Would you wear these? Anna Sui's Paillette-embellished shorts

Slightly reminiscent of Kylie's lame hot pants in her Spinning Around video (which I swore I would never attempt), these Anna Sui sequin shorts might have me changing my tune after I spotted them in Net-a-Porter's new lineup this week. They made me rivert back to this silver sequin skirt I saw on Knight Cat and think how they'd be just as perfect with flat ankle boots, a vest top and mussed-up hair at a rock gig as with black opaques and a sleek blazer (as styled above) for a swish evening out.

How about you? What do you think of them? And more importantly: would you wear them!?

Bauer to continue POP but will drop spring '09 issue

With much doubt surrounding the future of POP after Katie Grand announced her defection to Condé Nast, publishers Bauer have reaffirmed their commitment to the magazine. However, without a new editor at the helm, the company has admitted it will drop its spring 2009 issue next year.

"It is inevitable a new editor will bring a new vision to the brand, but we are not prepared - nor under any pressure - to rush out an interim issue for the sake of it," said a Bauer spokeswoman. "We would rather invest time in relaunching in the fall 2009 with a magazine that will create a real difference to the fashion industry."

Meanwhile, Grand's last issue of POP, a 20th anniversary special starring Drew Barrymore (above, right), is about to hit the stands on 18th November.

"Katie and her team have been utterly professional in producing a fantastic 20th anniversary issue, but now we want to move on to appointing a new editor for the next chapter of the POP story," the spokeswoman added.

"POP was, is, and will continue to be, a valuable member of our portfolio and we are really excited about what the future holds for the brand. The new era of POP launches fall 2009."

Katie Grand leaves POP to launch a new fashion title, Love, for Condé Nast. The first issue is due to be launched at the end of February.

[Source]

Pick of the Blogs: Urban Outfitters, dole chic and Divine Brown

I spotted Susie Bubble's dress in Urban Outfitters, great minds think alike! Or fools seldom differ, I can never remember which. [Style Bubble]

Divine is Glamourai's Halloween-spiration, which is an idea I might have to steal. [The Glamourai]

Dole queue fashion, if I only I had looked this good when collecting my JSA... [Kingdom of Style]

Are you discerner or a non-discerner? Per Una boss George Davies gives his recession predictions. [Disney Rollergirl]

Isabel has a pretty selection of black and white photos to bring some cheer to your Monday. [Hipster Musings]

X Factor goes designer with Alexandra in Alexander (McQueen)

I confess, I've been completely swept up in the X Factor hype this year, and have been avidly watching the styling in particular. For Saturday night's Big Band show we had everything from 20s Topshop flapper dresses to custom-made Jessica Rabbit red gowns, but it was Alexandra Burke's nautical themed 'Candyman' performance that surprised me the most. X Factor is known for using a lot of high street clothing, but Alex was actually wearing customised Alexander McQueen. The £990 dress from Matches was chopped short and embellished with gold rope trim on the shoulders and pockets. That's almost a grand's worth of designer fashion, altered in the name of entertainment. It's a good thing she got through to the next round...

Marks & Spencer crowned the UK's most animal friendly retailer

In these environmental and animal-preserving times, being crowned the UK's most animal friendly retailer is surely a string worth adding to your bow. Marks & Spencer has been awarded that title at the RSPCA Good Business Awards.

It is the fourth year in a row that M&S have won the award, which begs the question - what are other major retailers really doing to push its animal friendly policies?

Yorkshire-based retailer, Izzy Lane, took home the gong for best small fashion retailer. They were praised for their commitment to to animal welfare, including launching its own sheep sanctuary.

"Izzy Lane shows how a passion for animals can equal a truly luxurious and cutting edge fashion label, whilst Marks & Spencer continues to prove that sustainability and sales can go hand in hand on the high street," said fashion judge, Wayne Hemingway.

Meet LaDress and their perfectly fitting frocks

Simone van Trojen and I share a simple philosophy. Life is better in a dress. As the creator of LaDress, Simone aims to bring women the perfect does-it-all frock, which judging by the current collection, owes a lot to the legacy of Diane Von Furstenberg. There are three main silhouettes on offer; a button down, knee length dress with a wide collar and long sleeves, a classic wrap with quite a full skirt, and a funkier, shorter tunic with a cinched waist. The dresses are then available in all kinds of fabrics, from polka dot silks to bright coloured crepes, resulting in a much larger collection than you'd imagine...

work out your measurements from the size chart (sizes are from XXS - XXL, which are approx UK 6 -18) and you're done. All the dresses are cut to the same size measurements so once you know your fit, you should be able to order any style in any fabric and be ensured the same fit. Top these with a petticoat or a sash scarf, and you're good to go.

Prices start at £179 for the lycra jersey option, so this is not a bargain brand, but you'll get the benefits of boutique shopping (it's delivered in a handcrafted box, with easy returns) which might sway you a bit? Sadly, I don't think the model's Brigitte Bardot hair and sultry eye makeup come as standard, but I'm desperate to try them out too!

Gwyneth Paltrow shares her style secrets via GOOP

In addition to clearing her closet for charity, Gwyneth Paltrow is sharing her style secrets via her new lifestyle website, GOOP. In her latest newsletter, the actress says: "I used to spend a lot of time looking at fashion, reading about fashion, generally being bemused by fashion. Then one day I had children and it all kind of went out the window. For a few years I was basically in sweatpants and I didn't mind it."

So what's the key to her signature style? Basics. "black leggings, [a] gray tank, and house slippers," she says. And when you just "throw on [a] sweater dress over the leggings and tank, add boots". To sign up for the GOOP newsletter click here.

Outfit Pick: Boohoo's budget £5 dress

I suppose we'll all be tightening our belts, both metaphorically and literally if the economy continues to freefall like the papers would have us believe. So, in the spirit of economy I've found a £5 dress from Boohoo to make up a cheap but chic outfit.Teamed with dollar earrings and a pair of quirky sale shoes it proves you don't have to break the bank to look good. Don't bother with pleather on a budget, nylon is much more stylish as the ruche handle bag proves and you can treat yourself to a pair of fancy lace leggings. Top it all off with a cute flower ring and you're laughing all the way to the bank, pub or go forbid, shopping centre.

Denim bubble dress, Boohoo: reduced to £5.

Pagan lace legging, Topshop: £18.

Black ruched bag, Dorothy Perkins: £25.

Elizavella piano charm earrings, Etsy: $1.

Yippeevintage flower ring, Etsy: $8.

Kalgarve lace-ups, Faith: £25.

The Best of Fashion Week: Kelly's accessories picks

Following on from Gemma's picks yesterday of her favourite bits and pieces from the recent Spring / Summer collections, being The Bag Lady that I am, today I bring you my favourite trends and creations within the world of accessories. From lush leather handbags to gorgeous gloves - and of course, more hats and hair accessories than you can shake a stick at - these are some of the standouts from New York, London, Milan and Paris.

Pixie Geldof collaborates with Katherine Hamnett to stop illegal trafficking

Pixie Geldof is lending her face to a new campaign to raise awareness of illegal human trafficking. The model has teamed up with Katherine Hamnett to draw attention to this worldwide problem by promoting a slogan t-shirt designed by Hamnett. "Every year 2.5 million people are trafficked globally, and many women my age and younger are forced into the sex trade. It's time we open our eyes to the situation. This is real and it has to stop!" Pixie said.

The t-shirt launches on the 14th October ahead of EU Anti-trafficking Day (18th October). Available for £20 a pop, these limited edition t-shirts will be available at London's Museum in The Docklands next Saturday, on behalf of Odanadi UK.