Archive for the ‘Trends’ Category

18 January 2012: 09:00

Trend alert: 90s Grunge

It had to happen at some point.  The 70s and 80s have had their come back for the last couple of seasons as every decade does and as 2012 kicks off, so does a return back to the days of crop tops and grunge -  say hello (again) to the 90s.

While many of us who did live through the decade may not look too fondly on a number of trends – think Spice Girl platforms (shudder) – 90s grunge was the look that defined a generation.

Topshop have got it spot on with their latest collection of rock-inspired t-shirts, denim and leather.

Get the look

Hippy Girl Photo Tee: £18,

Peace bra top £12,

Check grandad shirt £28,

Flat top plastic sunglasses:  £16,

April Nubock flat Chelsea, £62,

Black leather crossbody £68,

Moto Denim hotpants £30,

All Topshop

 

How to wear it

Do plenty of denim.  Long, short, fitted, a little baggy, as jeans, as a shirt, as a scarf…wherever, it just needs to look like it’s been lived in a little.

Midriffs are back in vogue so if you can bear to bare it then, well, do.

Checked shirts – wear over crop top or with denim shorts and boots for the perfect 90s grunge look.

Boots are flat or with a small chunky heel, ankle length and mean business.

 

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11 January 2012: 15:53

A little taste of Spring from River Island

There’s something very un-January about January at the moment, what with the Spring flowers popping up and the weather being about as mild as it gets.

So, it’s no surprise that our thoughts have turned to next season’s trends earlier than expected.  With that little taste of Spring in the stores there’s plenty to get excited about on the fashion front and looking at River Island’s SS12 collection is enough to have us looking around for a beach to go and lie on.  Layering on the colour and the prints next season is going to be bright and playful for men and women…

Here’s a little taster of River Island’s Spring /Summer 2012 collection.

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23 November 2011: 09:59

This season’s headgear: animals, pompoms and headbands

According to the weather forecast it’s about to turn into hat season so we’ve picked out our top trends for the head.

Animal hats

The quirky hat trend was still a hit on the catwalks and a high street favourite.  Try adding ears to a faux fur hat for a little fun factor or go all out with this wolf hat from River Island.

Left to right: Topshop Faux Fur Cat Ear Hat £28; Leopard fur ears Dorothy Perkins £18; River Island Brown Faux Fur Wolf Hood £25

Hats with pom poms

Pom poms are back and they’re everywhere, hanging down from trapper style hats to on top to both.

Criss Crosse, Dorothy Perkins, £12;  Faux fur pom pom beanie, Topshop, £12; River Island Grey Faux Trapper £20

Woolly headbands

Made for keeping heads warm and bad hair days at bay a woolly headband is the latest winter warming trend.

Claret knitted bow headband, Dorothy Perkins, £8; Knitted grey headband, Oliver Bonas, £16.00; Cream plaited headband £12.50 Jon Rocha Debenhams

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7 November 2011: 13:37

Zara’s collection for Christmas

Think lace, sequins, feathers and metallic fabrics for Zara’s Christmas collection for Women.  The party collection features fitted pieces and simple lines in sumptuous fabrics with festive embroidered touches and is landing in Zara in the next few weeks!

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24 October 2011: 07:41

Gold metallic trousers

If your wardrobe turns from bright to dull the minute the seasons change what you need in your life is a pair of gold trousers.   We’ve missed metallic colours for the last few seasons so it was nice to see a bit of metal back on the catwalks particularly in the form of gold trousers. The inspiration is Balmain for Autumn/Winter 2010 but we’re loving Reiss’s 80s inspired gold skinnies and River Island’s subtler take on the trend in the form of dark gold jeans.

Spend or save

Balmain £3000, Reiss £140, Rver Island £45

Pair with leather boots and jacket for a daytime rocker look or for full on evening 80s glam add fur, leather and feathers plus chunky gold jewellery.

Rock chick by day

Boots: Zara £79.99, Top: Topshop £26.00, Leather jacket: Topshop £180, Bracelet: Mango £27.90

Eighties glam rocker by night


Boots: £99.99 Zara, Top: Wallis £100, Bracelet: Michael Kors £65, Clutch: Biba at House of Fraser £145

 

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13 October 2011: 07:39

Three ankle boots, three ways

The weather has finally figured out what month it’s in and turned from Indian summer back to Autumn just like it’s meant to be. So, we’ve turned our attention back to this season’s more appropriate clothing, in particular the boot.  This year we’re seeing an abundance of ankle boots on the high street in all shapes and sizes and, as Fearne, Kate and Pippa demonstrate so nicely for us here, they can be worn over skinny jeans, with cropped trousers or with dresses as one of the most versatile accessories of the season.


As you’ll be wearing them a lot we suggest investing in a good pair.  These Office Nico platforms at £105 in tan are perfect with skinny jeans.  The ambush leopard ankle boots are £80 at Topshop with their wedged heel are great for girls who want to run around while looking stylish in their boots.  But for killer stilletos, Verity by Kurt Geiger in black are our favourite at £119, down from £180.

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7 October 2011: 15:08

A maxi dress for all occasions

It’s no longer the little black dress that we’re covetting but the long black dress.  More of a wardrobe stable than a trend, the black maxi is here to stay and for this season it can go from casual day wear to evening glam.  Here are three of our favourites.

First it’s the monochrome Jane Norman dress featured in this year’s Car Bootique at Westfield London.  It was one of  our favourites backstage and at £35 is a real steal.

The French Connection Aztex Maxi dress is £180 of gorgeous Grecian goddess glam.  It’s on the must have list for Autumn/Winter for sure.

This amazing long sleeve Biba maxi that Catwalk Queen picked out on her shop around the centre recently and is on sale now for £50 at House of Fraser.

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23 September 2011: 18:08

Autumn/Winter Wardrobe Dilemmas

As the season and the trends change so do our wardrobes. Our team from Westfield Derby decided to ask their Facebook fans what their wardrobe dilemmas were and we’ve put together some style notes for them to help them out.

Dilemma 1:  I have a big party, a little black dress but only £20 til payday to dress it up!

All you need now is killer accessories.  Keep it simple and get a couple of real standout pieces.  With £20 we suggest some gorgeous statement jewellery to really make you feel like a million dollars.  Our go to for brilliant pieces on a budget comes from the designers at Debenhams.  Try a Butterfly by Matthew Williamson skull necklace for only £8.00 and these Star by Julien Macdonald crystal earrings for £12.

Dilemma 2: I need some autumn outfits for the office which are fashionable but warm

Colder weather doesn’t have to mean hiding under knits and thick tights.  Shirts and blouses are still a staple and to keep warm try insulating from underneath rather than covering up with jumpers.  M&S  have some great thermal vests that will keep you warm under sleek shirts while jersey dresses which are incredibly flattering, elegant and most importantly warm.  A jacket over a short sleeved cashmere knit is also a winner. And, of course, autumn winds mean that boots are back!  Try Jones the Bootmaker or Schuh for sleek ankle boots as oppose to knee highs for this season.

Dilemma 3: I can’t seem to find trendy and at the same time comfortable clothes, which is really important being a new mum 

Luckily trendy doesn’t have to be uncomfortable.  Maxi skirts and dresses which are incredibly comfortable and flattering on most shapes are still very much on trend.  This season’s catwalks showcased classic pieces like polo necks and simple skirts in autumnal shades of burgundies and you can find these on the high street at Monsoon and Oasis.  Big oversized jumpers (quite possibly the most comfortable wardrobe item ever invented) were on the likes of the Stella McCartney and Balenciaga catwalks and are very much on trend for this season and you’ll find some great warmers in Zara.  Don’t feel like you have to wear any trend that you think is in. Whatever you wear, feeling comfortable and confident is the most important thing and you will look like you own any trend if you feel good in it.

Dilemma 4: I’m between maternity and normal clothes, what’s the best style to go for?

While the temptation to squeeze back into those jeans is inevitable the best thing to wear when you’re in between sizes, skirts and maxi dresses.  Gypsy style skirts, such as those from Apricot or H&M, make a bit of a come back this season and can be a blessing for anyone trying to feel comfortable and fashionable.  Rather than going for completely fitted dresses, wear draped dresses or ones that fall from just below the bust line leaving plenty of breathing room.  Kaftans are also back in fashion so you can hide any tell tale bumps while showing off your legs in elasticated jeans or trousers.  

Dilemma 5: Where can I find clothes for plus sizes other than Evans and Ann Harvey?

A lot of stores haves started expanding their plus size ranges of late.  M&S have some really gorgeous clothes in this season which come in all sizes.  We love the new season collections in Dorothy Perkins particularly the jackets and brightly coloured dresses which go up to a size 22 while Next have an extensive plus size selection so most of our favourite pieces come in everything from size 8 to size 26 including some flattering evening dresses like this one shoulder body shaper dress with control slip for extra sleek lines.

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11 August 2011: 07:31

Going to new lengths: the midi

If there’s one thing we’re seeing an abundance of pouring into the ‘new in’ sections of our stores it’s the midi skirt.  Half way between the daring mini and the floaty maxi, the midi is definitiely the go to length for next season.

While the midi may spring to mind far-too-sensible work attire and skirts we used to desperately try and shorten at school this new selection is far from fusty in its bright colours and floaty fabrics. Miss Selfridge have a particularly fab collection of styles. We love.

Bbue Topshop £38, red pleated, Oasis £42, Mustard crepe Miss Selfridge £22

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20 July 2011: 09:45

A beach holiday capsule wardrobe

Packing for a beach holiday is always a little more stressful than it should be.  It starts with ‘Oh I only need a couple of things’ and then you start thinking about the various possible weather conditions, the different bathing suits you’ll need for pre-tan, during tan and post tan, then there’s the days and the evenings, the question about how many shoes is sensible and it can soon spiral out of control.

So, we asked the team at Topshop to show us some of the key pieces for this holiday season and how to make a capsule wardrobe for a beach holiday.  Here’s their personal shopper Shereen Farahi with all the info:

Here are the 10 key items you need:

  • A two piece bikini
  • A maxi dress
  • A one piece swimsuit
  • A pair of light print or floral shorts
  • A floppy or straw hat
  • A pair of flat pumps – the fruitier the better
  • Sunglasses
  • A white dress/kaftan that can be dressed up or down
  • A pair of wedges for day to night]
  • Chunky statement jewellery

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