The Monthly Must-Have: The Dolce Vita Dress

I am not usually one for all-over sequins but after seeing this on Caryn Franklin's runway at The Clothes Show Live over the weekend I couldn't help but indulge. Dolce Vita style fashion is set to be massive all the way through 2009 and having bagged one of these limited edition beauties for myself I have to say it is possibly the best dress I have ever tried on in my life.

It costs £60.00 from New Look and is currently available in their Oxford Street branch. I've had very mixed reactions to it when I've showed people. Most of the girls have loved it and most of the guys have hated it but what to men really know about style and fashion anyway? The tunic shape makes it very flattering and I just know with the right pair of heels this is going to make a fabulous outfit for a Saturday night on the town.

If you can't get your hands on this particular item due to funds or location then find something equally as sparkly to get the same effect. Sequin handbags, skirts, scarves and vests are readily available across the high street at a range of prices so nobody has to miss out on a bit of bling! Now if you'll please excuse me, I think I'm going to go and look adoringly at my new dress for a little while.

The Fashion Feed: Follow the White Rabbit - An Easter Special!

Easter Special by BradshawsCloset on Polyvore.com

As if the promise of chocolate eggs wasn't enough, this year Easter Sunday is going stylish with big flowers, baskets and bunnies to boot!

Become a Basket Case. Enjoy country chic at it's best with this adorable floral basket from Accessorize. Although Easter Sunday is an excellent excuse to use it, it is the kind of item that is cute enough to last you all summer long. It's made from 100% straw to give you that authentic rustic look and will only set you back £10.00.

Get Creative With Corsages. Carrie Bradshaw may have been responsible for the corsage revival but fashionistas are increasingly finding new and inventive ways of using them to set off an outfit. Pin several corsages around the collar of a blouse, to a handbag or to the hem of a skirt for an instant customised look! Corsages are currently on sale in every size, shape and colour but we particularly like this over-sized blue version from Johnny Loves Rosie. It will cost you £50.00 but it will also last you a long time because all of their items are very well made. If you're on a budget you can pick up smaller corsages at Primark, H & M and New Look at more reasonable prices.

Follow the Pink Rabbit. Playboy Bunny jewelery is tacky and we're not going to deny that but in the spirit of Easter Sunday we've hunted down the perfect Playboy bunny bling ring. It comes in pink and is so sparkly, it's the only item of jewellery you will need. Wear it with your tongue firmly in your cheek in the Bradshaw I-wear-gangster-style-jewellery-for-fun fashion and you will totally get away with it. The ring costs just £18.00 from Littlewoods making it the perfect guilty pleasure!

The Fashion Feed: Sports Chic on the Cheap!

Designers are taking inspiration from chav-style garments at the minute with sports stripes and neon vests swiftly becoming major fashion themes. A walk down the high street however is a far cry from a walk round your local council estate as perfecting this look requires two things Vicky Pollard never had: subtlety and style.

Going Nude. The key to this look is to keep it looking neutral and add just the token neon item to liven things up. Start with this gorgeous cream skirt suit from Peacocks. The skirt and the jacket will set you back just £36.00 for the pair and will create a fabulous base for your Sports Chic look. Their subtle colouring and classic shape makes them stand alone wardrobe basics too so you're guaranteed to get frequent use out of them.

Queens of Neon. Accessorise your suit with this gorgeous neon detail bag from Asos. It costs just £17.75 and epitomises the sports chic style with a muted tan base coupled with vibrant flashes of neon. You can pick up a matching belt from New Look for just £5.00 to add the finishing touch to your sports chic outfit.

1990s Remix. It is perfectly acceptable to mix neon colours, if you're feeling daring add in a yellow stripe or even lime green if you're particularly feeling the 1990s retro look. We particularly like this flourescent vest from American Apparel. At just £15.00 it is the perfect bargain buy for creating your own alternative sports chic ensemble. Customising this trend to your own taste will single you out from the hoards of other fashion followers and will allow you to easily mix and match any new purchases with your existing wardrobe so don't forget to keep it plucky and personal.

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!

Shopping for Labels or Shopping for Love?

It's true that most women spend their life in search of the two Ls - Labels and Love. Thankfully you no longer have to choose between the two thanks to the latest heart-shaped high street trend. Love hearts are making their way into patterns and are sculpting stunning new handbags and sun shades alike just in time to cheer you up on Valentines Day.

These oh-so retro multi-coloured shades from TopShop will really get your heart pumping especially when you find out that they're just £15.00. Why not match it with their black over the shoulder quilted bag for the full on loved-up effect? It will set you back another £25.00 but isn't it worth it to get the look of love without the hassle of a boyfriend?

The contribution from Asos is this beautiful heart print purse which is currently selling at £14.75 thanks to the lovely VAT discount (thank you Alistair Darling).

The good news is, you don't have to stop at accessories. New Look have printed this adorable tee to show people just how big your heart can be and how much love you've got to give. You can pick it up for a trifling £10.00 so if you haven't got a date this Valentines Day and it feels as though the annual love-in is on steroids why not make a date with your favourite high street labels instead of a date with your pyjamas and your favourite binge food? As Fergie sings: buy a bag and get over it! Does it get more profound than that?

Play Wear and Day Wear

Pretty much anyone can look glamourous in floaty dresses and designer heels but adding class and style to the casual look is a little bit more of a challenge. Forever in blue jeans (as the song goes) is a fate no fashionista should inflict on herself. Kate Moss may like to live in her size 6's but some of us like to stand out in the crowd and do something a little bit different. The answer? Denim dungarees! I know, I know most people think dungarees are only for pregnant women who need to keep everything secure when they walk but they are actually a very versatile addition to your wardrobe and with the correct accessories they can look fabuous.

Try pairing some dark blue stone wash dungarees with this beautiful peach vest from TopShop. With its lace finish and beautiful muted shade it will keep your look feminine and flirty without making you appear over-dressed for a trip round the aisles at Tesco. The vest will set you back £38.00 but it is such a adaptable adornment that it is well worth the investment. Sometimes you have to think about the cost-per-wear price of a garment rather than looking at the up-front fee. This is definitely one of those instances.

To really glam up your casual look add these uber-cute pearls from Dorothy Perkins, or if you are a bit strapped for cash simply invest in these instead of the peach blouse. You can use any white or pink top out of your wardrobe instead and still look 100% dazzling with a set of pearls framing your neckline and this particular set will only cost you £10.00.

As with any outfit, shoes and a handbag provide the perfect finishing touches to the not-too-grungy dungarees look. This navy blue bow detail tote from New Look costs just £20.00 as do these super-trendy natural tone Sketchers from Barratts. By carefully selecting your accessories you can go from street to chic in seconds without looking over-dressed or out of place. It's exactly the kind of look we love - minimum effort, maximum impact!

The Noughties Go Nautical

The nautical look isn't anything new but this does not mean it should be disregarded, in fact quite the opposite is true. It's a look that comes around every year meaning every girl should have a few staple pieces stashed away in her wardrobe. Navy blue shades are the key component this time around which is good news on a mix and match level. Just like black there are very few colours that don't go with navy.

The high street has been quick to catch on to the nautical theme so there are plenty of bargains to be had. This beautiful navy prom skirt from TopShop has now been reduced from £32.00 to just £18.00. The ruffled pleats add texture to your look and the material really shimmers.

Ebay also offers up some choice nautical offerings with this stunning vintage style sailor dress (left) from ebay seller enchanted oldies. It costs just £21.99 so you'll be able to stand out from the crowd at a snip.

When it comes to the nautical look accessorising is key. Why not accent the navy blue with shades of red and white? These patent leather platforms are now just £10.00 from Dorothy Perkins and this matching polka dot bag (above) is a paltry £6.00 from New Look and also comes in navy blue.

There's no end to the scope of the nautical look. Keep an eye out for sailor themed charm bracelets and pendants and bright red tote bags and don't be afraid to mix polka dots and stripes. Anything goes! Be as bold as you dare, embrace the uncertain ever-changing sea and prepare for the waves of compliments to come flooding in.

Peachy Keen, Jellybean!

Things may not always be peachy when it comes to love but at least you can cheer yourself up a bit by flaunting this feminine but oh so sophisticated muted shade. It's perfect for the more formal affairs such as weddings (for those of you at that horrible age where all your friends are already marrying off), first date dinners (for those of you still trying to get a leg up on the dating ladder) and of course those all important business schmoozing parties where looking chic and sleek simply comes with the territory.

This gorgeous dress from Etsy seller ouma is very reminiscent of the dress flaunted by Carrie in the opening credits of the show. It is a little bit more expensive than the average high street dress at $250 but it has every right to be as it is one of a kind and beautifully hand made. Nobody else will have anything like it in their wardrobe making it an absolute bargain, when you think about it. On top of the quality and originality of the piece, let's face it, you're never going to want to take this off so the cost-per-wear is going to be low, low, low!

Those of you who find peach a bit too much on the subtle side can simply accessorise with it to give your existing wardrobe a touch of class as needed. High street buys that wont cost you the earth include this luscious mock croc bag from New Look. Not only is mock crock the must have material for the spring season, but it also comes in clutch format offering the ultimate in bag versatility. The even better news is that it will only set you back £10.00 meaning you can feel peachy any day of the week.

Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Royal blue is a massive colour on the high street and on the catwalks at the moment. Needless to say this did not go unnoticed by Miss Bradshaw. Those deal clinching Manolo Blahniks from the Sex and the City Movie have inspired an army of followers to go in search of their own something blue. Of course not all of us can afford the $945 for the actual pair from the movie (yes that's right Carrie lied about them being $525, but haven't we all downplayed the cost of shoes at some point in our lives?). For all those recessionistas out there we've hunted out some stunning high street alternatives to help you work that timeless Sex and the City chic without having to take out a bank loan.

First on the list has to be this gorgeous pair of heels from fashion savvy retailers New Look. Granted they are patent leather rather than satin and they don't have the diamante detail but at £20.00 they're the most pocket friendly way of paying homage to that gorgeous pair of Manolos Big uses to seal the deal with Carrie.

Set off the outfit by teaming it with this fantastic patent royal blue clutch. Available from ebay seller Renubags for a measley £9.99 it will put the finishing touch to any jeans based or black trouser outfit. In a world of marriage fearing men you'll probably be glad to hear that you don't have to be tying the knot with anyone special to sport something new and blue so why not be bold with your accessorising and show the world that feeling blue is no longer something to be sad about?

It's a Jungle Out There

When Carrie strutted her stuff in that gorgeous pair of Manolo Blahnik zebra print shoes we all sat and sighed on our sofas, lustfully wishing we could pull off a look like that. Well animal prints are massive on the high street this winter, particularly leopard print so it's time to give it a go. Yes the the torch has passed from the TV screen to the street scene but if you want to get this look working for you you need to forget the tacky splendour of Bette Lynch. In 2008 this look is all about subtlety.

I've seen quite a few girls on the tube getting it totally wrong and teaming a leopard print top with a leopard print coat and leopord print trousers...and maybe even a leopard print bag too. Ladies...it's all just a bit too much. Generally speaking you should not be wearing more than one item of leopard print clothing and you should definitely not be mixing animal prints by wearing giraffe, zebra and leopard all it once. Subtlety...remember?

If you just want a hint of leopard print simply use it when you accessorize. This beautiful hair band from asos (above) merges animal prints and cutesy bows. It now costs just £2.00 making it a definitive item for winter 2008. If you're feeling a little bit bolder opt for this sleek and chic leopard print tunic (right) also available from asos at the bargain price of £25.00. It will look great over black trousers or leggings, or teamed with your favourite jeans down the pub on a Friday night.

If you want to step up the amount of leopard print you're wearing without over doing it, opt for a pair of leopard print shoes. Because they are on your feet they are less noticeable which stops the look from being too overbearing. These adorable leopard print ballet pumps, complete with a little black bow, are built for both comfort and style and are available from New Look for just £20.00. The bottom line is to have fun taking a walk on the wild side but to also keep in mind that simple is always stylish.