The fashion season has well and truly hit Bristol and this weekend is the turn of Cabot Circus to show us what we should be wearing this Spring. And Spring has well and truly sprung as shoppers crowed into the sunlit centre of Cabot - with a ceiling of blue skies lighting up the bright white catwalk outside House of Fraser.
After the success of their anniversary catwalk show in September, the fashionable brains at Cabot enlisted the help of stylist Ricky Partner to create the two shows that will rotate across the next two days, while choreographer Vicki Jackson ensured the models had the necessary moves to wow the crowds.
With scenes such as 'floral', 'mid America' and 'Italian Riviera' there were many trends to get through to what perhaps could have been one hour long show was split into two shorter segments, advertised as Show A and Show B. My stylish stallholder chum Amy accompanied me to Show A and we were treated to the best nautical, floral and boho chic looks from the likes of Ted Baker, A Wear, Urban Outfitters and River Island.
Men, women and kids were catered for, as were the diverse clientele of shoppers. I'm a bit of a sucker for the nautical trend which ticked all the boxes but I was pleasantly surprised at the 'Boho Chic' scene from Urban Outfitters, New Look and Dorothy Perkins. I was expecting the maxi skirts and off-shoulder tops circa 2004 but this new take on Sienna Miller's favourite fallback was refreshingly modern, with plenty of denim and boyfriend blazers thrown in for good measure.
The 'Mid America' and denim scenes were rather bland and could have benefited from more diversity and accessories but the geek chic scene was spot on, with heavy, black rimmed glasses and nervous, awkward expressions to compliment the buttoned up shirts and prim blouses.
This season Cabot Circus have gone for quality over quantity and while merging both shows might have been a little too long for the average shopper, it would have been great to see more trends per show without having to come back at a later time. However this did give us the opportunity to explore more of the offers and talks within the 'fashion and beauty playground' in neighbouring Quakers Friars.
If you want to be part of the action then head down today or tomorrow for catwalk shows, competitions and talks - all for free! For more info and show times, click
here.
Nautical but nice: models show of their moves in this season's cream and navy combo
The men were kept in the loop with the 'Mid America' look from Guess, Republic and Urban Outfitters
Bold colours and patterns characterise the floral trend, courtesy of Monsoon and Ted Baker
Clear blue skies provide the perfect accompaniment to the florals scene
Urban Outfitters show how to do the new 'Boho Chic' with cut-off denim, floral prints and leather ankle boots
Models get the double denim treatment from Zara, Next, Reiss and Dorothy Perkins
Peaches and cream: 'Beauty and the Geek' for guys and girls. Accessorise with heavy black rimmed glasses
Ted Baker, Fred Perry and A Wear tackle geek chic with checked shirts and demure blouses
Military looks by House of Fraser
'Boho Chic' is no longer about floaty skirts and earth colours, as Urban Outfitters shows.
A white polka dot dress from James Lakeland is perfect for summer. Image courtesy of Amy B.
Denim shorts are updated with boyfriend blazers and boater hats.
The sun and blue skies accessorise the 'Mid America' line dancing. Image courtesy of Amy B.
Ship-Shape loves nautical from River Island and Wallis. Image courtesy of Amy B.
Strike a pose: Military vogue from House of Fraser.
A model dances her way through the double denim look. Image courtesy of Amy B.
Towering heels and short hemlines courtesy of A Wear, Ted Baker and Jones. 
