Due to the oversized nature of this season’s capes it seems that the bottom half needs to be slim fit. For the casual look (the utility cape is my new parka) team with slim fit jeans/trousers and for the more tailored look team with a slim fit pencil skirt (a leather one would be perfectly on trend). For the slim and long legged of us, any cape would most likely suit, however if your legs, like mine are more on the stumpy side I would advise a cape that skims at the hips, thus extenuating what we do have!

A few of my favourites are; the grey woollen Philip Lim 3.1, a cotton and faux leather cape at Asos.com for £55, a woollen camel cape at Reiss for £195 and a French Connection one at £160.

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This trend can be adapted for the more demure of us and all you have to remember are the three C’s… corset, camisole and crop top.

• Corset’s when fit properly do wonder’s for the figure, the boning and shape of the corset can sculpt your body in amazing ways and is super flattering. Corsets are fantastic to team with other trends, I wear mine with double denim, and it softens it up perfectly.
• Camisoles are every girls best friend when it comes to this trend. Tucked in or worn loose, a silk camisole looks gorgeous and for the vintage lovers amongst us, completely exquisite vintage camisoles can be picked up for a few pounds.
• Cropped boudoir tops are for the brave, however if not so brave team with an uber high waisted skirt or layered under a shirt.

Images via. www.Topshop.com, www.asos.com, www.clotheseattesco.com, www.asda.com

Forget homemade hippy plaits that your childhood sweetheart created for you, this time friendship bracelets are on a whole new level. With the likes of Links of London producing their very own range and at a price of £100 a pop, the once inexpensive and scruffy accessory is now any jewellery lovers must have!  Of course there are many a cheaper option, but still there is no odd bod thread to be seen, intertwined chains, jewels and charms is now the new way to be friendly! After a day of research my favourite range has to be the Vanrycke range, they are adorable… so friends if you are reading… get saving!!

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The high street seems to already be clearing its rails ready for Autumn/Winter and most of us haven’t even checked in yet. Nevertheless the online shops are still awash with swimwear, which in this post I intend to show you the best, however we must start with the trends.

Swimwear fashion week Spring/Summer 2010 took place in the land of hot bikini bods, Miami, a couple of weeks ago and it seemed that the trends of Spring/Summer have transgressed to swimwear. The likes of Mara Hoffman and Red Carter lapped up geometric prints, asymmetric shapes and eye popping shades whilst White Sands Australia chose candy shades appliquéd with acid tone florals. Regardless all collections, especially Ed Hardy’s collection was served with that very much needed ‘I am almost naked and I don’t care’ attitude.

In terms of shapes all showcased practical pieces that would not create too garish white bits, however of course there was many a bikini/one piece that was more suited to glamorously sitting under a parasol. Mara Hoffman was my favourite collection, I always worry that my personal style is not always shown through my swimwear but Mara’s collection is the perfect combination of boho meets fashionista. Her beaded, tassled and kaftan clad collection was accessorized with turban headgear (very Carrie Bradshaw) and fluro jewellery, which for me really hit the spot.  Unlike lots of other designer clobber that costs a small fortune, designer swimwear is not always extreme. Here are my best picks from the high street and designer, look out for Melissa Odabash (a fave of Kate Moss) and the cheap yet stylish pieces of F&F at Tesco.

*Images via. www.vogue.com, www.topshop.com, www.net-a-porter.com, www.asos.com, www.victoriasecret.com, www.clothesattesco.com,

Post by Aimee

I am far from a twi-hard and did not really enjoy the previous two films; in fact I actually burst out laughing at some of the scenes (Edward Cullen in slow mo was probably the comedic height of New Moon). However the excitement and obsession the saga has created fascinates me, being the nosey so and so that I am I just have to know what it is all about.

On Sunday I was a ‘good friend’ and went to see Eclipse, with very low expectations of the film I was prepared for the film to be diabolical, however this was not the case. Ok it is by no way the film of the year or worthy of all the awards it seems to get but it was not all that bad. Compared to the previous two films there was a lot more action and although more intense, the romance/soppiness was less. There was a much lighter mood to this movie compared to New Moon (that was awash with misery and teenage moodiness). There were actually parts of the film that I genuinely laughed at because it was actually supposed to be funny and not ridiculous. The comedic highlights were for me Edward’s comment to Jacob’s Adonis body ‘does he own a shirt?’ and the infamous tent scene.  (However when Jacob first appears on the screen to some slow motion, jazz instrumental I did have a wee chuckle to myself.)

Twilight is unforgivably a teen film, ridden with jealousy, resentment, romance, six packs and a little sluttiness. I would have liked to see much more action and less of the romance. The idea that Bella is engaged at 18 sends a little shiver down my spine; Sandhu hit the nail on the head in the Telegraph’s review of this film saying that ‘it is hard not to pair Twilight with SATC 2, both films question female integrity. What happened to feminism?’ I know Edward is from the 1800’s but I would hope that the era of feminism did not pass him by!

In terms of style (bar Bella’s surprisingly fashionable cats eye sunglasses), it was pretty disappointing. Too much plaid patterned shirts, baby oil and whiter than white face powder for my liking! This film what ever I or any other critic says will hit the top because of its obsessive following and people, myself included, want to know what the fuss is about.  Luckily this time the film lived up to it’s hype, whether the entire saga will is something we will just have to wait and see. My guess is not.

Post by Aimee

This notion was clearly exemplified over the last week with the likes of Chanel and Armani completely toning down their couture taste, nevertheless Dior’s and Givenchy’s collections maintained extravagance and drama. However the unlikely couture hero of last week for me was Stephane Rolland; his concoction of cinched waists, leather and draped, floor-sweeping gowns mesmerised me.

Chanel’s shows are always a showcase, thanks to the lead of Karl Lagerfield. This Chanel show had the iceberg winter wonderland to live up to from last March and Karl definitely created something to rival it. A lion’s head took centre stage last week clutching a large pearl from which the models made their entrance. The lion is supposed to be a reference to Coco Chanel’s star sign and also showed Karl’s humour (the last model also wore a lion mask). The collection that was showcased was an array of coats, dresses and capes all smothered in embellishment and glitter, which channelled a very distinct Prussian influence. Fantastic coats had cuffs and pockets that were saturated in lashings of embroidery and sequins. However Chanel couture this season was much more toned down with the toffee and honey hues Karl has used, however still had the wow factor.

Armani’s couture collection was too very demure for Couture; Giorgio was clearly aiming his pieces at the new couture customer. He eased tailoring to soft lines and flowing silhouettes with coats shrugged on the shoulders over draped shift dresses, even a tight crocodile blazer was teamed with wide trousers. However the finale of the mermaid dresses was simply spectacular and although the overall collection softened the notion of power dressing, hints of haute couture remained.

Givenchy’s pieces were inspired by gothic elements and florals intertwined. The pieces consisted of lace skeletal dresses heavily hand embroidered with ostrich feather’s, fringing, fur, hand woven lace and flowers, which overall gave a 3D effect. The final dress consisted of gold metallic embellishment and was very reminiscent of Lara Stone’s wedding dress. Givenchy’s collection oozed romanticism (thing Florence Welch) and although modern still captivated the essence of one off.

Dior’s collection is what I consider to be Couture, it was dramatic, extravagant and avant-garde. There was an array of gorgeous colour pairings; pink/violet, black/yellow, indigo/lime and sumptuous textures of chiffon, tulle and mohair… it was a fantastic fashion bloom. Galliano’s collection was inspired clearly by florals, in particular irises, roses, lilies and African violets which was such a breath of fresh air compared to the other tertiary based collections. Galliano played with structure too featuring billowing frilled skirts, floor-sweeping gowns with cinched waists and fantastic frilled collars and hems. J’adore Dior’s Couture… it is for me how couture should be.

My award for the best couture nevertheless is surprisingly not for an ultra famous designer but for Stephane Rolland’s collection. His eclectic choice of caped, waist-cinched coats, flowing gowns and use of electric blue was for me the most modern of the collections whilst still maintaining that element of couture. My favourite pieces were the blue caped coat teamed with leather gloves and the electric blue floor length gown. Simply sensational.

It is all well and good eyeing up the couture and attempting to channel it yourself, however you either need to be a seamstress extraordinaire or able to spend a small fortune in order to own your own piece.  I advise that in order to own that one off piece either befriend a top designer OR take a look at these websites. Although from high street brands, these links show their more unique pieces and whilst you save up for your own piece of Dior/Chanel/ Givenchy you can own your very own piece of high street couture!

ASOS BLACK (http://www.asos.com/Women/A-To-Z-Of-Brands/Asos-Black/Cat/pgecategory.aspx?cid=7339)

TOPSHOP UNIQUE (http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=19551&storeId=12556&categoryId=58914&langId=-1&top=Y)

Images via www.Vogue.co.uk

Post by Aimee

• The new simple.

Balloon sleeves and busy prints have gone and been replaced with straight structures and plain pallets, pure style can now shine through without any complications.

• Embrace your form.

Tiny waists, full hips and cleavage are now being celebrated. Louis Vuitton is leading the way with corseted dresses (Emma Watson teamed her LV corset with denim cut off’s at Glasto) and full skirts. Cinch those waists and dig out that wonderbra, androgynous has gone and at last we can extenuate our shapes again.

• Colour. Print’s are soooo last season, so vibrancy and expression is being shown through eye popping colours this A/W. Seen in the likes of Jil Sander’s menswear A/W 2010 collection, the clashing of bright pastels, acid tones and sumptuous shades is the must do this A/W. I am in love with Stella McCartney’s orange asymmetric dress equipped with a matching cape and Bottega Venetta’s smouldering tomato red tapered trousers.

• Coats and Capes. This fall it is the camel coat and perfect parka that are in competition on the coat front. Good news as it means that we can recycle last season’s military inspired khaki and can then afford the gorgeous long camel coats that will be on offer very soon. Capes are too very much at the forefront, my favourite being Fendi’s knitted number and YSL’s Perspex beauty (Topshop are currently stocking a similar one.)

• Welcome back fabulous flares. Trouser’s are still very much the statement piece, however printed pantaloon’s have disappeared and been replaced with high-waisted flares that are easy to wear and above all completely flattering. I am itching to wear some camel tone high-waisted flares, wedges and channel my inner Farah Fawcett.
• Grunge Glamour… is very hard to channel in the summer with pastels and floral’s all over the shop. However this A/W the grunge glamour look (i.e. Taylor Momsen) consists of tight lace maxi skirts layered under oversized knitwear. This look is for the long and lean as it is anything but flattering for the curvaceous.
• Outdoors Chic. Anna Hindmarch’s Barbour jacket has been crazy popular recently and this is sure to continue with next season’s country side tones and heritage fabrics. British Tweed and Corduroy will be in full production and gracing the backs of many a fashionista. Whether you plan on actually hiking the moors or just taking a leisurely stroll down your local high street this outdoor chic look is sure to increase your fashion worthy status.
• Accessories this season are Boxy Bag’s; the schoolgirl satchel has gone and it is time to grow up, skinny waist belts; as said before this A/W is about celebrating the female form so skinny belt waist cinchers are a must have. However do not fear, it is not all ‘plain jane’, your fantastical side can be channelled with the studs and spikes that are all over shoes and box clutches this A/W.

Post by Aimee

By simple comedy I mean obvious jokes – how funny can vomit, broken bones, ‘drunken man makes a fool of himself’ scenario be when so monotonous and predictable. P. Diddy’s, who is supposed to be the comedic genius of this film, performance was mediocre. We were led to believe he would be portrayed in this enlightening way and not at all how we would expect however he was presented as a music mogul who is obnoxious and greedy (is it me or is this the general impression of P.Diddy?) His jokes were either racist or just consisted of the F-word with a few other obscenities thrown in for good measure.

The storyline was incredibly predictable too, drunk/drug addict rock star is out of control and has to be controlled, ultimately he realises that it is the music that makes him happy and that being sober/clean is not only the best way to be but also achievable with a snap of the fingers.  When the love sub-plot came into play I warmed to the film slightly however that too ended disappointingly with Aaron giving up on his hopes and giving in to his demanding girlfriend.

I am such a fan of Russell Brand’s stand up but unfortunately his intelligent and charismatic persona did not transfer to the big screen. Nevertheless his sexiness made up for a lot! If you are looking for a cheap/easy laugh (or just fancy eyeing up Russell) then you may like this film a lot more than I did. I really wanted to enjoy this film but the comedy just did not cut it for me and I cringed far too much.

Post by Aimee