We’re fans of lots of fellow bloggers but one of the most instructive is Fashion Bomb (check it out). We found this great piece the other day which explains just how to wear colour… great if you’re putting together a colourful party look in the next few weeks and  vital for the next season, the brightest for years. We’ll all be needing this useful advice…

The color wheel is an excellent wardrobe tool! In fact it was one of the first things I learned about back when I studied Image Consulting at the Fashion Institute of Technology. Figuring it out isn’t too complicated. Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. Colors directly next to each other (i.e. yellow and yellow-orange; yellow and yellow-green; violet and blue-violet, etc.)

2. Colors that form right (90 degree) angles with each other (i.e. yellow and red-orange; blue and violet-red; green and orange, etc.)
3. Colors directly across from each other (i.e. yellow and violet; blue and orange; red and green, etc.)
4. Colors that form a T (i.e. blue, orange, and violet-red; yellow, violet, and red-orange; yellow, blue-green, and red-orange, etc.)
5. Colors that form an X (i.e. blue, orange, violet-red, and yellow, violet, blue-green, and red-orange, etc.)

Since brown is a neutral, it will go with virtually any color on the color wheel. I love to pair a chocolate brown with cobalt blue or fuchsia or bright red—such a fun and bold combo. Of course white, black, and the hues of blue found in denim are also neutrals that go with just about anything.

Colors that are a part of a “color family” also apply. So for instance, you can substitute pink with red and still be able to pull off the combos based on the color wheel. Get it? Good.

As for accessories, I’m definitely not a fan of colored jewelry or belts, but go crazy with colored hats, bags, shoes, or scarves. When choosing jewelry, pair gold (or gold-toned) jewelry with your warm colored outfits. Warm colors have a yellow, gold, or orange undertone to them. Wear silver (or silver-toned) jewelry with your cool colored outfits. Cool colors have a blue, pink, or red undertone to them. Since colors are broken down by hue, temperature, intensity, and tone any single hue can be either warm or cool. Just look at the undertones.

You can also use the color wheel when coming up with color combinations for your makeup. It can help you decide which makeup color to wear so that you don’t match your eyeshadow with your outfit.

And there you go—a breakdown of how to use color combinations to spruce up your wardrobe. You’ll be looking more fab in no time.

 

It’s easy to overlook the importance of good posture but you’d be amazed at the benefits. Discomfort, injury and back-pain can all be eradicated through improved posture and sporting performance can be enhanced.  Running particularly relies on the core muscles to achieve efficiency in propelling the arms and legs. There are few better ways of improving posture than through regular Yoga or Pilates workouts.

What is good posture? Being able to maintain the body in an upright position without leaning either sideways or forwards during running is the best posture to strive for.  This way the strain is evenly distributed throughout the body, avoiding too much stress being placed on any one area.  Imagine a plumb line hanging from the top of your head along the centre of your body and try to keep it there.

How does good posture reduce the risk of injury? Running engages muscles throughout the body, from the feet to the shoulders.  If we are unable to hold ourselves properly and bring the core muscles into play, we have a tendency to put strain on the joints or particular muscles as we compensate for poor posture.  Over time, this can lead to significant injury.

How do we improve posture? Activities such as Yoga and Pilates are recognised as improving posture and gradually strengthening the body through focussing on the core muscles as well as increasing stamina and flexibility.  It may be that you have developed a poor posture over time or that an area of weakness or injury has resulted in a poor stance as the rest of the body tries to compensate for the weakness.  Gently strengthening that area will automatically allow you to use it more effectively.

How does poor posture effect running? If our core muscles are not strong enough, we have less strength to propel the limbs and maintain the momentum to keep going.  The core muscles are the ‘powerhouse’ to the rest of the body and provide it with energy to move efficiently.

Posture also effects our ability to take in air properly.  If we don’t fill the lungs to capacity during running, we won’t be able to transport the much needed oxygen around the body.  Both Yoga and Pilates focus specifically on breathing to achieve the perfect technique, which can only help when we are out running too.

Pay attention to posture now and you’ll benefit into the future. As we age, we begin to struggle to maintain an upright posture as bone density reduces and the muscles naturally deteriorate.  High impact activities, like running are known to reduce the risk of Osteoporosis and improve muscle tone and bone density.  The combined gentle, gradual strengthening movements and positions of Pilates and Yoga, combined with running would provide a fantastic fitness regime to prevent the potential problems associated with ageing.

It’s understandable that we minimise the dramatic influence that posture can have on our everyday lives as well as our fitness.  We take our posture for granted and don’t really believe that there’s much we can do about it.  This is definitely not the case as we can all take control of our bodies and improve how they function.  The rewards are countless so get your Yoga mats out today.

If you catch The Real Housewives of New York, you’ll be able to spot Yummie Tummie’s Heather Thomson who has been drafted in as a new cast member. Naturally, this means that Yummie Tummie is featured in every single episode and why not – those Manhattan beauties have long employed its derriere-smoothing properties to good effect!

So Paige Denim has landed here at Lovestretch and we were just wondering how to get across how seriously nice they are when we found this pic of the Duchess of Cambridge wearing her Skyline Ankle Peg jeans courtesy of Just Jared celebrity news. Enough said, really, except to add that they’re selling out fast. Skyline is the jeans style for classy lovers of classic five-pocket denim.

We do love our ASH trainers – and so do the world’s top models, so that’s us in very good company then. Miranda Kerr and Chanel Iman are pictured here wearing Bowie Wedge high tops in Bowie black and cobalt and plain black suede. Simply gorgeous.

ASH was founded in 2000 from the passion and the knowledge of Leonello Calvani and Patrick Ithier. Independent and rebellious, the Ash collection takes an exotic trip in search of new horizons. The look is a mix of both glamourous and metropolitan with dashes of intense colour and the warmth of the desert, giving life to a collection that is a whole new world to discover. Their shoes reflect a background in French luxury design, merged with Italian leathers and craftsmanship.

ASH shoes target a fashion conscious generation of men and women who travel to the style capitals of the world, always setting trends, never following them. Glamour and originality of the styles are always at the base of the philosophy of the brand.

Strider’s Edge has filled a gap in our hearts for a high-performance, quality performance wear collection that gives us the hits of colour we love here at Lovestretch. Here we meet its founder Katy Biddulph who takes us through the SE story.

Tell us how Strider’s Edge came into being:
Before starting Striders Edge I designed for SweatyBetty. I used to look after all the technical sportswear ranges – Skiing, Running, Gym Wear, Cycling, and Swim. I left to backpack around the world during which time I worked very hard on a business plan so that upon returning I could be ready to seek investment to launch Striders Edge.

Why the focus on hiking, running and fitness?
I have always had an active background and have been hiking as far back as I can remember, I love running and enjoy all kinds of fitness from kick boxing to pilates. I also love fashion so melding the innovation of our kit with aesthetic style is where I am in my comfort zone.

How do you approach the design process?
I have always designed for my dream muse – they say you design for the person you aspire and dream to be… mine is a Bond girl. She epitomises aspiration from her elegant style to her devilish daring personality. You can see this in my design signature both from my SweatyBetty days as well as in Striders Edge.

What makes a great piece of sportswear apparel?
Considered design, female specific fit, female specific features, the best Italian performance fabrics that are not only innovative but are a pleasure to wear due to softness and premium finish. Great sportswear has to look stylish and perform for and beyond its purpose.

What makes the Striders Edge brand different from other companies offering women’s sports apparel?
Its rare to find a brand that yields credibility from its name to the product they produce and also meld that with a wearable statement British style. I’m proud that we don’t cut corners, we use branded zips, we use the best fabrics that we source from Italy, I test every piece in development on myself as well as on ambassadors. The Stride Storm Pro jacket for instance is a very techy piece of kit because that is what one should expect from a fully waterproof jacket that can see you through hiking Kili, but it’s also stylish enough to wear with a beautiful pair of Hunter boots.

How would you describe your own style?
My own style is classic with athletic lines. I live in the Core Elements jacket – this piece is stylish and simple but has a strong authoritative aesthetic.

Who do you feel is a classic Strider’s Edge customer?
Our lady is comfortable in her own skin. She is confident, loves keeping fit and knows quality and innovation and appreciates stylish British design.

If you were a desert island castaway, which three pieces of clothing would you want with you?
I would need the Stride Storm Pro jacket – this is the most stylish high tech waterproof jacket you will find. Its really feminine, shaped to perfection and fully waterproof. I love the waist cinch that is activated from inside the pockets to give the waist shape. The pleated front guard is very stylish and I can’t forget to mention the hood which is a fully laminated peak storm hood for when the tropical rain comes. It stows in the collar to create a statement look.

Also an Engineered Compression Bra – the most comfortable bra ever with great support and in an array of luscious colours – and finally a pair of Power Pace Capris, created with premium rich black fabric and has a very special gusset at the crotch to keep everything nice and smooth ‘down there’, a pocket at the back and stylish scalloped hem design to the back complete this great capri.

Whoo-hoo! The Paige Denim consignment has just arrived. This utterly fabulous premium denim line deserves all the plaudits it gets but don’t take our word for it. Committed to using the highest quality materials, the denim line brings together considered, interesting details (see the saddle patch jeans) into every design.

Sure of its purpose and signature, Paige is passionate about delivering trendsetting pieces. Paige Adams-Geller created Paige in 2004. As a top fit model for denim´s heavy hitters she acquired cunning knowledge of fashion and an acute attention to detail. With a commitment to cutting edge design, Adams-Geller set out to launch a denim line that would offer sophisticated and trend setting styles. The brand first launched in February 2004 in high-end retailers including Intermix, Ron Herman, Bergdorf Goodman and Harvey Nichols.

Paige became an instant obsession of consumers, celebrities, and prominent fashion editors. Shortly after, Paige launched a men’s line in late 2004 with the same passion and promise. Debuting in specialty denim stores such as E Street Denim, the men´s line is now available in top retailers worldwide including Barneys New York and Nordstrom. Paige continued to grow and in 2007, the brand introduced Maternity and Petite lines that build off the brand’s perfected fits and are specially tailored and contoured to fit. Known for its considered and unexpected details, Paige has grown into a denim powerhouse offering styles that reflect the brand’s sex appeal and passion for the craft. Paige uses only the finest fabrics and materials while each design is infused with thought out and considered elements.

As the expert on fit, Paige promises that every style delivers a drop dead fit. Every detail is carefully calculated, from a contoured waistband to forward sitting side seams each style is designed with the customer in mind.

Smooth your line beneath a fitted dress with Lace Trimmed Slip
An unforgiving dress can be a challenge at any time. This gorgeous piece gives a long slender look for jersey dresses or an evening dress which calls for a sleek foundation.

Show off your beautiful shapewear with Lace Trimmed Stretch Cami
We love curves and we love the fact that this shapewear is fabulous enough to be worn out in public! The Lace Trimmed Cami looks great peaking from behind the lapels of a tailored jacket – a key piece for Autumn so this is one to invest in.

As a journalist I travel the world in search of stories and one of the embarrassments of visiting in some parts is their need for you to take off your shoes before entering a family home. Tights with holes or unscrubbed feet are two of the pitfalls I’m always dodging, as are the homely but unbecoming slippers I’m sometimes offered at the door. The answer, obviously, is to take your own indoor shoes and slip them on unasked. Indeed, the question of what constitutes a decent pair for the job of padding around the home is just as valid here as abroad: shoes shaped like a gentleman’s slippers are actually fashionable right now but schlepping around with a pair for these moments is impractical.

The answer, I’ve discovered, is Butterfly Twists – fold-away ballet pumps which combine all the portability and sleek elegance that impresses my international hostesses. As everyday outdoor shoes for women in the perpetual search for flat and flattering shoes as a stand-in for the highest heels, they’re a dream. Light and  colourful, they’re also the thing to whip out on a plane in lieu of the throwaway ones offered by airlines. I have become addicted and their relative cheapness means I’m fast building an impressive collection. Whether you’re visiting a home or a hotel, these are a must-pack in my book.

Yoga and Pilates vests and circle scarf, all by Wellicious
Summer has to end and the whole thing is made so much easier but the thought that the shops are starting to fill with the rich, luxurious colours of autumn. Over the last few years, yoga and Pilates clothes have become seasonal in the same way and there are few companies as adept at making sure fashionistas look their best in the studio as Wellicious. This London-based company is no less serious about yoga and Pilates but it always manages to produce a collection which reflects beautifully the turn of the seasons.

Headed by its Founder and Creative Director, Heike Schnell, each seasonal collection is designed and developed by the very experienced and highly skilled design team at Wellicious. Each and every detail carefully evolves to create an eco-friendly yet stylish and glamorous collection infused with the latest fashion and colour trends. Since its launch in 2007, celebrity fans of the luxurious yoga, Pilates and loungewear have included singer and actress Dannii Minogue and top model Erin O’Connor. More significantly, many star yoga teachers such as Tara Lee, Katy Appleton and Gabriela Bozic advocate the brand for its comfort and quality.

Sustainability is a core issue for Wellicious and it uses only carefully sourced fabrics such as Organic Cotton, Lyocell and Tencel. Rain-fed Organic Cotton ensures less water is used for its growth than for regular cotton. Tencel and Lyocell are soft, lightweight breathable, shrink-resistant and durable materials created from natural cellulose found in wood pulp. They are also biodegradable.

For 2012, deep and luxurious colours such as merlot are blended with muted highlights for a flattering yet modern take on the classic yoga vest and leggings combo. Stand-out pieces include a ruched vest which borrows the sweetheart neckline and seaming from an evening dress to make a top that properly supports the figure throughout practice. Leggings get yet another Wellicious makeover with fabulous jodhpur styling added to the classic fold-over Wellicious stirrup pants.