The Fashion Feed: Coco Before Chanel Special

With the release of Coco Before Chanel at cinemas nationwide celebs are going crazy for the fabulously understated look that Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel championed so much in her designs. Of course not all of us are on a Girls Aloud pay packet so I've hunted down some cheaper versions of the real thing so you can celebrate the release of Coco Before Chanel in style! My first cheaper than cheap top pick has to be this lovely black quilted chain bag from Asda. It only costs £5 and will add a touch of Chanel class to any outfit. I think this bag would work particularly well as an evening bag as it would give a nice edge to your LBD.


Following in the quilted footsteps of the Asda handbag are these gorgeous pink contrast detail court shoes from Asos. Originally these little beauties would have set you back £74.00 but now you can pick them up for £33.00 and look as cute as Coco herself.


Without a doubt however my favourite Chanel-esque budget buy has to be this gorgeous black bowler hat which literally screams chic. Perfect for the coming autumn/winter season this hat will go beautifully with black dresses and suits to boot. It will only cost you £22.00 from Topshop so there's absolutely no excuse for being yellow-bellied about this rather bold fashion move.

The Fashion Feed: What You Will Be Wearing This Autumn

I know it's almost sacrilage to think about a time when the sun might not be shining as we're all just slipping into our summer maxi dresses but the weather has taken a turn for the worst in England and consequently it got me wondering what is going to be hot once the leaves start browning in Autumn 09. The biggest trend I've read about so far in the Autumn lines is the army cadette look which means it's time to get your Khaki on. Like most trends, it's nothing we haven't seen before on the catwalks and the highstreets and yet it's almost impossible to resist buying new garments and accessories to revamp for the coming season.

A well-made military jacket is the cornerstone of cadette couture and I have totally fallen in love with this utility blue affair from French Connection. It is currently reduced to £92.00 which admittedly, still isn't that cheap but the military trend pops up so frequently that it is worth investing in a garment that is going to last you year for year.

If you'd like to focus on the flirty and feminine aspects of cadetteship then you can't go wrong with this fabulously forward-looking silk khaki dress from Firetrap. This dress is a little bit cheaper than the jacket at £79.00 and is the kind of piece that will seamlessly make the summer to autumn transition with a pair of black tights. You can currently pick this little baby up on Asos alongside some other fabulous khaki coloured garments.

Those of you who are panicking about the fact that all this is just too pricey for your purse, don't worry. I wouldn't write a blog without at least one item that can be bought on a shoe-string and this week, it's this gorgeous vintage medic bag which, in my humble fashion opinion, is uber-cute. It costs a paltry $19.99 from 1st Army and will definitely see you through every time the military theme pops up on the catwalk.

The Fashion Feed: Confessions of a Shopaholic Style Special

As Carrie Bradshaw is taking a short break from our screens Becky Bloomwood gave fashion fans a welcome reminder of just how good flashing the plastic can feel earlier this year in the film 'Confessions of a Shopaholic.' To celebrate the release of the film on DVD I've uploaded some scans from Oli magazine that offer a how-to on recreating 'Confessions couture' (using Oli products of course!). Oli have been mentioned in this blog several times and I love the fact that as well as offering me fabulous high street buys they also offer some fashion savvy editorial on all the important things going on in the fashion world. Simply click on the images to enlarge and read the editorial. Enjoy!

The Fashion Feed: Ginnifer Goodwin's Dip Dye Style Steal

To celebrate the release of He's Just Not That Into You on DVD this week's Fashion Feed is devoted to one of my favourite rising stars and style muses, Ginnifer Goodwin. If you have a spare evening I can recommend a Ginnie double bill of Mona Lisa Smile and He's Just Not That Into You, both of which go down a treat with a bottle of wine.

Ginnie has recently been spotted in Mathew Wiliamson's dip dye dress and she pulls it off with beautiful finesse. If you didn't manage to get your hands on one of these little beauties from H & M before all the A-listers snapped them up do not fear! I've hunted down some cheap but chic alternatives that will allow you to emulate Ginnifer's laid back California look with the same class and sass as she does.

From Top to Bottom: The perfect day-to-night summer halter from House of Fraser, £36.00. Tie die dress by TopShop, crocheted for comfort, £32.00. Quirky dip dye skirt by Debenhams with snake skin effect, £25.00.

The Fashion Feed: My So-Called Closet

My So-Called Closet by BradshawsCloset featuring Dorothy Perkins

Anyone who watched the fabulous 'My So-Called Life' the first time in the early nineties will be over the moon to know that the 'Angela Chase' look is back in a big way this season and I'm already salivating over some of the gorgeous checkered styles I couldn't wear the first time around because I was too much of a chubby teen!


My favourite checkered item available online at the moment is this gorgeous checkered shirt dress by Fred Perry. It just looks like an over-sized shirt borrowed from the gorgeous Jordan Catalano belted around the middle. You can pick it up at ASOS for £79.25 and is one of those pieces you'll be comfortable wearing time and time again.


If you want to go a bit more flirty and feminine you can't go wrong with this oh-so Angela purple check dress from Dorothy Perkins. It only costs £35.00 and is great for recreating a summery school girl look. It's something you could easily pair with leggings, use as a pinafore dress or wear over a pair of jeans making it muchos versatile.


If you're going to go for a straightforward check shirt make sure it's a really good cut so you can wear it from years to come. I love this one by Wrangler which is currently on sale at Oli for £45.00. For the borrowed-from-my-boyfriend look buy it three sizes too big and wear it baggy or tie it around the middle for shape when you want it.

For full on so-called closet chic you need to finish your look with a pair of Doc Martens, a messenger style school bag and some kind of accessory with the peace sign on it (which Angela would have borrowed from Rayanne Graff more than likely!). When it gets cold cover your shoulders with a faded denim jacket for that left-over-80s look the characters seemed to love so much and you'll look like you've just stepped out of the show!


BONUS ACCESSORY: There was an episode where Angela dressed up for Halloween in some kooky 1950s glasses. If you're into freaky chic they'll be just up your alley and are available at low, low prices from most costume shops!

The Fashion Feed: Patriot Games

Last weekend I went to Clothes Show London for a 2009 trend update. As you can see from the picture above the 'Cool Britannia' look was showcased in a massive way suggesting that patriotic chic is well and truly back in vogue.

It has been over a decade since Ginger Spice sported that unforgettable Union Jack dress and I like to feel, at least as far as fashion goes, that we've moved on a bit since then. This red, white and blue wrap-over skirt is a fabulous way to recreate the 'Cool Britannia' look without it looking that little bit too much. The skirt costs just £40.00 from TopShop and is perfect for a bit of patriotism regardless of which side of the Atlantic you live on.

If you're more of a stars and stripes kinda gal, you can't go wrong with this distressed vest from Old Navy. It costs a paltry $10.00 and would look awesome teamed up with your favourite pair

of jeans and maybe even a denim jacket for that old-west feel. Tees and vests are available in a

range of flag designs online so get searching and hunt down your favourite designs.

If flags are a bit full on for you, why not try dressing in your nation's signature colours? This red 50s inspired dress cost just £80.00 from French Connection. The white shoes are $80 from Aldo and the gorgeous blue feather clutch is just £21.75 from ASOS. Together they make the perfect tribute to Queen and country...or president and country!

The Fashion Feed: Vamp It Up With Vintage

Vintage Couture by BradshawsCloset featuring Carvela shoes

Carrie was always shopping for vintage but it can prove pretty pricey to get authentic vintage couture, especially if you shop in London boutiques! Thankfully with a bit of clever accessorizing you can blag the authentic vintage look and give Jackie O a run for her money.


Collar necklaces are probably the most affordable way of vamping up your wardrobe and this lace effect number from Debenhams is particularly convincing with it's beautiful drop bead detail. The best part is that it only costs £15.00.


Nothing screams Victorian charm like a bow in the hair and this black and white version from is both cheeky and chic. From a distance it looks like a prim and proper bow but on closer inspection you realise there is a skull sewn in at the knot. It costs just $10.00 making it a real budget buy!


Finally, I've always thought that lockets have a lovely retro charm. It kind of reminds me of war time sweethearts who keep each other's photographs so they don't forget each other. There are a wide range available at various prices but this sterling silver version costs just £35.00 and in shiny enough to really draw the eye. This too can be picked up at Debenhams who seem to be stocking up on vintage-look fashion this season.

The Fashion Feed: Heaven Scent Perfumes

My Obsessions by BradshawsCloset featuring mulberry tote bags

In addition to shoes, handbags, marshmallows, robots, puppies, Art Deco Design, Daphne Du Maurier cupcakes, and Hugh Jackman, perfumes have found their way on to my list of obsessions. My favourite place to buy them is The Perfume Shop because you can get more for your money than you usually do from pharmacies and beauty shops.


This wouldn't be a Sex and the City inspired blog without mentioning Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker. SJP is a self-confessed fragrance addict and when you get a whiff of this you'll see just how seriously she takes her scents. The unique blend of oils in this fragrance makes it completely unique and it's potent enough to last all day.


My all time favourite perfume has to be Contradiction by Calvin Klein. It has a beautiful garden-like scent that is fresh and invigorating. It clings to clothes, necklines, wrists and cleavages all day and all night and makes me smile with every spray. If you're looking for something noticeable but inoffensive this is definitely the one for you. The only problem is it doesn't come in the most attractive bottle and let's face it, getting a pretty bottle is part of the incentive to buy a perfume! So...


I recommend investing in some gorgeous decorative bottles like this Pink Fairy affair. There are a wide range to choose from on ebay for very low prices and if you search for vintage bottles on Etsy you'll also find a wide range of shapes, sizes and colours to choose from.

The Fashion Feed: Somewhere Over The Rainbow...

Rainbow Brights by BradshawsCloset featuring Forever21 bracelets

A good twitter friend of mine, GoddessSammy sent me a link last week about rainbow hued accessories dominating the high street and since seeing my computer screen awash with vibrant colour I've been dying to write a blog post about them. With summer drawing ever closer it's only right that your wardrobe should brighten up as much as the weather so I've made a list of my top rainbow picks.


First on my list are these gorgeous gummy bear necklaces from Lunacy Boutique. Not only are they fun but they really pack a colour popping punch, especially if you wear more than one at a time! They cost just £5.00 a piece and are perfect for adding a kitsch element to any outfit.


For true celebrity glamour you can't go wrong with these gorgeous pleather peep-toe heels in the style of Beyonce Knowles. Not only do these shoes tick several on-trend boxes with their buckle fastening and canvas detail but they also come in a fabulous zingy orange shade! The shoes will set you back just $39.90 from Fly Jane making them an absolute star style steal!


Finally I'm going mad for electric blue at the moment and as far as this season's key colour goes I don't think fashion investments get any better than this beautiful clutch bag from Debenhams. This handbag will see you through a Saturday night in the club and act as a quirky accessory for a wedding or formal dinner. It costs just £28.00 and will quickly become one of the staple fashion items you reach for to give your outfit a contemporary edge.

The Fashion Feed: Go Graeco!

Go Grecian by BradshawsCloset featuring Monsoon bracelets

Grecian style is a favourite of every goddess to grace the red carpet and this week we're looking at how to recreate the Hollywood Graeco look on a budget.


For full on glamour at a ball, opening or opera night opt for a one shoulder dress with flattering, flowing lines. I love this New York Fashion Week inspired red maxi dress by Goddiva. Its hour glass shape is designed to flatter curves and at just £34.99 it is a total style steal.


This hip hellenistic ring is also on my Grecian wish list as it's such a versatile accessory. It would look fabulous with the Goddiva dress or as a Graeco-inspired addition to a vintage look. The ring is currently available at ModCloth for $11.99 making it the perfect fashion find for fashionistas on a budget.


When it comes to shoes you really can't go wrong with these Gladiator-esque sandals. It wasn't so long ago that they were featured as our Monthly Shoe-Fix and they haven't lost any of their shine 6 weeks later. They cost just £34.50 from asos so get them whilst you still can!

The Fashion Feed: Get Noticed In Neon

Designers are getting all nostalgic at the moment and bringing back the nineties neon look. This style was seen in the seventies and the eighties too and if worn with care can create a playful but at the same time pretty stylish outfit.




Block colour pieces are probably the best foundation for the neon look as you can contrast bright, garish shades with blacks, greys and beiges for a more subtle effect. This lime-topped dress is the perfect example and costs just £22.99 from Republic so it's a totally affordable option for any self-respecting bargainista.




If you want to go for more of a hippy slant you can't go wrong with this rainbow striped animal print slouch bag by Roxy. Not only is it big enough to carry all your beauty essentials but the leopard print detail and neon shading offers a double-whammy on the fashion fix front! It is currently available at Pacsun for $29.50.



Last but not least, if you're feeling a bit 'Lost in Translation' you could get wiggy with it and invest in a bright pink hair piece. I love this long fringed version from PartyDomain because regardless of how many diets we go on, not all of us have Scarlett's petite jaw-line! It costs a paltry £4.91 meaning you can be completely wild and wonderful on a budget!