Fashion Week starts this weekend, and while the industry looks to next season, us mere mortals are dealing with fallout of this season’s impending trends.  Like most people no doubt (even some pretty sceptical sounding fashion journalists) we balked in the office at the notion that spring/summer trends dictate the bare midriff is back in style … the suggestion produces a considerably greater shudder given that it was disseminated amongst the masses at exactly the same time as the snow began to fall outside.

Perhaps a sign of no longer being a teenager, the very thought sent chilly shudders down our spines and at the risk of sounding out of Vogue it spurred deep concerns about the effects fashion can have on our health … physical and psychological … and starting with the offending crop top.

Midriff Madness: Oh dear, the very words are traumatic … unless you happen to have the body of Rosie Huntington Whitely and the confidence of an Olympic athlete in a parent’s race.   Any health problems related to a bare midriff are restricted to the psychological (unless we are talking about getting cold, in which case a spa treatment cannot help you – you need a coat). The smell of Jasmine is said to give a sense of optimism and restored confidence – so perhaps an aromatherapy massage is in order – why not try K West Hotel and Spa, who have a particularly popular Aromatherapy Massage … might be worth seeing if they will put together a tea to match as well if you are anything like us (shudders at desk despite rising office
temperatures).

Toe Tantrums: There was an article recently that pointed out that women suffer more from cold feet than men (no great surprise there).  There were lots of reasons for this – more evenly distributed fat layers providing internal insulation but neglecting their extremities and a greater likelihood of suffering from a deficiency in iron needed to transport oxygen around the blood ranking amongst them.  Perhaps a more basic reason might point the accusatory finger at the impracticalities of clothing however – after all, we are used to great sacrifice in order to look good, and the refusal of the peep-toe boot to limit its presence to ‘one-season-wonder’ surely has to shoulder some of the blame.  Why on Mother Nature’s climate-variable green earth would you choose to wear a shoe that is temperature suited to no time of year whatsoever?  It isn’t as though toe-cleavage is particularly attractive anyway! … I digress … the point is, that to keep toes warm a serious boost in circulation is necessary – so a pedicure complete with massage at the likes of Eastwell Manor should help you along the way … plus, before putting your pedal digits on display you should really ensure that they are pretty to look at!

Sky High: High heels are not so much a fashion trend as a fashion staple – year in, year out they will prevail because frankly they make your legs look longer and your walk that much sexier.  Nonetheless, despite knowing heels wreak havoc on our joints, spines and poor, long suffering feet women as a collective entity are unlikely to shun their stilettos anytime soon (why would you, they are just so pretty), so it stands to reason that a little relief should be afforded, and reflexology paying great attention to the feet but known for its targeted effect on the rest of the body is a pretty good place to start.  We suggest you try Grayshott Spa Hotel.

Yellow Fever:  The only thing that goes with lurid yellow is a tan.  And once again, while this is a trend that will undoubtedly be glowing (neon from the sounds of things) come August, in February the very thought is daunting.  Suffice to say a little bronzing could be in order, but safety first girls and boys – you’ve heard it before and we’ll say it again, look after your skin and fake it … even the fashion industry has banned sunbeds from catwalk preparations this year – the Amida Spa at The Chelsea Harbour Club offers an Aromatherapy Associates intensive nourishment scrub with their SuDo spray tan … that should insure you against any giveaway streaks and patches.