How to inject the biggest colour for Autumn Winter into your wardrobe.

“Interesting on its own and a wonderful contrast for other hues, PANTONE 18-1438 Marsala is a winey red-brown that adds finesse and savoir faire. Rich and robust, Marsala incorporates the warmth and richness of a tastefully fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots point to a sophisticated, natural earthiness.”

— www.pantone.com

A new season always means a new shade to introduce into your wardrobe. Marsala, burgundy or wine has evolved from so many season's of pink being the biggest colour, that this is the next step on the spectrum. With the autumn/winter 2014/15 runways awash with burgundy pieces, I show you how to wear the hue in a variety of stylish ways, from wearing the colour all over to adding key accessories. It sits somewhere between a neutral and a statement colour and is so versatile it is a key casual wardrobe colour. Burgundy pairs well with other on-trend colours and a variety of different patterns, meaning it can easily be adapted to suit your own personal style.

Ways to wear Burgundy

• Investing in a statement overcoat in burgundy could prove particularly beneficial. Plus, with a few months left before the temperature starts to pick up again, you’ll get plenty of use out of it.
• If it’s versatility you’re after, opt for burgundy staples like jeans, jumpers, cardigans and t-shirts that can be worn with other pieces in your wardrobe.
• Wearing the colour as one outfit is a statement of style, don't be scared of mixing the shades and adding some patterned accessories to break it up.
• If you want to add extra flourish then opt for burgundy accessories. A over sized scarf, floppy hat or fringed bag will add a twist to your look. I can't wait to wear my Whistles hat I brought a couple of years ago.
• Choosing the right footwear could be paramount in pulling the look together. There are the some fab blocked healed boots around, some casual comfy trainers or like me I have updated my brogues.
• If you don't have the money to buy a piece for your wardrobe then update your beauty bag with some nail varnish or paint your lips with burgundy instead.

Check out my pinterest board for more inspiration - in brouge

1. All hues outfit

2. Trousers

3. Skirts

4. Dresses

5. Coats

6. Accessories

7. Shoes

8. Beauty

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

My style hero - the shirt

Q: What’s cooler than a classic cotton shirt? A: Nothing. Not one single thing.

Consider the mensy cotton button-down the sartorial bottom line. The wardrobe staple that is perhaps the most versatile piece you could ever own. Think trans-seasonal appeal, effortlessly timeless and the ability to up the cool factor of every look. Trust me, the boyish, crisp, cotton shirt is where it’s at.

For the past couple of seasons the shirt has been firmly on the fashion radar. I have been wearing shirts done up, rolled up, tucked in, over the top of pieces of clothing for a while now but wanted to update the look for next season. So I asked myself the question...

 What are the endless styling possibilities of a shirt?

Let me style the shirt into your everyday wear…

1. For a casual vibe leave the first 2 buttons undone and always roll your sleeves up with the cuff's undone. With abit of styling it can transform your whole look. By adding lots of necklaces and tucking it in, it instantly becomes a more thought-about look. Pair with denim for an instant off-duty win.

2. By doing the buttons up to the top, you are really stamping your style onto the shirt. Worn with boyfriend jeans, under dungaree's or tucked into a fab skirt, this look can see you through any formal occasion from weddings, to meeting girlfriends for lunch or important days at work.

3. Wear as a dress. Of course you need to make sure that the shirt you choose to wear covers your derrière before you leave the house! By adding a belt, big or small this gives your look some serious style and also adds shape the otherwise shapeless shirt. Add long chains, fab sandles and a clutch bag to this outfit and you can move effortlessly from daytime into an evening look.

4. Worn as a modern day beach cover-up, worn open over your bikini as an alternative to a beach kaftan. White and slightly see-through gives this classic shirt a chic update, but brightly coloured alternatives add a little sunshine to that beach wardrobe.

5. Mix it up! Wear with luxe fabrics such as sequins, silks and chiffons to dress down those fabulous statement piece's hiding in your wardrobe. Wearing this look will put you ahead of the fashion pack!

For a styling session with me, email me now for an appointment.

For more shirt inspiration, check out my pinterest board - my style hero

Forget summer, can I have Autumn trends now please?

I know, don't wish your life away right? Having not really had a summer and now with retailers launching their sales online and instores, I always hate this time of year for shopping! It's great to grab a bargin, especially if you know what you are looking for or have something specific to buy for. This makes sale shopping all the more easier and you don't waste money on items you don't need. Unless you are buying for a holiday, honeymoon or an occasion outfit such as a wedding, I like to know that what I am buying will last me a little bit longer than to the end of August.

In buying and fashion calendars, Autumn/Winter products go on sale in July, but as summer sales have been so bad some are selling new season right now (see Zara, Whistles, Matches.com, Selfridges). So it's time to make sure that what you are buying in the sales is right for now and also right for next season.

Here is my round up for the 5 biggest Autumn trends that you won't be able to resist once summer is over:

1. Geek Chic - Think Royal Tenenbaum's movie and Margot Tenenbaum is your main muse. Loafers, prim pussy bows, crisp white shirts and cute suits. Designer's were all over this on the catwalks with Tommy Hilfiger’s varsity girl wears her team colours on her sleeve.The only thing missing from Chloe’s professeur chic, meanwhile, is a couple of suede elbow patches. Whilst Gucci's kooky bookworm look will have us tucking our shirt into our skirts and popping off to the library.

2. 70's Boho - The folksy theme continues from Summer into Winter, so a great one to continue to invest in whilst sale shopping. Your key piece for the season is going to be the poncho. Yes again it is making a comeback! If you just brought those denim flares that was a good call as they are the must-have denim shape for next season. With statement tassles and textures such as knits and suede's giving the trend an update. Valentino, Chloe, Burberry and Lanvin were piling on the prints and fringing in a texture overload on the catwalk.

3. 80's revival - There is a massive move toward's a revival of the Eighties, if Balmain does it then it's likely most will follow next season, so this is one to look out for! The 80's revival has everything from power shoulders, to ruffles, colour block knits and retro waisted belts. Channel Dynasty, early Madonna and Wham! then you will be way ahead of the fash-pack next season!

4. Where the wild things are - If you didn't buy your fur coat or gilet last winter then you will not be able to escape it this year- it is about to explode! Come September the high street will be covered in fluff and everything furry, if you can find one in the sale now, bag it! This warm and fuzzy friend needs to be your essential first buy of the season. Whether you go for curly sheep gilets in glorious bold colours or abominable yeti-like black and white jackets, you will also find fur in accessories such as shoes and bags.

5. Bold prints - The most vibrant of the new season trends is the bold, graphic art-inspired mood which came in every hue imaginable at shows in all four cities. Monochromatic checkerboard prints appeared on drop-waisted dresses at Valentino while grey tunics at Loewe came emblazoned with red and black cubes. Christopher Kane's scarlett coat with black zig-zags is bound to be an AW15 must-have. Wear top-to-toe if you are feeling brave, otherwise break it up with some retro colour blocking.

Follow my AW15 pinterest board for more inspiration here - https://www.pinterest.com/EditsStyling/aw15-trends-board/