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Jeans. Everyone has them in their wardrobe but finding ‘the’ perfect pair is the Holy Grail of shopping.

The task is even trickier with the deluge of brand new denims on the block. The full spectrum of traditional blue isn’t going away anytime soon but a rainbow of new hues has widened the search.

“Have fun with your denim. The traditional five pocket jeans now come in a myriad of colours, patterns and fabrics. Just wear them with a simple white tee,” advises queen of denim Donna Ida Thornton (www.donnaida.com).

More than three quarters (76%) of women “love wearing denim” and the average woman owns 7.2 pairs of jeans, according to a recent survey by Yahoo Shine!

If you have space for one more pair in your denim drawer, spring is the time to be a little more experimental. So jump-start the new season in super-fresh jeans.

Shipwrecked chic

Don’t panic if you’ve worn your favourite jeans to death – you’re already one step ahead of the trend for lived-in, distressed denim.

The worn-out look is just the thing for a nonchalant take on denim that doesn’t look too try-hard.

“Cropped boyfriend styles have worn vintage abrasions, oversized rips and turn-ups for a relaxed and casual feel,” Thornton says. “If you look like you’ve worn them forever, you’ve nailed the trend.”

Go one step further with embroidered patches for a bespoke vintage, homespun feel.

Linear elegance

Skinny jeans have received a welcome update with the added feature of flattering lines. Hallelujah!

The contrast side panelled look is all about drawing the eye down the leg to create the illusion of supermodel pins.

“Add edge to your outfit with strong and confident lines that frame skinny jeans,” suggests Thornton.

“Pay tribute to Mondrian and work a monochrome look, or add bright shots for bold colour blocking.”

Two-tone blue jeans that feature a lighter front and a darker back also benefit from the same eye-tricking effects.

Sugary sweet

Inspired by the gastronomic feasts on The Great British Bake Off, pastels have taken pretty and pale to a whole new level.

“Candy-coloured cupcake shades of lemon, strawberry and peach are decorated with delicious sprinkles and marble patterns,” explains Thornton.

Keep the look super-calorific by layering your pastel denim with similar pastel shades, or go the opposite direction and pare down the prettiness with a contrasting rebellious black top.

Avoid flared, bootcut or baggy jeans and keep things prim ‘n’ proper with skinny or straight-legged jeans.

Abstract expressionism

Prints are no longer confined to dresses, tops and skirts. Colour-soaked creations have found their way onto denim too.

“Enter the studio, make like Jackson Pollock and get creative,” Thornton enthuses. “Experiment with jeans featuring bright paint splatters, ink blots and vibrant multi-colour stripes.”

If you’re more of a trouser fan, intricate geometrics, spot prints and laser-etched denim designs will be right up your street.

Ensure your keep your top half plain to let your loud jeans do all the shouting.

True blue

So you’re a traditionalist when it comes to denim? That’s nothing to be ashamed about – just lighten the tone for the spring/summer months and go easy on the grungy black and dark grey denim.

Thornton says: “There’s a return to traditional blue denim, from distressed light washes to the perfect mid-way blue all the way to delicious deep sea shades.

“Waves of watercolour range from turquoise to ocean-surf blue, deepened by hints of marine navy and accentuated by fresh pastel hues.”

The fit is down to you: high-waisted, skinny, straight or bootcut. As blue is the most versatile of denim hues, anything goes.

Fit tips

“All jeans are essentially the same – two legs, five pockets, but the magic is in the individual fit,” Thornton says.

She shares her top 10 steps to guaranteed figure flattery:

:: If jeans go on easily, go down a size. Kicking your way into the legs isn’t unusual.

:: When buying jeans with super stretch, look for good quality denim that has great memory. The ‘memory’ is how quickly the denim springs back after wear.

:: When buying super stretchy jeans, buy them firm but not overly tight. If you have ‘seam strain’ down the legs, they are possibly too tight and this could damage the stretch.

:: The waistband should be snug – if you can fit two fingers down the back that’s good, a whole hand is not.

:: A curved, or pieced waistband, is ideal. This will be slightly higher at the back than the front and will curve into your waist rather than sit straight up.

:: Apple-shaped girls should look for plenty of stretch in a straight leg and dark wash as they are the most flattering.

:: Pear-shaped or curvy ladies who like skinny jeans should look at high-waisted styles – it elongates the leg and slims down the hips.

:: Boyish shapes can wear most styles. Add some shape and interest with zips and details on back pockets.

:: Long legs look best in a mid to low rise to keep the waist at the right height, whereas petite girls look great in a high rise that accentuates the waist and elongates the legs.

:: Alterations can give you the perfect jeans. Think about adjusting the waistband or slimming the legs – small adjustments are not unusual.

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Do not adjust your sets. Your eyes are not deceiving you: the style world has decided to banish colour in favour of black and white this season.

The usual fanciful florals of spring have been left to wilt, pretty pastels are in the shade and bright colours in the bargain bucket.

Right now, black and white are the transition double act to ease you between seasons.

If you haven’t joined the monochrome movement yet, it’s one of the chicest and easiest trends to work for both everyday or eveningwear.

The versatility of monochrome means that there’s also a myriad of ways to wear it, from colour blocking to catwalk-inspired checkerboards.

Here’s how to be a black and white beauty.

Check mate

Forget looking cool, this spring is all about being unapologetically square.

Louis Vuitton’s catwalk was one big maths lesson in symmetry and geometry with model ‘twins’ simultaneously showcasing bold checks. Emphasising the chessboard design, the colour palette was naturally mono-toned.

Take minimalism to the max in uber-bold black and white square checks. Wallflowers may feel more comfortable in a significantly smaller houndstooth check.

Floaty shapes can sometimes work out but this geometric look is a far better style equation when teamed with structured, clean silhouettes.

Tick even more fashion boxes by doubling the impact with complementary black and white accessories.

Block buster

Black with white accents or white with black accents – it’s a simple but bold combination that works every time with colour blocking. The higher the concentration of white, the fresher your look will be for spring/summer.

No ready-made monochromatic pieces in your wardrobe? Create your own look simply by pairing black and white clothing together.

Contrasting separates is the simplest way to do this. Team your colours the right way around and you can expect instant figure flattery too. If you’re pear-shaped, for instance, stick to black bottoms and white tops and vice versa to balance out your body proportions.

Make your mono a little more subdued with accessories. Those with practically all-black wardrobes can simply inject a subtle flash of white with a two-tone bag or heels.

Sharp stripes

It was graphic prints galore on the catwalks, with modern lines in black and white leading the way.

This season’s modern stripes are big and bold, creating an almost nautical look – minus the navy, of course.

You don’t have to go the whole hog with a Beetlejuice-inspired suit, but stripy trousers or skinny jeans are a big statement if you dare.

A dress is a much more versatile piece but beware of the direction of your stripes. Aim to create curves with bold, horizontal stripes and minimise them with vertical, skinnier stripes.

If you’re wearing a voluminous dress or top, stick to vertical lines to avoid unflattering optical illusions.

Linear style looks best when streamlined, so keep your look unfussy and accessories to a minimum to let your stripes do the talking.

Spot luck

For a monochromatic ensemble that’s less sharp, more youthful, but just as statement-making, look to super-sized polka dots.

The trend may not have been ‘spotted’ as much on the spring/summer catwalks but the pop art print is in keeping with the Sixties vibe that designers adopted.

White spots on a black background is the most common colourway. To lighten up your look for summer, try switching things up with a black on white reversal.he trend may not have been ‘spotted’ as much on the spring/summer catwalks but the pop art print is in keeping with the Sixties vibe that designers adopted.

If spots feel too primary school for you, try a black and white leopard print for a print with extra bite.

Avoid the fashion equivalent of a measles epidemic by limiting your outfit to just one eye-catching accessory or piece of clothing.

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American singer Taylor Swift is in the process of writing a new song about her break-up from One Direction star Harry Styles, according to The Sun.

The singer, 23, who tried her hand at acting in Valentine’s Day, has previous for basing tracks on former boyfriends. Splits from John Mayer and Jake Gyllenhaal have been the source of inspiration in the past; now it is Harry’s turn.

Taylor stores memories of relationships in a vintage box, with a necklace made by Harry as a gift and photos of the Brit the latest additions to the trunk.

A source close to Taylor confirmed the Love Story and We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together singer is penning a new track about Harry.

“Her main source of material for the songs she’s written about her string of other famous ex-boyfriends comes from rooting around in a trunk where she hoards keepsakes of their relationships,” The Sun reported.

“Photos of Harry are now in there, along with a chain he had made for her when they got together last year which matches his own favourite necklace, of a paper plane.”

The celebrity couple broke up after a trip to the Caribbean and recently shunned each other at an awards ceremony in France.

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American actress Eva Longoria has reportedly filmed a raunchy new Valentine’s Day advert for L’Oreal Paris Men Expert, according to reports.

The global ambassador for the Paris-based beauty brand, 37, has featured in several advertising campaigns for the women’s beauty range since she was signed in 2005.

The Texan-born beauty has turned her attentions towards promoting L’Oreal products for men in the one-off television advert, which is due to air in the UK from today.

In the advert, viewers are asked what they want from their men this Valentine’s Day before the former Desperate Housewives star displays her steamy flirting skills.

“Want to get the best out of your man this Valentine’s?” they are asked, shortly followed by: “Let Eva Longoria show you how to flirt it out of him.”

Longoria then strikes several seductive poses for the camera while seducing a male model who she attempts to turn into a clean, shaved and moisturised heartthrob.

Flaunting her perfect body in a tight white dress, Longoria then provides a step-by-step guide for women to achieve the same results with their men using products from the L’Oreal Paris Men Expert range.

L’Oreal appear to have followed in the footsteps of fragrance firm Chanel No.5, who trail-blazed a male/female role reversal last year when Brad Pitt promoted a fragrance for women.

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Jessie J is set to lose her often brightly coloured locks, as she helps raise cash for Red Nose Day by having her head shaved.

The big hearted “Price Tag” singer, who is set to be shorn in front of a live BBC 1 audience on Friday, March 15, said: “Shaving my head for charity is something I’ve promised to do for a long time and Comic Relief has given me the opportunity to try and raise as much money as possible for good causes by doing it.”

Jessie also said that she has been a fan of the Red Nose Day campaign since childhood so this gave her an extra reason to look forward to the big day.

She admitted to feeling jittery about such a drastic hair style, but said she felt privileged to be taking part and appealed to the generosity of TV viewers to support the campaign and her new look.

One Direction are also backing Comic Relief by recording a special cover of the Blondie hit One Way Or Another as a Red Nose Day track.

The group, who impressed judges and viewers alike as contestants in the X Factor, will debut the song at February’s Brit Awards.

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When it comes to lingerie that’s made to be seen, Victoria’s Secret is anything but under wraps.

The brand recently unveiled their £1.6 million Floral Fantasy bra, flaunted on the catwalk by their ‘Angel’ Alessandra Ambrosio and hand-set with amethysts, sapphires, rubies and white, pink, and yellow diamonds – all set in 18 carat rose and yellow gold.

Luckily, you don’t need to rob a bank to look a million dollars in the bedroom on Valentine’s night.

Find the right bra and fit for you and it will not only bestow some va-va voom in the bust department but could help improve your posture, making you look taller and leaner too.

Whether you’re feeling sweet or sultry on February 14, lingerie can cater to your every mood.

“Every woman wants to feel great about herself and the right lingerie can do just that,” says Amanda Lorenzani, co-founder of Fox & Rose lingerie.

“Fifty Shades Of Grey has certainly generated demand for more adventurous lingerie sets, but the line between sexy and sordid is very fine.”

Time to find your perfect match.

Glamour puss

Make a statement in the bedroom with a dark, dominating look. If you like one colour, stick to seductive classic black, or try a big cat print if you’re feeling wild.

A sheer, embroidered mesh will keep things more subtle than a padded bra if you favour patterns.

Lace is the fabric that’s made for a seductress. If you feel too exposed, try a demi cup bra that’s half sumptuous silk and offset with sultry lace.

Forget visions of Bridget Jones big pants and think Brigitte Bardot instead. While shapewear has proved a godsend for helping create a streamlined hourglass silhouette in clothes, it’s tended to be far too unflattering to reveal what’s underneath! But these days it can be alluring too – look for silky pieces that contour the body but feature mesh or lace panelling.

Girly pretty

Feminine florals are in full bloom for spring so transfer the catwalk trend to your lingerie drawer.

Think English rose or Japanese cherry blossom rather than tropical blooms for guaranteed elegance.

Offset cuteness overload by opting for seductive shapes or a surprise colourway, such as grey or blue accented with a contrasting floral embroidery.

For the ultimate in girliness, try silk lingerie in pretty pastel or nude hues. Get the fit and cut just right and the simplicity will be breathtaking.

Romantic rose

Embrace the glamour of past eras with vintage-inspired styling. French-style high-waisted knickers and corset-inspired bras will accentuate your assets, without losing the sexy factor.

For something daintier, look for demure, soft pieces that lack obviousness in ethereal tones. Ornate embroidery and delicate straps are the details to covet.

If skimpy sets aren’t your thing, cover up in a slinky kimono wrap or chemise set and let his imagination run riot as to what lies beneath.

Sexy siren

Pull out all the stops with plunging necklines, racy cuts and bold colours.

To channel your inner vixen, you can’t beat lipstick red. Just make sure it’s a tone that suits your colouring to achieve a flattering effect.

For the ultimate in underwear indulgence, kit yourself out with a matching set consisting of bra, thong and suspenders to get pulses racing.

Cutaway and peekaboo lines are made to shock. They may be relatively understated from one side but rather more revealing on the reverse.

Shopping S.O.S

Buying lingerie as a gift can be a logistical nightmare for guys, but not if you do your homework.

“For many men, lingerie is a confusing and intimidating world, but it’s crucial they make the right choices if they want smiles rather than slaps on Valentine’s Day!” Fox & Rose’s Amanda Lorenzani says.

Here are her tips for navigating the minefield of buying smalls:

:: Take an all-important sneaky peak in her underwear draw and find out her correct sizes by looking at the labels.

:: Be taste sensitive to gain serious brownie points. What style of knickers does she normally wear? Does she like thongs, short-style briefs or classic lace knickers?

:: If she’s not a fan of racy red, don’t try and tempt her out of her comfort zone. If she’s feminine, go for one of the stunning nude or pale lingerie sets and show her you pay attention.

:: Most women enjoy receiving beautiful underwear they wouldn’t necessarily buy themselves. Be bold and go for something versatile and different. For example, try a flowing yet sexy babydoll paired with a thong for a luxuriously sensual look.

:: If in doubt about her size and style preferences, choose a beautiful silk robe.

:: Ask for help. Whether you’re buying in store or online. Most retailers enjoy helping out their male customers so don’t feel embarrassed – they are there to help you pick the perfect gift.

:: Avoid at all costs: crotchless knickers, edible lingerie, leather, PVC or fishnets, whichrank as the most unpopular gifts.

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Victoria Beckham is not known for having down-to-earth tastes but a London fish and chip shop got a surprise when the former Spice Girls star popped in for a takeout.

The celebrity-turned-designer, who is living in Britain again after a stint in LA, went into the chippy accompanied by her seven-year-old son Cruz, according to the Sun.

The star still cut a stylish figure on the takeaway run, wearing long boots and a pair of shades as she went in search of fried treats for the Beckham clan.

Her football star hubby David Beckham, who has left the LA Galaxy team after six years with the club, has also been spotted enjoying home comforts on his return to more familiar surroundings – at his favourite pub in south west London

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Pop sensation Rihanna has revealed that her fashion sense comes straight from UK style.

February’s London Fashion Week will see the Diamonds singer unveil her debut collection with River Island, described as an “edgy” yet “chic” range.

In an exclusive behind-the-scenes video on the retailer’s website, Rihanna said: “The British high street has the most fashionable kids and people. They just have so much fashion and the high end designers are inspired by these kids.

“We want to be ahead of the new trend and having something inspirational, new fashion. So I thought, why not go to the source?

“The collection will have a range of different moods and items. It’s casual, it’s chic, it’s flirty.”

Designed by the fashion icon herself, the collection will include pieces to suit all body types.

Rihanna admitted she has wanted her own clothing range for years, and has already created her own perfume too.

She added: “This has been something I wanted to do ever since I started loving fashion. I’ve wanted to design my own fashion range for a very long time.

“I am passionate about it. Every time I saw something on the back, I wanted to change it and I thought the only way to do that is to design the perfect thing for me. This is my way of doing that.”

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