New fashion post from The Gaurdian.

Fiona Sibley FASHION DILEMMA Are Balmain's pointy shoulders wearable? This week Fashion Statement is in the grip of two potential pandemics: swine flu and Balmania. World health issues aside, Kate Moss stepped out this week in a dress with heinously oversized shoulders, crystallising the design crown belonging to Balmain's enfant terrible, Christophe Decarnin. The question is: will mere mortals succumb to his conical-shouldered look? Kate's Spock-like dress came from Balmain's A/W09 collection , but Victoria Beckham and Beyoncé are among those already slavishly sporting those bizarre, inverted pyramid blazers from his spring/summer offering. Everyone from the Telegraph to the Sun has been caught whimpering about Balmain this week, proving the Parisian label has reached its tipping point. So are we ready for shoulder pads? Apparently so. Even at £2,920, Balmain's military drummer-boy jacket, the must-have of the season, is under hot pursuit - and net-a-porter.com's stocks had this week run dry. Decarnin has completely transformed the French fashion house into a riotous 80s revival, featuring the sort of studded sandals you might see at Torture Garden alongside stonewash ripped jeans, and a style of jacket last seen gracing Freddie Mercury circa 1986 at Wembley. It's just these knobbly shoulders that have given Fashion Statement the hump. We're not averse to a bit of angularity, but surely this doorway-busting look demands a leap of faith? Still, rarely a day goes by when it seems we don't get a bit more 80s obsessed, and perhaps a few freaky silhouettes can help us beat the recession blues. Nothing beats a ludicrous fashion craze to cheer us all up. Is pointy shoulders it?

BANG ON TREND Ruffles By far the quickest way to catapult yourself into spring/summer (short of plumping for full summer colours and gladiator sandals then finding yourself caught in the rain - been there this week?) is to get flirty with a frill. This pretty linen jacket from Topshop is spot-on with its cascading fabric detail at the front (£45). Reiss's Blondie dress, £195, has pretty ribbon appliqué (right).  Or for a more casual style opt for this recycled silk light grey cami from Warehouse, £50. For a strong statement, this sculpted Boudicca blouse in bright blue, £488 from Matches fashion, is a winner. Keep it to a minimum with these ruffle wedges from Oli, £75 Best of all is this Fendi ruffle clutch, but be warned: it's an investment buy at £543.

FASHIONISTA OF THE WEEK Beyoncé Spotted on a shopping trip in Vienna looking insouciant in her YSL caged shoes and fedora.

FASHION GRAVEYARD Over-the-shoulder poses A few weeks back the Guardian's crack team of style spies blew the cover on the new body language. Well, as they say in spring, out with the old, in with the new. So could we have an end to the over-the-shoulder paparazzi pose? Especially when done to draw the eyes to a flesh-baring backless dress.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK "I'm a whatever the hell no one else is wearing girl. For instance, not a lot of people I know wear Tory Burch, but I'm like, let me go in there and see how far crazy I can bring it." R&B star Estelle on not being dressed by stylists