The Ultimate Spring Summer Shorts Edit

I’ve been a bit reluctant this season to go out and squander money on a my spring summer wardrobe refreshers, this is mainly due to the fact you just don’t know what this British weather is going to do, one minute its piping hot and then the next there are thunderous storms.

Nether the less I’d say now is a good time to start shopping with intent for all your summer buys because if you leave it any longer you won’t have a chance to wear any of it and all the stores will be filled with sale goods making it near impossible to find anything in the right size in.

One spring summer essential that should be making their way into everybody’s wardrobe this season are a good pair of summer shorts. And who says you have to stop at one pair?

This season has been all about Bermuda cuts, silk numbers as well denim spectaculars which are all the hottest styles to be rocking this season.

Shorts have a lot of scope when it comes to styling them which is why for many they are a wardrobe favorite. Shorts are just great because no matter the occasion you can form a decent outfit whether it’s for work or look just for a bit of quick down town shopping.

The styling options with shorts are simply endless...you can team them with heels, flatties tights or socks all of which the accessories will you to channel a personal style aesthetic.

With so many awesome high street and designer styles out there this season its even hard knowing where to begin? I’ve made life a little easier and trolled through online stores to give you the ultimate top 10 edit...

One: Topshop

These acid mint denim hot pants are the perfect way to inject a bit of colour into your looks this summer. These would look super cool with a crop top or meshed pieces this summer.

Two: Revolve Clothing

These leather inspired shorts carry the most intricate cut out detailing. This style of short  would work well for the office teamed with a white oversized shirt and pair of androgynous flat shoes.

Three: Nastygal

These baby blue structured shorts are the sartorial dream. These shorts make the perfect special occasion style pick. Wear these high waist shorts with a white chiffon top, pointed stiletto pumps with an oversized clutch and hair slicked back for a chic fashion forward look this summer.

Four:  La Garconne

I love when a traditional garment piece takes on new forms and cuts. These shorts are the epitome of innovation in garment construction these shorts don’t even take on a normal silhouette of shorts in which this piece looks more like a skirt.

Five: Chicnova

Stylish summer shorts that see and unusual waist band are the perfect little number to team with a daisy duke bra top. Wear this with your fave pair of sandals or cut out ankle boots this summer and have heads turning at your hot style!

Six: Farfetch

Make a statement this summer with this old comic strip printed Moschino vintage shorts. These would make up the key aspect of your look so team this eye popping shorts with plain colours.

Seven: The Outnet

Rick Owens black shiny slouchy Bermuda shorts are the casual style pick of the season. Dress this up with a pair of strappy stilettos or a Nike vest top and pool sliders for a chilled summer look.

Eight: Avenue 32

Thesse cotton candy pink tailored shorts would look awesome teamed with whites and creams this season where a laced or crochet style of top will blend perfectly with the feminine accents these shorts ooze.

Nine: Net-a-porter

These Etro pants have the most tropical inspired amazing print that I’ve seen this season. Wear these silk little numbers with a bikini on holiday for a stunning beach look.

Ten: Net-a-porter

These divine black lace crochet shorts are a romantically beautiful. This is a style that you can work with so many different looks. The cut and design is classic making this a pick that you can rock season after season!

There you have it the ultimate S/S 14 edit. Which ones would you go for?

Best of ASOS: Sunglasses

I know the weather is gloomy and grey but holiday season is literally just around the corner so try not to get too disheartened! If like us you’re getting a touch excited over the prospect of swapping drizzly commutes for poolside cocktails then you’ll probably also be mentally putting together your holiday wardrobe.

The thing is, we’re all busy people; we don’t all have time to sift through the ether to find the perfect pair of sliders or that bikini that’s going to make us look like a Wildfox model. But one thing we can help you out with is sunnies.

We understand that you don’t have the time to go through the literally thousands of pairs of sunglasses currently on ASOS. Also all that clicking through pages is enough to potentially impair your holiday with a serious bout of RSI.

So we’ve done the hard work for you and collated what we think are the best pairs of sunglasses on ASOS right now. So whether you’re into cat-eye frames, John Lennon style round ones or something really a little different then we’ve got you covered!

ASOS Flat top Cat Eye Sunglasses - £12

ASOS Keyhole Round Sunglasses with mirror lens - £12

Cheap Monday Round Sunglasses - £25

Quay Venna Mirrored Sunglasses - £25

Jeepers Peepers River Round Sunglasses - £18

 ASOS Matte Flat Top Cat Eye with Blue Lens - £12

ASOS Cat Eye Sunglasses - £10

 AJ Morgan Cateye Hands off Sunglasses - £18

ASOS Pointy Cat Eye Sunglasses - £12

 Sheriff&Cherry D Frame Sunglasses - £86

ASOS Metal Nose Bridge Kitten Sunglasses £12

Linda Farrow for Phillip Lim Mirrored Sunset Glasses - £204

Ashish x Topshop: The Tenth Collection

Topshop's collaboration with Ashish must be one of the most enduring relationships between a designer label and high street brand, beaten only by Stella McCartney’s tenure at Adidas. The quirky and slightly OTT designer, probably best known for his sequins and overblown slogans, has brought his signature kitsch to Topshop once again, with a new collection that arrives online and in stores this Thursday (29^th May).

This time around, his signature sequins have almost entirely been phased out, and replaced with LED lights. They line the soles of his platform sneakers and edge along the seams of transparent backpacks, taking their holographic feel to new heights. “I think the LED lights are almost like light-up sequins,” he told Vogue.co.uk, “Sequins are like a long-term love, this collection is like my holiday fling!”

And it’s an appropriate way to look at the range, which was inspired by the idea of a ‘Paradise Hotel’ and riffs heavily on vacation motifs. Beach towels, dresses and oversized t-shirts are plastered with slogans like “My name is _. My room number is _.”, “Please Service” or “Son of a Beach”, for a tongue-in-cheek twist on the designer’s sense of humour.

Then there are racer-back swimsuits, fishnet dresses and plastic sunglasses, with one round eye and one square. It’s all kitsch, over the top and only for the brave – but that makes it one of the most exciting high street drops of the year.

Kate Phelan, Topshop’s creative director said “Ashish brings his humour and style together to create a fashion collection for beach to bedroom, pool to club. Light-up trainers, towelling hoodies and towel wrap-dresses make hotel style the ultimate look for summer.”

While we’re not sure that Ashish alone can bring towelling back into fashion, the collection is definitely a punchy summer update, designed for those of who prefer making a statement over playing it safe.

Available at Topshop from 29 May 2014.

Summer Style: Sheer Socks

Sheer socks are trending this summer they are piece that can instantly give you a fashion forward look. 

I know socks are the last thing you really think of for summer but sheer socks are this season’s essential accessory that you can style with a wide variety of shoes.

No matter what time of the year it is you need socks! In the winter months you really need socks to keep your tootsies all nice and warm. In the summer you may think that its not as important based on warmth but in reality you need socks just as much in summer to stop your feet from smelling.

Sheer socks are the summer sock style to be wearing this season not only for their practical function but for its stylish aesthetic also. There are so many sheer sock styles available this season, from ankle to knee length to embellished and bright colours. However you choose to wear sheer socks this season it will instantly give you enhance your look this season.

Here is my top 10 edit of the most stylish high street and designer sheer sock styles on offer….

One: Asos

 These nude sheer socks have a floral design embossed onto them. These teamed with cut out ankle boots or sandals will add that subtle depth to your look. This style would look particularly good teamed with nude pumps which will also help to elongate your legs further. 

Two: Ebay

These stripy sheer socks are in a cool striped rainbow design. Summer is all about colour and if your usually not one to wear colour in your clothes then opting for this style pick will effortlessly add a pop of colour into your ensemble without it being too garish for your style.

Three: Nastygal

These daisy ankle socks are a cute little number that will give any look you team them with that extra added depth. This style would look fashion forward with a pair of this season’s chunky style sandals.

Four: Lord and Taylor 

These grey and sheer ankle socks are one of this season’s most unusual styles. This style will add that feminine edge to a pair of foot bed sandals this summer.

Five: Nordstorm 

These striking sheer socks by Kate Spade are available in array of colours. This style is bold and will make a statement with any shoes you team with them.

Six: Selfridges

These knee high socks are in an unusual design for a sock style that sheer. They feature a tartan square like design which would look super awesome teamed with worker boots and shorts.

Seven: Chicnova

Stripy sheer knee high socks in a printed navy colour. These socks are a piece that will give your look that added depth and texture as well as being a good transitional sock that you can work with your autumn wardrobe.

Eight: Swell

Work a piece of feminine attitude into your look with these stylish lace socks. These socks will not only add that pop of colour into your summer look but they will also give your style aesthetic that soft sultry touch.

Nine: Boohoo

This design of ankle socks is simple and plain but it’s a style pick that anyone can work with their shoes and ensembles. They come in all black with frilly detailing around the top.

Ten: Dorthy Perkins

These floral socks are the perfect way to work one of these seasons’ biggest trends in a subtle way. Team these with cut out ankle boots or chunky platform sandals for a fashion forward street style.

Best of ... Nasty Gal

Sophia Amoruso went from petty thief to the CEO of one of the most important online retailers in a few short years. From the humble origins of an eBay store called Nasty Gal Vintage which sold thrifted items from local charity shops Nasty Gal in its current guise boasts a staggering $100 million in sales.

With the release of her new book #GIRLBOSS out earlier this month we thought it was high time we used the excuse to scour the hundreds of items on Nastygal.com for the best of, here’s what we’ve found.

Nasty Gal Up In Arms Skirt - £30.92 - http://www.nastygal.com/whats-new/nasty-gal-up-in-arms-skirt

Nasty Gal Islander Crochet Midi Dress - £76.12 - http://www.nastygal.com/whats-new/nasty-gal-islander-crochet-midi-dress

Wrap it Up Top - £28.55 - http://www.nastygal.com/whats-new/wrap-it-up-top

Said Too Much Clutch - £23.79 - http://www.nastygal.com/whats-new/said-too-much-clutch

Just Female Merle Dress - £50.55 - http://www.nastygal.com/clothes-dresses/just-female-merle-dress

Seabrook Maxi Dress - £34.39 - http://www.nastygal.com/clothes-dresses/seabrook-maxi-dress

Adrianne Dress - £43.69 - http://www.nastygal.com/clothes-dresses/adrianne-dress

UNIF H8 Jersey Dress - £59.47 - http://www.nastygal.com/clothes-dresses/unif-h8-jersey-dress

MinkPink Twist and Shout Crop Knit - £54.71 - http://www.nastygal.com/clothes-sweaters/minkpink-twist-and-shout-crop-knit

Let’s Line Up Tank – 16.65 - http://images01.nastygal.com/resources/nastygal/images/products/processed/43654.0.zoom.jpg

Summer-Ready Workwear

Pulling together a work-appropriate wardrobe can be tricky when the temperature suddenly skyrockets. We’re mid-heatwave in London right now, and anything fitted or tailored just isn’t going to look right. But at the same time, flimsy sundresses and lightweight crop tops aren’t ideal for the office. Luckily there are three trends striking the balance right now, whether you prefer loud colours and full shapes, long length shorts or pared-back layers of white. Here’s everything you need to nail them.

White on White

White denim is back, but probably not as you remember it. Skinny, distressed jeans are much cooler than the styles rocked by yummy mummies back in the early 2000s, especially when you pair them with a matching shirt. You probably already own one, which makes life even easier. Just add sunglasses and a pair of Birkenstocks or pool sliders, and swap the shredded denim for flowing trousers if you work in a more formal office.

1.       Shirt – Angela Mele Milano

2.       Sandals – Birkenstock, available at ASOS

3.       Jeans - Current/Elliott

4.       Bag – Helmut Lang 

Culottes

This summer’s most fashionable silhouette is – brilliantly – completely appropriate for the office. Wide-legged culottes cover up the legs but are as comfortable as a maxi skirt on near-tropical city days (as long as you avoid anything too fitted at the waist).

1.       Top – H&M

2.      Sandals - Collective Habit

3.   Clutch - Clare Vivier

4.   Culottes - Topshop

Full Skirts

For a more feminine approach, a full midi-length skirt is on-trend right now too. Go for tropical colours and a bold print to keep it looking modern, and tuck a t-shirt in at the waist. Embellishments, like a beaded tee, statement necklace or metallic texture will keep it looking sharp rather than slouchy, so you’re free to clash colour and pattern together.

1.       T-shirt – Mango

2.   Sunglasses – Ray Ban

3.    Bag - Lodis 

4.   Skirt - MSGM