The Best of Friends

Apparently they're stopping Friends on British tv soon! I don't know if its a sick new money saving scheme or something but for some reason, I'm watching like two hours of Friends on E4 everyday! I realise I'm about ten years behind but I can't stop watching it and as I'm seeing Brad Pitt at Monica's for Thanksgiving, (looking absolutely lush by the way) I thought it was time to broadcast the end for Friends :(

Although it might not be true.

And from a fashion perspective, I'm just glad bras are way more popular now!

In With Outer-Wear

This season, as far as coats and jackets are concerned, we are definitely spoiled for choice. Its only October and I've already got my Aviator jacket ticked off my Wish List. H&M's affordable and stylish option. I admit, its not exactly Burberry standard styling but my budget doesn't exactly stretch to such lengths and the texture of the shearling is so soft and warm, its a close replacement while I'm waiting for the real thing.

Next on the agenda, although not a key item for this season, is yet another leather jacket- I think I'm developing a fetish but that's for another site... The neutral beige colour is perfect for the "minimal bare" look now and it has a retro seventies feel which does tie in current trends. I bought it for only £30 at London Fashion Weekend, this Lipsy original is my wardrobe staple at the moment and I suspect it will be in the coming winter!

So, all that's left is the knitted cardigan. Its my missing piece at the moment as I just can't find one that feels right. Discussing this with my friend only yesterday, she seemed to agree. A cardigan has the perfect cosy cable knit but doesn't have the large Abercrombie and Fitch style buttons or doesn't have any buttons at all which is my pet hate. Its not that I typically button-up cardigans fashioning myself ready for the Antarctic but without them, it just doesn't fall right. The patterned designs are my favourite right now, though, with the classic two tone patterns. Bellow is my short list:

Miss Selfrige, £38

 Miss Selfrige, £36

 Zara, £39.99

 Oasis, £50

 Oli.co.uk, £50

 Zara, £59.99

 Warehouse, £65



Note the button style from the Hollister knitted sweater above,
not the actual sweater itself.

Maxi Must Haves

Is it a reaction to the utilitarian theme of this season? Are we desperate to exercise our inner bohemian chick? Or are we actually enjoying the functional wardrobe Autumn/Winter has to offer that we are taking it further with a maxi skirt? I honestly couldn't tell you but I can assure you that for the first time I can think of, I NEED a maxi skirt!
Everything I have would look perfect with a maxi skirt: my ankle boots would give me some height and sophistication, my baggy crop top (as taken from Elle's Daily Outfit) and my new H&M Aviator jacket would pull the look from hippie festival to edgy glamorous. This seasons wardrobe is designed for this skirt and with a good pair of heels and some clever balancing of proportions, the maxi is designed for everyone and here are some of my favourites:

Oasis offers a simple black skirt and the genius this skirt offers is in the tailoring under the bum. The fit gives shape to your bum and flicks out slightly at the bottom to stop a cone effect happening.
This is currently in the sale for £10 from £20 but I'm guessing the old "while stocks last" applies to this number.

Talking of Elle's Instant Outfits, this skirt from Topshop for £40 was featured on the website very recently. The neutral colour is very on trend (although I hate that phrase) this season and the shape is a more exaggerated version of the Oasis example above. The lace trim at the bottom is also an interesting feature and added touch of femininity to piece.

TK Maxx has long been the outlet of guilty pleasure. The Donna Karen bag for only £20 or the McQueen top for £40, a bloody bargain and here they offer another! I'm guessing its not exactly a Westwood or Lagerfeld original but it does have a very attractive pattern that acts as almost a cross over piece from whimsical summer pieces and festival/holiday wear to harsher, more practical wear for Autumn/Winter with the darker colour and new shape. As well as this, the skirt is priced at only £11 so get rummaging.

New Look here and only £19.99. Horizontal stripes have been embedded into our minds as evil unless six foot tall and six inches wide but paired with a simple t-shirt and some ankle boots, a very urban, sophisticated style can be created. I think its definitely worth a trip to the changing rooms anyways, just for a look...

This is the most expensive of the selection at £45, found in Warehouse but I love the pattern so much and the colours are simply perfect and if you were having trouble with the more popular angry styles of A/W then maybe this is a welcome relief and the shape is looser all the way down with a definite, more obvious flare at the bottom. Shown with boots here in this picture, an example of how to wear for A/W, showing that it will still go with your other purchases in preparation for the changing season.

I hope this has opened the eyes of the maxi dress pessimists. Join me in my bid for full length!