Alexia Aslanidis

Since spring last year, matching sets have taken the fashion and retail industry by storm. Remember when you where little and your mum dressed you up in cutesy printed two-piece matching sets? Flashback! Well minus the mum dressing you part or maybe she still does (it's none of my business what you chose to do with your life).

MATCHING SETS ON THE RUNWAY

From retro crop-tops to over sized sleeved shirts and a full pant or short, this trend has blown up on the runway and in many designer collections. It's very playful, you can have fun with colours, prints and textures ranging from thick brocades to breezy silks, perfect for summering in Belize or just lounging around. Not to mention it makes it a lot easier to decide what to wear!

Currently I have noticed the trend of jewelled necklaces both bib and long are not dying down, in fact if anything they are becoming more exaggerated. Layering  jewel tones with neons and crystals has become the 'more is more' motto for the season. Designers and and high street brands have you covered depending on what you want to spend. Some personal favourites of mine include lavish Lanvin and cool JCrew. Peruse through the likes of Asos and Topshop as they also do a lot of interesting pieces if your not willing to fork out over £1000 for such a loud piece. Accessories are the beacon of one's self expression and are luminous enough to make or break an outfit. Simple Tee and jeans with one of these baby's is a match made in heaven. Also screams 'Look at me, im just this effortlessly friggen fabulous'. Fashion should look like a happy accident not an over styled mess, check yourself before you wreck yourself ladies. So back to the bibs, jewel tones and pastels have seem to be the mainstream tones used in the majority, I for one am not such a fan of the pastels. I say if you are going for it, go for it hard and go the deep earthy reds, blues and greens. Matching ones eye colour to necklace can work nicely if say your brown eyed, choose an emerald hue to make them pop. Clear crystals are also beautiful paired with white or black, simplicity at it's finest. One thing to mention is to be careful with not overdoing this, don't wear any other jewellery if you are doing a statement neck otherwise you will risk the chance of looking like a. you have tried too hard and b. a christmas tree. The bauble theme is only appropriate hanging on your tree in December and is not the most fetching of looks!