This month's must-have trend
The British summertime may have been a little hit-and-miss on the weather front, but at least we've had plenty of beautiful butterflies to keep us company during the gloomier times. What's more, they look set to stick around throughout the winter.
We're not talking about real butterflies, of course. We're referring to the butterfly patterns, prints and designs that have taken the catwalk and high street by storm over recent months. From pretty printed dresses to dainty jewellery, they've been spotted just about everywhere - and provided the perfect partner to this season's must-have florals.
Want some examples? New Look have set our hearts fluttering by showcasing two-trends-in-one with their pink dip-dye butterfly vest (£12; www.newlook.co.uk). Wear it with jeans and bangles on sunny days - or underneath a denim jacket when the weather's not so nice. Or for a similar pinky and perky look, check out www.moretvicar.com for their special edition butterfly T-shirt (£22). Gorgeous!
We also absolutely adore New Look's belted butterfly top (£22): it's just about long enough to wear on its own as a dress if you're feeling daring! For full-on frocks, check out Karen Millen (www.karenmillen.co.uk) for their stunningly romantic off-the-shoulder black and white butterfly print dresses (£140).
Beyond tops and frocks, however, there are plenty of butterfly-embellished accessories around at the moment. Check out Accessorize (www.accessorize.co.uk) and Mikey (www.mikeyjewellery.com) for cute earrings and brooches; try Exclusive Roots for pretty handmade African shoulder-bags (£12; www.exclusiveroots.com); or store all your make-up must-haves in one of Elegant Touch's new butterfly cosmetic bags (from £3.39; www.originaladditions.co.uk).
Needless to say, celebrity fashionistas have been getting in a flap about butterflies too, many of them finding innovative ways to work the trend to the max. Sarah Jessica Parker's headline-grabbing hat at the Sex and the City premiere was adorned with huge Red Admirals; Princess Beatrice wore a butterfly-emblazoned Philip Treacy headpiece to her cousin's wedding; and Paris Hilton has been spotted partying in a super-cute butterfly-print dress by Catherine Malandrino. How utterly charming!
