What's on my 'lust-after' Autumn list

The seemingly endless Summer is cooling off, it appears, which sounds like the perfect opportunity to cast our thoughts forward to the incoming new fashion season. Autumn 2018 promises to bring with it a batch of fresh ideas on style, updates on wardrobe staples and a burst of refreshed colours to tempt us out of our Summer dresses. I can't wait to start dressing in cosy layers - jumpers, shearlings, boots and even hats. In the words of Jon Snow, winter is coming, people, let’s get excited. 

I love figuring out how I am going to re-style my wardrobe staples for the new season. For me, it’s a balance of embracing easy updates and falling back in love with forgotten classics and stumbling upon some new future favourites too. I always start with a 'lust-after' list of ideas, or a mood board, then I do a wardrobe detox and define my season's wanted list of 5 things. I consider trends, what I liked from last season, what I need to replace and what is missing from my wardrobe. 

It's exciting when a new season starts, but you can get swept up in impulse buying, over buying or not having the right focus. Creating lists and mood boards ensures you spend your money more wisely, you can feel more confident about your choices and have fun finding the things you want.

Consider the following trends of the season when thinking about your new season 'lust-after' list.

---

The trends for AW18 that you should include in your Autumn List

LEOPARD PRINT

This season the trends are lead by the forever statement print; Leopard print. This will be the season that everyone will end up owning something in their wardrobes in the print or like last week's blog post, perhaps a dramatic coloured leopard print for a new update.

Leopard print tie neck blouse, Somerset by Alice Temperley, £79.00

Oversized leopard print knit, &other stories, £69.00

BRIGHT COLOURS

Once again paint box colours are brightening up those long dark nights with a kaleidoscope of colour. From vibrant green and solar orange, to pillar-box red and vivid magenta; consider monochromatic matches for a put-together look with a punch, or get playful with opposing hues that epitomise exuberance. The bolder the better.

Wide leg wool culottes, John Lewis & partners, £99.00

Therese Cotton Contrast jumper, Kitri Studio, £55.00

CHECKS

Following on from last year's massive blazer trend, this is set to continue in heritage checks, stripes and modern tailoring is still high on the fashion agenda. Think suits, trousers instead of jeans, 

Houndstooth sweater, &other stories, £79.00

Jodo Checked oversized jacket, Gestuz, Atterley, £290.00

---

For inspiration, here is my current 'lust-after' mood board for the new season.

If you need help with your new season wardrobe, I offer an online shop service - please email me to book yours now.

Animal instincts - how to wear coloured leopard print

I have written many blog posts about Leopard print over the years, for me it is one of the fail-safe prints that never goes out of style, out of fashion and always makes a statement. Over the years I have collected many pieces of Leopard print items for myself from coats, to shoes, to bags and a skirt, and I often advise clients to add the print into their wardrobe if in nothing more than accessories to liven up an evening outfit. This season Leopard print is having its moment in the spotlight and has been in every fashion magazine, glossy supplement and style website for the past month as it is a great transitional print and can update your outfit in an instant. But the tones in the Leopard do not suit everyone. If you are choosing a Leopard print that is predominantly stone then this can often drain you of any colour in your cheeks as it might not the right stone.

So know this for Autumn, fashion is really, really wild for animal print. Right now on the highstreet you can get Leopard print in an array of different colours so you can match your favourite print to your perfect colour. Why not go bright and zingy in your leopard print choices, you are already making a statement with the print so go that extra style mile and choose it in the right colour for you.

My 'SWAG BAG' that I took everywhere with me on holiday - Scamp and Dude, £28.00

---

Follow my pinterest board for more styling inspiration - Coloured Leopard print 2018

---

Here is my pick of how to do leopard the colourful way

1. Pink Leopard print satin dress, Ghost London, Next £165.00

2. Green jungle cat animal print tee, Whistles £55.00

3. Lola animal print frill dress, Kitri Studio £125.00

4. Leopard print blanket scarf, Warehouse £22.00

5. Red leopard print dress, Hush £55.00

6. Loui Red leopard print shirt, Gestuz Studio B fashion £99.00

7. Multi Leopard print belted dress, 2ND DAY, ASOS £160.00

8. Jaspre Cheetah Rust skirt, Never fully Dresses, £59.00

9. Animal print soft sweatshirt, Scamp and Dude, £50.00

how to organise your wardrobe for the new season

Are you tired of impulse buying? Looking at your wardrobe and saying to yourself "I have nothing to wear!". Do you wonder around shops or websites aimlessly looking for something to jump out at you to buy but you don't know what that is? Have you fallen out of love with your clothes and style?

Well now is the BEST time to do a 'back to school sort out'!

September is on the horizon and with it comes back to school mentality, a new academic year and a new season of fashion. With the change in season, weather and no summer holidays to look forward to, it can give you a new-year state of mind. So, this new fashion year, in the spirit of new beginnings why don't you take a fresh new approach to your wardrobe and style. 

So rather than doing the usual supermarket add ins, the sweeps around Zara and Topshop every month and the constant online surfing at John Lewis and Next, take some time to assess what you have already got in your wardrobe. Work out what you can wear this coming season, what you can pack away for later and what you need to buy out of necessity and/or love.

The benefits of assesing your wardrobe in this way range from monatary, saving you money on items that you don't need. It also gives you a focus on what to buy, writing a list of what is missing to make your wardrobe work that you constantly adhere to ensures you look at websites / go shopping less. Clearing out clears the mind and gives you a sense of accomplishment and happiness. Also it’s the easiest way to work out what you already have and what gaps there are to fill.

BEFORE THE WARDROBE DETOX

AFTER THE WARDROBE DETOX

“I knew I had to make a change. I was wearing the same clothes to work every week and felt no affection towards my wardrobe whatsoever. Everything was old, or boring, or really ‘last season’. The only thing that would make me feel mildly better was buying new clothes, which would just fuel the anger again after a few weeks.”

— Chloe, 39

---

If you embark on some new season detox, here are 5 top tips to consider when doing so -

1. Ask yourself some hard questions, for example

• How did I feel the last time I wore it?
• Do I need to be a certain weight to fit into it?
• Does it look tired or have any wear and tear?
• Is it the image I really want to portray of myself?

2. Treat your wardrobe like a capsule collection

What I mean is a 'working wardrobe' for you and your lifestyle. Essentially, it should be 30-40 pieces of clothing that can be mixed and matched to create a feast of outfits that are right for you. Over time you should build a carefully-edited capsule collection of your signature pieces. 

3. Be Ruthless

Easier said than done, we know, but having a good clear out means it’s time to get strict. For starters, the rule of when you last wore something might sound cliché but it works; if you haven’t worn something in the last six months then it’s time to say goodbye.

4. Donate

It’s really helpful to create separate piles when deciding what to keep, give to charity, sell or recycle. But while some more expensive pieces might be worth shifting online, selling your duds might not be the best option. Instead, avoid unwanted clothes slowly creeping their way back into your wardrobe and just donate to somewhere they’ll prove more useful or drop at a textile recycling point. 

5. Establish new rules

Now that you’ve successfully cut down your clothing, it’s important to make sure your wardrobe doesn’t become suffocated by clutter once more. To do this you need to establish a new set of rules for when you go shopping.

---

As a style consultant I’m continually assessing and refining my wardrobe – not in an obsessive, expensive way, or for Instagram, just to keep in tune with what’s going on. Items that are no longer worn go to charity, and I do try to practice the only buy if you love it rule. And every season I make a list of my wants and needs and stick to it. With an expert eye with years of experience, sometimes it takes an outsider with a more objective view to sort things out properly. Email now for a consultation - nina@edits-styling.com

life magazine - hertfordshire August 2018 edition

Read my latest article in Hertfordshire's LIFE magazine. On page 76 I give readers tips on how to keep your style upto date especially now we are inbetween seasons you can often feel stuck in a rut, bored of your Summer clothes but not ready to buy Autumn clothes yet either. Keep your style looking fresh with my top tips...

https://issuu.com/fishmedia/docs/life_mags_herts_aug18/76