how to wear spring's key jacket now

Want a mid week shopping fix? Looking for something to brighten up these dull winter but looks like Spring days? Then look no further than investing in a piece that will see you from now through Spring, Summer and beyond...

We all need to go out and buy ourselves a bomber jacket.

Not because they are weather appropriate but because they are THE jacket you will want to wear all season and if we don’t get one now, all the good ones will be gone! Throughout fashion month, everyone from models, to fashion editors and style icons have been wearing the bomber jacket- even in freezing cold New York fashion week temperatures!

With some clever styling tricks I can show you how to wear this jacket now and once the temperatures rise your summer bomber jacket style will come along easily.

1. The easiest way to wear the bomber jacket now is to 'double jacket' it. Wear it zipped up under your roomy winter coat, but keeping the coat open so its just poking out underneath.

2. Layer up underneath with a chunky polo neck.

3. Make sure you are wearing your hat and scarf and pair with a Gucci inspired embroidered bomber jacket.

TOP 5 BOMBER JACKETS TO BUY NOW

1. Marks and Spencer Limited edition Oriental bomber - £65.00

2. Uniqlo Carine Roitfeld Military bomber - £49.90

3. Zara embroidered bomber - £69.99

4. Topshop Badged MA1 bomber jacket - £59.99

5. Mango satin bomber - £39.99

Or if like me, you like to 'style it your own way', then there's nothing wrong with borrowing your Husband's bomber jacket...

For more bomber jacket styling ideas, check out my pinterest board - Spring 2016 bomber jackets

3 ways to wear the statement sleeve

All hail the statement sleeve! Roll up your sleeves girl and show some serious shoulder this season as this trend will dominate 2016...

The weather's finally warming up, which means its time to shed the layers and show some shoulder in this season's newest trend. Whether they're puffy, frilled, bell off the shoulder or cut-out, it's all about fancy sleeve styles for Spring; sleeves become the focus of the outfit. Bare shoulders and collarbones are proving to be the most popular erogenous zones in fashion right now.

The great thing is it's a trend you can get on board with now and wear with ease daily. It’s sexy without going overboard, head-turning but wearable, fresh and new but also good for any age.

Inspiration as has come from the SS16 catwalks such as Roksanda Ilincic, Erdem and Jonathan Saunders (seen below).

Roksanda Ilincic

Erdem

Jonathan Saunders

There have been many fashionista's, models, actresses and style icons wearing this trend out and about attending the numerous fashion weeks or award ceremonies recently that we can take inspiration from.

Street style

Caroline Flack

Street style

Liv Tyler

Stella McCartney

Laura Whitmore

Dermot and wife Dee

Off duty model

But how does one make a statement with such an unusual part of the outfit?

By choosing sleeves big and even bigger, playing with bare shoulders or contrasting volumes, and by making sure we see the sleeves immediately. This new top silhouette is sure to instantly kick up the coolness factor of your Spring wardrobe. 

A bold full-on volume style on top calls for a subtle bottom half, so balance out the oversize proportions by pairing it with skinny jeans, cropped trousers or a midi skirt. My approach is that there really can only be one hero to an outfit, a ruffle sleeve for example needs to be completely played down by a streamlined outfit. See my 3 wears to wear this trend below and let me know which one you think you would adopt yourself...

1. Shirt from Marks and Spencer £29.50 - BUY NOW HERE

2. Top from Whistles £50.00- BUY NOW HERE

3. Top from Topshop £42.00 - BUY NOW HERE

For more inspiration and clothes to shop then check out my pinterest board - Roll up your sleeves

How to ROCK the rucksack!

Not just any old rucksack, The Rucksack, Burberry and preferably monogrammed. Yep I've fallen hook, line & sinker for Burberry's latest must have accessories piece for SS16. First sent down the catwalks, this bag was instantly a hit.

You can get it monogrammed with your name, initials or anything you want at the Burberry Store in London.

You might of already spotted the SS16 accessory on the backs of some style icons and it's making me need it even more! But at a price tag of £795, I'm not sure I will splashing out anytime soon!

Taylor Swift

Margot Robbie

Cara Delvinge

So I must look for another alternative (I'm not sure there is one!), so I look to the high-street and see what they have to offer to ease my pain. See below for my top picks to snap up now...

1. Zara £35.99

2. French Connection £85.00

3. Whistles £180.00

4. ASOS £25.00

5. Paul's Boutique £70.00

Sometimes though nothing can beat the original...

Workwear recharged...Let your wardrobe multi-task for you!

January and February are the month's to power through to a whole new level—at work and in your personal life. Nothing quite ignites positive change like a wardrobe reboot, because what you put on every day immediately affects the way you feel. Fact.

You hear the word "workwear" and you think dull, school uniform-esque outfits that you wear whilst you endure a boring day at the office. But your work wardrobe doesn’t have to be boring.

Since the new year I have had numerous clients ask me how to update their workwear wardrobe that won't break the bank and won't take them out of their comfort zone of cold weather dressing. There is a formula to your working wardrobe that I want to share with you. Whether you are going back to work after having a baby, have got a new job or even work part-time, there are a few rules you can follow to make your life easier every morning when you get up and get dressed. No more opening your wardrobe and not knowing what to wear, and how to put outfits together. You need styles that 'multi-task' for you and enable you to look smart and sophisticated for all work occasions. Follow my styling directives to ensure that your wardrobe goes the distance...

Stick with the 7 HERO pieces below to ensure you tackle those early-morning workwear dilemmas.

EDITS WAYS TO WEAR

1. A printed shirt -

Reinvent the classics with a hint of print – it’s a simple switch that makes all the difference. They look best tucked into skirts and trousers or under a a great fitting suit.

WHERE TO BUY ON THE HIGHSTREET -

Warehouse printed pussy-bow blouse £45.00

2. Leather pencil skirt -

One of this season’s most supreme power pieces, it’s time to let your skirt do the talking, styling with a simple cotton t-shirt and brightly fitted blazer. A white shirt with a crew neck or v-neck jumper on those colder days in the office. Or with your printed blouse as above or chic plain blouse tucked into the pencil skirt. See also hero piece number 3 below for another way to wear this piece.

WHERE TO BUY ON THE HIGHSTREET -

Marks and Spencer Autograph leather pencil skirt £149.99

3. Sleeveless waistcoat -

These have been around for a couple of seasons now but I do think that they have longevity and are a chic way to smarten up your look. It's a great separate and brought in a colour means it can be worn with black trousers and lots of different tops underneath. Ranging from white shirts, t-shirts, printed blouses and even stripey tee's. I love this pink one from River Island, don't be scared of belting it to show off your waist.

WHERE TO BUY ON THE HIGHSTREET -

River Island pink raw hem sleeveless jacket £60.00

4. A pinafore dress -

This might remind you of being back at school, but believe me you will want one in your life when you realise just how versatile they are throughout these winter months and then can be reinvented for summer. The pinafore dress is my new go-to piece. For work you can layer it up with printed shirts underneath, polo necks and even a stripey tee for a new nifty way of layering. When nothing else in your wardrobe will do, this dress shape will put you firmly on the stylish map at work.

WHERE TO BUY ON THE HIGHSTREET -

Warehouse Black pinafore dress £60.00

5. A great blazer jacket -

This is a wardrobe staple for anyone, whether working or not. I suggest every women finds their perfect little blazer - it can change an outfit instantly. I love that you can mix it up with different pieces, depending on your workday, meetings, dress it down with dark wash jeans or using it within a suit. If you dare to have one that is patterned of in a bright colour, this will of course get you noticed, but can be used so effectively to enhance a simply black trousers and white shirt outfit. I suggest going to Zara as they have a fabulous range of different types of blazers at the moment, at great prices.

WHERE TO BUY ON THE HIGHSTREET -

Zara blazer £49.99

6. A great pair of black trousers -

Why are these so hard to find? They are either too wide, too long or the fabric is too cheap! I have advised clients to buy these Boden ones time and time again as they are so flattering and a great length.

WHERE TO BUY ON THE HIGHSTREET -

Boden Bistro trouser £89.50

7. The slip-on mules -

Now seriously who can wear heel's to the office, or work everyday? It's just not feasible or doable when you need to walk to appointments, to the station, around shops all day. A perfect pair of flats for work is now perfectly acceptable. When Gucci's backless mules became the shoe of AW15, it was inevitable that this year the humble flat would get a make-over. Like any worthy wardrobe staple, they go with everything. Polished enough for the office, wear with wide-leg culottes, fitted trouser suits or a midi skirt and you will look thoroughly modern and smart with your footwear update of the season.

WHERE TO BUY ON THE HIGHSTREET -

Topshop KOLA mule £59.99

For my inspiration follow my pinterest board - Workwear wardrobe re-boot

If you need help with your workwear wardrobe, contact me now for more information on styling sessions at your home, shopping trips and online shopping magazines.