As far as clutches go they don’t get much tougher than one with a knuckle duster for a clasp and we’ve found this gorgeous one from Religion, just like the amazing Alexander McQueen clutch we’ve been lusting after.
Spend: Alexander McQueen’s Knuckle Box Clutch (top), £1,495
Save: Knuckle Duster Clutch Religion (available at Topshop), £74.99.
Statement necklaces are an absolute essential in my books. They take a casual look from basic to stylish and can add an edge to an otherwise understated look. With the summer sales stepping up a notch further, I went on the hunt for some pieces that made a statement on me, not on my bank balance. Here are three amazing finds:
River Island necklace, was £14.99, now only £2; Layered Seashell Necklace from Topshop. Was £20, is £8. Pied a terre necklace, House of Fraser, Down from £70 to £21!
Kara Tointon‘s blush Temperley London dress with jewels was the winner for us in the style stakes at this year’s BAFTA TV Awards and we’ve found this pretty dress from Dorothy Perkins which is just like it! Add a few carefully chosen crystal jewellery items and you’ve got the perfect party or wedding guest outfit.
Dress: £25, Dorothy Perkins; earings: £25, Karen Millen; ring: £14, Monsoon; Encrusted bangle, £75, Karen Millen
A bright coloured satchel is this summer’s hottest accessory. The ‘Stella’ from Pied a Terre at House of Fraser in canary yellow and the Zara ‘Mummy and Me’ bag are two of my favourites. The ‘Stella’ comes in at £115 while the ’Mummy and Me’ – so called because there’s a baby version (I know, altogether now: ‘Aaaaaw!’) – comes in £49.99.
The ’Stella’ has proven such a hit that every unit produced was snapped up within 72 hours when it went on sale at the beginning of April. But, before you think I’m telling you about a bag that’s not available in stores anymore just to be annoying, think again. The bag will be back on sale tomorrow morning at House of Fraser but with only 500 available nationwide, be quick or it’ll be gone for good!
As we walk past the shop fronts this week we can’t help but feel like we’ve taken a step back in time and into the coutryside. Stores are filled with gorgeous summery maxi dresses in the style of Sophia Loren circa 1978.
So we’ve raided the shops and fished out the best picks of this trend, whatever the budget
French Connection £110
All Saints £450
Limited Edition Topshop £150.00
Next £26
Dorothy Perkins £39
Warehouse £50
‘I want a coo-ooo-ooo-oool rider’ sang Michelle Pfeiffer in Grease 2, which if you haven’t watched, well – you’re not missing much. But sing it she did. And the sentiment, if not the movie, lives on. Men in biker jackets are cool again, so say the catwalks of Dolce and Gabbana (pictured), Georgio Armani and DSquared2 among others. Here are some of our favourites in store now.
Spend: Left to right: Recluse biker jacket £350 All Saints; Aviatrix Black Mid Length Leather Hunter jacket, £220 £99.99, at Barön Jon
Save: Black leather look jacket £60 Topman; Crafted Turin Jacket £49.99 Republic
Cameron Diaz certainly knows how to light up a room. While everyone else at the premiere of The Green Hornet played it safe with black and neutral colours, Cameron stood out in a bright red dress matched with this season’s statement red lips.
We’ve decided a red dress in the wardrobe has to be about as essential as an LBD. Cameron’s gorgeous one is by Azzaro at £785 but here are two of our other favourites from Biba and this version, which is frankly a downright steal, from River Island.
Left to right: Azzaro £785, River Island Westfield London £49.99, Biba at House of Fraser Westfield London, £285
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
We all know that X Factor is every bit about the fashion as it is about the performances. Every Monday the office is full of X Factor gossip and whether it was Cheryl or Dannii who won in the style stakes, and everyone has an opinion on what the contestants wore!
Last week Cher Lloyd wore a very similar similar pair of leggings to the Sass & Bide pair that Cheryl Cole wore in her music video for ‘3 words‘. While Cheryl’s designer leggings cost a whopping £890, Cher’s version were from London label, Arrogant Cat.
We’ve found another fabulous high-street version of the orginal Sass & Bide leggings from River Island. At only £49.99 these River Island Black diamante knee leggings are a steal, and you’ll still have money left over for the rest of your outfit!
Left to right: Sass & Bide Bullet paneled leggings, £890, net-a-porter.com; Black diamante knee leggings, £49.99, River Island
The military trend is key for Autumn/Winter and khaki trousers have been spotted across numerous collections. But would you go for the khaki cargos loved by celebs or the high street budget buy?
Left to right: Khaki skinny cargo pants, New Look £25; J Brand Houlihan khaki skinny cargo pants, Donna Ida £245
We’ve lost count of the number of stylish celebs that we’ve spotted wearing J Brand Houlihans - Jessica Alba, Rachel Bilson and Kate Bosworth are just a few of them. The skinny khaki version has been flying off the shelves at Donna Ida. Fear not, they are back in stock now.
Look out for the new Houlihan in town too. Stealth is the same skinny jean style, but it’s leather. Trust us, it is seriously hot! Us Westfield fashionistas are counting down for their arrival. You’ll find them in Donna Ida too (£300).
But if you’re looking for a more purse-friendly option, check out Next and New Look. Both stores have skinny cargo pants which are rather similar in style to the J Brand Houlihans but at a mere £25.
Skinny cargoes: spend or save?
