Spring Trend 2: Pleat it Up!



Chloe, Prada, Calvin Klein and Rodarte. I absolutely
love the pastel pleated Prada dress. Absolutely stunning!



Continuing with the theme of Spring 2012 being feminine and flirty, pleats are a major trend, and a great alternative if you're not a fan of the peplum skirt. Seen on the catwalks of major designers such as Chloe and Prada, all pleats are a go with knife pleats to box pleats. Own a piece of pleats from summer dresses and if you want a double trend hit, then go for a pastel palette. Or maybe you're a fan of the cigarette trouser which is a major trend right now- you could pair them with a pleated chiffon blouse for work. Whatever your style, pleats can fit perfectly around it.

Pleated Bust Jumpsuit
ASOS
£20.00

 

Waisted Pleat Dress
ASOS
£18.00



Pleat Maxi Dress
Ted Baker
£199.00

Pleat Peplum Dress
Karen Millen
£160.00

Shift Pleat
Louise Amstrup
£510.00



















Spring Trend 1: Pastel Princess

Louis Vuitton S/S 2012 ads.

A trend that I love this spring is pastel. I fell in love with this trend as soon as I saw the Louis Vuitton ads for S/S 2012. It just reminds me of American diners in the fifties serving ice cream with the girls and their coiffured hair and swinging peplum skirts. It's feminine, it's light, it's fresh, and it most definitely is a nice refreshing alternative after the leather and S&M trends that we saw on the A/W catwalks.

Louis Vuitton S/S 2012

ASOS Poppet Suede Platform
Court Shoes
£55.00

ASOS Lula Pastel Colour Block
Ballet Flats
£25.00

ASOS Petite Exclusive Tulip
Dress with Textured Stripe
£45.00

ASOS Penny Espadrille Peep
Toe Shoes £35.00

ASOS Bitten Leather Platform
T-Bar Sandal
£75.00

Cutout Wool-Twill Blazer
Preen
£1,170

Metallic Watersnake Sandals
Miu Miu
£645.00

Metallasse Leather Tote
Miu Miu
£1.295.00

Spring! Spring! Oh Spring has Sprung!

It's the first day of Spring, and that means many things... namely, the onset of long summer days, flowers blooming, and of course... spring fashion! Many will note that the dominant palette of spring seems to be pastel, with a fifties touch with the peplum skirt, which seems to have divided the fashion world. However, those against the structured flare of the peplum may fall for the  complete opposite in the form of the 1920s drop waist. But just like what is typical of the fashion world, there are many polar opposites to each trend, while the drop waist is the alternative to the peplum, so too do other trends contrast each other such as animal prints of birds versus abstract and digital prints. Baroque made a big comeback, possibly with the popularity of Versace for H&M, it seems to be one of the big trends of the season. So what trend will you be sporting? Here's a few peplum skirts for you to start planning your spring wardrobe!

This Denisha mesh
pencil skirt by Hakaan is
perfect to rock the peplum trend
this spring, well, as long as you
have £1,750 spare.

If you don't have the bank
balance for Hakaan, then how
about this red number
from ASOS?

One thing to remember about the peplum
skirt is that it may hug your curves, but it may be unflattering for those with wider hips, by making them look even wider. However, they can help in balancing out figures when you find one that fits well.



Black is a classic colour
and I love the layering of
this Lipsy skirt. Perfect for during
the day with black tights, as well as
with a smart blouse for the office.



Marni for H&M



Marni, known for bold prints and a bohemian/vintage yet feminine edge, has as many of you probably already know, has collaborated with H&M for spring. As other collaborative collections have done before it, the Marni for H&M collection has sold out, as the clothes have all the features typical to Marni, without the price tag. However, despite its massive sell-out, I'm not really sure how much I would buy just because it's a collaboration with Marni. I would describe my style as very bohemian and feminine, and I'm not one to shy away from bold prints, but although there are some gorgeous pieces, my feelings towards the collection are quite mixed.



This is really retro and sixties but I just don't like it.
Knitted and patent just don't work for me, and the
fact that it is patent leather just makes me feel like it
looks quite plastic and cheap. Which at £99.99 is not
a look you're going for.



I really cannot stand this cardigan.
Cardigans shouldn't have zips at
the front- it makes it look like it
doesn't know whether or not it wants
to be a knit or a jacket. The stripes as
well don't do it for me- I don't they would
be very flattering as well as the frills are too showy
and are not flattering on any bust.



Personally, this isn't really my kind
of look, but again, African prints are
really in right now, and I could see it
working well with skinny jeans and
nice pair of tan leather heels, but I
would prefer a print like this having
sleeves and chiffon.

 

H&M describes this bag as having straw-look fabric
with leather details, and I must admit,
I do think it would bring a spark of
colour into an outfit.
It is very African, which is very on
 trend this season, and the design of i
t and how spacious it is makes it perfect

 for the office and a day-time look.






I absolutely love these leather heels
with a wooden heel. I think
 they look worth much more
 than the £69.99 they are
selling for. Perfect for the
day and night.