Viewing entries in
Online Shopping

Comment

Time to embrace your PJ's & loungewear again

After a crazy busy few weeks of Autumn and then the Christmas run up I think we are all craving the need for a bit of downtime at home around the Christmas tree. Over the past couple of years we have embraced loungewear and PJ dressing due to the pandemic and we have found many ways to utilise our loungewear into daywear by adding knitted jumpers, sequins and trainers to elevate our styling. Loungewear became our daily uniform during lockdown, while working from home was the norm and comfy co-ords were all we wanted to be wearing. Life may be returning to normal now but we're in no way ready to let go of our relaxed new wardrobe essentials.

If you feel like giving your loungewear a refresh for the colder months, then there's never been a better time to shop. So if you have new PJ’s or loungewear on your Christmas list then let me inspire you with these cosy treats.

MY TOP PICKS

Comment

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Follow

Comment

Transitional pieces that you should own

Screenshot 2021-09-07 at 13.08.24.png

September is finally here thankfully, but it can sometimes be a tricky one for dressing as some days it’s lovely and warm, others it’s chucking it down with rain and some days it’s so cold you just want to grab your Winter coat and go. The key to transitioning is layering, jackets, sweaters, long-sleeve t-shirts, converse high tops, boots and quilted jackets are just some of the essential things you need in your wardrobe for September. I like to use as much of my Summer wardrobe as I can and layer up over the top, whilst also putting some of those high summer pieces away so I can see what I have missing to make my wardrobe versatile.

Shirts & jeans are the perfect transitional combination

Shirts & jeans are the perfect transitional combination

Wearing white jeans with Autumn blazers & converse high tops

Wearing white jeans with Autumn blazers & converse high tops

Wearing strappy summer dresses with a blazer & chunky trainers

Wearing strappy summer dresses with a blazer & chunky trainers

A breton stripe jumper, sweater or t-shirt is the perfect transitional piece

A breton stripe jumper, sweater or t-shirt is the perfect transitional piece

There are always items that are key to your style and wardrobe, pieces that never go out of fashion and work for any and every situation. These pieces become part of your style depending on your colours, how you wear them and ensuring they are constants in your wardrobe for when the season changes. I have a shopping list of pieces that I believe are the best items you can buy right now, will last you into Winter and you will pull back out again for Spring. In fact if you refer back to my January 2021 blog post “6 Spring items to elevate your Winter wardrobe”, I either mention the same items again in this post, or you will note that those pieces are still relevant and wearable right now, proving that these staples never go out of style.

Transitional pieces to buy now

1.Shirts

In January 2021 I wrote the blog post “6 Spring items to elevate your Winter wardrobe” shirts featured in the top 6 but now it seems that you can wear anything and everything with a shirt. I feel it’s moved on from the pretty collar styling even though there are still alot of them around especially removable collars, but the want for mensy stripes and oversized dressing has taken over. So top of my list for Autumn styling right now is a stripe oversized shirt, I have lived in the blue stripe one I brought back in February from Zara and I am currently lusting after a new one to update my wardrobe with.

2. Breton stripe top

An absolute classic that you can never go wrong wearing, it’s best to style it up with a twist rather than just jeans but as it’s a fail safe classic I normally advise clients to look at puff sleeves, embroidered details, sweaters or different coloured stripes for more personality. Sometimes though simple is the most understated form of style.

3. Quilted jacket

This is quite a new transitional piece but has been around for a number of seasons and it’s a great option for a transitional jacket. This season the quilting is varied, colourful and comes in lots of different lengths and shapes. The shorter version has been inspired by cult brand The Frankie shop and this has filtered down to Marks & Spencer, Hush, H&M and Zara. It’s lightweight, rainproof, stylish jacket; what’s not to love!

4. Dogtooth blazer

Two colour check blazers are a style staple in anyone’s wardrobe, whether it be a dogtooth pattern, a gingham, a prince of wales check or a tartan it all works with lots of different pieces that you already own. Dogtooth and gingham are having a seasonal moment and whether it’s a blazer or a shacket it’s a great layering piece that can be worn dressed up or dressed down.

5. Boots

This cover all manner of styles, boots are always a wardrobe staple but the ankle boot, chelsea boot length styling always look great with dresses, skirts and jeans. The slimmer slightly longer calf length became the forefront of style last Autumn and that is set to continue this season too. I love the chunky feel to them and wore mine most days last year.

6. Knitted dress

A piece I get asked for a lot, I believe this is something you buy and when you find the perfect one you will hold onto it forever. They are having a revival moment as there have been times over the years I have barely been able to find any to shop for clients but last year they came back into stores due to comfy dressing. Bag one now for transitional and then wear it with tights and boots when it gets colder, it will keep you so warm.

7. Trench coat

Way back in February I wrote the blog post “Spring’s hottest piece of outerwear” all about my quest to find the perfect trench coat. That still hasn’t happened for me yet, though I do have my eye on a Navy one to try, a trench coat is something that can be layered over knitwear, over t-shirts or coats layered over the top of them - it is a very versatile piece to own and something that will never go out of style.

8. Green

This is my ‘trend’ entry, this season there is something about the colour Green that is bubbling under online. It is a bright green, mostly warm and perfect for ‘spring’ colour palettes but it’s something that is growing stronger and is a great colour for knitwear and shirting. So if there is a colour to try in these coming weeks then look at Green, make sure the tone is right for your skintone and then give it a try.

Comment

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Follow

Comment

Why are shorts the hardest item to buy in the Summer?

SHORTS…Could they be the most difficult item in your wardrobe to buy and get right in the Summer?

It’s certainly one of the most asked for items from my clients, “can you find me a good pair of shorts?” …but with a long list of requirements; not too short, not too frumpy, not too tight round my thighs, can they not be high waisted? It is very tricky to find a good pair of shorts, but when you do you hold onto them for life. Mine are a VERY old pair of Topshop khaki (not even my colour that’s how old they are) shorts, a great fit, a great length, now covered in paint and marks and are only good for the garden and camping trips.

IMG_9719.JPG
IMG_9702.JPG

As temperatures are finally rising it is nice to have the option of having a pair of shorts to pop on, as easy as a pair of jeans. So why is it so hard to find the right pair? We all have body hang ups, we all have different body shapes so shopping for shorts can be demoralising and exhausting as it makes us focus on areas of our body we struggle with. We just want the perfect pair of shorts to compliment your figure and fit your body shape.

Tips on how to buy the right shorts for your body shape

If you are Athletic & toned (straight body shape) - you need to get slim fitting shorts with subtle fading and whiskers when buying denim shorts.

If you are curvy (apple body shape) - getting a high waisted pair of shorts are good for your body shape, with some stretch too.

If you are petite - make sure the style fits you properly otherwise they can very easily look too big, so form fitting fabrics are best.

If you have a small waist but a larger bottom (hourglass body shape) - Accenuate your waist, it’s your smallest part so higher waist styles like paperbag waists are best for your body shape.

Best shorts to buy right now

Comment

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Follow

Comment

Spring jackets that everyone needs

I know the temperatures haven’t exactly been Spring like these past couple of weeks, but it will get there eventually and one of the hardest things to nail is finding the perfect Spring jacket. I get asked it every year by clients to find what will be the best jacket to keep you stylish when you can (finally!) pack your coat away.

One of my many wardrobe tips is to invest in a number of different jackets as a jacket can really change up an outfit. From a super casual denim jacket, to a cool leather biker, right through to the on-trend trench coat, anything and everything goes, just make sure you have a couple to hand so you can try a few different looks with the same outfit.

The transition from Winter to Spring and even Summer still requires quite a bit of layering in this country, and making the switch over from heavy Winter coat to lighter styles feels transformative. And while we are still freezing cold whilst braving it in a pub garden right now, it pays to be prepared for when that switch in temperature happens, and it will!

Whilst not every style suits every body shape or colouring there are always go-to styles that you are rely on. For me there are six key styles that dominate the season ahead. From the update on the shacket that you can start wearing now, to the overhauled denim jacket that's sticking around, get inspired by some Spring jacket shopping.

TOP 6 STYLES FOR SPRING

  1. Denim jacket

2. Printed jacket

3. Trench coat

4. Biker jacket

5. Shacket

6. Blazer

7. Short jacket

Comment

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Follow