There may be no Glastonbury this year, but the summer of 2012 has still been packed with festivals, from the Edinburgh Fringe to a host of family-friendly local events. Needless to say, if you’re attending one of these events you’d better come prepared for whatever the British weather can throw at you! Fortunately, here at Freemans we’ve got you covered with some fabulous new items in our women’s coats, jackets and boots collections.

There’s a tendency in fashion to be overly faithful to the concept of less is more – especially when it comes to evening dresses. Plunging necklines and bare backs can indeed be the height of glamour, but not everyone has the confidence to bare all, and adopting a more demure approach can be a great way to create a classic, old-school look.

Style expert Susie Faux defined a capsule wardrobe as the art of quality over quantity. “”A woman only needs two pairs of trousers”, she says, “but they have to fit perfectly.” The essence of the capsule wardrobe is creating a small core collection of attractive, versatile clothes that can be worn in a number of different ways. Perfect for planning out your week in advance, or for doing some style spring cleaning, but even better for cutting down on your packing stress before a holiday.

With the Olympic Games just days away, being a sports fan has never been more on-trend! Whether you’re a dedicated amateur athlete or just hoping to revisit those long-forgotten New Year’s resolutions about taking up jogging, some stylish sportswear makes a great functional addition to any wardrobe – and few brands produce better or more iconic outdoor wear than Adidas.

Yes, yes, we know; what with the constant rain it doesn’t even feel like we’ve had a proper summer yet. We still live in hope that July and August will usher in a better-late-than-never sunny stretch. But fashion, like time, waits for no man – and we’re extremely excited to be launching our Autumn-Winter collection this month. We’ve got hundreds of gorgeous new ladies fashion items for you to check out, from evening dresses and occasion wear to women’s tops and casual wear, all in stylish late-season hues. Here’s our pick of the crop…

Earlier this year we launched a competition to find the perfect Freemans family, to celebrate our long heritage and to help launch our Autumn-Winter 2012 collection. With over 38 years and three generations of shopping with us, the Bayliss family were exactly what we were looking for!

Husky voiced chanteuse Lana Del Rey has become one of the true breakout stars of 2012 thanks to her haunting tunes and cool retro style. Her live performances may occasionally leave a little to be desired, but she never hits a bum note in the fashion stakes. Here’s our guide to emulating her distinctive look.

Colour coding is a fundamental part of how we perceive the world. From traffic lights and warning signs to emotional states and political leanings, we associate a colour with practically everything we do that requires some kind of distinction, and fashion is no exception. The colour you wear and the way you wear it makes an instant statement about who you are. So it’s worth giving some consideration when picking a new outfit. Here are just a few of the many ways in which you can use colour to make the right impression.

There’s something classically elegant about a one-shoulder evening dress. They show enough skin to let you feel glamorous and feminine, but because of the way they sit on the chest, the neckline is actually usually a bit higher than a standard two-shoulder dress – so they won’t look or feel too revealing. They’ve been a staple of the Hollywood red carpet since time immemorial, and they’re the perfect style for a formal event like a wedding or a romantic meal with the one you love.

When it comes to summer casuals – even in the current monsoon season – shorter trousers make a nice change from full-length jeans and allow you to play around with a variety of different looks. But how short should you go? Cropped women’s trousers and shorts both have specific benefits, but they can also easily go wrong. However, you can avoid a fashion disaster by following a few simple rules.