the House of Emanuel Ungaro, Esteban Cortazar has finally found a silver lining, he is relaunching his own label again this 2012.

His eponymous line was much celebrated when Cortazar launched it first in 2002 as afresh-faced and talented designer at the age 17. Cortazar closed shop in 2007 when he signed up as Creative Director at Ungaro at just 23. But his career was marred by Ungaro's "Lindsay Lohan" phase and eventually resigned.

Today, he has partnered with the online boutique Net-A-Porter which will feature his 17-look capsule collection on July 11 with prices ranging from $270 to $3,000. Cortazar has called the Net-A-Porter collaboration "a good first step, without going too far and too fast." Sounds Good. Unlike his stint at Ungaro, if it proves successful Cortazar can look into running his own design house in a few years.