Summer Trend Guide: Ombre

Another update in the Summer Trend Guide.

And this time it's Ombre.

I love how you can go all out with this and wear a maxi or a blazer, but you could also keep it more subtle with Topshop's skinny jeans.

Do you own any dip dyed or ombre items?

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?

Spring Summer Trend Guide Part 3: Rockabilly

Another Summer Trend Report and today it's the turn of Rockabily, or American Vintage.

This trend was particularly prevalent at the Prada, Mui Mui, and Marc Jacob shows, with fun, quirky prints doing the rounds, along with heavy styling with a clear influence from the 1950s era, with cat eye sunglasses, scarves tied around the neck and skirts which fall no higher than the knee.

I'm particuarly in love with these prints, and Motel's lipstick print top is a must!

Whilst bearing the midriff is something I, let alone the rest of the world, am not quite ready for, teaming a shorter length top or a bra top with a high waisted skirt seems like the perfect way to inject some 1950s fun into your spring/summer wardrobe.

Would you wear any of these items?

Spring Summer Trend Guide Part 2: Darling Buds of May

In the second installment of my Summer Trend Guide I've turned the spotlight onto florals.

Florals have been pretty much in fashion for both Summer and Winter for a long while now, but each season they return with a bit of an update.

Head to Toe Print

This year bold prints were everywhere, worn head to toe and not always matching. You can get think look at ASOS where they have plenty of seperates for you to wear together or seperately, and are perfect for Summer workwear.

Boxier Shapes

Florals were also worn in much boxier shapes, with the pattern appearing just around the edges or in certain spots, for example in the New Look vest I have above taking inspiration from Sportsmax. Alternatively there is the Topshop playsuit, which bears more than a passing resemblance to outfit the Chloe models are wearing in the photo above, which have neutral whites paired with more of an oriential type of floral design, and limited to just key areas of the outfit, at the hem of trousers or the sleeve of a blouse.

Floral Maxis

Whilst light weight, colourful, floral, flowing dresses did appear, for example at Adam and available at Miss Selfridge, the general trend was for florals with a rougher edge, as I've already mentioned, with shorter length trousers, blouses and blazers with all over prints.

How will you be giving your florals an update for 2012?

Spring Summer Trend Guide Part 1: Dapper Flapper

As the dreggs of the Christmas sales have finally made their way out of the shops to make way for the shiney new Spring/Summer clothes, we at last get to see the trends from the cat walk be translated into affordable clothes we can wear!

In part one of my Spring Summer Trend Guide I've chosen the 1920s inspired looks which were seen on the cat walks of Gucci, Etro and Roberto Cavalli.

I love the glamour of this look, no doubt inspired by popular TV programmes at the moment including Boardwalk Empire and Downton Abbey. It might not involve feather boas and those long cigarette holders, but pleated midi length skirts, the odd bit of fringing, drop waist dresses, a looser silouette, and heavy embellishment are fairly prominent in the shops, so there's no excuse not to look to the 1920s for some Summer inspiration!

In terms of make up, heavy lipsticks, victory rolls and those tucked under curly up dos will suit this look perfectly, just make sure you don't go overboard and look like you're going to a fancy dress party!

Which element of the flapper look can you see yourself wearing this Summer?

 

1. Wallis Pink 1923 Embellished Dress £45 | 2. Accessorize Crystal Cascading Rose Bridal Alice Band £28 | 3. Topshop Bow Front Cloche £25 | 4. Topshop Cream Embellished Cami £36 | 5. TopshopMetallic Pleated Midi Skirt £36 | 6. Dorothy Perkins Black Flapper Style Dress £35 | 7. Office Karen's Peach Metallic £62 | 8. River Island Gold Tone Chain Chandelier Earrings £10 | 9. ASOS Shell Clutch £26