#WantItWednesday (18/06/14)

The suns out, the breeze is heavenly. 

Boys are in short trousers and the girls are in pinafores. 

The British summer is in full swing: rather than spoiling it by speculating on a particular tournament on the lips of everyone (and their mother) at the moment. I thought I would harp back to a golden era; filled will lashings of ginger beer (alcoholic if you must), lemonade and packed lunch tins filled with cucumber sandwiches and a hefty dose of nostalgia. 

This beautiful hat from Mulberry evokes that and so much more. The straw style reminds me so much of the summer uniform I once loathed to wear and now cannot get enough of and certainly want to be back in now. 

I am a fan of hat/hair accessory and this one is perfect for warmer climes and it will elegantly certainly keep sunstroke at bay.

 I want to have it, you'll want to have it. So we should all just go and get it! 

It's fun and much like a lot of things out there at the moment should be worn with a heavy sense of irony.

Go all out in your summer uniform with a crisp, white mandarin collar and a navy pinafore, make it casual with an oversized t-shirt and a pair of light coloured trousers or denim; either way you want to head straight to the mouth of the Thames and spend forever lazily punting in the sun. (champagne optional)

I'm definitely in the mood to commit fully to this. Who doesn't want to wear a pinafore again?! If it means I get the hat, then I certainly do! 

All looks can be found here. 

#WantItWednesday (26/03/14)

I am a lover of handbags, but not in the way you would expect. I appreciate them, I always covet the latest satchel and cross body bag going. My bag purchases however are few and far between. 

Why? Because I shove my whole life, the kitchen sink and my ubiquitous emergency flats into my handbag so I NEVER change it. It needs to be sturdy, look effortlessly chic and go with the entirety of my wardrobe. I am often laughed at because I am known to lug my giant bag everywhere with me, even on nights out. 

I buy once a year, if that. I'm am currently lugging my ever so easy and effortless Longchamp around with me. And this is the bag I want next. 

Willow Tote, Mulberry

The Mulberry Willow is roomy, functional and utterly breathtaking on your arm.

It even (if you are so inclined) has an inbuilt emergency shoe holder!

(the pouch in the front) 

Not only is this a beautiful bag, it can carry everything you need and more and make you look effortlessly chic while doing it. 

Want! Want, Want on a Wednesday!

LFW AW14 Round Up

The AW14 season is nearly over and I have been completely swept up with the glamour of it all, apologies for my delayed round up. It has just been far too exciting.

Fashion Week, was muted this season, but nonetheless a brilliant one. There was a definite ‘Scandi’ aesthetic, clean silhouettes and monochromatic palettes, punctuated with Oranges, Mustards, Crimsons and Canary Yellows. I had a wonderful time discovering new labels, being refreshed on the Shopcade bus (all such lovely people!) new obsessions and new colours for my wardrobe. It was also heartening to discover, my love for black, grey, and beige will not have to be out of vogue for the colder months to come.

My Ones to Watch (of course) did not disappoint.

 

Daks, celebrating its 120^th birthday kept true to its traditional edge, and its distinctive check was threaded throughout the entire collection. Colour blocking was strong with this; separates matched in wonderful shades of buttery camel, soft blacks and sumptuous wines with a hint of gold threaded throughout. There was (unsurprisingly) a military theme with their beautiful warm wool outerwear selection; all which I could happily crawl into and live in forever. Overall, it was a wonderful collection from a truly British institution.  

Hunter’s First foray onto the catwalk also proved to be a very British affair; gumboot greens and useful khakis were updated in modern, water repelling fabrics that make you wish the unwholesome weather of late would be an all-year round affair, just so you could wear the signature cape all day. Traditional, functional garments are updated with a sartorial twist, Fisherman’s jumpers are given open backs, minis are updated with waxed fabrics and jackets are relaxed with neoprene touches. A very solid catwalk debut in my opinion!

My love for Preen has not abated after their glorious collection. I am a fan of layering. I always have been and this collection seemed to be made specifically for me. Belted coats with thick, warm fur collars, colour blocked separates with a hint of a rather intriguing heavy pattern and ORANGE, I have just gone dizzy from the excitement of it all. The coat, the glorious orange wool coat, I lust for it and want to layer it with black in differing textures. I am a particular fan of the screen prints found throughout the collection (as I am of course a not so secret Star Wars super fan) and will try my best to get the white button up in my personal collection before everyone else!

The reigning kings of pattern also were a wondrous occasion. The acidic coloured furs and geometric crimsons prove Peter Pilotto is here to stay. Stripes and angles incorporated into the silhouette of dresses are nearly always flattering and the complimentary colour scheme demands you attend all the cocktail parties in these outfits. I am a particular fan of the knitwear offering which was intelligent, bright and fun; all the things you need when it is painfully cold outside!

There were of course the big hitters, Burberry with their rather slouchier silhouette this season, I have no doubt monograms will be everywhere now and I do really, really want one of THOSE Capes with my initials on, who wouldn’t? Mulberry’s announcement also provided a jump for joy. Quilted leather and cute backpacks are here to stay especially if the model du jour has helped to create the collection. Another reason to ‘want, Want, WANT!’

This season also provided me with a few new favourites, ones I will be keeping my eyes firmly on. Flavia La Rocca. AMAZING simple, structured garments in a neutral palette, with zip details. This is THE one to watch if you are looking for chic, casual work wear. I want it all! Buba London is also on my radar of wonderfully eccentric accessories. Wonderfully detailed, vintage aesthetic of the label are perfect, an Aztec/Art Deco theme here that is inescapable and perfectly suits a simple palette or loud ones alike. Another Quirky and fun label I spotted during fashion week was Liz Black. A tongue is firmly planted in cheek with a label that is interesting, beautifully cut and fun. It is easy to forget that fashion should be fun and this brings it right to the forefront. A particular piece that makes me smile is, of course the Lip Dress. You cannot go wrong if you’ve a giant pout in your mid-section!

So there you have it. That was London Fashion Week in a nutshell. Bring on SS15 in September, I am ready for you! (clad in my Peter Pilotto button up and Preen coat!)