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

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

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           

             

(Rebel) English Rose

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” – William Shakespeare

A bit of literature for you there! (Romeo and Juliet incase you were wondering)…

Following on from the summers floral trend, it’s the rose that’s this seasons must have flower- and what a beautiful flower it is!

Kaya Scodelario wears her rose print vest with denim shorts

There is something quintessentially English about the rose print, it reminds me of English tea parties, cakes and scones- how cute! But this seasons flower print has a slightly more gothic feel to it: Dark or bright coloured roses on black, feminine with an edgy touch. Skin’s actress Kaya Scodelario softens her rose print top (from New Look) with denim shorts, though we’d opt for some tights if you want to rock that look during these cold times!

Lauren Conrad works the floral skirt with a black vest top and blazer

If you’re not too girly like me then toughen up your rose prints with a biker jacket or a black blazer like our fave Hill’s star Lauren Conrad.

Rose prints are all over the high street right now in shops such as New Look, Dorothy Perkins, Topshop and Urban Outfitters. Online store ‘Motel‘ has some fab rose print dresses and as a bonus you can get 10% off until 11pm tonight (20th October 2009), just add the code crazy10 at the checkout!

Here’s a few of my favourites out there:

Rose Print Dress @ New Look £20.00

Multi Biker Dress Rose @ Dorothy Perkins was £32.00 now £20.00!

Vintage Rose Print Tunic @ Topshop £28.00

Rose Print Skirt @ Urban Outfitters £28.00

Rose Print Top @ New Look £12.00

Selina Stripes and Rose Print dress @ Motel £39.00

Rose Print Playsuit @ Miss Selfridge £38.00

Amplified Vintage Guns N Roses Tee @ Truffleshuffle.com £20.00

Dripping Rose Print Skirt @ Topshop £32.00

These romantic rose prints will certainly brighten up your wardrobe on these dull winter days.

What do you think of the rose print trend?

Sunny

Raid her Wardrobe – Kristin Cavallari

She’s always been Lauren Conrad’s biggest nemesis – competing for Stephen’s attention back in Laguna Beach, and now it looks like Kristin Cavallari is vying for LC’s crown as the most stylish star in The Hills.

The 22-year-old has upped her game, stepping out in the hottest designer labels – but as she is earning a rumoured $63,000 per episode of The Hills we’re sure she can afford it!

As so many of you seem to love KC’s style we’re going to recreate her hottest looks from the high street, starting with her outfit from the Star Trek premiere…

Kristin at the Star Trek premiere

Recreate the look with this bodycon dress from ASOS, £35.

Asos £35

Nude Peep toe heels also from ASOS, £59, and some dangly earrings like these from Topshop, £15, complete the look.

ASOS £59

Topshop £15

 What do you think of Kristin’s style? What look do you want us to recreate next?

Chloe