Hobo or Snob: Prada vs. River Island

Prada Fall 2011

Apologies about my long absence on here, but better late than never as I just had to share River Island's take on Prada's 60's Mondrian style dresses. As usual with a lot of these high street rip offs the designer versions aren't readily available online just yet, but I predict River Island's take will be a high street hit for all those keen to try the 60's trend so ubiquitous this fall

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Shop the River Island 60's Style

1. Black Colour Drop Waist dress £45 @ River Island
2. Grey Colour Drop Waist Dress £45 @ River Island
3. Green Colour Block pleated Skirt £32 @ River Island
4. Red Colour Block Pleated Kilt Mini Skirt £32 @ River Island

And for those really hungry to rip the Prada style, Zara has got some lovely snakeskin footwear you can pair up with your lovely River Island purchases

1. Two Tone Sandals with Tassels £69.99 @ Zara
2. Snake Skin Wide Heel Boot £129 @ Zara
3. Combined Snake Skin Boot £119 @ Zara

And finally here is how to style it like Prada high street style, add a  polo neck underneath a dress or skirt (as shown below), finish up by accessorizing with snakeskin bag or boots

1. Polo Neck Top £7.99 @ H&M 
2. Combined Snake Skin Boot £119 @ Zara
3. Green Colour Block pleated Skirt £32 @ River Island
4Emma Faux Snake skin Bag £15 @ Boohoo.com

 

Dolce & Gabbana Star Print Trend

Star print dresses and Accessories on the Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2011 runway

Following the tremendous success and popularity of their White summery dresses, Dolce & Gabbana are leading the way once more with their star print dresses and accessories which has and is still been worn eagerly by Major A listers, not one to be left behind the high street have jumped on the trend too

Fergie, Evan rachel Wood, Solange and Zoe Saladana are just some of the Celebrities who've been spotted wearing Dolce & Gabbana Star print Clothing

More Star print dresses and Accessories on the Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2011 runway

Helping themselves conveniently to this trend is a fashion website called McBerry, they've successfully ripped off the designs and they have no qualms making the source of their inspiration known as they've included pictures from the Dolce & Gabbana Fall 2011 catwalk alongside their dresses

McBerry's Dolce & Gabbana style Star Print dresses
1. Floral Sequin and Lace Insert Star Print dress £75 @ Mcberry.co.uk
2. Star print puffball Dress £69 @ Mcberry.co.uk
3. Star print dress £79 @ McBerry

4. Star print lace Bustier Dress £65 @ McBerry
5. Star Print navy Puffball dress £69 @ McBerry
6. Star Print Draped Dress £69 @ McBerry.co.uk

The rest of the High Street also have a great star Print Range

1. Belted star print  dress £45 @ Asos2. Star Drop earrings £2.99 @ New Look
3. Star print headscarf £3.99 @ New Look
4. Star print peg Leg trousers £24.99 @ Asos 

5.  Star Print Tank Top £25 @ River Island
6. Horatio Star Print Bow Courts £69 @ Kurt Geiger
7. Star Print Skater Dress £14 @ Matalan.co.uk
8. Star print Wide leg Jumpsuit £80 @ Oasis
9. Star Pussy Bow Sleeveless Blouse £22.99 @ New Look
10. Star tights £8.50 @ Miss Selfridge

Gucci versus The High Street

Gucci Spring/Summer 2011 Runway

One of my favourite summer trends was colour Blocking and no one did it better than Gucci as you can see from the image above. The high street was awash with lots of juicy colours all spring and now that fall is approaching, Gucci's Summer colour blocking style and accessories are still making waves on the high street. Here are some Gucci style outfits heating up the High streets

1. Red Colour Block Two in One dress £65 @ Debenhams
2. Metallic Obi Belt £15 @ Asos.com
3. Colour Block Halter Dress £70 @ Oasis
4. Colour Block Halter Dress £70 @ Oasis
5. Priti Barely There sandals £75 @ Topshop

Now for a closer inspection

Oh yes, Topshop's Priti Barely sandals were clearly inspired by Gucci's Kelis Heels

Left: Gucci's Kelis Heels £282.50 @ Gucci.com
Right: Priti Barely There sandals £75 @ Topshop 

So is Asos's Metallic Belt

Now for some Gucci Style High Street Styling Tricks

This Debenham's number was clearly inspired by Gucci's colour blocked dress, Go for the total Gucci look by swapping the skinny belt for Asos Metallic Obi belt and Topshop's Priti Barely sandals

Get the Gucci look by accessorizing this oasis Colour Blocked dress with metallic elements
1.Colour Block Halter Dress £70 @ Oasis
2.Metallic Obi Belt £15 @ Asos.com
3. Priti Barely there sandals £75 @ Topshop

Colour Block Jewel tone Seperates with metallic accessories
1. Long Sleeve twist Detail Knot Body £25 @ Asos
2. Stretch Satin Skirt £45 @ Oasis
3. Metallic Obi Belt £15 @ Asos.com 
4. Priti Barely There sandals £75 @ Topshop 

And in a great excuse to post a picture of one of my favourite Diva's, I couldn't help but think Gucci took some inspiration from Miss Ross herself

Notice the Subtle Colour Blocking and the tucked & knotted in t Shirt Miss Ross is Working on the Sleeve of her The Boss LP is very Similar to Gucci's Knotted Colour Block dress

Hobo or Snob: Stella McCartney vs. Asos

Left: Stella McCartney mesh Polka Dot insert dress at the Fall 2011 Show
Right: One Sleeve Dress with mesh Insert £40 @ Asos

Asos are at it again, this time it's this fall's most loved Polka dot trend getting the Hobo or Snob treatment. Stella McCartney's polka dot Mesh insert dress was clearly the inspiration behind this asos number, once again this designer version hasn't even left its warehouse but its high street copy is available in a  wide range of sizes (sizes 6-18) than the designer version will ever be and at a pocket friendly £40 price too, and oh it comes in blue as well

Blue One Sleeve Dress with mesh Insert £40 @ Asos

Hobo or Snob: Miu Miu vs. Warehouse

Miu Miu's most wanted dandelion crepe dress at their fall '11 show

Miu Miu's 40's inspired dresses are set to be fall's must have, their awesome Dandelion crepe dress despite being priced at £3,215 is selling out neat and fast at the Net-a-Porter site. But fear not Hobo's, you can get a taste of the Miu Miu look at Warehouse in their  'maybe not as awesome as Miu Miu but just as good' dandelion crepe dress at a pocket friendly £60 (kerching!!!)

Left: Dandelion Embroidered Crepe Dress £3,215 @ Net-a-Porter
Right: Dandelion Print Crepe dress £60 @ Warehouse

High Street Hobo - High Street Fashion Hit List

This is a new feature which I shall be updating once every week (except I'm away on holiday), I will try and make sure I have 10 new items each week, but depending on what's out there plus my taste it might not always add up to 10, but anyway enjoy my debut Grazia fashion style chart rundown

1. Green (varying shades of it) is the new black this season, add to that the bow blouse on this lovely silk number and you'll be sure to induce fashion envy around town - £30 @ River Island 

2.  Statement necklaces are always on trend, and we're so in love with this slithery number from asos - £35 @ asos.com

3. These metallic turquoise bow flats are at the very heights of chic, show off your pedicure in them while pairing them with everything from  denims, Whites and summery dresses - £40 @ Topshop

4. Its already been declared that Green is the new black, but i need to add that Snakeskin is the new leopard skin and I'm totally in love with this pocket friendly Snakeskin clutch from BooHoo - £15 @ BooHoo.com

5. I'm loving this pastel retro fantastic pants, wear them with soft coloured bow blouses or a luxe white tee for Instant chic points - £64 @ Fever designs

6.  The 60's a in full swing this season, take a cue from the catwalks and pair this lovely number with sleek trouser pants or with with basic tights - £35 @ Dorothy Perkins

7. I'm in love with this retro working girl style teal skirt, great cut, fit and price plus you get a  decent belt thrown in too - £32 @ Miss Selfridge

8. Loving the minimal feel to this belt, cinch in your favourite maxi's, jumpsuit with this sleek number - £20 @ Warehouse

9. Keeping up with the spirit of all things 60's are this mod-ish boots from H&M - £49.99 @ H&M 

10. A sleek blouse always lends an air of sophistication to any outfit, pair these with denims or even the lovely pants on Number 5 of this chart or even the skirt on Number 7 - £35 @ Wallis



For the stylish men out there, rather than pick various items from different shops i decided to focus my attention on River Island as I'm loving their menswear at the moment

1. Puffa style jackets are huge this Autumn/Winter, I totally love this slim version from River Island - £75 @ River Island

2. Everyman whether style conscious or not deserves to have a check shirt in his wardrobe, i love the retro yet modern feel to this check shirt the shoulder patch make it a notch above other check shirts out there - £35 @ River Island

3. Mustard style tones add to the general look and feel of autumn, this jumper is fantastic - £36 @ River Island

4. Eat your heart out Vilebrequin, this River Island trunks will surely get you noticed - £19.99 @ River Island

5. We love the Burberry-esque feel to this plain simple tee - £16 @ River Island  (also available in navy)

6. Gilets are autumn/winter essentials, I love the camel/tan contrast on this one - £55 @ River Island

7. Corduroys in my opinion are wardrobe staples, but they seem to be everywhere this Autmn/Winter, while brown/rust tend to be default corduroy colours, I love the navy Blue hue on this pair - £38 @ River Island

8. A well tailored blazer will always be on trend, this lovely River Island Blazer would look great with a pair of smart denims - £95 @ River Island

9. A flat cap keeps your head stylishly ward - £15 @ River Island

10. A well worthy add to any jumper collection are this colour blocked pair - £36 @ River Island

Hobo or Snob: Jimmy Choo vs. Zara

Left: Jimmy Choo's Private Suede Sandals £560 @ net-a-porter.com
Right: Zara's Instep Strappy Sandals £29.99 @ Zara

This edition of Hobo vs. Snob is between Jimmy Choo's Private Suede Sandals and Zara's Classic Instep Strap Sandal which looks like it was clearly Inspired by Jimmy Choo's (note Inspired is the KEYword here). They both come in almost the same shade of Purple, they're both Suede and just about the same height (Jimmy Choo's is 5inches while Zara's is 4.13inches). A major difference and what matters above all, is the price difference between both sandals, while the Jimmy Choo's cost a whopping £560, Zara's cost a measly £29.99. Now of course I'm sure Jimmy Choo sourced the finest leathers, cobblers etc. to add up to that massive price point. Zara's heels are by no means shabby at all and if worn carefully and maintained properly they'll last for years. I'm calling Hobo on this one, how about you dear readers.

Get Rihanna's Billboard Award's Look

Rihanna in Max Azria at the 2011 Billboard music Awards in Las Vegas

Rihanna was without doubt the best dressed celebrity at yesterday's Billboard Music awards, she taps into this summer's White and sleek tailoring trend in her Max Azria pants Suit. While I'm not a big fan of copying everything a celebrity wears or how other public figures dress, It would be naive to think they don't in some way affect the everyday style choices of the average Laura (or insert other suitable name here) or the items stocked in your favourite clothes store, and as I am keen on building my number of readers as well as followers,  I know many Rihanna fans (I know there are lots of you out there) might wonder how to create such a look at very reasonable prices, that's where I shall employ my shopping editor expertise

For an Item like a Pant Suit which I'd view as a Key investment as they're quite versatile, plus if you invest wisely in a nice pair, you can wear the pieces separately with other key items in your wardrobe. When buying a pant's suit the most important things to look for are neat tailoring and versatility. While doing my search on what's out there in the shops the best Pants suit that jumped at me were this neat pair from Mango which I've styled below

1. Nastacia Double Suit Jacket £89.90 @ Mango
2. Nastacia Trousers £49.90 @ Mango
3. Pink Fabric Tassel Necklace £14.99 @ River Island
4. Trapeze Shirt £55 @ Warehouse
5. Patent Studded bow Heel £59.90 @ Zara

Hobo or Snob: Moschino Cheap & Chic vs. Primark

Every fashionista worth their salt knows its all about the fruit this summer, today's hobo showdown is between Moschino's Cheap & Chic Lemon print  dress versus Primark's Orange print Fruit dress which has been selling out faster than Ice creams on a hot summer day (very lame I know)

Now God forbid I compare the workmanship and the quality of fabric Moschino Cheap & Chic have used in their dress to that of Primark but at about 97% off the price of  the Moschino Cheap & Chic Lemon fruit dress this Orange Print fruit Primark dress won't took too shabby* (well not for long) in your wardrobe

Moschino Lemon print dress £297 @ My-wardrobe.com
Fruit print dress £9 @ Primark (Check here for closest branches to you)

It even comes in Black

Fruit print dress £9 @ Primark (Check here for closest branches to you)

And while on the subject of the fruit print trend, how gorgeous is this £12 Lemon Print scarf from Dorothy Perkins

Lemon print Scarf £12 @ Dorothy Perkins

*depending on how well you maintain your clothes - this in my opinion determines the durability of your clothes,  I have had high street items in my wardrobe that have lasted for over 3 years and counting, and they're still in great condition regardless of how cheap the fabric might have been

Hobo or Snob: Haute Hippie vs. Oasis

Today's edition of Hobo Vs. Snob is between the cool American 'Haute Hippie' fashion line and British high street store Oasis. This Haute Hippie Dress is one of the signature 'Haute Hippie looks' with its Ruffle Trims,  it is also currently available in 3 colours plus I'm inclined to believe it must be one of their top sellers as  the same dress was seen about a year ago on Gossip Girl star Blake Lively while filming the Gossip Girl TV series last summer

Blake Lively wearing the Haute Hippie 'take me Now' Ruffle dress in July 2010

I love the way she styled the dress with a slim tan belt, floppy hat and Flat sandals


Now for our Hobo vs. Snob comparison

Haute Hippie 'Take me Now' dress £425 @ net-a-Porter
Oasis Halter Neck midi dress £65 @ Oasis

Both dresses are similar but I prefer the longer length on the Oasis dress, although I'm more in love with the Cobalt Blue hue on the Haute Hippie dress than the Teal colour on the Oasis. That being said at a pocket friendly £65 the Oasis dress is  kind to the eyes as it is on the pocket, have your say people will you be a Hobo and go the Oasis way or be a snob and go the Haute Hippie Way, cast your votes below

What are you?
	Hobo (Oasis)
	Snob (Haute Hippie)
pollcode.com free polls

Hobo or Snob: Fendi vs. Reiss vs. Mango

Fendi Colour Blocked sandal £479 @ Mytheresa.com

Fendi's Colour blocked heels which is a favourite amongst many fashionista's shopping list gets the High street treatment in this edition of Hobo vs. Snob.

Fendi Colour Blocked sandal £579 @ Farfetch.com

Fendi's block sandals are clearly the inspiration behind Reiss's Amanda sandals, of course they've made a few changes by adding some animal print detail to the straps but the similarities are simply too large to ignore

Amanda Colour Block Sandals £129 @ Reiss.co.uk

Next up is Mango and their colour blocked heels, gotta love Mango for spoiling  customers with choices. They have the best range and they're the cheapest ones too

Colour Block Sandals £69.90 @ Mango

I'd love to be a snob and go with Fendi but at £575 , that's a lot of money to pay for a pair of heels, especially since an all too similar version is available on the High street so i'd recommend being a Hobo leave Fendi to the celebrities and super rich folks

Credit: Fendi

Cheque: Reiss

Cash: Mango

And now, it looks like celebrities are simply loving these heels

Image Courtesy of Red Carpet Fashion Awards
From Left to Right: Giovanni Battaglia, Solange Knowles and Karolina Kurkova in Fendi Block Coloured Heels

Hobo or Snob: The Chloé vs. River Island Edition

Chloé Silk Crepe de Chine Vest £345 @ net-a-porter

Purple Silk Vest £29.99 @ River Island.com (web exclusive)

Purple print Bow detail Vest £19.99 @ River Island

Now this isn't a copycat allegation on the part of River Island by any means, I just simply can't help but wonder from a consumer's point of view on what would make a customer buy Chloé's silk vest at a whopping £345 (well apart from being immensely rich or being a fan of the Chloé label) and not River Island's vest for a much more pocket friendly £20 or £30 depending on your choice. While I'm sure Chloé probably sourced out the finest silk and their vest is tailored to perfection, the River Island version is by no means shabby and in this case as it shall be a lot of times on this blog, I think I'd rather be a Hobo


How about you readers would you be a Hobo or Snob on this one

And in other Fashion news Chloé's creative director Hannah MacGibbon has been replaced by Clare Wright Keller who used to be a  creative director at Pringle (Read more about this here )