Are you ready to have your mind blown? Let me explain a trippy concept I have recently stumbled upon: Retro Futurism. This is basically looking at depictions of the future in films and art from the past and drawing inspiration from them now. How many movies were made in the 60s, 70s and 80s that were set in the future (mostly beyond the year 2000) and had the characters wearing white plastic, perspex, black rubber and crazy hairstyles with silly glasses? The Jetsons cartoon, Back To The Future, The Fifth Element… If we traveled back in time to the early eighties (so let’s picture ourselves lusting over Michael J Fox and wearing Duran Duran t-shirts. Fun.) and we were discussing futuristic fashion, the conversation would go something like this:

Me: “I totally know what fashion will be like in the year 2010… we will all be wearing silver uniforms and vests that have lasers and a screen on the front that flashes…”

You: “Totally. It will all be computerized, you know? We will probably be wearing a material that hasn’t even been invented yet. That’s made of petrol or moon rocks or something. And glows.”

Me: “Yeah. Right on.”

And none of it ever happened. Well, not yet anyway. We got over the shock of the year clicking over from 1999 to 2000 (no Y2K bug, no end of the world) and are now living in a world of fashion where words like ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘organic cotton’ reign supreme and we prefer individualism to uniform. So what is futuristic fashion now? Does it even exist? Sort of. Some designers have showed us some ‘out there’ ideas and we have called them ‘futuristic’ from a retro futuristic perspective. Confused? Me too.

Here are my top five ‘futuristic’ fashion trends:

The future uniform

Let’s hope that if we ever decide to have a uniform for all of mankind, it looks as good as this Balmain dress does on Kate Moss. I love the commanding shoulders and neckline – very indicative of a powerful leader. For a space-inspired retro futuristic look, this I Love Milk and Honey top is perfect! on sale now at www.incityfashion.com.au

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but when it comes to the odd and unprecedented she takes the cake! Her extreme costume and outfit choices have created such a stir in the fashion world that we feel she has created another dimension of style. If you want to look into the future, look into Lady G’s wardrobe.

Rubber tight, space delight

Rubber clothing used to be confined to fetish shops and raves but now it’s everywhere! Maybe this is one retro futurism prediction that came true. It’s leather’s naughty, cheaper cousin and creates a huge statement when worn as a figure hugging dress or skirt. Katy Perry has recently been rocking the rubber (along with Nicole Scherzinger, pictured) and Melissa’s iconic rubber/plastic shoes have become adored around the world.

Alexander McQueen

A genius, a rebel, a tragedy. The fashion world will never have another Alexander McQueen. He lead the world into new frontiers of the bizarre and beautiful and will be remembered for his ability to create pieces that were breathtakingly disturbing and stunning at the same time. A true visionary of futurism/Sci Fi fashion.

3001: A Space Accessory

It’s not just dresses that have been given a super space-like twist. Shoes, sunglasses, jewellery and bags have headed into new realms of design which are mostly impractical but completely fabulous. I love Victoria Beckam’s high heels minus the heels and Kim Kardashian rocks these Tron-like glasses.

Check out this amazing video of ‘Futuristic Fashion’ created in 1968: see if you can spot the current trends!

Labels on my radar: Balmain, Alexander McQueen, McQ, Maison Martin Margiela, Josh Goot, I Love Milk and Honey, John Galliano.

You know the bad thing about calenders? They sit on your wall all year and you don’t bother to pay them any attention, then one day you have a closer look realise it’s the first day of spring and it’s only three months until summer. Didn’t we just have Easter?! I am so terrible with dates. I don’t keep an organiser (too disorganised) and the only way I vaguely know what time of year it is is by whether designers are launching their SS or AW collections. So here we are, saying goodbye to another winter. Or another AW in my language.

Now I have realised how soon I will be wearing tank tops with denim cut-offs and jumping around at music festivals and having various other summer fun, I have decided a fitness kick is in order. After all, it’s definitely a sporty time of year with the AFL Grand Final, Tennis, Cycling, Golf and the Commonwealth Games providing ample inspiration for lazy bones like me. And there is a sport out there for everyone. All you have to do is gather some mates, grab a ball of some description and get kicking and/or throwing! Or dust off your leg warmers and check out your local dance school for drop in classes. Simply moving around after a long winter’s hibernation will have you feeling good in no time. And what better way to get motivated for some hardcore sports sessions then to buy a new outfit?

Here are some of the best fitness gear and style going around…

Workout T-shirts

I don’t know why I like working out in blue, but I do. I feel it’s an energetic and centering colour. For girls I can’t resist a long T-shirt, like Jessica Biel is wearing. It feels more comfortable and hides any slight muffin top that might be creeping up. For guys, a cool printed T-shirt is great but do everyone a favour and keep your work-out T’s separate from your everyday T’s, lingering sweat marks are not a good look. This cool blue T-shirt (on right) is from Coast and is available at www.incityfashion.com.au!

Workout shorts

So super-short shorts might not be for everyone, but if you can get away with it like Claire Danes, do it! Find some yoga shorts made of light cotton material to keep you comfy in the gym. For guys, I always think shorts in a lighter colour look best. It balances out the proportions and is more flattering for chicken legs.

Sporting accessories

Awww… lovebirds Fergie and Josh Duhamel must share sportswear! Between them they are rocking almost every fitness accessory known to man. Headphones are a must, sunnies and a hat will protect you from the sun and a well placed sweatband just adds to your fitness cred. Go team!

Best Sporting Style for guys: Zac Efron

This isn’t the first time I’ve mentioned Zac’s style, but seriously… the boy knows what to wear. He wins the best sporting style award because he looks comfy, relaxed and knows how to look good without being too obvious. 10/10 for fitness fashion.

Best Sporting Style for girls: Hayden Panettiere

This pint-sized cutie seems to have more ‘get up and go’ than the energizer bunny! Nearly every time I see a pic of Hayden she is running or surfing or just generally looking really sporty. I love her healthy glow and no fuss approach to dressing for a work out. Easy and outdoorsy.

Labels on my radar: Lorna Jane, Stella McCartney for Adidas, Bassike, Country Road, Industrie, Nike, Reebok, Etnies, Roxy, Quiksilver, American Apparel, Puma, 2XIST, Patagonia.

If England has ever had a national ’sweetheart’, it’s Emma Watson. Playing adorable, know-it-all, increasingly beautiful Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter franchise, Emma has catapulted to global fame and also attracted many appraising nods from the high fashion world. I think it’s rare for a young starlet to achieve true fashion kudos, especially when their film is somewhat targeted at the under-15 demographic (not that I’m not OBSESSED with HP myself. So obsessed I call Harry Potter, ‘HP’). Emma has managed to simultaneously have a plastic figurine modelled on her likeness and be called a muse by Karl Largerfeld. It’s like Miley Cyrus being the face of La Mer. The two world’s of commercial mass-adoration and the artistic fashion elite rarely intercept, but Emma Watson has created a niche all for herself.

So how does she do it? Well. For starters, Emma’s grandmother was French and she was born in the hometown of style, Paris. Emma lived there until she was five and then moved to Oxfordshire, England. I believe having a French background does give her a certain grace and innate fashion sense. She has also been very up front about how important her education is, studying Liberal Arts at Brown University. This shows she clearly doesn’t buy into the celebrity hype and her values are firmly in place. No bar hopping or skimpy outfits for this young icon.

Having turned 20 last April, Emma’s maturity seems far beyond her years. Her taste in clothes reflects this as she often picks somewhat reserved, high end pieces and teams them with a something youthful and fun. She has also turned her hand to designing and created a collection with People Tree – a fair trade clothing company. Emma is also the face of Burberry Spring/Summer 2010 and stars with her brother in their breathtakingly beautiful campaign.

So here are my top five moments of Emma Watson style. Chic, classic and a genuine style icon.

Emma does sheer

Emma has perfected the demure and sexy look. I love the sheer fabric in an elegant navy and the plunging neckline that still keeps everything hidden. Choosing a sheer fabric can give you instant style, but make sure you have the perfect underwear for this or it can look like a bit of a trainwreck. This beautiful, sheer panelled dress (on right) is from Milk and Honey and is available from www.incityfashion.com.au!

Bold prints

You know what makes this outfit amazing? Three things: the clean and no fuss hair, the elegant hourglass shape of the tunic dress and the muted colours of the print. It’s bold but done in a sophisicated and artistic way.

Golden delight

This is my favourite Emma Watson look. So glamourous and flirty, yet teamed with that simple fuss-free hairstyle. I love the chunky heels too! If I had this dress, I don’t think I would ever take it off.

Brit pride

This is why the English love their style icons – they love to incorporate the Union Jack! The fact that it’s Chanel makes it all the more fabulous and I love this fire engine red with Emma’s pale complexion. Pure Brit perfection.

Leather and lace

This Christopher Kane number has done the rounds, being worn by a few celebs to events, but Emma’s take on it is my favourite. The leather, lace and floral combination could wash some people out, but I think it perfectly compliments Emma’s soft features and glowing skin. If you are wearing something eye catching like this dress, remember to be simple with hair, make-up and accessories.

Labels on my radar: Christopher Kane, Burberry, Chanel, Milk and Honey, Miu Miu, Country Road, Jag, Ralph Lauren, Phillip Lim, Birds of a Feather, Pucci.

Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal. So men – if your wardrobe is looking a little lack-lustre and dated, there has never been a better time to give it a revamp. This spring it’s all about colour and cut. Old is in and new is brighter and bolder than ever. A plain white T-shirt has turned into a pale peach affair, accessories have become jaunty hats and bow ties and forget what you think you know about the man’s cardigan… it’s all about to change.

This spring designers seem to have taken inspiration from poets, vagabonds and artists from a bygone era. There are lots of old romantic details; braces, neckerchiefs, a flower in a lapel or maybe a well groomed mustache. One of my favourite parts of this season’s new look for men is what they are doing with their hair. Silky manes and artfully tussled locks are a thing of the past. Now, men’s hair is more disheveled (in a just-got-out-of-bed kind of way) or groomed in an old-fashioned style; with combed, slicked back ‘dos, neat side parts or rockabilly quiffs. For fragrance, go for woody, green and musky notes in a cologne or go retro with a classic like Old Spice or English Blazer.

There is something very jet-setting and international about the new look for spring too. If you cross a backpacker with a Gucci fragrance campaign and throw in John Keats for good measure, you will have the perfect ensemble for this season. Think vintage mixed with outdoorsy apparel and clean, well tailored pieces.

Here are the top men’s trends to keep an eye out for this spring…

Pastels

Now pastel might not be for everyone, but I love this look. It’s so self assured and dapper. If pink is too much for you, buy a bag of Clinkers and get ideas from all the other colours inside. Delicious and inspirational. The number one tip I can give to gents this spring is to roll up the cuffs of your pants and have some neat loafers or leather slip-on shoes to wear with no socks.

Unusual tailoring

Why should a blazer or jacket always be the one style? This spring, designers are taking shapes and patterns to the next level and more unusual tailoring will be everywhere.

Classic stripes

How I love a man in stripes. Stripes really do go with everything and this spring, I think light denim and a white collar is such a happy, uplifting look. This beautiful shirt (on left) is from Flinders Lane and will be the perfect addition to your new snazzy wardrobe.

The ‘traveller’s scarf’

I have talked about scarves many times before, but I think this season will be the best we have ever seen.When I was traveling through Asia I spotted many European men wearing very light cotton scarves, and since then I have loved this look. It’s all about bright, light and well traveled.

Beards: let it grow

I don’t want to get all ‘beardy weirdy’ on you… but if you can grow a good crop of facial hair, now is the time to do it! Beards are huge this season and we aren’t talking about neat little ‘Craig David’ look – I mean a lumberjack, 70s bushman number. Jean Paul Gautier and Phillip Lim chose wild and woolly male models for their runway shows, and if they think it’s hot, so do we!

Labels on my radar: Flinders Lane, Prada, Patagonia, Cheap Monday, Rodd and Gunn, North Face, Jean Paul Gaultier, Phillip Lim, American Apparel, Marcs.

Ahoy me mateys! This spring fashion has taken a fifties inspired turn as designers are loving the sailor trend. This look is cute, neat and has a splash of Parisian flair to it. I have always been obsessed with high waisted shorts, but this looser, satin look is to die for. Be on the hunt for lots of luxe fabrics like silk and super fine cotton and stick to a simple colour scheme involving lots of white, navy blue, cream, salmon pink and red. Straw boater hats and woven baskets complete the “you’ve just stepped off a fishing boat in the Mediterranean sea” look. It’s in the details too; with cute buttons, woven ropes and nautical motifs adorning dresses, T-shirts and romper suits. Romance Was Born brought us the beautiful pearl and oyster print and we will soon be seeing a tidal wave of other ocean dwellers featured by designers like Miu Miu and Birds of A Feather.

Jean Paul Gautier created his iconic ’sailor shaped’ perfume bottles and many other designers have sought inspiration from sailing and life on the ocean. How many Ralph Lauren campaigns have you seen featuring a tanned chap on a boat looking wistful? There is a certain wholesome, elite appeal about sailing that translates very well to fashion. It’s a clean cut look that started when Coco Chanel looked at the fishermen on the docks and saw their nautical stripes and thought “hmm… that might just work”.

Here are some of the best sailing inspired looks for this spring…

Boat shoes

What else? You will find more leather loafers in magazines this spring than fish in the ocean. They are comfortable, reserved and have that genuine boating apparel look that will complete your ensemble perfectly. I adore Karen Walker’s new collection of cute loafers (see above).

Nautical stripes

Fun fact: Nautical stripes (or Breton stripes) became a part of fashion almost two centuries ago when the reigning Prince of Wales wore stripes and a sailors collar in a portrait oil painting. He was inspired by the uniforms of the Royal Yacht sailors and soon after nautical stripes became a favourite way of dressing children. Since then, almost all designers worth their (sea) salt have incorporated the iconic stripes into a collection.

Tie-up tops

This is a little bit Sandra Dee from Grease, but I can’t resist a cute tie up top. It emphasises a small waist and leaves room to draw attention to a bolder print skirt or shirts.  On a budget? Pull out an old T-shirt and do a 10cm cut directly upwards on the front, then tie the two flaps together. Voila! Instant tie-up top.
This darling number is from Birds of a Feather and available from www.incityfashion.com.au!

High waisted shorts

So sweet, sexy and thanks to the likes of Marilyn Monroe, iconic. Many people are a bit scared of wearing high waisted shorts, but they actually suit most figures and are easy to wear with a plain T-Shirt or singlet. This nautical spin is about a more A-shaped look that creates a classic feminine silhouette. Keep an eye out for cute button detailing up the front. These cute blue shorts are aptly called “Hallo Sailor shorts” from Birds of A Feather - available at www.incityfashion.com.au!

Boater hat

First it was cowboy hats, then trilbys, now boaters will be everywhere this spring and summer. I think they look best pinned slightly forward, with hair in a messy bun at the nape of your neck. These can be a great find in vintage stores or raid your little brother’s wardrobe for his old school uniform hat!

Labels on my sonar: Karen Walker, Alannah Hill, Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Sportsgirl, Supre, Birds of a Feather, Jean Paul Gautier, Dolce and Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, Tod’s.

Has anyone seen The Bucket List? Well, I have only just seen it recently (sadly, I seem to catch a movie about four years after it’s release) and it struck me how important it is to cross off the silly little goals we set for ourselves. I want to dive with great white sharks, drive across Italy, own a personally initialed Goyard bag and buy a studio apartment in Paris. Okay, so these are not little things, but making this ‘to do’ memo made me feel proactive in achieving my goals.

I have always thought of fashion as not only self expressive but a way to challenge your self. We can build up so much angst and self consciousness about our wardrobe and I wanted to create a bucket list of fashion items to get out of our comfort zone before we have bigger things to worry about, like hip replacements. While we are young, free and arguably in the best shape of our lives, we should make the most of it and wear those crazy ensembles we always wanted to.

I recently found a cute photo of my mother when she was 21 wearing a cherry print bikini and looking absolutely amazing. She told me that she only wore it once (when the photo was taken) and was too self conscious to ever wear it again. She said now she regrets not wearing it everyday. So what’s it going to be? Are we going to be brave and impulsive? Or are we going to have regrets about our reserved approach to fashion years down the track?

So here is my little fashion bucket list.

The my-rent-for-a-month bag/shoes

Cliche? Maybe. But indulging in an extravagant, one-off purchase is truly a wonderful experience. Reward yourself. I saved up for months and months and bought a beautiful Chloe bag from the flagship store in Paris. You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. It became one of my favourite travelling experiences and is still a treasured piece.

A hot this minute trend

Now when I say this, I don’t mean a seasonal item. I mean a ‘will be out by the end of this exhale’ piece. Something really current, trendy and preferably caused by a paparazzi snap of a new ‘it’ girl walking around the streets of New York or Paris. Remember when it was ‘in’ to strap up your jeans tucked in to your gladiator sandals?

A skin tight dress

Work your curves! You have no idea how good you look. Buying something form fitting and snug will make you feel sexy and up for a night out with your girls. Take a trench coat or blazer to rug up when you want to. No one likes a shivering gal! This beautiful dress (on right) is from the Milk and Honey designed by Ruby Rose collection! order yours now!

A ‘grown up’ wallet

The way you carry your cash, cards and identity is important, people. You want to pull a wallet/purse out with confidence and pizazz. A friend of mine still has a dinky coin purse that takes her 20 minutes to fish out her coins from and I am just waiting for her birthday so I can get her something special.

A timeless jacket

We’re not talking about a Balmain power shoulder or an army inspired coat. I mean something elegant and made of a luxe fabric. Go for the more high end labels or a vintage designer find. If you find your perfect classic jacket it will become part of your trademark look and one you will love for years.

Labels on my radar: Chloe, Chanel, Scanlan and Theodore, Celine, Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, Country Road, Christian Dior, Mason Martin Margiela, Marc Jacobs.

Presenter, model, DJ and now designer – Ruby Rose has not only become a quadruple threat with her various ventures, but is also winning the hearts of people everywhere. In Australia we see many famous faces come and go, with the media having a bad habit of picking one celeb as their flavour of the month before moving on to someone else. But Ruby’s warm and genuine persona has left her as one of our fave talents and here at In City Fashion we are tickled pink to be bringing you her gorgeous collaboration with Aussie label Milk and Honey.

I have always loved Ruby’s style. It’s that perfect balance of street, rock chick, vamp glam and a genuine individuality that lets you know she doesn’t need a team of stylists to tell her what to wear. There is something fun and cheeky about her style too. I love that Ruby will change her hair, get a new tattoo, wear a beautiful corset and joke that she forgot to put on her pants; it shows that she doesn’t take herself so seriously and still knows how to have some fun.

Ruby also has a story to tell, which I think is what people most love about her. A victim of bullying and prejudice due to her sexuality, Ruby has overcome so much in her young life and is an inspiration to anyone struggling to be who they want to be. Her new clothing range even includes T-shirts has anti-bullying slogans.

So here are my top five Ruby Rose moments of style brilliance. Congrats to Ruby for her amazing collection and everyone can check it out and PRE ORDER here at In City fashion!

Intergalactic glam

When I first saw this beautiful dress… I honestly gasped. Not many people could pull off something so structured and flashy, but to Ruby’s credit she looks beyond amazing! I love the little pink and blonde highlights in her hair.

Army dream

Seeing the combination of this deep olive colour and the white/blonde hair makes me want to grab the peroxide immediately. I love these comfy, easy to wear army inspired jackets and think this is the perfect way to wear one. Team with a great feature bag and a glowing perfection and you’re ready for anything.

Milk and Honey designed by Ruby Rose

This is one of Ruby’s pieces from the Milk and Honey collab and I can’t tell you how much I love it. I have mine pre-ordered and on it’s way! I love the digital print purple/maroon and if you check out the runway video at In City Fashion you can see it’s back panel is black and it’s made of a light, silky material. Perfect with ripped denim (a la Ruby) or maybe a leather skirt.

Power shoulders

The boots! The necklace! The shoulders! Everything is doing the right stuff in this perfect ensemble. These boots are a perfect example of falling in love with something unique and one-off then making them a feature piece of an outfit.

Ripped denim

This is one of the first pics I saw from the Milk and Honey designed by Ruby Rose collection and from this outfit I knew it was going to be amazing. I love the frayed, ripped denim and can see myself running around a summer festival in these jeans. Ruby is such an animal lover, her cute dog Daisy gets a lot of love in this collection. Check out this adorable T-Shirt with Daisy the wonder dog!

When I say the word ‘tribal’ in the context of fashion, for most people it would mean I was talking about Ikat prints, brightly coloured headdresses, lots of warm colours and navajo inspired jewellery. But the tribes I have been fascinated with lately are much more local than that. It’s about the fashion we know are from certain places. How you can look at a girl’s or guy’s style and know almost down to the postcode where they are from.

With a rise in street fashion photography due to bloggers like The Sartorialist, Jak & Jil blog and Style Bubble, people are more aware of self expression and how their outfit conveys who they are. I don’t believe it’s about stereotyping or pigeon-holing suburbs, but rather an appreciating of these little urban tribes that have been created by a love of fashion. It also happens on a global scale. How many times have you seen a story titled ‘Parisian chic’ or ‘Brit style’? It’s all about either proclaiming where you are from or escaping to another place by dressing differently.

As someone who moved to Sydney when I was 18 from a small town, I was so enthralled by the outfits and styles that could be spotted in certain neighbourhoods. It seemed like such a fun and uniting way of enjoying being young and free. We all wanted to look the same but still have our own unique quirks. It’s individualism within an ideal. I was sucked in from the word go and still rejoice in visiting my old stomping grounds and remembering things like my first cut off rock band T-shirt, my first oversized vintage sunglasses, my first Ksubi jeans (then named Tsubi), my first Alice McCall dress… all while listening to Michael Franti on my balcony in Bondi. Ahhh… sorry, excuse me while I reminisce.

So here is a salute to my favourite style tribes…

Bondi Beach, NSW

Fashion in Bondi is all about ease, sex appeal and a hippie attitude. There is always lots of skin (think key hole dresses or gaping razor back singlets) and slightly fluffy beach hair. It’s all about not caring, being tanned and scoring the best position on the North Bondi lawn. The style is in the simplicity.

Surry Hills, NSW

People who live in Surry Hills rarely venture out. It’s a suburb that truly has everything you need. Great pubs, restaurants, shops and music venues and even a cooler than cool market held on the first Saturday of every month. This look is grungy, hip and with a little bit of high end designer thrown in.

Fitzroy, VIC

Fitzroy and Surry Hills are close in style, but there is something more eclectic and sweet about the Fitzroy set. Meet Jimmy and Lauren, two very cool friends of mine who kindly let me post them as my Fitzroy cool kids. I love Jim’s paddington bear coat and Lauren’s 1940s inspired hair. It’s all about the little details and letting your true personality shine through.

Williamsburg, NY

I have loved Michelle Williams since her DC days (that’s Dawson’s Creek for those who can’t remember) and seeing photos of her cruising around in her hood Brooklyn makes me love her more. This is a very hip and expressive way of dressing, feature pieces with loads of individual touches to make an outfit all your own.

Paris, FR

Okay, okay… this isn’t really fair as I’m sure there are hundreds of little style tribes throughout the Arrondissements of Paris but to save time I will group them all together and call them amazing. Some of the most elegant and stylish women I ever had the pleasure to look at were found in Paris. It’s all about carrying yourself with confidence. You don’t even have to be wearing something new or flashy, just keep yourself tidy and your wardrobe well stocked with fabulous coats and you will achieve the Parisian dream.

On these cold, rainy days I have found my sweet tooth steadily increasing. It doesn’t help that I live a few blocks from an amazing French patisserie and that layered clothes can disguise any accumulating winter padding. Why have just a long black coffee when I could have a hot chocolate with a delicious pain au chocolat? But I have found a great way to curb my sugar cravings – embrace the latest candy inspired look!

Maybe it’s the influence of Masterchef or the palate of gelato colours that are in fashion at the moment, but food seems to have infiltrated my wardrobe. I noticed the other day that a girl was wearing a great outfit that almost made me hungry: it was peaches and cream coloured dress with hot pink tights… very Strawberry Shortcake. Just look at Katy Perry’s new clip for California Gurls: she is literally in a world of candy and sporting amazing lavender hair to match.

Gearing up for a bright spring/summer wardrobe we will see lolly palates, gelato hues, and deliciously edible colours everywhere. These colours are so fun and are a great way to have a break from your usual go-to shades like black, white and grey. It’s all about mixing the bold colours with lighter, softer hues and being creative. This spring there will be no such thing as clashing colours, everything goes together in a salad of fruity goodness. Think of the film Marie Antoinette and it’s candy coloured costumes (which were inspired by Laduree macaroons!) and take it a step further with acid colours and different textures.

So get out there are find some strawberry pinks, fruit loop greens, grape purples and sherbet oranges… and have fun!

Edible motifs

I know this may seem very ‘grade 8′ and immature, but I am predicting we will see a whole lot of cupcakes, ice creams and other edible goodies adorned on clothes thanks to labels like Miu Miu and See By Chloe. It’s playful, cute and when teamed with a yellow floral skirt and boater hat – spring perfection.

Candy coloured

Say what you want about Lara Bingle, but I still think she has great style (even though it’s chosen for her by a stylist). This pretty look will be perfect for spring and summer, a little bit quirky and ready for self-expression in the form of accessories (which I personally think Lara could have worn more of here). Incidentally, this dress was the colour inspiration for my bedroom!

Cupcake delight

I must seem like I’m obsessed with Katy Perry at the moment! What can I say? I like her style and she dares to be different. Except with her love of cupcakes though because EVERYONE loves a cupcake. Sure, this isn’t fashion but thanks to Carrie eating cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery with Miranda on an episode of Sex and the City, cupcakes have been huge.

Hairy Floss

I never thought I’d dye my hair. Ever. I was a very proud brunette up until last week, but must have suffered a sugar induced brain snap and am now sporting peacock blue sections in my hair. I think everyone should try something a little bit different with their hair and Kelly Osbourne’s purple rinse is a true standout. This spring and summer will hail in the return of bold colours, so make friends with a colourist and be ready!

Yummy fragrance

It’s not just your wardrobe that should get a sweet makeover, pick up a new fragrance to brighten your day! Perfumers everywhere have embraced edible notes again and I am really happy about it. Look for perfumes with notes of vanilla, musk, amber, fig, coconut, clove, mint or a with synthetic fragrance like this Cotton Candy cologne from Demeter.

Labels on my radar: Miu Miu, Patricia Field, See by Chloe, Prada, Josh Goot, Moschino, Dolce and Gabbana, Urban Outfitters.

Being a dedicated consumer of fashion magazines, every month I stock up on the latest issues of the major titles. After years of this I began to get a little “meh…” about the shoots, rarely seeing a fashion story that blew my mind. But this month’s Vogue (September 2010 issue) had me gasping in the newsagents. It may seem odd to praise another fashion publication’s work, as we are technically an online magazine here, but credit goes where credits due and I have no shame in kudos-ing their creativity.

It has the beautiful Catherine McNeil in a leopard print and black lace bustier dress, with an amazing amber quiff and red lips. It is classic rockabilly with a modern, glamorous twist and I feel head over heels for this fifties look. I used to think not many people could handle this full on and overt look but after rummaging through my clothes and many hours of research, the rockabilly look can be adapted to almost anyone.

A little history lesson: the term ‘Rockabilly’ is a combination of rock and roll and hillbilly (a common name for the country music), the two music genres that played a huge influence on the Rockabilly style. This music and correlating look had it’s rise in the 1940s and 1950s and was primarily based in the southern states of America.

The key ingredients to this flirty, tough-girl look is to remember it’s all about the attitude and effort. It’s the antithesis of the previous post’s ‘Lazy Girl’ look. It’s popping to the shop for a carton of milk in a leather miniskirt, red cardigan and heels. It’s doing your hair with heavy curls and a black bow perched on top of your head to a business meeting. It’s over the top, sexy, unapologetic and very cheeky. Celeb’s like Katy Perry and Dita Von Tease are partly responsible for the revival of this pin-up girl look. But with a little bit of accessorizing and some bold colours you can copy their style.

Here are my top five rockabilly looks…

Bows

Zooey Deschanel knows how to rock the subtle rockabilly style and I love this velvet bow detail. Bows are such a good addition to any outfit and not only makes you look polished and well presented, but cute as pie too! I love this cardigan (on right) from Birds of A Feather! on sale at www.incityfashion.com.au

Get high waisted

This whole outfit is amazing, but I love the high waisted jeans with a little cropped top. So rockabilly. One fundamental rule for achieving this look is that all skirts and pants have to be tight.

Seeing red

Katy Perry gets it right again! Red is such a big part of rockabilly and is a colour almost everyone can wear. If you are too shy to go the red lipstick, a cute cardigan, skirt or shoes can be a perfect ‘pop’ to an outfit.

Leopard print

Leopard print fits into a few trends; rock chick, jungle and even military to name a few. But I couldn’t resist including it here. A pencil skirt or cropped jacket in leopard print are perfect for this look, but if you don’t want to go full rockabilly, a scarf is perfect for giving an outfit some edge.

It’s all about the hair

Be prepared to either spend a lot of money at the hairdressers or a lot of time in the bathroom! It’s all about creating a perfect and completely quiffed hairdo. It’s a completely stunning look, but might be a bit of effort for everyday. Next time you are heading out for a big night, be rockabilly inspired.

Labels on my radar: Wheels and Dollbaby, Seduce, Birds of a Feather, Vivienne Westwood, Guess, Dolce & Gabbana, Jimmy Choo, Dangerfield, Victoria’s Secret.