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reasons to be cheerful

Often at the start of a new season you see some theme's emerging that will end up becoming a big part of our lives culturally, socially and stylishly for the next few months or years whether we realise it or not. Recently in these turbulent times, there hasn't always been alot to be cheerful for, but designers are giving us something to smile about and it is filtering down to the high street and social media. With fashion month in full swing, now more than ever designers are getting the opportunity to say how they feel using what they know best - clothes and style.

Take the Channel 4 show 'Inside Dior' for example, it wasn't just about how new designer Maria Grazia Chiuri, prepares her first collection and shows it at Paris Fashion Week. All anyone could talk about afterwards was the feminist slogan t-shirt she sent down the runway with "We should all be feminists" on it. Feminist is a word that always gets people talking, but the slogan tee paired with a blue tulle skirt was the most instagrammed moment of the entire show.

Designers are responding to the political upheavals of the past year by injecting some much needed humour into women's wardrobes. Clothes are becoming more playful, less about rules and more about having a potent pick-me-up kind of power, one that consumers are responding to. Bold colours being mixed and matched, cartoon creatures and stickers adorning bags and upbeat slogan t-shirts are ironic and lighter than perhaps more serious trends of previous seasons. 

We are all feeling like we don't want to conform to the norm of the highstreet and as customers we are getting increasingly confident with our own style. Street style bloggers have such an important part to play in the current fashion trends. Their looks are playful, original and inspirational but not out of reach for everybody to take cues from.

Super style blogger Leandra Medine @manrepeller

Super style blogger Leandra Medine @manrepeller

Net-a-Porter fashion director Lisa Aiken @lisa.aiken

Net-a-Porter fashion director Lisa Aiken @lisa.aiken

Editor of online magazine Hey Woman! Veronika Heilbrunner @veronikaheilbrunner

Editor of online magazine Hey Woman! Veronika Heilbrunner @veronikaheilbrunner

In these uncertain economic times, consumers are buying less clothes but doesn't mean they are spending less. More and more I am finding clients wanting to slim down their wardrobes, take the stress out of getting ready in the morning and investing more in pieces that will last. Wanting to buy something colourful and fun can easily lift your mood and increase your confidence in your style. I always suggest buying something because you love it, not because you need it, but because it makes you happy and excites you! Wearing your clothes with joy and having fun with your style is a formula for dressing your way to happiness.

Here are my top 5 pieces to give you something to smile about:

1.  Mini Banana crossbody bag - Zara £17.99

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gingham revisited 2017 style

This time last year (March 2016) I wrote a blog post entitled "how to wear gingham - Spring's most wearable print trend". I am pleased to say that this print trend seems to be even bigger for 2017, so you can pull out any gingham printed items of clothing you brought last year and re-wear them again! Glad to be of service...!

But gingham for 2017 has been updated. It's more about the styles and styling rather than the print. You can see the print with embroidery on top of it, ruffles and taping on printed pieces, mixing the different sized gingham and even layering gingham on top of gingham for a truly one off style!

When Sienna Miller wore a Sonia Rykiel gingham dress during a photocall for her new movie, a Vogue article commented that the gingham check can also be worn in a bohemian style rather than a polished look of before - this is what sums up the difference between this year and last year's style.

Pieces I have chosen to buy this year so far are -

Red gingham dress from Zara

Red gingham dress from Zara

Black gingham top from Topshop

Black gingham top from Topshop

 

Here is some 2017 gingham style inspiration -

 

So if you want to buy it this year, here is my top 5 gingham pieces to invest in for a wardrobe update:

1. MADAME embroidery boots, Topshop, £89.00

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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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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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