The brand thanks the popularity of the Alexa bag, inspired by model and presenter Alexa Chung, for their rise in profits. The bag was so successful in fact that it created 60 jobs as Mulberry had to extend their Somerset factory to cope with demand.   Take that recession!

The Alexa in oak soft buffalo, £750, Mulberry Westfield London

As for 2011, the Alexa may have a contender for the coveted ‘It-bag’ title in the form of the Mulberry Tillie. Like the Alexa, it has a satchel-style strap, but without the signature postman’s lock.  Prices for the Tillie will start at £795, though haircalf versions will go for £1750.

The Tillie in oak silky snake print, £795, coming this Spring to Mulberry Westfield London

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

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.

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.

Why do we love the maxi?
There are a number of reasons. It’s easy to wear and looks good daytime or evening. Maxis can be dressy or casual. It covers a multitude of sins so you can hide unshaven legs or cover up between waxes! Don’t think you can get away with neglected toenails though. Your toes will still be visible despite the long length dress, so book in that pedicure!

Left to right: Faith jersey maxi dress, French Connection £85; Westbourne maxi dress, Monsoon £180; Macrami maxi dress, River Island £29.90.

But you can make major mistakes with a maxi. Some styles can leave you looking like you’re wearing a tent, so avoid maxi dresses which drape you in too much fabric or cinch it in with a wide belt. A hot style this season is the more body-conscious maxi in clingy fabrics. That brings with it more factors to consider, but it is fabulous for showing off your curves.

Team your maxi with gladiator flats or wedge sandals, chunky tribal jewellery and shades.

Left to right: Bud bandeau maxi, Miss Selfridge at House of Fraser £45; Floral maxi, Gap £49.50; Floral bandeau, Republic £26.99.

Full prices are quoted here, but many sales are on now so look out for them at a discount. Find out details with our summer sales diary

Plus, they’re perfect for the British summer. Much as we love a stiletto, sinking into sodden grass at a summer occassion really isn’t a good look. Bring on the wedge with its flat sole and stacked heel! You still get the benefits of a heel – the appearance of more defined, shapely legs – but without the pain.

This summer, look out for natural influences in the wedge. You’ll find raffia, leather and canvas uppers, plus wooden, rope and cork heels.

We spotted a gorgeous Christian Louboutin wedge on the Spring/Summer 2010 catwalk. Soft red leather with a simple buckle and espadrille styling – oh so wearable yet fabulous. So we couldn’t fail to take notice of this pair from Topshop. Red leather – check. Buckle detail – check. Espadrille styling – check. Wearable yet fabulous – check! But at £60, they’re a high street steal.

Topshop espadrille wedge, £60

There’s a whole bunch of floral styles around. You’ll find girly, flowing florals for the romantic spirit. Looking for something a bit less chintzy? Go for bold, bright prints which will make an impact.

You’ll find florals in every dress shape from figure-hugging to floaty, so there’s definitely a style to suit you.
Left to right: Pansy print tunic, Monsoon £75; Ditzy zip skirt, Oasis £38; Trollied Dolly Cutie Pie dress, Oliver Bonas £55.

Flowery accessories are everywhere. Blame Carrie Bradshaw and her famous co-star, the corsage. That said, accessories are such an easy way to wear the trend. Go for a statement necklace, dainty earrings, chunky rings or just sling on a printed bag.

It doesn’t end there, beauty brands are hot on the floral trend too. Spritz on a flowery scent – we love the natural fragrances at Jo Malone or Clarins Eau des Jardins. Look out for pretty pinks, corals and other natural shades in make-up too. Don’t think can’t be green-fingered, there are some fabulous green nail polishes around this season. Dig in!

Left to right: Floral print scarf, Gap £16.50; Flower print bangle, Next £8; Enamel flower ring, Miss Selfridge £10; Red Roses cologne, Jo Malone £64 (100ml).

But style rules were made to be broken. Socks and sandals are right on the fashion button now. We’ve been warming up to the trend for a while. Tights and open toe sandals have been accepted for some time, so why not make it work for summer too?

The sock and sandal combo was seen on several Spring/Summer catwalk shows including Marni and Christian Dior. Since then, we’ve spotted some of our fave celebs – Alexa Chung and Fearne Cotton to name but two – rocking the sock ‘n sandal look.

You have to have a certain level of geek style and confidence to make the look work. It won’t look right with just any old sock either. Go for a funky style – we like the striped numbers from Hobbs shown in the pic below. If you’re going for plain black socks, team them with a white sandal for a monochrome style as seen on the Hermes catwalk. You should also look out for sparkly, frilly or embellished socks to keep it girly. The heel height is all important too. We’re not talking flat sandals here, go for a mid-heel.

Think you can make it work? Or is it a style taboo for a reason? Socks and sandals: hot or not?

Hobbs: Rocas spot dress, £129, Becca bangle, £35, Besom bag, £169, Stripe socks, £5, Isle sandal, £129

Bold designs abound right now. Look out for palm trees, tropical flowers and even a parrot or two.

Wear this versatile trend your way. Dress it down with a relaxed printed tee and cute shorts or dress it up with all out glamour. There is a veritable array of bright, floaty dresses around. You can even go for full on shimmer with sequin detail.

You can work this summery look whether you’re heading to the Bahamas or Blackpool, Ibiza or the Isle of Wight. Blast out Club Tropicana, order a cocktail and grab your sunnies.

Left to right: Floral maxi dress, Next £30; Tropical print halter top, H&M £7.99; Totally Tropical skirt, French Connection £55; Tropical tunic, Coast £75; Print bikini by Pistol, Topshop £45

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.

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.