Leo 23 July – 23 August

Add a fun bit of edge to you look with leather. Be it a leather jacket, skirt or boots, you’ll definitely look awesome and edgy. You can a pair leather with something more feminine for a great look as well. Add a bit of dark eye makeup and you’re on your path to becoming a rock n roll chic.

Virgo 24 August – 23 September

Does your closet need a bit of oomph? Well then look no further than your friend’s closets. Organise a clothing swap with your bff’s and gain some great new pieces, while getting rid of those you don’t want. It’s a great way to update your closet.

Photo Credit

Libra 24 September – 23 October

With vintage and second hand clothes shopping being all the rage, it’s time to jump on the bandwagon and have fun. Research online for the best charity shops in your area and see what unique little gems you can find.

Scorpio 24 October – 22 November

Go barefaced this month, and you’ll feel much better and lighter. Avoid caking the foundations and powders on your face and give your skin some room to breathe and it will thank you unconditionally, by treating you to gorgeous clear skin.

Sagittarius 23 November – 22 December

Make a statememnt this month, with Red. Red makes anything instantaneously glamorous, so embrace this vivid colour. Be it with a gorgeous dress, or even more subtley with red nails or lips, this colour is set to make you stand out.

Photo Credit

Capricorn 23 December – 20 June

Go vintage with some Audrey Hepburn inspiration. Black is the new black, so it's time to take out that classic LBD and look awesome. Or for a more casual look, try black skinnies, with some cute flats.

Aquarius 21 January – 19 February

Orange is the big colour of the season, and this is the month for you to embrace it. The bright colour will look amazing on you and will make you stand out from the crowd. You don't have to go all out if you don't want to, so you could settle on an orange bag, or even orange shoes, to have the same impact.

Pisces 20 Feb – 20 March

Make protecting yourself from the sun look cool this month. We're getting hints of summer, so invest in a gorgeous pair of sunglasses and a cute hat. Be a fashionista with large sunglasses, or embrace the classic aviators. As for hats, with so many cute fedora's and trilby's out there, you'll have no problem picking the right one for you.

Aries 21 March – 20 April

This is your month for past inspiration. Have fun with 50's glamour by wearing gorgeous wedges with full circle skirts. There's no shortage of polka dots or peter pan collars on the high street, so there's no excuse for not dressing up. Finish up with a pair of cat eye sunglasses and you're done.

Photo Credit

Taurus 21 April – 21 May

Go all out and have fun this month with your style. Colours, prints and fun shapes are all your friends this month, so enjoy dressing up and make a statement. Whether it's a very bright dress, or an asymmetrical shape, you'll look fabulous while you radiate confidence.

Gemini 22 May – 22 June

Who said you have to be a model to rock the crop tops. It's a popular trend for the season and you don't have to be super skinny to wear them. If you feel they're not for you, still give them a chance by wearing them with high waisted jeans or skirts for a more retro feel.

Cancer 22 June – 23 July

Preppy is in and this is the time for you to pull it off. With Hermione making preppy cool in Harry Potter, it's time to follow in her footsteps. Think polo shirts, cute jumpers and even mid length skirts. Finish the look with a sleek, nicely done ponytail and very light make up and pretty soon, everyone will want to be you.

After being made Community Manager of British Style Bloggers back in May, this is my FIRST EVER TIME organising the Blog of the Month, and I'm super excited to announce the winner (drum roll, please)...

The Fashion Recruit

Congrats, Lucy!! We picked your blog based on your variety of posts and great blog layout. Watch out for an e-mail from either me or one of the team soon!

Remember guys, you can apply to next month's Blog of the Month from the 1st!

LOVE.

Rachel x.

Source

Figuratively leafing through blogs and style guides the A/W trends are emerging already, and the one that keeps cropping up is Fetish. My first thought when I saw this was PVC, whips and weird sexual things and some of the images aren’t that far off. Step forward the woman that set it off as with many other trends Miss Moss.

Source

As with many other trends I just can’t see how this is going to be transferred to the high street in a way that won’t mean tacky PVC shorts and thigh high stockings with typical clothes. ASOS’ trend report paints a slightly better image but still not one very wearable by Miss Public. I suggested this to my friend ,who is also pursuing a career in fashion, last week and her answer was “no its not and isn’t supposed to be, it’s a fantasy” but is that the right way to go about it? Is all fashion meant to be acceptable or can we just put some fashion down to being “part of the show”?

Fashion has always been a bit of a stage show and creating mystique but I still think that is something is a major trend they should be wearable and affordable, breaking the industries illusion that you have to buy the most ex0pensive pieces to stay with the trends.

The hightstreet summer sales are coming to an end, before summer has even gotten into its swing.

Although one wouldn't necessarily think it at the moment, what with all the rain and wind and general chilliness that we've been experiencing (did no one tell 'them' it's the end of July??), there are a few weeks of British summer time remaining.

There are still some great bargains to be picked up in the sales to enhance and update a warm weather wardrobe.

Below is my round up of the best that's left - and all items are under £30!

MISS SELFRIDGE

Petites rose cupro shorts WAS £32 NOW £17

Straw preppy boater hat WAS £18 NOW £5

Leather tooled satchel WAS £50 NOW £20

Oriental print blouse WAS £28 NOW £16

DOROTHY PERKINS

White lemon print dress WAS £25 NOW £17

Indigo denim prom dress WAS £35 NOW £20

ACCESSORIZE

Contrast weave zig zag floppy hat WAS £22 NOW £11

ALDO

Zickler WAS £45 NOW £29.98

Crowthers WAS £60 NOW £27.99

FRENCH CONNECTION

Fiona denim shorts WAS £57 NOW £28

Perfect pleat skirt WAS £62 NOW £24

OFFICE

West end wedge denim canvas WAS £58 NOW £20

Have it black/bronze WAS £65 NOW £20

Hot stuff pastel multi WAS £65 NOW £20

None of that choc leather WAS £50 NOW £25

TOPSHOP

Fluro stripe vest WAS £16 NOW £5

Contrast zip holdall WAS £40 NOW £25

ALL IMAGES GRATEFULLY COPIED FROM THE COMPANIES' RESPECTIVE WEBSITES.

PICTURE EDITING BY BECKY DARKE.

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

Guest post by Stephanie Anderson of The Clothes Maiden

I want to share with you my newest discoveries I have come across in the last few days, these gems are to die for, and definitely unforgettable.

In August I’m thinking of going around Europe with my best friend- so on my mind right now is the thought of the hot hot heat, the new places I’ll be visiting, the memories I’ll create and the photographs I’ll be taking.

My inspiration has come from this, and I can’t seem to shake the thought of the euro trip to save my life.

My first find is Minnow Bathers, it is a Toronto based swimwear collection known for their signature bold prints and vintage inspired cuts- take a look.

All images HERE

Each suit is fabulously handcrafted by Karen Donaldson and Vanessa Warrack, and they are available at their Etsy Store. Not only did their lookbook capture my attention, but their idea and inspiration succeeded to captured the heart;

“Minnow’s 2011 collection was inspired by adolescence: friends, rebellion, summer fun, first beers, first tokes, and first kisses.”

Cute right? Then I got thinking- hey, I need something to put over this stunning swimwear, if I had it my way I would walk around endlessly in these suits, but a girl can’t have her own way all the time- so I stumbled upon these goddess like dresses. These are in fact good enough to eat.

All images HERE

Killdarling is created by Sam Klemick- her collection is a dreamy, cotton candy coloured label. When asked about the brand, Sam says;

”Killdarling is clothing for tea parties and after parties. For trips to Paris and trips to the mailbox. It is for the girl who has had enough of rainbows, unicorns and Prince Charming. For the girl who doesn’t care if she loses a shoe at the ball. For the girl who throws the other shoe at Prince Charming, takes off with the hot valet guy who parked her pumpkin carriage, and heads with him to the afterparty. Barefoot. Killdarling is made for mischief and adventure.”

I was thinking this label was probably made for me. In fact, I just want to buy every single dress, I thought they would cost an absolute fortune, but I was pleasantly surprised.

As a fiend for jewellery, I couldn’t miss it out, so let me introduce you to Prairie Oats. This is a recycled vintage jewellery line that creates one of a kind, hand-crafted pieces using materials gathered from around the world. I love all these pieces, and I wouldn't mind any of these beautys. All this combined makes the entire summer season dreamy and a fresh new look to die for.

All images HERE

"I am not confident enough to wear what I ACTUALLY want to."

Dear problemeer. Thou must practise.

Confidence is talked up a lot, in body image and fashion circles. It is almost a buzzword; I remember being nine or twelve and reading Smash Hits magazine, and learning that Whichever Backstreet Boy or So-and-so From Other, Less Remembered Boyband liked the following, in a woman:

a) "she doesn't know she's beautiful" (this baffled me then and enrages me now - but let's not get into that)

b) "confidence".

But what does this MEAN, I thought? How does one BECOME "confident"? Is it magical? Is it like a mutant power, that will one day manifest and shine so brightly that all the world will admire, respect and want to romance it? Or am I just NOT confident - one of the unlucky B-class, forever unnoticed by pin-up boys? How sad that would be.

No. Confidence is not magic. Confidence is a skill, that you must learn. It's a skill that you can learn. Everybody has the ability to be sure about things.

See, one is confident when one is comfortable, and unlikely to be caught unawares by oneself. Confidence is competency. It's knowing. It can also be doing, but if your problem is that you do not have confidence, then just saying "well just GET SOME, then" would be no help.

Do you own it, my lad (this is a problem from a boy, which obv are always welcome)? This thing that you ACTUALLY want to wear but fear? I shall assume that you do and you can adjust my advice to fit the truth of your matter.

The only thing to do is to wear it. Wear it while you are alone.

When you wake up, you gotta put on this thing, we'll say it's a hat. Open your eyes! See what a sunny fine day it is. On goes the hat! My, how much brighter the air seems, and who would have thought that possible? If you love it, wear it. Wear it when no-one can see, so no-one can comment, so you are alone with your garment in order to commune with it, and be at one with it, and reach a common ground where you both know each other so well it's as if you are a warrior and it your horse; unafraid of battle and a perfect team. Wear the hat when you're in the bathroom. Wear it when you're on tumblr at midnight. Wear it when you sunbathe in the yard while everyone else is out, or on your daily jog round the back of the wood/car park that nobody else goes to.

Eventually, it will seem unremarkable for you to wear this hat. If anyone - anyone rude, or regrettably ignorant - says "Oi, hatbox, you look like a tit!" you won't be on the same level as them any more, seeing hats (or, whatever) as bizarre accoutrements that YOU would certainly never wear. You'll be (mentally) firmly planted, sitting comfortably with the hat that makes you feel really you, looking up at this daft bugger who's so uneducated or afraid that they think that this most natural thing could possibly be foolish. You'll just want to wrinkle your brow, and move on, because the idea of ridiculing this garment is just sort of weird. Just kind of sad really.

Here is something else to remember: You have the right to wear that. If you think it looks good, so will somebody else. Maybe more than just one somebody. On behalf of the universe, I give you permission.

I've been going to music festivals for nigh on 13 years and I remember the days when I'd be deciding on what clothes to take and my main concern was whether it was going to be comfy, warm and dry. Practical would be the word.

Don't get me wrong - I was a reasonably fashionable teenager. As much as any teenage girl can be when she lives in the Home County suburbs and isn't really comfortable in her own skin yet. Yet, put it this way... when I attended my first Glastonbury in 1999, I took full-on waterproof trousers.

I then remember discovering the novelty of festival glam. A slick of red lipstick, some black nail polish and a leather jacket go a long way when all you're relying on are wet wipes and dry shampoo.

Since then, festivals have completely taken over our summers. A few years ago, there were just a few but now it seems like there are hundreds of the things all over the UK and Europe. I can't seem to move in London or blink while surfing the TV channels without seeing an advert for a new festival. As a rock chick who's in her element jumping about in a field, I'm hardly complaining.

Such a surge in popularity and availability was always going to attract the masses, along with the stars, and inevitably result in media interest and acres of column inches informing us 'what they were wearing'.

Rock music and fashion have always had a beautiful, kick-ass relationship, and no more does this seem to be playing out than at in the land of welly-wearing fun seekers.

The high street has joined the party with annual collections of festival-specific clothing.

Denim shorts, playsuits, grungy sweaters, animal print, backpacks, headscarves, waistcoats, hoop earrings, long socks, parkas, boots. These are what make up the festival wardrobes of today's girls.

Below is my pick of what's on offer on the highstreet to kit yourself out appropriately.

FRENCH CONNECTION FESTIVAL SHOP

Meknes satchel

Rainbow stripe tee

Lisa denim shorts

ALL SAINTS FESTIVAL BOUTIQUE

Ikat tee

Rambler cropped welly

Claude hat

TOPSHOP FESTIVAL SHOP

Moto blue scallop hem shorts

Pink spacedye knotback playsuit

Chocolate washed zip pocket rucksack

MISS SELFRIDGE LIMITED EDITION FESTIVAL

Light wash studded shirt

WAREHOUSE FESTIVAL FASHION

Pretty floral culottes

Parrot print vest

URBAN OUTFITTERS FESTIVAL

Disco tee

Puffy navajo cami

Tortoiseshell half frame sunglasses

Wildlife sweatshirt

ALL IMAGES GRATEFULLY COPIED FROM COMPANIES' RESPECTIVE WEBSITES.

Well, hey, there.

This month's Blog of the Month shortlist is as follows:

• Everyday Outfits
• The Fashion Recruit
• World of a Fashionista
• Memoir Mode
• Fashion Train

Myself and the staff here at BSB will be judging over the next few weeks and the WINNER will be announced on the 28th. 

Exciting times,

-- Rachel.
(Community Manager)

P.S: The process for Blog of the Month has recently changed! You can read the rules concerning it HERE!

Sherin started the blog HiFashion back in January 2009 with Leia, who now blogs at a separate project, Leia's Delights. She's a 20-something Politics graduate with a gorgeous smile and a love of both music and fashion. At HiFashion she captures her adventures round her home city of London and her travels further afield. Here at British Style Bloggers she's our resident Stylescopes columnist. So let's get to know her...

Living in London must be handy as a fashion blogger, what's your favourite thing about the city?

I love everything about London. I guess the fact that there is always something going on, whether something fun at the theatre, or a good gig, or even fashion week. It's just an incredible city, and you're always bound to meet someone interesting.

I guess always making an effort, beforehand, to find out a bit about the company who's press day you're going to, and always trying to have a proper conversation with the PR who invited you when there. I always try to take as many pictures as possible, so I can either post them on the blog or on facebook, so I can share everything with readers.