Wear Your Maxi Skirt With Ware-Style

The pleated detailing is an updated twist on the maxi skirt trend and hot on the trail is high street presence Warehouse. So whether you're channelling the boy/girl trend or slick 70's styling this season, there's a maxi skirt suited just for you....

For Autumn 2011, Androgyny is all about mixing masculine tailoring with a feminine edge. Stick to a black and white palette and soften with a silk blouse and a pleated maxi.

 The sharp collar and tailored shoulders on the above suit jacket make for a flattering fit. The nipped in waist celebrates the female form. Buy yours here for just £70

 A silky bib front blouse tucked into this black pleated maxi skirt connotes a strong yet seductive sense of style. It's boy meets girl the glamorous Warehouse way. Get yours online here for £45 and grab your skirt for only £35

A lady like chic take on the classic Heritage trend with faux fur, floral prints and elegant floaty textures. This faux gilet, £65,  exudes Autumnal style; belt in at the waist where your maxi sits for a flattering shape.

Don't forget to add a sheer floral blouse underneath your gilet, complete with on trend pussy bow neck tie for pussy bow neck tie for £45

Choose a subtle bright colour such as burnt orange or turquoise like the one below for £35 and tie the hem in a knot at the side for a casual street style.

 

Feeling brave? Complete your look with these adorable leopard print ankle socks and give passers by a peep with your knotted maxi.

Be inspired by 60's mods with an added twist of animal print, poppy red and leather details. This beautiful leather jacket, £160,  toughens up a feminine pleated maxi skirt perfectly.

Team with an an animal print shirt, £45 and button up to the collar for a nod to the classic mod look.

A poppy red pleated maxi , £35poppy red pleated maxi , £35 completes the styling (obviously). For added glam, choose a split skirt and channel the Warehouse girl's inner sexuality - meow!

70's goes psychedelic with dramatic prints in luxurious silks and satins. Make a bold statement in this zig zag print shirt £55 that nods to late 70's glamour.

Pick a skirt in a vivid electric jewel colour to stand out from the crowd. Clash with purples and hot pink or add fur for a touch of decadence! Try this colour out!

Shop online at www.warehouse.co.uk
Images from www.warehouse.co.uk

Fashion Looks Into the Past and Looks into the Future...

I remember being eight years old when my mum handed me these hideous, bright yellow, rainbow floral printed leggings. I looked at them aghast - I already sported a thick set fringe for goodness sake, did she want the fashion police to take me away or something?

Then there was the dress-up stage when I was nine, where my mum (yes her again) put together a box of her old clothes for me to play in. I had an obsession with Grease the musical and would wear an electric blue puff ball gown, complete with net underskirt, to do the weekly family shop in at Sainsburys. Looking back I like to say I dabbled with vintage from an early age...

After that was the 'mosher' moment  - you know, the baggy flared jeans with the low slung chains - yes I was the inspiration behind Meadham Kirchhoff this season I'll have you know (!) and I was sporting purple hair way before Jessie J.

As an early teen I went through the tom-boy motions going all out in over sized football shirts, lecoqsportif trainers (the shame) Kappa jumpers (need I go on?!) and faux sovereign rings - OK no more admittances.

Then, like a beacon of hopeful fashion light I was introduced to the high street along with the Topshop shoe range, the Zara tailoring and, of course, the designer collaborations from H&M.

I think I am now truly fashionably equipped after going through many clothing "accidentally on purposes" to sit alongside team Look at their High Street fashion show waving my Warehouse felt fedora in salute. As an ambassador of retail, I now know that they influence the way we wear clothes yet its us who styles them to suit ourselves.

 I promise I have revamped my wardrobe since the floral yellow leggings fiasco swapping them for, err, printed palazzo pants instead! And who said I hadn't learnt from my past fashion mistakes? Maybe I was just very fashion forward? All hail my eight year old self...

Bring Alexander McQueen Home!

Today is the last day that The Metropolitan Museum in New York hosts the most talked about exhibit: Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty. Twitter has gone wild over the weekend by demanding that the designer's collection is brought back home to London; where it belongs.

Conveying his outstanding contribution to fashion in ways that only Lee McQueen could portray, the exhibition is said to be breathtakingly beautiful, with one attendee @mycitymynewyork tweeting "mind blowing! Totally stretched my imagination! He really saw beauty hidden all around."

With over one hundred original design pieces and around seventy accompanying accessories, you can feast your eyes amongst his iconic "bumster" trousers, the kimono jacket and the origami dress all of which sent the fashion world into over drive as McQueen put the 'art' back into fashion.

Controversial collections such as Highland Rape and Jack The Ripper Stalks His Victims pave the way for his innovative and reveloutionary take on the fashion world. Not only would the exhibition draw in world wide fashionistas, but admirers of his artistic formations and his dedication to creativity as well as his own loyal fans and followers.

Bringing the showcase to London would be like bringing the designer home to rest. From his childhood years in Lewisham to his educational years studying at the infamous Central Saint Martins - the exhibition belongs in the capital city. McQueen infamously said: "London is where I grew up. Its where my heart it; and where I get my inspiration".

So instead of pouring over the images online and imagining what its like to actually go there and witness the beauty and prolific admiration toward art that fashion brought out of the insatiable Alexander McQueen, why not sign the petition to make the exhibit worldwide and eventually to bring him home to where he belongs; in London: Please make Alexander McQueen's Savage Beauty a travelling exhibition.

Warehouse VS Designhouse

Warehouse prides itself as "design for the high street" and rightly so if their Autumn Winter '11 collection is anything to go by. This season they have a clear vision of where their brand sits; in a sophisticated, simple yet ever so glamourous pallette of masculinity vs femininity with boyfriend blazers and 'teddy boy' dressing which celebrates the female form alongside cinched in waists and embellished detailed seperates.

And where have all these ideas come from? Naturally from the brand's in-house design team, but of course the collection is heavily influenced from what we have seen on the designer catwalks.

Take the Portrait of a Woman range, as pictured below. Its strong, seductive focussing on the element of Androgyny alongside feminine details such as embellished belt buckles and silky shirts.

On the Dolce & Gabbana catwalk, we saw masculine inspired pieces such as tailored jackets, buttoned up shirts and a monochrome pallette.

Can you see the resemblence within the details of the pea coat and how both the designer and high street brand have used a gorgeous felt fedora to add a finishing touch? Uncanny!

Or how about the Mods collection? Its all about taking influence from 60's mods and then updating the look with tougher leather details such as the "new fetish" style gloves.

Look out for graphic stripes and monochrome checks too. Warehouse have mixed their glam this season with both animal print and fierce leather pieces just like Marc Jacobs did too, giving any feminine pencil skirt the rawness it desperately needs!

eAlongside the popularity of fetish gear this season, YSL introduced a more classier and seductive take on the trend with sheer cut fabric. However, the standout figure hugging piece is enough to rival that of Yves Saint Laurent using two tone colour and raunchy animal print accessories - and who said the high street can't rival designer?!

Paul Smith is a huge influence to Warehouse this season; think 'teddy boy' glamour meets rock and roll queen! The tapered shoulders of the Warehouse pieces are so professionally done you would have to look twice to realise it was a high street steal! Don't forget to buy one in poppy red - Warehouse's "it" seasonal colour!

Stella McCartney eat your fashionable fedora hat as Warehouse influences your fall collection and does it great justice! Think trapeze style tees in shimmery gold and textured material; the stripe and block embellished detail is a key piece!

Cinched in waists celebrate Warehouse's embrace of the feminine form as opposed to Stella's more shapeless items.

The one shoulder detail will be huge this fall; make like a Warehouse girl and team with their signature chain mail clutch! Warehouse gets it 'spot on' (sorry!) with spotted detail tights also seen at Stella's show.

Sugar and spice and all things nice - Warehouse releases our inner sweet tooth with sugary pinks and red pastels in the perfect girly antidote to this seasons tougher collections.

Team your textured swing jacket with a jacquard dress and make lke the 60's with patterned tights. Warehouse have been inspired by Bottega Veneta with stylistic features such as thigh skimming block colour coats teamed with this year's iconic midi skirt.

Warehouse rivals Bottega's mixing of textures with their cable knit snood matched with their woven jumper and leather bag.

Harlem Chic references late 70's street style in a patchwork mix of faux fur ala Pringle of Scotland. Warehouse sticks to street style trends taking direct influence from vintage finds such as the leather satchel and ethereal print tea dresses.

Gilets are the ultimate cover ups as seen on Pringle of Scotland catwalk. I love how Warehouse have defined the waist with a tan belt and how the prints make for a truly autumnal feel throughout the collection.

Heritage is a trend that repeats every Autumn Winter in fashion, but this year Warehouse have taken up a level with aspects of masculine tailoring and clever layered pieces. Prince of Wales checks teamed with luxurious knitwear and tweed. Faux fur seeks 1970's glamour with fur lapels and cuffs.

Inspired by Paul Smith, the range coincides with traditional British attire updated with an unexpected twist of textured suiting, the iconic trench with button and pocket detailing.

Masculine high waisted trousers are cinched in at the waist with tan belts and paired with classic brogues - don't forget that injection of Warehouse poppy red!

Prints and textures take a lead from nature including leafy patterns and faux fur in warm autumnal tones. Fur was huge for Prada this fall and the same can be said at Warehouse too.

The final collection Magazine contains arts and craft type patterns taken directly from the Proenza Schouler show! Think body skimming shapes, flamboyant faux furs (told you they would be huge!) to add a touch of decadence.

Stripes, chevrons and zig-zag prints in vivid jewel colours make for a bright bold winter.

Abstract patterns are teamed with black a-line skirts, pintuck shoulders and oversized buttons accessorize bold jackets and dresses in luxurious silk and satin.

If you are paving the way for one hell of a sophisticated Autumn and Winter then Warehouse is THE ultimate shopping destination. Full of individual looks that cover all the key trends yet still pack a punch of the brand's iconic edge, attitude and glamour. Happy shopping.

All Press Images Taken From www.warehouse.co.uk

All Catwalk Images Taken From www.elle.co.uk

Zara Goes Animalistic - Rawwwr!

After all the glossy monthlys have released their Autumn/Winter 2011 catwalk trend reports, there is nothing I love more than to start seeing the fall pieces hitting the high street stores. The earlier the better in my eyes, with some of the top brands getting 'first dibs' on the hottest designer inspired items; and Zara never ceases to disapoint.

The Spanish brand's Autumn collection is clearly heavily influenced in all things animalistic. Remember the bright furs at Prada? Zara has some of those pieces. And the animal prints at Marc Jacobs? Yes those too. And no one can forget the hair and fur at Giles - Zara certainly didn't:

This luxurious fur coat, £239.00, is a fab investment this Winter. Fur was everywhere on the designer catwalks, most notably at Prada. The bigger and more grizzly bear-esque the better! This one from Zara does not fail within this area!

 Snakeskin is turning in to a trade mark print for Zara, we have seen it in both their Spring and Summer 2011 collections and now in their transitional Autumn pieces too. With this silk shirt, £29.99, Again think Prada and why not clash it with a bright acidic colour to take you through from Summer to Fall?

 Feather prints take a new turn for the upcoming season - forget the bright neon colours that we saw this Summer and turn to more warm, autumnal colours like this shift dress, £29.99. Throw in some maroon coloured tights and you have Autumn down to a T.

 Remember the Giles show? Feathers and fur, fur and feathers; whichever way round you remember them they were heavily featured in his catwalk  collection. The hairier looking the better! Check out this fantastic feathery skirt, £79.99, in citrus orange; taking the vivdness of Prada and the hairy furry from Giles. I am lusting after this one!

 Zara's classic snake print as I briefly touched upon earlier features throughout their upcoming collections. You will start to see printed macs, skirts and shirts amongst the shoes and, of course, the 'it' bags. This shopper, £69.99, is perfect to fit in all your Winter essentials from your brolly to your waterproof jacket - yes I'm predicting rain already!

 How Marc Jacobs is this fascinator?! Leopard print, check. Cute bow details, check. Feminine with an added edge, check. Its the perfect catwalk inspired piece, £19.99.

 And for all the shoe lovers out there, here is a classy coltskin pair, £69.99. With a nod to the oh-so-glamorous 50's the print on this is wild enough to be clashed with other animalistic tendencies, yet subtle enough to be a gentle nod to the trend for the more conservative ladies. Bravo Zara!

 

Making a Bold Statement

The bigger, the bolder, the chunkier, the more embellished the better! Right now I am lusting after over the top statement necklaces to complete an outfit. I've collected quiet a few over the years but I'm struggling to find any new designs on the high street! If anyone has any ideas where I can look it would be greatly appreciated!

Here are some of my favourites from my collection:

 This piece is my all time fave - a bejewelled leather collar necklace with silk ribbon tie from Warehouse. It gets so much attention and compliments when I wear it.

 Another Warehouse piece in gold, silver and pewter chains. This is quiet a heavy piece to wear, but adds a rock-glamour edge to any dress or plain tee and jeans!

 This was also from Warehouse! (Very on trend they are as usual!) It reminds me of an illusional pop art piece with the different sized circles.

 I wear this tribal inspired beaded necklace with maxi dresses all the time. I wish I had invested in another one though to make it look more elaborate when I wear it.

I found this one in Primark early last year! Another favourite of mine, it is lightweight yet does the job; ticking the oversized statement box successfully!

What do you think of my necklaces? Have you seen any on the high street or online that are similar? I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas!