Back to School at Glasgow Fort!
By the award-winning Tommy McEwan, Glasgow Fort Fashion Expert

Not before long those summer nights will turn into school days, so hurry down to Glasgow Fort to pick up some top of the class bargains that won’t break the bank!

Scotland’s only Asda Living has some A-grade bargains such as two packs of school shirts for only £2.50, two packs of polo shirts for £2 and V-neck knitwear from only £3 each. School trousers in assorted colours are available from only £3 each, with pleated skirts from only £2.50. Asda Living also do gym shoes at only £1.50 per pair, with PE kits from £4 and school jackets from only £6, which are ideal to see your little ones through the term.

If you want to keep your fashion-savvy teenagers and purse happy, then head to Logo and New Look at Glasgow Fort that is spot-on with this autumn’s trends. Logo has trendy shirts from £14, tank tops now only £10 each, trousers £17 and shirts with ruffle detail from only £13, so what’s stopping you?

New Look has a great offer on at the moment with a free pencil case with purchases from their back to school ranges. For primary school girls they have school shirts from £5, skirts from £8 and trousers with trendy belts from only £10. For older school girls they have ruffle shirts from £18, shoes from £15 and fashionable school dresses from £25.

Sphere at Glasgow Fort also has a selection of school wear, with skirts and pinafore dresses, prices starting from £20.

Whether you're at college, school or on a course, now's the time to pick up a bargain or two at Hobbycraft with half price offers on a range of back to study products in store now, such as acrylic paints from as little as £3.90 each, drawing kits now only £14.99, watercolour sets only £19.99 and half-price easel sets only £19.99.

If you want to treat your little darlings to a brand new top of the range PC, then look no further than Argos where you can save money on the Acer Aspire 1610 Tower Desktop PC and X193W Monitor, was £399.99 now only £369.99, perfect to keep them quiet with their homework.

And don’t forget to head to Borders at Glasgow Fort for all the books they will ever need from study guides, revision aids and all the latest fiction titles and classic reads.

All items are available from Glasgow Fort Shopping Park

Stripe a pose
By the award-winning Tommy McEwan, Glasgow Fort Fashion Expert

Stripes – you either love them or loathe them depending on your body shape. But the good news is that whether nature blessed you with a wasp-like waist or killer curves, vertical or horizontal stripes can work wonders in creating that perfect figure.

As seen on the likes of socialite Paris Hilton, Li-Lo, Joss Stone and most recently Cheryl Cole at the start of this week, sexy stripy numbers are all the rage. For those gutsy glamorous girls out there, show off what God gave you and flash your flesh in rainbow coloured striped dresses, tops, even accessories. Also, with the summer holidays fast approaching, a brightly coloured bikini and flip flops looks fantastic with gorgeous glowing skin and is guaranteed to catch the eye of some admirers.

For those who prefer to not stand out from the crowd too much, pastel coloured or two toned stripes are ideal. A flowing smock top or blazer looks fantastic with white jeans or trousers, while a colourful handbag is a great way of being bang on trend without going overboard.

But beware. Horizontal lines give the illusion of curves, which is perfect for those with boyish or slim frames, whereas vertical ones add length which is great for creating a few extra inches in height without the need for four inch wedges or heels.”

Where to buy:

Sizzling Summer Sales at Glasgow Fort!
By the award-winning Tommy McEwan, Glasgow Fort Fashion Expert

The credit crunch and grey skies may forecast seasonal doom and gloom for Scotland this summer, so why not brighten your day with a summer bargain or two? Most of the stores on the high street have started their sales early this year and to the delight of all the reductions are more aggressive than ever before, with anything from 30% to 70% off.

Dresses are everywhere - a classic stylish black dress in Principles is reduced from £59 to £19, a pretty prom dress with organza tipping has 50% off, whereas floral dresses are reduced to £15 in Dorothy Perkins – all perfect for summer weddings.

Hot pink and tangerines are the key colours and can be found in kaftans and tie dye tops. Wallis has some beautiful tunics and kaftans reduced to £20 from £40 - again a great offer -and can be worn with smart crops from Principles (half price at £19.50), finished off with the must have wedge from £12 at Dorothy Perkins.

The 50’s feel is still strong and will continue throughout the autumn/winter, so fashionistas should inject some 50s style skirts into their wardrobe. Team with pretty ballerina shoes and swap to boots when the leaves on the trees start turning red and gold. The best examples of such skirts are from Oasis and should ideally be worn with a simple cardigan cinched in at the waist

Bespoke tailoring will always be on trend. Wallis has a stunning half price cream suit with the jacket costing £25, the trousers at £20, and if you want to finish it as a three piece, the waistcoat is £14.50. Where else can you get a bargain like that?!

No outfit is complete without jewellery, so it’s good news that H.Samuel has slashed prices on its collections with Diesel and Fossil watches reduced from £125 to £99, and a host of gorgeous designer jewellery with 50% off. And Beaverbrooks has reduced a selection of its designer goodies - all with at least 30% off.

Stores with 70% off sale stock are Principles, Wallis, Evans and Dorothy Perkins.
Stores with 50% off are Zara, Warehouse, Oasis, New Look and Gravity.
Stores with 30% off are Scott, Sphere and Beaverbrooks.
Top Shop and River Island go into sale over the next couple of weeks.

Next go into sale on 19th July.

All stores at Glasgow Fort Shopping Park

Corporate Chic!
By the award-winning Tommy McEwan, Glasgow Fort Fashion Expert

The weather forecast may be as gloomy as the economic climate at the moment, but that doesn’t mean you should forsake on style this summer. Genteel and feminine meets high-powered in classy with the long-awaited return of sharp, crisp suiting with bespoke tailored touches. Think of Melanie Griffith in Working Girl (minus the shoulder pads) and combine your career ambition with a passion for fashion.

The mood is masculine meets feminine and it’s all about showing a flash of flesh. Fitted jackets are teamed with wide leg trousers, or the indispensable pencil skirt is worn with the prettiest blouses, crisp cotton shirts or chiffon shell tops.

Sheer blouses or ruffled blouses worn with wide-legged trousers hark back to the era of Katharine Hepburn. Georgette tops worn over wide leg trousers and tied at the empire line create an equally smart look and is more forgiving than tucking into the top of trousers.

As always the waist is what it’s all about for those who can carry it off. Brightly coloured belts can add the finishing touch to any look. Compliment mannish pieces with girlie prints – spots, daisies and pin dots, colours are ink blue and charcoal and contrasted with very light peach, nudes and all shades of grey.

For an equally smart look for work that you can take to cocktail hour think ‘City Safari’. 50’s style skirts are a must with key colours being mink, chartreuse, cream and the must have dark chocolate, worn with shell tops again but in softer more vintage style fabrics. The safari look is more city smart than Kenyan safari: the shoulders are neater and waists are tighter giving a sexy yet classy look.

Many stores like Principles, Wallis, and Zara are solving the problem of linen crushing by going for linen mix of viscose and linen meaning that your outfit will feel as fresh in the evening as it did first thing; essential for any career girl in the city.

Where to buy: Zara, Principles, Next, Dorothy Perkins, Oasis, Wallis

Fancy a cocktail?
By the award-winning Tommy McEwan, Glasgow Fort fashion expert

Now that Sex and the City fever is well and truly upon us, it’s time to play homage to the sassy foursome and indulge in a few cocktail rings. Handbags have been given the heave ho and gorgeous bling rings have taken centre stage.

The new darling accessories are the hottest trend this season and have already been spotted on stylish celebs, such as Angelina Jolie, Cate Blanchett, Christina Aguilera and Princess Beatrice, who wore a knuckle-duster purple flower recently when she partied in Boujis nightclub.

With every colour under the sun to choose from; purples, violets, greens are teals are definitely the hottest hues for fashionistas to don on their fingers, as are butterfly and flower motifs.

But don’t just restrict to wearing them in the evening - cocktail rings look great during the day and work for the office, to shopping and having lunch with the girls. The rule of thumb is to wear no more than one at a time as they are very much eye-catching and statement pieces.

Where to buy:
Top Shop, Miss Selfridge, River Island, Principles and Dorothy Perkins at Glasgow Fort have an array of cocktail rings...