Tiny Bags

Tiny bags may not seem to be the most practical choice, but they look interesting and they are ideal for special occasions when you only need enough space for the absolute essentials.  These bags really are tiny, but their purse-like appeal is what will be making them a hit this season.

Wristlets

Wristlets are the perfect bag for those women who often lose things, as the wristlet incorporates a strap that ensures the bag stays on your wrist at all times.  They are set to be extremely trendy this season and they will come in a range of colours and designs.

Printed Bags

Printed bags are the bold option this season, with out of the ordinary designs such as fruit and vegetables, cars and underwater themes.

Knitted Bags

The knitted trend will not stop with clothes and shoes this season, it will extend in to bags as well.  These unusual yet stylish bags will need to be teamed with the right outfit to make them a fashion hit.

Chain Handles

Chain handles give any bag that added feeling of luxury, ever since we first saw this design from Chanel.  This spring/summer, chains will come in all sizes, from small delicate chains to big and bulky.

Large Clutches

We all know clutches are traditionally small, but these large clutches are big enough to fit everything you need and they will come in a range of tones for both day and eveningwear.

This seasons top bags

Overnight bags and holdalls come in all colours, shapes and sizes.  For business trips, choose a bag in a neutral colour that will complement the fabric of a suit or overcoat.  For trips of several days, a quality trolley bag may be ideal.  For overnight stays, a duffle style will be more suitable.

For stylish weekends away, look for a bag with a striking design, such as the Fred Perry overnight bag.  Ensure that the bag is the right size for the type of travel required; for example, will it need to fit easily into the overhead locker of an aircraft?  Also consider its capacity and whether it will hold everything that it needs to.

Toiletries and medications need not be stuffed into an inside pocket of the bag; invest instead in a quality wash bag.  For a little extra luxury in the hotel bathroom, look at collections by famous brands including Mulberry.  For more affordable alternatives, the department store is the best place to check out the various ranges on offer.

Travelling in style

All Dressed Up

For an edgier approach to this winter, there is nothing like the choker.  Commonly featuring large pearls, diamonds and charms, these deluxe necklaces are guaranteed to make heads turn.  The trick is in achieving a minimalist look, with earrings and hair accessories taking a backseat.  The choker is expected to make a style statement on its own.

Some of the amazing examples of the choker, seen on the ramps this season, include bold, solid metal chokers.  Worn with everything from a pair of jeans, to the little black dress, these chunky bib necklaces spruce up otherwise ordinary outfits and make them look extra glamorous.

Once popular in the 90s, the choker is back with a bang and here to stay for a while, as designers incorporate its modern-day version into their collections.  Best worn with a strapless dress and better suited to round necklines, the choker’s versatility is such that it can grace any outfit and add an extra bit of pizzazz to it.  Add the choker to your jewellery collection this season and get an instant facelift for your wardrobe.

Everyday Style: The Tote

There is nothing like an inexpensive tote bag for carrying books, groceries, laptops and just about anything.  Their easy, laidback style and sheer variety has made them a perennial favourite.  Cute canvas totes with imprinted slogans are crucial for every student wardrobe.  Besides the ubiquitous fabric tote, however, there are a number of other materials that have made tote statements this autumn.

Leather tote bags have made it big this season, in both natural as well as synthetic leather.  For those who like chunky, these leather totes are also available with hooks, buckles and clips as well as plain, for an extra trendy look.  Other versions seen on the ramp are the woven and sequined types of tote.  Tote handbags can be worn with any type of outfit and complement any look effortlessly.

A tote bag represents effortless class.  Carry it with you to the beach or wander around the market with it.  Whatever you choose to do with the tote, it will always be an essential part of your wardrobe.

Linen hats are becoming very popular, especially when worn with suits.  They feature a classic design that is also quite stylish.  The linen material makes these hats easy to care for.  In most cases, you can simply clean one of these hats with a damp cloth.  They are a very low maintenance accessory.

Another accessory that men should consider is a pair of cockpit sunglasses.  These are modelled after the sunglasses worn by pilots, and offer good protection from intense sunlight.  They are particularly worthy of consideration when you are driving.  If you want to present a cool image, these sunglasses are ideal.

Two other types of accessories are designed to be worn with suits.  Cufflinks are popular, and come in several types of metal; many also feature semi-precious stones.  If you frequently have a need to wear a dinner jacket, these are a must-have accessory.  You will also want to consider having nice handkerchiefs to place in the breast pocket of your suit.  These can be monogrammed for a more personalized touch.

How can you get that competitive edge?

Rule number one: Create your own personal style.  Your style is all about what you feel comfortable in and therefore what you will feel confident in.  Make sure your clothes reflect your personality, not just a cookie-cutter look from some trendy magazine.

Rule number two: Invest in timeless pieces.  Stock a quality pair of blue jeans, high end faux leather jacket, designer trench coat, tailored blazer and sharp grey suit.  You’ll never go wrong with classic items, even if they’re from different eras and trends.

Rule number three:  The fit is the key; make is your fashion mantra.  Clothes make the man.  Are you a boy in man’s clothing, or an individual who knows what looks good on your frame?

Rule number four: Women like well-groomed men.  Okay, it’s less of a fashion tip so much as dating advice.  Enticing the opposite sex is about the whole look, not just the clothes.  You don’t have to be clean shaven, just well-kempt.

Trends are less important the older you get.  Skinny jeans and printed tees will give way to relaxed tailoring and a touch of elegance and refinement.  Your investment pieces will really pay for themselves in time.

Versatile, comfortable and practical, trainers are a favourite of many and are great casual wear items.  Available in every colour and style you could possibly imagine, trainers are no longer restricted to those of an athletic disposition.  Trainers are widely accepted and commonly worn by people from all walks of life.  While Nike and Puma offer a range of trainers to suit casual occasions, Adidas and Gola may suit the champions of retro chic amongst us.  A Prada or Gucci trainer/shoe cross is ideal for a night out on the town or a weekend away.

Considering footwear for a smart casual affair such as an evening out with your significant other, celebrating an anniversary or birthday?  Why not opt for plimsolls, loafers or dessert trek Clarks?  These items can take your wardrobe to the next level.  They are versatile, very comfortable and super stylish when teamed with Fedora hats, skinny scarves and slim fit jeans or tailored shorts and slacks.

For corporate and formal events, look out for brogues and traditional lace up shoes to complement any suit and tie event.  Designers such as Nicole Farhi, Ted Baker and Kurt Geiger have created some inspiring designs that could really give your outfit the edge.

There are seven main sections within their brand and these are: Icons, Families, Active Lifestyle, Fast and Furious, High Street, Craft and Tech. Each has a different shape and design, providing a wide choice for consumers.

Ray Ban promise to provide complete protection from the harmful UV rays which are given off by the sun. They also block infrared rays, so this makes them both safe and stylish to wear.
Many top male models wear this brand of sunglasses, and they are seen around the world as an iconic and popular make which can be teamed with a wide variety of outfits in both summer and winter.

The latest carbon fibre frames are light and durable, so they last a long time and are easy and portable to carry around. There are many other benefits to Ray Ban sunglasses, with various technologies integrated into the lenses to provide a specific purpose. One example of this is Chameleon technology, which transforms the lenses to a darker shade when in bright light and does the opposite in dim locations by turning them clear. Meanwhile, Ray Ban also provide a range of polarised sunglasses, which take away the glare from shiny surfaces.

McQueen attained an O-level in art before serving as an apprentice at Anderson & Sheppard, Saville Row tailors. The skills he would learn here would later help him to fashion a highly tailored look that critics would describe as “impeccable.” As he made his way up in the fashion world, McQueen also worked at Gieves & Hawkes as well as Angels and Bermans, who provide theatrical costumes to the trade. He also acquired a knack for working with international elements when he worked for Koji Tatsuno in Britain and Romeo Gigli in Milan.

When McQueen began designing for himself, his collections quickly earned a reputation for shocking elements in both his pieces and his runway shows. He dubbed one collection “Highland Rape” and staged another one around the set piece of a shipwreck. Human chess games and widows formed other settings for his later runway shows.

By 2009, his designs for women had become so well regarded that InStyle magazine listed one of his creations in the “100 Best Dresses of the Decade.” Long before this, however, McQueen had been awarded the accolade of “British Designer of the Year” no fewer than four times. It was a loss to the fashion world when McQueen died in 2010, but his legacy for controversy and drama lives on.

If you do not sew yourself, knowing a competent tailor can be a huge advantage in creating and maintaining a stylish wardrobe.  Ask friends and co-workers, watch for local message board postings or try out several from the yellow pages, starting with small projects to evaluate their skills.  You will always need hemming and minor alterations but good tailors give you the option of choosing your own fabric and patterns or duplicating a favourite garment.

See if your favourite retailer has an online presence.  Specials and contests may be advertised on Twitter, for instance, and nowhere else.  You can also do some comparison shopping online to save time and effort by knowing in advance where to find the best prices.  Register for advance notice on sale dates.

Stay open-minded about off-beat sources for clothes and accessories.  Flea markets, yard sales and family closets can yield vintage treasures.  You can turn up striking and reasonably priced pieces and accessories in ethnic stores: try Tibetan, Indian, Chinese, and African.  Musty charity shops are reinventing themselves and updating their merchandise; Oxfam is poised to transform their shops into fashion destinations with a new ad campaign and the UK’s first online vintage charity shop.

Consider a swap party with a group of more or less same-size friends.  Bring gently used clothing, accessories, wine and finger foods for a fun evening.