How to: Make a tricky fashion trend work for you
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When celebrities take a chance on a bold outfit — or start a whole new trend — we can't help but wish we had the sartorial prowess to pull those looks off ourselves. But, in fear of becoming a fashion 'don't' we usually stick to our jeans and tees. Well, we're not playing it safe any longer — and you shouldn't either. Here's a look at some of our favourite "tricky trends" with some tips on how to make them work for you.
Denim on denim
The Canadian Tuxedo is huge right now — but its easy to look straight-up unpatriotic when testing out this trend. The key to making this style work? Mixing shades of blue. Pair a lighter denim shirt with a dark jean to get that contrast. Don't take the trend too literally by wearing denim and only denim. Try incorporating another fabric, like the cotton knit grey vest pictured above, or a distressed jean, in order to break up the textures.
Leopard Print
Animal print is popping up all over the place — you just don't want it all over YOU. The trick to pulling this trend off is moderation. You don't want to look like you're wearing a Halloween costume. Try mixing in one printed piece with a neutral outfit in order to keep that balance. Pair a leopard top with slim black jeans and a sexy, open-toe shoe and you're all ready for night on the town!
Florals
Don't push your printed dresses and blouses to the back of the closet just because the leaves are starting to fall! You can still make these bright, summery prints work in the colder months. In the autumn, use your florals as statement pieces, like this gorgeous bomber jacket, and pair them with clean, neutral tones underneath. Don't be afraid to mix and match florals if they have the same colour pallette or similar tones, just keep some space between your prints so you don't end up looking like a greenhouse.
Fringe
Unless you're Dolly Parton in the 80s, this style is hard to pull off. If you're not careful, fringe can actually widen your sillouette, so less is always more with this trend. Jackets and accessories are the best ways to make fringe work for you. Try out a suede jacket, like the one pictured above, and pair it with a sweater dress for a daytime look that you'll feel fabulous brunching in.
Socks and heels
This one is controversial. We know, we know, the sock and sandal combination has been mocked for decades, but it's making a return this fall in a super chic way. To pull this one off, test the waters by being subtle with colour, and using neutrals like black and grey. Then, you can get more adventurous by pairing your neutrals with a bright, solid-coloured shoe, as shown on the model above. If you really want to live on the wild side, try out a printed sock!
Overalls
When we picture overalls, we tend to think of denim. But, this fall, they're popping up in tons of different fabrics and hues. Try mixing a pair of black overalls with a fitted tee or crisp button up, as shown on the model above, and cuff at the ankles for a more relaxed look. Don't feel pressure to dress up this style — they're overalls, they can stay casual. Just remember: always keep the top line of the overall OVER your chest, not under. Your overalls shouldn't double as a push up bra.
Feeling ready to take on some of these tricky trends? Let us know what you think on our Facebook page.