Search Results for “Alexa Chung

Why we need to stop interfering with The Skinny People

Reading the title of this post may make you want to scream abuse at me, and indeed label me a blind-eyed bat who has no regard for those wasting away under their J Brand leather trousers and Burberry trench coats. But let me clarify that I do care, just not enough to intervene by shoving an angel slice in a waifish companion’s mouth. The recent spectacle surrounding Alexa Chung’s Instagram picture that showed the fashion darling looking painfully thin has given rise to many question and arguments. Well, in my head, anyway. For I ask: why the tirade of abuse against someone who is actually, successfully making a living from her apple-slice-thin fashion status? And what of other famous posers in similar physical situation, who are thrust in the limelight (well never out if it) and regularly applauded for every itsy-bitsy (expensive) achievement, even though they’re withering away (yes, you, Victoria Beckham)? And what about the other end of the appearance spectrum? The Lauren Goodgers and Kim Kardashians who bemoan every inch of their bodies; with the former boozing and crying over holiday pics, and the latter taking up sports such as dating a foul-mouthed, sneaker sporting rapper, and regularly visiting the gym with her water bottle stuffed in a Hermés birkin. OK, rant over now let’s get back to Alexa. We know the fashion front-rower has become increasingly slimmer since she first came on the scene circa 2007, and, anyone who looks at that Instagram picture cannot shy away from the fact that Alexa’s never ending legs do look skinnier than your average glossy editorial model’s. But here is my argument: we instantly spit out against slim women, and fire off every rule in our healthy living book collection to defend our slightly meatier thighs, but what about those […]

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Yes, paying celebrities to attend fashion shows is a big deal, a huge one in fact.

Sitting front row at a modern day catwalk show is the equivalent of being front of the ration line in the 40s. You have a need(hunger, mouths to feed; fashion, trends) and a purpose (make good use of the ration coupon; deliver on next seasons trend) to fulfil. OK, maybe the example is extreme but the mentality is the same: If you’re in front, you’re perceived as having succeeded – the fashion house that is. Apparently, positioning certain celebrities at the front has been costing fashion houses dearly, whereby hefty fees have been handed out in exchange for about 20 minutes of their forced smile faces and super-toned bums to be parked on the front row. A move deeply condemned by French-born, London-based designer, Nicole Farhi. “It is so unprofessional. I have never paid a celebrity and I will never do it. It’s stupid”, she told Sunday Telegraph’s Stella magazine. Farhi, 65, went on to add that she was set on exposing the practice of backhand, cash-splashing seat-fixing deals so common in the fashion world, even if she risked the wrath of so many of her fellow fashion contemporaries. Even Lady Mary Chateris stuck in with a jibe, telling the Telegraph: “They pay people to be on the front row to show off the clothes where everyone can see them. That is where all of the photographs are taken.” Brave move ladies and one we welcome with open arms. It is almost precedence now, that before collection reviews even hit online fashion portals such as Style.com and Vogue.com, exactly which celebrity made an appearance (thanks to the ‘Front Row’ tab on show reviews), sat next to whom, wore what and expressed what on their faces as the first model walked out is scientifically documented. Nicki Minaj’s Technicolor wig and Eddie […]

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Monday Musings: The things rattling our fashion brains on the hardest day of the week!

This Monday afternoon at My Fashion Life HQ, Starbucks in tow, we’re mulling over… The remainder of NYFW We’ve had a weekend drooling over next season DKNY, Monica Lhuiller and Derek Lam, and Alexander Wang. And now we can’t wait for the rest of it! London Fashion Week kick off! The Other One: The one we’re so desperately anticipating with hopes pinned sky high. We’re too excited to even choose the shows we’re most looking forward to. The atmosphere, the street style photographers, the street style! We’re looking forward to a coffee-fuelled, sleep deprived few fashion days! Whitney Houston: A legend It’s with a heavy heart that we say this, but we’re looking forward to global tributes and memoirs that will surface to remember the legend that was Whitney Houston: a beautiful woman, an unforgettable voice. FROWCS Panic, not. It’s nothing offensive, but translates at Front Row Celeb Spotting and we’ve coined it in honour of the fact that we can’t get enough of it! So far, NYFW has witnessed Zoe Saldana FROW at Prabal Gurung; Anna Wintour at Nahm; Alexa Chung at Jason Wu; Olivia Palermo at Peter Som and Leigh Lezark at Cynthia Rowley. Hurry up LFW; we can’t wait to do it here, all over again! Harper Beckham, the bag! As Mummy Beckham tweeted a picture of the bag from her Fall 2012 collection, named in honour of her adorable 7-month old daughter, we’re wishing it were already August so we could get our hands on what will be next season’s most sought after arm candy. Back with a Vang! 90s supermodels make a comeback at NYFW We know of his undying penchant for repeatedly referencing the grungy 90s, and making us unfailingly fall in love with it every time he does. But Alexander Wang took the […]

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Lunchtime buy: Stella McCartney Hawaiian Print Coat

Oh, how we love a bit of Cruise collection escapism! After a few months of dreary weather here in the UK, we can’t help but dream about warmer and sunnier climes, and this Hawaiian print coat by Stella McCartney is transporting us straight to a tropical island paradise. Stella is fastly becoming known for her prints (remember the fruit prints in her spring/summer 2011 collection? Gorgeous!) and these tropical illustrations featured heavily throughout her Cruise collection presentation. Featuring on a light weight cotton – ideal for those summer months – this Hawaiian print coat is a picture postcard of sunnier, more exotic locations and is just the kind of daydream we’re quite happy to indulge in currently! We think this will look fantastic with a simple white dress, as the coat is a strong enough feature piece in itself. In fact, those of you brave enough could even take a leaf out of Miss Alexa Chung’s book and sport this little number as a dress! Why not, hey? Stella McCartney Hawaiian Print Coat, £1,370, available from Mytheresa.com

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Best of 2011: best dressed celebs

It’s getting towards the end of the year and we’ve been overcome by a sudden sense of contemplativeness.  While New Year might bring resolutions, diets and silly foil hats, there’s something it also brings that we’re not ashamed to love – yes, best of lists! Here at MFL we like a yearly round up just much as the next publication, but ours is, like, so much more fun because it involves clothes and celebrities. What’s not to love? We took a look through the year’s celebrity style hits to sift out the best from the average. So, fasten your seatbelt, kids, here’s our run through of this year’s best dressed… Alexa Chung in Miu Miu Looking like a grown up school girl, we loved Alexa Chung’s Miu Miu ensemble at the label’s spring/summer 2012 show in Paris earlier this year – no wonder she scooped the Style Icon Award for a second year running! Jessica Alba in Dolce & Gabbana Jessica Alba rarely puts a foot out of place and looks so pretty at a Swarovski party in California. Her lace Dolce & Gabbana dress combined with lashings of gems reminded us why we love Jess so much. Nicole Richie in Stella McCartney Kick starting us into the festive mood this year, style queen Nicole Richie wowed us in her Stella McCartney poppy red skirt and sweater combo. Known for her laid-back boho style, she gave us a ladylike look we hadn’t seen from her in a long while. Selena Gomez in Marchesa Ladies and Gentlemen, the MFL award for Best Newcomer goes to 19-year-old Selena Gomez. Wearing this angelic Marchesa dress, she somehow looked girly and feminine whilst maintaining an air of sophistication. We predict big things! Olivia Palermo in Tibi Queen of accessorising, no best dressed is complete […]

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2011 in news: 10 things that shook the fashion world this year

Among the clinking glasses of endless mulled wine toasts, pre-Christmas mince pies and secret peeling of presents under the Christmas tree, there’s just one more thing left to do this year: reminisce. 2011 has been a significant year for the fashion world. Craze-inducing collaborations, a royal wedding remembered more for the dress than the extra public holiday and fashion losses so large the entire industry collectively wept. And what have we done with all that? Rounded it up, of course. Below, we bring you fashion’s best and most moments shocking of 2011. 1. The royal wedding dress April 29th will forever be marked in our minds as a date that made unparalleled fashion history. Alexander McQueen’s creative head, Sarah Burton, was spotted entering the Goring Hotel merely hours before the royal wedding took place, sparking rumours she’d designed the dress. Indeed, she was bestowed with this burdensome duty and boy, did she deliver! The exquisite appliquéd lace dress acquired Burton deserved acclaim in the fashion world, culminating in an unsurprisingly big win at the British Fashion Awards last month.  A big year for Sarah Burton – an even bigger year for fashion. 2. John Galliano – Dismissal from Dior and namesake label Probably the most gulp-inducing, tear-jerking headline to emerge from the fashion world this year was the dismissal of Dior design master, John Galliano. Arrested in a Parisian cafe after allegedly assaulting and racially abusing a couple using anti-Semitic remarks, the allegations against the couture creator were all founded in court, resulting in his rapid fall though the echelons of the very industry that homed him. His immediate suspension from Dior, and later from his namesake label, sparked an emotional outcry amongst Galliano’s closest industry friends. Whilst the hunt for his replacement is said to be in its final […]

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Deal of the day: Uniqlo Fair Isle cardigan

Ok, so you’ve got your chestnuts roasting on an open fire and most of you have definitely got Jack Frost nipping at your nose – what’s left to make you feel even more Christmassy? A Fair Isle knit jumper, of course! No Christmas is complete without The Obligatory Christmas Jumper, and rather than wear the one that your grandmother knitted you nine years ago, save festive face with this chic but seasonal number from Uniqlo. A Fair Isle knit is stylish and on-trend, but also feasibly festive, especially with a snowflake pattern. We’ll be teaming this cardigan with our dresses on Christmas day for an Alexa Chung-style preppy note that will please all the Christmas Jumper pushers and also see us through the next few chilly months ahead! Uniqlo Fair Isle Cardigan, £14.90, available at Uniqlo.

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BFAs 2011: the best dressed

Awards ceremonies are famed for focusing on the outfits of the celebrity guests just as much as the winners of the big prizes themselves, which was very much the case for last night’s British Fashion Awards at the Savoy Hotel in London. Most of the guests in attendance paid homage to British designers, which was after all, what the whole evening was about. We imagine the celebs agonised twice as much over their wardrobe choices, as they knew they would be judged even more than usual… and they weren’t wrong. We’ve put all the guests under the microscope and picked out our ten best dressed from the evening. We have to say, the decision was difficult, as most of the attendees pulled their wardrobe choices out the bag and didn’t disappoint. In no particular order, here’s our cream of the crop: Victoria Beckham in Victoria Beckham   Kate Hudson in Stella McCartney   Alexa Chung in Christopher Kane   Olivia Palermo in Matthew Williamson   Tali Lennox in Mulberry   Kristen McMenamy in Alexander McQueen   Georgia May Jagger in Julien Macdonald   Poppy Delevigne in Matthew Williamson   Amber Le Bon in Peter Pilotto   Laura Bailey in Burberry  

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Lunchtime buy: Sandro royal navy dual fabric dress

There is a distinctly Francophile feel to today’s lunchtime buy as we covet the ever popular and tres cool French brand Sandro’s royal navy dual fabric dress. We’ll level with you – we heart Sandro. Launched in 1984 by husband and wife duo Didier and Evelyne Chétrite, it’s been the go-to label for feminine Parisian chic ever since. We’ve heard that Alexa Chung is a massive fan, too. This dress is exemplary of the alternative yet simple Leftbank style that the brand is known for. It ticks all the trend boxes for a start: colour blocked with royal blues and black? Check! Cute contrasting collar? Check! Plus, the fit is totally flattering, with a soft silk that is snug and clings in all the right places. We’ll be wearing this with ankle boots and a big bright clutch. J’adore! Sandro Royal/Navy Dual Fabric Dress, £160, available at Stylebop.

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All the winners of last night’s British Fashion Awards (plus what everyone wore) right here!

Hosted by George Lamb and Lauren Laverne, last night’s British Fashion Awards at London’s Savoy Hotel received a star-studded turn out, with guests including BFC Ambassador Samantha Cameron, as well as Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham, Alexa Chung, Colin Firth and even Stateside celebs siuch as Kate Hudson, Olivia Palermo and Marc Jacobs (who, by the way, is officially not taking the creative director job at Christian Dior!) 

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Lunchtime buy: Rag & Bone Grayling Fair Isle wool blend scarf

U.S. label Rag & Bone is never far from our lust-list. Designers Marcus Wainwright and David Neville first started designing menswear in 2004 before branching out to women’s apparel a year later. So it’s no surprise, really, that their pieces carry a strong tomboy style – something which has earned them front row fans such as the original tomboy turned fashionista, Alexa Chung. The androgynous trend is still reigning again this season, and with this Fair Isle knit looking like its come straight out of the boyfriend’s cupboard, you’ll be both snuggly and on-trend. In a rich forest green with colourful pom poms, this scarf has definitely got the fun factor – but the sophisticated mix of cashmere, wool and angora is guaranteed to keep you wonderfully warm all season. Time to wrap up! Rag and bone Grayling fair isle wool blend scarf, £135 £40.50, available at TheOutnet.

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Top Stories this week: Kate Moss and Rafael Nadal get naked, Kim Kardashian wears THREE wedding dresses and much more!

Kim Kardashian marries in THREE different dresses With numerous reality shows, clothing lines and countless endorsement deals, Kim Kardashian’s wedding to Kris Humphries wasn’t going to be a low-key affair. This was proved by the A-list guests, a £1.5 million magazine deal and a total of THREE outfit changes by the bride. See all the pictures from the star studded event here. Kate Moss gets naked for the new Pirelli calendar So our favourite British-born supermodel has been getting unclothed, but it’s all for a good cause: the new Pirelli calendar. Click here for some exclusive preview pictures, made more interesting by the fact that they were taken by Mrs Hinces’ ex-boyfriend! If the naked pictures of Kate Moss aren’t enough to fill you up, take a look at what John Galliano said about the supermodel here, or watch her chatting to Vogue about her wedding here – plus see never-before-seen pictures of a young Moss here! Rafael Nadal for Armani AW11 Yet more nakedness in this week’s news, but this time it isn’t a supermodel getting her kit off, but a super buff tennis star. None other than Rafael Nadal, who shows us his, ahem, package in the new Armani campaign ads. Decide if he matched up to Goldenball Becks here. Is Alexa Chung getting a new reality fashion show? It’s hard to remember now that Alexa Chung was once more famous for her presenting skills than her ability to put together an outfit. But it seems not everyone has forgotten that she has the gift of the TV gab, as she may have just landed herself a new reality TV show called 24-hour Catwalk. We would definitely tune in, decide if you would here. Twiggy relaunches music career with an album of ballads Twiggy may have made her name in […]

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The Current/Elliott Girls Have Got It in the Bag

What happens when a genius pairing comes together? Pure magic, in the form of the Westward handbag collection: the lovechild of cult American denim brand, Current Elliott and Kate Spade. LA-based stylists and designers, Emily Current and Merritt Elliott’s, debut handbag collection has manifested itself in a considerably desirable form. A well-crafted handbag commands nothing else to aesthetically complement it, and that is what struck me when flicking though images of the Westward collection. It is amazing how novice handbag designers – with the exception of few- have an infectious knack to perfect dimension, proportion and most importantly colour, so that the buyer sees it and is engulfed by the need to have it in their lives, (a bit like me, really). With the highest price point sitting around £790, it’s relieving to find a selection of covetable designs that won’t force me into premature bankruptcy. Current and Elliott have added their witty imagination to the canvasses of these handbags, and the result is a collection brimming with feminine charm, punctuated with Alexa Chung vintage cool and a spin on the classics – most evidently in the form of a sequined duffle bag. Top of my handbag roll call: Westward Curiosities Satchel in Navy; Westward Ingenue Clutch in Plata Sequins and the Westward Wanderlust Satchel in Taupe. A far cry from the intimidating ‘superbags’, costing my annual earnings; I can begin devising a plan of action to fund the purchase of the perfect trio – all at once. See the entire Westward colection here.

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Top stories this week: Kate Middleton makes Vanity Fair Best Dressed list, a 10-year old models for Vogue and much more!

Meet Thylane Lena-Rose Blondeau the 10-year old French model Clad in a gold dress and heels, pouting seductively at the camera is newest model on the fashion block Thylane. She’s no different from many other model that’s taken the fashion industry by storm, apart from her age. As Thylane isn’t just out of college, she’s not even in her teens yet, in fact she’s just a child at ten years old. Read more here! Vanity Fair 2011 International Best Dressed List It’s that time of year again where the privileged compete for the coveted pedestal of best dressed as chosen by Vanity Fair. Of course our very own Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton has made it onto the list after wooing the fashion world over and over again this past year. But find out which other Royal we think should have made the list here. Lara Stone would love to star in Zoolander 2 It’s not often that models reveal an urge to star in a hilarious but ridiculous film, yet beauty Lara Stone has a desire to star in the one and only Zoolander! Read more of her inner thoughts here. Alexa Chung and Alex Turner: The breakup Many saw this coming a few months ago, but that didn’t minimise our shock at the breakup of the fashion and rock couple. Read more on the  reasons for the split here. Coco Chanel Biography Past biographies have attempted to delve into the fabulous fashion world of the one and only Coco Chanel, so you may wonder what is different about this attempt. Well, the release of Coco Chanel: An Intimate Life is set to unearth some new details about the lady herself. Read more here.

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The Three Mul-bears: Mulberry adds baby Carter to its burgeoning brood of arm candy

Almost rhyming with latest Beckham tot and in its own right still a baby, allow us to introduce Carter: the newest member of the heritage English brand, Mulberry. The latest staple-to-be AW11 offering plays up to the typical Mulberry character: functional and aesthetically pleasing with an edge. The Carter bag promises thrice the style potential, appearing in ‘Mini’, ‘Camera Bag’ and ‘Double Handle’ form and has quite possibly won us over – albeit three times. That’s not to say we won’t be optioning on our favourite, but first let’s dissect its design credentials and see what sets the Carter apart from Emma Hill’s previously celebrated creations. Starting with the Carter Double Handle bag; the largest of the trio and a refreshing alternative to the repeated satchel style Mulberry is so famed for, it features the brand new double lock front plaque and twisted leather and chain double handle. Presented in multipurpose Birds Nest (a stone shade), Midnight and Black, were coveting the Midnight Croc Nappa version, and were not the only ones. A-listers Emma Watson and Kirsten Dunst were a sweet vision, spotted occupying their forearms with the Carter Double Handle. Staying true to our fight for luxury bags you can fit your life into, were saying yes to the Double Handle Carter which provides ample storage inches – well worth its ample £995 price tag. Next in line sits the Carter Camera Bag. A downsized version with the same design features and colour variations, except an added extra which is actually the one we’re coveting: the Fox Brown Suede version. The Camera Bag is a fuss-free bag hoarder’s ideal companion – fitting in the essentials, but not as space consuming as the Carter Double Handle. We like how it meets the middle ground perfectly and the adjustable twisted leather […]

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Weekly round-up

Find out the true meaning behind why Lady Gaga wore that meat dress, how Karl Lagerfeld didn’t even realise he’d been robbed, and what Alexa Chung has been upto lately… Read Matthew Williamson’s inside business advice on how to make it in the fashion world – Vogue UK Watch an astonishing pet rat fashion show take place in New York City – Refinery 29 Find out how Karl Lagerfeld didn’t realise the images of his fall 2011 Chanel campaign were ‘stolen’ – The Cut Check out how Alexa Chung can now add stylist to her CV, after putting looks together for Percival’s a/w 2011 collection – Telegraph And finally, find out the true political meaning behind Lady Gaga’s MTV 2011 awards meat dress – you’ll be pretty surprised – SkyShowbiz

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Cannes 2011: Best Dressed (pt 1)

One of the most prestigious film – and fashion – events of the year has begun. Yes, after kicking off on Wednesday, the exclusive Cannes Film Festival is well under way, and so is the red carpet action that always incurs at the lavish two-week ceremony. Our favourite occasion in the calendar – the dresses are more daring, the glamour’s knocked up a notch and the risque rises with the utmost chic – the A list have been presenting the very best of red carpet couture in their masses. And with two days of serious sartorial success under its belt already, our selection for the first part of our best dressed list has been particularly hard, but not for lack of gorgeousness. From Rachel McAdams’ many hits to Uma Thurman in Versace, see below for our favourite picks from Cannes so far… Rachel McAdams Rachel McAdams hit the red carpet with her man Michael Sheen to promote their new film Midnight in Paris looking every inch the Hollywood star.  The Mean Girls actress wore a breathtakingly beautiful sheer gown with embroidered red lace by Marchesa. Together with her gold Casadei courts and voluminus curly hair she looked the epitome of old school Hollywood glamour.   Uma Thurman Attending the Midnight in Paris premiere Uma Thurman pulled out all the stops. Looking stunning in an an angelic custom-made white Versace gown, complete with a feathered train, Uma totally show the show on the red carpet. Even the actress herself knew how great she looked – when photographers complimented her dress, she said, “It’s sexy isn’t it?”   Angelina Jolie Angelina is a rare sighting on the red carpet these days but her appearance at Cannes yesterday to promote her new film Kung Fu Panda 2 showed she hasn’t lost he touch when it comes to ultra elegant dressing. The queen of simplicity, she looked understated […]

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British fashion reigns at the Met Ball

For an event that usually champions the best of American fashion, last night’s Met Ball saw a surprising amount of stars wearing gowns from British designers. Perhaps it was a nod towards last night’s honouree, the late Alexander McQueen, who’s life and work was celebrated in an accompanying exhibition, Savage Beauty, or maybe the world hasn’t quite recovered from royal wedding fever just yet – but either way, the Brits ruled the red carpet. Dressing the most celebs was Stella McCartney – also clad in her own label – who decked out an impressive 14 stars in her dresses (save a jumpsuit for Iman), including Rihanna, Naomi Watts, Eva Mendes, Maggie Gyllenhaal and BFFs Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Thandie Newton and Madonna. Also high up on the most-spotted list was, unsurprisingly, Alexander McQueen. Sarah Burton wore a white dress by her own design to honour her friend and mentor, while Daphne Guinness, Naomi Campbell, Gisele, Coco Rocha, Anna Dello Russo, Karen Elson, Racquel Zimmerman and Salma Hayek and Sarah Jessica Parker all paid tribute to the designer. And the list of Brits doesn’t stop there – Erdem dressed Lily Donaldson in a floor-length navy lace gown, Burberry bagged Rosie Huntington-Whiteley to wear a satin rose gown and nude python clutch, and Alexa Chung wore new-season Christopher Kane. Stay tuned for our round-up of the best and worst dressed from last night’s Met Ball.

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How to wear it: dungarees

We owe dungarees’ revival to one person and one person only – Alexa Chung. Once just a favourite among pre schoolers and Dexys Midnight Runners, the model-come-presenter made them suitably cool again when she worked her skirt version with a cute prairie top at Reading festival last year. And if you dare to give them a go, you won’t regret it. A practical halfway house between shorts and a playsuit, dungarees will become your new summer essential, proving to be perfect for upcoming festivals, barbeques and lazy days in the park – casual cool at their very best. And, as a new wave of denim floods into stores, now’s the best time to snap them up. See our steps below on how to make this look work for grown-ups… We love Mango’s mid-wash dungarees. Slouchy and sexy with cute button and pocket details, this is the versatile pair you’ll wear all summer. Mango short denim dungarees, £49.90, available at ASOS. BUY NOW!   Dungarees with a breton stripe tee is the perfect combination, demonstrated by Alexa herself. This lightweight 3/4 length sleeved tee from Reiss is a classic staple and will go perfectly with the mid wash denim (as well as sorting out any upper arm issues you may have). Reiss Bonnie jersey tee, £59, available at Reiss. BUY NOW!   Espadrilles are the perfect shoe for this look, adding the essential height needed for dungarees without looking tarty. This pair of pink peeptoes from Topshop are cute and comfortable, and will add a fun pop of colour. Whisper pink peep toe espadrilles, £50, available at Topshop. BUY NOW!   Shield yourself from the sun in the coolest way possible with Eugenia Kim’s straw panama. We love the polka dot sash – it adds a playful feel to this classic look. Eugenia Kim polka dot panama hat, £298, available at Matches. BUY NOW!

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Deal of the day: Topshop yellow vintage look leather satchel

We love finding a new bag. We know that you know we can never have too many, and with each season comes a glorious wave of new styles, so we did a little dance of happiness when we found this yellow vintage look leather satchel. Satchels are the go-to bag for summer with their geek chic style and practicality, and we love the bright yellow of this Topshop version to bring some sunshine into our days when the sun dips down. The boxy shape and structured style make this a great staple, and the cross body strap and flap front side pocket are perfect for keeping all our essentials at hand. Think like Alexa Chung and Fearne Cotton when you channel schoolyard style – pair with brogues or heels (chunky, never stiletto) and ankle socks, if you’re feeling brave. For just £38, this satchel will refresh your summer look, and best of all, no one will know the cost was just a fraction of its designer counterparts. So go ahead and treat yourself… we won’t tell anyone. Topshop yellow vintage look leather satchel, £38, available at Topshop. BUY NOW!

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How to wear it: the midi skirt

Midi skirts are very unique in that they’re quite possibly the only skirt that make people shudder in horror more than the mini. The fear of an unflattering skirt length making us look like a librarian is enough to make anyone avoid it, sure, but when worn well spring’s in between-length skirts can look utterly divine. Their loose fit and longer length means you don’t have to worry about wobbly bits, control underwear or the discomfort that comes with bodycon mini’s, and their versatility is ever-surprising.  And if that’s not enough to convince you, this gorgeous Mango floral print midi will change your mind.  The light, fluid fabric is ideal for warmer weather and the floral print is perfect for spring – plus it’s soft pleats are a great nod to the ballet trend. Mango Floral Midi, £69.90, available at ASOS. BUY NOW!  Pull it up to your waist for an ultra-slimming new sillohuette, and if you want to know what to wear it with, you’re in luck – we’ve picked our favourite pieces to pair with your midi skirt this season. See below for our top picks…   A luxe vest is a timeless classic and will go with everything in your wardrobe, so its well worth investing in. Tuck this classic white Helmut Lang vest into the high waist of your skirt for a simple, chic look that doesn’t detract from your must-have midi statement. Helmut Lang linen viscose jersey tank top, £150, available at Matches. BUY NOW!   Unless you’re Alexa Chung, midi skirts are near impossible to pull off with flats so choose a chunky heel to lengthen your legs. A pair of tan sandals like these ones from Dune will take you right through summer and beyond. Adelle strap sandals, £85, available at Dune. BUY NOW!   Ever since Chanel released its straw box […]

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Love or Hate: Golden Goose polka dot blouse

Where polka dots came from this season, I don’t know, but they seem to be popping up everywhere. Alexa Chung was seen wearing the print in various forms throughout London Fashion Week and, more recently, the lovely Emma Watson was spotted teaming polka-dot tights with a studded trench coat. I’ve always had a soft spot for polka dots. At primary school I had a polka dot headband which my mum had to prize off my head every evening, but now, my favourite way to wear them is on a girly silk blouse. Enter Golden Goose’s slinky little shirt. The white blouse is laden with small red polka dots and has pretty pearlescent buttons down the front. The frilly-detail cuffs on the sleeves make a cute addition to the garment, but my favourite thing about it is the collar. Yes, the humble collar is having a bit of a fashion moment right now, making this blouse bang on trend as well as totally sweet. Wear it Mad Men style tucked into a sleek pencil skirt and heels, or à la Alexa with jeans and a leather jacket. Either way, it’s sure to inject a bit of fun into your wardrobe this spring. Golden Goose silk-cotton polka dot blouse, £225, available at Browns. BUY NOW!

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How to wear it: denim shorts

Denim shorts are a style staple whatever the season. Worn with tights now and bare legs later they’re the go-with-everything item that every girl needs in her wardrobe – but in keeping with the hot Seventies style that’s sweeping spring, a high waisted pair is the only way to wear them now. This vintage-look pair from Topshop are super flattering with their slightly-flared leg and will see you through from now until spring in suitable style. But if you’re not sure how to work them with sass, see below for our pick of must-have pieces that will make the most of your leg-barers. The new-season shirt is a spring must-have, and it’s worth investing in one that won’t date. Work the preppy look by teaming your shorts with this pretty peach Chloe shirt – its sumptuous silk is the ultimate in understated luxe. Wear it buttoned up to the collar for a look that Alexa Chung would be proud of – it’s perfect for balancing bare legs in spring. Chloe open placket detail top, £325, available at Matches. BUY NOW! If clogs are a little too clumpy then French Connection’s  strappy tan pair are a great alternative. A fabulous hybrid of clogs and sandals (slogs perhaps?), they’re more dainty in design with just a subtle of Hasbeen-style studs. Plus, the straps and platform add much-needed support so you can show off your pedicure without sacrificing practicality. Dakota platform clogs, £65, available at French Connection. BUY NOW! Every fashionista knows that accessories can make or break an outfit. Go all out on the finishing touches with Topshop’s nude floppy hat – the wide brim features flirty heart cut-outs whilst the camel shade compliments the soft tones of this effortlessly luxe look. Heart cutout floppy, £25, available at Topshop. BUY NOW! MOTO Vintage high waisted denim shorts, £30, […]

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London Fashion Week AW11: Burberry

Who: Burberry Prorsum What: Fur, coats and capes in an earthy palette with punches of pop colour. Thoughts: Like the rest of the fash pack without a ticket, we headed to London’s Piccadilly Circus to watch Burberry Prorsum stream its autumn/winter 2011 collection live on the advertising screen, keen to witness a fashion moment in the making. It didn’t prove quite the poignant spectacle we’d hoped for, shown on the smallest segment without sound but with enough screen freezes and TFL ad interruptions to send us to an early grave, but a second screening at our desks provided all the captive atmosphere we missed first time around. Leather may have defined Burberry and its bikers for the past two seasons, but for autumn/winter 2011 the power house is hailing hair. On sleeves of tops, stoles on jackets, forming sumptuous coats or cuffing and hemming others, fur is Bailey’s fabric of choice next season, and he’s using it decadently. Leather still makes an appearance, though, in piping on padded macs, across skinny bow belts or on the trim of a dress. Chic wool coats in vibrant checks, bright block colours or earthy tones provide extra warmth, while wool-fleck matching separates and long-sleeved shift dresses with balloon skirts see ready-to-wear looking weather-appropriate, too. Worried about your fur getting wet? In a spectacular finale, Burberry’s got your back as models unite on the runway wearing matching black-trimmed clear Perspex capes over their cold-ready coats as a flurry of snow falls onto the catwalk – now that’s a moment. It’s not quite as exciting as in previous seasons, but Burberry’s latest collection is contemporary and commercial nonetheless (with a more sensual slant over the usually sexy aesthetic), and simple, sumptuous elements still leaves us impressed – as they did Kate Bosworth, Rachel Bilson and […]

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London Fashion Week AW11: Margaret Howell

Who: Margaret Howell What: Androgynous designs out for a country walk. Thoughts: The refined call of the violin followed by delicate piano notes created a befitting ambience for Margaret Howell’s autumn/winter 2011 catwalk show. Androgyny has become synonymous with the British label and loose fitted and well-tailored pieces once again permeated the collection. The authenticity of nature is a reoccurring inspiration for Howell and this shone through not only the in the garments but also in the unfussy natural make-up and hair in low knots with cashmere headbands. Like others gone before, this collection was assured, natural and unpretentious. Quintessentially British tweed double breasted jackets and trench coats combined with out-back hats just needed a notebook and a mission to channel Inspector Gadget. Corduroy was the fabric of choice for tan oversized suits, midnight blue jackets and crimson skirts complete with matching lower leather hemming. Pinafore dresses and white blouses with white back bows conjured the Victorian peasant, and sheer pleated midi skirts subtracted weight from a show that was somewhat bulky in nature. Howell has been a quiet but robust force in the fashion industry for over four decades and her designs in essence haven’t wavered from the threads of British tradition. We see this collection as being comparable to a stately country home – grand yet understated, with a comfortable nonchalance that front row’s Alexa Chung would no doubt be proud of. [Images]

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Elle Style Awards 2011 best dressed: Jameela Jamil

Following in the footsteps of her predecessor Alexa Chung, T4 presenter Jameela Jamil is fast blossoming into a style-setter in her own right. Wearing a printed Hussein Chalayan maxi dress with platform nude cut-out shoes, as a fashion newcomer, she held her own the red carpet. And although she didn’t dare to branch out from her usual straight hair and trademark cat-flick eyeliner, she updated her look with hot pink lips – the hottest spring trend right now. Are you loving Jameela’s spring style as much as us? Let us know by voting below! [poll id=”28″]

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Valentine’s gifts for her: Diana Mini Wonderland camera

Document every moment together with this charming Diana camera. If you’re the creative, arty smarty type, this gift will be right up your street this Valentine’s day. Famed in the Sixties for creating radiant, soft focus images, the Diana has recently made a comeback and is favoured by models Alexa Chung and Daisy Lowe. This version features a charming Alice in Wonderland heart design, a choice of shooting in half or square frame and it includes a flash so you can really make the most of your photographs. Drop the hint to your man or treat yourself if you’re starting to tire of uninteresting digital shots, it’s a perfect excuse to replace the old photographs in your frames with dreamy artistic snaps that you’ll both admire for years to come. Diana Mini Wonderland Camera, £110, available at Urban Outfitters. BUY NOW!

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Lunchtime buy: Carven playsuit with collar

Forget diamonds, playsuits are a girl’s best friend. There couldn’t be an easier way of dressing on a Monday morning, and Carven has planned it all out for you with its sweet collared all-in-one. This sophisticated number proves that you don’t have to look like a toddler when wearing a playsuit; it’s refreshingly demure, and the addition of a classic collar makes it suitable for both work and play. Emma Watson thought so too, as she was seen rocking it recently. You’ll have no more wardrobe malfunctions with this playsuit on your side – pair it with simple ballet flats, a structured handbag and a classic trench coat for a look that’s suitable – and stylish – for the office. Or embellish this one-piece for a night out with some red lippy, sky-high platforms and a quirky satchel, Alexa Chung style. What’s best is this silky must-have is on sale – we’re very tempted… Carven Playsuit with Collar, £410 £285, available at Browns. BUY NOW!

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