Lots of key fashion looks were seen on the A/W 2011 catwalks back in February that have since filtered down onto the high street, and one that’s perfect for a closer look is the ever popular ‘Navajo trend’.
Top class designers have embraced the ‘New Native’ trend as it’s now been labelled; from the colourful Chloé cape, the fringing detail as seen on Isabel Marant’s knitted sweaters, Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B fall 2011 collection, Diane Von Furstenberg’s tasseled knee high boots and Matthew Willamson’s winter collection.
Fashionable celebrities have also been spotted embracing the trend including Blake Lively in a Cynthia Vincent Navajo sweater and Nicole Richie and Cheryl Cole in Isabel Marant’s Navajo jeans. Footwear designers have also picked up on this key trend and the new A/W collections from UGG, Caterpillar and Rocket Dog all boast a hint of south western inspiration.
Many high street stores have taken this bold theme and used key colourful patterns within their ranges including Next’s Navaho across the body bag, Monsoon’s Navjo sequin clutch bag, a cosy mens printed scarf from ASOS or the bold Vero Moda Navajo Pattern Long sleeve dress. You can buy colourful printed leggings, jackets and shorts from Urban Outfitters, who in recent weeks have had to change the label of ‘Navajo’ after the Navajo Nation, who have a trademark on its name, sent the fashion brand a cease and desist letter for selling items with Navajo in the title.
We love the vibrancy this trend allures and the choice of textures and trims available to style; suedes, battered leathers, moccasin shoe detailing, fringing, feathers, turquoise stoned jewellery to name a few. Why not grab your Navajo blanket bag and pull over your printed dress and denim jacket and add bangles galore or match your skinny jeans with suede fringed boots and a Navajo printed jacket to finish or opt for bold patterned leggings with a simple plain tee and biker jacket.
Full of colour, texture and detailing we think the Navajo trend is one worth following this season.
Ever wished you could walk around in luxury, designer labels but we’re scared to death by the price tag, well think ebay for designer gear and you have the fabulous website Hardlyeverwornit.com available at your fingertips.
This online second hand designer auction site was set up by Sharon Walter-Ferguson who wanted to de-clutter her wardrobe and create a viable business selling hardly ever worn designer clothing including shoes and accessories, which her two daughters could get involved with, where the rich and famous (think Kate Moss, Sadie Frost and Sharon’s daughters best mate Chole Green) could simply photograph their top notch designer gear, upload the pics and sell to us poorer mortals and pay 15% commission for the privilege. For the less computer literate or elusive clientele there’s also a VIP section where the vendor remains anonymous and the task of listing the items is done for you, at a mere 30% commission.
The site is split into ladies, mens and children and is easy to navigate, there’s a ‘new in’ section where I spied items for sale including gold strappy Jimmy Choos with a current bid of £104, 7 for all Mankind jeans starting at £90 and D&G sunglasses at £50, you can even buy a Lanvin wedding dress at the ‘buy now’ price of £1,200.
The site provides a list of accepted labels which you can check before selling and boasts items from designers such as Stella McCartney, Prada, Dolce and Gabanna, Fendi, Gucci and Lanvin to name a few. Hardlyeverwornit.com is also in partnership with a host of charities should the seller wish to donate their winnings.
So if you’re feeling a bit flush and fancy some designer goodies check out Hardlyeverwornit.com and see what fabulous bargains are to be had!
Australian programme Hungry Beast gives a three-minute lesson on how shopping malls are designed architecturally to manipulate shoppers’ behaviour. In short, they are designed to make you buy more than what you were intending. There have been several exposés on consumption-encouraging tricks that individual retailers use; this clip illustrates those occurring on a grander level in the structure and surrounding area.
As you set out on your latest adventure slide your feet into the Womens The North Face Hedgefrog Sandal, a shoe that can tackle uneven terrain with ease, keep you steady as you enjoy water based activities and offer a stylish design in the process.
I like the versatility of the Women’s The North Face Hedgefrog, the open design at the heel and sides gives it a sporty sandal vibe, whereas the feet are protected and fit adjustable with the lace up closure as you’d find with an active performance shoe. The other main attraction of the hybrid The North Face Hedgefrog Women’s Sandal is it’s amphibious nature, technically designed to cope with wet and dry conditions.
Women’s The North Face Hedgefrog Sandal achieves this with a stylish upper that combines smooth synthetic nubuck, highlighted with subtle branding and contrast stitch detailing, laid over quick-drying stretch mesh fabric and featuring hydrophobic SBR lining. The open panels to the side of the Women’s Hedgefrog Sandal combined with the exposed heel create an area for water to be released when enjoying water sports or an active hike through splashy streams, and for added comfort the heel is secured by a padded heel strap and feet kept in place by the lockable lace up closure to the front.
Technology is found within the active The North Face Hedgefrog Women’s Sandal, where stability is added to the design in the form of the compression-moulded EVA midsole that boasts X-2™ cushioning within the footbed making each footstep a pleasure and for excellent grip on stony paths or wet rocks the sleek HydroTrak®™ sticky rubber outsole boasts dual traction for all types of terrian, aswell as being non-marking.
Women’s The North Face Hedgefrog Griffin Grey/Fuschia Pink colourway will add a touch of sporty style to your outfit featuring a mix of tonal greys uplifted by a feminine and fun hot pink shade across the laces and branded outsole. The North Face Hedgefrog Women’s Fossil Ivory/Demitasse Brown Sandal has a more natural appeal, boasting a range of neutral shades ready to tackle all landscapes, wet or dry this summer.
The all-terrain Women’s The North Face Hedgefrog has it all; style, substance, practicality and performance and you’d be mad to miss out on all these treats packed into one modern piece of feminine footwear.
Sporty synthetic nubuck and quick-drying stretch mesh upper
Hydrophobic SBR lining
Quick draining top sole with open panels to the sides
Comfortable heel strap and quick pull lace up closure for a secure fit
Cushioned compression-moulded EVA midsole with X-2™ footbed
Non-marking HydroTrak®™ sticky rubber outsole with dual traction design for great grip on all types of wet and dry terrain
I’m loving the slimline design the Keen La Paz Strap offers, these sandals are the perfect lightweight design that can be easily slipped into your suitcase when hitting warmer climbs or heading off on a casual break on home soil, the technology involved doesn’t overpower this shoe making it heavy and cumbersome but comfortable and supportive with a touch of modern day styling.
Women’s Keen La Paz Strap Sandals start off their appealing design with slim straps that delicately cross over the foot to keep toes in check, featuring simplistic stitching and the recognisable black and yellow hues of the Keen logo. For further support the washable narrow webbed fabric reaches up and around the instep of the La Paz Strap Sandals where it joins an ankle strap which features a black multi point clip for easy access and adjustability, this then threads it way through a smooth suede shaped heel panel highlighted with a beautiful scroll design to finish.
Keen La Paz Strap Women’s Sandals add further feminine touches to this pretty design, the neutral EVA footbed features an intertwined funky floral pattern and is designed to mould to the wearers personal foot shape for a perfect fit, whilst the compression moulded EVA midsole offers cushioned comfort and boasts simple branding to the side. To finish the design the Keen La Paz Strap Sandals boast a slim non marking rubber outsole to keep you steady and gripped when you most need it, aided by razor siping and enhanced by a final glimpse of the signature logo.
Women’s Keen La Paz Strap Sandals boast a range of colourways for summer dressing; the Bronze Green shade will suit all natural environments whilst the blue tones of the Daphne colourway keep things cool, for a sporty twist choose Keen La Paz Strap Black Sandals that boast fresh white highlights and a flash of bold yellow.
For city breaks, country walks or relaxing on the beach choose the comfortable and stylish Keen La Paz Strap Sandals for a great combination of style and support.
Washable polyester webbed straps with decorative design
Multi point adjustable ankle strap for the perfect fit
Metatomical EVA molded footbed
Compression molded EVA midsole with branded logo
Sleek rubber outsole with razor siping for excellent traction and is non-marking
The Merrell Lorelei MJ Shoes offer a stylishly structured design this summer, with fashionable sporty colourways boasting a feminine twist, and in true Merrell style an impressive technical edge.
Alot of women desire a casual shoe that will offer all day comfort but in fashionable packaging and with the Merrell Lorelei MJ they won’t be disappointed, straight away the stylish upper grabs your attention, it expertly combines breathable mesh over the toes, stylish cut away areas to the heel to keep your feet cool and smooth nubuk panels reaching up from the sides. The Women’s Merrell Lorelei MJ then mixes femininity with practicality as dual straps are threaded through slim slots and cross over the foot Mary Jane style, the webbed fabric finishes with a touch close fastening so you can find your perfect fit with ease each time you set out the door. To complete this stylish upper design, decorative contrast zigzag stitching embraces the shoe and compliments the smooth trim that flows around the Merrell Lorelei Mary Jane Shoe sporty style.
I like the technology that hides within the Merrell Lorelei MJ Women’s shoe, for a start the lining is treated with Aegis Aegis® antimicrobial solution so nasty odours are kept at bay and feet feel fresh as you take cushioned strides upon the EVA removable footbed, this comfort is enhanced by the QForm® Comfort midsole and moulded nylon arch shank and further Merrell technical know how is added into the Lorelei MJ shoes within the heel area, where the air cushion absorbs shocks and adds stability to each step. Finally the Women’s Lorelei MJ shoes seal the deal with a durable and grippy Merrell Lorelei rubber outsole, that boasts a funky zig zag design in contrast tones and bold branding.
The next decision to make is which colourway to buy; Merrell Lorelei MJ White is simply that, pure and fresh, no bold highlights are needed to tempt you with this colourway but for those wanting a touch more colour maybe some neutral styling is needed, the Deep Tan colourway combines practical stones with cream, the perfect shade for exploring dusty trails on a warm Greek island perhaps! If bolder tones suit your style then choose the Merrell Lorelei MJ Persian Red shoe, a pinky red upper boasts a sporty edge with the clean white trims working well alongside the neutral rubber sole for a stylish finish.
The Merrell Lorelei MJ Shoe fuses Merrell quality and technical know how with a fashionable, versatile design and one that I believe equally suits an urban landscape or more natural setting this summer.
Breathable mesh and Nubuk leather sporty upper
Twin webbed straps with velcro hook and loop closure for a perfect fit
Decorative zig zag stitching and contrast trims
Aegis® antimicrobial treated mesh lining for fresher feet
Compression moulded removable EVA footbed
Women’s specific stride-sequenced cushioning from the QForm® Comfort midsole
Merrell Air cushion within the heel for excellent shock absorption and stability
Merrell Lorelei / sticky rubber outsole with bold contrast colour and branding design
It’s officially summer so slip on the stunning UGG Alvina Wedge Sandals and enjoy the fusion of texture and on-trend wedge styling this sassy sandal has to offer!
UGG Australia Alvina Sandals are just stunning and their simplicity speaks volumes, gorgeous textured suede flows over the foot in a shaped band boasting sumptuous pleats, highlighted simply by the UGG branded metallic stud. UGG Alvina boasts a soft leather lined footbed complete with printed branding for comfortable steps, whilst the summer look is enhanced by the bold 3” wedge heel that is seamlessly covered with neutral woven raffia. UGG Alvina Women’s Wedge Sandals are grounded by the darker tones of the cork flecked rubber outsole that boasts the intertwined UGG logo for a touch of stability underfoot.
UGG Alvina Chestnut is a classic UGG Australia colourway that works as well in this stunning wedge sandal as it does in your favourite UGG boots when the winter sets in, the warm tones will compliment any summer tan and will look great with cropped denims and bold accessories for a touch of retro styling. If neutrals are your thing then choose the paler UGG Alvina Marshmallow Wedge, the off white suede looks divine against the stone footbed and textured raffia, a perfect shoe to dress with white linen dresses at this seasons garden party. I love the UGG Australia Alvina Black colourway, yes it’s a classic colourway but is one that can be styled in so many ways, it’s the ideal shoe to slip into your suitcase for warm nights abroad this summer.
Smooth suede, rippling pleats, shiny studs and textured raffia are all combined in this fashionable UGG Alvina Wedge Sandal, a stunning buy this season.
Ladies, enjoy sporty and fashionable steps in the casual Keen Coronado MJ Shoe that boasts eco-friendly styling this season.
The Women’s Keen Coronado MJ Shoe wraps feet in a mix of styling that will suit all tastes, It features a lightweight and natural canvas upper which boasts a tonal floral print that isn’t brash and in your face but nicely subdued, creating a fresh feminine twist. Keen Coronado MJ adds a decorative zig zag stitched trim to the mix alongside the tonal branded tab that is stitched into the heel seam, and a narrow strap crosses over the instep complete with metallic buckle for easy adjustability.
Keen Coronado Mary Jane Women’s Shoe features a trailing floral design printed across the cushioned footbed, this is made using a mix of recycled polyurethane (better known as PU) and cork and is designed in a way that moulds to your individual foot shape, so you get the perfect fit whilst enjoying environmentally friendly steps.
Keen Coronado MJ is a modern shoe that encompasses sporty style, I love the funky rubber toe cap and textured bumper that incorporates practicality and protection with bold styling, complete with the Keen signature logo sneaked into the side. Stripes of contrast colour border the edge of the Coronado MJ shoe’s midsole, whilst the rubber non marking outsole with grippy tread and flash of yellow branding completes this cool shoes design.
Keen Coronado MJ Violet Quartz/Flower Print colourway combines a feminine upper with cream highlights creating a cute shoe that will work well with fun florals this summer, the gorgeous Ochre/Flower Print option will look great with denim and I love the hint of the reddy pink tone mixed in with the on-trend mustard base shade. For a colourway to suit all outfits this season I would choose Keen Coronado Mary Jane Black/Flower Print, this style creates a fashionable denim effect with the nature of the canvas fabric and the printed upper is very subtle, perfect if you’re not into floral styling and to finish off I like the simplicity and forever fashionable mix of the grey marl and pastel tones in the Gorgoyle/Lilac Sachet colourway.
Keen Coronado MJ is a great women’s shoe for everyday styling, boasting girly style with a sportier edge and overall retro charm.
Durable natural canvas upper in floral printed or plain options
Feminine slim buckled strap across instep
Lightweight canvas lining
Metatomical recycled PU and Cork footbed, for the perfect fit
Rubber toe cap/bumper with moulded Keen logo
Striped midsole and grippy non marking rubber outsole
Chanel debuts their seasonal nail lacquer colours on the runway, and this year didn’t disappoint. New for autumn is GRAPHITE…a shimmery metallic shade that is gunmetal silver base, yet has a magical hint of olive green mixed in. The greenish hue gives it more life against the skin that most metallics don’t possess.
Chanel polishes can sell out, so we are marking our calendars for when Graphite arrives at Chanel counters in July. Yes, it is supposedly for autumn, but we are obsessed with it now, for summer. YES FOR SUMMER.
With a light tan, Graphite will be the perfect colour for a unique take on casual chic, worn with Havaianas, for example:
And graphite is perfectly delicious with more sophisticated looks, like with these Ash stiletto sandals.
Simply brilliant on every level.
Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colours in Graphite, Peridot, and Quartz.
Dr Martens Blythe Boot takes a classic masculine style and adds a feminine twist, creating a stylish women’s desert boot that’s perfect for casual styling this season.
Whenever I think about Dr Martens boots the traditional black leather mid height boot with eyelets flowing down the front springs to mind but the Women’s Dr Martens Blythe Boot offers a softer side, it still boasts the quality and durability I’d expect from this iconic brand but keeps it casual and laid back. Dr Martens Blythe boasts a textured suede upper that is gratefully lightweight and has the added bonus of being water resistant in case you get caught out in a summer rain shower, it boasts a simple and slim silhouette that won’t look too clunky when matched with your favourite fashionable skinny jeans.
For a personal fit the Dr Martens Blythe Women’s Boot features a simple lace up closure, with tonal cord laces threaded through two metallic eyelets each side of the shoe, surrounded by the curved seams and paler stitched detailing whilst the signature branding is found upon the heel in an understated manner (understated is a perfect description of this boot as a whole). Within the Dr Martens Blythe Ankle Boot lies a padded footbed so your soles will rest happily and be cushioned in comfort all day whilst under this sits the traditional air cushioned PVC outsole which is stitched to the upper and cemented for extra durability, boasting signature anti-slip and abrasion resistant properties, all in a neutral tone with a flash of yellow branding to finish.
The stylish Blythe Low Boot is new for 2011 from Dr Martens Stride Collection, it boasts a relaxed and youthful essence that shines through on the two colourways set to charm this season; Dr Martens Blythe Milkshake Boot is a pale, neutral colourway that will suit skinny indigo or neutral denims, as favoured by celebrities such as SJP and the Olsen twins, it’s also a perfect style for festival frolics. The pretty Dr Martens Blythe Faded Rose colourway takes the classic chukka desert boot style and gives it a feminine lift, wear it with bare legs and flirty florals for a truly girly look this summer.
You can create your own modern style wearing the retro Dr Martens Blythe Boot, it’s so versatile and boasts the comfort and quality Dr Martens are renown for, the hardest decision is which colourway you’ll choose!
Smooth lightweight suede upper with water resistant properties
2 metallic eyelets and tonal lace up closure for the perfect fit
Tonal stitch detailing and embossed branding
Signature Airwair heel tag
Padded footbed for added comfort
Durable PVC air cushioned outsole that is slip and abrasion resistant
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