Hot New Trend: The Ankle Boot

For me shoes fall into two categories. There are shoes which you know you will be able to wear with more or less anything, and afterwards wear for months at a time. Then there are shoes which are so "unique" in their colour or shape that you can only limit them to specific outfits.

The ankle boot falls into the former category, I have happily observed, myself being prone to buying a good wearable pair of shoes than to sport a different pair every day. If you are too then the ankle boot is a must-have for your wardrobe this season. They can be worn with jeans, tights or bare legs, during the day or night, and have the ability to look casual or smart, depending on the occasion. The possibilities are infinite!

If you're lacking in inspiration find some below. What do you think?

Inspire me: The Cardigan

I know you must have felt it by now. After one and a half months of ostensible "spring" it has finally arrived! Admitted, we're not quite at the shorts-and-flipflops stage yet but nevertheless the light rays of sunshine and slight increases in temperature tell us it's definitely time to leave our gloves and woolly hats in the cupboard to gather dust for another year. 

Right. So no flip flops, no gloves. Then what? To this problem I have found the perfect solution for the springtime: it's the cardigan. Flexible and practical, with jeans or dresses, maxi or mini, it is an essential item for your closet this season. Add to it for a layered look on a cold day or you can wear it with a light top underneath if it's more humid. Make sure you buy at least one size larger than your actual size if you intend to layer. Otherwise it will look like you've borrowed from your nine year old sister.

But enough with me, do you like it? Find the best of our street style below. Any favourites? 

Inspire me: Patterned Leggings

I laughed when I heard that leggings (patterned ones, at that!) were making a comeback. 'Surely you must be joking!' I thought, the visual in my mind immediately reverting to cheesy fitness videos of the eighties. 'How could anybody possibly be willing to look like such an idiot?!' This opinion I maintained for long afterwards and despite the growing fan base numbers for this unlikely fashion trend, I still remained ever-cynical. Now however, as much as I hate to admit it, they're beginning to grow on me. If you are still skeptical, take a look at the images below and tell me that you still hold leggings in high contempt. Or have you already got your eye on a pair?

Style icon: Audrey Tautou

She is one of the more underrated cinema stars of our time yet certainly one of the most beautiful. French actress Audrey Tautou, noted for her tiny gamine physique and pixie looks, is perhaps most famous for her leading role as the quirky Montmartre waitress in Amelie in 2001 or as the face of the Chanel No 5 campaign of 2009.

The revelation that she had been chosen as the face of the world's most renowned perfume did not come to me as any surprise. Everything that Chanel No 5 was, she was too: classic, alluring and undeniably...French!

Not that her statement look is such a difficult one to simulate. Her outfits provide an interesting mix of the masculine and feminine, combining little T shirts, long-sleeved tops and simple knitwear staples with minimal accessories. These are items that we all possess, yet never seem to succeed when it comes to that twist of classic French chic. In our society which promotes sex-appeal through minimal attire and the idea that less-is-more, Audrey's image comes as a refreshing new approach to the meaning of la coquette.

Inspire me: The Trench Coat

It's definitely all about big is beautiful and this season the new must-have for your wardrobe is, yep, you've guessed it - the Trench! If you're in need of a little inspiration, look no further! Hope you have had a good weekend and let me what you think. Any favourites?

Milano Mode: This is my personal favourite. It's understated and elegant and I love the way her brown suede boots match the colour of her scarf. The trench coat and the maxi bag balance out the skinny jeans, creating a top-heavy look but it completely works! Gorgeous!

Quirky glam: It takes a certain personality to be able to pull off this look and honestly, she's got it! For those who like to stand out (in a good way!), this is the outfit for you. The pairing of deep navy and white against shocking pink is something truly beautiful. This is no ten-minutes-before-the-shops-shut number!

Style in layers: This outfit is another one I love. The layers of a shirt, knitted cardigan, boyfriend hoodie, complete with the trench on top to create a casual but stylish outfit perfect for the day.

Vintage beauty: Vintage is totally back and no harm can be done through raiding your mother's or grandmother's wardrobe looking for gems of garments which radiate that old-world charm. This look has just that. I love how the all-black ensemble underneath creates a more striking visual of the embroidered detailing and bright colours of the trench.

Back to black: I'm a big fan of black - it's classic and timeless. This outfit has been put together with selected matching accessories for a very striking look. In this case - the booties, the satchel and her beautiful hair...who now wants red hair?

Retro classic: I'm gonna be honest - I'm not all that keen on the colour mustard...now I'm not so sure. Who ever thought mustard, burgundy red and green could look so beautiful? This look is very simple and easy to achieve with staple items of clothing.

Big is beautiful: Keep it simple with a giant trench! Not only must it be nice and warm inside but it looks great!