Hit the slopes in style
Planning on a holiday to enjoy some winter sports? Aside from packing the essential skis/ snowboard and thermal gear, don’t forget essential ski goggles. The harsh UV rays combined with the glare of the snow can make uncomfortable conditions for anyone not wearing protective eyewear, and a day on the slopes can be very miserable without decent ski goggles – especially in extreme weather conditions such as snow, sleet and heavy rain.
When skiing any old shades won’t do – ski goggles are specifically made large to provide protection for the upper face as well as for the eyes, and at the same time allow the skier a wide view. Comfortable and flexible materials are also the choice for frames, with many designed elastic straps that go around the head, so that they maintain grip to the face and do not cause friction in the bitter cold. Such soft materials also ensure eyes remain protected from damage if a skier loses their footing and takes a tumble in the snow.
UV protection, anti-fogging features and the perfect lens tint are also a must to ensure you get maximum performance and protection from your goggles.
Of course practicality remains top of the list when buying your ski goggles, but with the great range available these days you can still look good on the slopes – think alpine chic!
With the likes of Dragon, Adidas, Oakley and Von Zipper being experts in producing the best possible skiing goggles, you can’t go wrong when it comes to choosing the right pair for you at Shade Station. Not only do the goggles come complete with all the necessary protective features to hit the slopes, but the brands have also become savvy to the fact that celebrities and the likes want to ski in style and have produced some great ranges in various flashy colours, tinted lenses and frame shapes.
Click here to visit our Oakley Goggles section
Antique Chic
Never has vintage been more in vogue. Second-hand shops are flinging open their well-oiled doors, vintage fashion fairs are on the up, and sites like ebay have made stepping back in time to source some classic clothing as easy as pie.
But if you feel a bit funny about slipping into your Grandma’s prom dress, try her dancing shoes instead, because one area that vintage really flourishes in is accessories. From sunglasses to stoles, belts to brooches, heels to handbags; the possibilities are endless. And the best thing about vintage is you’ll never turn up at a party wearing the same outfit as someone else!
It’s also a great way to adapt new trends. OK, so that cinched in waisted belt might not be brand spanking new, but it lends itself to the 50s vibe a treat, just as a pair of 70s platform courts could easily be paired with any of today’s ditsy floral prints. As for sunglasses, Jackie O’s are as popular now as they were in their heyday, as are Rayban Wayfarers, so why not search out an original pair?
Alternatively if you’re looking for a one-off set of sunnies to make you stand out from the crowd, check out Shadestation’s very own vintage selection. With authentic, never-to-be-worn designs from designers including Christian Dior, GianFranco Ferre and Porshe Carrera, you won’t have to worry about cheap counterfeits ever again. And despite coming in at over £100 each, remember to work out your budget as cost per wear – even if you only shade your peepers from the sun once a week, it amounts to less than £10 from now until Autumn – bargain or what?
Forget shabby chic, to checkout the ultra luxe vintage collection, click on the below link.
The Science of Shades
Sunglasses as we all know are the ultimate fashion accessory and can provide that little extra oomph to any outfit. However, sunglasses were initially invented with the purpose of acting as a protection to the eyes from sun damage. Luckily they look fantastic and therefore combine fashion with function, but how do sunglasses actually protect the eyes and should this influence our choice in purchase?
Sunglasses help you in two important ways. They filter light and they protect your eyes from damaging ultra-violet (UV) rays. Evidence concludes that exposure to UV rays can damage your eyes which ultimately can lead to cataracts, or even skin cancer around the eyelids. Ideally, if you are aiming to invest in a good pair, you should opt for sunglasses which reduce glare, filter out 99-100% of UV rays, protect the eyes and of course, are comfortable to wear.
Some of the best brands of sunglasses for sun protection include Oakley and Ray Ban (and Ray Ban Juniors for children) which effectively shield the eyes from UV light. The sportier brands tend to be more effective as they are designed for those who are intending to spend a long length of time in the sun.
However, that is not to say that the trendy sunglasses styles do not serve purpose. A major consequence of too much exposure to the sun from a beauty perspective is that it increases the ageing process thus causing…dare I say it… the dreaded wrinkles. Oversized Jackie O shades have been a huge sunglasses trend which is definitely set to continue. Not only do they look fantastic and hide a multitude of sins but they also provide great protection for the eyes. They conceal more of the eye area than regular sunglasses and therefore actively help protect against sun damage. So you see, those oversized Gucci’s I was intending on buying are not for fashion purposes at all……
A-Z of Summer Style… cont
K is for Killer heels…
…Forget teeny weeny straps and dainty heels, this summer ladies its all about chunky! We’re talking thick straps climbing up your ankle gladiator style, thick platform soles and clunky heels. Has there ever been a better reason to update your shoe collection!
L is for Living the LA dream…
…As we endured the usual dreary British winter, almost everyday we were confronted with pictures of the likes of Lindsay Lohan and Nicole Richie strutting the streets of LA looking bronzed and chic. Well finally summer has arrived so now it’s our turn! Ok, so it may not be as hot and glamorous as LA but slap on the fake tan, throw on that maxi dress, gladiator flip flops and the essential oversized sunglasses – et voila, LA luxe. Plus, maxi dresses are undeniably chic, flattering and cover a multitude of sins that has occurred during the winter months.
M is for Moving on up…
…At the other end of the length scale from floor sweeping maxis, we are talking the shorter the better! This season, belts are once again riding high around the waist, heels are skyscraper high and skirts are mini.
Metallic Mash-up
This season all that glitters doesn’t have to be gold – a splash of silver can go a long way too. And if you’re looking to add some extra pazazz to your outfit, why not mix those metals and go all out with a shiny showdown.
Your mum might not like it but it’s officially ok to combine the two without it all looking a bit too trashy (no matter how hard you try). Whether you pile on the precious metals in bangle form, or pick out a subtle shimmery clutch, you’ll find the trend will lend itself to every occasion and is one of the easiest ways to update your summer look – fact! Metallic magpies should also keep a beady eye out for multi-metal wedges, watches and sunnies, all of which will look gorgeous when draped over a tanned torso.
Glitterati fans of the recent trend include the oh so stylish Kate Hudson and designer’s dream Victoria Beckham, both of whom have been seen twinkling in the spotlights donning some fabulous silver and gold fashions. But as always, it was the catwalks that kicked off the clash. Dior, Lanvin, Fendi and Burberry all combined pewter tones with burnished bronzes to create show-stopping pieces that ranged from totes to tops.
All that’s left to do now is grab those two-tone treats, jump on that bandwagon and start glamming up your wardrobe!
Hot Hair Looks for Summer 2008
Summer 2008 is all about accessorising the hair with scarves and hair bands – and the brighter the better! Headscarves are a perfect way to embrace this season’s ethnic style; they are extremely versatile and can be worn in a variety of different ways. For maximum effect, wrap the scarf around your forehead and push over your head, tying under your hair whether tied up or let loose – sweep the fringe and loose hair away from the face and the scarf will delicately frame your features. This style is most effective with a bright or patterned fabric. For a more boho, hippie style look allow the hair to fall around the headscarf and wear with this season’s maxi-dress and gladiator sandals. The headscarf is a fantastic summer accessory which can hide a multitude of hair sins and instantly transforms your look. It is also a great way to experiment with bold vibrant colours and in the summer heat, acts as a hair protector.
One hair trend in particular which has been seen on numerous celebrities such as Micha Barton, Kate Moss, Sienna Miller and Nicole Ritchie is the 70’s hippie look whereby a thin hair band is worn around the forehead. This look is very simple to achieve and works best with longer, wavy hair. To adapt this look for the evening, wear a metallic, beaded or jewel embellished hair band for an added injection of glamour. Many luxury designers such as Chanel have a gorgeous exquisite selection of hair bands whilst the high street also offers affordable but beautiful options. This look is perhaps not quite so versatile or suited to every day wear but very effective for festivals and summer events.
The colours and designs of hair accessories are typically very feminine and girly but for those more sporty types, neon 80’s colours and accessories are back including the much missed visor. Plain hair bands are also a great option in one block colour such as black and gold and make for a simple, understated yet stylish look.
The key summer hair trend is definitely all about keeping the style natural (yes, put the GHD’s away!) and really dressing the hair up. The use of a simple headband or scarf is a fantastic way of injecting style into casual daywear and glamour for the evening.
A-Z of Summer Style… cont
G is for Girly…
With romantic ruffles, floral prints, flowing feathers, and soft and sheer fabrics in pastels sashaying down the S/S2008 runways, this is the season to make the most of your feminine charms. Beauty-wise, go for curls, flushed cheeks and flirty lashes.
H is for Hats…
A hat is an accessory for all seasons, but other than a bad hair day, there’s no better excuse than to keep off the sun in style with a hat. A glowing bronzed face is healthy and beautiful, but a bright red lobster nose and scalp just isn’t trendy people, especially if you’re pale skinned! Stick to the bottle tan and protect from the harsh sunrays with a straw trilby, a one-of-a-kind vintage hat, a baker boy cap, whatever your style keep celebrity smart and have your hat handy for when the sun comes out to play. Oh and of course, don’t forget your sunglasses…
I is for Illustration…
You don’t have to have the talent to paint like Van Gough this season to show off your creative side, the professionals have already created the arty prints, all you have to do is wear them! This fun trend takes art-inspired prints, from abstract to cartoons, pop art and fairies, and mixes them with pretty dresses, romantic tops, handbags and shoes. Experiment with wild and wacky colour or play it safe with black and white prints, there are no limits when it comes to this trend!
J is for Jumbo Jewels…
From oversized necklaces to large clutch bags with a bit of squish (known as grab bags) this season’s accessories are supersized! Go for gigantic jewels, gobstopper beaded earrings, multi-coloured star necklaces and chunky wooden or neon plastic bangles and your bang on trend. But don’t overdo it, follow the rule of the focal point and highlight one area at a time only!
Return of the Spartans
It could have been dismissed as last season’s trend, but the Gladiator sandal has continued to make its mark in the category of must-have summer sandals.
At the start of spring it was all a bit touch and go, and those of us who’d bought into the foot fashion last summer were unsure as to whether we should be slipping our feet back into our Spartan sandals or if we were expected to steer clear. But then, as if by magic, the celebrities started stepping out; paving the way and continuing to stamp their approval on the Roman revolution.
Rather than an array of flats though, this season, footwear designers have pulled out all the stops and we’ve been plied with knee-high straps, tassle-tastic embellishments, leather discs, rope plaits and most shocking of all – high heels!
One celeb who can’t get enough Gladiator glory is Miss Gwyneth Paltrow. From Giuseppe Zanotti flats to sky high Givency ankle boots, her tootsies haven’t seen the likes of a filled-in shoe for quite some time. Also keen on the Colosseum craze are Kate Moss, Lindsay Lohan and Sienna Miller to name a few, and just last week Elle MacPherson was seen dropping her kids off at school in a pair – true model mum behaviour.
If you’re keen to put your best foot forward in some thongs, take into account your size and shape. If you’ve got long legs, you’ll be able to pull off the knee high styles no problem, but if you’ve got slightly shorter legs, a lower pair will be more flattering. Then it’s up to you to mix and match them with jeans, dresses and shorts – all of which work a treat with the trend. Colour-wise, metallic shades add to the Mediterranean look, but black and brown versions also add versatility.
The motto of the sandal season then – wear them high or wear them low, just make sure you invest in a pair of Gladiators if you want to keep your footing in the style stakes.
Go Retro!
Sunglasses are always a fashion must. However, 2008 seems to be the year of the sunglasses and there really is a style or sunglasses trend to suit every taste. Here is a rundown of the hot sunnie trends.
There has been a huge number of fashion focused celebrities of late sporting coloured framed sunglasses. Adding an extra splash of colour to your outfit, and heavily inspired by the 80’s and 90’s era, these sunglasses are certainly fun and portray a hint of personality. They are also great fun to add to your festival outfit! Green, red, coral, fuchsia, pink and gold are particularly popular this season and can be mixed with different patterns and prints. 
Adding a pair of coloured sunnies to a black or white outfit can be extremely striking. Paris Hilton likes to co-ordinate her colours completely and has recently been spotted combining red sunglasses with a red sundress. Ray Ban original Wayfarer shades in vibrant red are extremely popular and a favourite among the A Listers such as Drew Barrymore and Rachel Bilson.
White framed sunglasses are also proving a big fashion must and look fabulous on blondes. Nicole Ritchie, Kate Moss and Peaches Geldof never fail to get noticed in their white sunglasses which are a chic suggestion of the nautical look. White sunglasses also look fantastically stylish and glamorous in an oversized style.
2008 is also the year of embellishment upon your sunglasses and there are certainly a wide selection of jewelled frames available adding an element of glamour and sophistication.
Despite a wide array of trends and styles available, the retro look is certainly the main sunglasses theme and influence in 2008 – think of icons such as Grace Kelly and Sophia Loren and how the current trends are reminiscent. Whether your tastes are inspired by the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s or 70’s, a pair of Uber cool retro style frames are glamorous, stylish and actually never really go out of fashion.
A-Z of Summer Style
Welcome to your ultimate A-Z guide to summer style. Everything you need to know about what’s hot to wear this summer is right here, starting this week with A-E…
A is for All-in-one…
…If you only buy one thing this summer make sure it’s an all-in-one – also known as playsuit, aptly named in honour of the fun that comes with the summer sun! long or short, sleeves or sleeveless, denim or cotton, whatever style you prefer this is the wardrobe staple to be seen in this season. Wear it dressed up with heels for a night on the town or dressed down with flip flops for the beach, an all-in-one is so versatile you can wear it again and again in many different ways.
B is for bows…
…Big bows, little bows and bright bows on bags, scarves, shoes, tops and accessories, bows add the cutest touch to any outfit. A great excuse to bring out your girly side this season.
C is for Cigarette pants…
…Skinny, tapered or slim-fit trousers, call them whatever but make sure you have a pair in your wardrobe that snugly hug your pins and shows off your curves to perfection – think Sandy in Grease and you’re there! A feminine edge on masculine tailoring is still riding high in the fashion stakes and trousers, with this season’s desirable style being slim-fitting and just-too-short ankle-length, remain the trend for those summer days when the sun refuses to put its hat on – and not just during office hours! However, if slim-fitting pants aren’t for you then opt for the alternative trouser trend that is slouchy and wide-legged – great for those cool summer nights!
D is for Denim…
….And not just jeans! Spring/Summer 2008 has enjoyed a massive throwback to the ’70s and ’80s, especially when it comes to denim. Not only should everyone own a pair of good fitting blue jeans anyway, but denim is a trend to be worn in every way. Jeans are Spale and super-flared, floral printed blouses are tucked into high-waisted shorts and torn denim jackets have been pre-washed and frayed. These pieces are distressed and effortless and easily worn with prints or plains. There are some great denim pieces on the high street at the moment, from staples to fashion forward dresses, kick flares and skater skirts. Denim accessories and new washes are also in great supply that will see you multi-trend in style throughout the season.
E is for earrings…
…nothing adds instant glamour to a long flowing summer dress than a pair of earrings. Hoops, chandelier style, pretty studs or a delicate dangly pair, anything goes – as long as they go with your outfit!
F is for fringing….
… and not just the one on kate Moss’s head! Go global and add a touch of fringing to your outfit tribal style – boots, waistcoats, dresses, tops and jewellery, no item has escaped being topped with a tassles this season. Just don’t overdo it or you’ll end up resembling a pair of those horrid curtains that hung in almost every nan’s front room in the 80’s!
