The idea that certain colours are exclusively for one gender is a stereotype that has dwindled over time. Fashion is increasingly embracing a more inclusive view, where we can all express ourselves through any colour we choose, including pink.
Ice- T
I know that some of my male readers might not concur, but MEN IN PINK is now a big look for 2025.
LL Cool J
The evolution of male fashion has possibly been the most significant transformation of recent years. Long gone are the days when a man’s masculinity is identified in fashion by dark colours and rough textures. Today, everyone from rappers, actors, wrestlers – and tough guy Boxers – are rocking the pink trend. Long gone is the notion of masculinity being questioned if a man is ever seen wearing pink. Times are a changing and the lines have been redrawn.
Pharell
Celebrities to have embraced the pink craze include athletes Lebron James and Cristiano Ronaldo. Other celebrities such as singer Pharrel, NFL star Tim Tebow and actors Taye Diggs, Ice-T, and Terry Cruise have all made fashion statements wearing pink.
Lebron James
So, forget Barbie Pink being for women only,
The pink Gucci blazer for men has become a best-seller this year and it’s still only April. Brad Pitt, Daniel Craig, Idris Elba, Seth Rogen and Donald Glover all love wearing pink.
Donald Glover
Harry Styles was definitely a pioneer too.
As for us girls – pink might make the boys wink. But the boys will also be wearing it.
‘The backless skirt’ trend is happening right now.
Who is the designer owning this cult look? Phoebe Philo – who is the ultimate style flex icon – but THIS one creation from the designer’s forthcoming collection would give even the most daring fashionista pause for thought. From the front, the straight-cut, black maxi skirt looks relatively normal, but from the back, however, it’s a different and altogether cheekier story.
It’s basically a backless skirt. Straightforward workwear this is not. One doubts whether, even in the most relaxed office, a flash of buttock is ever appropriate for a morning meeting. It’s not yet known how much the skirt will cost when it goes on sale, but given Philo’s ultra-wealthy clientele, the price can reasonably be expected to reach four figures. Those who can afford it don’t really have to walk anywhere, and probably don’t work in an office, so it’s a bit of a joke to be honest.
Before you dismiss the skirt as completely unwearable, it’s worth bearing in mind that Philo is known to be light years ahead of the pack when it comes to setting trends. It was she who first put white trainers with a Tea Dress on the fashion map, when – as creative director at Celine – she wore a pair of Adidas Stan Smiths with a floral frock.
And she’s not the only one to be designing with focus on the derrière. On the catwalk, Diesel and DSquared2 recently showed trousers so low-cut, they reminded us of the infamous Alexander McQueen “bumsters” of 1993.
Elsewhere, the (only slightly less revealing) sheer skirt which softly skims the body (and affords varying degrees of bottom visibility) has reigned supreme at Valentino, Givenchy and Chloé recent shows.
The idea is to wear a flesh or black coloured skirt – think ‘a pair of opaque tights in the form of a skirt’ worn over a pair of big knickers as a trend. Worn with a shirt, blazer and heels, this is again meant to be taken seriously as ‘office wear’.
Sheer Skirts at Zara
Sexy secretary yes, but isn’t this going backwards rather than forwards? And what if you don’t have legs like Elle McPhearson? Pointless fashion if you ask me.
A common misconception about fashion is that you need to be wearing a fresh-off-the-catwalk trend or a pair of shoes that the internet has deemed to be “hot right now” in order to be considered fashionable. But in truth, great style is actually about recognising a more subtle change in the temperature of fashion’s front room.
Enter, then, the white T-shirt “crescent”, the latest barely-there style poised to take your look from ordinary to on-trend this spring. I say poised — chances are you’re already a experienced in the art of layering a white T-shirt under your chosen crewneck knit and leaving just enough (crescent-shaped) tee on display so your look might be considered “a bit fashion”.
Ridiculous Fashion ‘hack’
The white tee under a jumper is taking the look from twee and conservative.
And if you thought the above was a very simple fashion concept (and boring) – then check this out – the new cult hair accessory adored by the cool crowd.
The Simple Black Head Band
At last, a fashion accessory equally fit for the high street or for the runways of Paris that we can all afford. And it’s the quickest and cheapest way to update your look. A black stretchy headband, available in a £3 multipack of three from Boots or Superdrug, is the latest must-have item for spring.
So, no — you don’t need the latest “It” bag to fit in with the cool crowd. Simply pop along to the toiletries aisle and pick up a headband. You may already have one in your bathroom cupboard. Perhaps you use it to soak up the sweat as you exercise in the gym. I have a few – I’ll admit.
On the front row of recent fashion shows it has been elevated to must-have status. Right now, it’s what all the hip girls are using to polish off their appearance. For most of us, the band is a quick fix on bad hair days. But there is much more potential than that.
In fashion, it is 2025’s most affordable trend, and right now, a cheap black headband is as much an indicator of style as any luxury bag or shoe. Dolce & Gabbana recently styled all their models in simple black headbands.
Of the cheaper high street brands, a Claire’s Accessories buyer says multi basics black heads bands, priced £4.50 for a pack of three, and £6 “flat wide” models are massively popular. So, don’t say I’m not saving you a quid or two this season!
Welcome to this week’s instalment of Amanda Zips It Up.
It sounds random, but in this issue we start off with news about the world’s richest and most fashionable CAT… (not mine I hasten to add), owned by the late legendary German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. We’re talking Chopette, the blue-cream tortie-Birman moggie, who inherited $1.5 million when Karl passed away in 2019 at the age of 85.
The logistics of leaving loads of cash to a pet is a grey area in France, where Choupette resides in her own Parisian penthouse overlooking the Arc De Triomphe.
Karl could have left all his money to a caretaker or a non-profit foundation who would care for Choupette , but he didn’t. Choupette got the lot and it’s not known exactly how the feline will spend her inheritance.
It turns out that it has become increasingly popular for the ultra-wealthy to leave behind their millions to their pets.
Choupette is now richer than most people on the planet. She eats out of designer bowls, her diet mainly consisting of Kibble – the world’s most expensive catfood – and sleeps in the softest of beds – all whilst gazing at the Paris skyline..
If she has to travel, she’s held in a Louis Vuitton Cat Carrier and flies on private jets ONLY. Most recently, she was flown to the exclusive MET GALA fashion event in NYC but opted for a nap throughout – although the event referenced her presence many times. Actor Jared Leto even dressed as Choupette.
I won’t get involved further with the legalities of wealth inheritance, suffice to say I’m not that interested (even where cats are involved). But what fascinated me this week was a story about the former Editor of French Vogue Carine Roitfeld, who claims Choupette ‘attacked her’ – perhaps in search of some kind of legal payout, following on from Kim Kardashian. Kim wanted to take Choupette to The Met Gala as her date (perhaps on a “rebound date” following her divorce from Kanye West) but Choupette took a clawed swipe at her, and the media reports that Kim is claiming millions of dollars in damages. Kim says she just ‘wanted to get to know the cat’ but Choupette simply wasn’t interested. There was a lot of ‘hissing’ involved.
Whilst Karl was alive, he tried to investigate the possibility of ‘marrying’ his beloved pet but unfortunately French law doesn’t allow it.
Is Topshop returning, and what could that look like in 2025?
The former high-street giant posted a series of cryptic messages to its social media this week.
In news that many hoped for – including me- something I never thought would come following Philip Green’s disp, clothing brand Topshop teased what many took as its return to the high street with a cryptic Instagram post yesterday.
The retailer, which is currently only stocked on ASOS, posted three videos on its social media with the text ‘We missed you too’, also spelling out ‘We’ve been listening’ across the three separate video captions.
The series of messages sent Topshop fans into a frenzy, with thousands commenting in anticipation of the stores return to the high street and news outlets speculating its next move.
Kate Moss celebrating her Topshop delight…
An institution of the British high-street fanbase.
It’s been five years since Topshop disappeared from British high streets after falling into administration with the rest of the Arcadia group, leaving a substantial hole and serving as a stark symbol of the decline of physical retail. ASOS acquired the brand in 2021 for £265 million, encompassing it into its huge e-tail offering, but many of those who spent their formative years perusing Topshop stores were left wanting.
In September last year, ASOS sold a huge 75 per cent stake of Topshop to Danish firm Heartland for £135 million, opening the possibility of a change in approach for the retailer. Earlier this month, a website for Topshop.com reappeared (although currently it only features a holding page), perhaps signalling a wider revival of the brand, but the company has yet to confirm any plans.
We’ll be updating this piece with any further updates on Topshop’s possible high street return.
Ever scrolled through Michelle Keegan’s Instagram and thought, ‘I need that outfit’? Well, your wish just came true. Keegan’s highly anticipated Very Spring/Summer 2025 collection is here, and trust us, it’s going to fly off the site. Following a sneak peek, the actress has unveiled a 35-piece line that’s a masterclass in chic spring style: think sleek tailoring, show-stopping dresses, and outerwear that’s perfect for every occasion, from those first sunny days to high summer. And with Mother’s Day this Sunday (30th March) the launch feels even more special as Keegan recently gave birth to her first child.
Whether you’re hunting for the perfect spring wedding outfit, need a workwear refresh, or just want something to boost your everyday style, Keegan has you covered. The collection is live now and we’ve rounded up our favourite picks below. Don’t wait too long, though – these pieces are bound to be in high demand.
Bingo is making a comeback – and it’s largely thanks to under 35s.
Millennials and Gen Z are flocking to a new take on an old pastime, where karaoke, cheap drinks and Dirty Dancing make for raucous good fun alongside the number calling.
Every weekend in London and across the UK, queues for the bar are snaking across local bingo halls. 20-something women gyrate on stage having a dance-off over a themed Grease vs Dirty Dancing competition, followed by Prosecco Bingo .
But it’s not a complete break from bingo tradition. Number calls like ‘legs 11” and “87, I’ve never been to Devon, “33, I need a wee” still exist and the crowd goes wild. However, “Two fat ladies” (88) is banned.
Yes, bingo has had a millennial makeover. Rank Group, owner of Mecca Bingo, which has 52 venues across the UK, said 44 per cent of its new customers in the year to June were under 35 years old. The group returned to profitability last year. And Buzz Bingo, which operates 82 clubs, said around half of its 200,000 new visitors in the year to January were under 35 years old.
Gen Z – those born between 1997 and 2012 – have been heavily drawn into the fold. They get dressed up for a fun night out, wearing silky black shirts, enormous hoop earrings and inflatable crowns (prizes from a previous round). The prizes generally aren’t money, instead being silly fun stuff like a giant blow-up microphone or a life sized photo of David Hasselhoff.
The bar’s cheaper than regular pubs and clubs and to many the bingo is a bonus. At one bingo hall a pint is £4.30, a large glass of wine £5.
Not long ago, bingo seemed to be in terminal decline. The smoking ban in 2007 was a challenge, but its downward trajectory grew steeper with Covid. 75 bingo clubs have shut their doors in Britain since 2020, due to a combination of the pandemic and the spike in energy prices that followed.
Bingo’s renaissance amongst young people is partly down to concepts such as Bongos Bingo, a “a crazy mix of traditional bingo, dance-offs [and] rave intervals,” which started in Liverpool but now has nearly 50 locations worldwide. I know of one in Mallorca! Even my husband has DJd at a few bingo dance-offs.
Bingo fits in with the rise of “activity bars” in cities including London, Manchester, Liverpool and Bristol, that offer games alongside food and drinks. Now you can play darts, ping-pong and crazy golf, or even get to grips with axe-throwing, shuffleboard or a simulated clay pigeon as you enjoy your pint or cocktail.
As we came out of Covid, people were looking for ‘experiential’ evenings, and many Gen Z-ers are choosing to drink less alcohol than previous generations, or to forgo it entirely, and bingo is one example of “experiential leisure” that works booze-free – I suppose.
Welcome to this weeks instalment of Amanda Zips It Up.
Welcome to Amanda Zips It Up and Spring is in the air…
Let’s kick off with an outrageous bit of fashion news – as we love all things quirky and a bit off the wall here at Zips It Up.
Introducing the Balenciaga Tape Bracelet which looks exactly like… a roll of sellotape. The clear packing tape-inspired bracelet was launched last week at Paris Fashion week. We all know that high-end fashion brands have a habit of coming up with ‘unique’ ideas for their products, but this one sounds like an early April Fool’s joke.
It features the brand’s logo and comes in with an almost unbelievable price tag of $4,000 US. And yes – it’s sold out. Let the pictures speak for themselves… TikTok has gone mad for it… what do you think?
Moving on. Now whether you’re into horse racing, placing a bet or two or wearing a big hat to the Cotswolds, it’s a massive occasion to get dressed up, boozed up and possibly win or lose on the Gee Gees.
Yes, Mid-March holds one of the biggest events of the year – The Cheltenham Festival. That’s a mass horse jumping and racing competition if you didn’t know.
Although it holds no real interest for me whatsoever, we did go once to see our friend Frankie Dettori ride a few years ago and I loved the dressing up, the pompous regulations and general atmosphere of the occasion.
It was a Top-Hat & Tails affair, with Ladies celebrating their own day by donning hats taller than some of the jockeys themselves. Our late Queen was always a regular. Suffice to say, it was a ‘posh’ affair.
But in 2025, it’s all change.
The numbers of spectators have dwindled – according to the Cheltenham officials. But where are they all going? In a word…
Benidorm.
The British tourism boom – specifically to Benidorms’s New Town – which dates back to the mass growth of high-rise buildings some half a century ago gave the city its spurious “New York of the Mediterranean” nickname.
These days, close to a million Britons are estimated to visit annually, with four days in early March taking on ever greater importance. Barely a decade ago, Cheltenham festival week passed by largely unnoticed until a groundswell movement began in Benidorm. It’s now almost bigger than the event itself.
While Cheltenham’s new chief executive, Guy Lavender, grapples with falling attendances – in the build-up to jump racing’s showpiece event he confirmed “we are expecting fewer racegoers to be joining us in person this week” – those in charge of the multitude of Benidorm’s bars, pubs and hotels revel in what has become, for many, the most lucrative date on the calendar.
Going to the actual festival is just too expensive now and too busy, and you can barely see a horse up-close anymore and certainly can’t see the finish.
It’s now all about Benidorm It’s warm, friendly and clean. It doesn’t matter what age you are, this is the place to be.
There’s sunshine, nice weather, cheap beer and all races from Cheltenham are shown on big screens everywhere, what more could you want?
And what about that “Ladies Day”?
The concept of a day for women to show off their best looks at the races is said to date back to Queen Victoria wearing a hat at Royal Ascot in the 1830s.
The tradition has continued for many years, including at Cheltenham Festival, where the second day has long been referred to as Ladies Day.
Previously, Ladies Day was reserved for women to don designer and high-fashion brands, with some planning their outfits months in advance, along with A-list celebrities and high-profile racegoers showcasing their most picture-worthy outfits.
However, in recent years, the iconic day has undergone a transformation.
But in 2025, for the second year in a row, the ‘Ladies’ day’ will officially be known as ‘Style Wednesday’ instead.
The dress code was relaxed back in 2023, as organisers looked to be more ‘inclusive’ and help spectators feel ‘confident and at ease’.
Horse racing has always been a sport enjoyed by people from all different backgrounds, so has to be accessible and inclusive. That being said, high fashion is often on the agenda for attendees, with many using the event as an opportunity to showcase statement outfits.
But despite the new, more relaxed dress code, many still embrace the traditional race day fashion, with elaborate hats and fascinators.
On “Style Wednesday”, racegoers will embrace both sustainability and glamour by donning vintage and borrowed items.
The shift to Style Wednesday was a move towards promoting a more sustainable and inclusive view of fashion, as was the scrapping of the “best-dressed” awards.
Organisers now hope to encourage racegoers to ‘make more sustainable fashion choices’ while they showcase their ‘unique and personal style’.
Historically, while there is no official dress code for the Cheltenham Festival, attendees were expected to dress smartly.
Idris dresses down for Cheltenham
Men typically wore suits, and women smart dresses, with jeans and trainers generally avoided. But that’s all changed. Nikes are allowed.
I for one think this is a great move for 2025. It still means the likes of Danny Dyer and Gemma Collins will be in the stands drinking champagne in the stands at 11am – that is probably one tradition that will never change, either in Cheltenham or Benidorm.
As Amanda Zips It Up, I spend a healthy portion of my time sorting through press releases, trolling shops and trying and testing things at home in order to work out what — small and large — is actually worth your money when it comes to someone as important as a loved one, this time meaning our Mothers.
The big day is on Sunday the 30th March, so here’s your two-week gift guide warning for if and when you can do something for that woman who bought you into the world. Everything in this guide has been either tested by me or someone I know.
Best overall Mother’s Day gifts
If we’re talking the big picture, it’s important to remember that what your mum probably wants most of all is to a) to spend time with you (and any grandkids), and b) feel like you appreciate her with a gift she’ll love.
As a mother myself, I just want to curl up on the sofa with our kids watching TV with my husband, so you don’t need to buy something to achieve either of these things: in fact, it’s more important for you to book in to visit her.
On the day, I’m taking my mum out for her favourite Thai lunch along with her favourite yellow roses… That being said, it’s also nice to gift her with a little something special to make her day, so this guide will help with the appreciation part of things if you’ve been thoughtful enough to buy her something you think she’ll really like. Here are some of your best options on that front.
It’s time for the Onesie to move over now it’s Spring.
This one goes out to my co-presenter on Mi-Soul Radio Ronnie Herel as I know he loves snuggly bit of sofa-wear.
This weekend we ‘celebrated ‘World Sleep Day’ (yes, there is such a thing) last Friday March 14, just over two weeks before the clocks go back on March 30th. We will be dreaming of an undisturbed night sleep for the summer – as long as we black out those windows.
I bought you the ‘Oodie Onseie’ for those winter nights… many of you loved them, including Ronnie. They kept us warm and cosy.
But the temperatures are about to chop and change.
The Oodie Hooded Onesie
There are a number of factors that can contribute to a poor night’s sleep, from your sleep environment to your diet, and excessive caffeine intake, as well as your bedding and nightwear.
I have tried various sleep aids – believe me, but thankfully, Oodie is pulling out all the stops to help combat our sleepless nights.
The brand, which is best known for its plush Oodie Hoodie, is set to launch a new temperature regulating pyjama collection, which I predict will be a sell-out success to rival the signature loungewear staple.
Oodie has a pyjama collection already, but the line is expanding to include temperature regulating designs, which is simply genius iN MY books. AND NOT JUST FOR A WOMAN OF A CERTAIN AGE.
Whether you struggle to sleep in the summer when the heatwave hits, are going through the menopause, or maybe you’re just a human hot water bottle when you’re snuggled up in your duvet, these pj’s will be your saving grace.
The collection will feature both warming and cooling nightwear options, both designed to regulate your body temperature to a comfortable degree.
These will keep you warm and cool
The Cooling Range has been specifically designed for hot sleepers, and to wear in the warmer months.
The Cooling Range pjs have been crafted from ultra-breathable modal blend, which has been made from beech trees. This fabric is not only soft against the body, which prevents any irritating fabrics from waking you up mid-snooze, but it is moisture-wicking to pull sweat away from the body. This is a key feature, as there is nothing worse than overheating, laying in your own damp pyjamas, only for the body to cool down – as it does when the body sweats – and be left shivering cold.
Oodie’s pyjamas collection will also include the Warming Range, which helps those who feel the cold at night and can’t settle without being toasty in bed.
This collection has been designed from brushed bamboo blend, which offers the desired insulation, but are also temperature regulating too. This fabric is also said to be twice as warm as traditional cotton pyjamas, boasts antibacterial properties and is odour resistant.
Oodie has stayed true to its style with the new designs as they come in bold and playful prints, though we expect nothing less from the Australian brand.
The nightwear will be available in five prints, which include a cloud pattern inspired by the bestselling Oodie Original, as well as heart candy, ditsy and checker print, as well as a tie dye version. But, you can mix and match your prints too.
Oodie’s temperature regulating pyjamas are available in short sleeve pyjama tops, and shorts, as well as long sleeve tops and long length pyjama trousers with a wide leg and cuffed ankle. Quite frankly, we want one of each to see us through every season.
The price ranges from £39 for the tops and £45 for the bottoms, which makes a total of £84 for one complete set.
We predict Oodie’s upcoming drop will sell out fast, so bookmark the date in your diary, set a reminder, and get ready to add to basket.
