River Island was founded in 1948, by Bernard Lewis. Since then the store experienced many name changes before finally becoming known as River Island in 1989. River Island operates over 250 stores worldwide so it’s only natural that the company has become a household name.

River Island has always been ahead of other high street stores and their collections are a tad more fashionable.

When Italian fashion giant Versace showed bright and airy white and dark, rich grey in their Summer collection the high street went wild. Whites and greys quickly began showing up in every single high street store across the world and River Island is no exception.

The Space Dye Cardigan (£26.99) teamed with the Ecru Scoop t-shirt (£12.99), Prince Red trousers (£29.99) and Block Stripe Trilby hat (£14.99) is quite possibly one of the oddest combination of garments I’ve seen all season (and I’ve seen this year’s Dior!). The whole ensemble looks kind of gay – which is fine. But, if you’re not looking to out a mating call to the same sex, swap the trousers for a pair of while linen or medium gray ones. I do love the Clock necklace (£12.99) and think I’ll get one for myself. It’s like a twenty-first century pocket-watch.

The Dandy Blue blazer (£59.99) works very well with the white-collar (LOVE!) Duran check shirt (£24.99). This look is very ‘country house in up-state New York or Connecticut’. (Trip van der Bilt from the CW’s Gossip Girl wore something very similar in the episode The Treasure of Serena Madre – and Trip was, after all, a van der Bilt). For a casual/semi-formal look, team these two with the Burn and Wash jeans (£34.99) and Rambo shoes (£54.99). If you want a formal feel, wear the blazer and shirt with a pair of dark navy trousers.

The Jenson check shirt (£24.99) worn with the Faschino trousers (£29.99) are very Polo Ralph Lauren. I take issue with the Tan Gladiator sandals (£24.99) but the brown Plaited belt (£16.99) is fine. I like this look, bar the sandals. Its very Summer casual meets house in the country. It works well and exudes an air of the old-money established families.

Wear the Seersucker check blazer (£44.99), Malbec shirt (£24.99) and Seersucker shorts (£24.99) for another Polo Ralph Lauren summer look. The Polka bowtie (£9.99) will add a spot of formality to the outfit, while the Zorza white brogues (£44.99), reminiscent of Gucci’s country look of two years ago, make for a light and airy Summer appearance.

For a formal look this Summer, wear the Petrol Fierce suit jacket (£89.99) with the Petrol Fierce trousers (£39.99) and Rosette shoes (£54.99). The fine stitching and rich material on the jacket is very luxuriant and will get you noticed when you walk into a room – in a good way. The White shirt (£19.99) is optional.

As I said, River Island has always been one notch up from other high street stores, and I think it’s quite clear why. Their looks almost mirror those seen at various fashion weeks throughout the year, their eveningwear is guaranteed to get you noticed when you walk into a room and their casual clothing is designed to fit every man, regardless of his shape or size. Whether you’re looking for a smart suit to wear to a formal function or just a simple day to day outfit there is no better place to start looking than River Island.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

1940′s Flapper Glam!

Well, it looks like Dunnes Stores are going to keep on continuing to wow us with arrival after arrival of stunning dresses and party wear!

I spied some gorgeous girly party dresses and accessories, not forgetting the shoe department!  They’ve come up trumps I can tell ya, so get down and have a look for yourselves!  This 1940′s flapper dress is a total bargain at only €20 and it is looking so much more expensive than the price tag they have displayed to us.

It’s still all about neutrals so I’ve paired this look with nude peep toe heels.  They have a front platform making it so much easier to walk in.  You’ll spend longer on the dance floor in these comfies!  They are from Schuh and cost €75.  As they are colourless they will clash with less enabling you the choice of wearing them with a number of outfits… win win!

This clutch has a snake skin effect which never seems to date.  Wear it with anything to anywhere to add instant style and glamour.  It’s an amazing €7 from Penneys.

In keeping with the era check out this gold sequin head piece.  Once the sought after item of ladies at ladies day, headpieces are fast becoming a wardrobe staple.  This one is from H&M and priced at only €5.90!  Get experimenting ladies..

This is my favorite item of the week that Asos have to offer.  A nude lace pair of wristlets.  Perfect for the girly lady out there.  I got a pair myself and I have them worn to death!  They are €7 and only one is pictured here but they do come as a pair.

And finally we have the bracelet.  This three row pearl bracelet is from River Island and is €11.  Pearls will always stay in fashion… they are here to stay!

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

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?

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

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.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

Fashion creator Christophe DeCarnin re-inventing the military style on the catwalks of Paris.

Balmain‘s eagerly anticipated Spring/Summer shows were an even bigger success than last seasons if you can imagine that!  Continuing with his structured coats and jackets, Christophe DeCarnin toned his line down this season just a little and continues to surprise us with his military line.  The collection of distressed military jackets were the highlight of his Paris Fashion Week shows!  We show you how to get the look for a lot less!  Check out this Vero Moda beige/nude military style jacket at asos.  Bang on trend, bang on colour and bang on price at €56.84!

If you are going to go all out and follow this seasons military look be sure to go all out and make the look your own!  Oasis‘ leather military jacket is extra hot as they’ve combined the two hottest looks at the moment!  Leather AND military.  Team it with a pretty floral dress for an extra twist.  Rock and Girly = Super Cool!  Having said that leather will always be in style so consider this an investment (at €150 we’d have to!), that will go with almost anything you have in your wardrobe.  You’ll wear it for years, trust me…

This New Look jacket is the newest addition to my wardrobe.  At €45 it is affordable disposable chic perfect for all you girls who like to stay ‘in style’.  I have worn this twice already and I expect it will see me right through the Summer!  Pair it with high-waisted shorts, a cute playsuit or a tight body con for night time.  You can dress it up or down!  Just don’t forget to add some height girls!  Check out River Island if you are on the hunt for a white version.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

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.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

If you are lucky enough to be wined and dined this Valentines you better make an effort to dress up!  We’ve chosen a couple of different looks to give you some inspiration.  Our first pick had to be this lace shift dress from River Island where you’ll also find a pair of patent black platform shoes with a dark purple heel to complete the look and a treasure trove of accessories. Next we’ve chosen a fringed charcoal dress from AWear (bargain at €50!) that could be tamed with black opaques and maybe a splash of colour with some red shoes or why not add colour with a pair of red sheer tights.  If you’ve fake tanned it would be fantastic with a killer pair of sexy heels.  Either of the Carvela shoes below from BT2 would do the trick!  You could always splurge or maybe be splurged upon for Valentines and be the proud owner of these gorgeous Jimmy Choo red patent peep toe sandals for €495 (JC on line).

If you are just at the beginning stages of a relationship and don’t want to appear too keen or maybe you just want a funkier look then any of the three looks below may be what you are looking for.  The first two are by Gestuz and the last by Goldsign, all available at BT2 with Gestuz also available on asos.com. The Gestuz ‘pants’ are one of the biggest trends this season, in particular the first pair incorporating a haphazard print. Adriano Goldschmied, formerly of AG jeans, is behind Goldsign which is a new denim line to BT2.  Each pair is unique with gold detailing on the back pocket and even better they’ve just a hint of that all important skinny jean essential – stretch!

Alternatively if you want to go all cutesy and girly this Valentines then Sonia by Sonia Rykiel‘s little pink dress is a winner!  I absolutely love this dress, it’s colour and the detailing on the shoulders – detailing that WILL make your waistline appear smaller. It is probably the most discrete piece from the collection which is full of bold colours and prints. Perhaps give the sunglasses a miss if it’s dinner instead of a liquid lunch. This dress is available from BT2. Sonia by Sonia Rykiel is also available on asos.com and net-a-porter.com. Prints and a hint of 80′s combine together with this floaty girly Frill Hem dress from Warehouse and it won’t break the bank at €60! They also do a wrap style similar to this dress at the same price.  You can team this dress with opaques and boots for day wear or office wear and pumps in the summer.  Here’s hoping you are all spoiled rotten whatever you do!

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

This Springs new trend that emerged back in September on the Spring/Summer ’10 catwalks of all the major fashion houses has been coined the Utility Trend. It has been deemed both hard-wearing and chic. It isn’t a far cry from last years fashion safari with a similar colour palate-muted beiges, greens and browns that overpower this trend.

The key items in this military derived trend are oversized parkas, cargo trousers in cotton or silk and military jackets. However much a re-run of the nineties this trend may resemble, it does not mean you should dig out your copy of What’s the Story Morning Glory or the parka worn to mimic the Gallagher’s and Richard Ashcroft. This time around it is more refined and clean cut, not the baggy and dirty Brit pop look. Louise Trotter, Joseph’s creative director says “Less nineties grunge, more Brigitte Bardot in the sixties. This look is strong but sexy, and best worn with heels, not hunters.”

The jacket has been reworked by many different designers. At Louis Vuitton, the classic bouclé jacket has been transformed into a Sergeants dream with large button down pockets. The shoulder silhouette-loving Christopher Decarnin has declared war on rival fashion houses with his brass buttoned tail coats and dripping sequined shoulders at Balmain. Jackets are to be worn belted, not slouchy, and chinos should be teamed with chunky heels for the added edge.

Phoebe Philo, new creative director at Céline has created utility work-wear that will have you marching in line around the office. In Hessian shades, starched fabrics are a testament to military wear. She also included leather skirts in a variety of colours, and leather t-shirts that will have everyone vying after them. Christopher Bailey is always at the forefront of any look that boasts a muted colour palette and this season trenches at Burberry Prorsum will have you ticking all the right boxes. Bailey also introduced another trend into the mix- socks and chunky sandals. What was once associated with unfashionable men in the summer, has now been reinvented and made quirky. Get your pair from the high street in stores such as Topshop, Gap and River Island. Knitted and ribbed, these wonders should tide you over until that Burberry trench finally becomes affordable.

Fashionistas- Forward march!

Top L-R: Balmain, Burberry Prorsum, Celine, Rag & Bone, Liam Gallagher

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

River Island have some great sequin pieces to glam up your summer wardrobe. Here we’ve choosen just a couple of neutral items that will see you right through the summer and are versatile. If you really want to add sparkle to a night out they’ve a great sequin blazer that’s very Kate Moss especially when worn with skinny jeans. You’ll also find a great selection of summer dresses and footwear both high or flat.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend

River Island have bagged themselves two awards for Best Jeans from Company Magazine and GMTV‘s High Street Fashion Awards. Their range covers the skinny/straight, peg leg, cuff straight and boyfriend/slouch looks, with a constant update on new looks and how to wear them. Their price range is also pocket friendly too so give them a go if you are updating your denim. If you like how the celebs are wearing theirs you should be able to copy the look from head to toe at River Island as they’ve also got the latest footwear and accessories in stock.

Katie Holmes, SJP, Rachel Bilson, Amanda Peet and Reese Witherspoon show us how to cuff our boyfriend jeans. Any favourites? I think Katie carries it well.

• Recommend on Facebook
• Tweet about it
• Tell a friend