ASOS BLACK wedges, Stradivarius Hat, Pull & Bear Shirt & Bag, Miss Selfridge Cardigan, Accessorize Brooch, vintage belt

Fringes are one of the main trends this season and you can't hate them - whatever your style there's a sort which will suit your liking.... elegant a' la Louis Vuitton, edgy Lanvin-style (SS11), colourful and fun, the way its manifested at Christian Dior and sexy with fully-fletched maxi skirts the Versace way. Fringes are definitely not a miss on the highstreet - with fringed scarves at Accessorize (top left), fringed lacy kaftans and metallic fringe shorts at Topshop, and, not to miss, fringed sandal flats at Asos!

[catwalk images from Style.com]

Florals have really taken off this season, and rather than last year's subtle muted, and faded ones, this year's florals have gone bolder, bigger and brighter. Here are some top-of-the-list highstreet buys for you to consider and take your pick! Will it be French Connection's combination of the minimalist with the bohemian in violet tones in that shift dress? Or will it me Stradivarius' combination of striking stripes, citrus tones and exotic palms in that bandeau number? There is an array of choices for everyone out there and perhaps if you're one of those neutral bearing dudettes (*cough* me *cough*) perhaps its time for you to take the plunge into the colour pool...and this definitely the perfect time to do so....

[Miss Selfridge Tunic, Topshop Sleeveless A-line, French Connection dress, Topshop Mexican Floral Print Dress, Stradivarius dress, Oasis asymmetric sleeve dress.]

We've seen an overload of eye-popping colours out there, and it just goes to show we sometimes go over our heads and think too much of what we'll be wearing in two months time and forget about the succulent, delicate pleasures of the present - spring. There are loads of high street buys out there waiting to be devoured by the hungry fashionista.

Here I've chosen a few pieces which I would personally love to own at this time of need... hah! The tones are particularly muted, but at the very least delicate - whilst I'm usually more akin with the edgier vibes, I'd be proud to wear them at this time of year. Funnily enough, spring makes me chirpier than usual, pun intended - the birds really have gotten over their heads on my balcony - they've been melodiously frolicking about for an hour or so now...

Bottom line - as much as they say the early bird catches the worm, I'll say the early bird will forget that summer has plenty of time to catch up with - perhaps too much time to catch up with here in Malta... so go out there and enjoy spring while it lasts!

Asos Leather Clutch, Asos bowling bag, topshop earrings, topshop white pumps, Miss Selfridge turquoise mixed knit, Miss Selfridge colour-block dress, Miss Selfridge Kimono, ASOS Lady bag, Paul & Joe Spring 2011 Limited Edition in Sunshine and Prism.

from left to right: Topshop, Topshop, River Island, Topshop, boohoo.com, Accessorize, ZARA, River Island

Whilst we all love a pretty, there's nothing as handy as structured bags - they make perfect day bags and hand luggage! With a pocket for your phone & secure zips and locks you'll find everything in a cinch. Personally I like to theme them up with a slouchy outfit, that way the look looks less rigid. A baggy white teesh will work perfectly with most of them, especially the fuschia boohoo bag perhaps themed with grungy denim shorts or a denim mini. A summery cheesecloth day dress, perhaps a lacy one, would totally prettify the brown, serious looking ZARA hold all. There is a plethora of choices on the market - choose wisely and it will serve you a good while!

I'm all about carrying huge bags with tons of stuff in it, half of which I never use. But sometimes, when I'm staring out the window on a bus to campus and, really, there's nothing interesting to see anymore, I've seen it all day after day, same route, same streets and same shops... bottom line - I get bored. I'm all for "art is around us" but let's face it, the interest in polluted streets and densely populated streets does fade away when you've seen it once too many. And that's when I thank god for the existence of goods and then I thank the publishers who have made classics worth reading again.

Lately I've been reading Penguin's Great Ideas series... there are countless of them. Most of them of a philosophical or profound nature and I'm all for that. I hate carrying around huge books with me, especially when my bag's already overwhelmed with text books and gadgets - netbook, phone, power supply and whatnot. This series is just perfectly sized, ideally lightweight and not at all expensive (Around EUR 6). I don't mean this as an advert, although I admit it sounds like one. I wanted to say that, above all, they're really pretty and not at all an eyesore like most aging, boringly covered books. They make a great addition to any handbag... heck, you may even throw in more than one!

Last Friday 8 April, Christian Laboutin sued YSL for putting red soles on its shoes. The red soles have been a Laboutin signature since 1992. Fashion legend has it that the designer painted a pair of his own shoes with red nail polish because he thought it gave the shoes an extra pop - soon it became his signature.

According to Reuters, "The defendants' [YSL's] use of red footwear outsoles that are virtually identical to the plaintiffs' Red Sole Mark is likely to cause and is causing confusion, mistake and deception among the relevant purchasing public." Laboutin seems to have asked politely last January 2011 for the company to refrain from using his trademark (in the US since 2008) colour on women's shoes. The company is asking the court for $1 million in damages and for YSL to stop production of red-soled shoes.

Well, you see, as much as fashion is an art it is most definitely business.

The YSL pumps

Laboutins {net-a-porter.com]

The Burburry Prorsum Jacket

We've seen it everywhere - on fashionistas at fashion week - well that or a similar version of it. It is a merging of heritage (a la Burberry) and edge (Burberry Prorsum) Left: original Burberry leather jacket, right: edgy Burberry Prorsum leather jacket.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

{images from net-a-porter.com}

ZARA blazer; ZARA pencil skirt; vintage straw clutch, ZARA wedges; ZARA top; handmade ring

ZARA have a wonderful collection of colourful pieces worthy of the eye-popping colour-blocking trend. I gave it a go here, and it turns out it's pretty and the blazer makes it totally spring-suitable. Hope you like it ;)

The Mulberry Alexa & the Bayswater Soon becoming a classic albeit having only been created in 2009, inspired by Alexa Chung, it is perhaps the equivalent Chanel 2.55 flap bag classic of this generation: The Mulberry Alexa

The Bayswater is another iconic piece from Mulberry - it is sophisticated and chic, yet not overboard - the perfect combination.

{images from net-a-porter.com}

This isn't a difficult look to go by. It's rather simple - strappy top, cardigan, jeans and scarf. The colour-combination is what makes it stand out. It's also a balancing act between preppy (cardigan & pearls) and 70s chic (scarf & flares). It's what I call a spring basic. What I loved about this ZARA cardigan are the gold buttons and the pink ribbon linging where the buttons. I had bought that scarf from an Accessorize sale last summer - I hadn't worn it that much until I couldn't resist the fact that it perfectly matches that cardi ribbon lining in terms of colour and the fact that it has that sheer-silky feel is an added bonus. The flare jeans are the ones I mentioned in an earlier post from ASOS. Thank God for them!

Here are a few of the looks at the catwalk which can be somehow translated to real life - perhaps the headwrap from D&G, the simple braid from Valentino. The not so-simple braiding at Alexander McQueen emphasises the diversity of braiding and it goes to show that braids are wayyy bang on trend this season! The wrapped bun at Versace can be taken down a notch perhaps with a floral wrap over your bun instread.

Sleeky hair was definitely highlighted but you can always go a' la Burberry Prorsum and sport the messy bun. The waves at Dior are reminiscent of the 50s housewife - very sleek and elegant especially when combined with colour-blocked make-up! The eye-popping lip colour at Jil Sander is worth a try...& perhaps for a fun night-out Prada's metallic eye make-up is a go-to and not so difficult to master. Carolina Herrera presented a delicate rusty smoky-eye - ideal for mornings and is the perfect balance to any edgy outfit. After all that's what summer is supposed to be about - a time to relax.

Go ahead - have fun experimenting!

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A major trend for the coming season, colour-blocking is all about starkly contrasting colours, being bold, brave and adventurous. To make it work choose 2 similar shades such as purple and electric blue then embolden it with a stark orange accessory - orange being on the opposite side of the spectrum (see bottom left picture from Fendi SS'11). Experiment all you want - this trend is a sure-fire way to enliven the winter darks.

Have fun! ;)

[ From left to right: ASOS sunglasses, Zara Orange Ballerinas, New Look Sheer pink blouse, Zara Elastic Strappy Heels, Nina Ricci SS'11, Miss Selfridge Jade Textured Mini Skirt, ASOS green skinny belt, Topshop Yellow Dress, Miss Selfridge chunky orange heels, New Look Electric Blue Shorts, Loewe SS'11, Topshop Red Top, Boohoo.com orange belt, Zara Green Court Shoes, ASOS Yellow Clutch, Stradivarius Watch ]

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What is perhaps the most challenging to the fashionista out there are the transitory periods in weather that are spring and autumn - whatever you wear is either too warm or too cold and finding the exact balance is like walking on a tight-rope. Here are a few tips and key pieces to take you into spring.1. The BlazerPaired with high-waisted shorts it will carry you through the night, with flare jeans through the day; with a pair of denim shorts it will prioritize comfort without making you look sloppy, and with a pencil skirt and court shoes it will make you a lady. Available in both warm and lighter fabrics it will take you through the whole year.2. Socks & SandalsAs geeky as that sounds you know you've seen them on the catwalk - wedges and socks keep you warm whilst allowing you to wear your new fave pair of sandals.3. Cardigans - go figure... I hear you say but believe me I'm not talking about plain knits, I'm saying capes and open cardis which will look just as good in the winter as in the warmer months.4. maxi skirts - Because they're both sexy and versatile - worn with a leather jacket they'll keep you warm, warm with stockings underneath you won't feel a breeze, and worn with a t-shirt and sandals they'll keep warm just enough.5. harem pants - another addition to the anything-but-a-skinny collection - they're both stylish and versatile and the colours in the one here aren't over the top-summery.6. jumpsuits - they can be worn all through spring and summer, for now when the weather isn't so warm you can throw on a preppy blazer, a boho-cardi or a studded leather jacket a' la Burberry.Your call! ;)

News flash: trousers are no longer limited to skinny jeans! For a while we've been marking skinnies as a wardrobe staple, possibly the sole wardrobe staple. But this isn't entirely true, and it hasn't been true for a while now - last SS '10 had already introduced flare trousers and palazzo pants to the Summer wardrobe. Linen trousers are a gratitude come summer, not to mention super sexy and smart! I could easily label them a must-have for summer, they come in all shapes and sizes and can be customised in a multitude of ways.However, just like a needle goes with thread and a pen goes with paper, flares go with wedges! Unless you're vertically-endowed, i.e. tall, wedges give you the perfect silhouette under flare jeans. I personally just bought a pair from ASOS and I've been wearing them with everything! I found them ideal with a preppy cardigan and a boho-looking scarf - which kept the perfect balance between 70s chic and preppy-now.

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