Style Speaks Louder

Although I’m from Yorkshire and should really be more geared up towards cold weather I tend to own more summer clothes despite the weather. I then find myself eagerly awaiting the warm weather so I can wear them. Maybe I’m too optimistic?
One of the items I have been itching to wear is tailored shorts.

They are a versatile item appropriate for work and play and I can’t wait to wear my belted black H&M pair. I’ll be (hopefully) wearing them with a silk shirt for work with my flat grey brogues for an effortless workwear work.
But will then dress them up with a slouchy tee and some peep toe boots for a spring evening look.

I like shorts and find them quite easy to wear and I think that the trick to this trend is to buy a pair that are tailored but are not tight. And if the weather does not brighten up, and lets face it its Britain so it might not, they look great with tights too.

Above are some ideas centred on some great examples of tailored shorts I love.

Sykes black shorts £170, Zoe & Morgan necklace £105 and Martin Margiela Beige belt £160 available at www.matchesfashion.com
Vince silk shirt with pockets £155 and Burberry Prorsum pleat detail trench coat £1,695 available at www.brownsfashion.com
Marc By Marc Jacobs Tan Leather Watch £200 and Kg By Kurt Geiger Laurel lace up broques £66 at www.asos.com
See By Chloe beige leather bag, £410 at ww.farfetch.com

Pretty florals, pastel colours and floaty fabrics. Yes I am talking about Spring Summer 2010 and the flirty floral trend that is already creeping into stores.
Despite the February cold we are in the middle of a full floral bloom as new season stock floods the stores.

The SS10 feminine trend is in stark contrast to the black leather and power shoulders of AW09 and despite my usual tomboy style I am embracing it whole heartedly.

In good ol’ Topshop I’ve already spied a pretty floral skirt and faded floral print shorts and if dreams came true I would also be snapping up the above gorgeous Erdem floral dress, which is where the whole floral trend really started.

In keeping with the girly feel of the floral trend, nude colours and soft fabrics are also a big SS10 hit. This Topshop layered pink chiffon top will look great with florals, as will this soft ribbed ASOS cardigan. And I love these suede and wood Ash wedges which will toughen up the girlyness.

Credits:
Erdem, Hoshie print silk-satin dress, £665 and Marni, embellished ribbon necklace, £395 both available from www.net-a-porter.com.
Topshop, pink tiered cropped blouse, £35 Topshop, faded floral saloon shorts, £30 and Topshop, pansy print slip skirt, £35.
ASOS, nude ribbed long cardigan, £25 www.asos.com.
Ash, suede and wood wedges, £145.
Miss Selfridge, floral printed bangle £9.
Nails Inc nail polish, £20 for a set of three from www.johnlewis.com

Get ready to set sail, as summer 2010 is about to drop anchor with navy stripes and shiny brass buttons. Yes nautical fashion is set to be a big trend again this season, but if wearing stripes and sailor hats aren’t your thing check out this cute nautical jewellery collection by Me & Zena.

I only spied this cute anchor necklace and gorgeous anchor charm bracelet this week but already I am in love, and they are the perfect accessories for SS10 if you want to look suitably sailor chic.

In fact I’m a little bit in love with all the jewellery at Me & Zena, which is the creation of London based designer Zena Mckeown, who graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with a BA in Visual Communication in 2004.
Her designs feature some really cute and kooky pieces, including my favourites, the Robot charms, ‘Love&Hate’ tattooed knuckle necklaces (which I love!) and the broken heart ring. The hard part is deciding what to buy!

‘Take Me Down’ Anchor necklace £15.95 and ‘Take Me Down’ Anchor bracelet £14.95 available at What's About Town at www.whatsabouttown.com

Walking past the Mulberry store at the weekend my eye was instantly caught by this eye popping pink new season beauty. The Oversized Ava Clutch!

In luxurious soft smooth suede (i have'nt touched it yet but it looked so soft and smooth)with a glossy gold clasp it was love at first sight. I'm of course imagining how beautifully it will go with everything i am planning to buy for SS10.

But at £350 a girl can only but dream! and beg....

As any fashionista will know fur is and probably will always be in fashion! But as an animal lover I have always had a bit of a problem with it. My mother actually has a beautiful black rabbit fur coat, which she has said I can have, but I have yet to claim as I have undecided feelings.

I really can’t stand those fox stoles, the ones that are basically just a dried out fox carcass including head legs and tail that people ostentatiously drape around their shoulders. If it has a face how can you possibly bear to wear it – it just creeps me out. But on the other hand I have seen and fallen in love with some really beautiful fur coats.

My friend recently bought a lovely white fox fur coat from a vintage market and despite my reservations I was in love with it too. We were told it was from the 80’s and the condition was excellent, so wasn’t my friend therefore doing the fox a favour by recycling its skin? I mean the fox had died long ago and was not recently killed in the name of fashion so that’s ok right???

But then I’ve seen those documentaries showing how these animals live their lives before becoming a coat and I think that disturbs me the most. I wouldn’t want to think something suffered so that I could wear it but yet I am still thinking of claiming that rabbit coat. The day after the fox fur coat I was walking near my house when a wild fox popped up and ran along the street and I think the fur looked a lot better on the fox. Can you love the fur coat and the animal?? I’m not sure you can.

As the party season approaches its time to start thinking about what you are going to wear but most importantly what accessories you should be coveting.

Hair ornaments adorned the AW09 catwalks, showing us that no outfit is complete without a show shopping headpiece to turn a few heads, which I expect is exactly what Marc Jacobs had in mind with his quirky bunny ears at Louis Vuitton.

It is the perfect time of the year to let your imagination run wild and get a bit silly with you hair accessories. An oversized leather bow or a feathered fascinator can be the finishing touch to your party outfit and will make a great talking point. The key to hair ornaments this season is to keep it fun, after all when else would you be able to get away with a hat made of leather gloves, a la Dolce and Gabbana.

Other extravagant head wear I loved included Micky mouse ears at Moschino Cheap and Chic, medallion head dresses at Galliano and extreme pom poms at Diane von Furstenberg.

I have just spotted these cute Vivienne Westwood for Melissa mini wellies on ASOS.com

They are perfect for winter and will make sure my tootsies are kept warm and dry as well as stylish. LOVE them!!!

£75 from www.asos.com