Comment

Its boots season! Where to buy the best new styles from...

top.JPG

Buying a new pair of boots has become an autumnal rite of passage, in the same way as choosing a new coat for winter. They're incredibly versatile, they go with everything (hopefully) and they're ideal for the British climate, which isn't that kind to trainers and more flimsy shoes by the time October rolls around. Finding the right pair can make the Winter more bearable - and infinitely more stylish. But what style should you go for? 

Much like a coat, they're also often a pricier investment, so you want to be sure you're making an informed decision. But with so many different styles currently in the shops  – ankle, knee-high, velvet, satin, sock boots – how are you really supposed to navigate the shelves without losing a) your patience or b) your mind?

The good news is, I have scoured the current selection for you, in order to find out exactly where's selling the nicest styles at the moment, and how to wear them...


The western

A block heel ankle boot are this season's wear-with-everything style. Easy everyday boot with a bit of height to lengthen your legs. Lace-up is the updated style that looks best when worn with a pretty floral dress and biker jacket, but if you keep the slim then they will look great with straight leg denim and cropped trousers.

1.JPG
block.JPG

The sloucher

Channelling the 80s, these knee high, slouchy, pointed boots are sophisticated to wear over your jeans with a longline blazer.

slouch2.JPG
kendall.JPG

The high stepper

make the biggest statement of the season with highest boot, the thigh-highs. The modern way to wear them is with dresses or skirts, showing a flash of skin - wearing them like you would wear tights - are you brave enough?

thigh1.JPG
thigh2.JPG

The cocktail

Show some serious style on your feet wearing a boot with exquisite embellishment, brocade detailing, maximalist sequins and embroidery and let your boot lead your outfit. Everything else can be paired down while your boot does all the work.

COCKTAIL.JPG
3.JPG

The kitten heel sock

Fusing the biggest boot trends of the season (sock shape and kitten heel) to create one seriously hot hybrid. Mini heels are making a comeback, high or low they can make an impact on your outfit because of their colour, the length of them or even the detail on the heel. Easy to wear day to night, this style is worth investing in now and keeping for a few seasons to come.

sock1.JPG
sock.JPG

The statement colour

As you know this season it's all about red and one of the easiest ways to wear it is on your feet. Red looks great with dark washed denim or floral dresses in the daytime and make a real statement in the evening with black leather trousers and a red clutch to match.

red1.JPG
red3.JPG
red2.JPG

Follow my pinterest board for more style inspiration - Boots 2017

Comment

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Follow

Comment

The big coat edit

fur.JPG

The clocks have gone back, the nights are darker and it's finally getting chillier! It's not all bad news though as you can now wear your winter coat, scarf and hat and style out the Winter months confidently. The other good news is that there is loads of sales on at the moment so it is the perfect time to buy a new Winter coat for the season.

Coats are a weakness of mine and a good coat can update your style very easily. In the northern hemisphere it also, sadly, happens to be the piece you will end up wearing most from October to March. So with that in mind, it is really important you spend time thinking about what you really need and want out of your coat. Practically speaking, there are two main issues that need to be considered when buying a new coat: one, as this is a big wardrobe purchase (possibly the biggest of the entire year), it has got to be spot on. I’m talking goes with everything, fits like a dream, is warm but not bulky and, importantly, looks a knockout. The second is getting all of that without spending the sort of money that would buy you a small car. Style speaking, think about colour, shape, trend and remember one size does not fit all - you're leopard print fur coat might be someone else's poison!

So to help you here is my AW17 winter coat edit with 5 new season's styles to pick from, including discounts where I could get them! Buy now and you will love wearing it everytime you put it on.

Follow my pinterest board for more coats inspiration - 2017 Coats Style


1. CHECKED COAT

If there is one coat that sums up the season, it’s the double-breasted, checked, tailored style. A smash hit among fashion editors at Paris Fashion Week, this is all about 2017 power dressing. Try Whistles or Zara for crombie check coats or French Connection for smaller checks. This large check coat from Marks and Spencer currently has 20% off if you have a Sparks card.


 

2. RED COAT

Red is the fashionable colour of choice this Autumn and I would suggest that a fabulous coat is one of the easiest ways to wear it. Check out M&S and Jigsaw (its signature wool “Grace” coat is pricey, but something you’d have for ever).  Fantastic for chucking over jeans or a grey jumper, as famous fashion designer Bill Blass once said, “When in doubt, wear red.” This Mango masculine coat is currently in the mid season sale for £39.99 - what a bargin!


 

3. STATEMENT COAT

The beauty of a statement coat is that you can be wearing any old tat underneath it and no one would know. If your coat smiles, the rest of the world smiles along with you. And for this reason, this season’s panache for bold, jazzy coats is great news. If you’re not into the aforementioned red, then have a go at pink (this pink one form Boden has 25% off with code - DW33X4L4), green or colbalt blue. Or there’s my personal favourite, leopard print, always a great statement.


4. TEDDY COAT OR FUR COAT

My vote for comfort coat of the season goes to the bouclé slouch coat, aka “The Teddy”. Knobbly, bobbly and oh so cosy, this has a whiff of the 1960s, but has a very new-season nod to texture. Fur has also made a triumphant season return with this season seeing it being bolder than ever. Fun, colourful and not traditionally classic, faux fur is a great eveningwear alternative that will add a little wow factor to the plainest of looks. Check out Topshop and Zara for their Teddy coat's and Mango for some fun colourful furs. This tabacco number from Warehouse looks very appealing and has currently 30% off it online.

 

5. THE POSH PUFFER

The coat that defined 2016. Although puffer coats might not be quite as significant as this time last year, they are sticking around and for good reason – they are incredibly toasty. If you’re worried about looking like the Michelin Man, then check out Whistles forest green velvet puffer, which is easy on the puff-factor, but still fabulously warm. Currently is on discount on House of Fraser, from £159.00 to £127.20. Or REALLY stand out of a crowd with this metallic gold puffer jacket from &other stories.

Comment

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Follow

Comment

Life Magazine Hertfordshire edition - October 2017

My top tips on how to get your wardrobe ready for Autumn is featured in October's Hertfordshire Life Magazines covering Harpenden, St Albans, Hertford, Radlett and more. Read online now or pick up your copy locally.
https://issuu.com/fishmedia/docs/life_mags_herts_oct17/68

photo of oct.JPG
harp life oct.JPG

Comment

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Follow

1 Comment

where to find clothes you actually WANT to wear

top image.JPG

Most of what I do as an image consultant is to help clients find their style at a point in their lives where they have grown up, perhaps got married, perhaps had children, perhaps got a good career, perhaps stays at home or perhaps does all of the above but has somehow lost their style way.

Let me introduce you to one of my clients Emma. Emma is 46, smart, funny, opinionated, successful, works hard and earns a decent salary. Emma likes clothes, dislikes her knees in short dresses, has a bit of disposable income to spend on a few luxuries, but isn’t up for blowing her hard-earned cash on "trendy items". Emma thinks spending loads on clothes is borderline madness – she’d rather go on a well-earned two-week holiday with her husband and young kids. 

So where can Emma go shopping to buy that well cut dress for work, jeans and knitwear for the school run, and a few nice tops and accessories for when she goes out with the girls or date night with her husband? Has the high street forgotten about grown-up thirty, forty and fifty somethings?

Like most of us, Emma is far too busy to browse through endless crap online, she isn’t bothered about fashion trends or the latest “must-have” pieces – she just wants to look nice, feel good and not spend loads. Scrolling through thousands of shots of unattractive-looking clothes worn by extremely young models, when there’s homework to monitor, emails to catch up on and family diaries to manage, isn’t exactly a number-one priority. 

We are a nation full of Emma's, we want to look great but don't know where to look to find great clothes for grown-ups. We’ve clearly got a long way to go before the high street sorts itself out but, until that happens, it helps to know where to look for clothes that won’t disappoint.

So to save you time I have done the hard-work for you and I would like to introduce you to my go-to brands that might just make your heart race and I hope to inspire you to indulge on some new clothes that will be right up your style street!


KITRI - https://kitristudio.com/

From a small team of creatives based in London. The brand started from the frustration of not being able to find well-made, distinctive designs without breaking the bank, they set out to create their dream pieces in the hope that other women will love them too. Great use of colour and fabrics, strong eveningwear collection containing timeless stylish pieces that flatter women's figures.


&other stories - https://www.stories.com/gb/

Founded in 2010 by a small group of creatives, & Other Stories grew from the wish to give women the freedom of expression through one brand. A one stop styling destination with collections from Paris, Stockholm and Los Angeles. From classic prints on shirts and dresses to the perfect knitwear for all occasions, this brand is top of its game.

stories.JPG

Uterque - https://www.uterque.com/gb/

Uterque is part of the same group as Zara and was originally set up as an accessories brand in 2008. Since it was created, the company has evolved to include a carefully selected Ready To Wear collection in which quality materials and attention to detail are of the utmost importance. Their aim is to sell garments that are made to stand the test of time and are destined to become must-have items for any woman who values quality above all else.


Ganni - http://www.ganni.com/en

GANNI is a Danish fashion brand with a simple mission; To fill a gap in the advanced contemporary market for effortless, easy-to-wear pieces. From the perfect date-night dress to slouchy-chic Sunday knits, they design to please style-obsessed women everywhere. Their Scandinavian heritage is essential to their inspiration and believe passionately in designing quality fashion that can be worn in different ways to suit individual style.

1 Comment

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Follow