We’re all for investing in ‘classic’ pieces but sometimes we just want to scratch a trend itch and Primark’s cheap and cheerful summer collection does just that. Here our top 5 buys to wear in the sun.
So Prada and a little fifties
Super versatile print shorts
A little JW Anderson? A lot useful for work.
Printed denim without the hassle or scariness!
Ticking the underwater trend box and referencing Mary Katrantzou just a little
The peplum has been strutting its stuff on the catwalk for a couple of seasons now so you might as well give in and give this high-street friendly trend a go as it will be big this autumn and winter too.
I was going to be a bit of a fashion geek and head to the British Museum to prove that this trend has been around forever, (well, as long as the Ancient Greeks who loved a tunic gathered in at the waist -yes, even the men) but I will spare you, other than to mention that back when Dickens was writing the peplum was a popular riding jacket. So a new fad this ain’t.
And the peplum is amazing for accentuating feminine curves and creating a defined waist…but they can be tricky little blighters. The good news is that there is a peplum for all body shapes – you just need to pick where to pep and be prepared to try on quite a few- some will look grim – this is the shop’s fault and not yours!
Jason Wu put his peplum on the hips, which can look amazing on athletic or column-shaped girls, but not so flattering on anyone with already-curvy hips or thighs! Girls with inverted-triangle shaped bodies can get away with adding extra material to their hips or picking a waited peplum that is rather dramatic. However, there are lots of structured peplum tops and dresses on the high street, where the peplum accentuates the waist, which is far more flattering on most body shapes.
One of my fav SS12 looks
We love H&M and Topshop’s super sporty neoprene tops and have found that peplums with little material streamline the shape without adding bulk to the figure – plus they tick the sports luxe SS12 trend box. The fitted peplum is generally more flattering than its flouncy next-of-kin and teamed with a pencil skirt will create an amazing hourglass shape – great if you are an Apple shape looking to define your wait (add a belt for extra effect) or a pear shape looking to balance your top half with your curvier hips…or in fact an hourglass looking to ramp up your curve-appeal!
Shell top with peplum £22 from ASOS. H&M is also good for sleek and sporty peplums
If you don’t fancy taking the peplum plunge, why not cheat a little with a skirt that flares out, like a relaxed fishtail shape? The peplum trend can add instant glamour and polish to your work wardrobe and isn’t as daunting as we first thought. Go on, give it a try?
Amazing peplum scuba pencil dress £48 from Topshop
Such a statement piece and a must-have for AW12 too. leather peplum top £59.99 from H&M
You’ve probably seen BEX ROX jewellery in plenty of magazines and Bex Manners’ work is perfect for SS12: neon plus sporty- what more could you want?!
Bex was born in the Balearics and her designs are a little free and rave-y in places with lots of texture (apparently influenced by her travels around South East Asia, Australia and South America). When she got back she worked as a stylist assistant at French Vogue and W Magazine…jealous much?
Since the launch of her jewellery line in 2006, the brand has bagged the Coutts New Jewellers Award and is now sold in 19 countries. Impressed? In fact it’s so popular the high street has produced its on BEX ROX-inspired pieces, but with prices for the real thing starting at £45 they are completely obtainable with a little saving.
BEX ROX Eivissa box necklace £290
The one you can afford - Fluoro friendship bracelet £45
I love this 'H cuff' for £120
Inspired? Topshop's Premium rhinestone wrap collar necklace £45
The budget option: wrapped mesh collar £8.50 from Topshop again
Louis Vuitton’s SS12 collection showcased some stunning pieces including these Merry-Go-Round mules. The problem for us mere mortals? Mules are really hard to walk in without brusing your toes and the last time they were on-trend I spent most of the summer tripping over!
Love the detailing on the Merry-Go-Round mule
Luckily for those of us without a designer budget (or a need not to trip over in the office) the metal toecap detailing is making its way onto the high-street and looks fierce in a pastel kind way! Here are our top 3 picks.
Zara - £69.99 - Court Shoe with Metal Toe Cap
Topshop - £60 - Gilmore Metallic Toecap Points
Topshop - £50 - Gabbi Metal Toecap Points
I can’t wait for summer and every time I open a fashion magazine Mulberry’s amazing SS12 campaign teases me a little more that it’s still a bit of a wait. But I spotted this tasty skirt in Whistles and it reminded me of the British seaside and Mr Whippy ice cream so here is an ode to just that….oh, and here’s Tali Lennox’s seductive shoot for Eleven Paris – just because it features a stripy lollipop.
Cecile stripe skirt £125 from Whistles
Perfection!
Close-up of the stripiness. How would you style it? For me it has to be a 1950s-style crisp white shirt tied up to reveal a little midriff
Whippy!
Tali Lennox by Terry Richardson
Lipsy have just sent us an exciting email of its SS12 collection. Perhaps drawing inspiration from Mulberry’s ice-cream theme and Prada (look at the cutout pleat dress!) there are some great pieces to tempt you to embrace this season’s pastel trend. All we need now is some sunshine…come onnnn!
We love the cutout pleat dress
Patterned jeans are big this spring, which is particularly good news if you live somewhere a little patchy on the weather-front. They’re the perfect way to kick start your spring wardrobe without freezing in the drizzle! Here are 10 of the most adventurous we’ve found to suit all budgets.
Mother Denim Looker Skinny jeans - 'A Day in Paradise' and THE printed jeans of the season - £275 ouch! Splurge on these beauties at Donna Ida
Motel jordan jeans speed -what a name! £48 from ASOS
Blue nautical stripes at River Island £40
Current/Elliott Stiletto Skinny Jeans In Polka Dot Print £200
On trend scarf-print MOTO Baroque Print Skinny Jeans £40 from Topshop
Warehouse keeping the tribal trend alive for £45
White floral print jeans from River Island £40
How to tap into the tie dye trend...MOTO's peachy jeans £45
Look like china plates (yay!) White floral print skinny jeans £40 from River island
My favs (if they do them in blue I'm sold!) Dip Dye jeans £35 from River Island
Thanks to Prada, Louis Vuitton and others, we all know that the 1950s and Americana trends are big news for Spring, but for those of us chomping at the bit to buy pieces for the new season, this can be a tad tricky- as powdery pastels took, well , a tad summery (and go a tad see-through) in the drizzle…
…which is why we love this dress from Primark. It’s black, so you can wear it now, as well as into the Spring and has bright pink detailing as well as that fifties lady-like silhouette – and all for £15! Granted, it’s not amazing quality but as a fun piece to pep up your winter wardrobe we reckon it’s a solid buy and will scratch that new season itch.
Spot! Colours look rubbishly un-intense (thanks camera phone)
That's better! Cute detail.
P.S. It will look extra good on hourglass and pear-shaped girls and can easily be dressed up for work.
If money was no object here are six shoes I would LOVE in my giant shoebox (nice name for big storage crate) for spring. While I love a heel I find them more fun to look at than walk in so really, I should just opt for Carven’s jingle flats (or a cheaper equivalent), but my heart belongs to Prada. *Sigh*
Isabel Marant ticks the comfort, height and cool box (of course) - great for a take on Spring's sporty trend
Nicholas Kirkwood's amazing colour block courts for Roksanda Illinic
Cute Carven flats (would the bells be annoying?!)
Metalics, pastels and futuristic perspex - Dries van Noten scores a trend hat-trick
Balmain's Matador boot would be my go-to party boot (if I had the chance!)
Last but not least- 1950s perfection from Prada
All pics from The Telegraph.
Much like the crop top trend (thanks a bunch Topshop et al) I have mixed feelings about wedge trainers, as being a 1990s teen I have been there, read the book and got the (colour changing) t-shirt. Having said that, there is room in my life for these Isabel Marant numbers…they do remind me slightly of those self-lacing ones from Back to the Future.
The wedged trainer fall into Spring’s ‘sports luxe’ trend and would make a pair of skinny jeans current, while Elle also recommends pairing them with a leather skirt or denim mini dress for the warmer weather.
Surely this look will be a huge hit with the hipsters in Shoreditch, near Snap Fashion HQ. We’ll keep you posted!
Guilty pleasure? Isabel Marant wedge trainers £430
Cheap + chic (but not a v Spring colour) wedge trainers from Aldo. £80
Slightly more elegant wedged trainers £248 from See by Chloe
Pics: Elle.
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