Fashion Resolutions

Happy New Year everyone! Now, get up, make yourself a glass of Berocca and listen good - we've got some must-read fashion resolutions to ensure that 2011 is the year of some serious style.

1) Ditch the High Street - You heard what I said girls (and guys). It's ok to love Topshop and River Island for picking up the occasional piece, but buy your clothes there all the time and people will start to wonder if they sponsor you. For quirkier, unusual pieces, head to markets such as Camden or Brick Lane - and don't forget that although it can be exhausting, trawling charity shops often pays off.

2) Experiment - If we had a penny for every time we heard someone say 'I wish I could pull that off, but...' we'd be printing Roar on gold leaf. It's time to adopt a new frame of mind - just because you haven't worn something before or it departs from your usual style doesn't mean it can't be done. Accessorize with pieces that you are comfortable with and don't try loads of different elements at once - trust me, you can pull it off.

3) Don't Impulse Buy - We're all guilty of this. You walk into a shop in the sales, see a top that you love but which is two sizes too big, and convince yourself that with a bit of styling it will all work out ok. Ditto the shoes that are size 3 when your feet are actually size 6. Kid yourself not - the top and shoes will still be in your wardrobe unworn by the time New Year 2012 rolls around. Avoid this situation by planning ahead, only shopping for things you need, and taking a friend along to tell you when you are being utterly ridiculous.

4) Make A Mood Board - No, you don't have to be super artistic - if you don't like the idea of cutting and sticking, just have a computer folder where you save any images you come across that inspire you, whether it's a catwalk still, a hair or make-up idea or even a pic of one of your favourite celebs. This folder will inspire you througout the year, and you can keep adding to it as the seasons change.

5) Have Fun - Never take fashion too seriously. It's important, yes, but most of all it's about being yourself. You aren't Kate Moss, you are you, and your clothes are the way that you express that. Don't be afraid, get out there and play with your style and make 2011 a year to remember.

By Angharad Mead

Festive Fashion: Turn Heads This Party Season

Never is there a more apt time for socializing and merriment with friends and family than over the festive period, yet somehow there is never a time when you feel more like snuggling up in some old pyjamas in front of the TV with a mug of hot chocolate. Although getting dressed is an integral part of the ‘going out’ process, it can often feel like a chore, especially on a student budget. Thankfully our high street is the best in the world, making it easy to achieve a high-end look at a fraction of the catwalk cost. To save you from any pre-party meltdowns, I have scoured it in search of the best festive outfit ideas that the shops have to offer.

If your social calendar takes you somewhere presentable, dresses tend to be the failsafe option. Lace and baroque opulence are the biggest evening trends this season, seen on the catwalks at Giles, Balmain and Paul Costelloe to name a few. Think gold, silver, and shades of red in luxuriously textured fabrics. Go to Asos for lace shifts and River Island for scarlet cocktail dresses, but best for the student budget is H&M’s shimmering brocade strapless dress, which at £19.99 captures the decadence trend perfectly. If you’re bold enough, make a statement by going for H&M’s lace midi. Longer lengths are so on trend and give the wearer a mixture of sophistication and insouciance.

 Strapless dress, £19.99, H&M

They’ve been around for a while but statement tights are a simple way to create different looks with one dress. Patterned with polka dots, suspenders and even tattoos, for around £8 a pop they’re an easy outfit lifter. Sheer tights look particularly glamorous peaking out from under a faux fur coat, perfect for dashing out in the bitter frost between parties, but try to avoid the high street and go for something vintage - it's usually around the same price or cheaper and a lot more authentic.

Sheer tights, £8, Topshop

If you don’t want to buy a new dress it's easy to create the same textured look with accessories. Leopard print accessories are all over the high street; you can’t walk anywhere without seeing someone wearing a now ubiquitous scarf. Translate this into belts, clutch bags and shoes for evening to liven up any old LBD. Towering heels are always a must but towering leopard print heels can take an outfit to a whole new level of chic. Top of every fashion editor’s wish list are the amazing leopard print stilettos from Lanvin for H&M. At £79.99 they aren’t pocket money cheap but if you can afford it, I highly advise investing. In fact, the whole collection is a master class in colourful cocktail party dressing, and you’re not going to get Lanvin for the price of Topshop again anytime soon. If your budget can’t quite make the stretch however, New Look usually tend to have a good selection of party shoes at student friendly prices.

Leopard stilettos, £79.99, Lanvin for H&M

If dresses aren’t your thing definitely try shorts in an interesting fabric, leather or sequins for example. Wear with aforementioned statement tights for a variety of outfits from one pair. Confident party go-ers might consider sequin hotpants – so wrong, yet somehow so right. Paired with a sheer silk shirt and cropped tuxedo jacket they are less Truffle Shuffle and more Sienna Miller in her Factory Girl days, or Kate Moss out on the town in all her glory. Cheeky bowtie optional.  You can usually pick up a pair for under £15 from Primark or H&M around Christmas, but I’m also loving this fantastic gold pair with pink chiffon overlay from Topshop, £55. For the jacket, Primark are doing a great version for £19.99, but you’ll have to be quick.

Skirt with hotpant, £55, Topshop

 

 

Tuxedo jacket, £19.99, Primark

As always the most important rule for stylish winter dressing is don’t take yourself too seriously and be comfortable in what you’re wearing, but particularly in a season of minimalistic daywear one must look to night time as a chance to escape from camel and chunky knits and throw on something with a bit of interest and sparkle.

By Rachel Cragg

Our Top 5 London Christmas Shopping Destinations

London has been quite rightly dubbed one of the best places to shop in the world.
However its amazingness can be rather daunting for even the most ruthless
fashionistas. It can feel as though you are, to use the phrase, “spoilt for choice”
especially when deciding where to start your Christmas shopping.

Here to help you out is our list of the top 5 shopping destinations in our capital. So
take a deep breath, don’t panic, you’ve still got bags of time, and make sure you
head to one of these top shopping havens to buy all your pressies this Christmas!

Fifth place goes to: Brent Cross Shopping Centre.

If you live anywhere north of Camden and cannot face heading into central then
head a little bit further north for Brent Cross. This indoor shopping centre has all
of the usual high street hits plus two massive department stores packed full of
Christmas gift ideas; John Lewis and Fenwicks. This place is perfect for an all in one
all day shop. You can buy all your family’s presents plus pick yourself up a gorgeous
outfit for the party season too! A bonus is free parking too if you drive. Nearest
Tube; Brent Cross.

In at fourth place it's Portobello Market, a place for the cooler fashionistas out
there! Not only will you most probably spot a few celebs drinking and dining in one
of the bistros and bars but you can also pick up some amazing vintage, quirky and
truly special gifts. Running on Saturdays and Sundays this market does get pretty
packed but is worth it for unique gifts with a little something extra. Nearest Tube;
Notting Hill Gate.

Third place goes to Covent Garden. This is probably the prettiest place to shop in
London. With beautiful buildings and cutesy cobbled stone footpaths this is definitely
the place to take out of towners on their Christmas shopping visits to London. It is
ideal for gift shopping with little independent stores and stallls in the market centre.
Also just a stone’s throw away is Neal Street with lots of make-up branches such as
Benefit and Mac, another great gift destination for mums, sisters and your besties!
Nearest Tube; Covent Garden, but this gets completely rammed on weekends so go
for Leicester Square, it’s only a 3 minute walk away.

Westfields Shopping Centre comes in at second place and if you can’t handle
the crowds this is the perfect place to do your Christmas shopping with relative
peace and harmony in London during November and December. Always opt for an
afternoon, say Tuesday, for the least amount of fuss. The centre also offers a range
of designer boutiques if you want to splash the cash as well as great gadget stores
and a surprisingly wide range of guy stores so if you’re stuck on what to get the men
in your life this is where you need to go. Nearest tube, Shepherds Bush or Wood
Lane.

First place can go to Oxford Street. Ok so it may get completely rammed, and yes
the tourists do like to stand right in front of you but apart from that it really is basically
perfect. You’ve got Selfridges, great for gifts and everyone loves those little yellow
bags! The food hall there too is perfect for the foody lovers in your family. Primark
is a must for cheaper than chips party outfits and let’s not forgot the humongous
Topshop! During December they always hold a weekend of car free shopping too so
there might be a little more room to walk about. Be warned though, we did say a
little! Nearest Tube; Oxford Circus but this tends to shut when overcrowded, Bond
Street station is in the middle of Primark and Topshop, ideal!

By Kelly Hollidge