How to look stylish in the rain

Cheers Britain for literally raining on our parade!

Was it just last week that I was putting suncream on, wearing sandles and had my sunglasses permentantly attached to my face? I can't even remember what it feels like to wear shorts anymore.

So far the summer holidays have brought us wet, grey and cold temperatures, and it's not stopping anytime soon. So I ask myself, can you buy lovely waterproof jackets and still look stylish?

It's something that's been on my radar for week's now, but where do you a buy a fashionable rain jacket without spending alot of money? I am sick of wearing completely inadequate jackets and I can't bear pulling out my North Face practical waterproof as I feel like I'm going hiking up a mountain or something!

So after much internet shopping investigating (thank-you google!), I have to report that you can buy lovely, nice rainproof jackets and be both chic and dry everyday. Having purchased mine for the wet week ahead, here are my 5 of the best ...

1. Zara water resistant jacket £29.99

2. ASOS trench in bonded cloth £75.00

3. Topshop yellow plastic rain mac £55.00

4. Stutterheim Stockholm Navy raincoat £200.00

5. GAP poncho £69.95

Check out my pinterest board for more style rainwear inspiration - What to wear when it rains!

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/

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.