Brian Maynor March 26, 2014

March 25, 2014
By Brian Maynor
March 26, 2014


Wet.  Glossy.  Reflective.  Shiny.  These words all describe one of the biggest trends this season, ‘high shine.’

The Spring/Summer 2014 runways were full of ‘high shine’ elements, but invery diverse ways.  This trend includes metallic; plastics; reflectivematerials and treated fabrics in all shape and sizes.  Most often trends are narrow and easily incorporated into casual wear, but not so muchinto career-wear.  This trend, however, is very broad and easilyincorporated into professional attire.  Here are a few tips andinspiration looks on bringing high shine pieces into your work-wear tokeep it as relevant and up-to-date as your weekend-wear:

1.    Go high tech.  The stars of this trend are the treated and unconventional fabrics.  One of the best ways to achieve the wet look is with plastic or coatedsynthetic materials.  While several designers actually featured plastictops, jackets and pants one thing to remember about plastic and coatedfabric is that they are not porous, which means they don’t breathe.  Unless you want to really embrace the wet look by heavily sweating, save these items for limited wear in climate controlled environments or optfor outerwear pieces that can be removed.

2.    Be reflective.  Another incarnation of the high shine trend was the use of reflective colorsand treatments.  The details typically used as safety elements onoutdoor athletic wear were extended to lifestyle pieces this season andexpanded to entire outfits.  Though it can be difficult to pull off areflective neon green suit in the office, as a layering piece, neongreen would brighten up your standard navy suit.

3.    Less disco.  Metallics are often associated with the age of disco or dismissed aspurely sartorial, but this season they are trying to make the leap intoreal life.  Instead of over-the-top styling or flamboyant details, 2014metallics are all about streamlined minimalism.  While you will see bold metallic statement pieces, like silver bomber jackets and gold pantsthey will be paired with jeans and a basic white t-shirt.  This trendalso embraces more subtle details and hints of shine, which are perfectfor more conservative offices.  

4.    Jewel tones.  Spring is always the season of color, and this year is no different.  Green, blue, pink and purple will still feature prominently and they all get the wet treatment.  Metallic cobalt blue was a popular color choice for most designers and should dominate the market from shoes to bags;sunglasses and other accessories.

5.    Grown-up glitter.  Another forefront for the metallic trend is makeup.  Eye shadow; nailpolish; blush and lipsticks can all be found in a metallic hue orcolor.  The key to pulling this look off during the day is keeping itsimple and chic.  An enhanced bare, or nude look like the metallicbronze eye shadow used in the DIOR show is one option for work and caneasily be replaced with a jewel tone for a bold evening look.

 
Spring is going to be a very wet season for sure this year.  Whether youchoose glossy, metallic or reflective in gold, silver, bronze, jeweltone or neon this season is all about being shiny.

Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.

 
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Click here or on the images below to learn more about the outfit.
 
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I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace.  Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected].   Also find each of these storyboards athttp://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.

About Brian Maynor

Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches inthe Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIANMAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consultingservices. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earthpersonality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations;modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; recordlabels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashionblogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trustedand recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education andtraining as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee,and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows,expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands likeBanana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach isinnovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com