OVERSIZED COATS

Big and Oversized…..words that often have a negative connotation. But relax, AW14 outerwear trend is all about chic oversized silhouettes from the blanket capes seen at Burberry to menswear inspired styles at Celine. Voluminous, cocoons, balloon sleeves  and large lapels are all features you want to be wearing (not all on the same piece mind)Try not to oversize everything. Oversized coats work best paired with slim trousers and a ballet pump or loafer to create a contrast.This trend is mostly about clean minimalism so skip the accessories too. Simplicity is the best way forward, stick to coats with minimal detailing and plain hues. No one wants to look like MC Hammer in 2015. 

OVERSIZED COATS by candice-nicholas featuring MaxMara

Jil Sander coat
£1,385 - stylebop.com

Acne Studios wool coat
£415 - lagarconne.com

MaxMara coat
£525 - matchesfashion.com

ASOS coat
£110 - asos.com

ASOS coat
£47 - asos.com

Zara coat
£40 - zara.com

Gray coat
missguided.co.uk

Acne Studios clothing
£740 - acnestudios.com

Print n Mix

2012: Supposed doom and gloom: Global recession and the end of the world. Yet the Spring/Summer 2012 collection couldn’t be any more different.... its incredibly upbeat. A print revolution dominates, graphics, florals, paisleys, abstract, birds, tribal and baroque created a colour kaleidoscope. We’ll see retro-Americana, metallics in every shade, jewels and a twenties comeback in the shops. Dark gothic looks, colour blocking, splashy watercolour motifs and new simple silhouettes in sporty pieces just in time for the Olympics. Plus a nice palate cleanser with white romantics and candy coloured pastels. They'll be gold accessories, tassels, cat eyed and John Lennon sunglasses, cut outs baring midriffs and shoulders plus the peplum skirt. Button up shirts, pyjamas, mesh and open weave materials will all make an appearance. Hair and beauty is diverse also: Coral orange lips, wine lips, buns, ombre hair and Hollywood retro curls. I’ll add a trend preview when I can as there's just so darn many.

FLORAL

Flower Power in spring? Hardly a surprise. But this seasons collection was so varied I was never bored. Chic botanical patterns, petal appliqués and bright 3D florals created a blossoming explosion of prints. London and New York catwalks were the most experimental and in Milan, the florals were more retro. Stella McCartney's Resort 2012 collection tops her Resort 2011 citrus prints. Blumarine and Proenza Schouler also went for the vibrant tropical look . A bit too extreme for myself. I preferred the mismatched florals at Mary Katrantzou, Sportmax and Erdem. Christopher Kane focused on candied, stick on flowers teamed with organza dresses and coats. Sixties daisy prints charmed at Marni whilst Peter Som opted for photo realistic roses. Crazy coloured blooms not your thing?, Alexander Wang, Dries Van Noten and Valentino took a subtler approach with monochrome florals. Valentino and Alberta Ferretti's modern romance collection charmed with intricate floral appliqué and  sheer dusty pinks. If your not brave enough, team a floral blouse with cigarette pants or complicate a solid skirt. Zara has an amazing shirt seen on many bloggers. I love the vintage floral look most. If printed perennials are too feminine. Add high top trainer wedges, Rosie Huntington Whiteley style. Jason Wu collaborated with graffiti artist KAWS on a petal print. It added a bit of street cred. Also, It’s all about the printed trouser this season. Get one!

Versace H&M

DKNY

Topshop Leggings

Zara Shirt

                                                                                                    

ASOS Shirt with Placement Floral Print

ASOS Blazer in Scenic Print

                     

PAISLEY

If feminine florals aren't for you. Check out Dolce and Gabbana SS12 show. The clash of psychedelic colours mixed in with fruit, floral and paisley prints, made it look like a massive crazy party. Scarf prints were everywhere right down to platform heels and oversized clutch bags. Prints contained Medusa and Italian motifs. Oversized, gold coin statement earrings, teamed with a  sombrero like hats added drama. I'm thinking find a vintage or Hermes scarf and tie it anywhere on your body. Paisley prints were splashed over tailored pieces at Jil Sander while Emilio Pucci updated it's signature print with a more mismatched creation. Silk pyjama paisley pieces at McCartney and JW Anderson is a double trend hit. Whilst Paul & Joe, Matthew Williamson had a boho theme to their paisley pieces with maxi dresses. The first picture is Prada's Spring Ad campaign-loving the green paisley bodysuit.

M.I.A in Versace

Stella McCartney

Thakoon

Jil Sander

Sport Max Mara

JW Anderson

                 

               ASOS paisley playsuit

Baroque is my second favourite print this season after paisley. Graphical baroque print looks luxurious whether it’s found in the fabric or embroidery. Other intriguing prints are digital flowered images from Mary Katrantzou, abstract art with mirrorlike geometric shapes at Hermès and swirling graphics at Vera Wang. Jill Stuart put birds on pyjama-inspired wear and Marc by Marc Jacobs runway showed bright, abstract birds on a cocktail dress. There’s a print for everyone this season. Spring takes prints to the next level with combined print ensembles. Pairing floral tops with matching bottoms is a high fashion look. The head-to-toe look in all-over florals looked good at Peter Som. The S/S12 season showed flowers combined geometrical prints, polka dots also. Not for me I’m afraid. Only supermodels could probably pull that off. Topshop baroque hotpants and Nasty Gal's painted prints below are cute.           

Topshop Baroque 

                                                   

                                                   

Topshop Unique

Hermes

Balmain

 

                             

Building a Gold Mine

For decades the double cuff trend has been popular, Chanel in the 1930s, Diane Vreeland in the 1960s, in Spring 2011: Celine. The Céline Gold Metal Cuff Bracelets were simple but exemplified Céline's minimalist chic. Teamed with a ready to wear collection with simple lines and neutral colours, they gave a glamorous colour pop. I'm convinced Phoebe Philo believes that lifes too short to go completely minimalistic. Fans included Victoria Beckham who wore one against a classic black & white ensemble. 

Celine

Celine

                

The cuff was one of the prominent jewellery pieces on the Spring 2011 runway. Chanel showed jewelled double cuffs for both cruise and spring whilst Stella McCartney created tuxedo-like cuffs. Yet at the four fashion weeks the cuffs were mostly embellished. The look has arrived again at several Resort 2012 collections. This time around, the cuffs are a simplistic silver or gold.

On the high street, H&M and ASOS have many cuffs that are right on trend for spring. Both have the smooth metal "Celine" look that I appreciate more. The bolder the better. I bought double cuffs for Hong Kong. Wahoo!! They will complicate some of the pastel colours that are popular this spring and I plan to wear them to death with every black piece going. On my wrists and even on my ankles. Very Wonderwoman. They can update the most basic heel to look even more expensive. Jewellery around my ankles is a new one for me. I found a hippy twist with strings of beads on the Burberry Prorsum SS12 London catwalk show. I like the idea of wearing cuffs with a vintage cable knit jumper or a casual white tee. It's even an ideal counterpart to lingerie or a bodycon Herve Leger swimsuit. Or simply copy Gucci and pair with a suit. Or how about gold cuffs a la Kate Moss.

Michael Kors 

Gucci

Burberry Prorsum 

Any gold accessory is timeless investment and will lift any overly worn outfit. Whilst fashion this summer seems a little busy...paisley, graphic, baroque and  botanical prints from the likes of Versace, Mccartney and Katrantzou. The jewellery trends show simpler designs and clean modern finishes. Metal chokers, cuffs, big brass collars were big in fall 2011 (Michael Kors and Elie Saab runways) and it will continue in 2012. 

Metal Chokers are the perfect power accessory. My favourite was Versace for H&M. The flower choker-not for me but the diamond encrusted panther and plate versions were incredible.

H&M's version of the Dries Van Noten Fall 2011 hair cuffs also caught my eye. The practical polished look adds a bit of luxe to a ponytail. It looks far more rich than the price tag suggests. ASOS have their own take with gold sleek cones and ponytailers. This is hands down my favourite accessory trend for spring/summer.