As another summer rolls around, so does a music-packed, mud-splattered season of festivals for us all to enjoy. British festivals are renowned for two things: Unpredictable weather and wellies!

Though the first does often add to the fun, it has an impact on the outfits that we had already planned for Leeds and Isle of Wight. Choosing the right footwear is always a hard decision, and many things need to be considered: comfort; practicality, and of course style.

For us girls, the last is definitely the most important, as festivals are a time for us to truly express our personal style without having to hold back. If you were too afraid to wear those neon sandals out of the door last week, now is the perfect time to step out onto the field with confidence and seriously cool steeze.

To help you decide which shoes to style the rest of your outfit with this summer, here’s a rundown of five on-trend footwear choices for the festival season.

 Go Edgy With The Flatform

A new trend for 2012, the flatform keeps popping up everywhere, and for good reason! Without adding any extra discomfort, the flatform gives height and improves posture, and even better – they look so on-trend with almost everything!

The flatform is very much a statement shoe, especially if you go super high, but you can bring down their gregarious aesthetics by opting for a flatform or  high-top sneakers.

High-top flatforms are getting snapped on a deluge of celebrities at the moment, so these are a great choice for comfort as well as style. Team your flatforms with a bright bodycon skirt and relaxed, grungy sweater. Pile on the accessories and you’re good to party  throughout the night.

♥ $65.00 Nasty Gal

 Go Boho With The Ankle Boot

This season, the ankle boot is still very much on trend. To bring it up to speed with 2012, opt for a flat, fringed style. Minnetonka do a great range of boho ankle boots and moccasins that are perfect for all festivals, especially Gottwood and Secret Garden Party which both have a slightly boho, hippy vibe.

Team your fringed ankle boots with a printed maxi dress for serious boho brownie points, or opt for a floral summer dress if you prefer your outfits to have a feminine, girly tone. Not so practical if the heavens decide to open thanks to their suede finish, but let’s just cross our fingers for a dry weekend!

♥ $155.00 Nasty Gal

Go Punk With Creepers

Creepers have become somewhat of a fashion statement this year. Once worn in the 70′s and 80′s by the likes of Bananarama, Carl Perkins and Elvis Presley, now they are worn by the likes of Rita Ora, Rihanna and Fearne Cotton.

Their chunky sole likens them to the flatform trainers, but with a suede finish and often a print, they have been translated from the Blue Suede Shoes of the 50′s into an edgy choice with a punk twist for 2012. They are going to be a popular choice for this season’s festivals thanks to their height and versatility – creepers look great with jeans, skirts and shorts.

♥ $58.00 Asos

 Go Girly With Sandals

Sandals are a great option for the European festivals like Benicassim, where sunshine is pretty much guaranteed! For the UK, sandals can sometimes feel like a regretted choice if the sky decided to pour down.

Choose sandals if you’re guaranteed dry weather, as they’re a practical choice if you prefer flat shoes. They’re a great choice to add femininity, especially if the rest of your outfit is on the more masculine side. Choose jeans, a pretty top and a leather jacket for a girly outfit with an edge, or go all out with floral prints and girly colours.

 Go Traditional With Wellies

Wellies (rain boots) are synonymous with British festivals, and Hunter wellies are by far the most popular choice of brand when it comes to this practical choice of footwear. The only style you’ll need if the weather forecast looks wet and grey, you can truly make wellies a style statement of their own with the right outfit. Choose a pretty, fun playsuit to balance out the practicality factor.

♥ Hunter Wellies: $125

So there you go! Five different choices of footwear for your chosen festival this summer. Which ones are you going to choose?

About The Author: Zoe is a professional fashion blogger with a penchant for festival style. She is currently writing for heritage handbag and footwear brand  Jane Shilton.

The post Festival Footwear For The Fashion-Forward Girl appeared first on Broke and Chic.

Way back when, studs and anything skull related were meant for the rebels living on the other side of the tracks and the disobedient teenagers of the 80′s. Well, in 2012 they’re elegantly meant for the office! How do you make studs office friendly you ask? Studded collars on elegant sheer tops. Now, collars have been popular since last summer, but mixing that fun trend with avante-garde studs creates one memorable piece of clothing.

Studs

Studs were seen all over the runway both last year and this year with sophisticated fashion houses including Valentino and Givenchy dousing their models with studded wallets, heels and jackets, but at a hefty price.

Finally, these tops are no longer off-limits for those who can’t afford the runway looks. Score your own sheer top with a studded collar for under $100 at many fine retailers including Topshop, Necessary Clothing and Zara!

Only $73.85 at Topshop

Only $48.00 at ASOS.com

Only $78.28 at ASOS.com

Only $59.00 at Urban Outfitters

Only $69.23 at ASOS.com

Don’t you just love rockin’ runway trends that don’t break the bank? Us too!

Tibetan Prayer Bracelets

Now for the skulls, “skull” is by no means a foreign word to the fashion industry. Back in 2007, skulls were worn by celebs young and old in the form of sheer scarfs. They quietly died down shortly after 2008. However, skulls have yet again found their way into our wardrobes, this time in our jewelry boxes in the form of Tibetan prayer beads.

$10.00 each at Paris Heroin Stars

I started noticing them at street venders all around Soho and Chinatown in early winter but didn’t think twice. On a recent shopping trip to the Converse store, I noticed hundreds of them in all different colors by the register and was in awe. I really liked them. Since that day last weekend I’ve noticed them on almost every wrist of those everyone would deem fashionable.

The hundreds of Tibetan prayer beads at the Converse store in Soho.

What are they?

Originating from Tibet, these beads help users contemplate the meaning of life and death during meditation. The skull is meant to help the mediator reflect on death and impermanence, and know that death is a fact, and that the closer that we can relate to death and embrace it, the sooner we can start living with love and compassion. A lot more meaningful than your typical summer trend.

What are your thoughts on Tibetan prayer bracelets and classy studded collars? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Skulls & Studs: Two Trends That Will Take Over Summer 2012 appeared first on Broke and Chic.