305 Danni Jo Kamani Brass Crystal Necklace		15 Topshop Chain Waterfall on Suede Necklace

This season a prominent trend on and off the catwalk is minimalism; head-to-toe blacks, creams and particularly whites for Spring. Simple they are but boring they are not, because with the minimalist outfit comes the statement necklaces. Big, bold and bound to get you noticed, they are the essential accessory for your minimalist looks, a pop of elaboration aboard the effortless chic of timeless colours.

The key is to go for gold. This Danni Jo Kamani Brass Crystal Necklace takes the statement necklace to new heights, sitting just under the throat it jumps out from the black outfit, taking a dark T-shirt from simple to sensation. Enhanced with Swarovski crystals this necklace takes centre stage and is a quick and easy trick to up the ante of your outfit. Priced at £305, it is a budget buster but has the credentials to back up the price tag. 

If you would prefer to dip a toe rather than dive straight in then this Topshop Chain Waterfall on Suede Necklace is a more economic choice. Equally effective with the minimalist look, this cheaper option is flying off the shelves for those who want to experiment with the new extravagance of jewellery. A bolder choice but with a cheaper price at £15, this is a great opportunity to wake up your wardrobe.  

By Kate Vine

130 Vivienne Westwood/Lee for Urban Outfitters Anglomania Denim Shorts		18 Boohoo.com Corey Chino Style City Shorts with Pu Belt

Nothing is more prominent in the lead up to Spring than bright colours, and red shorts seem to be the epitome of the rainbow trend. Bright, bold and adaptable to any outfit, they are a great investment, and look perfect with anything from a classic Breton top and pumps to a silk blouse and towering heels. There are plenty of options throughout the high street whether you want to invest in the heights of fashion, or grab a quick fix.

The ultimate must-have this season for the dedicated fashionista is a piece of the Vivienne Westwood/Lee collaboration for Urban Outfitters – and these Anglomania Denim Shorts are no exception. Quirky and effortlessly cool, they radiate city chic and are perfect to combine with T-shirts and blazers for unique style ala Alexa Chung. At £130 they are a stretch for the limited budget, but you are paying not only for the shorts, but also for a piece of an exclusive collection.

However, if you opt for simplicity over high end labels, these Corey Chino Style City Shorts with Pu Belt from Boohoo.com are the ideal budget buy. They are not only a cheaper option but are also a much more flattering shape, with wider legs and a waist belt, curves are accentuated without being too exposed. Worn with heels, they elongate the legs, and can be paired with anything from a white T-shirt to an eccentric vintage blouse. At only £18, they are well worth the gamble.

By Kate Vine

15.99 What A Tease Backcomb in a Bottle		5.99 Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Backcomb in a Bottle

Everybody loves a good backcombed do, and this season the catwalks were filled with bigger than big hair. The method gives good volume, and is a failsafe look for the evening when you want to add a little drama. However, it is renowned as bad for your hair – which is why new Backcomb in a Bottle products have proven so popular. The aim is to give your hair the height and body you desire without the effort and damage of actual backcombing. Here are the two bestsellers.

What A Tease Backcomb in a Bottle followed in the immediate success of the brand’s earlier products. It is sprayed onto the hair, and, when fluffed and shaped a little with your fingers, creates a fantastic backcombed effect. The spray contains expanding ingredients to volumise your locks and its key ingredient is its medium-firm hold, so further hairspray is not needed to keep your do in place. Prices vary, but on average this retails at £15.99.

However, if you are new to the backcombing craze, a lighter and cheaper version may be the right choice. Umberto Giannini’s new Glam Hair range recently released their own Backcomb In A Bottle to supplement a whole range of body-boosting beauties. This spray is a little less definitive than its pricier counterpart; it gives a less prominent effect but still increases volume and gives a very modern tousled effect. It can provide great height – with just a little more spray. However with 50ml more for only £5.99 it is definitely the bargain purchase of the two.

By Kate Vine

33 Wolford Hero Tights		13.99 Pamela Mann Strap Around Tights

X Factor honey, Cheryl Cole, kicked up a hosiery frenzy last year when she was seen wearing Wolford Bondage tights in her Promise This video. The sexy tights had knitted fabric ribbons criss-crossed in a bondage style all the way up to mid-thigh and sold out across the country as women hurried to emulate their favourite style icon and add a bit of va-va voom to their pins.

Luckily for us tightsplease.co.uk have come to the rescue of the devastated ladies that didn’t manage to nab a pair last year. They have in stock the new Wolford Hero Tights that feature the same bondage style as before now with a new back seam for added sex appeal. Get a pair of saucy Wolford pantyhose for £33 here and strut your stuff like a superstar.

Thankfully looking like a star doesn’t have to cost a fortune, tightsplease.co.uk also has a cheaper alternative to keep your legs looking as raunchy as possible. The Pamela Mann Strap Around Tights are available on the website for only £13.99- not quite a Marks and Sparks multi pack but guaranteed to get you noticed! They feature the same criss-crossed design that carries on to the top and at half the price of the Wolford pair, are worth a look!

Give your legs the X Factor and indulge in a bit of hosiery fun at tightsplease.co.uk before they sell out again.

By Reena Sewraz

3.99 head jog 50 slim- line styling hair brush		7.74 boar bristle teasing brush

If you saw our recent post on volumising shampoo, you’ll know that big hair is a must if you want to create the glam factor. No celeb worthy hairstyle is complete without a bit of oomph, as the likes of Cheryl Cole, Blake Lively and J-Lo will tell you. We all dream of transforming lifeless limp hair into volumised tresses fit for the red carpet, and you’re in luck because here at chiconomise we’re going to let you into a little secret and show you an essential tool for creating instant volume (for best results use with volumising shampoo- see earlier post).

The ‘teaser’ otherwise known as a small bristle brush… Every stylist knows that the best hair brushes have boar bristles. Boar bristles are natural meaning they are easier on the hair than the cheaper plastic bristle brushes, they also help to distribute oils throughout the hair, making hair appear glossy and healthy. This boar bristle teasing brush at £7.74 is a great all rounder, not only does it help to keep hair looking healthy, but this small flat brush is designed for creating volume. Take small sections of the hair around the crown area and brush (tease/ backcomb) close to the roots, this will instantly create volume. Once you’re all teased up, be sure to fix your volumised roots with some strong hold hair spray like TRESemme Freeze hold hairspray 500ml (£4.89) so you’re hair will stay put all day/night.

If you want to create volume, but want to opt for a cheaper brush, why not go for the head jog 50 slim- line styling hair brush at £3.99. This nylon bristle brush is lightweight and has built in finger rest for comfort. Tease hair in the same way and remember to finish with a strong hold hairspray to achieve desired result.

Tip: Tease hair gently to prevent hair damage.

By Joanne Mason

1,255 PS1 satchel by Proenza Schouler		30 Double Buckle Satchel ASOS

With that carefree 70s style shimmying onto the catwalks this season, there’s no item more essential than the everyday brown leather satchel bag. It’s a little bit Oxford-preppy and a little bit East London-cool; perfect for daytime versatility.

As with all in-season accessories, there are a wide variety of colours, sizes and prices to choose from, so we’ve narrowed it down to two for you.

If you believe that every woman should own a designer bag at some point in her life (which I am) then the PS1 satchel by Proenza Schouler could be The One you’ve been waiting for. At £1,255 it doesn’t come cheap. But keep in mind it’s top quality leather with a vintage appeal, so this bag is a classic you can hang onto.

On the other hand, if you are one to chop and change your wardrobe then something a little lower on the price-chain might be handy. Try the ASOS Double Buckle Satchel for only 30 quid. With the same old school styling including twin buckles, handle and shoulder strap, it’s definitely channelling Annie Hall. This satchel isn’t real leather, but let’s face it- ASOS are experts at faking it.

By Amelia Moseley

815 Miu Miu Polka Dot Tea Dress		35 Next Heart Print Tea Dress

This season, there is no easier way to adapt your look to the Seventies trend than with a pretty tea dress. Flattering and feminine on the figure, tea dresses are a perfect day look with brightly coloured flats, but easily acclimatised to night time with heels and Bardot-esque hair. Tea dresses are a savvy solution to combining a current trend with comfort, and cannot help but exude retro chic.

Shooting to the top of the fashion stakes is this Polka Dot Tea Dress by Miu Miu, a label which has us reaching for the overdraft every season. This dress dips a toe in both the fifties and seventies, and its sharp colour and cut gives its flagrant femininity a contemporary edge. Available on Net-a-porter.com for £815, this beautiful dress will lift any look and is a flirtatious example of this season’s must have.

Alternatively, the high street has a similar interpretation for a fraction of the price. High-street haven Next, offers this nearly identical  tea dress in a lighter fabric, perfect for Spring days in the city with scarlet accessories and a signature seventies hat. At only £35 it is a great budget buy with the same effortless vintage glamour of the higher priced options.

By Kate Vine

26 DuWop Lip Venom		8.50 Soap and Glory Mother Pucker Lip Gloss

Never a season goes by without lips placing high up on the agenda, and all of us longing for the perfect pout. All glosses add va-va-voom to your lips, however lip plumpers are permanent favourites as they aim to enhance lip size in addition to adding that desirable shine. Plumping lip glosses are available for all budgets, and it depends whether you are after a slight improvement or an Angelina pout of the year. It also depends on how much you would like to spend.

A pricey but popular product has become a sensation in the beauty world, being pegged as the best alternative to actual surgery. DuWop Lip Venom is fast becoming a cult classic for its fast and supremely evident lip plumping effects. It is for the exuberant but not the faint hearted; containing essential oils which cause the lips to swell, the effect is obvious, efficient and undoubtedly glamorous. It is available in its original clear shade, or in Pink Shimmer, which adds a touch of colour for the more flamboyant occasion. At a £26, you would expect nothing less.

However, an alternative best seller is Soap and Glory’s Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Gloss. Also available in clear or several tinted shades, this gloss provides results on a budget. The plumping effect is certainly evident, but on a more subtle scale in comparison to its pricier Duwop counterpart. While the clear gloss is more suited to a daytime look, the tinted versions add glamour to any make-up look and are often more flattering on certain skin tones. The brand also offers an XL Extreme version, for extra plumping. Priced at only £8.50, this gloss provides undeniable results on your lips, but is less pertinent on your bank account.

By Kate Vine

69 Jigsaw Contrast Trim Straw Hat in Natural		20 ASOS 70’s Straw Floppy Hat in Natural

Forget Trilbys, Panamas and Bowlers. This season nothing quite compares to the widest of wide-brimmed hats. With spring finally on its way, what better way to compliment the 70’s trend of Palazzo trousers and sky-high platforms than with this nonchalantly chic accessory.

Protecting yourself from those harmful rays has never felt so stylish – and the best part is there’s a wide-brim to suit every occasion! Adorn your head with some bold black and white stripes, or bright colours if you’re feeling a bit daring. Otherwise try on the floppy straw sort for size, or pick up a wide-brim in any shade of brown for that laid-back, Woodstock-look.

If you feel like treating your head to something a bit special (after all it does so much for you) try one from Jigsaw for £69. It has a contrast ribbon edge with a fine wire inside for moulding into just the right eye-skimming shape.

But if your purse strings don’t stretch quite that far, check out ASOS for wide-brims in all sorts of colours and materials, including the ‘70’s straw floppy hat’ in a Natural cream-colour. It also comes with a contrast ribbon and pretty bow detail.

Don’t forget to pair with some big, retro sunnies for that extra oomph of glam. Sunshine, here we come!

By Amelia Moseley

148 Maxmara short sleeved knitted top		22.99 New Look stitched boxy cropped jumper

So you may think we’re a tad barmy here at chiconomise talking about knitwear as spring approaches, but we’re not talking about the oversized heavy knits we all loved so much during the winter months, we’re thinking more about lightweight styles, perfect for  SS11.

The Maxmara short sleeved knitted top in light grey at £148 creates the perfect spring time look. This loose fit, lightweight knit is great for dressing down with jeans and a cami underneath for a day time look, or can be easily glammed up with some heels and tucked into a skirt for the evening.

If you want to save, this equally gorgeous stitched boxy cropped jumper from New Look also has a relaxed fit knit and a cool slashed neck, making it an essential addition to any spring wardrobe. The cropped look gives the jumper a fun casual feel, making it easy to wear with shorts, or over tunics and dresses for an effortlessly chic SS11 look. Choose from two colours, Stone Henge or Angel Blue, both £22.99.

By Joanne Mason

14 Lancome Le Vernis Nail Varnish in 011 Piha Black		2.99 Barry M Nail Varnish in Black

Miles from last year’s vamp trend, these new dark nails carry a new glam-rock vibe and add an edge to this season’s vintage florals, lace and chiffon. The contrast of the chic black nail to the traditional print or fabric turns the little girl into an independent woman. Shades vary from navy, to purple and darker shades of grey, but for real impact go for the blackest of blacks, which are available for all budgets.

Slowly becoming an iconic urban brand, Barry M is miles ahead of other budget brands in terms of creativity and daring chic, and we have all been hooked ever since their successful campaign told us to ’wake up our makeup.’ Where Barry M particularly excel is in their nail varnish range, which covers over fifty shades, and although most tend towards bright colours, the darker shades have not been overlooked. For £2.99 (or 2 for £5 at Boots right now) the navy or black shades can be yours, and you are not missing out on anything but the hefty price tag. The varnishes are vivid, much longer lasting than other budget brands, and the black shade is spot on for this current trend.

For those with bigger purses (or more cash squeezed into their dainty ones) Lancome Le Vernis nail varnish in 011 Piha Black is for you. Retailing at £14, this Lancome delight does not disappoint; its dark allure adds a sophisticated edge to any outfit and is enough to bring out the glam-rocker in any of us. Make sure it is applied with perfect precision however, to avoid the unwarranted teenage goth connotations!

19.99 Keratase Resistance Bain Volumactive Shampoo		5.59 Samy Fat Head '0 calories' thickening shampoo

With so many volumising shampoos on the market, promising to give your barnet that little bit more oomph, it is hard to know which product will really deliver. Luckily, we have found two real gems we know will inject some bounce into those limp locks.

Keratase Resistance Bain Volumactive Shampoo has been clinically designed to coat each hair strand with a contouring polymer to make hair look and feel thicker. This shampoo is extra special because while cleansing and plumping your hair it also strengthens each strand with an ingredient called Vita-Ciment. So fine and weakened tresses get repaired with every wash! Keratase products are available in most salons but you can bag your Volumactive 250ml shampoo on Amazon for £19.99.

If your haircare budget is not looking so plump this month try Samy Fat Hair ‘0 calories’ thickening shampoo for the cheaper way to fuller looking hair. The revolutionary sulphate free, 100% vegan, shampoo offers instant wash and go volume. Made from an exclusive FH4 thickening complex, sourced from a blend of natural extracts and proteins, the shampoo works to penetrate each hair strand increasing the diameter and expanding follicles from the inside out. A 300ml bottle of this magical elixir will set you back £5.59 a bargain considering the Keratase shampoo has less in it but costs more!  Fatten up your hair at Superdrug and check out Samy’s other products on the Samy Salon website.

For more great value beauty ideas check out The Daily Chic for fab deals on anything from a Keratin blow dry to a deep conditioning treatment and get your hair looking its best on the cheap.

By Reena Sewraz