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Style Icon: The Queen

greenandbluedress

Move over Pippa Middleton! I know since the Royal Wedding we’ve all been gushing about her great figure and classic British style but actually there was another style setter there that day and I’m not taking about Victoria Beckham! No her Majesty the Queen, Britain’s favourite granny and a credit to the nation has been called many things but fashion icon may be a new one. In fact though, especially on her recent trip to Ireland the Queen was rocking many of this season’s latest sartorial trends.

Colour-blocking, currently the hottest look off the runways at London, Paris, New York and Milan, has always been a look of our monarch. Emerald green is a favourite colour and while you may want to forget the hat, gloves and handbag, channel the look with a beautiful emerald green dress. I love this tiered, one-shoulder green dress from Jaeger at John Lewis.

Alternatively, follow her love for cornflower blue in a modern version of the queen’s signature style. A bright blue frock will do the trick and this belted blue dress from Preen’s collaboration with Debenhams is just the ticket.

Featured dresses:  Jaeger green dress at John Lewis, and Blue dress Preen edition for Debenhams

- Isabel Dexter

Beauty Trend Alert: fashion forward

  • posted June 20th, 2011
  • Beauty

stephencollinsbelt

The good news for this Autumn/Winter 2010? Well mostly that the beauty world has gone back to basics. Glowing skin, plump lips and clear eyes, not to mention glossy and natural hair, is on everyone’s wish list as we start to face the colder months. After seasons of attention-grabbing beauty looks on the international catwalks at Paris, London, Milan and New York, with frankly scary creations that you could never wear to your local pub, let alone to the supermarket, it’s a relief that natural is now back on the beauty radar.

This season is all about beauty looks that complement the clothes. In my two part post I will show you how:

1. Follow the same colour palette as the clothes that really count this season. Camel translates into honey-toned hues. Try a nude lipstick, such as Clarins Joli Rouge in simply nude.

2. Mirror colour blocked outfits with bold lipstick and eyes in the same textures.

3. If you’re wearing high-shine patent leather then mimic this in your makeup. Glossy, dark red lipstick, such as Guerlain Kiss Kiss or deep scarlet shiny nails will up the ante on your outfit. A shiny belt, like this Stephen Collins black patent leather belt and a bold lipstick will instantly update your look.

Featured items: Clarins Joli Rouge lipstick  in Simply Nude, Max Factor foundation in honey, Guerlain KissKiss lipstick, and Stephen Collins patent leather belt

Short Work

borwnshorts

With all the summer events and parties coming up perhaps it’s just me but is everything in your wardrobe, including those favourite summer dresses, looking a bit uninspiring? If so then please let me direct you towards this season’s hottest solution and a whole new trend to boot; the smart short.

Early adaptors include Alexa Chung, Eva Herzigova at the Cannes Film Festival and of course Kate Moss. The best thing about a great pair of tailored shorts are that they look sexy without being sluttish, smart without being overdressed and they are also flattering. They’re a great look for a casual-ish summer wedding too if you want to look like you’ve made an effort but still stay unique. Most of all, shorts are fun and summer is all about dressing like you’re here to play.

My favourites pick of the bunch are these gorgeous belted shorts from Republic. The tobacco shade is bang on trend for this season and they look they walked straight off the runway. Add a dash of fake tan on your pins and you’ll be hot to trot, no matter the occasion!

Shorts from Republic