Summer In The City

Unlike most of my friends and colleagues, I'm staying in London this Summer and sadly not jetting off anywhere tropical. With beach and holiday style edits ubiquitous across fashion magazines and websites, I felt I needed to create some summer-in-the-city style inspiration. This Summer it's all about embracing a fusion of tropicalia and chic European city style.

1. In the office

1.  V-wrap back shell top, £34, Topshop

2. Wide leg ditsy print trousers, £17.99, New Look

3. Leather sandals, £420, Chloe

4. Trilogy leather shopper, £1340, Lanvin

5. Smoke and mirrors idiom bangle, £28, Kate Spade

2. Weekend brunch

1. Handmade acertate retro sunglasses, £35, ASOS

2. Strappy v-neck cami, £18, Topshop

3. A-line double crepe skirt, £278, Carven

4. Monogramme quilted leather shoulder bag, £1290, Saint Laurent

5. Sandals, £19.99, H&M

3. Evening cocktails

1. Cross back jumpsuit, £40, Topshop

2. Harlow clutch, £405, Michael Kors

3. Fancay tan sandals, £79, Dune

4. Cookies and cream nail polish, £9, Ciate

This Summer I'm focusing on bringing holiday style to my wardrobe and soaking up the sun in London. When the sun is out, who doesn't love a British Summer?

- A.T.

Happy Feet (At Last!)

What do you get when you cross comfort with fashion? As well as thousands of smiling fashionistas, cue retailers and designers alike diving head-first into the latest trend of slip-on pumps.

First I noticed Steve Madden's offering, then came along ASOS and Kurt Geiger. Just to assure the fashion crowd that this trend was being taken seriously, Jimmy Choo has now jumped on the bandwagon and released some oh-so-mouth-watering pumps that I do wish I could stretch my pay packet to.

Now I'm seeing slip-ons everywhere and had to invest in a pair of my own. A big fan of the Givenchy floral pumps, and a stickler for finding high street versions of designer items, I invested in some Dockland Plimsolls from ASOS, £20.

What I love the most is seeing people pushing the boundaries with how they wear their slip-ons. I've seen them with sports-luxe trousers, pleated midi skirts and eclectic maxi dresses; I've also seen a few colleagues proudly scuffling around the office in theirs. I too share their smug expression, not just because of the great pattern on my slip-ons, but because they feel so nice on my feet - I see slip-ons as a chance for feet rehab. I'm always a fan of a good heel but when it comes to a choice between the two, if fashion says so, then I vote slip-ons.

(Pictures from Google Images)

How do you wear yours?

- A.T.

Tried & Tested: The Thigh Split Trend

Not too long ago I wrote a post on here about thigh split maxi skirts/ dresses. I'm still as obsessed now as I was a month ago and actually had the chance to try out the trend at my graduation ball a couple of weeks ago.

The dress: 

ASOS, £40

My take on it:

I wore the dress with neutral make-up and gold accessories. I felt that the dress was the focal point and so I didn't need heavy accessories or makeup that would look garish or draw away from the dress. I went for neutral, bronzed makeup using my Benefit Away We Glow make-up set.

Pictures from the night:

I took a lot of pictures and it was a really fun night. I got a tonne of compliments on the dress, too. The only warning I would give is the dress isn't particularly bloat-friendly, so I was lucky to get away with a three course meal and drinks - be wary if you are buying the dress for an occasion which involves a meal.

(Excuse the terrible quality of my iPhone camera..)

I felt great wearing this dress and can't wait to wear it to a formal occasion again in the near future. It is still in stock on the ASOS website for those of you interested. Overall verdict: make sure you join in with the thigh-split trend at some point this year, but don't overdo the split...

- A.T.

Hump Day Treat

PRIMARK CLOTHES AVAILABLE ON ASOS.COM

Today I came across a startling discovery - ASOS are now starting to stock Primark clothes. You probably know that Primark have always been strictly high-street, and many a time I have suffered from the frustration of going onto their website only to find that there are no clothes on there. It seems strange to have such a successful high street shop without its stock online - especially in the current state of technology and social media. Perhaps it would be impossible to put everything online, especially with their quick turnaround of stock. Although Forever 21 manage it . . .

Click on the picture below to see the items that ASOS have on the site at the moment. There are only 22 items listed, and despite much speculation about whether this is due to increase, Primark have said that the partnership with ASOS is a trial and, as such, is "very limited."

Does this mean that Primark is slowly transitioning to 'etail'? Time will tell. I'm not sure they need to - although it would be helpful for the odd stressful day when the last thing I want to do is get stuck into the clothes jungle that is the Primark shop floor. One thing's for sure though - ASOS have got so many things under their belt at the moment. I think Primark is a great string to add to their bow.

- A.T.