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

Good to be (in) Green

So after an illness, bad back, Christmas, New Year and a birthday I’m back!

It’s been hard to motivate myself to blog again but it’s funny how you find inspiration from the most unlikely of places. If you know me then you’ll have probably guessed from the title of the post who might have inspired me… I am of course talking about Professor Green. But this isn’t a Pro Green style post- so don’t click X just yet!

Professor Green....with a green microphone.

It’s no secret that ‘Just Be Good To Green‘ is one of my fave songs to be released in the Noughties. I listen to it everyday without fail. Pro Green and Wardrobe style icon Lily Allen- course I’m all over it.

But it’s the colour green that inspired me for this post. Now green is a colour that doesn’t feature much in my wardrobe but this season it’s a colour that is everywhere. And you know what, I’m really feeling it!

Primark SS12: A green shirt dress £17

The different variations of the colour are so eye-catching but I love the emerald green colour in particular. I’m often told I need to generate more colour in my outfits come Spring/Summer as I’m such a ‘dark’ person. I think green is a good colour to mix and match with the darker navy’s and blacks that I already have. It’s also a great colour to work with if you want to get in on the colour blocking trend. Although I personally wouldn’t go head to toe in green with the fear of looking like Kermit the frog. Ribbit.

Jessica Alba rocking a bit of green

I also think green is a great colour to incorporate into a working wardrobe to liven it up. I hate picking out work wear, cos I don’t want to look dull or too ‘executive’ but I love this outfit Emma Stone is wearing!

I bought these black trousers from the Miss Selfridge sale the other day for £12, now tempted to buy a green blazer to go with them!

Black belted peg leg trousers @ Miss Selfridge was £38.00 NOW £12.00

I’ve spotted so many lovely items on the high street this SS12 in the colour green from blazers to bags. No green in my wardrobe? That might just change…

Mini stripe bodycon skirt @ Topshop £25.00

Split neck maxi dress @ Topshop £50.00

Green collar skater dress @ Miss Selfridge £42.00

Green wedge court shoes @ Dorothy Perkins £40.00

Leopard collar 60s coat @ ASOS was £90.00 NOW £45.00

Ewa tailored skater dress @ Missguided.co.uk £14.99

Green quilted cross body bag @ Dorothy Perkins £20.00

Love Label drape blazer @ Very.co.uk £35.00

Tapered turn up trousers @ Matalan £14.00

MOTO Leigh supersoft skinny jeans @ Topshop £38.00

 Will you be going green this SS12? 

Professor Green image courtesy of BBC.co.uk  , all others courtesy of LOOK.co.uk

Sunny

WIOW: Designer Scarves…Oh Yeah!

I love my scarves, so much so that I’ve lost count of how many I have.

They’re a great accessory, jazzing up my outfit and keeping my neck warm! I also love how they’re a cheap way to stay on trend.

I tend to buy all my scarves from the high street or online shops- including eBay. But sometimes there’s a scarf or two that really deserves having some (serious) clash splashed on…

Alexander McQueen Skull Scarf

Okay, the most FAMOUS scarf around…fact. I’ve wanted an Alexander McQueen skull scarf for yeeeaaarrrsss and to be honest the only thing stopping me was the price. So instead I turned to the next best thing -the high street. Over the years I acquired many a cheap skull scarf but I still lusted after a McQueen one. So one day I finally did  it – I bought one! I got my beautiful cobalt blue and grey scarf from a website called Oki Ni for £135- but since Alexander McQueen’s untimely death in February it’s been hard to get a hold of his coveted skull scarves.

I absolutely love it and I know I’ll probably be eating beans on toast all my life but it was so worth it!

Sir Alistair Rai Karma Scarf

It’s not a name many have heard of but I adore this scarf by English-born designer Kiran Rai. A couple of years ago I saw a picture of Drew Barrymore wearing a beautiful purple scarf with the ‘ Hindu/Buddhist OM’ symbol all over it. It took me a while searching the internet before I found out that the scarf was by a designer called Kiran Rai- part of her Sir Alistair Rai collection. It’s always been on my wishlist- and after a few years of thinking about it, I decided to get one.

It was tough choosing a colour/message but I opted for the white and red Raja Karma scarf as seen on the likes of Jessica Alba, Nicole Richie and Lindsey Lohan. Mine was from an American website called Creative Contrast and cost roughly £80.00 (free shipping).

Jessica Alba in her Sir Alistair Rai 'Karma' scarf

It’s something totally different from my other scarves and even though I’m not Hindu or Buddhist I love the prayer all over it.

I love both my scarves but I’m definitely not planning on adding a third designer scarf to my collection for a while! I don’t think my bank balance can handle it…

Jessica Alba image courtesy of iheartthat.com all other images copyrighted to Wardrobemag.wordpress.com

Sunny

Soldier Girl

Stand to attention – a new trend is infiltrating stores offering a tougher alternative to this season’s nudes, feathers and nautical chic. Yes, the military look is back but thankfully it’s more wearable than in its previous guises.

Before you start raiding your wardrobe for your baggy combat trousers from your All Saints days, think again. While combat trousers are having something of  a comeback, these days they are slim fitting combats-meet-biker trousers rather than their low-slung, over-sized predecessors.

For high-end inspiration look no further than Balmain; the power house behind last year’s power shoulder have pioneered the soldier girl look. Their Spring/ Summer show included skinny combat trousers teamed with ripped t-shirts and a more dressy take on the uniform look by pairing army jackets with sequinned cargo pants.

Balmain's skinny combat trousers have inspired many high-street copies

Replicate this look with some skinny seamed biker trousers from River Island (£29.99), and leather-look  jacket from New Look (£35).  If you’re feeling creative you could create your own ripped t-shirt by cutting holes and slashes into a plain tee of your choice.

River Island £29.99

New Look £35

River Island seems to be the best place to get your hands on military clothes on the high street, my favourite piece being this red Military blazer (£49.99) which gives a welcome injection of colour to an otherwise muted pallette of khaki, beige and grey.

 The jacket is also available in grey, and there are other similar jackets and waistcoats in black – check out their website to see the full range.

River Island £49.99

The obvious choice of footwear to wear with this look is some slouchy, lace up boots.
Celebs have been going mad for the All Saints Military Boots (£165), with Rihanna, Jessica Alba, Fearne Cotton and Cat Deeley to name but a few spotted in a pair. You can make like the stars and get your hands on a pair online from All Saints, or be like our very own Sunny who picked up an almost identical pair from Red Herring in Debenhams for just £45!

Rihanna, Jessica Alba, Cat Deeley and Fearne Cotton all have the same All Saints Military boots

All Saints £165

Sunny's Red Herring boots (£45)

Do you like the military trend, or will you be opting for some of this season’s softer looks?

 

Chloe

 

Images courtesy of Marie Claire

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           

             

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