SPOTS AND STRIPES FROM LOLA RAMONA

If you like polka dots, stripes, bows – or, indeed, any combination of the three, then I’m sure Lola Ramona requires no introduction from me.

Polka dots, you see, are their THING. As are bows. As are stripes. As are all of the things you’d normally come to associate with words like “cute”, “quirky” and “whimsical”, because this collection is all of those things and more – and given that what I’ve shown in the image above is only a small selection of the shoes on offer (albeit a pretty representative one), you’ll probably gather that for people who are into this kind of look, Lola Ramona is basically shoe heaven.

As for me, well, I AM into “this kind of thing”, if, by that, you mean simply the polka dot and stripe patterns, plus the classic “bow on the toe” look. Those are, in fact, some of my very favourite things when it comes to shoes/clothes/life in general, and I find it almost impossible to see an item of clothing or footwear which fits the descriptions given above, and NOT want to buy it. That IS the case here, though, as surprising as it might be to those who know me well, because as much as I like the use of colours and prints on these shoes…well, it’s a very specific kind of look, isn’t it? It’s fun, sure, but there’s also a bit of a “sensible” feel to quite a few of these shoes, and that comes courtesy of the low heels, thick platforms and chunky shapes. They’re sweet, but they’re probably not what you’d call sophisticated: that’s not a criticism, I hasten to add, because it’s absolutely not the kind of look this particular brand are going for, but although I always stop to admire these shoes from afar, they’re just a little bit too “cutesy” for my own personal taste.

What do you think of Lola Ramona?

CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN COSMOLIP CREPE SATIN PEEP TOES

I saw the white satin version of Christian Louboutin’s ‘Cosmolip’ first, and thought, “Pretty, but obviously waaaay too bridal to be of much use to the likes of me.” Then I saw the lip-print version (which presumably gave them their name), and my thoughts were more along the lines of “Now THAT’S more like it: Mediterranean holiday, silk dress, bit of a tan… OK, maybe not that last bit, because skin as pale as mine was not designed to tan, but still: perfect summer holiday shoe!”

That basically sums these up for me, and if you’re not convinced, or you just think the print’s a little too busy (I did too at first), just go and look at that bow again, and I defy you not to love them!

Speaking of Louboutins I love, here’s our old friend Hot Chick, this time in a bright pink patent:

I’d buy these in black rather than pink (assuming I was going to buy them at all, that is): I absolutely love the shape, but I think this particular colour is straying just a little too close to ‘Barbie’ territory for me. It’s still an beautiful shoe, though, and one of my very favourite Christian Louboutin designs. I saw someone trying these on in one of the Louboutin boutiques in Las Vegas last September, and they were even more amazing in real life than they look in photos, which is really saying something, considering how show-stopping they are in every picture I’ve seen of them. If you love the colour but are worried about the heel height, however, you can also buy the classic ‘So Kate’ in the same hot pink colour: no, they’re not exactly low either, but they’ll definitely be easier to walk in than Hot Chick, and you never know – they might just surprise you.

OFFICE AH HA BUNNY POM POM HEELS

Shoes designed to look like bunnies: this is exactly the kind of thing I was talking about a few weeks ago, when I said I used to associate Office with the kind of quirky, unusual shoes you can’t really imagine finding in many other places on the high street. Can you imagine finding bunny heels at Boden, for instance? Or Dorothy Perkins? Probably not: and I mean absolutely no offence to those brands when I say that, because I love them both, but these shoes did put a smile on my face when I first spotted them. Well, how can you NOT smile at those little ears?

The nice thing about these shoes, however, is the fact that, although they fall firmly into the “novelty” category, they’re not so OTT that they’d make you feel like you were in fancy dress. I’m not usually a big fan of novelty shoes (I absolutely hate most of Irregular Choice’s designs for instance: and again, no offence to either the brand or the people who love it – it’s just not my kind of style), but these won’t actually LOOK like bunny shoes until you turn around – and even then, passers-by would have to be paying much closer attention than people generally pay to footwear – so they’ll be almost like your own personal little joke.

The colour of these shoes is also very versatile, although if you’d rather they stood out more, they also come in black – and at a price of just £55, if you can’t make your mind up, it’s not too much of a stretch to imagine buying them both. Or not for me, anyway, although I’m probably not the best example here, as I do have a bit of a habit of buying the shoes  I love in more than one colour: or sometimes even buying more than one pair of the SAME colour. Yeah, on second thoughts, don’t be like me, folks: I’m sure you’ll be able to choose your favourite!

The Perfect Wedding Shoes…

It’s hard enough to find the perfect shoes for your wedding. You know… the biggest day of your life? But could you imagine trying to design them!? It sounds (and is!) amazing and fun, but it’s also super intimidating. You know me as The Shoe Girl, my friends and family know me as a shoe obsessed girl, so the first thing people ask me isn’t “what does your dress look like?” it’s “OMG what SHOES are you going to wear!?” Sure, I could just buy a super fabulous pair but that would be too easy. Plus I feel like since I have the ability to make pretty much anything I want, I kind of have to right?

No pressure.

Jon and I are a mere eighty seven days away from our big day and, well… I’ve been doing what I do best. Procrastinating. So I decided to to approach this formidable and daunting task the way I do my job. I started with an idea, some mood boards and a few quick sketches. Here’s what I have so far…

I’m really into pearls right now and I think I kinda need to wear them on my feet. Do I go all out and use real pears or do I fake it with some costume ones? I’m also really into single soles, but I know that a platform would be way more comfortable and easier to dance in.

Decisions, decisions! Do you see my dilemma?

So I’ll keep at it but I think I may be getting close. I can’t wait to show you guys my FAN-EFFING-TASTIC dress. I love it SO much. And the shoes of course ;) Who knows how many pairs I’ll end up wearing on my big day.

Paging Dr. Hakakha!

This past Sunday, March 8th, was National Women’s Day and the perfect day to honor an amazing woman with some of her patients and closest friends, celebrating the third edition of her popular book, Expecting 411.

My future cousin-in-law, OB/GYN Dr. Michele Hakakha, MD, is a totally awesome rockstar doctor who just happens to have delivered the babies of some pretty famous (and beautiful!) moms. I got to meet some of them and we all bonded through our love of Michele. She is truly an incredible soul. And a total babe!

 It was a great party and I got to hear some really great stories about motherhood and giving birth and especially about what an amazing doctor and friend Michele is. We all laughed so much! It was truly a celebration of being a woman.

Michele gave me a signed copy of the book- NO, I’m not expecting (yet)- and I went to flip through it and found myself not being able to put it down! It’s really great and easy to read… as if you’re chatting with your very well informed BFF about what’s going on with your body before and during pregnancy. I’m looking forward to the day I get to read it for real :)

Geometric Print Coats | A/W 20145 Trend

As we say here at The Trend Spotter, early preparation is the key to pulling off a great look. Winter is almost upon us, and we are in touch with all the latest fashion trends for the cold months. What’s the best thing to have for Winter you ask? Coats. And lots of them!

This time, the coat trend has been revamped, with fashion designers like Alexander McQueen andValentino changing things up by adding a subtle pop of vibrant colour through the art of geometric prints. From the looks of it, plain is out and colour is in – something that we believe was long overdue for this classic trend.

What we love about this creative update is the immense variety geometric shapes can provide. Squares, triangles, rectangles – all these kind of shapes have the ability to add a unique quirkiness to winter coats without making it look shabby or weird. Not to mention, it’s the perfect finishing touch to any outfit since they not only provide you with a polished, sophisticated style but also keep you warm, healthy and happy.

Burberry Prorsum, Alexander McQueen, Valentino, Kenzo Fall 2014. Images courtesy of Style.com

Vivienne Westwood, Versace, Salvatore Ferragamo, Valentino Fall 2014. Images courtesy of Style.com

Fendi, Raf Simons, Valentino, Burberry Prorsum Fall 2014. Images courtesy of Style.com

4 Best Menswear Trends‏ From MSFW 2016

Mr Runway took over the MSFW Hub, with excellent style both on and off the catwalk. The styles ranged from casual to super smart, proving that fine fit and tailoring have a place no matter what the occasion.

1. Colour Contrast Trend

Colour was a big hit of the collections, with the suits in scarlet red, midnight blue, marble grey, mustard and khaki. The important message here was contrast, with the most striking look coming from Aquila’s pairing of navy and red, which made the ensemble interesting and bold.

Aquila, Aquila, MJ Bale

2. Single Colour Trend

Perhaps taking even more risk than colour contrast is wearing one colour from head to toe. While it may have been drummed into us as a big fashion no-no, when done correctly it can be even more striking than a brightly coloured look. So don’t be afraid to wear a single-colour look – just choose pieces in different tones (like lighter coloured pants and a darker jacket) and mix print with plain

Jack London, Autonomy, Ben Sherman

3. Statement Digital Prints Trend

Another dominant trend from the runway was the statement digital prints. We’ve seen it a lot in the women’s collections, but it was a welcome addition for the men. Instead of spending hours working out which tie goes with which shirt, add quirk to your style with a clashing shirt and tie. Follow a similar rule to colour here, by choosing contrasting colours for an eye-catching effect or matching tonally. MJ Bale did it very well here, creating a look that was stylish and fresh.

Article, MJ bake, Article

4. Floral Trend

Florals for men? It may be a little more groundbreaking than Meryl let on. Floral prints were everywhere on the Mr Runway, particularly at Autonomy with a graphic flowery print shirt the perfect addition to a block colour suit. If you’re not feeling quite so brave, try the barely visible dark black and inky blue floral print of Aquila, to ease you in slowly.

Dangerfield, Autonomy, Godwin Charli

The Mr Runway also demonstrated the sartorial power of thoughtful details. Brogues with no socks add a summery touch, pocket squares are non-negotiable and a fun way to express personality while matching your shirt to your backpack is also encouraged.
And just for fun – Hawaiian shirts are certainly making their way back from Dad territory, with Autonomy and Dangerfield proving the outlandish prints can be done with taste and style.

5 Stylish Men’s Hair Trends From Spring 2016 Runways

Hair trends from Men’s Spring 2016 collections showcase a collective revival of vintage hairstyles with redefined dimensions and idiosyncratic touches. Fortunately, the array of hair looks,  featured trends that can be reproduced for different hair types. This means there is something for everybody, no matter what your hair type or length is. We take you through the most popularised hairstyletrends from the Spring 2016 runways covering everything from revived pompadours to redefined fringes, that will lend inspiration for newer, distinguished accompaniments for your spring and summer looks.

RELATED: 4 Popular Men’s Hairstyle Trends To Try Now

Fifties Slick

Lanvin, Brioni, Louis Vuitton, Canali, Versace

A distinctive fifties hair reference point was the order of business for design houses like Brioni, Louis Vuitton and Lanvin. What is required to achieve the fifties slick hair trend? A good quality hair gel or a mousse will add shine and sleekness for a worthy tribute to this decade. Keep things simple with a shiny slicked back look or add dimension with fifties partings that will register edgy and voluminous. Comb through hair lightly to add a bit of texture.

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Modernised Side Parts

Polo Ralph Lauren, Kenzo, Oliver Spencer, Ermenegildo Zegna, Burberry Prorsum

There is no doubt a classic side part will remain timeless, but the newer interpretations of this trend boasts reinvented takes of this traditionalist look. This hair trend can be harnessed for men with all hair types. Ensure you are blow-drying your locks after a good quality matte mousse has been worked in.  Experiment with different hair partings for reinvented version of this hair trend that will keep things more interesting and tailored to your own personal style.

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Revived Pompadours

J.Crew, Bottega Veneta, Tommy Hilfiger, Gosha Rubchinskiy, Lemaire

Whilst the pompadour is enjoying a revival, newer interpretations of this hair trend take the more textured form. Keep the sides of your hair intensely short and don’t be afraid to keep longer more voluminous dimensions on the top for an edgier look. For men with curlier hair, add dimension with a strategic haircut that will give a better proportion to your length. Men with straighter hair can harness their natural hair type in a side swept pompadour for a different approach to this beloved hair look.

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Redefined Fringes

Margaret Howell, Dior Homme, Berluti, Hermes, Coach

Fringes featured heavily in many spring collections. Dior Homme sustained a refined, sleek blow-dried fringe alluding a nineties aesthetic whilst designers like Berluti and Coach focused on texture and dimension. Fringe hairstyles work more favourably for straighter hair types as well as those with longer locks. A versatile hair mousse or pomade will work wonders for a bit more control when adapting this hair trend.

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Textured Curls

Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Valentino, Kolor, Salvatore Ferragamo

Perfect for those with existing curly or wavy hair, design houses professed a love for textured curls in their spring hair looks. Take inspiration from the volumised versions of this hair trend a la Valentino or wear this look with a baseball cap referencing Salvatore Ferragamo. However you wish to interpret this trend, a great starting point is distinguishing what kind of curls you naturally possess. If your hair is wavy, add a matte hair mousse for extra bounce. For curly hair, utilise a pomade to add more distinction.

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Top 6 Men’s Fashion Trends From Spring Racing Carnival 2015

If ever there was a time for men to shine in sartorial splendour, it’s at this year’s Spring Racing Carnival. There’s scarcely a better example of the evolution of the modern male than these four major race days that captivate a nation and play host to the peacocks and punters alike. As with the many rose beds that frame the fabled walkways of Flemington’s famous racecourse, men’s styling is in a state of full bloom.

It has to be said that the monopoly that women once held over trackside fashion now faces some formidable competition from the opposing gender who now claim their share of the spotlight. This continued growth in confidence now sets the scene for the extravaganza that plays out on the world stage as the spring racing season swings fully into motion.

1. Window Check

This year the quirk of British tailoring was fully embraced by the lads as checks make a big statement. The window check in particular was styled in either the classic two piece suit or mismatched separates.

2. Satorial Mismatch

For those who chose to freestyle with a check or stripe jacket and a plain colour pants, or vice versa, the styling options were limitless.

3. Return of the Waistcoat

The traditional waistcoat has seen a resurgence in popularity this year. This key item was spotted in high buttoned single and low buttoned double-breasted variations.

4. Colour Blocking

Aside from razor sharp tailoring, the standout menswear looks during the carnival also belong to those who dare to splash out on colour. French navy, marine green and sky blue were key foundation colours with highlights in cherry, salmon and pink.

5. Tie Me Up

Ties were generally wider this season with the slim tie and bow tie taking a second row seat. Winning looks included college stripes, jacquard and knitted ties.

6. Panama and Fedora Hats

Panama hats and fedoras enjoyed enduring popularity with the boater hat being the new kid on the block.

Top 10 Street Style Trends From Men’s Fashion Week A/W 2016

Street style never fails to impress, and the latest from Men’s Fashion Weeks A/W 2016 around the globe are certainly no exemption. The latest in street style has highlighted a reignited interest in rich, warm colours and materials perfect for inspiring our own wardrobes. We’ve compiled top 10 street style trends from the Autumn/Winter 2016 menswear collections, for authentic inspiration as found on the streets of the fashion capitals.

1. Emerald Green

One of, if not the best kind of green, emerald green has lately stood out as a favourable colour choice in the street style scene across the globe. With its depth and versatility when paired with other traditional hues, this kind of green is the ultimate staple for autumn and winter wardrobes. Emerald green works well for statement jackets and other accessories, but has also enjoyed a revived popularity in suits. Adopt the trend in fitted suit styles and do not fear a brighter take on emerald green to boost the modern appeal of your look. Note that this will also annotate your look with a youthfulness so always keep in mind the tone of emerald green you wish to wear. Emerald green scarves also work effectively to lend a jolt of colour to simplistic casualwear, amplifying your looks.

2. Tartan

Reminiscent of private school uniforms, tartan emerges yet again as a popular pattern choice in recent street style looks, featured most prominently in the form of bold suits featuring this classic pattern. Whilst tartans in traditional colours work really well to maintain a classic feel to looks, try experimenting with bolder, brighter versions of tartan for a more vivid take on the trend. Reds, mustards and bold greens are a few examples of bolder tartan colour choices that will leave an impression. A bold tartan blazer will work nicely as a focal point for your outfits, so accessorise accordingly with minimal pieces that will sustain a youthful silhouette. Remember to ensure your tartan clothing choices are well fitted. For a more textured, layered look opt for other vivid colours to complement a brighter tartan and to tone down a brighter tartan jacket, keep everything else minimal and simple in colouring. If you find that rocking a bold tartan suit or blazer may not be for you, try adopting the trend in more subtle accessories which will lend a preppy edge without being too full on for your aesthetic, like slim ties or novel pocket squares.

3. Floral Print

Recently popularised in shirts, jackets and whole ensembles, floral print was found in its varying degrees of brightness and boldness in many street style looks. Whilst the trend can be a little overwhelming for most men when it is done more boldly, florals can work well to lend more dimension and visually layer your looks. The trick is to adopt classic versions of floral prints for a more classic aesthetic. It also brings the sunnier feels of spring/summer aesthetics to wintery looks for added brightness in the typically somber colour palettes of the chillier months. A simple way to incorporate the trend? Try slim ties in vivid floral prints to brighten up suits or a floral pocket squares for a simple take on the trend.

4. Shawl Neck Cardigans

If there is one item of clothing you’ll most certainly need for the colder months, it is a great quality shawl neck cardigan. The ultimate staple piece for classic winter style dressing, a shawl neck is the best way to do warmth. The great thing about shawl necks is that they can be worn countlessly. To spruce up a typical t-shirt and jeans combination, use a shawl neck to add a novel touch. If you’re out for dinner or a movie, a shawl neck will ground your look, giving a bit of character to the most simple of aesthetics. In many street style looks, we found shawl necks layered over turtlenecks and other cable knit styles reaffirming their usefulness for winter dressing.

5. Fur

Fur featured prominently in street style, its prominence most commonly found in coat choices and generally on the shoulders of gentlemen at Men’s Fashion Weeks across the world. Whether you’re pro-fur or anti-fur there is a range of ways to interpret this trend, so harness the warmth that it affords your looks for the chillier months. Our top tip? Adopt furs in darker tones to add depth to your autumn and winter looks that will enhance the generally more subdued palette of these seasons. If you are feeling more daring, lighter furs will stand out against darker outfits and will create a brighter focal point. Stray from more bright furs, when it comes to this trend, less is more and a relaxed approach is key.

6. Shearling

Consistent with the highly textured trend of fur, shearling has also featured quite heavily in current street style. Shearling is usually seen in lighter tones, alongside tans and softer browns. These colour combinations work really well as staple pieces for the colder months, but keep an open mind when it comes to changing up your looks with shearling. Try incorporating the trend with shearling pieces that feature denim for a classic look that is incredibly versatile, particularly for casual looks. Street style also demonstrated the darker ways shearling can be interpreted, with blacks and darker charcoals adorning more simple coats.

7. Statement Jackets

Bold graphics and statement phrases emerged as a consistent feature in jackets amongst recent street style looks, emboldened through vivid colours and novel textures. When we refer to statement jackets, it is not simply that these jackets stand out for their colour alone. These are jackets adorned with literal statements and bold graphics; the street’s playful take on sartorial propaganda. The trick to really pulling off this trend is to commit to your look, so do not fear more bolder jackets which will tie in nicely with classic staples for more interesting casual looks.

8. Novelty Sweaters

Whether it is a cartooned motif or a kitsch retro advertisement, novelty sweaters have playfully featured on the streets, lending personality to the simplest of casual looks. The key to choosing great novelty sweaters is to really adapt this street style trend to your own personal style. This trend is most useful for casual looks, where you’ve got a bit more freedom to change up your sweaters with a bit more playfulness. That being said, there are a bunch of ways to go about the trend with a bit more of a classic appeal. You can do this by finding novelty sweaters in more versatile and traditional colours. Marle greys featured heavily and work really well to ground looks out, making your outfits more subdued and tame as opposed to overtly wacky and over the top.

9. Felt Fedoras

A common favourite amongst the Autumn and Winter seasonal staples, a great felt fedora works well to add something a little extra to simpler or minimal looks. Reminiscent of older generations where hats were commonly worn everyday, a fedora is a subtle nod to old-school dressing. Classic colours like blacks, browns and charcoal greys are versatile and failsafe, working to ground more traditional aesthetics and colour palettes. Keep in mind that brightly coloured fedoras also work really well to ground outfits, lending a bit of colour to the most minimal of looks. Also be on the look out for different styles of fedoras, a more modern take on this hat choice is encouraged, allowing you to update your wardrobe in a simple but visually effective way.

10. Statement Gloves

There’s nothing like a great set of gloves for the colder season. Gloves should not only be prized for their utility in keeping our hands toasty in chilly weather, but also for their power to layer looks effectively and their ability to add a bit more dimension to winter dressing. With regards to the wide range of different materials gloves come in, it is up to you how you want to interpret the trend. For a slick look, leather gloves will add shine and great dimension to looks, offering a retro feel. For a more playful take on the trend, knitted or woolen versions of gloves work wonderfully and are easily adapted for casual looks. No matter how you adopt this trend, keep in mind what you are dressing for, and nominate a glove choice suitable for the occasion.