Do you remember Stella McCartney’s optical illusion dress? High-necked, scooped arms, cream with black panels down the sides, and worn by everyone from Kate Moss and Kate Winslet to Carol Vorderman? This is the dress that takes at least five pounds off anyone without even a half-hearted gym trip, and it is back. Except, this time, you can march straight past all the Stella copies (or avoid paying £885 for the real thing) and head straight to the latest trend – illusion trousers.
Unlike the dress that sculpts the body into the perfect Jean-Paul Gaultier-esque bust, these J Brand skinny jeans will give the curviest of girls the Kate Moss pins they’ve always dreamt of. The thick stripe down the inside seam of both legs gives the illusion of skinnier legs, and the ankle-skimming length gives a flattering fit. Grab a pair before everyone else does, and wear it with a loose fitting top for balance. A dark, baggy silk shirt would go perfectly – and don’t be afraid to wear a patterned top.
The other slimming option for trousers is to go for a vertically striped pair. For understated chic, go for Current/Elliot’s skinny jean. The long white stripes are subtle against the sandy hues, and the muted tones work well with an over-sized white shirt, or baggy 70s style jumper. To brave this season’s pyjama trend, try the Fire version. The burnt orange forces the white stripes to stand out, and the tapered fit creates a slim-line look that still shouts high fashion. On a night out, wear with sky scraping chunky heels, and clutch a too-big leather handbag for an androgynous feel.
If you still want to hide your un-toned body but tight trousers aren’t cutting it, go for a classic dress. Turn to Stella McCartney for a failsafe shape sculpting option. Her Chambray Blue denim dress is a light enough denim to feel summery, but the straight fit stops it from being too beachwear. It is versatile enough to team with havaianas in the summer, or to add some nude courts and a contrast shade scarf for the office – try Stella’s pomegranate pyjama scarf to loosely drape over the dress with a structured black blazer.
Jewellery gifts are perhaps one of the most personal presents anyone can give or receive. A lot of thought goes into picking the perfect accessory or jewellery piece that fits the occasion and personality of the wearer. Bracelets and rings can be more difficult to shop for, as they require the purchaser to know the finger and wrist size of the gift recipient. Other gifts like earrings and necklaces only require that that purchaser knows the personality of the wearer well enough to pick out the perfect gift. Here are five of the top jewellery gifts for a loved one.
Charms are one of the most versatile and precious jewellery gifts because they can be worn in so many different ways. They can also be customized, engraved or superimposed to showcase names, birthdays, birthstones, and even family photos. Charms are also versatile in that they can be worn on bracelets, necklaces, link watches, cell phones, handbags and other accessories, making it the ideal gift for virtually everyone.
Classic jewellery pieces and timeless stones are always great choices for gifts. Pearl earrings, diamond tennis bracelets and garnet cross necklaces are always in style and will forever be a great choice to give as a gift.
Watches are also a great gift to give to friends and family. Everyone loves the convenience of being able to glance down to see the time, without having to dig out a cell phone or ask a stranger. Most watches today are also incredibly fashionable, in addition to being functional. Many bangle bracelets feature watch faces, and well-known jewellery designers also create one-of-a-kind bracelet watches featuring the logo of the company.
Earring studs are another one of the most popular jewellery gifts. Diamond or pearl studs suit everyone and are great for those with multiple piercings. Solid gold or sterling silver balls and birthstone studs are also sure to please the recipient.
When in doubt, a classic, sterling rolo link chain or box chain necklace is a great gift. Everyone needs a multitude of chains to display their favourite charms. A basic chain with a dash of sparkle suits anyone, regardless of lifestyle or personality.
Some jewellery gifts become so precious and sentimental that they are passed down to future generations, in time. Retail stores, department stores, boutiques, jewellery shops and even antique auctions are great places to find the perfect jewellery gifts for loved ones.