Maxi-mum Effort

It's been a long time coming. The dramatic swish of fabric against the ground. The splash of brightly coloured toenails peeping out from under a curtain of material. The royal salute as the maxi skirt raises a (floor length) fist to its forgotten sister, the mini skirt, sulking in the corner - I made it, I'm here to stay.

'Dare to bare' is no longer the way forward. Chuck your fake tan (and your razor if you're so inclined) to the back of your wardrobes ladies, the legs are officially covered up for summer.

More often than not, a look that is truly raved about following a season of catwalk shows, does not land in the high street with such a successful bang. However, it would appear that after a couple of seasons of hard graft, the maxi and midi skirts have finally made that massive leap from catwalk favourites to high street must-haves.

You'll certainly look a lot more grown up in a maxi skirt - not to mention feel a massive burst of relief when your already pasty pins (speaking from experience here) are showcasing a particularly hideous blue hue on a perfect summer day. But - and this is a big but - they're not easy to wear.

Your shoes have to be flat, or wedged, with a floor length skirt - heels and long skirts are only acceptable when you're wearing a gown. Note the difference. Walk the red carpet = heels. Walk through the city on a summer day = flats. One of the absolute essentials is getting your top half right - if you don't want to end up looking like a hippy (which, by the way, is not what this season's maxi is all about it, we are not channelling Nicole Ritchie again) you have to go for a more structured look. Think a crisp white blouse tucked into your skirt ala the fabulous Tilda Swinton in devine Jil Sander at this year's Golden Globes. Or think simply of Jil Sander's Spring/Summer runway show where the models teamed their eye popping neon maxis with plain white cotton t-shirts tucked in. Add an eye-catching, but not over-the-top, belt to give your outfit a bit more definition. If you want to go for a slightly more feminine floaty look, head straight to American Apparel for a body or leotard to give your outfit a ballerina feel.

With midi skirts, which are somewhat harder to wear than maxis, the top look is pretty much the same - keep it simple, keep it tucked in. But what about your feet? Slouchy knee high boots look amazing, they give a wistful and romantic look to the skirt but in the height of summer they're not so easy to wear without your feet swelling up like balloons so instead try a simple ballet pump to show off your ankles (fake tan optional).

So ladies, it's time to step away from those minis - you don't want to look like you've forgotten to put your skirt on in the morning do you - and chuck your dresses (yes your dresses, no longer will you just chuck on a one-piece and be done with it, this requires thought) to the back of your closet until next season - the maxi is back(si)...

Whistles Skirt

Reiss Skirt

Jill Sander SS11 show

Tilda Swinton

ASOS Collection Chiffon Maxi

ASOS Jersey Midi

These Are A Few Of My Favourite Things...

Shamelessly nabbed this idea from my little cousin Emma's blog - which by the way you should read if you get the chance - because she's quite fabulous.

*Fashion*

Jeans: Indigo blue skinnies with tan stitching I got from JayJays in Australia for the bargain price of $22!
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T-shirt: Hot pink Blondie tee from Truffle Shuffle
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Shoes: Kurt Geiger shoe-boots, high heeled, black with flat silver studs all over them
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Watch: Fifth Avenue chunky red bangle style with round face, very retro
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Sunglasses: Retro Ray-Bans - always a style statement!
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Swimsuit: Pink, green and yellow floral print two piece, halterneck top and ruffle side bottoms
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Dress: One-shouldered grey silk, mid-thigh length, with big grey, silver and dusty pink floral pattern on it.
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Bag: Ollie & Nic grey leather satchel and Celine brown leather tote.
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Designer: Jil Sander, Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane, Hannah MacGibbon - I can't choose just one!

*Beauty*

Lips: Cherry Carmex

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Mascara: Christian Dior Show in black

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Bronzer: Don't do bronzer but I love Belle Piere blusher

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Shampoo: Sunsilk Longer & Stronger

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Hair Prod: Toni & Guy beach waves curl spray

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Bodywash: Boots Mango or Soap & Glory

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Moisturiser: Face - Proactiv oil free, Body - Boots Mango Body Butter or Body Shop Cranberry Shimmer

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Perfume: Paco Rabanne Black XS and Armani Diamonds

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New Discovery: Body Shop Cranberry Shimmer

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Nail Polish: Sugar Pink Barry M

*Lifestyle*

Candle: Jo Malone - Pomegranate Noir

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Workout: Walking and dancing! Not at the same time ;-)

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Luggage: I'd love a Diane von Furstenberg Signature Six 4-piece

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Gadget: iPhone

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Online store: ASOS

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Car: VW Beetle

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Stationary: My gorgeous pink and purple striped leather bound filofax

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Flower: Frangipani

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Book: In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

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CD: The Doors Greatest Hits

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Drink: Irn Bru and vokda, lime & soda

Fashion Fabulous

I wasn't going to bother with a Spring/Summer 2011 fashion post because a lot of people have probably done it (and done it more justice than I will) to death, but I've finally got around to sitting myself down and taking a proper look at this season's new designs and I have to admit that, for the most part, I'm blown away.

First up on my List of Lust is Thakoon Panichgul. I could never wear his clothes - they're just not designed for my body type - but I love his use of cool colours and the cut of the fabric. He's built his business mainly by designing dresses but this season he's brought in little flirty skirts, loose-legged jeans and tailored trousers too. The main focus was, of course, on his dresses - in printed chiffons, with hook-eye fastenings or bondage straps, Thakoon cleverly updated the style that has become his signature.

Here are three of my favourite designs from his New York Fashion Week show:

Usually I'm not a fan of trousers with print of any sort of them, but there's something very delicate about these - maybe it's because they're set off by the sheer top, or maybe I'm just loving florals right now, but either way these are a huge hit for me. I absolutely love the little purple skirt - it's flirty, fun and summery. Perfect for a holiday night out. And his lilac floaty chiffon dress is a winner in my books - although in saying that it would make me look like I'm wearing a posh tent. Fabulous yes, but girls with boobs need not apply.

Another collection that really tickled me was Marios Schwab's - every model strutted their stuff down the runway in a Joan Jett mullet wig. A-MA-ZING. It was bad girl rock chic at its very best. Featuring heavily throughout the collection were lingerie-inspired slip dresses - a nod to the underwear-as-outwear theme so many people are rocking these days. He did it fabulously, bold and body conscious. I love it.

 If he's good enough for Cheryl Cole, he's good enough for me. I loved Jonathan Saunders' collection - the master of print and pattern strikes again. His shapes are simple and clean, and unlike many other designers taking to the catwalk, you can actually picture yourself wearing them. His clothes are pretty, fresh, sporty and  feminine with gorgeous colours perfect for spring and summer. Je t'aime.

 



Next up is the floaty, feminine, easy chic style of Hannah MacGibbon for Chloe. But raise your hands if you think she's a fan of white, camel and...eh...white. She loves her neutrals - something we already know from her collection last season - but here it is again just in case you forgot. Clearly inspired by ballet, her models do look good and the clothes are beautiful - but I'd like to see an injection of colour next time round.

 Alber Elbaz for Lanvin paraded a jaw-dropping collection in Paris. His mix of bold colours, floaty feminine designs and dynamic structures resulted in a simply mouth-watering fusion.He's a modest designer who claims his only wish in this industry is "to make woman feel comfortable and beautiful." And in these designs, who could possibly argue with him?

Now we come to the last - but by no means least - on my list of lust. 'Wacky, fashion eccentric' Tilda Swinton's designer of choice - the fabulously androngynous creations of Jil Sander. I never used to take much notice of this mainly minimalist label but Raf Simons has morphed into grown-up glamour. I love the bright colours, the  floor sweeping skirts which were teamed perfectly with simple cotton t-shirts, and the very 60s cut of some of the tunic dresses. Tabloid newspapers take note - you deem Tilda 'wacky' but she's so far ahead of you in the style stakes, she's a mere dot on your horizon.

In short - I love it - and this isn't even my favourite time of year for clothes. Bring on Autumn/Winter 2011 please!