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New season's winners at LK Bennett

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LK Bennett, a British Icon, a firm favourite with Kate Middleton, good quality, expensive but classic. These are words that I would of used to describe the high street chain for the past few years. I have a number of clients who I will shop in LK Bennett with them due to their work attire or when clients have occasions such as ascot, weddings and christenings it will be on my list to look at. Until now I have never thought of them as fashion forward, classic yes, beautifully cut yes, modern sometimes…but today after a personal shopping trip with a client my head has been turned!

Their new AW19 collection had me excited at every turn and every dress. The client did buy 2 dresses from the collection and after we parted ways I had to go back and try some on myself. Here are my top picks from the new collection…

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The same style comes in bright purple too

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These 2 beautiful bags also caught my eye…

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It's been a spotty kind of week

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This week has been a mixed bag of weather, a mixed bag of activities now that the kids are off school and work has slowed up for the summer holidays and a mixed bag of life stuff happening too. What hasn’t been a mixed bag has been my outfits as this week, having got a bit bored of the temperamental weather, I decided to stick to a theme - SPOTS.

Some outfits are styled for evening and some for daytime. I have tried to use lots of my accessories that I own to use colour in my outfits. Accessories are key when it comes to building your own style and styling your outfits, starting with a good base of shoes and bags and then building on earrings, hair accessories, sunglasses and necklaces will all come with time. Some pieces I have owned for 10 years, others have been newer purchases for events this summer, sale purchases or gifts for my birthday.

So this is what my week looked like in outfits…

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THE Zara spotty dress. I have dressed this up for evening using magenta pink that is from my colour palette (Winter), that I religiously stick to. Using accessories to make this monotone dress have some style personality.

Shoes from Topshop (sale)

Hairband from Maison Archives London

Bag from &other stories (Last year) - similar here

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This outfit was also for the evening, but I had worn the skirt with a plain white tank top in the daytime as was a warmer day, so for the evening I added the yellow clutch bag from Whistles (sale) and my office sandals that I got last year but I give to so many clients because they are so comfy.

Skirt from & other stories

White tee from H&M (old)

Clutch bag from Whistles (sale)

Sandals from office

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This was a day outfit, out with the kids on a sunny day to the park. The spot tank top is from Topshop and one of the oldest things I have in my wardrobe. It is quite short so I can wear it out with jeans but I can also tuck it in. I like to add a hairband when I am wearing this skirt as it gives it more attitude, the denim skirt is old from &Other Stories.

Denim skirt from & other stories, similar here

Spot tank top from Topshop (old)

Sandals from &other stories last year, but they have got them out again here

Red clutch from Kate Spade (present)

Embellished hairband from Anthropologie last year, similar here

Sunglasses from Mulberry

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This last outfit was a daytime one, one where I went for lunch with a friend so I dressed up a bit. If I wanted to wear this out with the kids I would of put my white stan smith trainers on, changed my bag to a bigger one and perhaps thrown a jacket over the top too. Alot of these pieces are old from my wardrobe, but stand the test of time.

Bag from See by Chloe at My Theresa

Spot shirt from Zara (old)

Fake leather culottes from ASOS (old)

Leopard print sandals from Whistles (very old!)

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The Summer dress edit

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It’s been a while since my last blog post. I have been desperate to write one these past few weeks, but work has been super busy that it hasn’t given me alot of time for anything else.

As the temperatures are finally increasing it feels right to talk about Summer dresses. Dresses to wear now, through the Summer and in Autumn with some stylish layering ideas. Dresses are a go-to for me in the Summer months because they are comfortable, easy to wear, no brain power required, they can be dressed up or down, styled your way, cool and breezy and what I love most – they are flattering. And they can be your uniform too.

Dresses are a no brainer one-stop style solution, but they can also be a blank canvas to style your way. And I have found five styles to inspire you and your shopping…

DRESSES FOR SUMMER

THE SHIRT DRESS

Shirt dresses are so effortless and versatile. They can be worn loose and oversized for that relaxed vibe, whatever your shape, but are particularly favourable for skimming ‘mummy tagged’ middles. The shirt dress doesn’t grip, has a flattering v-style neck and depending on how much you like your legs, can be mini, midi or maxi. If you want to show off your curves or create/define your waist for a more sculpted silhouette, simply cinch the waist of the dress with a belt.

THE SPOTTY DRESS

Aside from the Zara dress (see above photos), polka dots are having a bit of a moment. Although to be fair they have never really gone out of fashion and are always a great print option.

THE MIDI DRESS

No longer old fashioned and twee and just worn by your Granny, midi dresses or tea dresses, the sort with a midi hemline, sleeves and in light, floral or print fabrics, are so easy to wear and so flattering. Just make sure the tailored point (seam/waistline) is at your slimmest part (under boobs or nipped at the waist), choose a hem that cuts you off at a good part of your leg below the knee, go button down for elongating shorter or wider torsos and keep prints smaller the more petite you are and vice versa and for the most flattering silhouette.

THE WHITE DRESS

A white dress is a timeless classic but can be completely impractical too. But the Little White Dress (LWD), is the only way you can ditch your black dress in the Summer time. There’s just something unapologetically summery and optimistic about this shade, be it lacy and whimsical, or linen and minimalist. Throwing one on signals that yes, the sun is going to shine.

THE WRAP DRESS

This shape has had an update, as it no longer exclusively ties at the side, but can be tied at the back or the middle. With its super slimming tie or knot waist, v-neckline and non-gripping A-line skirt it is universally flattering. It defines the waist and can add curves for more straight up and down figures, skims and slims over hips and bottoms for those conscious of this area. If you feel short in the torso, choose a deeper, plunging neckline to lengthen, and those with a bigger bust, the v-neckline and fit and flare style waist, will balance your top and bottom halves.

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My Spring shopping list

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Every new season I write a wish list and I encourage clients to write a shopping list of the wants and need of your wardrobe. Firstly though you need to asses, edit and detox your wardrobe. This is a hugely important starting point as it gives you clarity , reminds you what you have, what you loved last year and what you need to replace. Once you have detoxed your wardrobe and have invested in the basics that can be worn day in and day out, you now need to think about the seasonal items that give your style personality.

Each season my advice is to invest in just five fashion‑forward statement pieces to update your look. The idea is that limiting your choice will make you think more about what you buy, so there will be fewer regrettable impulse purchases. Plus, you can invest more in high-quality pieces that you’ll love for years to come.

So now is the time to make your five piece list for Spring Summer. Think about your budget and stick to it and by writing the items down you can always refer back it to throughout the season - it will ensure you don't impulse buy without consulting your list first.

If you need some inspiration, here is my Spring Summer five piece list (some of which I have already brought).

MY SPRING SHOPPING LIST

  1. NEW WHITE TRAINERS - The trend is to ditch the trainers this season and when the weather hots up I will be getting my toes out in sandals but for now and again into Autumn a pair of box fresh white trainers is a must-have to make my outfits look fresh. Adidas Stan Smith’s are a fail safe option for me and for my clients, but this season I am going to invest in a pair of VEJA trainers. Now just to choose which pair.



2. PINK BOILERSUIT - the jumpsuit and now the boilersuit is my go-to item in my wardrobe. I love the denim jumpsuit that I brought from Topshop in December, as this is black I would like a lighter one for Spring Summer.

3. MINI CROSS BODY BAG - the trend for bags is going mini and micro, some are totally impractical but I do like the idea of not carrying alot in my everyday cross body bag, especially for the evening. So I have my eye on a couple of coloured bags that will be an investment item for me.

4. UPDATED BLAZER - I have worn and worn my check blazer from Mango that I brought last year so I feel that I need a new one because it’s abit worn and I like wearing blazers to consultations with clients and also over dresses in the summer. I want another check as I like having the pattern, but not sure what kind yet so I am keeping my shopping eye out for the one I want and that I know will last my through Autumn too.

5. THE PERFECT MIDI DRESS - The midi dress has been on trend for a number of seasons now and the retailers offerings are going from strength to strength. I found my perfect evening one last season, the animal print from Whistles dress, so now I am on the hunt for a summer day version of this.

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