L.A.idback

If there’s one place in the world that I would want to live, other than sunny England of course, it would be Los Angeles.

Surf, sand… and plenty of sunshine, not to mention that enviable laid back style that all City of Angels residents seem to have. Sunkissed skin, tousled hair, teeny denim shorts and flip flops are essentials for any LA lady, with Rachel Bilson, Jessica Alba and Kate Bosworth just some of the sun loving starlets who show off their California cool wardrobes on a daily basis.

Before they get glammed up for award shows, red carpet cameos and magazine shoots, these celebs and plenty more can be seen out and about in their favourite off-duty outfits.

But let’s not let those Americans have all the fun. Just because it’s not sunny here all year round, doesn’t mean we can’t wear our cut-offs and high tops too!!! There are plenty of ways we can channel our inner beach bum, even if it’s not summer yet. So here are some ideas for you to put the L.A into laid back.

Here's one of La La lands most spotted celeb, in classic cut offs and sunnies

Denim dip dye short, ASOS, £28

Model Rosie Huntington-Whitely flys the flag for us brits over in L.A

Get Rosie's style with these washed skinny jeans, River Island, £40

Former Laguna Beach resident Lauren Conrad steps out in LA in very on trend colour pop skinnies

Get L.A. like LC, with these bright Topshop skinny jeans, £38

LC's LA neighbour and newly pregnant Kristin Cavallari does California cool in this aztec print maxi dress

Steal Kristin's summer style, baby bump optional, with this River Island aztec print maxi dress, £28

And if you don’t like any of these celeb looks, then try some of these awesome American accessories so you can feel all Californ.i.a, without the Hollywood price tag.

Insert some American attitude into your wardrobe with this US flag heart crop top, £14, Topshop

The perfect addition to any LA lovers closet, the slim Havaiana flip flop, £20

Perfect for holding all your goodies on the beach, this stars and stripes backpack is £32 from Topshop

Help shade the LA sun with this straw hat, French connection, £25

Tie back beach hair with this happy face print scarf, £6, ASOS

 

What’s your favourite LA look? How would you work California cool?

Steph

Top trends for spring and summer

 

Here at Wardrobe we like to keep our fingers firmly pressed on the fashion pulse, and already this year there have been several trends that have caught our eyes. From feathers and stripes, to spots and flowers, 2010 looks sure to be a year where fashionistas of any size, shape and budget can find something to suit them.   

 But because of the huge number of different styles already emerging for the coming year, we thought that it was only fair for us to put together some of the best trends for Spring/Summer 2010.      

 

Ok, so I know it’s only January, but most of these looks can already been found in the shops and online, and one key trend that will be sticking around is layering, so don’t be afraid to mix a soft summery top with a chunky winter knit.    

So whether you’re looking for an entire outfit for spring, or a staple piece for summer, take a peek at our trend report.           

   

   

 Shorts           

 One trend that will be hitting the high street this summer is shorts. But not just any kind of shorts, no we’re talking short shorts and hot pants.           

Even though the prospect of any kind of sunshine this summer may seem slim, shorts look set to be a key trend.       

They were all over the place last summer with celebs like Pixie Lott and Daisy Lowe donning them for festivals, but be prepared to bare all again this year.   

And if you want to get ahead of the fashion pack, buy yours early and team them with chunky tights and knits for a cosy but cool solution to the cold.             

Ex Hills star Lauren Conrad shows off her pins in her denim hot pants

Distressed denim shorts, Miss Selfridge £28

Sequin hot pants from Vila, available at ASOS for £16

 Socks     

Ok, so we all wear socks. But this spring and summer, our feet can not only be kept warm and dry, but also stylish and completely on trend.     

 Instead of buying your usual six pack of plain white socks, why not opt for knee highs? No more expensive than the average sock, but way better.  

 

Coming in hundreds of styles and patterns, knee high socks can be worn in so many different ways. Over tights, peeping out of boots, with a pretty dress in the summer or even with those short shorts mentioned earlier.  

 

A number of celebs have been seen wearing them and our favourite stores have already pulled on the trend and stocked up on socks.   

Even in the sunny US Jessica Alba adds knee high socks to her outfit

Diesel over the knee socks £13, also available from ASOS

Gap angora kee high socks £8

Patterns and prints          

  One trend that already looks like it will be huge this summer is prints. With flowers and animal prints, stripes and abstract patterns, prints can add a little bit of va va voom to any old outfit.       

  Whether it’s a floral t-shirt, a leopard print playsuit or some Aztec leggings, prints can be worn with anything, anywhere.    

 And with so many to choose from, this really is a trend that easily translates from the catwalk to the high street, and to our wardrobes.            

Rihanna wears her patterned leggings with confidence

French Connection have gone tribal with these aztec print leggings £35

Topshop floral printed skirt £31

 Denim         

Ok, so when has denim ever been out of fashion? Well the answer is never, but this year there are several ways to update that classic wardrobe staple that everyone has.        

 One idea to update your look and keep your denim decent is rips. They go great with the rock chick trend, and can also make a cute outfit look a little cooler. The best part about it is you don’t even need to buy a new pair, just cut up an old pair you don’t wear anymore.           

 Another great way to jazz up your jeans is studs. Also on trend, studs can make any jeans look more edgy and just like rips if you’re a bit short on funds, you can buy them and put them on yourself. Easy.        

  Another trend that can apply to jeans, trousers, or even jackets is patches. Covering shoulders, knees, elbows, and anywhere really, patches can cover up a multitude of sins. Stemming from the trend for jodhpurs, patched have made their way on to jeans and trousers and can already be found in most stores.         

         

Megan Fox rocking her ripped jeans

Ripped jeans from Miss Selfridge £38

Patched Topshop jeans £62

  Some other trends already featured in Wardrobe which you should definitely look out for this year are the nautical trend, which has sailed its way back into fashion this year, feathers, which are a great transition from fur which was huge last winter and the nude trend, which has already taken over most of the high street stores in one form of another.     

So whether its shorts, florals, leapord prints or socks, theres something for everyone in 2010.          

         

  Steph