HINTS, TIPS, TRICKS - Festival Survival

Photo Credit: ficknoster on flickr.com

• Don't wear what Kate Moss wears. The celebs have luxuries that the mere mortal does not, so keep your outfit practical.

• Have a meeting place. This is essential as you could walk round for 2 days before you find a friend.

• Remember the suncream and reapply often. It is so easy to forget how long you have been in the sun. Or if possible opt for a hat that will shade your face.

• Hand sanitiser is a must, along with toilet roll and wet wipes. I don't need to explain the reasons for taking these. Bottles of water for rinsing things off is also useful.

• Leave the valuables at home. The less you have with you, the less there is to get lost or stolen.
  

• Try clear wellies and wear some funky socks underneath, that way you can team with your outfit for a quirky edge.

Check out this video for tips on what to wear...

TRENDS - Sweet Sorbet Shades

Sparkly Sweet Brooch - Anna Lou of London - £14

Aqua, lemon, jade, lilac and pink. According to Vogue magazine, Galliano and Dior's frocks were full of the heavenly hues. Somewhere between pastels and brights is where you should be aiming. The colours take inspiration from the block colours that have been key to trends for the last few months, but these shades are toned down and sweeter.

Sari - Dune - Was £60 NOW £30

Clyde - Luella - £615



Azure Bikini Top - Pour Moi? at Figleaves - £22


Unisex big tank - American Apparel - £15

VIDEO - Festival Fashion Sorted

There are still a few festivals before the end of the summer, so take some tips from this video and dress appropriately!

EVENT - Memory Lane Retro Fair

The whole world's going retro!

The demand for vintage fashion has been overwhelming for sometime but it seems that retro fashion is not enough. Not only is it trendy to be seen wearing a look from days gone by but nowadays nothing is more 'de rigeur' than to furnish one's home in a fashionably retro style and you know when a style is "in" when Ikea try to copy it! From shouting "chuck out your chintz!" Ikea have recently been seen to not only embrace chintz once more but also a myriad of other retro designs from "antique" monogrammed cushions to 60s-style moulded swivel armchairs.

But why buy modern Scandinavian copies when you can get the original items with all their attention to detail and design? There is no need to trek to a vast warehouse on the outskirts of town to pick up a cheap imitation when the real thing is available in the heart of Chelsea. Memory Lane retro fair will have fifty dealers selling everything from fifties furniture to fab lighting as well as more vintage fashion and accessories to compliment it all.

Memory Lane retro fair
Chelsea Town Hall, King's Road, Chelsea, London SW3 5EZ. Tel. 020 7254 4054
Nearest tube: Sloane Sq., South Kensington
Sunday 13th July

Open 11am - 5.30pm Admission £4 (students with valid ID £2) Accompanied under 16s free

Visit the website for more details

HINTS, TIPS, TRICKS - Borrow from Your Boyfriend

You know the dilemma, you stayed over at your boyfriend's and don't have a change of clothes... Panic not! Posh Spice was recently spotted wearing the baggiest of boy jeans (I reckon they were David's), so dressing in men's clothes need not mean compromising on style.

A large shirt can work as a dress, just team with a chunky brown belt and gladiator sandals. Leave the first couple of buttons undone to show a bit of flesh and the look is complete. You can also team with skinny jeans or shorts with a belt worn under the bust. Ideal if you did something silly like spill red wine on your top.

Photo Credit: janetisal0ser on flickr.com

If it is a bit colder, try a knitted sweater as a dress. Again, a belt will stop it looking like a sack. You can also just let it slip off one shoulder for effortless sex appeal. A neon bra strap brings things bang up to date.

Photo Credit: sunny-side uptown on flickr.com

Skinnies may be in fashion, but so are boy jeans. If you are not dissimilar in size, you could wear your man's jeans too. Team with a little vest to show off some curves, and a few layered necklaces.

The biggest look for Summer / Autumn though, is the grandad cardigan, preferably in grey, long and with pockets. So buy your man one, and then steal it! If you don't have a man, then buy one anyway, and you won't have to share it!

ASOS - £60

Last but not least, don't forget the good old hoodie. This one is not so much of a style statement, more of a functional comfort piece. There is no feeling like throwing on an oversize hoodie when you are feeling cold or just wanting to get cosy. I do it all the time.

Cult - £54

Does anyone borrow any other items from their man's wardrobe?

TRENDS - Fascinator Fascination

Photo Credit: phoenixbess on flickr.com

You don't have to be going to a wedding this summer to have some fancy head wear. The celebs are sticking just about anything on their heads at the moment, just look at Sarah Jessica Parker and Dita Von Teese. Go for something quite striking, with feathers or crystals. I would suggest we avoid the miniature hat look that certain people have been sporting, it is a bit too 'Alice in Wonderland' to be taken seriously. Here are some ideas...

Feather Cut Flower Fascinator - Jacques Vert - £79

Satin Loop Fascinator, Gold - John Lewis - £15

Turquoise Feather Fascinator - Mikey - £25

Beaded Daisy & Feather Fascination - Accessorize - £15

SALE - Matches Fashion

Filling your wardrobe full of designer gear can be an expensive past time. So I welcome designer sales, and this is a good one! Matches stock a huge range of big designer names so now is your chance to get a great deal. Just keep in mind what trends are coming up and go for classic styles that will not date over time. Happy sale shopping!

Check out the sale here...

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK - Fashion Union

www.fashionunion.co.uk

Sometimes, all you need are some key basic pieces to update your wardrobe. Budget giants like Primark and Peacocks are great for this, but I have discovered another. Fashion Union. If you are going on holiday then this site has everything you might need, at a fraction of the cost of many other websites. Sign up to the email newsletters and you will be first to hear about any promotions.

Here are some favourites of mine and they hit the trends too, ruffles and nautical are in there...

V Neck Frilled Vest - £7


Button knitted top - £16

Lara Dress -£16


Summer Mac - £30

THE GRAPEVINE - Centre for Sustainable Fashion

Photo Credit: Charlie Brewer on flickr.com

The London College of fashion has recently opened its Centre for Sustainable Fashion. With the environment ever on the agenda, it seemed natural for student fashion to get a conscience. The aim is to integrate education and industry to create better lives through a sustainable fashion industry. Students are currently working with Oxfam.

It is great that green projects are being encouraged and the creativity of students can help improve the industry for the future. Conferences and seminars help raise awareness of the issues that new designers may be affected by. They even have their own blog.

Find out more at the website

INSPIRATION - Ode to Chanel

Or you could say, Eau de Chanel! Coco Chanel was a very clever lady, and her words will inspire every budding fashionista. I have included some of them below...

“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.”

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”

“As long as you know men are like children, you know everything!"

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”

"The best color in the whole world, is the one that looks good, on you!”

“A women who doesn't wear perfume has no future.”

“A woman is closest to being naked when she is well dressed”

“Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.”

“A style does not go out of style as long as it adapts itself to its period. When there is an incompatibility between the style and a certain state of mind, it is never the style that triumphs.”

“Look for the woman in the dress. If there is no woman, there is no dress.”

"Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions."

MOST WANTED - Karen Millen Dress

Karen Millen Satin Bow Dress - ASOS - £180

If I had to choose a free wardrobe from any store it would be Karen Millen. All the designs seem to be classic, timeless but also, always bang on trend. This dress for example hits 6 of them, satin, jewel hued, pleated, fishtail, puffball and bows. Phew! Wear this little number to a wedding this summer and you will be sure to upstage the bride!


It is great news that ASOS are now stocking a bigger Karen Millen range, making the most desirable of outfits even more accessible to us, the mere masses.

See more Karen Millen at ASOS...

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK - Motel Rocks

www.motelrocks.com

Fun, quirky and uber stylish clothing is what this website is all about. Having already been featured in many of the major magazines, this website is definitely on the up! I am always on the look out for the next big thing, and what this website proves is that individual doesn't have to mean expensive.

MOST WANTED - Eiffel Tower Bag

Eiffel Tower Bag - Timmy Woods - $450

Carrie Bradshaw is seen with this bag in the new Sex and the City movie, so of course everyone now wants one. The bag is by Timmy Woods in Beverly Hills and can be yours for $450. The ultimate cute and quirky accessory, you would have to agree that this little taste of Paris would not look out of place on the arms of the A list. If you ever get fed up of it, it would make a pretty good ornament!

Swarovski Encrusted Eiffel Tower Bag - Timmy Woods - $3000

Or how about the Swarovski encrusted version, at a mighty $3000. With over 6000 crystals this is a showpiece that is sure to stop traffic or at the very least, make you the envy of every woman around you.

TRENDS - Natural Nouveau

Straw hats, basket bags - Natural materials are where it is at when it comes to accessories this season. I must admit I am not a huge fan of the traditional straw bag, but things have moved on since they were first popular. You can get straw clutches and the perfect straw sun hat not to mention a little bit of raffia here and there for good measure. Some of the best on the web...

Silver Straw Basket Bag - Dorothy Perkins - £15

Metallic Straw Trilby - TopShop - £20

Raffia Bangle - French Connection - £8
Silver Michelle Clutch by Felix Rey - My Wardrobe - £150

Burberry Prorsum Multi-Strap Gladiator Wedges - NET-A-PORTER - £295


Jute Elastic Tan Belt - Miss Selfridge - £18

TRENDS - Love Leopard

Leopard Print Open Back Top - ASOS - £30

I am trying to remember a time without leopard print being 'in' fashion wise and I must admit I can't. This is one trend that has been sticking around for a good few years now and as long as designers keep adding the look to their collections, we will keep it in our wardrobes.

Mix a little bit of leopard and other animal prints into your 'safari' and 'tribal' trend pieces and no one will ever know you are wearing clothes from 5 seasons ago. D&G and Dior love it, Christina Aguilera never let it go, so here are some inspired choices for you...

Leopard Print Trapeze Dress - Sara Berman at Mywardrobe - £270


Leopard Lurex Cardi - Miss Selfridge - £32

Animal Bead Rope Necklace - TopShop - £15


Saline - Moda In Pelle - £180


David Szeto Santiago Wrap Leopard Print Dress - Browns Fashion - £630

THE GRAPEVINE - Mend and Make do

Photo Credit: Julie K in Taiwan on flickr.com

Sales of Sewing Machines are booming in comparison to previous years. Figures revealed by Argos and Woolworths showed that Singer and Brother models were up by 50% during 2006 and 2007 and some cheaper models have increased by as much as 500%.

So does this mean a 'mend and make do' culture is back for good, or is it that there are a lot of wannabe fashion designers about. Perhaps consumers are getting fed up with high street clone clothing and want to create a more individual look. TV shows like Project Runway could be having an positive effect on the attitudes towards making and altering clothes.

If our economic climate really is getting as bad as the media would have us believe then it might not be a bad idea to get stitching and ditch the throwaway culture of recent years. That said, I am not a dab hand with a needle and thread and I can't see that changing soon, not as long as Primark is in business.

If you are interested in learning how to adapt your wardrobe then I recommend this book;

'Closet Control' by Barbara Horowitz, Sterling Publishing

TRENDS - Festival Fashionista

Photo Credit: lilyfrench on flickr.com

Hippy, global, festival... what you call it doesn't really matter. The important thing is that this will be a key trend this summer. Add ethnic touches to the hippy look for a modern take on what has been done before. My advice is to keep it groomed, it is easy for the festival look to get scruffy, by keeping hair and make-up flawless you will avoid looking dishevelled.

This is perfect for the gig and festival season as your clothes don't have to be immaculate, or if you prefer you can take just the accessories and team them with your everyday attire. Perfect if you are not brave enough for all the wild prints and bold patterns. This is one look where a little bit of a clash is just fine.

Pepe Print Dress - Oli.co.uk - £70

Etro Chinese Flower Print Dress - Browns Fashion - £495

Truly Madly Deeply Printed Babydoll - Urban Outfitters - $28


Nodono - Nine West - $89



Sweet Rosy Tunic - Darimeya - £58


Long Multi Beaded Necklace - ASOS - £8

THE GRAPEVINE - Asda bins Colleen

Photo Credit: waters.paul on flickr.com

It seems Colleen McLoughlin will no longer be the face of Asda after apparently becoming too involved in designer fashion. It is speculated that Asda have also been concerned about being linked to chav culture. They are looking to go upmarket, although I can't see that coming off very well, it would need a whole image change. So who will be the woman to replace her? According to various sources the new face of Asda could be one of these...

Carla Bruni
Hardly the girl next door. I can't see her fitting with the Asda philosophy at all. There is no doubting she is stylish, but I think it is clear she would not be seen perusing the isles in this budget supermarket.

Sienna Miller
She is a suitable style icon, but does she appeal to families in the way that Colleen did? I think not.

Helen Mirren
Many young Asda shoppers will probably never have heard of her. She would be great in a TV advert, but I can't see her modeling the George clothing.

Joanna Lumley
Hardly appealing to the 30 somethings that Asda is looking to target. All I can think of are those infuriating insurance adverts.

I say it would have been better to stick with Colleen. Asda are concerned about yob culture, but Colleen wears real clothes, is a realistic size and shape and has an ITV programme airing soon.

TRENDS - Skirts go Full Circle

'full' and 'circle' are the best way to wear your skirts this season. A development from the prom dress trend that was everywhere recently this takes the look to a more casual level, and takes far less effort. Make the most of the waist and opt for something that starts there. Hide the hips and thighs with a voluminous skirt, but keep the fabric lightweight to avoid adding too much bulk.

Lantern Skirt - TopShop - £28



PEONIE PRINT RUCHED SHORT SKIRT - Laura Ashley - £27

Daisy Print Full Skirt - ASOS - £28


Blue Short Full Skirt - Dorothy Perkins - £25

Indigo Lampshade Skirt - Miss Selfridge - £30

Or why not find out how to make your own with a free tutorial at whatthecraft.com

THE GRAPEVINE - Best Dressed Women

Glamour Magazine's May issue featured the annual 50 best dressed females. Lets take a look at the top 5 and see if we agree...

1 - Kate Moss

Great because: the success of her TopShop range has been huge and is pretty wearable for the average woman. She almost single-handedly elevated 'stars' to become the biggest trend in ages after adopting the theme for her birthday celebrations.

2 - Sienna Miller

Great because: she is bringing back boho with a twist. Red carpet glamour is as easy a look for her to carry off, as the laid back hippy chic she is famed for.

3 - Scarlett Johansson

Great because: she flaunts her womanly curves and steers clear of the twig thin image that many strive for (yes that is you Posh!)

4 - Rachel Bilson

Great because: she keeps it natural, and looks absolutely effortless. Her look is not too contrived or over done.

5 - Jennifer Aniston

Great because: she looks amazing in jeans and a t shirt. She goes for simple comfort over faddy fashion trends which is quite refreshing.

The Verdict

There is no denying that these are all stylish ladies. I personally think that a lot of the clothes that Kate Moss wears would not suit the average person. She is an industry icon rather than a real fashion role model and for that reason she would not be my number 1. Yes she helps set the trends, but there are others that look better wearing them.

Who I would have liked to see in the top 5

Lucy Liu - this year she has looked absolutely spot on, hitting all the trends but never at the expense of style. She picks garments that flatter her body perfectly.

Katie Holmes - her grown up and extremely polished persona is one that I just love. She has had a few mistakes over the years, but has stepped up her game and should be much nearer the top of this year's list.