Clog – such a funny word for a funny-looking shoe.  Associated with many Eurpoean cultures but most notably the Dutch, clogs have managed to creep their way into the trends this Spring, much like the brogue has done before.  Shoes are the one thing in fashion that tend to go full circle, dating back a number of years and all of a sudden explode onto the catwalks and filter down to the streets in a matter of months.

Once predominantly made out of wood, the clog has been tweaked since the 19th Century and has been reinvented by designers such as Chanel and Miu Miu (below).  Soon you will no longer need to learn how to clog-dance before stepping out in a pair of these wooden wonders.

Karl Lagerfeld came under a lot of criticism when he styled his models for Spring/Summer 2010 in custom made clogs with the Chanel logo encrusted onto the familiar bronze studs that attach the linen to the wooden sole.  But anything Vogue praises tends to become an instant hit, and when Alexa Chung sat cross legged on the cover last month donning a pair of these Chanel (below left) clogs, it has been all that fashionista’s can talk about.  She admitted herself that they are quite difficult to walk in, especially with tights, but since when has fashion been practical?  Louis Vuitton pictured right.

With an array of fabrics to choose from, such as linen, leather or suede, clogs are set to be this seasons ‘it’ shoe. Try a pair of Miu Miu’s sheepskin lined ankle boot clogs, or stick to the traditional silhouette but with a patchwork twist, the chunkier the heel the better.  And it doesn’t have to have a designer stamp, high street stores such as Topshop (below left) and River Island (below right) have imported their clogs straight from the Netherlands (well, from their factories, but who knows, they could have one in Amsterdam). Not to be mistaken with the extremely comfortable crocs, these new takes on the traditional comfortable clog are far from clumpy and frumpy as they have once been described.  So, you have to ask yourself, are you a cloggy?

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The last time I wore a bum-bag was actually only last year… as part of a Tomb Raider Halloween costume, I had a leather bum-bag to give the look of a utility vibe.  And it was actually the best thing ever… it reminded me how annoying handbags, clutches and purses are.  I didn’t have to worry about losing my phone, money, make-up or keys… all were compactly and safely secured to my body!  It left my hands and arms free to dance (badly) throughout the night.

So why is there such a faux-pas stigma against these little gems?  Well for years now, they have always been associated with naff tourists on holidays, in grotesque prints and overly neon-bright colours.  I have flashbacks of my Mum having a bright yellow one with black exposed zips and my sister with an luminous Simpson’s version.

No longer just made in tacky polyester… designers have given the bum-bag a whole new sophisticated chic.  Over at Louis Vuitton, designed by Marc Jacobs, the bum bag has taken a luxe turn (above).  In embossed leather complete with tassels and fur trimmings… even uber cool fashion follower Rihanna has been seen sporting this design out!  Brit bag designer Angel Jackson, who has her bags for sale on fashion website ASOS, has brought out a gorgeous python skin bum-bag, which surprisingly enough I am lusting after (top)!  And newcomer to the design world Ashish sent his models down the catwalk at London Fashion Week with his sexier bum-bag versions, with studded detailing teamed with cut-away body-con dresses (below).

Surprisingly enough, the High Street has taken this trend on… and there are cool versions popping up everywhere. Marks & Spencer will launch a studded leather-effect version in May, while American Apparel offers extreme ‘80s’ shiny gold and blue versions.  River Island has the most wearable version, in my opinion, with grungy black leather adorned with triangular-shaped studs coming into stores this Spring, while Penneys currently have their versions in stock… actually ahead of the fashion pack for once, in leather-look black and white options.

Well this ‘90s’ icon has come back with a bang this season, and although there was a mini-revival of the bum-bag by Louis Vuitton a few years back, it never really caught on despite SATC’s ‘Carrie Bradshaw’ endorsing it.  It proves that not everything she touches turns to gold, which leads me to think that this new revival may also be short-lived.  Above French Connection, below Urban Outfitters.

I cannot deny their convenience and I may even invest in a cheap one for the festivals this summer – it’s certainly here for the short term on a crazy fashion whim so why not indulge this spring and make like Mr. Motivator.

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As glamour seems to be the theme of the week with the Golden Globes being of such interest to us all we thought the theme of Littlewoods.ie look of the week was quite apt. ‘What’s the Occasion’?

This gorgeous corsage detail dress by Teatro is sure to prove a big hit this season – whether it’s a spring wedding, a dinner party or a night out with the girls you are bound to feel SJP-ish in this beautiful dark pink dress!  We love the detailing of this silk dress which is also lined (yay to no undies on display!), and even more so the well cut shape that leaves the dress to hang beautifully. Actress Zoe Saldana was at the Golden Globes wearing a Louis Vuitton dress of a similar colour also with ruffle detailing.

The corsage detail dress by Teatro is priced at €119 and the diamante stud box clutch €30.  Don’t expect to fit more than your lip gloss and a comb into any bag described as ‘box clutch’!  I bought one once for a wedding and was horrified to realise the rest of my make up wouldn’t fit in, needless to say that’s why mens suits have pockets.  The bag was given away with twinges of delight that I would never have to use it again!  We adore these Tamora court shoes by South with patent frill detailing whilst also adoring their price tag of €39.  They also come in this seasons hottest trend, nude which we actually prefer to the black.

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Under my Umbrella, ella, ella, eh eh could have been the song of the night at The Golden Globes 2010, the rain just didn’t stop… but that didn’t prevent our stars from gracing the red carpet in style!

Globe Goodies…

Christina Hendricks (of Mad Men fame) looked sensational! She was waving the flag for all curvilicious women out there! There are some old rules about dressing bigger frames, like stay away from volume and always dress in darker colours… well, Hendricks threw caution to the wind and wore a dress in a peachy champagne colour with extreme cascading ruffles… and she looked stunning in it! To top it all off, she was supporting young designer and project runway winner Christian Siriano.

The Brit star that seems to have taken over Keira Knightley’s former crown is Emily Blunt. She looked delicious in a rose pink tulle and chiffon strapless gown with ruffle detail by Dolce & Gabbana. It was delicate and effortless compared to some of the over-done American stars! The romantic trend is one of the biggest of Spring/Summer season and Emily wasn’t the only star rocking this floaty trend. Maggie Gyllenhaal, Elisabetta (George Clooney’s latest arm candy), Chloe Sevigny and Heidi Klum all followed this sweet fairytale look.

Fergie, who was a pleasant surprise on the night, looked like a Grecian goddess in an Elie Saab chiffon gown, again following one of the bigger colour trends of the season in a lilac colour, with a crystal embellished waistline and ruched skirt. She looked like a movie star with softer hair and make-up and has shunned that vivacious popstar look she is known so well for.

Some will absolutely hate Drew Barrymore’s dress… and I can see why! But being a fashion fiend, I have to love it, I do! I love sparkle, I love figure-hugging silk, I love the champagne colour, I love the embellishment and I love Atelier Versace… I just didn’t love them all on this dress! I also don’t know if I liked the clusters of sparkle embellishment block on her hip… why, oh why, would anyone want to add inches there? But she gets on the best-dressed list purely for old-school glamour effort.

The undecided…

Diane Kruger is always a fashion risk-taker, which I can commend; however, I still haven’t made my mind up to whether I love it or loathe it! The tie-dye mixed pink Christian Lacroix dress she wore was a little too couture for the red carpet, love Kate Hudson, and I love Marchesa just as much… so I felt bad about putting the two of them, on this list! Maybe it was the bad weather that made this frock look out of place? However, the white, origami structural-inspired creation by Marchesa just didn’t completely win me over! But like I said, it’s Kate Hudson who is gorgeous no matter what she wears!

Sandra Bullock, what can I say! Colour… gorgeous, shape and fabric… disgusting. Basically, she looked like a ‘Quality Street’ wrapper! Not good, Miss Congeniality, not good!

Lea Michele… the star of the new hit cult show Glee did look stunning at her first Globes show, but there is still something a bit off about her outfit. Oscar de la Renta is known for his dramatic dresses, and although it is a stunning dress, I think it drowned out her tiny frame. Perhaps this dress would have looked better on someone with fair features and a taller frame, Cameron Diaz for example!

Another star who usually always gets top marks for red carpet style is House actress Olivia Wilde. But her black and silver Gucci shimmery gown reminded me of a ‘90s’ Mariah Carey. The dress was exciting with a daring neckline and subtle draping. But the fabric cheapened the look a bit, which is why I am unconvinced.

Golden Grossness…

Light grey hues is a big colour trend for Spring/Summer… Patricia Arquette shows us how not to wear this colour! Her dress, made mostly of a dingy, grey flowy fabric, had a bizarre subtle animal print on it, and underneath was a gross metallic underlay. The criss-cross detail just made her look bigger than she is… a grey hot mess!

Penelope Cruz is not one to usually be on a worst-dressed list… however, borrowing a dress from Mortisha Adams wardobe is just never a good idea! Firstly, black on a red carpet is always a little too safe… so it would want to be an amazing dress. The mermaid style dress was over-fussy and the lace detailing was just too mumsy and totally lacked any of her natural sex appeal. She should have picked up some style tips while modelling for Spanish label Mango.

Another Mad Men star, Elisabeth Moss, looked like she was channeling Wendy from Peter Pan. The strapless, pastel-blue empire dress looked more a vintage nightie than a red-carpet dress and made her look frumpy, while the long necklace looked cheap and didn’t even suit the style of the dress. She gets points for on-trend pastel colour but that is it!

Dear, oh dear, there is not one positive thing I can say about Julianne Moore’s dress. It was shapeless like a bag of potatoes, an awfully dull and dark shade of grey (yes it is one of the IT colours of the season… but you got the wrong grey!!!) And then to top it all off, she had a fur trimming along the top that drooped down on her arms. I’m not even going to tell you who designed it, it’s that awful.

And the worst dressed of the night… gorgeous Avatar actress Zoe Saldana. I know it’s impossible to think anything could be disgusting on her, but this Louis Vuitton ruffle mess just did nothing for her. I have absolutely nothing positive to say about this look! At all!

See our post on Jimmy Choo at the Globes.

Images courtesy of Just Jared

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The fashion world are hailing Marc Jacobs an innovative genius for introducing the bunny ears to the fashion world… but they’ve been around for a long time, so where exactly did he get his inspiration from? There is of course the infamous Playboy bunny costume introduced by Hugh Hefner in the 1950’s and, instantly associates bunny ears with sex appeal.

Then, of course there is the return of the Cadbury’s Caramel Bunny, who’s new look and dress was designed by Top Brit Designer Giles Deacon this year. It is also being debated whether Maison Michel came up with the idea first or not? He had made lace headpieces of bunny ears and mouse ears too, and Marc admittedly came across the idea accidently when he saw someone with a large ribbon in their hair resembling ears.. So when Marc Jacobs’ Fall collection for Louis Vuitton came out this year (pictured bottom), and his models paraded the catwalk with bunny ears, was this fashion history in the making or a copycat idea?

Regardless of who thought it up first, as usual, celebrities are the first to take on this outlandish trend, no shocks that Lady Gaga and Madonna were one of the firsts to wear them in public. But now uber cool Olsen twins and singer Lily Allen have been seen taking on the trend too. I do think this look is actually really cute… but I really can’t see myself walking down Grafton street donning a pair of animal ears just yet? However, I also remember everyone initially laughing at leggings, skinny jeans, shoulder pads and structured skirts so maybe, just maybe this too will become known as “wearable”. Topshop have already begun to challenge the trend and have come up with their very own versions of slightly smaller headbands, so a little more normal, but I am still yet to see anyone actually wear them!

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