The American Dream

A key trend this Summer is Americana: think cheerleaders, stars and stripes, western denim, Glee, American football, Alexa Chung.

Primarily a casual trend, the look is relaxed and baggy with hints of bodycon. Cropped tees can be layered over a body, casual shorts can be worn with wedge boots. Denim is pale or bright blue-washed. Throw on some knee high socks and a sports style bag and you're good to go!

Snap up these key pieces to Americanise your Summer wardrobe. Pep ralley attendance optional.

1. Bomber jacket, £40, Topshop


2. Denim bralet, £18, Miss Selfridge


3. Blue wash jeans, £40, Topshop


4. Stars and stripes hi-tops, £39.99, Converse at Schuh


5. 'Home run' cropped tee, £18, ASOS.com


6. Black body, $14.99, Missguided.com


7. Running shorts, £14, Topshop


8. Cable knit socks, £4, New Look


9. Wedge ankle boots, £55, ASOS.com


10. Slouchy bag, £85, ASOS.com


Images from:
www.topshop.com
www.missselfridge.com
www.schuh.co.uk
www.asos.com
www.missguided.co.uk
www.newlook.com

Kate Moss - Topshop Drop

If I'm honest, I have difficulty thinking back to the days pre-Kate Moss for Topshop. And she is back again in full force for yet another boho-glam collection for everyone's favourite high street retailer.

Never one to look overdone, Kate's collections have always got an air of relaxed glamour which perfectly represents British fashion and is highly wearable. The collection is now available in store and at www.topshop.com, check out these must-haves:



Snap up this gorgeous nude embellished maxi asap - can you say perfect summer wedding outfit? Pricey at £200 but will look stunning all summer long.



Next on my list are these beautiful shorts. The suede material is v. on trend and the grey tone makes for a versatile wardrobe addition. £70 and will go with everything - I promise you.



Last but by no means least is this nude tee with embellished chain shoulders for £38. I've been looking for the perfect embellished tee since Christmas time and this one has certainly caught my eye.

The Costume Institute Gala: Best and Worse

The big event on the Fashion Radar recently was the The Costume Institute Gala in New York and glamorous celebs turned out in full force. Key colours were nudes (natch), ethereal white and smokey greys and blacks, and hemlines were either mini or maxi. I've picked the best and the worst of the dresses for your entertainment. Enjoy!

First to catch my eye was Sienna Miller in this stunning navy Pucci frock (shame about the man on her arm!). Her sunkissed glow and blonde hair set the blue off a treat. Shoes are rather lovely too! Glad to see that platform sandals aren't budging from the red carpet anytime soon.



I also loved Emma Watson's crisp white Burberry gown. The split is just right, any higher and she'd be indecent but she keeps the look clean. Her wavy locks could give Alexa a run for her money!



But my favourite dressed celeb is without doubt the effortlessly gorgeous Blake Lively. Whilst she didn't go for a gorgeous full length gown like many others, she manages to look youthful and toned in this gorgeous blue one shoulder Marchesa number with stand-out floral detail. The blue colour is flattering on her skintone and her scraped back hair highlights her facial features. Miss Lively, I salute you!



If you want to copy Blake's look on a budget then snap up this ASOS Premium dress in black or pink for only £28!



However, not everyone looked so stylish. I'm talking to you, Giselle! This Alexander Wang frock is just a bit on the weird side - tassels should be kept for daytime if you ask me and the material looks a bit cheap.



Stylist to the stars Rachel Zoe didn't seem to have lived up to her usual flawless outfit choices. This yellow velvet number seems off season and I'm not sure the words 'yellow' and 'velvet' were ever meant to be used together in a sentence.



And then there's the ever interestingly dressed Katy Perry. I can't make up my mind as to whether I like her LED light dress but I definitely admire her bravery!


Images from:
www.look.co.uk
www.huffingtonpost.com
www.asos.com
www.dailymail.co.uk

Made Up

I know it's election day, but I thought I ought to write a quick post to remind you that the Topshop make-up range is now avaliable to buy online and in stores since yesterday.

Reasonably priced and in funky packaging (polka dots and stripes- so SS10!), I recommend you snap up an item or two quick smart. The range covers eyeshadow, mascara, eyeliner, eye glitter, lipstick, lip gloss, blusher, bronzer, foundation and nail varnish - they've got it all covered! From natural shades to on trend brights, the choice is yours!

Best bits include this Nail Varnish in Gone Fishing, just £5 and perfect to paint your toes with this summertime and this pencil style lipstick in Rose for £7.




See the full collection at www.topshop.com

Images from topshop.com

Olivia Palermo: I Want Your Wardrobe

Well, the title says it all... Olivia Palermo is officially my new style crush. Having seen her looking polished to perfection in numerous magazines over the past few months and lusting after her daily outfits as documented on the Vogue website's 'Today I'm Wearing' section (see below for link) I feel it's time to devote a blog solely to the wonder that is her wardrobe.

Twenty-four years of age and one of the stars of 'The City', Ms Palermo dresses less like typical American reality television stars (Paris Hilton anyone?) and more like our various home-grown stylistas. Never one to go for the scruffy look, her hair is always elegantly styled in sleek curls or straight lengths, makeup natural but highlighting her best features and always accessorised to perfection (well, given her job as US Elle's Accessories Editor, she ought to be!).

I've trawled through the Internet to bring you some of her best looks and suggested some items to purchase on the high street (well, she does love Topshop after all) to get the look... job at Elle sold separately.

Topshop sequin jacket and a fierce clutch jazz up a plain tee:



Never underestimate the power of tights and mega heels with a pair of tailored shorts:



Perfect for spring in a white blouse and skirt, accessorised with a statement necklace:



A simple hairstyle keeps a high glamour maxi from looking too over the top:



Retro shades and brogues keep her looking young and on-trend:



1. Beaded necklace, £12, Evans


2. White shift dress, £45, Topshop


3. Heels, £68, Topshop


4. Raffia clutch, £70, ASOS.com


5. Sequin jacket, £45, New Look


6. Relaxed tee, £45, Reiss


7. Nude shorts, £45, Warehouse


8. Brogues, £29.99, Schuh


9. Maxi dress, £110, French Connection


See more of Olivia Palermo's style at: www.vogue.co.uk

Images from:
www.fashion-stylist.net
www.glamourmagazine.co.uk
www.marieclaire.co.uk
tantawan.no
www.evans.co.uk
www.topshop.com
www.asos.com
www.newlook.com
www.reiss.co.uk
www.warehouse.co.uk
www.schuh.co.uk
www.frenchconnection.com