CHANELS CABAS ETE HANDBAG COLLECTION FOR SUMMER 2012
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The perception of ‘summer’ together with the material ‘canvas’ go hand in hand, not just in fashion but almost in every category. Having to wear a canvas tote handbag during summer months is almost no longer a want, but more of a need. Canvas handbags associated with summer days goes hand in hand. Not only that, but put a canvas tote bag in any environment and almost immediately you think of summer. Chanel have got it spot on with their Cabas Ete collection for summer 2012 (meaning canvas tote). The cotton canvas bags, with ribbon and chain exude effortless summer style. Available in five sun faded colours, these are bags to suit a big budget but with very little known effort. If you’re on a smaller budget, A-SHU has a fabulous canvas tote handbag which will do just the trick. The Beige Canvas Tote Handbag with Tan Leather Effect Contrast is priced at a mini £22.99 and will be the envy of all your friends. By Sadie Ford - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
A FRESH TAKE ON VINTAGE FASHION
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How to keep your look fresh is often a challenge for the most of us - but even more so when you want to rock a vintage look - with a fresh take. If the vintage items are all original vintage they can sometimes appear too worm out - an era or two outdated rather than “in”. You want to ensure the aesthetics are kept vintage to the era you are aiming for, but with the life and liveliness of the modern day. For example, some cat eye glasses paired with kitten heels and a bowler handbag; this all works, and looks great. To make sure your look is both vintage yet fresh at the same time, invest and only wear items which fit you well. Don’t buy anything which is worm out and scruffy - no matter how cool you may think it is, it will never make the objective of keeping your vintage style fresh. And mix and match the new with the old - a new ensemble can look great with vintage accessories such as a pair of shoes or a handbag, or even the other way around. Experiment until you get it right - it is sure to be every bit worth the effort! By Amika Francis - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
BOHEMIAN STYLE WITH YACAMIM SPRING/SUMMER COLLECTION
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If you want to look unmistakably like a bohemian goddess next Spring/Summer then check out Yacamim’s latest campaign which could complete your clothing shopping list! Suede fabrics teamed with lots of fringing on items like skirts and ankle boots effortlessly give off a ‘Pocahontas’ look, nodding in the direction of the brands American Indian heritage and inspiration. Lets not forget the accessories and jewellery to match; tribal inspired with feathers and utterly gorgeous! The key here is to create layers to work a unique look. By Sadie Ford - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
AUTUMN WINTER 2011 HANDBAG TRENDS
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Thinking to purchase a new handbag? Read our quick tips and suggestions for the hottest handbag trends for A/W 2011… Oversize handbags and clutch bags are still going strong across the catwalks. Take note from the likes of Miu Miu, Celine and Dries Van Noten who all showcased satchel style holdall handbags and large clutch bags with clip closures. Fur and dark leathers are bang on trend for this look. Check out our Dark taupe croc effect multi-compartment holdall handbag with chain linked design priced at £23.99. Satchel handbags are another favourite this A/W as seen at Valentino and Sportmax. A natural colour tone is best to go with satchel handbags as they can be worn with almost any winter ensemble! Check out our Taupe leather effect multi-compartment satchel handbag bag with ruffle design at just £22.99 - designer style without the hefty price tag! The opposite of over-sized bags is the mini bag trend. Designers also created a selection of small miniature handbags, often with long shoulder straps, to just sling on across the body. Take note from Mulberry who created mini versions with their Bayswater and Taylor bags, or Louis Vuitton who created a mini version of a bucket bag. Gucci on the other hand created small satchel style handbags in jewel tones, gorgeous and lush! Check out our selection of small handbags to get the look nailed. With all of them at under £20 you has better click quick before our cyber shelves empty! By Amika Francis - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
PRINTED TREND FOR A/W FASHION 2011/12
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The printed fashion trend will play a huge role this A/W and continuing into next. Its given way to an almost blank canvas - scope for designers to experiment with almost any array of patterns and shades. In terms of daily wear fashion, the safe option is to mix and match printed items with monotone items that may already exist in your wardrobe. If you’re feeling more darish and confident, then try to synchronise mixed patterns in one look. Take note from the likes of the Betsey Johnson catwalk who combines leopard with plaid and even leopard with python! Both leopard print and python print have been on the fashion radar for the last few seasons and guess what - they are not going anywhere! At least not for A/W 2011/12 as we have recently seen on many A-list celebrities alike. For a new take on printed fashion, take note from Donatella Versaces’ catwalk who used floral print in a bold and surprising way. By Sadie Ford - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
COLOUR TRENDS FOR A/W FASHION
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Colour trends always play a huge part in fashion. From dark, to neutral, to bright - every fashionista needs to know the seasons hottest colour palette to rock in her wardrobe. Here is a quick low down on the current colour palette to look out for in your next purchase! 1) Bright colours: Colours to make you less moody or have the winter blues! An alternative to all-over bright colours such (in particular yellow) is to have clothing and accessories with brightly coloured detailing such as a button, a strap or part of the item in a bright shade and the other in the dark or neutral shade. To keep the look balanced pick smart clothing and accessories with a pop of bright colour. 2) Orange clothing and accessories: The colour orange is huge right now and has always been a favourite with our own favourite brand - Hermes. Get the look nailed with our Orange Retro Handbag at just £19.99. The orange flap with a tan and white contrast across the rest of the handbag sets the trend perfectly. Be careful though – avoid head to toe looks in orange. This colour is super cool but only when you know how to wear it! 3) Maroon clothing and accessories: If you want colour but can’t bare the thought of anything too bright this A/W, then a burgundy shade is just what the fashion doctor ordered. This shade can be worn by almost anyone with any complexion and is the perfect shade heading up to the festive season! Luxurious and rich, there is hardly any drawbacks to this shade. For an alternative, try the colour grape a la the Burberry catwalk. By Sadie Ford - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
MARC JACOBS A/W 2011/12 HANDBAG COLLECTION
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The Marc Jacobs’ A/W 2011/12 handbag collection has got people talking. He doesn’t do ‘normal’ and often amuses to shock people with his collections. According to some, this A/W collection of handbags was one of his best ever. Marc Jacobs’ handbag collection can always be seen across the arms of A-List celebrities, attracting attention and always being something different. His new collection proves to be much more wearable with everyday style, however still provides that ‘wow factor’ in its own way. The diverse range includes classic leather accessories that would be seamlessly great additions to your wardrobe as well as bolder, loud coloured / patterned accessories which look great to show off on their own. There are a lot of clutch style bags and smaller purses in this collection, some of which are so small that nothing but a lipstick can fit into them! These come in a variety of fashionable and stylish colours and shapes. There are some oddly bright colours in this handbag collection considering the season he created it for… but then again, it wouldn’t be Marc Jacobs without this! By Amika Francis - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
WOMENS FOOTWEAR SHOE TRENDS FOR WINTER 2011/12
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It seems every woman can find her perfect pair of shoes as A/W 2011/12 is set for such a diverse range of fashion to suit every style and budget. In terms of colours, the colours to watch out for to get the look nailed are deeper and darker shades to what we have been seeing over the last few months; black, stone, maroon, dark blue, chocolate brown, deep khaki and festive red are the hottest shades to be seen in. Knowing the right texture and material of footwear trends is also very important. Leathers, glossy patent, rich animal and reptile skin, suede and luxurious satin will be huge. And lets not forget the all important lace - still going as strong and as fashionable as ever. A new contender and one to watch out for is fur (or faux fur as we’d prefer). With the colours and fabrics in mind, let me take you though what is in my opinion the top 5 footwear trends to rock for A/W 2011/12: 1) Socks in shoes: We’ve seen it of late on celebrities and fashonistas alike, but it hasn’t really taken its limelight yet - the most likely reason for this is because of the warm weather. But as Winter is now showing its true colours, this trend is no doubt going to hit every woman’s footwear fashion. Fear not, if socks in shoes is still too much for you, replace with warm tights instead. 2) Spike heels: The sexy heel is back! Stylish and provocative, spike heels (aka stiletto heels) are always a favourite with designers across the catwalks. 3) Chunky heels: I hear a sigh of relief for those who can’t bare the thought of walking daily in stiletto heels! Feat not as chunky style heels are also a huge trend for A/W 2011/12. Due to the colder weather it’s common for this trend to appear again towards the end of the year as they provide comfort and fashion even when it’s cold. The catwalks are flooded with chunky style heels ranging from everything like heeled pumps to trendy rock chic boots. 4) Shoe buckles: The more the better! Buckles will be seen on everything from ankle strap high heel stilettos to the more obvious knee high boots. 5) Lace: Continuing on from S/S lace during A/W is always a must and most items are absolutely lust worthy. We will see lace on shoes in the form of wedge boots this Winter but instead of being delicate and feminine like, this time its showcased in a more aggressive, edgy way. Take note from Alexander McQueen and Marc Jacobs who both used this trend in their latest collections. By Amika Francis - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
NAIL COLOUR TRENDS FOR A/W
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As the new season is upon us and Fashion Week brings about new colour inspiration, lets not forget that our nails also require attention! Read on as I give you the low-down on must-have nail colours and trends to rock now. 1) Chanel: £17.50 - Vernis in Peridot, Quartz and Graphite 2) Estee Lauder: £14.00 - Pure Colour Nail Lacquer in Metallic Sage 3) O.P.I.: £10.50 - The Muppets in Fresh Frog of Bel Air, Warm and Fozzie, Gone Gonzo and Gettin’ Miss Piggy With By Liz Conrad - Beauty and Fashion Features writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
THE SCOOP ON BURBERRY AT LONDON FASHION WEEK
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Some would say that the Burberry show was the highlight of London Fashion Week and no-doubt it had the most star studded front row of guests including Alexa Chung and Anna Wintour. The models were star-studded in themselves; Cara Delevigne who is Burberrys ‘new face’ opened the show, whilst Jourdan Dunn, Arizona Muse and Abby Lee Kershaw also all strutted their stuff down the catwalk. As for the clothes themselves, talk about re-invention. This years show was a far a field from the last. A 70's palette with a 50's silhouette. This natural, earthy look was captured by the fabrics used; leather, woven wicker, wool and cotton. Aztec, zig zags, stripes and other clashing patterns were on the agenda with a mix of lady-like clothing such as A-line skirts, cinched waists and sweaters. Ethnic style accessories completed the look. The show concluded with an blast of gold embossed leaves to leave a smile on even the most hard faced front-rowers! By Amika Francis - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
DANDG FINAL SHOW - SPRING/SUMMER 2012
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D&G’s final show was a show to remember. Their Spring/Summer 2012 collection was an abundance of colour and was as lively and as youthful as ever. The trend? Scarves. Printed. Used to make a dress. Or a skirt. Or trousers..! Printed style colourful scarves were the foundation of the collection. Wrapped around the body or tied together to create great ensembles. They were even used as embellishments on hats and high heel shoes! The scarves were put together to create a collage of mixed prints and fabrics, for example denim and silk to create one shirt. Interesting! In terms of colour think shout-out, bold colours! Vivid blue, orange, red, yellow, gold etc. These were combined with vivid prints such as polka dot and animal. A great end to a great brand. By Sadie Ford - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
DOLCE AND GABBANA SAY GOODBYE TO D&G
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Farewell to Dolce and Gabbana as they showcased their very last D&G collection last week at Milan Fashion Week. Italian designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana said goodbye to their collection after 26 years, with a closing catwalk show to remember. It was a shocker as guests were not informed of the farewell until after the catwalk show had ended! Attendees were made aware of this announcement via email which informed them that Spring/summer 2012 was to be D&G’s last collection. However it is not all sad news as the designers are still going to focus on their main line; Dolce and Gabbana. The D&G brand was seen as the fun, younger version of Dolce and Gabbana and a firm favourite amongst young fashion followers. It is said that the energy from this brand is to continue in the designer’s mainstream brand, forming a new line of energy and fun. By Sadie Ford - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
STYLE WARS - VICTORIA BECKHAM VS EVA LONGORIA
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This is the nude pink dress everyone is talking about. Designed (and worn) by Victoria Beckham herself, this dress caused style wars between Victoria and one of her best friends - Eva Longoria. Whilst Eva Longoria looks gorgeous in this dress which she wore paired with matching platform high heel shoes on the US hit CBS Early show back in April, can we say that Victoria looked equally good or even better in the dress as she strolled around in NYC for dinner at Nobu restaurant. Victoria paired her dress with her signature high heel shoes by Louboutin and finished off the look with another one of her own collection - the Victoria handbag. Mind you, the word is that Eva Longoria is Victoria’s biggest fan of her own branded clothing and accessories - sweet or sinister? Thoughts, please! By Amika Francis - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
POLKA DOT FASHION TREND
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The polka dot fashion trend is back! And this time with a bang. Celebs all over have been spotted recently wearing this trend - literally! From tops to dresses and even on accessories such as a scarf or belt, dots are big news and if you want to get in on a piece of the action just check out how these celebrities rock the trend. Fearne Cotton rocks the trend with large, in-your-face type dots. With an over-sized parker jacket and biker chic ankle boots, she’s got this trend nailed. Alternatively Daisy Lowe wears the trend with smaller polka dots to form a feminine, chic look. Uber cute! If you don’t fancy going all out on the trend, then take note from Mollie King who wears the trend via a subtle scarf wrapped around to form a belt. We like! By Amika Francis - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
THE DALMATION FASHION TREND FOR 2011/12
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This season you’ll start to notice an increase in black and white monochrome and dalmation like prints flurrying across high street stores. In addition blood red accessories are combined to make for what is set to be Cruella de Vil all over again; get set for the dalmation fashion trend for a/w 2011/12. In retrospect, Cruella de Vil is actually a very well dressed woman. Her colour synchronisation is in balance without looking over-done and she sends out a ‘cool’ vibe about her without any effort. To get this look nailed, rock a black and white ensemble with bright red lipstick and slick hair. A dalmation patterned faux fur coat and long gloves will also add to the humour! Pointed high heel shoes are a must to complete the look. By Sadie Ford - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
THE HERMES BIRKIN HANDBAG - A STYLE STAPLE
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As every fashionista knows, the Hermes Birkin bag is a handbag to die for. Named after the ever-lasting fashion icon Jane Birkin, this handbag is regarded by all in the fashion world as the Holy Grail of luxury bags. Victoria Beckham is probably the most loyal collector with an array of colours and the likes of Kim Kardashian are slowly catching up. But if you're not willing to pay the price of your entire wardrobe for one bag, then our Hermes style bags are the perfect alternative! Totally desirable and uber chic, these look-a-like bags just ooze sophistication. Our gorgeous Hermes style handbags are oh-so versatile for both day or work wear; we say it's classic sophistication for any fashionista. Simple and classy, these bags are for every day style whereby you can maximise their usage season after season. Wear them on a day out or to a meeting at the office - anything goes! Check out our range of Hermes style handbags here, from just £22.00! By Amika Francis - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
THE WILD, WILD WEST TREND FOR A/W 2011
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Take note from runway designers such as Balmain, Proenza Schouler and Chloé, as this season we’ll be donning looks which last year saw us laughing…The poncho is back in town! Before you go rummaging through your wardrobe from a few seasons back, there are a few style updates to this trend which should be abided by to pull it off: - Do covet Apache patterns (especially when teamed with loose denim shirts). Who would have guessed that having fun and keeping warm was a fashion statement?! By Sadie Ford - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
A/W SHOE TRENDS
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From platforms to lace-up velvet boots, footwear is here to make a statement this Winter. Read on to find out what this seasons key footwear trends are… The Fendi catwalk show proved to be really exciting as they showcased really extreme platforms, but the heels were much thicker. Thicker heels are much easier to walk in so this will prove to be a very wearable trend for us ladies constantly on the move! Loafers and man-style footwear will also be huge; for example, brogue shoes were last season worn as flat shoes but this season return with a high, chunky style heel. Other key footwear trends include extreme knee high boots - knee high boots are inevitable to wear for Winter, but this season its all about the height so keep an eye out for long, sky-scraper versions. Invest in an ankle book with a platform. You simply cant go wrong! And finally velvet and lace ups go hand in hand this Winter so make sure you get a pair of shoes which blends both of these trends together. Check out our range of high heel shoes and boots to get the look nailed! By Sadie Ford - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK.. |
COLOUR TREND: JEWEL TONES
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This seasons A/W colour trends have moved on from Summer’s colour blocking brights into the world of lavish jewel tones for 2011-2012. Think amethyst, sapphire, emerald, ruby, garnet and citrine - these shades have the influence to make you feel lush and classy. Whilst the colour black is still a fashion pack favourite and a hit across the A/W catwalks, bursts of jewel colours from top designers showed off their appeal. For an impactful look, wear one colour from head to toe a la Ralph Lauren, Gucci and DVF. According to Vogue, shades of jade and ruby red stand out the best. If that’s too daring for your taste, allow your accessories to do the talking. Sparking clutch bags or high heel shoes are most impactful in jewel tones. By Amika Francis - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
NECK CHOKERS - THE NEW ACCESSORY TO BE SEEN IN
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If there is one piece of a hot accessory you need to see you through this A/W and next, it is a choker necklace. Chokers are set to become the most used addition to your jewellery tank from this winter, and we say its about time! Its been a long time since chokers were a mainstream fashion accessory but this time round they will be huge. Vogue predicts that choker necklaces will add glamour to your wardrobe for any time of the day. The current catwalks are filled with them; from Donna Karan’s subdued pearls to Bottega Veneta’s bold black additions. This year’s choker necklaces give an instant update to any ensemble; check out our necklaces and chokers for some inspiration. By Amika Francis - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
NAIL VARNISH TAKES THE BEAUTY WORLD BY STORM
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There is one area of beauty which almost all women can relate to, and that is grooming their nails. Would you believe that nail polish sales have grown to over double the rate over the last five years of other colour cosmetics! This shows how strong the British nail obsession is – a quick splash of nail colour is the quickest way to be on-trend – and without breaking the bank. Nail colour trends are constantly changing – practically ever week! And Chanel’s lush colours are often at the top of the charts. The colour you choose to rock represents how aware you are of the fashion landscape. In today’s world, its no longer just a colour to match your handbag! Be on trend by wearing the hottest shades right now – summers “it” shades include bright yellow, aqua and raspberry. By Liz Conrad - Beauty and Fashion Features writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
BACK TO ROOTS - YSLS NEW A/W COLLECTION
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YSL’s new a/w catwalk collection is certainly one to watch out for. In a recent interview with Stylist magazine, creative director Stefani Pilati described the inspiration drawn from an “urban silhouette, with feminine and masculine, combining tradition with the demands of modern life”. The new collection encorporates YSL’s classic French style but within an urban landscape. A trademark YSL contradiction; Yves was, after all, the designer who created menswear fashion for women. Pilati stated that the key pieces within the new collection “give new dimension to a classic aesthetic”. This notion certainly comes through when you see their new advertising campaign. We especially love their over-sized croc handbag with striking gold buckle – a classic! By Amika Francis - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
THE J SUMMER FASHION SHOW AT THE SAVOY REPORT
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It had to be the perfect evening: the Savoy, the people and the fashion. And I have to admit, it was, but not quite like I expected, much more inspiring. After I made my way through tons of flickering cameras (there was a red carpet entrance and all) I entered into my fashion fairytale - one hour of nonstop catwalking. While I was really looking forward to seeing Jaeger, the collection that grabbed my attention the most was by a Netherlands-based designer, Addy Van Den Krommenacker. It seemed to me that everything was perfect about his designs - the femininity, the delicate chiffon fabrics and the absolutely show stopping colours and cuts. Danny Tang, a London based Malaysian designer, has also showed off his skills and left the audience wowing - I know I wowed at a warm orange coloured chiffon mini dress with a contrasting black neckpiece transforming into a black floaty train at the back. Absolute perfection. And of course Jaeger was not left in the shadow. The collection included very wearable contemporary pieces and in fact it was as ready-to-wear as a collection can possibly get. Other designers such as Paul Costelloe, Charlotte Sparre, Mirco Giovannini and Maicco also delivered atmospheric and breathtaking pieces. I have no doubts that in the future the fashion jargon will expand to: “that’s sooo Costelloe” or “how Danny Tang is that”! Now excuse me while I picture myself wearing every outfit from the show. By Edita Lozovska - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
DESIGNER SCOOP - ANYA HINDMARCH A/W 2011
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When you think of a British born accessories designer the name Anya Hindmarch automatically comes to mind. With a business spread across 10 countries and worth over £30million, Anya’s designs are certainly one of our handbag favourites. Anya’s new collection for A/W 2011 has got us all so excited at the a-shu offices! The beautiful handbag range has drawn inspiration from the 60’s which come September, is an era set to dominate our wardrobes. Anya’s new collection of handbags took inspiration from style icons such as Jane Birkin and Lou Doillon. The styles are clean and simple but with greater attention to smaller detail. Tote bags, clutch bags and shoulder bags are all part of the collection which is out now! For designer style handbags without the designer price tag check out our styles from just £9.99! By Amika Francis - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
WIDE LEG TROUSER TREND SUMMER 2011
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Wide leg trousers are a god-send this season. If you haven’t tried a pair yet then where have you been?! Stylish yet uncomplicated, tailored perfectly and with a mid to high-waist finish; this is the style that sets itself a part this season. An alternative look is a pair of wide leg jeans. These need to be fitted on the thigh otherwise you run the risk of them looking too baggy! We then have the third kind; the Palazzo style. These are the most comfy style, often worn lounging around or when soaking up the sun. In terms of fabric, it will be light and free-flowing. Wide leg trousers are best worn with high heel shoes. Flat shoes will never give the same effect as heels will! The only look which would work is if you were wearing the palazzo style with espadrille shoes. Now that is hot! Check out our range of high heel shoes to get the look nailed! By Sadie Ford - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK. |
