Wearing COLOUR

Can we talk about wearing lilac?

Are lilac and lavender the same? In all honesty, it would be fair to assume that both are the same since they are so similar. However, they're actually not. Most often seen as the lighter of the two, Lavender has a blue tint, whereas lilac has a pink hue. Most people tend to refer to lavender as the flowering plant and lilac as the colour, however, both are colours and flowering plants in their own right. Finding whether a colour is cool or warm is fairly easy to do. Whilst using the colour wheel, the warmer colours we can see include red, yellow and orange. What's more, colours that have a red, yellow or orange tint are also warm colours. Whereas shades like blue, purple and green are cool colours…. This could then lead you to believe that lilac which does resemble a form of purple, should be a cool colour – when it is actually classed as warm due to its pink tint. Furthermore, Lavender, since it has a blue tint, is a cool colour. Why should I wear lilac? As we all know, wearing colour can have hidden meanings. Lighter purple shades, similar to the likes of lilac, as said to be associated with light-hearted and romantic energies. Best described as a gentle shade, you can wear lilac with a number of other colours without the worry of clashing or overdoing it. Similar musky-toned colours, like mustard yellow or emerald green, can pair beautifully with lilacs. So, for this reason, you should definitely freshen’ up your wardrobe with some lilac. What skin tone best suits lilac? One of the top benefits of lilac is that it is a complementary colour to the majority of skin tones. Where a harsh dark colour may flush against an olive skin tone or pale blue may wash out the colour of a light skin tone, lilac blends easily. How to inject lilac into your wardrobe Injecting colour into your wardrobe can be one of the easiest things to do to really freshen up your looks. What’s more, with a warm soft shade like lilac you’re not just limited to wearing the colour from your wardrobe. Instead, you can incorporate the colour through means of accessories, like bags and purses, to footwear, makeup and even hair dye. With it being summer, you’ll find that lilac items are easier to come by! Pictured from L to R: Cranston Pencil Skirt Dress £99 (was £129), SEED Mayfield Pencil Dress £125, Luma Off-Shoulder Dress £115, Donna Short Sleeved Pencil Dress £125, Mariposa Off Shoulder Dress £145. Other ways you can add lilac into your looks How to style a lilac dress Adding to a lilac dress can be a really simple thing to do, but understandably you might be unsure on what to do and/or what not to do. Personally, we would suggest that if the majority of the outfit is already lilac then it’s always a good idea to incorporate a different colour into the mix. As previously mentioned, lilac goes with the majority of skin tones as well as other colours. However, there are colours that the shade goes perfect with and we’ll go more into detail about those below. Shades that pair perfectly with lilac include orange, yellow, olive green and white. Additionally, equal hues also work great including touches of grey and rose quartz. Where you may find that matching accessories are the go-to, you always have the option of adding some contrasting coloured items. For example, lilac with blue can stand out in more ways than one. Lilac Outfit Accessories With lilac being a popular, feminine shade it is usually available all year round. Whilst suits, dresses and tops can all look amazing within a lilac colouring, there are also other accessories up for grabs. Here are just a few of our favourites. Buy now: Topshop Reuben Padding High Mule £33.75 (was£45) Buy now: New Look Lilac Clear Strap Shoe £29.99 Buy now: Steve Madden Skylar Bootie £90 (was £150) What colour footwear goes with lilac clothes? Like many other colours, wearing lilac doesn’t have to stop at the ankles! If you’re outfit already features touches of lilac then there is certainly no harm in including it within the footwear too. Alternatively, we suggest checking out the paragraph above about colour matching to your lilac shade and a different, yet compatible, footwear shade that way! Our bestselling lilac dresses for summer 2022 Our Luma Off-Shoulder dress is created using our bi-stretch fabric and features a contrast bow around the waist with a sweetheart neckline. Its 3/4 length sleeves combined with the bow waist detail cinch in the waist and allow it to flow to knee level. Buy now: Luma Off Shoulder Pencil Dress £115 Our Paige Bi-Stretch dress is similar to the Luma Off-Shoulder dress as it also features a bow, however, an additional black seam around the dress accentuates the upper silhouette. Buy now: Paige Bi-Stretch Dress £110 The Cranston pencil dress is developed using our luxury couture stretch fabric. Featuring both a low V-neck and upper waist detail, the wide band cinches around the waist with the bodice detail adding a final chic touch. Buy now: Cranston Pencil Skirt Dress £99 (was £129) One of our favourite swing dresses for the season is the SEED Rio Swing dress. Available in 7 shades, including dusky lilac, this dress features a swing skirt with a high rounded neckline. Its neck slit and sleeveless style flatters, whilst being tailored throughout using our couture stretch fabric. Buy now: SEED Rio High Neck Swing Dress £135 Our Full Range of 3/4 Length Sleeved Lilac Dresses Have you enjoyed this article? Let us know via social media using our links below!

Shine Bright in our Amazing Emerald Green Looks

Created using a mixture of both blue and yellow, emerald green is a noted shade that is much loved in fabrics and home decor. What colors make emerald green? Whilst it may have one descriptive title, emerald green doesn't fall into one shade of colour instead, there are many different hues. Just like with pinks, where you may find pastel pink and fuchsia pink, with emerald green the more you use each blue and yellow colour the darker the overall hue will be. Fun Fact: Emerald green is a bright blue-green named after the precious gemstone, which gets its distinctive colour from trace amounts of chromium and vanadium. [c: opusartsupplies.com] The History of Emerald Green You may, quite rightly, assume that a colour like emerald green is one that came around just by simply mixing colours. However, this is not the case. In fact, there is quite a bit of dark history on how we achieved, and are now able to wear, emerald green today. It is said that Emerald green was developed in an attempt to improve Scheele's green. This copper aceto-arsenite pigment was first produced commercially by the firm of Wilhelm Sattler at Schweinfurt, Germany in 1814. Trying to improve on Scheele's green, the development of a colour that featured a highly toxic pigment (that we now know to be emerald green) began. At the point of development, this paint became a firm favourite to oblivious painters and fabric creators, among many others. With the shade being a hit with both developers and customers, it raced through the markets to be used on various items. From clothing to beauty products, candles, wallpaper and even toys, each experienced the emerald green effect. It wasn't until the release of the ingredients for the paint in 1822, that it became clear what the contents of the liquids really were. With many users of the paint later falling ill and dying, there was the finding of the source of the poison being, in fact, arsenic. Not only were painters, decorators and fabric creators working with this paint against their skin on a regular basis, but so were the wearers of said garments. Despite the banning of the original emerald green pigment in the early 1900s, the colour has still remained a popular colour in artists' palettes with safer ingredients. The Meaning of Emerald Green Like all others colours, emerald green is said to have a hidden meaning. The colour green as a whole is said to signify abundance, prosperity and growth. As well as this, of course, it is a simply stunning colour. It is still being loved all these years later, including a recent popularity increase in the beginnings of the 2020s. What colours go with emerald green clothing? Using the colour theory wheel, we can easily pair the perfect shades with our emerald green items. Below we show the wheel we suggest using and how to use it! The colour wheel is a visual representation of colours, with hues arranged according to wavelength. Colour wheels allow colour relationships to represent geometrically and show the relationship between primary colours, secondary colours and tertiary colours – Invision App Using the colour theory wheel, you can use both complementary and analogous schemes to combine into the perfect outfit. Complementary colours of green include shades that are opposite it on the wheel, which include reds, oranges and pinks. The shades on either side of the green on the wheel, the Analogous colours, include lighter greens and blues. Complementary Colour Theory Looks The following looks have been chosen using the Complementary colour theory, so shades that match Emerald Green that belong opposite it on the colour wheel. Analogous Colour Theory Looks These looks have been chosen using the Analogous colour theory rule. So, these are shades that match Emerald Green - and they belong on either side of it on the colour wheel. Emerald Green Diva Catwalk Dresses At Diva Catwalk we have a large variety of Emerald Green dresses. So we have you covered whether you're looking for a swing dress or a sleeveless number. We're confident you'll find the right design for you. The Emerald Swing Dress Our Chesterton Sleeveless dress is the perfect girl-about-town number. Available in ten fun shades, including Blazing Yellow and our favourite Emerald Green, the Chesterton dress features an oversized collar and pleated swing skirt. What's more, with a heart-shaped neckline it means you have the choice to wear the dress on or off-shoulder. Buy now: Chesterton Sleeveless Dress £125 The Long-Sleeved Pencil Dress Our Regatta wiggle dress is a versatile dress that features a low v-neck and 3/4 length sleeves. Created using our bi-stretch fabric, this flattering design cinches the waist whilst halting just on the knee. Buy now: Regatta V-Neck Dress £69 (was £99) The Long-Sleeved Swing Dress The Thistledown swing dress comes in 5 elegant shades, including Emerald Green. With a high neckline and cinched waistband, this kind of dress is perfect for when wanting to wear something fitting, without compromising on comfort. What's more, it has pockets! Buy now: Thistledown Swing Dress £79 (was £125) The Off-Shoulder Dress Our Mariposa dress is available in a variety of shades, 19 to be exact! In sizes from S to XXXL, we are sure you'll find the right shade and size to match. The Bardot neckline is the stand-alone feature of each Mariposa dress, that pairs perfectly with heels or flats. Made using our Luxury Moss Crepe fabric, its fully lined bodice is tailored for a flattering fit. Buy Now: Mariposa Pencil Dress £145 When to Wear Emerald Green You can wear Emerald green all year round, however it is most suited in late summer and into autumn. Emerald green is also a shade that suits most skin tones, so whether you have light, dark, olive or sun-kissed skin you are sure to find the right hue for you. Emerald Green Footwear Whether you choose to pair your emerald green dress with matching shoes, or have a different coloured dress with emerald shoes – the choices are endless on how you can combine each to offer the best look. Our Customers in our Emerald Green Dresses Instagram Post by @Pamela_Laird Instagram Post by @mrsblanc Instagram Post by @carlamodeamsterdam Instagram Post by @dreams_blossom_ Instagram Post by @doneup_bydani Instagram Post by @rach_tv_ Have you enjoyed this article? Let us know via social media using our links below!

The 10 Pink Dresses You Need For Summer 2022 - and How to Style Them

Why you should wear pink this summer The colour pink can mean a variety of things, from love to kindliness and femininity. Here we're going to go through our top 10 pink dresses that we think you should get your hands on right now. From our very own Nicola Frill dress to the ASOS Maxi dress of the Summer in bright pink (perfect for weddings, FYI!). What colour goes well with pink? Thankfully, pink is an easy colour to pair with. If you want to allow the dress to make a statement then you could use calmer shades against. Perhaps the use of white, cream or peach being ideal. If, however, you choose to blend the outfit together, then you could choose to use other variations of the pink shade you already have on. Personally, we love how navy and pink blend well together. As well as this, we love the idea of incorporating white and cream into the outfit, with other shades of pink and similar shades from the colour wheel we’ve discussed before. We’ve previously mentioned the colour wheel in our past articles, so here’s a super quick refresh: “The colour wheel is a visual representation of colours, with hues arranged according to wavelength. Colour wheels allow colour relationships to represent geometrically and show the relationship between primary colours, secondary colours and tertiary colours – Invision App” With looks in mind, we are going to focus on two of the colour wheel sections: complementary and analogous. Complementary simple means the colours that are found opposite your main shade. So, for pink, you might choose yellow or green. Whereas with Analogous, this refers to shades that are on either side of your chosen colour. So, again, for pink, you might choose to add purple, blue and red. Colour Combinations for Complementary and Analogous Schemes 10 Pink Dresses You Need this Summer! We know River Island step up when it comes to cute pieces, especially on-trend pieces with the opportunities for repeated wear. We've chosen their Split Front Midi Dress which is available in bright pink and in sizes 6UK to 18UK. The dress features a high neck, volume sleeves and a button keyhole back. Perfectly on-trend and super bright pink - win! Buy now via ASOS (was £40, now £32) The Frill Sleeve dress Our Nicola Frill Sleeve dress is one of those dresses you can visualise wearing on a number of occasions. Whether you're debating what to wear as a wedding guest, as a family member to a Christening or even just treating yourself out for an evening meal - then this one has you sorted! Available in two shades: pink or blue, this is made using our much-loved Moss crepe fabric, which aids in creating that classic pencil shape with a short collar and slit neckline. And, if you even needed another reason, it's currently on sale down from £108 to £45! Buy now via Diva Catwalk £45 The Baby Doll dress The Forever New baby doll bow back mini dress consists of puff sleeves in this super cute dusty pink shade. It's popular, with stock being low (so grab it while you can!) and would go perfectly with white shoes and a darker pink overcoat. Buy now via ASOS (was £95.00 Now £57.00!) The Lace dress With summer in mind it wouldn't feel fully acceptable not to include a type of lace dress in our most desired dress haul. Which is why we've chosen our Montana Lace dress! Available in four stunning shades, this dress provides a flattering fit and comfort. Being made from our Bi-Stretch and Lace fabric, the dress also features a round neckline, with a visible heart-shaped bodice behind the lace, and long lace sleeves. Ideally, this dress should do the talking and minimal accessories are required! What's more, it's now on sale! Buy now via Diva Catwalk, was £125 Now £59 The Bell Sleeved dress As we've already mentioned, we love the shade of navy against the colour choice of pink. So, it would only make sense for us to suggest our Reggie dress. Our Reggie Sleeved Colour Block dress has been designed using five colour block palettes. Naturally, our favourite consists of Raspberry Pink with a Navy lower half and a light purple band belt. Made using our ribbed super stretch fabric, the colour-block design is made for a multitude of occasions. Comfort and style continue with its flattering pleating around the waist, high round neckline and three-quarter-length bell sleeves. Buy now via Diva Catwalk, was £89 now £69 The Baby Pink Dress Our Desdemona pencil dress comes in three shades: baby pink, cobalt blue and hot coral and is made using our exclusive Bi-Stretch fabric. With a diamond shape neckline and concealed zip on the back, this sleeveless pencil dress could be worn formally in the office or out for a relaxed evening date night. Buy now via Diva Catwalk £89 The Hibiscus Fuchsia Dress Our Bodiam pencil dress comes in ten glorious shades, so you will always have one to wear to hand! With its frill details adding a level of chic the remainder of the dress fits against the frame silhouette to around knee-level. Perfectly for a daytime office look or to wear out in the evening! What's more, as, like most of our much-loved dresses, this is made using our Bi-Stretch fabric so it's comfortable as well as stylish. With the dress pleating around the waist flattering each fit, the neckline allows for movement and ease. Buy now via Diva Catwalk £99 The Off-Shoulder Dress Next, is our puff-sleeved off-shoulder Mustique dress, which aims to flatter all body shapes and sizes. Made using our Bi-Stretch fabric, the dress has the main purpose of combining chic style and comfort. The frill sleeve detail also provides cover for the upper arms, whilst continually allowing free movement. Buy now via Diva Catwalk £110 The Broderie Dress Our love for the pink tone peaks here, with this shocking bright pink tiered Broderie maxi dress. This chic style features V-Neck, puff sleeves with a tiered design and a partial button placket. This 100% cotton dress is a hot favourite on their website and is on sale too! Buy now via ASOS (was £160, now £128) The Staple Dress Our Daphne Pencil dress is what we like to refer to as a staple. The kind of dress that comes in a variety of shades (14, to be precise!). This much-loved dress pairs perfectly with heels or, alternatively, you could opt to even wear it with trainers on warmer days. The dress has a round neckline which features a short slit. Additionally, there is pleat detail across the hip area and 3/4 sleeves. Our chosen shade, of course, would be the Yarrow Pink (but we do think we want every colour in our wardrobe). Buy now via Diva Catwalk £140 Accessories for my Pink Dress Pairing accessories with your dress can make or break the look you’re after. Here, we’re going to go through a few of our favourite bags and shoes. We have picked each accessory with the idea of a pink dress in mind, no matter the shade. This quilted, crossbody bag from Accessorize is super cute when worn with the bright pink dress we had in mind or when paired with a more casual look. With its detachable body strap, it means it can be used in a variety of ways. With its internal zip pocket, you can also be sure to keep your valuables safe wherever you choose to wear it. Buy now Accessorize via ASOS £27 Hopping on the Analogous scheme here we've chosen a small navy blue Dune bag next. With the cross-body strap and fastening, it would suit the pink dress or in a casual fit with denim, as pictured. Buy now Dune via ASOS £25.25 [was £65] When we think of Ralph Lauren, we think of quality, heritage, fashion and, of course, Rachel from Friends… but we definitely don’t think ‘budget friendly’. However, this super sleek Chadwick Carter cross body bag surprised us at £58. It's a small bag, lightweight and made from durable fabric. With two zip compartments inside, you can be sure to have enough room for the equally small essentials. Lipstick, phone, cards and keys - done! Buy now via John Lewis £58 This chic number comes in with a rectangular body and a curb chain strap, and definitely turns heads! Essentially, this bag also includes zipped pockets and card slots, so you know they're secure. Whilst made of leather, this bag is available in an additional four shades. It is pretty spenny, but we adore the look of it and see it as the older, perhaps wiser, sister of the Accessorize quilted cross body. Buy Now via John Lewis £195 Footwear for your Pink Dress In our first shoe choice, we've instantaneously reached out to Kurt Geiger - a firm favourite! Their Shoreditch Sandal is available in three shades (Black, white and stunning Yellow). It's a simple design, with sleek strapwork around the front of the foot and a small signature eagle head charm on the ankle strap. These shoes are also leather and are available in sizes 3UK to 8UK. Buy now Kurt Geiger £149 In our second shoe choice, we've found a sleek chic pair of court shoes from L.K Bennet - available from John Lewis. The court shoe comes in two simple shades: navy suede or black suede. For this look, we have chosen the navy suede, however, the black could also work. Again, it's a simple design as a tall stiletto at around 10cm in height. As pictured, the navy shade is subtle and we adore it! These are available in more sizes than KG, with sizes 2UK to 8.5UK offered. Buy now LK Bennett via John Lewis £229 What jacket to wear with a pink dress? Choosing your cover-up for Spring/Summer can feel like a waste of time, especially when the sun peeks out. But, we have to remember that no matter how warm it may be, we are in the UK. Let's be realistic when it comes to the weather here. Here are a few of our favourite cover-up ideas. Our SEED Dawlish coat is the perfect coat to go from formal to casual and back again. Here we've chosen the Navy Blue shade as it would pair with the pink choices well, however, there is also Black and Salsa Red up for grabs. With it being designed to flatter all body shapes, this peplum effect coat aids in creating (or emphasising) an hourglass silhouette. Created using our Couture Stretch Fabric, and with a tailored fit in mind, our SEED Dawlish coat features a concealed zip closure for extra comfort and style. Buy now via Diva Catwalk £129 When oversized pieces made their way onto the catwalk we all knew they were going to be there for the long haul. Here, we’ve spotted a stunning grey ASOS DESIGN double breasted Dad blazer – a nod to being oversized and of great quality. With peak lapels, double-breasted style and pocket details, you're on to a winner with this blazer. Where it would look elegant draped over your shoulders, with the colour taking a stand back against the pink of your dress, it also offers comfort and warmth in its 'relaxed Dad fit'. An additional bonus is that it is available in sizes 4UK to 18UK too! Buy now via ASOS was £58, now £46.50 Have you enjoyed this article? Let us know via social media using our links below!

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Wearing COLOUR

Can we talk about wearing lilac?

Shine Bright in our Amazing Emerald Green Looks

The 10 Pink Dresses You Need For Summer 2022 - and How to Style Them