Archive for the ‘Hot or Not’ Category

9 June 2011: 13:00

Hot or not: A touch of midriff

The topic of whether crop tops are a do or a don’t has come up before but once again the midriff has come to the attention of Westfield’s HQ. 

Cut out dresses have been all the rage off and on the red carpet with the likes of Leighton Meester rocking it in Michael Kors, Kim Kardashian throwing it in with a bit of colour blocking at the launch of her new perfume in London yesterday and both Eliza Doolittle and Daisy Lowe showing off a touch of (very toned) tum at the Glamour Woman of the Year Awards this week (pictured below).

So what do you think? If you’ve got it flaunt it or put it away?

No Comments | Email | Bookmark and Share

9 May 2011: 10:07

Hot or not: double denim

There was a point when double denim was a big fat fashion no no. Like many trends from the eighties it conjured up images of dodgy perms and mullets but the eighties – once deemed the decade fashion forgot – returned with style vengeance, refusing to be forgotten.

Double denim was back on the catwalks for Spring/Summer 2010 and showed no sign of going anywhere with a return to fashion weeks for Spring/Summer 2011.

It’s a tricky trend to work but with the likes of Alexa Chung and Reece Witherspoon making it look chic again it looks like this style crime is now on parole.

So, Westfield fashion jury, I ask you, do you dig double denim or is this one eighties throwback too far?

No Comments | Email | Bookmark and Share

11 April 2011: 08:58

Hot or not: Socks with shoes

Once upon a time wearing sandals with socks was seen as a crime against fashion so heinous it made velour look almost acceptable. But now trend setters such as Fearne Cotton are turning the rules on their head by embracing the combination. What do you think, is this a step in the right direction or a step too far?

No Comments | Email | Bookmark and Share

10 February 2011: 10:42

Hot or Not: Leona’s lips

It had all seemed a little quiet on the Leona Lewis front but the X Factor winner has suddenly become the talk of the town again. Neither her singing nor her very gorgeous new haircut are garnering any column inches, but her odd choice of outfit for the premiere of Justin Bieber’s Never Say Never is getting plenty of attention.  The songstress turned up wearing a giant pair of lips on her bust in an outfit which has divided fashion critics. 

We like that Leona is being braver and taking fashion into her own hands – particularly as she is rumoured to have designed the top herself – although we think these particular lips are, well, very large.  For a subtler take on this sub trend here are a few ideas:

 

 

Bangle, £99, Marc by Marc Jacobs; Lulu Guinness clutch, £195, at House of Fraser, Black pumps, £42, Office

Comments(2) | Email | Bookmark and Share

9 December 2010: 09:25

Galactic dresses

When Christopher Kane revealed his Resort 2011 collection earlier this year numerous bloggers muttered their appreciation for his galactic inspired dresses while others declared that they were a little bored with space prints. 

But celebrities have shown their appreciation for the British designer’s collection with Carey Mulligan wearing one to the Never Let Me Go premiere at the Toronto Film Festival.

Whether you love it or hate it, it’s a head-turner and, lucky for us, River Island have gone and made a more wallet-friendly version.

Left to right: Christopher Kane, Galaxy-print silk-satin dress, £1,420 at Net-a-Porter; Blue galactic print ruche cowl neck dress £39.99, down to £25.00 at River Island

Comment(1) | Email | Bookmark and Share

15 October 2010: 09:00

Animal knits

A lot has been said about animal print being a key trend for A/W 2010. It is everywhere. But we’ve noted another animal-related trend – a cuter and quirkier trend than animal print. It’s the animal motif.

Stella McCartney showcased horse print designs on the catwalk and now it’s filtered down to the high street. Cats, dogs, horses, bunny rabbits, birds, sheep, squirrels and even polar bears can be found on new season pieces.

Left to right: Squirrel print jumper, Next £30; Sheep print boyfriend cardigan, River Island £36.99; Alfie dog print jumper, NW3 £79;  Polar bear print cowl neck jumper, Dorothy Perkins £35

There’s a definite retro cool to some of the knitwear in particular. It may be reminiscent of Princess Diana in the early ’80s, but you can mix it with some contemporary pieces to make it so very now. Go for the whole countryside chic look and wear a cute animal jumper with a tweed skirt and thick coloured tights or make it a bit more edgy by teaming it with this season’s leather trousers or skinny jeans.

Is it a hot look or is a geeky step too far for you?


No Comments | Email | Bookmark and Share

5 October 2010: 09:00

Wedge boots

Are they shoes or are they boots? Either way, they are the hot accessory right now. We are loving the wedge shoe boot.

Left to right: Red or Dead brown Manhattan boot, Schuh £89.99; Black suede wedges, Pierre Hardy for Gap, £89; Taupe multi-buckle wedge, Dorothy Perkins £20; Grey suede wedge, New Look £39.99; Navy suede Birthday Suit wedge, Office £85.

Wedges are wondeful for fashionistas who are running in heels. They were everywhere at London Fashion Week. The platform is just so much more comfy than a killer heel. Not that fashion is about comfort, but it is a real bonus!

Oh-so-wearable, we like to team ours with this season’s leather trousers or a tapered trouser.

How do you wear yours?

No Comments | Email | Bookmark and Share

2 July 2010: 09:00

Hot or not: summer boots

Think of summer footwear and you normally conjure up images of flip flops and sandals. Not so this year. The ankle boot has taken over as the summer trend of choice. It has become the surprise fashion hit of the season.

The ankle boot was seen on many a well-turned heel at Glastonbury too. Check out Sienna Miller’s totally festival-appropriate look. She ticks so many of the hot trend boxes – the cute denim shorts, the straw hat, the crochet waistcoat and of course, the lace up ankle boot.

It may not look particularly pretty, but the ankle boot is a sensible choice for the British summer. We’re never too far away from a rain cloud after all. Plus, it’s really comfy and ideal for walking. But fashion isn’t meant to be comfortable is it? When did stylish and practical go hand in hand?

After months of hiding feet away inside thick socks and winter boots, isn’t it good to give them a bit of an airing? Surely summer is the time to treat your feet to a pedicure and show them off in sexy sandals.

What do you think? Summer boots – hot or not?

Left to right: Max Cleat lace boot, Schuh £84.99; Loose lace choc leather boot, Office £90; Millie canvas boot, Topshop £30

Comment(1) | Email | Bookmark and Share

28 April 2010: 16:35

Hot or Not? Crop Tops

Back in the ‘80s, you couldn’t move for crop tops. Madonna flaunted her tummy in cropped lace tops, Yazz went sporty in a cropped vest top, while Bananarama larked about in a uniform of cropped loose T-shirts and ra-ra skirts.

For those of us that lived through the ‘80s, it was one of those trends we were glad to see the back off. After all, unless you had a toned stomach, they really weren’t the easiest look to rock.

Imagine our ‘delight’ then when we clocked a plethora of cropped tops hitting the high street. From cropped logo T-shirts to glammed up lace versions, if you want to be top of the crops, there’s plenty to choose from.

This is one trend however that really should be left to the young – if you remember the craze from the first time around, you should probably leave it alone.

If you do want to persist with the trend, try a bit of double layering and wear your lace cropped top over a white body or, wear a cropped jumper over a long-line vest. There are also some more modestly cropped tops out there (like the floral number from Miss Selfridge, below), which will look great paired with a high waisted denim skirt.

Top to Bottom: Cropped jumper, £7, New Look; Soul Cal California Crop Tee, £14,99, Republic; Lace cropped top, £38, Topshop; Floral cropped top, £35, Miss Selfridge

So, what do you think of the cropped top trend? Is it wearable? And more importantly will you be flashing your abs this summer?

Comments(4) | Email | Bookmark and Share

16 April 2010: 10:19

Hot or Not? Satchels

It may have been a few years since you considered toting a satchel, but it’s time to banish those school memories as the satchel is the bag of 2010.

It all started when Mulberry produced their gorgeous Alexa satchel. Named after TV presenter and model Alexa Chung, this bag, produced in a variety of finishes, has kick-started the satchel trend on the high street. If you want the real deal, you’re going to need to pay out around £700, but fear not, this new it-bag can be found on the high street for a whole lot less!

This is one fashion area where your man can come in handy, as satchels have long been a staple in their wardrobe, and men’s departments have some great authentic looking leather satchels out there, starting from as little as £99. However, if you want something a little more girlie, check out M&S, Topshop or Hobbs who have all created our favourite it-bags.

From top to bottom: Metallic satchel, £35, M&S; NW3 satchel, £179, Hobbs; Pushlock satchel, £45, Topshpo

They’re so adaptable, and will look as good at work as they will at festivals – that handy long strap means you can wear them across your body, leaving your hands free for that essential beer!

Take some notes from Alexa, and keep the rest of your outfit casually slouchy – throw it on over a parka and floral dress combo, or team it with your double denim.

So will you be going back to school and picking up a satchel this season? Or do you think they should remain in the school playground? Don’t forget to let us know your comments!

Comments(2) | Email | Bookmark and Share