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it's leather chaps!

Sometimes I just get obsessed by an item of clothing until I purchase it. I have been obsessing over a pair of skinny leather trousers since the beginning of the Autumn season. Many of you might remember a pair being featured on my top 5 list of items to by for Autumn, but I didn't buy them, choosing to buy some knitwear instead. (Oh the regrets!)

Leather is back in a big way, real and faux. It has crossed over from something you would only wear in the evening to being acceptable to wear leather in the daytime too. It is surprisingly flattering on every figure as it holds everything in place and is also very practical with young kids (wipe down clothes, what more could you want?!). Leather pieces hold longevity and can also look expensive whilst upping your style anty for 2017.

It might take some getting used to though and the trick is knowing how to style it to get maximum use out of the pieces you want to invest in.  Follow my pinterest board for further inspiration - It's leather chaps!

1. Skinny leather trousers aka leather leggings

I am not a fan of leggings, many of my clients will know this, but being made of leather they flatter your figure instead of making you look frumpy. They are leg-lengthening, tummy flattering, bottom lifting and are really comfortable. So I am a convert! These can be worn casually with a piece of knitwear, a stripey tee or denim shirt over the top or with a tie neck shirt and blazer for an evening out. Here are my 3 best leather leggings buys -

2. Leather skirt

Midi or mini, both lengths are great purchases depending on your body shape on which length will suit you the best. Worn best with a fitted polo neck or a printed blouse tucked in. Thick black tights means that you don't have to be restricted in your shoe choices either, flat boots, trainers, heel's, knee high boots will all work with a leather skirt. Finally throw on an over sized coat finish off your look or a blazer if you want to wear it to the office or in the evening. Here are my 3 best leather skirt buys -

3. Leather dress

Nothing says statement dress than a leather dress. A classic but with some added edge. You will be surprised how versatile one is and can easily be taken from day to night. Thick black tights are a must with the leather dress and either boots or heel's depending on how you feel. Once you buy one you will wonder why you hadn't got one sooner!!

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How to dress in your 30s & 40s

New Year new you right?! Where fashion is concerned it is the run up to the new Spring season's styles and launches in the stores. So over Winter clothes? But yet it's still here. So over your wardrobe? But yet it's still there. So what can you do this January without spending a fortune on clothes that you don't have but you really want to, need to, update your style? I work with a number of clients who feel this way not just every January but when you hit your thirties and struggle trying to find what is their style.

Hitting your thirties and moving into your forties are certainly milestones in your life that can shift your style perspective. Within these decades we might get married, have children, change jobs, change roles within your life, go through bereavements or enjoy the fruits of our labours. Never the less, our requirements have changed, emotionally maturing, juggling busy lifestyles, finding your sartorial comfort zone - these are all things that can shape, change and challenge our wardrobe and style. 

By now you have probably experimented with fashion trends and perhaps no longer care, understand or can keep up with what is 'on trend' let alone think about it factoring into your life. So now is a good time to strip it all back and look at what items suit your body shape, your lifestyle and what makes you feel like a million dollars when wearing it!

When I start working with new clients I find that the key to creating your 'Style Uniform' is to have core pieces that work well together. Ready-made go-to looks that make getting out of the house in a morning stress-free but yet stylish. By sticking to your colour palette once you have had your colours done, this will automatically eliminate the need for countless pieces that don't go together and look random in your wardrobe. Once you understand what you want your style to be, then your 'Style Uniform' will organically build over time, ensuring that what you have in your wardrobe has longevity as well as keeping you looking stylishly young!

Here are some 'Style Uniform' ideas and key pieces to invest in,  but check your wardrobe first as you might already have them hidden in there, you just need to learn how to re-style them into your life!

1. Jackets

Jackets are an essential part of your wardrobe. It can change a look instantly, dress it up, dress it down or be your look! Anything from formal blazers, denim jackets, leather jackets, sequin jackets to leopard print fur jackets. They all go with your daily uniform of denim jeans, or can be worn on a night out with heel's and even to the office with smart culotte's or over dresses. They will last you your wardrobe lifetime as they never go out of style and it's always about the way you wear it rather than what you are wearing. Invest in jackets and you can never go wrong.

2. Shoes

"You know you are a certified shoe addict if you think there is always room for one more pair!"

Shoes speak louder than words! Shoes are the only thing I ever buy in the sale, if I have had my eye on a pair then I will happily search for them, wait for them and love them as soon as they arrive. In your wardrobe you can everything from converse trainers, to over the knee boots, ankle boots, metallic court shoes and lace up brogues. Shoes can change an outfit in an instant. So never feel bad about buying a new pair of shoes again, as long as you love them they will always love you!

3. Denim

So many people struggle with denim, me included, but we wear it most days of our lives besides corporate dressing. 2017 is the year to break away from the skinny jeans and start exploring new trends that you could look fabulous on you. Frayed hems, boyfriends, carrot shapes and even skirts are great investment pieces for the wear per £'s that you spend on them. If you are looking for longevity then you can't go wrong with Levi's, All Saints and GAP for great mid level priced jeans.

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4. Shirts

I have banged on about shirts for a number of seasons now. In fashion they are still top of the list with pyjama shirts still being best sellers and khaki military shirts set make a come back and not forgetting the newest trend of shirt dresses over trousers. But forget about fashion they are so versatile in your wardrobe because of the way they are constructed, you just have to style them up. Button them up, tuck them in, belt them, leave them open, wear underneath a jumper - the list is endless and it will always be your go to piece in your wardrobe.

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your wardrobe hero update - 3 ways to wear

Embroidery is having a moment, a fashion moment. And I am embracing it! Well with one item in my wardrobe. I am currently obsessed with wearing my Zara striped embroidered shirt. Whilst some might think this shirt is a "little bit loud" (as my Mum said), if you buy this shirt or something else with embroidery on it, it will slot into your wardrobe seamlessly and keep you upto date style-wise for the new season.

The current embroidery trend on the high street stems from the recent need for us as consumers to customise the things we buy or have in our wardrobes. Increasingly many brands and high street retailers are offering customising services in their stores for you to label or make your item more original by branding your name or a slogan on it. Topshop Oxford circus set up a pop-up shop earlier in the year giving you a chance to monogram your clothes brought from the store. Many designer brands now offer a bespoke embroidery and monogramming service to ensure your slice of their brand can also be personalised. Anya Hindmarch  takes it one step further with a playful take on customisation, for the past couple of seasons you can buy embroidered patches to add to your bags. Just in time for Christmas, "Selfridges loves personalised gifts" is offering one of a kind gifts for all budgets.

But do we have Taylor Swift to thank for the embroidery trend that is upon us? Last year she asked designer Louise Gray to embroidered a Jack Wills hoody with her nickname "TayTay" on it and the photo attracted 1.7 million views on Instagram.

Instagram @taylorswift

Instagram @taylorswift

We are now riding the crest of the wave so jump on it fashionista's as it's only going to get faster!!

3 ways to wear

 

Some embroidery style inspiration

For more inspiration follow my Embroidery board on pinterest

 

It seems like Zara has completely cornered the embroidery market so here is my top 5 pieces from there that you could add into your wardrobe -

1.  Embroidered Bee bucket bag - £29.99

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the glitterati

The invitations have started rolling in and the diary is getting packed out for pre-Christmas dinners, drinks and events. Does this fill you with dread at the thought of what to wear to every do? Fear not, I am here to help with my easy guide to party dressing...but beware it does involve ALOT of sparkle!

Sequins are the easy option to dress up something that already exists in your wardrobe. If you can't afford a new outfit, but want something that makes you sparkle but not looking like a Christmas tree, then try some sequins this season. It's a way to look glam without putting too much effort in, as the sequins are doing all the work for you. You can't over do the sequins this season, head-to-toe is the way to go! Sparkle is an essential element of party dressing, but it can be more chic to be selective. Accessories pack a stylish punch, so invest in a fabulous sequin clutch bag or statement heel's for a more subtle touch of shimmer. Follow my pinterest board for inspiration - Sequins & Sequins

Velvet has been bubbling under for a few seasons but it is no longer underground and the high street is awash with it. Alot of the items can be worn as daytime pieces too, so once worn for your evening Christmas parties then ensure that it keeps being worn. What appeals to me most is jackets, boots or dresses that don't cost alot of money but brings any outfit upto date. Velvet is the perfect festive fabric and a Christmas dinner party is the perfect excuse to invest in a velvet dress in an unexpected colour. But go creative and look for embroidered or embellished details as these look more expensive, more fashionable and I believe will have more longevity once the trend dies out. Follow my pinterest board for inspiration - Velvet 2016

Ruffles were on trend throughout Summer so it was inevitable that the trend as going to continue into Autumn/Winter. The bolder the ruffle the better! Whether they are framing your neckline, accentuating the hips or falling off the shoulder, they are definitely a dramatic statement detail. Plus you don't need too many accessories because the ruffles do all the talking! There are lots of folds and flounces, including ties at the neck, ruffles on sleeves and frills on dress hems. Think different textures, fabrics, prints and darker colours for the Party season. Follow my pinterest board for inspiration - 2016 ruffles

 

Remember it's time to go "out out", pull out those killer heels, that red lippy, drink copious amounts of wine and sparkle in your sequin number like you've never sparkled before!

my glam party edit:

1. Sequinned top, H&M £29.99

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