Striped Skirt Skater Dress from AX Paris

I've been keeping half an eye on this season's Celebrity Big Brother - not so much for the actual CBB shenanigans themselves, but more to see what presenter Emma Willis is wearing! I'm really admiring her taste and style at the moment.

I have spotted her wearing a couple of flared skirted skater dresses with a horizontal stripe across the skirt.  The first one was a monochrome one, paired with a gorgeous black coat (allegedly from Hobbs - maybe this Maisie one?) for the winter weather.  I've found a very similar dress at AX Paris on sale for just £14.99 (reduced from £25).  As with all skater dresses, it's a really flattering shape and I'd pair with black tights and ankle boots for a cold weather look.

The other dress I have found is this red and black contrast wetlook stripe skater dress, for a bit more of a colour pop.  Again, it's from AX Paris and is reduced from £35 to £19.99 and it would look great teamed with a black coat, tights and boots to see one through the season in style!

Beaded Flapper Style Top from Jigsaw

I don't think the 1920's Great Gatsby trend will be going out of style for a while yet - plenty of New Year's Eve parties had it as their theme as far as I can tell!  So it's worth searching out some key pieces in the sales that will take one through season after season.

Jigsaw have been excellent at creating some amazing retro pieces that remain true to the original, whilst still being modern and pretty.  Remember the silk flapper dress epitomising the era?  Unfortunately, it's not on sale any more, but I have found similar versions in a top.  Intricately-embellished with beautiful beadwork and a superior silk camisole lining it will be luxurious and flattering to wear. One can go for the whole 1920's vibe with a swinging skirt and kitten heels, or dress differently with skinny jeans and boots.  Available in grey or antique pink, both of these tops are reduced from £139 to £111 in the sale.

      

Terrific Top: Firetrap Rose Vest Top from USC

Sometimes, a simple vest top is all one needs.  Throw over jeans, shorts, a skirt - any bottoms will do - and it will keep you cool and stylish.  Of course, there is a plethora of these sorts of tops out there and so customers are spoilt for choice in terms of pattern, shape, colour, price - everything really!

I've spotted this cotton vest top by Firetrap, which is on offer at USC.   The colours and the style means that it will go with anything and look fab; it's perfect for summer.  I think this top would be perfect for a festival with cut off denim shorts, long socks and some colourful Hunter wellies.  The rose, feather and safety pin pattern adds a touch of feminine edginess - almost a punk element - which is always a good thing!

It has been reduced from £20 to £12 and delivery at USC is free for orders over £50 (otherwise it's £3.99 for standard).  It is available in sizes extra small to extra large and also comes in grey with black or coral with black.

I'm planning on doing a post on festival fashion soon so let me know what your festival staples are in the comments below!

Terrific Top: Lemon Spotted Sleeveless Blouse from Dorothy Perkins

Sleeveless blouses are great for the warmer months.  They can be worn casually with shorts and flat sandals or dressed up so one is smart but cool in the office.  A simple, cotton white one is a wardrobe staple but other colours and patterns are always a good thing!

Yellow is the perfect colour to celebrate the sun finally making an appearance and this lemon, spotted sleeveless blouse from Dorothy Perkins is delightful and summery.  There's currently up to 30% off selected items at Dorothy Perkins, so it can be bought for £18.20 (usually £26) - but hurry as the offer ends at midnight tonight!  The blouse comes in sizes 6 to 22.

Delightful Dress: JS Collections Beaded Keyhole Maxi Dress from House of Fraser

What do you get if you combine the superb Eurovision Song Contest with the amazing Game of Thrones's Daenerys Targaryen ?  You get Norway's 2013 entry from Margaret Berger!  This was by far my favourite contestant, in part for the song but mainly for the fabulous fantasy-inspired fashion.  It would have been even more perfect with some swarthy men and dragons on stage, but that may be just me.

In homage to both women, I have found this gorgeous midnight blue beaded maxi dress on sale at House of Fraser.  It has the embellished silver beading details around the halter neck and shoulder area which mimics both Margaret and Daenerys's styles but it's not over the top!  The shape and cut is classic - almost a Grecian style - to create an elegant and shimmering look.  It's been reduced from £180 to £108 and is available in sizes 10 to 20.

Terrific Top: Faux Leather Peplum Top from Forever 21

This post isn't entirely serious but I have been inspired by Eurovision - and I suspect it won't be the first post as such this week, due to the fact I love the contest and its weird and wacky outfits!  Last night was one of the semi-finals and, in terms of fashion, I noticed that a faux (or real?) black leather peplum top seemed to be the outfit de jour.  I was most impressed with Montenegro, whose female singer teamed it with black leather leggings, boots and kneepads - as well as Wonder Woman inspired arm cuffs.  And a couple of spacemen.  Fab!

I've found this fake leather black peplum top from Forever 21, which is a steal at just £18.75.  Now you can get the Euro look for a fraction of the price - and enjoy the finals on Saturday!

Terrific Top: Ted Baker Friendy Wallpaper Floral Print Top from Tucci

Sheer floral fabric, draping beautifully and refreshingly cool yet feminine styling sum up a perfect summer top for me, and this Ted Baker Friendy wallpaper floral print ecru green bow top epitomises the ideal.  This sleeveless top is accented with an elasticated neckline and pretty bow at the shoulder and will complement everyone's summer wardrobe.

It's available from a range of online shops, including Ted Baker itself, for £69.  However, as ever, the canny shopper is able to get a discount.  I've found online designer clothing retailer Tucci Store, which offers subscribers to its newsletter 10% off - so it can be bought for £62.10.

Delightful Dress: Project D London Carnegie Strappy Dress from Simply Be

A feminine white cotton day dress is a must for the spring and summer months, classically elegant, simple, cool yet practical.  I've found this gorgeous designer 'Carnegie' one from Simply Be, which is great quality, a superb, flattering cut and comes in a wide range of sizes.  It's by Dannii Minogue and Tabitha Somerset Webb's fashion label Project D London and is simply delightful!  The broderie anglaise pattern gives a hint of vintage chic, the straps are wide enough to wear a bra and the length is respectable for every day wear.  Wear with wedges and a floppy hat for a perfect summertime look.

Simply Be are offering 20% off selected dresses at the moment - including this one - so originally £90, it's now £72 in sizes 14 - 32.