TREND WATCH: STATEMENT NECKLACES

As seen all over the catwalk from Marni to Marc Jacbos, statement necklaces are in and their in and looking fab-ul-ou-so.

Whenever I’m on an accessories shopping spree the obvious places to visit are the high street chain stores like River Island, Topshop, H&M and Accessorize and whilst every Tom, Dick and Harry may end up in the same jewels, it can’t be helped as some of these stores are actually carrying some great bits.

The above necklace is from Accessorize for £15. I love the deep purple set against the gold rustic looking rings. On a naked neck, with a simple white tee, skinny jeans and heels – this outfit would be complete due to this one piece being added. Or you could use it to jazz up an evening look. Either way, the sun is out and by default more flesh is bound to be on show, so make the most of it and add statement jewellery to your look.

I’M IN NEED OF A … GREAT IMITATION OF COCO CHANEL’S ICONIC 2.55 BAG

One of the most iconic designer bags in the world it’s not surprise there are so many variations of it doing the rounds on the high street and their not half bad.

A bit of bag history for those who care to know… The quilted chain handle bag was created in 1955 and it is from the year of its birth its name derives. The Chanel 2.55 chain bag represents the epitome of style and the ultimate status symbol and is why it was loved by so many arms of the rich and famous.

As much as I’d love to own a real Chanel 2.55 bag, I don’t have the real money to get it with, so I think I’m just going to have to stick with the Topshop or ASOS versions priced at £35 and £15 respectively. I did have a picture of the Topshop version for you guys, but the Oxford Circus branch security cornered me and insisted I delete it from my phone! Apparently I was breaking company rules… I wouldn’t have normally caved in so quickly, but it’s not about being banned from Topshop. I think such a ban would actually kill me.

I’VE GOT MY EYE ON YOU… ZOE KRAVITZ

Zoe Kravitz with Alexander Wang

Daughter to rocker Lenny, Zoe isn’t doing much to be honest, but does seem to be causing a stir within the US fashion industry as she more than once been featured within the fashion pages as someone ‘to watch’ due to her fashionista sense of style.

She was papped at the launch of the New York Topshop opening this week and whilst I wasn’t a fan of her look, there’s something about this chick (maybe the fact her surname is Kravitz?), no there is something about her and think she is definitely one to keep an eye on… I predict she’ll come out with her own fashion line of some sort… watch this space.

TREND WATCH: PEEP TOE BOOTS & SHOES

I’m yet to buy myself a pair, but I just can’t get enough of this trend. On first sight they may just look like an ‘ugly’ footwear choice, but I actually think they really work, especially peep toe shoes with jeans or short floral dresses, which is just perfect for Spring (when it finally arrives!).

You can just about find a version in every high street store; Zara, Aldo, New Look, Topshop, Carvela, Office and River Island and the pairs I’ve seen are hot, hot, hot!

Last season River Island did the Gladiator heel (as seen above) in black and they were sublime. They’ve now altered the colours for Spring and have brown and beige… ‘Are they as hot as the black pair? No, but I’m sure they could still be rocked and rocked well’. Visit http://www.riverisland.com/

TREND WATCH: SOFT LEATHER JACKET

Jeez… if the credit crunch wasn’t biting at my wallet so fiercely, then I would have invested in several different types as there are too many on the high street right now. So many in fact, I’ve had to put a temporary ban on my weekly trips to Bluewater with Boss Lady just in case the MasterCard decides to pop out for a quick swipe.

For instance, let’s take the white studded leather jacket from Topshop. Costing £130, its biker chic and it’s a definite statement piece. It’s new for spring (I think) and I’m hoping it will be available online in the next few weeks (Well, I am but my accountants not)…as I’m not about to trek to Oxford Circus to go fight through the crowds made up of London College of Fashion students, young teenage girls and their Mum’s who have come down to London for a ‘day trip to Topshop’s flagship’ and tourists… no thanks.

Also, I’m eagerly waiting for what Reiss and All Saints have to offer on this trend, as you know anything they produce is 100% ‘hot’. A message to all ‘Fierce List retailers ‘Hurry up with the sales already. Everyone knows the stock left is rubbish as all the good stuff goes in the first few days, (if not first week) of the sales. We’re ready for the new gear’.

I’M IN NEED OF A …

… Feathered bolero, having not taken a fancy to ANY of the shaggy gilets which have been confirmed as a ‘must buy’ this season by ALL fashion glossies. The feathered bolero looks far more edgy and ‘statement – esque’ than the gilet. Of the MANY followers of fashion I've seen wear the gilet; it just sang out to me they were wearing it because Vogue told them too. The feathered bolero is a harder look to achieve, so will keep some people watching from the sidelines, which I like. I was unable to ‘save as’ on the Topshop Ostrich version in plum from their website, so I’ve screen grabbed it instead… see above screen grab.

TREND WATCH: JUMP TO IT!

Yes, I love fashion but I wouldn’t say I’m a slave to it. I follow trends regularly and if I like them and more importantly if they suit me, then yes, I do go out and buy a few pieces to reflect it. But jump on the bang wagon ‘just because?’ No sir, not me. I think a person who has an individual style is much more of a ‘fashionista’ than someone who buys every ‘statement or investment’ piece fashion glossies like Grazia, Marie Claire and Vogue tells them. Anyhow, one trend I absolutely love, adore and have succumbed to, is that of the jumpsuit. It can be day or evening jumpsuits, either way the result is instant, full on glamour. I bought one from the Reiss SS 08 collection (image above to the left) and it’s so damn fierce that I’d happily wear it every time I’m due to go out on the razz.

Luckily for me (or though I wouldn’t care), the jumpsuit is set to be still on trend two seasons after I spent my £135 for my silk version, so happy days! You need to check out designers who have been sensible enough to include this trend in their AW 08 collections. Check the picture of the AW 08 ‘Ready to wear’ jumpsuit from Preen (far right) – it’s a keeper I tell you. Ahhh I’m in fashion heaven…. this eighties throwback is so to die for! Should you not be able to afford the Preen prices, check out Topshop who currently do two versions priced at £35 and £50.