It’s funny how many magazines have chosen to feature the dotted pattern in their editorials this fall. Even if this focuses on dresses, blouses or even tights you can practically see that the polka dotted designs are becoming a rising trend for fall 2011. I’ve seen them in the fall collections for Marc Jacobs or Diane von Fustenberg but now it’s time to see them in action. So get inspired!

Jessica Hart photographed by Santiago Esteban in Gucci for Elle Spain August 2011

Freida Pinto photographed by Mert Marcus in Interview Magazine

The gorgeous Hailey Clauson is featured in these extravagant  shots from Vogue Russia

The same dress but a different model, this time the actress Katie Holmes. Same magazine though, Vogue.

My current obsession is LEMONADE, or better CITRONADE :))

I just love these colors, they are so fresh and alive, so mouth-watering! In fact, the citron print has been very popular on the runways as well. Brands such as Moschino Cheap & Chic or Day Birger and Mikkelsen pioneered the colors and also the lemon prints  in their summer 2011 collections and since then, it has all bloomed. Or, so to say…the lemon has been squeezed :)

I think orange, yellow, lime or bright orange are the star colors of the summer season, besides the white and coral, of course. I really love Blake Lively’s outfit in her Glamour photo-shooting, soft white and orange is a perfect mix, so very feminine and fresh. I think this goes for the electric yellow dress which resonates so well with the bright summer sun.

Jamie Chung Lexington and Olivia Palermo wearing the signature citrus shades. You can get more inspiration from the citrus palette. Fun right?

As a general style rule, I would wear these citron shades with neutrals, so white and beige for a classy effect, however if you try brights in the evening you can most definitely choose a second bold accent such as electric blue, fuchsia or even gold - like in Brittany Snow’s outfit.

Have a Summer Lemonade!

Lizzie.

This season it’s all about reinventing your mother’s wardrobe and pulling out those dramatic, sensational 70s inspired looks. Prepare for freedom of the lines, vibrant colors, loose silhouettes, floral patterns, gold accents and lots of denim!

Marc Jacobs, Gucci, Mulberry, Halston or Diane von Fustenberg were all inspired by the 70s movement which they have applied on this season’s collections. Even if they emulated it on glamorous maxi skirts and dresses, sexy halter-neck jumpsuits, flared pants and jeans or wedges and platform sandals… the 70’s vibe is more present than ever.

You can feel it, it’s the empowerment of women, the glamour and the bold silhouette!  Back then it was all about the freedom of women and the feminist  movement. Starting the 50s with figures such as Eva Peron - the first woman President in Argentina, or  Indira Gandhi - Prime Minister of India and finally Margaret Thatcher, who made a mark among the key political women figures as the first woman Prime Minister of the UK. These all reflected the image of the women in the seventies and especially style.

But the 70s style most likely became big due to the music and movie star icons. All the legends were born or created in the 70s. Bands and stars such as ABBA, Bonnie M, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jackson 5, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin or Queen …and many more have started to change everything. Rock, folk, jazz, country, pop, you name it!

Fashion-wise, I think you can make a distinction between the 2 decades of the 70s - The Hippie Style and the Rock Style. Spring-summer 2011 went for the glamour and the hippie-boho style.  Think Grey Gardens, Studio 54, Bianca Jagger Angelica Hudson, ABBA or stars like Faye Dunaway and Farah Fawcett – from the original Charlie’s Angels.

The Basics you need for a Seventies Look include:

A-line skirts

To check out the full selection, browse among our list of Hottest Skirts for 2011

Maxi Dresses

DAY Birger et Mikkelsen Striped Maxi Dress, Roberto Cavalli Chiffon Maxi Dress,  Tibi Abstract Print Maxi Dress, Sonia Rykiel Belted Maxi Dress

To see more Maxi Dress looks click here

Jumpsuits

Left to right: Floral Pleat Jumpsuit, Peter Jensen Flared Jumpsuit, French Connection Corsage Shoulder Jumpsuit, Vero Moda Frill Neck Jumpsuit - all Asos

To see more Jumpsuit looks click here

Wedges and Platforms

Coral STELLA McCARTNEY Platform sandals, Soft Grey ALAIA Wedges, Pierre Hardy Camel Platform sandals

Check out other fabulous options here

I have also created an inspiration post for the 70’s style from other street style blogs and editorials. You can take a look here.

Further Reference:  Retrowow ,  80’s Party - What do you wear

Mango chooses the elegant etiquette for their Fall 2011 collection and embellishes the lovely Isabeli Fontana with black, silver and gold accents. It is not a soft elegance, on the contrary, it is edgy and bold.

Leather, lace and sparkly fabrics make the fall 2011 - 2012 looks shine from the distance! I can even see a bit of disco and the old Hollywood glamour days…or nights :) The most interesting part of the fall 2011 trends is the way the tuxedo suit trend is presented in an antithesis with the feminine silhouettes and the sexy dresses.

Also, do note the pointy shoes and the 2 color the small heel pumps, also highlighted by silver or gold inserts. Another thing that I like is the dotted print! :D Cool stuff right!

What are you looking forward to wearing from the Fall 2011 collections?

I couldn’t help noticing that after the Vogue France April 2011 Cover was released, all these Dolce and Gabanna Spring Summer 2011 dresses or other various dresses inspired by this collection, have really started to make a mark. First I’ve seen it on the lovely Anne Hathaway and then the blonde divas Diane Kruger and Kate Bosworth both in the same type of dress.

The fun thing when wearing these dresses is that you have a great freedom when it comes to styling. The White Dress can practically be mixed and matched with everything, dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. You can check out more street style looks and styling inspirations for the white dress here or check out the shopping selections bellow to get an idea of what options are out there.

More Topshop…

After I reviewed the new trends for spring a few weeks ago, I started thinking, while trends come and go, what essentials do today’s fashionistas need? The answer is oh so very simple, go back to basics, as they can really make or break any outfit and add to your look for any occasion. So here we go, hold on to your hats, (they always come back into fashion anyway) here is a brief rundown of all the accessories you need this season.

Cover Up

Whether you’re going for this spring’s bright, vibrant colours, or experimenting with something a bit more cool and minimalist, then you’ll need a decent jacket to keep you covered, and the blazer is a fashion staple that has just kept coming back over the years. From last winter’s tuxedo jackets, to the much more edgy 80s power jacket look, complete with shoulder pads, a good blazer can refresh any outfit, from a tea dress to jeans and boots.

Step Back in Time

It’s official, the 70s are back. In fashion, that is. Thin, loose, flowing, flowery fabrics, maxi dresses and earthy colors, such as browns, beiges and tan. The maxi dress is just one item that has managed to stand the test of time and can look good in any situation, from on the beach to in the club, a maxi dress suits all body shapes, from the apple to the pear. Buy one in a neutral color and team it up with a plain blazer for a smarter look for the office.

Preppy Makes Perfect

This spring, the flirty fifties’ silhouette meets all American college girl. Expect reds, blues, whites teamed up with girly lace trimmed tops and pale denim. Get yourself a statement contrast or varsity cardigan and team it up with a pair of men’s designer jeans (or even high street jeans) that you’ve borrowed from your boyfriend for the ultimate casual preppy look.

I really like how H&M created a new episode for the Lanvin and H&M Collection! They have created a new mini-collection made exclusively out of recycled fabrics from the Lanvin collection. This way they managed to both target fashion addicts by giving them a new taste of the successful collection, but also nature-lovers because of the recycled part.

The designs are cute and flirty and the fabrics create these graphic prints and diamond patterns.  I really like the checkered top, I actually even see it worn with jeans and ballet flats. So chic! The jackets are not bad either, they have that classic chanel shape and stripes are still cool to wear this season.

The bags are a little weird, too shopping bag style for my taste, but overall the collection is very cool.

I have seriously started noticing how many big fashion labels are drifting towards the beauty product lines. Even if they don’t fully incorporate these under the brand’s name and end up creating totally different smaller brands, the trend is to definitely have a personal care line.

Forever21, H&M, Topshop, Urban Outfitters and many others are very good examples of this, but I wonder how many of us actually take these cosmetics seriously. It’s not that they don’t look and feel great, it’s just that…for example I am a little skeptical when it comes to the quality of these beauty ranges. I really trust Sephora and let’s say H&M but besides that….they seem to be there just for the extra profits…

Do YOU use these?