We’ve got a sartorial predicament on our hands. Should our wardrobe loyalties lie with the all-concealing maxi skirt, or should we take the snip and opt for the midi?

It’s a toughie, we know, but with recent fashion inclinations leaning toward the latter, and Mad Men fever seriously gripping the catwalks as we’re headed towards a ‘50s revival (thanks, Miuccia), the midi has been making serious waves in fashion circles.

The maxi isn’t far behind though. Fast becoming a permanent fixture in the wardrobes of the style conscious; the maxi skirt isn’t just a summer flirtation, but looks equally winter-appropriate teamed with a chunky knit.

We’re still torn, though. We love that the maxi will give the illusion of a few added extra inches to our already lacking pins. But we also love how the calf-skimming midi will let us show off those killer Jimmy Choo’s, and the heels in turn will make our calves appear gazelle-like. (We hope.) So, we’ve decided to select the best of each, and let you take on the difficult task of deciding!

The Midi Contenders 

Acne Romantic printed taffeta midi skirt, £310, available at Net-a-porter

Marble Run print calf skirt, £55, available at Topshop

Marni midi skirt, £408 £285, available at My Theresa

Accordion pleat skirt, £39.99, available at Zara

The Maxi Contenders

D&G Tulle maxi skirt, £435, available at Net-a-porter

T by Alexander Wang Silk Maxi Skirt, £59, available at My Theresa

Front Split maxi skirt, £40, Topshop

Missoni Giunilla crochet-knit print maxi skirt, £730 £295, available at My Theresa

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Fashion is the only arena where you can experiment without explanation. The catwalks decidedly smash barriers, unstitch formalities and deconstruct convention to give rise to a fresh and exhilarating aesthetic, that often leaves onlookers speechless.

And, in this case, even allows you to wear your school P.E kit to fashion week. (We’re assuming you were clued up, trend-wise, at 13.

Such is the allure of spring summer 2012′s sport-infused offerings; everything we witnessed on the catwalks scored undisputed goals with us. Usually the reserve of the playing field, this season brought us sportswear in an after-dark appropriate form. Suddenly neoprene, mesh and parachute straps have become soiree essentials and a neon-free you is not right.

Mix it up and make it feel unexpected by teaming a zip up dress with neon wedges, or pair a pencil skirt and brilliant white T with a nylon drawstring parka and killer heels. Quite frankly, these high performance pieces are  pitch and dance floor proof!

Jason Wu Silk-trimmed stretch-jersey dress, £920, available at Net-a-porter

Zip Up Neon-soled Wedges, £19.99, available at H&M

Orange Perspex Clutch, £35, available from ASOS Collection 

 Givenchy pencil skirt with patent detail, £495 £249, available at My Theresa

 T by Alexander Wang classic muscle jersey T-shirt, £70, available at Net-a-porter

 Thin Nylon Parka, £19.99, available at H&M

McQ Alexander McQueen Perspex detailed leather platform sandals, £370, available at My Theresa

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‘Tis the shoe that is owned by many a fashion editor and we’ll no doubt be seeing it springing up all over the place at the forthcoming fashion weeks. With their round toe and stacked heel, the Acne ‘Pistol’ Boots have definitely reached cult status.

The wave of Western inspired designs we saw on the catwalk from the likes of Just Cavalli, Jeremy Scott and Thakoon mean cowboy boots are big news. Although, not the big chunky embroidered ones we saw seasons ago.

No the trend now is much more understated and these boots are absolute perfection. With a heel giving just enough height and in a gorgeous tan colour, we love them.

Although if £370 is a bit out of your price range, look no further than Topshop. Their ‘Ambush’ boots are widely regarded as the next best thing to the Acne ‘Pistols’ and, we have to admit, they are strikingly similar.

With an identical stacked heel, side zip and round toe and in tan leather too, they are definitely the next best thing. And at a fraction of the price, what is not to love?

Acne ‘Pistol’ Boots, £370, available at Matches.

‘Ambush’ Ankle Boots, £75, available at Topshop.

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All together now- woohoo! Yes it’s the end of the month and we already have a mental list of all the gorgeous things we are going to spend our pay packet on.

With so many new season items flooding into the shops we are especially spoilt for choice this month. However, just for you we have picked out the most desirable treats that won’t break the bank. Be warned- you won’t be able to resist ladies…

Pastels are huge for S/S 12. Get ahead of the game now with this sleeveless pale mint shirt from topshop. Wear now with a slim cut trousers and a warm cardigan and with shorts later in the year.

 Mint Sleeveless Shirt, £30, available at Topshop

 

We are a sucker for a nice clutch bag here at MFL and this new season braided one from French Connection is all kinds of gorgeous…

Betty Braid Clutch, £60, available at French Connection

We are going to say this very slowly. McQueen. At. 80%. Off. Now go…

McQ White Sleeveless Laced Shoulder Shirt, £175 £34, available at My-wardrobe

 

While we won’t be heading to Paris Fashion Week to see the Lanvin show, that doesn’t mean we can’t look like the chicest person in the office with this Alber Elbaz notebook. Yes it’s just paper but it’s fashion darling!

Lanvin Alber Silhouettes Small Notebook, £30, available at Matches

 

This bag puts us in a super happy mood and channels theladylike trend perfectly. Race you to the till…

Coral Lady Stud Bow Bag, £25, available at Topshop

 

 

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Here at MFL, we love all types of animal print; leopard, zebra, tiger, crocodile. You name it, we’ve pretty much tried it. But there is one print that we have special style affection for- snakeskin.

There is something really cool and effortless about snakeskin that other prints just can’t touch. Leopard print might look glam on certain occasions but, worn the wrong way and you might just verge into Bet Lynch territory (shudder).

Snakeskin on the other hand, is more subtle, more refined and more blasé. We love!

Thankfully it is super-hot right now and investing in a piece will see you right through summer.

Here are our top five picks which are all, miraculously, under £50.

1.If you haven’t ventured into the style mecca that is Stylist Pick, you need to now. This clutch and purse set is modern, fashion forward and panelled with just the right amount of snakeskin.

Cindy Multi Clutch and Purse Set, £39.95, available at Stylist Pick

2. What could be more chic than this gorgeous little leather snakeskin flap over wallet from Reiss. We love the simplistic design and luxe feel. Oh and did we mention it’s in the sale?

Reiss Mario Square Flap Over Wallet, £69 £34, available at Reiss

3.Everyone from Rihanna to Alexa are huge fans of hi-tops and these snakeskin ones from Stylist Pick tick all the right boxes. Wear with rolled up jeans and a loose knit sweater now and with shorts and a vest when summer, eventually, arrives.

Elva Snake Print Hi-tops, £39.95, available at Stylist Pick

4.You’ll have the moves like Jagger in these MOTO supersoft skinny jeans. Sexy, rock ‘n’ roll and oh so cool.

MOTO Snakeskin Print Supersoft Skinny Jeans, £40, available at Topshop

5.What is not to love about the faux-snakeskin bag from Warehouse? It’s roomy, practical can be dressed up or down. Perfect if you want to add a touch of the print to your wardrobe without going overboard.

Faux Snake Tassel Tote, £38, available at Warehouse

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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!) 

The highly coveted title of Designer of the Year went to Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen and we can think of more than one reason why she was given the honour. Not only has she done the late Alexander McQueen proud by enabling his legacy to live on, but she has presented outstanding collections that are both in keeping with the signature McQueen style as well as adding her own personal stamp on each and every piece. And of course, we imagine the dress of the century, i.e. Kate Middleton‘s Royal Wedding dress, had something to do with it too.

Christopher Kane was the proud recipient of the New Establishment Award, which as we revealed yesterday, was a brand new category, while Victoria Beckham walked away with the Designer Brand prize – apparently on the verge of tears as she accepted her award… aww!

Mary Katrantzou (whose dress for Topshop we, along with the rest of the blogosphere, fell in love with at first sight) won the Emerging Talent award for her ready to wear collection and Alexa Chung was given the British Style Award for the second year running – meaning Kate Middleton, who was nominated at the last minute, missed out.

Here are all the winners along with the official names for their prizes.

EMERGING TALENT AWARD – READY TO WEAR: Mary Katrantzou

EMERGING TALENT AWARD – ACCESSORIES: Tabitha Simmons

EMERGING TALENT AWARD – MENSWEAR: Christopher Raeburn

ACCESSORY DESIGNER: Charlotte Olympia

MENSWEAR DESIGNER: Kim Jones

DESIGNER BRAND: Victoria Beckham

MODEL: Stella Tennant

BFC OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN FASHION: Paul Smith

ISABELLA BLOW AWARD FOR FASHION CREATOR: Sam Gainsbiury

RED CARPET AWARD: Stella McCartney

DESIGNER OF THE YEAR: Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen

NEW ESTABLISHMENT AWARD: Christopher Kane

BRITISH STYLE AWARD BROUGHT TO YOU BY VODAFONE: Alexa Chung

Last night’s event only reaffirmed our love and appreciation for British fashion, and we hope next year is just as exciting as this one.

Check out our gallery below to see what the celebs wore to attend this prestigious event. Who was your best dressed?

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Geez, the celebs are really loving Versace for H&M at the minute! Last week we reported that Kelly Rowland had worn a leather jacket from the collection to X Factor rehearsals and that very same jacket was recently spotted on Jameela Jamil.

The T4 presenter turned up to DJ at InStyle magazine’s 10^th anniversary party. We have to say, we loved the jacket on Kelly but Jameela showed how it can look equally as good dressed up for the evening.

Jameela is a self proclaimed Topshop aficionado and her gorgeous purple velvet mini dress certainly ticks all the right boxes. She opted for bare legs and ankle boots, which seems to be a T4 presenter uniform – yes we’re talking to you too, Alexa!

Her wine coloured boots were also Topshop and coordinated well with the outfit, and her trademark bowler hat finished the look with a quirky twist. Love!

For dressing top to toe in high street and looking fantastic with it, we give a big thumbs up to Jameela!

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