Posts Tagged ‘accessorize’

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3 August 2010: 09:00

Add a splash of colour

It’s holiday time – sun, sea, blue skies. Keep that vibe going by adding a splash of summer colour to your wardrobe palette. Think blues and greens from cobalt to turquoise and every hue in between.

Going on holiday?

Bold blues and greens look great in the sunshine and will complement a golden tan. Pick out some bright, colourful pieces to mix with your basic neutrals. We spotted this bright blue River Island bikini on Coleen Rooney recently. If it’s good enough for her holiday wardrobe, it’s good enough for ours too.

 

Left to right: Amaryllis kaftan, Accessorize £30; Blue bikini, River Island top £12.99 and bottoms £9.99; Havaiana slim flip flops, Schuh £19.99

Staying home?

If you’re holiday’s behind you or you’ve decided to stay put this year, create your own holiday vibe with splashes of colour. These pieces will lift your wardrobe and see you through to next season. Enjoy them now and to spice up your more neutral Autumn/Winter palette of camel and grey.

 

From left to right: Asymettric ruffle front dress, Oasis was £50 now £30; Two tone sunglasses, Topshop £15; Teal mid-heel brogue, Office £65; Blue Prism watch, Guess Accessories £130; NailsInc nail polish in Haymarket, Debenhams £10.50

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Categories: Fashion

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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Categories: Fashion, Trends

31 May 2010: 11:00

Spend or save: wellies

Our diaries are full of amazing outdoor events over the next few months. But as ever, the British summer is looking totally unpredictable. Sun or rain – who knows? So we’ve decided to be as prepared as the most organised of boy scouts.

Sunglasses and umbrella – check
Flirty mini and floaty maxi – check
Cute shorts and utility combats – check
Flip flops and wellies – check.

But when it comes to wellies, which kind do you go for?

We’re coveting Jimmy Choo’s fabulous new range for Hunter, but we’re questioning whether we could really expose such exquisite croc-print boots to the extremely harsh realities of festival portaloos.

The original Hunter welly is available in a variety of colours and there’s a new biker-style festival version with buckle detail to look out for (£145 at Office). It’s a classic style, mixing practicality with fashion.

More of a glamper than a back to nature style camper? There are plenty of choices around for you. For girls who like their boots cute and pretty, check out the floral and patterned versions at Accessorize and Barratts.

If you’re looking for something in between, we like the Office mid-length rubber boot with quilted texture and available in cream, berry and even pink.

Bring on the festival season. We’re ready for you, whatever the weather.
Wellington boots
Left to right: Red Hunter welly, Schuh £59.99; Blue Julu Jellies lace up boot, Barratts £25; Jimmy Choo for Hunter croc-print boot, £255; Leopard-print welly, Accessorize £25; Bonny quilted rubber boot, Office £25.

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Categories: Spend Or Save

19 May 2010: 17:16

True blue

Blue is the definitely the colour right now – maybe add a smattering of gold to be politically correct.

After weeks, if not months, of grey, it’s time to break out the vibrant colours. It’s time for change. We’re not talking nautical navy or neutral ice blue, we mean the vivid, strong, royal blue. Add some energy to your wardrobe with a burst of blue.

It’s an easy colour to wear too. Whether you’re fair or dark, blonde or brunette – you can work the blue look. Be bold with a bright blue dress or trenchcoat. If that feels a bit too much, start with smaller touches – a belt, shoes, jewellery or bag. Blue looks great with this season’s utlitiy shades - khaki, cream, black or white.

The blue craze even extends to your make-up. We’re big  fans of blue nails. Blue also works well on your eyes – just be careful not to end up looking like Pat Butcher!

Here are a few of our favourite blue items to brighten up your summer wardrobe.

True blue fashion

L-R Feather drop earrings, £7 Accessorize; Belted A-line skirt, £35 Topshop; Ruffle front shift dress, £60 Oasis; Rimmel 60 seconds nail polish in Blue my mind, £3.49; Suede ruffle platform heel, £40 Miss Selfridge.

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Categories: Fashion, Trends

18 March 2010: 10:53

Our Top Five Spring Buys

The sun is out, the spring flowers are blooming and we’re in the mood to overhaul our wardrobe. But where to start? With so many new trends and fabulous new clothes out there, it can be hard to know what to buy, so we’re going to make that process easier for you with our top five spring must-haves!

1. A Military Cover-Up
Combat coats are back again on the fashion radar. There are so many different styles out there but as long as it’s khaki, it’s bang on trend for this season. Make sure you team your military cover-up with something super feminine though – such as a floral dress. Top-to-toe military should be left to the Territorial Army!

L-R: Parka, £49.99, River Island; Should detail coat, £85, M&S; Drawstring parka, £65, Topshop

2. A Satchel
It’s time to go back to school for this season’s must-have bag! Satchels are so cool that Mulberry have named one after the queen of cool, Alexa Chung, however, if you can’t afford the A-list price tag, the high street have lots of great alternatives.

L-R: Grey leather satchel, £45, New Look; Two-tone leather satchel, £50, Topshop; Brown satchel, £22, Accessorize

3.  Something Nude
If it isn’t flesh toned, then it just isn’t worth wearing this spring! The easiest way to wear this trend is with a dress – add black opaques until the weather warms up. If you’re not brave enough to go all nude, try an accessory such as a leg-lengthening shoe or nude bag.

L-R: Ruffle vest, £18, Dorothy Perkins; Lace-up shoe, £120, Kurt Geiger; J by Jasper Conran Clutch, £35, Debenhams; Feather dress, £150, Oasis

4.  Shorts
Skirts are still very much on the radar but ’tis the season to go short in shorts. From military inspired to pretty silk numbers, shorts are the perfect go-everywhere number. Team them with a blazer for the office or with a cami style top for a night out.

L-R: Navy shorts, £35, Warehouse; Pink shorts, £29.50, M&S; Military style shorts, £55, French Connection

5. A Mid Heel
We never thought we’d see the return of the ’90s kitten heel, but it’s back. Ditch your 5 inchers for something a little more manageable this season. Don’t stick to boring courts though – go for interesting heels, wooden soles, bright colours and quirky styles.

L-R: Wooden sandal, £40, Aldo; Stud sandal, £85, French Connection; Woven sandal, £65, Office

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Categories: Fashion, Trends

10 February 2010: 13:41

We Heart Valentine’s Day!

Whether you’re all loved up or a happy single, there’s no excuse not to wear your heart on your sleeve this Valentine’s Day with the huge array of cute heart products out there.

From cute retro TopShop shorts to sweetheart knits, we can’t guarantee wearing one of these heart lovelies will ensure you true love this Valentine’s Day, but we can ensure you will look very sweet! We’ve picked out our favourites below, but don’t forget to tell us if you’ve spotted some sweet items out there that will be on your heart hit-list.

L-R: Moschino Cheap & Chic heart belt, £145, House Of Fraser; Studded bag, £40, French Connection; Heart corset shorts, £35, Topshop; Enamel earrings, £5, Accessorize; Heart peep toe shoes, £44.99, River Island

L-R: Nude crochet heart top, £15, Dorothy Perkins; Guess heart pendant, £90, Debenhams; Sequinned heart dress, £50, Oasis; Embroidered cardigan, £32, Miss Selfridge; Heart clasp bag, £25, Debenhams

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Categories: News, Trends

19 January 2010: 10:07

Go Dotty For Spots!

Sometimes a trend comes out of nowhere and hits you like a wild pack of shoppers going mad for the latest H&M collaboration. After wandering around the shops the other day, we were hit with a vision of spots! From dresses to shoes, bags to skirts, it seems the high street has gone dotty for spots – and now, so have we.

For starters, the spot print conjures up all things fun and spring-like – things that are both much needed in our lives and wardrobes at the moment. They also have a fabulous retro feel to them – Topshop’s spotty shorts (below) definitely have that pin-up appeal – which is a nice counteraction to all that ‘80s garb on the rails at the moment.

L-R: Blazer, £50, Miss Selfridge; Skirt, £12, New Look; Dress, £32, Dorothy Perkins; Shorts, £35, Topshop; Purse, £4.50, Accessorize

Spots will also continue to be big throughout the spring and summer, when we’ll be throwing our spotty blazer over a striped nautical style dress for that real taste of true British summer style.

Get stocking up on your spotty prints now – this is one spot we certainly don’t mind having!

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Categories: Fashion, Trends

11 January 2010: 09:48

Hot or Not? Uber Hair Accessories

Since the models at the Louis Vuitton Autumn/Winter 2009 catwalk show appeared wearing bunny ears, hair accessories have become oversized. It wasn’t a huge surprise. The last few years have seen a rise in all things oversize – from sunglasses to bags – but these were much easier looks to carry off.

Hair accessories have been popular for a while now with the Blair Waldorf Gossip Girl look being seen sported on many a high street. Now, apart from being able to buy these somewhat tame alice bands, the high street has gone crazy for uber-hair accessories – from bunny ears to huge bows.

L-R: Red Velvet Bow Headband, £6, Miss Selfridge; Nude Bunny Ears, £18, Topshop; Crazy Flora Catwalk Alice Band, £12, Accessorize

This is definitely not a look for the shy and retiring type, however, we think they can definitely add a touch of uniqueness to a boring outfit. Imagine the Topshop bunny ears, above, worn with a simple black playsuit? Or the red bow teamed with a casual blazer and skinny jeans combo? This is one trend we love!

But it’s over to you? What do you think of this latest craze – is it hot? Or most certainly not?  Leave your comments now.

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Categories: Fashion, Hot or Not, Trends

8 December 2009: 12:02

Rainbow Brights

‘Tis the season to carry a clutch! With all the Christmas parties and social events coming up, a clutch is every party girl’s best friend. Not only are they big enough to carry around those essentials – lip gloss, cash, house keys – but they can also really add a bit of festive sparkle to your outfit.

We particularly love the array of bright clutches that have hit the high street.  With everyone watching the pennies this year, a bright clutch is a great way of accessorizing last year’s Little Black Dress – plus they also look great with denim for those less formal Christmas get-togethers.

We’ve selected some of our favourites available on the high street – and at these prices, why not splash out on a couple and rotate through the Christmas party season?

bright-clutches

TOP: Modalu frill bag, £59; Accessorize sequin bag, £30; River Island sequin bag, £19.99; BOTTOM Studded pink bag, £35; Mimco hard case clutch, £59; Debenhams Debut frill clutch, £15

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Categories: Fashion, Trends

26 October 2009: 14:54

Hot or Not? Halloween Fashion

‘Tis the season to be scary with Halloween just around the corner. As a nation, we’re spending more on Halloween than ever before and the shops haven’t been slow to cotton on. From pumpkin outfits for newborn babies to skeleton earrings for the grown ups, Halloween has never been so fashionable. Or has it?

A quick look around some of our favourite high street retailers showed that everyone from M&S to Topshop are providing Halloween related products, whether it’s full on costumes or gothic accessories.  Take a look below at some of the fun (or hideous, depending on your view!) products we found on the hight street.

halloweenfashion

Skull Tee, £10 (New Look for Men); Leopard Ears, £4 (Topshop); Flashing skull brooch, £4 (Accessorize); Pumpkin bag, £3.50 (M&S); Wendy Witch Earrings, £3 (Accessorize)

We think that Halloween is a bit of fun and that it’s the one holiday where being fashionable goes out of the window, however, we’ll be sticking to kitsch skulls and cute ears, after all if rabbit ears were good enough for Louis Vuitton this season, then they’re good enough for us!

If you’re doing a full costume, try to avoid the sexy witch/vampire/werewolf option and go for full on comedy fun. Or you could be like one member of our team who dressed up as The Devil Wears Prada one year – her costume comprised of leopard print horns, a large Prada shirt worn as a dress and huge big sunnies. Stylish and fun – we love!

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Categories: Fashion, Hot or Not, Men's Fashion

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