Naked romance

N-U-D-I-T-Y.

Well, to be more precise- nude, soft pink hue coloured clothing and accessories. It's a (lack of) colour trend that has been rumbling for a while now on the runways, and some of you more fashion-forward girls might be already on it. But it's only now that the trend is starting to hit the shops. The nude vision is unique, for depending on the fabric chosen and how the piece is structured, wearing a nude garment can evoke two opposingly distinct images.

1) Sweepingly feminine, romantic and delicate

2) Provocative, down-right sexy and body-tight.

Either way, it's been hailed "The Return of Romance". And I'm definately in love with it.

XXX

Hypothetical purchases...

Let me pose a hypothetical: Say you just bought two skirts- would it be wrong to buy another two? But change the you to I. Given this is all hypothetical- it is truly amazing that I managed to capture these purchases in photographic form.

Skirt: Uniqlo ($20)

Singlet Top: Uniqlo ($10)

Necklace: UTECH Time Team ($3.50)

The skirts are from my Mum and my favourite Japanese brand Uniqlo. It's like a Japanese Topshop/H&M. But cheaper, more innovative, unique and ah, Japanese. They were $20 each. I can definately utilise these skirts as the weather gets warmer, and they are oh so sweet I think! (n.b. utilise is a very handy verb for justifying shopping).

I also got two lace singlet tops in a beautiful bright fuchia and electric purple. They were only $10 each. They look great tucked into skirts.

Belted with: Romance Was Born Scarf

(ah, um. $80. Ok, I realise that it cost more than the total amount of these clothes. But it is a work of art - literally- using the print of Australian Artist Del Kathryn Barton)

My mum bought them online- and had them shipped over. We're crazy like that. They were bought 2 or so months ago. So it's not really like I just bought 4 skirts in a row. There was a break people!

But we really should remember this is all hypothetical...

Hippie hippie shake

The hippy era- a time of free love, protest and collective movements. But it was also a time when tie dye fashion reigned supreme. Loosely draped bright, psychadelic prints were the go, and comfort clothes was not a concept to be shunned at. But like trends for most eras, tie die fashions slipped into the periphery...

Until now. Yes- tie die is back. Well, at least I think it will be! According to the runways, fashion editors and my own observations, tie die is the next big trend. And it's going to go off.

(Title image- Stella McCartney dégradé skinny jean, $355, available at www.net-a-porter.com, Images 1-2: William Tempest F/W 2009, Images 3-5 Costume National Resort 2010, Images 6-7 Beradi)

Chainstores have even started to get in on the trend- as can be seen with Sportsgirl's newest collection One le Blue:

I have to admit last year I probably couldn't imagine wearing tie dye (although I do remember wearing it for a period as a kid), but now I'm warming to the trend. I think if the dying is executed well- and it doesn't look like a 8 year old kid made it- it can be a very fresh look. I think the key to wearing this trend will be to balance tie dye piece with a neutral item/s. It definately has the potential to bring a bit of vivaciousness into the fashion scene, which will be especially welcome after the dull and sombre colours we often pull out in winter.