Worrying Fashion Trends: the lace-top dress

We've featured lace topped dresses a couple of times now here at The Fashion Police, but while one or two could be considered an "accident", three or four starts to feel like the beginning of a trend, and we're starting to see so many of these around now that we have grave cause for concern.

The dress shown above is by Bec & Bridge, and is available from My-Catwalk.com, who advise wearing it with a nude coloured bandeau bra underneath. That'll certainly stop you actually exposing yourself to the room, but here's the thing: you'll still look like you might be. Exposing yourself, that is. Do you really want people to stare at your boobs all night, trying desperately to work out whether they're nude or not? If you do, this is £82 - enjoy! And if you don't - join the club. We're glad it's not just us!

Fashion Trends: peplum skirts

The peplum skirt (or dress) has popped up in fashion at various points in history, most noteably during the 40s, when this look was all the rage, but it looks like the peplum is having a bit of a "moment" again this winter, with a huge amount of skirts and dresses featuring this distinctive style.

What does everyone think of it, though? We're normally huge fans of anything even remotely 40s-inspired, but we have to admit that while we don't hate it by any means, this isn't our favourite look, purely because we prefer our pencil skirts unadorned, and we think peplums can look a little fussy if not done right. When they are done right, though? Well, that's a whole other matter...

What do you think about the current revival of the peplum, readers? Do you love it, or will you be happy to see it drift back off the fashion radar?

L-R: ASOS peplum skirt, £25;Sateen peplum skirt, £99, Karen Millen; jersey peplum skirt, £25, Topshop;

Fashion Trends: Sequin and shiny leggings

Did you hope the legging revival that started a few years ago would be over by now? Dream on, folks: not only are our legging overlords still going strong, they've actually started to evolve and are now available in everything from basic black to crazy patterns, sequins and shiny fabrics. It's the last two we want to ask you about today: the shiny or sequined legging is particularly hot right now, with the leggings in question used to create a bit of a rock-chic look when worn with ankle boots and long line tops, or to add a bit of edge to a girlie dress.

What do you think of the shiny/sequined leggings? We love them. There, we said it. We're even surprising ourselves here, but when they're worn right, we think they can look fabulous. Tell us, though: what do you think?

L-R: DAY Birger et Mikkelsen sequin sprayed leggings, £165, Net-a-Porter; Super glossy leggings, £18, Topshop; Shiny leggings, £29, American Apparel

Fashion Trends: Lace

We've mentioned lace a few times here recently, but now it's time to find out what you think of it...

Inspired by the likes of Prada and Rodarte, designers have been adding lace to just about everything this season, from tights and leggings to shoes, dresses, skirts and tops. You can wear a little bit of it, as the Miss Selfridge dress above shows, or a whole lot of it, but will you be wearing it at all, we wonder?

Personally, we think this is a look that look either very, very good or very, very bad, depending on the item and how it's worn. Get it wrong and you can end up looking like a cheap copy of Madonna circa 1983, get it right and it can look rather classy and grown-up. We're going to leave it up to you to decide which side you're on - just remember to leave us a comment to tell us what you think!

Lace leggings, £18, Topshop;  Elisa lace dress, Diane Von Furstenberg, lace insert dress, £38, Miss Selfridge; £179; lace court shoes, £20, New Look;

Fashion Trends: seven-eighths trousers, a.k.a. "ankle length"

One thing the fashion world is very good at is making up new names for old clothes, perhaps in the hope that it'll trick us all into believing the style is something new and different, rather than just the same old, same old. Witness, for instance, the "seven-eighths trouser", more commonly known as "ankle length" or "ankle grazers".

These are longer than capris but shorter than "regular" trousers, and unlike the peg-legs we featured earlier this month, they don't have to be tapered, but are generally the same length all the way down. All well and good, but what do you think of them? We have to admit to a certain fondness for this style, although we think it can be a little hard to pull off without looking like your trousers are just too short in the leg, no?

The ones shown above are by Elizabeth and James, and are $275 at Shopbop, but there are lots of these around at the moment. Will you be wearing them, though?

Fashion Trends: Peg leg trousers

We touched on this subject earlier this month when we discussed Miss Selfridge's carrot leg jeans, but we thought the topic was worth revisiting because there's more than just a single pair of jeans involved here, folks. Those so-called "carrot legs" weren't just a one off: the more popular current term for the style is the "peg leg", and this "peg leg" is being touted by the fashion press as "the look of the season".

So, what do we think of it?

Well, in reference to the jeans, we called it the "mom" jean. It's basically a tapered, cropped leg, topped off by a generally pleated front, with some volume around the hips. It's the "volume around the hips" bit that worries us. We, you see, don't really need any extra volume around the hips, and while we haven't actually tried any peg legs on for size, so to speak, we can't help but feel that if we did, we probably wouldn't really want to look in the mirror too long afterwards.

Still, this look is one we're probably going to be seeing more of, so next time we're out shopping we may just have to grab a pair of "pegs" and try them on, just to see if our suspicions are correct, you understand.

What about you, though? Is this a look you're willing to try, or is yet another style that would have been better off left back in the 80s?

Kaftans: are they making a comeback?

Although it may not be the case in other parts of the world, here in the UK, kaftans (of "caftans", if you prefer) tend to be associated with that hippy vibe of the 1970s, and worn only as loungewear, or swimswuit coverups, if at all.

This week, though, in the course of policing the web as usual, we stumbled upon not one, but two items described as "kaftans", and while we'd hardly describe that as a "trend" yet, we are wondering if it's the start of one.

We'll be honest here: when we first laid eyes on Anna Sui's $944 caftan at Shopbop, we checked our calendars in horror, to make sure Halloween hadn't crept up on us, unawares. There's something just a little bit witchy about it, no? Kookai's kaftan dress, meanwhile, is a little more fitted, although still not something we can see ourselves buying, especially not for £115.

What do you think of these, readers? Are they something you would wear?

Fashion Trends: checks and bows

We're pretty sure we don't need to point out again that tartan is going to be a big look this Fall, but checks in general are also going to big, with most of the high street retailers here in the UK starting to stock up on piles of checked shirts. The checked shirt, of course, can have a slightly masculine feel to it, especially when worn with jeans, so what better way to soften up the look and make it a little more feminine than by whacking a great big bow on the front?

That seems to be the thinking here, anyway. The two tops above are from Dorothy Perkins (left) and Miss Selfridge (right), but this look is being replicated everywhere, so if you like it, you probably won't have to look too far to find many more of these check/bow combos. The Miss Selfridge shirt featured in last month's UK Vogue, so expect it to sell out soon, too.

What does everyone think of this look? We like the bows (of course) and we can live with the checks, so we're giving it a tentative thumbs up. What about you?

Fashion Trends: Striped t-shirt dresses

Most retailers are starting to sell off their summer stock and focus on the winter woolies now (boo!), but the nautical look still refuses to die. We think the stripe t-shirt dress is a nice, easy way to do nautical - pull it on over a bikini to head to the beach, or even wear it over jeans if you're feeling the chill. No, those horizontal stripes aren't for everyone, but if they are for you, the dresses pictures are, from left - right:

Marc by Marc Jacobs, striped t-shirt dress, reduced to £91 at Net-a-Porter
Stripe pocket frock, £31 at American Apparel
Wheels & Doll Baby Stripe Jersey Dress With Anchor Embroidery, £80 at ASOS

Fashion Trends: summer scarves

What does everyone think of the current trend for summer scarves? Of course, there have always been people who've worn scarves in summer, but this year they've been popping up on every second person, including many a celebrity neck. Jessica Alba, for instance, is seen above wearing the 'Karma' scarf by Sir Alistair Rai, whose Buddhist and Hindu prayer scarves have been popular with the celebs this year.

These scarves come in at around about the $100 mark (and above), but of course, there are cheaper scarves available on the high street, in every kind of shape, style and pattern imaginable. The one on the top left of our picture is £15 from Topshop, but summer scarves are being stocked just about everywhere right now.

Personally, we love this look: it's a good way to add some interest to a simple outfit, and Fashion Police HQ is based in a climate where the scarves actually have some function in summer, as well as being simple fashion accessories, too.

What do you think of this look? 

Batman Fashion: will you be wearing it?

Tell us: how excited are you about the new Batman movie? Not excited at all? Excited enough to go and see it, but no more? Excited enough to see it and maybe buy some movie merchandise? Or excited enough to want to cover your entire body in bat logos, maybe?

Presumably there are at least some of you out there who fall into that last category. Why else would ordinary fashion retails suddenly be starting to produce clothing with a bat design, after all? The t-shirt on the left of the picture above is £18 from Topshop while the dress on the right is on sale (?) for £20 at Discoo.

To us, these look like the dreaded "novelty" clothes, so these pictures would actually have made a pretty tough "Wear or Die" choice for us, but what do you think of the sudden trickle of batman-influenced clothing into our beloved fashion stores? Are you a big bat fan, or do these just look like a joke(r) to you? (Sorry.)

Fashion Trend:Big Bikini Bottoms

Big pants. They were a key character in Bridget Jones, and we don't think there can be many women among us who haven't, at one time or another, been seduced by the sheer comfort of these bad boys. That, and the fact that they hold your belly in like nothing else.

But the thing is, big pants have never exactly been considered "sexy", have they? Or even stylish. Not since the 1950s, obviously, when many a bathing beauty was snapped in a bikini not unlike the one shown above, which comes from Victoria's Secret, big bottoms and all.

Yes, folks, the big pants have come out of the closet and they're heading to the beach, with waist-high pants being spotted on shorelines around the world. Now, we're not suggesting you 'do a Uma' with this trend. By hiking her waistline up to just underneath her bust, Ms Thurman incurred the wrath of The Fashion Police, and managed to look like she was wearing some kind of surgical swimsuit.

No, what we're saying is that, worn the right way, the high-waisted, "big pant" of the bikini world can have a retro, pin-up girl appeal. And it'll also be comfortable as all hell. Of course, we'll never give up our hipsters, which we think are much more flattering to the belly, but a change is as good as a rest, they say...

What do you think, Fashion Force? Will you be giving big pants an outing on the beach this year, or do you think low is the way to go?   

Fashion Trends: Blair Waldorf style bow headbands (and one star one) at Topshop

You can blame Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf for this one, folks - or thank her, if you like her style. It's the bow headband and bitchy Blair is never knowingly seen without one. Thanks to Topshop, you don't have to be without one either now: all of the styles above can be found at Topshop.com (yes, we know one of them is a star, not a bow, but we liked it...), with prices ranging from £1 for the leopard print headband at the bottom of the picture up to £25 for the oversized purple satin band, which is particularly Waldorfian.

This is a very cutesy style which clearly won't suit everyone. The Fashion Police can personally testify that headbands like these (either with or without the adornments) can be a godsend on bad hair days, but take it too far, and they can also make you look like Minnie Mouse. Not a look we'd recommend.

Speaking of Minnie Mouse, though, hands up if you'd wear this one:

It's Topshop's sequin "ears" headband and it's the perfect example of what happens when you take the bow thing too far. It's £25, but does Minnie know Topshop have stolen her ears, we wonder? Would you wear it?

Purple silk headband, £25; red bow alice band, £5; star headband, £7; star-print alice band, £5; animal print headband, £1

Fashion Trends: boyfriend cardigans

Boyfriend, grandad, longline - whatever you want to call them, and whichever male family member you're supposed to look like you stole it from, this is the style of cardigan we've been seeing most of this year. This is good news as far as The Fashion Police are concerned, because the boyfriend cardigan is comfy, cosy and versatile, looking good thrown on casually over jeans or open and belted at the waist over a dress. We love that slouchy, menswear-inspired look, and if you do too, you'll find links to the four boyfriend cardigans above at the bottom of the page. Or you could just nick one from your boyfriend/grandad...

L-R: Long boyfriend cardigan, $29.98, Alloy; Long pocket cardigan, £49.50, Gap; South long sleeve cardigan, £9, Littlewoods direct; boyfriend cardigan with self-tie belt, £22, Oli

Fashion Trends: Elastic waist belts

We may not mention them very often, but anyone who has ever visited Fashion Police HQ will tell you that the Force are Big on Belts. People know this because the belts are everywhere: dangling from coat hangers, stuffed into wardrobes, draped over the dog... Yes, The Fashion Police love belts.

Why do we love belts so much, we hear you ask? Well, we hate to use that tired old fashion phrase "because they brighten up any outfit!" but we're going to have to on this occassion, because the fact is, they do. Want to give new life to an old dress? Give instant sex appeal to your office skirt and shirt? Stop your jeans from falling down? Buy a belt. The belt will be your friend. In fact, why not buy two? We certainly do, as often as possible.

Right now skinny leather belts may be the look of the moment, but our hearts still belong to the fun, elasticated numbers, so we were pleased to find a whole bunch of them in stock when we visited New Look earlier this week. Here are just a few of 'em...

L - R:  Neon waist belt £5, bow elastic belt, £6; anchor stretch belt,  £8; double heart belt; swirl stretch belt; panel stretch belt

Fashion Trends: Ruffles

Feeling ruffled? We don't blame you: ruffles are yet another of this summer's fashion trends, and if you're looking for someone to blame, try Lanvin - their S/S 08 show was full of them, and, as usual, the high street haven't been slow to pick up the trend. This is good news for the very girlie among you, of course, but these who prefer to keep things plain may be having conniptions at the very thought of so many frills.

They key to wearing ruffles is that a little goes a long way, so head-to-toe is a big no no here. What do you think of the trend in general, though? Will you be slipping into something a little more frilly this summer, or will you be leaving the ruffles to Barbie? 

1. Green dress with ruffled sleeves, Lanvin; 2. Ruffle evening bag, £30, Coast 3. Ruffle tunic, French Connection ; 4.  Ruffle skirt, JJ Park; 5. Ruffle v-neck dress, Thread Social; 6. turquoise frilled top, Monsoon

Dr Martens boots are coming back. Are you glad?

This is another recurring fashion trend that we can blame (partly) on the official Most Brilliant Person in the Whole World, Agyness Deyn, although it has to be said that Doc MArten boots were probably due a revival long before Agnesse started wearing them.

I will hold my hands up and admit to owning a pair of Docs way back during the 90s grunge craze (Yes, I really am that old), but that's a time I now look back on with horror. With jeans, Doc Martens just look ugly and overly masculine to me, and with dresses, the look becomes too 1992 for me to want to embrace it.

This patent pink pair is £60 from ASOS. Will you be buying, or will you be leaving Doc Martens to all the Agyness Deyns and Daisy Lowe's of the world?

Fashion Trends: Ray Ban Wayfarers

They were acceptable in the 80s, and actually, if the current spate of celebrity fans is anything to go by, it would seem that Ray Bans famous Wayfarer sunglasses are still acceptable now.

White seems to be the celebrity colour of choice (although Sienna Miller might beg to differ), but neon brights have also been popular, thanks to the current love of all things neon (not to mention all things Agyness Deyn), so the choice is yours. A real pair of Wayfarers will set you back something in the region of $129, but there are dozens of cheaper copies around too if you're prepared to go with a lookie-likey pair.

What do you think of this trend, then? (If something that's been around for so long can even be described that way?) Do Wayfarers get the thumbs up or down from The Fashion Police massive?

(L-R: Mary-Kate Olsen, Drew Barrymore, Kate Moss. All sunglasses from Amazon) 

Fashion Trends: Blazers

At last! A trend The Fashion Police can give their wholehearted support to! We're loving the current round of blazers, be they schoolboy-style or Balenciaga-inspired stripes, and we think they make a great, preppy look for Spring, and into Fall. Wear with jeans and heels for smart/casual, or over a dress for a more formal look. Just be careful you're not actually mistaken for a schoolgirl...

Do you like this look? Will you be buying a blazer?

L-R  School boy blazer, £60, Topshop;  black and white stripe blazer, £85, Priniples; Cropped blazer, £49.99, River Island; Fitted Blazer, £39, Love Label

Fashion Trends: Gladiator sandals

We touched on this yesterday, but just in case you thought we were joking when we said this year's most ubiquitous shoe would be the gladiator sandal, here's the proof that we weren't. It's pretty hard to visit a shoe store at the moment without seeing a pair of gladiators staring you in the face: whether they're stiletto heeled (Just like the real gladiators used to wear!), traditional flats or winding way the hell up the leg, there's definitely plenty of them around - just see the image above if you still don't believe us. Mary-Kate Olsen loves them, but do you? Will you be getting some gladiators for summer, or will you just be glad to see the back of them when winter rolls around?

1. Azzedine Alai stiletto gladiator sandals, $625; 2. Oasis gladiator sandals, £30;3. Jessica Simpson gold gladiator sandals, $68.95; 4. Topshop gladiator sandals, £20;5.  high leg gladiator sandals, 5.  ASOS, £30; 6. Carlos by Carlos Santana Women's Battle Gladiator Sandals, $98.99

Fashion Trends: Bows

We hesitated to call bows a "Trend" because they tend to be around in some form or another most of the time, but there's no denying that they're around more than ever at the moment, attached to everything from shoes and boots to, er, knickers. This is a look that can go from super-cute to sickeningly twee in the blinking of an eye, if you're not careful how you wear it, but we reckon most of the pieces in the picture above will let you wear the trend without looking too much like an explosion in a bow factory. Just don't wear them all at the same time...

Leather bow clutch, River Island; Navy stripe bow dress, Miss Selfridge; Boucle bow front jacket, Topshop; Bow tie booties, Modcloth; Bow spot briefs, Accessorize; Black bow necklace, Holly Ten; Bow court shoes, Debenhams; Headband, Susan Daniels

Star print dresses: enough already?

Sometimes a fashion trend becomes so instantly ubiquitous that it's over almost before it began, with people so bored of it that they just stop buying. The Fashion Police fear that this is starting to happen for us with star print.

As we patrolled the Internet in the early hours of this morning, for instance, we found this star print dress at ASOS, and yet another star print dress new in at Topshop and while we like them both, we found ourselves wanting to shout "Enough, already!" as the tide of star print items currently hitting the stores threatens to turn into a tidal wave.

Star print, of course, has been around since Alexa Chung wore that Topshop dress way back last year, but the current crop of dresses and other items are part of the S/S 08 stock -clearly the retailers would like star print to live on for another season at least.Given that we're already sick of stars, though, we're wondering how long can it last? Will star print turn into the Great British Uniform, or will people start to back off, scared of either looking like fashion victims, or just of looking like everyone else in the land?

Are you still wearing star print? Do you think the trend has gone too far?

Fashion Trends: Trench coats (as seen on Sienna Miller, Coleen McLoughlin and everyone else this season....)

Rare is the item of clothing that can unite Sienna Miller and Coleen McLoughlin in a common sense of style. One such item of clothing has done it, though, and that one item of clothing is none other than the humble trench coat (actually, we suspect Ugg boots could probably do it too, but this article is about trench coats, so let's just forget about the Uggs for now) which, you'll be surprised to know, are making a comeback for Spring '08 - and we say "surprised" because we didn't even know trench coats had gone anywhere.

Trench coats one of those all-time style classics, and as ably demonstrated by Sienna and Coleen here, all you need to do is pair them with a pair of well cut jeans and some sunglasses (bright blue Ray Bans, in Sienna's case) and you have yourself one casual-yet-chic look. What's not to love?

The trench coat separating Sienna and Coleen is £25 from New Look, where it's also available in purple and black - read on to see some more of the same...

Fashion Trends: Nautical

The nautical trend: crisp, clean lines. Navy. Stripes. Anchor necklaces. It's a trend that comes back every few years, and never really seems to go away completely. We love it - at least in moderation. A striped tee or bag can look great but it's important to remember that sailor suits are for little kids and fancy dress parties, so it's lucky that many of the nautical pieces available right now will let you give a nod to the trend without looking like Popeye.

What do you think of the nautical trend? Do you love it as much as we do, or would you rather throw it overboard?

Clothes: Stripe t-shirt, Warehouse;  anchor necklace, DollyDagger; rope belt pencil skirt, Topshop; Half-Sugar heels, LuLus; Large Cozy shoulder bag, Pagliei; Striped Anchor sweater, Forever 21

Fashion Trends: Seeing Star Print

If you've been reading this site for more than a day - or maybe even less than that, actually - you'll already know that star print is one of the trends for Spring/summer 08. We know, who knew? Luckily, not all star print is as bold as "that" Topshop dress: it can be as subtle as the star print blouse above, from Dorothy Perkins or ASOS Petite's star print dress - hell, you can even wear it on your bra. Like it or loathe it, you probably better get used to it, because let's just say you're going to be seeing a LOT of it, for a few months at least.

Do you like it or loathe it? 

Image: Rika shopper bag; McQ by Alexander McQueen Lurex Star Intersia Knit Cardi; star print blouse, Dorothy Perkins ; ASOS petite star print dress; star print bra, Toshop; star print skimmers, Alloy

Star print dresses:
Topshop star print dress
Louise Amstrup star print dress
Oli's star print dress

Fashion Trends: The future's so bright, we gotta wear shades

Don't worry, we haven't lost our minds and created the type of outfit you really would need shades to wear: these pieces all represent one of this Spring's trends: brights. Yes, we know: we thought we'd left  these kind of shades back in the 80s, too, but they've caught up with us. Damn.

Bright colours like these aren't easy to wear if you take the top-to-toe approach, but they can work if you go for simple pieces or accessories that create a splash of colour without making yourself look like someone coloured in your clothes with highlighter pens. Just make sure you don't wear all of these at the same time...

Clockwise, from left: LaRok Little Miss Robinson dress; Miss Selfridge top; Marni bag; Miu Miu handbag; Karen Walker sunglasses ; Christian Louboutin block colour platforms

Fashion Trends: Floral Dresses

Just in case you haven't noticed, fashion has been having a bit of a floral moment recently. This is jhust fine by us: florals are something of a summer staple, but they can also look good at this time of year with tights, boots, and a cardi over the top to keep the chill off your arms. Once the weather heats up, ditch the accessories and wear them with flip flops/sandals and a slouchy leather bag. Product details for the dresses above are shown below. Click on over the jump for some more fantastic florals.

Lopez tea dress, £45, Monsoon; pink flower print dress, £35, Topshop; print tea dress, £50, Oli

Fashion Trends for Spring 08: Pink Shoes

It's not just Christian Louboutin who's been having a love affair with pink lately. Of all of the super-bright colours that have been taking over the Spring collections, pink is the colour that keeps cropping up again and again. Kurt Geiger's point toe platforms may be a little too Barbie-bright for some tastes, but we're thrilled to see Mui Miu redeem themselves after recent disappointments with these to-die-for 'Deco' platforms. Look over the jump for some more pink wonders...

Fashion Trends: Oversized Clutches

Clutch bags: they're not just for night time any more, and here at Fashion Police HQ, we're very pleased to hear it. Clutch bags rock our world: as well as being elegant to look at themselves, they force you to carry yourself more elegantly too, rather than hunching up under a heavy shoulder bag. True, they may not be as practical as other styles for daytime use, but for those days when you don't have to lug around the kitchen sink with you, an oversized, daytime clutch will instantly smarten up your outfit. (Plus, if we cared about being practical, we'd be walking around in Crocs right now...)

Here's Ashlee Simpson at the Cloverfield premiere last night, with a new hairdo, a chic pink coat and ... and oversized clutch! On the right of the picture, meanwhile, we have Topshop's Patent oversized clutch bag, £35, Fendi's 'Love Letter' oversized clucth, £560, and Steven by Steve Madden's oversized clutch, $125.06.

Fashion Trends: Leg Warmers

The Eighties are back, my friends - back with a vengeance. Everywhere I look, I see batwing sweaters and puffball skirts, and now I'm even starting to see leggings. Yes, leggings.

I have to confess that this is actually one eighties trend I quite like - on other people. I think it's because it reminds me of the days when I was a kid and I liked to think that one day I'd grow up to be a ballet dancer. Clearly that didn't happen, and if I tried to wear leggings now, at my advanced age, I'd just look like one of the kids from Fame - as they are now. If you like to wear leggings, though, you'll find the product details for these ones below. Tell me, though: would you wear them, and if so, what would you wear them with?

L-R - grey legwarmers, £5, ASOS; RSALW legwarmers, $14, American Apparel ; Button-up legwarmers, $18, Sock Dreams

Fashion Trends: Tuxedo jackets, Kate Moss style

Tuxedo jackets have always been a bit of a party-season perennial, but thanks to some heavy-duty wear by Kate Moss, they're even more "of the moment" this winter, looking great with jeans and vest a la Ms. Moss, or over a dress for a more dressed-up look.

In this picture, Kate wears her own design, the Kate Moss for Topshop tuxedo jacket, £80 (top right); I like Warehouse's satin version, which is a slightly-cheaper £65; and Urban Outfitters go for the budget option, with their $68 Lux Lili tuxedo bomber.

On Trial: Wide leg pants

No matter how hard I try and pretend it isn't happening, there's just no getting away from the fact that wide leg pants are going to be huge (literally) this winter. I hate them because I'm short, and they make me look even shorter, which is something I can really do without. I also think they have the power to make people look like cartoon characters, with huge legs and little bodies - and that's not a power I want to try and mess with.

What about you, though? Will you be working the wide leg look this season, or will you be keeping it skinny or straight? (If you're a fan of the look, the trousers pictured are by Topshop).

Opinion Polls & Market Research

On Trial: Over the Knee Socks

I've been seeing over-the-knee socks being sold everywhere lately, but I haven't actually seen them on many pairs of legs, which makes me think that although the trend is making a comeback, not a lot of people actually dare to wear it.

What do you think of over-the-knee socks? For myself, I like the look of them - on teenagers, who I think are really the only people who can can get away with these. To do them justice, they really need to be worn with a skirt short enough to allow the tops of the socks to be seen, and that would make that skirt a little too short for the likes of an old hag like me.

Do you wear them? Will you be buying any?
(If you will, the ones pictured are by Jonathan Aston, and are £14.97)

The Fashion Police Love... retro style fashion from Mod Cloth

It's no secret that I love me some retro. It's also no secret that real retro clothes can be hard to find - and can sometimes smell funny when you do manage to track them down.  Enter Mod Cloth,  with its retro style and modern fabrics. Sadly, the red  'Twiggy' dress on the right of this picture is now sold out (no, it wasn't me, I didn't buy them all) but the other two pieces are still available, and plenty more besides. Lots and lots of fun stuff at this site for those of you who like retro fashion and they ship internationally. Love it.

Fashion Trends to Fear: Jodhpurs

Oh no. No, I don't think I can get on board with this one at all. I mean, I used to love jodhpurs. That was back when I was twelve years old, though, and went horse riding every week, and those were modern jodhpurs - you know, the ones that are more or less like leggings? Not hugely flattering, but they did the job, and I'm guessing that, as unforgiving as all that lycra was, it'd still be more flattering than these Balenciaga jodhpurs, which are being tipped as the big thing for autumn. And OK, these Balenciaga models are rocking them for sure, but the thing about that? Well, they all look about fourteen, and probably weigh about the same as one of my thighs, don't they?

I don't think I'm going to be wearing jodhpurs this winter. Not unless I decide to go horse-riding, anyway, and even then, I think I'll stick to the modern kind, that don't make your hips look wider than your shoulders. Who needs to make their hips look bigger, anyway? Not me. Sorry, Balenciaga, but I think I'll pass.

Fashion Trends: Bateau necks and big bows = Fashion Police love

Y'all know by now that I love me some big bows. What you might not know, is that I also love bateau necks - big time. Net-a-Porter have two great  examples of both of these in at the moment - Diane Von Furstenberg's bateau neck wrap dress (which has a gorgeous, deep V at the back) and this utterly fabulous oversized bow coat  by Erotokritos. I'd sell my soul for either one, but if I had to choose, I'd probably go for the coat, which would be the item that would get the most wear. Good to see bateau necks in fashion for Fall, though - The Fashion Police definitely approve!

Libertine for Target - Fashion Police opinion

Oh, you have to be kidding me? Is skull-print still not dead? Well, no - not if the Libertine for Target collection is to be believed, anyway. Those skulls just refuse to lay down and die, which has resulted in a bit of a schizophrenic collection, with ladylike pussy-bow blouses, pretty woven shirts - and then a selection of items that look like something you'd wear to go trick or treating. Bat print bermudas, with frayed edges, anyone?

Nope, I'm afraid  I'm not feeling it. When it's good, it's really pretty good: the bows call out to my obsession with the things, and the lace-front shirt is going right onto my wish-list because I love the retro geek-appeal of it. When it's bad, though? Well, those green printed bats are pretty awful, no?

Fashion Trends: Big bows at Browns

I suspect I may have mentioned this just a few times before, but I love my bows. Show me a big-ass bow and I will show you a very happy Fashion Police officer. Even my wedding dress had a huge bow round the middle, and if I ever got married again? I'd probably have another one. Bows add a touch of femininity to just about any item of clothing, as evidenced by the pieces above, all of which would be just a little bit on the boring side of "classic" were it not for the addition of the bows. These are all from Browns, and all but the grey top are currently on sale. Product details after the jump.