Give the Unwanted a Future

As part of the January Sales, this week, Marks and Spencers and Oxfam bring their exclusive collaboration to the high street. The doors are swinging open to give you the opportunity to own pieces of fashion history, whilst looking after the environment and being generous to those in need. It’s simple really: bring in an unwanted item and ‘Shwop’ it for a new outfit.

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Joanna Lumley has swooped in to be the face of this thoughtful endeavor after much involvement in Oxfam’s Shwop Shop. Together with Grace Woodward and Brix Smith-Smart, she will man the booths to share stories about each piece’s life adventures.

The celebrity attraction doesn’t stop there. To name a few, there will be items donated from style icons such as Alexa Chung, Ellie Goulding, Pixie Lott and Gary Barlow. Caroline Flack has even decided to throw in one of her X-Factor dresses, so best put on your running gear and get ready for that hurdle.

So, if you fancy stealing some red carpet moments and contributing your bit to the world, head down to the M&S store at Marble Arch on Thursday 24th and 25th January.

Accessorize 2013 

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This year, there’s no shortfall of accessories, especially with the minimalist theme lurking in the air. These outfit additions bring a wealth of decoration, giving that little self-proclaimed fame we all hope for when entering a room with many wandering eyes.

Prepping you for the weekend ahead, we thought we’d top off your week with an accessories boutique. This time, we’ve ventured in a slightly different direction. Not only is our guest editor a stylist, but she is a fashion and textiles designer from Malta making a name for herself on the streets of London. Whoever thought such creative talent would spring from that little hidden away gem? Sef Farrugia has poured her passion into scarves and bow ties and, while embracing a mix of pastel colours, has created her 2013 collection.

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If Sef’s designs have sparked your curiosity there’s way more to be seen. Take a little adventure down fashion lane. Have a peek at her work here.

If you’re looking for more of the latest trends on the catwalk for high-street prices then have a look at your boutique or take your personal style quiz at Style Nibble.  

Welcome to Spring/Summer 2013

Pieces from the catwalk collections have already started landing online and in store so we thought now would be the perfect time to give you our top tips on the trends to look out for.

The good news is that everything is a lot simpler. Clothes and trends are relatively fuss-free compared to previous seasons, with the focus on perfectly fitting clean shapes and overall a more luxurious, grown-up minimalist look from designers including Miu Miu, Stella McCartney and Celine. However, we are still seeing some striking, but more structured, details such as bold ruffles at Givenchy and Chloe and semi-sexy splits in skirts and dresses at Oscar De La Renta and Peter Pilotto.

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Stella McCartney SS ‘13/ Chloe SS ‘13

Designers looked to the sixties and seventies for inspiration: take your pick of sixties monochrome, minis, kitten heels and mod-ish A-lines at Louis Vuitton and Chanel or seventies cool with billowing chiffon maxi dresses, sheer blouses and fringed suede at Yves Saint Laurent. We love both!

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Louis Vuitton Spring 2013

Trends you’ll be seeing a lot of on the high street include monochrome (which is the first trend to show its colours, or rather lack of). Wear black and white separately or as blocks together. Check out the Marc Jacobs catwalk for inspiration… He’s the leader of this look. Florals are also set to stay but in a slightly more sombre tone - this is reflected in jewellery too with less girly and more classic flowers making an appearance.

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Marc Jacobs New York Fashion Week

Oriental prints and shapes filled the catwalks so if you see a great kimono, buy it! You’ll get a lot of wear from one this year. And one of our favourites: psychedelic and metallic. Stand out and literally shine in colourful foil shirts and skirts from Burberry Prorsum (you might have already seen Romeo Beckham sporting one of the shirts in the new ad?) or Jonathan Saunders sleek bomber jackets.

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Romeo Beckham for Burberry 

The surprise look of the season was the reinvented classic trouser suit which each designer seemed to show a different take on. Be prepared for both the crop and dress jacket (longer length so you could almost wear it as a dress) coming into your wardrobe as well as some loose, mannish tailoring and above the ankle, slim-fit trousers. All very working girl does cool.

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Stella McCartney Spring 2013/ Christian Dior Spring 2013/ Christopher Kane Spring 2013

Best start that shopping list…

Time to Invest

It’s been an intense month for our credit cards recently, and perhaps it’s time to send our bank accounts to spending bootcamp. But before you do, we’ve found a way to keep your wardrobe up to trend for the next few months, even year. That’s right, our stylist, Charlotte Kewley, has picked her top investment pieces for you.

Below is a taster of some of her favourite picks. For more, just check your boutique, or take your personal style quiz at Style Nibble.

1. Floral Trousers, ASOS, £27
2. Silk Shirt, Net-a-Porter, £267
3. Point Court Shoes, ASOS, £85
4. Trilby Hat, Warehouse, £12
5. Bowling Bag, Net-a-Porter, £715
6. Ring, Marc Jacobs, £42

Keep Up With the Fox

The past year has overloaded us with animal trends, popping up everywhere they included granny knit kitten jumpers, breaded cats, neon leopard prints to name a few. Newsflash: it doesn’t look like it will be stopping anytime soon. This week we’ve been confronted with the epitome of cuteness - the fox bag - recognized as something that will inevitably turn that frown upside down, and act as your daily dose of increased concentration.

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Style Nibble has acknowledged that ‘tis the season to be…’poorly’, so we’re utterly chuffed that this bag will keep you on top of trends and send your credit card into meltdown. 

The fox satchel can be found on ebay for under £5. Don’t be fooled - just because it’s from ebay does not mean there’s any less appeal.  In fact, Fearne Cotton was recently spotted wearing one as she went for one of her last night escapades on the London streets before her baby is due.

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January Sales

The time of the year we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived. What better way to spend the month than filling our wardrobes up endlessly with the latest fashion for half of what we normally spend. This week, I have indulged in this occasion and picked the creme de la creme of fashion bargains for you. 

Below are a few of my favourite picks. Visit your personal boutique for more or just take your personal style quiz at Style Nibble. 

1. Biker Jacket, Wallis, £40

2. Print Shorts, Ted Baker, £45

3. Cotton Shirt, Mango, £14.99

4. Chelsea Boots, Office, £20

Steal Molly King’s Look

Pulling of the au naturelle look, Molly kept up her style as she strolled about the airport ready for her journey to Atlanta. Despite the early hours and her signs of fatigue, she looked gorgeous pairing up a simple shirt and jumper with a black mini skirt. The heels have gone out of the window and she’s whacked on a pair of wedges for the long haul flight for her new reality show. 

Snatch up Molly’s look at high street prices, which I’ve prepared for you at Style Nibble. Keep your eyes on the screen - more fashion news to come. Collette x

1. White shirt, Calvin Klein, £146

2. Mini skirt, Expesso, £55

3. Wedge boots, Boohoo, £25

Steal Fearne Cotton’s Look

Fearne Cotton is seen walking to the Radio 1 studio. She confronts the winter chill and keeps her little one warm and protected with a stylish pink cable knit jumper. Making sure to stride the streets comfortably, she opts for some low heel leather boots, giving the outfit some oomph. She also tries to keep the wintery look simple by throwing in a black pair of jeggings. 

I’ve found this outfit for you at high street prices. You can find it on Style Nibble. Collette x

1. Knit Jumper, John Lewis, £35

2. Black Jeggings, New Look, £18.74

3. Black Leather Boots, Office, £85

4. Fur Head Band, John Lewis, £19.99

Rent a Designer Dress for the Christmas Party!

As a treat for a Friday we have asked Anna Bance, the founder of Girl Meets Dress to pick her top dress choices. We’ve been admirers of Girl Meets Dress for a long time now - we only wish that we’d had the idea. If you haven’t heard of it already the site allows you to rent designer dresses at a fraction of the retail cost, in fact dresses start from as little as £29 and include brands such as Alexander McQueen, Marchesa Notte, Dina Bar El, Alice and Olivia and Herve Leger. I would never in a million years have thought I could be wearing a Temperley dress to the office Christmas party! We love the fact that you can order more than one dress to try on different sizes, PLUS Girl Meets Dress takes care of the returns (pre-paid label included) and even the dry cleaning.

Log into your Style Nibble boutique to see the selection of dresses that Anna has picked for you. We also have a fab competition - the best photo of a Style Nibble user wearing their GMD dress will have the rental fee refunded! Simply email a photo of yourself in your GMD dress to thegirls@girlmeetsdress.com to enter.