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THE FASHION GUIDE BLOG

12 great affordable bags to go to the beach.

Sunbathing season is almost here. Days are longer and warmer so you have a great chance to enjoy the first rays of sunshine to help you get that healthy, golden look. Going to the beach could give you a headache because you might not have the right bag to fit everything you need. Here you have a good selection of 12 bags priced from €15 to €90, so you can choose one and get to the beach with everything you need. The only headache you’re at risk of then is from the Mojitos! 

Don't forget to put your sun block on! I’ve also added my top 5 selection. Happy tanning!

From left to right, up and down: Straw tote €34, dsw.com. O'neill nahua bag €2, swell.com . Canvas striped maxi bag, €41, Mango. River Island metallic weaved smart beach bag €43, Asos. Nine West Tropicana medium tote €46, ninewest.com. French Connection beach basket tote €44, Asos. Aldo Hydelade shoulder tote €53, Asos. Hawaii beach bag €15, Asos. Paul's Boutique skull shopper €53, exclusive at Asos. Wendy Perspex bag €23, Asos. Gianmarco Venturi large fabric bag €45, Yoox. Armani Jeans large PVC bag €91, Yoox. 

Shiseido, Estée Lauder, Nivea Sun, Lancaster, available in department stores,

Becca Cosmetics available at http://www.skinlifeshop.com

What a great idea! An event you can not miss.

These days we all need to save our money and when we buy clothes they have to be versatile and suitable for more than one occasion. Even so, we all end up having tons of clothes in our wardrobes that we haven't worn in ages and we always think the same "I will wear it next season", "I'm going on a diet so I'll be able to wear it again soon". Any number of excuses, but we know they're not true. At the end of every season our wardrobe is still cluttered with unworn items. If this is true for you, here is some important news: on 2 May between 19h - 22h there will be a great new event in Lisbon (PT) where you can get rid of all those unwanted clothes and find yourself something new that you actually want to wear. This event is called "Fashion in Recession" (F'nR) and it will take place at the Fontecruz Hotel (Avenida da Liberdade). And what is it all about? Exchanging clothes we no longer want. 

The idea is originally from Sao Paulo (Brazil) and has been imported to Portugal by the image consultant Andreza Fazio. 

This event has some rules:

Free entrance. 

• You should register on the Facebook page of "Fashion in Recession". 
• All clothes should be delivered before or on the same day of the event before 20h. 
• Clothes, shoes and accessories (women’s & men’s) will be accepted. They have to be in good condition (and at least clean). 
• While the clothes are being collected, the people running the event will decide which are the TOP items, the ones that deserve to be in the spotlight. 
• Every piece will be awarded points, represented by a fictitious currency. Every single piece that is accepted from you will be given a value so you can spend your “currency” as you wish. 
• The payment with this “currency” will take place at the end so all the participants will be able to try the new pieces and if you want, ask for advice form fashion advisor Pedro Crispim and his team (Andreza Fazio and Liliana Moreno), so you can guarantee you are going to take a piece back home that won't sit in your wardrobe forever and never see the light of day. 
• If anyone doesn’t spend all their “currency”, it will be registered so they can spend what is left over at future editions that will happen once a month. 
• You can take any clothes not accepted for this event back home or you can give them to charity (the Salvation Army). 

So what are you waiting for? It’s time to clear out your wardrobe! No more excuses! 

See you all at Fashion in Recession. 

ANDREZA FAZIO

LILIANA MORENO

PEDRO CRISPIM

THANKS

I feel very honoured to have reached the milestone of 10,000 visitors to my blog. Thanks so much to all of you. Please keep coming back and tell your friends so that one day it might even be 100,000!

With lots of love,

Justo Ruiz.

Rule # 17: How to wear bright and neon colours.

Eye-catching, hot and dangerous, fluorescent neon colors really look fantastic and bright. Choosing acid green, muted neon, pink or electric blue clothes will make you stand out in the crowd. Indeed, these colours are very nice, feminine and add an intrigue to your style. They highlight your bright personality and your goal to keep up with the latest fashion trends. However, whenever choosing one of these colours make sure not to overuse the latter since it can be risky in the aspect that you may look like a three colored traffic light. Pair these colours with simpler and softer tones so that there is a contrast. Wear neon bright colours on the part of your body you most of all want to define, since, once the colour appears on that zone, it will indeed attract attention first of all.
Whether neon is one of your favorite colours or you are just testing out the trend, it's still a great way to add some brightness and cheerfulness to your summer wardrobe and make you have a fresh look. Follow the style tips below and learn interesting things about the neon colour trend and how to wear neon colours wisely in order not to look like a glow-stick.

HOW TO CHOOSE NEON COLOURS 

When it comes to colour trends today, one of the most loved and lively colors that make you look really glamorous is any shade of neon. The colours of bright green, pink, yellow and orange can change your entire look once chosen correctly and worn in harmony with the rest of the outfit. It is important to put the outfit together in a clever way, to use matching accessories in an appropriate quantity that will only compliment the look and you are done.

When choosing neon coloured clothing, you need to be honest to yourself. Never opt for this or that colour unless it is matching you well enough. No matter what today’s trend may be, the colour for your body becomes trendy only when it suits you well. See which colours bring out your features. For example, blue colours can bring out blue eyes, and tanner colours can bring out highlights in your hair. You need to be open and enjoy the experience while attempting different pieces of these colours. Try different hues, examine your look in the mirror and compare each of the shades thoroughly. You will sure pick the ones that are for your skin tone and suit your figure properly. Once you feel comfortable in them, you will be able to show off your trendy look with confidence.
Since neon colours are trendy in today’s high fashion and everybody strives to have at least one piece of clothes in this colour, here are some essential tips to follow when choosing neon clothes. For those being shy it is recommended to start with one shade of neon first. Once you start feeling comfortable in it, you can go on adding either matching accessories or other neon colours close in the shade. Start wearing these outfits on the beach, at home. Once you feel you are ready to show off, make these colours become your everyday choice for an ordinary casual look.

Other tips that will help you keep up with the trend while staying within your comfort zone are as follows:

1. Pick the neon shade that you love most of all and that goes well with your skin tone and hair colour. For example, if your face is pale, then accordingly yellow and orange will not look good for you. Instead, you should take brighter colours like neon pink or cobalt blue.
2. Don't make all your outfits in the neon colour. Remember that this trend may disappear soon and you will later regret for having spent too much money on this colour. Take one or 2 pieces of clothes in the colours and combine them with neutral shades and you will sure have different variations for different occasions. Wear the neon colour item with the clothing piece that you already have. A neon shirt, for example, may look very stylish, when combined with some sexy skinny jeans you already have. Or simple accessories like a neon belt and matching purse can always be added to an outfit from your existing closet, giving it a second life.
3. Think twice. If you don't want to catch attention, never opt for this colour, since neon will always make you visible from afar.
4. Check if the outfit fits you well. Since neon colours are extremely bold and eye-catching, they tend to make anyone look larger than they are. If you have a triangle figure, use the neon colours for your top part. For oval shaped bodies feel free to use neon bottoms. If you have an ideal body shape with proper curves and slim legs, then wear neon on whichever zone you like.
5. Choose accessories that will not overdo the outfit. Go for accessories that help to tone down the brightness of neon colors.
6. Don’t know if the colour will suit you? Then try small neon accessories first before purchasing any other piece of clothing. A neon belt or a clutch, or just your favorite neon nail polish can give you a hint if you like the colour or not. Once you check these, go ahead buying your beloved neon colour outfit.

WHERE TO WEAR NEON COLOURS 

Since these colours are bright they can be easily worn on the beach. Here you don't have to limit yourself with one hue of neon only. Feel free to take all the neon colours with you since there is no other ideal place than the sunny beach to show off these bright and lively hues. Be sure that you can wear whatever you want without worrying about an over-colored look.

For other cases, the choice of neon colours depends on the type of the event you are going to participate. Check the dress code if there is any. Stay on the safe side without too much attention. It is better to be safe than inappropriate.
You shouldn’t wear bright neon colours at office, to an interview or during any other business related activities. Yet don't hesitate to wear neon colours on informal occasions, when visiting your friends or hanging out with them. For any other events that demand high fashion, neon colours can by all means prevail in your outfit.

HOW TO WEAR NEON COLOURS 

If you’re feeling confident and adventurous, why not make these lovely colours prevail in your wardrobe? Try a neon dress, a yellow one, for example. Layer it with a neutral blazer that you can easily take off as the weather gets warmer. This will be an ideal outfit for both a casual day wear and evening look.

However, for everyday use, neon colours can be a little bit tricky so pay attention to the tips suggested below learning how to put neon things together. The key elements to always keep in mind with neon colours are:

1. Use black or neutral together with neon colours in order to bring the bold and bright hues into balance.
2. Don't wear too many accessories with these bright colours. Don’t match your bangles and hoops to your neon mini skirt, for example.
3. Neon on the bottom half is not that acceptable in most cases because it’s not next to your face. Especially if you don't have a slim figure in the thigh area, then you will highlight the imperfection even more. You had better keep neon tones for your top part and wear darker shades beneath.
4. Dark black tights always work. With these tights you can choose any neon colour for your top or neon loose dresses and you will have a fascinating look.

In a word, it is important to pair your outfits in taste. To be on the safe side avoiding being considered way too tasteless, dress as you would normally do and wear one piece of cloth in neon colour. Combine colours as you normally do and apply this to neon colours. For example, if blue and yellow look good together, then use fluorescent yellow shorts with a vibrant blue blouse. Stick to the colour blocking rules, and you’ll do it right.

However, if there are colours that you do not know how to combine, turn to the classical white or black ones. Combine the neon colour with a white or black piece and you will have an ideal outfit.
If in the summer you want to look all in neon, combining two neon pieces, make sure that one is brighter than the other one. Or if you want to excess the limits and go for 3 colours of neon, which is indeed very risky and does not suit everyone, then at least pick 2 that are within the same family of colors and pick the third one in a different neon hue. For example: a pink and orange pair of shorts, pink shirt and green cardigan.

ACCESSORIZING NEON COLOURS

The best way is to start with the little things, like accessories. Just add a touch of neon here and there and your outfit will be complete. Here are some quick tips to follow:

• Since neon is indeed a big trend today, feel free balancing it out with accessories of softer colours. Add a pair of neutral wedges and a bright cuff or a necklace. To take it to the next level, try an equally bright nail polish colour to complete your look.
• You can always try the trend of neon colour wearing it in a subtle way. Building an outfit around neutrals is a great way to sport a neon colour. Try pairing a neon top with a basic, black skirt. The neutral colors will help the neon colour stick out, but it won’t overwhelm you. Add a pair of nude ballet flats, simple accessories and a classic black bag.
• Another subtle way to test out the neon trend is by accessorizing. Pair a simple gray peplum top with a pair of classic, black pants, then stick to the neon. A pair of bright neon high heeled shoes or a bag will only add colour to this basic outfit. You can also put on a neon necklace, earrings or bracelets to polish off the look. A classical look will always be modernized and refreshed with a slight touch of neon appearing on it.
• I recommend a satchel bag in bright yellow that can be complimenting a formal dress or a white tee with cropped pants. Long necklaces with shocking pink pendants also look great. Even if you have a strict dress code at the office you work, there is still a chance for you to make use of these colours, which will never harm your career. Instead of having a gloomy, dull raincoat, opt for a neon-coloured or transparent trench coat. You will feel fashionable, will satisfy your hunger for the trend, however once you get to the office you can take it off and no dress code restrictions can be applied against you. Or you can choose plastic neon umbrellas instead. Any accessory in neon tones can be easily used by you.

Another smart way of wearing neon colours is working in a combination of two colors or a combination of the same hues. Thus, you can mix and match one neon hue with pastels or neutral shades. Or wear a neon shade of the same color with a non-neon shade of it, like a baby pink wit neon pink, or a neon blue with a brick blue. And why not add some light neon touches to your look with the help of a scarf, a hair accessory, a belt or sunnies. And you will look extremely trendy and appealing. Last but not least, you can turn to the trick of wearing a neon makeup.
There are so many ways of wearing neon coloured clothes that you simply cannot keep all of them in mind. Always make sure to try each of the accessories first, compare the final look, make sure you do not lack confidence in the outfit and once ready, feel free to head out to show off yourself.

Here you have some looks I pulled out for you: 

Shirt, calypsostbarth.com. Jeans, Paul & Bear. Shoes, heels.com. Clutch, Zara. 

Pants, Stella McCartney. Jacket, Topshop. T-shirt, Mango. Bag, boticca.com. Shoes, Zara. 

Shirt, Mango. Skirt & Flats, Asos. Clutch, Accessorize. 

Shirt, jeans & heels, Mango. Bag, newlook.com. Belt, French Connection. 

Pictures: Pinterest. 

Are traditions fashionable?

All countries have their own traditions. In Southern Spain for example the women wear long dresses with ruffles during the celebration of Seville's April fair. This tradition goes back to the end of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th when what we know now as a leisure fair used to be a event for selling animals. Women used to go with their husbands wearing a robe with ruffles which is the outfit they wore to do the chores at home.

Ralph Lauren Spring-Summer collection 2013 was inspired by Seville and Spain and Dior by Galliano's hand was also inspired by this country on more than one occasion to give birth to Haute Couture collections.

In East London (UK) there's a group of men and women that are know as Pearly Kings and Queens. They originated from the city's street traders known as costermongers and the 'kings' and 'queens' were the leaders of each group. In the 18th century they began to sew pearls onto their old jackets and trousers to mimic their wealthy neighbours from West London where the fashion of wearing pearls was common. A few random pearls then developed into complex designs and symbols covering the whole of jacket and trousers or skirt.

Olivier Rousteing’s first collection as designer of Balmain last season had less tattered-come-glitzy looks than its previous designer injected into the brand making it a must-have for those who coveted a sexy, don’t-give-a-fuck, wild child image. We could see some resemblance to the Pearly Kings and Queens in these designs although Rousteing wasn't directly inspired by them.

India and saris also inspired designers such us Gaultier and Lagerfeld for the house of Chanel in his Pre-Fall 2012 collection pulling off a spectacularly different approach to French chic with a creative twist on Indian couture. Traditional Indian pieces of jewellery added to the look, almost stealing the show from the clothes with its bling. The collection featured intricate embroideries, raw silk and other extravagant materials characterised by an exquisite combination of delicate Indian handcraft and Parisian fashion. An array of colours blended perfectly, from bright hues to ivory tones, deep pigments of red and shades of gold and silver.

So as you can see, designers are inspired by traditions to design their collections. This summer we could wear Japanese inspired dresses, shirts and even shoes. If you live in Spain and your city has a fair you can easily make a statement wearing a Spanish inspire look instead of the typical "sevillana" dress. Step out of the box and you'll be the centre of attention.

Rule # 16: How to wear emerald green.

The colour of immortality, life and nature, the colour of opulence, rebirth and the universe, emerald green is the most magical, refined and elegant shade in the colour wheel. It’s not by chance that we love green eyes and the spring season, when everything is in blossom and it’s green all around. “Emerald green to everyone” – this is how I can describe this rich and classy hue, as it suits girls of any colour. The emerald green trend gives high class and self-confidence to every fashionista’s look and helps her create a memorable style. Ready to drop a jewel bomb to your wardrobe? Here, I bring to your attention the styling tricks of the emerald green trend, useful fashion tips on how to wear emerald green for you to get a new makeover and look like a precious jewel in the crowd of mortals.

The best thing about the emerald green trend is that it can flatter literally everyone, regardless of skin tone, hair and eye colour, and one’s personal style. This opulent jewel tone looks amazing in combination with a sea of other hues that you already have in your wardrobe. There aren’t any special tips on choosing emerald green clothing, as any girl can go and pick her favourite shade of this jewel tone and look amazing, no matter she is blonde, redhead or brunette. So hurry up to buy a few emerald green clothing pieces and learn ways to create drop-dead gorgeous looks getting inspired from the following emerald green style tips!

HEAD TO TOE EMERALD GREEN LOOK

The best way of standing out in the crowd with your emerald green clothes is getting dressed in this magical shade from head to toe. A dress or a tunic, a skirt suit or shorts worn with a tee, cropped trousers and a light chiffon blouse will look perfect in a single colour, complemented with green accessories, such as bright emerald green high heeled shoes or ballerina flats, flirty handbags with big buckles, some oversized sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat, and, of course, sparkling emerald earrings. This outfit especially flatters red-haired beauties, but also brown-haired fashionistas and brunettes. Blondes are advised to break the overall green look with neutral shades of cream, black or white in order to create a beautiful contrast with their hair colour.

EMERALD GREEN COLOUR BLOCKING

Emerald looks amazing with almost any other colour. It makes a harmonious couple with the hues of the opposite colour spectrum. Emerald green in combination with purple, red and orange creates the most impressive look. In all the cases, the symbolic glow of emerald green gives a touch of purity, energy and freshness to every day and evening outfit. You can choose an emerald green dress and finish off your look with red accessories, for instance, or go for the unmatchable combo of emerald green and gold, such as an emerald green dress complemented with a tiny gold clutch and stylish golden strappy sandals.Emerald green also looks chic with all the neutral hues, including black, white, brown, camel, beige, grey, nude tones, as well as with burgundy, eclectic blue, bright yellow, metallic and pastel hues.

EMERALD GREEN WITH BEIGE 

Emerald green with beige (as well as with milk, white and light grey) makes the clearest and calmest combination. For instance, you can pick emerald green shorts and wear them with a breezy white blouse, a thin brown belt and camel ankle booties. You are sure to look very fresh and romantic.Or go for loose emerald pants worn with a cream blouse, brown bag, black shoes and a green hat. Don’t forget about the emerald earrings and the beige outerwear. You can keep the blouse monochrome or printed in delicate polka dots, for instance. This is a great outfit for office too.It’s also a nice idea to wear an emerald green dress or any other emerald green outfit and finish it off with beige accessories, such as shoes, sunglasses, hats and jewelry pieces. Your bag can be beige or green. Beige footwear will calm down the deep emerald green look, giving a touch of sophistication to it.

EMERALD GREEN WITH SOFT BLUE

This is a soft and light colour combination, which comes like a breath of fresh summer air. Think, for instance, an emerald green flirty dress accessorized with a pale blue bag, blue bracelets and green high heel shoes. This outfit is ideal for a romantic date or for a cocktail party.

EMERALD GREEN WITH PINK

No wonder, nature is the best designer. It never makes mistakes. Look around and draw inspiration from the flowers and plants: bright and beautiful flowers always look amazing with the lush emerald green. This is a royal combo. From pale pinks to juicy fuchsias, pink tones look amazing with emerald green.Opt for a romantic floral printed blouse, a pair of blue jeans and an emerald bag, for instance. What about a lovely crimson skirt and an emerald green bag with pastel pink touches? The combo of a soft purple blouse, a bright skirt and an emerald clutch is also striking. Play with floral prints, various shades of pink and emerald green and you’ll be a real winner! You can keep it pink or green, when it comes to your footwear, handbag and accessories. It’s not obligatory that they are all in a single colour. For instance, choose light pink shoes and a green bag.

EMERALD GREEN WITH FUCHSIA AND ECLECTIC BLUE

All the jewel tones look astounding together. The combo of emerald green and fuchsia or that of emerald green and eclectic blue arouses only admiration. For example, go for an emerald green dress and finish it off with a fuchsia clutch, a fuchsia scarf, golden shoes and golden jewelry pieces. Isn’t that amazing? Or you can try the vice versa: a fuchsia dress worn with emerald green bracelets, an emerald green bag and black ballerina flats.Another daring solution is choosing an eclectic blue dress, an emerald green trench coat, emerald green jewelry pieces, a green bag and eclectic blue high heels. You will hear only aaahs and uuuhhhs!

EMERALD GREEN WITH ORANGE

Besides the classic combo of emerald green and red, this opulent colour looks amazing also with orange, creating a crazy summer mood. For instance, choose an orange outfit and finish it off with emerald green shoes and accessories. You can also try the vice versa.

EMERALD GREEN ACCESSORIES

If you aren’t into eye-popping colours and prefer neutral clothes, you can liven up your look by opting for emerald green accessories. For instance, a black dress finished off with emerald green shoes, emerald earrings and bracelets and a golden clutch will look incredible. Whether it’s a grey, black, cream, beige or brown outfit, emerald green embellishments can instantly balance your trendy look.

WHERE TO WEAR EMERALD GREEN

Emerald green is a luxurious colour, so it’s the best solution for special occasions. However, you can also wear emerald green to office and on the casual basis. Make sure to keep it modest, when you sport this colour at the office. In all the other cases, you can turn on your fantasy and play with colours and prints, as emerald green is quite versatile and looks incredible in any colour combination.Now that you have so many ideas on how to wear emerald green clothes, you are sure to crush in love with the emerald green trend and make this stunning jewel tone the dominant option in your wardrobe. Don’t resist your temptation and play emerald green!

Some looks I pulled out for you:

Dress, Topshop. Necklace, amritasingh.com. Bag & Shoes, Zara. 

Top, peplum jacket & clutch, Mango. Pants, Stella McCartney. Shoes, Zara. Necklace, H&M. 

Shorts, Hollister. Blouse, belt & shoes, Mango. Bag, Zara. 

Pictures: Pinterest