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.

say hello to Atterley.com

Bored of the same old high street stores or websites? If you haven't already heard of Atterley then stand up and pay attention as you will want to know about my current favourite online store - Atterley.com

If you are a client of mine then you will already be aware of Atterley's website as I have been banging on about their collection of shopable brands for the past couple of years since it's launch in 2012 . But recently it's had a brand and website make-over and it's new collection is all about their own brand label. It offers an online store that is brimming with contemporary designed looks, stylish staples and affordable prices, what's not to love?!

The new Autumn Winter collection is a clean scandi-inspired look. Offering statement pieces that stand up in their own right and at the same time have the ability to sit cohesively within everyone's wardrobe. Easy shapes that can be worn for everyday style, such as the khaki utility shirt. For workwear woes the sleeveless shirt dress hits the style spot. For evenings, the collection of jumpsuits will have you ordering more than one! (I am currently coverting the bright green sleeveless one as below). There is something for every occasion.

What I also like is the attention to detail of each piece in the range. The larger than normal pockets so that you can actually fit something in them. White trousers that have fabric thick enough for you to be able to wear underwear and not be seen! Real practical things designed for real women like you and me, without compromising on style.

So head over to the new look website and pick up some expert tips on how to wear your new Atterley pieces in their stylist notes. Or pick up something timeless to wear again and again next season.

If you need some direction, here is my Top 5 pieces from the Autumn Winter collection that will give your wardrobe a seasonal face-lift and won't blow the budget!

1. Green sleeveless jumpsuit £75.00

2. Burgundy shirt dress £55.00

3. Grey 3/4 sleeve blouse £55.00

4. Khaki canvas blazer £75.00

5. Gold spot drape blouse £58.00

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

What the hell is a capsule wardrobe anyway?

Don't be scared...seriously...please read this blog post with an open mind and you will find that by the end, you will know the answer to this age old question.

Even I struggle to understand the meaning of what a "capsule wardrobe" is. Do we really aspire to have one like every fashion editor, retail director or style icon, who labours the point in interviews when talking about what their style is? According to these fashion insiders, it's a reasonably small, smart edit of key pieces worn on rotation for the entire season. The problem is in this country, season's are no longer appropriate to the busy modern day woman or Mum. So let's concentrate on the "key piece's"...

I am not about to tell you to go out every 3-4 months and buy the same white shirt, some black trousers in the newest cut, a fitted blazer and a pair of this season's flats. What a waste of money and how dull would that be?

What I am going to tell you to do, is my theory and practice on what a capsule wardrobe should contain. Creating your own capsule wardrobe is all about saving time. By editing your existing wardrobe into a few good outfits, chucking out the crap as you go along. Then not adding to the pile of stuff you'll never wear via weekly late night online shopping hits or sale-rail hijacks, you will transform your wardrobe and have a clearer head in the morning when getting dressed.

Having a wardrobe clear-out twice a year will help you get rid of the things that no longer fit and you perhaps haven't worn for the last 3-4 months. Streamlining your outfits that work with your lifestyle will mean more to you because we all live very different lives and have very different styles. You need to figure out what suits you, take your time trying things on and ensure they fit within your current wardrobe and dont be slavish to trends or price.

Feeling good in what you wear is what matters the most and gives you a great confidence boost.  Shopping in moderation, editing your wardrobe and being true to your style is the true meaning of what a capsule wardrobe is.

I'm here to help with all aspects of wardrobe clear-outs, style ruts and shopping disasters. I can help boost your confidence with have a colour session and change your life with a style session. Don't hesitate to call me for a free consultation now.