SNAP Fashion

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!)

Kenzo: earning your tiger stripes

Anyone who is as addicted to street style blogs as we are couldn’t avoid a zillion pictures of Kenzo’s ubiquitous green tiger embroidered sweatshirt. While the Kenzo sweatshirt sold out long ago, you can still grab a tee on the brand’s website and the high street is awash with tiger sweat inspired pieces.

We adore Topshop’s quirky giraffe print sweat and Zara’s sophisticated monochrome version, which by the way is phenomenally soft and beautiful quality – a steal at £30.

Will you be earning your fashion stripes with this fierce tiger trend?

Bloggers style up the original [Pic: UpperAttitude.blogspot.com

One for the urban jungle. £32 from Topshop

Kenzo on the catwalk [pic:Bisou-style.blogspot.com]

Loads of tiger action at Zara!

The real deal. Tshirt £85.

My favourite. I need this outfit. Sweat £30 from Zara

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

Get the look: Alessanda Ambrosio’s studded boots

Victoria’s Secret model Alessanda Ambrosio stepped out in one of AW12’s hottest micro-trends – studded boots- early this week and the good news is, that you can get similar versions on the high street that are flat, so you avoid falling into the sartorial trap of looking like a rhinestone cowgirl.

Alessanda rocks this tricky trend (pic: Daily Mail)

Amazing ankle boot with studded toe – £119 from Zara

A more western take from Topshop. ‘Alvin’ studded boot £90

Zara makes leopard print lovely

Leopard print can be tricky to get just right (think Pat Butcher from Eastenders) and yet some stylists consider it almost neutral to mix with almost anything in your everyday wardrobe to add a little glam – think Roberto Cavalli dresses.

We’re smitten with Zara’s leopard print perfect items- just the right shade with punchy print in luxe materials – so it looks effortlessly high end. I think the little bag is a teensy bit Celine in pattern and simplicity and I love the sandals to wear with denim and a white shirt. Timeless.

Oh how I need these coltskin vamp shoes £29.99

Th bolder option – printed trousers £29.99 – probably not to be worn with leopard print accessories!

Perfect ‘fur’ messenger bag £29.99

NOT from Zara – but I love it! Yves Saint Laurent leopard print silk-satin dress £800 from Net-a-Porter

Neon jewellery: Tom Binns vs Zara

We’ve been massive fans of Tom Binns for aaages and his perfect use of neon crystals. I love to see one of his neon necklaces thrown on over a well-loved grey tee for a casual gone glam look and now we’ve spotted a distinctly Binns-esque necklace in Zara. It comes in pink too but I love this necklace in a shot of SS12’s hottest colour – lemon yellow.

P.S. H&M is jumping on the neon jewellery band wagon too and we spied a cute necklace that seems to be inspired by Bex Rox.

Fauve hand-painted Swarovski crystal necklace £805

Stone necklace with neon touches £15.99 from Zara

Snap The Look – Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria has showcased a serious collection of dresses at Cannes this year (jealous much), but here’s how you can get Eva’s look from the UK high-street for a penny under £100.

Get Eva’s look for just under £100

Credit: The Daily Mail for Eva’s picture, and Zara and Aldo website for product pictures

Trend watch: pyjama shorts

We’ve waxed lyrical about pyjama-style trousers, but how about silky pyjama-style shorts, almost like fashionable boxer shorts for girls? They have the advantage over their trouser counterparts of showing off pins and ankles. Take your lead from D&G and seek out scarf-print shorts or make like Marc by Marc Jacobs and go all nautical. If you like to mix and match your trends, there are also lots of tie dye surfy silk shorts out there.

Inspiration! D&G SS12

A little scarf-like! Zara shorts £19.99

I’m in love with these shorts by Marc by Marc Jacobs £56 from The Outnet – be quick!

Lou Dillon is decked out completely in Marni x H&M (wish I’d queued up now!)

Amazing silk shorts at Reiss and just a little bit surfy

One for the boys too? Pyjamas at Topman SS12

Cheap and chic tie dye shorts at Zara £19.99

White shoes: Celine vs the 1980s

Bad eighties fashion usually included white court shoes (as a zillion scuffed pairs are testament to in vintage shops) but Celine is trying to transform our relationship with the white shoe next season- and Alexander Wang is trying to help!

No longer the preserve of desperate eighties prom girls (we love you really) and ladies from Essex, the white court has got a makeover and looks incredibly chic with tailored trousers a la Celine. The best bit is that Zara has got in on the act early. Snap up a pair of white courts for just £39.99 We would style them with a pretty printed retro dress this summer and if fashion shows are to be believed, you will be embracing them right through the winter months too…accessorise with snow?!

Celine 2012 resort (pic: Nuvonova)

Cute court by Zara

Celine AW12

Snap! By Zara

White shoes at Alexander Wang

Top 5: t-bar shoe totty

YSL is crazy for t-bar heels this season and we’re seeing bright tributes all over the high street. I adore the block-heel neon versions in Zara but there are also delicate stiletto shapes out there too. The only rule is that modern shapes and platform heights are hot, rather than decidedly retro versions of yester-year. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t team your t-bars with a classic tea dress or shift – a cute and playful work wear look.

I adore these neon t-bar heels from Zara and would team them with a blue scarf-print skirt and white shirt, or classic polka-dot print dress

I love this fierce metal detailing on the YSL Candide paneled suede pumps £735 from Net-a-Porter

Another Zara entry for high heel pros only. The stark stiletto shape is incredibly sexy (but tricky to walk in!) £59.99

The right kinda retro: Topshop's Whamm espadrille leather wedges £65

For disco divas: Miu Miu Glitter and crystal-embellished suede sandals £650