The Chanel 2.55

With Christmas not too long away now, its time to start writing your Christmas wishlist…and top of mine is a quilted Chanel 2.55 bag!

The bag is named 2.55, as it was created in February 1955. This long standing Accessory is still a huge fashion 'must have' today, and is frequently seen decorating the arms of countless celebrities. The bag is versatile enough to be adapted to many different styles from day casual to career and evening wear. Here Alexa Chung looks stunning wearing hers combined with a 'typical Alexa' black satin bow dress.
















































Back in 1955 it was Coco Chanel herself with the bag on her arm, and nowdays it's no less than the beautiful Polish model Daria Werbowy who models the timeless Chanel 2.55. Yes it's all about iconic fashion!

Mischa Barton, Mary-Kate Olsen and Victoria Beckham are all devotee's of the quilted bag, and as you can see, it's not just black that makes a statement. The bag is also available in white, Gold, silver and red.












Sienna Miller and Lindsay Lohan both love their Chanel 2.55 handbag.

If you are interested in picking up one for yourself, then you will have to visit one of the boutiques as you cant get them online. It will be worth the journey though for the quality of service and gift-wrapping!

The bags retail in the early thousands, so if this is slightly out of your price range then you can always borrow one. Yes, you read right, you can now borrow designer bags from online sites such as Fashionhire.co.uk. You can pick up a Chanel 2.55 for around £70 a month.

Of course, if this is still a little out of your price range then the High Street has a number of interpretations available.

Not always an obvious choice but Dorothy Perkins are so on trend this season, especially with this patent Chanel inspired quilted bag for just £12!

Click on the following logo to shop at Dorothy Perkins:

I really love this little number from ASOS, the lining of this offer is beautiful and really compliments this gorgeous patent oversized clutch, £39.

Topshop have also taken inspiration from the fashion house that invented the Little Black Dress with this Chanel inspired quilted bag

If you love Chanel as much as I do and you happen to live in the UK, then may I suggest you take a trip to Primark this week, they have a gorgeous tweed Chanel inspired jacket selling at £17 and beautiful quilted pumps in cream and black that just scream Coco! Just team with a plain white tee and your favourite pair of skinny jeans for a fantastic street look.

Post by Alexa Gilbert
London College of Fashion

In need of some Christmas gift inspiration? Then take a look at some of the stores below:

Layering for Autumn

As the warmer weather fast disappears, I deemed this topic to be quite appropriate. Layering is a great styling method for this season and through Winter!

When done right, layering your clothing creates an effortlessly cool look that's comfortable, unique and versatile. It's also a really great way to get more wear out of your favourite bits all year round!

I like to take inspiration from shots of a few 'old hats' who's efforts usually come out right, such as Mary Kate Olsen, Sienna Miller, Gwen Stefani, Kate Moss and even Kiera Knightley. You can also take some inspiration from the catwalks and layer your career wear too! We all know plain office suits went out a long long time ago, and seeing as some of us spend most of our time at work, why not spice up your office gear with a little layering?

I must warn you that even though layering can look fantastic - it can also go quite terribly wrong, resulting in a look that's mismatched and rather unflattering. So learning how to do it right is key.

I have 15 simple practical tips for achieving fantastic results when attempting this trend. We all have such unique features which we prefer to emphasize as well as varying body shapes and colourings, so you can take on board the tips which work for yourself. For me, fashion is all about retaining your own individuality whilst experimenting with new idea's and pushing a few boundaries. I don't believe in hard and fast "fashion rules" for all.

So here are my top 15 tips for layering effectively:

1) Work with a base of one or two simple key colours, then add a few bits that brighten up the outfit, such as a colourful scarf, cardigan, top, Jacket, leggings, tights, shoes, handbag, purse accessories or a hat

2) Remember black makes you look thinner and if you're wearing a few items, this can be helpful

3) Stick to skinny jeans, tights, leggings if you are wearing more items on your top half, this being to keep some of your shape in view. If you're wearing "boyfriend" style jeans, then keep the top half fitted with a vest, fitted cardi and perhaps a bomber jacket if it's chilly

4) Scarves, Pashmina's and wraps look great with layered clothing, especially if you can find some unique bold colours, designs and prints. Right now I'm loving animal prints

5) Different kinds of Hats can be pulled off easily with this look, so experiment a little

6) Dresses or long tops over skinny jeans look stylish

7) Smaller more fitted bomber or vintage, 50's style jackets retain a slender look

8) When going for a bigger jacket, try keep the rest of your clothing a little more fitted to ensure some of your silhouette is visible

9) The 'androgynous' style works when layering, but too much in this style will extract all femininity

10) Ruffles on tops, dresses, necklines etc are great eye candy and can be a perfect key piece

11) Remember too much is never a good thing, so if you're going for a really bold key item, then keep the rest a little more low key

12) Colours are exciting and get you noticed. Be adventurous, but use your common sense... some colours just don't go together!

13) As with any style - work with your own body, accentuate your best bits

14) Break all the rules if it looks good!

Last but certainly not least, and this may well sound like a cliche but I consider it a vital key to the success of any outfit:

15) Be comfortable, confident and like yourself in whatever you're wearing as that has a huge effect on your posture, walk, facial expressions and the overall look of an outfit. Never underestimate the importance and benefits of accepting yourself and loving you just the way you are.

Here are some examples of 'Layering' done well, with a few snaps from Paris Fashion week 2008 at the end, feel free to comment:

Mary Kate Olsen

Kiera Knightley


































Rachel Bilson







Model Lily Cole








Kate Bosworth












Sienna Miller and Mary-Kate Olsen
















Sienna Miller, loving the accessories

Sarah Harding

Kate Moss

Kate Moss

Giselle Bundchen

Paris Fashion Week 2008

designers Marithe and Francois Girbaud

Jean Paul Gaultier fashion house

Balenciaga Fashion house

The clutch bag

So, we're seeing the clutch everywhere this season, but are you hesitant to try them? My first thoughts on the clutch bag trend were: 'extremely stylish, but totally impractical!' I mean, what if I need to use my hands? Having a bag over my shoulder, or in the crook of my arm is what I'm used to and definitely seems a much more sensible and practical option. That was until I spotted a beautiful cream croc skin oversized clutch a few months ago and tried it out... I fell head over heels in love! Seriously, it was so comfortable in the palm of my hand. I bought it and wore it out that weekend, kind of expecting to get irritated with it halfway through the night, but I took the chance anyway because it looked so good.

From my own experience, I would highly recommend a clutch bag now, I love this style. The clutch really fits super comfortably in the palm of your hand. When you sit down it looks pretty on your lap too, and if you need to use your hands - it clutches neatly underneath your arm. The clutch is feminine, stylish arm candy. For those who really can't imagine a bag without a strap, thankfully - you'll find many clutches come with a detachable strap too.

Clutches are extremely versatile and adaptable, they can be worn casually as Kate Moss does in this pic, or on a night out with a stylish dress.

Victoria Beckham looks amazing here with her Special order Hermes Baccara Crocodile Clutch at the Oscar de la Renta Spring 2008 Fashion Show. (http://www.hermes.com/). To me, the clutch is the best and most striking piece of Victoria's well thought out outfit. As I said earlier, they sit perfectly on your lap too when you're sitting! In fact, I think the clutch looks a lot neater than a bulky arm handbag.

I particularly love the style of Mary-kate and Ashley Olsen, they make the clutch look effortlessly stylish here in 2007.

I'm loving Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. 'Signature - Carlisle' Convertible Clutch Tote - $425.00 at http://www.nordstrom.com/ and http://www.bloomingdales.com/

This Topshop Navy Leather oversize clutch is also beautiful, it's currently selling at £30.00 (http://www.topshop.com/). This bag is perfect for day and night and has a bit of a hippy, bohemian feel to it.

I found this little funky Retro "Yellow Submarine" Beatles clutch bag at http://www.thefest.com/ selling at $29.50. It would brighten up any daytime outfit. Would look fab with a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. I could imagine Agyness Deyn or Peaches Geldof pulling this little clutch off perfectly.




New Look make plenty of really cute and inexpensive clutches, such as this Limited Edition Over Sized Snake Print Clutch (http://www.newlook.co.uk/) which is selling at £20, you can buy it in Gold or Black. Personally, I love any kind of animal influenced items, be it skin or prints, it can add a real edge to Accessories.

I also found this gorgeous little woven clutch for only £5, which you can buy in Brown, Red or Silver.

Though at $795, this is probably over many of our budgets, I love this MCM Women's Pop Croco Medium Clutch (http://www.bloomingdales.com/). Click to buy: http://www1.bloomingdales.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=125794&CategoryID=10009&PageID=10007*1*24*-1*-1*6