The only thing you want right now is a great hoodie

The once basic item is the UK’s most searched for piece of clothing right now.

Since last weekend when I took a look at my ‘isolation wardrobe’ and reassessed what I had that was comfy and will become my uniform over the coming weeks until the weather warmed up, I became obsessed with finding the perfect hoodie to alleviate my daily looks. Once a wardrobe ‘basic’ the hoodie has been slowly making it’s rise on the style ladder and is currently the UK’s most searched for fashion staple right now. In the current climate of stay-at-home outfits we are all craving the comfort - whether it be emotionally or physically - and your clothes is an obvious place to start.

While hoodies have long been a street-wear staple, for the rest of us it was only something you would wear to the gym or round the house. Pre-corona virus it was having a style resurgence with many luxury brands using the hoodie as symbol of fashion nous and wealth whilst some of the most influential brands became reliant on it’s best selling ability. It is now become a staple of contemporary dress and however you style it gives your look a chic simplicity that appeals to everyone.

But for now, in 2020, the hoodie is not a social signifier, a high priced fashion commodity or wealth status, it is a source of comfort, one that we all need.

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Best hoodies to buy right now

1. Scamp and Dude Pink Hoodie, £55.00

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2. Sweaty Betty Escape Luxe fleece hoodie, £95.00

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3. Annie Bing Lottie Hoodie, £160 (approx) ** currently 25% off sitewide

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4. &other stories oversized boxy hooded sweater, £55

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5. iets frans logo print skate hoodie, Urban Outfitters, £42.00

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6. Champion logo hoodie, Topshop £42.00

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7. All Saints Tiger Xonda Hoodie, £88.50 John Lewis & Partners (price includes discount)

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8. Hush boyfriend hoodie, £55.00 John Lewis & Partners

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9. H&M oversized hooded top, £19.99

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10. Adidas originals trefoil logo hoodie, £44.95 ASOS

track star stripes 2018

Stripes never go out of fashion or out of style, but some seasons the humble stripe works harder than your basic breton tee.

This season sees stripes being reworked in different strokes, with colourful hues and will prove to be one of the most striking trends of the season. But it’s also one of the most wearable trends and a cinch when it comes to styling.  

It's not just about a stripey piece of clothing this season, it's how you use the stripe that matters. It's got to have a sporty undertone to the piece of clothing or the look. The look is no longer French Parisian chic, it's sophisticated smart sports style. The strength of the trend for a stripe down the side of a pair of trousers has been gathering pace for a few seasons. This is proven by the extensive fashionista's and bloggers on pinterest posting their looks.

Now if you go on any high street retailer they have them in every different colour, cut, leg shape and fabric imaginable - I counted 30 on Zara alone. We can finally ditch the jeans in favour of these side stripe trousers, as we have an understanding of how to style them so women are now buying them. Style them with shirts, blazers, sweaters, logo tee's - anything goes! As for your footwear, it's not just limited to white trainers, heels elongate your leg and make your outfit look less gym-like and more insta-like.

Athletic-inspired women's wear isn't going away anytime soon, so now is the time to embrace the stripes across other items of clothing. Other sports style stripes are joining the trend and can be mixed and matched in the same outfit. This Summer you will see wide stripe dresses and skirts, but the easiest way to wear the trend is buy styling a jumper / sweater / top with a new updated stripe on it and your look will look fresh and upto date!

For more inspiration follow my pinterest board - sporty stripes

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See how I have styled my check trousers from ASOS with a sporty stripe down the side.

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Shopping for stripes

1. Stripe Blazer, Mango £79.99

2. Stripe co-ordinate, Monki £25.00 each

3. Stripe belted dress, Studio by Preen, Debenhams, £75.00

4. Colour block pleated skirt, Hush £89.00

5. Jumpsuit with sports side stripe, Reserved, £39.99

6. Side stripe leather trousers, Whistles, £349.00

7. Saff Richmond cross body stripe bag, Kurt Geiger, £99.00

8. Check trousers with double stripe, Zara £29.99

9. Tricolour openwork sweater, Mango £29.99

Some seriously stylish slacks

edits styling notes

I honestly think that at the moment pretty much any trouser shape goes. Skinny, culotte, wide leg, sports luxe, tapered, cropped, cuffed. So how do you find a style that suits you and is going to last the test of time?

Firstly it is down to taste, what ever floats your boat and fits into your wardrobe seamlessly. In other words you can wear with lots of tops/shirts/knitwear you already own.

Secondly you have to take into account body and leg shape, and what suits you. For example I love skinnies in the winter with an oversized jumper and a masculine coat. But wearing them with a cropped top in the summer, makes me come out in cold sweats - it's just never going to happen!

So this summer I have been drawn to more looser, sports luxe styles and been obsessing over finding the right ones for me and my wardrobe. As I normally live in jeans all year round want these trousers to add something new into my wardrobe and even though I'm buying them in summer I want to be able to wear them in Winter too.

They create a very modern silhouette whilst being ridiculously comfortable and fit perfectly, but I can't guarantee that they will go with every top in your wardrobe. I have found that plain or stripe jersey tops are the best, shirts and in the winter I will pair with smart knitwear. You can't wear them with printed tops unless you want to clash with the stripe down the side or with sweaters, unless you want to look like you are going to the gym. Here is some style inspiration to check out and follow my pinterest board here - slacks 2016

Here is how I have styled my sports luxe trousers -

To shop for your own pair of sports luxe slacks, check out my top 5 picks of the high street right now -

Top 5 sports luxe trousers

1. Zara jogging trousers £25.99

2. Me + Em contrast piping trousers £129.00

3. Finery London contrast panel trousers £55.00

4. Topshop satin cuffless joggers £45.00

5.  Zara jogging trousers £25.99

Edits guide on how the look stylish at the gym

Now-a-days your gym wardrobe is a sport unto it's stylish self. Gone are the days where the gym was a haven of anonymity. You are more likely to bump into a friend-of-a-friend / old boss / school mum or ex-lover and how mortifying if you were wearing a sweat-stained tee & old running shorts! With so many different ways to keep fit such as running, biking, yoga and ballet out there, athletic gear has now become socially acceptable. So no more feeling guilty about spending money on fresh workout wardrobe, check out my gym-bag wish list...

1.  Shourouk Wimblee Swarovski crystal-embellished wristband £150

2. Adidas yoga seamless onesie £85

3. Nike pegasus 31 sneakers £94.97

4. Frends taylor headphones £117.18

5. Stella McCartney for addidas vinyl jacket £175

6. Liforme rubber yoga mat £100

7. Sweaty Betty salabasana ombre capri's £75