LFW is over for another season but no need to worry if you didn’t catch the shows. Get ahead of the fashion pack and read our pick of the shows and trends we loved for SS12.

Sunday

Margaret Howell

Queen of the crisp, white shirt, Margaret Howell, got a sleepy Sunday off to a great start.  Classic feminine dressing was on the agenda, with failsafe staples like Breton stripes, a relatively plain palette of navy and white with subtle polka dots and flashes of of zesty yellows and coral pinks. Blazers, shirts and wide leg tailored trousers point to a sophisticated summer populated with classically chic pieces to achieve an effortless, but knockout style. Silhouettes were clean and floaty, with a theme of comfortable office wear.

Mulberry

By far the most coveted show of Sundays offering, if not the whole of LFW, quintessentially British brand Mulberry offered up a beautiful show which took us on a journey into the world according to Mulberry, a world I think you’ll agree we all wished we lived in ( a world where you’re greeted by balloon animals and ice cream from the customised Mulberry ice cream van).  Models emerged from a fun fair scene, to the sound of ‘oh I do like to be beside the seaside’, an homage to British seaside resorts from Bognor to Blackpool.  Attire reflected this influence, next summer expect to take a stroll along the pier in flowy chiffon pleated maxi skirts, cute rain macs, embellished dresses and lace trims. Styles were complimented with a palette of ice cream hues in lemon, nude and green, counteracted with sheer black and floral patterned maxis.  Hair was back combed at the crown, a la 60s bombshell, with natural beauty enhancing make up.

Nicole Farhi

With Anna Wintour making her Front row debut, the Nicole Farhi show quickly upped the fashion week stakes. Girly shift dresses, voluminous blouses, and kimono style silhouettes showed a new dimension to the Farhi woman. Tones of coral and yellow were accented with sorbet shades of pink. Green and white.  Water colour florals were splashed over loose fitting tunics and frilled one shoulder dresses. Easy, fluid dressing suitable for the office or a picnic.

Monday

Burberry Prorsom

Perhaps the most coveted show of the whole of LFW, this is the reason many international editors and buyers endure the ‘in between New York and Milan phase’. Whether it’s the celebrity sightings, the beautiful models (both Cara Delevingne and Jourdan Dunn walked in this season’s show) or the clothes themselves, Burberry Prorsom is never one to disappoint.  Focusing on a decidedly different palette from those we’ve seen so far, Christopher Bailey’s girls sashayed down the catwalk in autumnal tones of navy, plum and forest green, there was the occasional accent of yellow as we have seen previously however, a noticeably duller, or perhaps more sensible palette depending on how you look at it, was prevalent at LFWs biggest show.

Giles

Setting a magical tone at the Royal Courts of Justice the Giles show was filed with drama, opulence and sparkle.  Beautiful ball gowns finished with ruffles and feathers in shimery silver with accents of lilac glistened as the girls sashayed down the catwalk.  Playful prints of swans were splashed over shift dresses, blouses and trousers with accents of ruby red and sheer panelling. A delightful show putting statement dressing firmly on the agenda for SS12.

Erdem

Monday was all about the location and Erdem followed in grand succession by putting on his stunning performance in the ballroom of The Savoy.  Signature grown up florals in ice blue, red and yellow set against a back drop of laser cut white and sheer nude shaped the collection. Key styles of 50s off the shoulder shift dresses, button up shirts and calf length skirts evoked a sense of ladylike ‘at the races’ styling.

Tuesday

Aquascutum

Soft tailoring was on the agenda for Aquascutum in feminine nudes and white with splashes of acid yellow and sheer black. From high necked sheer sleeveless blouses to tailored knee length shorts and tweed double hemmed skirt suits, the look was power dressing with relaxed styling of summer.  An acid yellow silk maxi dress took centre stage and the mix in textures from quirky stand out pieces like shiny, ‘PVC ‘ like trousers and vest tops, made for a diverse and exciting collection.

Amanda Wakeley

Here we see another designer promoting power dressing with a distinctly feminine twist. Amanda Wakeley’s collection is both wearable and accessible. She designs for the woman who seeks comfort but yearns for those stand out pieces which yield anything but.  With beautiful flowy fabrics and wearable prints of flattering bold stripes in red and white, chic Grecian draped dresses in hues of olive and bright blue as well as those sensible loose tailored pieces in charcoal and navy, Wakeley’s collection effortlessly fuses classic femininity with bold styling.

Did you catch any shows? What’s your favourite up coming trend for SS12?

London Fashion week round up: The final few is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

The date’s been confirmed, the venue’s been booked and we’re all putting our names down for a night of raucous drinking and dancing.

Yes dear reader, ‘tis the season of the ‘Christmas work do’. And, the question on everyone’s lips right now is, ‘are you dressing up?’ My response has so far been a rather vague ‘sort of’, because deciding what to wear for the occasion can be a bit of a minefield. ‘Is that too dressy?’ ‘Is this too casual?’ ‘Why bother?’ are the thoughts that inevitably circulate in your mind. So, before you make your decision, make like Julie Andrews in the ‘Sound of Music’ and ‘start from the very beginning, a very good place to start’…with the location.

Obviously the location of your staff party can act as a helpful aid in directing you to sartorial success. If your party is held in an upmarket bar or club, then wear something you’d normally wear on a Saturday night out. However, if it’s in a pub or bowling alley, you’re fine to go in jeans and a casual top.

 Timing is also key. If you’re going straight from the office to the venue, then you have two options:

 1) Wear your outfit during the day and go straight to the party

  or (and this is my preferred option)

 2) Bring a change of clothes and do a quick Clark Kent in the cubicle of your office loos.

I personally think that you can’t fail with the tried and tested smart casual look, so go for classic smart jeans and a tailored shirt. If you want to make a night out of it, then you could opt for tailored trousers – but remember – if it’s cold, then it’s a good idea to add a smartly tailored jacket to keep you warm and add a touch of sophistication.

Avoid ties or bow ties unless your ‘do’ is formal but do inject a bit of personality into what you wear by adding a colourful pocket square or some jazzy cufflinks. Finish off your outfit with some smartly polished shoes and you’re all set to look cool for yule!

So, is it all worth it? 

In my mind, yes. Going the extra distance and consciously making a bit of an effort with your outfit can only be a positive thing. Not only will you look and feel good, but you’re bound to receive positive comments from your colleagues and maybe even that much sought after nod of approval from your boss. (Mine will be reading this, so fingers crossed!)

I can’t promise that donning your new designer shirt will give your boss cause to give you that pay rise/promotion/pat on the shoulder you’ve been angling for, but it can’t hurt, right?

Here are a selection of my favourite potential work Christmas party outfits:

Explained: Office Party Style is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Personally I love the challenge of finding a great new coat every winter, so armed with the many lessons I’ve learned along the way, I’ve pulled together a guide to help you find your perfect winter coat…

The Guide:

It helps to break your criteria down through a process of elimination, so just ask yourself the following questions and answers and eventually you’ll be left with your winning winter warmer. Parfait!

1) Do I want a smart coat?

If you often wear smart clothes or are after a coat for wearing to and from work, then a smartly tailored coat is going to be the best choice for you. A clean lined wool coat will sit perfectly over suiting and keep you warm too.

2) Do I wear navy trousers or black trousers more?

Colour is always a personal choice, but as every well-dressed man-about-town knows, mixing navy with black is a no-no. If you personally favour navy trousers, then aim for browns and greens that enhance and set off blue tones. On the other hand, if you tend to wear black trousers, then of course choose a black coat or one in a shade of grey to make a classically striking contrast. Grey also goes well with navy trousers, so if you wear both black and navy shades then a grey coat is the one for you.

3) What size should I get?

Obviously try your regular size first. I’ve always tried to make sure there is allowance of space for thick knitwear or suits that you’ll wear beneath it, so keep this in mind when purchasing or even better, wear your suit/chunky jumper when you try the coat on. When you do try it on, the key areas to focus on are the shoulders, cuffs and chest. Ask yourself the following:

Do the shoulders sit well on your frame?

 Make sure they don’t jut out beyond your shoulders.

Are the cuffs touching the end of your wrist/beginning of your hand?

 Sleeves that are too short make you look like an overgrown child, (think back to the child in your primary school class who wore ‘half-mast’ trousers and shrunken jumpers) which is never a good look.

What’s my chest size?

The chest is a key area. Use your normal chest size as a guide and then ensure the fit on the chest is neither too big nor too small.

4) What style?

This is where you can let your personality and style shine through. Keep in mind the times you’ll be wearing the coat most in order to decide between a smart or casual design. AW 2010 coats for men have two clear winners as the must-haves of the season.

The duffle coat is a timeless classic that’s made a comeback in a big way. With the essential toggle fastenings, hood and warm wool fabric, the duffle coat instantly conjures up images of school days, protesting 1960s Parisian students and Paddington Bear. Go for a traditional design or one of the many updated styles on offer.

Quilted jackets are the other ‘on-trend’ choice and there is a wealth of options available. These jackets give you excellent warmth (I often refer to mine as my ‘portable duvet’ as it’s so cosy) and they look great worn with both jeans or tailored trousers for that archetypal city boy look.

Here are a few of my favourites this season…

Get out there for your outerwear: A shoppers guide to finding the perfect coat is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

 As I endure my daily commute, my eyes have been drawn to something so terrible that I find it hard to retell…

On more than one occasion I have had the dismay of witnessing an average businessman wearing his well-made well-tailored suit accessorised with nothing other a shabby backpack.

Wearing a backpack when you are not hiking or in fulltime education is bad enough but to put so much effort into making yourself look professional and smart, and then to go and ruin it with a backpack is just baffling.

It is not only a crime against fashion, but does it really send out the best message? When a promotion is on the table it could just be the difference between you and Dave from accounts with the dapper briefcase.

Ok, so perhaps I am getting carried away, but detail is important both in outfitting and at work. ‘What can I use instead?’ I hear you cry, well, the obvious and most traditional bag for men of the working world has always been the briefcase. The briefcase has recently been enjoying a renaissance and all the top designers now offer their update on the menswear accessory classic.

But then there is also the satchel with a shoulder strap that makes it both incredibly stylish and practical. Then, of course there is the modern ‘man bag’, in fact there’s a wealth of stylish yet practical options for us chaps to choose from for work. There is really no excuse.

I personally like to match my bag with the rest of my leathers of that day, so for example; if I’m wearing brown leather loafers, my belt and watch will be in the same shade along with my bag for the day. It makes a subtle but confident statement. But for your first transition from backpack to grown ups bag, just a stylish bag is enough.

So men of the city I appeal to you to please bin your backpacks and invest in a new bag that you can carry off with style, let the backpack wear you no more and show Dave in accounts just who’s boss.

Here are some of my favourite men’s bags perfect for work:

Commuter crimes of fashion is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Q: So everytime I go shopping I see shoulder pads. My friends are telling me that shoulder pads are back but I’m scared that I’ll look like an 80s throwback. Apparently they’ve been transformed into a modern shape, but why would I wear something to make myself look bigger? I’m a size 12 and am quite tall, I quite fancy giving them ago, but are they impossible to wear?

A: Yes shoulder pads are indeed back and they are the hottest look of the season. And a heads up, they’re not going away, shoulder pads were still dominating the Spring Summer 2010 catwalks. The good news is you’re right the 2009/2010 shoulder pad is slimmer and more triangular. Rather than those power shoulders of the eighties, the look is sexier and flirty. The good thing about shoulder pads is that they will make your waist look smaller, the bad news is if you have broad shoulders this is a look to definitely avoid. If you want to dabble then try a padded t-shirt or jumper. Oasis have a great padded polo neck, £15 whilst Warehouse have a crew neck top with very subtle shoulder pad detail, £35.

If you’re more daring then a shoulder pad mini dress or leather jacket is perfect. Make sure everything on your bottom half is narrow, so skinny jeans, leggings, boots or ankle boots. Avoid anything voluminous or any pointy shoe, otherwise you will look like an 80s reject. Because the new styles are close fitting they will show off your shape, so they will be surprisingly flattering. If you’re still not entirely convinced then experiment with items with embellishment on the shoulders. These won’t give such a dramatic silhouette, but they will be a nod to the trend. Definitely try a shoulder pad top on because you will be amazed at how easy shoulder pads are to wear and how good they look.

Help! I look like a reject from Dynasty! is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Q: I quite like all the fuchsia and bright orange bathrooms around at the moment. But I’m scared that if I invest in really really bright colours that I’ll get bored of them quickly or they’ll just look stupid. And I really like those Cath Kidston type roses and polka dots, but I have a modern flat and just don’t think they’ll go. Have you got any solutions for a chic bathroom?

A: If you want to go bright you really have to be dedicated, but bright shades can really invigorate a bathroom. Brights are particularly good for spicing up an otherwise plain white bathroom. If you want a more seductive sultry look then it’s best to go for moody shades. Charcoals and black work well with white bathrooms, but are amazing against grey or black slate. This look androgynous and therefore ideal for stylish women and equally stylish men. In order to make sure that it’s not overly oppressive, add in mirrored or metallic accessories to reflect light.

The simplest way to bring a fresh look is with some decent towels, we love these Linea Finesse towels in black, from £8, the metallic thread detail is so simple yet so effective. Love them or hate them, a bath mat is a necessity, we rate the Linea Deep pile reversible mat in ebony, £20. For accessories you can’t go wrong with Umbra’s rain range, from £10, the pewter finish is just stunning. Don’t clutter up your bathroom, and keep all your products tidied away for a sleek finish, the Linea 4 tier-unit, £45 is great if you don’t have room for units or shelves but need some extra storage space. The other way to update is to bring in typical living accessories such as vases for long stem flowers, scented candles and a jasmine plant is a bizarre but brilliant accessory. If you have the space an armchair works amazingly well and is perfect for bathside chats or for throwing your clothes on. If you go for this pick an unusual print and one with depth such as Linea’s Milano occasional chair £599 in smoke or a padded dining chair can look equally chic.

If you play with accessories then you can completely change the look of your bathroom without doing anything drastic. It also means, that if you tire of a look then it can be updated again with another shade of towels or unusual accessories. The key is to pick a colour palette, realise what you use and need, then have fun.

Help! My bathroom is boring! is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Pictured: Satin de Luxe tights, £30, Wolford

Q: Now that winter is here, I need to start wearing tights again, but I don’t know where to start. There used to be just black or sheer, and now I feel so overwhelmed with all the deniers, colours, footless, toeless, cellulite banishing, lace, stockings, over knee socks. It’s like another world. I work in an office and dress smartly, so I need some decent work tights, but I would love to have a go at some of the fashion tights. But what to pick and how do I wear them?

 A: Ah yes, welcome to the world of hosiery. Gone are the days of a choice between 40 or 60 denier. Instead you can have everything from 10 to 120 and they come in every conceivable and at times inconceivable form. We recommend an opaque or above 60 denier for workwear. Although sheer black tights feel like the right option, they can make you look dated, sheer nearly black aka grey is a big no no. Sheer black tights look amazing for a high fashion look and with a highly styled outfit. But for day to day an opaque will look modern and more practical. Alternatively a ribbed tight is a great way to work texture into your wardrobe. If you do want a sexier look then seamed tights and stocking definitely have the sex factor, but it’s a thin line between femme fatale and fatal fashion.

 For off duty looks, coloured and lacy tights are great, but again pick your outfit wisely. Cream and black lace tights are on trend and are easy to work into most outfits, and plum shades of tight work well with grey, black, navy, purple and mustard. Be wary of really bright shades, they are notoriously hard to get right and can leave you looking like you’ve got some strange skin disorder.  If in doubt play it safe because tights really can make or break an outfit.

Click here to shop tights

Help! What tights should I wear?! is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Q: I have a really important interview for a new job and no idea what to wear. Where I currently work is pretty casual and I’m in the creative industries so it tends to be quite a laidback look. I want to look stylish, yet smart but still want to feel like me, I don’t think I could pull of a full suit, any suggestions?

A: There are some jobs where a suit is a must for an interview, but with our more casual approach to workwear, dressing the part gets harder rather than easier. As a rule, I don’t believe in jeans to an interview, even black ones make me nervous. The stigma around jeans remains, and although you’d wear them to work does not mean you can dress down for the interview. The best bet is to go for a formal trouser, such as wool. Pair the formal trousers with a shirt and knit, but leave the tie and jacket at home. The shoes should be smart but not necessarily a work wear style, so perhaps a nice loafer or slightly casual brogue. Don’t go for overly bright colours, but it is worth having something about you that stands out, whether that be a patterned shirt or quirky cufflinks. This will keep you in the interviewer’s mind, when they think back on the day. And don’t forget to be early, choose your outfit the night before and have it ready. Hope that helps! Click here to check out our men’s ranges.

Fashion Crisis: Help! Get me that job! is a post from: House of Fraser Blog

Q: I love the plum lips that I’ve seen all the celebs sporting, but I’m scared that I’ll get mistaken for a goth! I’m not even sure where to start, do I wear eye shadow? If so, what shade? And how do I pick the right shade of plum? I have quite pale skin. I’m desperate to try this look but don’t know what to do, please help!

A: Yes, the vampy lip trend is a fabulous one, yet notoriously difficult to create. And there’s a fine line between looking like the stunning Megan Fox and resembling a Twilight reject. The first step is not to panic. Second step is to make sure that your lips are in tip top condition. Darker shades will always show up chapped lips so make sure you’ve been using a good lip balm before you choose to adopt this look. The next step is to spend some time looking at shades. If you’re not used to wearing much colour then opt for a lighter shade of plum, we recommend Prescriptives Colorscope lipcolour in Scarlet Minx, £15, it’s dark without being full on. If however you’re looking for a full throttle plum then try Dior’s Vibrant couture colour lipstick in decadent plum, £19, it’s a beautiful on trend colour.

So now you’ve picked your colour you’ll want to invest in a lip liner, we suggest buying a liner from the same brand as your lipstick as they will have created one to suit. YSL’s lip liner in No. 11 plum, £14 is a perfect shade. First apply the liner, then start to fill in the lips. The lips are dark but not overly filled, so work the lipstick on lightly preferably using a lip brush and build layers until you reach your ideal shade. As for make up, steer clear of bright blushers and overly bold eye shadows. Keep the cheek gently flushed with a soft pink or peach, and the eyes nude. Keep a mirror and lipstick handy as you will need to top up your look throughout the day.

If that sounds like too much hassle, then you could try a lip tint for a more long lasting nod towards the lip trend. Benefit’s Benetint, £22.50 leaves the lips a deep sexy red.

Fashion Crisis: Help! I look like a Vampire! is a post from: House of Fraser Blog