How Cressida's Converse and Charlize's statement necklace is being officially used to measure the rise in the cost of living

By Matt Chorley, MailOnline Political Editor

Published: 06:59 EST, 13 March 2014 | Updated: 13:20 EST, 13 March 2014


Brits are ready to make a fashion statement for the first time since the recession.

A boom in statement jewellery, as seen on the Oscar red carpet, means the price of fashion necklaces will be used to help calculate inflation.

Canvas fashion trainers, worn by Prince Harry’s girlfriend Cressida Bonas just last week, are also included in the nation’s shopping basket for the first time, the Office for National Statistics revealed

Cressida Bonas wore Converse trainers shoes to an event at Wembley last week
Actress Charlize Theron wore a statement necklace the Oscars this month

Prince Harry's girlfriend Cressida Bonas (left) wore silver Converse trainers at an event last week, while actress Charlize Theron followed the trend of statement necklaces at this month's Oscars

Cressida Bonas wore Converse trainers shoes to an event at Wembley last week
Fashion necklaces have been included in the inflation basket for the first time

The Office for National Statistics said canvas fashion shoes and fashion necklaces would be included for the first time in the basket which calculates the rate of inflation

The list of around 700 items is used to track rising prices by the Office for National Statistics to calculate how much more costly it is to live in Britain compared to last year.

A review of what is included decided to ditch several items which we no longer buy as often as we used to, while including a number of new purchases for the first time.

Today’s new list reveals a move towards high fashion, plush interiors and watching movies on demand.

Post-recession Brits have also turned their backs on DVD recorders, hardwood floors, after school clubs and hiring someone to help out in the garden.

It seems men are hiring suits to emulate Downton Abbey while women opt for high impact necklaces which look at home on the red carpet.

The cost of men's clothing hire has been included for the first time, as shows like Downton Abbey and the rise of school proms fuels demand for formal attire

The cost of men's clothing hire has been included for the first time, as shows like Downton Abbey and the rise of school proms fuels demand for formal attire

The popularity of shows Netflix like House of Cards (pictured) and Breaking Bad mean the price of film and TV streaming services are now included, but DVD recorders have dropped out

The popularity of shows Netflix like House of Cards (pictured) and Breaking Bad mean the price of film and TV streaming services are now included, but DVD recorders have dropped out

At this year’s Oscars stars including Charlize Theron were seen wearing large necklaces, which has already fed through the high street.

Canvas fashion trainers are also included for the first time to cover textile shoes as vast majority of shoes currently priced are made from leather or synthetic materials.

Flavoured milk is being used to represent the 'grab and go' sector of the milk market

Flavoured milk is being used to represent the 'grab and go' sector of the milk market

Fresh fruit snacking pots have been included to reflect the increasing shelf-space in supermarkets devoted to prepared fresh fruit

Fresh fruit snacking pots have been included to reflect the increasing shelf-space in supermarkets devoted to prepared fresh fruit

Hone is included on the list for the first time, perhaps a result of renewed interest in baking

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The cost of men’s clothing hire is included in the basket for the first time, fuelled in part by a return to the dinner suit for black tie events.

Hire firm Moss Bros has reported strong growth in recent years, pointing to rising popularity of school proms for suit hire and men smartening up for their casual wear.

Stars including Take That’s Gary Barlow and One Direction’s Harry Styles have been credited with making the jacket a fashion must-have.

Honey is added to the basket, on the back of renewed interest in baking from the Great British Bake Off and chefs like Lorraine Pascale hailing it as must have in recipes.

With the spotlight falling on the health risks of eating too much sugar, honey is also a source of naturally occurring unrefined sugar.

The rise of the milk shake is reflected with the inclusion of flavoured milk to represent the new ‘grab and go’ sector of the milk market.

The fresh fruit snacking pot - which means shoppers do not have to peel or chop fruit themselves - has also been added to 'reflect the increasing shelf-space in supermarkets devoted to prepared fresh fruit,' the ONS added.

Changes in how we watch films and TV series continue to contribute to the steep decline of DVDs.

For the first time the price of signing up to streaming services, like Netflix, have been included, with web-based DVD rentals like LoveFilm.

Hit shows like Kevin Spacey’s House of Cards and Breaking Bad helped the firm to 44million members worldwide at the end of 2013.

The ONS said: ‘As in most years, developments in technology influence the basket updates and in 2014 two products have been introduced that can be seen as reflecting evolving trends.

‘Firstly, programme streaming has been introduced as part of a combined DVD rental/video on demand subscription services item. This replaces a DVD rental internet subscription item.’

The rise in amateur photography, and the use of digital SLR cameras, means interchangeable lens digital cameras have also been included for the first time. ‘These are taking an increasing share of the traditional camera market as the digital compact camera has declined in popularity, losing out principally to the functionality provided by mobile phones,’ the ONS added.

In the home the trend for laminate floors could be over.

Just before the recession hit in 2007, hardwood flooring was added to the basket as homeowners rushed to rip up carpets in favour of bare floors.

But after years of sliding around with cold feet, it seems we prefer the feel of carpet between our toes.

Automatic drive through car washes are no longer included
The rise of manual car washes has been reflected in the new list

Automatic drive through car washes are no longer included while the rise of manual car washes has been reflected in the new list

Hardwood flooring is out, ending a trend which began just before the recession hit
Homeowners are opting for carpet to add warmth

Hardwood flooring is out, ending a trend which began just before the recession hit, as homeowners opt for carpet to add warmth

With hardwood flooring out, two categories of carpet are added for the first time: tufted carpet made from 100 per cent manmade fibres, and a second premium version with at least 80 per cent wool.

However, changes in interior tastes mean wallpaper paste is ditched, along with gardeners’ fees, suggesting homeowners prefer to tend their lawns and flowerbeds themselves.

Also dropped are automatic drive-through car washes, signalling the move towards hand car washes which have sprung up across the car country, often in supermarket car parks.

They have become a big employer of foreign workers. When work restrictions on Romanians were lifted on January 1, the first person to arrive at Luton Airport was Spirescu Victor who revealed he was planning to work at a car wash in Bedfordshire.