The Worst Fashion of The Week

what is she wearing? It seems that Cerys Matthews' hybernation have kept her well out of touch with her fashion sense. And this is supposed to be her first public appearance after her breakup. Unfortunately, this look unlike the breakup was hard to predict.

Fashion Sins You're Allowed to Commit in a Leap Year

It's not always (probably never) allowed to break certain fashion knowns. But we here at Fashion Bits decided that we are allowed certain concessions every leap year. So we've gone crazy and thrown all to the wind turning a blind eye to certain fashion blunders that under a 'normal' calendar year offenders should be shot for committing. We really did have a long long list but we've managed to narrow it to a few here. Do not, we repeat, do not attempt these again (well at least not until another leap year comes along). And remember they're never really laughing with you, just at you.

1. Men, go on, take the plunge and go with white socks to work. Chilling idea but what the heck. Make a fool out of yourself and maybe have a few laughs. Trust us, if you don't do the laughing someone else will be (at you). And while we're on the topic of socks, why not ditch the shoes and just go for the socks and sandals look? Go on, be brave. Stupid but brave.

2. Shoulder pads: we know some of you have still got those huge detachable ones from the Eighties tucked away in your drawer somewhere. Get them out and if everyone asks why why why just smile and say you always wanted to be a quarterback or you're pining for those Dallas days. Really.

3. Do a Madonna: Oh the days of the Eighties when everything was just big. The bangs, the bangles and those big plastic fluorescent hoop earrings. And while you're at it why not go for the cutoff gloves and the poodle hair as well. We shudder but we're pretending we're just cold.

4. Ten colors for Ten fingernails. We did it and it was fun. It probably will be again. Screw the major board meeting today and just go for it. Who knows? it might just be what you need. Maybe not, but do it anyway.

5. Remember Michael Bolton? Play his songs over and over again at work for all to hear, and tune up your ipod and make sure everyone does too. Serenade your loved one to cheesy Michael Bolton right there at his/her office and tomorrow you can always says you'd been drunk or high on something.

6. Going for a swim? think manhood, think speedos... Oh God, the imagery... Enough said.

7. Wear a blazer and turn the cuffs up ... think Miami Vice and hey you rock dudes. (this works brilliantly with the shoulder pads by the way. See#2).

8. You're lucky it's cold today. Anyone for Jane Fonda style leg warmers (leggings) with shoes or sandals? Go on.

9. Suspenders. Take your pick from the lot you think are still cool. Go on, suspend and away. Burn them tomorrow.

10. Buy and use the nubrella. Need we say more?

11. Wear Pink to Work. We mean pink pink pink and the tighter the outfit and the more love handles squeezing out the better. Do a Barbie. Go Go girl power.

12. Flaunt the logo: Why not do your part for fashion and be a walking billboard. Flash the YSL and DG's. Don't wear anything that doesn't scream. Go on, may you be heard loud and clear today.

13. Dark lip liner and pink (or preferably red) lipstick.

14. White pantyhose. We rest our case.

Let Me Tell You What's Fashionable This Spring 2008

1. Thin is still in and always will be. So layoff the bagels and chips and head for the water and carrots even if you do turn orange after some time all the better because apparently fake tans are in. Which takes us to number 2.

2. Sure you've kept those long pins of yours under wraps this winter (as if) but had you bared you would have been forgiven that sickly wintry pale color. But it's Spring now, so head to your nearest tanning salon and get spraying. No sunbeds, they truly aren't in anymore (Yes, Really!). A tan is essential if you plan to wear those nude color dresses that are just hot this Spring.

3. Shimmer not glitter is what make-up is all about. If you don't know the difference, then that's another reason to hit the beauty counter at your nearest mall like pronto. They were raving about it at Fashion Week, so I guess for now it's law.

4. Sandals. You might not wear them just yet. But start shopping now as they've started trickling into the stores. Besides opaque tights are in again so there you go. Why wait for later? You've got to get new ones this season else we'll fine you for procrastinating and that just doesn't sit well with any fashionista. At least not by our standards.

5. Big, huge, ridiculous clutches are in. Enough said.

6. Always thought of geometry as boring? Think again! Fashion makes it more fun to decipher your octagons from your hexagons. Think big bold geometric shapes on shift dresses, skirts, tops and accessories.

7. Remember tie-dye? well, it's now called ombre. This is a gradual shift or melting from a dark color to a lighter one. No tying involved. Comprende? If you're more the arty type, then think Seurat or Renoir (he's a painter) and take it from there.

8. Safari (I've said it before and I'll say it now: think English Patient not Tarzan's Jane), Ruffles, and one shoulder dresses are all here on everything this Spring.

9. The blazer is back sans those shoulder pads. I know what you did in the '80s and we're not doing that again. Now we're talking about form fitted boyish blazers that look expensive (and probably should be). This is the time and place and item to invest your money in this season.

10. Lingerie comes out of the bedroom. Everyone's a winner on that one.

Here's What I Bought My Mum for Her Day

Summer Toile Garden Kneeler, £25

Summer Toile Gardening Gloves, £6

Summer Toile Grey Wellington boots, £38

Summer Toile Garden Trug, £35

All items from Cath Kidston

Fairtrade Fortnight 2008

We're all going Fairtrade in the UK for two weeks (up until March 9). So to make things easier for all the shopping-mad of you out there, we've listed some really good places to start. Who knows? you might even get addicted to them and want no other... Check out Fairtrade.org for more brands.

Hood, £45, Tonic

Yellow knickers, £15, Green Knickers

T-shirt, Ethical Threads, £20

Fairtrade bag, £5, Accessorize

Made, £14

Skull bracelet by Alexa Chung for Made, £25

Made, £30

Our Fave Sandals for Spring 2008

We are nuts about this sandal from Nine West. Makes us want it NOW NOW NOW...

Designer Hottie: Milia M

We here at Fashion Bits love firsts. And this is a first by all accounts. Milia Maroun (aka Milia M) is the first Arab designer in history to showcase her collection at Milan Fashion Week. We love the quirky outfits she has come up with and we think they sum up the new modern look of what we conceive to be Arabian dressing. She has kept the lace, the flowing easy movement to the clothes but she has given them that edgy modern feel of today. We think she's a real breath of fresh air. And she's gorgeous too. According to her website, you can get her pieces right here in the UK. Just press here.

Milia Maroun

Get The Look For Less

Clara Francis Jewellery, £124.99

Accessorize, £18

Get the Detail: Corsage Tops

Monsoon

London Fashion Weekend

I did it. I made it to London Fashion Weekend. I was there, I shopped and boy did I have a great time. A few upsets and disappointments although all in all I must admit that it is quite an entertaining event. Just watching the young(er) generation sporting the latest fashion trends was entertaining in itself.

As you enter the venue set up on the grounds of the Natural History Museum in London I felt that although I had never been I just absolutely belonged. I knew all the designers and those I did not know I had heard of and those I had neither heard of nor seen were just as charming. Sure there was aboslute chaos, clothes flung here, there and everywhere, models on floors, and everyone sipping champagne or gorging on lovely free low-fat Skinny Cow ice-creams. Heaven.

I headed straight for my darling designers although I must admit a lot of them had brought out the old stuff that they just wanted to get rid of but nonetheless some of their pieces are a treasure anytime you buy them but my advice to anyone going to buy from London Fashion Weekend is this: Check your purchase. I'll say it again: Check and recheck your purchase. Make sure all the buttons are there, make sure no fat bitch before you has been in the dress and left a lipstick mark or horror: deodorant stains. Check for any visible wear and tear for once you buy it the party ends and you cannot exchange it. Those, my darlings, are the rules.

So what did I come out of there learning? Well, this Spring is all about color, color and more color. Tribal is in but now they are calling it Global Fashion and the Safari look is back ~(think English Patient not Tarzan and Jane). Floral is also back and for the love of God I have seen the Luella dress so many times it is driving me mad. It seems that Luella have managed to capture what floral is all about this season although for some reason I personally am not tempted to go for it. Also stars are in (Think Chanel and Topshop).

Wedges are still in so don't chuck out your old ones yet and the cone heel is really comfy. Who would have guessed? (Think Topshop and Nine West). Let's see, what else? Makeup is about shimmer (not glitter girls, shimmer), black mascara (not brown) and big big prints as well as big big bags and big big accessories. Ok, so anything BIG is in.

Hems are either knee length or long. No mid calf thank Heavens and think clutches that hold all. When going for accessories, it all about stones, beads and ethnic designs (think Mawi) and the best advice of all? Stick to your diet.

The good: Skinny Cow ice cream.
The bad: The London Fashion Week Gift Bag.
The Ugly: The toilets & the queues.

One of my purchases: Cheet Bag (normally it would have been £120 but I got it discounted at London Fashion Week). I also managed to get my hands on one of this season's hottest bags by designer charlott Vasberg for a really good price of around £200 (it will be in store next month at Selfridges for around £460). How cool is that?

Fashion Bits' Favorite Oscar Gowns: Europe Rocks!

Marion Cotillard

Tilda Swinton

The Wives Sink the Fashion Boat at the Oscars

Ben Affleck with wife Summer Phoenix.

Tommy Lee Jones looks really nice but I don't know with his wife's dress. All it says is look at my tummy. We're looking and we don't like.

We love you James McAvoy and that's why we're so sad that your wife (Anne Marie Duff) chose to look so blah. But to be honest, we're biased as we had eyes just for you. Talk to us baby. love the accent.

I know I shouldn't be too picky, but thank God those Oscar people had made the decision to have Daniel Day Lewis win best actor award BEFORE they saw what his wife had chosen to wear for the event. Come on lady, this is your husband's day, take it more seriously. And what's with the ribbons? I mean, without them you could have passed.

The Best Back at Oscars 2008

Nicole Kidman

The Oscars Go Red!

Heidi Klum

Anne Hathaway / Helen Mirren

Katherine Heigl / Julie Christie (what's with the arms????????)

Purple Rain

Debenhams, £45



Topshop, £8



Warehouse, £45

Get Paris's Lingerie Look!

Older but never wiser Paris Hilton celebrating her 27th birthday.

Debenhams, £30



figleaves.com, £130

Big Names at TopShop

If you enjoyed Marios Schwab and Richard Nicoll at London Fashion Week, here's your chance to grab some of their designs now at TopShop. Lovely!




Richard Nicoll for Topshop, £75



Marios Schwab, £85 / Marios Schwab, £100 / Both at Topshop

What To Wear: Dinner Chez Him!

Dorothy Perkins, £28




Principles, £39



TopShop, £65



Wallis, £15