Ladies Knitwear Autumn/ Winter 09/10

Summer is almost over - not that we had much of a summer anyway - and autumn is fast approaching. Fashionista or not we are going to need knitwear for layering up. But who am I kidding, I am layering up as we speak as today has been pretty cold and rainy.

Although you are not going to be bearing as much skin as on the good summer days, you can still layer up and look trendy and sexy. Stylish basic knitwear is a must if you don't want to look like you have simply thrown on clothes to keep warm. So the look we are going for is stylishly warm.

It is hard not to look stylish in this pure linen kimono jacket. Layer up with this AMERICAN VINTAGE Roll-Neck Sweater made from cotton and cashmere for extra warmth.

Other stylish knitwear looks for you autumn/winter wardrobe.

Alpaca wool wrap handcrafted in Peru from a luxurious alpaca wool blend, unparalleled in softness and warmth.

Long, loose-fit Cowl Neck Sweater with short square sleeves.

Soft and Silky Cardigan with matching lace at the V-neckline and pretty faceted buttons.


Long cape-style cardigan with high collar in ribbed knit. Worn over a sweater, a T-shirt, or denim jacket, the cape is making its big comeback.


This cowl neck tunic sweater is made from organic cotton cultivated in total harmony with nature, without pesticides or chemical products, to protect the environment. Good for you and for the planet...


Soft and warm bouclé Knit Cardigan fastened with a chunky button and set off by a large shawl collar.


Tie Front Pointelle Shrug in a Nectarine colour by East. Perfect to throw over sleeveless dresses.

Ladies Workwear for back to work mums

September starts this week Tuesday and many mums like me are anxiously awaiting the re-opening of schools. It is not so much that I am looking forward to the traffic jams, hectic mornings and mad rush that comes with the new school term, but I have had enough of hearing "what are we doing today?" - which is a question I have woken up to every morning for the last 7-8 weeks.

While its back to school for the kids it is back to work for many mums as well. No doubt lots of mums, myself included, will be busy this week outfitting the kids for back to school. But while you are outfitting the kids for back to school don’t forget to treat yourself to some back to work suits and jackets. You deserve a treat after all those weeks of penance.

This ANNE WEYBURN tweed and velvet jacket is the perfect post summer vacation treat. This taylored ladies work suit is certainly a smart investment outfit that will last you a lifetime and just the style for power dressing at the office. Here are some other workwear outfits to choose from.

Very feminine fitted style Short-sleeved Jacket from Redoute Creation made from 25% wool.


Beautiful, soft Crinkle Twill Weave Jacket with slight crinkle effect from ANNE WEYBURN. The pretty contrasting bourdon trim adds extra style and is very appealing. I know that I'll be treating myself to this suit.

Layer up with muted colours this Autumn

When it comes to Autumn colours I tend to go for the muted tones which are absolute essential wardrobe basics that can mix and match with most other colours. If you already have several knitwear, sweater, jumpers, tights etc in these tones then add some rust, warm olive green, deep reds, purples and burnt sienna to your mix of autumn colors. Marjolica blue, honey yellow and rapture rose are also key Autumn colors. If you are after the luxury bohemian look this autumn then go for rich dark base colours highlighted with reds, purples, yellows and pinks.

This layered look in muted colours with Kimono-style Cardigan by SOMEWHERE is easy to reproduce.


This Long Scarf with plain fringed edging will keep your neck warm. Scarf is made from 68% baby alpaca, 22% polyamide and 10% Merino wool.


This dropped waist cropped trousers worn like harem trousers are great with boots. Go for fringed boots if you want the luxury bohemian trend. Dropped waist. This deep, round neckline sweater from SOMEWHERE is great for layering.

Finish off with this Double Belt and wooden bangles to complete the look.

For that extra layer of warmth go for this exquisite handcratfed alpaca wool wrap. This soft and luxurious cloak will certainly provide that extra warmth when needed in the winter months. This elegant and versatile wrap is available in black and tan is a must-have for your winter wardrobe.

More frills and ruffles for your wardrobe - Spring 2009

When you think of frills and ruffles there is the tendency to think dressy. English Fashion Designer Luella in her Spring 2009 ready to wear collection showed many creative and wearable frilled outfits that are feminine and fun.

Pictures from http://www.style.com/

Luella's spring 2009 collection combined asymmetrical tiered frill skirts, patchwork and overlays of lace, bouncy tiers and upstanding frills. It is girly and whimsical to say the least and I absolutely love it. The lavender and green dress simply shouts prom dress.

Luella's psychedelic designs simply shows that we are never too old to wear frills and ruffles. But if you are looking for a more casual interpretaion of the trend for an everyday look then check out these frilly options.

This sleeveless multicoloured dress by East is the perfect outfit for special occasions with its show-stopping colours and figure-hugging crinkle fabric. Made in a simple but elegant style, the subtle feminine frill detail at the hem and neckline adds even more sophistication and style.

This lovely open ruffle front Silk Frill Dress is light and feminine. Made from an embossed silk, it has frills on the sleeves and the hem.

Well I simply cannot decide which colour to get in this e.v paris ruffle neck tunic dress. I love both the blush pink and khaki which are equally great autumny colours. Made from 100% silk crepe, wear with leggings or tights to add some autumn warmth and fringe boots to get the luxury bohemian look.

A subtle play on transparency, this ruffle neck top is made from 100% cotton knit. The wide rounded neckline edged with a voile ruffle and long voile sleeves with buttoned cuffs looks very elegant with a pair of jeans.


This long sleeved Jabot-Style Ruffled Shirt achieves a bohemian look with its crumpled, faded look and frayed finished on its ruffle cascade. The mother of pearl buttons at neckline and cuffs add a bit of bohemian luxury to this e.v. paris 100% cotton ruffled shirt.

Layering the tunic dress

Tunic dresses are very versatile pieces of clothing that can be layered up or down depending on the weather. When there is brilliant sunshine outside this wrapover tunic dress can be worn on its own and is an ideal piece of summer clothing.

Assessorize with this roomy straw bag and away you go. Perfect for shopping, a beach holiday or just relaxing at a summer barbecue.


Come autumn when the temperature dips then add a pair of trousers and a long or short sleeve tee shirt or turtle neck to keep warm. The wrapover tunic dress is thus the perfect transseasonal clothing.

How to wear floral brooches

Brooches have always been a much underutilized fashion accessory I think for two reasons. Brooches are usually seen as an accessory for the older generation and secondly people just do not know how to wear them to accessorize an outfit.

In the same fashion she popularized the shift dress, Michelle Obama has given a new lease of life to the brooch and in particular floral brooches which she uses to accessorize many an outfit. From what can be called the Michelle Obama Brooch Jewelry Trend, my favourite I think is this turquoise flower starburst brooch by Erickson Beamon seen here worn with two different outfits outfits.





It is therefore not surprising that flower jewellery is expected to be a main jewellery trend this Autumn 09/10 at International Jewellery London 2009.

Brooches can be worn as a neckline embellishment front and centre or at the side or even attached to a pearl or other necklace. Getting the colours right is also important as seen below a brown flower brooch colour codes well with this green Miss Sixty dress.


Here are some unique floral brooches for you to choose from. Trend or no trend I am sure you would agree these handcrafted flower brooches are simply exotic and will add a wow factor to your outfits.


This very life like orchid brooch is handcrafted in leather to reflect an orchid flower. This leather brooch is hand painted in the vibrant colours of this actual species of orchid.
Handcrafted leather flower brooch "Amaryllis" carefully cut and hand painted in the vibrant colours of this actual amaryllis flower. This brooch is available in gold, orange or brown.


This gorgeous and eye-catching 1928 enamel flower brooch with sparkling pink crystals at the centre is made from rose gold plated enamel in shades of pink. A vintage brooch at its best.

Frills and Ruffles Dresses - a must have for your wardrobe

When adding new outfits to your wardrobe be mindful that you are not always adding more of the same styles. You want a wardrobe that offers you variety so go for some diversity in your choice of clothing.

Frills and ruffles for instance, do you at least have one shirt, dress, top, skirt or bag even with frills or ruffles? Frills and ruffle detailing are usually associated with little girls dresses but they do add a femine flirty touch to women's clothing and can change a dress from ordinary to spectacular or cute even.


This Tommy Hilfiger denim dress without the brown frills at the hem and top sections would look quite ordinary. But with the frills suddenly it is cute, sassy, individual and has a wow factor. Accessorize your denim dress with Munique Fashion's turquoise and gold polkadot ring, bali girl bracelet and earrings and leather and suede handbag for a headturning outfit.


Denim frilled dress accessories by Munique on Polyvore.com

This sleeveless multicoloured dress by East is the perfect outfit for special occasions with its show-stopping colours and figure-hugging crinkle fabric. Made in a simple but elegant style, the subtle feminine frill detail at the hem and neckline adds even more sophistication and style.


Miss Selfridge ruffle front dress with trim detail can certainly add some work glamour to your professional work ensemble.



This Teatro overlay print ruffle dress is both formal, floaty and fun. Wear this champaign coloured dress and bring out that bubbly personality.



This penny dot ruffle dress offers trendy, chic sustainable fashion. This ruffled neck dress made from 100% cotton is semi fitting and batik-printed in natural dye with small dots.

Jewellery Trends Autumn Winter 09/10

The predition for jewellery trends this autumn winter 09/10 at International Jewellery London 2009 is “big, bold and beautiful”. Or so says Fashion Director, Hilary Alexander who anticipates that the “Statement Necklace” will continue to be a must have accessory followed by the oversized mega bangle. She advises to be on the look out for jewellery inspired by ecletic and global looks including ceramic flowers, jewellery made from horn, crystals, coins and gold.


Beyonce certainly has the look already for autumn/winter 09/10 jewellery trend. See our range of chunky jewellery and statement jewellery at Munique Fashions.
International Jewellery London 2009 takes place from 6-9 September.

The shift dress and designer highstreet

The shift dress is an extremely versatile dress that no wardrobe should be without. The bust darts, parallel side or front seams allow for a very flattering fit that skims the body. With such an iconic dress that has been around since the 1920's there are many variations to this style of dress. So how did designer highstreet interpret this catwalk trend for autumn 09/10?



This black sleeveless shift dress from fashion designers Elizabeth and James with its scooped neck and gathered detail will certainly offer a good fit to most shapes. Available from my wardrobe

Navy Blue sleeveless Shift Dress from Paul and Joe Sister is designed with a cowl neck and cap sleeves. Dress has a pleated waist with belt tie and two front pockets. Dress is fully lined and fastens at the back with an invisible zip and has a button down small vent to the skirt. Available from my wardrobe


Tweed Jersey Shift
This dark grey sleeveless tweed shift dress by Joseph is designed with a rounded neck and a slit to the back. Dress fastens with a zip and has some stretch for comfort. This shift dress is fully lined. Available from my wardrobe

Shift dress by by Australian born fashion designer Martin Grant from his ready to wear fall 09 collection.



This textured finished and lined shift dress is made different by it's bow detail and is from Marks and Spencer Per Una collection.


This contemporary wool shift dress from Hobbs is a perfect addition to any wardrobe. You can team it with a smart jacket for work or try adding chunky knits and opaque tights for a chic casual look. This shift dress is made from a crinkle effect fabric and is designed with a rounded neckline, flattering half sleeves and delicate unpressed pleated detailing at the bust.