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Even with world in a recession, we still need to wear clothes, so why not choose fashionable garments?  Are you currently a RECESSIONISTA? A person who is able to stick to a tight budget while still managing to dress stylishly. Or are you a FASHIONISTA? Someone devoted to unique or high fashion clothing. The secret  is to keep an eye on value for money and quality. This season's fashion looks are becoming LESS careless, more ordered, more statement making.


FEMININE DRESSING: continues to be in the spot light no matter what look you are trying to create. This season it's represented in soft flowing and unstructured garments. Draping and feminine details like ruffles and floral prints.

TRIBAL THEME: earth tones are coordinated with bold colours and prints. Accessories include wooden beads, large wooden bangles, snakeskin shoes and animal printed scarves. 

DRESSES/SKIRTS: the dropped waist, the shift, the shirt dress... this season there’s a dress for everyone. Adding belts to dresses to emphasize the waist is a big trend this season.
A-line 60's shifts, dynamic Grecian drapery, asymmetric off the one shoulder styles.  Maxi dresses. Kimono sleeve dresses that can be worn as tops over trousers. The one-shoulder dress and draped dresses are really the furore for summer.
Trade your winter pencil skirt for the new tier volume tulip skirt shapes to update your look.

COLOUR: adding colour to your wardrobe is the hottest trend in 2009. This season’s palette ranges from vibrant electric brights to soft nudes. Wearing the correct colours will make you feel younger and more vibrant.

Yellow is THE Colour of 2009.  It injects new vigour into fashion-symbolises hope, optimism, and new beginnings. Variations are buttercup, citrus and lemongrass.
Other key colours: orange, mango, tangerine and lime, warm rose, lavender, fuchsia, magenta, rust red, vibrant green, jade aqua and royal blue.   
Neutrals: slate grey, black, classic nautical navy, cream and white. Mix and match bold colours with neutrals to add zest to your existing wardrobe.
Monochrome: black and white has always been a winning classic. This year it combines animal prints based on zebra or giraffe prints with stripes and spots.  
The metallics of this season are softer, with a light sheen and shimmer instead of being bold and glossy.

TROUSERS: this season both the wide legs and cigarrette pants are in. Harem pants and ankle cropped capri pants are back. Be careful of the latter two as they are not appropriate for the workplace.

PRINTS: these range from watercolour prints, geometric circles, to exotic bold flora to delicate floral designs. Florals are seen on everything from dresses to blouses, bags to shoes. Choose your print scale carefully. Petite women need more delicate florals/prints, more voluptuous women look better in the larger, bolder florals/prints. Avoid too much floral it can look too busy and distracting. 

FABRICS: luxurious, touchable textures. Sheer, floaty fabrics. Slinky satins and silks. Billowy chiffon. Here is where you need to use your discretion and ensure you wear the correct undergarments specially within the office environment. Linens abound its a bad choice for work, unless you stand all day. 

JACKETS: are form-fitting and belted with emphasis on the waist. Popular lengths are cropped or hip-length. Sublime fabrics and workmanship; piping, inlay, beading, raised lace, pleating, statement making sleeves. Shoulder pads are back in business-great if you are pear shaped-avoid if you are a triangle body shape.

JUMPSUITS: wide or narrow legged jumpsuits in silk, satin or cotton. Best worn after hours.

ROSES/ FLOWERS /BOWS: Flowers in 3D on necklines, waistlines, hair adornment, rings, necklaces. Dress hems with roses. Bows - from small to huge adorn garments and bags.

SHOES: demanding high teetering heels-just make sure that you can walk to the photocopier with purpose.  Mixed colours and textured materials. Gladiator sandals in natural tones or bold colours. Many women like to show their creativity through their shoes. Take care you do not overdo it for work. LESS IS MORE.

WIDE/NARROW BELTS: the waist is emphasized this Summer by making use of belts on jackets, cardigans, shirts. Embellished buckles on gold embossed snake and lizard 'skin' belts.  

JEWELLERY: huge necklaces, big costume jewellery,pearl chokers, tribal type necklaces, stacked cuff bangles and massive cocktail dress rings.  


Professiona Impressions
Tel: 011 469 1396
Fax: 0866 140 205
Email: haydee@profimp.co.za
www.profimpressions.co.za