Suited, Booted: what to look for in a blazer

I love wearing a suit. Not everyone will say the same, but back in sixth form when we had to wear suits, I definitely found it a cause of celebration, not commiseration! Fast forward 5 years and now in a London corporate job, a suit is pretty much expected. It puts you in the right mind-set. It looks smart and sophisticated. It's professional. Did I go out and shop for suits before starting? Oh yes - and picked up a few things along the way.

Firstly, a blazer might be in your size, but sometimes it pays to go up a size, or down a size, depending on the look you want. I have a blazer which is slightly over-sized but that's because I liked the way it fell/hung. Liked having it that tad bit longer. On the other hand, you might decide to go for a blazer one size (or a few inches) down, to achieve that 'nipped in', fitted look. Be sure to try on a few.

And be sure to experiment with different fits, as well as sizes. One blazer which has lasted me from sixth form to now has a tapered front but a shorter back. This means wearing it with high-waisted trousers or a high-waisted skirt creates a feminine silhouette from the side. I like that it's a bit different to the fit/style of a normal blazer. Keep your eyes peeled for those slightly unusual styles.

Image: bcbg

And experiment with colours and patterns! Obviously black, navy and grey are perfect fail-safe options and should definitely make up a good percentage of your blazer collectiom. But a check blazer? A pinstripe blazer? A maroon blazer or emerald green blazer? Why not. Just be sure to check with the company policy first - or save it for that weekend dinner party...

Also, don't forget functionality - e.g check for pockets. If you're like me and always have your personal/work phone on you, you'll want to have a pocket in your blazer. The number of blazers that skip pockets altogether (or have 'fake' ones for stylist purposes) is more than you think. It's a practicality worth considering.

Image: mango

As is the lining. Good quality lining will mean the blazer will last longer. It's also an aesthetic consideration too. Sometimes, you might want to roll up the cuffs of your blazer for a stylish 'rough and ready' look. But to do this, the underlining has to look pretty good. Just because it's on the inside of the blazer doesn't mean no one will see it. A solid colour works well, like dark blue or red.

I could go on but I'll stop there for want of blazer frenzy (!). Other factors to consider include buttons (are there spare ones included inside?), lapels (how much of your shirt do you want to show?) and shoulder pads (a little, yes, too much, no.)

Happy Blazer-ing!

First photo courtesy of Telka Zcos & VanityStudios 

My favourites: the trench coat

Trench coats are a quintessential part of Autumn dressing (for both men and women). There is something so classic about the fit and look, something so wonderfully British. Yet there are more styles out there than you might think.
Here are my favourite five right now.

1. The Black One 

Saskia Trench, £199, Hobbs London

2. The Draped One

Patty Drape Flared Trench Coat, £200, French Connection

3. The Classic One 

Artistry Wool Camel Trench Coat, £195, Oliva Bonus

4. The Tartan One 

Angela Mele Milano, £184, Yoox

5. The Pastel One

Wrap trench coat, £80, Yumi 

Going out? Read this first

Going out is one of the pleasures of life. So is getting ready. There's nothing better than glamming up, with your girl-pals, over a glass of wine. Trust me, sometimes I prefer this to the night itself! Okay, not completely, but it certainly does set the mood for the night. 

But it can also be stressful. Outfit malfunctions are the biggest cause of being late. (Source: Friends of Niluka). To take the stress out of getting ready - whatever and wherever you might be going - read on.

Image: 8tracks

1. Plan your outfit the day before - or at least in the morning 

There's nothing worse than trying to haphazardly piece together an outfit when you have sub 1 hour to spare. Rushing is just not ideal in a situation when you want to look your best. Sure, have a couple of options in mind, but don't leave it all to the last minute.

2. Do an underwear check

If your dress/top is low cut and might reveal a flash of underwear - have you decided what bra will go? If you have a halterneck, do you have a strapless bra at hand? Is it better to ditch the bra altogether?! Be sure to consider all options when getting ready.

3. And a weather check, of course 

Image: HackneyGazette

Yes, your outfit is fab. But standing in a queue when temperatures are sub 5C is not. Not matter how good you look, shivering and moaning is not the best #ootd. If you know you might end up outside for a bit, or have to walk, then always take a coat. The cloak room fee is totally worth it.

4. Pack your bag before you start getting ready 

Hands up who has ever forgotten their ID before? Yep, me too. Frantically trying to chuck your card, money, ID, make-up and phone into your bag, just as you are about to leave, is a recipe for disaster. Having learnt from experience, I now get my clutch ready before the evening. No stress added.

5. Consider the accessories 

Image: Pinterest

An outfit can be made by a necklace or pair of earrings. Be sure to factor in an extra 5-10 minutes to experiment with jewellery when you're dressed. Sometimes, nothing may be needed (e.g a fussy dress that can do the talking by itself) but often, a piece of jewellery will bring an outfit together.

6. Consult your trusted forces

Asking someone for their opinion on your outfit is the perfect sense check. If you have your label  sticking out, or your outfit is too under/over dressed for the occasion, your friend will probably tell you. It'll also give you a boost of confidence to go and have a bloody good time. Cheers to that.

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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Want more?

 Email ask.niluka@gmail.com to voice your opinion, request content and have the chance to collaborate. 

I'm always keen to hear your thoughts!

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