PREPPY

The best way to define preppy would be: conventional, neat and prepared for anything. Even though preppy fashion started as the Ivy League way of dressing, you need not attend a fancy boarding school nor be somebody whose daddy and granddaddy had pots of money to dress preppy. You can still grasp preppy look in many undemanding ways without having to throw away many dimes. Well, the basic idea is to look like you hail from aristocracy, so be it. Dress as though you’ve been rich so long you don’t have to flash it. It’s all about the attitude. If you can pull in the right attitude and have a sophisticated taste for cultural and social stuff, you can catch prep easily. 

Preppy Inspiration: Old Hollywood stars like Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn are quintessential of preppy.  They delivered preppy in a most elegant and modish way. And in the modern era: Blair Waldorf is the perfect personification of preppy. Her style is very classic and polished.

 

 

If you want to dress like these preppy fashionistas, you need to adopt lots of blazers, woolen pullover sweaters, oxford button-down shirts, penny loafers and slacks into your wardrobe. And since spring summer is here, you can bring in summer dresses, cotton skirts, Peter Pan collar shirts and many more summer clothing line. Here’s a little something to get you started.

THE DAILY PREP: This is one of the simplest look to pull. All you need to do is pick up some classic staples. Nice polo or Oxford shirts in neutral colors, a classic cardigan, basic denims or trousers and a solid pair of boat shoes or ballet flats. 

THE DRESSY PREP: For the ultra feminine girls, you can go preppy even in dresses and skirts. Just remember not to wear anything unflatteringly tight, revealing or flashy. Preppy is all about remaining conservative, neat and elegant. So when you’re choosing a dress or a skirt, make sure the fitting is correct and nothing fancy. If you want to accessorize, usually a cardigan is the key but well, given the hot weather of summer you’re allowed on very minimal jewelry. Think pearls, real or fake, and studs, preferably small and resembling a precious stone. Or you could even use a headband and a belt.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE PIN-UP GIRL

Glamour and self confidence is the key to achieving a pin-up look.  It is a trend from the 40’s and 50’s that never seems to fall off the fashion radar. It doesn’t even need to be recycled. It is as classic as classic can get.  Well, glamour never goes out of style, does it?

Now the question is what exactly a pin-up look is? We are all acquainted with the retro look: woman in a colourful tight dress with perfectly curled hair and bright lips. Pin-up look is somewhere close to that but the pin-up girl is associated more with sexy, curvy and cute.  Sexy icons like Betty Grable and Bettie Paige were the perfect personification of a pin-up girl. In the modern era, Dita Von Teese is the living and breathing pin-up girl. The pin-up philosophy is excessive emphasis on glamour. It’s about looking good all the time. Another philosophy is that timidity isn't sexy, but tenacity is.

Red lips, coiffed hair, curvy body: the three main point of a pin-up look. On the clothing, think sexy and colourful.  Tight fitting bombshell dresses in various prints, bright floral print blouses and solid colour vibrant pencil skirts are few things that define a pin-up girl wardrobe.  The look is flawless and cheeky and gives out a very old Hollywood glamour. Fancy this style? Here’s a little sneak peak to how to sport this look.

The Hair: Curls, curls and curls! Curly hair is the most essential for the pin-up look. You can use any range of hair colour, blond, red, black but it should be a solid colour, no highlights. If you have natural locks then keep it as it is. If your hair is straight then curl them in medium curls and pin it up in one side. To add a little fun, you can use a cute hair pin in floral style.

The Make-up: First start with the eyebrows. Think Elizabeth Taylor for the eyebrows. The pin-up girls usually had sharp arched brows not Clara Bow arched. You got to brush up your eyebrows and make them pop. Key is, keep it as dramatic as possible.  For the eyes, the cat-eye does the trick. Use a black-liquid line and create flicks at the outer corner of your eye. Blend in a sultry shade eye shadow and contour it with a neutral colour later. Don’t forget to sweep your eyelashes with two or three coats of mascara. And last, the lips. It’s the most important part of all. Think Marilyn Monroe. Cherry red or fiery red would do. Make sure you outline your lips first and make a sharp cupid bow "V" and fill in the lip colour to give a rich look.

The Wardrobe: Stock up all vintage items. High waisted pants and shorts, floral blouses, wiggle dresses, pencil skirts, Cuban heeled stockings, round toed pumps, ballet flats, espadrilles, 3/4 sleeve cardigans are some things to start with. While choosing a top, don’t pick tops that have a high neckline. Pin-up is all about looking sexy. You could try halter tops as they reflect a hint of sexiness. But remember to keep it classy. Your aim is to look sexy, not trashy.  You can also try to create your own pin-up style, now that you know what the look demands. Pull out your old blouses, cardigans and try and work the pin-up girl look. 

 
 
 

BOLD BLOSSOMING FLORALS

With all those roses, daffodils, daisies and peonies coming to live, won’t it be nice to be in bloom all season long? Embrace the joy and romance of spring in your clothing line by adorning florals from head to toe.  The ever popular floral prints have made a comeback this season, only this time with greater intensity and a more dramatic appeal. Ranging from chic sultry pastel colours to hot vibrant hues, this season’s collection has much more to tell and bring as compared to last season’s.

As the florals are going to be dominating throughout the spring and summer you might want to prep up your wardrobe in accordance to the ongoing garden theme. Here’s a little something to get you started.

Incorporate lush tropical and Hawaiian prints to add a big, exotic splash of colour or paint a pretty accent into your feminine spring ensemble with softer floral motifs. If you want to add a more playful touch to your wardrobe you can opt for modern retro prints or dramatic African fabrics. There are also these oriental prints with a western spin such as fire dragon, hibiscus and lotus motifs to get you the summer swagger on. If you’re ready to take it all to a new level to create a hot and fiery imagery, then sport bold and over-the-top visual aesthetic and pattern-clashing prints.  And for those who feel that floral patterns and styles are too loud and fussy, try very soft romantic pastel prints and keep your style statement understated and subtle

Look through the floral collection, there’s something for everyone. With fresh appearances that can make an inspiration, have fun cruising through KOOVS' collection. From mesmerizing floral-detailed dresses, tops and skirts to floral-printed accessories, you’re sure to make a chic fashion statement and be bang on trend this spring summer.