New Year, new you
To celebrate the New Year, Heather Gregory gives us some clever ideas to glam up for the turn of a new decade in four styles
The New Year comes around in the blink of an eye, and this time it’s not just a new year we’re celebrating, it’s a new decade! Moving into 2010, there’s no better time to make achievable New Year’s resolutions, to move out of your comfort zone and to try new things. These four styles have been chosen to get you glammed up and kitted out for the celebrations and are styled to give you confidence, whatever your fashion taste.
Sugar and spice
For the girlie dresser I’ve composed this look with a lick of vibrant colour blocking, a lashing of frills and a slap of pattern. It’s all about dressing up and having fun with it, so if you take yourself too seriously try to inject a bit of fun and humour into your outfit.
The ingredients for creating a fun and colourful ensemble go as follows: add plenty of layers including tights, waist coats, cardis and scarves; use an accent colour and clash it, mix different textures and materials together and make sure accessories are bold and vibrant.
Chain detailed bag £169 Cheet London
Platform ankle boot by David Wyatt
Women’s dresses from £19.99, blazers from £29.99 TK Maxx
Masculine twist
Few things make such a chic and confident statement as masculine styling. If one of your resolutions is to be more assertive then walk tall in an outfit styled for achievement and get a New Year confidence boost in this look. Focused on clean lines, tailoring and fuss free accessories – less is more. These earrings made by Abby Hook are clean, classy and understated; they would work with a masculine styled outfit with ease.
However, don’t feel obliged to go the whole hog by cross-dressing your way into the New Year – add feminine touches by wearing lipstick or an accent colour underneath a fitted blazer or in a scarf.
Exbury brogue £149 Hobbs
Wrapped Briolette earrings by Abby Hook, MJ issue 10
Jacket £75, trousers £45, hat £16 Warehouse
Dark vixen
One fashion rule written in stone is that black is sexy, mysterious and, most of all, flattering to the female form. Worn most of time out of comfort and convenience, black is seriously overused and should be worn with conviction and drama to serve it justice. In summer we dress in the brightest shades to worship the light, so rather than shying away from the long nights, embrace the darker side of winter by mixing different textures of black upon black. This outfit has been put together with this in mind and has taken a slightly gothic twist with the use of lace, organza, feathers and insect/animal details in jewellery. Make up has a seductive impact by emphasising sultry eyes on the canvas of a clear complexion.
If you’re a shrinking violet, try something new at the turn of the decade and make a dramatic entrance to the New Year’s party as a dark vixen
Feather and chain cuff £24.99 River Island
Necklace by Sam Ubhi
Outfit by Jacob Kimmie
Cocktail glam
The ultimate in celebratory glamour comes from the cocktail dress, designed to make you feel a million dollars. Embrace your curves and bare your legs – don’t be shy to don a dress. For the perfect cocktail dress all you need to do is find a classically cut piece that fits well for your figure and then accessorise accordingly.
Rings are very important with this outfit, so make a statement with an overly chunky cocktail ring encrusted with shiny gems and crystals. Remember that this look is classy and sophisticated so resist the urge to look like Mr T by over accessorising. Long and layered necklaces (starting from 30 inches long) work well with a slashed or high neckline and short necklaces (at 16 or 18 inches) that grace the collarbone are better suited to strapless or scooped necklines.
Frill clutch bag £45 Faith
Ring by Alex Monroe
Pink satine and black lace dress £160 House of Fraser