Crop tops: 2011 fashion trend

While we've been seeing crop tops and bared stomachs on the runway for a good couple of years now, the reality is that it's a trend with little hope of reaching a point of mass consumption any time soon. Why? Simply because we live in a body conscious age where it's only the minority of people daring enough to expose that much skin. That said, spring 2011 will push the trend forwards and further into the mainstream (if not the masses).
As a 2011 fashion trend the crop top is not just about exposing one's whole stomach, but about finding elegant new ways of showing a peep of toned midriff. Yes there's the crop top of the grunge-revival. Yes there's the crop top of the sportswear-as-daywear trend. But there's also the crop top as a sophisticated, refined piece that some will embrace as a look not to be feared. Read on for these examples and more.

Paul and Joe, SS11

Crop tops in 2011

The styles on the spring 2011 runways were many and various; from teeny, tiny tops to the smallest hints of skin. To break it down, here are some of the different ways we've seen cropped tops on the runway:

• With elegance: the merest slit along the waistline of a dress, turning it into a two-piece ensemble broken up only by a shallow hint of skin. YSL and Chloe were spring 2011 masters of this subtle take.

Elegantly bared midriff at Yves Saint Laurent, SS11

• Fighting fit with stomach fully bared: Rag & Bone and Ohne Titel brought us sporty examples that are perfectly sexy for those with the confidence to pull them off. These type of cropped tops end just below the bust, and were paired with hipster pants for a revealing end result. You could just as easily substitute the hip-huggers for a high waisted bottom half, though, if you wanted to add some modesty.

Sporty crop top at Rag & Bone, SS11

• Beneath a sheer layer: adding a layer of transparent fabric is the perfect way to combine the ongoing popularity of the sheer trend with the newness of the exposed midriff.

Sheer layered over a crop top Richard Chai, SS11

• With cutaway detailing: expect many dresses to hit the shelves with cutaway details that expose parts of the stomach or midriff.

Cutaway midriff at 3.1 Phillip Lim, SS11

Tail hems: dresses longer at the back

Shirttail hem, tapered hem, cutaway hem... whatever you wish to label it, the basic fact remains: skirts and dresses cut longer at the back are continuing to make their way into our trend bibles, and thus features as a major 2011 fashion trend. These hems fill the void between mini and midi; or between midi and maxi. They cover, yet they expose. And they're a simple way to freshen up your spring 2011 wardrobe with a new type of cut.
Read on to find out more about the style, what to look for, and how to wear it.

Tail hem at Topshop Unique SS11

The tail hem: what is it?

A shirttail hem is traditionally cut shorter on the sides, with a longer 'tail' at the back. In 2011 the trend is more than just a shirttail hem, however: it's any manner of dresses, skirts or tops that have a hem that's shorter in front, longer in back.

Dress with tapered hem at Dennis Basso SS11

Why a tail hem?

The appeal of a dipping hem is that it's playful. One side coveys the elegance of length, while the other hints at something more revealing. It can also have the appeal of looking completely effortless; especially if cut to resemble an untucked shirt, or an oversized tee.

Shirttail hem on the runway at Etro SS11

Types of hem

There are numerous ways of creating a unique hemline with a 'tail' effect. Here are a few examples:

• A simple hem cut at an angle.
• A more traditional petal hem (where the fabric overlaps in front like petals of a flower)
• A hem that's cut from very short to very long - i.e mini to maxi.
• A hem that falls into large drapes or pleats at the back.

Any of these work in 2011 - remember that it's all about adding a little point of difference.

Skirt pleats at No. 21 SS11

Wide-leg pants:

It must be said that wide-leg pants are not for everyone. It's for that reason that they've never been the dominant style to conquer the streets (not in the average fashioners' lifetime, anyway) and, while we count them amoung 2011's fashion trends, we don't expect their lack of mass popularity change in a hurry. Skinnies have a long life left in them yet; but this is an year in which flares are on-trend, and wide leg pants are there alongside them. But while the wide-leg may not become your new wardrobe staple just yet, don't overlook it as an elegant, stylish addition to your 2011 repertoire, particularly when styled right.
And to see some examples of just how they can be styled in the coming year, read on.

Wide leg palazzo pants at Organic by John Patrick SS11

Wide-leg trousers

Sophisticated yet relaxed, sharp and tailored with a mid to high waist: that's how 2011's wide-leg trouser distinguishes itself. Perfect for masculine-inspired looks, be they very modern or very vintage.

Wide legged trousers at Akris SS11

Wide-leg jeans

Jeans that are wide-legged from top of the thigh down can have a tendency to end up looking baggy. In 2011, we'd recommend jeans that are more fitted on the thigh - lean to flared legs or moderately wide legs rather than wide legged jean styles that are too baggy or that lack shape. Be wary of a skinny leg that then widens from the knee, however: that's too much like the 90's take on bell bottoms, a look firmly out in 2011.

Palazzo pants

Palazzo pants are the resort cousin of the wide-leg pants family. While wide-leg trousers take you from the office to the bar, palazzo pants serve you best when you're lounging around on a yacht or soaking up some Mediterranean sun. Fabrics should be light and with plenty of drape and flow - silks, crepe, jersey; you can even try sheer fabrics for a look that's daring but now.

How to wear wide leg pants

• With heels. Flats will simply never complete the look as well as heels will; the exception is if you're carrying off a very masculine look with man-style flats.
• With a slim-fitting top to balance out the volume on the bottom half. A soft, billowing blouse can also work well but is best broken up with a waist-cinching belt.
• With utter 70s glamour: wide-leg trouser, platforms and a big floppy hat.
• Female dandy style - look to vintage icons like Katharine Hepburn and Marlene Dietrich for inspiration.
• With 40s pin-up girl flair, by pairing some wide-legged sailor pants with nautical stripes and espadrilles.

Wide leg sailor pants at Christian Dior SS11

Women's spring 2011 clothing trends

Crochet and macrame fashion trend

From ship's ropes carefully knotted and tied by the hands of crafty sailors, to the crocheted blankets your grandmother gifts you at Christmas... macrame and crochet will likely be familiar to you in some sense. For spring 2011 both make a strong return; but forget the homemade craft feel - as a 2011 fashion trend it's all about intricacy, quality and a luxury edge.
Read on to find out more about crochet clothing and macrame as trends, including the differences between the two and inspiration for key pieces and accessories.

Crochet maxi dress at Emilio Pucci, SS11

Macrame

What is macrame?

No doubt you already have a picture of crochet pieces in your head. When it comes to macrame, think of a similar visual finish, but with a big difference in the piece's construction: macrame is made by knotting the main fabric to great visual affect. It's a craft most often associated with 19th century sailors, who made all kinds of macrame objects in their spare time - with shipping rope, or from leather, yarn, twine or other sturdy materials. For those who lived through it, macrame was a trend in homewares back in the 1970s - think wall hangings and pot-plant holders (the likes of which your parents or relatives may still be hoarding from their younger days.)

What macrame is being used for in 2011

Macrame is mostly used for accessories and objects; because it's constructed of knots it can be bulky and have little stretch to it. Nevertheless, 2011 sees it used on clothing and accessories alike.
Because it can often have a very open weave, macrame is 2011's perfect accompaniment to beachwear. Just have a look at the examples from Gucci and Christian Dior below - an open-weave macrame dress is ideal for layering over a bikini, monokini or bodysuit.

Macrame at Gucci, SS11

Other examples of macrame in 2011 are better for daywear, or even eveningwear, as well as for accessories (more on accessories below).

Crochet

What is crochet?

Crochet isn't knotted like macrame; it's made from loops of yarn, created using a single hooked needle. Hence, it's very delicate but not so delicate as to be a lace. Nonetheless, crochet is closely tied to the current lace trend with the two clothing trends overlapping overlapping. For the purpose of this article we're defining crochet as the heavier, 70s inspired examples as opposed to more delicate crocheted lacework. Thematically the look of crochet in 2011 is closer to that of macrame.

Macrame and crochet: styles in 2011

Both crochet and macrame in 2011 rode in, partially, on the wave of a 1970s revival. This was reflected in the colour palette dominating the spring / summer 2011 runways: earthy tones, browns and oranges, creams and whites. Pieces are based on hippy, festival chic inspirations, but overall the aesthetic is still luxurious with a modern sense of refinement.

70s inspired dress and granny square bag at Ferragamo, SS11

Macrame in particular also heralds in a subtle nautical revival, seen as well in the naval-inspired stripes and numerous pairs of wide-leg sailor pants gracing the runways. Do think luxury nautical though; the kind you'd be seen wearing on a yacht in St Tropez. It should be elegant, sexy, and unfussy.

Nautical-inspired macrame at Dior, SS11

Crochet and macrame accessories

For spring 2011 your options for adding this trend to your wardrobe are ample; including a variety of accessories. Woven shoes (like those at Prada and Gucci) are perfectly now; and even more perfectly in line with the look are the intricate sandals seen at the likes of Jen Kao and Malandrino.

Malandrino's SS11 macrame sandals

How to wear it: crochet and macrame

We've already mentioned that the main thematic inspirations behind the trend are the hippy seventies and the early sailors of the seven seas. But what to pair your pieces with specifically? Here are a few key looks you can create with macrame and crochet in 2011.

Boho fringing at Roberto Cavalli, SS11

• Look for pieces the end in exaggerated fringing, a la Roberto Cavalli (pictured above) for a high-impact boho luxe look.
• Pair a crochet top or vest with an updated pair of bell bottoms and a floppy felt hat for a look that's straight out of the '70s yet oh-so-now.
• Many a crochet bikini is available, though perhaps not the most practical garment for swimming they can work brilliantly poolside or under a pair of denim shorts in Summer.
• Bring the tribal trend of previous seasons into 2011 with macrame pieces in earthy colours paired with tribal prints.
• Go ultra modern and sexy with a stark, minimalist take like Julien MacDonald's white mini-hemmed crochet dress (below).

Julien MacDonald, SS11

Avril Lavigne – Sweet Punk Girl with Unique Fashion Style

For young generation, Avril Lavigne must be a name that everyone knows. When refer to Avirl Lavigne, we would remember the familiar melodies, from the earily Skater Boy to the latest What the Hell, we can see this sweet girl’s efforts on music. Recently, she published her new album “Goodbye Lullaby”.

But her fashion style is different from other female singers who try their best to make them beautiful by makeup, but Avril Lavigne , as a young singer, she always wears dresses that are suitable for her age. Because Avril Lavigne always sings rock songs, her fashion style tends to be combination between punk and street style. It seems that this young girl has her own fashion sense and you can find this unique trait of Avril Lavigne by seeing her dresses on red carpet.




Avril Lavigne is a good singer and she has won many singing awards, she usually wears black or black-and-white dresses when she attends award ceremonies. For her, whether the dress is beautiful or not isn’t important, when we see her lovely smile, we feel comfortable.



This punk girl always sticks to her original aim-rock music and we can’t image how this tiny body can sing so many rock songs. When she is in her concert, she rarely wears dresses. The common collocation is casual T-shirt with pants, at the concert time, she becomes a punk girl. Her hair will be in a mess and we will hear her hopping songs.

This is a picture that Avril Lavigne wears a cute headband and still with her sweet smile. Two years ago, we heard the news that she experienced the divorce and we are happy to hear that she has a new boyfriend now. As her song Girlfriend lyrics says, we really wish this punk girl will find her happiness and go on bringing us good music works.

Guideline for 2011 Spring and Summer Fashion Trend – Maxi Dress

In the upcoming 2011 spring and summer, when we talk about the fashion trends, the maxi dress won’t absent. It seems that maxi dress fashion has been passed by and miniskirt has been a fashion trend and the shorter, the sexier. But the fact is, maxi dresses especially bohemian floral maxi dress has been the contemporary fashion and this tideway seems to be more and more popular.

A maxi dress is a long dress which can be available in both informal and formal occasions, which means, you just have to change you accessories and you can wear a maxi dress to any occasion. Miniskirts are really hot and sexy, but some people think they are flirty. In my opinion, maxi dress in spring and summer is really a nice choice. The bohemian maxi dress can turn your wardrobe into a fresh spring world. Maxi dress tells people that long dress can also be sexy and stylish.

Ladies, even you know the maxi dress has been the 2011 fashion trend, do you know which type would be your perfect style?

Maxi dress has flexibility. It fits for any body shape. Mini women can wear the strapless maxi dress which can be worn above your breast and you can show the smooth skin on your shoulder and back. This will remedy the shortness of your height and make you look taller. If you are still satisfied with your height, match a pair of high-heel sandal.

To women who look vertical (high and thin), wearing a gypsy maxi dress will be a good choice, especially the maxi dress with small prints and light color. This type of dress will “cut” you in half and make you look shorter and wider. It can also show your slender figure and of course, more feminine. You don’t have to wear high heels and you can choose a pair of salubrious flat fashion shoes.

For women who have big thighs and belly, the long skirt will help hide the shortage. You can choose maxi dress with fluffy train. They can be striking prints and bright colors because that will make you look thinner and taller.

As the maxi dress has been designed for many patterns, you have many choices when you choose your right one. Floral prints, ethnic prints, animal prints are the most popular prints, strapless or halter are also very wonderful. You can also choose the one with embellished ethnic accessories. In this fresh spring and summer, check out a maxi dress for your wardrobe!

2011 hair trends

: 2011 hairstyles for women
The year marks the true start of a new decade, and yet 2011'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 2011.
The year's hair trends are no different. For fashioners in 2011, hair is all about revivals and evolution. With styles and colours we're seeing the best of 2010 reborn, whereas cuts are offering reworked and luxurious revivals of styles that sit perfectly with the year's clothing trends.

 And while we're helping you find out about the latest hair trends

Men fashion trends 2011

Dolce & Gabbana spring/summer 2011 collection for men at Milan Fashion Week

Dolce & Gabbana spring/summer 2011 collection for men at Milan Fashion Week: Models wear designs from the Dolce & Gabbana spring/summer 2011 collection at Milan Fashion Week

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Fashion Trends 2011

Fashion Trends 2011

Pastel colors that could be a star in 2010 will change brighter. In 2011 flamboyant neon colors like bright pink, orange and green will dominate the fashion trends.
The game was still going to dominate the texture of next year with the dominance of the skin material. Biker jacket and leather miniskirt will be the trend, unified frontier with the latest fashion Mini motive dress with beautiful flower and still be vibrant until the middle of the year.
Prediction is ‘spy’ of hard work the designers who are still cool to play texture, everything looks on the runway in London Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week,. Silk chiffon combined with soft fur accents, leather combined with satin.
Costumes are also one of intersecting structural trends that need to be ogled women’s clothing. Pieces of rigid and firm fit for all body shapes, ranging from curvy, slim to skinny.

Fashion Tips

Boyish figure

If you are concerned about looking like a boy in your swimsuit, go all out feminine with frills and pretty prints. Ruffles add volume. Worn along your bust and at your hips, they give the illusion of curves. Pretty things up with string bikinis and girly prints. If you've got a cleavage, show it off with a plunging neckline. You'd look less like a boy if you show enough cleavage. Avoid bandeau tops and boy shorts.



Pear shaped body

So you've got hips.. Too large hips for your liking. Actually, curvy hips and thighs are in. You can show them off, or if you are still self conscious, you can minimize them. String bikini bottoms, tie sides or details at the sides of your bikini bottoms would make the most of your shapely bottom. If you want to draw attention away from your bottom, then dark bikini thongs would do the trick. Or you could wear a one piece swimsuit with a plunging front to draw attention upwards to your face and cleavage and away from your hips. Avoid boyshorts or very high cut bottoms as these would not flatter you. If you are wearing a bikini, pick a light top and a dark bottom to balance your figure.

Hourglass figure
An hourglass figure? You don't really need help with swimwear with a figure like yours. Still, you can mess up your look if you wear ill-fitting swimwear or a bikini top or swimwear top that doesn't provide enough support for your breasts if yours are heavy. As long as you get enough support and the fit is right, swimsuit season is your season. Wear a bright bikini or a black maillot or a really teeny printed bikini. These are classics that you can get away with.

Top heavy swimsuits
If you're busty, show off your cleavage in a one piece swimsuit with a plunging neckline. The ideal bikini for you would be one with a halter top. More than anything, you need support. Here's more about how to pick busty swimwear that flatter your body shape best.
You can widen your hips with boy shorts or a colorful bottom.

Curvy figures and plus sizes

If your tummy is a problem, wear a one-piece swimsuit that has a very high lycra content. Miraclesuits are your friend. Wear those swimsuits to take 10lb off visually. They'd hold in your tummy. If your tummy is not an issue, then go for a bikini. Just make sure the bikini top supports you well with wide enough straps or underwire support and go for the lower-rise bottoms.