This post is by Cait McNamee, a new blogger for the Dec-Jun 11/12 season

Here in the UK we have a rich history of developing new and exciting styles. Over the decades these changes have often been closely related to both social and class factors. While we like to pretend that class isn't as important as it used to be, this is not the case. If anything it is just as important, changing and adapting to a modern environment but still ever present. It is also a huge factor in shaping the way we dress and what we think of the way others dress, whether we realise it or not.

The class and social changes that have occurred in the last century have brought with them many significant sartorial movements that continue to have importance today. From Teddy Boys, to Mods, to Punks, to New Romantics to name but a few. These movements where a reaction to something and as well as having their own soundtrack and certain pivotal characters from Mary Quant to Vivienne Westwood. These movements came with a very specific uniform. When we look back we can identify the era based on shape, style and significant items and it is these features which show up on today's catwalks again and again.

Today we take parts of these styles and mix them together in an attempt to create something new. More than ever designers and retailers look to the past to inspire new ideas or perhaps to convey a message in a new collection. Maybe the original meaning is lost or diluted somewhat but that doesn't mean that the rich tapestry that created them in the first place is any less important. Old styles take on new importance and new meaning, sometimes for a whole different set of people.

It is important to understand where these styles come from. The social context, people who were significant to the movement and even the heritage of certain items. To fully partake in british style one must understand the history and context before they can properly wear it. For us brits it is all about the irony and the clever twist and while we often do this intuitively, knowledge is the key to understanding not just our own style but to appreciate other styles too.

We like humour in our clothes, we are a nation of self-depricators and this comes across in every seemingly random clothing combination we painstakingly construct. It is this fascination with humour and irony that makes us so interested in looking to the past. In postmodern times it is widely thought that everything has been done and nothing truly 'new' can be created. So why not look to the past to inspire our style, maybe by learning from the past we can create something different if not entirely new.

In these columns I will attempt to give you a style run down through the decades, from the early 20th century to modern day. Leave a comment and let me know if there is anything you would like to see included in this series and I will do my best to include it.

The 8th of September saw fashions socialites from New York to London hit the streets, and soak up some shopping, champagne and general good times.  All of this was made possible, by Vogue who was sponsoring the night with its Fashion Big Night Out (and what a night it was).

We hit Bond Street in London, which had been closed off especially for the night.  Celebrities, fashion bloggers, photographers and everyone else with a love of fashion could be seen going from one store to the next, with a cheeky glass of bubbles in hand.  Our photographer for the night was Sophie Kutay, who captured the night perfectly with the shots below.

Gwyneth Paltrow

David Gandy and Callum Watt (from Maketh-The-Man)

Gemma Kidd

Pixie Geldof and Nick Grimshaw

Tulisa Contostavlos from N-Dubz

So did you make it down to any of the stores?  Let us know what you guys and girls got up to, and lets look forward to London Fashion Wee now!

Callum from Maketh-The-Man

Men's style columnist

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Don't forget to search Online Men's Clothing at Jacamo before your next night out - their extensive range of men's clothing, accesories and grooming items will add the perfect finish to a perfect night out.

The bank holiday weekend is coming up, and so its time to start planning that weekend away.  Oh but hold your horses Mr, you cant just stuff all your weekend clothes in a Tesco bag, you need something elegant, different, cool, and perhaps even a bit quirky.  Its not about buying a man bag to impress, its about taking pride in your appearance and outfit from the top to bottom.  For a good man bag, can make a great man.  So here is our selection of weekend bags for your approval.

3.1 Philip Lim 31 Mile Backpack

Barbour Beacon Backpack

Dunhill Bladon Leather Holdall

Filson Wheeled Duffle

So we would love to hear from you (male or female) on what bag you used.  Did your man impress with a sleek Mulberry weekend bag, or did he turn up with the backpack from school he's had for years?  For now, its over to you...

Callum from Maketh-The-Man

Men's style columnist

The fashion world has now stood up and taken notice of the mighty blog.  Gone are the days / nights of bloggers tapping away on their computers hoping to be noticed, and listened to by the world.  We now have our very own press events, invites to fashion shows, exclusive parties, collaberations with brands and well pretty much anything else.  Blogging is the new and direct way into the fashion industry, with it now becoming a full time (very well paid) job for the lucky few.

However, woman's fashion still dominates not only the cat walk but also the blogging world.  But what about the men?  Well there are a growing number of high profile male bloggers that are paving the way.   Below we have listed our top favorite followers of mens fashion.  So lets hear it for the boys!

1. Street Style

Street style blogs are a way for bloggers or rather photographers to showcase their style or inspiration.  These often focus on rather interesting but often fabulously dressed people, that the photographer just so happens to find on the street.  Whilst this is often true, sometimes it is set up.  You have to love though, as they have opened up the worlds eyes to different styles around the world.  One of the most famous has to be The Sartorialists, but our favorite is Dapper Lou.

2. Fashion / Style Trends

Trend reporting blogs are basically online versions of magazines.  They bring all sorts of news from the fashion forefront including the latest from the catwalk, style reports, articles and sometimes competitions.   Our favorite has to be Fashion beans, which is crammed with all sorts of lovely interesting mens fashion.

3. Inspirational

Want to feel inspired, without all those words?  Well inspiration blogs are often just filled with lots of pictures to excite and engage its viewers (rather than readers).  We particulary love Trashness for its no-nonsense picture lead randomness.

4. Random crazy thoughts of a blogger

Simply these blogs are mad, but brilliant.  Just random thoughts of person.  We particulary like Kate Loves Me.

So that's our picks of the bunch.  What are yours?

Callum from Maketh-The-Man

Men's style columnist

I'm afraid that's not a typo, i genuinely believe 2011 will be full of the stuff. And not the flaky metal-mould you find on your bike after it was left in the rain [sob!], no I'm talking colour. Deep, burnt-orange, glorious colour. Whether it's the colour of your clothes or even your hair, rust is definitely a must this year!

The highstreet is already full of rust coloured gems, so I thought I'd share my pick of the crop with you :)

clothes.

Cobweb top~Miss Selfridge // Pintuck Dress~Miss Selfridge // Leather Portfolio Clutch~ASOS

Crepe Cape Tunic // Oversized Epaulette Mac~ASOS // Tiered Mini-skirt~Miss Selfridge

Rust Plain Cape Tee~Miss Selfridge // Seedbead Multirow Necklace~Topshop // Pleated Wideleg Trousers~Topshop

hair.

Some celeb inspiration!

Oh how I've been longing for those rusty coloured locks. Sadly, I'mma have to wait til this dye's faded before trying it, but for those of you thinking about taking the plunge make sure you check out MessyCarla's tips on red-hair upkeep: it's a go-to guide for any hair colour fans!

Her video is [here], and her wonderful blog is [here] ~ many thanks to her for letting me include this!

So, there you have it. May your year be healthy, happy, and wonderfully rusty.

Just take a tip from me and don't leave your bike out!

xxx

Guest blog by Louise Hendy

Image: HERE

So, we’re already into June now, the sun has started to show its face and the festival season has kicked off! This year maybe the first year you’re off to one of these music festivals and you may be sat worrying a little about what to expect and what it will be like. But, worry no more! I am here to tell you exactly what is in store for you as well as give you useful advice and of course, some festival fashion tips.

I do have some firsthand experience of this as I have myself been to Leeds Festival last year, and I went to Radio 1’s Big Weekend and few years ago for the day and I think if I had someone to tell me the things I will tell you, I think my festival experience would have been even better.

First thing you need to know... do not over pack. This is much easier said than done and especially if, like me, you feel the need to take clothes suitable for any weather possible on every holiday. I’ll tell you a little story. When I went to Leeds last year, I packed a few dresses, tops, leggings, tights, cardigan, 2 hoodies, shorts and skirts. I actually wore about 3 different outfits. My bag was so full with all that and lots of other things that on the way to the park, my bag burst and my friend had to fix it with duct tape (which didn’t really help very much.) So yes, take a pair of leggings and/or tights, 2 or 3 tops, a hoodie, a pair of shorts and/or a skirt and that will be plenty!

Also, remember you underwear, something warm to sleep in and have a waterproof jacket/coat with a hood. The weather may be really hot but make sure you always have your jacket and hoodie with you. You will regret it if you have to leave the arena to trek back to your tent to get it.

Image: HERE

Your best friend for the weekend! Next, you must take a can of dry shampoo. It will be your best friend and life saver for the duration of the festival. You can now get dry shampoo for brunettes/black hair in Superdrug as well which is really good if the normal stuff leaves you with grey hair. They do have showers at festivals, however, after seeing what these showers look like I decided I was better off not washing for the 5 days I was there.

Yes, this sounds disgusting but there was no way I was subjecting myself to that! The toilet situation was bad enough (more on that in a bit.)

To resolve the shower issue, all you will need is a pack of baby wipes. These will be your other best friend for the duration. Also, you’re outdoors and everyone is in the same boat... nobody will be able to tell how much you smell or how unclean you are...until you get home anyway! Plus, nobody actually cares, just enjoy yourself and don’t worry about personal hygiene so much ;)

Sleep. Yes, sleep. You better enjoy as much as this as you can before you leave for your festival because you will not be getting any whilst you’re in a tent in the middle of a field. I found that this did not affect me at all until the very end of the last day, and it seemed to be the same for most people. Once the music for the night has finished, people head off to dance tents or whatever else is on, or just go back to the camp and have their own little parties... you lose track of time and the next thing you know it’s 6am so you decide to try and sleep but end up waking at 8am once the sun comes up and thousands of people are walking round, shouting and singing. It’s all part of the fun though, and it means you get to sleep loads when you get home!

No, I’m not asleep here! It was sunny! – Leeds festival 2009

One of the best things I can tell you about going to a festival seems pretty obvious but, get your money’s worth of the experience! Make sure you do everything. Just because you’re at a musical festival doesn’t mean there’s no other things happening. At Leeds/Reading they have an Alternative tent where they have comedians on – I saw Jack Whitehall and Tim Minchin last year. Also, go see bands you have never heard of; you may just end up really liking them. So yeah, don’t just hang around main stage. Go see at least one band from every stage/tent!

I’ve already touched on a few items that are absolutely essential to survive in a field for a few days and I will just repeat two words... Dry Shampoo.

Other things you will need are a pair of wellies. You just need one pair and you most probably will not need any other shoes. I wore my wellies on the train to and from and whenever I wasn’t (attempting) sleep. Also, just get a cheap tent. We used Tesco tents and split between 5 of us, it wasn’t exactly breaking the bank so we just left them all there at the end of the weekend. And again, don’t take too many clothes. You will seriously regret it. You might also find a pair of sunglasses useful, even if it’s not sunny... a good way to disguise the lack of sleep!

Image: HERE

Now just a couple more little tips and advice...

Stick together! From watching festivals on TV you can tell there is a lot of people going to be there, however when you are there it seems as though there’s a load more people there than you could have imagined. Make sure that you are always with at least one of your friends at all time. Hold hands to drag each other through crowds – that works!

Have a meeting point – On the first day, find places that stand out and can be easily found by everyone and if anyone gets separated find your way to the meeting point and hopefully you’ll be reunited!

Don’t waste your phone battery on the first day. Keep your phone turned off as much as possible. My friend had quite an old phone and took a spare battery so that she could always have hers on if anyone got lost, so that’s a good idea.

Don’t take anything you would like to lose. If you have an iPhone or a Blackberry, I’d suggest taking an old phone. It’s not worth the risk. Also, don’t take iPod’s. Besides, why would you need an iPod at a music festival?!

Finally... make friends! It’s about socialising as much as it is about the music. If you’re walking around and see a group of people with a gazebo, they often don’t mind people chilling around with them.

A few little fashion tips...

Try out a straw hat. Trilby or bowler hat styles will make you fit right in with the festival vibe. This one is £5 at Peacocks.

Have a cute floral dress with you. This is £19.99 from Republic. You can easily team it with tights or leggings and a denim shirt. You’ll look effortless cool teamed with your wellies, big sunglasses and straw hat.

You must invest in a pair of good wellies! Matalan have amazing choice and these Union Jack ones are just £10! Bargain!

I hope that all this information has/will help any future festival-goers. Enjoy yourselves and stay safe! Thanks for reading.

Louise

(http://ladderedtights10.wordpress.com)

xoxox

I'd deffinitely recommend going to the SHOWstudio: Fashion Revolution exhibition at Somerset House, it's quite an experience.  It was so unique and varied, giving me so much to think about. If you really want to see everything though, make time for all of the video installations and such- and if you go on the day of a live photo shoot and want to stick it out (see further down), be prepared to get lost in the magical world for hours.

On the day I went there was a Tim Gutt and Shona Heath photoshoot, and even luckier people got to watch an actual British Vogue cover shoot shot by reknowned photographer Nick Knight with the beautiful Natalia Vodianova- I was avidly watching the online stream and taking lots of screen caps. The two day shoot was for the February 2010 issue and the theme was 'Fairytale'. There are an awful lot of images from this over at Intrinsically Florrie, but I shall not make this post go on forever. Never fear if you haven't visited yet, there are lots more events planned for the exhibition if you haven't been already. the websites: http://www.somersethouse.org.uk/ http://www.showstudio.com/

The SHOWstudio: Fashion Revolution at Somerset House     Embankment Galleries, Strand, London WC2R 1LA     17 September - 20 December 2009

Guest Post (sort of) By Editor Amy - originally posted on Confessions of a Fashion Editor.