The designers have been keeping this in mind when putting together their spring/summer collections, and a statement knit has been worked in to cater for this British style dilemma.  Who said a novelty jumper was only for Christmas anyway? 

Matt Damon, Justin Bieber and Ferne Cotton are just a handful of the celebrities that have been keen to display their knits this winter.  From animal prints, chunky designs, and even pom-poms, there is no limit to these novelty jumpers.

Some online companies will take specific orders and create you your own 100% unique and individually designed knit, which could be a great addition to your wardrobe this season and next.

Novelty knitwear

It’s always good to have a good pair of blue 883 Police jeans in your wardrobe, however there is nothing wrong with mixing it up this season and adding some colour. Look towards reds, greens and yellows in more earthy tones to keep with the masculinity.

Colour blocking can also be done successfully, if you don’t like making too much of a statement with your clothing then go for more muted tones rather than brights, or colour block with black, grey or brown. As a final note if you want a look which is smarter then look at coloured trousers, mustard, and greens are popular and look quite dandy with turn ups worn with an equally colourful jackets!

This season you should be rocking bright knits, slouchy sweaters and in your face, patterned jumpers. Power jumpers will keep you snuggly and warm but also make you look hot, hot, hot instead of a throwback from your childhood. Many of the highstreet stores have a huge selection of jumpers, glitzy for the party season or slouchy for casualwear. Clothing from Vila offer a selection sexy jumpers, yes that’s right sexy jumpers!

This season you can easily find jumpers to work with all the trends, for day wear and for evening wear so there is no reason not to add some knitwear to your wardrobe this season.

Why not work boyfriend style slouchy, cable knits big and baggy, opt for leggings or tights and team with boots for a rugged everyday look. For a sexier look try teaming a sequined black jumper with black leather trousers, perfect for a kick-ass evening out. Motifs are also big so why not wear a jumper adorned with a furry friend, just like the celebs have been opt for horses, birds, dogs, rabbits and cats for a on trend cute look. Finally it’s time to embrace pattered jumpers, try Fair Isle or Native American patterns in great natural looking colours.

The essence of the modern mod style is smart, slick and angular – shirts should be crisp and clean.  Ben Sherman shirts have been there from the very beginning and helped to define the mod look.  Many design features including the back-collar button have their roots in this brand.  Polo shirts remain a favourite for their style and versatility, or check out Fred Perry for elegance and inspiration.

Jeans should be straight and clean.  Shrink-to-fit Levi 501s are the perfect homage to the roots of this iconic look, or try Ben Sherman jeans with a straight leg.  If you’re stuck finding the right style check out Republic jeans to find the right mod style. The mod style is not complete without the right shoes.  The original mods rode around on scooters and wore 1960s desert boots.  For the modern mod of today, desert boots are back in fashion, available from well-known brands including Hush Puppies.

The blazer will always be linked to the mod look.  Choose a smart, single-breasted blazer in a neutral colour. As the cold nights draw in, there is no need to sacrifice style for warmth.  Paul Smith PS brings us the uber-cool fishtail parka, or alternatively, check out the darker grungier parkers offered by Firetrap.

Bands and genres define generations and set trends that are never forgotten.  A motif T-shirt in tribute to a beloved artist such as The Beatles, The Stone Roses, Athlete or Snow Patrol is the music-lover’s ideal staple to complete an individual, casual look.  This has not been lost on designers and retailers, and now there is no need to go to a gig to pick up a T-shirt.

These T-shirts and sweatshirts are generally not designed to look smart, so keep the rest of the look fairly crisp to give it the right balance.  Straight-leg jeans in dark blue denim, worn with a dark blazer will work well.  Finish with a scarf with neutral colours to give a stylish, casual look without looking scruffy.  For smart, lace-up trainers, check out the range by Converse.

Rockin style!

Wool

If you’ve ever purchased an expensive suit, you may have found that it is made out of wool.  Wool is a favourite for suit creation but in order to ensure that your purchase lasts, you need to lean towards the use of super-wool.  Super-wool has a thread count of between 120 and 150 – this means that has been 120 and 150 threads woven together in any one square inch of fabric.  Super-wool is perfect for both cold winter nights and hot sunny days.  If you’re purchasing a suit for wear in winter only, opt for a thread count of around 200.  For a summer suit, a thread count of 100 is ideal. 

Cotton

Cotton is a classic material for informal suits.  However, if you travel regularly, you will find that folding your suit can cause troublesome creases.  Cotton suits are ideal for spring/summer use.  Look out for designer cotton suits from Zegna and Ralph Lauren’s Black Label. 

Linen

Linen is the ideal material for hot, summer days.  Like cotton, linen is prone to creasing your style – literally – yet linen’s creases can contribute to its appeal.  If you desire a white or cream coloured suit, linen should be your desired material. 

Velvet

Velvet is a statement fabric best suited to those who wish to turn heads.  Velvet is at its most luxurious when worn during the evening.  A velvet sports coat is easier to pull off than a full suit.  Deep purple, green and blue velvet never fail to look on trend.

This season velvet has graced many of the catwalks but rather than in the traditional black, designers such as Ralph Lauren, Michael Van de Ham and Peter Dundas opted for paint box colours instead. There were plenty of dresses in rich jewel colours such as; ruby red, emerald, amethyst and warm rich autumnal colours such as navy blue and mustard yellows.

Velvet really does make a statement on its own, however to give it a regal edge look for jewel embellishments or opt for chunky jewellery to make a big statement. Velvet is a heavy fabric and you don’t want to be layering it up really so if you have a gorgeous velvet skirt or even a pair of velvet trousers look to pair it with lighter materials such sheer silk and lace, plus it also gives it a lovely romantic edge.

If full on velvet isn’t for you why not opt for some soft velvet accessories, velvet wedge shoes and platforms are hot and make a change from glossy leather, team with a velvet clutch bag and you add a nice hint of luxury to a plain outfit.

What to Expect

The dresses are some of the most popular items in the line’s collections. Bold colours and patterns are used on many of the dresses. There are also find dresses in this line that use solid colours that can be paired with a jacket or cardigan. Many of the jackets are available in darker tones that compliment dresses of any colour. You can also buy bold-looking jackets that use leather in bright colours or fleece material. Skirts and trousers are available in several styles to match the tops available.

Exciting Accessories

The Marni look will be complete with some of the available accessories. Shoes are available in several colours, and many feature wedge heels for additional height. Some are in a sandal style that looks great during the warmer months. Lace-up shoes are perfect for the cooler seasons of autumn and winter. Outfits can be teamed with Marni wallets or bags, which are available in typical leather colours, such as brown, black and white, as well as brighter colours. There are also several belt designs available that are designed to go with the current dresses. 

Marni Spring/Summer 2012 Collection

Retro-Style

High-waist pants, hitting the highs of one’s figure and flattering the waist, bring a sleek new look to one’s wardrobe.  For an absolutely stunning look, combine high-waist flares with the same coloured turtleneck blouse to give the impression of really long legs, then accessorize with a tiny belt.

Trend-setting designers experimented with pinstripes and flares, combining the high-waist pants with silk blouses and technicolour shirts to create figure-flattering outfits that are kind to even not-so-slim waists.  These pants are great for women with small tummies, as well-tailored high-waist pants serve as amazing tummy-cinchers.  Dressed up with chunky heeled shoes, the high-waist pants create a sleek, sophisticated look.

A tip for the winter season is to pair these pants with woollens rather than silk and ultra-soft fabrics.  Also consider wearing the high-waist pants with a jacket as these pants tend to make hips look wider than they actually are.  For women with more athletic figures, however, the high-waist can be worn with a tucked-in top minus the jacket.

While choosing a pair of high-waist pants, make sure your pair fits perfectly.  The key is to have the waistband sit snugly against your middle.  This makes for the tailored fit that truly flatters the figure and creates an hourglass impression.

The high-waist has always been a controversial style, but fashion experts are praising the trend as one to be embraced this year.  High-waist denims are also seeing a surge in retail stores with jeans manufacturers stocking stores with the seventies inspired flares.   Complimented perfectly with a tank top or a peasant blouse, the high-waist denims create a flawless retro look.  The style is about tucking the top in so as to appear taller and thinner, so choose your blouse or top carefully.  Accessorize with bangles and rings and a pair of sunglasses for a look that is pure chic.

High Waisted jeans

Distinctive Prints

The paisley print looks good and fits nicely this autumn and winter season with combinations like jeans, dressy pants, skinny jeans, leggings and even corduroy.  Paisley prints are versatile enough to lend themselves to a variety of outfit styles.  Drape a paisley scarf around a neutral shade dress and achieve instant style, or combine a paisley print dress with high-heeled sandals and a monochrome bag to get a super chic look.  Paisley adds a generous dose of class to any wardrobe.

From colourful, florid to elegant coloured patterns, paisley stoles and scarves stand out with their patterns.  Popular this season is the Kashmiri paisley print, most notably the pashmina paisley.  Kashmiri paisley, also known as block print paisley, is especially popular because of its classic design.  Candy-coloured Kashmiri paisley pants, teamed up with flat sandals and a simple cotton shirt are just what you need to create a relaxed, laidback look this season.

Paisley print shawls are also big this season, with bold prints in neutral colours creating a distinctive look.  Designers have also experimented with women’s jackets.  Especially popular is the reversible paisley printed jacket, available in a number of colours.  Loose-fitting and stylishly cut, the paisley jacket is an ultra-cool combination of modern design and traditional prints and looks great with evening wear.

Paisley has also found its way into accessories like bags and ladies socks, making a pretty statement in both neutral shades and bolder colours like green and blue.  This pretty print is a great alternative to bolder, louder prints.  If you prefer something more subtle and classy, paisley is the way to go.  For a Bohemian look, popular this season, slip on some bangles and Birkenstocks with a paisley dress.  Go paisley this season and take advantage of the print’s classy, stylish look to enhance your wardrobe.

Paisley