Hollywood Style With Asymmetric And One Shoulder Dresses At The Golden Globes

Just about every fashion magazine and blog has covered the Golden Globe Awards and the after show parties this year, but many seem to have failed to notice how the Hollywood red carpet was awash with floor length asymmetrical and one shoulder dresses.  All the Hollywood stars and starlets making this style work for them are too numerous to mention here, but to name a few were Drew Barrymore in an architectural peach crystal scatter dress by Atelier Versace, Kate Winslet (pictured here) in a navy Yves Saint Laurent gown, with Tiffany & Co jewels and Jennifer Aniston in a black, plunging Valentino gown. All of them demonstrated that the asymmetrical or one shoulder dress works for all types of figures and styles. Why not try it out for yourself, here are a few simple tips for wearing asymmetrical or one shoulder tops and dresses.

• Look for classical and even rather plain styles when wearing an asymmetric or one shoulder style dress. Kate is wearing a well fitted navy Yves Saint Laurent gown which she accessorised with Tiffany & Co jewels. YSL gowns may require rather too deep pockets for many of us, but similar gowns can be found for a fraction of the price, and with the right hair-do, makeup and sparkling accessories, can still look stunning.
• Look for one-shoulder dresses in black or navy or if you are brave enough to make more of a statement go for a dark red or cream dress and match it up with a pair of classic killer heel pumps and clutch bag.
• If you choose a simply styled, black asymmetrical dress it can be dressed up with sparkly, high heels, evening bag and jewels, or dressed down with a wide belt, black leggings, flat pumps and big slouch bag for a casual look.
• An asymmetrical mini dress can be worn with patterned tights and Mary-Janes for an office-girl look and then changed for the evening to be worn over skinny jeans and long knee boots for a night out.
• Remember the gorgeous SATC Carrie dress in cream with the beautiful corsage? Try this out yourself with a one-shoulder dress, by attaching a pretty corsage in colours matching your dress, or contrasting colours which can be matched with shoes and bag.
• There are lots of different ways to wear asymmetrical styles, look for off centre necklines, pointed sleeves, hemlines and off-the shoulder styles.
• If you are wearing an asymmetrical evening dress keep your jewellery simple. A large central pendant does not look correct with a one-shoulder or asymmetrical neckline. Instead, centre your jewellery around earrings and bracelets and leave shoulders and neckline bare.

What To Wear With This Season's Wedge Boots

With the cold weather and icy snow and frost with us to stay for the foreseeable future the wedge boot is the perfect fashion footwear accessory for the season, being stylish, warm, and less likely to see you on your behind in the snow than a couture, leather soled, stiletto boot. So, for all those struggling in the snowy weather, here are some great tips on how to wear your wedge boots and be super cosy and super stylish too.

• If you are wearing knee length wedge boots, stay away from flared or gathered skirts - this can give a bulky look - team your boots up with dark leggingsand a tunic top.
• Choose some black suede or leather wedge boots and wear them with straight leg jeans and an over-sized sweater with a leather or faux leather jacket for a casual, but edgy look.
• Wedge boots also look great with patterned black tights and a mini skirt, with lots a woollies going on with hats and scarves. Also try some wedge ankle boots with this look, which are not as heavy looking as knee length boots with a skirt.
• Don't be tempted to wear wedge boots underneath bootleg jeans - you might as well just put on a cardigan knitted by your granny and an anorak as well.
• You have got to be pretty brave in winter to wear these ankle wedges as worn by Alexa Chung here at the Burberry Prorsum fashion show. What do you think about her teeny-tiny legs in these rather chunky boots? Looks a bit chilly to us.

New Season Colour - Be Proud To Wear Purple

No one would suggest that wearing purple from head to toe is a great fashion idea, but accessorising or wearing one signature item in the classy shade can bring the romantic and mysterious side out in you. All shades of purple and particularly the punchy bright shades are the most on-trend fashion statement for this autumn. Rachel Stevens shows here just how beautiful a plum purple dress can be - she looks classily gorgeous in this sweetheart neckline gown.

Choosing One Signature Item Of Clothing In Purple

For the daytime, perhaps in the office, look for pretty feminine vest tops in purples, magentas or lilacs. Wear one under a crisp white shirt to bring out your naughty but nice side. A great idea is a classic black trouser suit with a white blouse or shirt, but make the difference by wearing some purple high heels - quirky is great.

Purple Accessories and Jewellery

Purple jewellery is an all time favourite - particularly Amethyst jewellery (which is the birthstone for February). Amethyst jewellery can be found in its more natural state shaped into boho pendants, or can be polished to a fine finish and inset into gold and silver jewellery. Purple accessories look best when teamed up with black, neutral or white outfits. I recently saw a photo of Alex Curran wearing some cool purple sandals with a summer tunic dress, which looked fantastic.

How To Use Purple Make Up

Purple make up should be used with care during the day - look for plum shades of eye shadow or lipstick or lip glosses with a plummy purple tint. Deeper shades of purple eye shadow and eyeliner can be used by sweeping purple colour over the eyelids and lining the eyes both top and bottom with purple liner to create a dramatic evening look.

How to Wear A Purple Dress

Dresses, particularly for the evening, look fantastic in all shades of lilac, plum, magenta, mauve and deep purple - there is something very mysterious about darker shades of purple. Accessorise with either black or silver shoes and bag.

10 Great Tips On How To Wear The Maxi Dress

The maxi dress has been around for a few seasons now, but it doesn't seem to be losing any of its appeal or popularity - maybe this is because it is so easy and so forgiving to wear. It can look fabulous whether you are tall or short and it's brilliant to take away on holiday as it can be worn casually in the daytime over a bikini or in the evening dressed up. Here are some tips on how to choose a maxi dress to suite your size and shape and how to wear it.

Choosing a maxi dress to suite your size and shape

• If you are taller with a larger frame look for a maxi dress which has a more fitted bodice rather than one that is gathered under the bust as this will give you a more defined profile rather than yards of material billowing out around your middle.
• For those with a few extra pounds around the waistline look for A-line styles (rather than gathered) which flare out from under the bust and which will flatter the waist and hips.
• Bandeau style maxi dresses are fantastic for hot summer days and they look very elegant as they accentuate the shoulders and neck - think of Angelina Jolie in that famous black bandeau maxi dress pictured with her children. She is wearing no jewellery at all, just sunglasses, but looks super cool.

Choosing Colours and Patterns On A Maxi Dress

• If you are petite look for smaller prints such as flower or Indian designs which won't swamp you. Smaller girls can still pull off the block stripe designs as well though.
• If you are choosing a maxi dress for evening wear, look for a single coloured dress which will look stylish and which can be dressed up with jewellery.
• White maxi dresses are perfect for summer days and evenings and they have been spotted on celebrities such as Nicole Richie, Lindsay Lohan and Kate Hudson. Perfect for that sunset walk along the beach on holiday too.

Accessorising Your Maxi Dress To Perfection

• Small and delicate jewellery doesn't really suit the maxi dress vibe. Jewellery to accessorise a maxi dress needs to be strong and bold in style and colour. Look for colourful Millefiori glass pendants, ethnic style jewellery and bold wood or metal bangles rather than bracelets.
• With shoes - really anything goes. Flip-flops can be worn daytime or evening with a maxi, but if you are going for the super sophisticated evening look then go for some killer-high heel strappy shoes to add extra glamour. Even pumps or cowboy boots will look great with a maxi dress.
• Please don't carry a tiny hand or shoulder bag around - again choose something big and bold - I really think casual bags are the way to go for daytime wear with a maxi, look for straw bags, or colourful fabric styles.
• For cooler evenings a pashmina to wrap around your shoulders looks great - or instead take some tips from the golden girl of Hollywood - Jennifer Anniston. When she wore the Burberry maxi dress (pictured above) at the premier of Marley and Me above in London, she covered up with a tailored and chic blazer which looked amazing.

Everyone Is Wearing White - How To Look Cool In A White Dress For Summer

There is something absolutely stunning about a white dress like there is with no other colour. With the on-set of a heat wave for the UK this summer it's going to be pretty important to know how to dress to be cool for sun-drenched days. There are some pitfalls when wearing white however, but here are some tips to ensure that you are looking your best ever.

Do I need a tan to wear white?

No, you don't need the all over bronzed appearance to look good in white, but nevertheless, a light golden tan does accentuate a white dress. If you are very fair with light blonde hair then white may make you look washed out, however, I love this sequined white dress on Nicole Kidman who is very fair skinned and a strawberry blonde.

What About White Dresses Being See-through?

Unfortunately some white fabrics are pretty see-through. I think this can add to the fun of a white dress with carefully chosen coloured underwear beneath, but you have to be very careful with your bottom half. It can be slightly off-putting to see the outline of a thong through the back of a dress. Test out the fabric before buying by running your hand up inside the dress and holding it up to the light - if you can see the colour of your hand through fabric you can guess what else will be visible when you are wearing it.

I Already Have A White Dress Which Is Too See-through - What Can I Do?

Remember those slips that your gran used to wear that she bought from Marks and Spencer - they still sell them, but they have been totally updated. A full body, silky slip will be perfect under a white, slightly see-through dress and a bit of lace poking out of the bottom of your hem only adds to the fun.

What Style Of Dress Should I Look For In White?

Unless you have the gorgeous, slim figure of Nicole pictured here, a tight white dress can be more than unflattering - look for one which flares, frills and flows - think more Marilyn Monroe style unless you want every bump and dimple to be on show.

What Colour Shoes Should I Wear With A White Dress?

Ideally not white as this is rather overkill - white dresses ideally suit sandals or super high heels. Match your dress to shoe colours such as brown, croc patterns, silver, bronze or metallic.

What Type of Jewellery Should I Wear With A White Dress?

Ideally simple jewellery - elegantly styled silver jewellery is perfect, but another great match which is perfect for holidays too is wooden jewellery such as bangles and pendants.

PS Just so everyone is aware it is the height of bad manners to wear a white dress to a wedding unless you are the bride - talk about trying to up-stage her!