My Rarapu | My Fashon Advice

5 Reasons to Toss Out Your Skinny Jeans

2012-08-08T05:08:00.003-07:00

1. You're missing the big picture.

First, you need to learn what a healthy weight is for you. This is based on genetic and environmental factors, says Jim Mitchell, MD, of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Talk with a health educator or your doctor about your family's weight history. "If you come from a family where people tend to be larger, what we call 'big-boned,' then a healthy body weight for you may be somewhat higher than it is for someone else," Mitchell says.
Then, work on appreciating your teen body. Maybe you have strong legs, but you’d like to have long, thin ones.
Shift your thinking away from what they look like to what they can do for you -- like haul you up the stairs with ease, or allow you to squat to see under your bed. That thinking shift will help you set goals to bring out the best in your body. Such goals may include choices like cutting out fast food and processed foods to help you do that.

2. Being a skinny teen isn't the goal: Being a healthy teen is.

Part of being a healthy teen is about reducing your risk for chronic problems and setting yourself up for a lifetime of good health, Tiongson says.
Don't just focus on the numbers on your scale. Talk with your health care provider about your body mass index (BMI). That's the number used to predict your risk of weight-related complications, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Like many of your teen peers, you may be under the impression that "health problems only happen to grownups" -- that you're too young to worry about heart problems, for example. But that's not true.
"You may not feel it now," Tiongson says, "but making changes now, when you're young, can have a big impact on the rest of your life." The great thing is that building healthy habits can pay off now and in the future.

3. You'll take control of your body.

You've probably heard a lot of "rules" for losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle: You have to be active for 60 minutes a day. You have to eat five vegetables and fruits a day. You have to get at least 8 1/2 hours of sleep a night.
"The reality is if you try to change too many things, the chances are you're going to fail, and then you're not going to try at all," says Stephanie Walsh, MD, a pediatrician at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. "You can't change your whole life at once, but you can change one small part of it," Walsh says.
You have the power to decide what that first step will be. You can decide to cut out soda Monday through Friday. Or if you watch six hours of TV a day, you can choose to trim it down to two.
"That's a step for you," says Walsh. "Ask yourself: What are changes I can make that fit into my life now?"

4. You don't have to rush to fit into this year's fashion.

We've all gotten used to convenience and speed. But pursuing a healthy, active lifestyle is not an instant change, like getting a haircut. "Everybody thinks, 'If I do all of these things, it'll be better really fast,'" Walsh says. "It's still going to take time. It's a matter of being patient with yourself."
If you go on a crash diet to get into a pair of jeans by a certain date, you won't be building healthy eating habits, so you're likely to give up and gain back the weight. If your goal instead is to get healthier and reach a healthy weight for you, you're more likely to stick with it.
So give it time and commit to doable short-term goals, such as walking three times a week or cutting out junk food for a week. If you set attainable goals, you're more likely to achieve them -- and that will fuel future successes.

5. You'll feel better.

You'll actually be happier if your goal is to eat healthy and exercise regularly, not to starve yourself to fit into a skimpy outfit. "You will feel better physically," Tiongson says. "You'll have more stamina, more strength. Your mood will be better. It's about feeling good from the inside out, rather than the outside in."
What made the biggest difference for Ashley was joining a program in California at a Wellspring Academy, which emphasizes health and long-term weight loss. In six months, she lost 48 pounds and went from being one of the least motivated students to one of the most active. She just signed up for a 10K and is now training for a half-marathon.
"You should do it not for other people, but for yourself," she says, "so you can see a change in yourself and be able to have confidence. I feel really happy now, and I'm comfortable with my body."

Mens Trend 2012 : Oversizing

2012-08-07T08:31:00.002-07:00

While FashionBeans continues to advocate the art of choosing and wearing clothes that are of lasting style, we also take great pride in informing you of the latest trends – giving you, the reader, the choice between who you want to be, and what lifestyle you want live.
Therefore, while being a proponent of minimalistic style myself, neither you nor I can afford to ignore that menswear is currently experimenting with proportions. Hopefully this trend will not remind you of the days before we resurrected your wardrobe. As with any new fashion, you can completely ignore it; or exuding a little more creativity, you can decide how far to embrace the trend.

The Oversizing Trend

On the catwalks and in editorials, there have been many examples of more flamboyant shapes less keen to be restricted by established rules, conforming to nothing but their own drape. Last year, slim lines and sharp cuts ruled the runways and headed the front pages of many fashion magazines, but in a 4G world, the ballooning shapes seen in Paris, Milan and London reflect the theatrical nature of couture that previously emerged more than sixty years ago.
You may have already been aware of the oversized trend, as it appeared on the women’s catwalk not long ago, but it has been dismissed by many due to ridiculous measures being taken by some women walking around in their actual pyjama trousers. With this in mind, this is an opportunity to score one up on the girls, boys!
Certainly, the menswear designers have been doing their bit, as elegant tweaks to the assembly of simple clothing have allowed the billowing silhouette to become an altogether more stylish one:

2012 Tokyo Fashion Festival

2012-08-06T00:16:00.000-07:00

The 2012 Design Festa at Tokyo Big Sight attracted around 10,000 artists (including performance artists). It's an open exhibit (as long as your art's original). It's a great place to find Japan's up and coming artists dressed in their best.

The nerd girl look finally made its way to Japan this year from Asia. This look has been big in Hong Kong for years. In Japan, girls wear glasses that have no glass in them. In Hong Kong, girls wear glasses with non-prescription (regular) glass.

Tokyo shop girls setting up a display in Shinjuku station. In Japan, working in a trendy fashion shop is a popular position. These girls often work long hours for mediocre pay. They're required to wear the shop's fashions — out of their own pocket (at a discount). It's a surprisingly challenging career.

1940's fashion guide to being glamourous

2012-08-05T03:17:00.000-07:00

glamourdaze.com and vintagemakeupguide.com A womans 1940's fashion guide to being glamourous by Miss Ratherly Stern. Learn first hand from a womens etiquette expert, how to possess the glamour, poise and charm of a fashionable girl from the 1940's. This film was assembled courtesy of the Prelinger Archive. Quote's A little touch of seasoning that makes a dish just right.

Source : Youtube.com

Smokers Style

2012-08-04T00:29:00.003-07:00

Three Dunhill SS10 looks with archive advertising images providing the backdrop.

The latest Dunhill collection by Kim Jones is everything I wanted and expected it to be. Jones' vision for SS10 is English to the core, classic whilst taking you back to the roots of it's founder, who was known for his love for exploration and travels, but at the same time it all feels very modern. On the surface it was a traditional collection which aimed to bring Dunhill home to a new market. However, as the looks moved from simple tailored day wear in to a more casual weekend and on to a capsule traveller collection through to evening wear, it was cleat that Jones had picked out key inspirations from the past and repackaged them for the new era of luxury.

Alfred Dunhill joined his father’s saddlery business in 1887, ambitious and inventive, he brought new ideas and following his father’s retirement in 1893 he planned to change the focus of the business to cater exclusively for the pioneering motorist. Kim Jones has certainly channeled the history of the brand and undoubtedly understands the heritage. I get the impression he has spent hours upon hours researching the back catalogues of Dunhill and books like Dunhill by Design, finding inspiration and updating these ideas for the 21st century The heritage of Dunhill is so broad and so darn British, from its beginnings with the birth of the car to creating luxury accessories for motorcycling, aviation and the oh-so-fashionable smokers in the Roaring Twenties.

"I wish smokers would appreciate non-smokers as much as non-smokers tolerate smokers smoking in front of them."-Diana Rikasari on Hot Chocolate and Mint

Diana Rikasari's Style

Leather folio mystery solved

2012-08-03T23:42:00.003-07:00

One of the inevitabilities of the fashion week circuit is that you run into the same people in several different cities. I snapped a photo of this leather folio in London, and it piqued Daniel’s interest as a unisex option for a fashionable Macbook sleeve. I had no guesses as to who designed it but, as luck would have it, I ended up turning my camera lens to the same smartly-dressed lass outside the Paul Smith mens show in Paris. This time I made sure to collect the name of the brand.

The leather folio was made by London-based Jas M.B, and its owner paired it with a simple yet sophisticated outfit of black pants and a silk top, belted to have a peplum effect.

Written by Tania Braukämper.
Some people's wardrobes are about a small selection of pieces that all fit within one aesthetic - Tania Braukamper isn't such a person. With a wardrobe that spans three different rooms, her approach to fashion is a mixture of current-season key pieces mixed with vintage finds she's sourced on innumerous shopping trips around the world's more cultured capitals. Despite a disparate approach to shopping, Tania is adamant that the key to mixing vintage with new season is to stick to key looks and colours that work for oneself.

Men’s Quiff Hairstyle and How To

2012-08-03T22:25:00.003-07:00

The last time we saw the quiff popular as a men’s hairstyle trend it as infused with rock overtones. With the indie haircut dominating the music-orientated hairstyles, the quiff becomes something altogether more refined in 2012. It’s still infused with attitude, but, as far as men’s haircut trends this year, it’s a very different attitude. Read our guide to the new quiff for a run down for all the different quiff cuts, vintage inspiration, and styling and product recommendations.

Good for: straight hair, wavy hair, curly hair that can be relaxed

The quiff style in 2012.
One quiff, two styles.

We’ve seen it cut mid-length, we’ve seen it cut long, but for all the variations on a theme the quiff boils down to only two distinct looks in 2012: the slick quiff and the rock quiff.

The slick quiff is the quiff for the year and it’s defined by one, dominant attribute: it’s for straight hair. Or it’s at least for those guys who know their way around a blow dryer or a set of GHD irons in order to make their hair straight.

The rock quiff will prove to be the rarity of the two styles. It’s for those guys daydreaming of living a post-Elvis rock star life or embracing an untamed biker boy look. With its just-out-of-bed appeal it’s still a striking look, and we list it as the rarer of the two hairstyles for one good reason: it’s the more extreme of the two. And whenever it comes to the extreme in menswear, you’re guaranteed a rarity. That’s why you’ll continue to see the rock quiff on the likes of song-man Alex Turner and in editorials aplenty, but with far less gusto on the street.

Louis Vuitton gave a sophisticated edge to the quiff on their spring / summer 2012 runway, with a toned down take on the quiff that match the brand’s tailoring without playing to any of the Mad Men themeing that continues to impact upon men’s fashion. With their trimmed, obedient strands held back with sea salt spray and anti-frizz mousse, these boys are strictly on the job. The point of difference is in the directional styling of this look – it’s an important distinction that none of the lads have a vertically erect quiff. It has been steered to the side to create an illusion of tidiness and accuracy. Consider the quiff for a non-chalant day.

Side quiff on the runway at Louis Vuitton, S/S 2012

The quiff: how to

To help you get a grasp of both the slick quiff and the rock quiff we asked many a question of Melbourne hairstylist Annika Bowen. For what follows we owe her much credit.
Understanding the style is where it all starts; you need to see what your hair type is and which look from the examples is going to suit your hair. For example, those with intertwined curly locks will find the rock quiff easiest, those with wavy hair will find the Blanco example straightforwards, while those with straight hair can pretty much have whatever they like. Of the two interpretations, the slick quiff has an added bonus over the rock quiff in that it’s more versatile; it can be worn down as a side fringe.
Whichever you pick, though, remember that the quiff isn’t the easiest of hairstyles to maintain. It’s going to take effort in the morning and many a follow-up visit to your hairdresser. From the outset you need to decide if the style’s demands are viable with your lifestyle.

Hair type

Both styles of the quiff need a relatively fuller hair line at the front, so they aren’t necessarily an ideal hairstyle for those with a receding hairline.
For a rock quiff, the shape of your head is an important factor to consider. The side of the head will be relatively less dense, in terms of volume of the hair, so take that into consideration. It works best with curly or heavily waved hair, and hair that has movement. The rock quiff also needs plenty of texture, so works best on thick hair.
The slick quiff is about transforming the Brit-rock fringe look into an upward standing quiff. The style works best if the hair lacks a parting, however, as shown in the Louis Vuitton example above, it does flatter when styled alongside a side-part.

Hair cut

Even though the hairdresser has the tools for the trade, you still need to be aware of what’s happening up there in order to recreate the quiff.
If you’re going to make the rock quiff your own the best way to visualise this cut is as a teardrop shape at the front with short sides. If you’re after making the look dramatic, as your hairdresser is going to want to trim the sides super short with clippers on number 2 or 3.
For a slick quiff, the ideal length to cut the sides is about 1cm or at fingers’ depth. The cut should be kept square and weight should be kept around the horseshoe area at the front of the head where men recede. Your hairdresser will need to maintain the length at the front of the hair of your head, but have it cut to a point that’ll help in creating the bend and height for an eventual quiff. If you want to maintain long sides, ask to have them blended into the centre of the quiff in the styling stages.
Once done, ensure that you book a follow-up cut for 6-8 weeks after the first cut as it’ll get challenging to maintain and style post that period.

Styling

The cut is merely an asset to the quiff; the real magic lies in its styling. The hairdresser might give you a top-notch style straight after a cut, but you have to be able to re-create it at home.
The main styling step that’s common for all hair types is using a sea salt spray. It gives a dry, matt hold with beach-like texture from the scalp. This is vital, especially when you don’t have time to go through the other styling steps.

Spray sea salt spray all through the hair until it feels rather wet. If your hair is already damp, make sure you work enough product into the strands.
Blast a blow dryer on high and use your fingers to work the hair upwards while drying.
Pull the hair forward and then bend it back so you get the quiff shape, and ensure you don’t miss the roots while drying.
The main trick is to keep working your fingers through the roots; this will create an insane amount of movement from within. You need that.

If you want to stop here, make sure you’ve achieved the desired shape of the quiff before spraying the strands with hair spray. If you’re after more precision with the styling of your quiff, however, keep going with the styling steps below.

For thick, curly hair:
Contemplate relaxing your curls / waves by first stretching out the hair whilst blow-drying. However you can wear it curly too, it all depends on how curly your hair is at the front. Defer to your hairstylist for advice if you’re unsure what works best.

For fine hair:
To give definition to the locks, fine hair requires an incredible amount of volumising mousse and/or sea salt spray in the early stages of styling. Once you’ve created the desired shape, take a dollop of non-shine hair gel (our preference is with American Crew) and work it in the same motion as your quiff. The consistency of the hair gel will hold the style for a long duration. If needed, you can also use some hair spray, though keep in mind that when the hair spray and gel eventually dry up you’ll be left with a brittle feel to the hair.

For frizzy hair:
Start with sea salt spray, shape the hair into the desired quiff shape and then work hair wax or clay from the roots upwards. The hair wax will keep the flyaway hair strands at bay, and it’ll also last longer.

Piled Up & Pinned Hairstyle And How To

2012-08-03T22:01:00.001-07:00

If there’s a middle ground between being stylishly done and carelessly undone, this 2012 women’s hairstyle occupies it. Elegant to a tee, it doesn’t require precision or complex tools (bobby pins are your friend – and lots of them) but it does require a little finesse to pull off that undone-done look of effortless chic. Our guide to the piled and pinned hairstyle takes you through each of the steps.

Hair type suited to: straight hair, relaxed curly hair & wavy hair.
Hair length suited to: mid-length haircut or long hair.
Hair colour suited to: all colours and complexions.

Shoot credits

Model: Sophie Van Den Akker , Chadwick Models
Photographer: Kelly Defina at kellydefina.com
Makeup artist: Shev Kelly for Napoleon Perdis
Hair: Annika Bowen @ Annika’s
Stylist: Mercy Watson

On model Sophie Van Den Akker, hair stylist Annika Bowen used little product. If your hair is cooperative, all you really need for this style is some bobby pins and a spritzing of hairspray.
The style is best for short to shoulder-length hair, and works well with natural curls as well as straight hair.
Follow the steps below to create the look for yourself.

Make sure hair is prepped first. This style is great when hair is a little dirty (for example the second day after it’s been washed.)

Divide the hair into three sections. These sections don’t need to be neat, as this hair style is all about quick, loose and messy. The three sections should be:
1. ear to ear at back nape section
2. horse shoe section from recession to recession
3. the middle section left

Starting at the bottom section, pull the hair into the centre, scrunch into the nape and pin where your fingers are holding the hair. The pinning should be fairly haphazard.

Continuing to the next middle section, scrunch and pin the hair into place.

For the top section, slightly twist and quiff up the hair (you can create as much or as little height to suit your face shape). Pin the quaffed front section in place to complete the updo.

To finish, spray with hairspray.

The finished look

Our shoot with Sophie Van Den Akker paired the piled up pinned hairstyle with smokey midnight blue eyes for a look that’s best for after hours. For a daytime take pare back the face with nude makeup, a splash of fresh white eyeshadow, or simple black liner and pink lips.

Styling variations

This style can work with some embellishment. If you want to create a free-spirited version dot some flowers through the pinned sections of hair.
Experiment with different products for different levels of texture. Try sea salt spray or a wax product to create extra texture before pinning up the hair.

The Mod Bob's Women Style

2012-08-03T21:25:00.002-07:00

The Mod bob’s origins

It’s fair to say that the Mod bob isn’t truly a revivalist hairstyle. What, then, influences it?

When you look back at the era, Brigitte Bardot was the poster girl not only for not only its hairstyles but the era full stop. Hence it’s not a bouffant that we speak of, but rather the Brigitte Bardot hairstyle with its bed hair qualities and centre part. Unlike some of her fellow Sixties beauties, Bardot chose to cater to her sensual and messy side, with the allure of her trademark hairstyle resting just as much on its untidiness as on her personality itself. And it’s this allure that 2012′s revival of a short bob hairstyle with Mod overtones rests upon – consider it the short haired sex kitten look.

But the 1960s bob wasn’t all about the sex kitten, particularly when it came to American royalty. From 1961, Jacqueline Kennedy changed the way working mothers approached their wardrobe and beauty cupboards. In fact, one could argue that she placed fashion on the map of American politics, as far as the First Lady is concerned. Despite changes in the length of her hair and precisely where she parted it, over the years the wind-swept, outwardly flicking version of Kennedy Onassis’ hairstyle remains her most iconic.

One last person: the 1960s can’t be written about without a mention of Twiggy. While hair lengths now provide little in the way of shock factor, the length of her Twiggy’s hair was revolutionary for the time. a super short bob, well above the ears, with side-swept fringe that was monitored with a bobby pin. This Mod hairstyle became a sensation, especially popular amongst schoolgirls for its prim-and-proper, neat look. However, it was often shunned for being androgynous and too bold.

So there you have it: three icons of the 1960s, each with hairstyles that had little in common save for their length. What does that give us for 2012? An amalgamation of all three.

The Mod bob now

The ‘60s had more hairstyles than what can be counted on fingers, and all the Mod bob in 2012 borrows heavily from the three previously covered hairstyles. From Bardot we get the volume, from Jackie O the shape, and from Twiggy the parting and the Mod vibe.

If you’re looking for the perfect example of how the Mod bob revival should be worn and styled then you need look no further than the Arizona Muse and Daphne Groeneveld 60s inspired photo shoot for issue 35 of Self Service magazine. Much hyped, it’s Muse who rocks the hairstyle and whose model-of-the-moment qualities have propelled it into 2012.

The Mod bob how to

The Mod, 1960s bob is a hairstyle dependent on texture. You need the added volume, the oomph and the strength to make it seem like you’ve spent hours on styling it (but secretly, you haven’t). To make the hairstyle work now remember to avoid making it a precise replication of the era. You’re not aiming for Twiggy’s hair, nor Bardot’s. Instead you’re aiming for a hairstyle that evokes and romanticised the 1960s, even if it didn’t really exist within the iconic images of the day.

The cuts

While hairstylea in the 60s were certainly made up of more than one distinct length, it was an era very much defined by its shorter hair – hence 70s fashion is all about length. So it is that this is a style designed for those with a bob haircut. The best length for the cut of the bob is chin length, but it’s also going to be able to work with a shorter, Twiggy length bob. If you are having your hair cut shorter, the trick is to maintain the sharpness and strictness of the bob by booking regular follow-up trims, ideally every 6-weeks.

Despite the fact that it’ll heavily downplay the effect, it is possible to interpret this hairstyle without with a bob. In this case the style is far more dependent on styling. The haircut, however, can be layered or a levelled and a fringe is optional.

The tools

To style this look, you’ll be able to make use of

hair mousse
volumising cream
hairspray
a hair straightener and/or curling wand
a comb
a paddle brush
bobby pins

Styling it

The mantra is texture – this hairstyle is all about getting the texture and volume around the crown.

Take small sections around the crown of your head and backcomb it. The general rule for backcombing is to take a tail-comb brush and comb the hair three times in a downward motion. Don’t be rigorous and rough as you’ll damage the roots. Section the hair in three parts and that should create enough volume around the crown.
Lightly settle the flyaways and spray and generous amount of hairspray onto the bouffant section.
Pick a hair parting now; we recommend the site parting as worn by Twiggy and Arizona Muse, though you’re equally as able to borrow from Bardot should a centre-part better suit your face shape.
If you opt for a center part: Whether you have a fringe or not, part the hair down the middle and pull back the hair from either side. Secure the sides with bobby pins, just behind ear at eye level. For long hair, create wavy curls or even straighten the locks.
If you opt for a side part: Taking inspiration from Muse’s textural styling, create a side part on the right. Pull the hair on the other side and secure with a bobby pin at eye level. This will work best if you have a side fringe. End all styling with hairspray.

Brit-rock hairstyle: men’s hair trend for 2012

2012-08-03T18:17:00.001-07:00

There’s a men’s hairstyle that hasn’t left the catwalk in some time: the slightly tousled, slightly devil-may-care, forward sweeping men’s hairstyle. It’s been called many a thing, but with its Regency overtones and the fact that it continues to be favoured and interpreted by many a British indie band, it’s a hairstyle we’ve dubbed the Brit-rock hairstyle.
It’s also a hairstyle with enduring appeal and while we’ve been talking about it since 2009, we have to be clear that it has evolved. The ‘wet look’ of 2010, for instance, will look positively outdated in 2012 for instance.

Defining the Brit rock hairstyle

The picture above is likely to have already given you a pretty clear idea of what the Brit rock hairstyle is and while it may have spoken the thousand words, here’s a few less than that:
The Brit rock hairstyle is a hair swept forwards style for young guys that gives them a fringe. It’s to be worn with nonchalantly and with swagger. It’s not necessarily British, nor is it necessarily the domain of rockers, but what it is is cool.
Suitable for guys with everything from straight to curly hair, the Brit rock hairstyle is all about length through the top. It’s also about texture. That texture can be a trait of your hair, or can come about courtesy of hair cut that introduces lots of slicing, chipping, razoring and deep point cutting.

Men’s indie hairstyle examples

Dubbing this the ‘Brit’ rock hairstyle for 2011 / 2012 may seem to unfairly weight it as appealing to only a certain type of guy. And it really shouldn’t. While it’s not a fringed men’s hairstyle that is going to work for everyone, neither is it a hair style that’s only going to work for the British male. Or rockers. It just so happens that British bands and ~~British fashion labels~~ Burberry Prorsum have done more to popularise this fringed hairstyle than anybody else; the latter so much so that if you took the musicians out of the equation you could almost call this autumn 2011/ spring 2012‘s Burberry hairstyle.
So what versions of the Brit rock have Burberry made popular then? The following:

Long all over, this is an interpretation of the indie hair cut for straight hair.

The perfect interpretation of an indie hairstyle for men with curly hair, the short sides prevent the hair cut from making the head look large.

This interpretation is short on the sides and more clean cut. It’s likely that this would be cut with scissors over a comb, but it wouldn’t be uncommon for your hair dresser to use clippers. They real key to this interpretation of the style is that the length throughout the top is blended into the shorter sides. In styling it, the fringe can be treated as a separate part: it can be left longer or cut differently, preferably sliced to give it more texture and to prevent it from being too heavy and thus sitting flat. Like the interpretation above, this is another great cut if you’ve got thick hair that is likely to sit up and make your head look large.

This mopped interpretation of the hairstyle is one you might consider a modern update on the Beatles. It features a swept fringe with length kept on sides and works best for guys with straight hair. This style can be cut quite uniformed or cut square on the sides to heighten the sense of masculinity. Given it’s for straight hair you need to have irregular lengths throughout to create texture and take out weight, without that it will be too blunt. Your hairdresser will be able to slice or deep-point cut to create the irregular lengths.
If you’re looking for examples off of the catwalk we could recommend any number of British indie bands. In fact, if one looks to the bands coming forth from British Isles it would appear that some governmental edict has been issued dictating precisely what indie hairstyles are allowed and which are not. Agreeing with said imaginary edict are the likes of The Kooks, The Horrors, the Arctic Monkeys, The View, and the Klaxons. So there you have it: this the hairstyle for you if you like or you play in a band whose moniker requires a ‘The’.
Prior to 2011 / 2012 we saw Bottega Veneta feature the men’s fringe on the catwalk, something that has left us with two clear examples of a do and don’t for this year and next. In the photo below the left is the do and the right is the don’t. The left is a do because it sets clean-cut sides against a purposefully disheveled top. The right is a don’t as it’s just too neat, too school boy, too devoid of attitude. In short: to nail the modern men’s fringe it’s best to avoid the straight, side swept fringe and ensure that it’s instead worn with plenty of texture.

Men’s soft fringe hairstyle

While the above picture serves as a do and a don’t, the following serves solely as a don’t for the hairstyle as it’s evolved. Commit this to memory: the men’s fringe shouldn’t be worn with a wet finish in 2011 / 2012. A healthy shine is okay, wet is not.

Regency men’s hair style from Burberry Prorsum

How to make the Brit rock hairstyle yours.

If you’re thinking of making the Brit rock your own hairstyle it’s not as simple as sweeping your hair forwards. It takes the right hair cut and the right products. To help you with that, Fashionising.com sat down with Melbourne hair stylist Annika to help us put together the following how to guide.

The hair cut.

For most guys the length and cut of their existing hair style isn’t going to be suited to the Brit rock hairstyle – you might be able to experiment with it, but to get it perfect it’s going to take a trip to a hair dresser / hair stylist. Here’s how you get the hair cut.

Understand what you want
As you can see in the photos above, there’s more than one way to interpret this forward men’s swept hairstyle. Slick, messy, short, neat, rugged, relaxed. We could go on. But with so many options, ensure that you have a clear sense of the particular interpretation of this hairstyle (or a small selection of styles) that appeals to you. The two things that you should consider in advance is the length of the fringe that you want, and whether or not you want a neat interpretation of the hairstyle. The descriptions that go with each of the pictures above should also give you a pretty clear idea of any other attributes you may want.
Converse
Once you know what you want, make sure that you can communicate it to your hair dresser. And make sure they listen. Explain to them what you like about the Brit rock hairstyle, what you don’t like, and what you’re ambivalent about. Doing so will allow them to tailor an interpretation of it that suits your particular face shape and lifestyle. It’ll also allow them to create a one-off interpretation that you’re happy with.
Don’t be afraid to save the pictures in this ‘hair how to’ and take them with you. If you can’t print them out, put them on your smart phone. The majority of men don’t explain themselves all that well when they visit the hairdresser – if you’re one of them, let a picture do the talking for you.
Be informed
Once your hair cut is done and dusted pay careful attention to the way it’s styled. If you’re not sure about any of the styling steps, ask – you want to know that once you leave the salon you can recreate the look yourself. Things that you want to be sure about are the right product to use, the way you dry your hair after it’s been washed, and the way you move your hands through it to place product.
A good hairdresser will automatically explain all of this, but if they dont you have every right to ask – you’re paying for it to look good even once you’ve left the salon.

Styling it: the hair products to use.

Perhaps you’ve already had this men’s fringed hairstyle cut or you weren’t happy with your hairstylist’s product suggestions. If that’s the case, here are some of the products you could use to style the Brit rock.

For texture without a shine
If you’re after a dry look with plenty of texture then use a sea salt spray as your base product – this will give your hair a dry texture and will also add support to the hair so it both holds and has movement. The name gives it away, but your hair is going to feel pretty similar to the way it does after you’ve been for a swim at the beach.
To get the most out of it: wash your hair, spray in the sea salt, and then dry it into your hair with a hairdryer – make sure that you’ve shaped your hair into the desired hairstyle as you dry with a hairdryer (i.e. your hair should be pushed forwards).
Once done use a clay hair product to set the style. Rub the clay across your hands to melt it and make it pliable, then rub both hands through your hair from left to right, starting at the crown and working towards the fringe. That hand movement will ensure that every part of your hair has product on it. Once you’ve worked it through start styling your hair into the final shape that you want to create, arranging your fringe (which is the focus of the hairstyle) as desired. If you want to increase the amount of separation and texture, use the tips of your fingers.
Product suggestions: Label M sea salt spray, Sebastian Craft Clay.
For texture with a shine
Remember that this is for a shine and not a wet look.
Wash your hair, then towel dry it. If you have fine hair and are in need of volume, work through a volumiser / booster cream. Dry and shape your hair with a hair dryer.
Once done use a styling cream to set and define the style. If you are after a low shine, a styling cream will suffice. If you are after a higher shine mix a splash of a styling oil with the styling cream in your palm and mix it together. Rub the styling cream (effectively a modern, low shine gel) across your hands, then rub both hands through your hair from left to right, starting at the crown and working towards the fringe. Once you’ve worked it through start styling your hair into the final shape that you want to create, arranging your fringe (which is the focus of the hairstyle) as desired. If you want to increase the amount of separation and texture, use the tips of your fingers
Product suggestions: American Crew firm hold styling cream for a strong hole or American Crew’s forming cream for a medium hold.

The key to all the products is that you’re looking for those that will emphasise your hair’s texture. In some of the examples above we’ve noted two products: this is where one product will give you the hold you want, while the other will give you the finish.

This Post Was Made By Fahionising And Re-Edit by Rarapu

The year marks the true start of a new decade, and yet 2012′s fashion trends are all about revival. True, there is a unique undertone of a modernist style appearing, but take some of the most iconic styles of the 20th century, infuse them with quality, and you’ll find the basis for the dominant styles of 2012.
The year’s hair trends are no different. For fashionisers in 2012, hair is all about revivals and evolution. With styles and colours we’re seeing the best of 2011 reborn, whereas cuts are offering reworked and luxurious revivals of styles that sit perfectly with the year’s clothing trends.

2012 Men's Hairstyle Trends

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Men’s hairstyles aren’t like women’s. Women’s hair trends are short lived, often lasting no more than a year. On the other hand, men’s hairstyle trends evolve slowly – and that’s the key to men’s hair trends in 2012. Each and every one of them has its roots in the hairstyles that were popular in 2010 and 2011, but each and every one of them also has evolved for 2012. Some have subtly evolved, others have split into several different hairstyles.

What’s the same, however, is that Fashionising.com is going to take you through each and every one of them. Below you’ll find a list of all of 2012′s key men’s hairstyles and haircuts. You can find a list of the key hair trends directly below, each with its own tutorial and styling insights. Below that you’ll find a full list of other hairstyles and haircuts for men in 2012.

As always with men’s hairstyles, there are variations on themes and altogether different looks that, while mainstream, aren’t fresh or which specifically appeal to men with a particular taste.

2012 Fashion Trends

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Even though the year isn’t over, most of 2011′s trends have come be to defined. As such, we can already get a good feel for some of the elements that we’ll carry through into next year as fashion trends. After the break you’ll find the beginning of a list of those trends, including the elements that will come to influence their formation.

If you’d like to keep up to date with all of the latest fashion trends and inspiration on how to wear them, subscribe to Rarapu’s Feeds to never miss a thing.

2012 Fashion Trends Video

9 Tips to Shop at Thrift Store

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Ever wondered how your vintage-obsessed friend always finds the cutest things just by shopping at thrift stores? Can't figure out why every time you go thrifting, you end up with a big pile of novelty items and mom jeans? Read on for my top tips on finding your next major thrift score.

1. Context, context, context

I cannot overstate the importance of a good sense of context. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the hideousness that engulfs the racks: muumuus, tawdry christmas sweaters, stretched out bicycle shorts, and mom jeans. In your hurry to sift through it all, you might nonchalantly skip over your new favorite piece so try to make a day for yourself when no one is waiting for you and you can take your sweet time trying on everything. Get to know what looks good on your body, what would fit with your current wardrobe. Some ridiculous '80s sweater might look totally hip with your edgy haircut and designer ankle boots. If it tickles you, it couldn't hurt to just try it on.

2. Consider Alterations

Don't abandon that pristine vintage cocktail dress simply because it's a size too big. Maybe you love the color and cut of that blouse, but the sleeves are obnoxiously puffy. For the measley $3 you're spending, it would be worth it to take it to a tailor. You'll be surprised with how excited you'll be about that piece once it is exacted to your specifications.
Get creative! I thrifted this teal velour nightgown for $3 and altered it to be a mind-blowing cocktail dress just by lopping of the sleeves and a few feet of hem.

3. Shop Off-Season

Think ahead and shop for summer items in winter. You’ll find the best deals and have a better selection to pick through. Winter coats are plentiful and purchased for pennies in August. The same would go for vintage sun dresses during January .

4. Find Your Local Thrift Outlet

Most well-established thrift store "chains" like Goodwill and Salvation Army will have outlets for your thrift-stalking enjoyment. A magical land where all clothes are $1-$3 except on, you guessed it, half price days. The ladies at the Goodwill Outlet told me their clothes only get one week at full-price store racks before they get bundled up and shipped to the outlet.

5. Wear Your “Thrifting Uniform”

Be prepared for long fitting room lines (or possible lack of fitting rooms) by wearing something that is comfortable and easy to try things on over. I like leggings, tee-shirt style dresses, and slip-on flats. If you’re not wearing socks, at least slip a pair in your bag for trying on shoes. Not doing so might be characterized as gross.
If you know your body measurements, you can take an even easier route and throw a flexible sewing tape in your bag for taking measurements right there at the racks.

6. Don’t Stay Stuck in the Women’s Clothing Section

If you’re petite, check out the kids section for a shrunken schoolboy blazer or a little dress you can wear as a top. Or head over to the men’s section where you can find oversized cardigans or some nicely cut trousers.

7. Gravitate Toward Thrift Shops That Are Off the Beaten Path

Thrift stores in areas with a high population of hip college students will obviously be more picked over and pricey. Look for thrift stores near ritzy retirement communities and small settlement towns.

8. Get a Rapport Going With Your Cashier

Most thrift stores don't have a set-in-stone pricing structure so striking up a conversation with your cashier and telling them how nicely their orange vest brings out their freckles couldn't hurt, especially if you are going to be coming in on the regular. If the employees get to know you well enough, they may even be willing to set aside that elusive Pierre Cardin grampa cardigan you've been on the hunt for, before it is available to the masses.

9. Go Thrifting Regularly, and on Off-Hours

If you don't go thrifting on a regular basis, you're just asking to miss all the good loot. Thrift stores get new stuff every day, so be vigilant. You can even inquire what days the "new" merchandise gets put out on the floor. Get there early and be met with a veritable treasure hunt.

Winter Fashion Tips To Look Slimmer And Stay Warm

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I have some tips for you to keeps your body warm in winter season but yet it makes you look slimmer.

Tip No. 1 : Wear thermal underwear that fits like a glove, is well ventilated yet insulates so well without creating additional bulk. You could skip a layer or 2 of clothing in a mild winter and get away with it. The fewer layers you wear, the slimmer you look. It should be tight fitting. A bonus of tight winter underwear is that it acts as a sort of girdle to hold in the saggy bits of fat, giving you a slimmer silhuette.

Tip No. 2 : If you are going to wear a dress or skirt, make your legs look slimmer by wearing wool stockings. Choose one in black or a very dark color where possible, for that slimming effect.

Tip No. 3 : Wear fewer layers made of warmer fabrics. Winter is the time to take out your cashmere and wear it. Wear wool or silk instead of thick layers of cotton.

Tip No. 4 : Wear coats that hint at your figure. A too tight coat with unsightly bulges makes you look fatter. A coat that fits well flatters your figure.

Tip No. 5 : Keep warm with a gorgeous pink pashmina shawl. It doesn't add bulk to your frame, instead, it perks up your look beautifully. Better than a necklace in that besides making you look great, it keeps you Stay Warm.

Beginners Guide to Style

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Have you ever wondered how to match stripes with leopard print, or what the word analogous color means? Check out My Guide to Style for Beginners and never be unsure of how to mix and match patterns, how to make neutrals pop, or how to wear fashionable clothes.