Summer Trend Guide: Under the Sea

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This Summer, clearly taking inspiration from the likes of Chanel, Versace and Givenchy, the mermaid look is most definitely in.

We've all seen candy colours, colour blocking, neons and florals *yawn* come round as predictably as it being pouring rain all Summer long (in the UK at least) but this one is certainly a new one on me, and one I am more than happy to dedicate some time to!

The mermaid look involves anything iridescent, sparkly, glistening, gleaming and magical. Think Ariel, sans the shell bra, and you're on the right lines.

Summer sequins as shown above, in glimmering turquoise, teal and gold are the catch of the day, paired with metallics and quirky water inspired prints and accessories- conch clutch bag anyone?

Chanel's make up also showed a leaning towards mermaids, with pearlescent eye shadows, dewy skin and a light lip colour with a hint of shine.

Do any of the mermaid inspired items above catch your eye?

Do it Like a Dude

The womenswear trend of adopting a more masculine style of dress has been in style for a while now and the autumn/winter catwalks showed no sign of it slowing down just yet!

D&G showed a more 'Victorian gentleman' style of dress while Ralph Lauren and Temperley London went for a sophisticated style featuring bow ties, tuxedo jackets and braces to complete the look.

The trend seems to have slipped down all the way to our footwear, with brogue style shoes and loafers being a massive trends this summer. For winter the chelsea boot seems to be the shoe du jour, with Chanel teaming large, billowing top halves with a streamlined bottom, finished with a leather boot. Jill Sander adopted more of a wedge heel but similarly paired them with a straight silouette on the bottom half.

Asos have a classic interpetation of the Victorian style shoe for £50 at the moment, but if you're not brave enough to go for all out masculinity a heeled pair, like the Asos acorn leather platform as shown in the bottom left is a far more wearable style.

Will you be wearing a pair of Chelsea boots this Winter?

Chanel A/W 2010 Look book- Ice Age

At Paris fashion week Chanel's show had a very ice-queen slash native-American slash arctic feel to it. He went all out, even importing a 265 foot iceburg from Scandanavia and I'm sure I saw a photo of an actual Yeti... Think knee high fluffy boots, heavy fur coats and toasty tights with delicate dresses underneath and your Winter Wonderland is complete. Here's a few of my favourite pieces from the high street that go with this look.

As a side note, I'd sell my own mother for that fur trimmed cape dress or those feather boots. Literally, I would...

Faux Fur Earmuffs, Monsoon £16

Greta Square Toe Mary Janes, Topshop £60

Fur Trim Cape Dress, Topshop £80

Diamantee Pears and Feathers Hairband, Accessorize £40

Mesh Tube Dress, Rare £49

Curve Sequin Shift Dress, Topshop £120

Ivory Faux Fur Coat, Wallis, £85

Feather Cowl Back Jumpsuit, Topshop, £60

Scene Feather Boot, Kurt Geiger £390

Ivory Sweetheart bag, Debenhams, £30

Silver Look Diamante Cluster Ring, River Island £7.99

Stone Bird Studs, Topshop £8

82nd Annual Academy Awards: Oscars and Oscar after parties.

On Sunday 7th March the 82nd Annual Academy Awards took place in Hollywood. I've picked out a few of my favourite dresses above.

Starting with Sarah jessica Parker and working clockwise, SJP wore an unusual Chanel couture gown which suited her figure and style perfectly. Kate Beckinsale looked stunning as normal in a silver Kaurfman Franco gown at the Vanity Fair after party. I liked her hair in loose curls and the cut of the dress works with well her petite frame.

Olivia Wild possibly is my favourite of the night. With a red clutch and red lipstick, the nude coloured dress from Roland Mouret looked stunning. Victoria Beckham wore a dress from  her own Fall 2010 collection and pouted for England as normal.

Hilary Swank possibly was the biggest risk taker of the night, wearing an Armani prive dress cut down to her navel leaving little the imagination. She was one of the only females to do anything remotely daring and pulled it off well.

A dress similar in style but less revealing came from Vanessa Ann Hudgens, but when you're on the arm of Zac Efron who's really going to be looking at what you're wearing? Even if you do insist on pulling that "I know something you don't know" coy smile/smirk in EVERY photo that's taken of you.

Katie Perry broke the Oscar's golden rule by wearing a red dress on the red carpet. Luckily we managed to distinguish her from the background and she did look pretty good. The strapless mermaid style dress from Zuhair Mohad looked good on her curvacious figure.

Rachel McAdams worked the massive train in a printed Ellie Saab couture gown which looked gorgeous.

Overall my favourites of the night have to be either Kate Beckinsale or Olivia Wild. Would've liked to have seen more unusual interesting dresses, everyone seems to sticked with block colours and there wasn't anything which particularly caught my attention. Anyone else have favourite's I haven't mentioned?

Vogue’s Best Dressed 2009: Alexa Chung

Vogue’s Best Dressed 2009 list has been published and Alexa Chung won the top spot, beating off fierce competition from Cheryl Cole, Emma Watson, Michelle Obama and Lady Gaga.

She has apparently won over the Americans since she set sail for the USA earlier this year (despite her TV show being cancelled after its second series) who like her “Brit-girl-abroad quirky sense of style.”

Alexa’s style typically includes a vintage tom-boy feel which is still feminine, pairing vintage items with high street and designer alike. For example, at the 2009 Emmy’s she wore a Topshop leopard print coat and dress (top center), whilst she is often seen in Chanel shoes and wearing her name sake bag by Mulberry (bottom right).

Although she often opts to reveal her legs, large jackets and blazers compliment her style whether she’s dressing up or down. Pairing a bold Jason Wu red dress with black flats at the Vogue Fashion Fund Awards (bottom left) is a refreshing take on red carpet style, steering clear of sky scraper heels which perfectly suits her signature look.

Whilst Alexa has been criticized for topping the Best Dressed list despite her skinny frame, I think she is giving a positive message about body image. The prevailing message should be that no matter what you size, large or slim, you can create still your own style and be comfortable it in, which I believe Alexa Chung personifies.

Images taken from It’s On Alexa