Black is the new....well black

If ever there was a time to be back in black, it is literally right now. From the grammy nights stand outs of Anne Hathaway and Sarah Jessica Parker in that fabulous jumpsuit,  to the fashion front row (and runway) at the recent european collections, the chicest of people are definitely all in head to toe black.

Case in point, Anne Hathaway, her recent gown choices for Oscars v’s the Grammy’s. Black tough and sexy for the Grammy’s, pale pink and demure for the Oscars. Yes, granted, she was the Oscar winner on the night....but let’s face it, smokin’ hot on Grammy night.

Then there is, Emmanuelle Alt, editor of French Vogue, possibly the most fabulous of all the very fabulous women in the European set, has always worn black (with a highlight of white) as her statement look. We worship her fashion style, so channel her spirit.

The best way to wear black is paired down simple and chic. Think a body conscious dress, a shell top and lean pant, the jumpsuit definitely looks its most stylish in black, no matter the cut. A fabulous black shoe is a must, think fierce and fashionable, strappy and sexy. High wherever possible. And keep jewellery minimal, a black metal cuff, over the top black crystal earrings or a molded metallic neckpiece, one standout piece is all that’s required.

Shop the Saint Laurent clutch here

Now is the time to dress down...

When Bruce Weber shot Keith Richards, Patti Hansen and there extended glamorous

fashionable family in there North Caribbean holiday home in Parrot Cay for last august

issue of US Vogue, it touched on the whole holiday dressing as the new fabulous and the

art of bohemian layering...I mean that family really.is.beyond. FABULOUS! Where to start?

There is nothing we like better than a bikini strap showing under a pretty sundress, it

means summer is here...and really February is the month that the sun shines the hottest

and brightest, we already have the summer glow, the new year is in, but we are still

remembering the long summer holiday, there is no better time to wear a summer sundress.

Wear it with flat sandals, tan for day and try gold or a jewelled sandal or evening. An

absolute must is layers and layers of gold and coloured jewellery. Really, this is where no

rules apply: arms loads of pretty trinkets you have collected over the summer, gold, a jewel

here, a coloured string there, it’s the mixing that makes it work. jewellery at the wrists, a

few fine chains at the neck and finished off with an oversized fine gold hoop, put it all on

together. Keep that holiday feeling going that bit longer. Ok so you might not be in the

Caribbean, but you can sure dress like it.

Shop the looks here and here 

This is the season to hail the return of the suit, that great fashion two piece that works perfectly on it’s own but does double duty as separates. As with any comeback, there is always a slight twist and this season bright bold colours and head to toe prints are the new kids on the block. Brighter and flashier than their more classic mates, they need careful consideration to get right.

So let’s begin with the printed suit. Head to toe print is a bold investment and so good right now. The trick is what to wear with it. When wearing the suit head to toe, team it back with non-descript classics like a great white tee, a tan shoe, a black belt. Keep it simple. It’s the only way to go. The only exception to this is jewellery (of course there is always a rule breaker). Jewellery should be bold and colourful but mixed in with the tones of the print. Now, once you separate the two pieces you can go wild with colour. A print pant with a bright yellow shell top, for example, or a printed blazer over a coloured shirt and tan pants. Mix and match and have fun with it.

When you come to a bright coloured suit, the rules reverse. Confused? Read on. You can wear any colour bright suit, but be careful with how you mix it. Keep like colours together and mix with a highlight of nude or tan.For example, a bright red suit works with an orange or pink top and a nude shoe is fabulously chic, (or a bright orange shoe even better) but wear it with white tee and a black heel and it just does not have the same effect. It just does not have the same punch.

The classics are still around, but they have been given an overhaul too with new accents: the tuxedo suit has a slightly more seventies vibe, or team a man style jacket with a wider pant. My advice is to stick to black and white with this. It’s classic for a reason and best not to stray too far from what has always worked. A bold red lip is the only colour needed. And keep it to a heel as it’s so much sexier.

So whatever your style this summer, suit up. It’s the right time