Friend Friday #43: Summer Trends

For this week's Friend Friday topic, Katy asked us: What are the top 5 Summer trends that you are looking forward to wearing this season?

You might remember we answered the same question for Spring a couple of months ago (if you don't, you can find the post here!).


My top 5 summer trends that I'm looking forward to are:


1.       Braids:

As seen on the catwalks at Alexander McQueen, Valentino and Hermès

The perfect style to keep unruly hair looking chic on holiday, at the beach!!

2.       Ballet-inspired fashion/pleated skirts:

As seen on the catwalks at Lanvin and Chloé

I adored the ballet-inspired pleated skirts that appeared on the catwalks for Summer 2011, these two options from the high street are perfect, don't you think?

Left, Mango pleated midi skirt; and right, Miss Selfridge pleated dress

3.       Coloured jeans:

You might remember I wrote about my obsession with Isabel Marant's coloured jeans earlier in the year, in this post? I am still on the hunt for the perfect pair but for now, feast your eyes on these:

Coloured jeans on the SS 2011 Isabel Marant catwalk

4.       White:

Whites on the catwalk at Dolce e Gabbana from SS 2011

These maxis from the high street make white look glamorous even on a budget:

Left, H&M maxi skirt; and right, Mango maxi dress

My only problem with white is that I am always terrified to sit down anywhere when I'm wearing it - and I always think it looks like just the thing to wear for a picnic at the park - but imagine the grass stains?!!

5.       Colour blocking:

I loved the colour blocking trend that was on so many of the catwalks for this season, from Issa to Jil Sander and Gucci to Prada. If you have been reading my blog this week, you'll know that I'm currently taking part in the Filofax Blogger Style Off and have had my own go at colour blocking! You can read my "How to... Colour Block" post and also see my final outfit for the competition. I would also be very grateful if you would please go to the Filofax Facebook page and "like" my photo. Thank you very much - in advance!

Now, let me ask you: What are the top 5 Summer trends that you are looking forward to wearing this season?


Remember to check out ModlyChic for the other responses to this week's topic and for more information on how to get involved with Friend Friday yourself.

Wardrobe Update #9: School sandals

The idea of this series is to do the leg-work for you to find instant catwalk updates for your Spring Summer wardrobe.

Style.com

"I don't like making clothes for red-carpet events," Tomas Maier said shortly after his impressive show today. "I like real life."


And so the Bottega Veneta designer had demonstrated when he sent models down the catwalk in flat leather sandals reminiscent of those that my mum used to dress me in for the summer term at school. Easy, laid back and highly practical and great, no matter if your budget won't afford you a designer pair:

SAVE: Casual Attitude Atra

SPEND: Emu Yuku

SPLURGE: Emma.Go Sienna

Do these remind you of your school days? Will you be investing in a pair of flat leather sandals?


If you've missed any of the previous Wardrobe Update posts, you can find them here.

Wardrobe Update #8: Stripes

The idea of this series is to do the leg-work for you to find instant catwalk updates for your Spring Summer wardrobe.

Style.com

At Prada.



SAVE: Dorothy Perkins Coral stripe maxi dress

SPEND: Oasis Multi Stripe Dress

SPLURGE: Alice by Temperley Felicia stretch-jersey dress

If you've missed any of the previous Wardrobe Update posts, you can find them here.

Wardrobe Update #7: Flatforms

The idea of this series is to do the leg-work for you to find instant catwalk updates for your Spring Summer wardrobe.

Last summer Chanel brought us clogs, this summer the flatform:

Style.com

Apparently they like to challenge us with their footwear choices each season! So I have tried to find flatforms for every budget:

SAVE: Cubanas Guantanamera

SPEND: Fly London Yoda

SPLURGE: Camper Damas

Will you be wearing flatforms this season? What would you wear them with?


If you've missed any of the previous Wardrobe Update posts, you can find them here.

Wardrobe Update #6: Neons

The idea of this series is to do the leg-work for you to find instant catwalk updates for your Spring Summer wardrobe.

Style.com

Christopher Kane proved to be the king of neon on the catwalk for Spring Summer 2011. Neon might not be for everyone but they sure brighten up your wardrobe and your outfit for a hot summer's day:

SAVE: Dorothy Perkins Orange chiffon frill dress

SPEND: Warehouse Necklace Halter Dress

SPLURGE: 

If you've got the money, why not go for "the real thing" and choose Christopher Kane's Lisanne flower print dress from Matches Fashion?

Which is straight from his Spring Summer 2011 catwalk:

Source

What have you been wearing in this gorgeous sunny Spring weather? Will you be wearing any neon? I'm still not sure that I'm brave enough!


If you've missed any of the previous Wardrobe Update posts, you can find them here.

Friend Friday #34: Spring Trends

This week, Katy asked: What are the top 5 Spring trends that you are looking forward to seeing/sporting this season?

Colour blocking: I am not a huge colour wearer but I do like adding a splash of colour to an otherwise all black outfit – so this will be my take on the trend.

Pleated midi skirts: I loved the pleated midi skirts that made their way down the Chloe catwalks from Spring/Summer 2011 and am on the hunt for one of my very own, like this one from Whistles.

Biker chic: Every year I try to hunt out the perfect leather biker jacket and as yet, I still don't have one. Maybe this season will be the season?

Denim flares: I am so after a pair of flared jeans for Spring, like these from Dorothy Perkins which The Online Stylist was sporting recently.

Maxis: still on trend and still going to be big in my wardrobe for Spring/Summer 2011.

Style Inspiration: Converse trainers Part II

My new Converse trainers arrived!!!! And the minute I put them on at lunchtime, I just knew that they would not be coming off my feet any time soon:

I promise some much better photos very soon!

In the meantime, take inspiration from fellow blogger extrordinaire and Converse wearer, The Style Crusader:

The Style Crusader

My recent obsession with Models Own's Lilac Dream (which coincidentally was introduced to me through this post by The Style Crusader!) encouraged my decision to invest in a lilac/purple shade of Converse trainers.

What do you think of the trainers? With the dress? (The boyf wasn't too sure!)

Wardrobe Update #3: Isabel Marant coloured jeans

The idea of this series is to do the leg-work for you to find instant catwalk updates for your Spring Summer wardrobe.

Coloured jeans on the catwalk at Isabel Marant SS11



Coloured jeans walked their way down the runway for the Isabel Marant Spring Summer 2011 show in Paris last autumn and suddenly denim looked fresh and new! I love the pale pink denim for the warmer weather, while red is a more classic shade that will last for longer. I'd recommend teaming with neutral basics, how would you recommend wearing them?

SAVE: 

TWENTY8TWELVE BY S.MILLER Sienna low-rise skinny jeans

SPEND: 

Mango JEANS PARIGI

SPLURGE:


Escada Sport Linda Crystal Jean

Will you be adding a pair of coloured jeans to your wardrobe this season?

If you've missed any of the previous Wardrobe Update posts, you can find them here.

BEAUTY REVIEW: Spring Make-Up

we heart it

Springtime has finally sprung here in the northern hemisphere and as we all begin to allow ourselves to dream of sunny days and picnics in the park and bare legs and sandals and long, light evenings and BBQs and, oh well, I could go on and on, but I think you get the picture! My favourite thing about the onset of sunnier and warmier weather is that I can at last do away with the heavy make-up of winter and choose a lighter camoflague. Here are some of my top Spring make-up products that will see you right through the summer too:

Clockwise from top left: L'Occitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream; Eyeko Summer Hols nail polishes; Benefit hoola bronzing powder; St Tropez Everyday Light/Medium Gradual Tan (Face); Eyeko Pastel Polish; bliss pore perfecting facial polish; Benefit posietint poppy-pink tinted lip & cheek stain; and L'Occitane Cherry Blossom Solid Perfume.

Let me explain my choices:

L'Occitane's Cherry Blossom collection is, in my opinion, the perfect scent for Spring and this hand cream will continue to keep your hands soft after a cold winter, while the sold perfume is great to keep in your handbag.

I have used Benefit's Hoola bronzing powder for years. It can be pretty dark, so make sure to knock any excess powder off the brush before you apply, but the colour goes on evenly and isn't too orangey. It also works well across the decollage. Posietint is the paler little sister of the popular Benetint. Posietint is just the right shade to add a little colour to cheeks and lips in the summer.

The Eyeko Summer Hols nail polish collection is just the colour to be seen in in your sandals, while Eyeko's Pastel polish fulfills this Spring's big trend.

St Tropez's Everyday Gradual Tan is splendidly moisturising and adds some colour to your winter skin. I don't know about you but my skin is looking oh-so-pale right now and a tan would be just lovely. With the absence of any trips to sunnier climes on the cards, I'm just gonna have to fake it!

Before applying any fake tan, make sure you exfoliate with bliss's pore perfecting facial polish.

What are your go-to Spring make-up essentials? I always love adding new products to my dressing table!

Add some colour to your feet

Source

Spring 2011 is all about colour blocking and citrus brights. But if you're like me and like your wardrobe an "explosion" of neutrals rather than colours, there is a way to incorporate this trend into your looks without compromising your favourites. Add some colour to your feet:

For April (or February or March!) showers, brighten your day with a pair of lemon-hued wellies:

If (!) the sun comes out and you're brave enough to do away with your boots for a day, make your feet happy in a pair of lime-toned ballet pumps:

Or these fabulous neon pink moccasins:

And you can quickly add a splash of colour to a night out with these choices:

What do you think of these choices? How will you be adding colour to your Spring look?

ALL UK RESIDENTS: REMEMBER TO ENTER TO WIN A PAIR OF TICKETS TO LONDON FASHION WEEKEND!

H&M Spring Collection: Dreaming of the summer

Not sure how or why (I probably signed up in a moment of internet "boredom!) but a few days ago H&M's Spring Season 2011 catalogue popped through my letterbox. Who even knew they even did a catalogue?

As it continues to rain outside, I sat down with a mug of coffee (cos a cup just ain't enough!), took out my Sharpie and spent a few wonderful moments dreaming of the summer:

Now that I have detoxed my wardrobe, here is my Spring shopping list:

This outfit screams lazy summer bike rides, followed by picnics in the park - to me!

If you're on the hunt for a trench to complete your wardrobe basics for the Spring and don't want to spend a fortune, look no further:

Are you dreaming of the summer yet? Or still enjoying wrapping up and layering your winter favourites?