Breton stripes

Breton stripes! "The Breton stripe shirt originated in Brittany—a French province that occupies the peninsula between the English Channel and Bay of Biscay—which may explain its nautical affiliation."

Breton stripes are a classic look that can be worn throughout the seasons. One of the advantages of owning a Breton stripe shirt is that is versatile, easy to wear, well priced and casual.

Ever since I was in my teens, I felt I had a special connection with Brittany, and last year I saw the Coco Chanel movie with Shirley McClain, and since then, I can’t stop thinking about it... so hopefully this year I will take a few days and head up to visit.

Stripes are very tricky to wear, and to wear them and look good you have to be very fit, or just know the right type of stripe that best compliments your body and features.

Here are some ideas on how to wear your Breton stripes.

Tuck in your stripe shirt with black skinny jeans, add a blazer to layer the look and add a splash of red as scarf to brighten your face. Update your look by looking for different variations of the stripe shirt like the Bailey 44, ACNE, Stella McCartney, McQ, Armani Jeans and Sonia Rykiel shirt.

Another way to wear your stripes is with an A-line skirt, and knee length boots. Wear a longer stripe Breton like Markus Lupper or Marc Jacobs as a dress or with wet look leggings, for that edgier look. For a more classic or nautical look try Blumarine stripe shirt and pair it with high-waisted pants or jeans.  

Buy Keep Store 2010

I would like to start the year with one of my favorite editorial issues – What to buy keep or store right now. Some of us are still in the “cold” wave, with clear blue skies, and some of you live in the tropics and want to start mixing some spring trends into your outfits.

Here are some guidelines on what to do right now….

BUY – If you want to start incorporating some key spring items into your winter wardrobe I recommend that you look for dresses in nude or pastel colors. Look for that shape that best fits your body, and if you want to wear it now, I recommend wearing it with high boots in dark brown, or beige. Continue to match your outfits with big heavy metal necklaces; just remember to balance it with smaller earrings, and vise versa. Wooden shoes will be very big this coming spring/summer, so if you still have them from previous seasons get them out! When it comes to Jackets, soft materials will be more appropriate than structured jackets, trying to achieve that flow and loose look. Soft jackets will help you give movement to your cloths and it will also help hide those extra kilos you may have gained over the holidays… just make sure that when you use layers you use block colors to cover that area you most want to hide…

One of the biggest trends this spring/summer are prints with techno vibe, look for prints that flatter your body type and tones that compliment your skin color not the print that is in fashion.  When it comes to handbags, crocodile, snake, and reptile skins will be the “most have” material in bags this coming spring, as well as skin clutches with metal accents.

KEEP – Floral dresses will continue to be very popular in the warmer months; I recommend that you choose the right floral pattern, the one that makes you look fresh and young, and brightens up your face. When I say floral, I don’t mean big and bold, I mean the one that you like the best, and reflects your personal style. Continue making a statement with big bead necklaces, and strappy sandals. Keep your sharp shoulder jackets, and also those shirts, and T-shirts you bought with shoulder pads and big sleeves. Slouchy bags will continue to be key pieces this coming spring.

STORE- My biggest advice is to avoid wearing all black outfits from February on, and store those dark black hosieries, and exchange them for beige, and browns. Animal charms won’t be very “in” in the next couple of months, so store them for the moment and once it’s hot get them out! Mary Jane shoes are great for any time of the year, but if we want to experience the change in season let’s store them until next fall. Cropped jackets are also very wearable but let’s try and incorporate softer looks. Store your plaid prints, until the next school season, as well as your boyish messenger bags.  

For further information please write to: blog@xtravagans.com

Mytheresa Sale

Xtravagans sale pick's for Mytheresa

Xtravagans Holiday Gift Guide

It is better to give than to receive apart from advice

–

Mark Twain

One of my favorite things is to give gifts to my friends and family. I love to collect things, all year round, and if I bump into that special present, for that special person, I take the chance and get it. I believe gifts should be bought when you have the change, because they rarely are available when you want them to be.

This will be the last editorial of the year, since I will be taking a small break for the holidays, hopefully I will be back in January to continue with fresh ideas and share more fashion advise on anything and everything and making Xtravagans your fashion & lifestyle referral for any occasion or event.

Wishing you a happy holiday, and may all your wishes come true, and many more!

Here are some holiday’s presents I found and I hope they give you ideas on what to get if you haven’t done it.

For him

Missoni toweling bathrobe, Panasonic ultra thin shaver, Neiman iPod case, YSL grey polo top, Thomas Lyte backgammon set, Lanvin cufflinks

For Kids

Morgan Cycle Retro bling scooter, Ralph Lauren two-piece set, Gayle Warwick eliza cotton pajamas, Mogo charmband, Swankie blankie Camo pillow and sleeping bag, Juicy couture dress-up ballerina kit

For her

Lanvin rose brooch, Ines & Marechal fox vest with satin lining, YSL lovely lip color palette, Bex Rox gold plated onyx ring, YSL tote with zipper detailing, Erdem silk print scarf

Holiday Travel & Fashion

If you are still undecided and don’t have plans for this holiday, I would like to give you 3 options where to go for either 3 days, or 10 days.

According to my sources & research I will give you options on where to stay in these places and also some fashion suggestions on what to wear.

Antigua: Antigua is becoming more and more the “elite” place to be, since not many people know about it, and because its beaches are more untouched than in other Caribbean islands.
Hotel accommodations:
www.bluewaters.net, www.galleybayresort.com, www.hermitagebay.com
Missoni has come up with Missoni mare, a more affordable line for swimwear, and honestly so chic and glamorous, pair it with earrings from Sazingg. The new Tory Burch shoes, are just the perfect tone to go with anything and everything, it just reminds us there is a sun even if we don’t go to Antigua…

Berlin: Berlin has become a place of reference for the modern arts, and business world.  Another good thing is that you can stay at a 4 star hotel with reasonable prices. 
Hotel accommodation: 

www.schlosshotelberlin.com/, www.louisas-place.net, sofitel-berlin-gendarmenmarkt
Imagine new years day with this Karen Millen tuxedo dress, you can do as the photo and wear opaque tights for a more strong look, pair it with this luminous earrings to light up your face, Brian Atwood platform shoes , and DVF soft leather clutch bag.

Verbier, Switzerland: “Verbier has become the serious skier’s resort of choice for laid-back glamour and good time” according to Harper’s Bazaar.
Hotel Accomodation: 

www.thelodge.com, www.ckverbier.com, www.bestchaletintheworld.com

For a chic and comfortable look, I recommend this Adidas by Stella McCartney ski pant, Moncler soft and light jacket that is just great because it keeps you warm but it also accentuates your waist. Dior boots, perfect for the after ski appero, rabbit earmuffs, and Marni sunglasses.  

Have a fabulous and safe trip!

Party-Season picks

Usually during the holidays there are so many year-end office parties, Christmas parties that you need to have a new wardrobe just for them…But for Christmas day and New Years day the feeling is always very different because you want to look your best, and in my case I like to wear something new to welcome the New Year.

What I like about some of these suggestions for the holiday season is that almost each piece stand on their own, and we can mix and match to achieve the ultimate party season.

To start, this Torn sequin jacket can be worn with leather pants, leather leggings, or high waist black pants, or on top of a black dress or even the Fendi jumpsuit. The see by Chloe dress I would wear it either as a dress or as a long shirt, pairing it with very black hosiery to make contrast, or with leggings; accessories here should be discrete. This Camilla and Marc dress it is so divine and sweet, and if you are petite this look can go great with you; wear it with long gold earrings, also a bold necklace could look very well here. 

Rachel Gilbert characterizes herself for always embellishing the asymmetric dresses in such a way, that they all look very special and original; Accessorize with small earrings, and wear a big cuff on the bare shoulder side. This AKA mini skirt, sure it is not for everyone but it can be worn over leggings, hosiery, or event straight pants, and match it with a very simple top. On the other hand this silver bustier it is very versatile, it can be worn with black, white, gold and with a skirt, or pants. The silver backless dress, which I’m constantly a fan, is a standalone piece that can be better appreciate it with nude hosiery, and small earrings.

One way to wear the rose blouse from Valentino is a more classic approach, if you pair it with black pants or skirt, red belt or red shoes, red lipstick, and very small accessories. This sequin T-shirt look, may feel very informal, but I suggest you wear it belted, or loose with very high heels, big necklace and big earrings or just wear it as a shirt with pants, and put a tuxedo jacket on top, for a more classic look.  This chic simple nude cashmere dress is perfect on its own; I would wear it with silver accessories, like a diamond necklace or something similar, diamond earrings, and silver shoes. This white tuxedo jacket is perfect to match it with a gold dress underneath, or an ensemble of white pants, and gold top.

For this holiday-season pick I wanted to give you 4 different hairstyle options that I believe can work very well with any of these looks.

Have a great party season!