Pearl and Butler. Blog

Titanic: The Classics - Monday, April 23, 2012

The story of the Titanic, the unsinkable luxury liner, has captured the hearts and imaginations of countless people since the day of the tragedy. One hundred years ago, on 14 April 1912, the momentous and far-reaching catastrophe shook the world.

Immortalised in films and books ever since, this is one story that will never die. The 1997 film starring Kate Winslett and Leonardo DiCaprio retold the story to another fascinated generation. As with previous movies, it focused on the legendary precious stone known as the Heart of the Ocean, or Le Coeur de la Mer. This heart-shaped stone formed the pendant of a necklace said to have been worn by Louis XVI.

Titanic Facts and Fiction

As with all good stories, fact and fiction blend seamlessly since there actually was a blue sapphire pendant on board the Titanic. This belonged, in real life, to one of survivors of the sinking ship, a lady named Kate Florence Philips who died in 1958.

Miss Philips's story is no less romantic and tragic than the one portrayed in the films. She was eloping with her married lover aboard the Titanic. He drowned but she survived and took with her only the precious pendant, her purse and the keys to her trunk when she escaped.

Heirloom Jewellery

Most of us have items of jewellery that we would die for rather than lose. These are the precious items that we would grab before fleeing a burning building, the ones that spend their lives hidden in safes or bank deposit boxes. We don't usually wear them in case they get lost or stolen, but every so often we hold and look at them, treasuring the memories they call to mind.

Whether the jewellery is worth a fortune, as with the Heart of the Ocean, or its value is purely sentimental matters little. These small treasures capture a lifetime - sometimes several lifetimes in the case of heirlooms. Wrapped up in them are emotions and memories that can never be replaced. Small wonder, then, that whole stories are built up around precious stones and metals.

Modern Classics

With your own classics safely tucked away, modern costume jewellery takes its place and on this important anniversary you can show solidarity and empathy towards the loves and lives lost aboard the Titanic with representative jewellery items.

The smoky crystal heart necklace features a large crystal reminiscent of Le Coeur de la Mer, or for a little more colour choose the blue and pink Swarovski crystal and silver heart necklace. Both feature large heart-shaped crystals that hang dramatically from either a double strand of blue crystal beads or a chunky snake chain decorated with diamante ring charms.

Echoing the blue theme of the fictional blue diamond in the Titanic film, but on a less ostentatious scale, is a blue heart-shaped, acrylic pendant on a blue suede cord. This is perfect for the less formal occasion and looks stunning when teamed with jeans and a casual jacket.

For a truly Titanic look, choose dramatic stones on short chains. The teardrop crystal necklace is perfect. The smoky grey gemstone, suspended by clear, sparkly crystals from a beaded, faceted necklace, exudes charm and a vintage classical style.

These are modern classics you can wear and enjoy without fear, creating your own love story to rival those told of the Titanic.

Tags: Titanic, jewellery, necklace

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Accessorising your hair - Friday, March 30, 2012

Hair accessories are set to be a top trend this spring and summer. Whatever your hairstyle, hair accessories add that extra touch to make you stand out from the crowd. The right hair accessory can make your outfit, turning a basic shorts and t-shirt combo into an outfit with the wow factor. Make sure you always keep some cute accessories on hand in case of a bad hair day, particularly in the summer months when dreaded frizz can ruin your look.

Different Styles for Different Gals

Hair accessories can be used to add to your look, whatever your style. Celebrities such as Dita Von Teese have added funky hair pieces to create an edgy style, whilst celebs such as Charlize Theron have created romantic looks by adding subtle bows or dainty alice headbands to their locks. Retro style hair accessories will be particularly big this summer, so look out for unique old style gems to adorn your tresses.

Hippy style headbands are also set to become a popular look this season. This year, the bigger the better and large jewelled headbands will be a big trend. These pieces should be worn with plain, tailored clothes to ensure eyes are drawn to your hair. Mischa Barton and Nicole Richie are both big fans of this look. Take the look one step further by pulling the hairband across the top of your forehead for a child of the 60s look.

If you are going for a sophisticated style, alice bands are the perfect option. Combine an alice band with a chic high bun for some 1920s high style. This look is perfect for looking your best at a work meeting or on a classy date at a romantic restaurant.

Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend

Diamonds are a popular choice for hair accessories. Diamond hair clips add some extra sparkle to your look and don't have to cost the earth. Diamond hair clips work well with curls for a girlish look and contrast beautifully with a bright pink or red lipstick to add allure. You can wear diamond hair accessories to glam up on a night out, or to add that something extra to a day outfit. Combine two trends of diamond hair clips and headbands with a sparkly diamond style headband. Lauren Conrad and Nicole Richie have both sported this look, which works particularly well with a wavy blonde hair do.

If you want to draw attention to yourself, take a tip from Katy Perry and Sarah Jessica Parker and buy a large eye catching piece. This will ensure all eyes are looking at you, for all the right reasons. A large feature hair piece is a great investment as it can be worn on special occasions over the years. If you really want to jazz up your hairstyle, find a dainty tiara. This will make you look and feel like a princess!

This summer, go out and find some fab hair accessories to liven up your look. Hair accessories can add instant glamour to any outfit and come in a range of styles. Diamond hair clips, jewelled, wide hairbands and large feature pieces are likely to be particularly hot this summer.

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Spoil me with costume jewellery - Tuesday, March 27, 2012

With a wide range of gorgeous, fashionable costume jewellery available, accessorising and looking great has never been so easy or so affordable. Splashing out on stunning items of costume jewellery means you can treat yourself to a collection of fabulous pieces, all for a similar price as one piece of expensive traditional or designer jewellery. So you can look amazing and keep up with current trends without breaking the bank.

At the moment, the trend is to select one piece of statement jewellery, such as a chunky bangle or a stunning cocktail ring. However, costume jewellery comes in all guises, from elegant diamante earrings to bold and blingy necklaces.

Even celebrities are getting in on the costume-jewellery trend. At recent events such as the Golden Globes, the Oscars and London Fashion Week, a number of famous people were seen sporting sparkly, stylish pieces. However, the accessories the celebrities opted for were mainly understated, minimalist items.

Selecting, re-using and re-cycling your favourite pieces reminiscent of school days, friendship bracelets are back in fashion. They are no longer hand-plaited and made of coloured strings and you can choose from beautiful styles made of leather and silver for a chic, casual look, which won't require you to take out a second mortgage to pay for them.

Vintage-style costume jewellery is also hot at the moment. Cameos, gilded goldtones, pearls and brooches will all give an expensive-looking, classic style without making a dent in your overdraft.

Semi-precious stones such as pink agate, amethyst and jade can be found in necklaces, rings and bracelets. These beautifully colourful stones are eye-catching, glamorous and gorgeous, making you look and feel a million dollars, but at a fraction of the cost.

With the on-going 'credit crunch', costume jewellery has become more and more popular, meaning there is a huge array of styles available to suit all budgets, tastes and skin tones. No outfit is truly complete without a stunning piece of jewellery.

Something for Every Occasion

Costume jewellery is perfect for every occasion – from spring weddings to cocktail parties and from the office to the dance floor. Selecting your favourite pieces and forming your own unique collection of costume jewellery means you can dress up or dress down any outfit to suit any event.

Even on your own wedding day, choosing freshwater pearls, diamantes and gorgeous pieces of costume jewellery will leave plenty of money in the budget for your perfect wedding gown!

Best of all, if you choose your jewellery wisely you will be able to wear pieces again and again, season after season, without growing tired of them. Select timeless pieces such as elegant drop earrings, necklaces with semi-precious stones and stylish silver rings to look fabulous for any occasion, all year round.

Gone are the days when spoiling yourself with jewellery meant pulling out a credit card or saving for months for the perfect accessory. You can now achieve a designer look for less by building your own personal collection of costume jewellery. Fill your jewellery box with beautiful bracelets, necklaces and charms and look your best at all celebrations. Expensive jewellery is a thing of the past.

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Style Icons of the past - Friday, March 23, 2012

True style icons will always use jewellery to complement their look. Remembering the style icons of the past is a great way to investigate the importance of jewellery.

Princess Grace of Monaco

Even today, many people still view Grace Kelly as the height of elegance. Princess Grace was a fan of Cartier, best seen in the large 10.47-carat engagement ring that she wore. The late Princess Grace also wore big twinkling bracelets and pearl necklaces. She had a love of big bold brooches and dog and bird brooches were just some of the animals that she had in her collection. Jewellery was very much an important part of her outfits and she certainly liked to make a Hollywood statement with it. Her favourite pieces were usually big and glitzy and perfectly at home in her affluent home of Monaco.

Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel did not just create one of the most famous fashion houses in the world; she also turned her design talents to jewellery. Her clothing designs were often understated and this allowed her to create jewellery that contrasted her fashions. The jewellery was bold and often used to complete an outfit. She was one of the first designers to propose the use of glass stones to copy gemstones and although costume jewellery was already on the market, it was for those who could not afford the real thing. Coco Chanel turned this on its head in the 1920s and designed costume jewellery as a fashion item. She always said that jewellery should be decoration, rather than a display of wealth.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

The late Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis wore little jewellery, but when she did it was often one of her favourite pearl necklaces. The pearls were understated, never consisting of more than three strands. Her styling was always elegant and she was often in suiting and these pearl necklaces complemented her timeless style perfectly. She also wore enamelled bracelets during the sixties and they became known as 'Jackie bracelets'.

Princess Diana

As with Princess Grace, Diana, Princess of Wales had some of the most beautiful and valuable jewellery ever made. Sapphires were a favourite and the stylish Duchess of Cornwall now wears a number of these sapphire pieces. Perhaps the most famous is the sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring that was given to Diana and the sapphire studs, which the Duchess of Cornwall has had redesigned into sapphire drop earrings. Diana also enjoyed wearing fashion jewellery during the day and she had a love of watches, occasionally wearing two at the same time.

The Duchess of Windsor

Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor, remained on the Paris-Couture best-dressed list for forty years. Her styling was immaculate and timeless and she used stunning jewellery to complement this style. She loved big bold animal brooches, especially panthers and she wore a variety of other bold jewellery. She never wore rings apparently, as she thought that her hands were too big. She also wore unique watches, including a sundial-styled watch and one made from a coin.

There are many other style icons of both the past and the present and these are just some who have shown how the right jewellery could create and complement that perfect look.

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Things just got Pinteresting! - Tuesday, March 20, 2012

What is Pinterest?

Pinterest is a social photo sharing site that uses a visual, pin board style approach. Users of the site are typically creative individuals who wish to showcase collections and interests online. However, the site allows users to share any visuals that interest them and includes everything from elaborate cake collections to hairstyles. The site was launched in March 2010 and was subsequently named in the 50 best websites of 2011 by Time Magazine. It currently receives around 200,000 UK users and many more around the world.

What do people post on Pinterest?

Pinterest users 'pin' many different kinds of topics to their pin boards. These include fashion and style, arts and crafts, travel, home and food. 'Pins' are images that are shared, originating from other websites. This can drive traffic towards websites hosting the images. The most popular category is home, followed by arts and crafts. Food is the most quickly growing category. Images are stylishly laid out making a visit to the site a visual experience.

How does this affect those interested in arts and crafts?

The popularity of arts and crafts on the site is unsurprising, considering the visual emphasis of the site. Pinterest is an effective forum for displaying creative pieces, encouraging comment and sharing of interesting work. Viewers can 'Like' or Repin allowing others to view the piece. Pinterest is also linked to social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. This allows viewers to show any interesting items to their friends on other sites. Art galleries have capitalised on the site's success by creating pinboards of art collections on Pinterest. This brings arts and crafts to a wider audience and enables the museums to receive a level of feedback they may not have otherwise gained.

Jewellery on Pinterest

Jewellery is a subsection of arts and crafts that is growing in popularity on Pinterest. Many people who make their own jewellery find Pinterest a great way to showcase their work. This modern approach to marketing is highly effective for individuals creating their own unique handmade jewellery who may not have money available for marketing and advertising through traditional means.

Jewellery makers can gain access to thousands of potential buyers. They also have a forum to gain feedback on their items. The visual nature of Pinterest is particularly beneficial for those showcasing jewellery items. Collections can be displayed together with minimal written content and pictures can be enlarged for others to view in detail, a bonus when showcasing small items. Jewellery makers can gain inspiration from others with the same interest and communicate their own interests in a creative, visual medium.

In summary, Pinterest's visual nature makes it an excellent forum for those interested in arts and crafts. It has been used successfully by both individuals and companies interested in promoting their work. Pinterest provides a forum for creative individuals to express themselves and share their passion and ideas with others. Jewellery, in particular, is a fast growing area of art and crafts.

We’ve been busy pinning with Pinterest over the past few weeks. Check out our boards and follow us here: http://pinterest.com/pearlandbutler/

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Mother`s day gifts - Friday, March 16, 2012

Mother's Day is the perfect time to show your mum how important she is to you and to thank her for everything she does for you, all year round. And what better way to say 'I love you' than with a gorgeous piece of costume jewellery?

Jewellery should be carefully chosen to reflect your mum's personality, to suit her personal taste and to make her feel fabulous. Whatever your mother's age, style and preferences – and whatever your budget – the perfect piece of costume jewellery is out there somewhere. Let us help you find a style your mum will adore!

Jewellery for the Modern Day Mum

Modern Day Mums will love chunky bangles, heavy pendants and statement rings. Choose wisely with a fantastic Black Agate bracelet or a versatile ribbon bead necklace, which can be dressed up or down to adorn any outfit.

Jewellery for the Glamorous Mum

Crystals and diamante items suit the Glamorous Mum down to the ground! Whether on a hair clip, ring, necklace or a brooch, a touch of sparkle will make your mum's Mother's Day. If you can't splash out on real diamonds, diamond-style costume jewellery will make the ideal accessory to the gorgeously glamorous style of your mother.

Jewellery for the Classical Mum

Classical Mums will love sophisticated pearl jewellery. If your budget doesn't stretch to real pearls, then freshwater or faux pearls are equally as impressive and very chic at a fraction of the price. Drop earrings are elegant and classic accessories and will complement any outfit.

Jewellery for the Funky Mum

Coloured acrylic pieces and unusual, eclectic styles are the dish of the day for Funky Mums. Necklaces should be chunky and bracelets must be eye catching and colourful. Funky Mums love to stand out from the crowd, so make your choice carefully and consider statement florals, sparkling crystals and bold colours.

Jewellery for the Vintage Mum

With vintage being truly fashionable, there are plenty of styles to choose from to make your Vintage Mum smile this Mother's Day. The brooch is the classic piece and can be worn every day with a variety of signature vintage outfits. Stacking rings featuring pearls and sparkles and chic cameo necklaces are also perfect choices if your mum is into everything vintage.

Jewellery for the 'Charming' Mum

If your mum has a charm bracelet, the gift possibilities are endless. For the perfect personal gift, make sure you select a charm to reflect something your mum loves. A handbag charm, a shoe charm or perhaps a heart charm will all look amazing on your mum's wrist and will show her just how much you care.

For the mum who has everything, flowers and chocolates just aren't good enough. Make your Mother's Day gift count by choosing something special, something that will make her smile every time she looks at it and something she can wear every day, safe in the knowledge that she is loved by you. Because there's no one quite like Mum, choose the perfect piece of jewellery to make this the best Mother's Day ever.

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Red carpet jewellery - Friday, March 09, 2012

Celebrities really know how to accessorize. With incredible gowns from some of the world's most renowned designers, hot handbags and exquisite jewellery, our favourite famous faces always look a million dollars when they hit the red carpet. Let's take a look at some of the best red carpet jewellery and explore how to channel this high-end look for evening wear.

Delightful Diamonds

There was plenty of glitz and glamour to be seen at the 84th Academy Awards, which took place last month. Presenting at the awards this year, Penelope Cruz's amazing accessories really set the tone for the ceremony. Her 56-carat diamond teardrop necklace and 34-carat diamond bracelet set in platinum looked fabulous with a simple grey gown by Armani Privé.

British singer, Adele is also a fan of diamonds, sporting some amazing De Beers numbers for both the Brit awards and the Grammy awards. After quickly changing her accessories, Adele appeared on stage at the Brits in a pair of diamond cluster earrings worth an estimated £267,500 to perform her signature song, 'Rolling in the Deep'. Follow Adele's lead and splash out on diamonds, or choose statement costume pieces from the high street to look high-end for less.

Ravishing Reds

Actress, Emma Stone was another Academy Award attendee setting the bar high in the style stakes with her red Louis Vuitton accessories. Nominated for best supporting actress, Emma Stone complemented her bracelet and earrings with a sequin clutch bag, also from the Louis Vuitton high-end collection. A chunky affair, the bracelet made a real statement on the red carpet, whilst Stone's diamond, white gold and red earrings were an elegant choice that worked perfectly with her scarlet Giambattista Valli gown. Red is a great option for ladies who want to make a statement; wear with silver, white gold and diamonds to keep the look chic and understated.

Elegant Emeralds

Emerald has long been a top choice on the red carpet. In 2009, Oscar nominee Angelina Jolie's elegant emerald droplet earrings made a real statement. Reported to be worth some $2.5 million, her Lorraine Schwartz earrings were worn with a chunky emerald ring, adding a touch of colour to the actress's black Ellie Saab dress. Supersize emerald numbers pack a real punch in the style stakes, making them the perfect statement stone for earrings and cocktail rings, as Jolie's red carpet look demonstrated.

Green hues proved to be back in fashion this year at the Golden Globes. Favourites included Lea Michele, seen wearing an impressive emerald cocktail ring, which made a quirky addition to her amazing sheer embroidered dress by Marchesa. Julianne Moore was another actress making everyone green with envy at the Globes this year. Her emerald Fred Leighton tassel earrings looked amazing against her ravishing red locks.

Perfect Pearls

Julianne Moore was not the first person to wear terrific tassel earrings on the red carpet. Kate Hudson's beautiful pearl tassel earrings were a big hit when she took to the red carpet for the Golden Globe Awards in January 2010. Designed by Stephen Russell, these delightful danglies are an elegant choice, elongating the neck. Whilst the original Stephen Russell earrings worn by Kate Hudson come with a substantial price tag, you too can work her sophisticated evening look with a pair of long pearl earrings.

Alternatively, to toughen up the look, move away from classic pearls and try a pair of steel or imitation silver tassels. Whilst glittering gems can be expensive, if you shop around on the high street, you can rock the red carpet look whatever your budget.

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Spring into fashion this season - Tuesday, March 06, 2012

The thought of spring can help to brighten up even the coldest of days. As the last of the snow starts to melt, what better time to turn your attention to the new season's fashions? From colourful clothes to amazing accessories, the catwalks promise plenty of exciting new trends to see you through till spring.

Perfect Pastels

Following the trend for bold, bright colours last summer, spring 2012 shows a gentler approach to the colour blocking trend, with relaxing pastels to ease you gently out of your winter wardrobe. Pretty pale pinks, lush lilacs and baby blues will be key colours for spring. Plain tees and sheer blouses will look great with pastel skinny jeans for a laid-back daytime style. To add extra warmth, you could consider a cute cashmere cardigan, or toughen up the look with a biker jacket.

You can combine pastel colour-blocking with pretty ballerina shoes for a cute weekend look, or add a touch of elegance with a block heel. Two-tone shoes are a must as we step into spring, so look out for ballet pumps with coloured toe tips, or loafers with clashing heels. Stuart Weitzman's marvellous Mary Janes, with pointy, metallic toes, are a top springtime footwear choice, adding an edgy twist to the pastel trend.

Accessorise, Accessorise, Accessorise!

This season, it's all about accessories. Don't be afraid to go over the top with jewellery for spring: layered bangles and oversized necklaces are all over the S/S12 catwalks. Large stones and chunky bangles look chic and will add a touch of pizzazz to a plain tee. If bling's your thing, then crystals and colourful gemstones are great for dressing up a simple outfit. Long, jewel-encrusted earrings look elegant and are versatile enough to wear both day and night.

Chic and understated, pearls are back in this season and are the perfect partner for pretty pastels. For a stylish twist, why not try echoing pale turquoise skinny jeans with a chunky turquoise pendant? Soft chiffon scarves also work well with this season's pastels, continuing the delicate, dreamy look. Of course, no look is complete without the right bag. White leather bags featured in the catwalk collections of Marc Jacobs and Chloé this season and are tipped to be the fashion favourite for spring.

Fabulous Flappers

Inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel the Great Gatsby, the 1920s flapper look is the big eveningwear trend for spring 2012. Long, beaded gowns and draping fabrics are perfect if you're heading out on a fresh spring night. Dropped waists are a flattering choice, while slinky silks will help you achieve that classic 1920s look. A fringed jacket will complete the look and is a stylish way to keep out the winter chill.

2012 has a dramatic take on the traditional 1920’s flapper look and accessories are key to updating this classic style. A bold feather boa is the ideal way to add flamboyance to the flapper trend, giving it a fresh, fashion-forward twist. Long crystal earrings and a large cocktail ring will add extra glamour and ensure that you are the belle of the ball!

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Inside my Jewellery Box - Friday, March 02, 2012

Most of us have certain 'go-to' jewellery items, those special pieces that we wear day in, day out as they go with everything or hold some special meaning. Sometimes, however, it is nice to change things around, go for bolder accessories and add a special piece of jewellery to complement a particular outfit or provide some serious sparkle for a special occasion.

Costume Jewellery Adds Bling!

Unless you're a movie star, the likelihood is that like me you own a good collection of costume jewellery. A fraction of the cost of the real thing, but if they are good quality and well made, even diamante and other not-so-precious stones can look great and fool all but the most expert! It’s all about the design and craftsmanship and it can take a party dress or formal gown from sedate to sensational in an instant. The great thing about using costume jewellery is that you never have to restrict yourself to owning one or two pieces, you can keep up with jewellery trends and use it to refresh and update a dress you have worn many times.

Jewellery with Memories

You may have some precious jewellery handed down to you by a relative, or received as a gift for a birthday or other special occasion. I have some beautiful brooches which belonged to my great-grandmother and were then handed down to subsequent generations. Apart from their sentimental value, you aren't likely to find the same items anywhere else, so they are great for adding an individual look to your outfit. If you think they might be valuable, it is a good idea to have them valued and insured if necessary. You should look after heirlooms such as these, no matter what their value, so that you can in turn pass them down to your children and grandchildren.

If, like me, you enjoy travelling and bringing home mementos of your trip, jewellery is the ideal way of acquiring a distinctive keepsake. Many cultures have clothing, accessories and jewellery that are particularly distinctive. When I am travelling, I always keep an eye out for interesting pieces of jewellery that I can use at home for some original accessorising. They don't have to be expensive. Often they are simple pieces made from inexpensive materials such as beads and leather, but are notably different from anything you would find back home. I always try to buy directly from the person who made the jewellery - that way you are supporting a small enterprise and ensuring the money goes to the right place.

A Safe Place for your Jewels

There is no point building up an impressive jewellery collection and not keeping it lovingly stored in a safe place. If you have acquired items you love and want to keep, it pays to store them in a suitable box. There is nothing worse than having a tangle of jewellery that will only get ruined as you try to separate the pieces! Particularly expensive and treasured items would be better stored in an individual box to keep them safe.

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How to pastel it up - Thursday, March 01, 2012

Pastels were all over the Spring/Summer 2012 catwalk shows, when the big designers launched their new collections at London Fashion Week back in September. From chintzy dresses at Erdem to chic shift dresses at Osman, its all sweetness and light in the fashion world this season. There are many ways to work this fresh spring look, so let's take a look at how to incorporate this season's gentle hues into your day-to-day wardrobe.

Elegance at Emilia Wickstead

Emilia Wickstead's London Fashion Week collection was a neutral take on the pastels trend, featuring some beautiful nude dresses. This grown-up look also included elegant pleats and modest shift dresses for a fresh daytime look.

There are some easy ways to channel Emilia Wickstead's demure look. To keep it simple, wear one colour all over but mix textures to create interest - a nude chiffon top with a silk skirt will look pulled-together but pretty. Team with nude court shoes for sophisticated, uncomplicated style. Accessories should be minimalist in keeping with this cool, pared-down style: discreet diamond stud earrings or cute pearls are perfect! Delicate brooches can be added to sleek nude or pastel trenches to prevent outwear from looking austere.

House of Holland's Hot Picks

Synonymous with bright colours and brash designs, House of Holland's Spring/Summer 2012 catwalk show had a typically unusual take on the pastel trend. The "Pastel Punks" look at House of Holland is a stylish and surprisingly wearable range, featuring sexy chiffon shirts and quirky two-tone dresses. More outlandish pieces included string vests and animal-print-inspired pastels.

If you find the pastel trend a little bit too cute, House of Holland's toughened-up version is an ideal way to rock the look. Expect to see some fantastic House of Holland inspired pieces appearing on the high street over the next few weeks. To bring a rough edge to more demure pieces, add in some oversized jewellery. Chunky stacking rings or leather cuffs are perfect for pastel punks! Throw on a leather jacket to complete the look.

Perfectly Preened

Preen lightened up work wear with its Spring/Summer catwalk collection for London Fashion Week. Among the key pieces on show was the luscious lemon trouser suit, which provided a girlie twist to masculine tailoring. To nod to the Preen's pastel tailoring, why not try teaming a powder blue or pale yellow boyfriend blazer with flattering slim-leg trousers? For a tentative take on the trend, simply work a pastel t-shirt underneath your usual suit. Jewellery should be simple to maintain an androgynous look. Accessories can be used to add a feminine edge to your hairstyle: think fierce up-dos and gelled crops, teamed with floral clips.

Peplums were also popular at Preen. The catwalk show featured some stunning structured dresses which stood in stark contrast to some of the floatier numbers seen during London Fashion Week. Some people find pale pastel colours an unflattering choice for dresses, but a peplum accentuates the waist and helps balance your figure, making pastels more wearable. Angular dresses and modern tailoring work perfectly with long earrings, which elongate the neck and add a sophisticated touch. Earrings encrusted with colourful gemstones can be used to match or clash, hinting at the colour-blocking trend seen at House of Holland.

Tags: Emilia Wickstead, earrings, brooch, jewellery

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