The

Fashionista’s Manual of Style Spring 2012

by Martha Evangelisti

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Defining Fashionista………………………………………………………………………..3

1.2 Fashionista Traits………………………………………………………………...…..….....3

SECTION 1: UNDERSTANDING SPRING 2012 TRENDS

2.1 The Look……………………………………………………………………………………..4

2.2 The Shape…………………………………………………………………………………...4

2.3 Colors………………………………………………………………………………………...5

2.4 Patterns……………………………………………………………………………………...5

SECTION 2: CONFIGURING YOUR OUTFIT

3.1 Assembling Steps…………………………………………………………………………..6

3.2 Style Templates……...................................................................................................6

3.3 Shoe guide………………………………………………………………………………......7

SECTION 3: TROUBLESHOOTING

4.1 Common Outfit Malfunctions……………………………………………………………...8

4.2 Maintaining Good Fashion………………………………………………………………...9

GLOSSARY…………………………………………………………………………………....10

INDEX…………………………………………………………………………………………..11

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INTRODUCTION

1.1 Defining Fashionista

A fashionista is a woman who is devoted to unique or high fashion. While

embracing her femininity, she is also able to wear clothes inspired by the male

gender such as boyfriend jeans, ties, and tuxedo vests. She competently

combines current and vintage pieces when assembling an outfit. Her style and

sophistication aren’t just about dress but affect everything from her word

choices to how she likes her coffee. A fashionista has a fondness for all people,

places, and things that are chic and/or European.

1.2 Fashionista Traits

Fashionista’s commonly display the following traits and customs. The following list will

help you identify yourself or someone else as a fashionista.

Her closet is the favorite room in the house.

She can pronounce “haute couture” and knows what it means.

She spends more than 5 hours a week shopping online or at stores.

She thinks Milan and Paris are the best cities in the world.

She can wear red and orange elements without clashing.

She can distinguish the difference between the colors peach and coral.

She has spent more than $200 for a piece of designer clothing and

less than $2 for a thrift store, vintage buy.

If she became the president, the first thing she would do is ban the wearing of

sweatpants and pajama pants in public places.

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SECTION 1: Understanding Spring 2012 Trends

2.1 The Look

The look for this season is all things pretty and feminine: lace, ruffles, taffeta,

tulle, organza, pleats, draping, crochet, ribbons, ruching, bows, scarves, embellishments and delicate details.

2.2 The Shape

In harmony with the feminine look of Spring 2012, form fitting shapes are favored to

accentuate a womanly figure. However, there is opportunity for the combination of a

flowing blouse with skinny jeans, leggings, or a pencil skirt or wearing a camisole with a

full skirt. Peplum skirts, dresses, and jackets are especially popular this season. Belts

are available in many shapes, sizes, and colors to complete an outfit and accent the

waist.

Cinched waist

Flowing dress

Peplum

Form fitting dress

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2.2 Colors

Primary color: ORANGE

Secondary colors: red and pink, creamy neutrals, pale pastels, vivid primaries,

shocking neon.

TIP: When in doubt, wear black and white, a fashionable choice for any season.

2.3 Patterns

Primary pattern: FLORAL

Secondary patterns: tropical, whimsical, animal prints, ocean prints,

colorblocking, stripes, and paisley.

RED

BURNT ORANGE

CORAL

ORANGE

PINK

ROSE

AMBER

PEACH

TANGERINE

APRICOT

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SECTION 2: CONFIGURING YOUR OUTFIT

3.1 Assembling Steps

1. Pick a piece of clothing or an accessory that determines the colors and look.

2. Build around the piece beginning with dress, pants/skirt, or shirt.

3. Add layers such as a vest or jacket.

4. Accessorize with belt, scarf, jewelry, and hair accents.

5. Choose a pair of shoes, grab a matching purse, and head out the door.

TIP: This process is best done in front of a full length mirror.

3.2 Style Templates

These templates are examples of this season’s trends.

Scarf

Cinched waist w/belt

Whimsical print dress

Strappy heels

Crocheted vest

Floral print dress

Neutral purse

Peep toe heels

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3.3 Spring Shoe Guide

Shoes complete an outfit. Following are some popular shoes of the season.

CAUTION: UGG boots are ugly after March.

Flat - a casual or formal shoe without a heel. They have a rounded or pointed toe and some varietes are embellished with a buckle, bow, or flower.

Kitten heel - a shoe with a small heel that can complement a formal outfit or dress up jeans.

Pump - a shoe with a high heel that comes in various styles such as classic, peep toe, or strappy.

Gladiator Sandle - one of the popular sandles of the season is this strappy leather shoe.

Toms - a casual shoe made of cloth that easily slips on the foot.

Sperry - a casual shoe with laces and made of canvas.

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SECTION 3: TROUBLESHOOTING

4.1 Common Outfit Malfunctions

Often a well-intended ensemble fails to be fashionable and contains signs of one or

more of these common problems that lead to an outfit malfunction. Once the problem is

identified, following the solutions can fix an outfit and restore fashionista status.

PROBLEM A: Disheveled

CAUSE: One or more pieces of clothing show signs of wear.

SOLUTION: If a piece of clothing has holes, threadbare spots, faded coloring,

fraying, or loss of shape, it is time to part with piece or make it into rags.

PROBLEM B: Frumpy

CAUSE: An ill-fitting piece of clothing will ruin any outfit.

SOLUTION: Shop with your realistic shape and size in mind. Try clothes on. A

piece can look great on the model, mannequin, or hanger; but if it doesn’t fit you

well, it won’t have the same effect. Get ill-fitting clothes tailored or drop them off

at the local Goodwill store.

PROBLEM C: Gaudy

CAUSE: There is too much going on.

SOLUTION: Don’t combine too many colors or detailed pieces or over

accessorize. Choose one piece with a colorful pattern, detailing, or

embellishment and compliment with simple and solid colored pieces.

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PROBLEM 3: Outdated

CAUSE: Clothes are unsuitable for the year or season.

SOLUTION: Leave dated clothes in the closet for costume parties and revive

them only if they cycle back in style. Save fur for fall and winter and only wear

bright sundresses in the spring and summer.

4.2 Maintaining Good Great Fashion

The following tips are helpful for maintaining great fashion.

1. Get a second opinion on that impulse, bargain buy.

2. Stay updated on fashion trends.

3. Consult European friends (preferably French or Italian) to be one step ahead of

American fashionistas.

4. Organize and unclutter your closet every season.

5. Shop often.

6. Choose good quality and sophisticated clothes and accessories.

7. Avoid low cut and revealing shirts and ultra-mini skirts and dresses.

8. Try clothes on before making the purchase.

9. Check the mirror and make the proper adjustments before leaving your house.

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GLOSSARY

chic-modern and elegant.

cinched waist- fabric is gathered or tightened at a women’s natural waist or the waist is

accentuated by a belt or ribbon.

colorblocking-using square and rectangular blocks of two or more different solid colors

in a fabric’s pattern or using two or more different solid colored pieces of clothes for an

outfit.

crochet-similar to knitting, it is thread or yarn intertwined into patterns.

disheveled-sloppy.

embellishment-a ornamental detail such jewels, lace, or gathering of cloth.

ensemble-outfit.

frumpy-baggy.

gaudy-cheap or clashing.

haute couture [oht koo-toor] -high fashion.

organza-sheer fabric.

paisley-a colorful and detailed pattern distinguished by shapes that resemple tear

drops.

peplum-a piece of material gathered at the waist that creates an extra-skirt-like layer

over the hips.

taffeta-a smooth, crisp fabric that often has a shine to it.

tulle-a fabric made of fine netting.

ruching-material gathered at the collar or sleeves.

vintage-classic.

whimsical-fancy, unique, or playful designs.

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INDEX

A.

accessories 9

adjustments 9

American 9

animal prints 5

B.

bargain 9

belt 6, 10

blocks 10

blouse 4

bows 4

buckle 7

build 6

C.

camisolle 4

chic 3,10

cinched waist 4,6,10

closet 3,9

clothes 3,8,9,10

color 3,6,8,10

colorblocking 5,10

costume party 9

crochet 4,6,10

D.

designer 3

designs 10

detailing 4

disheveled 8

draping 4

dress 3,6,9

E.

embellishment 4,8,10

ensemble 8,10

European 3,9

F.

fabric 10

fall 9

fashion 3,9,10

fashionista 3

feminine 4

flats 7

floral 5,6

flower 7

frumpy 8,10

full skirt 4

fur 9

G.

gaudy 8,10

gladiator sandle 7

Goodwill 8

H.

hair 6

haute couture 3,10

heels 5,6,7

J.

jacket 6

jeans 3,4,7

jewelry 4

jewels 10

K.

kitten heel 7

L.

lace 4,10

layer 6,10

leggings 4

M.

malfunctions 8

mannequin 8

material 10

Milan 3

mirror 6,9

model 8

modern 10

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N.

natural waist 10

netting 10

O.

orange 3,5

organza 4,10

outdated 9

outfit 3,6,7,8,10

P.

paisley 5,10

pajama pants 3

pants 3,6

Paris 3

pattern 5,8,10

peep toe 6,7

pencil skirt 4

peplum 4,10

pink 5

pleats 4

pump 7

purchase 9

purse 6

R.

rags 8

red 3,5

ribbons 4

ruching 4,10

ruffles 4

S.

scarf 6

season 3,5,7

shape 4,8

shirt 6

shoes 6,7

shop 3,9

shopping 8

skirt 4,5

sophistication 3,9

Sperry 7

spring 4,7,9

strappy heel 6,7

stripes 5

style 3,6,7

summer 9

sweat pants 3

T.

taffeta 4,10

tear drops 10

templates 6

The Look 4

Toms 7

traits 3,8

trends 6,9

tropical 5

tulle 4,10

U.

Ugg boots 7

ultra-mini skirt 9

V.

vest 3,6

vintage 3

W.

whimsical 5,10

winter 9

Y.

year 9