A Rebecca Minkoff bag is currently on my wishlist, not one bag in particular, no – just all of them. This really is a mark of how good these designs are; I’m usually very fussy when it comes to my accessories and won’t part with my cash unless I know it’s a keeper.
So a little background on the label I’m so in lust with. Minkoff is known for her cool luxury leather handbags and clutches, adorned with signature metal hardwear. Worn by the fashion crowd and bloggers alike, celebrity fans include: Alexa Chung, Whitney Port and Rachel Bilson to name a few.
Minkoff bags are available in all this season’s latest trends such as Aztec prints and highlighter hues. They also come in a variety of sizes, the ‘Mini Mac’ (1&4) is not as small as it looks on screen, and it has plenty of room to store all of your essentials. If you prefer something more classic there’s always the ‘Boyfriend Leather’ (3) in never-dates black.
At around £120 for a Mini M.A.C they’re cheaper than most designer bags and definitely worth the splurge as you’ll wear it forever. Hopefully they will become more readily available in the UK soon but for now current stockists that ship to the UK include: Shopbop, Amelie’s Boutique, Bloomingdale's and the Rebecca Minkoff site itself, yippee!
I'm currently crushing on big statement jewellery pieces and stone necklaces are tickling my magpie tastebuds in particular. Tom Binns is to thank for this, his impressive designer jewels are currently adorning the necks of the fashion elite, and with some of them coming in at around £1,000 a pop they are a pretty pricey statement to make.
Fear not my fellow magpies, the high street are hot on the heels of this trend and have come up with some great designer dead ringers. Here I've picked my top 6 high street and high-end statement necklaces - can you spot which is which?
Co-ordinating separates have to be the easiest trend to throw on this Summer. And because they are mix and matchable they offer a multitude of outfit possibilities. They were seen all over the catwalk from the likes of; D&G, Mary Katrantzou and Julien McDonald to name a handful. Printed co-ordinates are even more on the money and the best part is, the prints don't even have to match, just make sure they link in some kind of way, i.e. by colours/theme, and this throw on ensemble will look like it took a lot more effort than it actually did.
Tip: make like a Scousewife out shopping by wearing the pyjama printed co-ords (sans rollers). Team pyjama styles (3&4) with flat sandals and you'll be so cool and comfy all day long, you'll forget your wearing anything at all (hopefully you'll remember to put them on because otherwise that would be flashing not fashion).
Below I've picked four of the best matching co-ords on the High St. Each one ticks a catwalk trend or two plus the bold colours, prints and cool light fabrics will make sure you stand out in the heat for all the right reasons (and not because your sweating like a b*tch).
1.) Scalloped Blazer, River Island: £35
2.) Scalloped Shorts, River Island: £20
3.) Paisley Top, Topshop Boutique: £50
4.) Paisley Joggers, Topshop Boutique: £80
5.) Bralet Top, H&M: £19.99
6.) Pencil Skirt, H&M : £24.99
7.) Sleeveless Shirt, H&M: £19.99
8.) Short Frill Skirt, H&M: £24.99
There’s something about studs that make you feel a tiny bit bad ass. Wear studs on leather and you are practically a Rock legend. They’re also a pretty timeless thing to invest in and never really go out of style. If you’re looking for something more seasonal, Topshop are doing a studded slipper (3) in lots of ice-cream shades at the moment, which gives an unusual contrast of girly meets tough. I do love a good juxtaposition (oo I say!).
- Leather Jacket, Zara: £169
- Box Clutch Bag, Zara: £59.99
- Slipper Shoes, Topshop: £28
- Silver Earrings, Asos: £5
- Linen Jacket, Zara: £59.99
- Jeffrey Campbell Boots, Office: £145
Sport (geddit?) four trends in one (yes four!) with monochromatic prints, metallics, neon touches and sporty details. When I say sporty you imagine your old school PE kit with Reebok classics right? Don’t worry this is a much more sophisticated look. Sportiness can come in the form of: loose, printed jogger-style trousers (think channeling Chezza Cole in her Call My Name video), mesh knitwear and high-tops.
The neon trend is huge this Summer and cool in small doses but you don’t want to go head to toe and end up looking like a lollipop lady, keep the rest of your outfit quite muted and introduce pops of neon throughout your accessories. Monochrome is also big right now and looks great paired with neon because it lifts the whole outfit and stops it becoming too wintery. Add a touch of luxe to your sporty style with metallics in the form of jewellery and footwear. Be sure to team a pair of heels with the joggers (even if they are concealed ones), as they will stop you from looking like a sack of spuds.
Warning: this outfit should not be worn to play sports in - you will most likely cause yourself an injury.
