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FAUX [F]UR

"You cannot fake chic but you can be chic and fake fur." - Karl Lagerfield 

Summer is well and truly over.  With this drop in temperature, comes the annual temptation to hide behind dull winter layers. We shove our summer neons to the back of the wardrobe and pile on woolen tights and jumpers; ready to spend another season in black and grey. 

But this year, outerwear is a little more outrageous. Thanks to the likes of PETA and co, many fashion designers have taken a step away from the fur industry and jumped straight into the (muppet-like) arms of coloured synthetics.

From colour-block clutches to fuzzy pool sliders, the new faux fur is loud, kitsch and unashamedly fake. Leather jackets are trimmed in electric blue shearling, while the the classic mink coat has been reinvented in bubble gum pink. It's certainly not what nature intended - but really, who cares? 

Start your hunt for the perfect faux-fur below: 


Black Faux Fur Collar Coat, River Island, £140

Faux Fur Striped Coat, ZARA, £59.99

Double Pom Hair Ties, Topshop, £6

Jakke Heather Orange Faux-Fur Jacket, Urban Outfitters, £140

Faux Fur Stole, Mango, £39.99



Faux Fur Scarf, & Other Stories, £39

Faur Fur Jacket by Oh My Love, £78 

Fuschia Hat with Brown Fur, Amelia Jane London, £26

The Fur Slide, PUMA FENTY by Rihanna, £60


Faux Fur Crossbody Bag, ZARA, £29.99


 Kylah Burgundy Faux Fur Clutch, Pretty Little Thing, £18 



photo credits: rolublog.com (Object Oriented, JF & Son), Zara.com, riverisland.co.uk, topshop.com, urbanoutfitters.com, mango.com, asos.com, nastygal.com, stories.com, ameliajanelondon.com, us.puma.com, prettylittlething.com

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LACE-UP ESPADRILLES

[E]SPADRILLES

"When a trainer is too sporty or too clompy and a sandal too uncomfortable in the heat, the summer shoe to turn to is the espadrille." - Jessica Bumpus, Vogue Magazine

Don't get me wrong, I love a gladiator sandal. I think wedges look great under a flirty sun dress and have developed a real obsession with mid-heeled mules. Flip flops, pool sliders - you name it - I'm on board.

But for the best in summer comfort and style, you cannot beat the classic espadrille.

Still characterised by their traditional rope sole, espadrilles have come a long way since their modest beginnings in the Pyrenees and Mediterranean. Originally worn by men and women, their popularity soared in the late 1940s when seen on Hollywood actresses Lauren Bacall, Sophia Loren and Grace Kelly. By the 1970s they had become a staple trend, with Parisian designer Yves Saint Laurent commissioning the Spanish firm Castañer to create a wedge-heeled version; an act which would secure their place in high fashion.


Today you can find espadrilles in a wide variety of colours, styles and prints. New York brand Soludos is a great example of this, offering designs that feature everything from mimosas and flamingos to donuts and avocados.

The question is: which pair to choose?


ASOS JESS Pom Pom Espadrilles, £18


ZARA Trafaluc Espadrille Wedges, £29.99

Glyde Striped Espadrille Shoes, House of Fraser, £25

KUP, Carvela Kurt Geiger, £89


ASOS Jeanie 2-Part Espadrilles, £18

OAS Espadrilles, £25

ASOS JERICHO Sandal, £12.50


H&M Espadrilles with lacing, £19.99

NEXT Leather Mule Wedge Sandals, £38

New Look, White Canvas Ankle-tie Espadrilles, £9.99



TOMS Ink Mesh Women's Classics, £20
Soludos, Lemon Coral Smoking Slipper, £52


Soludos, Jason Polan Smoking Slipper, £60.60 

(Answer: Definitely the pizza ones.)

photo credits: zara.com, EphemeraForever.com, asos.com, houseoffraser.co.uk, kurtgeiger.com, zalando.co.uk, hm.com, next.co.uk, newlook.com, toms.co.uk, soludos.com

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[D]ENIM

“It’s refreshing to see denim on the catwalk because it works as a counterpoint to anything too ‘fashion’: denim is the sensible friend who wants you to look good, not stupid.” - Elgar Johnson

OK, so the quote above may not have applied to Britney and Justin when they decided to wear matching double-denim outfits to the American Music Awards in 2001Really though, where would we be without blue boot-cut jeans and the classic denim jacket? 


 The fabric is an iconic and staple part of every woman's wardrobe. But put down those skinnies and say good bye to the comfort stretch of faux-jeans and jeggings. This season’s denim is rigid, androgynous and torn at the seams.

Here are five of the best cuts and washes to look out for this Spring:

1 - GIRLFRIEND
 Remember ‘Boyfriend’ jeans? The slouchy, over-sized style was a favourite amongst women who preferred a loose and low waisted fit. Girlfriend jeans are a feminine version of the ‘boyfriend’ trend and are slightly tapered on the leg for a slimmer, more flattering finish.

Up your dating game with these ‘AUTHENTIC 1969 best girlfriend jeans’ from Gap, £44.95.

2 - DISTRESSED
Open stitches, scuffed knees, raw hems and frayed edges; when it comes to distressed denim, anything goes. Tear it up in a pair of bleached Original MOM jeans from ASOS, £35.00. 

(Just be prepared for parents/grandparents to question whether you can “afford a pair without holes in?”)

3 - PINSTRIPED
Smart meets casual with Topshop's twist on the classic suit pattern. Say it in stripes with these printed denim co-ords, £45.00. 

4 - CROPPED
Because culottes are hot. We've been through this.
These frayed denim culottes tick all the boxes and are available in Zara for just £19.99.

5 - PATCHWORK
Can’t choose between faded, indigo and bleached denim? 
Mix it up in a pair of patchwork jeans, £42.00.

Or if you're feeling crafty, why not DIY with some old denim shorts and locker stickers? (Skinny Dip, £10.00)

photo credits: weareselecters.com, shemazing.net, theconsciousstudent.wordpress.com, gap.com, asos.com, topshop.com, zara.com

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[C]ULOTTES

"The culotte is a little bit of an 'F-you' piece," says Lowell Delaney, co-designer of London label Trager Delaney. "It's such a power move because it isn't a conventionally sexy look. It says, 'I don't care and I still look better than you even though you're wearing a miniskirt.' 

Loved by some, hated by others; Culottes are fashion’s Marmite. Despite being a favourite amongst designers, many women have struggled to see past the garment’s reputation as clumsy ‘skort’ or girl scouts’ uniform. Others choose to reject the cropped and wide leg styles as dated or ill-fitting.

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Don’t be intimidated. Sitting high on the waist and cut at the slimmest part of the leg, culottes are surprisingly flattering on most body types. Though tailored, their looser fit also allows the wearer some ‘leg room’ without the heaviness of palazzo strides and flares.

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      When it comes to styling culottes, proportion is everything. Wearing a cropped or halter top, for example, can help to offset the billowing cut of a flared trouser by drawing attention back to the upper half of the body. A chunky sweater or tunic will have the opposite effect, lengthening the torso and creating a smooth silhouette.

NB: For a flirty finish play with ‘underwear as outerwear’ and opt for a lace bralet or camisole.
C: CULOTTES



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photo credits: aritzia.com, mishanonoo.com, sunshine-n-gunpowder.com, clavisfashion.polyvore.com

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[B]OHEMIAN

Savannah Miller, elder sister of actress Sienna Miller, once described the "real bohemian" as "someone who has the ability to appreciate beauty on a deep level, is a profound romantic, doesn't know any limits, whose world is their own creation, rather than living in a box".

From fringe and leather to florals and lace, the versatility of the 'boho’ aesthetic has made it one of fashion’s most enduring trends. In the early ‘00s women everywhere fell for the “haute hippie” attire favoured by celebrity style icons Sienna Miller and Kate Moss. Featuring vintage pussy-bow blouses, fur gilets and the occasional rubber wellington their look was both festival and red-carpet ready; so labelled the new ‘boho-chic’.

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Though some pieces did not stand the test of time (remember coin belts and white peasant skirts?) others continue to take prime place in contemporary spring/summer collections. This year, for example, saw the return of strappy gladiator sandals, distressed denim and crochet vests. High street stores like Topshop and Zara were also full of gypsy blouses and midi-length smock dresses in floral and patterned designs, ready-to-wear with beaded jewellery and tasselled ankle boots.

These more elaborate patterns illustrate the folk influences in modern bohemian style. ‘Folk’ and ‘boho’ have long lived hand-in-hand, and the rich mix of prints and textures found on recent runways prove the diversity of each trend.


Designer Elie Saab, for instance, aspired to create a modern “folk reverie” in his pre-fall show by contrasting dark lace brocades with vibrant purple and red embroidery. With full skirts and swirling floral appliqué, the result was both feminine and dramatic in its interpretation of classic motifs.

In its celebration of British crafting traditions, Burberry Prosrum’s A/W show at London’s Kensington Gardens was another ode to bohemian “patchwork, pattern and prints”. Models walked to the hazy folk sounds of singer-songwriter Claire Maguire and showcased an eclectic mix of fringed jackets, soft woven ponchos and luxe velvet shearlings in shades of mauve, ochre and teal.
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 “I liked the idea of folk crafts and hours of labour” explains designer Christopher Bailey, “I wanted to use a patchwork of materials and techniques.” And so, not forgetting the brand’s reputation for classic tailoring, Bailey transformed Burberry’s more structured silhouettes using mirror detailing, tassels, ponyskin and whip-stitching. Even the signature trench coat was reworked with Durham quilting and hand-painted blossom prints.

A photo posted by Burberry (@burberry) on


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photo credits: vogue.com, whowhatwear.com, beonliest.com

A

ZARA:
[A]-LINE SKIRT

French designer Christian Dior coined the termA-Line’ as a label for his 1955 Spring collection. The letter ‘A’ referred to the outline of a "flared jacket worn over a dress with a very full, pleated skirt” and was considered the "most wanted silhouette in Paris”.

Narrow in the waist and flaring outwards at the hem, the classic shape of the A-Line skirt is suited to almost every figure. Its flattering design skims over rounder hips, helping to balance an hourglass figure whilst concealing problem areas such as the stomach or thighs. It can also add shape to an athletic build by highlighting a slim waist and creating the illusion of curves.


This season’s A-Line skirt is a nostalgic throwback to the soft suedes and stonewashes of the 1970s. The button-front mini is a staple for AW15, featuring autumnal fabrics such as burnt orange corduroy and moss green suede. Channel Jane Birkin in an oversized shirt or pair with  tights and a tartan blanket scarf to carry the look into the colder months.


For those who prefer a longer length skirt, the denim midi is a popular but demure alternative, falling just below the knee. Why not brave double-denim or a graphic tee to give the trend a playful 90's twist?


A: A-LINE SKIRT

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photo credits: zara.com, vogue.com, asos.com, polyvore.com, ciaraodoherty.com, collagevintage.com