Autumn is the time for...

Image: pinterest

It's official. Summer has gone. Autumn is here. The temperature is rapidly dropping and the mornings getting darker. Daytime drinking is less acceptable, along with short shorts and permanently wearing your Raybans. But the season (if you're reading this in the UK) is also a cause of celebration in terms of fashion and clothes. Let me explain.

Autumn is the time for maroon, burnt orange and earthy brown colours. When the leaves are so beautiful, who can resist a tertiary colour palette that imitates the nature around us? These shades are also very easy to mix and match. Team with a dark maroon lip for full effect.

Autumn is the time for trench coats. It's definitely coat weather now (my recent Insta poll showed that 95% of you agreed). To ensure it matches the rest of your earthy wardrobe, invest in a classic belted trench coat in a light or medium beige.

Image: i0.wp

Autumn is the time for thick, cable knit scarves. As we transition to cooler weather, layering becomes essential. Not quite hat and gloves weather just yet, but a chunky scarf will not only protect you from blustery winds, it'll lift your entire outfit too.

Autumn is the time for knee high boots. Hard to get right, but when done well, knee high boots look extremely sophisticated. Dark brown or black is best. Choose a boot that has a simple design and is relatively flat (as opposed to high heeled) to avoid a tacky look.

Autumn is the time for quality jumpers and cashmere cardigans. Soft, wool-based fabrics, will feel great against your skin and keep you warm. Opt for looser styles that have a flattering cut. Chai tea latte to go? If you insist.

Online or Offline? That is the question

It's 2017 and E-commerce (the fancy name for online shopping) has never been bigger. Major retailers cannot survive the High Street without investing in an online platform for customers to purchase orders. On top of that, we're surrounded by digital marketing campaigns utilising social media, online advertising and emails. The question on many lips - will the High Street survive? 

My own opinion is yes. Why? Because although pretty much everything can be bought online there are some things worth buying offline. For certain (often trickier) items, going into a shop has major merits.

Here are the ones to watch out for.

J is for Jeans

Jeans are the staple of all wardrobe staples. It's something you can't afford to get wrong. 90% of people are unlikely to buy the very first pair of jeans they try on - normally it takes a few shops and a few styles to get the right one. Those with longer than normal legs find this especially hard (why does Zara not have a Tall range please?!) Can you imagine doing all this online? A whole lot of returns and stress that can be avoided.

S is for Suits 

This one applies to men too. The fit, fall and general look of a suit cannot be predicted from ordering online. The model is not you and though sizing guides are normally OK for most things, blazers and suited wear are often a hit and miss. Cut the hassle and go into store. Added bonus: you can mix and match different shades and styles while there.

B is for Bras

Balcony, T-shirt, Plunge.....there are so many bra styles out there. The phrase 'try before you buy' definitely applies to this one. Size 32C or 36E in one store can be very different to another retailer. To be direct, ladies's er bits, are all different, meaning it often requires a lot of trial and error to get the right bra that fits you. Also applies to bikinis.

H is for Heels 

Blisters are a part of life. But the chance of getting them can be dramatically reduced by purchasing a pair in store, where you have the luxury of trying on 100+ pairs and choosing the one that not only looks best (as you would online) but feels best too. Amen.

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The 5 shoes every girl should own

As Marilyn Monroe famously said, 'Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world'. Emphasis on shoes plural, not shoe singular. Because let's face it, we all need a solid weaponry of footwear for whatever the occasion. We know slippers are for bed, trainers for sport, and flipflops for the pool - but what about the rest?

Look no further, this is the ultimate shoe checklist -

Block Boots

Standard boots are great for a) mild weather and b) comfort. But heeled block boots have an added bonus - ideal for times when you don't want to wear normal heels, but still want extra height. (Think parties and long nights dancing). Not only that, but they look great dressed down with skinny jeans.

Proper Heels

Unfortunately though, not all occasions allow for heeled boots. Really swanky events require a pair of quintessential, traditional black heels. To avoid the dreaded 'Ow my feet' syndrome, try to get ones that have a fairly wide heel (not like a pin), with added height at the front of the shoe.

Smart Flats 

Perfect for work, afternoon tea and day trips. I personally love patent styles which add extra shine to the shoe (also eliminating the need to polish them). Brogues are great, as are dolly pumps, but be sure to choose ones that are firm & padded so they last.

Casual Pumps

One down from the full blown sports trainer, pumps are great for those times you just need to nip out, or have a casual errand to run. I also love wearing them shopping, since you can easily slide them on and off to try on clothes, as well as walk around in them for ages.

Two Strap Sandals

And finally. Ideal for dry and warm weather, two strap sandals are the staple city break/holiday shoe. They take zero time to put on, are comfortable AF and are supportive enough to last all those miles by foot (especially when you get lost...).

My favourites: the floral crop

What's better than a cute crop top? A cute floral crop top, that's what. They really are great - team with high-waisted shorts/skirts/jeans and you're good to go. Dress up or down, just be sure to make the most of them during summer. Stay top of the crops with my favourite five. 

1. The Embellished One

Floral Embroidered Crop Top, £125, Raishma at House of Fraser

2. The Sheer Mesh One

Floral Mesh Cropped Blouse, £25, Glamorous at Topshop

3. The Bodice One

Endless Rose Short Sleeve Floral Print Crop Top, £48, House of Fraser

4. The Off-the-Shoulder One

Sunflower Floral Crop, £15, Nasty Girl

5. The Bow One

Marguerite floral-print cotton cropped top, £225, Rebecca Taylor

Personal Shoppers - the check list

Image: Luxeexperiences

There are moments in life when a personal shopper is an absolute necessity. I'm thinking weddings, balls and other special occasions. Rather than trudge through rails for the 'perfect' outfit, not knowing where to start, sometimes we need a little extra direction. I'm yet to use one (mainly because I just love trying on evvvvverything...) but if you're short on time, this is the answer.

The demand for personal shoppers is on the rise -  for many, it's a full time job. Selfridges, House of Fraser and other luxury department stores have them. Retailers like Topshop are also rolling out the service, offering options such as 'The Big Event' to 'The Wardrobe Overhaul' (both free of charge).

So, what should you look for when deciding to hire one?

They have experience

Just as personal trainers have experience in fitness, personal shoppers should have experience in fashion. Do your research and ensure they know what they're talking about. Expect higher prices for those more established.

Image: Pinterest

They do their prep

A personal shopper should contact you before the appointment day to ask about the event (if any), your style, what you like/don't like wearing and your key personality traits. They should then have options waiting for when you arrive.

They listen 

A good personal shopper will listen to you and be genuinely interested in what the clothes are intended for  - whether it's your new career or a best friend's wedding. Friendly rapport is key.

They're diplomatic 

Even with their expertise, not everything they choose will look good on you. Rather than a blunt response, lines like 'We can do better' or 'Let's experiment a bit more' will stop you feeling awkward and make the process all the more enjoyable.

Image: Pinterest

They offer perks 

Really good personal shoppers will offer complimentary drinks and snacks (especially those working for luxury retailers). Free prosecco? Yes please.

They don't pressure you 

The last criteria - and possibly the most important. You should never feel pressured to buy throughout the experience, or at the end. If you aren't happy, walking away empty-handed should feel a plausible option. Remember, a personal shopper is there to advise, not sell.

Denim: our enduring love affair

Image: Elizamagazine

In 1969, a writer for American Fabrics magazine said that “Denim is one of the world’s oldest fabrics, yet it remains eternally young.” Sitting here writing this in 2017, I see what he meant. Denim - and denim jeans in particular - is something which never seems to be in or out of fashion. It never gets old. It's just wonderfully, gloriously here. 

And it's unsurprising really. The sturdy cotton textile has a twill weave which means it is super durable - even thinner denim will last longer than most material. It endures not only in the fashion stakes but literally, physically too! That snag on your wool top? It just wouldn't happen with trusty denim.

Whereas once upon a time, denim was restricted to blue jeans, the fabric has been re-invented time and time again. Coloured jeans were all the rage in 2014/2015 - yellow, green, red, you name it. Forget apps. There's a coloured jean for that. And then we have our low waisted/high-waisted denim shorts - frayed, neat or turned up. And then we have denim jackets. And denim shirts. And denim dresses (my last Insta post). And denim accessories. There's even denim lingerie available now. Have we gone denim mad?

Image: houseofelegancefashion

Not really. The long lasting appeal of this fabric (for both sexes) comes down to a classic appearance that says 'you can't go wrong'. I've even started wearing my dad's old Wrangler jacket - probably the only thing I'll ever borrow from his wardrobe (sorry dad). Double denim may have once gone against the fashion rule book, but rules are made to be broken - especially this one. Fashionistas Alexa Chung, Bella Hadid and Alessandra Ambrosio have all sported double denim in recent years, proving that we just can't get enough of the stuff. 

So what's the deal with denim now, I hear you ask. Well, 2017 was the year where jewels were added to denim - pearl encrusted denim was seen by the likes of Zara, Topshop and ASOS. It's also a big time for flared jeans (#tb to the 80's) and ruffle hemmed jeans. Patterned denim is bigger than ever. 

New embellishment, cuts, colours and patterns. Denim is a fabric which is both timeless yet constantly evolving. Three words - watch this space.

Image: Pinterest

The Bikini Bible

Oh England. Here I am sat writing in the rain and cold (it's apparently August, but a sweater is still needed). This time last week, rain was swapped for sun, a bed swapped for a sun-bed and a cup of Earl Grey swapped for a Pina Colada. Thank goodness for holidays.

Most importantly, my sweats were swapped for a bikini. Since me and my friend bought enough bikini's between us to clothe a small island (!) a blog post just had to be done. Still got a holiday planned and want to buy a new bikini set? Here's what to consider before buying. 

All images: pinterest

Firstly, avoid the urge to buy online. Definitely been there - bought two online which looked fantastic but had to return one since the fit just wasn't right. For almost any other form of clothing, online shopping is pretty fail safe (to a degree). But sizing for lingerie and swimwear is often more tricky to get right. Avoid the hassle and try it on.

Next up is material. You may have noticed I have a thing for good quality textiles and it's no more important than with a bikini. All that sun, sea and sand can ruin your bikini if it's made from cheap material. Thin material will also leave you a little exposed...ahem.

From material to fastenings. A lot of bikini tops come with a removable halter-neck style strap so you have the option of wearing it strapless. Double check the clasp fastening. Here's a secret - in Bali the tiny plastic clasp of one bikini top snapped. Which meant it had to always be worn strapless. Needless to say I avoided it (crashing waves would definitely have bought it down!). 

Lesson learnt: ensure the entire bikini is constructed well, clasps and all.

From wear to aesthetics, don't be afraid to mix and match! A black bikini top paired with tropical bottoms can look great, as can two clashing colours or prints. Buying separates means you get more for your money, since rotating them around will inevitably create different looks. Plus, who doesn't love a little holiday experimentation!

And finallyyyyyy, make sure you are comfortable. No matter how good the bikini may look on the outside, if you're constantly adjusting the top or worrying about the bottoms you won't enjoy yourself. And that's what holidays are for, right? 

Now to re-fill my cup of tea and book that next trip...