Stars and Stripes

American Flag leggings, Vintage crop jacket - ASOS marketplace, T-Shirt- Blonde & Blonde, Restyled T-Shirt Dress - Studs & Lace

There is no better excuse to don a pair of American flagged leggings than to make a sartorial nod towards our US cousins on this day, July 4^th.

Push the boat out and don some red, white and blue, sprinkle it with a few stars and stripes, and you will be U.S.A fabulous.

For the more understated look, salute to the cruise collection style that wouldn’t look out of place in the Hamptons and try the restyled T-Shirt dress from Studs & Lace.

So as those across the Atlantic spend their day throwing some steaks on the barbecue, enjoying a picnic in the sun, or watching some hugely overstated firework display, check out some of the events in London, and delve into your own Stateside celebrations…

Time Out's guide to 4th July London

By Laura Feasey

Riverside Style

Photos courtesy of Britishrowing.org. Filigree necklace, lace earrings and bow tie necklace all from studsandlace.co.uk

Riverside Style

The determined bad summer weather did not hinder the masses at this weekend’s Royal Henley Regatta. A somewhat more understated event amongst a busy social calendar that has been recently invaded by brash celebrities and their hangers on, Henley remains a pleasant and elegant affair.

If you missed this weekend’s frolics by the river, save an outfit for a summers day and accessorise your sunny attire with some vintage finds from studsandlace.com.

By Laura Feasey

Wimbledon Style

Photos courtesy of The Daily Mail

No sooner has one event finished does another begin, and this week is the turn of the Wimbledon tennis championships. As us English fans gear ourselves up for two weeks of strawberries and cream, Robinsons orange squash and prayers to the weather gods for sun, the world’s best in the land of tennis descend upon this quaint little suburb of London.

Not traditionally known for its glamour, this year the competition is to be given its own injection of charm, as presented by Sportsmail photographer Andy Hooper, who photographed some of the female stars. Bethanie Mattek-Sands (pictured above) is one of the figures who has captured the attention of Wimbledon viewers over the past few years. Dubbed the Lady Gaga of tennis, it was last year’s competition that saw her make her biggest mark on the fashion world, in an outfit from the British designer Alex Noble, who has also been responsible for some of Gaga’s most notorious costumes.

As well as keeping a keen eye on some of the more audaciously dressed players of the competition, we shall be giving you an insight into how to dress tennis tremendous over the next week, just in case you might be hotfooting it down to the courts.

By Laura Feasey

Royal Ladies

Cream and black fascinators - www.studsandlace.co.uk Photos courtesy of The Daily Mail.

With just one day left, this year’s royal race meeting has been subject to much more than the odd opinion. Monday kicked off amidst a tumultuous cry of protest and objection, whether it was down to the orange stickers the men had to bear in place of their absent ties, or the rejection faced by the ladies in their spaghetti straps and short skirts. Nevertheless, this last week certainly has not disappointed when it comes to the style stakes.

Even though ladies day was greeted by gusts of wind that threw up more than the odd hat and skirt, many of the fairer sex managed to hold on to their headpieces and demonstrate some of the very best in British eccentricity and artistic license.

From the woman supporting the weight gargantuan blue stilton, complete with grapes, to the swarm of butterflies encircling another’s head, there was certainly some distinctive choices on the race course this year.

If you’re looking to delve into the world of headpieces and fascinators this season, why not opt for something a little more discreet, such as these vintage inspired fascinators from studsandlace.co.uk.

By Laura Feasey

Royal Artwork

Dress top left, Studs and Lace at Asos, other photographs courtesy of

News Group Newspapers Ltd.

Royal Artwork

Just two days into Ascot and we have already been thoroughly spoiled with hats, shoes, dresses and works of art.

Dress code assistants were on hand with piles of pashminas and feathery fascinators to help cover up the modesty of those who had failed to adhere to this years strict dress code.

After much primping and preening, the racecourse was filled with debonair men in their top hats and elegant women in their tails, which were predominantly on or below the knee, of course.

Some of the more flamboyant race goers treated us to some fascinating sights of birdcage adorned heads and patriotically inspired attire, much to the amusement and the unabashed opinions of the world’s press.

In such a celebratory year for the country, several visitors made a nod in the direction of the time of the Queen’s coronation, with some 1950s inspired outfits.  Try your own 50s silhouette with the beautiful wiggle dress from studs and lace.

By Laura Feasey

Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot shot by Simon Proctor, Dress - Antonio Berardi, Hat - Stephen Jones

Tomorrow sees yet another traditional British event gallop off, with the first day of Royal Ascot. We could pretend that we know that this week marks one of the most important race meetings on the European calendar, or we could tuck the Pinocchio noses back in, and talk about what the ladies will be wearing.

This entertaining event has sparked controversy over the past couple of years, what with hems getting higher and necklines getting lower, as the organisers have frowned upon some of the, shall we say, more TOWIE inspired looks on the racecourse.

If you’re planning on heading down to Ascot this week, make sure your knees are in check, your straps are not spaghetti like and your hat is firmly in place. Take a look at these guidelines, otherwise you may just be left standing at the gates…

Courtesy of The Daily Mail

By Laura Feasey

Summer of Music

Clockwise from top left- Parka with Patch Detail - ASOS, Chiffon Shorts - LOVE, Hooded Parka - Barbour, Joules Print Wellies - very.co.uk, Tortoiseshell sunglasses - Browns, Vintage Scarf Top - studsandlace.co.uk, Korres Festival Kit - ASOS, Studded Wellies - Hunter.

We’ve seen where the festival fashion favourites were born, and now is the time to start packing our capsule collections and make sure we are ready, come rain or shine.

Seeing those grey skies over June does not bode well for the British summer, so make sure you’ve been waterproofed, and take advantage of some of the more elegant Wellington boot and parka offerings.

On the other hand, with a little dose of luck, the sun might be shining on your festival crowd, so pick up a lovely little pair of print shorts, just like these from Love, or keep it unique, with a restyled vintage scarf top, such as this one from Studs & Lace.

With long nights and lazy mornings, your skin will be craving some much needed love, so keep it well fed and tended to with some mini saviour essentials, such as the lovely little facial heroes in the Korres Festival Kit.

By Laura Feasey

Festival Vintage

Festival Bracelet - Love Rocks, Sunglasses - Asos, Restyled Vintage dress - Pixie @Studs & Lace, Fringe T - Wildfox, Wellington Boots - Hunter.

Festivals thrive on the harmonious blend of music and fashion, a happy marriage where each party contributes an equal influence to make the other flourish. It was during the notorious days of Woodstock that we first saw Jimmy Hendrix saunter across the stage in a tassel fringed cape, and Joe Cocker showing us just how we should be rocking out in tie dye, so where better to look for our summer festival inspiration than to the great gods that showed us all how it was done.

Stay true to your vintage soul and take a classic piece and restyle it just like we have at studsandlace.com

By Laura Feasey

Festival Fabulous

Photo courtesy of www.slothboogie.com

As we begin to approach the summer and hope, with our fingers firmly crossed, that the sun does come out again to play, we are truly spoiled with a rich calendar filled with festival frolics and carnival clowning around.

A long time has passed since the days of green wellington boots and offensively coloured pac a macs, and this week we shall be looking at the very best in festival fashion. Whether you’re getting down and dirty at Global, picnicking at T in the Park or kicking up the Spanish sands at Benicassim, there is the ideal outfit just waiting to give you some festival fabulousness.

By Laura Feasey

Quintessentially Eccentric

Winged Jacket - Ebay  Silver Peplum Shorts - Asos  Body Chain - Topshop  Peacock Crochet Swimsuit - Nastygal

The great jubilee weekend not only highlighted the wealth of talent this country is home to, but the eccentric characters we have nurtured over the years. Of course no one could have ignored the hula hooping Grace Jones or the angel-winged Annie Lennox, and like it or not, they are anything but boring.

With designers like Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Zandra Rhodes having paved the way for the British eccentric, there is every opportunity to join the unconventionals and make your own little homage to our distinctive nation.

Us Brits have for a long time been known for our unique and uncanny attributes, so move over Lady Gaga, we were doing it a long time before you…

By Laura Feasey

Great British Style

Photos Courtesy of Rick Kelly at www.elleuk.com and Getty at www.mirror.co.uk.

So the bank holiday flew by amidst a haze of indulgence and all round entertainment, peppered with a spot of rain, as we Brits know all too well to expect. Despite the sinister looming clouds that seemed to become a constant fixture of the four day weekend, you were out in your masses, dressed in your finest attire and making a sartorial nod to the monarchy.

From Union Jack nails and draped flags to vintage tea dresses and wax jackets, British style certainly took precedence amongst the celebrations. Great British style is all about picking some traditional staple pieces, so come and have a rummage in our closet and invest in some timeless attire for your wardrobe… www.studsandlace.co.uk

By Laura Feasey

God Save the Queen

Andy Warhol’s Reigning Queen 1985

I hope you're all enjoying the lovely lengthy weekend courtesy of Her Majesty. Whether you have been seeking shelter from the downpours or have been lucky enough to bask in a little sunshine, you have been doing so in some fabulous jubilee outfits. Join me once the fun is over and we all somewhat begrudgingly drag our tails back into work and take a look at the weekend that was...

Vintage Weekend

Oversized top and ribbon necklace - www.studsandlace.co.uk  Jubilee Cupcakes - www.hummingbirdbakery.co.uk

So the four day weekend has finally landed and with just a few hours to go I’m sure we are all thinking of what Jubilee celebrations lie ahead. Whether you are donning your favourite tea dress and joining friends for scones and a brew, or you’re heading to revel in the royal spirit and dance in the street, you should be doing it in true Great British style.

From the tea and cakes, to the bunting and party outfits, the whole country has gone vintage mad in honour of the Queen, so why not come and gush over some of the very best items from the past with us at Hampton Court Palace on Monday 4^th June, where we will be exhibiting at the charming Jubilee Garden Party.

http://www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/WhatsOn/JubileeGardenParty?EventDate=02/06/2012&Step=View

By Laura Feasey

Strutting the Sands

Accessories - www.studsandlace.co.uk   Swimwear - White Sands SS/12

As the summer well and truly digs its heels in and looks as though it’s here to stay, my mind is instinctively wavering towards thoughts of the sun, sea and sand... in other words, the perfect holiday cocktail.

Luckily for those of you who are jetting off somewhere faraway this season, there’s a dazzling array of stunning beach attire that will see the sands becoming your very own catwalk. From sheer panelling and loud and proud prints, to statement straps and daring cuts, there is something for everyone.

Create your very own sea-slick Ursula Andress moment with a vintage inspired, high-waisted two piece, or stun the sunbathers with seventies hippy colours and prints. Topped up with some of the very best vintage accessories, they create an enviable look for your days on golden sands…

By Laura Feasey

Summer Dress

Summer is officially here. The sun is shining, people are smiling and London has almost definitely taken on a new identity.

There is one fashion item that is perfectly paired with days spent in the park, relaxing with friends and enjoying the warm glow of the British summer and that is the summer dress.

The perfect summer dress sits I your wardrobe like a ray of sunshine waiting for its glowing debut. As soon as the temperature rises you can slip it on and, like sipping on Pimms in the garden, it just fits.

I believe everyone should have a staple wardrobe favourite, and there is no better place to turn to for this than vintage.

With a warm array of prints, colours and styles spanning across varied fashion eras, selecting a vintage summer dress is almost like choosing a memory.

Opt for a psychedelic 60s number that wouldn’t have looked out of place at Woodstock Festival, or choose a floaty, floral 70s dress that, matched with a pair of platforms, cries for the days of Saturday Night Fever.

The perfect pairing is just waiting to make your summer a stylish one…

By Laura Feasey.

Staple pieces: Denim

Classic denims never out of fashion, they're like the canvass for your fashionable painting. A sure fire bet is to go with dark denim, although, as seen in the picture above, a pair of light jeans are great for summer outfits.

Quality jeans are important, and I would suggest going into a jean shop and try on loads of different shapes, colors and so on... Make sure you take a pair of heels and flats so you can see what your legs look like when wearing either.  Once you've found your colors and shapes, you can mix and match to work up a good jean wardrobe. 

Here is my ultimate guide to buying jeans that fit:

• Set aside a decent amount of time (45min to an hour) to try on jeans.

• Go with a good friend, who will give you an honest opinion.

• Don't be ashamed to go up or down a size: a 10 in one shop can be the same measurements as a 12 or an 8 in another.

• When trying on jeans, make sure you sit down, bend down and so on, you won't only wear them when looking in a mirror if you buy them!

• If you're looking for a sliming effect, go dark: darker shades hide lumps and bumps.

• If you find it hard to find jeans that fit, buy a couple of pairs when you find a good fit.

Très Chic!

Some of you may, or may not know, that I've lived in France for the past 12 years. So I thought I bring a touch of  parisian chic to this post.

As much as French style moves with fashions, the basic style is very different. It's a simple ethos of less is more.

As we've seen, color blocking is the in-thing this season, so I've put together a completely stereotypical French outfit above, which applies the color blocking ethos but keeps the classic french chic style.

What I'm trying to say, is that even though trends change every season, you don't need to change your staple pieces. The best way to work is by having staple pieces in your wardrobe, which are simple colors and classic shapes. To those, you add your on trend pieces each season. 

The next few posts will be on staple wardrobe pieces.

By India Bottomley, @SimplyStyleMag

Special Offer!

Happy bank holiday weekend! Receive 10% off at the ASOS marketplace checkout by entering code PRIDE10.


Click here to access our ASOS marketplace store.

Summer 2012 Trends - Trends: Workwear.

I have to say I'm a classic girl when it comes to workwear. You can apply trends to your working wardrobe by adding a pastel colored blazer for example. Although I feel that workwear is about channeling "power-dressing". 

It isn't hard to find nice pieces of tailoring on the British high street, it's a big trend this season and shops have cottoned on to a new, younger style of workwear. In these collection, you can find girly colors, in classic cuts, which you can accessorize to dress them up or down depending on your needs.

By India Bottomley, @SimplyStyleMag

Summer 2012 Trends - Trends: Sporting Chic.

Sporting chic comes hand in hand with the color blocking trend that I covered earlier this week. It's an easy to put together look and can be achieved this season from buying on the high-street and by adding vintage pieces to it. 

Tank tops, stretch cotton fabrics and bright colors are what this trend is made of. By assembling sporting pieces with glamorous accessories (as seen above) you can achieve a look which is bang on trend for this season.  Just make sure you add that touch of glam so you don't look like you're on your way to the gym every day!

By India Bottomley, @SimplyStyleMag

Summer 2012 Trends - Fabrics: sheer.

As seen here by Christian Dior, sheer fabrics are another key trend this year. As you know, pastels and color blocking are in as well, you can combine the sheer trend with either of these to be bang on trend this summer.

So stock up on your basic tops, tough these pieces are beautiful, you do need to cover up underneath.

By India Bottomley, @SimplySyleMag

Summer 2012 Trends - Colors: blocking.

Another huge trend this summer is color blocking. Using bold, usually clashing, colors, it's very easy to go wrong. Bellow you'll find a great video by the stylists at Bloomingdales about the subject, specifying how important it is to counteract bold colors with some neutral tones.

I would say, go for this look, but be careful, don't use patterns when color blocking and don't use too many bold colors in one outfit.

By India Bottomley, @SimplyStyleMag

Summer 2012 Trends - Colors: pastels.

As you probably know, pastels are one of the main trends for this season. It's a very girly and easy going look. It's a trend that easily compatible with other key looks for the season (which I'll be covering this week). 

You need to be careful to not make yourself look too pale if you have fair skin. If you do have pale skin, you can embrace this look by not choosing such pale pastels. There are lots of pieces out there which are sill pastel tones without being very, very pale. If you have darker skin, you can create great contrast with this trend. 

By India Bottomley, @SimplyStyleMag

Introducing...

Over the next week I will be posting every day on the trends for summer 2012.

The schedule is as follows:

Monday -> Colors - pastels
Tuesday -> Colors - color blocking
Wednesday -> Key looks - sheer fabrics
Thursday -> Key looks - sporting chic
Friday -> Workwear

Stay tuned for these articles, see you tomorrow for the first installment!

By India Bottomley, @SimplyStyleMag

Lovin' the lace!

Lace can be a hard look to pull off but you don't have to go overboard. The solution to not going OTT and just adding a touch of lace to your outfit.

For example, a lace trim on a top or some lace accessories.

We have a few lace pieces, which are documented bellow. Simply click on the item to be redirected to our ASOS marketplace store.

                    

Lace has been in and out of fashion over the past few years, it made a big come back and was everywhere, then people seemed to get bored with it and now it's back again in not such a full on way. We were seeing black lace dresses everywhere at one point but, though they are still around, people seem to be adopting a less full on approach to lace this season.

By India Bottomley, @MyStylePages_

Your time to shine

It is my belief that every girl likes a bit of sparkle in her life. The above outfit takes this to a new extreme, and although you'll need to pretty brave to pull off the complete outfit, you can, like with most of the sets, take the principle of it and apply it to your everyday wardrobe.

We have a new piece in which can make any outfit sparkle:

Jacket, Studs & Lace ASOS marketplace

Pair it with a simple black dress, or a simple pair of jeans to make your outfit special. I think this piece could be a staple in your wardrobe for a long time to come. 

By India Bottomley, @MyStylePages_

Get Ready for St Patrick's Day

Dress: Modcloth, Clutch: My Wardrobe, Necklace: Calypso Barth, Belt: Fashion Union

With St Patrick's day on Saturday, it's time to plan your outfit! If you're planning on giving fancy-dress a miss this year, we're going to give you a few ideas to green up your evening.

Green can be quite a hard colour to pull off but with some clever accessories you can look truly stunning in it I have chosen the following dress from Studs & Lace:

Dress: Studs & Lace, £45 ASOS Marketplace

I love a green and gold combination, I think the colours really compliment each other and can make a simple dress look very special. It's a versatile little piece which can be taken from office to evening very easily. 

By India Bottomley, @MyStylePages_

Weekend Sale!

Left to right: earrings Fashion Union, bracelet Les Pommettes, bracelet Heavenly Treasures.

Well, the title says it all really! Who doesn't love grabbing a bargain? Well, this is your chance to make the most of 20% off all ASOS marketplace pieces. 

Why don't you buy one of the pieces featured in this week's blog posts? 

To redeem your 20% off, simply go to the Suds & Lace boutique on ASOS marketplace and enter code RHLJVX at the checkout.

By India Bottomley, @MyStylePages_

Colour Block

Shirt: ASOS, Skirt: H&M, Shoes: Kurt Geiger, Bag: Mango

Colour blocking is one of the main trends for Spring/Summer, we're loving the blues and pinks combo put together above. It'll bring a splash of colour to your everyday life.

You can use a mixture of vintage and new pieces to achieve this look, accessorise with some simple gold or silver jewellery and you've got yourself one gorgeous outfit.

This fabulous 80s top from studs and lace is a great base for this outfit:

Studs & Lace, £28 ASOS marketplace

By India Bottomley, @MyStylePages_

Batwing Dress

Dress: Studs & Lace, £22. Necklace: Cath Kidston. Belt: Michael Kors. Shoes:ASOS.

A batwing dress is a staple for every girl's wardrobe. This one from Studs & Lace can be dressed up or down simply by changing a few accessories.

It's a versatile little piece which could be taken from season to season and occasion to occasion and still look different each time.

The cut is great as it will skim over bits you may like to camouflage and you can nip in the waist with a gorgeous metallic belt.

By India Bottomley @MyStylePages_

Girly Florals

From left to right: Roberto Cavalli floral print dress, Olsenboye floral backpack, Wet Seal tennis shoe, retro high waisted bikini Anthopologie, Accessorize floral stud earrings, Dolce Gabbana floral print skirt and D&G floral print dress.

Florals epitomise vintage to some people, me included! And here are some gorgeous examples of current pieces which are inspired by past fashions.

I have been thinking about what draws us back to fashions of times past, is it simply as Coco Chanel said “fashions fade but style is eternal” or is it something that runs deeper into our social history? A yearning to find the comfort of the past, when times were brighter...

After having a think about it, I came to the conclusion that it's probably a mixture of both. We all have favourite pieces in our wardrobe which are the sole survivors of that season's purchases. So there is a natural selection process which will mean that when we come to de-cluttering or wanting to sell some of our older clothes, only the best pieces will survive.

Or I might just be reading far too much into it..

What do you all think? Do fashions simply come back around, or do the best pieces filter through from the past into the present?

Get the look from Studs & Lace:

Vintage 70s Shirt - £25 - ASOS marketplace

By India Bottomley, @MyStylePages_

50s and Flirty

It's almost the weekend, so how about treating yourself to a failsafe dress from Studs and Lace at ASOS Marketplace?

How could you resist this bright blue number after all the gorgeous blues by Chanel in the Haute Couture show? It is super flattering and very, very sexy!

And all just £40! Gimme, gimme, gimme!

Studs and Lace Giveaway!

by Shona Wallace, @SWfashion_

Aren't we just lovely and generous? To celebrate our launch on ASOS Marketplace, we are giving one lucky person an item from the Studs and Lace collection every day up until the 24th!

We spoil you!

All you have to do is tweet us with your favourite style icon and you'll be in with a chance to win a lovely free piece of our gorgeous collection!

FOLLOW US AT @studslace !

SS12 Trends: Walking on Sunshine!

by Shona Wallace @SWfashion_

I'm not going to lie, i've always been pretty cautious of yellow. As a ridiculously pale blonde, yellow has never been my go to, but it has always been a colour that lifts my mood and makes me feel infinitely summery.

For SS12, there is no denying that colour is back with a bang, and leading the way is yellow in all it's forms. From sumptuous mustard chiffons at Burberry Prorsum to custard peplum skirts at Preen, there really is no escaping the sunniest shade out there.

So lets embrace it, shall we? I adore yellow paired with neutrals, but the look this season is very much mixing with other pastels and brights. A delicate vanilla yellow would look cool with soft lavender, and mimosa looks phenomenal with burnt orange. If pairing with other colours is a little too risky for you, why not try a yellow blouse (like this lovely Studs & Lace number) with a pretty printed skirt and brogues. 

Mouret, Eat Yer Heart Out!

by Shona Wallace @SWfashion_ 

Studs & Lace £40

We all know the magic that Mr Mouret can work just with his beautifully cut dresses, and this Studs & Lace number is more than a little bit Roland Mouret!

Perfect for that all-important meeting or even a dinner date, it is the most feminine and retro shape around and super-flattering post Christmas indulgence!

Buy yours here!