Spring into Summer with Ease

The weather's getting a little warmer and a seasonal change into summer is upon us for sure but if you're not ready to make the leap into bohemian beauty or cigarette pant brights, take note because its far from the epic transition you may initially fear!


Take the skirts from Autumn/Winter collections last year; they seemed to come in every shape and length from Louis Vuitton's 50's inspired Midi to the relaxed, whimsical Maxi at Micheal Kors and Charlotte Ronson. Originally seen on the runways paired with chunky knits and wintry accessories, now could be worn with a plain tee or crop top:

Also take note: Dior's campaign for Autumn 2010.. Remove the HUGE leather boots and Matrix-style leather jackets and on taking apart the outfit, you'll find light, chiffon, playsuit and summer dresses with a very neutral palette not dis-similar to the Dolce & Gabbana campaign for this spring/summer collection, 2011.

The scooping low necklines and varying lengths all echo the Dior collection although they are not without their differences and I would never suggest such similarities without the hugest respect for the differences in materials and an overall theme of the collections. I suppose, if you do follow fashion and want to stay on trend, there's no harm in recycling an old trend in a new way ;)




The trouser has been coming upon us for quite some time now in all shapes and sizes and this season would appear to have settled on the super skinny cigarette pants, best seen at Stella Mccartney in super sweet pastells or pure white, perfect when paired with the crisp white shirts of Autumn/Winter collections or the floral blouses of the seasons just passed;

Maxi Must Haves

Is it a reaction to the utilitarian theme of this season? Are we desperate to exercise our inner bohemian chick? Or are we actually enjoying the functional wardrobe Autumn/Winter has to offer that we are taking it further with a maxi skirt? I honestly couldn't tell you but I can assure you that for the first time I can think of, I NEED a maxi skirt!
Everything I have would look perfect with a maxi skirt: my ankle boots would give me some height and sophistication, my baggy crop top (as taken from Elle's Daily Outfit) and my new H&M Aviator jacket would pull the look from hippie festival to edgy glamorous. This seasons wardrobe is designed for this skirt and with a good pair of heels and some clever balancing of proportions, the maxi is designed for everyone and here are some of my favourites:

Oasis offers a simple black skirt and the genius this skirt offers is in the tailoring under the bum. The fit gives shape to your bum and flicks out slightly at the bottom to stop a cone effect happening.
This is currently in the sale for £10 from £20 but I'm guessing the old "while stocks last" applies to this number.

Talking of Elle's Instant Outfits, this skirt from Topshop for £40 was featured on the website very recently. The neutral colour is very on trend (although I hate that phrase) this season and the shape is a more exaggerated version of the Oasis example above. The lace trim at the bottom is also an interesting feature and added touch of femininity to piece.

TK Maxx has long been the outlet of guilty pleasure. The Donna Karen bag for only £20 or the McQueen top for £40, a bloody bargain and here they offer another! I'm guessing its not exactly a Westwood or Lagerfeld original but it does have a very attractive pattern that acts as almost a cross over piece from whimsical summer pieces and festival/holiday wear to harsher, more practical wear for Autumn/Winter with the darker colour and new shape. As well as this, the skirt is priced at only £11 so get rummaging.

New Look here and only £19.99. Horizontal stripes have been embedded into our minds as evil unless six foot tall and six inches wide but paired with a simple t-shirt and some ankle boots, a very urban, sophisticated style can be created. I think its definitely worth a trip to the changing rooms anyways, just for a look...

This is the most expensive of the selection at £45, found in Warehouse but I love the pattern so much and the colours are simply perfect and if you were having trouble with the more popular angry styles of A/W then maybe this is a welcome relief and the shape is looser all the way down with a definite, more obvious flare at the bottom. Shown with boots here in this picture, an example of how to wear for A/W, showing that it will still go with your other purchases in preparation for the changing season.

I hope this has opened the eyes of the maxi dress pessimists. Join me in my bid for full length!

Red Hot!

Yesterday, I over heard a conversation between two men; the one was determined the bar in which the conversation took place had some "decent sugar lips" and his friend was determined that the man should stop using such terms to describe women because it was embarrassing.
From a fashion point of view, I suppose he was quite on point, although I assure you, this wasn't his intention, as all over the Autumn/Winter collections we have seen simple, clean and fresh faces paving the way for gorgeous red lips. There is always a slight variation from show to show and here are some gorgeous examples from Dior and Richard Nicoll going for a deeper, almost burgundy colour with browner tones. The Dior show adding a pop of colour to the eyes for their couture show.

At Karl Lagerfeld, he kept the colours classic and definitely made a statement with cherry red lips for a contrast to the subtle and more darker styles of the Autumn/Winter collections.

How to get this look for yourself from the highstreet?

MAC has released a line of new creamy, long lasting lip sticks called Pro Longwear Lip Creme for only £14.50. They come in all the colours shown in the Autumn/Winter collections under the names of Perpetual Flame and Extended Play so why not give in to every one's secret desire for a Marilyn Monroe pout!

Get Suited and Booted for A/W 2010

This Autumn, its all about smooth, clean lines and delicate, classic styles. The trousers are back with a vengeance in leg lengthening styles and colour scales ranging from taupe to beige. The coat has a resurgence as designers start becoming sensible, surely it can't be true?!

Don't panic, fashion followers, but do be prepared to walk the walk this season. Boots are coming from every direction and at Prada, Alexander McQueen and Dior they are hitting thigh height while Acne and Aldo are returning to the wild days of Punk for Doc Marten style biker boots with added high fashion class. A personal highlight had to be the Chanel biker boot in a luxurious calf-skin leather and large buckles for that dark/grunge edge Karl Lagerfeld does best.

 Another Chanel favourite was the furry boots also seen at Lanvin, perfect for those snowy days at home or in the Alps.






The third style has to come from Burberry with the ankle shearling boots of their A/W 2010 collection. The fur trim and killer heels are the ultimate in glamorous rock n roll style. Wear with beaten leathers and a rockstar boyfriend and you can't go wrong this season.

For more info on these shoes visit: 

net-a-porter.com

vogue.co.uk

www.farfetch.com/

elleuk.com

Festival Feverr

So I may have put a bit of a downer on festival fashion on the highstreet before but that is because I see the stunning starlettes hitting the stage in perfect festival outfits and the stage is where this kind of costume belongs.

Watching Florence's emotional and gorgeous performance at Glastonbury this year, I have to admit, there aren't many times I almost don;t notice what someone is wearing when I see them but this time I have to say her singing of "You've got the Love" completely through me. It was only looking back over google that I was reminded of the white flowy leotard she donned for the occasion.

Ellie Goulding has been making statements in t-shirts this year with simple white tee's embellished perfectly to add to the toned down glamour of her sets at V Festival, Glastonbury and T4 on the beach.

Marina and the Diamonds followed suit (or tee) with an over-sized t-shirt with a cheeky bra and pants set embellished on the top (at Isle of Wight Festival), a Disney themed number and the red tiger shown here. I don't know about you but I love the casual and comfortable glamour of the t-shirt. This autumn, the comfortable statement seems to be the perfect one to me.

Check out http://www.gigwise.com/ for coverage of all this year's fesivals across the globe.