Welcome to June. I simply can’t believe we are half way through the year already. And I’ve spent most of it on the sofa watching Netflix.

BUT – it looks like the lockdown is finally being lifted, in baby steps of course. Best news for my other half is football returning, and he couldn’t be happier.

Although, as a season ticket holder Gooner, he can’t yet physically see his team (Arsenal) play – it’ll initially be behind closed doors. But they’ll be on TV soon, plus next season in their new kit – which I have to say – is awful!

Arsenal’s new 2020-21 away kit has been leaked online, with a blood-splattered pattern that looks like someone’s been mauled by a rabid dog. The usual “Fly Emirates” logo has also been altered, with the company name now accompanied by the slogan ‘Fly Better’ underneath.

But the most shocking part of the kit is a number of elongated red marks slashed across the shirt, which resembles less the marble halls of Highbury and more a Halloween costume. It’s as if Freddy Kruger has been let loose in the changing rooms.

In other news, in the UK we are now allowed out with 6 friends for picnics, which is what I’ll be doing for my birthday later this month. Many of us have gained lockdown weight, and we all know that alcohol is “a second on the lips, a lifetime on the hips”. So, you can imagine my joy when this week I was sent two beautiful bottles of “light” Prosecco and sparkling Rose from the ‘Think Wine Group’.

They have spent almost 2 years creating a light 100% vegan and organic prosecco and sparkling wine with reduced calories and reduced sugar without any compromise on taste, and with personal delivery to your front door. All with pretty bottle shapes and cool logo. Thoroughly recommended – check them out:

www.thinkwinegroup.co.uk

Onto this week’s instalment, and we discover the top twenty most iconic garments from the past 50 years, reveal the protective suits that we could be wearing for future clubbing, and as Ibiza opens its doors to tourism again, there’s a brand-new beach club on offer, from the people behind O Beach and Hotel Wiki-Woo.

Most iconic fashion items from the past 50 years 

Obviously, like me, some of you haven’t been alive for 50 years, but as the saying goes – “Fashion goes full circle”.  We often see trends from decades past rearing their heads again. From the little black dress to the Leather Biker Jacket, some items have stuck, refused to age and have remained timeless.

A recent poll revealed the top 50 all-time most iconic items that we have invested in and cherished since 1970. I have decided to filter these down to a personal top 20 – I wonder how many of the following you have in your wardrobes, or alternatively HAD at some point in your lives?

 I have had pretty much EVERYTHING you see here.

Here are the 20 most iconic style items from the last half a century.

1. The mini skirt

2. Levi’s 501s

3. Dr. Martens

4. Denim jacket

5. Knee high boots

6. Pencil skirt

7. Maxi dress

8. Skinny jeans

9. Black leather biker jacket

10. Bell bottom jeans / Flares

11. Stone-wash jeans

12. Wedges

13. Parka

14. Boot-cut jeans

15. Black stilettos

16. Little black dress

17. The shift dress

18. A classic trench coat

19. Uggs

20.  White T-shirt

Air filtration, integrated speakers, and alcoholic drinks canisters – could this be the new way to go clubbing post lockdown? Looks frightening, doesn’t it?

When it comes to social distancing, clubbing must rank among the most difficult to maintain. Crowded dancefloors, queues for the loos and getting very close to strangers. The simple answer would be to not go, but we all know that will never be the case. 

An American design studio has come up with a very modern solution. The MICRASHELL is a virus-shielding, hazmat-inspired costume meant to protect party-goers from Covid-19.

Somewhere between beekeeper and space marine, the suit comes with a vibrant colour scheme and light-up strips to help ease into the nightclub aesthetic. The suit is top-only, so revellers can slip it on over normal clothes and visit the bathroom without needing to fully disrobe.

A host of integrated features ensure wearers are still supplied with all the essentials – oxygen, music and alcohol. A set of speakers in the helmet can stream directly from the DJ’s sound system, or pick up room noise with embedded microphones, while a contact speaker in the back can physically transmit bass frequencies onto the user’s body.

Disposable canisters supply drink and vape from a magnetic snap-in slot near the neck, delivered to the mouth through a pair of nozzles, with a light to indicate how much of each remains. When they want to talk to each other, wearers can patch into each other’s helmets with a walkie-talkie-style communication link, or use a variety of proximity and privacy settings to talk only with your nearest or dearest. All functions can be controlled via an app on your smartphone – safely stowed in a pouch on the arm – including a front-facing camera which can capture point-of-view photos and video.

 Just don’t expect to stand out in the crowd or think you could meet the love of your life on the dancefloor. There won’t be many eyes meeting across the dancefloor but it does mean we don’t need to buy a new outfit, get our hair done or wear make-up.

So, there it is, the future of clubbing. 

Maybe.

The White Isle’s newest opening is a surfing paradise and luxury beach club with a “family” vibe, located on the bay of San Antonio. Although right next door to the rather banging O Beach, this new alternative is perfect for grown up cosmopolitan clubbers with kids, seeking a calmer Ibiza experience.

Welcome to Bam-Bu-Ku, an exciting new addition to the San Antonio landscape that’s set to open on 19^th June to the media, and tourists from 23^rd June 2020.

Here’s a taste of what the family-friendly beach club will look like – and it’s as luxurious as you’d expect from the team behind the hugely successful O Beach.

I spoke to Tony Truman about the new project and he’s UBER excited about the new venture. I asked him if he was concerned about the recent pandemic and the effect on tourism but he oozed confidence that this will be a success over the coming seasons.  I for one will be taking the family there, as soon as we can get over to Ibiza.

Inside this tropical paradise, huge comfortable sun beds offer a stylish spot to soak up the rays, with chic bars and terraces providing drinks or bites to eat, all overlooking the white sands and the Med.

What struck me was the gorgeous décor with colours of green, white and coral pink, all in keeping with their other venture, the stylish hotel Wiki-Woo, just around the bay.

The new beach club will also have a ‘Flow Rider Surf machine, perfect for keeping the kids happy and for a family-friendly atmosphere – a height restriction of 110 centimetres applies.

The restaurant has a South American flavour and there will also be ‘Fam-Bu-Ku’ Sunday brunches, sharing platters, unlimited food and drink options to suit all ages, plus entertainment and activities to keep kids happy, all with certified childcare provided, so that the adults can chill and get a much-needed massage.

The restaurant will open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and those who can’t bear to leave their lounger can make use of the bedside personal waiter service.

To pre-book beds, brunch and Flow Rider sessions, visit bambukuibiza.com.

Bed reservations start at €50 per bed, redeemable against food and drink purchases on the day. Fam-Bu-Ku Sunday brunch starts at €50 per adult. Children aged 3 – 17 are €30, and those aged two and under are free.

Welcome to the end of May. We’ve made it to Summer 2020, and it looks like the lockdown is gradually starting to lift.

Although there are very few fashion stories to discuss right now, the HUGE news is that UK clothes and shoe shops will open in a couple of weeks’ time, which would result in me being seen cartwheeling across Hampstead Heath.

But shopping isn’t going back to “normal”. We are about to embrace the “new normal” – not my favourite phrase, but an unfortunate reality. For example, this will entail queuing outside Zara. Once inside the shop, its viewing only – no touching the garments and putting them back. No “try before you buy” and no changing rooms available. And if you try on a pair of shoes (using plastic gloves) and don’t buy them, they have to go into quarantine for 24 hours. If you see something you like – you have to purchase it ASAP.

The best advice would appear to be selecting something you like online beforehand, and then grabbing it in the shop. Assuming they have it in stock.

Of course, this is all nonsense because a more practical, logical (and obvious) method would be to provide hand sanitizer at the door of every store. Or we simply stick to on-line shopping.

Of course, I want to support our High Streets before they disappear forever, but it’s not looking very promising if this impractical solution is the “new normal”.

Quite a few of us have gained some pounds during lockdown – well, I certainly have. Therefore, I would prefer to physically try on a dress in the changing rooms, like the good old days. But alas, that will now be against the rules.

So, let’s see what happens when our fashion stores open in June. It’s either going to be an interesting or a rather painful experience.

If you’ve achieved that difficult feat of unearthing anything other than Covid-19 news on the internet, you will have seen pictures of the singer Adele and her incredible weight loss transformation.

It is much-needed light relief to read about anything other than the pandemic.

Adele has indeed shed a lot of weight and is looking fantastic – not that she looked bad before – and who knew what a great pair of pins she had?

But what really caught my eye was the balloon sleeve dress she wore – a style that has exploded all over the world, in every online fashion emporium.

This is a great look if you want to make an instant impact. It’s dramatic, flattering and with a little nod to the 80s, we’re talking guaranteed glamour. Think Joan Collins in Dynasty.

Considering the enormous sleeves, my advice would be to keep the hemline short. Going maxi is simply too much and almost comical.

I would opt for plain colours, like black, white or red. However, if you are planning to buy a few ‘going out out’ dresses for that late summer holiday that’s looking increasingly possible (or a “lockdown lifted” party) then you could go “bold” in metallics or pretty in pastels.

I would avoid any jewellery or fussy hair with this look because it’s all about the balloon sleeves.

Here’s my pick of the best, on ASOS.COM – all in the sale and under £50.

If there’s a charity t-shirt you need this year, it’s this ‘Summer 2020 cancelled’ offering from Strawberries & Creem.

British music festival Strawberries & Creem launched a charity clothing line. Its Creem Clothing was scheduled to launch ahead of their 2020 festival.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sadly the festival had to be cancelled, having been expecting a record attendance of 22,000 on the 26th June. Acts such as Sean Paul, Raye, Mike Skinner and Artful Dodger were headlining.

With the music event cancelled, their clothing designs literally evaporated overnight. However, they have cleverly brought some light-hearted relief to an unfortunate situation by updating the images. The T Shirts now have ‘cancelled’ stamped over the top, so the slogan reads, ‘Summer 2020 Cancelled’. Accurately expressing how we all feel right now

The best thing about the newly launched brand will be the donation of £2 from every item sold to Age UK, to support their £10 million Coronavirus Fundraising Appeal. The work Age UK do with the elderly is more important than ever during these difficult times, being the hardest hit demographic during coronavirus.

The unisex collection includes a staple t-shirt and a cosy hoodie and sweater.

Minutes after Boris Johnson finished last Sunday night’s speech, informing the public of the latest coronavirus update, the T-shirt went viral, with meme accounts going online with mocked up images of Boris sporting the now sold out ‘ Summer 2020 cancelled’ tee.

T-shirt £29 Strawberries & Creem

Sweater £39 Strawberries & Creem

Hoodie £44 Strawberries & Creem

Nobody can deny that they’re missing the social side of life. And bars, pubs and restaurants will be the last to reopen post-lockdown, due to their social distancing difficulties. 

But guess who will be first in line to open, as early as July 4^th?

 Wetherspoons.  They have been hard at work upgrading their pubs so they are ready to reopen when lockdown rules are relaxed.

Now let me state the obvious – a Wetherspoons pub isn’t normally my first port of call for a big night out. But I don’t think many of us are going to complain about choice of get-together location, considering that we haven’t seen our friends in eons.

The pubs will be kitted out with screens, posters and floor markings when Wetherspoons reopens its 875 locations. Signs outside and on exterior doors will help staff communicate with customers regarding how they need to queue in order to stop a build-up of people. Tables have been spaced out and screens put up in between them, in order to allow customers to keep their distance. Stickers will be placed on furniture so that it’s not moved

There will be separate exits and entrances. Welcome signs will give further guidance to customers, including asking them to only visit pubs if they feel well. (As opposed to feeling unwell when they leave the pub, which has been happening since well before Covid-19).

Perspex screens have been fitted at tills and customers will be encouraged to pay using the Wetherspoons app, meaning they can get table service. Although, drinkers can still pay using cash if they want to.

Last week the chain also confirmed it would be offering a slightly reduced menu to help with social distancing measures. Bottles of condiments, including ketchup and mayonnaise, have been replaced with single-use sachets.

Wetherspoons plans to keep its opening hours the same.

Let the drinking commence.

If you’ve achieved that difficult feat of unearthing anything other than Covid-19 news on the internet, you will have seen pictures of the singer Adele and her incredible weight loss transformation.

It is much-needed light relief to read about anything other than the pandemic.

Adele has indeed shed a lot of weight and is looking fantastic – not that she looked bad before – and who knew what a great pair of pins she had?

But what really caught my eye was the balloon sleeve dress she wore – a style that has exploded all over the world, in every online fashion emporium.

This is a great look if you want to make an instant impact. It’s dramatic, flattering and with a little nod to the 80s, we’re talking guaranteed glamour. Think Joan Collins in Dynasty.

Considering the enormous sleeves, my advice would be to keep the hemline short. Going maxi is simply too much and almost comical.

I would opt for plain colours, like black, white or red. However, if you are planning to buy a few ‘going out out’ dresses for that late summer holiday that’s looking increasingly possible (or a “lockdown lifted” party) then you could go “bold” in metallics or pretty in pastels.

I would avoid any jewellery or fussy hair with this look because it’s all about the balloon sleeves.

Here’s my pick of the best, on ASOS.COM – all in the sale and under £50.

Greetings from planet Earth. And welcome back to Amanda Zips It Up.

I’ve temporarily had to go fortnightly, because under current circumstances there really isn’t much happening to report upon in the world of fashion. But I’m sure it won’t be much longer before we’re back on beat.

Am I the only person who’s going to crack open a bottle of Moet the day Zara re-opens its doors?

I know this has been a tough time for so many people, but we are past the peak and it looks like we will be reunited with our family and friends (and possibly even enjoy a very late Balearic holiday) relatively soon.

In the meantime, it’s a Bank Holiday weekend and the sun will be shining. The beaches are starting to fill up, BBQ smoke fills the air and we’re all keeping our sanity in-tact with the various live streamed DJ sets each weekend.

Maybe it’s time to start considering a late summer wardrobe and my favourite fashion boutique here in the UK, LEFT BANK SIX have a sale on all beautiful Balearic boho garms and accessories. Visit the Left Bank Six Facebook page or Nicole Ivison Hatch’s page to see what’s up for grabs.

In this issue, we check out the top 10 best-selling CELEBRITY underwear brands – and you’ll be pleased to see who is number one,  tell you about the MISSGUIDED T-Shirt everyone needs to buy and bring you an interview with one of the UK’s longest standing and most successful female DJs – LISA LOUD.