LFW launched the AW11 collections and it’s always helpful to have prior knowledge of what trends lie ahead to influence your new wardrobe. This allows you to ensure that your purchases can carry through from one season to another, helping you look ‘on trend’ without breaking the bank or cramming your wardrobe full of one-wear items.

Orange

Roksanda Ilnicic

Feeling brave? Orange is all the rage!

A focus all through SS11 and now featuring heavily in AW11. If you want to make a statement go for the block colour trend with a long orange maxi skirt or a satin orange top with skimming back feature. Roksanda Ilincic has designed some beautiful long-flowing orange skirts and dresses, which were received well at fashion week, so why not browse The Pallasades to see our orange creations with the 2011 feel.

Lampshade skirts

Mary Katrantzou

The new shape for this year is the lampshade skirt, which is rigid, short and pans out from a tight waist a very cute and fashion focused. Greek designer Mary Katrantzou has a whole collection using this shape which feels very futuristic but she has cleverly used this year’s big trend of flowers to make her designs look so feminine, so beautiful!

If you feel a lampshade skirt is to daring for you try the look with heavy tights or leggings underneath the short skirt to give you more confident, Select and Blue Banana are really worth watching for their take on this high fashion style.

Leather and Feather

Marios Schwab

Marios Schwab (best new designer 2006) has really found his feet this year and leather is a popular choice with his collection. Leather dresses, jackets and trousers were a must-have in the 80s and now they’re back. Tan is still a good choice of colour as it will carry through from spring all through to winter.

The Pallasades has a great selection of leather and feather inspired items for that special night out! Or if you want to embrace the daytime leather look, take peek in our new Blue Inc, which now has an extensive womanswear collection.

Vivienne Westwood at her Peak

Vivienne Westwood

The dynamic fashion house of Westwood is as strong as ever in 2011, with bold, structured and rock chic edge.
Blue Banana has a strong feel of VW’s design culture, using strong structured tailoring with an edgy fashion twist; although this store leans to the rock and emo style don’t miss out on their unusual collection of designs.

Seasons of Stripes!

Carven

The catwalks are full of stripes at the moment; from full striped dresses to the introduction of stripy shoes… which are fabulous! Just about any colour goes but the stripped wedges are looking like a leading trend, which will carry through the year. Mix stripes with the tropical hot colours for the summer putting together patterns, brights and stripes. As the year progresses, mix in the ever-present animal print to achieve the autumn/winter look.

The Pallasades is full of tempting pieces with all directions of stripes check out Select and Peacocks which both specialise in bringing the high fashion styles at affordable prices.

Flower Power

Kenzo

The biggest trend to hit the catwalks for the more feminine of girls is the introduction of flowers. From ditzy prints to large statement flowers, and of course the use of mixing up lots of prints together, which creates a very memorable look. 50’s and 70’s have an influence in the styles so you can adapt this flower campaign very much to your style even wearing flowery trousers if you fancy a change!

Venue, Peacocks, Select and Blue Inc will all be feeling the power of flowers!

Sexy in a Suit

Sonia Rykiel

Dolce & Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli have the Italian sexy and fun feel to their designs and this year is no difference. The trouser suit is a style that has been extinct for several seasons, so to see its return will make our look feel fresh. For nightwear, the feeling is sexy with the use of the dinner suit which you can wear bare or team with frilly or silky shirts which is just gorgeous! For daywear, 1970’s floppy hats, wide legs and high waists are about accessorising heavily with scarves and long earrings to give a hippy chic edge.

The Pallasades has Claire’s Accessories, Easy Fashion and Sparkle, which always spoil you for choice in the added extra style stakes.

The beginning of a new year is always a great opportunity to take a fresh look at yourself, your style and your home. Many of us start with New Year resolutions to diet, spend less, be better time managers, change jobs.. the list goes on. So where do we begin? How do we begin? Here follows some tips to help ease the pressure with the help of Birmingham’s one stop shopping centre The Pallasades.

Rid your life of clutter!

If the winter blues are making you feel a little less than enthusiastic begin to help yourself back to happiness with a good old clear out, all the clutter we cling onto just makes life more difficult in our day to day lives, ever gone to get ready for a night out and you can’t find those tights you bought or that handbag you know you have?  Be ruthless and determined if you don’t wear it or don’t like yourself in it, recycle it!
Just remember clothes date so leaving items in your wardrobe for months or years just does not work. Key items are a must to keep, a good coat, a black dress but a greying white blouse is not going to look better sitting cluttering up your wardrobe space.
So, you have been ruthless and had a good clear out, now look through your discarded pile, is there something you can do to with these items to bring them up to date?  Maybe by adding new buttons or customising them with badges?  Or you could even cut arms off jumpers to create an unravelled waistcoat look. Take a wonder around The Pallasades with shops such as Sparkle, The 99p store and Claire’s with lots of items to add to your clothing at great prices. As the fashion icon Vivienne Westwood tells us “mix it up, wear your boyfriends boxers with a belt”, possibly not the look you may be after but take inspiration from her words mixing old with new by adding new and interesting accessories. Blue Banana is a great store to give inspiration with their great use of colour, textures and added pieces such as leg warmers, bright tights and net skirts.

Home Help

When tidying help the process by calling in to Home 2 Home and Argos at The Pallasades for a great selection of storage boxes and wardrobe tidying devices; or you might need a little more than just a storage system you might be interested in a whole new bedroom furniture make over!
Maybe you would like to liven up a room without the full decorating mission so what could be better than the bang on trend wall stickers, it couldn’t be simpler, a funky sticker that just peels off and sticks to your wall available at Home 2 Home from around £10.00.

Wrap up Warm

As our winter seems to be here to stay and a little chilly, make sure you wrap up warm! Keep on buying the warm woollies, they certainly will not be wasted. Long jumper dresses and cape style jumpers are a good look, great for the fuller upper body, and learn to layer up your outfit so if you have a problem area, such as a big bottom, then pop on a long line waistcoat to disguise the area. Patterns are very tribal this season and colours are bright with the introduction of orange into the knit range check out Venue, Peacocks and Select for this seasons knits at January prices which are kind on the pocket and full of style. This style is not just for the girls the guys are wrapping up and layering too, Officers Club, Blue Inc, Peacocks and Estilo have a lovely selection of warm stylish cosy knits.

Leather Rocks!

Leather or leather look is a big must for 2011, again, as with the party dress look becoming day wear the leather trousers and skirts are being mixed with silk shirts and soft jumpers and worn for an all occasion day style, if you missed out on the leather piece in your 2010 wardrobe then hit Ms Occasions at The Pallasades and invest in a cargo style leather trouser or maybe a pleated leather look skirt to match with a slouchy soft, off-the-shoulder jumper. Leather jackets are big too, so mix up jeans and leggings for casual on-trend style match with a pussy bow blouse and long strings of pearls or long gold necklaces available at our fashion outlets including Sparkle and Claire’s.

Psychedelic Man

Psychedelic and cosmic prints are cool for 2011, the “in vogue” designer Christopher Kane has delighted the catwalks with a range of bright and enlightening t-shirts which are a fabulous way to brighten the winter days.
The great selection of menswear at The Pallasades is up to the minute, bringing catwalk trends to you at more realistic prices, take a look at Estilo for their great combination of glamour and style and Officers Club for their fabulous choice of colours and jeans, alongside Blue Inc, Nicklebys, Peacocks and many more you will be spoilt for choice.

Let it Snow

Skiing season is upon us again! So don’t be left out in the cold with your fashion gear come into The Pallasades and check out Oswald Bailey and our incredible sports outlet, you can top up your look at a fraction of the normal cost. So this year be bright and funky with tribal accessories of deep orange and bold prints, if you’re shy just go for one piece of added pattern or colour but if you want to stand out for your fashion sense layer up with clashing prints but blended colours.

It’s the most romantic day of the year and is the perfect chance to raid the wardrobe and find the most gorgeous outfit possible to wow their partner. But why stop there? Valentine’s Day offers is an ideal excuse to immerse yourself with some pampering treats too and, of course, there’s that all important question of where the setting of your romantic meal will be.

Let’s start with the preparations. Looking and feeling good can always be achieved with a spot of pampering so head to Regis in Debenhams to indulge. Whether you’re looking for a deep conditioning treatment to ensure your locks are in perfect condition or think it’s time for a restyle you’re guaranteed to feel great after visiting the salon.

Don’t leave it there though, once you’ve got your hair sorted head to Nails Inc, which is just a couple of steps away from the salon. Here you can treat your nails to a luxurious manicure, pedicure and all sorts of indulgent treatments.

Nails and hair sorted, it’s time to find a dress. This Penelope dress £159 from Reiss is the ultimate in sophisticated chic and fully embodies one of the hottest trends for SS11 – colour blocking. Team with a pair of opaque tights and towering heels and you’ve got your sultry Valentine’s Day look sorted.

And if you’re on the lookout for the romantic setting for your date, look no further than the uber cool Jamie’s Italian. The ultimate in urban cool, Jamie’s Italian offers a delicious range of pasta and meat dishes and has a divine offering of indulgent deserts – go on treat yourself it’s Valentine’s Day!

For more fashion, beauty and food news and blogs from Bullring visit www.browsebullring.co.uk.

It’s the same every year and it doesn’t matter if you’re married, engaged, dating or got your eye on someone special – you always leave it too late and you almost always get it wrong. Our friends at Groupon have come up with some ways to put a smile on the faces of your better halves this Yuletide. Throw away thoughts of flowers, vouchers and, definitely, chocolate body paint, right now. Here are the ultimate gifts for girls this Christmas.

1. A romantic weekend away

Now, on the face of it, you might think you’re chancing your arm with this. “You got me what for Christmas? You bought yourself a holiday?!” But think again. You’re actively investing in your relationship – a break away gives the two of you some vital time to enjoy each other’s company, relax, unwind and spend some quality moments alone together. It can’t fail.

Where to get it:  STA Travel, Corporation Street

Top tip: you don’t have to sell your car, but consider somewhere romantic – and never scrimp on the accommodation, this is where your card will be most heavily marked.

2. A massage

While the thought of having your back rubbed by a total stranger may sound bonkers to you and I, the better sex generally love it. So book her a nice massage. And if you can stretch to a facial, a pedicure and maybe a manicure as well you’ll invariably score extra brownie points. Just make sure you choose somewhere nice – appointments down a seedy back alley will not do you any favours.

Where to get it:  Malmaison

Top tip:  might be best to read a few blog and forums for user recommendations. You want this to be a pleasurable experience.

3. Experiences

While we’re into games and larking about and generally being a bit stupid, the fairer sex want to experience things. That means a day’s session having a make over (be careful here, you do not want to suggest your beau needs a makeover – not unless you want to be well and truly in the dog house, anyway) and photo session or trip to the races. Or how about a romantic hot air balloon flight? There are countless company’s offering the experience up and down the country. It’s something you can both look forward to and treasure.

Where to get it: Activity Superstore @ Debenhams, or Red Letter Days @ House of Fraser

Top tip: be careful to ensure the experience you buy covers the Birmingham area, you don’t want to be left with a nice little ticket that’s going nowhere.

4. Digital Camera

And so we step into the world of gadgetry. And this is an area your every instinct tells you to steer clear of. But think of it like this: a camera offers an opportunity to capture memories, experience and shared moments that might otherwise be lost forever. Alright, that might be overselling it just a little. But seriously, a good digital camera could stand you in good stead. Choose carefully.

Where to get it: Jessops, Currys, Argos

Top tip: Canon and Nikon offer the best quality and reliability, while Olympus and Lumix might work better for gents on a budget

5. Budget buster

If, by now, you’ve got the fear and you want to play it safe, you could do a lot worse than a shiny new pair of Jimmy Choos or a Louis Vuitton bag. But be prepared to pay for it. Those designer accessories don’t come cheap. Be it on your head if you choose the wrong one too.

Where to get it: Harvey Nichols, Selfridges and various boutiques off New Street

Top tip: fashions come and go – buy expensive and it won’t matter if it’s in or out, she’ll probably love it anyway

6. Lingerie

Now then. You need tread carefully. At best this might be a welcome invitation, at worst you could live up to your billing – a man with a one track mind. But follow a few of our tips and you might just win yourself some favour. And who knows what else.

Where to get it: Agent Provocateur, Selfridges

Top tip: if in doubt buy smaller, she won’t thank you for buying a 14 if she’s a 12. Don’t go too racey, she may have to open this in front of her Mum or, worse, her Dad. Avoid any kind of logo’s, slogans or pictures – she won’t find “santa’s little helper” very funny.

7. Engagement ring

If we’ve just given you palpitations then we’re very sorry. But could this be the next step for the two of you, if you’re not already hitched? Thousands of men propose at Christmas – and most of them are accepted. So what are you waiting for? It’s got to be right for you though, not just because Agent Provocateur had run out of undies.

Top tip: platinum will see you win big

I’m buzzing to be coming back home for Style Birmingham Live! Birmingham is a cool city, it really is, and it’s where I’m from so I honestly think at this stage of my career there isn’t anywhere else I’d rather be.
I remember walking through The Mailbox last year and seeing all the posters and thinking what an amazing  event to have in Brum, I’d love to do that. In my opinion, it’s what Birmingham has been lacking for far too long. Birmingham can easily carry it though. Just look around on a Saturday night in such places as the Arcadian, Bushwackers (Moneypenny’s when I was a kid!) and you can see Birmingham does indeed have style. I’ve been living and working in London for the last three years and I do feel Birmingham has fallen behind London, Manchester and Liverpool through the years. Therefore, events like this just do more to reinforce the continuing growth of Birmingham and its surrounding areas.

When we got the call at Nicky Clarke I was over the moon.  I think it’s because most of the time when working away from home, your work doesn’t really get recognised by the people who matter; where you want your respect from. It’s great to do London, New York, Paris and Milan Fashion Week but it’s not real, Birmingham is. Real women and real men from the public will be at these shows looking to be inspired; this is what makes this such a great event. I want to get down and educate people on how to do there own hair at home in different styles that suit them but quickly and easily. It can be done: Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey do it with cooking and the idea is to do it with Hair. I’ve given up a lot to come and do this. I was supposed to be at Milan Fashion Week and had a shoot in Paris but I honestly couldn’t be happier to be styling the hair at the event.

From experience, deals required to work on events on this scale can be extremely testing as they usually take lots of time to sort out and sometimes very nearly don’t get done. For us it was one meeting at Adage Events with myself, our marketing manager, Steve Hewlett of Retail Birmingham and Rewired PR and we were just throwing ideas back and forth and all on agreement Hair and Grooming was to have a large involvement in this event – and rightly so! People often neglect their hair which I have never understood. Hair is one of the first things people notice about you, you should wear it as an accessory; like you would couple a bag with a certain outfit for instance. This is what I aim to address over the weekend and hopefully inspire and educate people to have fun with their hair.

So then, on to how this is all going to go down. Without giving to much away, there will be 14 female models and 8 male models with many changes; I’m going to run this like I would a show in London or Paris. I’ll be assisted by the Nicky Clarke Birmingham team and I’ll be showcasing a look for Spring/Summer 2011 and Autumn Winter 2010. Expect a bit of red carpet, a lot of runway and a little bit of cheekiness. We have a couple of surprises up our sleeves too.

Feel free to drop into the Nicky Clarke salon at The Mailbox where they’ll be doing free consultations and interesting salon offers.

Lastly, I would like to give a shout out to Retail Birmingham and Rewired PR who have been great to me and really showed their support.

Look forward to seeing you all there, it promises to be Biblical

Warren!

Life has been ridiculously busy since I was last in Birmingham, shooting the ad campaign for the Pavilions. I’ve been to France and Germany, done two Christmas magazine shoots, worked with Rankin and had my website (www.amodelrecommends.com) shortlisted for a national award!

Despite having a bit of a hectic timetable, I’ve still managed to make room for my ridiculously long-winded beauty regime. That’s because I’m going to be hosting the fashion show at the Pavilions during the Style Birmingham Weekend, and I need to be looking my best. (Especially with George Lamb wandering about the place!)

It’s different appearing ‘in the flesh’ as opposed to being in a magazine spread – for a start, there’s no retouching and no genius lighting. Bad skin and frizzy hair can be sorted out in print, but in real life, there’s nowhere to hide! So this is how I’ve been preparing myself for Birmingham Style Weekend – shall we call it the “Pre-Pavilions” Regime?

1. Twice a week, I make sure that I give my skin a good scrub; I use the Exfoliating Rice Powder from l’Occitane (£18.50) on my face to gently slough away dead cells, and a more gentle exfoliant on my lips to keep them smooth – the Gentle Exfoliator from Clarins (£17) is excellent.

2. I follow this with a masque – Elemis Lavender Repair Mask (£26) is amazing, especially if you have a hangover. (Not that I ever do, obviously.) Whilst the masque is working, I scrub my body with Bliss’s Hot Salt Scrub (£28) which heats up (very weird!) and leaves skin unbelievably soft.

3. For my hair, I use Liz Earle’s shampoo and conditioner, (£7.50 each) which are completely natural and extremely kind on the scalp. There’s nothing worse than a flaky scalp when people are scrutinising you! Whilst my hair is still a bit damp, I apply some serum from Phyto (£20) so that it’s smooth and easy to manage once it’s dry.

4. Before bed (I told you this was a ridiculously long beauty routine!) I use an extra firming body cream from Clarins, (£38.50) or if I’m feeling poor as a church mouse, I go for Boots Expert Firming Lotion that is also incredible, and only £4.99! My newest obsession for my face is the Immortelle Divine range from l’Occitane. The Divine Eyes (£45) and Extract (£65) are amazing anti-ageing products that make your face look fresher and brighter. They’re not in-store until October, so it’s a bit of a tease telling you this, I suppose!

So that’s my “Pre-Pavilions” regime. On the day itself, I’ll be spritzing a bit of Moroccanoil Glimmer Shine Spray (£17.85) on my hair to make it look a bit ‘Hollywood” and slicking on some Shimmer Stick from St Tropez (£15), onto any bare skin -  this is a great mess-free alternative to a body oil and it gives a gorgeous, sheeny glow. I’ll make sure that my lips are in tip-top condition with Clinique’s All About Lips (£15) which is a non-greasy smoothing treatment, and, because it’s a very special occasion, I’ll crack out the Chanel Beaute Initiale (£52 – eek!) which leaves skin perfectly matte and ready for the makeup artist to work his or her magic!

I hope to see you all at the Pavilions over the Style Birmingham Weekend – I’ll be around before and after the shows to chat about beauty, fashion and all things stylish. The more chatting I do, the less of a battering my credit cards will take, so please do stop by!

NW3 Holly Blue Bow Dress £159, Hobbs; NW3 Floral Stripe Scarf £49, Hobbs; Diamante Studs £75, Azendi; Per Una Pink Clutch Marks and Spencer, £19.50; Silver Larissa Bracelet £55, LK Bennett; NW3 Icing Melange Holly Pocket Jacket £159, Hobbs; Sledge Court in light taupe £150, LK Bennett.

Dusky Rose Jacket £30, Necklace (Worn as Bracelet) £10, both H&M

Grove Dress £195, LK Bennett; Art Black Shoes £150, LK Bennett; Feather Cape £60, Monsoon; Midnight Black Heart Earrings £75, Azendi; Midnight Black Heart Bracelet £195, Azendi; Midnight Black Heart Ring £54, Azendi; Purple Kidworth Bench, from a selection at Laura Ashley.

All available at Pavilions.

See Ruth throughout Style Birmingham Live at Pavilions:

Friday 24^th September: 12.30pm 2.30pm 4.30pm

Saturday 25^th September: 12.30pm 1.30pm 2.30pm 4.00pm 5.00pm

Sunday 26^th September: 12.30pm 2.30pm

There’s also a chance to win a goody bag at every show packed with stylish gifts.

In addition to the shows, there will be a pamper pod located in the Food Loft from Friday to Sunday with free makeovers and skin advice from L’Occitane and Destination Skin, plus a professional stylist to help you choose your autumn wardrobe this year.

With summer pretty much over, shops across the city are stocked up and ready for Autumn. This week’s blog comes from The Pallasades, who are giving their guide to stepping out of summer and in to the cooler months with some serious style.

As we look out this Autumn we are spoilt for choice in the fashion stakes; with so many different styles, how can one girl’s wardrobe stretch to such lengths? Modern Military Coup, Bohemian Trail, Jumpsuit Mania, Grown up Goth, the After Dark look… the list goes on! The answer is here at The Pallasades! All this season’s choices beautifully collected under one roof with catwalk ideas at affordable prices enabling the fashion aware amongst us to expand our fashion boundaries and our wardrobes without breaking the bank!

Modern Military Coup

Have you ever fancied yourself as a modern day military personal? Well all your dressing up dreams can come true this season with the introduction of the military mission. No one will be able to survive the season without the must have Aviator jacket, a bomber jacket shape with faux fur so versatile you will be able to team this jacket with every look, slip it over your maxi dresses, team it with the new skinny cargo pants or even wear your heavy duty jacket over your floaty chiffon skirts. Buttons and embellishment make this look work so your tailored shorts need rows of buttons on the front, your waistcoats and cardigans need a utility feel about them and your foot wear need the gorgeous and practical eyelet lace heel boots which will be everywhere!

Peacocks have a unique collection of boots and lace up shoes to compliment this look, buy your boots wisely and they will serve military and boho styles-think Eliza Dolittle!

Bohemian Trail

Be brave with Boho this autumn, it is fun, funky and frivolous!

To get the look you have to layer, mix and match and clash! All of the items needed for this look are a mixture between flower power hippie chic and flapper girl romance. Lace is a fabulous fabric for boho as is tiny prints and chiffon. Try full length skirts and mid calf length skirts teamed with socks and the autumn/winter clogs, lovely with the wool trim. Waistcoats give an immediate hippie chic feel, there are some heart warming thick knits with great patterns teamed over a soft chiffon see through blouse and frilled long skirts, the look will feel very different to the fashion followers but there are so many shapes and fabrics to choose from don’t stop shopping until you have mastered this trend. Select, Venue and Peacocks are packed full of versatile pieces to suit your shape and your pocket and portray this look with the most on trend edge.

Skirts where will they stop?

If you love your legs and would like to shield your hips the tulip skirt is for you. This mini hip hiding trend is girlie, young and flattering, look for the belted styles to show off your waist.

Select have a colourful collection from around £10.00.

The pencil skirt is back from the 80’s! A body con style that surprisingly flatters the figure as they streamline your silhouette.

Easy glamour a very versatile skirt which can take you from the office to looking polished in a bar. Remember the heavier weight of fabric helps your shape as do block colours so pop into Peacocks and try on some 80’s glam!

Maxi the greatest cover up of them all! The maxi dress has been a huge success this summer and the maxi skirt will be even bigger for the autumn/winter. Team with thick socks and clogs or sky high platforms, soft nude t-shirts and nipped in waist jackets to make you feel long and lean.

Leather and tweed both established fabrics in the fashion world have both become majorly on trend, so not only are they both easy to wear as they don’t crease and stay looking clean and keep their shape you will look bang on the button. Traditional tweed has become brighter and lost its stiff image, it is young, sexy and mainly short. Leather is no longer just biker chick look, this season has many shapes and colours nude leather teamed with pussy bow blouses has a strong stylish look where as short leather a-line skirts with chunky knits look preppy.

For a funky approach to tweed and leather take a look in Blue Banana where they are carrying an amazing collection of skirts from £15.00.

A-line skirts are in every length possible this autumn, lots with vertical pleating to lengthen your legs, side pockets to flatter your hips and high waisted belts to show off your waist, tuck in your tops or match with a cropped top and get the figure enhancing effect.

Chiffon has to be in every girl’s wardrobe this season, with short being the chosen length if you’re wearing it with nude tights or the new approach of wearing a long chiffon skirt over your jeans, both equally on trend. Here at the Pallasades you will be spoilt for choice with chiffon pieces in every fashion store so if you’re looking for extra special try Ms Occasions.

Jump into playsuits

Harem style jumpsuits are a fabulous one piece wear to all, team with flat shoes and ethnic jewels for the day or sky scrapper platforms and wizard style jewels for the evening. Animal prints are popular as are block colours.

Playsuits are continuing through from the summer looking equally as stylish and young, team with lace leggings for the boho look or go for a denim suit to nail the utility look.

This season Ms Occasions has branched out into denim with a twist of glamour, it’s really worth a look.

Grown Up Goth

Goths have gone flowery! Goths have caught colour! Goths have taken a new grown up look to fashion, mixing the must have black with corsetry outer wear with a sprinkle of beautiful flowers and sparkle. D&G have led the way on the catwalk showing amazing 50’s style black and red bold flower dresses which have quickly been picked up by the high street and have taken a hold of the Goth glamour. Red and black lace body con dresses have also moved over into the Goth grown up glamour look. Blue Banana have been ahead of the game with their use of colour and flowers and really do stand out with a great selection of more unusual brands, you will not go wrong with their corsetry outer wear it’s seriously sexy!

The After Dark Look

Denim is changing its place this season appearing mostly after dark and being matched with some serious bling and embellishment. Jeans are leaning towards flares not bootleg that’s not the look we are talking wide bottom flares. Jackets are a must have and they are appearing in longer line styles with one button at the waist. Denim dresses are great worn in the evenings with heavenly jewelled cropped jackets and of course some must have snake heels. Bling and denim are combined well in Miss Occasion with plenty of snake skin! Try Venue for a figure shaping approach to denim and don’t forget Claire Accessories for your added jewels.

Don’t forget your head!

Hair accessories just got crafty, so hunt through the stores and don’t stop until you own peacock feathers and chiffon flowers. Sparkle has an endless choice of beads, flowers and pearls.

Fascinators are no long just for weddings they are every day wear.

Jewels also have taken a new feel this autumn with the eclectic look including coats of arms, old granny brooches, wizard style rings and globe a plenty. Claire Accessories are always on the fashion button when it comes to bling-they know their thing! So don’t forget a large broach or a collection of rings can transform a simple outfit into a fashion statement.

Colours

Camel is the biggest colour about for autumn, don’t think of it as boring as it has been portrayed in the past ,think what a versatile colour it is mixing beautifully with black, navy, nude and red all colours of the season. Pick up a camel coat or mac from Peacocks, Vibe or Select and have your finger on the fashion pulse for the season.

Guest blogger: Holly Ryland-Jones, Marketing Assistant, Bullring

So, autumn is almost here and I for one am very excited to see all the new shapes, textures and styles hitting the shops.  We’ve been lucky enough here at Bullring to take a peek at the collection previews, and we’ve already been swooning over the new looks and compiled our wish lists of key pieces and little treats to freshen up our wardrobes for the season that lies ahead. So I’d like to share with you my favourite pieces for AW10.

The cape coat is the shape to be seen in next season.  And the colour camel.  Camel was seen everywhere on the catwalks, from Chloe to Prada.  The camel coat reigned on the runways, but the cape coat was also a major hit among fashion buyers…
This gorgeous example from Reiss incorporates both trends.

As we well know Jack Frost was present for most of AW09 so we are aware how important it is to invest in key outerwear pieces for the coming season for this year too.  Several types of coat/jacket styles will only suffice if you want to stay on top of the style stakes this Autumn/Winter.

The second key item which no fashionista should be without is a shearling sheepskin jacket.  Burberry ruled the catwalk when it came to their version of this serious statement piece; in aviator form.  For a warmer, more affordable version, get to H&M for their seventies take on the look.  Their overall trend story incorporates many of the seventies elements, you can see a preview of the collection by visiting browsebullring.co.uk.

Next up is the loafer.  Along with fur-lined high-heeled hiking boots, the sensible loafer shoe adorned the feet of the models during shows at the likes of Gucci and Prada.  This prim and proper style takes on elements of the seventies once again and with a generous amount of heel, the shoe is dowdy no more.

Team a pair, we love these from Topshop, with a flared jean or trouser.  High-waisted mannish fitted trousers are the trouser trend of next season.  Flattering to the figure and working wonders to elongate the leg, they can do no wrong.  A figure hugging top will ensure you keep the femininity.

Add a fur hat if you want to introduce fur in bite size pieces.  The one pictured from Whistles is a more affordable way to add the trend to your wardrobe… and furry ear flaps will keep you warm and toasty – fashionable and practical – we don’t get that very often!

Make sure you mix up contrasting textures – traditional fabrics such as suede, fur, cable knit woollens and leather.  Dark sombre tones, berry shades and light browns, camel and beige make up the colour palette.  Detail is at a minimum – it’s a no fuss foot forward into the new season. The overall outdoorsy look focuses heavily on texture, cut and varying tones of key colours.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my round-up of investment buys for the new season…  I will definitely be sporting the above, whilst also investing in a pair of Topshop fur-lined boots, plenty of opaque tights and as I love, love, love the Farah Fawcett look, the flared high-waisted jeans will be a must-have too.

For more information on the latest trends for AW10 and to get the expert opinions on how to wear them head to browsebullring.co.uk.