Name

Fashion Spy

Bio

Fashion Spy Ann Russell has been a writer for five years. She’ll examine and review the latest trends, sharing her tips on how you can wear even the most outlandish catwalk looks and provide you with a straightforward, user-friendly fashion guide.

Ann recently launched successful fashion and lifestyle blog www.frocktrade.com.

You can follow Ann on Twitter @FrockTrade or email your fashion questions to frocktrade@hotmail.co.uk

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  • Fashion Spy: how to wear cropped tops

    Cropped tops are all over the high street and as the weather gets brighter you may be tempted to try the trend. If you don’t possess abs of steel, a cropped top may seem like a silly purchase but if done carefully you can pull this look off.

    Celebrities like Diane Kruger, Rhianna, Azealia Banks, Vanessa Hudgeons and Dee Hemingway have all been spotted in short tops. And it appears that abs, like cropped tops, are back in fashion with Olympic role models like Jessica Ennis encouraging us to build a toned, sculpted physique rather than focussing on weight loss alone.

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  • Fashion Spy: how to wear grunge

    Unfortunately grunge is a hard style to pull off without looking like a hobo. Baggy jeans, studded tops, flatform shoes and beanie hats all lend themselves well to this look, but there’s a fine line between rocking modern grunge and failing miserably with scruffy stonewashed denim and clumpy boots.

    Thank goodness the 90s fashion we’re wearing now is only influenced by the decade rather than acting as an entire reproduction (the clothes I wore in the 90s were criminal not cool).

    Here are some of my tips for wearing grunge well:

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  • Fashion Spy: the most stylish stars on the box

    There’s something to be said about the simple pleasures in life of a giant Easter egg and some holiday TV.

    But don’t worry the chocolate haze didn’t deter my fashion radar. In fact fashion on the box was at a real high - these five stylish ladies caught my eye.

    Jessie J

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  • Fashion Spy: how to dress for winter weather in spring

    A Spring Trench

    The lightweight trench is always a winner for this time of year. It’s not as bulky as your woolly winter coat and won’t smell funny if it gets wet. A good way to update this timeless classic is to opt for lighter and brighter shades (to entice the nicer weather).

    If you’re looking for an investment this beautiful Burberry trench is worth breaking the bank for. The monochrome option is a simple alternative to plain black or beige and is more affordable and practical than its flashy metallic friend.

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  • Fashion Spy: is the scrunchie back in style?

    For 90’s school girls the scrunchie was a wardrobe staple. Problem is we’re all grown up now and scrunchies are having a revival. 

    So it’s time to take a stance - no one over twelve can get away with sporting a scrunchie (unless you’re Cara Delevigne or a Vivienne Westwood model).  If you have photographic evidence to the contrary I’d love to see it. 

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  • Fashion Spy: highlights of London Fashion Week

    Leopard print was the pattern of choice for Autumn/Winter with Burberry, Simone Rocha and Tom Ford showing their own variations. I was fond of Christopher Kane’s take on camouflage and of course I waxed lyrical on Sunday about Holly Fulton’s graphic prints which get more beautiful every season.

    Theatrical elements ran throughout the shows this season from waltzing elegance from Fyodor Golan in The Savoy ballroom to the 50,000 falling dominos at the showcase of Anya Hindmarch’s new handbag line.

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  • Fashion Spy: Chris Kane and Pringle flying the fashion flag for Scotland

    These were kilts with metal and patent buckles that swayed in tune to music from Love Triangle. The fashion pack (including Salma Hayek and Donatella Versace) were treated to broad shoulder jackets, ribbed cashmere (Scottish of course), silk camouflage separates and delicate embroidered dresses.

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  • Fashion Spy: saluting Edinburgh designer Holly Fulton

    For me Fulton’s show is always a highlight of fashion week. I feel an affinity with this Edinburgh girl done good and always look forward to seeing the latest versions of her trademark architectural prints. And I’m not alone.

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  • Fashion Spy: success for Team Scotland at London Fashion Week

    Thankfully Scottish designers Iona Crawford, Belinda Robertson and Bebaroque found their way to London without a hitch.

    The three designers have joined up to open a luxury brand showroom during fashion week. The diversity of their group has worked in their favour with the capital’s fashion pack buzzing about Bebaroque’s hosiery, Robertson’s Scottish cashmere and Crawford’s printed silks.

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  • Fashion Spy: monochrome with a difference on day one of London Fashion Week

    Monochrome is already predicted to be a big hit in Spring /Summer and will continue its success towards the end of the year.

    The first day of Fashion Week (which hosts 56 catwalk shows, 20 presentations and counting) saw Zoe Jordan open proceedings. Like many of her peers Jordan focussed on beautiful feminine silhouettes in a monochrome palette of whites, greys and blacks but gave her collection a tougher edge by introducing an element of androgyny.

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  • Fashion Spy: can you pull off the new styles for spring?

    Granted the chill factor in Scotland still warrants a woolly jumper but there’s no harm in perusing some new season trends to prepare your dark winter wardrobe for warmer days.

    The New Colour – Orange

    Zesty orange will burst its way into our lives this spring but can everyone pull it off? The main quandary with this shade is skin colour. Let’s be honest if you’re a bit over zealous with the fake tan then an orange top will only heighten your oompa loompa status.

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  • Fashion Spy: how to avoid a fashion faux pas

    That ancient knitted crop top is not cool and it never has been. Read my tips, whilst you’re on a closet-clearing mission, to avoid future wardrobe disasters.

    The Short Skirt

    In theory there’s nothing wrong with a short skirt. In practice how short is too short? Place your arms by your side. Is your skirt shorter than your fingertips? If so you’ve been flashing your behind. The trick here is to wear your mini with opaque tights that offer extra coverage or slip on a pair of shorts underneath.

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  • Fashion Spy : how to wear pyjamas in public

    The latter, said washing pile, has given the belly a run for its money in the expansion stakes. The cause? The comfort of our pyjamas. We’ve been lounging in them for over a week now and have ignored our clothes completely.  

    In my opinion this slovenly behaviour is perfectly acceptable during the festive period. After all if you can’t live in your pyjamas over the festive break, then when can you? The problem arises when you decide to vacate your house still wearing those pyjamas.

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Name

Fashion Spy

Job Title

Ann Russell

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