The Color Magenta

Magenta is a color of universal harmony and emotional balance.

A combination of red and violet, magenta contains the passion, power and energy of red, restrained by the introspection and quiet energy of violet.

In the meaning of colors, magenta represents universal love at its highest level. It promotes compassion, kindness and cooperation and encourages a sense of self respect and contentment in those who use it. Gentle and caring in its approach, it generates acceptance, tolerance, support and patience.

Positive and Negative Traits 

Positive keywords include: universal harmony and love, emotional balance, helps our spirit soar, spiritual yet practical, encourages common sense, loving, compassionate, supportive and kind, imaginative, innovative, creative and artistic, non-conformist, negotiator

Negative keywords include: impulsive, domineering, impatient, intolerant, avoids challenges, too relaxing, can be bossy and demanding

Magenta Represents: 

Universal harmony: at its highest level it generates love, caring, kindness and cooperation, encouraging a balanced and harmonious outlook on life.

Non-conformist: the color of the free spirit, it does not like to be confined and contained.

Change and Transformation: helps to release old and outdated patterns of behavior to inspire growth and personal development.

Effects of Magenta: 

Emotional Balance: spiritual yet practical, it helps to create emotional, physical and spiritual balance.

Compassion: gentle and caring in its approach, it generates acceptance, tolerance, support and patience.

Inspiration: inspires cheerfulness and optimism, creativity and innovation, dream activity, positive change and negotiating skills.

This color is an instrument of change and transformation; it helps to release old emotional patterns that prevent personal and spiritual development and aids us in moving forward.

about the outfit:

magenta knit dress top - sigh's closet / textured stripe sleeveless top (worn as vest) - Chic Vintage / gold belt - sigh's closet / white patent leather wedge pumps - from Shanghai, China / hat - cyEcle for Chic Vintage / sunglasses - G. Country Mall

Vertical Stripes

I am a forever lover of black and white.

And vertical stripes in such color combination must not be oversighted.

I'm not alone on this... 

see some of the fashion-savvy strutting this powerful pattern and colors.

 via http://olsensanonymous.blogspot.com/

via http://www.llymlrs.com/

Can you see what I'm holding?

Say hi to my cute buddy:
ALCATEL GLAM 810d
cellphone in Victorian Blush 
(i call it the mature shade of pink)

about the outfit:
satin black blouse (worn as short dress) - sigh's closet / b-w vertical stripe blouse (worn as vest) - sigh's closet / fuchsia-black pointed flats - Mags / watch - Fossil / sunglasses - G.Country Mall / white bowler hat with black band - Chic Vintage

Seeing Spots

 Polka dots never bore me. I so forever love this pattern in either black-on-white combo or the vice versa.

Fashion Lesson:

POLKA DOTS

Polka dot is a pattern consisting of an array of filled circles, generally equally sized and spaced relatively closely in relation to their diameters.

A Brief History...

The ugly frog is transformed into a handsome and dapper prince by a simple, heartfelt kiss. He becomes beautiful because the princess believes he is so, a sentiment also reflected throughout fashion's history. The tale of the polka dot is no different; it's troubled childhood took place during the medieval era, where it became infamous for its visual comparison to the scattered and circular appearance of measles, boils and other infections. At the height of the renaissance, the polka dot began to earn a more tolerable reputation in cosmetics in a trend known as "patching." Also referred to as "moucheron," which translates from French into "little fly," patching involved  women strategically attaching circular pieces of fabric to cover up facial blemishes. 

It was the 20th century that truly saw the beginning of the polka dot's lasting role in fashion history. In 1928, Micky Mouse's female companion, Minnie, was born in the Walt Disney illustration studio dressed in a polka dot skirt, a trademark of the animated icon. During the 1940's and '50s, the polka dot graced the gowns of female celebrities from Marilyn Monroe to Elizabeth Taylor, during the same time period Christian Dior began to release his notable hourglass dresses in spotted prints. The polka dot dress became a staple for Lucille Ball's wardrobe in I Love Lucy. Gaining global recognition, the polka dot has not looked back towards it's troubled past. Time has only brought continuous success to the polka dot; Marvel comic books created a superhero in its likeliness, Mr. Polka Dot! And how can we forget Brian Hyland's 1960 hit "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini"? To this day, the polka dot makes a continuous appearance in fashion week. It's a favorite motif among designers such as Rei Kawakubo of Comme Des Garcons, Miuccia Prada and Stella McCartney. In a documented meeting between Marc Jacobs and Yayoi Kasama, the Japanese visual artist gave the fashion designer a rendition of his own Louis Vuitton bag decorated in her signature polka dot cascade. While the exchange signified a collaboration that could have been but never was,  Kasama's influence can still be seen in Jacob's Fall 2011 collection. 

Here's me wearing ALMOST head-to-toe in polka dots.

 It was a windy night.  Loved the breezy fresh cold air.  

But look who wears sunglasses at night?

about the outfit:

blazer - NCCC Mall, Davao / polka dot tee - Baclaran / polka dot skirt - Chic Vintage / polka dot flats - G. Fiesta / polka dot purse - Anna Sui / sunglasses - SM Naga City / photo frame necklace - sigh D.I.Y.

Can you dare to wear polka dots from head-to-toe?

The Black and White Color Story

Fashion Lesson:

How to Look Great in Black and White

via about.com

1.) Wear BLACK top, WHITE bottom

2.) Wear WHITE top, BLACK bottom

3.) Play with Proportions

4.) Add Texture

5.) Bold Lines

6.) Allover Print

7.) Mix Sheer with Tailored

The black and white color never fails me.  It's my no-brainer fashion color.  

It's a forever love.  

The color combination is equally brilliant, stylish and elegant.

Here's me wearing the color combo on a Sunday morning.

My version:

a mix of Black and White with Proportions on Top and Black on the Bottom

I wore this outfit on a Sunday morning mass.  We can never wear too short skirts when we go to church.  The length of this skirt is perfect, plus it is equally stylish (see the uneven hemline).

about my outfit:

long blouse (tucked in) and skirt - thrifted / patent leather wedge - MKNY / pearl accessory necklace - gifted by boss / sunglasses - SM Naga City

The Color Black

Here's another vintage top from I Dress Up's Vintage Light Collection.

It's an oversized ( because it best fits large frames) sheer button-down long-sleeve blouse with bold black stripes that appear as thick pin stripes. 

The color black is often seen as a color of sophistication, as in 'the little black dress', or 'the black tie event'. Affluent and success orientated women often choose black as it can give an impression of elegance, sophistication and confidence. 
Black is often associated with sexiness and seduction, as in the temptress in sexy black lingerie creating an air of mystery and intrigue.

In color psychology, black means power and control, hanging on to information and things rather than giving out to others. 

Positive and Negative Traits of the Color Black

Positive keywords include protection and comfort, strong, contained, formal, sophisticated, seductive, mysterious, endings & beginnings.

Negative keywords include aloof, depressing and pessimistic, secretive and withholding, conservative and serious, power & control, sadness and negativity. 

The Color Black Represents

Mystery: Black is the unknown. It is secretive, keeping a lot buried inside, unwilling to show its real feelings.

Power and Control: Black is power and control of the self and others. It creates fear and intimidation.

Effects of the Color Black

Formal, dignified and sophisticated: As in the little black dress and the formal dinner suit.

Aloof: Black sets itself aside from others with its heavy and intense energy. It keeps others at arm's length.

Depressing: Black can close us to the positive aspects of life, forcing us to look at our disappointments and the black or negative aspects of our life. It can create a fear of the future.

Pessimistic: Too much black encourages us to look at the negative side of life.

I can never get enough of my "headache pose". :-)

 There are so many fashionable ways to wear this top. My styling is the most simple among the long list of "how-to-style-the-black-sheer-top".

This top is for sale! Buy Now here!

The Color Pink

Let's talk 'bout color psychology, beginning with THE COLOR PINK. 

In color psychology, pink is a sign of hope. It is a positive color inspiring warm and comforting feelings, a sense that everything will be okay.

 The Color Pink Represents:

Unconditional love: Pink relates to both unconditional love and romantic love.

Compassion: Empathy and understanding are the fuel for pink's nurturing.

Nurturing: Pink is both the giving and the receiving of love, understanding and respect.

Hope: Pink inspires the possibility of a positive outcome.

 Effects of the Color Pink:

Calming: Pink calms our emotional energies.

Non-threatening: Pink lacks any aggression or anger, although the deeper pinks can be more assertive and confident.

Affectionate: Pink offers warmth and tenderness to friends and family.

Caring: Sensitivity and tender loving care relate to pink's feminine and intuitive energies.

Immature: Pink is the color of the sweet young girl, before life's experiences take over.

Variations of the Color Pink

Blush: Similar to skin color, this very pale pink has sensual and sexual connotations. It is non-threatening but lacks passion and energy.

Rose Pink: This is the pink of universal love and unity. It is mature, feminine and intuitive.

Salmon Pink: There is a touch of orange in salmon pink. It encourages the flirt, and can be a sign of the timid lover, all talk and no play.

Orchid: This is an unusual lavender-pink and relates to the unconventional and the individual doing his or her own thing. It is the non conformist.

Fuchsia: A blend of deep pink and blue, fuchsia inspires confidence, assurance and maturity, a more responsible and controlled nurturing and love.

Hot Pink: Hot pink inspires a more passionate, playful and sensual love. It exudes warmth and happiness and a love of life.

Fashionable Clue:

Combining pink with other darker colors such as dark blue, dark green, black or gray, adds strength and sophistication to pink.

As I mixed a little fuchsia to my black ensemble...tada! Sophistication achieved  with just this simple color-coordinated look.

about my outfit: 

polka dot + fuchsia blouse - Chic Vintage/ black twill shorts - random / blazer - NCCC Mall, Davao / black + fuchsia shoes - Mags / gold necklaces - Iora, Forever 21 / sunglasses - SM Naga City / fuchsia belt - YRYS

more of color psychology in my upcoming posts...