Circles and semi circles seem to be a bit of a theme at some of the spring summer 09 shows. The geometric shapes formed by lots of circles or semi circles embellishments and laser cut pieces attached to garments made for some interesting silhouettes. The roundness of the clothes is something of a development on last seasons rounded shoulders and tulip skirts, with shapes now even bigger, stronger and sharper than before.

At Dolce and Gabbana - full circles were used to make a very interesting and exaggerated sleeve shape that was complimented perfectly by the understated pencil skirt.

At Chloe - Small semi circles along the shoulder and arm line of this jacket made for a soft but dramatic shape.

At Christopher Kane - semi circles inspired by dinosaur scales gave the skirt a very interesting three dimensional shape.

At Marni - Lots of circles in strong colours or black were used to make a compelling decoration.

pictures from www.style.com

If you want to add a bit of circular fashion to your wardrobe look out for spotted and geometric circle prints, embellishments in circle or semi circle shapes, big rounded shoulders and jewellery with circle and semi circle shapes.

For a subtle take on the springs circle trend, I love these Dower & Hall Forget Me Not Print Circle Earrings

 picture from www.fashionunited.com

Jewellery is one of my favourite accessories and over the past few seasons I have noticed a definite focus on jewellery by the fashion houses and designers.

As everybody cuts back in the recession (sorry, I’ll try not to mention it again), I think costume jewellery will become  become more popular as a way of making key classic outfits look a bit different. Take this years trend for the black polo neck, it takes on a whole new look when worn with a gothic style black and silver necklace to a brightly coloured beaded necklace.

There has also been an explosion of new jewellery designers offering increasingly innovative pieces that are such a style statement in their own right that they need to be worn with minimalist clothes to be shown off to their full potential.

I am quite excited by the opportunity for more talented jewellery designers to increase their offerings with the second year of London Jewellery Week.

Coutts London Jewellery Week is organised by the City Fringe Partnership, with funding from the London Development Agency, and sponsored by Coutts. It will give 20 up and coming jewellery designers the opportunity to get support and help in an industry that is particularly vunerable in the current economic climate.

I love this Martick Bohemian Cherry Heart Necklace. Martick jewellery is renowned for designing award winning silver jewellery with a strong fashion bias; using beautiful and exotic materials such as dichoric glass and Venetian glass to produce stunning and enchanting pieces.

Assuming you have already decided what you will be wearing to your Christmas parties  this year, you will need to consider which assessories you will wear to finish the whole look off. Christmas is all about glitz and glamour, but don’t overdo it or you will look like a christmas tree. If you are wearing a simple dress, then you can afford to really go to town with the accessories. If your dress makes a statement on it’s own then choose low key accessories that will compliment it. Here are my favourite party accessories for Christmas 2008.

Nina Peter Lame Gloves

The  gloves - gloves are huge this year and are a great way to add style and sophistication to a party dress. Try wearing long black gloves with a black dress for a really elegant look or find some coloured gloves for an individual look.

Amethyst and Yellow Quartz Cocktail Rings 

The cocktail ring - This is one of my favourite accessories to wear at Christmas. Choose the biggest and sparkliest that you can find. A great way alternative to a necklace if your dress has a complicated or high neckline.

Jane Shilton Crystal Zip Top Clutch Bag Bronze

Clutch - Another great way to add sparkle to your Christmas party dress. This season the hottest cluches are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. If these micro clutches are not big enough to fit in the essentials, you can always opt for a slightly larger one.

Johnathan Aston 40 denier Opaque Tights

Tights - There are so many tights to choose from and they are a great way to update last years little black dress. Choose from sparkly, patterned and brightly coloured opaques.

This season there are so many different accessories to choose from. During these credit crunch times, accessories are a great way to update your look with the latest trends without forking out for a whole new wardrobe. Here are my favourite accessories for autumn winter 08.

Micro Clutch - This year my favourite clutch has got even smaller. OK this trend is not the most practical, I can barely fit a lipstick in this bag never mind mobile, purse, perfume, powder and keys, but I love it anyway. This tartan micro clutch is great for everyday use and tartan is also a major trend for autumn winter 08.

Statement necklace - this season necklaces are big, bold and all about getting noticed. Take inspiration frm the catwalk at Alexander McQueen and Louis Vuitton. Try wearing  a really gorgeous necklace with a plain polo neck to really show it off. This Black Onyx and Crystal Pendant will look great with a monochrome outfit.

Patterned tights - This seasons patterned tights are definitely classed as an accessory. Not only will they keep you warm but they will also brighten up a plain outfit. These Celeste Stein Marilyn Monroe tights will add a bit of fun to any outfit.

Gloves - I love the long gloves, fingerless gloves and leather gloves for this season. They look great with a short sleeved top or coat or ruched down with a long sleeved coat. These long fingerless gloves are great for wearing with a casual jacket.

Hats have always been a bold style statement that highlight the face and get you noticed amongst a crowd of people. For Spring Summer 08, hats are again big news on the trend list. But hats are also very practical in winter for keeping your head warm and in the summer for keeping the sun off your face and maintaining a youthful complexion. I love hats as they can cover up my bad hair day hair and also really make an outfit.

 This summer hats were seen on the catwalk at Jean Paul Gaultier, Oscar De La Renta, Marni, Marc Jacobs, Moschino Cheap and Chic, Michael Kors, biba and Joh Galliano. So whether it is protection from the sun, a bold style statement or both that you are looking for there are plenty of hats to choose from. You will know you have made the right choice when someone asks you ‘Where did you get that hat?’

At Hermes, there were turban style hats everywhere. This is a very elegant hat to wear and great for covering up sun damaged hair after a day on the beach.

At John Galliano, the romantic and frilly clothes were complimented beautifully with large floppy hats. This style is great for wearing on holiday or on the beach to avoid a sunburnt face.

At Oscar De La Renta, I love this gorgeous hat with feathers on it. This would look amazing for a special occassion like a summer wedding or a day out at the races.

At Moshino Cheap and Chic - Sun visors were teamed with sports wear for a really cool and retro look.

 For summer the best choice of hat has to be a natural straw sun hat, it is versatile and will go with anything, protects you from the sun and looks chic.

I love scarves. Not the thick woolley ones that you wear in winter to keep you warm, although I like those as well, but the beautiful silk ones with amazing patterns and pictures on them. They are just so versatile and can make a really dull outfit feel really special. There are lots of different ways to wear a scarf and these are my favourite:

Take a sash scarf or a triangular silk scarf folded into a long shape, wrap it around you head and tie at the back of your head/ nape of your neck. You can vary the thickness and angle of the scarf depending on the look you want to achieve. For a sixties look you can backcomb your hair at the crown for added lift.

A scarf can be used in the place of a belt either wound through the belt loops of jeans or trousers or tied around a dress as a waist sash. For a flattering look use a long scarf with long ends hanging down as this elongates the body.

Take a large silk scarf and fold diagonally into triangles. Tie around the waist as seen at the ss08 Hermes catwalk show. This is a great way to show of a beautiful scarf with a full on picture. It is also very flattering and a great way to cover up a bulging tummy.

Fold a square scarf diagonally into a triangle and tie over your head peasant style. You can either tie under your hair or under your chin as seen at the AW08 Paul Smith Catwalk shows.

Take a long silk scarf and wrap around your neck then knot either at one side either leaving long pieces of scarf hanging down in front (This is a great way to make the torso appear longer) or in a big floppy bow.

Take a smallish square scarf folded into triangle or wound into thin scarf and tie wrap around the neck and tie at the side. You could also try using a variety of different knots and brooches to tie your scarf and add interest.

Take a largish square scarf folded into a triangle then with the point of the triangle at the front wrap loosely around your neck so the end fall at the front.

This Camilla Staerk signature print scarf will be great for brightening up any outfit this summer.

Bangles are the must have accessory for spring summer 08 and what better way to bring your outfits right up to date. Add bangles, lots or bangles, right up your arm, all sort of bangles in all sorts of materials, then you have a great look for this summer.

Bangles were seen in abundance on the catwalk and with all different trends for this summer from tribal to boho from nautical to tailored. The bangles were chunky or delicate and juicy bright colours or monochromatic.

At Salvatore Ferragamo, a peach and cream outfit was accesorised with multi coloured chunky bangles on both arms.

At Jonathan Saunders a elegant and cool looking beige dress was accompanied by white bangles with gold edges.

At Emilio Pucci again a neutral beige outfit was accessorised with bangles. These bangles were chunky interesting shapes, made from raffia and other materials.

Peach, white pink and yellow bangles were used to mirror the pattern of this stripey dress as Salvatore Ferragamo.

At Gianfranco Ferre black chunky bangles complemented the tailored monochrome look.

pictures from elleuk.com 

 If you want to bring your look right up to date, try out a vareity of these Angie Gooderham bangles.

Natural slim resin bangle

Gold Chunky  Resin Bangle