A bug's life

Insects - they're creepy, crawly, and not everyone's favourite cup of bush tucker tea. They are however, essential to life on earth - as the plight of the bee has brought to mainstream attention over recent years - and it seems that the little critters have captured the attention of the fashion world this season.

Among the ubiquitous bird prints and Stella McCartney-inspired fruity fashions, plagues of insects are taking over the high street. Bees, butterflies and beetles have landed on accessories and summer staples, while grasshoppers and dragonflies have invaded soft furnishing departments, appearing on cushions and ceramics.

Like all creatures great and small, there's much beauty to be found in our fluttering and scuttling friends, although I feel that artist Jessica Harrison may have taken it a little far with with her fly lashes - that's right - fly leg eyelashes...delish.

Here are some of my favourite bug out pieces:

Left to right - butterfly top - Topshop, £45, butterfly playsuit - French Connection, £62, bug top - Dorothy Perkins, £26

Clockwise from top right - bug brooch - ASOS, £30, bee makeup bag - Ollie & Nic, £15, bug ring (part of a pair) - ASOS, £35, bee necklace - River Island, £4.99

Butterfly shirt dress - John Lewis, £185, bug embroidered tunic - ASOS, £22

See some more expensive bug fashions on Elle.com.