SAM CAM'S BACK

I have to admit, I was slightly disappointed when Samantha Cameron announced she pregnant earlier this year during the General Election Campaign. And before you ask, it’s not because I fancied Nick Clegg (although I did and still do) and couldn’t stand the positive PR her pregnancy gifted the Tory’s campaign. No, it’s actually because I am massive Sam Cam fan, and what’s more I adore her fashion sense; however, without causing massive offence to pregnant ladies, baby bumps and high fashion rarely go hand in hand. And just as I feared, Sam Cam's burgeoning baby bump confined her to the safety of empire line dresses for the rest of the campaign, which may be tasteful and demure, but are also downright boring.
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Anyway the good news is, beautiful baby Florence has joined the world and Samantha is well and truly back on her sartorial game. She has pulled some great outfits out the bag at the Tory Party conference in Birmingham this week, most notably this lovely Paul Smith dress from his A/W 2010 collection with pink water rose print detailing. Whilst Samantha tends to wear more accessible fashion from top end high street brands like such as Reiss, Zara and LK Bennett, it's still great to see Britain's leading lady wearing a great British designer.

HOT LOOKS FROM ACROSS THE CHANEL

Chanel's highly anticipated S/S/11 show took place in Paris today, and whilst the show itself was another monochrome masterpiece that only the legendary Karl Lagerfield could concieve, off the catwalk celebrity guests Lily Allen and Keira Knightly made the style statements that grabbed the headlines.

Both Allen and Knightly are celebs who, in the past, have been criticised by the fashion media for their less-than-conventional approaches to fashion. Whilst both girls never fail to look fabulous at red carpet events, away from media glare Lily is berated for her 'chav chic' styling, whilst Keira's casual, laid-back approach to fashion has been branded sloppy.

However, both girls were polished to perfection at the Chanel show today, Lily demonstrating exactly how to do maternity chic in structural chanel boucle wool jacket and shift, whilst Keira channeled the Bright Young Things in a drop-waisted twenties inspired dress that complemented her sleek bob perfectly.

Parisian style may be considered to be the epitome of good taste, but Allen and Knightley prove us Brit girls certainly know how to rock the look.

GO GREEN

First of all I'd like to begin this blog by apologising for neglecting Lafashionfolie blogspot- unfortunately after a long day in the office my brain tends to disintegrate to mush, and I've been avoiding blogging for fear of publishing pieces that are both nonsensical and incoherant.

Anyway, I wanted to share my new found appreciation with you for a colour I have long neglected and suddenly now desire more than any other primary or secondary shade.. I just can't get enough of khaki green.

Perhaps I'm slightly biased as it's also my surname, but green is a colour I am really inspired by at the moment, and in shades of military-inspired khaki, it has an urban, youthful feel that is so very appropriate for now. Plus khaki also carries the added bonus of being versatile and practical as it can be pared with most colours and works with both pale and dark skin tones.

I've just bought the above khaki hooded trench from Mango available from ASOS.com here (although to give you a cheeky heads up, it's reduced to £44 in store....) Go green, trust me you'll never look back! (and I should know!)

GEMMA ARTERTON LOOKS AMAZING

The natural, unmade face was allover the A/W 10 catwalks; news is, when it comes to beauty this season, less is definitely more. So all hail Brit actress Gemma Arterton who bravely road-tested the trend at the premiere of her new flick Tamara Drewe this week, paring her stunning Gucci sheath dress with the most minimal of make-up and understated hair. Of course working a trend such as this is easy when you're as fresh-faced and downright gorgeous as Gemma, but I am a strong believer that the natural look is always fresher and more youthful than a face fulla' slap. Be inspired by Gemma and let the natural look guide your beauty purchases this season.

ES-CAPE-ISM

This A/W I am dreaming of purchasing a cape; there is nothing more appealing to me than clothing myself in a garment that is one step away from donning a giant blanket.

Alas, capes aren't the most practical of outerwear, they prevent the wearer from casually slinging a bag over the shoulder, deny excessive arm movement and swamp petite torsos. But nothing exudes solstice chic better than a cape; pared with cosy knee high boots there is no garment quite so apt to don when kicking up crunchy autumn leaves.

My favourite cape the high street is currently touting is this super-cute cuddly number complete with on-trend toggle fastenings, priced at £80 from ASOS.COM.

Contrast trim cape,£80 available from ASOS.COM here.

THE LONDON LOOK

On the Rimmel London adverts, Kate Moss and now Georgia May Jagger tell us to buy Rimmel to achieve 'The London Look'. But what exactly is the London look? As a newcomer to the city, I am starting to get a sense of what gaining this coveted badge of honour involves; London girls carry daring trends off with aplomb but without the high gloss polish international fashionistas exude; for example scuffed shoes & unbrushed hair are no style sin.

Here's my attempt at the London girl look:

I'm wearing alot of Primark; both the maxi dress and pleather jacket are Primarni, accessorized with an Urban Outfitters pouch bag, charity shop belt and a Pret soya milk latte- yum!

OH BOY!

Whilst I can't profess to knowing much about male fashion; I do have a very stylish boyfriend who is educating me on the sartorial dos and don't for the heterosexual man. He has a very unique sense of style, dressing in the occasional bit of Urban Outfitters, American Apparel and Topman, cleverly avoiding looking like a Topman clone by combining these high street picks with charity shop and TK Maxx designer finds. If I had the budget, I would love to buy him a bit of designer though, although he probably wouldn't approve of my choices.

Here are my top picks of menswear designer pieces that seperate the boys from the men:

1. Belstaff Rally Master 350 Jacket in Perl Black, £350 available from Pockets.co.uk here.

£350 may seem steep, but this Belstaff jacket is a design classic that will never go out of fashion. From a practical point of view it's also a jacket for men unafraid to brave the elements and go out in the worst of weathers; Belstaff make this jacket from their specialist hydrophillic nylon that combats even the hardiest storm conditions.

2. Hackett Classic British Duffle Coat, £485 available from Pockets.co.uk here.

Pick number two is also a coat: I must have coats on the brain, but you can hardly blame me with the awful week of weather we're experiencing. This is a duffle coat however, and not the sort you see on trainspotters, but a fabulous Hackett Classic British Duffle Coat in a wool and cashmere blend. There's something frightfully British about the duffle coat, possibly because Paddington Bear became synonymous with the style. But the English Heritage look is now the height of style for chic gents, and the duffle nails the look in one.

3. Alastair Brogues, £290 available from church-footwear.com here.

Finally, an item I'd love to gift to my boyfriend is a pair of brogues from the classic British brand, Churchs.Founded in 1873, this heritage brand produces the highest quality footwear; each pair of shoes takes a staggering eight weeks to manufacture. But the result is a fabulous, timeless pair of brogues that will last decades.