Peacock Colors

Peacock colors are IN! Check out what I've got in these rich colors here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WildRoseAndSparrow?ref=si_shop

How to Successfully Adopt the Nautical Style

Summer is finally coming, and with it comes a fresh sea breeze. Now that the nice weather is here, fashion has started turning back to nautical style and cruisewear. Here are some of the staple styles that can help you rock the nautical look:

1. A striped-tee (usually white with navy or black stripes) is a quintessential nautical essential that can be extremely versatile. Sometimes also referred to as a "sailor tee", this shirt draws its origins from part of the uniform of the french navy, but was later adapted and adopted by the general public for its sartorial style and comfort. This casual-but-chic look even made a fan of the great Jean-Paul Gaultier, who immortalized it in his collections and in his perfume, Le Male, assuring its place at the forefront of fashion.

Worn with a scarf (preferably a light one in softer colours, like the pale blue one shown above), it can give you a Parisian chic, making you look like you've just stepped onto a quay in Paris, out for a baguette or a patisserie at a waterfront cafe.

Cinch the shirt in at the waist for a more streamlined silhouette.

The striped-tee also has associations with the labyrinthine canals and waterways of Venice, thanks to their popularity amongst gondolieri, so you know that however you choose to wear the striped tee, you are sure to look like a jetsetting, trendy globetrotter.

2. White: against a perfect cerulean sky, white seems the perfect, pristine choice. At once easy-going and elegant, posh and still pleasantly cool, this colour has been the preppy choice of yachtsmen par excellence.

You can try to break up the uniformity of all-white by adding a flamboyant touch of texture, like a spray of pale flowers on a crisp shirt.

If the thought of that much white seems daunting, then throw in  a fun element of riotous colour (like a necklace, scarf or bracelet) as a visual refreshment for the eyes.

3. Espadrilles: for a fun, beachy touch, you can never go wrong with espadrilles. Whether in neutral canvas or a crazy color or print, these sandals offer the lift of high-heels while remaining as comfortable as regular sandals, and are a perennial choice for fashionable summer shoes.

How to Wear Neon with Effortless Chic

It seems that everywhere you turn, neon is proclaimed to be the key to this summer's fashion trends: and yet, some of us are wondering how to integrate it into our wardrobes and still remain true to our personal style: here are my tips to wearing neon with effortless chic!

1. Balance is everything. Neon can make a visual pop, but when your outfit lacks stabilizing elements, it can overpower you. Stick to one bright colour, and pair it with neutrals. Lemon yellow can look smashing with cloud gray, and loud raspberry pink can turn luxurious with chocolate brown or black.

2. Choose one statement piece: it IS possible to have too much of a good thing. Choose one sweater/blazer, or a shirt, or purse, or shoes, even a striking lip colour! If it has a blank canvas to work with, it will do just fine. If you crowd it with too many competing colours or too many contrasting patterns, its' effect will be diluted.

3. When following trends, it is always important to stay true to your own personal taste. Adapt this trend to fit your own. If you are more discreet, small touches of this, from a more daring lip shade to nail colour to statement jewellery or handbag, can work for you! If you are the more daring sort, pick a dress or leggings or a tunic in one of these exciting shades and have only neutrals for the rest of your accessories!

Happy hunting,

the Rose

The Pre-raphaelite Fascination

Preraphaelite art has always held an irresistible charm for us at Wild Rose and Sparrow. The luminous colours, the petal-light, flowing fabrics and mythological themes transport us to other worlds filled with ethereal beauty and forlorn, forgotten places.

Peopled with lithe nymphs, tragic heroines, powerful enchantresses and beguiling sirens, preraphaelite art transcends the everyday world and draws on the literature and poems of Romantic authors, as well as greek and roman myths for its themes. For the first time in European art, women were being viewed as strong and as the wielders of their own destinies.

This pre-raphaelite fascination has translated to our world in flower-strewn hairclips, delicate, graceful scarves and rich, saturated fabrics that have all of the rustle and texture of a J.W.Waterhouse painting.

What art movement do you think would make a good fashion trend? Leave us your response in the comments box.

Green envy: How to wear this season's freshest look

After this way-too-long winter, the latest fashion trend is like a fresh spring wind in the air: green is the colour of the moment, thanks to Pantone and many of fashion's biggest designers. Its vibrancy evokes life and luxury. However, this shade can sometimes be overwhelming to wear.With great trends come great responsibilities. Here are a few tips on how to wear this spring's most fashionable colour:

-  Do NOT overdo it! Wearing an emerald dress with dramatic jade green eyeshadow will make you look like a citizen of the emerald city. Instead of letting the trend wear you, wear the trend: small accents of green in an otherwise coloured outfit or one bold green statement piece paired with neutral or complementing colours will really flaunt your style savvy.

-When it comes to green, there is always a hint of drama that follows, so why not enjoy it? Instead of a discreet swipe of olive green eyeshadow, why not a luscious peacock feather inspired look, or take the gorgeous metallic shades of a beetle's shell as your palette?

-Green has a huge versatility, and can evoke any style. Try our bold, emerald green dress reminiscent of Pucci's prints to make any outfit pop! For a cleancut, preppy look, try pairing a white dress with Laduree mint accessories.

-For a look of effortless chic, try one of our braided pearl and semiprecious stone necklaces or rich, jewel toned scarves.

-For a wistful, romantic look, try our peacock and Swarovski jewel fascinator pinned in a loose updo or relaxed braided style.

Pas de Deux

How can we get inspired by the beautiful things around us and incorporate them into our style? From Degas' sculptures and paintings to the outstanding success of the darkly luxurious "Black Swan" still lurking in the wings, ballet has swept the world of fashion, giving it a fresh, graceful spin (or should we say, pirouette?).

Layer upon layer of petal pink and flaming copper silk compose this showstopping rose hair adornment reminiscent of the sugar plum fairy's showstopping costume.

This dance has been an inspiration for multiple creations of ours. The light as air scarves have the same sort of floating charm as Degas' ballerina's frothy skirts.

This mask explodes into gleaming silver and riotously coloured beads, having a spray of ballet slipper-pink pearls and mother-of-pearl beads, a flourish of bold raspberry coloured ribbon and luxurious night black feathers to add to add a touch of drama.

With strings of sunrise pink semiprecious stones and dusty rose pearls and Swarovski crystals braided together, this necklace is sure to evoke the grace and effortless elegance of the stage.

Spring To-Do List

Have you ever tried to type into Google the phrase "Spring To-Do List"?
All you end up getting is advice about how to spring clean your closets.
Well, instead of re-organizing your wardrobe, here's some advice for re-inventing it: pick the suggestions that fit your personality and transform your style!

- Wear a cloche hat, a beret or a fedora.

- Buy a canary yellow dress (but instead of calling the shade 'yellow', call it 'tournesol'), and wear it on a grey, rainy day.

- Wear fashion like it's yours, Comme les Garcons style: own your look, and don't look uncomfortable - you look great.

- Pair an arrogant grass-green t-shirt with a chunky white necklace.

- Wear a scarf that makes you feel like poetry in motion.

- Cover your arm in bracelets, and when you think you're done, add 3 more and go out the door.

- Buy the outrageously expensive new rouge Dior in a petal shade.

- The next time you see that pair of rain boots in that outrageous hue and crazy awesome pattern, go ahead and buy it: don't worry, it'll look good with absolutely everything!

- Replace all of your plastic hangers with some in wood. Better for your health.

- Get a beautifully intricate henna tattoo. If you change your mind at any time, you can easily wash it off.

- Ditch the chamomile tea. It's been a long winter. Have some espresso shots: time to wake up!

Spring is all about rebirth and reinvention, so don't go back to the same old habit of diving back into your closet and not finding the burst of 'awesome' you were looking for in the first place.

Instead of spring cleaning, throw a 'Welcome back, Spring!' party!
Then throw on a scarf that complements your much adored rain boots,
and embrace the joie-de-vivre of spring!

the Rose