Fashion styling is all in the subtleties. Belts are particularly useful for switching a look up. This coming season it’s all about visible, over-your-clothes styling. You could fasten a leather belt neatly over a coat (knotting it is a bit last winter), though for more fashion points make like the Margaret Howell (pictured) or Marc Jacobs catwalks, and loop the belt over on itself, so it points downwards. It’s a cinch. Honestly.
All clothes by Margaret Howell, margarethowell.co.uk Photograph: Catwalking
These days, if you’re a young starlet, like Emma Watson, and you get a new haircut, you post it on Facebook, which leads to a Twitter buzz, which leads to a bigger buzz. At first sight of this new do, one thing sprung to mind. Watson must watch America’s/Britain’s Next Top Model, because every series a girl with long hair is given a Mia Farrow crop for “a bit of edge”. Perhaps now Watson can finally shrug off Potter. But it will require a slight wardrobe rethink. This season’s minimalism will be tricky with hair so severe, and anything too girlie will just look cutesy. Photograph: Guardian
This nifty Nike track jacket is better known, in manner of superhero character, as Windrunner. A brilliant, lightweight bit of sports kit, it’s ideal for jogging, a ramble on a breezy beach or maybe even a spot of clubbing. Come to think of it, it’s a bit Curtis from Misfits – the Channel 4 drama where they all get hit by weird lightning and develop special powers. Available in various other colour combinations. £55, nikesportswear.com Photograph: Graeme Robertson/Guardian
When the oracle of Céline showed exit 5 of its pre-fall collection – head to toe red – the verdict on rouge was in. It’s back. This dress by Coast, available from 28 August, is a brilliant work shift. Wear with a classic stiletto or sling-back kitten heel and possibly a Prada-style bun. It’s sold with a matching belt. Ditch it, and style instead with a brown leather belt, knotted and folded. £95, coast-stores.com Photograph: Guardian
This week Gap gets delivery of its latest riff on denim. The brand’s classic skinny leg has been updated: cue a zip and a new cropped cut, which finishes on the ankle. It’s the perfect new-season-now buy because flashing a bit of ankle is hot at the minute plus it’ll clearly show off any new footwear purchases. In other news: both Gap and Banana Republic will finally (goodness knows why it’s taken so long) be available to buy online in the UK at the end of August. Whoops and cheers quite obligatory.
£45, 0800 427 789, gap.eu Photograph: graham turner/Guardian
