2011 hairstyles for women

The year marks the true start of a new decade, and yet 2011's fashion trends are all about revival. True, there is a unique undertone of a modernist style appearing, but take some of the most iconic styles of the 20th century, infuse them with quality, and you'll find the basis for the dominant styles of 2011.
The year's hair trends are no different. For fashionisers in 2011, hair is all about revivals and evolution. With styles and colours we're seeing the best of 2010 reborn, whereas cuts are offering reworked and luxurious revivals of styles that sit perfectly with the year's clothing trends.

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Balenciaga buckle boots

Written by Tienlyn Jacobson on 30.04.11

 

What's the best way to wear boots throughout the warm months? With ventilation, of course. Lighten them up and dress them down with an unexpected splash of pink. Equal parts punk to quirky chic, you'll be the coolest chick on the block - pun totally intended.

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Anastasia Radevich: ice cool shoes

Written by Tania Braukamper on 30.04.11

 

Following in the path of futurism and architectural shapes pioneered by the likes of Nicholas Kirkwood, Anastasia Radevich's footwear is intricate, unique, and always themed. Spring 2011's Dreamfall gives off the impression of creatures from the ice-cold deep, like sea-animones for your feet.

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Tassels: the return of luxury trimmings

The tassel. What we may think of now as a humble little decoration turns out to be steeped in history and implication. Can you imagine spending days, weeks, months creating a single tassel? Once an artform, the tassel and its connotation of luxury returns as the adornment du jour, a 2011 fashion trend that offshoots from the military and historical influences of seasons past.
Read on as we take a deeper look into this little decorative gem.
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Tassels: a symbol of luxury

If you think of tassels only as a furniture trimming, think again. Tassels originated thousands of years ago and throughout their history were used as symbols of status: both military rank, and religious order. In 16th and 17th century France passementerie, the art of tassel making, was a booming one, with ornate handmade tassels representing wealth and power: no palace interior was complete without silk tassels dripping from its rich brocade curtains and velvet cushions. But once the 20th century rolled around and moderation became the new aesthetic, the days of ostentatious trimmings faded sadly away.
Now, in a time of global instability and flux, we return to luxury. But as we see it, luxury as craftsmanship. It may be in the minimal yet beautifully crafted aesthetic that's prominent right now, or it may be in a little ornament, the tassel, that carries connotations of opulence - but that sits well and truly on the opposite side of glitzy. So when it comes to investing in pieces with tassel detailing, quality is key: a well-made tassel, be it silk or leather, carries that sense of luxury and authenticity.

The tassel in 2011

While it's been a constant to see the odd, small tassel on leather accessories like handbags and purses, we're now seeing them prominently - oversized, extra long, brightly coloured or made to stand out in some way. And it's no longer just handbags: for Spring 2011 they're on everything from shoes to dresses to belts and hats.

Ropes and tassels

Ropes and tassels are natural companions, so it follows that we're seeing plenty of ropes being incorporated into both clothing and accessories. Rope detailing can either be very luxurious and exotic (see Gucci, below) or more to the nautical side, for example wedges or espadrilles with rope ties.

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That boyish cut

When we wrote about the pixie cut as a hairstyle for 2011, we mentioned that its evolution might lean towards 'an even cut all over, with longer sides than what we've seen to date'. And here pops up Konca Aykan, fashion editor of Turkish Vogue, with quite a prime example of the longer, boyish crop we described.

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Lace dress / lace skirt women's trend

Right now you're thinking that this is nothing new. And you're right; it's an extension of the sheer trend that's has, for some time, firmly cemented itself as its own, independent trend. So what follows is, instead, more about how to wear the trend now, and how to set yourself apart from the masses - so that you can bring it forwards and into a new league.

Types of lace

There are many different types of lace, and various methods for producing it - so many that we won't go into them here. The long and short of it is this: it's now less about the stretch, allover lace, and more about antique-style lace. Fabrics that look like a more traditional needle or bobbin lace (even if they're machine made). Generally, go for a wider net, a more unique pattern, a sturdier fabric - rather than a thin stretch lace.

How to wear it

The ultimate balance of lace in 2010 / 2011 is to be romantic but not over-girly; sensual but not over-suggestive. Like taking beautifully crafted lace that would have once been part of a garment and making it the only layer. The lace isn't an added detail of a garment, it is the garment. And thus we come to lace skirts and lace dresses. Dare to wear them without a slip underneath. Just keep the cut a little more relaxed or the hem a little longer to maintain that aforementioned balance.

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Spring 2011 fashion trends: Spring / Summer 2011

When we first started collating the fashion trends of spring / summer 2011, the season was way off on the horizon. Now the very 2011 fashion trends that comprise the guide are in full swing, or at least much closer to hitting our wardrobes than they once were. Naturally, as 2011 rolls on, we'll continue to update fashioners with new information, and more importantly new inspiration, for spring 2011's trends and how to wear them. So do check back often, and read on to find out what spring 2011 has in store.
Read on for inspiration for the Spring 2011 season and coming year.

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