Skinny Minnies...

I am a size 6. I am a normal healthy person who happens to be small boned. I'm not willing to get into a size debate here I merely wanted to point out that there are natural size 6 and 8's and it's really difficult to find clothes that fit, especially bikinis and jeans. Many high street stores only stock a very small number of 8's and even less 6's. Often the greatest number of 6's are in the petite range but many size 6 people are not actually petite in proportion. I'll save dressing size 6 clients for another post.....!

On the high street the worst culprit has to be new look. River Island, Next are Topshop are generally the most reliable but size 6 sells out fast in popular lines (except in petite). Amazingly I have heard reports of a size 4 dress in my local Topshop - further investigation has shown me that you can search size on www.topshop.com and a size 4 search produced 4 skirts including this super summery number below for £18.00. http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=19551&storeId=12556&productId=1155150&langId=-1&categoryId=&parent_category_rn=

H&M have a lot of size 6 items in everyday ranges i.e vest tops, tees, hoodies e.t.c but very limited numbers in other ranges. Where H&M and River Island win is in the denim department, both reliably have size 6 jeans in lots of styles and leg lengths. Try these bang on trend bleach skinnies below (£39.99) from River Island for size!! http://xml.riverisland.com/flash/content.php

Online check out knowmysize.com http://www.knowmysize.net/Home.aspx/Size6 a shopping website that allows you to search for clothes in your size across the web thus avoiding that 'wow I love that but oh.....not in my size' disappointment. The real internet star of this story is ASOS http://www.asos.com/Woman/where pretty much everything is available in a size 6 or 8 without being petite and you can search using size only. Unfortunately I have a major issue with ASOS- there are no bikinis in smaller than a size 8. No good. Figleaves http://www.figleaves.com/uk/department.asp?dept=swim&cm_re=menu-_-menu_bottom-_-swim and Swimhut http://www.swimhut.com/index.php?cPath=2 also fail to provide anything much in less than an 8. In fact I can't find anywhere great online aside from a few designs on net-a-porter such as this Zimmerman bandeau style bikini (below left) http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/42221 and this Missoni number (below centre) http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/40554 (both currently available in a 6) and a the high street favourites aforementioned.

Interestingly I never have a problem when buying vintage. Check out the selection at Yoox (http://www.yoox.com). Another sizing factor seems to be price, anyone ever seen anything less than an 8 in Primark? But increase your budget and suddenly it's the most common size. J Brand Jeans have heaps of small sizes and include a size 6 maternity range- almost unheard of! (http://www.jbrandjeans.com/pl/c/30.html). Vivienne Westwood's Anglomania collection has size 6 in all its items including this green dress below left (http://www.my-wardrobe.com/vivienne-westwood-anglomania/green-plain-square-dress-by-vivienne-westwood-anglomania?c_id=awin&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=affiliate_window&_$ja=tsid:9737) and Alexander McQueen's satin trapeze dress below centre (http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/35062), summer parties here I come! Hooray!

So there we have it, the trials and tribulations of size 6 shopping and if any fellow 6'ers out there have any knowledge please share! Tweet me (www.twitter.com/4couture).

Hanna x

Going Crackers for Parrot Print

It's a happy day when my two favourite things come together- fashion and parrots. I've had a soft spot for the birds since a spell of travel in Central America and so was super happy to notice parrots appearing with celebrities- just check out Paris in parrot print by Voom(above) (Voom is available at www.emoda.com ). It is my pleasure to report on all things tropical just in time for the hot weather....

Topshop is the shining star of this story with a range of parrot print products, my favourite being this super summery 80's vibe one shoulder tee. Available now at http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=19551&storeId=12556&categoryId=162936&parent_category_rn=42325&productId=1113010&langId=-1

If full on parrot print is a bit OTT for you then check out this bikini from the Just Cavalli collection at ASOS (http://www.asos.com/Just-Cavalli/Just-Cavalli-Logo-Parrot-Print-Triangle-Bikini/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=511439&SearchQuery=parrot&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=20&sort=-1&clr=PinkParrotPrint), subtle parrot print in green or pink will look great with a tan.


I am really really excited about this silk tunic from the newly launched Matthew Williamson collection at H&M (details at www.hm.com). His collection has a number of pieces featuring bold parrot print but this is my summer must have- move fast, this will fly out of the shops (ha ha). Wear over a bikini on the beach and with statement jewellery for the evening. Effortless summer glamour.

For those not loving such bold colours try this tee from Urban Outfitters (http://www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk/Rio-De-Carnival-Tee/invt/5111421480001&bklist=) - it will look really cute dressed down with skinny jeans and gladiators.

I am also loving this jersey dress T-Bags (http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/40588), the unusual print that gives the impression of parrots without featuring any parrots will get you noticed . This truly tropical dress is perfect for showing off a tan, team with heels and bangles for evening drinks at a beach bar.

Pics of me in my parrot purchases to follow shortly!

Asher x

Pop Style

There are some women in the music business right now that are getting me excited with their style. Katy Perry slipped into the fashion spotlight even before her first single was out at the beginning of last year. It’s her eclectic mix of vintage from 1940’s pin up girl dresses to 80’s style bright and bold prints. She herself has described her style as ‘a history book’ of fashion and favouring quirky accessories she has been quoted as loving fruit. I think this summery straw bag from Topshop (http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=40&viewAllFlag=false&catalogId=19551&storeId=12556&categoryId=169014&parent_category_rn=130031&productId=1113024&langId=-1) is a nod to her style and has an across the body strap- THE style for bags this summer. And for the beach, check out this 40’s style swimsuit from Agent Provocateur’s new Honey Moon swim wear collection (http://www.agentprovocateur.com/bassma/info/bikini-bra/black--white).


The newest members of the music business Girl’s Can’t Catch (www.girlscantcatch.com) (below) are close to our hearts as member Jess is our studio mate. They are currently supporting Girls Aloud on tour and with a single out in July and these young starlets are turning heads already. Jess’ unique blend of hip hop and glamour is no easy look to pull off but she is doing it effortlessly. Phoebes really individual style is quirky and cute while Daisy is definitely pulling off a sexier look. These could be ones to watch!

I guess it wouldn’t be cool to talk about Pop Style without mentioning Lady GaGa. Her headline grabbing outfits are getting increasingly crazy (tea cup anyone?!) and definitely border on the risqué. All her style is coming from her team or as she calls them her Haus of GaGa. She is known to design her own clothes and now, perhaps unsurprisingly, there is talk of a clothing line. Yes she has as many critics as fans but she gets her style point across and gets noticed-not only are people looking at her they are trying to look like her. Lady GaGa is aparently excited by this having been quoted as saying “the fashion is spreading!!” And it certainly is- just take a look at Nicole Richie channelling GaGa style for a recent BlackBook magazine (www.blackbookmag.com/pop-culture/image-full/1282) article actually works! Dressed in Chanel, Luis Vuitton and Yves Saint Laurent the edgy punk look suits her and if you don’t think you can pull off head to toe GaGa then check out Lauren Luke on YouTube (www.youtube.com/user/panacea81) in an attempt to emulate the crazy made up eyes of Lady GaGa.

And let us not forget LadyHawke (AKA Pip Brown) who instantly bridged the gap between music and fashion by providing the soundtrack for both the Topshop Unique and Osman Yousefzada LFW shows this year. Currently spotted playing with Tommy Sparx and The Tings Tings around the UK while rocking an adrogenous 60’s rock chick vibe. Her love of flannel shirts and oversized tees layered with skinny jeans and boots. An easy look to copy but worn with a certain smoky twist she manages to make a very overdone look seem unique (http://www.myspace.com/ladyhawkerock).



Finally Little Boots (AKA Victoria Hesketh) is a bit of a newcomer with her debut album out on the 8th June and has been celebrated for rocking vintage Studio 54 style dresses on stage recently. One her favourite vintage style dress designers is Antipodium. Check out Antipodiums dresses (www.antipodium.com)and check her out at www.myspace.com/littlebootsmusic




You can probably tell we love pop so no surprises we are following “we love pop” on twitter (www.twitter.com/welovepop) check them out if you feel like us and don’t forget to add us too (www.twitter.com/4couture)!


Miss Asher