My favourites: the pencil skirt

We all know there are many skirts out there - the midi, the peplum, the mini, the skater, the list goes on....But few have stood the test of time as the pencil skirt. Pair with heels, or, for an alternative look, with your favourite converse. Ideal for any age, and breaking the barriers of 'not just for the office', here are my favourite five right now.

1. The Pattered one 

Giant floral-print silk pencil skirt, now £130, Raey at MatchesFashion

2. The Leather one 

Faux Snakeskin pencil skirt, £99, Karen Millen

3. The Checked one 

Checked pencil skirt, £35, M&S collection

4.The Quirky one

Striped stretch-knit pencil skirt, now £159, Diane Von Furstenberg 

5. The Glam one

Rose Gold sequined pencil skirt, £28, Dorothy Perkins 

Brunching - a stylists view

Oh brunch. Are you even a millennial if you don't brunch? Bottomless brunches, pancake brunches, 'healthy' brunches, four-hour brunches....the list is endless. As will be your appetite. You could even go so far to say that brunch has displaced the afternoon tea - starting earlier and with the potential to last longer.

But what do you wear to such an affair? Here are four key pointers.

Image: Pinterest

Repeat after me, the looser the better 

Yes. If there's ever an occasion to feast this is it (bar Christmas, where eating becomes a full-time hobby). That means goodbye to your tight pants and your skin-tight leotards. Save them for the club, or when the only thing passing your lips is liquid. From first hand experience, anything with no breathing room will be instantly regrettable. Instead, opt for full-skirts and loose dresses. Perfect for hiding that inevitable food baby.

Pick your top carefully 

If millennials brunch, they also gram. When you're sat down, that means only half of you will make the cut, as you order your friend to take that perfect Insta photo #girlswhobrunch #basic. Opt for a pretty top and some light-touch jewellery. Or, if you really want to let your food do the talking, keep things understated with a plain white or black top. Matching your outfit to your food? Now that's a step too far. Though in ten years time?

Don't wear your best 

Now, we know you want to look good for your gram, for your company and for your food. But wearing that expensive dress is never a good idea when golden syrup/prosecco/[insert other brunch staple] risks spilling over you. It's just not worth the stress when your main focus should be the food - not avoiding the food's contact with your clothes. So leave that designer jumper alone and go care-free.

But do wear a layer 

What's more cute than girl + pancakes + cardigan draped around shoulders? A puppy, maybe. Layers will also ensure you stay warm whatever the venue temperature throws at you. The worse is feeling chilly in places where the air-con is full blast (we've all been there).

So that's that. Not much else really except a) be sure to scour that menu 100 times b) order at least 4 glasses of prosescco and/or tomato juice and c) only leave when your belly is fully satisfied. Hear hear.

You can leave your hat on

Hats have many practical purposes - from keeping you warm (thanks, beanie) to keeping you cool (thanks, wide-brim). They act as the perfect solution for covering up yet another bad hair day, as well as protecting you from the rain.

Image: Pinterest

And they also have the power to act as a major fashion statement. You only have to look at something like The Royal Ascot, a British event where women are encouraged to 'wear smart attire with a hat or fascinator'. Yes, you heard that right, a fascinator - a light, decorative headpiece that's a combination of hat and those fancy headbands you wore in year 9 dance class. 

Other fashion statements? Well, everyone links the iconic Audrey Hepburn with the black, chic, oversized hat she wore in Breakfast at Tiffany's. And the catwalk - from high end designers like Chanel, to the more affordable Topshop, will also use hats as a standout piece on the runway. 

So what does this mean for us? Well, whereas once hats were something more 'practical', the last five years or so have seen a real shift in incorporating hats into fashion and general aesthetic 'fun' - regardless of any practicality they may serve. Indeed, fashion is cyclical and this is a perfect example of that. Go back to the Edwardian or Victorian era and huge hats were all the rage - a sign of status and, crucially, a major fashion statement.  

Image: Pinterest

If there's one thing I'm excited about this Autumn, it's pulling out a mustard yellow beanie hat to brighten up my day (and outfit). It'll be snug and warm, yes. But it'll also look bloody awesome. On my recent holiday to Greece, I took not one, not two, but three hats with me. Okay, this is in part because I never pack light, but also because it gave me so much option when it came to outfits. There was the khaki cap (typically worn with denim shorts for a boyish look), the floppy sandy hat (perfect for the beach) and the black wide brim hat (a more formal, crisp option).

So there we go. Get happy - or should that be hatty. Be as mad as a hatter. Forget sex appeal, it's all about hat appeal. Okay, will stop now - but just remember, you can leave your hat on...

There's a bikini for that!

Image: Pinterest

Holiday season is nearly over - but not just yet. I say that while I dash off to Greece for the last stint of summer, in search of golden sands. And a beach holiday means it is time to dig out last year's bikini - or maybe invest in a new set because last year's is, well, so last year. 

However, never have us bikini lovers been so spoilt for choice. With so many styles now, including high leg briefs, waisted bottoms, and not to mention cut-out swimsuits (which are just as sexy as a bikini), choosing your favourite is not a straightforward affair.

But you needn't fear. For the full low-down on what bikini to choose for which occasion, look no further.

Best for: an all day pool party 

Image: BrandAlley

All day pool parties can be raucous affairs - which means a proper fitting bikini is essential if you're going to be splish-splashing around in the water. Opt for a halter-neck style bikini for full support, and bikini bottoms that are NOT tied at the side. Trust me, you don't want something that risks coming loose. High-waisted ones are fab for swimming around in the water (or simply trying to hijack that pink flamingo for an Instagram pic).

Best for: lounging on a beach 

Image: Pinterest

By contrast, lounging on a beach involves minimal movement - expect to top up your suncream and reach over to sip that mojito. In which case, go for a bandeau style bikini top without straps (great to avoid dreaded tan lines) and high cut briefs. Select a bright colour to stand out from the other 1,803 British tourists also trying to seriously tan before returning to the office.


Best for: watching the sunset 

Image: UK Swimwear

No holiday is complete without watching a sunset one night - and a full piece swimsuit is best for this as the temperature drops. Pick one that has a plunge neck-line (on trend now), or with cut out sides at the waist (also seen on the catwalk) for a big stylist tick. Alternatively, choose one that is full at the front, but backless, for a sophisticated yet understated look.

Best for: surfing and volleyball

Image: Pinterest

Holiday sports call for briefs paired with a cami top. No fuss, full support and hotter than hell (to quote Dua Lipa). Essentially, this type of bikini is ideal for taking you from beach volleyball to surfing back to beach volleyball. But be sure to stay hydrated - with all that sweat you may just have to order another pina-colada. It's a hard life..

My favourites: the lace top

Few things are as pretty, sophisticated and easy to wear than a lace top. When you want to feel dressy but not overdone, team with a pair of black jeans. Alternatively, wear with a skirt to enhance all levels of femininity. Just be sure to keep it simple and let the top steal the show...

Here are my favourite 5 right now:

1. The Ruffled one 

Self-portrait ruffled lace top, £200, Net-a-porter

2. The White one 

High Neck Lace Blouse, £50, Lipsy

3.  The Sleeveless one 

Fringe-Trim Lace top, £49.50, Banana Republic

4. The Quirky one 

Flora lace top in multi-coloured, £70, French Connection 

5. The Off-The-Shoulder one 

Lovedrobe cold shoulder lace top, £42, Marisota 

Festivals, Carnivals and all that jazz

Yes, it's that time of the year again. People are spotted wearing 5+ wrist bands up their arm and glitter sales from Amazon are about to go through the roof. It can only mean one thing. Festivals and carnivals are back! If there was ever a chance to get fun with fashion - this is it. When else can you look like you've been pulled backwards through a rainbow bush and still look hot?

Image: Pinterest

For the record, Glastonbury is not on this year but there are many others to keep you occupied. Be it Secret Garden party, Coachella, Bestival, RiZE...the list goes on. And let's not forget the fact it is Carnival season too - the most famous Notting Hill Carnival, London.

So what does all this mean for your attire? Well, it means that 'day-to-day' dressing goes out the window - unless you are a) over 50 and b) the fun police. 

Instead, it's a fantastic opportunity to experiment. I love the use of crotchet fabric that is otherwise fairly risque. Festivals give licence for extra skin on show, so why not try a top that incorporates this style of material. Likewise, I'm a sucker for a cropped bodice....just pick one with a fun pattern (think juicy strawberries or bright yellow sunflowers).

Crotchet fabric. Image: Pinterest

And it's also a time to get out the dungarees! Again, this look seems to reach its hype during festivals and carnivals, and it's easy to see why - they are phenomenally comfy but also easy to dress up with a colourful t-shirt and heaps of jewellery. Think farmer chic meets boho goddess.

We've experienced a heatwave here in England - recently offset by some showers which was pretty welcomed. That said, everyone still wishes for a hot sunny day when attending a festival. But do you know the great thing about it if it rains? It means the WELLIES can come out. Again, when else do people wear wellies this much? Indeed, even if it is hot and dry, no one will batter an eye when you parade out your tent wearing the latest Hunters. 

Alexa Chung in Hunter wellies. Image: Pinterest

Also, let's not also forget the bum-bags. For 10 months of the year these are not a good look. But for the two in summer, they so are. Funny how these have such a seasonal dependency. However, the practicalities of wearing a bum-bag to music events is a big plus - hands free and secure, you can boogie on to Ed Sheeran's Shape of You until the early hours.

And finally. Glitter. Lots of it. Pink, purple, blue, gold, silver. The more the better. Shimmer over cheekbones, collarbones and decolletage. Just be warned that you *will* still find specks of glitter in the most random places come November. Worth it? Hell yeah.

Pendant perfection

There's something delightful about a simple, elegant pendant necklace. It can say a lot about your personality, your mood, your taste. Be it gold or silver, every woman should have at least one of these in her jewellery box. Here's the low-down on some of the most popular shapes out there.

1. The horseshoe

As the old adage goes, horseshoes are meant to be lucky. Wear this charm to your interview, your first date or when you want fate to work in your favour. Choose a plain pendant shape or one with added embellishment.

2. The four leaf clover

Image: Tiffany

Ah! The luck of the Irish. Another 'lucky' charm that you can wear around your neck. A change from a standard flower, this is a force to be reckoned with. If - like me - you have yet to find a four leaf clover in real life, then at least you can wear its shining substitute.

3. The half moon 

One of my personal favourites, there's something timeless about this shape. Not only does it remind us of the universe/galaxy (somewhat grounding) it has a sleek shape that goes with most items in your wardrobe.

4. The heart 

A classic, and one of the most popular pendant shapes. Forget wearing your heart on your sleeve, wear it on your neck for a dash of love. Perfect for moments with your loved ones - be it friends, family or partners.

5. The diamond

Image: Maya Magal

Shine bright like a diamond, once sang Rhianna. A diamond shaped pendant has a angular shape that works best with sharp cuts (think shoulder padded blazer). For the full effect, choose one that uses diamonds as part of its design.

6. The stud

The most simple out of all, this round shape can almost go unnoticed if small in size. But when the light falls on this circle of silver/gold, it has a wonderfully understated effect. If you're not really a jewellery person, then this one is for you.

Feeling inspired? For more shapes and designs, head to Gem & Company and enjoy 20% off all purchases with the code 'NILUKA20'