6 ways to dress for Spring

Ted Baker London Fashion Week Spring is upon us and you might be having a meltdown when it comes to your wardrobe and what to throw on now that the weather has warmed up. Florals, right? That’s all you need. Just a good old fashioned floral print to really feel ready for spring.

Well, okay, you will be seeing lots of this – the high street can’t resist – but that doesn’t mean you need to buy them. Here are six ways to dress for spring without a floral print in sight!

1. A cute pinafore dress

Spring means you can finally (probably) get your legs out and what better way to do this than with a cute pinafore dress? Work yours for spring with a brightly-coloured blouse, some cute collar pins, ankle socks and flats. If it’s a little chilly a lightweight denim jacket is great for throwing on when you leave the house or you can fire up the look with a leather coat.

2. Double denim

Honestly, it’s okay, double denim is a thing now. Fashionistas such as Rosie Huntington Whitely and Gigi Hadid are rocking up to events in two toned, denim ensembles that look amazing. You could even get your boyfriend to match just in time for spring; we love these jeans from Superdry that would look great with a buttoned up lighter denim shirt.

3. A vintage tee and a midi skirt 

Clash super feminine with quirky retro this Spring by pairing a vintage tee with a flowing mid length skirt and your comfiest Vans or Converse. When it comes to quirky tees, a rock band from the 1970s, an old well known brand or one of the many tees Truffle Shuffle has on offer featuring retro prints will look great and is perfect for warmer spring days at the weekend. Choose a skirt in a vibrant colour to really bring home that happy springtime feeling.

4. Cropped trousers and a cardigan 

Slim fit, cropped trousers look great with everything, but for spring pair yours with a lacy, feminine top and a lightweight cardigan and you’re good to go. Strappy sandals should complete the look along with an oversized clutch or shopper bag.

5. A sleeveless trench and your Mom jeans 

Those comfy, oversized Mom jeans with the rips in the thigh will look awesome with a basic white tee and a sleeveless trench for spring. Wear this ensemble with some low flats and a casual backpack slung over your shoulder for a cute, casual springtime look.

6. A simple slip dress 

The slip dress is going to be popular this year and can be worn in practically every season. For winter they look great layered over a long sleeve tee and tights but in the spring they are perfect for wearing on their own with a lightweight cardigan and knee high socks or if we’re lucky enough just on its own with some open sandals. It’s a great nod to the 1990s and an easy look to adopt this spring.

 

By Patrick Vernon.

 

Win Handmade Baby Clothes & Hat From CobWebKnits

competition, win, baby, clothes, hat, handmade, cobsweb Win Handmade Baby Clothes & Hat From CobWebKnits pumpkin Win Handmade Baby Clothes & Hat From CobWebKnits Win Handmade Baby Clothes & Hat From CobWebKnits comp Win Handmade Baby Clothes & Hat From CobWebKnits competitionWe loved CobWebKnits’ cute lamb hat that we recently reviewed that we were thrilled when they offered one of their adorable hat and bodysuit sets for a competition. Their original, quirky and contemporary hand crafted knitted baby hats are designed and lovingly made by hand in their studio where their beautiful other knitwear and kids’ clothing is also made. Choose from fruit, veg, flowers or animals in their range inspired by nature. Or one of their stripy hats with the added appeal of tassels, tails or mop tops. And for those looking for something a bit different, check out their ‘Hats for Heroes’, including policemen, firemen, knights, gladiators and Vikings. Ideal gifts, their hats are stylishly packaged and CobWebKnits have an excellent reputation for their speed and standard of service. But most importantly everything is machine washable so practical too. Visit www.cobwebknits.co.uk to see their full range of hats, blankets, hampers and clothing.

 

For your chance to win a hat and bodysuit in the style and size* of your choice all you need to do is go to the CobWebKnits’ homepage and choose a hat and bodysuit and then enter by following @Frostmag on Twitter or Instagram, or like us on Facebook. Alternatively, sign up to our newsletter. Or subscribe to Frost Magazine TV on YouTube here: http://t.co/9etf8j0kkz.Then comment below saying what you did. Competition finishes at the end of May.

 

*Choose one of the designs from our hats in a range inspired by nature, wildlife, heroes and stripes in size newborn, 3-6 mths or 6-12 mths.

 

 

The Forge Boutique By Marie Cato

For the men, the view down Wendover High Street towards the clock tower and beyond to the Chiltern Hills is truly magnificent.  For the women, there is an equally magnificent view, called The Forge.  I left my man to “stop and stare” while I pushed open the door to the sound of a tinkling cow bell and stepped over the threshold into this much talked about dress and accessories shop.

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I was greeted by a friendly smile from the assistant.  Her shiny white bob, silver rimmed spectacles and matching jewellery against her black clothes made for an elegant combination.  She was sitting behind an antique retro desk instead of the expected counter.  No till either, just an invoice book and pen.  This lack of modernity was no indication of what was to be found on the rails.

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Linda Moda was the label and the clothes were both timeless and fashionable in beautiful fabrics of jersey, chiffon and silk. Think:  Italian style clothing. Think: affordable prices. The obligatory leggings were available in shiny black, along with a variety of jeggings displayed in a cobbler’s bench.  Blouses, dresses, skirts and trousers all hanging on industrial steel rails.

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Clean fresh whites at one end of the rail transcending into buttery creams at the other end. Sky, aqua and petrol blues trailing into merchant navy.  Sunflower yellow mellowing into primrose and lemon. I turned 360 degrees, checking for all the colours of the rainbow, to find that orange was the only one missing.

Above the rails, on wooden slats, there were large handbags, which I mistook for leather.  However, the assistant explained they were a soft man-made fibre and they felt beautiful to the touch.  On closer inspection, I noticed they had a smaller matching handbag inside, very convenient.  As the ceiling is low, the bags are within easy reach.  Again, any colour your heart desired, including lollipop orange.

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A small step at the rear of this eighteenth century building, takes the shopper into an Aladdin’s cave of footwear.  Boots with shiny buckles, diamante sandals, ballet pumps and much more.  This is where I found the sale rail.  All items knocked down to half price but, unfortunately, nothing in my size.

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A cherry pink dress with raspberry ruffles on the yoke caught my eye and I draped it across my already heavy laden arm and headed to the changing rooms.  No electronic tags here or plastic tags with numbers.  The room was spacious, with heavy drapes giving complete privacy.  The mirror was sparkling clean and the lighting flattering.

Unfortunately, there weren’t enough hooks for the six items I had brought in, so I resorted to hanging some of them from a water pipe running along the top edge of the ceiling.  I hoped it wouldn’t burst.  Twenty minutes later with no water sprung I opted for two items instead of the one I had intended  – always a sign of a well managed shop.

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The assistant complimented me on my purchases and with old fashioned courtesy and no pushiness, suggested some jewellery to compliment the outfit.  I won’t tell you whether I succumbed.  I watched enchanted as she hand wrote my invoice with great care and then, unexpectedly, produced the latest technology from under the table.  I handed over my credit card and at £77 for two pieces I was very pleased.

I’ll definitely be going back and, believe it or not, my husband was still there when I came out, taking in the view.

3 The High Street, Wendover, Bucks HP22 6DU  Tel: 01296 623154

Opening Hours: 

Monday – Saturday 9.30 am to 5 pm

Sunday 11 am to 4 pm

There are two further stores at;

280 High Street, Berkhamsted, Herts.,  HP4 1AH

Tel: 01442 862255

32 Station Road, Gerrards Cross, Bucks SL9 8EL

Tel: 01753 887577

www.forgeboutique.com

 

 

Fashematics: Oscars Fashion Infographic

With the Oscars fast approaching we are getting excited about…the clothes. Okay, it is about the films but the red carpet is a place for the actors and fashion designers to shine. We love this impressive infographic from Lyst. Over half the team at Lyst are data scientists, crunching over 100,000 data changes every hour from 9,000 fashion partners.

This week we tasked them with looking at the outfits worn by the Best Actress winners at the Oscars over the last 80 years.

They came up with a mathematically true formula that calculates the probability that a look will be Oscar winning, and also the luckiest combination.

The attached infographic sums up their findings, plus some extra data around the awards.

J is the luckiest letter for a Best Actresses’ first name to start with (good news for Julianne Moore this year)

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Made by  www.lyst.com

 

 

Golden Globe 2015 | Red Carpet Round Up

We love fashion and Hollywood glamour at Frost. Following the Golden Globes 2015, Styloko.com have teamed up with Frost to unveil the most popular trends and looks searched by UK users within the last 24 hours.

Editor in Chief, Emily O’Brien provides insights into how Styloko.com users reacted to the trends and styles as worn by the world’s most glamourous women;

 

Most clicked products:

–        With a range of celebrities wearing stunning evening gowns, maxi dresses with an eveningwear focus accounted for 50% of the most clicked products from Sunday night;

–        Celebrities including Sienna Miller and Joanne Froggatt looked incredible in detailed gowns. This was reflected with Styloko.com users searches which included embellishment, evening fabrics such as lace and glamourous details were a key focus for shoppers; embellishment accounted for 75% of the overall clicked dress styles.

joannefroggartGolden Globe Style - Red Carpet Round Up siennamillerGolden Globe Style - Red Carpet Round Up

The most popular Golden Globes trends translated from the red carpet back to Styloko.com were:

–        Black

–        White/nude

–        Black searches by Styloko.com users outweighed white/nude 65% to 35%, 

Other colours searched by Styloko.com users in the last 24 hours include blue and red which appeared to be a key trend on the night. Celebs such as Felicity Jones in teal Christian Dior and Alison Jones in her incredible red embellished strapless gown by Armani Prive showed off these trends with aplomb;

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Lastly…

Styloko.com has seen a 300% MoM increase in number of jumpsuits clicked on site. Leading actress and fashion maverick Emma Stone continued to buck the trend with her stunning embellished jumpsuit by French fashion house Lanvin.

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Who do you think was the best dressed at The Golden Globes?

 

 

Charity Chic in Downley, High Wycombe

Iain Rennie Hospice at Home service, provided by Rennie Grove Hospice Care, offers essential palliative and end-of-life care based around patients and their families, both day and night.

Charity Chic in Downley, High Wycombe

I know several people whose relatives have been nursed by these exemplary nurses and carers, nursed at home which is the wonderful concept of this charity.

One of their main fundraising arms is the charity shop. The Iain Rennie Hospice shop in Downley High Wycombe is just one of many. Downley is a village with a fantastic sense of community and a great deal going on, and is perched on the top of a hill to the west of High Wycombe, with a five minute walk to the Chiltern woods one side, and a twenty minute walk into town on the other.

Charity Chic in Downley, High Wycombe shopwindow

Mandy Dowling runs the shop with the help of invaluable volunteers and Mandy’s award winning window dressing is a lesson to us all.

 

Inside is an Aladdin’s cave of Charity Chic, all donated, so that Mandy is never sure what will be brought in, which is part of the fun of working in a charity shop.

 

I found amongst many other ‘buys’ a pair of shoes, New Look. £5.00. Just the thing for clubbing. Slightly out of my age range, but only slightly, I say, hopefully.

 

More appropriate perhaps is the Laura Ashley Jacket for £5.00.

 

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I found two beautiful slender white vases for £2.00 each and photographed them beside a neat black bowl with white dots. Sophisticated with clean lines. Mandy and I put them on top of a glass fronted cabinet that had been sold to someone who is going to upcyle it, in a distressed style. It was only £20 and I can’t believe I missed it.

Charity Chic in Downley, High Wycombe twovases

Candle holders are my ‘thing’. These are often brought into the shop but these I left for someone else. I have no more room, and Dick would leave home if they came through the door. These are new, and priced at £4.00 each.

Charity Chic in Downley, High Wycombe candleholder

Christmas is coming and the shop is festive, with most of the decorations and Christmas bric a brac for sale. I found these little ‘friends’.

Smiley Face is £1.00, the glamour-puss bear is £2.00 and the book, The First Snow of Winter by Graham Ralph is a snip at 50p. (lovely book. I read it while I was standing there)

Charity Chic in Downley, High Wycombe childrensgifts

Over the last few weeks, Mandy and her staff have been snaffling up cafetieres for the Words for the Wounded LitFest Day on 18th April. Look at my haul thus far. Priced at £3.00 each.

Charity Chic in Downley, High Wycombe cafetieries

And yes, there are those magical moments you hear about on Antiques Roadshow. Mandy tells me of a dusty old painting that came into the shop and which could have slipped through their hands. But a bit of a rub (much like the gennii’s lamp) and a name appeared – Victoria Crowe who Mandy googled. It sold on ebay for £500.

 

To make a donation to Rennie Grove Hospice Care: www.renniegrove.org/donate or to volunteer www.renniegrove.org/volunteer

For further information: www.renniegrove.org/standards 

 

There are so many more Aladdin’s Caves out there, doing good whichever way you look. The customers get a fabulous deal, and hours of fun browsing, and the charity gain much needed money. Contact us with tales of your favourite charity shops/stalls and the buys that have brought you pleasure. Contact margaret@margaret-graham.com

 

 

 

Vogue Says Women Are Allowed To Have Breasts This Season

Women of the world rejoice! Vogue says we are allowed to have breasts! Yes, you got it, breasts are in this season. What we are supposed to do next season is anyones guess but lets not be ungrateful. A man can have a penis all year but breasts are, y’know, inconvenient. Just ask Fashion Designer Marios Schwab who told Tatler “I’m not a big fan of breasts. They’re a challenging constructional point.” Well, Mario, how about not designing for women then, because you know who don’t have breasts? Men.

Catherine Balavage

Vogue says in this article titled Return of The Bosom: “So if boobs are not yet an out-and-out fashion trend, they are becoming a frequent exception to the rule.” Should someone make fashion know that women’s breasts aren’t detachable? Maybe a post-it note or something? This piece clearly shows that Kate Upton is a feminist icon. Yes, you can model and be a female role model. She was deemed “too obvious” for fashion. Now some fashionistas grind their teeth every time she is featured on the cover of Vogue, as she is this month.

Vogue goes on to say: ‘Men love boobs – that’s a well-documented story we needn’t explore here. But for women, as is true for fashion, the relationship is more complicated. In short, breasts are difficult to dress. During couture week, Jourdan Dunn exclaimed on Twitter, “Ahahahahahahha I just got cancelled from Dior because of my boobs!” But, she reasoned, “I’m normally told I’m cancelled because I’m ‘coloured’ so being cancelled because of my boobs is a minor : )”‘

 

Wow. Breasts may be difficult to dress, but only because designers are so bad at accommodating them. I mean, what’s next? Hips, arms, thighs? If you can’t make women’s clothes with breasts in mind, you are clearly an untalented idiot. Something Sarah Millican wrote an amazing essay on after being trolled after the BAFTA awards.

 

In my other life as an actor, my breasts have lead to the most amusing moments in my career. I didn’t develop breasts until I was in my twenties but when they came they didn’t hold back:  my size now is 32DD. Which makes costume designers hate you. When I was a UK size 4/6 (I am now a size 8), wardrobe loved me, but when I developed breasts I would stand in the middle of the room while various costume people asked each other, ‘What are we supposed to do with those?’ The answer was usually gaffa tape them down. I am so thankful I am a strong person and that was done to me rather than someone else. I can look at it with amusement, other, emotionally fragile or vulnerable, women could possibly have developed an eating disorder. I have spent a lot of time being dressed up like a boy for parts. I have no idea why. Just hire a fricking boy if that’s what you want.

 

In fact I am rather sick of fashion expecting women to make their bodies fit the dress, rather than the other way around. Even the thinnest woman has curves, only boys are drawn in a truly straight line. We are not ornaments or hangers. In what other aspect of our lives do we pay money for something that isn’t made to suit us and our lifestyles? Instead we are expected to diet our entire lives just for the joy of wearing clothes designed by people who obviously hate the female form, and don’t even lie about it. Yet, still we punish ourselves.

 

Of course not all designers are like this. Valentino clearly loves women. As does Roberto Cavalli. Dolce & Gabbana say in the same Vogue article: “We always try to create clothes that enhance a woman’s curves. We like to think that a Dolce & Gabbana girl wants to be very feminine, sensual, strong and fierce of her body.” So let’s take a stance in the only way that really gets things done: with our money. Any designer who hates women’s bodies should not have a penny of a women’s money.

Whilst researching this piece I came across this article Hadley Freeman wrote on this subject. Check it out here and this website, a body gallery of how women really look, was interesting too.

 

What do you think?

 

 

Body Shape 101

Now to get the most out of any wardrobe or any shopping experience you need to know what body shape you fall under and understand some very simple rules. Following on from my DIY Style Capsule Wardrobe from last week here are the key elements of shape for the 5 main body types and how you can dress to enhance, conceal and fake the perfect silhouette.
Body shape
Their are 5 basic shapes the Pear, Inverted triangle, Rectangle, Hourglass and Apple with the Hourglass being the most desired. Or the most balanced shape that every stylist will tell you is the shape you need to aim for or fake if you can.
pear
The Pear has a tiny top half with a heavier bottom and thicker legs. Loose fluid trousers and long maxi skirts should be sort after, an empire line dress works wonders for the pear and dive into the belt section to really accentuate that tiny waist. Avoid puff selves and skinny jeans at all costs. You will just be adding on the pounds and not realising it. Skirt lengths need to kept below the calf too. If you are searching for the perfect shape then you need to be careful that the hem falls around the thinnest part of the leg, or just where it starts to become thicker. Hems that stop at the thickest part of the thigh or calf are a huge No No! For any shape for that matter!!
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The Inverted Triangle has a larger torso and arms with slim legs. Stay away from the puff selves ladies. You will be bigger busted too so it’s a good idea to avoid polo necks. This will just make your bobbies look 10 times bigger. V necks are perfect for you. Long necklaces to draw the eyes down in nice lines. Slightly fitted crisp shirts over pale coloured jeans with darker colours always on the top to balance the figure out. Avoid at all costs the dreaded large patterned tops and pale jackets. You will need to find fab tailored jackets with no shoulder pads, or take them out! Then wear skinny jeans and flat pumps to create your chic silhouette.
banana
I’m a Rectangle i.e. the Banana and that basically means I am straight up and down with a slightly thicker middle. Now this shape is harder to dress than you would think. We need to be very careful we don’t accentuate our middles too much as we could look a little lumpy!  We have slim arms and slim legs so skirts that fall around the midi calf length will make our legs look like they go on forever and a day. We can wear minis in abundance but not too short! When thrift store shopping we need to look out for dresses that can be shortened and have a slightly gathered waist to create the impression of curves. Flared skirts, jeans and trousers will make the waist look slimmer but avoid thick waist belts. This will only enhance the bigger waist. Darker colours should be worn near the mid section and large statement necklaces to bring the eyes away from the waist. This in turn will also give the impression of a larger bust, thus balancing out the shape.
hourglass
Now the Hourglass has a tiny waist, perfect curves in all the right places. Some hate their larger bottom but all you need to do is find Aline skirts, or fuller 50s style items. Little cropped jackets that nip in at the waist. Belts of all descriptions are perfect for you. Master the are of the dart on your sewing machine and you will be able to create an abundance of stunning outfits. Avoid the tube mini skirts and baggy unfitted jackets as all this will do is make you look disproportioned.
Brightly coloured fabrics and draping looks sensational on the Hourglass. Just think Jessica Rabbit!
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The Apple body shape has slim arms and legs with a more rounded tummy. Slim trousers with no pleating is needed here and stay away from the double breasted jackets. Opt for clean long lines down the centre of the torso avoiding belts around the middle as this will enhance what should be concealed. With the Apple it’s important not to try too hard to fake the hourglass figure as all you will do is bring attention to your larger waist. Pay more attention you your lovely slim legs and arms. Wear long necklaces that draw the eye downwards. Just think nice long lines. Keep jackets longer and always keep them open to create the illusion of a slim figure. Long line Waistcoats are a must so search for single breasted jackets that the arms can be removed.

Fashion is fun and sometimes the rules are there to be broken so if you see something you like just try it. If it works then that’s amazing, if not think about adapting it. If you can’t do the DIY Styling yourself then find a seamstress that can. Most dry cleaners offer an alteration service, but just keep in mind things can fairly easily be made smaller. Not so easily made bigger.

Happy DIY Styling ladies and for more styling looks and DIY advice hop on over to SLB Style or follow Sarah on Twitter here.

 

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