The Tapered Trouser

Top: Missguided.com
Trousers: Topshop

Tapered trousers are pretty much my favourite thing right now. They solve so many problems - it's 25 degrees outside and you're just not ready to brave it with a bare leg, but it's far far too hot for jeans...put a pair of these on. They're light, baggy and usually come in floral prints that are perfect for the summer.

There is nothing really new about this trend, aside from its transition from smart to undeniably casual. I'm more used to seeing them as part of a stylish suit on the red carpet than being worn around the city with flip flops and a basic crop.

Kristen Stewart

Tapered trousers work really well on all shapes and sizes. They're not hold-your-breath-and-prepare-not-to-breath style tight, like the jeans and trousers that have dominated fashion in recent years, but also they're not completely shapeless. The high-waisted aspect erodes the appearance of the dreaded muffin-top, whilst the soft gradation from baggy to tighter at the ankle gives the illusion of a flattering leg shape. And they really don't have to be expensive. All the standard high street chains are selling them - New Look is particularly good value.

New Look Tapered Trousers - £17.99

Personally, I'm not so keen on that particular print, but the shape and general idea is definitely there. Plus, I tend to discriminate against bright colours...so I might not be the best judge

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Back to Basics

Dress: Urban Outfitters
Necklace: Urban Outfitters

Summer fashion doesn't have to be all about prints and bold colours. Simple little pieces can work really well too. It's so easy to get lost in trends - which print is in right now? What colour can I wear with it? Is the outfit right for the season? The questions are endless. Sometimes it's easier to just give up and wear a slab of plain grey cotton with arm holes.

And it doesn't look half as bad as it sounds! Shapeless dresses are actually not that unflattering. I've avoided them like the plague for years, thinking that, because I am short, they will inevitably drown me in a sea of fabric. But with a good chunky heel, it really works. And the simplicity works too - really easy to accessorise and achieves a sort of 'effortlessly cool' feel.

It's what I like to call the 'sack' dress - utterly shapeless. Which, I admit, sounds pretty negative...but all it means is that it's casual, perfect for summer day wear.

It doesn't necessarily have to be a dress, simplicity is easily achieved through jeans a plain T, or a neutral coloured skirt and top. For me, less is always more - I'd rather an outfit be under-done rather than overdone. But maybe I'm just playing it safe...

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Big Hat or Tiny Person?

I really love hats, of all kinds, and I am loving that they're everywhere at the moment. Particularly, I love the big floppy hats that are all over the high street shops, and are not always made out of straw, as you'd expect with typical summer beach fashion...

These ones are far more chic. Vogue recently published a list of 22 hats to end  bad hair days forever, whilst remaining  stylish and sophisticated, and the classic big floppy hat - for want of a better name  -was a prominent feature. At the  moment, Topshop are doing some really nice styles for around £25, whilst ASOS also has a wide selection for around £15 - £20.

Hat by Topshop

Hat by ASOS

The only issue I have with this hat trend is that I'm tiny, and I'm not completely sure whether I can pull them off proportionally...plus I do worry that they make me look a little pirate-y...but I'm going to assume that's just me being paranoid! Hats work with all kinds of styles, from bohemian to preppy, and from vintage to entirely modern. They are incredibly versatile.

Vogue has said in the past that hats increase femininity - they change the way we move. We turn slowly, look sideways and pretend to ignore everything around us, giving women everywhere an air of complete and utter confidence. Though, honestly, I think it's more likely that these women are trying to prevent their hat from blowing off in the British winds...it's always a tricky procedure

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Tie-Dye Blue

It's been around for a while now, but tie-dye is blasting at full force this summer. So I picked this little number (above) a few weeks back from Urban Outfitters and have been wearing it whenever possible. It combines two main trends for summer 2014. One being tie-dye, obviously, and the other being the colour blue. According to Harper's Bazaar, these are two unstoppable crazes, especially when put together.

Graham & Spencer Velvet Cami

MiH Jeans Dress

J.Crew Bikini

Tie-dye has moved away from its original 'Hippie' background and is now at the forefront of high street fashion. It's had quite a journey. In the 70's it was seized by the peace adoring, shower ambivalent hippies, but then was reclaimed by 90's grunge.

Now, in the 2010's it's set to be a major player on 2015's resort season. Resort wear (or cruise wear) typically refers to upmarket stores or collections frequented by affluent members of society. Resort stores allow these people to kit themselves out in the latest trends, ready for their winter escape to some island in the tropics, populated solely by the rich and famous. 

But tie-dye is still very present on the British high street. The catwalk hasn't captured it yet!

You can find lush pieces in loads of stores: 

Tie Dye crop
Bone White for Urban Outfitters

Dark Dimension leggings
Yayer.com 

Tie dye/fringe crop
Topshop

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