1. Kate Middleton in Erdem, 2. Jess Stam in Vionnet on the new cover of Flare, 3 & 8. Erdem Resort 2012, 4. French Connection,
5. Top Shop, 6. New Look, 7. French Connection, 9. Prada @ Yoox

I already posted about Erdem's 2012 Cruise collection a couple of months ago. I was and I am still in awe of how beautifully simple it is. I particularly loved the navy (or ultramarine) lace, which seemed so chic to me.

Not long after the collection had come out, Kate Middleton picked a dress or two from this collection for her North American tour and she really look incredible in them.
And now it's Jessica Stam who a navy lace number by Vionnet for the September cover of Flare magazine.

I think it was the contrast of the blue next to the black font on the Flare cover that made me realise how much chicer and sexier than an LBD a navy dress can be in the summer.
And so, I decided to see the offerings of other designers and the high street in the navy lace department. None of the options are as exquisite and elegant as Erdem's, except maybe for the Prada jacket, but I think the New Look and French Connection options can make a really nice summer outfit if well accompanied and accessorised.

Celebrity Summer Essentials

Every new season we make predictions of what the biggest accessory hits will be based on what we like best. As the season comes nearer we start seeing some of them on our favourite fashionistas and it's then celebrities who take the lead showing what they want better. Some of them, the more stylish, opt for classics or designer staples they can reuse. Others rush to purchase the really bang-on trend ones.
Glastonbury started a few days ago and we've already seen Alexa Chung, who's dressing better than ever, using the ever-famous Céline bag from SS10 as a traveling bag. Lily Allen chose the über-cool but very overpriced Louis Vuitton leopard scarf for a touch of colour.

Emma Watson, who has also been dressing very well as of late, wore a Louis Vuitton corset from the FW10 collection that I found to be a bit of a miss. If you don't mind coping with the rigidity of it, go at least for a brighter colour with a cooler print. That autumnal green looks very sad with the dark denim and the black bag and shoes. And then we have Sienna. She has been looking her best ever since she got back together with Jude. She looked absolutely stunning in high-waisted suede shorts with a slightly sheer baggy tee and the great Chloe Sevigny for Opening ceremony Top Shop wedges in white. She also seems to finally have grown her hair (from The September Issue) and is looking mighty beautiful.

In the guy front, we have a guy whose style was firstly famous for his lack of personal hygiene. But he  now seems to be trying a little harder. For the  premiere of 'Eclipse' in LA. Robert Pattinson wore an amazing marron suit by Gucci. I think he is a very cool guy because he doesn't think so himself. Which is why he wears things with the simplicity that actually makes the clothes look so awesome on him. He has recently trimmed his locks for a film, going for a 50's look that works quite well with the scruffy hairstyle he likes for himself. We might just be witnessing a style icon in the making.

I'm off.

[Pictures: JustJared.buzznet.com, Zimbio.com, OpeningCeremony.us, BlueFly.com, LouisVuitton.com, Style.com, Vogue.com]

it's all in the skirt

It took me a while to realise why these pictures of Lauren Conrad seemed different. All the usual black and her jumbo Chanel were still there, her golden locks done up casually. It was the skirt. A burgundy satin skirt with two flaps on the sides as if a massive bow had been tied around her waist and left to rest upon her legs. It worked well with Lauren's style but it added a bit of an edge, which she really needed.

Skirts monopolise the best part of the spring as they are the perfect compromise between wearing a dress and having to cover the shoulders. In need of finding ways of creating something new and flirty yet lacking flamboyance designers and high street have found the best compromise in restrained but fun detailing. Pleats and drapery reign over SS10 with slightly uneven hemlines and that sinuous movement that a skirt should always have. Others have opted for layers of ruffles (the summer staple) or more generic A-line minis in neutral hues or covered in feathers.

1. Balenciaga @ Browns, 2. Top Shop, 3. Carven @ Net-a-Porter, 4. Theory @Net-a-Porter, 5. Adam @ Net-a-Porter, 6. Top Shop, 7. Diane Von Furstemberg @Net-a-Porter, 8. Oasis, 9. Erdem @ Browns, 10. Oasis, 11. New Look

What kind of skirts are you wearing this Spring?
I'm off.

[Pictures: As credited above, Celebrity-Gossip.net]

rip & wash

It might seem like the easiest thing to do but I am sure many of you will nod in agreement when I say finding the perfect ripped jeans is not easy at all. Whether it is the awkwardness in placing, the surplus in number or the excess in size finding a pair of ripped denim trousers might take a lifetime. I found my perfect pair when I was about sixteen —straight jeans that added an edge to anything. Ever since then nothing even close to tolerable jeans came my way. I am still looking as of yet.

Drew Barrimore in classic ripped jeans, a similar model by Current/Elliott at eLuxury.com, Taylor Momsen in a model with little space left to rip and a similar cooler model from Acne Jeans also at eLuxury.com.

Now, finding bleached or acid washed denim is an easier task altogether. I came across my suitable pair at the easiest place, American Apparel. The slightly bleached blue jeans. But you girls in search for a pair of those have a wider range to choose from. Have a look.

Gwen Stefani slips into a tye-dye number for an Elle photoshoot. Clockwise from her right, astudded pair from TopShop, a white and blue one by J. Brand at LuisaViaRoma.com, and other options in the shape of "jeggings" from American Apparel.

LiLo combines both trends but goes for a whiter version —bleached jeans. Clockwise from the left, my choice: the mineral wash from American Apparel, and two very bleached versions by TopShop.

[Picture credits: JustJared.com, TopShop.com, AmericanApparel.co.uk, eLuxury.com, LuisaViaRoma.com]

I'm off.