London - Trend Spotting

Hello da-ah-lings. Just returned from a wicked week in London, which has left my credit card leaner and my thighs...well...not so much.

Despite the fact that we travelled with two male toddlers (which makes us either naive, twisted or sadistic), I still found a good 7 hours to hit Oxford Street to do some Stirling damage.

If you can brave the virtual retail Batmitzvah, Top Shop is always a great place for trend-spotting. I love accessories, so I found myself 3 bargain vintage day/night bags. Vintage bags are still huge and the New Big Colour is royal blue. I found an awesome vintage royal blue baby satchel, with a rusty gold clasp and just enough space for my phone, a nappy (glam), the 245 lip glosses I usually carry, a purse and some gum. Perfecto.

With the UK dipping her tentative toe into Spring Season, the maxi dress seems to be a big favourite. Top Shop has them a-plenty, but I found a beautiful one at Ted Baker - cream with butterflies all over it. Now all I need is an epic spray tan, killer heels and a wedding to go to.
http://www.tedbaker.com/women%27s/dresses/86636-printed_maxi_dress/detail.aspx?pfm=browse#zoom You like?


For those of you that have a permanent tan, small ankles, tiny knees, no cellulite, thin thighs, heart-shaped calves, no visible veins and lots of guts, GREAT news! Shorts are in. And this season's trend makes it clear why they're called 'shorts'. Jislaaik. Denim shorts that your father wouldn't allow you out of the house in. Fuh real. Anyhoo...seems there are a lot of 17 year olds with perfect pins, because they were buying. And buying. And buying. Hateful bitches.

If you're skinny and rock-ish, stone-washed jeans (skinny style) are back with an 80's vengeance. I can't pull them off, but fedora-hats off to those of you that can. Two hats off if you can work them with ankle boots. Hilloooo Alexa Chung.

For those of us on the dark side of 30, three hot trends work:
- nautical (navy cardis, striped tees and a bloke with a yacht)
- military (khaki, structured kick-ass jackets and the bloke from the Hurt Locker)
- pumps (grungy, vintage, bejewelled or two-tone, these pretty offshoots from ballet don't show any signs of doing a final curtsey)

Right. That's that then. A tiny taste of London's trends direct from Oxford Street - officially Europe's busiest shopping street. Ka-ching!