Peek-a-boo - DIY your sheer with scissors

Dior spring 2013 pic via splurgerina

See-through garments are a hit of the season. They're intriguing and with the proper cuts you can show just the right amount of skin without reveal too much.
Your new sheer garments are those you already have in your wardrobe after a quick refashion treatment. Sheer panels can be smart too. You can cut away faults, enlarge clothes that are too tight, renew garments you don't wear because they are so last season.
Get inspired by some of the season hottest pieces and make your sheer garment with a pair of scissors.

Misterious, elegant and feminine, this Dior gown has a romantic allure given by the embroidered lace and it shows legs with nonchalance. In order to get this look you can cut a maxi dress around the side seam. Place the dress flat on table and then, without the need of any pattern, pin the lace/sheer fabric on the cut part and sew it on the dress exactly like I did with the Stella McCartney inspired sheer skirt, you can see the tutorial here.

Versace spring 2013 pic via style.com

Like I said before this technique can be used to fix faulty garments. In fact, you can substitute the damaged/stained part of fabric with a sheer panel. You can make sheer or lace sleeves, you can add a sheer panel at the bottom of a skirt to lengthen it or if you dare, you can add a sheer panel at both sides of a dress to enlarge it a bit.

Stella McCatney fall 2011 polka dot dress via coolspotters

Versace spring 2013 pic via style.com

This is a perfect festival look. The corset detail makes this dress unique and the diagonal line makes it fresh. You can use this trick to make a shirt a little bit larger. If you feel that this look is too daring, you can make this detail on the back of the shirt and it becomes instantly more wearable.

How to use pearls, the Couture way

Armani Privè 2009 via Pearls and Chains

Above you can see what king Giorgio does best, amaze! This is an outstanding top made of strands of pearls. 
The single strand of pearls around your neck is perfect for almost any occasion and it's so chic, but what's beyond it? What can you do with pearls (lots of them) and what can they do for you (make you look unique)?

Pearls are really popular this spring thanks to Chanel's big, chunky bracelets and necklaces (see how to DIY yours here).
Discover below what couturiers do with millions of pearls and an army of seamstresses.
Don't be scared! If you want to obtain some of these look you can skip the exhausting sewing hours  with a simple trick.

Francesco Scognamiglio s/s 2011 via Theimportanceofclothes

Diane Von Furstenberg spring 2013 shoes via TheLuxurySpot

Acne ss 2011 via TheChicDepartment

High - low mix. Sporty proportions and delicate pearls.

Victor&Rolf a/w 2001 via gidgetbowden

Ok these are more beads than pearls but the effect is stunning and it can be done with pearls as well.

Alexander McQueen a/w 2009 via gidgetbowden

Baroque headpiece.

Chanel s/s 2012 via FashionTelegraph

Pearls to decorate a bag.

Balmain fall 2012 pic via babes in balenciaga

Balmain baroque dress. DIY your own Balmain inspired trousers here.

Chanel fall 2010 pic via moodboard

Jewels for the body. Pearls give their best effect when they can move. See the beautiful swinging pearls on this dress.

Chanel fall 2010 via moodboard

Chanel fall 2010 via moodboard

 Chanel fall 2010 via gidgetbowden

Pearls as sleeves.

Anna Sui spring 2013 via stylebistro

Chanel spring 2013 via parischerie

Alexander McQueen fall 2013 via Vogue

Pearls on tights.

McQueen spring 2012 via theimportanceofclothes

This effect could be obtained on a smaller scale with glue on flat back  pearls I think.

Gold shoes to die for

Zara shoes pic via Jamie Fashion

Sergio Rossi shoes

It's Monday again. You're at work with plenty of things to do, but with an eye outside the window. The weather is getting warmer and as the sun enlightens your workspace you're already picturing yourself on vacation. Big sunglasses and big smile, a floaty maxi dress and nothing to do but relax. Wait, what shoes are you planning to wear? If you've been too busy to check out some gorgeous spring shoes let me show you a few exciting pairs with something in common: gold details. I'm particularly taken by the designs with the metal plated heel. Sergio Rossi's shoes have a lot of things going on, colors, patterns and the gold plated heel, but all the elements work well together, they are an outstanding pair of shoes in my opinion. Zanotti never ceases to amaze and if you were tired of seeing studs everywhere (because they've been so popular for a couple of years now) well, you may change your mind watching Tom Ford's  "porcupine" studded wedges. They're awesome.


Di nuovo Lunedì. Siete a lavoro con mille cose da fare ma vi distraete guardando fuori dalla finestra. Basta un po' di sole che illumina la scrivania ed ecco che vi immaginate già in vacanza. Occhiali da sole, un vestito che vi accarezza le caviglie ad ogni passo e un bel sorriso di chi, senza pensieri può dedicarsi al relax. Aspettate un momento, che scarpe indosserete?  Ecco una selezione di scarpe estive con un comun denominatore: il dettaglio oro. Un particolare che, rispetto all'anno scorso è passato dalla punta al tacco. Stampa, colore e oro, le zeppe di Sergio Rossi sono un perfetto mix di trend estivi. Se non ne potete più delle borchie, perchè negli ultimi anni sono spuntate dappertutto, vi ricrederete guardando le zeppe firmate Tom Ford, un'irresistibile cascata di aculei dorati.

Zanotti shoes - Topshop senso metal shoes

Sergio Rossi metal plated heel shoes

Zanotti gold metallic shoes

Fred Butler spring 2013

Tom Ford Studded gold shoes

Celebrate the 150th DIY! Join the Shabby Apple giveaway!

polka dot white and brown dress

Santa Monica multi color polka dot dress

To celebrate the big number of free DIY tutorials  published on Matter Of Style,150 and counting, Shabby Apple, lovely shop of vintage inspired clothing kindly offered a $75 gift card  for one of you, dear readers.
Shabby Apple dresses are girly and delicate and immediately take you in the romantic atmosphere of their photoshoots.

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Here's how to enter the Shabby Apple giveaway to win a $75 gift card (open to U.S. addresses only)

1. Like Shabby Apple on facebook
2. follow me on bloglovin or facebook
3. Comment below telling me what's your favorite dress (*edit* please add an email address if you can't be contacted through your profile)

It will be open for two weeks - last day to enter is Monday, 29th of April  
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That's why you should follow me on bloglovin (if you want to).
You may have heard that Google reader will disappear soon so if you follow this blog with Google reader or google friend connect you won't be able to read updates like you used to (*sad face*).

Luckly Bloglovin is a very easy way to follow our favorite blogs and it's very similar to Google reader.
So if you still like this page and want to be updated please follow me on bloglovin.

The smart people at Bloglovin also made a time-saving tool that allows us to import all blogs from Google reader to Bloglovin with just one click. Bravo!


Now back to us. Since one of you will win the giveaway let me help you spend the gift card!

The multi colored polka dot dress you see above is my absolute favorite. It's colorful and perfect for spring.

flamingo pink bow top

I like this vintage swim cap, should I DIY one?

leopard top - mint vintage circle skirt - polka dot brown dress - polka dot tankini top

Wouldn't you dance in these dresses?
They just cheer me up so I couldn't resist make these girls dance.

What to Wear: stripes

pic via Le Catch

pic via Welcome Fashion eater

pic via Stylesnooperdan

striped trousers - motorcycle waistcoat - colored sandals

pic via feedmyego

Horizontal ones are only for self-confident girls because they widen the body, much more loved are vertical ones for their slimming effect: stripes are back on trend with no half measures, just black and white. Like any other pattern stripes work well with solid colors, flashy or not. Spring trends want stripes paired with black and white for a clean, minimalistic total look. Wear stripes with confidence. New designs are smart and make the figure look slimmer like the Stella Mccartney dress or H&M striped one. Try also the new chic sporty look with the stripes that go across the arm and legs.

Find more outfit ideas after the jump.


Solo per donne sicure di sè quelle orizzontali perchè "allargano", più ben viste quelle verticali perchè invece allungano, le righe tornano di gran moda in primavera e senza mezze misure le righe bianche si alternano a quelle nere. Per un abbinamento riuscito valgono le stesse regole delle altre stampe, le righe si sposano bene con la tinta unita, che sia un colore acceso oppure no. Le tendenze di stagione le vogliono abbinate  ad un total look bianco e nero da movimentare con qualche accento di colore degli accessori. Indossate pure le righe con sicurezza, l'alternanza del bianco e nero è strategica e diventa complice di bellezza rendendo la figura più sottile come nell'abito di Stella McCartney o di H&M oppure evoca lo sportwear con le linee verticali che corrono sul lato del braccio o della gamba per un look essenziale e minimale.

Asymmetrical shoes - Marni check bag - Black white blazer - 3 rings - crystal rings

White black trousers - color block bag - snowflake sweater - Pierre Hardy boots

pic via Welcome fashion eater

Stella McCartney dress - jewel clutch - black white sandals

striped dress h&m spring 2013

lace shirt - motorcycle clutch - studded boots - striped jacket

Gold dipped walnut bracelet tutorial

gold foil walnut bracelet

Do you know how to open a walnut without smashing its shell? I didn't know that was possible untill I saw that my friend Pietro was capable to do it.
Last year I started collecting pieces of jewelry inspired by nature (do you remember the leaves necklace tutorial?) and once I had these beautiful walnut shells available it was easy to figure it out how to use them.
I dipped them in gold using gold aluminum foil to exalt their own beauty and then used them just like beads.
I still haven't told you how to not smash the shell (but maybe I'm the only one who didn't know it!). You have to insert the tip of a knife in a hole between the two shells, pivot the hand clockwise and *click* the walnut opens.
I used a driller to pierce these walnut. Please be careful when using these tools.
Curious enough to see the full tutorial?

Read the full tutorial on Style.it

Sapete aprire una noce senza schiacciarne il guscio? Beh io non sapevo fosse possibile fino a quando non ho visto farlo dal mio amico Pietro. E' quasi una magia, si inserisce la punta del coltello fra i due gusci, si ruota la mano e tac la noce scatta come una serratura e si apre.

E' circa un anno che colleziono gioielli ispirati alla natura (vi ricordate il tutorial per realizzare la collana con le foglie?) e quando ho scoperto come salvare i gusci di noce ho capito subito come li avrei utilizzati.

Dopo averli cosparsi d'oro di pellicola dorata li ho utilizzati come perline.

Se siete curiose di vedere come ho realizzato il braccialetto?

Leggete il tutorial completo su Style.it

DIY inspiration: honeycomb knitwear

Alexander McQueen spring 2013

Honeycomb stitch knit via hello yarn

honeycomb stitch chart via Lion Brand

Honeycomb stitch video tutorial by Newstitchaday

Cold is here dear knitting enthusiastic and it's finally time to wear your masterpieces. You're planning your winter wardrobe and after learning the basics of knitting you're looking for a new stitch that will make your jumper unique. Since fashion is always looking forward why don't look at spring 2013 trends to find the right inspiration? Alexander McQueen spring 2013 collection is built all around bees and honeycomb shapes. With the honeycomb stitch you'll be able to create an incredible 3d effect.
Watch the video to learn the stitch then print the honeycomb stitch chart to keep it in hand.

Read also
How to start knitting
How to knit a rhombus


Il freddo è in arrivo care appassionate della maglia ed è finalmente ora di indossare le vostre creazioni. State pianificando il vostro guardaroba invernale e siete in cerca di un nuovo punto che renda unico il vostro maglione? Visto che nella moda si guarda sempre avanti ispiriamoci alle collezioni primaverili.
La collezione p/e 2013 di Alexander McQueen ruota intorno al mondo dalle api e alle geometrie degli alveari. Il punto alveare vi permetterà di ottenere un effetto tridimensionale. Guardate il video per impararlo e stampate il modello per averlo sempre a portata di mano.

Altri contributi sulla maglia
Imparare a lavorare a maglia
Come realizzare un rombo a maglia

I challenge you to wear these shoes

fur shoes for Spring? Celine

Prada  - Maison Martin Margiela

Comme Les Garcons- Vivienne Westwood

always a perfect pedicure with  Celine shoes- John Galliano

Balenciaga- Nina Ricci

What detail of a shoe draws your attention? Maybe a tall hell or an original design.
What do you say of these shoes that walked the runway for spring 2013??  I'm a little bit confused.
Did designers make these shoes intentionally ugly? Will they really get  into production and who is going to wear them?
In order to create something new, designers have to explore new paths and maybe go beyond good taste?
Sometimes shoes look weird at  first but then they find a way into people's heart, will it happen with these shoes?
What do you think? Would you wear any of these shoes?

Quale dettaglio vi conquista in una scarpa? Forse il tacco alto o un design originale. Che ne dite di queste scarpe che hanno calcato le passerelle della stagione estiva? 

Socondo me sono colpevoli, colpevoli di bruttezza intenzionale. Chissà, forse per offrire ai nostri occhi qualcosa di nuovo i designer devono esplorare nuove strade e forse spingersi oltre il limite del buon gusto.

Alcuni design ci mettono un po' ad affermarsi ma poi conquistano il cuore dei consumatori. Ce la faranno anche queste scarpe? E voi che ne pensate? Indossereste queste scarpe?