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reasons to be cheerful

Often at the start of a new season you see some theme's emerging that will end up becoming a big part of our lives culturally, socially and stylishly for the next few months or years whether we realise it or not. Recently in these turbulent times, there hasn't always been alot to be cheerful for, but designers are giving us something to smile about and it is filtering down to the high street and social media. With fashion month in full swing, now more than ever designers are getting the opportunity to say how they feel using what they know best - clothes and style.

Take the Channel 4 show 'Inside Dior' for example, it wasn't just about how new designer Maria Grazia Chiuri, prepares her first collection and shows it at Paris Fashion Week. All anyone could talk about afterwards was the feminist slogan t-shirt she sent down the runway with "We should all be feminists" on it. Feminist is a word that always gets people talking, but the slogan tee paired with a blue tulle skirt was the most instagrammed moment of the entire show.

Designers are responding to the political upheavals of the past year by injecting some much needed humour into women's wardrobes. Clothes are becoming more playful, less about rules and more about having a potent pick-me-up kind of power, one that consumers are responding to. Bold colours being mixed and matched, cartoon creatures and stickers adorning bags and upbeat slogan t-shirts are ironic and lighter than perhaps more serious trends of previous seasons. 

We are all feeling like we don't want to conform to the norm of the highstreet and as customers we are getting increasingly confident with our own style. Street style bloggers have such an important part to play in the current fashion trends. Their looks are playful, original and inspirational but not out of reach for everybody to take cues from.

Super style blogger Leandra Medine @manrepeller

Super style blogger Leandra Medine @manrepeller

Net-a-Porter fashion director Lisa Aiken @lisa.aiken

Net-a-Porter fashion director Lisa Aiken @lisa.aiken

Editor of online magazine Hey Woman! Veronika Heilbrunner @veronikaheilbrunner

Editor of online magazine Hey Woman! Veronika Heilbrunner @veronikaheilbrunner

In these uncertain economic times, consumers are buying less clothes but doesn't mean they are spending less. More and more I am finding clients wanting to slim down their wardrobes, take the stress out of getting ready in the morning and investing more in pieces that will last. Wanting to buy something colourful and fun can easily lift your mood and increase your confidence in your style. I always suggest buying something because you love it, not because you need it, but because it makes you happy and excites you! Wearing your clothes with joy and having fun with your style is a formula for dressing your way to happiness.

Here are my top 5 pieces to give you something to smile about:

1.  Mini Banana crossbody bag - Zara £17.99

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gingham revisited 2017 style

This time last year (March 2016) I wrote a blog post entitled "how to wear gingham - Spring's most wearable print trend". I am pleased to say that this print trend seems to be even bigger for 2017, so you can pull out any gingham printed items of clothing you brought last year and re-wear them again! Glad to be of service...!

But gingham for 2017 has been updated. It's more about the styles and styling rather than the print. You can see the print with embroidery on top of it, ruffles and taping on printed pieces, mixing the different sized gingham and even layering gingham on top of gingham for a truly one off style!

When Sienna Miller wore a Sonia Rykiel gingham dress during a photocall for her new movie, a Vogue article commented that the gingham check can also be worn in a bohemian style rather than a polished look of before - this is what sums up the difference between this year and last year's style.

Pieces I have chosen to buy this year so far are -

Red gingham dress from Zara

Red gingham dress from Zara

Black gingham top from Topshop

Black gingham top from Topshop

 

Here is some 2017 gingham style inspiration -

 

So if you want to buy it this year, here is my top 5 gingham pieces to invest in for a wardrobe update:

1. MADAME embroidery boots, Topshop, £89.00

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Some seriously stylish slacks

edits styling notes

I honestly think that at the moment pretty much any trouser shape goes. Skinny, culotte, wide leg, sports luxe, tapered, cropped, cuffed. So how do you find a style that suits you and is going to last the test of time?

Firstly it is down to taste, what ever floats your boat and fits into your wardrobe seamlessly. In other words you can wear with lots of tops/shirts/knitwear you already own.

Secondly you have to take into account body and leg shape, and what suits you. For example I love skinnies in the winter with an oversized jumper and a masculine coat. But wearing them with a cropped top in the summer, makes me come out in cold sweats - it's just never going to happen!

So this summer I have been drawn to more looser, sports luxe styles and been obsessing over finding the right ones for me and my wardrobe. As I normally live in jeans all year round want these trousers to add something new into my wardrobe and even though I'm buying them in summer I want to be able to wear them in Winter too.

They create a very modern silhouette whilst being ridiculously comfortable and fit perfectly, but I can't guarantee that they will go with every top in your wardrobe. I have found that plain or stripe jersey tops are the best, shirts and in the winter I will pair with smart knitwear. You can't wear them with printed tops unless you want to clash with the stripe down the side or with sweaters, unless you want to look like you are going to the gym. Here is some style inspiration to check out and follow my pinterest board here - slacks 2016

Here is how I have styled my sports luxe trousers -

To shop for your own pair of sports luxe slacks, check out my top 5 picks of the high street right now -

Top 5 sports luxe trousers

1. Zara jogging trousers £25.99

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