How to Fashionably Survive The Festival Season

The biggest event on the summer music festival calendar passed last weekend without the usual mudfest or lashings of rain. With the UK being in the middle of a fantastic heatwave at the moment, Glastonbury was spared of the classic British summer that normally sees revellers sloshing and skating around Pilton Farm. The festival season is with us for another 3 more months, and you can bet that this sudden spell of nice weather won't last as long as that. With that in mind, lets get some mud-defying outfits on stand-by in the rucksack. At Bestival '08 I made a great discovery and an excellent fashion choice to pack a pair of brand new leather trousers. I didnt take them off for 24hours (all I could bear to stay on The Isle of Wight in the horrific weather conditions!). By the time I reached home they had that perfectly worn-in look. And what a saviour they were. Whilst everyone else was peeling off there damp denims with no hope of every drying them out, I was warm and protected in my black skinny numbers. For more inspiration of how to wear this look, check out the spring catwalk collection from Balenciaga. Their sport-luxe combinations of leather hoodie gilet and trousers combo, will certainly have you looking stylish as well as ready for a spot or two of rain.
Pictures: Top left - Leather glittery trousers by Les Chiffoniers
Top right - Balenciaga S/S 10
Midle - Gilet from Topshop

Makes No Difference What They Say, We're Going On Holiday

Thank you random i-Tunes player for selecting that Jet track whilst I was checking in online for my five day break in Ibiza. So now I've got the boring bit out of the way, I can start to think about a suitable capsule wardrobe to pack in my measly 15 kilo bag allowance. On my wish list (and at over £900 it is just a wish for me) is a Celine shopper bag. Just the right size to take on as hand luggage and still roomy enough for another pair of ridiculously high heels that wouldn't quite fit in the hold luggage. It's casually styled too and would look a treat poolside holding sunscreens, hats, books and magazines. It also comes with a handy leather purse, perfect for throwing your hotel keys and euros into. When it comes to holiday trend directions, this season it's all about The Gypset or Bobo's (Bourgeois Bohemians). Think Talitha Getty's summer looks of the late sixties, all floaty and hippy. A photograph of her walking down a Roman street wearing a simple white shift, japanese kimono and thigh length gladiator sandals sums it up nicely. A vintage kimono gives maximum holiday mileage as a bikini cover-up or belted to make a dress and do like Talitha and wear over an evening outfit to fend off the cool night air. It's always a good idea to overpack a little on accessories. Jewellery, hats and scarves can really transform a simple outfit into a statement look. A light, good sized scarf with a neutral coloured pattern or print can be used in a multitude of ways as we know from the Hermes demonstrations held regularly in the department stores that sell them. So here's a little challenge for all you in-store scarf demonstrators. How about showing us how to create this seasons hot headwear style The Turban? Go on ladies, I dare you.
Pictures: Top right - Celine bag
Left - Talitha Getty in Rome
Bottom right - L'Afrique scarf by Prova