How to wear Safari without going Zookeeper

On the runways at the fashion shows in Paris, New York and Toronto, the safari trend made a strong comeback this year. Have you been scared to try this trend? Worried about looking like a zookeeper or actual safari guide? No more, because here’s Senzu’s easy how-to for this awesome trend!

Senzu’s Top 10 Tips on looking Safari Inspired:

10. Wear the trend, don’t let it wear you. As with many trends, the key to getting it right is not to overdo it. Cargo capris in safari green are fine, but then don’t add more pockets on the top too.

9. Keep the silhouette clean. Use the ever-present contrasting shapes rule: if you’re going flared or wide on your lower half (think wide pants, maxi skirt or dress), then make sure your upper half is more fitted. And vice versa. You don’t want to get lost in your outfit. 

8. Go green! This is the perfect trend to go with earth-friendly fabrics. Organic cottons, the new (soft) hemp, linens and soft eco-cotton knits usually come in great designs that work the safari look fabulously.

7. Go green, again! Really! Khaki, kiwi, moss, wheatgrass, army green, beige, brown, emerald, taupe and grays are all great color options within this trend. 

6. Monotone is exciting! The safari look is one look that works really well from head to toe in one color, or one colour range. It will pull your look together.

5. Off-set your safari. Using khaki and army green for your main item and then offsetting it with a contrasting colour such as canary yellow, bright white or black will give your safari look a modern twist. This works especially well at the office!

4. Belts to Boot! Strappy sandals and wedges work extremely well with this trend. 

3. Safari looks best during the day, as it is usually a more casual look. To bring safari out at night, keep your silhouette very clean and minimalist, and accessorize!

2. Bring out the Animal in you! Yes, you can add animal print! Your most elegant option is to use it in accessories such as shoes and purse. For the daring ladies out there, try a animal print shirt, dress or skirt. It’s best to only use animal print in your outfit once, or it will look ‘tried too hard’.  

1. Go bold on accessories! Think big leather purses; wide naturally toned belts that flatter your figure, and go for statement necklaces, hoop earrings, bracelets and African-inspired pieces. Senzu has lots of hoop earrings that were just added to their Elements Collection, and also check out the fabulous natural necklaces and woven leather bracelets in the Senzu Naturals Collection.

We’ve included a great Safari lookbook here to inspire you to try this summery trend. what do you think, are you game to try the Safari trend this year? 

Your Senzu Style Insider,

Cristel


Accessories featured in this blog: Senzu Jewelry. Fashion and cosmetics by Elie Tahari, Ralph Lauren, Erin Fetherson, Revlon, Afterglow, Tod's and more.  

How to create the New Boho Chic Look

With all the new exciting trends that came off the New York and Toronto runways recently, one of my favorites is the 'Boho Chic' look. It is a look that, if done right, can be worn for a weekend of lounging around and tripping around vintage fashion stores and markets, but you can also dress it up for at the office.

How can you put together the Boho Chic look without looking like a hobo? Here's Senzu's top tips of how to create this 2011 bohemian, city nomad look that is so trendy at the moment, with items you might already have in your closet:

10. The Shape. Boho chic does not necessarily mean baggy. But the emphasis is on soft, flowing materials that fit comfortably. Dresses, long shirts and embroidered accents are all good-to-go for this trend. To keep it chic, choose 1 item that's more hippie, but keep the overall look neat and trim. You don't want to overdo it and look like a 70's time traveller.

9. The Colors. Neutral with one accent color, like the blue embroidery in the shirt dress in our lookbook, or the bright orange top. Denim is a hot fabric for spring and summer this year, as is white. Bright colors like lime green, orange, fuchsia and yellow are perfect accent colors, but should be used sparingly in an outfit. Natural fabrics are always preferred. To recreate boho chic, go for the best quality pieces you can afford, and you'll be able to wear them with many trends to come.

8. Shoes. You'll want to keep the shoes trim and not too bulky. Great ideas are heeled sandals or wedges, sleek boots. Keep the emphasis on elegant and ladylike, not Birkenstock. Neutral leathers and soft tones are best.

7. Hair. Relaxed flowing tresses, or a sleep ponytail in the nape of your neck gives the perfect balance between boho and chic. Pixie haircuts also work great for the boho chic look. Accented with a small hairpin for the office or an artificial flower or feather for the more daring amongst us will rock the look.

6. Make-up. With your outfit creating most of the color splash, you'll want to keep make-up very natural looking. Think soft beiges and browns, soft pinks and greens. Play up your natural eye color with your shadow, soft pink blush and nude or pale lips keeps the look fresh and grounded. The key is to stay close to your natural skin tones, just enhancing it.

5. The Bag.  Soft and big for casual occasions, or more fitted for the office, you can go either natural tones or play with the accent colors mentioned earlier. There are no hard and fast rules here, except we recommend keeping the shapes soft. Leather, cotton, or woven are all fine, depending on whether you are going more 'boho' or more 'chic'.

4. Creativity & Individuality. Make your look YOU. If you're naturally a 'boho chic' dresser, try this updated 2011 look with the candy-color accents and go for bolder accessories. If you're usually a more conservative dresser, try adding small bohemian accents to your usual look to get used to the trend. You'll love it!

3. Basic Pieces. If you have any of these in your closet, you can recreate this look. Or you can use this as a perfect excuse to go shopping! Denim shorts, shirt or dress. Linen anything. Maxi dress, the peasant shirt and skirt, caftan or tunics, boots, wedges, wide relaxed belts, candy-coloured accent pieces, and of course lots of boho chic inspired jewelry.

2. Putting it all together. Make sure your outfit matches. You don't want to look like you tried too hard or are wearing everything in your closet. Keep the layers minimal, one or two is perfect. Think maxi dress with fitted jacket, or pantsuit with flowing embroidered blouse.  

1. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. Accessorizing is vital to create a boho chic look. It makes or breaks it, so choose with care. Natural materials such as woods, stones, pearls and crystals are great. Go for long necklaces, layered or leather bracelets and chunky rings. Earrings should be the opposite of your outfit: if your outfit is flowing and long, go for smaller hoops. If your top half is more fitted, try larger earrings, like Senzu's large double hoop earrings, pearl or dangling leaf/feather inspired earrings. Experiment with mixing and matching your jewelry. Senzu has a collection of over 220 unique and beautiful jewelry pieces that will help you put this look together fabulously ;-)

Have fun with the Boho Chic look and style up your day,

Cristel
Your Senzu Style Insider.
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