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SPRING SUMMER 2020 TREND REPORT
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So it feels a little funny to be writing a spring/summer trend report while it is literally snowing outside in Toronto but my IG fam wanted it so here we are!
So just to show you how excited I am about this seasons upcoming trends, I already started to style and shoot spring outfits for the gram. We had one nice weekend of weather with above zero temperatures and I was out, gallivanting around Toronto with Adam shooting looks while my toes froze off. LOL Isn’t fashion fun! No, but seriously I am so excited and I can’t wait to share my trend report with you!
COLOUR MY WORLD
Neon Highlighter - So looks like people aren’t ready to shake off this trend quiet yet so feel free to keep those neon purchases from the last two years in your spring summer wardrobe. Last year I told myself that I wasn’t going to give in to this trend and that only lasted about 3 months because I went to Vegas in June and found a simple neon slip skirt at Forever 21 that I thought would be perfect for my trip the week prior. I think the only reason why I really gave into the skirt was because the silhouette was so simple and flattering that when done right, there is no denying that it can look great!
Rainbow Sorbet - Hello Neo Mint! I am so excited for this colour trend and have already started to find ways to incorporate new sorbet coloured pieces into my wardrobe. So far I’ve been able to find a beautiful baby blue/mint suite from Zara (pictured above) with the most amazing power shoulder! Yaaasss I am living for this colour palette this spring/summer!
Whites - It never goes out of style! What can I Say!? LOL Just give it to me head to toe - Thanks!
Anti Anxiety Blue - aka Classic Blue, the colour of the year! Yea, it’s here to stay, like ALL YEAR, so get used to it. Hahaha. When did I get so funny?! Wow, this colour really works on changing your mood!
FABRIC TRENDS
Embroidery, Crochet and Tassels - Hells yea! I will be all over this Fabric trend this upcoming spring/summer season just as I was last year when Zimmermann came out with that stunning dress collection. Remember that dress I wore last year at Pena Palace in Portugal? Well, I’m planning for it to make many more appearances this upcoming seasons!
Paisley and Psychedelic 60’s-70’s Prints - It’s time to let the bohemian goddess inside you out! But at the same time, when it comes to this fabric/trend, fabric prints seem to run the gamut from ‘hippie protesting in aboriginal motifs’ to ‘classic paisley prints’ to ‘groovy large flower wallpaper’. If you are going for the latter I would recommend going for a smaller/tighter silhouette as it can have the adverse effect you want and give you an unflattering appearance.
Polka Dots - it ain’t called a classic for nothing. Polka dot pieces are definitely a timeless investment which means you can feel free to spend little more on this trend if you decide to partake this season. Currently, I am seeing a lot of polkadot dresses, tops and skirts and if you are into feminine silhouettes then I would say, make the investment. If there are pieces that are usually a little out of your price range but are nice - rest assured you’ll wear it multiple times and get your moneys worth, so I say go for it!
SILHOUETTES
Bra’s, Bandeau’s, Tube-tops, and Corsets - Can you say, ‘Add To Cart’!? This is going to be another trend I am totally here for this upcoming seasons. Everything goes, wearing just a bra under a blazer with suiting, tube tops as a stand alone or over a blouse, same with corsets, bralettes, bras and bandeaus. I am also seeing detail accents as well this season like wiring or stitching to give the appearance of a bra silhouette. Believe me when I say this silhouette trend is gong to be a big one this season!
Hems Lines - From Daisy Dukes to Bermuda Short Suiting - So, does this mean biker shorts are out? *Insert I don’t know emoji. What I am seeing is ‘uber high cut off short shorts’ all the way to ‘just above the knee pant suiting’ like Julia Roberts in Pretty Women! Except if I am being honest, I’m not sure how I feel about this trend yet and personally already feel a little standoffish about it. I think it will probably take me awhile to start incorporating this look into my wardrobe. Maybe if they are yellow, high wasted and with a simple white square line tank top, white Hermes flip flips and a black headband and black belt. Might sound super preppy but a great look none the less for summer in Europe.
Vesting? Who Am I, Serena Van Der Woodsen?! - HAHA so I totally bought a beautiful beaded vest when I was in university because I saw Blake Lively wear one with jeans and simple tank on Gossip Girl #TheOriginalInfluencer. I guess after a decade trends really do start to come around again and vests/waist coats are making a comeback! I’m seeing people wear them almost like tight tops and I’ve also seen them appear in suiting on the runway.
CLOTHING DETAILS
Puffy Sleeves - This is one trend that I am so excited is making another appearance after last years appearance in my trend report. Puffy sleeves can be very flattering and are a great way to make your waist appear smaller! Just be weary though that not all puff sleeve are the same and some will sit lower making your arms look wider, when instead you want them to sit higher and make your shoulders look wider versus your arms!
Necklines - Victorian, Square, and Wide 70’s Collars - A great way to add a little more style to your outfits this season is to really play with your necklines! Everything from Victorian collars made out of lace or embroidery are super in as well as square necklines - remember the tube top’s and barrettes we were talking about earlier - and super wide collars reminiscent of the 70’s - I’m thinking Johnny Depp in Blow but you gotta make it work for you…
High Slits - It’s time to let those legs out once again for the world to see this spring/summer and I can’t deny any garnet detail that provides the appearance of a longer, slimmer looking leg!
Drawstring Details - this trend detail will be seen more in the ‘urban-esk’ and athletic/leisure clothing. I am seeing this a lot in athletic gear, sporty silhouettes - mostly on jackets
ACCESSORY TRENDS
Heels that Wrap Around The Ankles - I have been seeing a lot of girls taper their pants off recently using the string of their heels which I have been finding really cool. Unfortunately, I have yet to invest in a pair of heels with a long wrapping ankle cord but in addition to this trend reappearing this season I am also seeing singular chain ankle details on heels.
Chunky Jewelry - Large hoops, statement necklaces, chunky chains are all in this season and I have been eyeing this Jenny Bird chain recently and I may just make the jump for it! Ohhh I am excited!
Rope Belts! - I’ve seen quite a few of them on the spring/summer runway and they seem to be the new trendy way of adding some extra, equestrian? nautical? bohemian? - let’s just run with it, detail to your outfit.
Chunky Sandals/Platforms - Seeing a lot of chunky heels and platforms this season but haven’t decided if I’m into it yet. I think it isn’t feminine enough for my style personally but who know, I’ve said I wouldn’t wear something before and then I bought a neon skirt for my trip to Vegas.
Large Bags - The bigger the better when it comes to this trend. Just make sure you don’t over pack your purse like I am guilty of - your back will hate you!
Thanks so much for checking out my Spring/Summer 2020 Trend Report. If you have any questions or comments I would love to hear from you so feel free to leave then down below!
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I GOT MY EYEBROWS MICROBLADED!
Last week it happened! I did it! I finally pulled the trigger and got my eyebrows microbladed, well actually I did a hybrid which is part microblading part powder brows!
Is Microblading Permanant? How Long Does Microblading Last?
I am sure many people would agree with me when I say that microblading brows, although an old and popular practice in Asia, feels like a new beauty phenomenon that only recently started to grow in popularity here in North America. This craze of ‘semi-permanent tattooed eyebrows’ first caught my attention about two years ago when a couple of girls I follow on Instagram started talking about it in videos and stories. Right off the bat, I was curious. The whole idea of being able to wake up and have sharp, beautiful brows was very appealing to me. As someone who naturally doesn’t really have an eyebrow tail and is constantly filling them in every day, I knew this could be the solution I was looking for. It is important to keep in mind however that both microbladed eyebrows and powder eyebrows will fade over time especially as skin cells turn over and they are exposed to the sun (another reason to wear sunscreen) so you can expect to need to get touch-ups every 6 months - 1 years.
*** UPDATE *** Just wanted to drop in here quick and update you as it has been over a year and a half now since I had my eyebrows microbladed / powder brows done and although the shape is not as sharp and defined as it used to be (some fading at the top of the arch has occurred and at the tail as predicted) they still look great and I can still get away with not having to fill them in every morning.
So what took me so long? I know when it comes to things like travel or food I can often be a person of impulse, but when it comes to getting a tattoo on my face, it’s a totally different story. Before diving headfirst into getting my eyebrows microbladed / powder brows, I wanted to be completely aware of what I was doing, who I would be going with, and that what I am seeing on IG wasn’t all smoke and mirrors (because let’s be honest you never REALLY know). I wanted to be diligent. I wanted to find someone I could trust. I wanted to make sure they had a good reputation with many happy clients who gave raving reviews.
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM @ISTHATSOH
But How Much Does Microblading Cost?
Microblading isn’t cheap and neither is tattoo removal so it’s very important to be confident with who you are going to go with when getting your eyebrows microbladed / powder brows as well as feel comfortable with the cost! With that being said I paid $650 CAD!
So, fast forwarding to a little over a month ago when I finally decided to pull the trigger. I had been following the journey of this brow artist named Nicole (@browsxbianca) for a while and loved her work. I knew she had professional training, had a studio in Toronto, and did pop-ups in Halifax. She had also already microbladed eyebrows on a couple of girls that I knew and they were all very excited and happy with her work. I was elated to hear how thorough she was at explaining everything and making you feel comfortable; how she personalized the brows to suit your face shape, preference and colouring; and how she talks you through the healing process. It all felt very genuine and natural, and I felt so confident she would do a great job that even when she threw me a curveball and suggested that I don’t fully microblade my brows but instead actually do half-soft powder eyebrows (which I had never heard of before), I already had so much confidence about my decision to go with her I didn’t second guess it. She’s the expert after all!
Does Microblading Hurt?
Surprisingly, not really… with that being said Nicole did use a numbing cream on me after the first pass of microblading which was like a 4-6 out of 10 in terms of what I can handle (I have a tattoo as well so I'm no stranger to this kind of pain) so it wasn’t so bad. I did sneeze a lot though and start to get teary eye but not because of pain, more so because the whole area is connected - kind of like allergies when you rub your eyes and it makes you sneeze.
Microblading Healing Process
Going into my appointment, I knew that I would receive tons of questions about the procedure and the microblading healing process so I decided to make it easy and film the whole thing. I have broken up the whole program into three parts because although the process of getting microbladed eyebrows / powder brows usually only takes 1.5-2 hours, the entire healing process of microblading can take up to a month and you have to go back for touch-ups in 6 weeks’ time.
So here is part one of my three-part ‘Microblading Brows Series’. A little behind the scenes of my journey if you will. I even made sure to share clips of my brows before and after microblading so you can really see the difference it makes! Nicole also does talk about the microblading healing stages and microblading aftercare so if you’re curious to know what that looks like make sure to watch it! Hope you enjoy it!
I will be updating this blog post with two more videos, one documenting the stages of microblading healing and another when I go for my touchups so you can get a real look into what getting your eyebrows microbladed /powder brows really means.
MICROBLADING BROWS PART 2 - THE HEALING PROCESS OF MICROBLADING
As promised, I am back with part 2 of my powder brow / microbladed eyebrow journey. This time we are talking all about the healing process of microblading. Over the course of three and a half weeks, I documented every big milestone in my microblading healing process so that you can get a clear understanding of what you are in for. I have compiled all of the clips into a simple, straightforward video for a perfect ‘behind the scenes' post microblading / powder brow experience to give you a full understanding of all the stages of microblading healing. Hope you like it!
MICROBLADING / POWDER BROWS PART 3 - TOUCH UPS
Hello Friends! I am back with the final video/part 3 of my microblading / powder brows journey. This time I will be going in for my touch ups and making a few adjustments to my shape and intensity. One thing I learned through my microblading journey is that the process is not a wham-bam, thank you mame thing! Touch-ups after your first session are necessary to achieve the perfect microbladed eyebrow or powder brow. Anyways, today I am taking you back to Brows By Bianca Studio here in Toronto for a behind the scenes look at how we achieved my perfect brow! In this video Nicole also explains the benefits of going for powder brows over microbladed brows and why she recommends powder eyebrows or hybrid brows to the majority of her clients like me.
To learn more about Nicole you can check out her website at www.browsbybianca.com
If you have any questions about my microbladed eyebrows / powder brow journey or my microblading healing process / questions about aftercare for microblading, please feel free to leave them in the comments below, otherwise don’t forget to check back for updates or follow me on Instagram @IsThatSoh for video releases and announcements!
Xo
-Soheila
DON’T FORGET TO ALSO CHECK OUT MY LATEST FASHION & BEAUTY POSTS!
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SHOP MY HAVANA, CUBA OUTFITS!
Hey friends! As promised I just released a quick round up video of all the outfits that I wore in Havana on IG and also wanted to pair it with this post so you can get some product links. I tried as much as possible to find working links for you but some of the pieces I got a year or two ago and couldn’t find them anymore. I will keep checking to see if I can find any suitable ‘doops’ later on and will be sure to update this post for you on what I find! What was your favorite outfit? Tell me in the comments below!
OUTFIT #1
This is the best outfit for those super hot days while on holiday where you are running around trying to do it all. It’s flowy, light, trendy and the best part - the skirt is actually a skort! Unfortunately the Gucci fanny I am wearing is no long available on their website so I couldn’t link it for you and the two tops are old pieces from Zara but I will update this post as soon as I find suitable replacements, so make sure to check back!
OUTFIT #2
Definitely my favorite outfit of the whole trip was this yellow dress from Fitzroy Rentals. It was the perfect cut and really shaped and showed off my body in all the right spots. It also looked great in photos and paired well with pretty much any Havana backdrop. Since I would wear this walking around all day I paired it with neutral snake skin sandals and a cream/natural woven bad - both from Zara. Also guys I feel awful but the hat is no longer available at Forever 21 and I cant even link it for you. :( If it comes back up i’ll make sure to update this post! In the meantime here is a good ‘doop’ from Lack of Colour.
OUTFIT #3
The perfect one piece jumpsuit for a sunny vacation. It was airy, had the cutest silhouette and was of course white. I loved the cut out shoulders, waist cutout detail and the side slit on the pants. I paired the jumpsuit with textured sandals and a seashell beaded bucket bag (both from Zara)… and of course the largest staw hat in the world (that goes with just about everything! HA!) to round out that Caribbean vacation vibe.
OUTFIT #4
This red dress was definitley my favorite ‘going out to dinner’ outfit while in Havana and really turned some heads, not to mention looked great against the vintage cars. It paired perfectly with this leopard print scarf which I wrapped around the handle of my bag as an extra accent. Unfortunatly, for this outfit I found the bag in a vintage store and the shoes a purchase from Forever 21 a couple years ago so I couldn’t find links for you guys. I will keep my eye out for good ‘doops’ and will post them when I can find some.
OUTFIT #5
Romance was in the air with this gorgeous Self Portrait dress from Fitzroy Rentals. I paired it with my tortoiseshell round Prada sunglasses and a big hat for that classic look. I also decided to keep it neutral and casual with flat sandals and my Zara creamy textured woven bag.
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SPRING SUMMER 2019 TREND REPORT
Although spring still feels quite a ways off, I can’t help but get excited for its arrival when I see collections slowly started to trickle into my favourite box retailers. Of course we all know that the Spring/Summer designer shows already happened last September, but how those trends trickle down to affordable styles available to the masses is never quiet black and white. For me, style isn’t necessarily about how much you’ve spent on your outfit, but how it enhances your vibe, your mood, and your attitude. So with that in mind here is a roundup of my favourite trends for Spring/Summer and what I will be looking for when assembling ‘lewks’ for my IG.
‘IT’ Colours
The first hint designers get as to what upcoming fashion trends are going to be always comes from Pantone. Back when I was in design school we always assembled mood boards around Pantone predicted colour trends and themes. We would then use these mood boards to inspire us to create collections that were bound to be on-trend with the industry - and this is no different. Of course you don’t need to follow these rules when it comes to personal fashion styles (if you wanna dress in black head to toe, you do you, its classic, and will never be out of style), but a trend only becomes a trend when a collective group makes it a thing right… so her we go.
Living Coral: So obviously being Pantone’s 2019 ‘Colour of the Year’, Living Coral is making a huge appearance on the runway and you can expect to see it trickling down to stores. Although great on darker skin tones, I am not confident it will wash me out so instead of investing in clothing in this colour I am planning to incorporate accessories in this colour to my outfits instead.
Earth Tones: It is all about earth tones this season and anything from ‘milk chocolate/toffee browns’ to ‘mossy greens’ to 'oatmeals and off white/creams’ are in. I’ve already started incorporating many of these colours into my IG feed and its really making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside knowing I can bring my current grid colour direction right into spring. Also, there is actually a whole head-to-toe neutrals trend (which I will hit on later) that dominates this colour palette like no tomorrow so I definitely recommend embracing it!
Feel the Burn: Burnt oranges/terracotta, deep reds and ashy pinks are also going to be all the rage this Spring and I am living for this trend. Pressed rose (this swatch doesn’t do it justice so google it) definitely has some beige/muted undertones which I will definitely be incorporating into my closet, while burnt orange and peacock red are perfect for warming up your winter wardrobe for a smooth transition into Spring.
High Saturation: Carrying over from last Spring/Summer, high saturated colours are being used to colour block this season as well as create bold statement looks like head to toe suiting. It’s fun, it’s playful, it’s loud and i’m into it.
Neons: Definitely a trend that is still going strong and one that I STILL won’t be participating in. If you are into sporty looks, neon seems to pair well on the runway with fishnets and biker shorts however I personally think its a trend that won’t last. Overall I don’t personally find this trend all that appealing so I can confidently say I am not planning to add any neon to my wardrobe, but again, you do you.
Fabrics Trends
Knits: A repeat offender on the runway, macrame, crochet and fishnet patterns are being incorporated into many high-end designer collections for Spring like Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior and Sonia Rykiel. I expect this trend to trickle down to the big box retailers as it’s inexpensive to replicate and has a sporty, casual appeal that goes hand-in-hand with the ‘biker short’ trend that I will hit on later.
Scarf Print Pattern: You may remember that toward the end of last year scarf patterns were being incorporated into blouses and skirts. Well this trend is back for another kick at the can. I recently saw garments in stores such as Zara incorporating this trend in their latest collections and even picked up a couple pieces for my own wardrobe (remember my Hawaii photos?). We also saw designers like Elie Saab, Louis Vuitton and Valentino incorporating scarf print fabrics into their Spring/Summer collections which makes me think this trend is not going anywhere.
Polka dots: A classic pattern that never goes out of style, polkadots are back this Spring in all different sizes. If you are going to invest in some high-end pieces I would definitely recommend going for something in this pattern as you are guaranteed to get your moneys worth in wear and longevity.
Bleach Treatment: The 80s are back and acid wash fabrics are going to be HUGE. Isabelle Marant, Balmain and Proenza Schouler all incorporated this denim trend into they spring summer collection. From denim jackets to boyfriend jeans, I have already seen a couple acid wash denim pieces pop up at Zara and Forever 21 that I can’t wait to get my hands on.
Metallic: Between Balmain and Ralph Lauren I am living for both gold and silver metallic garments this Spring/Summer. Unlike neon I do find metallic fabrics much more approachable and I have already bought a silver pair of metallic joggers from Forever 21. Create a simple look by pairing metallic garments with neutral black or white tops.
Silhouettes/Garments
Bike Shorts: I can honest to god say that I am not sure if this trend worked its way up from street fashion to runways or the other way around, but all I know is that it’s everywhere now. My only qualm with this trend is that if you are short or don’t have stick skinny legs, biker shorts can single-handedly make an outfit become unflattering. Though I don’t think it’s a trend for everyone including myself, I still think it’s cool.
Utility Jumpsuits: Unlike biker shorts utility jumpsuits are extremely flattering (not to mention super comfy) and will be making a big appearance this Spring. This silhouette hit the runway in numerous fabrics and colours and I personally feel like its a piece that can also easily transition from day to night with a simple change of shoes. I already have a couple of these jumpsuits in my closet and will surely be adding a couple more in earth tone shades as they are some of my favourite silhouettes to wear.
Voluminous Trousers: When it comes to silhouettes, you may of noticed another nod to the 80’s with the comeback of voluminous pants that sometimes feature a sharp front pleat or a belt. Unlike biker shorts this pant trend does tend to be flattering on just about anyone, often giving the illusion of a smaller waistline and slimmer legs. Voluminous trousers do make for a great staple for both chic work and weekend attire so it is definitely worth investing in.
Details
Puffed Shoulders and Bell Sleeves: Get ready to pump up the volume this Spring/Summer because puffed up shoulders and sleeves are going to be everywhere. From blouses, to tops, to dresses they have already started to appear in Zara, Asos, Forever 21 and Topshop. I for one have already started investing in this trend and encourage you to as well.
Fringe: It’s fun, it’s playful, but best of all it’s an easy and inexpensive way for box retailers to incorporate an extra element of design into a garment to give it a boost. From bags to skirt hems and everything in between I image it will become quite the go-to detail for a lot of them.
Feathers: Although there were a lot of feathers on the runway I do not expect this trend to trickle down the the box retailers . Its cool, yes, but it’s also super expensive so if you want it expect to shell out some dinero.
Bows: Lets see, first polkadots, then puffed shoulders and then bows. I’m starting to see a pattern here - classic feminine details are all you need to really be ‘in style’. I actually recently picked up a shirt from Zara that incorporates all three of these trends and have gotten quiet a few compliments on it already. Just remember when it comes to Bows, the bigger the better!
Sequins: Girls love to sparkle and when it comes to 80s glam it’s all about sequins!
Other Trends
Oversized Hats: Like bows, when it comes to hats bigger is better. Think Jacquemus’ La Bomba hat - large enough to envelop your whole body LOL. I know what you’re thinking, ‘doesn't sound super practical’, but just picture how cool and stylized your photos will look! I have already seen them in Forever 21 in both tan and burnt orange and I am sure there will be more options appearing in stores and online soon.
Head to Toe Neutrals: As previously mentioned, monochrome neutrals, although not new, are going to be one of the hottest trends this season and were spotted on pretty much every runway. One thing I love about this trend is that it’s so simple there is no way you can screw it up or look bad doing it - kinda like wearing all black - except for this trend its variations of whites, off whites, creams and tans.
