We all have preconceived ideas about brands, like who they are aimed at, what type of clothing they sell, what age they are for, etc… We’re all guilty of making these judgments and they can stop us developing our style and venturing outside of what is comfortable.    I’m always introducing clients to shops they wouldn’t normally dream of going into and they’re always pleasantly surprised.  Not only does it open their eyes to SO much more choice, but it also enables me to pull together a varied and hard working collection of clothes, that truly works for them.

I like to think that I’m more open minded than most and enjoy having a real mix of brands in my wardrobe, but there are a few stores I rarely visit and think won’t work for me…one of these is Fat Face.  I find their sizing a little random and rarely find anything I like in there, but a couple of months ago I was in John Lewis searching for clothes to bring to India and a spot maxi skirt caught my eye.  That's right, it was by Fat Face. So I took a little of my own advice, popped into the fitting room to try it on and ended up buying it.

I just love maxi skirts, especially when it’s hot; they’re so comfortable and cool and they look great, day or night. While I love wearing them, I’ve witnessed clients pulling them out of the wardrobe declaring they don’t know what to put with them or how to wear them, so I thought I’d illustrate just how versatile they are by pulling together three different looks, with one skirt.  

The first is perfect for a summer night out. It’s dressy yet relaxed, just right for a beautiful balmy evening.   The second look was inspired by the talented www.apair-andaspare.blogspot.co.uk I think it might actually be my favourite look, it’s so simple!  The last look has been my outfit of choice a lot recently, it’s so comfortable and I love mixing the spot print with a floral one.



1. Skirt from Fat Face.  Lace top from Topshop.  Leopard print belt from Oasis.  Shoes from Russell and Bromley. Necklaces from Warehouse and Bristol flea market.  Ring from House of Harlow. Bag from Yellow Button (Indiranagar, Bangalore)
2. Earrings House of Harlow. Belt from Topshop. Sandals from Office. Bangles from Blue Banana and Jane Kenney.
3. Top from TKMaxx. Belt from H&M. Flip flops from Gap. Necklaces from Accessorize and Asos. Bangles from India. 

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What do you think to maxi skirts? Do you have one?  I’d love to hear your favourite way to wear it, or even better if you’ve posted about this, pop the link below…I’m always on the lookout for outfit inspiration!

This is a trend that we’re all getting rather familiar with, it’s around season after season but have to admit I love it. You must think I love all the trends this season, but that’s really not the case…as you will find out in some of my next posts. There’s something about the sunshine that makes me embrace a more bohemian style…with a little rock chick thrown into the mix of course!

Images thanks to style.com

There are so many ways to work this trend, from loud prints to tribal inspired jewellery so you’ll have no trouble introducing it into your wardrobe. Accessories are the easiest way to work this trend, but if you want to go all out, then there are some totally tribal trousers or printastic playsuits around.  Here are my favourite picks on the high-street at the moment…

1. Leopard print scarf from Miss Selfridge 2. Sunburst pendent, House of Harlow from Pod in Clifton Village 3. Tie dye trousers from Zara 4. Tribal print dress from Matalan 5. Orange peg leg trousers from Monsoon 6. Sandals from Accessorize 7. Leather bag from House of Fraser 8. Tribal cropped t-shirt from ASOS 9. Playsuit from Fat Face 10. Necklace from Zara 11. Trousers from Monsoon 12. Cuff from Oasis 13. Gold tribal heart earrings from Pod in Clifton Village

Laura from A Daisy Chain Dream looks fabulous in the dress from Matalan take a look here for some inspiration.

Here’s how I’ll be wearing this trend...


Do you like this trend? How will you be wearing it?

Lace is a fabric that I always lust after, I don’t know why, but whenever I see it in a shop I just have to go up and touch it.  I got married almost four years ago and my wedding dress was made from the most beautiful beaded lace, I just loved it!  So as you might have guessed, this is another trend that I intend to make the most of.

Emilio Pucci

Louis Vuitton

Valentino

Valentino

Last season lace was a big trend, but it was one for the bad girl.  Gothic chic was huge and I made the most of it, satisfying my desire for something more edgy to mix with my already, predominantly black wardrobe.  But this season the good girl has fought back, and the trend has evolved into something softer and more romantic with lashings of white, cream, soft sorbet shades and girly shapes. 

Despite this, I really feel that this is a trend that can be adapted to suit all styles.  Girly, edgy, classic or sexy, it will work for all.  Here are a few of my favourites from the high-street so far…

My last post was all about print so I thought that for my next ‘Three Wasy To Wear’ post, I’d carry on from this and pick something in a bold print.

This jacket is from Zara…I have a kind of love hate relationship with it.  The colours are so good and the print is stunning but on the hanger, it doesn’t look great.  I spotted this blazer on the website a few weeks ago and couldn’t decide what I thought of it, so when I spotted it on a shopping trip with a client, I vowed to go back and try it on when I’d finished.  It came home with me.  I have to admit, I’m still not too sure whether to keep it or not, I do think my wardrobe could do with an injection of colour and print and I can make a whole heap of outfits with it; however it really is VERY bold!

First outfit: Jacket from Zara, stripe t-shirt from Whistles, necklace from Urban Outfitters, vintage bangles, jeans from Mimi Noor, shoes from Ash. Second outfit: Earrings from House of Harlow, dress from Tophop, belt from Topshop, boots from Zara. Third outfit: T-shirt form Evil Twin, necklace, as before, Jeans from Donna Ida, Boots from Zara.

First, I wanted to illustrate that a jacket like this can easily be worn in the day, quite casually. I’ve teamed it with a stripe t-shirt, something that’s great to have in the wardrobe.  If you’re someone who lives in white t-shirts in the summer then a striped version will just add a little more interest under jackets and knitwear. 

Next, I wanted to pull together a more summery outfit.  I can’t wait to wear this when it warms up a little more (and after some serious fake tan application too), it’s so comfortable and so me.  My leather jacket would be my usual go to jacket; however the colour of this probably does far more for me and gives the outfit a slightly different look, more boho than rock chick.

The last outfit is a little print mixing, you all know how much I like to mix my prints so you must have been expecting to see something like this one.  I think the floral jacket sits well over the skull design t-shirt, while the black skinny jeans tie the outfit together.  Sure, a cardigan would work well here too, but I tend to prefer jackets for layering as they will often enhance curves more…sometimes a long, loose, cardigan can swamp the frame.

So what do you think?  Will you be running to the shops to find a printed jacket, or sticking to block colours?

This is one of those love it or hate it trends.  But if you hated it last season, then you might find yourself warming to it this autumn, as this time round it’s grown up into something much more wearable and versatile.  The fringing from summer is still hanging around, so if you loved it like I did, then you’ll still find plenty of bags overloaded with it.  However, the fringed skirts and tops have all but gone and in their place are the far more conventional tassels, dangling from necklines, shoes, bags and belts. 

Moderation is the key to getting this look right.  Don’t be tempted to wear too many fringed items at once and make sure you keep the rest of your outfit simple.  It’s a trend that can be worked into your everyday wardrobe, if you’re careful and choose items that suit your own style.

This bag laden with fringes is perfect for my everyday style.  I wanted the bag to blend in with my outfit in a rock chick kinda way, so I’ve teamed it with my black skinnies, silk top, leather jacket and animal print pointies.

Bag – Topshop, £75 Silk top – Topshop, £35 Black jeans – Oasis, £48 Animal print shoes – Oasis, £40 Leather jacket – years old! Ring – House of Harlow, £45

 For work, I like things to be a little more polished.  I’ve accessorised these tailored trousers and blouse with a tassel necklace and pair of statement tasselled,shoes.  They nod to the trend, but keep the look clean and simple.

Blouse – Monsoon Fusion, £48 Trousers – Zara, £29 Belt – Came with trousers Shoes – River Island, £60 Necklace - Topshop, £12.50

This trend isn’t the preserve of festival goers; it really can be worked into your everyday wardrobe. But don’t forget, moderation is key, and less is more!

See my full column in this months Folio magazine.