On the runways, the geek trend has manifested itself in a demure manner, coinciding with the current popularity of femininity. Button-up blouses and shirts are popular, as are skirts, mid-length rather than short. As with most trends, there are different sides to the geek chic look – you can go for soft, shy shapes and textures or opt for harsher, hard lines. It’s basically the different between librarian and secretary: are you aiming for quiet and cute or sexy and sophisticated? Knee high socks are perfect for imitating a school girl look, especially when paired with a leather satchel. Having sold very well over the past couple of years, there are now lots of different satchels on the market in different colours and materials. For an old-school geek look, go for one with old-fashioned clasps in faded brass or pewter. The suspender tights that are everywhere at the moment also contribute well to this look, giving your schoolgirl style a slightly cheeky and suggestive edge.

High end geek chic is a bit different to other variations of the trend.

The key accessory for the geek style, of course, is a good pair of glasses. Again, up until a few years ago one was often ridiculed for wearing glasses, yet nowadays many people with perfect vision are choosing to wear glasses with clear lenses, or even with no lenses, as fashionable accessories. Thick plastic rims, either black or in bright colours, are particularly popular. Designers like Ray Ban were quick to jump on this bandwagon with their ranges of geek specs, whilst Gok Wan’s recent range exclusively at Specsavers are all decidedly nerdy. Glasses are actually a great accessory because of the way they can entirely alter your appearance, changing your face shape, especially if they are particularly large or bold and therefore dominate your face. Lily Allen, for example, was pictured wearing a pair of big black specs in 2008 and received a great deal of media attention because she looked so different. Glasses have always been associated with making you look clever, although be careful; there are plenty of big, garish specs out there that will just make you look like more of an idiot. Trust us.

The geek chic trend is just as big for men as it is for women, with waistcoats, blazers, braces and even bow ties coming into fashion for both genders. Prominent male celebrities are embracing the trend; Justin Timberlake’s new look is entirely in line with geekdom, perhaps a remnant from his role in Bad Teacher. Another great source for male geek style is the hugely popular American TV show Glee – Blaine and Kurt are a perfectly styled couple who often sport sophisticated nerd styles. Although one side of geek chic is looking immaculately groomed, neat and tidy, a little bit of mess can create a quirkier style. The huge icon for this kind of kooky geek look is of course Zooey Deschanel, who embodies the trend in her new sitcom, The New Girl.

Zooey Deschanel has become something of a geek chic icon.

There is of course a problem with dressing in geeky clothing because it makes you look cleverer – it doesn’t make you suddenly more intelligent than everybody else. Pushing the geek look too far puts you at real risk of wandering into hipster territory, looking too much like you want to look cool and unfortunately failing. Going over the top with any trend that you don’t have the ability to pull off just doesn’t work, and will make others think less of you. Some online fashion blogs have gone as far as to advise pursuers of geek chic to “fake the nerdy interests” because although you want to dress like a geek, “you won’t become one”, as that would be just terrible. It just goes to show that the underlying perjorative meaning of the term is still there; fashion has just appropriated the bits and pieces that it likes, casting the rest aside. For this reason, it seems important to embrace a little bit of the essence of some real geek chic – we’re thinking retro film t-shirts, quirky accessories, video game references and anything that really is inspired by something “geeky”. Check out the awesome handmade Tetris dress below!

Now that’s more like it!

- Kat Humphries

There are two sides to the ladylike look that remains popular this winter. On the one hand, the delicacy of femininity can be accentuated with certain gentle textures and accessories; sheer, silky fabrics, lace detailing, frills and bows, and soft lines. On the other, however, structured silhouettes and harsher lines embody a more 60s sense of the “lady”, elegant and sophisticated with a retro vibe. Both these styles are classic looks that allow women to reclaim their femininity, rejecting the increasingly accepted norm that women need to dress provocatively in order to look attractive. Adele is another example of the demure, ladylike fashion at work; unlike her peers, Adele chooses to dress like the sophisticated artist that she is. She joins celebrities such as Carey Mulligan in a generation of female icons who embrace their femininity without compromise.

Carey Mulligan pioneered the ladylike trend with her demure yet acutely sensual feminine style.

Of course, the ladylike trend hasn’t just been seen on celebrities over the past year; it has also made headway on the major runways of the world, including recently at Milan Fashion Week. The fashion world is constantly recycling major trends of the past, and this resurgence of 60s and 70s femininity has been appropriated by many different designers worldwide, as well as by smaller companies and retailers putting out clothes for general consumption. The video below displays the trend as captured during Milan Fashion Week 2011: designers such as Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Fendi, and Alberta Ferretti bring a sultry sense of classic glamour back to the runway.

If you want to try out the ladylike look for yourself, there are a few essential tips to help you on your way. One of the most basic and yet helpful items you may find when reinvigorating your wardrobe is a pencil skirt; this type of skirt can make an old blouse look brand new, creating an entirely different silhouette. Cinching at the waist is another key element of the ladylike fashion; go for a skirt with a longer hem and nip in at the waist for an accentuated bust, whilst keeping you looking prim and proper. Luckily, as its winter, part of this trend includes a soaring demand for tights and other leg-coverings, which should keep you warm in poorer weather. Your look should appear perfectly constructed, polished and refined.

- Kat Humphries

Sources and further information:

Ladylike Fashion in 2011 – 29secrets.com

Ladylike F/W 2011 Trends – aprettierplace.net

FabSugarTV: Lady Retro Looks at Fall 2011 Milan Fashion Week! – fabsugar.com

Women’s Trends: Ladylike – fashionfinder.asos.com

Ladylike fashion is a celebrity hit – fashion.telegraph.co.uk

10 Easy Ways to Pull off Fall’s Ladylike Trend – glamour.com

So what should you be looking for? What are the top winter trends for 2011? Here’s a rundown:

Leather
This goes for anything. Boots, bags and belts obviously, but update a favourite outfit by adding a chic biker-style jacket or keep warm by buying that skirt you love in leather for a bang on trend look. Don’t overdo it unless you want to look like you’ve just stepped off the bike (if you have, ignore this) and if it’s not really your style, accessorise with gloves and studded belts for edgy additions to your winter wardrobe.

Textures
This includes tweeds, velvet, knits and textured woollens. Warm and trendy, what more could you ask for? Try a warm winter coat in wool or for an ultra luxurious touch, what about a velvet coat? Oversized, chunky sweater dresses are big this year – cinch them at the waist to accentuate those curves. Gloves and hats in bold colours and textures wool will update an older coat and keep you warm as toast to boot.

Faux Fur
With the emphasis on ‘faux’. It’s a cruelty free way to keep warm and follow the trend. The faux fur vest is big this season and is a great way to keep warm without feeling too bulky. Add a touch of olde worlde fun with muffs and stoles… And those fur hats are great for keeping your ears from freezing. Make a statment with a bold animal print, try a funky scarf if you don’t want to look like Cruella DeVil.

One of the biggest pieces of evidence you’ll be seeing over the next few months, however, is the oversized coat. Having a skinny, smooth silhouette is a thing of the past – these days, if you can go bigger then you should definitely do so! You may at first think that a huge coat may be going a step too far from female to male, covering up your figure, but if you wear it in the right way then an oversized coat can actually be significantly flattering.

The best way to wear an oversized coat is with minimal bulk on other items of clothing – for example, don’t wear big baggy trousers. Pair instead with warm tights or leggings so that your legs look slim and feminine emerging from the coat itself. You can also go for softer accessories in order to balance out the harshness of a large piece of clothing. This is a great look if you want to show you are powerful and independent, whilst still showing that you can be vulnerable when you want to be! Beware, though – the oversized coat trend can be unflattering on certain body shapes, so make sure you find something that suits your personal style.

Construct an outfit around a simple, black Cashmere Knitted Pencil Skirt, £79. This skirt comes in a super soft knit with a front seam detail, the trims are smooth and tubular and you’ll stay comfortable all day in the office with its ribbed elasticated waistband. With a combination of Milano knit to give structure and Lambswool for a breathable and warm finish, this material is then blended with our 100% sustainable Cashmere.

If you’d prefer your skirt to make more of statement, opt for this Cashmere Knitted Jacquered Pencil Skirt, £79. It comes in grey animal print, which is a great way to incorporate this season’s hot trend in a subtle and corporate friendly fashion. Made of a cashmere and wool blend, this skirt is smooth and durable, to see you through the 9-5.

Keep a Cashmere Textured Knitted Jacket, £179 close at hand to team with a bright coloured top. It can be dressed up or down and features a ribbed collar and deep cuff trim. Available in camel or charcoal, this jacket pairs brilliantly with both of the previously mentioned pencil skirts. It’s made from 100% sustainable cashmere, blended with Lambswool to keep you warm as well as smart at work.
If you’ve kept your skirt and jacket simple, go for a pop of colour and different texture with your top. This Sleeveless Silk Top, £41 is loose fitting and cut from smooth silk satin that creates a luxurious shine through front pleats. Each side of the top is in a contrasting matt, still in the same 100% silk. Comfortable and hangs beautifully, this top comes in Blackberry, Ivory and Silver.

Every woman needs a smart handbag for work, but there’s no need to choose something safe and dull. This Ribbon Trim Shoulder Bag, £74 is simple enough in smart black and real leather, but look closely and you’ll find some modern metal chain detail straps giving it a cool edge. Inside there are all the usual pockets for your essentials and it fastens securely with a zip and magnetic close.

The mid-season sale at Pure Collection continues, with up to 40% off key pieces. Visit http://www.purecollection.com

1. Start by washing and conditioning your hair with products suited to your hair type. Gently towel-dry your hair.

2. Blow-dry your hair roughly, not paying too much attention to styling. The hair style will be created with your hair straighteners.

3. Spritz your hair from root to tip with heat protect spray. This will prevent your hair from being damaged by the straightening process.

4. Apply some wax to the lengths and ends of your hair. This will help your new curly style stay in place all day and night.

5. Separate your hair into 3-inch sections from the nape of your neck.

6. Place one of the sections of hair into your hair straighteners. Place the straighteners vertical to your head, as close to your scalp as possible. Rotate the irons 180 degrees away from your head while, at the same time, pulling them towards you. Try to do this is one, smooth movement. If you want tight curls, move the straighteners slowly. Move them quickly for looser, softer curls. You can also create a more natural curl by turning the straighteners 180 degrees towards your head.

7. If the curl does not look the way you want it to, leave your hair to cool, and then redo the curl.

8. When your hair is cool, you can separate the curls with your fingers for a softer look.

9. Finish the style with a spritz of hairspray.

The standard IV styler is a multi-purpose styler that looks, at first glance, like any pair of straighteners you might buy on the high street. However, its average appearance is deceptive. The ceramic plates on this styler can reach very high temperatures, but those same plates are specially coated to minimise the heat damage inflicted when they make contact with your hair. The standard IV styler is a versatile tool that can be used on any hair type to create any style.

The salon styler is slightly different from the standard, although it utilises the same heat technology. The ceramic plates on the salon styler are much wider than on a standard styler, which means they are better equipped for taming particularly stubborn, thick hair. With the salon styler you can create huge, voluminous curls and styles that are not as easy to achieve with a smaller styler.

Finally, the mini styler is exactly what it says on the box – a tiny little styler perfectly suited for styling very short hair, or for adding delicate touches to the fiddly areas of your hair such as the fringe. As for which of these three stylers is best, well, that depends entirely on your hair type and the kind of styles you hope to create. Pick the styler that is perfect for you!

Miller, along with the boho style she inspired, doesn’t go for over-the-top glamour. Although she always looks fabulous, one of the great things about Miller’s fashion sense is that it always means she looks like she has just thrown something on and achieved the perfect outfit. Boho chic clothing is casual and comfortable, allowing you to move freely and look good, combining high end fashion with a level of practicality that makes boho-esque items perfect festival clothes. Whether you’re heading to Reading, Bestival or Secret Garden Party this summer, the kind of clothes you see on icons like Sienna Miller are absolutely perfect for the situation and have been immensely popular in previous years.

We’re talking about light skirts, in both colour and fabric, that have a little length to keep you cool and not panicking about accidental flashing; tunic style tops that allow your skin to breathe whilst at the same time accentuating your figure; shoes like flip flops and sandals that can be kicked off and slid back on at a moment’s notice. Perfect for festivals, garden parties, the park or the beach, Sienna Miller’s boho chic style is a great look this summer and should grace every girl’s wardrobe.

This being this case many high street stores and designers are now creating menswear with more variety in terms of colour and pattern, and floral print shirts for men have become fashionable and commonplace. In addition, floral is bang on trend for this season – for both men and women.

At the recent Men’s Spring/Summer 2012 shows in Paris, Kenzo sent down the aisle a collection which included lots of floral print. They showed Bermuda and cargo shorts instead of trousers and bright coloured shirts were adorned with oversized flowers or Hawaiian prints.

In Milan Prada showed a golf inspired collection for next Spring/Summer with several of the models carrying floral printed or studded golf bags. There were even floral printed golf shirts on display and the whole collection screamed summer. Sarah Burton took time away from designing the Duchess of Cambridge’s wedding dress to design her menswear collection for Alexander McQueen which included floral tapestry jackets.

It’s not just this season that floral for men will be a key trend it’s going to be big all year.

Wearing floral on a day to day basis means you need to think carefully about what you wear with it – if you try to stick to one patterned item per outfit you shouldn’t go far wrong. Patterned shirts can look great worn casually with jeans or cords, or smart for the office – as long as they are fitted and worn over dark trousers.

Choosing a floral shirt could turn out to be a bit of a nightmare as there are literally thousands of designs to choose from, however Joe Browns is a brilliant place to start looking – they stock all sorts of patterned, summery clothing and you might strike lucky and find what you are wanting a the click of a button!

Seen wearing sky high heels from multiple unique designers such as Alexander McQueen and Noritaka Tatehana, Lady Gaga has managed to convince some of the fashion-forward to torture their feet by wearing almost gravity defying heels, some as many as 9 inches or more off the ground. As hard as it is to balance in regular heels, some women seem bent on learning how to walk in these super high and awkwardly shaped adaptions to footwear.

When swarms of women started to copy Lady Gaga’s interesting take on shoes the medical community took note. High heeled shoes have been criticized for years for putting unnecessary pressure on areas of the foot and heel that are not designed to carry most of the body’s weight in the distribution allowed for by high heeled shoe’s designs. While the new, taller and more interestingly shaped shoes sported frequently by Lady Gaga might cause a wearer to be more prone to twisting and ankle after a slight misstep, most podiatrists agree that these kinds of shoes are no more harming to the wearer than a standard heeled shoe.