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: 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: 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!

Smart/Casual The Carrie Way

Now I know that this will be an unpopular thing to say because of the way things turned out with Big but until the whole post-it-note-break-up-incident I had rather high hopes for Carrie and Burger. Just like her he was quick-witted and quirky and whilst she was dating him she wore some of the sweetest little outfits. My favourite has to be the Blazer and Tee combo.


Start with a jacket that's got really nice lines to it, preferably in a nice neutral colour like cream, nude or beige. Our favourite is this cream tuxedo jacket by Principles. It is available at House of Fraser for just 25.00 and will smarten up any trouser and tee outfit you care to put together.




There are lots of Mickey Mouse T shirts on the high street and online but sometimes the shapes can be quite unflattering. My favourite is this little blue beauty available from Amazon for a mere $18.99. Because it's blue it will stop the outfit from looking too washed out and it's just as chic as the one Carrie wears in the series once you get the blazer over it.





If you're not a Disney fan, you can make this look work with any casual T shirt! I picked this one up from TopShop for just £18.00. My boyfriend wasn't too impressed with the slogan but if he would just give in and spend more time taking me shoe shopping and less time playing Street Fighter on Xbox Live I wouldn't have to resort to such drastic measures to get my point across!

The Fashion Feed: Peaches and Cream

Peaches and Cream - by BradshawsCloset on Polyvore.com

As mentioned in our Fashion Feed 'How to Look Good Nude' neutral shades are massive themes on the high street this season. This week we're taking a look at peach and cream coloured must-haves all of which come with pretty sweet price tags.

The Dress. First in our virtual shopping bag is this Peach Oxidised Shirt Dress from Miss Selfridge. With it's studded collar and racer back straps it is the perfect smart-to-casual foundation and the bubble style skirt makes it so on trend. The dress costs just £28.00 making it an affordable and versatile addition to your wardrobe.

The Statement Belt. Gently accentuate your waistline with this beautiful wrap tie belt from TopShop. It will break up the neutral hues of the rest of your outfit and is very now with its eye-catching corsage with creamy contrast detail. The belt is a snip at just £20.00 and is something that you can wear over a cardi, blazer or even to add a quirky edge to an evening gown.

The Vintage Hat. Peaches and Cream couture wouldn't be complete without a classy vintage hat and this peach Kangol retro piece from Candy Says is just the job. The rose detail would match beautifully with the TopShop belt and the optional veil makes it an excellent option for summer weddings or for a fairytale themed walk in your local park. This item is a bargain at just 25.00 so snap it up whilst you still can!

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.

Perfect the Preppy Look!

Dear, dear, Charlotte. There isn't a minute of the day that she doesn't look sickly sweet and yet somehow you just have to love her for it. Her preppy daytime look is a classic fashion move that is easily and affordably replicated.

Start with pastel shades as a nice inoffensive base. We love this yellow pleated skirt from Charlotte Russe. The buttons give the garment a sensible edge but the shape is super sexy. At just $22.99 it's a bargain buy and because it's such a versatile piece you're easily going to get your money's worth and more!

Shrewd looking court shoes also make a great cornerstone to this look. These Jasmine tie-ups from TopShop are a great example. Not only do they come in a colour to die for but you'll be able to walk comfortably in them making them excellent day-to-night accessories. At £55.00 they are a little bit more expensive that what you would normally want to pay but they truly are an investment piece that you will buy now and love forever.

Finally, round off your look with a pair of signature Charlotte sunglasses. Toppers pull it off once again with this gorgeous pair of tortoise shell shades. They are so Jackie O, you'll feel like the First Lady herself in these little beauties. They cost a bargain £15.00 and now the sun is finally starting to peep it's way out from behind the winter clouds they'll be every day handbag essentials.

One last tip - don't forget a manicure! Charlotte wouldn't be seen dead with unsightly nails, or unsightly anything I suppose, but the nails are a great place to start and the pampering session will make you look and feel fabulous!

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.

Je T'Adorn

,The much-covetted Eiffel Tower bag from the Sex and the City movie gave fans a little reminder of Big and Carrie's adventure in Paris at the end of the series. The real deal by Timmy Woods is going to set you back around $500 or if you want the Swarovski Crystal covered version around $3000. Thankfully once again we've been able to hunt down some Paris inspired alternatives.

If you're intent on a bag purchase then TopShop have just brought out an Eiffel Tower clutch bag for a credit crunching £20. We know, we know it's not covered crystals or even fake diamante versions that you could pass off as crystals but it still says continental chic and won't cost you your life savings...you're saving that for your Vivienne Westwood wedding dress, remember?

There are also some beautiful Paris inspired necklaces to be had that can be used as a tip of the hat to the continental theme. This handmade version from Etsy seller adorn you will have you dressing up in berets and strings of garlic before you can say Aleksander Petrovsky. It will only set you back $18.50 and from here on in the city of lights will always be within reach.