Lauren Conrad – Style icon or fashion flop?

We girls here at Wardrobe like to keep our fingers firmly placed on the fashion pulse, but contrary to what you might think, we don’t just stand around  trying on clothes and looking in shop windows all day…

Oh no, we are actually rather intellectual. In fact just this week I myself purchased a book. But not just any book, no, it was a style guide from none other than LA’s favourite fashionista, Miss Lauren Conrad.

New book Style, out last week

We Wardrobe ladies have always loved Lauren’s MTV show The Hills, not just for the back stabbing (and most recently the plastic surgery), but also for the fashion.

Because of all the different characters in the show, from LC and Audrina to Lo and Stephanie, there are lots of different styles. And all the Hollywood parties they ‘have’ to go to, keeps them re-stocking and re-styling their wardrobes, meaning more ideas (and better viewing) for us.

Some of LC's latest looks

If you’re like me, you will have been wondering how the girls managed to wear a new outfit every time they were on-screen (I have trouble doing that five days a week just for work.)

Well, in Lauren’s new book,(following on from her inventive LA Candy series about a reality TV star in Hollywood, sound familiar?) she teaches you how to do just that.

Lauren looking lovely as she shows off her style inside the book

I know some of you might be wondering why I bothered spending my very hard-earned cash on a book written by a reality TV star, and believe me I did ask myself the same question. But, in my defence, I found it for £7 on Amazon, and I’m ashamed to say that I do really love LC. And having spent an hour reading through it (there are a lot of pictures) I have to say that it’s actually quite good.

Fashion fans will find it very informative, as there is a handy hint and tip for practically everything you’ll ever need, and The Hills fans will find it a great addition to their guilty pleasure collection.

And not only is there plenty of help to pick the perfect jeans, ideas to choose the best t-shirts and tips on how to shop vintage. There are also chapters on make-up for all occasions, how to get the most out of your jewellery and all importantly, hair. Style shows you how to create perfect pony’s, undone up do’s and how to get Lauren’s trademark tousled boho beach vibe.

Lauren's trademark loose curls and California glow

Rocking vintage hair and red lips for a more grown up look

 All in all it’s not going to win a Pulitzer Prize any time soon, but I think Lauren’s 15 minutes of fame has helped her to collect a fair few items of clothing, so why not share with the world how she wears them?

I’ll definitely be using some of the handy hints she gives in the book, such as collecting staple pieces and customising clothes I already have, so for me it was a £7 well spent.

Have you brought Lauren’s book? What do you think of her style?

Steph

Style crushes – The Hills hotties

Anyone out there who is a fan of MTVs The Hills, will know that us girls don’t just watch it for the drama, oh no, us fashionistas also tune in for all the latest trends.

From Whitney Port’s quirky New York style to Kristin Cavallari’s Hollywood glamour, all the stateside starlets have us green with envy.

The beautiful people.

Lauren Conrad

Lauren’s laid back LA style has had us Brits envious ever since she moved to the Hollywood hills, and if like me you’ve had LC withdrawal symptoms ever since she quit the show, here’s a compilation of Conrad’s best outfits, both during, and after her stint on reality TV, all of which are bang on trend. Go Lo Co!

LC looking California cool in a jumper, cut off shorts and sandals.

Conrad rocks a floral skirt and boyfriend blazer in Beverly Hills.

Lauren in her trademak laidback LA look; ripped jeans, a shirt and sandals.

Glammed up and looking gorgeous, Lo Co rocks an LBD and statement heels

LC looks tanned and toned in a white playsuit.

Kristin Cavallari

For all of you out there who may dislike The Hills newbie Kristin, not only for stealing Audrina’s man, but also moving for on to Brody (sorry boys if this makes no sense), you can’t deny the girl has style.

She can go from laid back beach babe, to high fashion in just one episode.

Kristin Cavallari looking cool in a Mickey Mouse tee with cut off shorts.

All dressed up in a mini and heels.

Casual but cool, Cavallari at Coachella.

Pretty in pink, Kristin ditches her cut offs for a polished red carpet look.

Audrina Patridge

Audrina has had viewers hooked from the very first episode of The Hills, and we’ve watched her grow throughout the show.

We’ve seen her on/off relationship with Justin Bobby and her friendships with Lauren and Heidi deteriorate, but one thing we’ve also seen is a change in her appearance, and I’m not talking about the boob job.

At first she was kind of a plain Jane, but AP has really come into her own during the last few seasons of the show.

Here she is showing off her tan in a bright white one strap dress

Audrina looking classy, yet chilled in a black playsuit and pumps

Looking like quite the glamour puss in a floor length gown, red carpet up-do and ruby red lips

Back to a more relaxed look, Miss P rocks a neon mini with cool cuffed sandals

Whitney Port

As for little Miss Whitney, the girls always had style, let’s face it, but since moving on from The Hills and finding her fashion feet in The City, she’s trying on a bit of NY.

Ok, so she has had a few fashion faux pas, what New Yorker hasn’t, but it’s safe to say Whitney is original, quirky, cute and always stands out from the crowd.

Here

Looking gorgeous and glowing in a shimmery number

A less dramatic red carpet ensemble, but still looking good in a crop top, leather shorts and animal print heels

Clashing her prints on the streets of the Big Apple, can this girl do no wrong?

Sorry to leave out The City newcomer Olivia Palermo, all round nice girl Lo Bosworth, Spencer’s sister Stephanie Pratt and Mrs Pratt herself, but the blog just doesnt have enough room for all their wardrobes.

 

What do you think of the Hills girls’ style? And who’s your favourite?

Steph

Life’s a beach

For most celebs, jetting off on a plane is just an everyday occurance, but for those of us who class our summer hols as a special occasion, it’s important to make sure we look good while we’re there.

So for those lucky people who are preparing to sun themselves this summer, have a look at the pick of some of the best bikini’s, swimsuits and cover ups, with a great selection to suit all destinations, and price tags.

 

If it's good enough for the heiress....

Cut out swimsuit River Island £24.99

Joe Cole's Mrs, Carly Zucker, in her tropical bikini

Tropical print bikini Accessorize £26

Chloe Sevigny rocking a floral number

Topshop floral bikini £25

The Hill's Audrina Patridge showing off her figure in a colour block bikini

Colour block bikini Topshop £25

Justin's squeeze Jessica Biel in her pink print bikini

Heart print bikini £25 Topshop

Jessica Alba strutting her stuff in a stripy two piece

Morgan stripy bikini £41.50 Asos

Kate Hudson in a teeny weeny red bikini

Tap in to your sailor side with this red anchor print beauty £12 Sainsbury's

Cover up your bikini in this nauticalboat print dress from Topshop £22

Former supermodel Janice Dickinson rocking a bright orange one piece

River Island lace up swimsuit £24.99 (Also similar to the pink one worn by Charlotte in Sex and the City)

Teen queen Vanessa Hudgens in stripes

Marks and Spencers sexy stripes £30

The Hill's newcomer Kristin Cavallari shows off her patterned bikini

Similar brushstroke bikini New Look £16

Lindsay in her body con Herve Leger bikini

Marks and Spencer's yellow version £34.50

Eva Parker Longoria brightens up the beach in her tye dye ruffle bikini

No tye dye, but plenty of ruffles River Island £24.99

Gossip girls Leighton Meester covers up her black bikini with a super cool crop tee

Get yours from Asos for £18

Li Lo covering up in style with a colour block maxi

One of Primarks many maxi dresses £12.72

Anne Hathaway shows off her blue bikini

Blue bikini Primark £6.85

Denise Richards splahes around in her purple bikini

Matalan purple bikini top £5

And bottoms also from Matalan £4

Cover up your bikini with this purple maxi from Dorothy Perkins £20

Girls Aloud's Kimberley Walsh in animal print

Zebra print bikini from Sainsbury's £12

 

Printed kaftan Matalan £4

Mischa covers her beach hair with a trendy trilby

Straw hat from M & S, a bargain at £9.50.

Jazz up plain bikini's with a boyfriend shirt ala Kirsten Dunst Topshop checked shirt £28

So whether you’re heading to Barbados or Blackpool, or you just want to look good down at the local swimming pool, there’s no excuse not to look as good as the celebs.

Steph