The Latest Style For Trousers Is Patterned - Do You Dare To Wear Them?

Sometimes fashion trends bring around a style that can initially make you frown - this could be said of patterned trousers. We are all now used to patterned tights and leggings - but patterned trousers - is this a step too far for most of us - will we look like we have joined the weird craze for wearing pyjamas outdoors? Many of the fashion houses such as Miu Miu and Balenciaga introduced patterned pants to their collections this season - and online stores such as ASOS have included them in their collections too. What do you think of the look? We have decided that patterned trousers can freshen up your look and be either cute or just plain wild if you follow Elle Macpherson's example below.

We think the answer to the pyjama question is no, we don't think you will look like you forgot to get getting dressed in the morning - not if you follow some of the simple tips on how to wear patterned trousers below.

• Wear your patterned trousers with a plain top or one with a smaller, more dainty pattern than your pants, matching your top with one of the colours on your trousers.



• If your pants are tailored or a wide leg style, team them with a fitted top (or you may be in danger of falling into the pyjama look), and likewise, if you are wearing tighter or fitted trousers team them with a looser blouse, tunic top or jacket.
• Always wear your patterned trousers with classy heels or wedges to give the look an edge, flat shoes just won't do.

•  Finally, just have fun with the look, remember the few tips above, and you will look great. We think this is a fantastic look for summer and a great alternative to the maxi dresses and skirts which have been around for some time now. 

What's your opinion of patterned trousers - do you have any and what do you wear yours with?

Tips For Wearing Lace - Hayden Panettiere Wears A Caroline Seikaly Lace Dress

There is quite a thin line between looking classic and amazing or slightly cheap and tawdry when you decide to wear a lace mini dress, but Hayden Panettiere has pulled it off perfectly with this little Caroline Seikaly number. The colour, length and quality of the actual lace material can make all the difference. Obviously, the dress Hayden is wearing is beyond many of our budgets as it's by an amazing designer who has worked with Karl Lagerfield and Christian Lacroix. But you can get the same amazing effect by buying carefully from the high street or on-line, and wearing the dress with the right accessories and shoes. Here are a few guidelines as to what you should be looking for and how to wear it.

• Don't choose a dress which is too short. Obviously, your age (and how much you love your legs!) should influence you as well here, but even if you are not a day over 21, a lace dress which shows your knickers will not look classy. Try on the dress in the store, and check it out from behind to get the effect.
• Most dresses will be made to show the appropriate amount of flesh peeping through, but unless you have a supermodel waistline you may feel more comfortable wearing a slip or all-in-one beneath the dress to minimise any curves or bumps.
• Flat shoes are not really flattering with this style of dress, but both strappy, high-heeled sandals or knee boots look fantastic.
• If you feel that your dress is a tiny bit on the short side, wear it with tights, even opaque ones, as this will make your dress seem longer than if you wear it with bare legs.
• If you are going with bare legs, make sure they are in tip-top condition, and moisturised or finished off with a tinted leg cream to make them look air-brush perfect.
• Lastly, don't overdo the jewellery and accessories, keep them classic rather than big and bold, as this will emphasise the classiness of the dress rather than cheapening the look.

Hollywood Style With Asymmetric And One Shoulder Dresses At The Golden Globes

Just about every fashion magazine and blog has covered the Golden Globe Awards and the after show parties this year, but many seem to have failed to notice how the Hollywood red carpet was awash with floor length asymmetrical and one shoulder dresses.  All the Hollywood stars and starlets making this style work for them are too numerous to mention here, but to name a few were Drew Barrymore in an architectural peach crystal scatter dress by Atelier Versace, Kate Winslet (pictured here) in a navy Yves Saint Laurent gown, with Tiffany & Co jewels and Jennifer Aniston in a black, plunging Valentino gown. All of them demonstrated that the asymmetrical or one shoulder dress works for all types of figures and styles. Why not try it out for yourself, here are a few simple tips for wearing asymmetrical or one shoulder tops and dresses.

• Look for classical and even rather plain styles when wearing an asymmetric or one shoulder style dress. Kate is wearing a well fitted navy Yves Saint Laurent gown which she accessorised with Tiffany & Co jewels. YSL gowns may require rather too deep pockets for many of us, but similar gowns can be found for a fraction of the price, and with the right hair-do, makeup and sparkling accessories, can still look stunning.
• Look for one-shoulder dresses in black or navy or if you are brave enough to make more of a statement go for a dark red or cream dress and match it up with a pair of classic killer heel pumps and clutch bag.
• If you choose a simply styled, black asymmetrical dress it can be dressed up with sparkly, high heels, evening bag and jewels, or dressed down with a wide belt, black leggings, flat pumps and big slouch bag for a casual look.
• An asymmetrical mini dress can be worn with patterned tights and Mary-Janes for an office-girl look and then changed for the evening to be worn over skinny jeans and long knee boots for a night out.
• Remember the gorgeous SATC Carrie dress in cream with the beautiful corsage? Try this out yourself with a one-shoulder dress, by attaching a pretty corsage in colours matching your dress, or contrasting colours which can be matched with shoes and bag.
• There are lots of different ways to wear asymmetrical styles, look for off centre necklines, pointed sleeves, hemlines and off-the shoulder styles.
• If you are wearing an asymmetrical evening dress keep your jewellery simple. A large central pendant does not look correct with a one-shoulder or asymmetrical neckline. Instead, centre your jewellery around earrings and bracelets and leave shoulders and neckline bare.

What To Wear With This Season's Wedge Boots

With the cold weather and icy snow and frost with us to stay for the foreseeable future the wedge boot is the perfect fashion footwear accessory for the season, being stylish, warm, and less likely to see you on your behind in the snow than a couture, leather soled, stiletto boot. So, for all those struggling in the snowy weather, here are some great tips on how to wear your wedge boots and be super cosy and super stylish too.

• If you are wearing knee length wedge boots, stay away from flared or gathered skirts - this can give a bulky look - team your boots up with dark leggingsand a tunic top.
• Choose some black suede or leather wedge boots and wear them with straight leg jeans and an over-sized sweater with a leather or faux leather jacket for a casual, but edgy look.
• Wedge boots also look great with patterned black tights and a mini skirt, with lots a woollies going on with hats and scarves. Also try some wedge ankle boots with this look, which are not as heavy looking as knee length boots with a skirt.
• Don't be tempted to wear wedge boots underneath bootleg jeans - you might as well just put on a cardigan knitted by your granny and an anorak as well.
• You have got to be pretty brave in winter to wear these ankle wedges as worn by Alexa Chung here at the Burberry Prorsum fashion show. What do you think about her teeny-tiny legs in these rather chunky boots? Looks a bit chilly to us.

New Season Colour - Be Proud To Wear Purple

No one would suggest that wearing purple from head to toe is a great fashion idea, but accessorising or wearing one signature item in the classy shade can bring the romantic and mysterious side out in you. All shades of purple and particularly the punchy bright shades are the most on-trend fashion statement for this autumn. Rachel Stevens shows here just how beautiful a plum purple dress can be - she looks classily gorgeous in this sweetheart neckline gown.

Choosing One Signature Item Of Clothing In Purple

For the daytime, perhaps in the office, look for pretty feminine vest tops in purples, magentas or lilacs. Wear one under a crisp white shirt to bring out your naughty but nice side. A great idea is a classic black trouser suit with a white blouse or shirt, but make the difference by wearing some purple high heels - quirky is great.

Purple Accessories and Jewellery

Purple jewellery is an all time favourite - particularly Amethyst jewellery (which is the birthstone for February). Amethyst jewellery can be found in its more natural state shaped into boho pendants, or can be polished to a fine finish and inset into gold and silver jewellery. Purple accessories look best when teamed up with black, neutral or white outfits. I recently saw a photo of Alex Curran wearing some cool purple sandals with a summer tunic dress, which looked fantastic.

How To Use Purple Make Up

Purple make up should be used with care during the day - look for plum shades of eye shadow or lipstick or lip glosses with a plummy purple tint. Deeper shades of purple eye shadow and eyeliner can be used by sweeping purple colour over the eyelids and lining the eyes both top and bottom with purple liner to create a dramatic evening look.

How to Wear A Purple Dress

Dresses, particularly for the evening, look fantastic in all shades of lilac, plum, magenta, mauve and deep purple - there is something very mysterious about darker shades of purple. Accessorise with either black or silver shoes and bag.