We are 3 boys working in a cool ad agency. We like to wear stuff that is really out there, but find much of the clothing in the edgier shops very tight and gay looking. Nothing wrong with that, but as we are straight we want to look stylish and not too gimmicky. Any tips?
People who work in advertising, especially Creative departments, are often allowed far more leeway in their dress, even if they are in client-facing roles. Indeed, because of the nature of the business, it’s practically expected that you will dress a little ‘funkier’ than, say, lawyers or bankers. Alexander McQueen’s label would be good choice: for spring/summer the look is of laid-back surfers fused with fifties bad boys. For something a little more avant garde, we love Ann Demeulemeester at www.brownsfashion.com and Maison Martin Margiela, part of the deconstructionist fashion movement of the 1980s. Try Jill Sander for understated and sleek designs cut in luxurious fabrics. The minimalist trademarks include striking silhouettes, high-end fabrics, and meticulous detail, emphasising quality over glitz. For stylish prints look no further than Dries van Noten at Liberty www.liberty.co.uk For cool casual wear Satyenkumar is a combination of tailored casual wear fused with tuxedo-style dressing, a modern hybrid of English eccentric play-boys. And Resistance, inspired by Japan, using unconventional proportions, sizes and fabrics; crossed by political words and revolutionary symbols. And Nom de Guerre has the look of a high end Army & Navy outpost with an emphasis on utilitarian basics. For funky graphics, Call Of The Wild’s unique application of design and art culminates in original apparel. The line ranges from T-shirts to bomber jackets, utilizing unique prints reminiscent of William Morris with a modern and playful edge. All available from www.oki-ni.com Any of the above will make you stand out from the usual ¾ length combat trousers and t-shirt crowd this summer!
People who work in advertising, especially Creative departments, are often allowed far more leeway in their dress, even if they are in client-facing roles. Indeed, because of the nature of the business, it’s practically expected that you will dress a little ‘funkier’ than, say, lawyers or bankers. Alexander McQueen’s label would be good choice: for spring/summer the look is of laid-back surfers fused with fifties bad boys. For something a little more avant garde, we love Ann Demeulemeester at www.brownsfashion.com and Maison Martin Margiela, part of the deconstructionist fashion movement of the 1980s. Try Jill Sander for understated and sleek designs cut in luxurious fabrics. The minimalist trademarks include striking silhouettes, high-end fabrics, and meticulous detail, emphasising quality over glitz. For stylish prints look no further than Dries van Noten at Liberty www.liberty.co.uk For cool casual wear Satyenkumar is a combination of tailored casual wear fused with tuxedo-style dressing, a modern hybrid of English eccentric play-boys. And Resistance, inspired by Japan, using unconventional proportions, sizes and fabrics; crossed by political words and revolutionary symbols. And Nom de Guerre has the look of a high end Army & Navy outpost with an emphasis on utilitarian basics. For funky graphics, Call Of The Wild’s unique application of design and art culminates in original apparel. The line ranges from T-shirts to bomber jackets, utilizing unique prints reminiscent of William Morris with a modern and playful edge. All available from www.oki-ni.com Any of the above will make you stand out from the usual ¾ length combat trousers and t-shirt crowd this summer!
After seeing the beautiful dreamy prints that Prada produced for summer, I was wondering if you have seen this look on the High Street?
Prints are very big this season, and Prada’s prints for Spring/Summer are like no other, out of this world; fairyland to be precise. The dreamy prints are illustrations of erotic flower fairies on silk tunics and dresses, very art nouveau. Because the prints are so unique, you won’t find anything too similar on the High St, but definitely an essence. To get the real look, I’m afraid it’s Prada you need to shop at. Saying that, Topshop has a Fairytopia Ra Ra Skirt which has a flower print in a dark palette, no doubt this is a nod to Prada, £35 www.topshop.com . There are some lovely prints at Warehouse, Zara, and River Island. And French Connection has many gorgeous dreamy prints in dark colours too.
Prints are very big this season, and Prada’s prints for Spring/Summer are like no other, out of this world; fairyland to be precise. The dreamy prints are illustrations of erotic flower fairies on silk tunics and dresses, very art nouveau. Because the prints are so unique, you won’t find anything too similar on the High St, but definitely an essence. To get the real look, I’m afraid it’s Prada you need to shop at. Saying that, Topshop has a Fairytopia Ra Ra Skirt which has a flower print in a dark palette, no doubt this is a nod to Prada, £35 www.topshop.com . There are some lovely prints at Warehouse, Zara, and River Island. And French Connection has many gorgeous dreamy prints in dark colours too.
I would like to know how to dress up so I can make people turn and notice. I live in New York City, I am a paralegal in a Law Firm, and the other day a client asked me: “Don\'t you change your clothes?” I do, but I buy so many similar clothes that it looks that I am not buying anything new. Thanks.
As a Paralegal, you’ll have some constraints on your work attire where formal business attire is required, although this varies from company to company. Stick to business attire of a white shirt with dark suit for more formal meetings. But play with detailing, silhouette, and cut. Try retro detailing and a structured silhouette, with particular emphasis on the waist, and shirts with frill fronts, ruffles or pleating, teamed with short blazers and straight skirts. Experiment with matt and shiny surfaces in fabrics and detailing, keeping accessories in patent or leather. An hourglass silhouette is sure to get you noticed, skirts should be kept at knee length, pencils and tube skirts are incredibly sexy worn with heels and stockings. For less formal situations, contrast flashes of bold colour from your accessories with dark suiting; red is a great eye-catching colour symbolising power and success. Alternatively, try tailoring in neutrals, checks and stripes. Pastel colours are big this season and add a touch of femininity to the hard tailoring. Wear blouses in delicate fabrics, pussy bows, frills, and oversized sleeves are all key details. And adding prints in polka dots and florals will keep things interesting. Try cute fitted knitwear with a wide-waisted belt and pencil skirt or 1970’s style wide trousers for a perfectly polished look. Or pay homage to Marlene Dietrich with masculine tailoring, 80’s blazers, with sharp shoulders and loose at the hem, worn with waistcoats in grey, pastel and base tones. For summer; a short-sleeved cropped tailored jacket teamed with cropped peg trousers. And sharp blazers teamed with pretty 30’s tea dresses in preppy florals. Armed with this information, you’re sure to pick an outfit that will get a favourable judgement!
As a Paralegal, you’ll have some constraints on your work attire where formal business attire is required, although this varies from company to company. Stick to business attire of a white shirt with dark suit for more formal meetings. But play with detailing, silhouette, and cut. Try retro detailing and a structured silhouette, with particular emphasis on the waist, and shirts with frill fronts, ruffles or pleating, teamed with short blazers and straight skirts. Experiment with matt and shiny surfaces in fabrics and detailing, keeping accessories in patent or leather. An hourglass silhouette is sure to get you noticed, skirts should be kept at knee length, pencils and tube skirts are incredibly sexy worn with heels and stockings. For less formal situations, contrast flashes of bold colour from your accessories with dark suiting; red is a great eye-catching colour symbolising power and success. Alternatively, try tailoring in neutrals, checks and stripes. Pastel colours are big this season and add a touch of femininity to the hard tailoring. Wear blouses in delicate fabrics, pussy bows, frills, and oversized sleeves are all key details. And adding prints in polka dots and florals will keep things interesting. Try cute fitted knitwear with a wide-waisted belt and pencil skirt or 1970’s style wide trousers for a perfectly polished look. Or pay homage to Marlene Dietrich with masculine tailoring, 80’s blazers, with sharp shoulders and loose at the hem, worn with waistcoats in grey, pastel and base tones. For summer; a short-sleeved cropped tailored jacket teamed with cropped peg trousers. And sharp blazers teamed with pretty 30’s tea dresses in preppy florals. Armed with this information, you’re sure to pick an outfit that will get a favourable judgement!
llustration by Kanako Yamashita. Researched and compiled by Afira Khan. Art-work by Carolina Conte.