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Friday 27 February 2009

Retro Looks That Never Die

Retro Looks That Never Die
Retro Looks That Never Die - by BradshawsCloset on Polyvore.com

Carrie and the girls were massive fans of the retro look and for good reason - it never goes out of style! At the moment the high street is going mad for all things 80s and we've got some top picks lined up for you at good old-fashioned low prices to help you stay on trend.

In our post What's in a Name? we talked about how Carrie's nameplate necklace had become a must-have Sex and the City item. If you want to do this look with a retro twist however pay a visit to The Lunacy Boutique where you can pick up one of these fabulous multi-coloured fridge magnet name necklaces! You can order any name you want and it will only set you back £18.00 - a pittance to pay to stay on trend!

If you're looking for a selection of 80s inspired T Shirts you can't go wrong with a visit to 80s purple. Our favourite is this grey retro print which would look fabulous over jeans, a bleached denim skirt or a pair of electric blue leggings. It's the touch of animal print that really wins us over and at just $32 it's an utterly guilt free purchase.

Last but by no means least we come to shoes. Retro look shoes are coming in all sorts of shades and styles at the moment and although it's tempting to get out your walkman, buy yourself a Wham bar and jump on the 80s bandwagon you should bear in mind that the key to a timelessly fashionable wardrobe is the investment in classic pieces. If you have a wacky personality and want the shoes to match that's fine, but if you're a bit more conservative and rarely have an opportunity to wear wacky shoes we'd recommend these beautiful block colour numbers from one of our favourite online shops Boohoo.com. They're a snip at £25.00 and will still look fabulous when the weirder brands of shoes have fallen out of fashion.

Wednesday 25 February 2009

East Meets West: Experience a Taste of the Orient

A Taste of the Orient
A Taste of the Orient - by BradshawsCloset on Polyvore.com
A Taste of the Orient - by BradshawsCloset on Polyvore.com
Whenever Carrie sports a style it isn't long before it hits the high street and thanks to Sex and the City the Movie oriental prints and motifs are massive fashion news.

Miss Bradshaw looks gorgeous in green but the oriental trend comes in many shades and with a range of affordable garments and accessories readily available in all our favourite shops gettting the Geisha look doesn't have to break the bank.

As shown above, sunset shades are designer favourites this spring so why not start your oriental outfit with some strong orange tones? The gorgeous tunic pictured above costs just £28.00 from Dorothy Perkins and the matching hair lily comes even cheaper at just $7.50 from My Diva's Closet Not only are these items painfully on-trend they ooze confidence. Who needs a little black dress when you've got a whole pallet of colour?

Create contrast with bold green tones. The shoes pictured above cost $196.00 at Shoes.Com but if you can't stretch to that you can create a similar effect with these gorgeous patent leather wedge heels from Farah. You can currently buy them on Zappos for just $67.50.

To complete your look go super girly with a fan and / or a parasol. As mentioned in this week's Fashion Feed fans are going to be the hottest high street accessory once the humid months are upon us so beat the escalated prices and bag yours now. Ebay currently list a gorgeous selection of oriental fans and this fabulous lace parasol can be picked up at hatsnstuff for just £39.50. The parasol is more for a walk in the park on a summery day than a trip to Tesco. It may not be the most versatile item but it will protect you from the harsh rays of the sun at weddings, christenings and Sunday trips out to the coast and will add a touch of class to anything you team it with.

Monday 23 February 2009

The Fashion Feed: Burlesque is Back in Vogue

Thanks to girl band 'The Saturdays' and their comic relief single 'Just Can't Get Enough' burlesque wear is experiencing a bit of a revival. You are obviously not expected to bear as much flesh as Frankie, Rochelle, Una, Mollie and Vanessa have in their new video but style is always adaptable and with a bit of know-how it is possible to make this look more classy than trashy.

Become a fan of fans. Start with one of these classic Marabou fans from Ann Summers. They cost just £5.00 and will work wonders both in the bedroom and as an accessory for a ball or club night. Our favourite colour is the baby pink fan because it's super-feminine and flirty but the same fan also comes in red and in black if you want to go more for Samantha's sexy siren look.

Relish The Retro Pin-Up Style. Team your fan with this beautiful roakability skirt from Starlets and Harlets for a fabulous retro pin-up edge to your look. The clashing patterns give it a contemporary edge whilst the lace heart detail comes across all coy! The skirt costs just $49.95 and in keeping with the burlesque theme you can buy a matching garter... maybe you should be selective who you show that off to however, you don't want to get too much of a reputation!

Heel yourself. Finish your burlesque tribute with these killer gold platforms from Office. We use the word killer only to describe the look of them as the platform front will ease the strain put on your feet by the 14cm heel. This means you can perfect a sassy burlesque strut without the fear of falling over and without being in a desperate amount of pain by the end of the evening. These leg-lengthening beauties were originally £85.00 but are currently reduced to £55.00.

Saturday 21 February 2009

Competition Time: Win a Sex and the City Style Goody Bag!

We're giving away a range of designer make-up from one of Hollywood's leading make-up artists: Victoria Jackson worth over £150. We're also going to be giving away an exclusive tips booklet from Victoria herself to help you recreate Carrie's effortless glamour every day of the week! And that's not all. We're also going to throw in a range of Carrie-inspired, on-trend accessories such as this gorgeous mustard pashmina from Scarf World to complete your Sex and the City look!

To get your hands on this amazing prize all you have to do is email us with the answer to this painfully simple question:

What is Carrie's Maiden Name?

A. Golightly
B. Bradshaw
C. Hobbs

Email us at: closetcompetitions@gmail.com with your name, postal address and the answer to the question. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on the 31st of March. Good Luck!

Friday 20 February 2009

Become a Frill Seeker!

An American Girl in Paris
An American Girl in Paris - by BradshawsCloset on Polyvore.com

Perhaps the most unforgettable dress that Carrie ever wore was that amazing sea foam, 1000 layer Versace gown. It was beautiful Sex and the City irony that just when it looked as though Carrie was going to miss out on her fairytale ending she decided to throw on fairytale couture.

Versace gowns aren't known for their reasonable prices but there are still some gorgeous garments to be had for all you frill seekers out there that don't come with a designer price tag. The closest you'll probably get to recreating Carrie's lush layers on the high street is this slate green beauty from Monsoon. We're not going to lie to you, it's not going to cost you as much as a Versace gown but it's not going to be cheap. This ruched and ruffled prom dress is currently on sale for £200.00. It's well worth the investment if you can afford it, but if you can't there are other ways to frill seek on a budget.

For a subtler effect and a smaller price tag, try on this delicious satin ruffle dress from Lipsy. Not only is it slightly more versatile than the Monsoon dress but it will only set you back £70.00 which is a big reduction! The bustier design will pull you in at all the right places and emphasise the big ruffle effect at the bottom.

Frills and ruffles aren't exclusive to dresses and skirts of course, they've been appearing on all sorts of garments and accessories. Our favourite is this beautiful Fiorelli clutch bag in one of this season's hottest colours: coral. It is currently available at John Lewis for £35.00 and is versatile enough to wear day or night. Use it to modernise a jeans and T shirt look or match it with your favourite little black dress. Either way it will look fabulous, flirty and fun.

Wednesday 18 February 2009

The January Shoe Fix: Epic Gladiator Footwear

Caged shoes are so Sex and the City, but most of the high street stores are selling theirs for over £60.00 leaving any cash-strapped shoe lovers having to do without gladiator-esque footwear.

We didn't take those high-cost price tags lying down however, oh no. We believe that women everywhere have the right to own the latest shoes and thus have endured an online quest of epic proportions to hunt down the cheapest and chicest gladiator sandles.

There is hope even in this bleak, economically challenged world of owning footwear that will turn heads. At just £34.50 these designer look metallic stripe sandles from Asos will put the world to rights once more and allow women from all walks of life to cage their feet Carrie style. As long as there are reasonably priced shoes in the shops, there is justice in the world!

Monday 16 February 2009

The Fashion Feed: Confessions of a Shopaholic Special

We are counting down the days until the release of Confessions of a Shopaholic this Friday and to celebrate this New-York-set-Fashion-Fest we've put together a Fashion Feed special on re-creating Becky Bloomwood's gorgeously garish style.

Unashamed clashing is the key to creating the 'Confessions' style. Start simple with this gorgeous yellow handbag from Marks and Spencer. It may be big enough for a weekend-sized break but oversized handbags are a massive trend this season so it could easily double up. Priced at £49.50 this is probably more of an investment piece for most recessionistas but since it's made of high quality leather it is without doubt worth the extra pennies.

Whilst you're in the mood for solid fashion investments why not splash out on this fabulous tangerine coat from the Star range by Julien Macdonald. Military jackets are big news in the world of fashion at the moment so this coat provides two-in-one trend value. It will set you back £85.00 but this piece will last you a life time. Tangerine may be this month's colour, but even once the trend is over it will look timelessly bold and beautiful. This piece is currently on sale at Debenhams.

Recessionistas on a budget needn't be without their homage piece to 'Confessions' however as New Look have brought out these perfectly pink peep-toe heels for the bargain price of £30.00. Clash these little beauties with anything else in your wardrobe and you're guaranted to turn heads on the high-street. We all thought Carrie was experimental in her time but Becky Bloomwood is without doubt the next generation in statement moves. The good news is, just like the Sex and the City crew, this girl knows how to have fun with fashion so following suit should be a blast!

Friday 13 February 2009

The Bride Wore a Dress by Noone!

Valentine's day may be the big V word floating about at the moment but when it comes to stand-out style it's the word vintage that's going to stand the test of time. As mentioned in our Valentine's Special a couple of weeks ago the vintage look is hot on the high street at the moment and because vintage clothes are based on classical designs it's a look that will always remain timeless. If it's good enough for Carrie and Big's wedding, then it's good enough for us!

The big question on every fashionistas lips is: 'where can you buy quality vintage clothing?' The high street stores are doing some very likeable mock- ups but the truth is you're likely to get better value if you shop old school vintage and actually buy clothes and accessories from times gone by. How much access you have to vintage clothing will depend greatly on where abouts you live. London is a hot-bed for retro shops such as Absolute Vintage, Fur Coat and No Knickers and Beyond Retro where you can go on a day-long treasure hunt for beautiful one-off items like those pictured right.

If you don't live in London, which many people don't, there are still some choice online picks to be had if you know where to go. We particularly like Martha's Closet and Steptoe's Antiques as they sell a wide range of vintage items online. You can browse through their range gallery style and select the top items from the comfort of your home! Prices start very low for vintage clothes, which is just the way we like them. So next time you feel a shopping spree coming on why not go vintage and show everyone that you can wear a dress by noone and still look and feel like someone!

Monday 9 February 2009

The Fashion Feed: How to Look Good Nude!

As women we spend a lot of time glamming ourselves up when in actual fact subtly enhancing your natural beauty can be much more empowering. Natural tones are going to be massive on the high street this Spring and consequently we thought we'd give you a bit of guidance on going nude!

The trick is to avoid looking drab by accenting your wardrobe a few key accessories. We love these strappy nude sandles from Asos. Although they're decidedly natural the almost 5 inch heels completely modernise the look. Their neutral shade means that they will go with almost anything in your wardrobe and will be appropriate footwear for almost any social event. At just £18.00 they are without doubt the best value option for natural footwear this Spring.

If you're trying to create a more formal outfit you needn't look further than Scarf World who sell this cute but conservative scarf with a trendy leaf motif. It costs just £9.99 and is big enough to double up as a light weight shawl making it a highly versatile addition to your wardrobe. The best part however is the material. The scarf is made from a beautiful floaty chiffon, meaning it is guaranteed to soften your style and make the perfect finishing touch to office or wedding wear.

Of course the natural look doesn't have to stop at clothing. There is a vast range of natural make-up on the market for varying budgets and skin types. Our favourite is this Maybelline Moisture Extreme Naked Beige Lipstick. This particular range offers a variety of nude shades to suit your preference and moisturises your lips to boot. You can currently buy this product at Boots at just £3.88 so why not give the natural look a go and let people see the real you for a change?

Friday 6 February 2009

What's in a Name?

Carrie's cute nameplate necklace started a massive trend as fans of the show across the globe dashed out to get their name written up in gold plated glory. For those of you a bit hazy on the details the necklace even became a bit of a plot point during the show finale when a devasted Carrie thought she'd lost her cheap but cheerful chain right about the same time that she was feeling like she'd lost herself. Interestingly once she followed her heart she found herself and her necklace again, proving there's more to jewellery than just a bit of sparkle.

If you still haven't got yours yet Punky Pins make a beautiful range of gold and silver mirror effect necklaces covering every name you can think of. You can literally order any name you want at the check out and the necklaces only cost £20.00 meaning nobody has to be without this iconic piece of Sex and the City bling.

Of course style has moved on a little bit since the days of Sex and the City and the good news is that Paris Hilton's gal pal Nicole Ritchie has single handedly moved the name necklace trend forward by sporting a set of silver chains featuring some sparkly initial charms.

We love these large pendant affairs from Diamante Divas. The pendants vary in price but all letters are around the £5.00 mark meaning you can stay on trend and on budget. So why not show people who you really are by shimmering, sparkling and shining all day long, just like Carrie did!

Wednesday 4 February 2009

The Monthly Must-Have: Star Buy For Spring

The hottest colour on the high street at the moment is coral and consequently a lot of stores are charging over the odds for any product they stock in that colour. Imagine our delight then, when we discovered this gorgeous block colour dress from Goddiva.

As mentioned in our previous post 'Block Party!' block colour fashion items are massive thanks to Carrie's post-jilt-honeymoon to Mexico in The Sex and the City Movie. In short, with this dress you're getting two key Spring looks in one outfit and like any star buy it is a versatile piece which can be smartened up for the office or dressed down for the pub. You could even pair it with some sparkly jewellery and wear it on a date for a more sophisticated look.

The best news about this little number however is that it is only £29.99 making a mockery of the big stores who still believe consumers are willing to pay over the hundred pound mark just to stay on trend. When will these people learn that we want to look like SJP, but we're not exactly on her budget? Snap your block colour dress up now and start enjoying the unignorable looks of envy from every woman you pass!

Monday 2 February 2009

The Fashion Feed: Valentine's Day Special

If you're in a relationship Valentine's Day can be sublime. If you're single however the whole day appears very different and it can be a very isolating experience. Well, we're here to let all you sassy singles know that it's just not worth getting hung up about. Saint Valentine's day is supposed to be a celebration of love, it's not about getting so depressed about being alone that you hang yourself from your shower rail!

This week's fashion feed is a Valentine's Special aimed not only those people who are in such a comfortable relationship they don't even close the bathroom door any more, but also all the single ladies who deserve love. Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love. We've found three fabulous and fashionable ways to show the world that you've got your love, even if you don't happen to be in love just now.

Valentino for Valentine's Day. Why not ditch the emotional baggage this year and concentrate on the kind of baggage that actually has an off-chance of impressing somebody? We love this Valentino inspired piece from Fashion Junkee. It looks like Valentino could have designed it but only costs $50.00. Whether you're meeting your other single soul-mates for a pizza and a film or are having a candle-lit dinner with a special someone this bag will make the pefect companion to take along with you.

Vintage Valentine. Vintage chic is big business these days and if you want to work the vintage look this Valentine's Day why not pick up this adorable love locket from Dallas-based designer Rebecca Berry? The locket is silver-plated set with a pearlized Lucite oval stone which features a retro style pin-up girl. You can buy the locket for $82 from Plastic Land and keep that someone special right where they should be, close to your heart.

I Want Candy. If you fancy something equally quirky but not quite as pricey pay a visit to The Lunacy Boutique where you can pick up a range of fabulous love-themed accessories at very reasonable prices. We adore this love heart bracelet which features a range of classic slogans from those yummy pastel sweets we used to devour as kids. At only £14.00 how can you resist a little sugar this Valentine's Day?