Archive for the ‘Trends’ Category

2 September 2010: 09:00

The leopard look

Animal print is the statement print for Autumn/Winter. It is everywhere! Unleash your inner leopard and go wild with the print.

Coat £200, dress £45 and snood £25, all from Warehouse

The statement coat is a key piece and a faux fur leopard print number will certainly make a statement. There are great vintage styles around, whether you’re looking for a super-warm winter coat or a  snuggly shorter jacket. A leopard print fur coat or jacket is a one piece wonder which you can throw on for instant glamour.

Left to right: Leopard print faux fur jacket, French Connection £120; Vintage leopard print faux fur coat, Topshop £98

Take one bold print piece, like these skinnies, and contrast them with different textures and layers. Mix with lace and even florals now, then add on chunky knits as the weather gets chillier. Or take a floaty leopard print dress (check out Reiss and Warehouse) and team it with a leather Aviator jacket.

Left to right: Animal print day top, Star by Julien MacDonald for Debenhams £40; Print court shoes, Dorothy Perkins, £25; Leopard print skinnies, Topshop £45; Zip detail print pumps, Oasis £40; Animal print zip detail skirt, River Island £29.99 

Is leopard a bit fierce for you? Scared of the bold print? Just go for an accessory. You’ll find bags, shoes, belts, lingerie, hats, scarves, gloves and even bangles featuring the print. There’s no escaping it this season, so be brave and release your inner Bet Lynch.

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1 September 2010: 09:00

Scarlett Johansson for Mango

Scarlett Johansson simply sizzles in her Autumn/Winter campaign shots for Mango. The high street store’s new season collection celebrates feminine curves and Scarlett is the ideal model. The actress looks every bit the retro Hollywood star in these vintage-inspired pieces.

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30 August 2010: 09:00

Giles Deacon for New Look

Look he’s done it again! British designer, Giles Deacon has designed another gorgeous collection for New Look. Gold by Giles is in store now. We love designer style at high street prices!

This silver brocade prom dress with its nipped in corset-style top and full skirt has caught our eye. So feminine. So fifties. So want it!

Brocade prom dress, £59.99

Look out also for Mad Men style shift dresses. Team them with cute feminine accessories like a clutch or this season’s kitten heels.

Left to right: Metallic Jacquard shift, £49.99; Black bow kitten heel, £24.99; Silver clutch £16.99; Black tunic shift, £49.99.

Also, look out for bold prints and eye-catching detail like fringing, sequins and lace.

Left to right: Cobweb sequin jersey dress, £29.99; Floral marble print tunic, £44.99

All Gold by Giles for New Look

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25 August 2010: 09:00

Caped crusaders

Wondering how to update your wardrobe for the new season? One of the must-have items this Autumn/Winter is the cape, in all its swirling glory.

Cashmere cape, COS £219

It was seen on many designer catwalks. Favourites of ours were Celine, Chloe and Halston. Versions are now arriving daily in high street stores.

You may think the cape is hard to wear, but believe us, it’s not. It is the ultimate statement piece. Just throw it on and get an instant fashion upgrade. It suits all sizes and shapes too. Be warned though – you may feel compelled to swirl around in it like some kind of highwayman or Sherlock Holmes!

Left to right: Candy stitch cape, Reiss £195; Black military cape, Topshop £95

The wool cape is the ideal winter cover-up, but we’re also big fans of this trench-style cape from H&M.


Mac-style cape, H&M £34.99

Look out for capes in a range of colours. There are easy-to-wear, elegant styles in camel and black. Styles embracing the season’s military trend in khaki or stone with metal buttons and detail. Or you could stand out from the crowd in bright reds and bold checks.

Left to right: Check cape, M&S £65; Khaki parka cape, Miss Selfridge at House of Fraser £42

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5 August 2010: 09:00

New season trouser styles at Gap

Trousers are a key trend for Autumn/Winter 2010 and there’s a wealth of different cuts out there. Gap has stepped up to make autumn dressing oh so easy with the launch of their Premium Pant collection.

Gap’s always had a great range of denim styles, and now that’s been extended to their trouser collection. With a choice of cuts and styles to fit the season’s trends, you’re bound to find the one (or more) to suit your shape.

The prices are great too - the range starts at £35.


 
Really Skinny (left): Sits below the waist. Skinny at leg and slim at the ankle. Echoing the Always Skinny denim silhouette, it’s the sexiest of fits.

Boyfit (centre): Inspired by a vintage menswear style, tailored for her. Modern hip-slung fit with slightly dropped crotch. Cool and easy.

Slim Cropped (right): Works with heels or flats. Fitted through hips, slim through the leg and thigh. Creates a streamlined look.

Modern Boot, Curvy and True Straight styles parallel the Premium Denim fits.

Finally, there’s the Perfect Trouser. It has  a mid rise waist and skims the back side. Slight flare, tailored details. Black and grey suiting versions serve as everyday essentials, while navy and brown pinstripe put a smart spin on the timeless classic.

Is it the perfect trouser? It’s certainly a super-flattering cut but tell us what you think!

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29 July 2010: 16:00

The Aviator Jacket

It may seem a little early to be thinking about dressing for winter, but sometimes you need to plan ahead. A key piece for Autumn/Winter 2010 is the Aviator jacket.

They are literally flying off the shelves already – scuse the pun! We love this Topshop version with the buckle details and soft, snuggly sheepskin lining. It almost makes us want the sun to stop shining so that we can wrap up in the gorgeous shearling. 

Topshop Aviator jacket

It’s in store now, but selling fast. Get yours from  Topshop for £295 and be ready for Autumn/Winter 2010.

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23 July 2010: 09:00

Utility fashion

Looking for some pieces that will see you through from summer to autumn? You can’t go wrong with a few neutral items that are hot right now and will be holding strong into the new season.

Utility fashion is ideal for summer and makes a change from cute ditsy florals, bold prints and statement maxi dresses. Choose khaki and typical safari tones and team them with simple white or neutral pieces for summer cool.

Cargo pants are the trousers of choice right now. Look out for super skinnies, peg leg and hareem styles. Style them up with some hot heels - platforms, wedges or wooden sole clogs.

Left to right: Utility skinnies, Warehouse £15 now £10; Khaki peg trousers, Dorothy Perkins £28; Khaki zip back hareem pants, Topshop £35.

A simple vest, tee or classic white shirt is the ideal partner.

Left to right: Compact cotton sleeveless Tee, Uniqlo £14.99; Ecru vest, Next £16; Military vest, H! by Henry Holland at Debenhams £16

The utility trend isn’t all about cargo pants though. You’ll find a range of safari-inspired pieces around too. Whilst utility trousers are all about being relaxed and slouched, dresses and skirts  are more structured and tailored.

Left to right: Safari shirtdress, Karen Millen £165; Military skirt, Next £28; Scout dress, Cos £65.

Finish off with chunky jewellery. Gold looks great with these neutral tones.

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9 July 2010: 09:00

Hot summer shorts

Shorts are one of this summer’s biggest trends. There’s a wide range of styles ranging from short, short little hotpants to high-waisters or knee length smart city shorts. So prepare your pins and show them off!

Our Personal Stylist, Anna Moore’s shorts style of choice for this season is the denim high waister. The best pair in her opinion are these Basque indigo jean shorts from Topshop, £28.

Looking for a more conventional cut-off denim short? Try these boyfriend shorts from Uniqlo (£14.99) or sexy Siluetas from Zara (£24).

This season’s trend for embellishment and detailing is not just for the upper body. Shorts don’t have to plain. Look out for fringing, texture and additional details like studs. Here are a couple of our favourite finds:

Left to right: white lace hotpants, £24.99 and tan suede fringed hotpants, £29.99 both River Island.

If you’re after something a little smarter, go for a longer length, tailored pair. Team with a shirt and heels for a super chic summer look. We love these pretty pink shorts from Warehouse, £40.

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30 June 2010: 09:45

Top tips from our Personal Stylist

Looking for some style advice? Look no further. We asked Westfield London’s Personal Stylist, Anna Moore for her top styling advice.

Anna Moore, Personal Stylist at Westfield London, has extensive personal styling and commercial fashion experience. She’s advised hundreds of women and men around the UK on achieving the look that’s right for them and she’s shown them how to keep bang up to date with the latest in fashion.

Fashion

Anna’s top tips for great style:

1. Dress each day as if you will bump into the person you most want to see regardless of what you are doing and where you are going!

2. Flexibility is key. Mix up brands, designer and high street pieces. Mix new items with vintage finds. Try not to stick with one shop.

3. Experiment with stores. It’s the  best way to keep your look. Check out Uniqlo for basics and H&M for accessories. Wear them with your brand jeans.

4. Never be afraid to go out of your comfort zone!

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24 June 2010: 12:56

Festival chic

It’s that time of year again. Festival season is upon us. With Glastonbury this weekend and Reading/Leeds, Big Chill, Bestival, Latitude and so many more yet to come, it’s time to sort out your festival wardrobe. And now is such a good time to shop with the summer sales in full swing. You could pick up some brilliant bargains!

Right now, the sun is shining and people are smiling. Festival dressing is so much easier when it’s warm and dry. But looking good is made trickier by the camping and festival shower situation. Our advice is to aim for cool, comfy and relaxed styling.

Go for slouchy vest tops teamed with cute shorts or leggings. Add fringed or buckled ankle boots or Gladiator style flat sandals.

Festival fashion

Left to right: Denim boyfriend shorts, Uniqlo £14.99; Felicity Gladiator sandal, Schuh was £29.99 now £20; Festival print vest, Republic £16.99; Mint ticking stripe short, Miss Selfridge at House of Fraser £25; Mai fringe bootee, Office £60 now £30; Black Logan cutout T-shirt, H! by Henry Holland at Debenhams £14.

Work the prairie look with ditsy print dresses and playsuits in florals or checks. Dresses can be long or short but remember that maxis may trail in the mud. Layer it up with a cropped denim jacket, crochet cardigan or relaxed denim shirt. Layers are the secret for festival dressing, you never know when those clouds and chilly breezes are going to come along.

Left to right: Cropped denim jacket, Dorothy Perkins £42; Floral playsuit, Next £20; Paisley print maxi dress, New Look £35 now £28; Denim shirt, Oasis £38 now £20; Cream crochet cropped cardigan, Miss Selfridge at House of Fraser £32.

Embellish and accessorise! Add some sparkle to a simple vest and tee combo with an embellished waistcoat and some tribal jewellery. Load up on chunky bracelets. Top it off with your must-have hat and don’t forget your sunnies and sunscreen.

And if the weather does turn rubbish – it is Britain after all - don’t forget your parka and wellies.
Festival fashion

Left to right: Embellished waistcoat, River Island £24.99; Straw trilby, Next £5.50; Floral printed bangles, Accessorize £10; Black oversized sunglasses, Marks and Spencer £5; Batwing parka, Warehouse £55.

Need more inspiration? Steal Alexa Chung’s festival style!

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