The Royal Wedding - Who Wore What

Yesterday the wait was finally over, not just for Kate and Will but also for the rest of us who have been desparate to know who was going to design 'the dress' and what it would look like. Of course after all of the waiting and speculating the dress did not disappoint. A dress by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen was a brave choice for the Princesss to be but it definitely paid off. Although McQueen's signature style is notably different to Kate's usual classic and understated style, Sarah Burton rose to the challenge of creating a dress that was fitting for a princess and it suited Kate amazingly well. I loved the vintage look of the dress and similarites with Grace Kelly's 1956 wedding dress, it is so classic and definitely iconic. A great moment for British fashion.

The wedding guests and what they choose to wore is likely to be greatly scritinised, discussed and analysed over the coming days. Overall most of the outfits were classic suits and with a just few of the royal wedding guests choosing to sport more attention grabbing statement hats and dresses.

Victoria Beckham choose a loose fitting navy blue dress from her own collection with a Phillip Treacy hat and Loboutin shoes, providing some great inspiration for ladies on what to wear to a wedding when pregant. She looked comfortable but very stylish.

Tara PT really stood out in a scuptural royal blue cocktail dress with matching statement hat and shoes.

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie both opted for statement Phillip Treacy hats. I am not sure if either the outfits, the hats or both together just looked too much. What do you think?

There was a severe lack of floral dresses at the royal wedding but Princess Anne did make up for this in her lilac and lime green floral coat.

Other notable looks were the orange floral hat worn by Miriam Gonzalez Durantez, wife of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, the Queen in yellow, the perfect colour for such a happy day and the very stylish nude and neutral colours of Lady Eliza, Lady Kitty and Lady Amelia, the daughters of Earl Spencer. The brides sister Pippa also looked amazing in her simple white dress.

What did you think of Kate's dress and which guest outfits did you like best?

Summer Wardrobe Essentials 2011

Summer really is just around the corner now, in fact we have even had a little taste of it already. Time to stock up on a few summer wardrobe esssentials, unearth your shorts, maxi dresses and little summer tops. Each year there are a few key trends that you can easily use to update your wardrobe and keep your outfits looking fresh and trendy. These pieces can usually be combined with items from previous seasons to give you a fashion forward look. Here is our pick of the key summer wardobe essentials for summer 2011.

Flares and Flared Jeans

Belted Flared Jeans- New Look - Buy Now

It is official when it comes to trousers, flares are the new skinnies. Flares are a really easy style to wear for summer and look perfect with the seasons platform sandals. The can be worn with just about any top but to get that 70s style, opt for a loose fitting chiffon top.

Floral Shift Dress

Trailing Floral Shift Dress - Oasis - Buy Now

Floral and botanical prints are every wear this summer. The easiest and most wearable choice of floral dresses is definitely the floral shift dress. Wear it for work, wear it for parties, wear it for lunch with the girls. You can also take your pick from bold and bright florals to romantic ditsy florals.

Block Colour Sheath Dresses

Double Frill Sleeve Dress - Warehouse - Buy Now

Another big trend for the summer is colour blocking. Choose from a huge range of brightly coloured sheath dresses for the simplest way to work this trend. You can add a few coloured accessories in clashing or complimentary colours to complete the look.

70s Style Blouse

Spot Print Blouse - Miss Selfridge - Buy Now

The seventies style will be huge this summer but is also set to last right into the autumn and winter making any seventies pieces that you choose to buy a really good investment. Look for loose floaty chiffon, pussy bow blouses and fringed or lace bohemian styles.

Coloured Jeans

Kaliko Red Cropped Jeans - Debenhams - Buy Now

Red jeans have been putting in  a lot of appearances on the streetstyle blogs lately but if red isn't your colour there are plenty of other choices of coloured jeans  available even including floral printed.Team your red jeans with black white of neutrals for one of the hottest casual looks of the summer. Cropped styles of coloured jeans are ideal for the warmer weather.

Wide Legged Jumpsuit

Wide Legged Jumpsuit- Dorothy Perkins- Buy Now

If you have a glamorous even to attend this summer then a wide legged jumpsuit is a great alternative to a dress. It is yet another 70s style that I love for the summer. Be sure to wear your jumpsuit with some fabulous wedge shoes.  

Weekly Shopping And Goodies

A Few Goody Gumdrops reviews Christian Francis Roth's Sixties Inspired Collection!
Handbag du Jour is giving away this haute red colorblock 'Kristina' hobo from Free Endearment!
Ladybrillemag.com says Nollywood's Uche Jumbo launches film studio!
Shopping and Info is giving away a Vkoo Cashmere Drape Vest. Enter to win!
StyleMaven says you don't have to be a princess to get the royal treatment for your skin, enter for a chance to win a Rodan + Fields ANTI-AGE Regimen worth $334, a system using patent-pending technology to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and enlarged pores.
The Fashion Buzz checks out some of the best Floral wide legged trousers and palazzo pants for summer 2011
The Well-Heeled Society reviews a great way to cook up a bright Mother's Day!
TheFind is getting the candy-colored denim trend on lock this summer summer with the bold, statement-making colors of J Brand's 811 Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans.
What's Haute features 12 of the hottest yellow nail polishes for Spring!

Image from The Find

Floral Wide Legged Trousers and Palazzo Pants

Skinny trousers seem to have been in fashion for years but for summer 2011 it is time for them to move over and make way for the floral wide legged trousers and palazzo pants. Whilst most of us love a floral shift dress, it is fairly rare that we find this beautfiul and colourful summer print on a pair of trousers.

Floral wide legged trousers and palazzo pants make a great alternative to the maxi dress. They are just a little more practical and easy to wear. They are also more suitable for everyday and can be dressed up or down depending on you choice of top. They are also perfect for the 70s fashion that is dominating the summer trends. For spring and summer 2011 nude and neutral florals dominate but if you look carefully, you will also find some fabulous bright colours.

Love Label Floral Palazzo Pants

Floral Print Wide Legged Trousers - Miss Selfridge

Carrie Palazzo Trousers - Boohoo

Khloe Palazzo Pants - Boohoo

Kylie Rose Print Palazzo Pants

Green Floral Palazzo Jumpsuit

Black Printed Palazzo Pants - Debenhams

Will you be wearing floral wide legged trousers and palazzo pants this summer?

Weekly Shopping And Goodies

A Few Goody Gumdrops is so taken with RAOUL'S Capsule Collection on Shopbop!
Fashion Hippo covets 5 spring handbags styles in 2011.
Handbag du Jour can't wait for Coach to reissue 5 of its iconic leather bags this summer! 
RedPoppy loves the superbly cool CHANEL LEGO lipstick brooch by Dee and Ricky...
Shopping and Info tells you how to own the Proenza Schouler PS11 Python Bag!
StyleMaven is jetsetting to the Cote d'Azure in the shoes of her dreams Theodora & Callum's Biarritz LinenWedges - an eclectic mix of bold printed linen and sexy ankle wrap.
The Fashion Buzz checks out the amazing Warehouse Floral Shift Dresses plus lots more flattering styles in botanical prints
The Well-Heeled Society is giving you a chance to win a copy of Maria Menounos' new book The EveryGirl's Guide To Life!
TheFind is pairing pastels with nude this spring with five lust-worthy pieces to indulge your inner pastel princess.
What's Haute is excited that Matthew Williamson for Impulse is now available at Macy's!

Image from What's Haute

Spring/Summer 2011 Trends: Polka Dots

Polka dots are fun, feminine and classic. They have that girly, retro feel that can make any girl feel like a 50s pin-up. But they can also be notoriously difficult to wear without looking like a Children's TV presenter.
But polka dots are back in a big way this season. From classic black and white to bright, clashing colours, this eyecatching pattern was featured on dresses, skirts, blouses and shoes and accessories.
Polka dots are an easy and fun addition to your wardrobe- wear in simple black and white to be perfectly office-appropriate, or in eyecatching colours for a stand-out look. As with stripes- the bigger the print, the bolder the impression.
Here are my top picks of polk dot pieces on the high street...

Dorothy Perkins

This vintage-inspired dress would be perfect for work. It's a great transitional piece that could be worn with black tights and a cardigan while it's still chilly, or nude heels when it gets warmer.

Boohoo

I love these retro shorts. They would be great with a band t shirt and masculine brogues.

Dorothy Perkins

I love the mint green of this blouse. I'd love to wear it with a soft, peach-coloured chiffon skirt and ballet flats.

La Redoute

I love the example outfit of this skirt on the website-with a denim jacket and a navy striped top. It's a great base for trying out the mixed prints trend.

French Connection

If you don't want to go all-out with the polka dot trend, this scarf would look great with black skinny jeans and a blazer.

Kurt Geiger

Want an easy way to perk up a LBD? These amazing shoes would be perfect- and they're on sale!

How will you be wearing polka dots this season?

What Will You Be Wearing To The Royal Wedding?

I will have to admit, I am probably more excited than most about the prospect of the royal wedding. I always love a good wedding but all of the speculation about who will be designing 'the dress', just makes me look forward to it even more. I suppose I am secretly hoping that her dress will be by Erdem, one of my favourite designers, even though it appears more likely at the moment to be Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. For me it is not just about the royal wedding dress, there is also all of the outfits that the other royals, celebrities and guests will be wearing. I am soo looking forward to settling in front of the TV perhaps with a small glass of bubbly for a mamouth session of people and outfit watching.

Then there is the street party that I have been invited to in the afternoon, such an amazing chance to get dressed up but I feel that my outfit should have at least a slight royal wedding theme. Here are just a few of the pieces that I have seen that would be perfect for wearing on 29th April.

Replicas of the royal engagement ring are springing up all over the place. This one is just £19.99 from Marks and Spencers.

Vest Top by Miss Selfridge

It Should Have Been Me T Shirt - Miss Selfridge



Kate Wrapover Dress in Royal Blue at Missguided

Union Jack Tights - Both from My Tights

Union Jack Lips Clutch by Lulu Guiness

Victoria Grant - Britain Rocks Beret

Union Jack Scarf - V & A Shop

Jasper Conran Royal Blue Dress - Debenhams

Dusty Blue Royal Affair Hat - Debenhams

Warehouse Floral Print From Shift Dress To Maxi Dresses

I am absolutely flabbergasted by the amazing selection of floral shift dress, sheath dresses, maxi dresses and more  that have appeared in Warehouse ready for the summer. The colors are bold, bright and incredibly eyecatching with clashing and neon combinations making them difficult to miss. For those who are a little nervous of anything too bright there are also some much more subtle choices. These dresses are perfect for a special occasion but can also be dressed down with tan leather sandals for a hot summer day. For the slightly cooler spring weather add a cute coloured cardigan and tights.

Garden Festival Dress - Buy Now

Vivid colours, flattering style, what's not to love?

Trailing Floral Shift Dress - Buy Now 

A slightly more dressy class of  florals

Pansy Print Cross Back Dress - Buy Now

2 Floral Prints in one and a super cute style - Love Love Love

Floral Stripe Prom Dress - Buy Now

Eye Popping colours for those who like to stand out in the crowd

Wallflower Print Dress - Buy Now

Blue and white are definitely going to be a popular choice for the floral shift dress this summer

Off The Shoulder Floral Dress - Buy Now

Super feminine and romantic

Floral Maxi Dress - Buy Now

This is such a perfect dress for wearing with a denim jacket

Balinese Print Maxi Dress - Buy Now

Oriental is also a huge trend this summer, this dress is perfect for a special occasion

Romantic Floral Dress - Buy Now

Another beautiful and romantic floral dress for summer

Garden Floral Shift Dress - Buy Now

An unusal print and an unusual twist on the classic shift dress

I hope that you find something lovely as I am struggling to choose between them. Which do you like best?

25% Off At Dorothy Perkins

Dorothy Perkins are offering a stunning 25% off everything online until 17th April. Just click here and enter the code DPVIPD at checkout. This is  the perfect opportunity to stock up on some spring goodies and get your wardrobe summer ready. Dorothy Perkins have some amazing summer pieces including all the key trends for the season. Here are a few of my faves.

Striped Maxi Dress - If you loved the SS11 Prada collection then you will love this!

Cream Butterfly Print Dress - a beautiful cotton dress, ideal for daytime or evening

Yellow Lace Shell Top - A great way to liven up a pair of jeans

Navy Pink Floral Gypsy Dress - a classic style with a very pretty print

PDA Denim Flares/ Jeans - a real wardrobe staple for the summer

Happy Shopping!