Trends I'm loving: Leather trim

New Look: Grey Leather-look Trim Tshirt - £8.99, Dark Blue Animal Jacquard Leather-Look Trim Skater Skirt - £17.99, Grey Leather-Look Trim Jumper - £22.99, Parisian Red Check PU Trim Shorts - £19.99

Leather is a tricky item of clothing. Personally I like to stay clear of it unless it's a cool leather (fake) jacket, but lately I've been really, really loving leather accents on clothing. Just a subtle hint of leather (again, fake) really gives a top, skirt or shorts a really interesting edge.

I've seen this absolutely everywhere, it seems to be part of a bit of an edgy/alternative trend and I've already got in on the trend and have purchased the above tshirt as well as another from Zara. The leather trim look is perfect for the autumn season as it really toughens up an outfit without much effort. In particular I'm loving leather trim necklines as while it gives an interesting twist to the top it also acts a a kind of necklace, meaning you don't have to worry about accessorising because your accessory is already built into the top. I say it's pretty genius to be honest.

As I mentioned I already have the above black/white leather trim top and I absolutely love it. It's really comfortable and quite loose fitting so easy to team with jeans or skirts. There was a red/black version I was keen to buy as well and I may need to go back to the shop to get it. I also really like the tartan shorts with the leather waistband, however I fear nobody would actually see the band unless you wore a cropped top or something tucked in. The leather trim trend fits well with tartan and the whole 'alternative' look that I've spied taking up a good portion of the New Look shop floor. I personally love tartan but only on other people, I am too much of a wuss to wear it myself.

What do you think of the leather trim trend? Will you be buying into it and accessorising everything you own with little hints of leather or pleather?


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Trends I'm currently loving: Military

Topshop: Viscose Scarf - £12, Khaki Studded Shorts - £35
New Look: Khaki and Faux Leather Jacket - £44.99
Internacionale: Khaki Skinny Jeans - £17

Left, right, left, right

Once again it's time for the Military/Khaki/Camo trend to return. It seems to return every other year or so and this time around I'm really loving it.

The jacket above has been catching my eye on pretty much every online shopping site I visit. I spotted another version in Primark and I so wish I had picked it up or at least tried it on! I love the khaki green and leather twist.

I very nearly bought myself a pair of khaki skinny jeans at the weekend but there was just something in the back of my head that was stopping me. They're not normally a colour I'd go for so I think I would need to try them on with a few different pieces in order to know how I'd work them into my wardrobe! I think these are going to be an item I will keep thinking about and eventually end up buying...we'll see!

If, like me, you aren't so confident about the military trend then I think wearing military accessories is a great way to incorporate it. I recently purchased a green/khaki scarf and really loved wearing it so I'd certainly recommend accessorising with the military trend to help ease you in.

What do you think of the military trend?

Trends I'm currently loving: Berry shades

New Look: Plum Horse Print T-Shirt - £9.99
Topshop: Ariya Skirt by Goldie - £45, Lipstick in Inhibition - £8, Lace Trim Ankle Socks - £3.50, Heart Crossbody Bag - £22
Internacionale: Plum Supersoft Skinny Jeans - £17.99
ASOS: NARS eyeshadow pencil - £16.50

While browsing various fashion websites I've noticed a new colour combination cropping up everywhere.

Plum and berry/cherry shades are perfect for Autumn/Winter dressing and the trend has already started to creep into my own wardrobe.

I have personally worn a berry shade with something else that is quite plain, such as a black or white. This way the shade really pops in your outfit and you don't really have to work too hard!

The shades can be teamed with a simple print. For instance, the Horse Print Tshirt above is a great subtle way to add even more interest to an outfit!

Plum and berry shades aren't just cropping up in clothing, but also accessories and make-up. A plum/berry coloured woolen scarf would make the perfect cosy winter accessory with a cool winter coat.

Are you loving the plum/berry trend for Autumn/Winter?

Trends I'm currently loving: Peplums

Topshop: Peplum Heart Back Dress - £55, Peplum Tunic - £26
New Look: Inspire Black Scuba Peplum Top - £19.99

Dorothy Perkins: Bird Print Peplum Top - £27
Matalan: Floral Print Peplum Top - £14
Miss Selridge: Cream Lace Peplum Top - £32

Peplums are everywhere right now. I love how they bring a flirty and girly edge to any top, skirt or dress and they're one of my favourite trends right now.

The peplum adds a little bit of volume and the illusion of curves to any outfit. The peplum top looks great with a slick pencil skirt for a real smart outfit.

Dropped peplum hems are also pretty popular as seen above in the Coral dress. While this style doesn't really suit me personally it does look great on other people. I much prefer peplum tops as they make me feel a tiny bit more glamorous than usual and give a subtle nod to the 1960s.

What do you think of the peplum trend?

Trends I'm currently loving: Stripes

Motel: Skinny Jordan Jeans - £48
Missguided: Darine Monochrome Stripe Leggings - £9.99
Topshop: RARE Stripe Pocket Top - £36, Stripe Mini Bodycon Skirt - £25, Striped Pencil Skirt - £28, MOTO High Waisted Stripe Shorts £32
ASOS: ALDO Orear Stripe Bag - £35

I have always loved stripes and despite them being the 'trend' every Spring/Summer, I wear them all year round. At the moment I'm loving the different coloured stripes that have come out, as opposed to the usual nautical style blue/navy and white.

I'm loving the stripey shorts and skirts from Topshop and am definitely going to be trying to work something similar into my own wardrobe, but perhaps at a cheaper price. In particular, black and white stripes are huge right now but I'm not so sure I could pull of some jeans or leggings. I'm only used to wearing stripes as a top or a dress!

I tend to pair anything stripey with something plain. For instance I wear most of my striped tops with plain skinny jeans or a plain skirt. I always think it's better to play it safe instead of mixing up another pattern in there as well.

What do you all think of stripes? In particular, the new Beetlejuice stripe trend?

Trends I'm currently loving: Flatforms

Office: 'Moustache' Patent Flatforms - £65, 'Weave Me Up' Red Suede Wedge - £55
ASOS: 'Vera' Pointed Flatforms - £40, 'Dino' Velvet Flatform Trainers - £25, 'Verity' Mary Jane Flatforms - £30
Topshop: Kook Contrast EVA Sole Shoes - £60

Had I known that flatforms were going to be such a trend, I would have got on board with them much earlier! When I first saw them I thought they looked weird, a bit of a cross between a wedge and a platform, but now that I own a pair, I'm in love!!

Flatforms are definitely a shoe that you need to try before criticising. I recently ordered the ASOS Vera Pointed Flatforms after being unable to get my hands on the ever so popular OFFICE Willow Paige Flatforms.

I'm definitely not a person for wearing heels everyday, or on any day to be honest, so flatforms are a great alternative! I'll admit that the ASOS Flatforms did slip off when I walked but once I added a special heel liner for grip, they were perfect and really easy to walk in. They're a bit strange at first as they add height without putting your foot at an awkward angle but it's just like walking in flats!

Have you got a pair of flatforms yet? What do you think of them?

Trends I'm currently loving: Pastels

Topshop: Tonal Fleck Tee - £15
ASOS: Pastel Bunting Necklace - £10, American Apparel Pastel Nail Lacquer in L'espirit - £7
Missguided: Marka Padlock Front Bag - £26.99
New Look: Slip on Suedette Loafer - £15.99
Miss Selfridge: Peach Textured Rib Mini - £22

Lovely, lovely, lovely is what I have to say about Spring 2012's latest trend. Although it's not exactly 'new' and pastels get reworked every year, they still always come back better than before.

I am loving the Pastels vs Neon battle that's going on at the moment, but I definitely know which one I prefer. I've not exactly got on board with the whole pastel trend in the past but seeing pastel jeans, shoes and even leggings has already got me planning my Spring wardrobe additions. I think small hints of pastel are definitely the best way to go, perhaps in a nail polish or subtle accessories. I'd have to be having a brave day to wear some all out pastel jeans, but we'll see!

I am loving the loafers and the different casual tops that are available at the moment. I still have a £25 New Look giftcard left from Christmas so this could possibly go towards the shoes!

I'm also considering a pastel coloured skirt like the one pictured above! These could be great with a light t-shirt, not too over the top and very 'me'.


What do you think of the Pastel trend?