Obviously every year the fashion of we 'teenagers' changes. The importance of it is more than expressed through the amount of 15-20 year olds walking the shop floors in search for the most fashionable thing in the store. What I have noticed however is that fashion over the last 2 to 3 years has become far more self-picked and individual. The high street stores used to have a more fixed range of clothing, but now I have seen that all shops have adopted a wider range of clothing and accessorize to fit this 'individual need '

This summer the shops are throwing out invitations to go in with their bold and beautiful shop windows, each displaying different mannequins laden with exquisite pieces. Topshop with their intricate eye for detail, from the material and the cut to the stitching and each individual sequin or button. New look their bold colours and wider fitting range. And even Primark, with their good effort at a rather ethnic range this summer.

So what is really 'In Fashion' this summer? It seems evident that is not just one straight style as in the case of when I was about 11, where the height of fashion was the bell bottomed flairs and cheesy logo tee-shirts (yes, I still blush when reminded) but a more wider range of clothing.

This summer its not really yet time to throw out the warm clothes, as mother nature still likes to hail us every so often with the odd chilly wind and utter down pour of rain. Summer is always a time to get out as much festival wear as possible, even if you’re not going to one. Your wardrobe must must include the essentials if you are to survive and summer.

These essentials are...

    * 3/4 length leggings. They are not only practical but I always find they are insanely useful when wearing extremely short dresses or skirts, or even in my case, long tee-shirts. These leggings can be any colour, but I go for black, black seems to go with most colours as opposed to purple or green ones, which are harder to match.
    * The long checkered shirt. This is possibly my most favorite item to wear at the moment. You can pretty much wear it anywhere, but be careful not to look as though you have just got out of bed and nicked the guys shirt...! These go really nicely with the leggings and you can even put a waist belt round the middle or under your boobs as a flattering touch. Guys shirts are an utter must this summer, get as many as you can. Jack Wills do some really nice ones, they look casual and sophisticated
    * The summer dress. These are just perfect for afternoons out with friends. I wear them to friend’s houses, out shopping, out in town, on the beach, pretty much anywhere. Again, adding a wait belt looks pretty good, I have a beautiful tea dress from H&M I got last year and has still served well a year and a hundred wears later. I recommend a floral pattern for summer, its sweet and summery and by adding pumps and a load of bangles your sorted.
    * The jeans. I'm really not one to wear jeans if given the option. I love to have my legs out as much as possible as I always get so hot in them! However I few weeks ago whilst rummaging in Topshop I found a lovely pair which where a sort of canvas like jean, dark grey and have not really taken them off ever since. Putting them with a vintage tee shirt and cardigan is perfect, or even wearing them underneath the checkered shirt is casual yet sophisticated. Guy’s jeans are pretty important, nice cut dark ones are a must. Please NO craply made ones, they are unflattering and will not work wonders. Shorts are perfect for summer; obviously, anything above the knee is just a little too dodgy... for obvious reasons.
    * The vintage tee shirt. My friend is the vintage tee-shirt queen. She gets all of hers from places like Camden market or Brick Lane, but I’m not suggesting you go all the way to London for one! Topshop or even New Look have loads at the moment so go have a brows. As I just said these look great with the jeans and a cardigan. Its casual yet sleek. Guys seriously this is a must, I sometimes draw the line at most guys tee-shirts, especially the logo ones... I mean ok, some are pretty amusing with the catchy slogans but seriously, most are just so mainstream they look too boring. Get yourselves a handful of vintage ones from topman or zara as they work wonders!
    * The Cardigan. My friend might be the vintage tee-shirt queen but I am most definitely the cardigan queen. I am pretty much always in one. The very common H&M ones you get are ok, but a bit too common for my liking. I have found some beautifully made ones on Topshop and Zara recently that look really great with a tee-shirt or over the summer dress, I recommend everyone gets one as they really do tend to make an outfit! Guys in cardigans I have to debate with. I think only some guys look good in them, and it depends what you wear with them. I think every guy should have one, but be really careful what to wear with them and how! Tee shirts and shirts are a yes, especially very low necked tee-shirts (NOT V-NECK. they're NOT flattering tee-shirts) or shirts that have a few buttons undone for a rogue look
    * The bikini. This is probably the first year where I actually cannot wait to get my kit off and show my new bikini, I’m so in love it! Yet again it is a Topshop find. It's pretty much black bottoms and a triangle bra top, simple, but sexy. Guys I think we have all established that Speedo’s are a no no. Trunks are the way forward, keep up the good work
    * The shoes. This year it’s all about the Greek sandals. They are absolutely everywhere, and even though I am trying to sell a more 'be-individual' theme, I cannot go without my sandals. Mine are just Primark ones but my goodness are the comfiest things to wear, they wear down till extremely soft and light, so it pretty much feels like your not wearing any shoes. You can't just go all summer with these however. I recommend the classic pumps, which are not highly exciting but you can get all sorts at the moment, some of which are too beautiful to say no to
    * The bags. Whoever said one bag for everything must have been joking. I say, the more bags the better. I pretty much have a bag for every occasion, not that I recommend you do the same; it’s a pretty expensive way to carry your things around, yet so satisfying. I have one big bag however that I do love to bits. I got it as a present for my birthday and it’s a beautifully made Monsoon one. Big bags are in this summer, to be honest, the bigger the better. Big bags look perfect on petite frames as it extenuates your frame. For bigger frames a longer bag gives the appearance of your sides being brought inwards, making you looks slimmer.
    * The shades. Aviators and Ray Bans is the only answer. You actually CANNOT wear those vulgar cycling glasses that old men seem to have adopted. Please no. You can get really decent priced pairs in cheaply shops like Primark, I mean I got some for £1.99 a few months back that should have fallen apart by now and haven't. As just said, the bigger the better, but it does still depend on your frame. Don't go for the too-big-sunglasses that make you look like an oversized bug, but don't go too small so that they only cover the corner to corner of your eyes! Try loads on; go for different colours and shapes. Guys in over sized glasses is pretty damn hot, ask any of my friends. Ray Ban style ones are gorgeous with tousled hair for that rough look
    * The jewelry. 'The bigger the better' most certainly applied here over all other sections. I love big jewelry, some of my earrings could even pass as bracelets they are they larger. Big rings, long thin necklaces (thin chained pendants are ones to look out for, everyone's got one, or should have) big bracelets and even big hair accessories. This year I have really gone for the whole festival forehead-chain, it's simply a chain on elastic that if you adjust it right to suit your hair style looks and feels great and goes with any of the outfits above. Chained necklaces are really in at the moment; they look good with pretty much anything. The fashion that everyone has seemed to gone for recently is the odd ribbon or piece of string attached as a bracelet around the wrist, very festival like and very in, applies to guys too. For you guys MAN BAGS are starting to work their way into the limelight. I don't mean handbags or purses so don't vomit just yet, I mean man bags, they look surprisingly good! Guys seriously, loads of little wooden surfing bracelets looks really good on the wrist
    * The scarf. It's summer, put away the wool and get yourself a few light floaty scarves that look flattering and that are long enough to tie in different ways with different outfits.
    * THE HAIR. I have ridiculously big bed hair, I never ever brush it yet am lucky enough not to have manky rat tailed hair but rather nice tousled just-out-of-bed-sexy hair. I encourage everyone to do it, even hair spray it so it looks pretty tousled looks great in summer, seriously!