Ahoy me hearties!

As always Nautical is going to be big again this Spring/Summer (and yes for the likes of me that does mean dressing like is officially fashionable so time to don your eye patches and parrot) and as always I'm on hand to provide you with alittle style inspiration ranging from high street to alittle bit more high brow but all with a common nautical theme!

For a casual nautical style, nothing beats tops and here are a few of the alternate options to your standard stripes



Both tops are from ASOS and the one of the left is a fitted cotton top with V neck collar and bow with double button front design and a concealed zip fastening (perfect with jeans), while the other is a low cut cotton vest top with eyelet and rope detailing (pefect again with jeans or full skirts and sandals)

Another way to capture the trend is to opt for a dress- these two dresses are very different but both capture the nautical trend



This on the left is a Paul & Joe sister dress from ASOS and is a stripe silk wrap dress with frill sleeve detailing (perfect for anyone wanting to throw themselves fully into the deep end of the nautical theme), while the other is the Milly Doris V neck dress with contrast banding (this classic styling of white and navy just subtle screams 'at the yacht club' and is perfect for anyone wants a stylish, but on trend dress)

For nautical inspired skirts, then look no further than this Milly Terry Newport skirt-its a white drawstring skirt with gold eyelet and rope detailing and is th, e perfect casual skirt this summer



And a super easy way to channel this trend is the Warehouse stripe belted mac- its white with navy stripe just looks the nautical part- pair with jeans and wedges for a stunning summer look



And finally what round up of nautical fashion wouldn't be complete without the usual stripy jacket and this one from Topshop is perfect as its 'boat stripe' name implies it captures the essence of the nautical trend but is subtle enough to be able to through on over dresses and jeans alike and not feel stupid or too try hard




(Items from http://www.asos.com/, http://www.net-a-porter.com/, http://www.shopbop.com/, http://www.topshop.com/ http://www.warehouse.co.uk/

New Look

See now I'm good but apparently I missed the fact that New Look now has an online store (i know I too am disgusted at myself!) but thanks to our divine fashionsta Sam, we are now fully aware and ready to shop! Here are a few of my current online favs:



I have a thing for bows and this pencil skirt is just fab (plus at £18 such great value even if you only wear it one season and then donate it to me)- I'm imagining it with green snakeskin heels (they have some in black court style available) or these black patent peep toe heels and a white tank top (i like the contrast between smart and casual)



I love this pleated shirt dress- it ticks almost all my boxes (if it was in plaid then it'd be perfect but we can't have everything!)- its black, its pleated, its a shirtdress (which never dates) and has a 40's vibe which I just can't get enough of- just add mary janes and watch those envious glances roll in!



This check bomber is just so me- I can just see me now wearing it with my black skinny jeans and suede ballet pumps and my new turquoise bag which I'm obsessed with- I'm almost a little teary eyed at the thought!



And just because everyone should own something leopard print is this leopard print tank top in the sale which would be perfect over a black short sleeve shirt and a pencil skirt or over a t shirt and jeans

Patent, check, brogue, check, shoeboot, check, 20s vibe, check- what more does one want from a shoe? They're the perfect shoe and combine so many trends they cant fail to impress! (a huge thank you to Sam for putting me onto these babies- if you do buy them be sure to post piccies!) Now all I need is a flapper dress and I'm all good for the 20's.........

These patent flats are a Chloe lookalike at a fraction of the price and are simply scrumptious and also come in a dark cherry red- sex in a shoe me thinks!

These patent sandals have a touch of Burberry about them and for that alone means you have to buy them, let alone the fact they're simply gorgeous!

I'm a totally gladiator sandal addict and have been for the past 3 summers and these are my ultimate as not only are they gladiator style but are black snakeskin which makes them even more covetable

This cross over bag in black snakeskin might even be better than my new turquoise bag- now if only they'd make it 10x bigger!

(All items http://www.newlook.co.uk/women/store.aspx)

Reliving my (non) youth

For anyone living under a rock and not watching Ashes to Ashes (the topic discussed around water coolers across the nation), the 80's are apparently back (although they've been back for season upon season). With this and the fact by the time the 80s ended I was a mere 2 years old the fashion by passed me (ive yet to decide if this is good or not yet!) and well I've been felling abit left out and decided to investigate so of the 80's fashion concepts, mainly the bubble (or tulip) skirt.

It all started with me wanting to make a different style of skirt than what I usually make (full, A line, flared etc) and thought 'everyone always says how awful bubble skirts are, can I make one and pull it off' and in the name of research decided to get some inspiration from the designers (and well i dont really need much of an excuse to get on net a porter!). I was really really suprised at how many gorgeous bubble/tulip skirts there are around- I thought I'd have trouble finding one yet it looks like the designers have worked their magic on this 80s throwback! As for my tulip skirt, its currently cut and ready to be sewn (after my usual full and A line skirt that is) and will be posting it as soon as its done for the fashionistas verdict!



See by Chloe - this is my favourite and is a really wearable shape and style- this is what I'm using as the inspiration for mine although mine is a black and red plaid material (im a sucker for a plaid!)

Hanii Y - such a cute longer style with satin waistband and stragetic pleating both front and back to create a flattering and wearable tulip shape- perfect for the office

3.1 Phillip Lim - a trend wouldn't be a trend with Phillip Lim getting in on the act and giving us his interpretation and this lace bubble skirt is simply gorgeous and sits the bar high for any other designer. This is a fantastic evening piece (it also makes me want to butcher my lace shift dress to recreate it!) and sure to get people talking in a good way!

3.1 Phillip Lim - again he surpasses himself with this stunning chinese silk style bubble high waisted skirt- this is a show stopping piece and is just so yummy and gorgeous- I just can't say enough about it!

Development - this is the ultimate casual bubble skirt and bang on the nautical trend with the rope belt and grey cotton canvas twill fabric. Perfect for anyone wary of the tulip skrit trend as the pleat creates a soft shape and the fabric lends itself to a casual, everyday attire- perfect for the weekend, just add a plain white tee and your good to go!

Whatever next for my 80's fashion throwback challenge- any ideas ladies?

(All items available at http://www.net-a-porter.com/intl/Home.ice)