Fighting colours, or friendly tones? Just matching contrasts!

Fighting colours, or friendly tones? Just matching contrasts!

In 2009, when I had already left Italy for good, I started noticing that fashion in OZ is totally different. I used to live in a village outside of Milan; I remember that, if I was to go out and by some bread I would put make up on, smart clothes, and nice shoes.

Everyone in Italy is obsessed with the way the look and with fashion. That’s because, thanks goodness, thousands of little fashion companies still design and produce great apparels. Here, outside of Sydney, people are relaxed, which is good… well, maybe a way in between would be fine. But who cares?! As long as people are happy.

Anyway, in 2009 I started to keep an eye on Italian and European fashion, not to stay backward. I noticed that shirts with contrast were starting in male apparel. Now they are sold everywhere (there) and I LOVE THEM. 

It’s 2012 and they are starting to be present here too… some.

Anyway, contrasts on shirts are  fresh and IN and make you look cool, different, unique!

When I wear my contrasts shirts I always get nice praise from people “Nice shirt! Where didi you get it? I bet you can’t find it here!”. Well, you can, form Camixa or looking in some chic boutique.

Contrasts are generally on the collar and cuffs: some times they are on the , placket or on / under the eventual ruffles. 

The most common contrasts shirts are black and white, or better, white shirt with black contrasts; but we are talking about BW some other times. There are also tone on tone contrasts (using different fabrics) or, bold contrasts, can come from different fabrics and different colours.

Contrasts can be done with 2 different solid colours, but they generally are made of solid/prints or prints/prints.

And this is me:

Contemporary stars with shirts & blouses

Kate Bosworth is wearing a pastel blouse by Missoni  and pencil pants.

Sarah Felberbaum wearing a blue satin shirt and  widelegs pants (by Gucci).

Claudia Schiffer, Seventies style with falry pants, colonial shirt and sac bag.

Alexa Chung with torero pants and a white shirt with contrasting black bow.

Alexa Chung wearing a shimmery blouse with a trompe l’oeil bow and 40’s skirt and shoes.

Sexy and elegant Laetitia Casta is wearing a glossy black skirt, red lipstick and an elegant white shirt by Givenchy Haute Couture

Sharon Stone with a beige shirt and white pants, a total urban look.

Very elegant Olivia Palermo wearing a plastron shirt and a tie.

Winona Ryder wearing black jacket, black blouse, black pants (Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci).

Ellen Pompeo with animalier prints by Gucci.

Impeccable Olivia Palermo is wearing a long skirt and white blouse with big pockets

How to choose the right shirt?

How to choose the right shirt?

…or better, how to choose the right colours for my skin, hair and eyes?

What colours suits me best?

Have you ever asked yourself why you look better with some colours rather than other? Have you noticed wich colours suit you better or you just wear what fashion dictates? Have you ever wondered why stars and starlets where always their own range of coulours?

The reason is simple: each skin, eye and hair colour looks better with certain tones.

Here you can find a simple scheme, but we will delve into the topic in instalments.

In general:    

•    BLUE suits most of people because, like back, it makes you look thinner; it also make you look younger. It’s a great colour for any age.    

•    BLACK is not ideal for blonds (or brunettes) with a pale-pinkish complexion. It is advised for those with a pale white, yellowish-olive, or dark complexion. Black is sophisticated, it makes you look thinner, it hides possible defects of your shape. It makes you look older.    

•    WHITE is not recommended to people with pale hair and eyes. It’s perfect, for almost anyone -as long as they are not too stout.    

•    RED is great for people with dark skin, dark hair and dark eyes. It’s perfect for a blond that has a strawberry tone (prink-red) or an orange tone.  It’s not recommended for people with a very fair skin or red hair.    

•    YELLOW is THE summer colour. It looks good with tanned skin and on dark complexions. It’s not advised on blonds as it doesn’t produce any contrast.    

•    PINK and LIGHT BLUE  look good practically on anyone, but they are best with blond hair, fair complexion and eyes.    

•    LIGHT LILAC is nice on everyone. If you have a pale complexion use come bright accessories or a energetic makeup.    

•    GREEN: PASTEL GREEN or PALE GREEN suit anyone. BRIGHT GREEN needs live accessories and make up. All the other tones are perfect for those with warm hair colour (red, copper, burnt brown), green, honey or beige eyes and medium skin (not too olive, not to white).    

•    GREY is classy, elegant and perfect for anyone. It makes you look younger and thiner. It looks sophisticated when you wear something red or coloured near your face. If your hair is gold or pale brown, it’s better you opt for another colour.    

•    BROWN If you have brown hair or hazel eye, choose TERRACOTTA, RUST OR RED-BROWN is ideal for blonds and red haired people. It requires a good make up or fine accessories. It is not recommended to those who have chestnut hair and eyes, as it may result monotonous.    

•    BEIGE, but also think of amber, cream, peach, camel, peach, golden yellow and golden brown and all its undertones. It’s  ideal for blonds or red / copper hair people (and anyone with freckles), and for all golden undertones complexions. It looks good with anything and it is casual.  

•    PURPLE or PLUM:  Good for blonds and brunettes, great for those with green or hazel eyes or even brown eyes with green tones or those with  pale and pink skin (especially a lavander or plum tone).

(Source: facebook.com)