STAYING ON TREND WITH A BUMP!

Although the summer can be a great time for style experimentation, comfort also has to be a consideration when the sun is in the sky and temperatures rise. For ladies who have the bonus of carrying a baby bump through the summer months, the latter is likely to be a priority. However, it’s nice to think that you are maintaining your usual fashion standards even when your ankles are turning into cankles and you’re increasingly spending shopping trips scoping out the nearest public toilet rather than potential purchases.

Finding decent maternity wear has become less of a challenge over the past few years as retailers have risen to the fashion challenge, but it’s still difficult to find a balance between trends and practicality. When it comes to this summer’s trends, there is plenty for pregnant women to choose from.

Striking summer maxi dresses are perfect for sunny weather – they are light and airy and because they feature high or relaxed waistbands they cover baby bumps with ease. You’ll find plenty of maxi dresses featuring tribal-inspired designs this season, but it’s also worth looking out for oriental and tropical floral prints as well as plain pastels, which are both big summer trends. Look out for breathable fabrics like cotton and jersey, which will help keep you cool and also wash well.

One of the other great things about maxi dresses is the fact they look at their best when teamed with sensible footwear. Wearing flip-flops, gladiator sandals and low wedges could well help soothe those cankles, or even stop them taking hold in the first place!

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SWEDISH HASBEENS POPPING UP IN SELFRIDGES

The Swedish Hasbeens pop-up store launched in the Selfridges Shoe Galleries this morning. The retro shoe brand that has been taking the world by storm will be presenting their SS12 collection as well as styles exclusive to Selfridges. The SS12 collection is inspired by the active lifestyle of the 40s-50s, which made fashion sportier and more comfortable. The line features the Classic Old Tennis Shoe, the Bowling Shoe, the Strong Lady Sandal, the Cork Wedge, and the Pump Ballerina.

The pop-up store will be open for four weeks, make sure you go and check it out.

 

BRITISH DESIGNERS COLLECTIVE AT BICESTER VILLAGE

During the week I was invited to Bicester (pronounced Bister) Outlet Village for the launch of the British Designers Collective store. The pop-up boutique concept store offers British emerging talent the opportunity to showcase their collections in a unique setting. The exclusive collaboration between Bicester Village, one of the nine Chic Outlet Shopping® Villages by Value Retail, and the British Fashion Council is now in it’s third year. British style icon Alexa Chung and spokesperson for the British Designers Collective was there to open the store, her speech focused on her love for British fashion and how much she couldn’t wait to start shopping in store.

Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase ‘must have’ pieces from their previous seasons’ collections at the usual Bicester Village reductions of up to 60% on the rrp. Designers include Peter Pilotto, Jonathan Saunders, Nicholas Kirkwood, Preen, Lulu & Co, Bella Freud, Erickson Beamon, Holly Fulton, Emma Cook, Markus Lupfer, and Marios Schwab – to name a few. My personal faves were the Mawi jewellery, Nicholas Kirkwood heels, Lulu & Co shirts, Jonathan Saunders sweaters, and the Holly Fulton prints.

The BDC pop-up boutique will run until 9th May, the menswear selection will launch on 16th May and run til the end of June. Designers include YMC, Oliver Spencer, Margaret Howell, James Long, Sunspel, Tim Little, and Richard James amongst others.

Coveted British shoe designer Charlotte Olympia has also opened a pop-up boutique to coincide with the BDC pop-up, the store opened on 17th March and will run until 31st May. I need some of those spider web soles in my life!

SHOPPING EVENT: WHAT, THIS OLD THING?

I have had 4 Ikea bags full of clothes and a stack of shoes to put on eBay for the best part of a year now, luckily I have a lot of storage space so I don’t have to see it everyday. I came this close (puts thumb and forefinger a millimeter apart) to slinging it all, that was until I received an email about The Clothing Station; a new indoor market to be set in South London for buyers and sellers of pre-loved fashion – YEEEESSS!!! I can clear out my spare room, pack up the car (at a decent time I hasten to add), and drive a few miles “down the road” to sell all of my pre-loved belongings!

The Clothing Station was recently established to fill a gap in the market, the inaugural market day, aptly dubbed ‘What, this old thing?’ is taking place at Wessex House in Clapham Junction next Saturday 31 March from 1-6pm.

When asked to comment on the choice of location, Jess Daniell from The Clothing Station adds:

“While there is a strong clothing market presence in east and north London, south London is lacking in this department. We want to introduce a concept where local people can find high-quality and affordable fashion from like-minded sellers. Whether you come along as a buyer or seller (or both!) it will be a fun afternoon and you’ll hopefully leave with a few new treasures for your wardrobe.”

Almost everyone has items of clothing hanging in their wardrobe that they’ve grown bored of but don’t want to simply give away for free! Sellers can pre-register for a stall at the event online at www.theclothingstation.com. The Clothing Station will provide table and marketing collateral and, at only £15 per stall, it’s hard to think of a reason not to start making room for new summer ensembles. Entry for shoppers is FREE!

MUST HAVE: SFK CAMERA STRAPS

SFK camera straps are a must for any budding photographer/fashionista/style blogger; these beauties were founded just last year by former Teen Vogue Accessories Editor, Sarah Frances Kuhn in Brooklyn, NY. The Chanel-esque chain link straps are super chic, a much better look than my wide run of the mill Canon strap.  All straps are hand made in the studio and come in a wide array of colours, of which I want at least 5 starting with “Fools Gold” in black.

SFK have already had some great collaborations with Fallon, Niko, and Cheek-ie with straps inspired by major fashion bloggers like Susie Bubble, Face Hunter and Hanneli. The pre-fall line was inspired some of Sarah’s musical muses of the moment.

Go to SFK for more info, images, and stockists.