Viewing entries in
Key pieces

2 Comments

Edits style clinic - trans seasonal jackets

top.JPG

Like most of the females I know, I am so over wearing my parka, my puffa, my pea coat and anything else that covers me up from the impending doom of cold, frost and snow. I can’t stand the sight of my winter stuff any more, but it’s too cold not to wear it. The massive coat that felt fabulously cosy back in January now feels bulky and tiresome, my chunky jumpers almost suffocating and let’s not even get started on the expanding collection of knitted scarves and hats. 

I AM READY FOR SPRING DRESSING!

But trans seasonal dressing can be tricky with the constantly changing weather so my advice is to invest in a transitional coat or jacket. This piece will give your Spring wardrobe the newness it needs without buying lots of items to make up an outfit and it is something you are no doubt going to get lots of wear out of. Layering can be key to these jackets, whether it be still layering knitwear underneath them or a smaller jacket underneath or even a knitted scarf over the top.

Follow my pinterest board for more inspiration - trans seasonal jackets 2018

photo.JPG

In fashion we like to look to the future, so here's to dreaming about warmer weather, sunnier days a sporting a fab new coloured trench down to the shops. There is plenty to inspire you, here are my trans seasonal jacket style inspiration and shopping highlights.


1. The trench


2. The blazer

Blazers were the 2017 trend that no one saw coming. After all, the tried-and-true wardrobe staple is the key to professional power dressing for so many women, so how could it be deemed “trendy”? But, in fact, we saw the staple jacket in checkered prints all over the street during fashion month, with countless iterations following suit. The trend looks to continue but if you wanted an updated look then be inspired but vibrant colours, structured styles and luxe fabrics.


3. The anorak

Just as we dare to think about sunnier days and lunch al fresco, it has started raining again! But it's ok as fashion is ready for the rain, this year the trend has gone practical, welcoming even. Suddenly the high street is full of practical clothes that fit into our daily lives. One such item is the anorak, which is, as it happens, the perfect coat for this time of year. It’s not a piece of clothing that suggests great beauty, I grant you that, but the current offering from the likes of Zara, Topshop and Mango are actually pretty great. 


4. The duster coat

The duster coat is everywhere again now, Meghan Markle has been champoining the trend since her engagement photos and brought it back into the fashion front row. It remains the perfect between seasons cover-up, wear over anything and everything. Sometimes belted or with a button and at more or less any length, whatever the weather has in store. These are easy, smart and often colourful cover-ups, the perfect wardrobe refresh to move seamlessly into Spring wearing.


5. The bomber

The bomber jacket has been around for a couple of seasons now, but it is here to stay. This season it's gone feminine, printed florals, embroideries and embellishments, the perfect Spring piece to elevate the darker pieces in your wardrobe such as black, navy, grey and khaki. They are also the perfect day to evening jacket to be thrown over a dress or jumpsuit with a cold glass of Rosa wine.


6. Anything check

A favourite from Autumn is still going to be going strong in Spring. The check jacket has now become a wardrobe staple serving to upgrade basic outfits such as tee's and jeans, sweaters and trousers, blouses and skirts. So if you don't have a check blazer by now then now is the time to get one.

2 Comments

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Follow

Comment

A wardrobe saviour: The Jumpsuit

ME.JPG

I had sort of assumed that everyone loves jumpsuits as much as I do. Practical, easy and often chicer than some of their dress/trouser counterparts, an all-in-one has long been the thing I rely on for those moments when you need to look more dressed up than usual, but have absolutely no idea what to wear. But during many client consultations I am amazed at how women don't think about jumpsuits as their go-to outfit for an evening out, a wedding, an alternative to office wear or a summer garden party. They are so versatile and flattering, it works like a dress but removes all the worry about what goes with what.

I now feel it is my job on this earth to persuade any remaining resisters as to the power of the jumpsuit. I have clients in their thirties ranging to clients in their sixties who are addicted to the power of the jumpsuit. Why? Because it is the most youth-endowing item of clothing you can wear as you get older. 

The jumpsuit is a true wardrobe saviour, when wearing one you’ll fit into any sort of situation and/or dress code. Casual yet sophisticated it can be effortlessly dressed up for weddings and last minute parties or thrown on with trainers and a denim jacket for a chic, nonchalant look. During winter, layers are the way to justify braving an all-in-one, whether it be with an oversized jacket or fitted polo neck to add edge (and warmth!). The trick is to keep styling simple and let the jumpsuit itself make the statement

Most clients, after seeing that jumpsuits are not, in fact, the work of the devil but a cool, very flattering alternative to dresses and separates, concede that I am right. I’m not smug at all; in fact, I’m just so happy that another person has joined my jumpsuit fan club. So if you want to look both stylish and cool, be it for day or night, I hereby pledge that a jumpsuit will deliver!


Comment

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Follow

Comment

What is 'smart / casual' dressing anyway?

blazer2.jpg

Do you hate the term 'smart / casual'? Do you know how to wear 'smart / casual'?

There are many dates in our diary, days of the week or events in our life where the term 'smart / casual' is applicable. Getting your outfit right for the occasion is something alot of you struggle with as it's normally top of the list for most of my clients. Whether it be for going to work everyday in an office environment, a Christening, a dinner date or meeting, or you just want to change up your style for everyday, 'smart / casual' dressing just got a whole lot easier.

For the past couple of seasons trends have been shifting so that more casual attire has become smarter. The new rules are now the old rules, because creativity rules! Street style watchers will know suiting is firmly back on the fashion agenda for spring, but that doesn’t mean the same old black blazer and fitted pants. Suits have become brighter, checked or pinstripe and matching. That's not to say that the humble blazer doesn't play a part, this piece is an important part of your wardrobe and no doubt I will be buying more than one this season to change up every outfit that I wear. A simple dress and opaque tights just won't cut it anymore, style a spotty midi dress with this season's must-have jacket the trench, belt at the waist and the soft fabric means it's no longer smart and structured but more relaxed and understated. It's no longer about black, white and navy, liven up your work-wear or smarten up your day look with some eye catching colour. Red and pink are current favourites to give your outfit some serious colour clash, but blues and greens can be easier and softer on the eye if you don't want to stand out from the crowd too much. Lastly take the plunge and grab a jumpsuit and take away the worry about what goes with what. I feel it is my job on this earth to persuade any remaining resisters as to the power of the jumpsuit. Jumpsuits are a versatile all-rounder, whilst being the most youth-endowing item of clothing you can wear as you get older. Want to look both stylish and cool for day or evening then a jumpsuit should be your go-to wardrobe staple.

What better way to forget about the cold outside and welcome the in a new week with some new 'smart / casual' pieces for your wardrobe. French connection has an amazing bright pink suit you might be bold enough to try, alternatively if you are looking for a new suit but would rather a check then look at &other stories check suits. For a great choice in blazers then go to &other stories for lots of oversized, longer line grey, check or navy stripe blazers for a fresh new season take on the silhouette. My favourite trench coat I have come by so far is from Kin by John Lewis in navy or khaki, but if you are looking for a stone one then you can't go wrong with this one from Selected Femme. For a great choice of cropped trousers then head over to Zara, they have them in every fabric, cut, colour you can think of and you will be sure to find one that flatters you. Finally if you fancy some floral midi dresses, most high street retailer have an offering, but try Topshop for bright coloured printed dresses and vintage inspired florals that are easy to wear with any jacket styled over the top.

Here is some style and shopping inspiration for everyday of the week and follow my pinterest board - Smart / casual new rules

photo of mon.JPG
photo of tues.JPG
photo of wed.JPG
photo of thues.JPG
photo of fri.JPG

Comment

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Follow

Comment

how to fall in love with your wardrobe again

wardrobedetox.JPG

...when opening it just makes you yawn.

So you open your wardrobe, do a dramatic sigh and close it again feeling like you hate it all, have nothing to wear and proceed to get out your laptop to start browsing Zara in an effort to feel better. Yep, we’ve all been there, and we’ve all made the subsequent three figure order where you end up seeing sense and returning most it any way (although something always gets through the net doesn’t it?). So if you’re feeling down in the dumps with your current wardrobe then I have a couple of style tricks up my sleeve. Three in fact, that should get your styling juices flowing and should help you find a couple of new and exciting options amongst your current clothes. The best bit is that it’s completely free! No quickie online hauls. No impulse purchases. Just working with what you’ve got to find some new outfits, discover old pieces and learn some styling tricks to spice things up again…


EXPERIMENT ONE: FIVE NEW OUTFITS

I can be guilty of wearing the same outfits on repeat. In fact I kind of encourage it in a way, because having these ‘formulas’ takes the guesswork out of putting outfits together. Plus, it’s always handy to know that we can rely on them whenever we’re in a rush and that we know that we feel good in our most-worn pieces. However, they are exactly what cause us all to get into these ruts in the first place. So instead try and find five new outfits in your wardrobe that you have never worn before.

The best way to start each outfit is to have an item that you might not wear that often, that perhaps you’re not sure how to style or maybe it’s a piece that you feel is best suited to another time of year but you want to get more wear out of it. From there you can build; either by the process of trial and error and turning your bedroom into the world’s most chaotic changing room, or by taking a look online or on Instagram to see how other ladies you love have styled it out. I did a bit of both and ended up finding the perfect casual way to wear a blazer that was gathering dust, and I have taken out my dungarees from summer storage to wear over the coming months after learning that big chunky knits look pretty awesome under them. The best bit? I didn’t even need to spend a penny.

dungers1.JPG
dungers3.JPG

EXPERIMENT TWO: THE 10X10 CHALLENGE

The wardrobe challenge to beat all other wardrobe challenges! Blogger Caroline Joy gives a detailed account of her 10 pieces, 10 outfits, 10 days challenge here. The premise is that you pick 10 items from your wardrobe and create 10 different outfits over the next 10 days with them. Not only should it help you flex your styling muscle, it also gives you a chance to get ready real quick in the mornings and to see if you’re happy with what you’ve currently got in your wardrobe. I’d say that it’s a good one to crack out at the beginning of each season to get you in the mood and see where the holes are that you need to fill with your new clothing additions.

Accessories aren’t included, so that’s how you’re going to spice things up here – with a colourful bag or a red lip to make our outfits look different if there are repeats. No need to buy anything. No need to throw anything out. No need to commit to minimalism forever. No need to overhaul your wardrobe. Instead, it’s all about trying something new and having fun. Here I wanted to focus on how to get my use out of my skirts rather than just wearing them for evenings and events, for Autumn layering them up with knitwear.

skirt1.JPG
skirt2.JPG

 

EXPERIMENT THREE: STYLE IT OUT

Whereas the other two challenges can be a little time consuming, here’s one to whip out when you’re in need of a speedy dose of inspiration. The idea here is that you find a basic piece of clothing – let’s say a white crew-neck t-shirt and a pair of high-waist pale denim jeans – and then attempt to style it out as easy, breezy weekend attire and then as a more formal outfit option. It’s definitely not as taxing and more straightforward than the previous experiments, but it’s still a good way of seeing if you have the right kit in your wardrobe and a reminder of how easy it is to dial down/up an outfit. A good one to remember next time you’re packing for a trip. Be your own personal stylist here and don’t skip the finishing touches such as a red lip or a clutch bag. Here I used my leather leggings to dress up for a more formal look and down with a chunky knit and checked shirt for daytime.

leather2.JPG
leather1.JPG

Comment

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Follow