There was one colour that was visible on every catwalk and on everyone in the front row and is set to filter down to the masses very soon.  Camel is the new name for beige apparently and will be a major look for Autumn/Winter ’10.  The most common item in this colour was the coat.  Even though Spring is among us, the coat was out in full swing over the Autumn/Winter ’10 fashion weeks due to tempestuous weather conditions in London and Paris.  It seems fashionista’s were taking inspiration from the catwalks straight away instead of waiting until September by the looks of these street style snaps by Scott Schuman, aka the Sartorialsit (above middle/right).  Fashion blogger Susie Lau (above left) is a fan of the new popular shade, and was photographed at Paris Fashion Week wrapped up in a vintage camel toned coat but kept it fresh with a powder pink chiffon scarf.

A palette of browns and oranges were the backdrop for the Chloé (bottom) collection this season with an older woman feel to the collection.  High waisted trousers with silk pussy bow blouses were evident, with a mix woollen and tweed coats in similar shades being exhibited.  Beige, beige, and more beige as Sarah Mower put it, it seems the colour has become a signature element of the season.  Street style saw people in herds donning the range of beige shades from alpaca to caramel.  Giles by Giles Deacon (above) was awash with the same tones mixed with 60′s inspired hair and make up.  The colour came in shift dresses, leather skirts and scarves.  Marc Jacobs (below) also hinted at the trend with the odd piece flickering in and out of his collection.

Easy to wear with everything, try to avoid looking too washed out with a beige and camel overload.  Do mix tones with accessories or liven the outfit up with some red lips or towering sandals with chunky knit socks.

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Fashion is usually incredibly fickle, one minute flared jeans are in and the next minute it’s the skinnies that are all the rage.  So understandably it can be very frustrating when trends come and go, and just as you start adjusting to one look… it’s gone and along comes a new trend that you really just can’t see yourself wearing!!!  Just as well there is the old reliable… leather jackets… every season there seems to be a re-invention of this wardrobe staple, be it bomber-style, tailored, sleeveless, studded, zips, hooded… every season you are guaranteed to be “on trend” in a leather jacket.

Iconic in popular culture, leather jackets worn by such stars as Marlon Brando and Kurt Cobain, punk rockers The Ramones and The Libertines, more recently fashionistas like the Olsen twins and Alexa Chung and therefore becoming the epitome of cool!

The catwalks for Spring/Summer 2010 were awash with leathers in all forms… no longer just a Winter warmer, now leathers can be worn all year long.  Hermes had a full aviation-inspired leather jumpsuit, while Philip Lim (above left) channeled his leathers into light t-shirts and shorts.  Celine (above right) and Chloe also featured leather in their Spring/Summer collections this season… showing how leathers can now come in all shapes and styles, with t-shirts, skirts, dresses and even shorts!

Spring leathers have gone light both in texture and colour, the fabric (even when not real leather) is softer to touch than its counterpart the Winter leather jacket.  The colour palettes are an infusion of pastels, with light pinks, yellows, creams and even mint greens on offer.

Gone are last season’s heavy metal, rocker-studded jackets and body-con leather dresses… no longer do you have to be envious of Angelina Jolie’s vamp image.  Yes, leather is here to stay… but this season it’s a lot more wearable!

I’ve found some of the best options on the Highstreet…

Karen Millen’s new leather gilet… pretty neutral colour that goes with everything. To be worn with denim shorts and cool t-shirts for that festival look, or can also be worn over office wear for a soft tailored look! In fact, consider this an investment piece as I can see it working with pretty much everything in your wardrobe…and even next season it’ll be perfect with layering.

Topshop’s leather tunic dress comes in black and white…although the creamy white is perfect for Spring and doesn’t look like leather so it’s a little more wearable than the black. Team with statement heels and waist belt for a night on the tiles, or dress down with a boyfriend cardi and flat boots for daytime look.

For an amazing copy of the Philip Lim leather t-shirts, look no further than Wallis… not usually associated with ‘cool’, on-trend looks, Wallis‘ Summer collection really comes up trumps.

And finally look no further than River Island for a large selection of pastel leather jackets, including baby pink and yellow biker cropped numbers.  They are also doing cute little leather shorts… which are sure to outsell the denim ones this Summer.

So this season earn yourself extra cool kudos in a fresh Spring leather palette.  Leave Winter for the dark tan, greys and studded blacks… Spring is all about the softness and pastels.  But if you want to get the most out of your Winter leather jacket, then team a pretty ruffle/Summer dress for an A-list look!  It’s a pretty take on a tough look and by far one of my favourite looks for this season.

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It was one of the most cringe worthy fashion moments of the 90’s when Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake turned up on the red carpet in matching denim outfits.  But who was to know that they would become the muses and inspiration behind the top design houses for Spring/Summer 2010… Double denim is back with a bang, yes, wearing head to toe denim is now actually acceptable.  Attempted originally in the 80’s, where permed hair was also acceptable, then reprised by the aforementioned tween pop stars and now finally hitting the catwalk and every magazine as the hottest trend of the season!

D&G, House of Holland, Chloe, Ralph Lauren, Jeremy Scott, all have the denim-on-denim done to perfection!  Denim jackets teamed with jeans, skirts, dresses and even hats.  But the best part of this trend is the re-invention of this classic all-American original was denim into jumpsuits, dresses and even suits.

House of Holland took denim to a new level with looks inspired by bondage and suiting, while Chloe attempted a daring dolly look with denim patchwork.  Chambray seemed to be the denim colour of the season which is a lighter than light denim-wash… this was seen on the Jeremy Scott models, while Ralph Lauren and D&G kept it retro classic with almost cowboy country inspired looks.  Lauren kept his American cool vibe he has every season, while D&G spiced up the generally casual fabric with detailing like ruffles on denim dresses and skirts and showing flashes of skin.

So how can we get away with this tricky trend off the catwalk?  Well, if wearing the same tone denims in one outfit like Jeremy Scott, then break it up with colourful or tan accessories, like a belt or jewellery.  Another way to wear this look is to mix up the denims with different washes, dark, light, chambray etc.

And if you are still unsure about this look, why not opt for the safer version and wear coloured denim jeans like white or peach, and team with a plain denim jacket!  At least that way it isn’t as obvious and you are easing your way into the trend.

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Denim is a staple piece in any wardrobe. From the perfect pair of jeans to a denim jacket or shirt, it is interchangeable and infinite. This season, channel your inner Debbie Harry and mix your denim with denim. The key piece in this look is the denim shirt. It is strong, simple and can be understated or sexy depending on the shape and indeed your mood. Indigo, stonewashed and even white denim is making a comeback and the most affordable way to stay on trend is with the trusty denim shirt.

On the cover on this months Vogue, Alexa Chung is slouched in a pair of denim jeans with black Chanel clogs (another one to watch out for). Inside, she describes her love for all things denim and I couldn’t help but both agree with her and feel overwhelmingly jealous. While us mere mortal’s scour the high street for that perfect pair of jeans to emulate the comfort of our Levis 501 hand-me-downs, Alexa notes that she found her dream pair at Balenciaga. And that’s all it will be for us, a dream.

The denim shirt has exploded into every store this season (Topshop, Topman, New Look and Penneys to name but a few), but it has been present in fashion since it was almost a uniform for hippies in the 70s at Woodstock and has also been filtering down from the catwalks over the past few seasons. Spring/Summer ’10 catwalks saw troops of models clad head to toe in denim, but the shirt was the piece that shone through.

There is a range of different ways to wear this ultimate piece. A loose fitted man-sized shirt, such as these shirts from Topman, can be left open as a jacket or buttoned and belted, and it can look chic when tucked into the waist. Denim on denim was a favourite at Chloé with a loose fitting denim shirt that had the pockets ripped off to reveal deep indigo patches and dark fitted jeans with lighter denim shins. Take note from this look by wearing the denim on denim with contrasting washes; lighter on top and darker on the bottom for the body conscious fashionista’s among us. With such a denim overload it is important that accessories do not overpower the look and shoe choice is essential to avoid looking like you’ve just come from a rodeo. Pin this image of Britney and Justin to your wardrobe to remind you what happens when denim attacks.

Denim shirts are widely available from designer to high street but all seem very similar – it’s how you wear it that stands out. To revamp the classic 70s look, try adding lace into the mix. By attaching a strip of lace under the collar and across the shoulders, it immediately updates this classic look and adds a modern twist.

The denim shirt (first Topshop, second New Look) will last for seasons to come and is a great item to have in multiple shades and shapes as this will allow you to either look chilled out for a day look. With the right belt and shoes can transform into an evening silhouette – just remember to back away from the cowboy boots.

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