Posts from May 2012

The races and wedding season is now fully in swing and provides a perfect excuse to go all out. Aintree kicked off the fashion frenzy in April with celebrities setting the standard of what we will be wearing in SS12. Coleen Rooney has appeared in a number of fitted skater dresses and high split maxi’s (think Angelina at The Oscars!), florals, bodycon and nude tones featured strongly.

The usual dilemmas of wedding season will be on your mind with weather predictions playing a big part in outfit building. If in doubt team your chosen dress with a cute cropped jacket, Chanel and Burberry Porsum are a great inspiration for SS12.

The ultimate accessory to complete the look is a statement clutch. Coming in all shapes and sizes this season from box to oversized and leather to prints they are exactly what you need to perfect this polished look.

Not forgetting shoes, platforms are a firm favourite at the races and throughout the wedding season, with nudes coming out to offer the leg lengthening solution. If you are a feeling ambitious go for a pop of colour in contrast to a neutral dress, this seasons sunshine yellow is still very much at the forefront. Most importantly, this is the perfect opportunity to glam up and have fun!

Warehouse yoke dress, £380

Re-live your childhood and teenage years with the Geri platform by Read or Dead at Schuh. It seems that everywhere you turn there is a Union Jack flag or branded product and here is the original in the form of the Geri Platform. Geri Halliwell’s infamous style stands out with her collaboration at Next also referencing this era.

Here at The Trafford Centre it has got us thinking back to the 90s and the boy and girl bands we were obsessed with. Like the teens of today who closely follow the lives of One Direction we too consumed ourselves in all things spice. We all had our favourite spice with their iconic style becoming our daily inspiration for dressing.

There is no better time to relive your youth and embrace the Union Jack print as we edge towards the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. All we need now is to dig out the matching dress…

Red or Dead at Schuh Geri platform boot, £100

Make sure you dip into the colour spectrum and a splash of bold colour to your spring summer 2012 wardrobe to embrace this on the moment trend.

Model wears outfit from Wallis

Outfit from Wallis

Prerna Loafer, £25, from Accessorize

Bright loafer from Accessorize

Clutch bag from H&M

Cluch bag from H&M

Orange neon skinny belt, £6, from Next

Neon belt from Next

Green maxi skirt, £35, from Next

Green maxi skirt from Next

Orange denim super skinny, £25, from Bhs

Orange jeans from Bhs

Model wears dress £75 and clutch £35, from J by Jasper Conran at Debenhams

Outfit from Debenhams

Stripes are back with a vengeance this summer. Choose from a huge variety in colour and style that make this trend a must-have for any man.

Model wears outfit from River Island.

Outfit from River Island

Model wears cardigan, £35 and tshirt £16, from Debenhams.

Outfit from Debenhams

Multistripe crew neck tshirt, £12.99 from Blue Inc.

Tshirt from Blue Inc

Stripe belt, £12 from Burton.

Belt from Burton

Stripe tshirt, £16 from Next.

Tshirt from Next

Nanny State stripe tshirt, £18 from BANK.

Tshirt from BANK

Blue harbour polo shirt, £19.50 from Marks & Spencer.

Polo shirt from Marks & Spencer

Embrace the dare to bare trend this SS12 – sheerness has become a must wear style now more so than ever as seen on the catwalks from the likes of Phillip Lim. However do not fret this doesn’t mean you have to reveal too much. The high street has many offerings where you can dip your toe in the trend, with sheer panelled blouses and lace that merely hints at bare skin. Get this look now…

Sheer blouse and skirt from Miss Selfridge.

Sheer blouse from Miss Selfridge

To work this trend at the office, choose this pretty beaded scallop shell top, £35 from Bhs.

Beaded scallop shell top from Bhs

Tick off two trends at once with this bright dress with sporty mesh detailing. Hartley neon airtex dress, £40 from River Island.

Neon airtex dress from River Island

Lace is an elegant choice for any occasion and you can't go wrong with this flattering number from Evans. Black lace dress, £85 from Evans.

Lace dress from Evans

Step back in time this season and embrace the vintage Americana trend...stripes and checks should be on your wardrobe checklist!  Key colours to stock up on are the traditional red, white and blue with brown leather featuring heavily in accessories.  Dig out some classic white tees and a pair of Ray Bans and combine it with these key pieces.  Think Mad Men and JFK and you will be well on your way to encapsulating this all American trend...

Blue Inc red chinos, £24.99

Next fine stripe t-shirt, £12

Next chino shorts, £22

Rocha by John Rocha at Debenhams shirt, £38

Office ocean driver boat shoe

Peplums are one of the hottest trends for SS’12 and have been seen on the catwalks from Marc Jacobs to Vera Wang. This ultra feminine style is featured on dresses, skirts, and tops, in a variety of colours, prints and materials.

This pretty trend is a great way to create a tiny waist, and is the perfect way to either dress up a casual day outfit with a peplum structured jacket and jeans or add the wow factor to an evening in a peplum dress with statement jewellery. The options are endless for this workable trend, so get yours now…

Next, Peplum top, £24