Your Fashion Fix

The summer is steadily approaching, and as expected, the fashion world is going through yet another style overhaul. Today, we are going to focus on the current trend of denim.

Yes, currently taking the country’s trend setters by storm is an intriguing blend – those two words fashion journalists never quite expected they’d ever use in a serious manner : double denim.

But trust us! Try it out. Tuck a lengthy denim shirt into a pair of super tight skinny jeans, and you are bang on this trend. Try to make sure either denim (the shirt and trousers) are as close to each other, colour wise. Note – this look is best pulled off when going for lighter, stonewashed fabrics. Finish the look by separating the shirt and jeans with a brown leather belt as to add a stylish block distinction.

If you’re not sure you could pull off all of that, why not try a chic denim dress? Look out for the mini sleeveless numbers in particular, and complete with a casual pair of white sneakers, or if later in the day, a hot pair of patent black heels.

Another way to embrace this style without going too over the top is by slinging a simple denim jacket over your summer dress. These super cute jackets are spread across the high street at the moment, with New Look selling some particular highlights (www.newlook.com). Be sure to grab something small and slinky – oversized boyfriend look does not go down well with denim jackets. Rock up your more girly outfits during the day, or finish a trouser-based evening outfit with your casual jacket as to add a touch of cool to your class.

Love hit US television show Gossip Girl? Love the fashion just as much? Well, good news! High street favourite Miss Selfridge are to create a collection inspired by the show’s costume designer Eric Daman – one that’ll be based on the four female lead characters – Serena Van der Woodsen, Blair Waldorf, Jenny Humphrey and Vanessa Abrams, which will be hitting the shops at the end of April.

The collection will feature key pieces including a leopard print boho maxi dress in the style of Vanessa, a ruffle front shift dress with a floral skirt in the style of Blair, a black body con bondage dress in the style of Serena and a nude and black lace tutu style skirt in the style of Jenny. Miss Selfridges’ creative director Yasmin Yusuf said ‘We are delighted to be working the Warner Bros television series, Gossip Girl. The dresses we’ve created based on the characters fit perfectly with our spring/summer 2010 range. Our customers love the show and the styles of the girls so the partnership is perfect.’ Consisting of eight pieces in total, the collection will retail online and in store from £39.

Warner Bros general manager of consumer products UK added ‘Fashion is intrinsic to Gossip Girl and a key ingredient in the continued popularity of the series. Miss Selfridge has created a collection that is true to the ideals of the show and one that young women will aspire to own. We’re certain it will be a commercial success, and the beginning of a long-term relationship with the retailer.’

Following from the success of their debut collaboration with Hed Kandi last year, Miss Selfridge are likely to be aiming for exactly the same success second time around. And hopefully this will be another in a long line of successful collaborations between the high street retailer and some of the biggest names in entertainment.

Woman’s fashion is always changing and shoes are no exception, shoe styles have changed dramatically over the last 100 years, the shoes we think are fashionable now are in some cases just a rebirth of earlier fashion with a unique new twist.

During the 1920s women’s shoes consisted of Oxfords, ballet shoes, flats or fairly high and wide loafer-style shoes were fairly high and wide these lightly heeled shoes were even worn with women’s swimming costumes during this time, as a sign of femininity.

In the 1930s although traditional styles of high heeled loafers were still worn, strapped heels and pumps were becoming increasingly popular.

During the war shoes and clothing became more practical and conservative, for this reason women’s work shoes were frequently made with flatter heels, and often made with cork or wooden soles.

In the 1950’s women continued wearing flat shoes and solid heels and sandals and pumps become accepted.

In the 1960s leather, slip on boots and thin heeled pumps became popular.

In the 1970s, vinyl boots become very popular alongside moccasin-style loafers with wide heel and the trendy platform.

In the 1980s pumps with extremely high, thin heels became more of a hit, during this decade there was a desire amongst woman to achieve the more expensive, celebrity look. High fashion lovers also dabbled with lace up boots and spiked heel boots during this decade.

In the 1990s style has became much safer, during this decade leather substitutes became much more popular, Cork-soled sandals styles as well as walking shoes made with bulk heels were extremely fashionable during this time.

From the late 1990s until now several retro styles have been rebirthed. For instance, in 2008 vintage wide-heeled shoes that were popular during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s can often be seen on the red carpets.

More recently in 2009 high thin heeled shoes came back in to fashion with a unique suede or vinyl finish, with straps and peep toes.

Early this year laced boots which were extremely popular in the 1980’s made a dramatic come back after being slightly restyled to give off a worn, authentic, biker look.

Most of the time fashion trends do come from celebrities. If you are keeping up with the latest trend, check out some of these future hits that will make you look chic in no time at all.

French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld was caught wearing suede at this spring’s Fashion Week. Suede can easily spice up your look — whether it is a nice suede belt or a pair of boots, and several other suede fashion items — and you can easily integrate them into your everyday look. Make sure to wear suede hat if you are planning on looking adventurous as well.

Marc Jacobs’ Spring 2010 collection is featuring a cross-body bag. It is simply a big bag worn across the body, allowing you to look chic while keeping the bag highly functional. You will also reduce the back tress by using this particular type of bag, because the weights are evened out.

Stylist Mary Alice Stephenson was also caught at the Fashion Week wearing a nice pair of cropped pants. If you just got yourself a new shoes or a sexy-looking pair of boots, wearing cropped pants can help you show them off to friends and colleagues.

If you are still wearing your favorite boyfriend jacket, it is time to move on with the latest selections of short jackets or denim fitted jacket. These two fashion items can be easily mixed and matched to produce tons of chic combinations, allowing you to look gorgeous in them at all times.