Trend of the week: wild orchid accessories

Avid readers of Harper's Bazaar UK are enjoying a heady, sun kissed shoot that features this summer's sultry bordello inspired style in their June issue. Following a 'Wild Orchid' theme, the story showcases the most exotic looks from the Spring/Summer 11 runways, and proves all the difference a well placed accessory can make. But if, like most of us, you don't have the pennies to shop straight from the shoot, then have a look at the treasure trove of exotic little extras that we have found on the highstreet.

 

Hologram scale clutch bag, £30, Topshop. Purple agate ring, £10, Dorothy Perkins. Tassel earrings, £15, Asos. Red stone drop earrings, £12.50, Topshop. Hibiscus hairclip, £10, Dorothy Perkins. Metal cuff, £15, Miss Selfridge. Coral stone ring, £12.50, Topshop. Orchid pair hairclips, £6, Accessorize. Stacked bangles, £25, Asos. Coral hibiscus hairclip, £10, Dorothy Perkins. Lucious rope sandals, £80, Topshop. Obi belt, £15, Asos. Agate Cuff, £25, Collection at John Lewis.

Charlie Byrne

H&M Nails New Camel for Spring

In the wake of the beige (sorry, neutral) phenomenon of Autumn/Winter 2010, my wardrobe resembled a Farrow & Ball colour chart. I could have carpeted a desert with clothes in tones of twine, mocha, nude, string, biscuit and sand; however, I had no clue how to work them into my Spring/Summer wardrobe. 

But just as I was beginning to rue the day Phoebe Philo ever picked up a pen, I noticed that some designers have revamped their camel for spring, taking inspiration, ironically, from watery hues. Peter Pilotto chose a rich Wedgewood blue to update the pale shortbread shades we saw last season, while at Fendi and Diane von Furstenburg, zingy aqua highlights were combined with stronger tones of corn and chocolate. Neutral knitwear, as seen at 3.1 Phillip Lim, suddenly felt fresh when combined with bluebell leather and chiffon in shades of sky. 

But all this blue was giving me the blues. I was so certain that these delicate tones weren't going to trickle down onto the high street, given how the trends for brights, prints and jaw-dropping neon have been so prolific, and that I would be left with a dusty heap of clothes in shades of dust. That was until a multicoloured, multi-fabric, multitasking cardigan winged its way to the fashion cupboard at The Sunday Times Style magazine. 

 

True to its quick-fix fashion ethos, H&M solved the camel conundrum by whipping up a wearable basic that takes inspiration from the ready-to-wear collections. A staple cardigan in a bold peanut shade, this knitwear gem has a completely sheer back in a colour reminiscent of aqua sherbet flying saucers. With its long, straight sleeves, boxy cut and square pockets, the front of the cardigan is far from feminine. But do a twirl and voilà. Ladylike charm abounds. The drop-pocket detail heightens the modern, serious design feel while the candy floss shade at the rear keeps the garment firmly within the spring colour palette. I particularly love the black buttons, which add another unexpected element to the design. While H&M's color combo was spot-on, most brands seem to have avoided combining neutral shades with black for fear of seeming monochrome and boring. Clearly, they haven't considered throwing in a whoosh of aqua to mix things up. 


It seems that H&M has managed to create both an on-trend piece and a wardrobe classic all in one skimpy little cardigan. And it only retails for £24.99. So, as a clothes magpie, surely it's difficult to criticise the fast fashion producers? My jury is still out. 

--Charlie Byrne