One glance at Maria's outfit has us yearning to emulate her super laidback vibes and perfect take on dressing down.

Sticking pointedly to a palette of black and white makes certain that the statement colour of her red blazer gets the full attention it deserves. Its formal nature is made casual by pairing it with a diverse mix of shapes and accessories. By teaming her Vans trainers with little white ankle socks, Maria ensures that the shoes retain a sweetly feminine edge. Keeping the rest of her look simple, she belts a pleated black midi skirt at the waist and finishes the look with the black straw hat. This coupled with her bleach blonde tips and plaited friendship bracelet make for a little touch of California cool on the grey streets of London.

The cold weather is still bitterly refusing to give up the chase and the temptation to pile on every item of clothing we own is growing stronger by the day. At London Fashion week, we spotted Naomi Lewis layering with effortless panache, transcending the bag-lady vibe and instead projecting a look that is classically British meets street style cool.

Keeping to a neutral palette of earthy colours allows Naomi, a student of Creative Direction for Fashion at London College of Fashion, to go to town on an eclectic clash of textures and lengths. We love how she peeps a delicately sheer shirt collar over the top of a chunky knit jumper, pairing the look with a relentlessly preppy classic: the tweed blazer. She isn't afraid to mix up the colour rules with a vintage navy wool coat against simple black skinny jeans that prevent her silhouette from becoming too bulky. Naomi adds the finishing touches with a quintessentially British bowler hat and rose brooch, her camera casually slung around her neck.

Because: What are your plans for 2012?

Naomi: I'd just like to do well at university this year!

What were you doing at London Fashion Week?

I wasn't going to any of the show but staying around to take street photography.

Naomi is wearing:

Vintage coat and brooch

Ralph Lauren jumper

Topshop jeans

Shoes from eBay

Prints for summer have arrived with an almighty crash of the clash. Loud and unapologetic, it's all about toughening up your classic spring florals by piling some tribal Aztec right on top. Working this trend is Elle, a contributor to Mega magazine in the Philippines, who effortlessly segues between a silky floral kimono and its polar fashion opposite, a striking pair of leopard print trousers.

Not content with this daring assault on the fashion norm, we love how she brings colour into the mix, donning a lime green Miu Miu shirt underneath. This is a look all about contrasting textures and proportions, the kimono's floaty softness contrasting fearlessly against her sea green snakeskin clutch, the look fluently pulled together with a chunky woven belt and simple black shoe boots. She lets the prints do the work with minimal jewellery and pulled back hair, finishing the look with red lipstick.

Because: What do you like to do in your spare time?

Elle: I read fashion blogs.

What do you like to do in London?

It's my first time in London and I love fashion week. But when it's finished I'll probably do a tour around the city.

Elle is wearing:

H&M kimono

Miu Miu shirt

H&M trousers

Aranaz bag (from the Phillippines)

Glasses are a gift from a friend (probably from Hong Kong)