SNAP Fashion

Lessons to learn about fashion longevity from Chanel Pre SS14

Fashion is stylish vicious circle. Just as you get your head around one set of trends, another batch come along and there are new rules to learn. So factor in the increasing importance of cruise collections (now known as Pre collections) and voila…extra homework!

But it’s homework we’re happy to do. Especially when dished out by Karl Lagerfeld, who has just shown Chanel’s Pre SS14 collection – yup that’s right folks…NEXT summer, before this one’s even begun. So how is this helpful to us? Well, you can be extra shopping savvy by buying into trends that will go the distance…make tricky transitions into Autumn, work as part of your winter wardrobe (yes seriously – we’re talking monochrome!) and come full (non vicious circle) to still be trendy next summer.

Think we’re crazy? Here are 10 tips to make your wardrobe work harder in the future.

Monochrome Cara style

Monochrome: Timeless and chic. I love the feathered and tweed looks in this collection.  Stock up on a chic pair of cropped trousers and pretty prints to get work wear with serious mileage.

A little bit punk: Take your style notes from the Met ball or tone it down Chanel-style with a quirky fringe.

White on white: It’s everywhere this summer and definitely not just for weddings. White looks crisp and fresh in winter too so feel free to invest in structured pieces – floatiness is just for summer.

Pure style

Stripes: They’re huge at Marc Jacobs and Michael Kors right now in a 1960s way but Chanel’s are broader and more relaxed. Whatever. Stripes ALWAYS rock.

The easiest trend to copy?

White court shoes: Check out our guide and invest now. They’re here to stay!

Blue eyeshadow: We swooned over Topshop Unique’s AW13 bold blue eyes and now Chanel’s at it too – in a more feline kinda way.

True blue

Print on print: is still a big thing. In this collection the prints match for some outfits and also contrast in others. I really like the pieces where the prints match but vary in scale.

Wide leg trousers: are having a moment. These are elegant and movie star rather than 1970s.

Wide girl

Volume: Those supersized slouchy coats at Celine and all the playful proportions of SS13 and AW13? They’re here to stay – check out the slouchy but structured ‘IT’ tee/jacket.

The luxe tee

A little bit Gatsby: There are mixed reviews of Baz Luhrman’s cinematic epic, but Lagerfeld’s homage to Coco, those delicious drop waits and perfect tailoring is incredible.

Oh J’adore it all!

Perspex bags: plastic fantastic

Sometimes the best fashion accessories are completely frivolous. No-one could claim that a teeny-weenie Perspex clutch is a practical purpose that can be justified on a price-per-wear basis, but how about the value of happiness?

There is something joyful about this summer’s Perspex clutches – a little candy clutch in jelly-bean colours. And much like a sugary snack, which is unnecessary but sometimes just what is needed – the neon clutch is a cherry on top of the sartorial dessert. Guaranteed to brighten up any outfit and add an element of playfulness,  they range from the spectacularly expensive (thanks Mr Lagerfeld) to the super playful (Charlotte Olympia’s super-sized perfume bottle) and  a tangible treat from Zara.

Yes, you’ll have to be super organised (no dead train tickets, used tissues and gum hiding at the bottom of your bag here) and fitting in your essentials will be a squeeze, but sometimes there is a lot to be said for fun…and if you need a little justification for such a frivolous purchase, the neon clutch will work a treat with the all-white and sports luxe trend. Which one(s) do you want? Here’s a tasty pick’n’mix of the best.

The one?

The one you can afford! £19.99 from Zara

Charlotte Olympia Pink Scent perfume bottle Perspex clutch £795

Another gem, the ‘neon minaudiere’ from Zara for £19.99

Perhaps inspired by Stella McCartney’s beautiful bags on the catwalk?

A green version of the neon mainadiere from Zara

Oh YES Chanel- Lego-tastic!

Zara neon box clutch £19.99 in lime (my affordable fav!)

PFW: top 3 OTT sets/most entertaining shows

Ah Paris- city of lights and totally over-the-top sets at Fashion Week. Of course PFW is all about the clothes but opulent venues, extravagant runways and now zip wires (?!) are trending too.

I was secretly hoping for a fashion moment similar to Louis Vuitton’s escalator twins of SS13 and I was not disappointed. Chanel set its show at the Grand Palais with a humongous globe as the show’s centre piece…and the mini globe bags were tres chic.

Karl’s bid for world domination? Pic: Telegraph via AP

But hold the glamour because Moncler Gamme Rouge raised the biggest smile with its super playful snowy show crammed with giant polar bears, beautiful huskies, men attached to wires, fake snow and fabulous mittens. I just wish the fur was fake *sigh* except for the husky’s…obvs. You have to watch this show right now!

Ice to see you

Pics: Vogue, The Daily Telegraph and videos from YouTube.

Our BAFTA Celebrity Snaps

We’ve shown you who we think were the best dressed at last night’s BAFTAs ceremony – now have a look at the outfits we’ve Snapped so you can steal their style!

Jessica Chastain wore an amazing Roland Mouret royal blue dress – we’ve found this gown from Manoukain that will make you stand out in a crowd.

Steal Jessica’s style and buy this Manoukian Gown.

Elizabeth Olsen, up for the Rising Star award, wore Chanel couture.  We’ve found a great wearable version from Hobbs for £145.

Get Elizabeth’s look with this great Hobb’s dress.

Laura Bailey looked great in this coral Roksanda Ilincic dress – beautiful and such a simple cut.  If you fancy giving this look a go grab this Freda dress from Matches Fashion for £222.

Get Laura’s easy coral look with this Freda dress from Matches Fashion

Best dressed: BAFTAs

As we separate the winners from the losers (if any Hollywood star is a loser) at this year’s BAFTAs, we’ve picked our favourite looks from the red carpet. From classic Chanel Couture and monochrome Dior to canary yellow and a very cool jumpsuit, there’s something for everyone! Jessica Chastain wins the prize for Vogueing in the rain…no-one has ever looked like they’re having so much fun in drizzley London.

Jessica Chastain wears Roland Mouret and even makes rain glam

Anne Hathaway looks classy in Burberry

Elizabeth Olsen looks impossibly pretty in Chanel Couture

Joining the monochrome club, Jennifer Lawrence owns Christian Dior

Laura Bailey is tangerine-tastic in Roksanda Illincic

Marion Cotillard is a ray of sunshie in Dior

Sarah Jessica Parker remains a committed fashionista in an eye-catching Elie Saab jumpsuit

I just love Helena Bonham Carter…that is all!

Pics: Glamour.

Top 5: Paris Couture Week dresses

Of course there are some crazy creations shown off at Paris Couture Week but here are five dresses that we would happily wear to the Oscars…if we were nominated and had squillions of pounds, obviously. We would probably go a little easier on the make-up in Chanel’s case though – not that it didn’t look incredible on the runway!

Valentino. I’m thinking Queen’s garden party

Giambattista Valli – for a cool art exhibition opening?

Dior – one for a wedding?

Chanel. I’m feeling a super glam cocktail party/ red carpet occasion

Elie Saab for wearing in an exotic summery city or a modelling shoot on the beach

Best dressed: Chanel’s jewellery party vs Little Black Jacket do

There have been two swanky Chanel dos in the past week welcoming a host of Hollywood and fashion’s finest.

The fashion house celebrated the 80th anniversary of its Bijoux de Diamants jewellery collection with a pretty party in New York.  Blake Lively stole the show in a couture gown in her first official fashion outing after marrying Ryan Reynolds, while Diane Kruger wore an SS13 dress hot off the runway.

Meanwhile things looked slightly quirkier in London for the opening of Chanel’s Little Black Jacket exhibition which opens this week. We loved model Edie Campbell’s androgynous look and Alice Dellal’s signature punky style.

Blake Lively (HUGE engagement ring not shown)

Alexa Chung

Leigh Lezark

Diane Kruger bags herself a new IT frock

Edie Campbell

Poppy Delevingne

Suki Waterhouse

Alice Dellal

Pics: Vogue and Telegraph.

Brad Pitt for Chanel

Let’s be honest this is a gratuitous post.  It’s not new news that Brad Pitt has been picked to be the first male spokesman/pin-up for Chanel’s most iconic perfume, Chanel No.5, but Monsieur Lagerfeld has given the world a sneak peak and the full ad will be out soon.

We have seriously high hopes for the commercial, which has been overseen by Joe Wright (director of Atonement and Anna Karenina) and hope it will be as breath-taking as Nicole Kidman’s Baz Luhrmann advert – perfumed perfection.

Check out the trailer, see all the ‘firsts’ and get seriously excited!

PFW: Chanel’s hula hoop beach bag

You can tell that Karl Lagerfeld has a private jet as only then would he design a beach bag that needs its own giant, cylindrical suitcase! Of course we are talking about the super distinctive hula hoop beach bag spotted on the Chanel catwalk at Paris Fashion Week.

Journalists who questioned Karl about his flamboyant beach accessory were told by the man himself: “It’s for the beach. You need space for the beach towel, huh? And then you can put it into the sand and hang things on it.”

Well d’uh. There has been some humorous suggestions about what else the circular shaped bag might be good for as well as a towel dryer- how about a tool for knocking other beach users out of the way? An exercise device (aka hula hoop)? Personal space hogger for the Tube? Or perhaps an elaborate activity centre for Choupette the kitty cat?

The bag in question

Whatever the case and practicalities, I am smitten with this whimsical bag that proves that high fashion can be fun…and the adoreable swimsuit. The bag looked AMAZING on the catwalk and will no doubt be a handy accessory for the girl who already owns a Chanel surfboard and ping pong paddles.

I read somewhere that there will be a mini (more practical) version coming out too. Let’s hope this hula-tastic trend transfers to the high street for maximum fun that we’re not afraid to get sandy!

An artist’s impression of the full Chanel beach kit – works for me!

Pics: The Telegraph.

Chanel vs Zara

Here is one gem of a dress that has just hit the rails in Zara. We LOVE the ladylike cut and jewel print, which is on-trend for AW12, according to Karl Lagerfeld and he should know. We adore Chanel’s jewelled coat and crystal embellished accessories. For more purse-friendly prices, Zara is on board with everything jewelled. Get shopping early!

Stunning jewel print dress £69.99 at Zara

Chanel

Close up

Pics: Elle + Zara