The Bandeau Experiment

Prada / Proenza Schouler

So bandeau tops are popping up all over the new Spring stock, but let's just think about the bandeau for a second. You can't really get away with wearing one normally or you'll look like a 13 year old who's going to the beach. If you're over the stomach bearing of your teens (a phase I never had the privilege of experiencing) then Spring's collections gave us the resolution:

Bandeau + High Waisted Skirt = Classy & Street Cool

Miuccia is undoubtedly the figurehead here, as we saw prolific bandeau tops at Prada all teamed with the pleated pastel skirts, but there were examples elsewhere. Best other demonstration; Proenza Schouler who paired their dual colour bandeau with yellow florals (a look which made their Poly starring campaign). I digress, but anyone else creeped out by Kinga's Schwarzenegger abs?

There seems to be a question here though...can we actually get away with the bandeau? It's not really the sort of look to go unnoticed in the office (and not in a good way) but it seems if you pair it with a blazer/jacket/coat (I know it's summer) then it becomes suddenly more demure, a la Prada with those hell-a-ugly printed coats.

So let's try these on for size...

Haider Ackermann Blazer / Tillys Bandeau / Jil Sander skirt / DVF Clutch / Alexander Wang Shoes

Or....

Givenchy Vest / Miso Bandeau / Chloe Skirt / Chloe Pumps / Tory Burch Clutch.

Seems to me like a jacket or a flat shoe might just push the bandeau into acceptable territory. Still, I think the only place this look is going to proliferate are those concrete catwalks outside shows.

And can we all just take a moment of silence to consider those Alexander Wang white sandals. I want them, you want them, we all want them. Hence why they're already sold out everywhere. Voila.

Peace Out

Loes x

Pyjama Party

Stella McCartney

Haider Ackermann

JW Anderson

Jonathan Saunders / Richard Nicoll

Richard Nicoll

This Spring there's a pyjama party and everyone's invited. Whether it's Stella McCartney's paisley suit pyjamas, Richard Nicolls draped prints, Jonathan Saunders polka dot silken combo or JW Anderson's striped and initialled pair, this Spring designers were promoting the easy relaxed elegance of tailored bedwear with a twist. The twist being that this isn't bedwear, it's daywear. So pull on your finest pyjamas and hit the streets. Just maybe give wearing them to work a miss...

Below are some of my picks for the best pyjama wear right now...
White Shirt by Topshop / Paisley Trousers by Stella McCartney / Silk Box Shirt by Topshop / Silk Ombre Trousers by Topshop / Paisley Shirt by Stella McCartney / Polka Dot Cami by Stella McCartney / Slipper Shoes by Alexander McQueen



P.S. Does anyone else think the word 'pyjama' never looks right?
Photos from Style.com

Sickly Sweet

Witness the beauty of Stuart Weitzman's ladylike metal capped MJ (that's Mary Jane not Michael Jackson) pumps, in blush and mint; my addiction to these has sprung up via Leandra at the Man Repeller. If you want to have spring shoes that hark to pastels a la Louis Vuitton and 3.1 Phillip Lim then these are your bestest.
There's also a similar pair floating around over at Russell & Bromley but unfortunately they haven't entered the 21st Century yet and don't have a website.

 Mary Jane Pumps - $375 here.

Cool Chabanenko

Naty Chabanenko by Kevin Sinclair for Elle Vietnam's April Edition. Naty wears pastel pieces from Aquascutum, Pringle of Scotland, The Row and more.

Print Downstairs

Topshop, Proenza Schouler, Dolce & Gabbana, Warehouse, Altuzzura, Stella McCartney.

I'm having a moment from printed trousers right now (or pants if you're Americano. Printed Pants has a better ring to it anyway, hmmm?). These ones above are a few of the best I've seen, especially the Altuzurra & McCartney ones (first a jungle, and then pyjamas in the daytime, what more could you want?). The Topshop (Peter Pilotto's kaleidoscope prints anyone?) and Warehouse ones are a good bet and are handy for those with the tight purse strings (*cough* *me*) as they're not too pricey. May actually have to invest in these, and then decide if I am going to be ballsyyyy enough to wear them.

H&M Trend Update

H&M's trend update takes on the sportswear vibe. I love how the lookbooks always make the clothes look so good. I can't wait for some of these pieces to hit stores especially the black, yellow and white printed trousers, black perforated tote, and that black layered skirt. Sportswear here I come.

Model: Vika Falileeva / Photographer: Peter Gehrke / Source: Here

Prada vs Primark

Remember Prada's Spring 2012 show where we saw car prints being splashed across leather pencil skirts, pleats, bandeau tops and clutches? Well Primark have gone and created a few pieces with similar prints; two blouses in blue and lemon, and a lemon pleated skirt (I loved it, but yellow is not a good colour for me). It may not be Prada, but with a price tag of just £8, who cares?

Pretty Dresses

Topshop have launched their Limited Edition collection for Spring and I quite like it. Usually if I want dresses for parties or weddings then French Connection is my go to, but these dresses are much better than Topshop's previous offerings. The first dress looks very French Connectionesque anyway and I love the other four dresses because they're a little different from what Topshop would usually make; the second dress is a sheer organza shift which looks Christopher Kane inspired (extra brownie points for that), and the third one would be a very girly dress if it wasn't toughened up by the zippers. The fourth made me think of Proenza Schouler's Spring 2009 collection where we saw the sporty-chic tank colour block dresses; I'm also a sucker for black on a party dress. Lastly my favourite dress, mainly because of the colour (who doesn't love acid yellow) but also because it's silk.



What do you think of Topshop's Limited Edition dresses for Spring?

Loes x

Topshop Picks

My favourite high street shop had my attention waning over Christmas, but their new in pieces for Spring have reignited my love. There's some lovely pastels and excellent sportswear inspired pieces, as well as a beautiful white crepe shirt dress that I have to buy for my New York jaunt. Plus, let's be honest, who doesn't love a good quilted backpack? What's got your eye?

Loes x

Aliens in Hollywood

Sigrid Agren hits the streets of Hollywood with an out-of-this world sidekick. Photographed by Greg Kadel for Numero #131, Sigrid wears Spring looks by Roberto Cavalli, Givenchy, Calvin Klein and more.























Source: http://fashiongonerogue.com/sigrid-agren-greg-kadel-numero-131/

River Island

So I've never really been the biggest River Island fan - I liked their shoes and bags but the clothes always seemed a little tacky. But I went in there the other day, and I have to admit, they've got an absolutely amazing Spring collection, and I am in love. There are some really great tropical-print pieces, as well as some great new season jackets. Get yourselves on to Elle.com or RiverIsland.com now - there's a chance to win some of the new collection!















Loes x