What's on my 'lust-after' Autumn list

The seemingly endless Summer is cooling off, it appears, which sounds like the perfect opportunity to cast our thoughts forward to the incoming new fashion season. Autumn 2018 promises to bring with it a batch of fresh ideas on style, updates on wardrobe staples and a burst of refreshed colours to tempt us out of our Summer dresses. I can't wait to start dressing in cosy layers - jumpers, shearlings, boots and even hats. In the words of Jon Snow, winter is coming, people, let’s get excited. 

I love figuring out how I am going to re-style my wardrobe staples for the new season. For me, it’s a balance of embracing easy updates and falling back in love with forgotten classics and stumbling upon some new future favourites too. I always start with a 'lust-after' list of ideas, or a mood board, then I do a wardrobe detox and define my season's wanted list of 5 things. I consider trends, what I liked from last season, what I need to replace and what is missing from my wardrobe. 

It's exciting when a new season starts, but you can get swept up in impulse buying, over buying or not having the right focus. Creating lists and mood boards ensures you spend your money more wisely, you can feel more confident about your choices and have fun finding the things you want.

Consider the following trends of the season when thinking about your new season 'lust-after' list.

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The trends for AW18 that you should include in your Autumn List

LEOPARD PRINT

This season the trends are lead by the forever statement print; Leopard print. This will be the season that everyone will end up owning something in their wardrobes in the print or like last week's blog post, perhaps a dramatic coloured leopard print for a new update.

Leopard print tie neck blouse, Somerset by Alice Temperley, £79.00

Oversized leopard print knit, &other stories, £69.00

BRIGHT COLOURS

Once again paint box colours are brightening up those long dark nights with a kaleidoscope of colour. From vibrant green and solar orange, to pillar-box red and vivid magenta; consider monochromatic matches for a put-together look with a punch, or get playful with opposing hues that epitomise exuberance. The bolder the better.

Wide leg wool culottes, John Lewis & partners, £99.00

Therese Cotton Contrast jumper, Kitri Studio, £55.00

CHECKS

Following on from last year's massive blazer trend, this is set to continue in heritage checks, stripes and modern tailoring is still high on the fashion agenda. Think suits, trousers instead of jeans, 

Houndstooth sweater, &other stories, £79.00

Jodo Checked oversized jacket, Gestuz, Atterley, £290.00

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For inspiration, here is my current 'lust-after' mood board for the new season.

If you need help with your new season wardrobe, I offer an online shop service - please email me to book yours now.

the most useful thing in your wardrobe right now - the polo neck

Use it to layer or wear on its own – either way, a roll-neck jumper is one of the most useful things you can own

Roll necks made their most recent revival a few autumns ago, after they were done by Celiné and Stella McCartney. Layered under suit jackets or with knee-length skirts, they reintroduced a way to wear a jumper but still look chic. Unlike a lot of catwalk trends, this one really does work. Put one under a sleeveless dress and it means you can wear said dress when it’s cold. Or, wear one under a blazer for a non-iron work option. OR, with slouchy jeans to balance out proportions. If you’re considering wide-leg trousers or those pleated midi skirts that everyone’s banging on about, then I’d suggest putting a roll neck on your top half. If you are layering, they work best under things with round or V-necks. Anything sleeveless is good too, like a long-line waistcoat.

The best thing? They keep you incredibly warm without adding bulk. 

My tip would be to choose a style that’s fitted. This is particularly good if you are busty,  it’s far more flattering. I would suggest, when wearing one, to avoiding very tight trousers, which can look a bit après ski. I brought my black jersey roll neck from Atterley and can be found here - Selected Femme £25 or there is a fab one at Topshop Boutique £30 but if you are looking for colours then I suggest Uniqlo £12.90

Here's my styling tips on how to wear your polo neck.

1. Casual day time style. Wear your roll neck with jeans under a shirt, jumper or coatigan, paired with a hat you will look stylish for any autumn day.

2. Smart day to evening style. Wear your roll neck under a dress or jumpsuit to utilise it from your summer wardrobe. Add winter boots and a leather jacket or coat and your roll neck is doing all the work for you.

3. Evening style. Wear your roll neck tucked into this season's must-have; the skirt. Add thick black tights, heel's and a fur coat to keep warm and you will be the most stylish gal on the town.

This week I'm obsessed with...

Autumn Winter Midi/Maxi dresses...Edits guide how to wear them...

It's time to throw in the beach towel... it's here! Autumn has landed in September!
How exciting, as now we need to start planning our winter wardrobes and no longer worry about getting a tan and showing all our wobbly bits off. We can now shop for lots of lovely jumpers and cosy up in front of the fire.

After spending the last couple of weeks permenantly attached to my computer creating online look books for many clients for their Autumn transitional wardrobes, I can't help myself but get obsessed by certain items of clothing. Top of my list at the moment is the new dress of the season, the midi or maxi dress.

Seen on the catwalk at Chloé and Etro, the new autumn dress has a bohemian Fleetwood Mac 70's kinda feel . The 70's trend is hot hot hot at the moment and the romantic, little bit-folksy printed dress is bang on the money. It is this season's update from the "boho" look, so no more embroidery, full skirts and smock dresses. More importantly, the new autumn dress looks great with a pair of boots whether it be ankle, midi or over-the-knee. Teamed with a leather jacket or fur gilet for now, then a pair of thick tights and a textured wintery coat for later on in the season. Read my styling tips below for some more ideas on how to give this trend your own style.

Check out my pinterest board for more style inspiration - Midi/Maxi dresses

1. Belting the dress gives it more shape and flatters your waistline

2. Adding some great accessories like a fedora hat will bring the dresses to life and add your style stamp to it.

3. A great jacket could change your look completely. By adding a fur gilet you are channelling the 70's trend. By wearing a leather jacket, you are adding the glam factor.

 

The only issue I have now is which one do I buy?

1. Atterley Galaxy Print Dress £115.00

2. H&M Black spot Maxi dress - £69.99

3. Zara £39.99

4. Maje Fulle length printed dress £315.00

5. & Other Stories Scarlet IBIS print dress £69.00

What your wardrobe needs now - my transitional wishlist

It's always around this time of year I start compiling my Autumn Winter wishlist. I've researched all the trends, pored over the catwalks and now the products are starting to arrive instore.

It's all a mental list at the moment you must understand, but by writing it down I am committing to it and then the obsession to find the right piece escalates. This also gives me something to focus on rather than aimlessly looking on websites, or going round stores in a daze. I know what I want, I know what shapes suit me, I know my colours and I don't veer off track! (unless it's a "I must-have-it now pair of shoes"!).

As the websites and stores become less and less about sale and summer, I start adding to my transitional wardrobe. So far I have invested in a couple of pieces that range from statement shapes to classic year-in-year-out favourites. These will help me shift seamlessly from summer to autumn. Pieces that I can wear now and later, without blowing the budget along the way.

Of course the list will change as new trends come out, new pieces hit the stores and it will also get added to with knitwear and coats later in the season. But by having a list of exactly what I am missing to pull my wardrobe together, it becomes the best wardrobe it can be for my daily life.

So if you want to find out next season's classics that your wardrobe needs now, then read my list below...

Edits transitional wardrobe

1. The IT dress - Atterley shirt dress £55.00

2. The anytime biker - Whistles Jett Biker £325.00

3. The jean update - French Connection Flare jean £80.00

4. The must-have blouse - Topshop lace insert blouse £42.00

5. The everyday essential -Boden Embellished stripe tee £39.99

6. The luxe layer - Warehouse fur gilet £69.99

7. The jumpsuit revisited - Zara culotte jumpsuit £39.99

8. Hottest Boots on the scene - Zara fringed boots £49.99

If you need help pulling your wardrobe together for the new season, then contact me now.

Autumn Winter transitional look books can be a great way of seeing and buying new pieces for your wardrobe without leaving your house. These cost as little as £75.00. Example as below.