The Bradshaw School of Forties Fashion

Forties Inspired Fashion - by BradshawsCloset on Polyvore.com

The peplum skirt has it's roots in 19th Century style but didn't really take on until the 1940s. This bulbous trend died out in the 50s but was back again in the 80s, 90s and now, thanks to Ms Bradshaw, in the noughties too. The Peplum is fun because it goes against all the usual "does my bum look big in this" style conventions and looks surprisingly chic.

Our favourite peplum garment at the moment is this gorgeous electric blue number from Miss Selfridge. Not only does it boast beautiful contrast detail in this season's hot colour but the V neck front will be flattering to any figure regardless of shape and size. The dress costs £35.00 which is nothing for such a high fashion item. This look has come back time and again over the decades so it's well worth investing in a piece like this that you can pull out of the closet when ever the trend comes back into vogue.

The only way to finish off a peplum dress is with a pair of killer heels and a cutesy clutch. Our pick of the clutches has to be this feathered number from Asos, also in electric blue. The clutch style keeps it nice and retro but the feathers and the vivid colour will bring your look bang up to date. The bag is currently selling for just £21.75 and can be teamed with any number of outfits.

As for the heels, you can't go wrong with a pair of black skyscrapers. We love this pair from TopShop for their stand-out cross over detail. They will set you back £70.00 but like the clutch will team up with any number of outfits adding extra value to your wardrobe.

The Fashion Feed: I Got The Blues

Got The Blues - by BradshawsCloset on Polyvore.com

Fashion is going all Jonie Mitchell on us by bringing back the blues in a big way. Ice Maiden's can go tip to toe in turquoise whilst the more regal amongst us can envelope ourselves in a rich Royal Blue.

Our top turquoise pick has to be this gorgeous quilted cross over bag from Miss Selfridge. It comes complete with a chain mail strap which is so this season and only costs £12.00! Team it with whites and creams for a real Snow Queen look or with deeper richer blues for vivid blue contrast!

Another one of our favourites is this Turquoise Stone bracelet from Oasis. This all-natural looking bracelet will add a lovely hippy vibe to any outfit and will only set you back £8.00. It is currently on sale at Asos.

For a richer and deeper effect you can't go wrong with this gorgeous burlesque basque. Made from luxurious satin with on-trend frills and bow detail you are going to want to wear this little number everywhere you go. You can pick it up at Goddiva for £24.46 and team it with jeans, flowing skirts and boot cut trousers depending on the occasion.

So next time you feel down, we encourage you to wallow in it whole-heartedly...as long as your accessories match your mood that is. Perhaps A case of the blues doesn't have to be such a bad thing after all!

Can A Woman Really Fake It?

As you are reading a post from Carrie Bradshaw's Closet and not the lastest issue of Cosmo, you won't be surprised (although you may be disappointed) to learn that the title does not refer to orgasms. We think Meg Ryan made the case for womankind in When Harry Met Sally when it comes to that rather sensitive question. What we're more concerned with is whether or not you can easily and cheaply fake a designer look without being found out.

A few blogs ago (Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue) we were lamenting the fact that the deal breaking Manolo Blahniks in the Sex and the City Movie cost many a pretty penny. And in these hard times, it's unlikely you're going to break the bank for a pair of shoes, even a pair as beautiful as those. This got us thinking, why not just create a replica pair? There are currently some very cheap blue satin shoes, complete with pointed toe, selling on ebay. Handily you can also buy some suitably shimmering diamante buttons to stick or sew (depending on how much attention you paid during textiles lessons) onto your new pair of shoes. The result? A pair of shoes that look the real deal but actually cost you under £25!

We suspect that in these hard times the ability to customise clothes and shoes is going to be the way forward. The pros of this little venture are that whilst you're customising the clothes you already have you're not out buying new ones and racking up major credit card debt, when you're finished you'll have a one-of-a-kind item and you can get replica designer wear at a fraction of the original price. The cons - it's going to take you a little bit of time and effort.

For those of you who really can't face picking up a needle or a bottle of superglue, you can still fake it but you will be doomed to spend your Saturday afternoons trawling the jumble-sale likes of TK Maxx and Matalan Discount Stores. There's nothing wrong with their products but it will probably take you an age to find what you're looking for!

Because we're nice, we've found the perfect item to start off your faking-it collection. This gorgeous quilted white bag from Dorothy Perkins screams Chanel and even comes with a designer look gold chain strap. It will only set you back 12.00 and will look a million dollars. Besides a man who means what he says and a free shopping spree at Prada what more could a girl want?

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?