Summer Wish List

I may be on a student budget, but a girl can dream...

1. £65 - Butterfly by Matthew Williamson for Debenhams

2. £595 - Pandora

3. Rayban

4. £50 - Oasis

5. £85 - Oasis

6. £65 - Oasis

7. £32 - Miss Selfridge

8. £200 - Kandee Shoes

9. £35 - Topshop

Inspiration

1. Fantasy and Fairytale

I have always been fascinated by fairytales and fantasy fiction, and recent cinema releases such as Dark Shadows and The Hunger Games are no exception. However, it is not only the escape provided by this type of fiction that fascinates me: I love to see how fantastical worlds can be demonstrated through the costume choices. Colleen Atwood, a costume designer who works closely with director Tim Burton, is particularly talented at capturing mythological and visionary elements and displaying them through the exquisite costumes she designs. And of course for many women across the country, 2011's Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton was the epitome of a real-life fairytale, with her now-famous Sarah Burton dress inspiring scores of brides.

2. 1960s

The swinging sixties brought a marked change to the fashion industry. The conservative hemlines of the early decade were swiftly replaced, with the invention of the mini skirt by Mary Quant in 1964 - perhaps one of the most defining and liberating events in feminine fashions. Indeed, the style still proves popular today, demonstrating the enduring nature of sixties fashion. For me, popular culture has sparked a renewed surge of interest in the fashion from this decade. Between the 2009 film 'An Education' and the television drama 'Mad Men', sixties fashion has been showcased at its best, perfectly capturing the elegance and innovation of the decade. Definitive women from the era, such as Jackie Kennedy and Twiggy, are still cited as fashion icons today, demonstrating the influence that the sixties still has on modern fashion.

3. France

With Paris as one of the undisputed fashion capitals of the world, it is not difficult to see that France is, and always has been, an incredibly stylish nation. Therefore it is not surprising that this nation is home to some of the biggest names in the fashion industry - Jean Paul Gaultier, Yves Saint Laurent, and of course, Chanel, all hail from France. Quintessentially, French fashion embodies the idea of simple sophistication, a look exemplified perfectly by Coco Chanel herself. A simple breton stripe top or a string of pearls add a touch of 'ooh-la-la' to any outfit, both of which were looks that Ms Chanel herself pioneered.

One Dress - Four Ways

1. Lunch with the girls:

Dress: £20 from boohoo.com

Shoes: £20.99 from missguided.co.uk

Bag: £32 from Topshop

Bracelet: £7.50 from Topshop

This look is sophisticated, yet casual. The dusky pinks tones of the shoes and bag provide an unusual contrast to the blue of the dress, while the gold tones of the shoe buckles, bag detailing and bracelet compliment each other and bring the accessories together. This bracelet is perfect, as the delicate design suits the elegance of the outfit, while the unusual style adds a quirky edge to an otherwise conservative look.

2. Dinner with your partner:

Dress: As before

Jacket: £30 from Miss Selfridge

Clutch Bag: £22 from H! By Henry Holland for Debenhams

Shoes: Dorothy Perkins

Adding black accessories to a bright dress will really accentuate the colour and make it 'pop', and a simple black blazer is both a practical and chic way to cover up against the evening chill. The bag and shoes I have chosen are simple yet sophisticated, and they compliment each other well in terms of colour as well as texture.

3. Cocktails by the pool:

Dress: As before

Shoes: £55 from Oasis

Bag: £25 from Oasis

Hair Accessory: £1.99 from H&M

Here I have created a holiday evening outfit. Next to the dreamy blue of the dress, straw accessories provide a look that is reminiscent of sea and sand, perfect for this type of look. Matching the texture of the shoes and bag, as well as the colour, creates the illusion that these accessories were designed to be worn together. I have added a simple cream hair flower to add a whimsical edge, which would look best when paired with wavy beach hair.

4. Festival Chic:

Dress: As before

Sunglasses: £5.99 from H&M

Headscarf: £3.15 from Forever 21

Sandals: £8.75 from Forever 21

Bracelet: £8.50 from Topshop

Brown sandals are the perfect accompaniment for any summer look and in this case, they add another focus colour to build an outfit around. Festival fashion is all about 'anything goes', and that is why I have chosen these quirky and colourful sunglasses. Along with the headscarf and bracelet, they all contain tones of blue and brown which really draw the look together. Colour co-ordination is vital for creating a sense of unity with an outfit like this: there is a very fine line between quirky yet care-free, and car-boot sale disaster.

Fashion Eras - The 1920s

Ralph Lauren S/S 2012

Gucci S/S 2012

In anticipation of Baz Luhrmann's upcoming adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's legendary The Great Gatsby, fashion inspired by the 1920s is currently undergoing a massive revival. I have always admired the decade as a radical age for female fashion, where young women shook off the restrictions of their predecessors and embraced their sexuality. Of course, it was ultimately the political and societal changes of the time that were responsible for this development (for example, certain women in the UK first gained the vote in 1918, with all women over the age of 21 gaining the vote by 1928, an important step towards gender equality), and therefore it is interesting to see how this era of revolution was reflected within the wardrobes and fashions of the time.


The era provided a wealth of different looks from glamorous and dramatic eveningwear, to floaty, romantic styles suited to the daytime. Modern interpretations of the era can be found anywhere - from the cinema, with the popularity of the recent silent movie, The Artist, to the S/S 2012 catwalks of legendary design houses such as Gucci and Ralph Lauren. Even the British High Street have picked up on the trend, and I have found some of the best 1920s-inspired items currently available.


High Street Buys:

1. The fringing on this £60 Topshop dress is particularly reminiscent of the flapper fashions from the period, while the feather detailing adds a funky and current twist. Although a bit pricey for some people, this dress would provide a striking centerpiece to an outfit, and the colour would work well for the summer, particularly when complimented with a natural tan. 

2. These wide-legged palazzo trousers, currently a bargain at £15 in the Topshop sale, are perfect for any body shape as they are designed to skim the figure, smoothing out the line of the lower body and disguising any flaws. Moreover, the lightweight material and airy design of these trousers provide a perfect spring/summer look, providing enough coverage to brace the cooler days. 

3. A wide-brimmed hat is the perfect accessory to complete this look. The one featured is from Miss Selfridge and comes in at £16. Made from straw, not only would this be a stylish addition to any summer outfit, it would also work well as a summer cover-up (although if you live in the UK, it might be worth saving this one for foreign travels, as the current weather seems to suggest that it won't be particularly necessary...)

4. The 1920s saw the emergence of the Art Deco style, and these earrings, also from Miss Selfridge, epitomise the design of the era. Simple and elegant, yet striking at the same time, they would provide the perfect accompaniment to a sophisticated evening look, particularly if accentuated by a cropped hairstyle or up-do.

5. If you want to achieve this look with minimal effort, a statement hair accessory is probably the easiest way to add a touch of 1920s glamour to your outfit. For £12 from Accessorize, this headband features a pearl design that oozes class. With such a bold accessory, it is probably best to keep clothes simple and chic to avoid looking too much like a flea market jumble sale.

NB. The Great Gatsby is due for cinema release in December 2012, whereas The Artist will be available on DVD from 28th May.

Fashion Icon - Florence Welch

Career: Successful recording artist.

Influences: Françoise Hardy, Stevie Nicks, The Cockettes.

Style Credentials: Gucci muse, A/W 2011. Vogue cover girl, January 2012. Performance on the Chanel catwalk at Paris Fashion Week 2012.

Without a doubt, Florence Welch is the poster girl for both festival chic and ethereal elegance. I confess, I am a massive fan of Florence, having listened to both of her albums on almost constant repeat. However, perhaps more so than her music, it is her style that sets Florence apart. The stark contrast between her daytime and evening looks certainly adds to her appeal and establishes her as a true British fashion icon. Florence is unique, and she is indisputably cool: her striking appearance, with trademark auburn hair and heavy fringe, perfectly compliments the timeless allure of her unusual fashion choices. 

As a regular headline act, Miss Welch has mastered the art of festival dressing, consequently inspiring thousands of other girls with her look. Often selecting quirky accessories to compliment her look, such as the John Lennon-style sunglasses, wicker handbag with bull embellishment, and white polka-dot socks that she chose as a backstage look for the Isle of Wight festival in 2010, Florence proves that even the simplest outfit can provide a unique and quirky look when paired with the right accessories. Even with a casual outfit, the use of decadent materials, from delicate chiffon and silk, to luxurious velvet, add an elegant edge to her otherwise nonchalant look. 

As a contrast to the laidback chic of her daytime look, embellished maxi dresses often provide the focus for Florence's chic evening style. Evidently, the 25 year-old has a particular penchant for couture, often opting for gowns from brands such as Valentino, Givenchy and Yves Saint Laurent. Nevertheless, no matter which designer she chooses, Florence's style is unmistakably her own. When Giannini selected her as the Gucci muse for their A/W collection in 2011, he described her as "strong and somewhat mysterious", and nowhere is this more evident than in her evening attire. Whether paired with an elegant up-do or flowing curls, there is frequently a distinct 1920s influence to Florence's outfits, a look that endures to this day as the epitome of elegance, liberation, and class. 

However, ultimately Florence Welch is a born performer, and her outfit choices are an important aspect of her stage presence. In May 2011, Florence described her onstage style as "Lady of Shalott meets Ophelia", a reference to the romantic heroines of Tennyson and Shakespeare respectively, and her mystical and dramatic appearance certainly compliments her music perfectly. I recently saw Florence perform during her Ceremonials tour, where a flowing black cape provided the centrepiece to her stage look. This proved to be an inspired and clever choice that allowed for a dramatic disrobing during a climactic part of a song, therefore reinforcing Florence's status as one of the brightest fashion icons of the modern era. 

5 Wardrobe Essentials

1. A black blazer.
We've all been on that night out where everyone freezes in the queue  - this is one of the many situations where the blazer triumphs. The style pictured is from asos.com and comes in at £40, a price tag that is easily justifiable for such a versatile item. 
A simple black blazer can be styled in various ways to create countless different looks, from androgynous and cool, to smart and sophisticated. Teamed with a pair of tapered trousers and a lace blouse, a blazer can ooze effortless boyish glamour, whereas over a smart tailored dress, a sophisticated and powerful look can be achieved, perfect for a job interview or an office environment. Alternatively, throw a black blazer over your favourite summer dress to create a funky, chic springtime look, or even over an evening dress to add a smart edge.The possibilities are inexhaustible.
Moreover, this type of jacket is perfect for all shapes and sizes: the tailored design will perfectly demonstrate the feminine silhouette.


2. A belted skater dress.
A tailored, belted skater dress is a simple yet smart option that can be worn for many occasions. Add heels and this style can provide an elegant look for a night out, or teamed with opaque black tights and flats, a more professional look can be achieved. A sleeveless skater dress can also double up as a pinafore which can be worn over a collared blouse for a cute and quirky outfit. Alternatively, pair with a simple cardigan and a chiffon scarf for a relaxed, summery daytime look. 
Whichever way you decide to style yours, the skater dress suits many different shapes as the tailoring and belt detail neatly nips in the waist. This particular design comes from Republic and costs £25, whereas boohoo.com offer similar dresses in a variety of colours for an incredibly reasonable £15. Although many shops and websites offer this type of dress in an abundance of patterns, the simple colour-blocked versions are the most versatile when it comes to creating an outfit - some patterns can prove difficult to style as they can clash with other items.


3. A black tube skirt.
Black skirts often provide the perfect partner to an embellished top or an elegant blouse, and this simple bandage style is perfect for many occasions. The elasticated material works in the same way as Bridget Jones' knickers - smoothing out any lumps and bumps to create an even silhouette, and paired with black tights can create an extremely pleasing slimming effect. Add flats for the daytime, or heels for the night, and this skirt can do no wrong. Many of my female friends swear by their black tube skirts as a wardrobe essential, and I even own two as I wear them so much. The design I opted for is the one pictured, from New Look, which comes in at the reasonable price of £15.99. I can wear it with everything from my nicest top, to a casual sweatshirt, proving that like all of the best fashion essentials, a simple black tube skirt really can be worn for any occasion. 


4. Nude wedges.
Wedges are my personal favourite type of shoes for any big night out, providing the comfort and staying power of a flat shoe, with the height advantage and elegance of a high heel, an essential for those of us who, like me, are rather lacking in the height department and feel self-conscious around their taller friends - my own pair have seen me through many a night. The pair pictured come from the American store Forever 21, which has recently crossed the Atlantic to immense popularity in the UK. I have bought several pairs of heels from the shop myself as they always provide good quality for an even better price - these wedges are a snip at £22.75. 
However, the real benefit of these shoes is the colour. Nude shoes provide an illusion of an elongated leg, as if they are an extension of the leg itself, making the wearer's legs appear longer and slimmer. With the added 5.5" wedge, these shoes will make even the shortest girl feel like a glamazon.

5. Summer-weight scarves.
Everyone knows that the easiest and most inexpensive way of updating an outfit is through accessories. As a self-confessed scarf addict, I have created quite a collection over the years; from cosy woolly ones, to elegant pashminas and vintage-style chiffon scarves. The latter provide the perfect addition during the breezy spring days, adding a whimsical, ethereal touch to any outfit. I always find H&M to be an Aladdin's Cave of unusual and affordable accessories, with this scarf coming in at just £7.99. 
My own personal favourites are a silk souvenir scarf I picked up in Rome, and a couple that I found by rummaging through the bargain bin in a local vintage store. Accessories, particularly scarves, are an excellent addition to your outfit in terms of individuality, as it is easy to find unique items. Day or night, formal or casual, lightweight scarves add an effortless dash of colour to even the simplest outfit.