I am seeing strapless cocktail dresses every where in all sorts of bright colours and patterns and draped shapes. The lengths of these mini dresses vary from micro minis to just above the knee. It doesn’t realy matter what length they are as long as they are above the knee and make  a statement in some way. These dresses can be worn without accessories for a minimalist look or with full on accessories for a more interesting look. The strapless neckline is just perfect for showing off one of this seasons bib style necklaces.

At Anna Sui - a bold white embroidered design on black gives a really eye catching look. The statement necklace and pom pom bag add to the interest of the outfit but don’t look too much because of the simple colour scheme.

The first thing to strike you about this strapless mini dress at Matthew Williamson is the gorgeous peach colour. The dress also has a great shape and interesting beaded pocket detail, really typical of Matthew Williamsons ethnic style.

At Roberto Cavalli - this dress has a delicate and feminine design. The shorter than short flared skirt and pocket detail make it a very sexy style.

This draped satin mini dress is very typical of the minimalist style at Calvin Klein. The draping of the material provide all of the interest that is needed. It is incredibly elegant and chic.

This strapless tulip dress is a great every day version of thois seasons strapless mini. Great for the hot weather, holidays and evenings out.

pictures from www.style.com

I have previously posted about the spring summer 09 trend for fringed clothing in my posts about Jil Sander, Maison Martin Margiela and Mark Fast. Fringes and tassels were also seen at a number of the other catwalk shows. The styles included sophisticated all over tassels, twenties style dresses and leather/ suede boho and western style tassles. I love the way that fringes and tassels add lengthening lines, texture and movement to an outfit.

I have been waiting for some time time for this trend to filter into the shops and now here it is. I have managed to find the perfect fringe dress. This light grey Miso dress is perfect for a party of eveing out. I think it would look amazing with some bright neon accessories.

There is a very simple answer to this question. Because they add height but are also very easy to walk in. Women’s wedge shoes are one of the most versatile pieces of foot wear for summer. They can take you from garden parties and barbeques, to wedding and evening parties, poolside on holiday and even to work. They go equally well with skirts, trousers and jeans. The wedge heel provides a stable base to stop that tottering effect that many high heels cause. But the very best thing about chunky wedge heeled shoes is that their chunkiness will make even the most tree trunk like of ankles look delicate (and that includes mine). They are also perfect for those very feminine outfits like a floaty floral dress that would look too much with a pair of conventional high heeled shoes.

Here are just a few of my favourites for summer 2009.

Autograph T Bar Wedge

Andrea Bernes Wedges

Limited Collection 3 Bar Wedge

Patrizia Pepe Wedges

The maxi dress trend from last summer has hung around through the winter and is back with a vengance for this summer. It looks like it is going to be here to stay and I am very happy. I love the maxi dress, it is a feminine style great for covering up legs and perfect for working the boho look. The maxi dress is fast becoming a wardrobe staple with all sorts of styles that are suitable for daytime, evening and formal. So to celebrate the longevity of the maxi dress, here are some of my favourites.

Peacock Maxi Dress - this dress features a gorgeous abstract print. I love the turquoise and purples and the asymmetric hem.

Silk Scarf Print Maxi Dress -this pure silk dress with a halter neck and subtle but stylish print is amazingly flattering.

Hibiscus Jersey Maxi Dress- the colour of this maxi dress is stunning, it also wins top marks for comfort and style. Also great for tall people as it is available in long sizes.

Peony Jersey Maxi Dress - this is another great comfy option that is not short on style. The classic looking print is great for both day time and evenings.

Crinkle Maxi Dress - I love this style which is flattering and slimming. It would look great teamed with a denim jacket and fringed back for a boho look.

Silk abstract swirl maxi dress- the black and white print on this maxi dress makes it very striking, perfect for weddings, summer parties and other semi formal occasions.

Pixelated Circle Maxi Dress - For  a really unusual and eye catching maxi dress, this is my favourite. It has a unique and elegant neckline and a subtle but stylish print of pixelated circles.

It might not seem like it but summer is just around the corner and I am really hoping for a real scorcher as promised by the weather men. I haven’t dared even think about swimwear up until now, just in case it brings bad weather. But with summer holidays only weeks away, I thought I would check out some of the catwalk swim wear for some inspiration.

At Louis Vuiton, a very glamorous black swim suit with plenty of detail, ruching, bands of fabric and ruffles made an interesting change to the minimalist one piece. This is definitely one for those who like to sit on the sun lounger rather than swim laps in the pool.

At Gap - function was almost certainly at the front of designers minds with this sporty looking swimsuit with cut out sides for a high fashion twist. Some lovely bright summer colours.

At Alexander Wang - this white swimsuit is lovely for those with a great tan. Again with cut out sides but this time triangular shapes. I love the way this has been worn with a denim and leather jacket for the ultimate in pool side cool.

Danielle Scutt - A two piece bikini in bright tropical colours worn with a fringed scarf for clever mix of pool side glamour and boho chic.

pictures from www.style.com

Although the swim wear on the catwalk was predominantly one piece with cut outs at the sides, I have always preferred a two piece or bikini for my holidasys. I will be taking my inspiration from Danielle Scutts designs with this Soul Cal Tropical print bikini. 

Q: What shoe is practical, comfy, stylish and goes with just about anything?

A: The ballet pump

Ballet pumps are the perfect shoe for me. I practically live in them all summer and most of the winter too. I have all sorts of gorgeous shoes but I usually end up resorting to my ballet pumps as they are just so easy to walk in. They look equally stylish with trousers, skirts and shorts. There are so many pretty and feminine options available as well as neutral colours for more serious occasions. Even the name ‘ballet pump’ conjures up images of graceful ballet dancers.

I can comfortably wear a pair of leather ballet pumps without socks. This is a big bonus for someone like me with a very hungry washing machine that eats socks.

For a feminine and girly pair to wear with dresses and skirts these Amy ballet pumps are perfect.

If you want to feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, these red cut out pumps are perfect. Just click your heels together and say”there’s no place like home”.

These Lands End Suede Pumps are the ultimate comfy casual shoe.

As much as I love bright colours, I have days when I just want to look stylishly subtle. This year there are many floral prints to choose from, some really bright and in contrast some really dark. The dark florals range from grey and grungey to black and white for a more crisp and elegant look. I love them all and they can even be teamed with some bright accessories for a really individual look.

Cotton Ditsy Floral Dress -  love the pretty design and the texture look of this dress, perfect for a casual look on a hot summers day.

Fenn Wright Mason Flower Print Dress - this black and white floral print dress is really slimming as it has a black centre panel.

Creation Dress - This dress has a really subtle but stylish floral print and the classic style of dress would be perfect for most ocassions.

Linen Blend Floral Dress - The print on this dress is really striking. It would look great teamed with  a cropped cardigan in a bright green or fuscia pink.

The Peplum dress is a key silhouette for this season and looks great in a eye popping bright colour like this candy pink one by Miso. The peplum describes the piece of fabric that is almost like wearing another shorter skirt over a straight skirt. The peplum can be varying lengths from no more than a frill around the waist to almost the same length as the underskirt. The V shape of the peplum on this dress makes it a flattering choice as it draws the eye downwards and elongates the body. It would look great dressed up with a blazer, jewellery, heels and a clutch and equally good dressed down when worn over a close fitting t shirts with flat shoes.

The peplum dress is the perfect way to look trendy and high fashion whilst covering up you hips and thighs -  no diets needed. I is also a great way for those with no curves to create a bit of shape.

Elle Magazine has highlighted the latest celebrity fashion or micro trend - ripped jeans. I am sorry to say that I remember this eighties trend the first time around. I was only a teenager and I remember my mother telling me that I certainly could not go out of the house dressed like that.  I must be getting old because this time around I found myself saying ”I certainly could not go out the house looking like that”.

For those who do not have my old fashioned inhibitions about ripped jeans, this is a very easy trend to follow. Just wear a pair of old jeans that is wearing out or rip them up a bit. The latest way to wear them seems to boyfriend style with turn ups although I think any ripped pair of jeans including skinny and wide legged will do. Those with their fingers firmly on the fashion pulse buy their designer jeans ready ripped. 

Jessica Alba

Katie Holmes

Lindsay Lohan

pictures from www.elleuk.com

For a laid back and slouchy style of ripped jeans, try wearing these Soul Cal Bleach Rip Jeans with turn ups.

picture www.stylelist.com

Only a week away from the launch of the new Matthew Williamson collection at H & M and I am very excited. The latest collection which will launch in selected stores on 23rd April and is just one in a  line of collections for H & M by high profile designers, incluicng Karl Lagerfeld, Valentino and Comme Des Garcons.

The Limited edition designer capsule collections at H & M have proved hugely popular allowing fashionistas to get a piece by their favourite designer at a fraction of the price of a piece from the designers usual collection. Matthew Williamson is one of my favourite designer with his signature style of feminine and ethnic clothing with colourful designs and details like embrodiery. Celebrities like Lindsey Lohan, Eva Longoria and Nicole Richie are all fans of the designer.

The Matthew Williamson collection will be one of the biggest so far and will even include menswear. I love the look of the gorgeous peacock maxi dress and leather jacket.

If you are love Matthew Williamson and want to get something from his collection for the summer, try these Shorts.