Cream was always going to be a big hit for this year after the big fat British Royal Wedding (and the most recent episode of Gossip Girl), but it’s not as if us girls can prance down Ousegate on a Wednesday night in our best Vera Wang. I’ve been scouring the streets lately for the best SS12 picks the York shopping scene has to offer, and here’s what I have found…
I’m crazy about the super-cute Audrey dress by Jones and Jones for its flattering shape and versatility – dress it up with a blazer and heels, and wear it to lectures the next morning with your leather jacket and biker boots. ASOS do a similar skater-skirt lace dress for £40, making it a little more Ziggys-friendly. 
Biker-chic is set to continue throughout spring, and I’m a big fan of the contrast it adds to cute pastel and lace-print. If you’re late on the trend (like me) and looking for a fairly basic jacket then visit Zara or Topshop, but if you’re willing to go the extra mile for the real thing I’d recommend either fishing round some of York’s trendier-looking charity shops – if I can find vintage Lanvin, you can find leather – or forking out £165 for Oasis’ Biker Jacket. I love layers, which is why the All Saints Pirate cardigan (£80) is a long-time favourite of mine; wear it loose on its own indoors, then tie it up for a little extra-warmth underneath your jacket.
Pastel-lovers will be pleased to note Office’s SS12 collection – try their ‘Jade’ shoe (£68) for dressing up bare legs at night. If (like me) you’re not up to braving the bare yet then Topshop has cute ankle boots for under tights, or check Kurt Geiger out at the designer outlet for super-chic on a super-low budget. Throw your UGGs away for daytime girls because it’s time for grown-up boots; leather boots are the way forward this season so, whether biker or Barbour, get a pair on!
I’m a self-confessed handbag fanatic – I’d sell my soul for a Birkin without a second thought – so I’m desperate to get my hands on a camera bag for this season. Mulberry re-introduced the functional piece just before Christmas with two camera bags; the Carter camera bag, and the more-traditional Postman’s Lock Camera Bag. Similar boxy styles have appeared in Michael by Michael Kors (available in Fenwick) and up and down the high street; if you’re into something a little sleeker for your night out then Accessorize have a selection of gorgeous patent clutches for around £25.
Lads can look forward to minimal spending this season, given that this Spring for men is mainly about swapping your Sherpa-lined hoodie for a chunky knit and plain shirt. Cable-knit is just about the sexiest thing you can be wearing at the moment, and All Saints have some quirky cardigans that will go over (and under) almost anything from your winter-wardrobe. I like Whitby (£95) and Coast (£110) as they’re well-fitted to being worn loose or buttoned-up, and they look great with chinos and a casual Henley. T-shirts are still making statements but in a different way to last year’s crazy graphic prints – SS12 t-shirts feature flag themes, stripes and text.