Fashion Week Fantasy #1

1. Zara Handbag £49.99
2. Ashish Topshop T-Shirt £40
3. River Island Pencil Skirt £22
4. ASOS Rings £8
5. Louise Gray Topshop Nail Polish in Junk Yard £6.50
6. Zara Belt £19.99
7. Zara Heels £39.99

* HIGH PITCHED SQUEAL *

London Fashion Week is so totes around the corner. Just over 15 days until the fashion crowd descend on Somerset House and a number of other fashion-fabulous venues to view next season's most delightful collections!

This is the first of a few posts I shall be doing with outfits that I wish I could afford to splurge on for fashion week. I realise that they are all high street, but I am a poor student and can not afford to splash the cash on an entire new wardrobe just for fashion week. Though I certainly wish I could do so. 

My first look is a kooky take on a classically sexy look as often sported by the impossibly hot Carine Roitfeld. Adding this Ashish Topshop t-shirt and these vivid purple heels (in a shade very close to Atelier-To-Go's signature colour!) gives this simple look a modern edge and the bold accessories keep it fresh for the ever eccentric London Fashion Week!

I adore this Zara handbag as well, it is the perfect size to fit your camera, your iPad, your notebook and that all-important lippy for those impromptu street-style snaps!

What is your perfect fashion week look?

City Slickers: Paris

1. IRO €108 a new take on the Breton stripe tee
2. Sandro €345 a statement jacket is an essential
3. The Kooples £94.50 (in sale) white jeans are a city style staple
4. Alexander Wang Rocco £730 keep it sexy with a studded bag
5. Zara £79.99 Swarovski studded sandals add a luxe edge

Venturing on a city break this summer? Let SW Fashion help with my new "City Slickers" guide on what to wear in some of the world's most beautiful cities.

First up we have the city of luuuurve: Paris. Whether you're going on a self-indulgent trip to visit your true love, Chanel, or you are on a sickly sweet romantic trip, Paris is all about style.

This is no place for your extravagant MeadhamKirchoff tees or your zingy neon denim, this is a city that is all about minimal chic. Think Iro, Sandro, The Kooples and Maje.

As far as style icons go, it's all about the beautiful Clemence Poesy. She does elegance with a idiosyncratic touch that makes her the ultimate Parisian girl crush.

I personally have never been to Paris (save a Disneyland trip as a wee one) so cannot offer you any hints on where to eat, drink and shop, but I don't think you can go wrong with plenty of champagne and Laduree macaroons.

My tip? Get the Parisian look ASAP as the sales at The Kooples, Maje, Sandro and Zadig & Voltaire are absolutely amazing. Emmanuelle Alt, eat yer heart out.

What City Slickers guide would you like to see next?

Chirpy Cheep Chic

Easter is just around the corner, so crack open the mini-eggs and prepare to gain ten pounds of easter egg weight (think i'm exaggerating? Check the back page of UK Vogue this month... then we can talk.)

Or, you could muster up the will power to stay away from the monstrous chocolate-y delights in the shops at the moment, and instead opt for this super flirty skirt by Zara. The blushing nude shade is bang on trend, while the feather detail is a great way to get your wardrobe up to date, as well as being a great investment for AW12, as Sarah Burton's McQueen show was an extravagant affair full of feathers and furs. 

Pair with a sharp blouse- this Equipment one at My-Wardrobe is the ultimate and I think I am in love, a sugary suede clutch, classic courts and some fun accessories. Or dress it down with a striped tee and flats for a cool summer in the city look.

I. Love. 

Double Denim Disaster or Delight?

It is one of the 1990's great fashion faux pas- the criminal offence that is double denim. Denim jacket? Acceptable. Jeans/ denim skirt or shorts? Perfectly normal. Together?! Bleugh. Are you Justin and Britney or Posh and Becks in chav-stage? Nope, just leave it then.

However, with the great 1990s return- seen in the sudden surge of sportswear on the high street and catwalk, and even the return of the high side ponytail (I know, but see my post about Ashish, where it actually looked quite cool!)- the double denim look has returned and it can be a mighty hit or a mighty miss!

While I do have a bit of girl crush on Ri-Ri, this look is a tad cheap for my liking. The black accessories do break it up a bit, but on the whole it is NOT the most flattering look on one of the sexiest women in fashion.

However, on the gorgeous fashion fairy that is Kate Bosworth, the look is adorable. A dip-dye denim shirt, layered with an oversized vest and dark skinnies (emphasis on DARK, too matchy-matchy can be problematic!) is a fantastic relaxed LA look that I am seriously envious of. Why can't I look like Kate?! Come on. It's not fair!

So what're your thoughts on the Double Denim return? Do you disagree that Rihanna looks a little naff? Or do you think the whole thing should be buried beside scrunchies in the 1990s hall of lame?

Do let me know via my twitter, or comment below! Thanks!

The Perfect Look

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

I adore this look from the Zara People lookbook- it is just so perfect! I think I will be giving this a go! Check it out here!

In Primary Colours: A Masterclass

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

Get the look at Topshop, The Kooples, Office and Aldo at ASOS

Leigh Lezark is always immaculately dressed, and I am always excited to see what she wears at Paris Fashion Week. This season has been no exception, and she has churned out a number of beautiful high fashion wares- in a slightly unpredictable colour palette.

While the majority of the fashion crowd are donning ice cream pastels or flashy fluoros, Leigh Lezark has opted for the simpler option- an array of Jil Sander-esque (speaking of which, I am beyond upset that Raf Simons has left Jil Sander... What a genius!) primary colours. For the Sonia Rykiel show she looked stylish in a lemon trouser suit, and for the Dior show she looked even more stylish in red trousers with black accents.

Usually i'm a little apprehensive about bold colours paired with black, but Leigh shows just how very chic it can look. Leigh shows us just how easy it is to wear bold trousers, so there is no excuse not to try it now!