CHECK YOURSELF
You know when Victoria Beckham endorses a print that it's destined for major trend status, so when the designer opened her SS16 show with a gingham midi skirt and top combo, we knew the high street would follow suit.
A la the VB catwalk, this season the mantra is the 'bigger the better', so trade in school uniform check for blown-up grids.
The vibe is still decidedly feminine, though, so a gingham dress with a cinched-in waist is your key piece.
:: Louche Elenore Dress, £49, Joy (shoes, stylist's own; www.joythestore.com)
:: Best of British for M&S Collection Cotton Rich Checked Tunic, £69, Marks & Spencer (www.marksandspencer.com)
:: Dorothy Perkins Monochrome Long Line Pinny Dress, £35 (www.dorothyperkins.com)
:: Next Navy Check Asymmetric Dress, £26 (www.next.co.uk)
BUGGED OUT
Insect repellent is a must if you're holidaying in the tropics, but you won't want to ward off this summer's bug-covered clothes.
Featuring dragonflies, butterflies and other winged critters, these prints tend to be more intricate, so they're best teamed with block-colour separates (pick one shade from the print, rather than the background) and neat neutrals.
:: Yumi Dragonfly Print Maxi Dress, £43 (shoes, stylist's own; www.yumi.co.uk)
:: Per Una Bug Printed Jersey Top with Cross Back Straps, £19.50, Marks & Spencer (www.marksandspencer.com)
:: White Stuff Nectar Shirt, £42.50 (www.whitestuff.com)
SPIKES OF INTEREST
Desert-dwelling plants are the must-have home decor accessory for every Instagrammer worth their salt at the moment, and now the terrarium trend has spilled over into fashion.
Topshop has got a range of easy-to-wear cactus-print pieces, the oversized black and white shirts and dresses perfect for throwing on over jeans or with a pair of metallic sandals (rose gold if you want to tick off another blogger-approved trend).
What to pair your prickly prints with? Distressed denim fits the washed-out desert theme well – as a rule of thumb, the darker the green of the cacti, the darker the denim.
:: Jaded London Cactus Print Silky Playsuit, £50, Topshop (www.topshop.com)
:: Topshop Cactus Print Oversized Shirt Dress, £49 (www.topshop.com)
:: Valley of the Dolls Colmo Cactus Print Front Split Midi Dress, £42, Joy (www.joythestore.com)
:: Motel Kimmy High Waisted Cactus Skirt, £15 (reduced from £22) (www.motelrocks.com)
:: Kaleidoscope Cactus Tank Top, £12.99 (reduced from £14.99) (www.kaleidoscope.co.uk)
TOTALLY TROPICAL
Every year there's one fruit print that gets picked more than any other, and this summer, fashion is pushing pineapples.
This tangy tropical motif will slot perfectly into your holiday wardrobe – there's lots of pineapple print swimwear around – or lift your spirits when the good old British weather refuses to cooperate.
:: JD Williams Ivory Fruit Print Sleeveless Dress, £20 (www.jdwilliams.co.uk)
:: M&S Collection Secret Slimming Pineapple Print Swimsuit, £19.50 (www.marksandspencer.com)
:: New Look Yellow Embellished Pineapple Clutch, £9 (reduced from £19.99) (www.newlook.com)
GET THE LOOK
Mila Kunis has revealed that she bought her wedding ring for just 90 dollars (about £67) from online marketplace Etsy. The actress told chat show host Conan O'Brien that prices were "astronomical" when she started researching traditional jewellers and that she wanted a super-skinny ring, which she found on the US website. Want one like Mila's? Try the Thin Gold Ring, £65, from UK seller Purana Jewellery (puranajewellery.etsy.com).
BUY IT NOW
New from Navabi's autumn collection, the colourful Manon Baptiste Houndstooth Bomber Jacket, £159.99, available in sizes 14 to 28, is perfect for jazzing up a plain day outfit or 'shoulder robing' over your trusty LBD at night (www.navabi.co.uk).
FASHION FLASH
:: HALT YOUR HOARDING
People in the UK are hoarding a massive £69 billion worth of unused items in their homes, equating to £1,367 per person (on average), according to new research. Top of the unwanted list? Fashion, with 45 per cent of those surveyed by VoucherCodes.co.uk saying they still keep clothes they no longer wear, and another 29 per cent saying it's shoes they should be getting rid of. "Having a good clear out, selling items or giving to charity shops will help you get some precious space back, and you may also raise a bit of money in the process, which you can put towards that item you've been hankering after!" recommends Anita Naik, the site's lifestyle editor.
:: JEANS FOR REFUGEES
Artist Johnny Dar has teamed up with 100 celebrities on the Jeans for Refugees project – and we're talking mega-stars not C-listers. Kate Moss, Ryan Gosling and Emma Watson are just three of the celebs who've donated jeans, which Dar has customised, for auction on Catawiki.com. Proceeds will go to the International Rescue Committee, with pairs being added gradually over 100 days.
STYLE STEAL
The Tresor Paris sale is offering up to 70 per cent off gold plated and silver jewellery, like the Allure Sterling Silver & White Crystal Bracelet, reduced from £99 to £29.70 (www.tresorparis.co.uk).
