FIVE SUMMER DRESSES TO FROLIC IN RIGHT NOW

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

After some highly scientific research i.e looking around, the FashEd and I have decided that British girls fall into two camps when it comes to dressing for a heatwave: there's the denim cut-off and vest camp and there's the summer dress camp. The denim short is predictable and a complete fall back option, akin to having the same sandwich for lunch every day. That's why my heart lies with the cotton summer dress- I spent my weekend wearing various versions of something light and airy, pretty and below the knee. Those are my own rules of buying a summer dress- I'm sure you'll all have your own. If it makes me look like I might be in the French countryside circa 1955 then I want it. The ultimate version is Prada's Le Voyager. Prada describe this year's collection as "folk-geometric fantasies partnered with a selection of post-card prints inspired by cities such as Milan, Venice, Paris and London". If you have £505 burning a whole in your pocket, then get thineself to a Prada boutique right now...

If not, then here are our five picks of ones to get now, plus one special extra:

Vanessa Bruno at My-Wardrobe

£270 from My Wardrobe

Peekaboo Vintage at ASOS Marketplace

If you're after a bargain, then vintage, charity shops and car boots are your friend.

£55 from Peekaboo on ASOS Marketplace

We Are Hairy People at ASOS Marketplace

My Favourite!

£65 at ASOS Marketplace

ROKIT

Pretty florals... £40 

TOPSHOP

Funnily enough, Topshop also have some very similar to this brand-new, limited edition one in their vintage section at Oxford Circus. It's packed full of summer frocks- admittedly they're more expensive than scouring vintage stores yourself but if you're willing to pay the premium to have the searching done for you, this is where to head.

£95 from Topshop

Finally, if you can't find your perfect summer dress then why not get one made up exactly to your specifications? The Depanneur Royale girls I found on Etsy will put together a dress made to fit your measurements. You can choose the fabric and tweak the style, all for just over £50. I love this idea, the only downside being it takes three weeks to come, the current heat wave may be over by then but you'll be well prepped for the next...

Here's one they made earlier...

Made to measure tea dresses from Depanneur Royale

SECRET 20% OFF SALE: OASIS FASHION ESSENTIALS

Posted by Melanie Rickey, Fashion Editor at Large

There's nothing better than a secret sale. Well, maybe there is.. a secret sale with a secret code takes some beating. You need to know the key, otherwise you can't get the magical reduction. I like it when stores do this kind of promo. It shows they are in touch with the fact there are savvy shoppers out there willing to go further to earn money off. Perseverance pays. Well, this week and next if you type "MAY20" into the box when you are at the Oasis online checkout you get 20% off. Simple. Oasis is a store finely tuned into the needs of the young British woman;  the English, Scottish, Irish or Welsh Rose if you like. When I think of the typically British summer fete, garden party, street party, school sports day, I think of women in the kind of smart and pretty occasion wear Oasis knows how to create. So, seeing as it is almost, allegedly, the summer, and we have the Jubilee around the corner I chose some patriotically hued prettiness with a sweet fashion edge to give you inspiration... Scroll further down to see what Bethan Holt has chosen for her top five..

Fashion Editor at Large Top Five

White lace fit and flare dress £150

Double split maxi skirt £50

Lace collar navy top  £28

Rose pendant £8

White lace shirt £38

Fashion Junior's Top Five...

I love Oasis's prints- just the right mix of trend and summery loveliness. Plus, I'm going through a tea dress obsession right now and the print on the one I've chosen is one of the best I've seen. It fits the mood without being too twee- the high street girl's alternative to Prada's postcard dresses.

Tropical jeans £48

Tan Jesus sandal £28

Scarf print shirt £60

Chintzy tea dress £85 

Bow sun hat £21

Go forth and shop, we're sure it's what the Queen would want...

IT'S TIME TO WEAR SS12 TRENDS!

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

One of the many oddities of working in fashion is that we get two chances to talk about trends. For Spring/Summer 2012, the first chance came in September/ October last year when designers were showing their collections for the forthcoming season, which is NOW. Meaning that the time has come to revisit and properly embrace what we saw seven months ago by actually buying into what we fell in love with on the catwalks - whether it's the designer real deal or the high street's interpretation.

As is the FEAL way, we told you what you'd be buying now as soon as we spotted it on the catwalk but that was a long time ago. We thought that you might like to look back at our first thoughts on SS12 now that we can all get in on the action...

GUIPURE

This trend was so huge we did two posts on it . Unsurprisingly, it's all over the high street. Our favourite is Jaeger Boutique's bright white, ribbon waisted dress. This would see you through all manner of Summer pursuits, just don't go rolling in the grass.

Guipure at Preen SS12 (catwalking.com)

Alicia dress from Jaeger Boutique £220

Navy tee £22 River Island

Louis Vuitton SS12 (catwalking.com)

PRINTS AND PAISLEY

Print is still huge. Florals are a classic but if you want to be exactly on the SS12 pulse then a silky paisley or tropical jungle print are the ones to go for...

Up close with Stella's paisley

Stella McCartney paisley at her SS12 press day 

Stella McCartney paisley print blouse £435 at Matches

Paisley dress £1,590 by Jil Sander at MyTheresa

JUNGLE

Up close: Joseph Altuzarra SS12 at the Harvey Nichols' press day

Palm print dress £65 at Oasis

Jungle clutch £437 at MyTheresa

UNDER THE SEA

This one was never going to be easy to translate - who has time to encrust their spine with pearls each morning or carry about clusters of coral to work a trend? Nods to sea life with watery colours, embellishments and rope details seems like the most sensible way to channel the SS12 mermaid fantasy. Unless you have a fancy dress party coming up, in which case, go all out.

Pearls backstage at Chanel (from http://somethingfrench.tumblr.com/)

Alexander McQueen SS12- coral encrusted mermaids (catwalking.com)

Peter Pilotto printed tee £256 at www.farfetch.com

Rope sandals £95 at Reiss

CROP TOPPING

A quick scout of the shops this weekend threw up plenty of evidence that crop tops are a trend pretty much every high street store has plumped for. We shared 8-minute abs with you at the time but really, who is actually ready for this? If you're not a 15 year old gymnast then maybe proceed with caution e.g a looser crop top worn over a high waist skirt/ short or under a skinny vest.

Dolce and Gabbana SS12 (catwalking.com)

Buttercup crop top £22 at Topshop

Something a little more wearable... £36 at Topshop

SEA AND SUN (YELLOW AND BLUE)

Two of the biggest colours for SS12. I am brightening up today in a Peeps colour jumper. The combination of the two, like wearing your very own seaside horizon, was done most brilliantly by Jonathan Saunders.

Jonathan Saunders SS12 (catwalking.com)

J.W Anderson SS12 (catwalking.com)

Jonathan Saunders sun and sea dress £910 at Matches

Yellow lace dress (two trends in one!) £58 at Warehouse 

UGLY SHOES

Still calling these "Ugly", yes.

Christopher Kane SS12 (catwalking.com)

Christopher Kane sandals £380 at The Corner

The FashEd choose these yellow sandals from Senso in her ASOS sale styling feature...

Senso £125 at ASOS

Biker sandals £515 Givenchy at MyTheresa

3.1 Phillip Lim at My-Theresa £335

SHOW AND TELL: WHISTLES SS12

Posted by Bethan Holt, Fashion Junior at Large

We probably don't need to tell you that if you're after cool, modern clothes which nod to the season's trends without being carbon copies of catwalk looks then Whistles is the place to head. But Whistles is on our minds this week, mostly due to a new little friend we've acquired courtesy of the PR team. 

Meet our Whistles virtual pet! The little mouse has been distracting me all afternoon, as it demands to be fed, danced and played with. I think I've got more into my Whistles pet than I did my tamagotchi, back 1990-something. Uh oh. Anyway, the little mouse's real purpose in life is to invite us to the Whistles press day which is happening this Thursday. We can't wait to see what Jane Shepherdson and the team have come up with for Autumn/Winter. In the meantime, here's our pibk of the Top Ten from what's in store now...

1. and 2. The Wisteria print pyjamas (there's also a tee which goes with this set). These are arguably the stars of Whistles offering this season. The trousers are pretty much sold out at the moment, although there are some available in department stores and hidden away in some Whistles stores. Luckily, the FashEd ordered hers back in October!

Wisteria jacket £150 and trousers £125

3. Pink striped trousers. A little bit more tailored than a pj plus they combine pastels and brights. A trouser with a side stripe is key for Spring/ Summer but will last well beyond that as well.

Wren striped trouser £125

4. Last Summer, Whistles' Carrie was THE skirt to have. Although, they've continued that style in various new prints and colours, the Lottie is just as lovely, especially in this very chic pale blue.

Lottie Skirt £110

5. This is pretty much a genius bag. Why? Because it will look fab all summer and carry all the sunglasses and buckets and spades you require. Then, come Autumn, you'll discover that it is also the perfect shade of winter turquoise (which will be key, trust us) and you can carry on using it right through to next year.

Fleur tote bag £135

6. It's navy and loose and would look amazing with a neon tee underneath. A summer no brainer for when it's not quite as warm as we'd wish.

Beatrice lace knit sweater £110

7. Whistles have invested heavily in this hot pink colour for Spring/Summer and this dress is a standout. It'll get you through many a summer wedding. The fashion edge comes from that the looser, cropped top part.

Josa tiered dress £175

8. Sport is a massive trend for SS12, as I'm sure you know already. I love that this sweatshirt could be styled up with silky joggers or just slung over denim cut-offs at weekends. 

Edith drop shoulder sweat £50

9. Fit and flare is here to stay. This dress comes in lots of colours but I like the versatility of the navy. I'm a bit obsessed with the way the waffle cotton this dress is made from feels too. 

Milla dress £95

10. This white guipure top is so SS12 it hurts- the cute Peter Pan collar, chunky lace and scalloped edges. It'll also go with just about anything too.

Daisy top £195

Now, if you'll excuse me I must go and play with my little mouse.