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.

Minimalism.. Maximised

This season, we seem to be reading about how classic lines are back, trousers and coats are replacing embellished bags and cocktail dresses as the new essential staples and Vogue is guiding me through minimalism. With so much enthusiasm behind the new trend (and with some stunning pieces, rightly so) I can't help but feel there is a slight rebellion among the ranks, kind of a minimalism with added extras. It sounds strange but the result is sultry with quite a dark edge.

Take a look at Burberry's new campaign:

A neutral palette and feminine lace tunic dresses. Then take a look at the stunning shearling leather jackets! The huge collars and thick layer of fur toughens up the whole look, giving it a completely new level of sex appeal and that harsher edge, leaving my brown leather from last year cowering in the corner!

Now perhaps a look at Stefanel. A simple outfit, the knitted cardigan, in neutral colours again, and a simple pattern but when worn with knee high boots.. And nothing else (assume that you would tie the cardigan closed) this understated cardigan is sexy and slightly suggestive.


I don't mean that minimal now means minimal clothing, Lanvin's girls wore skirts and blouses or dresses in his new campaign:

Alber Elbez decided that the edge to these pieces would be a metallic black material and studded chunky jewellery to give the model's a dark and Gothic look.


Jil Sander, the designer that flag shipped minimalism the first time around in the 90's has come back now with a new look. The silky material and perfectly tailored suit creates this sexy, sophisticated body hugging ensemble in her new campaign. So simple and yet, such a stunning statement.


So the rules of this new minimalist movement:
1) Colours are neutral or black
2) Shoes and jackets are the focus
3) Fur adds a touch of glamour


Go to:
vogue.co.uk
lanvin.com
jilsander.com
http://www.burberry.com/
http://www.stefanel.com/

Get Suited and Booted for A/W 2010

This Autumn, its all about smooth, clean lines and delicate, classic styles. The trousers are back with a vengeance in leg lengthening styles and colour scales ranging from taupe to beige. The coat has a resurgence as designers start becoming sensible, surely it can't be true?!

Don't panic, fashion followers, but do be prepared to walk the walk this season. Boots are coming from every direction and at Prada, Alexander McQueen and Dior they are hitting thigh height while Acne and Aldo are returning to the wild days of Punk for Doc Marten style biker boots with added high fashion class. A personal highlight had to be the Chanel biker boot in a luxurious calf-skin leather and large buckles for that dark/grunge edge Karl Lagerfeld does best.

 Another Chanel favourite was the furry boots also seen at Lanvin, perfect for those snowy days at home or in the Alps.






The third style has to come from Burberry with the ankle shearling boots of their A/W 2010 collection. The fur trim and killer heels are the ultimate in glamorous rock n roll style. Wear with beaten leathers and a rockstar boyfriend and you can't go wrong this season.

For more info on these shoes visit: 

net-a-porter.com

vogue.co.uk

www.farfetch.com/

elleuk.com

Rokit Vintage Clothing

After my previous preeching to the Gods of supermarket style about Tesco's Florence and Fred, I am now writing nudge them down from their heroic pedistal as although their clothes are still perfectly suitable for their purpose (I have recently bought two tops for a total of £8) their shoes have let me down. I will admit that i was somewhat intoxicated so perhaps I didn't help the cause but Topshop has supported my drunken antics many a time and still continues to do so I have to admit, I'm slightly disapointed; I live in Wales, I need shoes that can take a little rain! I suppose it does prove though, that shoes really should be left to the likes of Manolo and Louboutin for a job perfectly done...

This week, I hope to slightly redeem myself with a store I discovered on the internet. I came across http://www.rokit.co.uk/ which is a vintage site based in London for both men and women and has some really stunning pieces.

Another great thing with the t-shirts and some of the jackets (blazers particularly) was that the mens and womens were basically unisex with some cool t-shirts from bands and other things and I managed to find top for £20 (shown right) in a size in the men's page which looks good over leggings or jeans and is just really compfy.

One of my favourite pieces was a pair of red leather shorts which were stunning and that would've been my ideal outfit with the top bought but they still await for someother lucky shopper.

The knitwear as mentioned above is also worth a look with some classic 70's and 80's designs and shapes but pieces that really would look great now as well.

With a really quick delivery and easy accessible site, its a perfect (test-driven) place for some one-off vintage pieces.