This is the fourth installment of FASHION HEADLINE's conversation series, brought to you in conjunction with the launch of Ginza Mitsukoshi's dress-up rental app, "CARITE." Along with introducing rental items, we'll discuss dress-up concerns by topic. This time, we asked stylist Chie Hosonuma for tips on updating everyday dresses for party wear.

【Tips.4】Transform everyday dresses into party wear with accessories and finesse!

As adult women attend more and more weddings and parties, their skills improve. Dress styling and arrangements that set them apart from younger women are also important.

Asymmetric Graphic Floral Dress (Rental price 15,000 yen) / Self-PortraitOther items are stylist's personal belongings

FH Editorial Department (hereinafter FH): You probably only buy a new dress for every party until you're around 30, when you start attending weddings more often. As you become an adult, you develop the ability to mix and match dresses and tops. So how can you make your outfit stand out from the crowd?

Stylist Chie Hosonuma (hereafter, Hosonuma):This time, I decided to go for a print dress from "Self-Portrait." It features a striking irregular hemline. This London-based brand offers a lineup of dresses that can be worn for both parties and everyday wear. Many people likely wear print dresses for casual outings or dinner outs. Here's how to polish up a go-out dress for a party.


FH: Print dresses stand out on their own, so you might think you'd want to keep the accessories subtle.

Hosonuma:But adding bold accessories can really make it stand out. The vivid leather belt and pumps add a touch of style, don't you think? But by using a similar color from the print for the belt, the outfit has a cohesive look. It doesn't look gaudy at all.



FH: You've got some skill with your color usage! 

Hosunuma:By the way, the belt and pumps are "complementary colors," so even though they're strong colors, they really pop against each other. A "color wheel" is a circle of hues arranged in an order, and colors that are opposite each other on that circle are called "complementary colors." Complementary colors complement each other, so knowing this will make coordinating your outfits easier.


FH: I think a lot of people have trouble matching colors! This is helpful.

Hosunuma:The four key items are earrings, belt, shoes, and bag. For example, you could choose earrings and a belt in the same color, or link any two of these items to create a unified look. From there, you can combine complementary colors for the rest of your outfit. If you think of it this way, it's easy. It also helps prevent the over-the-top habit that often accompanies parties, and with this technique, you can even wear last year's dress in a modern way.


FH: Wow! This will make coordinating outfits for parties so much more fun. Adding a playful touch is also important in adult party style.

Hosunuma:It's all about balance. Adults are good at adding and subtracting. The choice of material is also important, and since party dresses are often made of sweet materials, choosing accessories made of leather or plastic will tighten the overall look. My top pick for an accessory is a choker. As you get older, don't you start to worry about wrinkles around your neck? This is actually a very useful item as it effectively covers them and gives a neat finish to the neck. I would especially like mature women to wear one.




Next time, we will introduce techniques to cover up the lines of your upper arms and legs.
<Tips.1>Say goodbye to party shawls! The key to a glamorous dress style is to keep it "compact, not bulky."
><Tips.2>How to wear a black dress in a stylish and fashionable way
<Tips.3>The golden rule for modern party makeup is to "subtract" rather than "over-the-top."
<Tips.5>What's the best way to cover up those troublesome lines around your upper arms and thighs?
<Tips.6>I want to try out a party hairstyle that's easy to do yourself!


【Profile】
Stylist / Hosonuma Chie
Studied under Aoki Jurika. Went independent in 2009. Currently active in a wide range of fields, including magazines and advertisements. She also styles interiors and props. She is known for her love of travel, and is inspired by ethnic costumes and overseas architecture.







--staff--
photographs : Hidetoshi Fukuoka
stylist: Chie Hosonuma
hair & make-up : Aya Murakami
model : Yuri Ishizaka (eva)
text: Maiko Hata
edit: FASHION HEADLINE